ergo september 22

8/14/2019 Ergo September 22

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Monday, September 22, 2008A BYTE OF LIFE

MR AND MRS IDLYGo places with their livekiosk in cities

FREE CIRCULATION

PAM’ MASKED PAL

could be Michael Jackson

1004

Tamil Nadu Ranji Trophy skipperSubramaniam Badrinath may atlast get his dues after waiting inthe fringes for the past threeyears. Drafted in as a replacementfor an injured Sachin Tendulkarfor the Irani Trophy tie, thetechnically correct right-handermay well find a spot in India’sTest side for the Australia series ifthe master-blaster fails to recoverfrom his elbow injury.

ON

CLOUD

NINE

» Page 09

Vol. 2 No. 183



ERGO Monday, September 22, 2008NAMMA CHENNAI02

It was raining roses at ApolloSpecialty Hospital on Sunday,as the occasion was Rose Day.

Rose Day is a celebration of life for cancer patients, perpetrat-ed in the name of Melinda Rose, aCanadian-born 14- year-old,

who, though her-self afflicted withcancer, spent hertime spreading cheer and happi-ness all aroundher.

The special at-traction of the

day was the visitof celebrity cou-ple Suriya andJyothika to thehospital. They

gave away roses to patients at thehospital.

The day’s programme included

a special event planned for thechildren at the hospital. The en-tertainment session included sto-ry-telling sessions, games and aspecial programme by Venky, theventriloquist. The highlight of the

entire activity was a special entainment programme preseby children who were treate

Apollo Specialty Hospital. Spgifts were given away to the dren at the programme. ■

Cancer Patients at Apollo Specialty Hospital celebrated Rose Day with the celebrity couple

ERGO CORRESPONDENT [email protected]

A day withSuriya and Jo

Who is our VP?Recently, the Vice President of

India was in the city on an officialvisit. Interestingly, a few IPS offi-cers didn’t know the name of our

VP. And they weren’t alone intheir ignorance either. A journal-ist asked some top khakis for thename, and the latter are known tohave Googled the answer.

Old computers?

The state DGP and the City Po-lice Commissioner inaugurated acomputer training programmefor Friends of Police in the IceHouse area recently. Apparently,the five computers were outdatedmachines which were set up tofunction only for a few minutes,till the VIPs leave. At the time of the inauguration, a machine mal-functioned, forcing the function-aries to shift to an alternativemachine, which luckily worked.

The frightened star A well-known Kollywood ac-

tress is a petrified one these days.The reason – she is known to havebeen close friends with two city-based businessmen, who are in a

soup after a fire accident. Thetress, who is their busihouse’s brand ambassadorknown to have tactically

quired among some known whether the investigating will knock on her doors foenquiry.

Service charge fothreat

A father and son were stripand beaten black and blue ina police station in the Ambadistrict by a lady Inspector she received a complaint fthe son’s wife regarding beingrassed. Both the accused known to have pledged that

will never again ill-treat the wan. It was a good work by thecop but it did come with a vice charge.’

Tax break on e-bikesHere is some good news for owners e-bikes. Tamil Nadu government hasslashed 50 per cent on road tax forelectrical two-wheelers, making it mattractive and affordable to own on

The day’sprogrammeincluded aspecial eventplanned for

the children atthe hospital.

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Monday, September22, 2008

Blood donation campUnder the healthcare team of CSR wing, about 220employees of Mphasis donated blood at a camp held onSeptember 19. The Blood Donation Camp was organisedin coordination with Lion’s Blood Bank and Redcross.

A n unidentified group of 20 men on motorcyclespelted stones at thehouse of Kollywood

comedy actor Vadivelu in Vi-rugambakkam on Sunday morning. No one was injuredin the incident but the glass fa-cade of the house wasdamaged.

Police sources said over 20men on motorcycles reachedthe actor’s house at the Lokai-

ya Colony in Virugambakkamaround 10.30 a.m. and hadyelled out for the actor to

come out. The actor and hisfamily, who were present athome at the time, boltedthemselves behind doors fear-ing trouble. The gang contin-ued to raised slogans againstthe actor and pelted stones in-to the house which and fledthe scene. The attack damagedthe glass windows in front of the house, police added.

Actor Vadivelu called thepolice, who later reached thespot to conduct preliminary investigations. Speaking to Er-go, M S Muthusamy, Deputy Commissioner of Police (T Na-gar) said that an investigation

is underway but there aren’tany suspects yet.

An assault case involving ac-tor Vadivelu and a relative of actor-politician Vijayakanth iscoming for court hearing onMonday. Actor Vadivel, speak-ing to mediapersons, after ac-cessing the damage, suspected

that the functionaries of theDMDK could have been be-hind the attack on his house.

Meanwhile there are alsospeculations that the comedy actor’s role imitating a young top star in an upcoming moviecould have sparked the attack by the latter’s fans. ■

The calm over Virugambakkam locality shattered

after a sudden attack by a bike gangERGO [email protected]

Miscreants stoneVadivelu’s house

PHOTOS: S.S. KUMAR

‘Egg’ing on

A studentbusy paintingon an ostrichegg on the

theme‘AppreciatingOurBiodiversity’at acompetitionorganised byEnviro Club oWomen’sChristianCollege inChennai onSeptember 1PHOTO: S.S. KUMA



ERGO Monday, September 22, 2008KALEIDOSCOPE04

dent venture.Mr& Mrs Idly is less than a year

old in Chennai but already boastsof around 30 franchise outletsacross India. “We opened our

second outlet in Hyderabad, onemonth after the Chennai store,and the third in Kolkata,” they say. Since then there was no look-ing back. Today, Mr and Mrs Idly kiosks are in all the major cities,

A

n array of shops, both big and small, vying for atten-

tion, and a teeming crowdof hungry shoppers andmovie-goers around this 4-sqftkiosk serving piping hot idlis. Iam inside Abirami Mega Mall inPurusawalkam on a Sunday morning, jostling for place beforemeeting Mr and Mrs Idly, and I’mamazed to see how a business ascommon as selling idlis can click even in Chennai.

The young couple, VikashGoenka and Megha Modi, is thebrain behind these friendly kiosks which you see outsidecommercial complexes, insidemalls, on the road or any busy junction, for that matter. In-builtwith an idli maker and space to

accommodate three to four varie-ties of chutneys, these live kioskssell over 600 idlis on weekdaysand around 1,200 on weekends –running completely on electrici-ty.

Selling an idea“Idlis are healthy, hygienic and

one food which has a wide ap-peal, so I started the business inChennai with an aim to take theconcept places,” says Vikash,who disapproved of entering hisdad’s import business to take onthe booming food industry.

Raising strong objection fromfamily and friends, the coupleproved everybody wrong in thefirst three months of the ventureitself. With Rs. 5 lakh, a humble

investment to start a business,pooled from both their savings,they started their first kiosk in

Abirami Mall. “Our idlis were arunaway hit, especially for the

freshness and the unique way wepackaged, and in three months we made up for the capital we in-vested,” recalls the LIBA graduate

who was dabbling with stocks be-fore starting this as an indepen-

except Mumbai.“We are mulling over opening in

Abu Dhabi and Chi-na next,” says Vikash.

Starting troublesMegha, a graduate of Ethiraj

College for Women, recalls selling idlis in the first four months. “It

was during Diwali that weopened the kiosk and we were

just about settling down. There was so much demand and wecouldn’t afford to remain mutespectators,” says Megha, whonow heads the franchisees.

From branding the takeaway containers to ensuring a pan-In-dia taste in every pocket (there isonly one master kitchen in every city), they are happy with the pro-gress being made.

Going mobile!The Goenkas will soon be ex-

panding kiosks by ad

dosas and Mafilter coffee on

their menu. The

more on the cards. social initiate they are ling at giving franchises to any

who can afford Rs. 25,000, creating employment. “Heram looking at a mobile kserving fresh food to corporand others on the move,” heplains about starting it by Jan2009. Meanwhile, it has alsoup with Big Bazaar and INO

Until then, catch these kiin Shanti Colony in Anna Nor Vepery (the latter is opesoon) for some dry fruit idli, s

white idly or subz idly. Everthem? ■

(If you are an entrepreneur a successful business mod

know one, write to

firstinnings@goerg

This couple is intothe business of

making idlis, withkiosks in 30 major cities in India

MORE IN THE MAKING FOR

Mr and Mrs Idly

‘‘The Fact that our economical models atThe Fed, the best in the world, have been

wrong for 14 straight quarters, does not meanthey will not be right in the 15th quarter.

Allan Greenspan

IN A MINUTE

Company: Mr and Mrs Idly

Started: November 2007

Founders: Vikash Goenka and Megha Modi

Team: 32

Funding: Self

Know Me Better: www.mrandmrsidly.com

Email: [email protected]

P H O T O : S . S .

K U M A R



Monday, September 22, 2008

India’s maiden moon missioncould begin its space odyssey in

December if it misses its launchwindow slated for October 19 to26, former ISRO chief Krishnas-

wamy Kasturirangan has said.The cyclone season in the Bay of Bengal extends all through No-vember which rules out the pos-sibility of space launch, he said.

Chandrayaan-I, which is being assembled at the ISRO SatelliteCentre in Bangalore, will belaunched from the Satish Dha-

wan spaceport at Sriharikota onthe eastern coast. The spacecraft,

which will orbit the moon at adistance of 100 km, was unveiledin Bangalore last week. It is yet to

undergo vibration and acoustictests.For the vibration test, the spa-

cecraft integrated with all itscomponents would be putthrough a simulated environ-ment similar to the vibrationsemitted while being launched by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehi-

cle. The acoustic test would sim-ulate sound equivalent to 10 jetengines to ensure integrity of sys-tems and to ensure that noisedoes not create any disturbance

or affect the functioning of any component.

“The mission is progressing asper the strict timeline,” said Kas-turirangan, who got the missiongoing when he was at the helm of affairs at the Indian Space Re-search Organisation. ■

PTI

Mission Moon in December YouTube to banvideos

Video sharing site YouTube will ban footage showing weapons being used to intimi-date people on its website inthe U.K. The new policy wasbeing introduced because of “particular concern” in Bri-tain over the subject, accord-ing to site’s owners Google.MPs criticised video-sharing

websites, including YouTube,saying they should be doing

more to vet content. HomeSecretary Jacqui Smith wel-comed the YouTube ban andcalled on other internet sitesto follow suit.

Google changespolicy

Bosses at Google willchange the company’s policy on adverts about abortion fol-lowing a legal challenge froma Christian pressure group. Ithad refused a Christian Insti-tute advert, saying it did notallow the advertising of web-sites with “abortion and reli-

gion-related content”. Theinstitute threatened to useBritish equality laws to con-test the decision. But after anout-of-court settlement, Goo-gle will now allow religiousgroups to advertise aboutabortion.

Japan tops

broadband pollOnly Japan has the broa

band quality to cope with nexgeneration internet applictions, a new study has revealeSweden and the Netherlanhave Europe’s best broadbanaccording to the 42-natiostudy sponsored by internequipment maker Cisco Sytems.

The UK, Spain and Italy f just below the quality threshofor today’s web.

The study aims to highligeach nation’s ability to co

with next-generation web appcations such as high-qual

video streaming.It was carried out by a teamMBA students from the SaBusiness School at the Univerty of Oxford and the Universof Oviedo’s Department of Aplied Economics

WEN

Websites of the day Type something to see what it looksbackwards http://bored.com/ writebackwards/index.htmlGet some inspiration naming new pets:http://www.petnamesworld.com

US $ 46.32

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Oktoberfest, in full spirit

Work on at the ISRO centre in Bangalore. PHOTO: AFP

…If ISRO misses October launch

Children wearingtraditionalBavarian clothestake part in the

parade for theOktoberfest beerfestival on Sundayin Munich,southernGermany.Organisers of theworld’s largestfolk festivalrunning untilOctober 5 expectup to six millionvisitors to enjoyBavarian beer inhuge tents andfun rides on thefairgrounds.AFP PHOTO



ERGO Monday, September 22, 2008VILLAGE06

Man convicted of robbing toddler’spiggy bankA man convicted of stealing USD 20 from a toddler’s piggybank has been sentenced to six years in prison. Four-timeconvicted burglar Ryan Mueller was convicted on Thursdayof felony burglary as a repeat offender in a Sheboygan,Wisconsin court. Prosecutors say the 31-year-old Muellerbroke into a home in August 2007 and stole money from atwo-year-old girl’s piggy bank. They say the girl’s motherwalked into the room and caught Mueller in the act. Healso was sentenced to five years’ probation.

PTI

An ad in space can come ascheap as 200 pounds!A firm in the United States is offering companies a chanceto advertise themselves in space- with price ranging from200 pounds to 2,100 pounds. JP Aerospace, which callsitself “America’s other space programme,” is using lighterthan air balloons to carry packages into the upperatmosphere. The organisation involving voluntary staffersand plans to open up access to space to the general public,

said that they havereceived requests tosend toy figures, coffeebeans, table tennis ballsas well as advertisingbillboards in the space.The balloon carrying theplatform reaches aheight of 20 miles,

which is high enoughfor the sky to turn blackand the earth’s horizonto be a blue curve. JPAerospace then takeshundreds of pictures ofthe balloon beforereturning everything toearth by parachute.

ANI

Unknown score written by

Mozart found in FranceA French municipallibrary has discovered amusical scorehandwritten byWolfgang AmadeusMozart in its archives,the Nantes town hallsaid on Thursday. Theone-page work,donated to the townby a private collectorat the end of the 19thcentury, was until

recently thought to bea copy rather than anoriginal. Theunpublished score,measuring 16 cm by 29cm (6.5 by 11.5 inches), is thought to have been writtenaround 1787, according to an expert musicologist from theMozarteum University in the composer’s native city ofSalzburg in Austria. The score is undergoing a secondround of expert investigations, Nantes authorities said. “AMozart autograph is hugely valuable,” said the head ofthe French centre for research on musical heritage.

Reuters

Osama bin Laden was once a‘skilled poet’, a media re-port said on Sunday re-vealing a new facet of the

world’s most wanted terrorist.The elusive al-Qaeda leader’s

literary work will be publishedsoon by an Oxford-educated aca-demic expert in Arabic, it said.

Bin Laden’s recitals at wedding banquets and other feasts during the 1990s were recorded on tapesrecovered from his compound in

Afghanistan in 2001 after the 9/11attacks in the US. They werestudied by Prof Flagg Miller, whoteaches Arabic poetry at Univer-sity of California, Davis, the re-port said.

Miller first heard the tapes four years ago when FBI translators

were scrutinising them for codedmessages to sleeper cells. Heidentified up to 20 featuring the‘distinctive monotone’ of bin La-den.

“Bin Laden is a skilled poet with clever rhymes and metres, which was one reason why many people taped him and passed rec-

ordings around, like pop sonMiller told ‘The Sunday Tim According to the report

first lines of one poem read youth who plunges intosmoke of war smiling stainsblades of lances red. May Godlet my eye stray from the meminent humans, lest they f

The verse goes on to pobin Laden himself as a ‘wapoet’, whose words will leadfollowers to an idyllic refugthe Hindu Kush mountains. frequently uses mountainsmetaphors,” Miller said. “As ders they separate Arabs feach other but mountains caso help them from the temtions of the secular world.”■

Laden’s recitals atwedding banquetsduring the 1990s wererecorded on tapesrecovered from hiscompound in

Afghanistan in 2001

Bin Laden a poet?

A conference for womanisersHundreds of would-be womanisers from more than25 countries attended the opening of Amsterdam’s

Real Man Conference on Saturday, billed as the‘biggest event on seducing women ever.’ Morethan 320 participants gathered to hear pick-up tipsfrom a range of speakers - advertised as ‘a dozenof the finest womanisers’ on the conferencewebsite - at the two-day event being held at theRAI Conference Centre in Amsterdam. Amongst thespeakers were individuals such as AFC Adam, SeanMessenger, Zan Perrion and Johnny Soporno.

DPA

Untouched creamA law in Illinois prohibitsbarbers from using their fingersto apply shaving cream to apatron’s face.



Future King Prince Williamshas sought father Charles tohelp him decide the futureof his shaky relationship

with girlfriend Kate Middleton.The 26-year-old has had to face

much difficulty in choosing be-tween a blessed life with Kate anda career calling as a Search andRescue Officer in the RAF.

Following Prince Charles’ ad-vice, Wills has decided to sidewith the RAF training and put hispersonal plans on hold.

Prince Charles, who had facedthe same situation many yearsago, supported his son’s decision“He was never happier thanwhen he was in the Navy and he

wholeheartedly supports Wil-liam’s decision. If the relation-ship with Kate is a strong one, itwill wait,” the Daily Star quoted afamily friend as saying.

However, Wills’ decision hasleft Kate astonished who is now struggling to cope with it. ■

ANI

Prince Wills turns todad for romance advice

IF THE

RELATIONSHIP

WITH KATE IS A

STRONG ONE, IT

WILL WAIT,

SAID PRINCE

CHARLES


A n Australian man knownaround the world for giving

free hugs to anyone who asks hassaid he plans to go one step fur-ther by donating one of his kid-neys to a stranger, a report saidon Sunday. Juan Mann, who

came to worldwide attention in2004 after a video of him dispens-ing free hugs in Sydney’s centralbusiness district appeared onYouTube, expects to undergo sur-gery next year.

“I am young, I am fit, I amhealthy, I have two kidneys,” the26-year-old, who does not use hisreal name, told the Sun-Herald.

“I don’t really drink. I don’tneed that second one and some-one will be able to get out of hos-pital.” Mann will face psychiatricand physical tests in hospital be-fore he can make the donation,the process of which will befilmed and later broadcast online,the paper said.

“I will never meet the (reci-pient); I will never know if thetransplant is a success or a fail-ure; I will never know if my kid-ney kills the person,” Mann said.

"Apparently once you give yourkidney you will never feel whole.(But) I’ll get a cool scar and ap-parently chicks dig scars.”

Mann, who spends about oneday a week holding a ‘FREEHUGS’ sign above his head inSydney’s Pitt Street Mall, has in-spired free hugs movementsaround the world. ■

AFP

Free hugs guy to donate kidney

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and UK-based NRI Raj Kundra at the fifth day ofthe India Couture Week in Mumbai on Saturday. PTI PHOTO

Shilpa with her Raj

Bank robbingA Spanish man swindled nearly half amillion euros from dozens of banksto fund an anti-globalisationmagazine distributed for free inBarcelona.

This day, that yearIt was in September 22, 1975 thatSara Jane Moore attempted to shootUnited States President Gerald Fordoutside a San Francisco, Californiahotel, but missed.

AFP



ERGO Monday, September 22, 2008SPORT08

Gough ready to call itquitsFormer England paceman Darren Goughhinted that he may have played the lastmatch of his career. The 38-year-old hadalready announced this would be his finalseason and after suffering a series ofniggling injuries in the county championshipsummer, he may skip the final game againstSussex next week.“I wanted to go out in style today - andthat proved to me I am ready to retire, I amabsolutely shattered now,” said Gough on

Saturday after Yorkshire’s drawn clash withtitle-chasing Somerset atScarborough. “I bowled as quickas I have for a long, long time inmy first spell. I had theopposition saying that is thequickest they have faced allseason and when they say stufflike that, I’d like to finish onthat note. When I look back I’mglad my last wicket was JustinLanger. I’ve had some greatbattles against him and it’s niceto know my last wicket in Yorkshire wassomeone as good as him.”Gough will decide over the next few dayswhether he is fit to play at Sussex. “I willsee how I rock up on Monday morning andhow the other bowlers are,” he said.

AFP

Cricket Australia hopes forreturn of cricketin PakistanCricket Australia on Sundayhoped the security situationin Pakistan will calm downsoon despite the bombblasts in Islamabad so thatinternational matches couldbe played in the troubled-torn nation once again. Atleast 60 people were killed after a suicidebomber rammed his explosive-laden truckinto the Marriott Hotel gate engulfing thebuilding in flames on Saturday. “Ourreaction is that it’s terribly sad and tragic

news,” CA public affairs manager PeterYoung said. “Australian cricket has got a lotof friends in Pakistan and I think everyoneat the national level is really sorry to hearthis sort of continuing news coming out ofthe place. We enjoy playing against themand we have tours coming up there nextyear of course,” Young was quoted as sayingby Australian Associated Press. “Everyone ispraying that the domestic situation theresettles down so people can live their life inpeace and hopefully we can start playingcricket there again,” he added. CA wascriticised by Pakistan for withdrawing fromthe scheduled Test tour earlier this yearbecause of security concerns. It is nowexpected to be held in 2009. Australia werealso instrumental in postponing theChampions Trophy in the volatile nation

until late 2009.PTI

Matthew Hayden may notbe among the big admir-ers of Harbhajan Singhbut the Australian open-

er has no qualms in admitting that the feisty Indian off-spinner

would pose main threat to hisside during their four-match Test

series beginning October 9.Hayden had famously called

Harbhajan “obnoxious weed”during India’s controversy-rid-den tour Down Under early this

year prompting the Indian off-spinner to label the Australianopener one of the most reviledmen in world cricket.

Now among the four playersfrom the 15-man Australiansquad with Test experience in In-dia, Hayden said he was allgeared up to renew the on-fieldrivalry with Harbhajan on slow

Indian pitches.“Having played over there and

played well over there, I think I’mgoing to be the obvious target,”Hayden said before leaving forIndia. “Harbhajan is very com-petitive, especially in his own en-vironment. He’s a big threat to

our side. He’s skilful and has gotsome weapons in conditions that

will favour him. My job will be tocombat that so for me it’s a battleI’m really looking forward to,”Hayden was quoted as saying by Courier Mail.

“To be part of the number

cricket side in the world is alwa big challenge. I expect no mfrom the Indians but that’s I’ll enjoy this series. I’ll be rigthe thick of it,” added Hay

who toured India in 2001.Queenslander spanked 549 at 109.80 on that tour and his

ord against India is impo1654 runs at 66.16 with six ceries. In the same series, Har

jan took 32 wickets in a gripcontest that India won 2-think this series is tailor-madguys like me,” said Hayden,

will turn 37 in India. ■

GETTY IMAGES

Resuming rivalry

Stop gapIn a stop-gap arrangement, the Sports Ministry has appointed an official to monitor the to day affairs of Pakistan Cricket Board till a new chairman of the board is appointed.Sports Minister Najamuddin Khan said a notification has been issued after making a minamendment in the PCB constitution to empower the ministry to monitor the working ofboard until the appointment of a new chairman by the President of the country.

Hayden eager to renew rivalry with Bhajji




‘‘I am receiving offers for modelling as well as from Bollywood. Mylife has changed drastically. I am happy that I could make my

country proud. We are being acclaimed by every one for our performancesin Beijing.

Vijender Kumar about his new-found fame

Drafted into the Rest of Indiaside for the Irani Trophy matchin place of injured Sachin Ten-dulkar, hardworking middle

order batsman Subramaniam Badri-nath terms it a great opportunity

coming his way to make it to the Testsquad with a good knock against Ran- ji Trophy champions Delhi.

Badrinath, who is captaining India A in a triangular series involving A sides of Australia and New Zealandbefore his inclusion in the Rest team,is itching to go out in the middle at

Vadodara.“Maybe the time has come for me

now. It’s a great feeling. I would liketo make use of this opportunity; agood knock means chance to makethe Test squad against Australia,” saidthe Tamil Nadu batsman who scoreda match-winning 69 not out againstNew Zealand A on Wednesday.

“I can’t ask for more, if I make adebut against the world champions,”

Badrinath said. Shrugging off the no-tion that luck plays a role in a cricket-er’s career, Badrinath says he believesin hard work.

“I am not somebody who is a firmbeliever in luck. I believe in hard work

and wait for the right opportunity.The incidents in the past (of coming so close to selection but not making it) have made me strong mentally,”he said.

True for somebody with a first-classaverage of 55.92 and 40-plus in List A matches — only Ricky Ponting andSachin Tendulkar, among batsmenstill active and with at least 50 in-nings, have a higher first-class aver-age — but yet has been ignored in thelast three years.

Golden opportunityDespite three successful Ranji sea-

sons since 2005-06 when he averagedalmost 80 scoring 636 runs from sev-en matches, Badrinath never made to

the playing eleven of the nationalside, though he was called up for thethree-ODI Australia series lastOctober.

But the cool and soft-spoken Badri-nath never gave up his unflinching

will and showed his anguish. Call itluck or fate, Badrinath, having re-mained in the sidelines for about 10months, was named Tendulkar’s re-placement in the Sri Lanka ODIseries.

“A coincidence,” says Badrinath, who did not let the selectors down inhis debut series. Batting at No 7,

where batsmen hardly get to score big and sacrifice their wickets in throwing their bats in the slog overs, Badrinathplayed like an experienced batsman

with a defying 27 not out, very crucialin the context of a low-scoring 143-run chase in Dambulla, which India

won by three wickets and the TamilNadu right-hander earned high prais-es from his skipper Mahendra Singh

Dhoni. “It feels great to have begunlike that. Being a debut series, it wasvery important for me. I did not wantto do anything extraordinary butplayed according to the context of thegame and it worked as Dhoni and I

scored the vital runs,” Badrinath said,recalling his 60-run sixth wicket part-nership that took the team to a win inthe second one-dayer.

Badrinath acknowledges that he’sreally going through a high at the mo-ment and the selection to the IraniTrophy game has come at the rightand opportune moment.

“It’s important that the selectionhas come at a time when you’re atpeak form. I have been batting wellrecently. I had a very good last year,scoring big in India A tours to Zim-babwe and Kenya, and in the homeseries against South Africa A. More-over, I’ve been scoring runs in allforms of the game,” he said. ■

PTI

PTI Big r ea kb

BADRINATH

READY TO

SHOULDER

RESPONSIBILITY



ERGO Monday, September 22, 2008FLICK10

Robert de Niro and Al Pacinostar in John Avnet’s

psychological cop drama,Righteous Kill . Turk (De Niro)and Rooster (Pacino) are twoNYPD cops trying to stop aserial killer, who leaves apoem at the scene of each crime. The victims arelawbreakers freed on legal technicalities.

Without a doubt, the film’s best element is theacting. Two of Hollywood’s greatest legends share screen time. Robertand Al are fantastic and have great chemistry together. It is their backand forth playful banter that makes the film worth watching. They turnan average script into an enjoyable crime thriller.

Al’s smooth-talking Rooster complements Robert’s unstable Turkperfectly. The cinematography is dark, consistent with the mood of thestory, and the tone is rather cynical. Rapper 50 Cent plays a drug dealingclub owner.

The story is not all that great and the movie is not a classic by anymeans, but it is entertaining. What it does have is a good amount ofcomic relief and a fair share of action.

Rajesh Sampath Kumar, Software Engineer, Wipro Technologie

Not Godfather butstill good

Pamela Anderson was no-ticed for more than her en-semble at this year’sLondon Fashion Week,

when she was seen with a maskedman rumoured to be King of Pop,Michael Jackson.

Anderson was seen with a host

of other well-known celebs sitting at the front row viewing the latestcollection from London’s god-mother of punk chic, VivienneWestwood.

The Baywatch babe causedquite a stir with the man in thewhite mask and gloves sitting be-side her, and Westwood’s perso-nal assistant was overheardtelling members of the audiencethat the mysterious man wasnone other than the reclusive for-mer King of Pop, The WeekendAustralian reported.

The two were rumoured tohave hooked up earlier thismonth, with Jackson (50) and An-derson (41) reportedly having en-

joyed two dates in Malibu,California.

“It was all arranged by theirpeople in total secrecy, very cloak and dagger. Michael is such a pri-vate person. He gets nervous

when he thinks people are fol-lowing him around, so he chose

somewhere neutral for their firstdate,” News.com.au quoted asource as telling Britain’s Daily Mirror newspaper at that time.

“They were very friendly. Pa-mela was being her usual flirty self and Michael seemed to be re-sponding. They are such astrange couple but they seemedto really hit it off,” the sourceadded.

Other stars spotted at the show were London uber-model KateMoss, actor Emma Watson, PixieGeldof, burlesque performer Ditavon Teese, Kimberley Stewart,daughter of rock star Rod Stew-art, and singer Roisin Murphy. ■

ANI

Pammie’s masked Fashion Week pal may have been none other than Jacko

It was all arranged by their people in totalsecrecy, very cloak and dagger. Michael is sucha private person. He gets nervous when hethinks people are following him around, so hechose somewhere neutral for their first date

The Mask

New Bond theme song dubbed ‘worst ever’The new James Bond theme song, which has been penned by White Stripesguitarist Jack White and crooned by Alicia Keys, has been blasted by fansas the worst ever. Fans have flooded websites with complaints about it.One said the chorus read like a “shopping list of ways to die”, othersattacked the “dreadful” rhymes.

AN

Dope on George Michael, again

George Michael has been cautioned by police afterbeing arrested in a public toilet in London in

possession of drugs, police said late Saturday.“A 45-year-old man was arrested on 19 September

on suspicion of possession of drugs in the Hampstead

Heath area,” a Metropolitan Police spokesman said.The singer was taken to a police station and giventhe caution for possessing class A and class C drugs,police said.

Under British law, class A drugs can include crackcocaine.

Michael (45) has admitted using drugs in the past.In 2006, he was found slumped over the wheel of

his car and last year he was given a two-year drivingban after pleading guilty to driving while unfitthrough drugs.

Last month he wrapped up his first tour for 15years with concerts in London and Copenhagen andsaid they were his last ever arena and stadium shows.

On the tour, he wore a police uniform to performhis number one hit ‘Outside’ which refers to his arrestin 1998 when he made lewd advances to anundercover male police officer in a public toilet inBeverly Hills, California. ■

ANI

G E T T Y

I M A G E S




The doting fatherAjith’s friends reveal that the actor is showering his daughterwith lots of gifts. The recent addition to the list is an expensitoy plane costing around Rs. 20 lakh, which is said to becontrolled by remote control and can fly to a particular distanThough, being too young, daughter Anoushka may not knowhow to operate it, she may start playing with it later. Ajith hearlier gifted his wife Shalini a remote-controlled plane costinaround few lakhs.

Cine City

Ash to learn classical musicIf Trisha is going for Tamil classes, then our formerMiss World, Aishwarya Rai, is planning to takeclasses in classical music. Aishwarya and AbhishekBachchan will team up for Mani Ratnam’s nextflick, Raavan. According to sources, the actress willstart her classical singing lessons from a noted gurusoon after her return from Peru. It is said that hercharacter in Raavan demands that she learn classicalsinging to get the mannerisms of the classicalsingers.

Trisha undergoestraining in Tamil

Katie Holmes debuts on Broadway amid protestsKatie Holmes won praise for her debut on Broadway on Thursday night, where she was cheered onby actor husband Tom Cruise and shouted at by anti-Scientology protesters outside the theatre. Thedrama started before the curtains went up in the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater with a group of about20 protesters, some masked, chanting “Scientology is a cult” and “Free Katie”, according to theNew York Daily News.

Reuters

We all know thatKamal Hassan’snext venture isMarmayogi , aperiod film. Thenews is that the

actor hasinstructed hisheroine Trisha tolearn ancient Tamilso that therewon’t be aproblem in lip syncwhile dubbing.Though Trisha’smother tongue isTamil, the actressis not well-versed in the language. Now we hearthat Trisha is undergoing training from aprofessional. Hope Shriya undergoes the sametraining, too, as even she is acting in the movie.

www.cinesnacks.com



ERGO Monday, September 22, 2008SCAN12

PICK OF THE DAY

Zee Cafe

The Tonight Show withJay Leno – 11 p.m.An Emmy Award winning American

late night talk show hosted by JayLeno. Format of the show has anopening monologue by Jay Lenofollowed by comedy routines,interviews and performances.

Star Movies

The Rock – 9 p.m.An action thriller starring SeanConnery and Nicolas Cage about a

war hero who holds San Franciscoto ransom, and the FBI scientistcharged with stopping him. Thederanged general and his men takethe disused prison island ofAlcatraz.

Discovery

Man vs. Wild – 10 p.m.Panama. In the lethal mangrovesand infamous viper pits of Panama,

Bear Grylls tackles some extremesurvival challenges and some grislyeats to show you how to get outalive.

Star World

Friends – 7 p.m.Joey and Phoebe conspire to set upRachel and Ross on their worst blind

dates ever, hers being a pitiful lug,as they hope to reunite them out ofmutual appreciation for what theyhad together.

Tuning to radio on a lazy afternoon is notsomething out of the box. But calling theRJ and giving fashion tips for ghosts?

Hello FM’s Rendu Mani Aatam is asfunky as it gets and it was fun to go behind thescenes of the show. As we entered their studio,the bright interiors and wallpapers welcomedus. Splashed paint designs, with the colourtheme of orange, spelt only one word-‘lively’.

Hosted by RJ Aloysius Rendu

Mani Aatam is a two-hour-long show. The first hour segment isusually filled with satire, cine

gossips or a dig at someone orsomething. Also ‘Mokka SMS of the day’ and ‘Bulb of the day’ arededicated. The bulb for the day wasa group of mobile thieves who did not‘plan’ their plot and were caught by thepolice. The four apprentices laugh and snore,a sign of thumbs up or down. These segmentsare intercepted with songs both peppy andpopular.

The second hour segment is the call in seg-ment where callers talk on a given topic.Spooky sound effects fill the room as Aloysiusselects them. ‘Hard keys’ are used for specialsound effects. They are listed and most rele-vant are chosen everyday as per the topics.

Apart from this effects for regular sounds likethe laughter, repartees and snores of the ‘four

apprentices’ and the ‘escape’ sound, a vehicle, with which the RJ escapes, like a helicopter ora bike are all listed.

Calls are taken by 2. 45 by the RJ himself andthe numbers are noted down for calling back.Be it a little boy of 12 or a housewife, the RJspeaks at ease. Ideas are at a galore for thesecallers. Party clothes, kanchipuram pattu,

jeans and a tee, ghosts do need a makeover!Phones are kept outside the studio and the

RJ calls from there during song trans-mission. Aloysius comes back and

mimics a ghost and announces thenumber asking listeners to call.The second segment is a multitasking one for the RJ, but a well

received one too and that is evi-dent with the amount of callers.But approximately only around 7

links are aired in an hour. Callers docall back to complain that their calls

are not returned. But the RJ puts the blameon a ‘Sotta thala producer’!

Other interesting concepts of Hello Fm likeit’s satire on commercials and sparklers arepre-recorded and are aired throughout theday. Sparklers are links of made up characterslike Katrikanth and Samayal Shakeela. Theseare done by the RJs themselves. The latest onethey are working on is ‘Advice Annatha’. Ad-vertisements and commercials are taken careof by the traffic department. While the creativeconcepts and jingles are taken care by theRJs.■

Hello FM’s Rendu Mani Aatam pushes

the envelope on wackinessNANDHINI RAMKUMAR

P H O T O : S . S . K

U M A R

Book worm Bale?According to TV.com,Christian Bale is anexcellent horseman and anavid reader.

Wacky as hell




A movie named Gypsy caravan will be screened in the audito-rium of Alliance Francaise of Madras. The movie is directedby Jasmine Dellal.

Where: Auditorium Alliance Francaise of Madras College Road Nungambakkam

When: 26 Sep, 6.30 p.m.

Gypsy

Caravan

The frenzy store is especially for the young ladies of Chennai. The store stand offers formal and party wear, western wear clothes like tops, tee shirts, tops, pants, skirts jeans etc. So young ladies, get ready to be frenzied!

Where: Wellington estate, Opp Ethiraj College, Egmore

Frenzy Store

Amethyst brings a range of gifts for the wding season. Jewellerytures as a significant attractive option wher

extensive jewellery linedazzles with its exqucollection of bangles, gant neck pieces with dants, rings, bracelets

Where:Padmavathi Road, Jeypore Colony,GopalapuramContact: 28351143 /

28311917

Season special

Empty beer cansA man has been chargedfor nearly 250 empty beercans from a conveniencestore in Detroit.

GreetingsHi Ranjini,It’s very difficult and sad to believethat this is the last week of you inSatyam. I and most of the peoplehere in CMR will miss you verybadly. Sorry for all the troubles andreally cherish all the beautifulmoments you provided. Do keep intouch and all the very best for allyour future endeavors.

God Bless. Regards, Karthik, Satyam

computers

Hi strcat(strrev(IAS),’ Krishna’);

Wishing you many more happyreturns of the day and also wishingyou for all success in your life.

With lotz of friendship Goutam &

Muthu,Hewitt-BMO, Hexaware

Technologies Limited

Dear Arun Prasad,A smile is a curve that setseverything straight and wipes thewrinkles away. Hope you receive alot and share a lot of smiles today.Many more happy returns of theday! May u succeed in everything inyou life!

Cheers, Meena UV, Infosys Technologies.

Dear Boss, (Nithya)We all wish you Many More HappyReturns of the day!!! May thisbirthday filled with all joy andhappiness and all ur dreams cometrue!!! Wishing you a day as specialas you are....... Birthday

Best Wishes from Shared Services Team -

TCS

Dear Amma & Appa,Happy 28th Wedding Anniversary.Happiness Always. You both havecome a long way and today onyour anniversary, nothing bringsmore happiness thancongratulating the two of you, onthe wonderful love you share. Mayyou both enjoy perfect health,happiness and love. Have a HappyWedding Anniversary.

Yours loving daughter C. Vinodhini,

Wipro Technologies.

Dear Sandy,We wish you many more Happyreturns of the day. May happinessand joy fill your day. Have a greatyears ahead.

Best Regards, Batch 5-2007, iNautix

Technologies.

Dear Ma (Indra),Wish you many more happyreturns of this day(Sept 21). MayGod bless you with Good healthand prosperity. “A mother is amother still, The holiest thingalive.” Enjoy your Birthday.Hearty wishes from, Gayathri(Hexaware

Technologies), Balaji (Son-in-law),Pinku (Grand daughter) and the little

one expected soon (?!)

Dear Saravanan,Wish you many more happy

returns of the day. Let thisbirthday bring you a lot of joyand success in your life. May allyour dreams come true. Have afun-filled day!

Hearty wishes from Aparna B, Steria(India) Ltd.

Dear Tabrez,Wishing you the treasure ofhappy yesterdays and the gift ofbright tomorrows. HappyBirthday.

Hearty wishes from your beloved

brothers Babu Sridharan & Althaf

Imran, POLARIS

Dear Keerthi (HCL-cisco),Wishing you many more happyreturns of the day. May God blessyou on this day (20- sep). Let allyour dreams come true. Have agreat year ahead.

Belated Happy Birthday from your beloved friends, HCL Technologies Ltd

Dear Amri,You are very special and youdeserve the best. We wish you awonderful life filled with love andhappiness. We hope others bringyou joy, just as you’ve brought joyto us, then you can weather anystorm and be all you want to be.

Happy Birthday.Best Regards, GTM friends,

Scope International

Hi Sridhar,Many Many Happy Returns Of theday man! Have a Blast! & Enjoy tothe extremes!!

Cheers - NICE OM Team (Cognizant)

Dear Kavi,Hope your Birthday brings you allSmiles, Joy, Cheer and More.Wishing you a dazzlingbirthday!!!

From F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Lakshmi, Lokee, Neetha & Rajul, Hexaware Technologies

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If you have anything interesting or informative that can befeatured in these columns, mail us at [email protected]. Pleasesend the release mentioning where and when the event ishappening, along with the contact details.

What, when, where

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ERGO Monday, September 22, 2008TRAFFIC JAM14

TEAMEditor: Karthik [email protected]

Sr Dy Chief Designer: J.A. Prem KumarDy Chief Designer: R. Ravi KannanIllustrator: R. Venugopal

Technical Support:V.R. Vasudevan, K.G. GurumurthyN. Ravichandran, E. Baskar

Head of Advertising:Sriya [email protected]

Head of Circulation:M.G.M. Sharief

[email protected]

SNAIL MAIL

859/860, Anna Salai,Chennai - 600 002mail your feedback [email protected]

FAX 2857 6691

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIESCall ourAdvertisement Managerat 2857 6695.email: [email protected]: www.goergo.in

Printed and Published by S. Karthik on behalf ofKASTURI & SONS LTD., at Plot B-6 & B-7,CMDA Industrial Complex, Maraimalai Nagar,Chengleput Taluk, Kancheepuram Dist., Pin:603209 & at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860,Anna Salai, Chennai-600002. Editor: S. Karthik(Editor responsible for selection of news underthe PRB Act). RNI No. TNENG/2007/24553

sudoku

KAKURO

Animal paintings auctionPaintings by animals are to go up forauction. The pictures feature the brushstrokes and paw prints of animals, suchsnow leopards and sea lions from zoos

So you think you would make a terrific photographer but never really had the platform? Mail us your best work and we’ll publish it in this space, with credit.E-mail: [email protected]

Griffith Alfred R

of SatyamComputersclicked thispicture withCanonPowershot. Hecaptions it‘Made for eachother’.Hobbies:Driving,photography and looking after

pets




B.C

BORN LOSER

FREE RANGE WORKING IT OUT

PREVIOUS

ISSUE’S

SOLUTIONS

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20

CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20

LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20

VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20

LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20

SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20

SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20

CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20

AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20

PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20

Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pa

Your mood may play tricks on you. Ganesha feethat the day may not be exciting, but mostly wiloccupied with regular activities. However, don’t tto refrain from new responsibilities if you get anOn the love front, old issues may get solved tod

Your decision taking power will rock your world.You will be able to rightly judge things long befthey happen. This will help you in official matterYou will spice up relationship with beloved. Evenmay be celebrated with family and friends.

Out of the three most important things; work, ho

and friends, you may have to prioritise. The goopart is, you will feel wanted. Thanks to the goodmood, your productivity will be double! Obviousyour love life will be no less colourful.

There is no end to knowledge, but you seem to in a mood to digest quite a lot. Make sure it is‘one thing at a time’. Record all the importantinformation. So far so good, the day will end onhappy note. No major happenings on the love fr

Stretch your vocal chords to the fullest. Howeverdon’t let your words affect anyone else. The easbet would be to choose words carefully before uthem. In any case, words cannot be taken back if harm done, may not be reversed.

Today you may require scheduling your timetableaccurately. Ganesha predicts a busy day for you.

not let this busy day disturb your relationships wclose friends. Haste makes waste, advises GanesLove life may experience a positive change.

Investments if made for a long term may prove useful for you. Other than that, the day may bespending discussing money matters. You may noable to find solutions to issues pertaining domeslife. Ganesha asks you to maintain your calm.

Everyone has to face rivals in life, in one form othe other. Ganesha warns you against first handrivals, some of your colleagues. The only mantralead the ‘rat race’ is to work with cent percenthonesty and devotion. Hard work always pays.

A pretty dull and boring day. You can spice it udoing fun filled activities. At office there might nbe happening much, so concentrate on pending

work. On the love front, the day may be heavy othe emotional front. ‘Handle with care’.

Luck may smile upon you today, so be ready forsurprises. A good day to take over newresponsibilities. You may spend a lot of time inmeetings and discussion for the betterment of thoffice today. Domestic life is smooth and in cont

You health may be at its best, but Ganesha waryou against health disorders of your familymembers. At office, domestic issues may rule yomind. If the need be, take a leave or half leave,rather than not being able to concentrate.

Let mind take over matter. Simple meditationexercises may help you fight stress. Also, beingemotional might not help today. On the positiveside, you may get a lot of support from friends afamily, in case you are really feeling low.

Word’s worth"Sarcinarious" (sahr-si-nair-ee-us) anobsolete word meaning ’able to tocarry burdens or loads.’ From a Latinword meaning ’bundle.’

Gluing antiqueA museum curator in China wasdismissed after gluing a brokerantique back together instead ofreporting the damage.



ERGO Monday, September 22, 2008!16

ergo september 22

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