A BYTE OF LIFE Monday, April 27, 2009

0810 DESI GIRL CRICKETING HEIGHTS has a mystery boyfriend! British fans play a ECB-recognised Who is it? T20 at the Mt.Everest base camp

FREE CIRCULATION Vol. 3 No. 77 AGAINST THE ODDS In her weekly column on entrepreneurs, Liffy Tojan Thomas profiles two entrepreneurs who made it big, even though they did not have any fancy degrees to back them. » PAGE 05

On behalf of Team Ergo, We wish Liffy Thomas and Tojan a very happy married life. P.S: Your leave has been extended, but not indefinitely! Enjoy. :)

PHOTO: S.S. KUMAR

City police have drawn an innovative plan to trap chain snatchers. Petlee Peter reports.

» PAGE 03 UNDERCOVER COPS 02 NAMMA CHENNAI ERGO Monday, April 27, 2009 Chinese Combo Chin Chin, the Chinese Restaurant at The Residency, G. N. Chetty Road is offering a Chinese combo meal lunch between 12.30 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. The Vegetarian combo is priced at Rs. 210 and non-veg at Rs.250 net.

Classroom with KAMAL HASSAN Kamal Hassan will don a new character, that TAKE ME HOME! of a professor the coming month. Raajkamal Films International in association with Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Some of the street animals has organised an international workshop and seminar on screenwriting in South India rescued, sheltered and between May 29 and June 3. “It’s a strictly instructional event. Basic looking for a home. education is compulsory and candidates Longing for a pet? Contact need to demonstrate their seriousness to get selected,” a press the numbers/ emails ASAP. release issued on behalf of the workshop quoted the actor-director-screen play writer. Mitten K.Hariharan, Director With an impish of the L.V. Prasad Film expression, Mitten and TV Academy, enjoys playing with Anjum Rajabali, her siblings and Crusoe Professional climbing onto He is referred to as ’Crusoe of the screenwriter and head people’s laps. Email ever-wagging tail’ and repays his of departments of Ranjan at feeders with loads of love and screenwriting at Film [email protected] affection. Call AWPT at 22781381 and TV Institute, Pune or 9962968265. and Whistling Woods, Mumbai and Atul Tiwari, Professional screenwriter cum playwright along with Mr. Hassan will conduct the workshop. Also Veteran french screenwriter and actor, Jean Claude Carriere, who was a president at the French state film school, La Femis, will interact through video conferencing. Jean has co-scripted films like ’The Milky Way’ and ’Phantom of Liberty’. To apply, students must send a copy of their resume, a passport-size photograph along Roscoe with a 200-word synopsis on their favourite With a lion’s mane, film and a list of their five favourite films to Roscoe is quite the [email protected]. Two majestic little Kitty Corner hundred and fifty participants will be puppy. If your shortlisted to attend the workshop. Last home seems like These mischievous kittens are just date for sending in the entries is May 5. the perfect over two months old. They enjoy kingdom for this perching on swings and cane chairs cutie, call AWPT at and participating in impromptu 22781381 or games with their siblings. There are 9962968265. three females and one male in this furry family. For adoptions, contact Shobhana at 24670106.

The Twins These gorgeous mongrel puppies have captured Dawn the Dalmation everyone’s heart since their rescue a This dark-eyed adult dog was given few days ago. The away by her owners but she hopes twins hope that that there is a silver lining around their happy ending the corner. To become her new is on its way in the owner, call AWPT at 22781381 or form of a loving 9962968265. family. Call AWPT at 22781381 or 9962968265. Monday, April 27, 2009 03 Time Wrap Watch Discovery Channel’s new breakthrough series ‘Time Warp’ on every Monday at 9 p.m. The show slows down events to reveal the motion of high-pace events in spectacular clarity. Undercover Cops Women constables to pose like potential chain-snatching victims as police draw up a novel plan to apprehend motorcycle gangs striking fear over the city

Priced catch A burglar who was ab- sconding for 10 years was arrested recently. Reliable sources say that the man was detained at a farm house on East Coast Road and a ‘negotiation’ happened in the name of an interrogation. The culprit’s wife had cried and created a scene in the Neelangarai station driving the khakis to make the arrest public. The arrest was even a much boasted issue in a recent police press meet.

There has been a spurt in motorcycle gangs involved in chain snatching incidents around the city since January. Now police have a ploy to trap them. Who is next? The recent arrest of a lady Regional Passport Officer has sent shockwaves even among the police circles in the city. PETLEE PETER sult of escalating chain snatch- state, he added. There is a buzz that the axe might fall next on a senior lady [email protected] ing incidents in the city Some locations on East Coast officer whose husband is her right hand man for various especially from the beginning of Road, Anna Nagar, Thiruman- ‘dealings’. special team of women 2009 and the city police could galam, T Nagar, Saidapet have constables are gearing up do very little to bring the crime been identified as chain snatch- to go undercover to nab rate down. ing prone areas. A plan will be Awaiting light post elections Achain snatching offenders “These trained constables charted-out to lay traps for mo- A good number of khakis are literally in queue for lucra- in Chennai city. These well- will go on duty in civil clothes torcycle-borne offenders and tive postings to be allotted after the upcoming elections by trained cops will soon start into given locations in the city. armed robbers as well. influential politicians and family members of the state’s work at some snatching prone A back up police team will keep The long stretch on the ECR first family. One top cop who received a punishment trans- areas in the city which has been track of each constable from till Thoraipakkam which comes fer recently is awaiting his turn post elections following a identified by the Chennai City close quarters and will act im- under the Adyar police limits is big politician’s promise to get him back to his earlier post in Police. mediately after a crime is com- likely to fall first under the po- the city. The name for the operation mitted,” said a senior lice scanner as part of the oper- and an official word about it will intelligence officer attached to ation. Some roads in the Anna be out after the elections. the police commissionerate. Nagar and the Thirumangalam Advice for good returns According to reliable sources, The operation was proposed area will be next. Vehicle thefts are a chance to churn some good bucks for over 80 women have been this February 2009 and has gone Adding strength to the wom- some corrupt cops. The khakis advise victims not to register picked from various police through various stages for ap- en police team will be the pos- a complaint pointing out the delay in getting back the reco- zones in the city and are await- proval. sible inclusion of some vered vehicle. Will find the vehicle and hang it over as soon ing a training session to tackle The task should be operation- experienced constables who as possible provided you ‘take care’ of us, is the word of and apprehend chain al after the elections as the en- had worked in anti eve-teasing advice for victims. snatchers. tire police force will be busy on squads in the city, police sourc- The new operation is the re- election duty throughout the es added. ■ 04 KALEIDOSCOPE ERGO Monday, April 27, 2009

Ask your query EVERY DAY My friend’s car met with an accident a few days ago. A bus rammed into the rear side of the car. He has been going to the police station to get an FIR so that he can claim the damage from his insurance company. Is there a faster way to get things moving? WILL BE T. Somasundaram, Vellore Dear Somasundaram, Your friend does not need any police FIR or complaint letter for claiming the insurance. All that he/she needs to do is to call up the insurance company and inform about the accident and fill up a claim form ‘INTEREST’ING describing the incident. It is as simple as that. All general insurance companies fol- low the same policy. The insurance policy will have a call center number where you need to inform. They will arrange for a RBI directs banks to calculate interest rate surveyor to come and inspect the vehicle. In fact they will send the surveyor to your garage at their own cost. A police com- on a daily basis from 01 April 2010 plaint or FIR is only needed if there is any third party damage to property or life. Also in case there is any loss of life in the in- cident an FIR will surely be needed for claiming both the general insurance as well as Life insurance damages. PRADEEP YUVARAJ current inflation and what Do you need some unbiased and pradeep@finerva.com other investments return. But, professional solutions to your personal any interest on idle money is a finance issues related problems? Ask Doctor n a “small investor” friend- bonus and especially since all Finergo. Mail your queries to ly move, the Reserve Bank of us need to have some liquid fi[email protected], Put subject as Doctor. of India in its Annual Pol- cash at our disposal. Iicy Statement for 2009- Benefits to the banks: the 2010 has instructed banks to new system will initially lead calculate interest rates on to a higher cost of payout for your money kept in savings banks, but on the long run accounts on a daily basis rath- more and more customers Mini Quiz er than the current practice of will retain money in savings calculating interest on savings account thus reducing the de- bank accounts on the mini- pendence of banks on mum balances held in the ac- deposits. Q1: Which agency frames the Annual Pol- counts during the period from The second benefit would icy document relating to the Economy? the 10th day to the last day of also be that NRI accounts a.RBI each calendar month. could see higher inflows and b.Finance Ministry Benefit to you: the current banks in most countries do c.Economic Affairs committee rate of interest prescribed by not even give 2% interest. d.State Bank of India the RBI is 3.5% per annum. Why now? This decision by Q2: Which blue chip company recently But most of the account hol- the RBI has been easily ac- declared a 1:1 bonus? ders rarely get to earn this in- cepted by banks and IBA (In- a.Wipro terest as the minimum dian Bank’s Association) as b.Satyam balance is the basis of interest the level of automation is very c.Indian Oil calculation. Thus for example The decision by the high now and it’s easier to ex- d.TCS even if your account had a ecute the calculations. Send your answers to fi[email protected] or balance of Rs. 75,000 from RBI has been easily What should you do? Com- SMS your answers to 92813 98889. For 10th to 29th and you withdrew bined with that fact that you example if you choose A as the answer to Rs 74,500/- on 30th and re-de- accepted by banks and can use any bank’s ATM free question 1 and B as the answer to question 2 posited it on 31st, the interest IBA (Indian Bank’s of cost, this new directive can type it as 1A2B and send it. Winner will be would be calculated only on help you earn some money on chosen by lucky draw from all correct Rs 500. If you had not with- Association) as the level idle cash lying at your house. answers. drawn you would have re- of automation is very It even makes sense to de- Answers for last week’s mini-quiz ceived Rs 218.75 as interest posit you piggy bank money 1.950000 but what you actually get is high now and it’s into an SB account and just 2.National Stock Exchange only Rs 17.5. keep a bare minimum in cash Although on a broad basis, easier to execute in hand. both the amounts look ridicu- the calculations. After all better something lously low; considering the than nothing. ■ Monday, April 27, 2009 05 Degrees don’t matter for some

Becoming an entrepreneur is not always the preserve of those with a Management or Engineering degree from a prestigious institution. Nor does higher education guarantee success in one’s business venture. It’s a combination of hard work, ability to take risks and appetite for learning that has determined success for many people. Ergo profiles two such entrepreneurs from Chennai:

he next time you are dinning at Kerala Hut, don’t be sur- prised to learn that the gen- Ttleman (mostly) in tucked shirt and trousers at the cash counter or sometimes clearing your table is the person behind the increasing number of Kerala food joints in the city. That’s Ab- hilash Mathew, 30, a newcomer to Chennai but raring to go with his restaurant business. A three-year stint of having to rebuild a sinking restaurant from scratch, plus a couple of as- signments at Engineering college canteens in Kerala is all what the pre-degree (PDC) and ITI (electron- ics) trained Math- ew had when he came to Chennai four years ago. Besides Math- ew’s humble quali- fication, what is interesting to see is the slow but steady growth of his two-year venture. That is, if we were to talk about the growth of a business by its sheer num- Abhilash Mathew, bers – there are three Kerala Hut proprietor of Kerala joints and the fourth is getting Hut. PHOTO: S.S. KUMAR ready to open. “I only heard about Chennai. I thought ‘let me go see the place ter a rough patch,” he says. “I Among his next plans, one is to money, Wahab too had similar However, it was the compact and decide if I can do someth- don’t say I am making good mon- look at serving lunch to corpo- dreams. To fulfil them he worked and metal sofas for middle-class ing’,” Mathew recalls how he ey from the restaurants, but I rates. three months in Kuwait, but the homes that paved way for further worked for a year and a half with have the patience and I take risks. picture there was not all rosy. growth. Kumarakom Restaurant before I came with nothing so I know “I saw many families who were “I sold at least 100 such sofas – floating the idea of starting his what it is to wind up and leave Sofa was his magic in Kuwait for years left with very a good number considering it was own. after a fall.” little savings. That’s when I de- a new product. Since then there “I was ready to take risks and If a restaurant has to draw cus- carpet cided I must rather look at start- was no turning back.” that’s how Kerala Hut started in a tomers with its cuisines, Mathew From schooling till Plus Two to ing a business in India,” he How does he keep himself go- small way in Royapettah in credits his younger brother Albin coming from a middle-class fam- recalls. ing? “Confidence is very impor- March 2007.” Mathew for managing the show ily, Abdul Wahab has come a long He started his first interior and tant to run any business. I was Today, Kerala Hut, though behind the scenes. Mathew also way. His venture Eco Furn is to- furniture business in 1991, with very clear what I was doing and small in size, has opened at prime thanks his grandparents for their day one of the major furniture an initial investment of Rs. 50,000 was willing to innovate.” ■ locations in Shenoy Nagar and blessings. dealers in Tamil Nadu, manufac- borrowed from friends. (This column celebrates the spirit Alwarpet. “I am opening the But how easy is it to keep open- turing and supplying wares to “I was lucky there was no turn- of entrepreneurship. You too must fourth in T. Nagar,” he says. ing branches without looking at around 30 dealers. Plus, Furn ing back in the business, though I have heard or seen of similar or What’s taking Kerala Hut plac- any great profit? “Once you target World, his chain of retail outlets did face hardships,” says Wahab. greater entrepreneurial stories of es? “There are many entering the the right group with the right atti- in the city, is expanding. “Till 1997, I was welding, bind- ordinary people. Do ping us at business with money, manpower tude, the brand will do the talk- Like most Indians looking at ing and doing all the nitty-gritty fi[email protected] with a small and logistics but discontinue af- ing. I am confident,” he says. working in the Gulf to earn quick of designing furniture.” brief on them) 06 VILLAGE ERGO Monday, April 27, 2009 Quit clowning around A circus clown has been banned from wearing his oversized shoes after he fell from a high wire and hurt his foot.

Heidi wants a baby girl Facebook costs woman job Supermodel Heidi Klum, who is pregnant with A Swiss insurance her fourth child, is hoping to have another worker lost her job daughter. after surfing “We’d be happy with either. But it would be a lie popular social if I said we all were not hoping for a little girl,” network site she said. Facebook while off Heidi revealed that her daughter Leni, whom she sick, her employer has with ex-boyfriend Flavio Briatore, really said. wants to have a sister, aceshowbiz.com reported. The woman said This will be Heidi’s third child with singer she could not work husband Seal. in front of a IANS computer as she needed to lie in the dark but was then seen to be active on Facebook, which insurer Nationale Suisse said in a statement had destroyed Obama enjoys highest its trust in the employee. “This abuse of trust, rather than the activity on Facebook, approval in 20 years led to the ending of the work contract,” it said. US President Barack Obama, who is approaching his first The unnamed woman told the 20 Minuten daily she had 100 days in office, is enjoying the best presidential job been surfing Facebook in bed on her iPhone and accused approval rating at this point in 20 years, a new opinion her employer of spying on her and other employees by survey showed. sending a mysterious friend request, which allows access to The poll, by ABC News and The Washington Post, indicated personal online activity. 69 per cent of Americans approve of the job he is doing, Nationale Suisse rejected the accusation of spying and said which is the highest evaluation in about two decades. the employee’s Facebook activity had been stumbled But the President faces a partisan divide. While 93 per cent across by a colleague in November, before use of the of Democrats approve of his activities, only 36 per cent of social network site was blocked in the company. Republicans do so, the poll showed. Reuters Fifty-four per cent say Obama’s doing a better job than they expected, far above former Presidents George W Bush and Miley Cyrus has a crush on Bill Clinton at their 100-day mark. Clooney They got a 39-per cent and 35- Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus said that she has per cent better-than-expected a crush on her co-star George Clooney. rating, respectively. Cyrus was in London for the premiere of her new Sixty-three per cent say Obama film Hannah Montana: The Movie in Leicester has accomplished a great deal or Square and the 16-year-old said that she has a good amount in his first three “weird celebrity crush” on the 48-year-old actor, months, according to the survey. reported contactmusic.com. Just 37 per cent said that about However, Cyrus added: “But I refuse to date actors Clinton. as a rule. They’re too good at lying - it’s their job.” AFP IANS Gyms for Saudi women face closure

ncreasingly popular sports clubs and complain of the lack of places to exercise gyms for women in Saudi Arabia face outside the home, since they cannot go to shutdown because the government only men’s clubs. Ilicenses men’s clubs, a Saudi newspap- Some investors have opened women-on- er reported on Sunday. ly gyms calling them beauty salons or, in Dozens of privately-established women- one case, a ‘natural treatment clinic,’ Arab only gyms around the country, which News said. Lawyer Abdulaziz al-Qasim told strictly separates men and women outside the newspaper that no government depart- family venues, could be closed because ment wants to take responsibility for the there is no regulatory authority for them, issue, lest they be attacked by conservative the Arab News said. Islamic clerics, many of whom oppose While the General Presidency for Sport sports activities for women. and Youth Welfare has the authority over The result, he said, is a move by the Min- men’s gyms, it has not been allowed to reg- istry of Municipal and Rural Affairs to shut ulate those for women, according to the re- down the existing gyms. port. “It’s clear that one department is now That means that the women’s gyms taking the decision to put an end to the springing up in major cities are unlicensed increasing number of unlicensed clubs,” he and illegal, according to the report. said. ■ Female Saudi fitness fans frequently AFP Monday, April 27, 2009 07 Politicos tide over tension with pleasure trips

t will be a long and arduous wait for results for those who tested their political fortunes Iin the first phase of Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in And- hra Pradesh. Many are taking the opportu- nity to take off on pleasure trips to Manali or other hill stations and even abroad. With the voters’ choice stored in electronic voting machines (EVM), 2,148 candidates will have to wait for a month to know their fate on May 16, and with no wave in favour of any party and no clear winner predicted, the candidates are on tenterhooks and working out plans to un- wind before the D-day. After the gruelling campaign in the heat and dust over the last few weeks, majority of the candi- dates of the first phase are either unwinding with their family or planning holidays and pilgrim- age trips. While some candidates are heading for hill stations in India, “Those who others are planning trips abroad. There are still others who will be have been visiting shrines to pray for their together in the success. UPA might be However, they will have to wait at least till the second phase contesting of elections gets over on April 23. separately but Going all out for the second after elections and final phase, the ruling Con- we will sit gress, main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and actor- together. We turned-politician Chiranjeevi’s want to work Praja Rajyam Party have drawn under the in their prominent candidates for the campaigning. umbrella of As soon as the first phase was the UPA” over, the candidates spent time Sharad Pawar with their family but the next day most of them packed their bags for campaigning for the second phase. PRP leader T. Devender Goud, who contested for Malkajgiri Lok 17 Sabha and Ibrahimpatnam As- sembly seats, headed for coastal Andhra to campaign. He has plans to visit Tirupati to seek di- vine blessings. There are others who plan to visit Shirdi and other pilgrimage centres to pray for their success. me to campaign,” he said. ara Reddy is planning a holiday also likely to head for holiday Sudish Rambhotla, the TDP Actress Jayasudha, who con- trip along with his family mem- trips. The campaigning in the candidate for Secunderabad Lok tested from Secunderabad Can- bers. After the 2004 elections, he scorching sun has already taken Sabha, is planning a trip to Sin- tonment Assembly constituency along with his family members its toll on all the three leading gapore or Switzerland after the on a Congress ticket, will be tak- had gone to Ooty to unwind. campaigners for their respective second phase. “I had to put my ing off to Singapore. TDP chief N. Chandrababu parties. ■ trip on hold as the party wanted Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekh- Naidu and actor Chiranjeevi are IANS 08 SPORT ERGO Monday, April 27, 2009 Rooney to get mega contract Manchester United will offer Wayne Rooney a mega six-year contract this summer. Rooney has two full seasons left on his current deal with Manchester United after signing a 100,000 pound-a-week package 3 years ago. United plan to begin discussions on a fresh mega-bucks agreement, giving Rooney parity with stars like Ferdinand and Ronaldo, The Sun reported. Daredevils in Liverpool buy-out talks English Premier League club Liverpool is in talks with the billionaire owners of an Indian Premier League cricket team that could lead to a massive investment and an Cricket eventual buy-out. Representatives of the GMR group, who run the Delhi Daredevils IPL side, were British cricket fans took the gentleman’s game to new heights rec guests at last week’s clash with Arsenal. GMR chairman Grandhi Mallikarjun Rao is Base Camp of Mount Everest. An improvised sand pitch was set up worth an estimated 4.2 billion pounds and the senior official he sent to Liverpool in midweek is known to be a supporter of the club, News of the World reported. Hicks started the talks initially with a view to securing a sponsorship deal, but AYON SENGUPTA side, the ground indeed was a helped Hillary past the 150 run Bangalore-based GMR have made no secret [email protected] pretty sight but the players did mark. of their desire to branch out into other have a difficult time. An in- The pick of the bowlers for sports. brisk 34-ball 45 from Da- creased heart rate by 30 per cent Tenzing was Mark Waters who Rao (58) made his millions in the airport and construction vid Kirtley helped Team due to extreme altitude and slip- claimed two for 32 from his four industry and recently formed a subsidiary company to Hillary to register a 36-run pery underfoot conditions make overs. Particularly impressive af- invest in sport, with English football considered the most Awin over Team Tenzing at it extremely difficult for the clim- ter his opening three deliveries attractive. the highest game of cricket ever bers, let alone those undertak- went for 16. A Liverpool source said: “The GMR group were invited by played at the Mount Everest ing 20 overs of vigorous cricket. Tenzing had a wobbly start as Hicks and their representative watched the Arsenal match Base Camp in Gorak Shep, Describing the conditions up Charlie Campbell caught Harlow in the directors’ box with Hicks’ son Tommy. It was quite 5,165m above sea level recently. there, team leader and highest captain James Butler plumb in clear the representative was a fan.” Kirtley’s innings studded with scorer Kirtley said: “This is one of front for a duck and Ben Jarman “When you look at the company’s commitment to sport four sixes helped Team Hillary to the biggest physical challenges castled Chris Beale with a ball they’re exactly the type of partner Tom would be looking post a comfortable 152 for five in that anyone of us have ever un- for.” their stipulated 20 overs in this dertaken. We are all just ordi- Liverpool’s American owners have been scouring the globe official T20 game, which re- nary people, taking that extra for finance to stave off the threat of having to sell the ceived patronage from the En- step to achieving something ex- club on the cheap in July. glish Cricket Board (ECB). In tra-ordinary.” ANI reply, the home team were Glen Lowis and Kirtley knocked out for 116 with an over gave Hillary a rollicking start, to spare. posting 82 for the first wicket. Flop KP and crock Flintoff Both the teams trekked However, Aussie spinner Nick through the gruelling Himalayan Toovey removed Kirtley and the dominate IPL stretches for nine days to reach visitors’ innings wobbled as Lo- Kevin Pietersen’s inability to inspire an abject Bangalore the First Base Camp, where an wis and Cheltenham CC skipper side and Andrew Flintoff’s injury grabbed the headlines improvised pitch was set up on a Will Simmons fell in quick succes- after a frantic opening week of the Indian Premier frozen lakebed. With show- sion. Some late blows from Chris League. capped mammoths on every Palmer and Charlie Campbell The duo are the most expensive IPL players this season, after being bought for 1.55 million dollars each at the pre-tournament auction. However, Challengers lie bottom of the table after losing three of four matches. Captain Pietersen has been unable to inspire the team and was twice out for a duck in four innings, leading many to question his hefty price tag. “It’s a long competition and if we can win the next nine games we’ll be okay,” Pietersen said. “We just need to get winning, it’s a habit and as soon as you start winning everything starts to become okay.” Flintoff returned home for ankle surgery after featuring in just three matches for Chennai, raising doubts over whether he should have committed to the IPL at all. Having insisted that playing in the IPL would benefit his fitness, Flintoff faces criticism for putting cash before country, although Pietersen has defended the duo’s participation in the Twenty20 extravaganza. “It’s going to be difficult for boards to pull players out of tournaments like this when you’re playing with the best players in the TEAM HILLARY SKIPPER world,” Pietersen told the London GLEN LOWIS (LEFT) Guardian newspaper. SAVOURING ALL THE “You can’t have one rule for some and ATTENTION AS another rule for others. But it’s a huge TEAMMATE DAVID blow come the summer for England.” KIRTLEY GOES BERSERK The tournament has largely passed without WITH THE CHAMPAGNE a hitch although a fierce row between suiteholders at the BOTTLE. Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg and the IPL over PHOTOS: GEORGE rights to the boxes was resolved only after protracted POWELL/TG negotiations. PHOTOGRAPHY AFP Monday, April 27, 2009 09

I have talked to people about giving up bowling, or bowling in as few forms of the game as possible. I haven’t talked about this publicly before, but if I had to choose one thing, I would probably give up Test cricket before bowling. ting‘‘ heightsJacob Oram ently when they played a T20 game at First p on a frozen lakebed for the game

that kept low. my life. I can not thank all of Waters and Gareth Wesley the people involved enough. then led a fight back that From Kirt and Wes to the brought Tenzing back into the medics and the Sherpas, game. But a foolish run out thank you for helping us meant the end of Waters (23) be- achieve this world record.” fore Wesley was also bowled at Though dejected at losing the same score. Medium pacer the game, Main had a word of Tom Sharland knocking down praise for all involved. “Both Wesley’s off stump. The hosts Tenzing and Hillary are full of never recovered from the set- inspirational people and it’s back and when Palmer bowled been our strength as a team the only two maidens of the day, across the whole Expedition that the required rate crept above 10 has made this record a reality,” for the first time. he said. Man of the Match Campbell The battle of altitude between returned in the 15th over and the two teams are said to have produced two beauties to re- raised £250,000 and the amount move captain Haydn Main and is to be donated to two charities, David Christie for a second ball the Himalayan Trust UK and the duck. Though vice captain Ga- Lord’s Taverners. reth Lewis, and Mike Preston smashed a few late boundaries, it was too little too late. Brief Scores: An ecstatic Glen Lowis, the Team Hillary, 152/5 (D. Kirtley winning skipper said: “It has 45, M. Waters 2/32), beat Team been truly one of the most Tenzing, 116 all out (M Waters memorable experiences of 23, CCampbell 3/23) by 36 runs.

STAR BATSMAN DAVID KIRTLEY ON HIS WAY TO A QUICK FIRE 46. 10 FLICK ERGO Monday, April 27, 2009 Jay Leno released from hospital Jay Leno was released from hospital on Friday, one day after checking in with an undisclosed illness that forced the comedian to cancel a taping The Tonight Show for the first time in 17 years as host. Leno’s spokesperson Dick Guttman said the popular TV talk show star was held overnight on Thursday for observation.

he has been linked with three actors – about her personal life and she will continue Hurman S. Baweja, Shahid Kapur and to do so,” a source close to the actress said. Hollywood star Gerard Butler of 300 Even when news of her affair with her Oprah’s ‘aha Sfame - all within a span of one year, but Love Story 2050 co-star Hurman was doing the mystery behind Priyanka Chopra’s actual the rounds, Priyanka remained politically love interest continues. correct. While Hurman was very vocal about moment’ The rumour mills started working over- their relationship as well as their break-up, time after Butler, whom she met at the the model-turned-actress chose not to speak catchphrase launch of the Atlantis hotel in Dubai last about it. Now, the news about the friend- year, was quoted as saying in a leading dai- ship between Priyanka and Butler, who is lands her in ly: “I don’t mind getting married to an Indian currently in Jaipur, is raising eyebrows. girl. Too bad Priyanka already has a boy- But the source clarifies: “He (Butler) is in legal dispute friend.” Jaipur with four of his friends as part of an prah Winfrey is at the Now, who that boyfriend is, remains to be India tour. Ocentre of a legal battle known. He came to Jaipur and knew that Priyanka with the bosses of an Though rumours of a romantic liaison be- was shooting and staying at Shiv Vilas for insurance company over tween Shahid and Priyanka have been in the her film What’s Your Rashee?. So he came to the use of her signature grapevine lately after their joint appearance the sets to meet her as they are good friends catchphrase – the “Aha at filmmaker Tarun Mansukhani’s birthday and to see what an Indian film shoot looks moment”. party in Mumbai last week, neither has con- like. He also met all important people on the The talk show queen is firmed the development. sets and was also introduced to Ashutosh known to use the popular phrase for a revelation on The The two will be seen together in Vishal (Gowariker) and Haurman. Priyanka and him Oprah Winfrey Show and in her O magazine, reports Bharadwaj’s Kaminay. are just friends only,” the source said. Contactmusic. “Priyanka has always main- Butler, who played the role of King Spar- However, now the same catchphrase has landed the tained silence on her private tan in 300, has also been linked to for- media mogul in a dispute with executives at Mutual of affairs. Till date, she has mer Friends star Jennifer Aniston, Omaha Bank. never gone public which he has denied. ■ Oprah had opposed the company’s advertising campaign IANS featuring the slogan, “Official sponsor of the aha moment” and her lawyers fired off a cease and desist letter to the bank claiming she owned the rights to the catchphrase. Her lawyers also asked bank executives to call off plans to run their promos, fearing the star’s fans may be misled into thinking she was affiliated with them. However, the Mutual of Omaha Bank, in turn slapped a lawsuit against Oprah, alleging she “abandoned” any rights she may have to the phrase by failing to “police the alleged mark” when other businesses used it in advance. According to TMZ.com, the suit was filed in a federal court in Nebraska on April 22 and bank lawyers have requested the judge allow them to continue with their promotional campaign. ■ ANi

Rihanna wants $1m borrowed jewellery back from cops ihanna wants LAPD to return the nearly million-dollar Rworth jewellery taken into evidence for investigation in her alleged beating case. The singer, who was allegedly punched, choked, and Who is bitten by her former boyfriend Chris Brown before the Grammys, had borrowed the expensive accessories from four jewellers, who now want it back. The R&B lady was said Priyanka to have been trying to recover the bling from the officials since late March. “Since there appears to Chopra’s be no evidentiary value to the continued holding of this jewelry ... we respectfully (ask) mystery the court to order the return of this property to (Rihanna) without further delay,” People boyfriend? magazine quoted her attorney Donald Etra as writing in a court request. ■ ANI

PTI Monday, April 27, 2009 11 Madonna’s the mom With earnings of $110 million in 2008, Madonna topped Forbes’ list of Hollywood’s hardest working mothers, followed by actors Reese Witherspoon and Gwyneth Paltrow. The pop singer and mother of three grossed $105 million on her tour and sold nearly a million albums in the United States. Madonna also signed several lucrative endorsement deals last year, according to Forbes.com. Reuters

Actor and co-owner of Punjab Kings XI, Priety Zinta (L) hugs fellow actor ‘‘II wwenentt ttoo Akshay Kumar during the IPL match between Delhi Daredevils and Punjab Kings XI at The Newlands SSoutouthh AAfricafrica Cricket Stadium in Cape Town last Sunday. AFP ttoo ccheeheerr ffoorr DDelhielhi PHOTO/ MANAN VATSYAYANA SUBHASH K. JHA DDaredevils’aredevils’

kshay Kumar, who vowed not to be a part of any Indian Premier League (IPL) game in South Africa, was recently seen Aat a match with friend Preity Zinta. The actor says he went to Cape Town just to cheer for the Delhi Daredevils. Akshay was seen at the IPL match between Delhi Darede- vils and Preity Zinta-owned Kings XI Punjab last Sunday. Ear- lier, he had refused to be a part of the match even though pals Preity Zinta and Shilpa Shetty own two teams in the IPL. “I had no intentions of going. But the Delhi Daredevils did it. Al- though this year I’m no longer professionally or financially associated with the team I had to go for their sake to the IPL match on Sunday. There I met up with my buddy Preity Zinta and naturally the cameras went berserk. So what if her team was playing against the Delhi Daredevils? Off the field we’re still the best of friends. But that’s it. I won’t be attending any of the other matches,” Akshay said. Akshay is now in Singapore to resume the shooting of Priyadarshan’s Dan Dana Dan. “First it was Preity’s darshan, now I go for Priyadarshan,” he said. “Somehow I’ve always had one Darshan or the other in my life,” he quipped about the contribution of Suneel and Dharmesh Darshan and Priyadarshan to his career. ■ IANS Cine City

Dhanush, Jawahar Charmi’s no team up again It seems director Jawahar of to Bollywood Yaaradi Nee Mohini fame Actress Charmi, who and actor Dhanush were so was last seen as an enthralled by the Telugu eye-candy in Tamil movie Arya, starring Allu flick Laadam, has Arjun and Anuradha Mehta, reportedly rejected that they decide to remake it offers from in Tamil right away. The Bollywood. The movie, titled Kutty, has actress, though, does Dhanush and Shriya in the not have great offers lead. An out-and-out in Tollywood or romantic flick, Kutty will see Kollywood and Dhanush donning the role of remains positive and a college student. Devi Sri has said that she will Prasad, who gave some strike back soon. mind-blowing songs And she is been (especially ‘Feel My Love’) in appreciated by her the original, has been roped co-stars for her in to compose songs for the confidence levels. remake too. 12 ERGO Monday, April 27, 2009

Friday’s Question: If you had to rename Tata Nano, what would you rename it and why? ■ Tata bye-bye, just to say bye to other cars. Sunil TCS-eserve, Jack, Jai, Angel, Pradhi, Divya Cognizant

■ Zeus – It’s d name of a Greek god and this name would suit best for the 1 lakh small car. Don Allsec

■ Green pitch bcoz generates very less pollution. Aakash CSS

■ Kutti car bcoz of its size. Karthika RR Donnelley

■ Tata Echo, b’coz every one talking about this car. Prakash Raj Nischintha CSS Vonage Saravanan from Wipro has nominated his friends as Partners in ■ Tata puppy since it looks pet car to hang out with. Crime. This picture was clicked at Echo point during their Munnar Manjari, Arjunsingh TCS-eserve trip.

■ Tata Auto, as the only difference is auto is three wheeler and Nano is four wheeler. Yacub Patni

■ Chotu bcoz it’s small. Kavitha Cognizant

■ Tata Compacta because its so compact pa. Vijayshankar.K (Citi) TCS

■ Tata Minijet because it’s compact with a good speed. Nisha Rameshkumar TCS

■ Kutti Raja. Because it is respected and welcomed by almost all Indians. Arunkumar, Babu, Allsec

■ Tata hurray! To tell our cheers for the new economical invention. Nisha Vijayshankar TCS

■ Tata Own-O. M.Srinivasan Allsec Shankar Poongavanam from Systems Technology Group has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime. This picture was clicked ■ Chota Sceneo because this car is very small and putting lot of scene. at Kishkinta Amusement park. Sureshkumar.K Wipro

■ Candy, bcoz when you look at it, you feel like eating it, it looks very cute. Soumya HCL

■ Deluxe Share Auto. Nano is an upgraded version of share auto. Not much to choose between them. Raj Sreenivasan Wipro

■ Oru latcha latchiya car. Sripradha Chakravarthy Infosys

■ Trafficano bcoz Indian roads will be traffic jammed after it’s launched. Murugan, Haroon Technosoft Today’s Query: What is your message to all those who are contesting for election? Karthikeyan from ICON has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime. This photo was clicked during a get-together. Monday, April 27, 2009 13

April 27 Love, world. May it also bring forth ■ Dear Ranga Nathan Raman alias Vinodh, Sainthavi, Thawin and inevitable joy, happiness and favour Sachin of our team, ■ Dear Kavikuzhali The Entire Family your way. Many More Happy Returns On your birthday we wish you much of the Day. Many more happy returns of the pleasure and joy; We hope all of your Belated Wishes With Luv day!!! May god bless u with all wishes come true. May each hour Sakthi Jagadeesan, TCS success in every aspects of ur life. and minute be filled with delight, Regards, And your birthday be perfect for April 23 ■ Dear Gayu, Jose Anand, Nithu, Archana, Infosys you! ■ Hi Ram, It must have been a rainy day when Ravendran Raj Recipes for a Perfect Marriage u were born, but it wasn’t really ASE-Trainee, Tata Consultancy Services Add loving emotion to lifelong rainy, The sky was crying because it April 25 devotion, Sprinkle with tenderness lost his most beautiful angle. ■ Dear Sister, ■ Hai Miss Hellloooooooo (Meow), straight from the heart, May all UR wishes come true. Many "Your birthday is a special time to Many more happy returns of the day Simmer it over the flames of your More Happy Returns of the Day. celebrate the gift of ’you’ to the miss M.Goms, Yenna thirutu poona passion, Blend well for a marriage With Luv, world” mari mulikara... Today is your that’s strong from the start. Shyam, Polaris Wishing you many more HaPpY birthday and inaiku avadhu konjam Top with two servings of friendship Re"Turn" S of the day.....Boss siri.. May this day brings you and laughter, place of a helping of ■ Dear Bharat, Well-Wishers: Vijay with SIT Team. beautiful (Hey wait a minute "Neye hope on each generous slice, then Its the Day Of Cakes & Candles, Alaga Dhana Iruka") Ok apa may this enjoy life that most newlyweds do Snow And Songs… Celebrations & ■ Hi Parthee, day brings you best ever happiness with a blend of togetherness, Decorations, Laughter And Love.. Let the GOD decorate each Golden and nice cool smile on your face... sweetness, and spice! It’s Ur Birth Day !! Ray Of The Sun reaching u with Advertisement elam paniirukan...so C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s!!! Best “HAPPY” “BIRTH” “DAY” wishes of Success, Happiness and expecting Treat...Miss....don’t forget... Wishes on Your Wedding! Regards, prosperity 4 U, Wish you a super Yours, Thanks and Regards CETS TEAM. duper Happy Birthday M. Abdul Rahman, TCS Navic Team, CSS Corp India Pvt ltd Saravanan, Devanand, Arul, John, Vinoth & Luv, CETS TEAM STAFF’S. KBC – Visteon – Olympia Tech Park ■ Dear Taj... ■ Dear Sincere Sigaamani, ■ Dear Andrews, Iniya pirantha naal vaazhthukal... Coffee sapida neram ila. Lunch ■ My Dear Brother Imthiyas On your birthday We wish you much Then as usaul nee adikira lootiya pogavum neram ila. Eppa keataluum. Wish you a Happy Birthday. pleasure and joy; continue panu mousiee..yentha city "Naa romba busssssy" sollum Regards We hope all of your wishes come ku ponalum yengala maranthudatha. sigamaniyea!!"Enniya piranthanal Imran Datamark Prod Pvt Ltd true. Keep rocking...Wish U all Success.. Valththukkal" Treat kodukkamal May each hour and minute be filled hey treat-ayum maranthudatha... yemathirathigga!!! Endru natpudan, ■ Dear Imthiyas with delight, With loads and lots of love Message24 Team, Financial Software Many More Happy Returns of the And your birthday be perfect for Dhanyaa, Arathi (HCL technologies), Solutions Day. Wishing you a Happy Birthday you! Subathra (RRD), Nithya (The 7th July Dude. Wishing you to get all good Cbeyond Team, CTS Team) and Shahin... ■ Dear most Friend, things in ur life. Wishing you many more HaPpY By true friend ■ Hello Mr.Sharma [Magesh], Re"Turn" s of the day. "Hope your Mufis April 26 Many more happy returns of the Birthday gently breezes into your life ■ Dear Vijay Babu day!! May you acquire all u r desire all the choicest of things and all that ■ To my dear brother, Bharat, (CSS) Team DTCC Wishes you many more & each passing year be filled with your heart holds dear Have A Fun- Wish you a very Happy Birthday, Life happy returns of the day. Have a joy. HAPPY B’DAY Filled Day.. is full of surprises. great day and wonderful year ahead. Vijayasankar, Wipro Well-Wisher: Vijay with SIT Team God gave me a surprise by gifting Cheers from you as my brother. May God shower Team DTCC ■ Dear AJS, ■ Dear Two Minutes Karthick & all happiness and success to you in Belated birthday wishes to you!! May Choclate Mama, life. We all love you. ■ Hi Viji, God’s blessings be with you all Belated birthday wishes to you, Many Aruna (CSS), Manoj, Mummy, Papa, Iniya Piranthanal valthukkal... Indru through you life!! Wishing you all more happy returns of the day.. Madhu, Giriraj, Kausshik. Sharann and pol endrum punnagaiyodu fun and happiness!!! Suggestions for you... Nanu iruppayaga... Have a great Life Friends, New Age Software and Solutions 1. Try to reduce your Thoppai ahead... Wish you many more happy 2. Move your hands while walking ■ Dear Vipin, returns of the day.... Makkale, Viji ya ■ Dear Mozhi, 3. Avoid two minutes On this special day, I wanted to send, pathi sollanumna ava nalum Many many happy returns of the 4. Change your TVS-XL to Pulsar A most special greeting. To a most theinchava (I mean No: 4. day!! Wishing you a super duper 220CC with in your Retirement special friend. Veeralakshmi Roller coaster la birthday!!! Enjoy and have fun!! 5. Etc., I want to recall, The adventures bayapadave matta… Powder podave Friends, New Age Software and Solutions Regards, Non-Tandem Testing Team, we’ve had, The friendship we’ve matta… Chocklate sapidave matta… Financial Software Systems [P] Ltd. shared, Through the good times and Ice cream sapidave matta… Ippa Nan ■ Dear Aadhi, bad. sonna ellame Poi… Poiyai thavira Wish you many more Happy Returns A time to have new hopes and vera ethuvum illai… of the Day & wish you all success in April 24 dreams. I wish you a Very Happy Ippadiku all your endeavors in the coming ■ Dear Suganya (Mandek), birthday. May god bless you. Muthu, Arun, Usha, Bowya, Bharathi, Kalai days and May god send many Many More Happy Returns of The Your true Ever loving friend... Akka(Miss Sincere), Mr OS(Venkat), Simbu blessings to you. Have a memorable Day. (Super star of Kerala), Saravanan, Ram birthday. Let All Your dreams Come True This ■ Dear Papu, Kumar(Malai Maadu), Paasamalar Subha Loving Sisters, Year. Keep Smiling..) Hey, u r 1 year older now,1 year Wipro Dorothy Judy, Kalai, Divya, Deepika Regards, smarter now, 1 year bigger now, and Saravanan & Friends, TCS now u r 1 year closer to all your ■ Hi Kalpana, ■ Dear Shiva Sakthi, wishes. "Wish you many more happy returns Many More Happy Returns of the day ■ Dear Gayu, May god bless you with his choicest of the day" from miles away!!! May all your Every year that passes is another blessing Happy birthday Papu !!! "A true friend remembers your dreams and wishes come true... stepping stone to greatness. May this Regards birthday but not your age" birthday start a new turn in your Janu, Infosys Regards, Lokesh 14 TRAFFIC JAM ERGO Monday, April 27, 2009 Need for sweet speed The world’s first eco-friendly racing car - which is powered by chocolate - will be launched next month.

sudoku

Ayyanar Gurusamy Subburaj of HCL Technologies, Vadapalani clicked this picture at Alleppey. His hobbies include trekking and chatting.

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ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20 It’s a pleasing day. Financial rewards await you at work. Though the prizes may also be intangible in nature, they may definitely add brownie points to your PMS sheet. Exchange sweet nothings with your sweetheart to spice up your love life.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20 A power day for you, which will see your innate qualities come to the fore. By getting more systematic at the workplace, you will complete your tasks dot on schedule. On the love front, you need to be diplomatic to hold on to a sense of harmony.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20 Ganesha advises you to give your efforts the right BORN LOSER direction today as there are chances that your hard work may go in vain. Beware of colleagues who may try to tarnish your image. On the love front, you may try to cast a spell on your partner. CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20 It’s a perfect day for group activities. You will be in the right frame of mind to perform well in meetings. Your diligence and commitment to work shall reward you in future. The road to relationship bliss looks stress-free today.

LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20 Your creative spirit will demand freedom. Getting innovative is the right way to work today, suggests Ganesha. Do not confront your boss at any cost. On the love front, you may not be able to devote much time to your sweetheart. VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20 With a practical attitude, you will excel at your FREE RANGE WORKING IT OUT work. You will finish tasks on time. Though travelling is not on the cards, Ganesha sees you getting busy drawing up plans for a trip with your family or beloved. LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20 Lessons you have learnt from your seniors or bosses will guide you in performing well at work today. You will find yourself solving complex issues. Your love life will blossom as you will spend more quality time with your sweetheart. SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20 Today, you may not be in a mood to stretch hours at the office. You will be making a mistake if you ignore your health at this time. The moral support and positive vibes you receive from your beloved shall make this world a better place to live. SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20 A complimentary day for you, predicts Ganesha. You will utilise your time at office in the best possible manner. But, be sure to take care of your health. It’s not fair to get too busy with work; give some time to your love mate as well. CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20 Your professional life may offer you a plethora of opportunities today. Put in more efforts to get incentives and perks at work. Creative ways in which you will express your feelings will make your partner fall in love with you all over again. AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20 PREVIOUS Focusing on your shortcomings can help you improve your skills. Today, you may find yourself contemplating over matters related to work. After ISSUE’S you call it a day at office, you will be in a hurry to SOLUTIONS rush home to spend some time with your family. PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20 Your creative zone will be very much emphasised today, so you may change your modus operandi, which will help you handle every aspect of work very easily. On love’s landscape, your unpredictability may leave your partner puzzled. Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni 16 ! ERGO Monday, April 27, 2009

A model presents an outfit during a fashion show A member of the Japanese performance group “Medaman- organized by Dennica Abdo, publisher of the British Medaman" uses a magnifying glass while wearing a large eyeball publication Fashion Meets Music (FMM) in Los Angeles. at the Roppongi Hills shopping mall in Tokyo. AFP PHOTO/JEWEL SAMAD AFP PHOTO / YOSHIKAZU TSUNO

Actress Charlize Theron (R) arrives with her boyfriend Stuart Townsend at La Fenice theatre in Venice for the wedding dinner-party of Mexican actress Salma Hayek and French businessman Francois Henri Pinault. AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE