ComMittee Members & Portfolios PATRON Lt. General Jagbir Singh SM, VSM, General Officer Commanding, HQ Dakshin Bharat Area PRESIDENT **MR. P.V.S VENCATASUBRAMANIAM [email protected] | 9444000767 Golf & Gym Mag From the Secretary's Desk 00 VICE PRESIDENT **MR. S.B.P ANAND MOHAN [email protected] | 9840379707 An Enchanting Tale of Legal & Software Endurance and Endorphins 00 VICE PRESIDENT **#BRIG Anil Beniwal [email protected] | 7871695058 The significance of HONORARY SECRETARY mehendi at weddings 00 **MR. A.P SURESH KUMAR [email protected] | 9445022566 I too had a dream 00 Staff & Service HONORARY TREASURER **MR. S.M ISPAHANI I BELIEVE I CAN FRY 00 [email protected] | 9444943917
MR. ARVIND C. MEHTA GYM 3S - LITERARY HUB [email protected] | 9841019475 Terror Attach : A view from the inside 00 Chess, Darts, Badminton & Squash MR. A.R. BALAKRISHNAN [email protected] | 9840033034 GYM 3S - LITERARY HUB Library Announcement 00 MR. M. FAZAL MOHAMMED [email protected] 9841021234 Glimpses of the celebration House & Residential Quarters "The first anniversary of **DR. T. GUNASAGARAN the Mixed Bar....2.0" 00 [email protected] | 9442126998 Swimming, Snooker, Garden & Environment MR. N. KUMAR Tennis Madness Tournament 00 [email protected] | 9841031562 Cricket & Gymnasium Waiting - Movie Review 00 MR. K. PARTHASARATHY [email protected] | 9884590999 Bridge, Tennis & Table Tennis Group Show - DakshinaChitra 00 #COL. RAJESH SINGH, S.C.,S.M., [email protected] | 9445602610 Bridge - Backward Finesse 00 #Col. Antony Grossy [email protected] | 89033-31777 Congratulations 00 MR. SEKHAR ALAGAPPAN [email protected] | 9841075705 Catering **MR. C. VENUGOPAL [email protected] | 9952007711 Bar
MR VIVEK DHANDA [email protected] | 09841040805 Entertainment & Gym 3S ** Members of the Executive Committee # Members nominated by GOC from the Honorary Secretary's Desk
After a hectic summer and a race for school and college admissions, I assume members must have settled down to their daily schedules.
In this message, I would like to shed some light and clarity on the Emeritus Membership, since we have quite a few senior members opting for it.
To convert to the status of the Member Emeritus, the member should firstly be 65 years of age and above and should have been a club member for a minimum of 25 years.
A Member Emeritus is exempt from all subscriptions but has to pay for any use of catering, Bar and facilities like the beauty parlour, the usage of lights and marker charges. The Member Emeritus will also be charged for guests they bring to the club. Moreover, these senior members do not have the right to vote, propose or second a candidate for club membership or propose a resolution at any meeting.
Based on the vacancy created by the members, who have opted to become a Member Emeritus, seventy-seven members in the Invitation category have been approved for Resident Membership, after verifying their usage of our club.
The first anniversary of the renovated Mixed Bar was celebrated with great offers on premium liquor, excellent music, wonderful ambience and a great response from our members. It was well-organised, and for their hard work, we need to raise a toast to the Bar Committee- Cheers to them!
We have three sporting events programmed in July. The Vasanth Chari Memorial Intra Club Tennis Doubles Tournament; the Water Polo Inter Club Competition at the Boat Club on July 3rd and the Gym Olympics on July 30 and 31.
I wish all the participants the very best for these tournaments.
On the entertainment front, we have scheduled a Fashion show, Music and Dance programme on July 9th and Independence Day celebrations on August 13th featuring a music programme by a Chennai-based music group Aarohi.
Once again, I request you to register your email id and your mobile phone number with the Club as soon as possible, as the payment gateway will be activated and members can utilise this facility to pay their bills online. But, if you wish to use this facility, it is important that the email and mobile number is registered with the club. Members who have not registered kindly do so, at the Reception.
Keep smiling and have a great July.
Best Wishes,
A.P. Suresh Kumar, HONORARY SECRETARY
6 | JUNE 2016 An Enchanting Tale of Endurance and Endorphins S A LU T E R. Chandramouli
A day like this would tremble to begin! Thomas Harris, in the novel Hannibal
In most parts of the world, Sunday, June 12, began like any other day. Yet, in Queensland, Australia, in the scenic city of Cairns, the first rays of dawn ushered in a date with destiny for over 1,500 athletes gathered to participate in the Iron Man challenge. Median age 38, oldest participant 83, all super fit to take part in a life-changing event.
One among the 1,500 is well known to many of us at the Madras Gymkhana Club. He has been a member since 1983, and can be spotted occasionally on the lawn or at a bridge table. He is affable bordering on reticent, and the toughest thing is to get him to talk… about himself, and the arduous training that led him to emerge as an Iron Man at the age of 66. What does it take to be an Iron Man? You have to complete a Triathlon, which comprises three rigorous sporting activities in one go, swim in the sea for a distance of 3.8 km, come ashore, move straight on to a bicycle and ride like the wind for a distance of 180 km, hop off, and then begin what is normally an endurance trial by itself – a 42.2 km marathon run. Two weeks after the event, Gym Mag caught up with K.K. Arun Krishnan, starting the interview with the question that must be on the mind of every reader: “What motivates you to take on such a Herculean challenge?” Arun’s answer was as straightforward as his persona, no frills, no grand statements, just a desire to live life to the fullest, and create a distinct personal identity beyond his professional pursuits and social ecosystem. “It is something that I have also asked myself, especially during the middle of an event. I do wonder in the 38th km of my run, why am I doing this? The answer is: We are all in our own way endorphin addicts. An endorphin high is far superior to an alcohol high, or any other substance. My high after the Iron Man event lasted for almost a week. Also, I like intense sporting activity because it relieves me of stress and tension, and is something I look forward to at this stage of my life.”
8 | JULY 2016 Club of Madras, which in the mid- frequent leg cramps, but for an 80s had just 15 members, but their adrenaline rush aficionado like energy and commitment drew Arun, it was exhilarating. On sponsorship and support from the cycle, he completed the 180 a fellow sports enthusiast, T.T. km distance in 7 hours and 53 Raghu of the TTK Group. Arun’s minutes. He once again chose to first full marathon was in 1987 at change and rehydrate. Pune, and his Personal Best was The last segment was what his 3 hours 34 mins in 1989, in the friends believe he is born for-- TTK Marathon that culminated marathon running, but a tall order at Muttukadu. He continued that day in Cairns, considering running in the new millennium the burn rate and exertion in the and has taken part in marathons prior segments. He had been on at Chennai, Singapore, Chicago, the move now for nearly 10 hours, Paris and Berlin, finishing under and he knew that to qualify as Iron 4 hrs 30 minutes in most events. Man, he had to run against the It takes a special kind of athlete clock. to attempt a triathlon, and you He started running the Marathon can see how Arun’s diverse sports with a large crowd cheering him background helped him to tackle most of the route. Somewhere, the ultimate physical challenge. after the 38th km, he knew he The Cairns achievement is actually was running out of time (the his third Triathlon, but in terms of certificate and title is awarded cut off time for finishing the three only if you finish within the segments, the toughest (he has stipulated time). He had not come competed in similar challenges in all the way to Australia to turn Austria and in Chennai). away at the moment of truth. All Arun says he is “semi-retired,” For the Cairns Iron Man event, the years of competitive running, his personal life is well-rounded, Arun followed a 6-month training rowing and swimming, all those like his sporting interests. He schedule which encompassed early mornings out on the water is a family man who enjoys swimming, cycling and running. and road, and all the endurance spending time with his wife, sons He was aware that the sea swim built up over the last 6 months and granddaughter. Arun’s wife, would be his greatest challenge, so revitalised him at that moment of Nandita, is a renowned educator, he landed a few days earlier and reckoning. He had been running on the Boards of several schools, practised at Green Island near for almost 6 hours now, yet he and slated to take the mantle as Cairns. renewed his pace and ran like a man possessed. He completed the correspondent of a leading “I had to unlearn swimming, and the 42.2 km distance just a few school in T. Nagar. He has always change the way I swim,” he said. minutes before the cut off time, pursued physically challenging To maintain speed in an open and jogged through the Guard sports from his college days, and water environment with waves as of Honor at the Finish line, while unlike many, who withdraw from high as 2 metres, as opposed to the crowd cheer escalated to a intense workouts as they grow a placid pool, he had to adopt crescendo. older, Arun kept raising the bar a technique known as Total year after year. Immersion Swimming – keep K.K. Arun Krishnan, 66 years As a student of mechanical almost the entire body inside young, mellow at heart and strong engineering in Guindy (Anna the water, emerge after four as steel, was crowned an “Iron University), Arun was the college strokes just to check course, and Man” at Cairns, Australia, after a swimming captain. He joined then continue. He finished the grueling 16 hours, 27 minutes and the Madras Boat Club soon after swimming segment in 1 hour and 35 seconds on water and land. He graduation, and was vice captain 37 minutes, covering a distance of had achieved a lifetime goal of in 1975. Over the years, he has 3.8 km on rough seas. taking part in the world’s toughest physical endeavor. Looking won various medals at MBC, and When he finished the swim, Arun back, his tenacity had made the in inter-club regattas in open and wisely decided to take a break for impossible possible. Looking veterans events. a few minutes and change into ahead, however daunting the dry clothing. The bike ride on Long distance running has been dawn may be, this Iron Man’s day the picturesque Captain Cook his greatest passion till date. He is will never tremble to begin. a founder member of the Runners highway was excruciating with
July 2016 | 9 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF
CUL T U R E MEHENDI AT WEDDINGS ROHINI S MURTHY
Can you picture an Indian bride without mehendi on her hands and feet? It’s beyond our imagination, right? A bride may look incomplete without the beautiful bright red designs. Since time immemorial, mehendi has become synonymous with Indian weddings. It not only accentuates the beauty of the bride’s hands and feet but infuses a sense of cheerfulness into the festive ambience of a wedding. Relatives and friends may appreciate the bride’s expensive attire and jewellery, but it’s the elaborate designs and mehendi’s effervescent colour that is a sight for sore eyes.
Mehendi is an intrinsic part of every Indian wedding. Irrespective of whether you are a Hindu, Muslim, north Indian or a south Indian, application of mehendi is a tradition that is followed diligently and with much enthusiasm. The intricate designs and patterns are skilfully drawn by professionals amidst much ado and fervour from the bride’s family and friends. In certain communities, it’s necessary to apply mehendi on the groom’s hands as well.
We all agree fact that Indian weddings are incomplete without mehendi. It’s a tradition that we cannot ignore or overlook. But do you know the significance of applying mehendi on wedding day? Besides lending colour, mehendi is considered as an important medicinal herb. It has a unique property of cooling the body. As the wedding day nears, the bride and groom mehendi is said to act as a protective shield. The antiseptic often experience high levels of stress coupled properties of mehendi powder are further augmented when with nervous anticipation. The nerve endings mixed with eucalyptus oil, clove oil and a few drops of lime which are present on our hands and feet need juice. Application of this paste can make the skin soft and utmost care. Application of mehendi is known improve the blood flow in the body. The soothing aroma to have a soothing effect on the nerves and that emanates from this wonder leaf is also said to have an can also bring the body temperature down. aphrodisiacal effect on the couple.
It is also believed that the antiseptic property Traditions in India are sometimes followed blindly without of mehendi can combat viral infections/ comprehending the actual meaning or the purpose behind sickness. The bride and the groom are not it. Once we delve deeper and unearth their significance, we only expected to look their best but need not only come out feeling enriched with knowledge but also to be in the pink of health too. Applying experience a deep sense of pride.
10 | JULY 2016 I TOO HAD A DREAM - VERGHESE KURIEN WITH GOURI SALVI ( ROLI BOOKS )
B oo k R EVIEW Zarin Mistry
Who is not familiar with the jingle “Utterly Butterly…”? Brand Amul is a household name and has been for many years. It cuts across generations of consumers. We have all heard about the genius behind this success story but reading Verghese Kurien’s autobiography, “I Too Had A Dream” makes us realize just how remarkable the man and his achievements were. Whether you wish to term it fate or serendipity, it is astonishing how an aspiring metallurgist was thrust into dairy engineering because that was the only line in which a scholarship was available and he couldn’t opt out of it because of the Bond he had signed with the government! He was thus forced to accept a posting at Anand. He tried unsuccessfully to get into another line or work but eventually decided to involve himself with developing the organization. His mentor in this effort was Tribhuvandas Patel. Kurien joined the Kaira Milk Co-operative after independence and the concept of the “Co-operative” was the motivating factor in Kurien’s life. He always insisted that the farmers were the employers and he was only their employee. All through his career, he faced many hurdles in promoting and upholding this ideal. He turned down tempting employment offers to set up private milk dairies. from Michigan State University, Kurien was also instrumental in There are many interesting episodes like their competition with setting up the Institute of Rural Polson Butter and how it was eventually edged out of the market. Management at Anand. Also, Amul was the first to successfully turn buffalo’s milk into milk powder. Kurien also had to take on the fight with foreign investments An autobiography is, after all, only like Nestle. All these make for good reading. one side of the story and perhaps we may not have a fully rounded picture He interacted with many personalities like Sardar Vallabhai of the events and personalities. It Patel, Nehru, Morarji Desai, Y B Chavan, T T Krishnamachari, would be interesting to hear the C Subramanian and T N Seshan. Through his narrative, Kurien frank opinions of his adversaries comes across as a blunt, totally honest and matter-of fact person. and colleagues. Kurien is quite The tone and style of the book complement this image. Even when reticent about the controversy dealing with VIPs, Kurien was always forthright and spoke his mind. over the succession tussle with the He was not one to be diplomatic about his views and objections. As management, when he retired as a result, he did make quite a few detractors but there were many Chairman. He portrays it as a smooth who admired his truthful and direct ways of catching the bull by the taking over whereas industry reports horns. did mention a lot of friction in the Operation Flood, the Government’s initiative to replicate the Anand process. A well-researched biography model all over the country, was another massive project that Kurien may do certain areas more justice and his team undertook. He was disappointed that the Tata Group but for the most part, the account is did not assist in the matter and you will enjoy reading more details well-rounded and honest. Verghese about this issue in his account. Strangely, the idea of a co-operative Kurien’s remarkable life philosophy did not succeed with other commodities like salt and oil, where the is best illustrated in a passage from powerful middle-men did not allow the scheme to succeed. “Ulysses” that starts the book. The autobiography is replete with many such insights and the tempo A must-read for the discerning Gym is uniform throughout the book. Besides getting a doctorate in 1965 member.
12 | JULY 2016 I BELIEVE I CAN FRY Vignesh Bhasker
Salsa chicken
Ingredients Directions • 4 skinless, boneless • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) chicken breast halves • Place chicken breasts in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. • 4 teaspoons taco Sprinkle taco seasoning on both sides of chicken breasts, and seasoning mix pour salsa over all. • 1 cup salsa • Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 25 to 35 minutes, or • 1 cup shredded until chicken is tender and juicy and its juices run clear. Cheddar cheese • Sprinkle chicken evenly with cheese, and continue baking for an • 2 tablespoons sour additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. cream (optional) Top with sour cream if desired, and serve.
14 | JULY 2016 GYM 3S – LITERARY HUB Terror attack: A view from the inside Javanthi Singaram
On 26-11-2008, ten terrorists arrived on the coast of Mumbai and brazenly entered the city through the popular tourist spot, the Gateway of India, mingled with the crowd and proceeded to eight pre-designated places, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, the Nariman House and others. Between 26th and 28th November 2008, they executed planned terrorist attacks, killing many and taking several hostage. By 29th November the terrorists bar one, Ajmal Col. Bharat Singh's eloquent speech to members Kasab, were eliminated, the hostages freed and the sites made secure and free of explosives. The terror unleashed during those three days is deeply etched in the collective memory of the people of India and has since been referred to as 26/11, just as 9/11 refers to another deadly terrorist attack on the twin towers of New York. Many of us stayed glued to the television or radio following in shock and horror the events at the various places attacked. For many days after the attack too magazines and newspapers continued with reports that were sometimes contradicting promised his men to return with no casualty. The other and sometimes confusing. The accounts were all team headed to the Taj Mahal Hotel. based on the view from the outside. At the Gym When Bharath Singh and his men reached the Oberoi- 3S talk show on 11th June 2016 we got an insight Trident Hotel, they had little information of the situation into the chilling happenings from the inside. inside. A policeman on duty could only point them in the Initially the Mumbai Police were handling the direction of the Trident Hotel and its entrance, which they situation. Once the gravity of the situation later came to know was booby trapped with explosives. and the news of multiple attacks at different A bystander, who was there because his cousin was places began to emerge, it was clear that a team trapped inside the hotel, informed them that there were trained in terrorist attacks had to be broight in. two terrorists armed with improvised explosive devices The National Security Guard, which reports to (IEDs) inside and even gave their photographs, as seen the Ministry of Home Affairs, was summoned on television earlier. The hotel soon provided a blueprint urgently. Lt Col Bharath Singh, of the 6th of the layout of the hotel, but the group could not make Battalion of the Madras Regiment, the oldest much sense of it. infantry regiment, was part of the 51 Special As a first step, the media crowding outside were requested Action Group, which is usually called ‘when not to show any fresh footage of the scene for security all other mechanisms fail’. The members of reasons and they co-operated without hesitation. The this elite group received rigorous training at earlier pictures were shown continuously, ensuring no Manasar, particularly in room intervention. information of the entry by NSG was revealed to the The group that flew out of Delhi was split into handlers of the terrorists who were watching the TV to two teams. Lt Col Singh headed the team of 20 constantly pass on information to the terrorists inside. officers who were deputed to enter the Trident The media were actually aiding them by covering what was Hotel and bring the situation under control. He
16 | JULY 2016 happening on the ground, until the police brought down the communication lines. It was decided to enter via the fire-escape. They climbed up in single file, in total darkness, each one Terror attack: carrying a supply of grenades. If the men above were to slip and fall down, all those below would also come A view from the inside tumbling down with the added risk of setting off the explosives. The plan was to reach the 19th floor, and work their way up to the 21st floor, simultaneously moving the occupants of the 350 rooms and restaurants to safety. Entering a room had to be done silently and quickly. If a terrorist or two was hiding inside, they would be taken by surprise and could therefore be easily overpowered. Any noise or fumbling at the door would alert them and they would shoot down the men entering the room. As some guests would not open the door, the hotel provided the master key to open the digital locks. The swipe and open action had to be very quick and only a few officers were adept at it. After all this effort, some guests refused to come out, and stun grenades had to be used in a desperate attempt to force them out. Vivek Dhanda (M-I-C Gym 3S) thanks the speaker. The rescue team was at a vast disadvantage. They him and shooting him down, or throwing a grenade were working in pitch dark conditions with no at him from the floor above; both were risky and not special devices for night vision or communication. bound to succeed. About 80% of the grenades never On the other hand, the extremely well-trained and worked and the team were down to the last grenade well-equipped terrorists were aware of their every which was the reserve. It was anyway decided to toss move. To ward off hunger the terrorists snacked it down from the 19th floor, with the hope that it on kaju and pista while sucking tamarind killed the would swing over the low wall and hit the terrorist. craving for water. Their handlers were in constant And it happened exactly as hoped. The AK47 fire touch, informing, encouraging and urging them. To ceased immediately. The target had been struck. The avoid detection, the terrorists only fired single shots, second terrorist was eventually found and killed in a not bursts. They were finally spotted on the 18th room on the same floor. floor The shots came from different places as the A thorough search of the hotel was then undertaken terrorists kept moving, and covering each other. In to clear it of hidden grenades. They discovered an the crossfire, Bharath Singh was wounded in the ear 80-year old Australian who stayed in his room right and had to go down all the way to the ground floor to through the rescue operations. He said he had a call have it attended to by the paramedics. Ironically, they from his Embassy saying that the best team was inside covered his dressing the hotel and they would save him. Feeling reassured, with fluorescenthe went back to browsing the internet. white tape, making him a clear target! After handing over the Trident, the team were driven to the Taj Mahal Hotel, where they fought for One terrorist was another 10 hours. finally located, crouching behind a Members of the Special Action Groups never reveal low wall, where he was where they are or what operations they are involved well protected. He in to their families. Unfortunately, Lt Col Bharath would take pot shots Singh's ear injury was conveyed to the family by an at the exposed NSG officer. Seeing the officer on the doorstep, panic and dive back behind spread rapidly, only to be allayed just as fast. the wall. Taking him The involvement of the NSG in terrorist hit Mumbai out could only be finally brought the situation under control. We salute achieved by either the brave men who fought for us and those who lost running straight at their lives in the process.
July 2016 | 17 Gym 3s ACTIVITIES LITERARY HUB - TALK Show WORKSHOP ON IMAGE MANAGEMENT This is an interactive workshop conducted by Ms Abitha Venkat, a final year engineering student who has undergone training at the Image Consulting Business Institute. She helps individuals to dress and groom according to their age, roles, goals and needs. She will be discussing the various elements about a person’s appearance which, when enhanced, would guide us project ourselves better and boost our confidence. This talk is for all age groups and especially for the younger members, who will benefit greatly from her guidance. As they say, YOU DON’T GET A SECOND CHANCE TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION!! DATE : SATURDAY, AUGUST 6TH, 2016 TIME : 6.30 PM VENUE : RENDEZVOUS. Please check with the reception
Word WISE
ponceau teal
Pronunciation: Pronunciation: (pon-SO) (teel) Meaning: Meaning: noun: A bright red color. noun: 1. Any of the various species of small adjective: Of bright red color. dabbling ducks. 2. Greenish blue color. Etymology: adjective: Of greenish blue color From Old French pouncel (poppy), diminutive of paon (peacock), from Latin pavo (peacock). Etymology: Peacocks are not red, so why this word after a From Middle English tele. The color is named peacock? The poppy flower got this name after the patches of this shade on the teal. Earliest because its vivid red color was compared to the documented use: 1314. bright colors of a peacock. A related word is Usage: pavonine. Earliest documented use: 1774. “My particular favourite combination is with Usage: a soft dull teal, which is almost grey, but warmed “Eternal alliances which ordinarily terminate in a through with blue-green.” Tickled Pink; The quarrel about the shade of a ponceau ribbon ...” Dover Express (Dover, UK); Jun 16, 2016. Ouida; Beatrice Boville and Other Stories; J.B. Lippincott Company; 1905.
18 | JULY 2016 GLIMPSES OF THE CELEBRATION OF "THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE MIXED BAR...... 2.0" On Saturday, 18th June 2016
Space for Writeup
President P.V.S. Vencatasubramaniam with Member Siddharth Sahi
Vice President Anand Mohan discussing some Vice President Anand Mohan, N.G. George, Member-In-Charge improvement strategies with Member-In-Charge C. Venugopal C. Venugopal and K. Parthasarathy, M-I-C Tennis. while Member Naveen Kumar looks on?
20 | JULY 2016 Past President M.R.G. Appa Rao with Honorary Secretary A.P. Suresh Kumar at the occasion
Caught unaware " 1st Anniversary Celebrations of The Mixed Bar 2.0... " was for members of all generations
What a Programme! What a Smile!
Members engrossed in Music and food Cheers!
July 2016 | 21 TENNIS MADNESS TOURNAMENT The tennis fraternity got together to enjoy a special evening with some fun tennis and dinner
22 | JULY 2016 Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Kalki Koechlin, Rajat Kapoor, Arjun Mathur, Suhasini Maniratnam , Ratnabali Bhattacharjee, Rajiv Ravindranathan WAITING Director: Anu Menon Sabita Radhakrishna MOVIE R EVIEW
“Waiting” was one of the most delightful experiences the world at large as her husband of a few weeks is for those of us who saw it unfold at the Club. The also in coma after an accident. She is not resigned but attendance was impressive, though you might have in a state of denial erupting in anger and frustration imagined that most would have seen the movie at at the turn of life’s events. theatres. The contrast between the two protagonists in age, Directed by Anu Menon, the film featured and personality recedes bound by a common sorrow Naseeruddin Shah and Kalki Koechlin in the lead as they empathize with each others predicament. roles. There was no real storyline, it captured The subject of euthanasia is sensitively handled as moments which were frozen in time unlocking Shiv cannot let his wife go, despite her comatose emotions as they flowed unchecked as the two state of eight months. The doctors prevail upon him waited in the surreal world of uncertainty. So many to be merciful.”How do you know what she wants?” of us have lingered outside the ICU torn as we is a question we have asked ourselves at sometime or have sat there, having sent our loved one to a cold, another. unfriendly isolation placing him or her in the hands “Bring me Thalessery biriyani when you return,” cries of masked strangers You are permitted a brief visit, out Pankaja (Suhasini) as Shiv departs, bringing the and suffer agony waiting for doctors to pronounce tears to your eyes. their prognosis, as we think of them of Gods for that period of time. Tara is on tenterhooks as her husband’s fate rests with her, should they operate and face the risk, or just let Shah, backed by years of theatre and film was him be. It would have been so easy for Tara and Shiv effortless in his role of the suffering husband as he to slip into a physical relationship, filmy style, but this watches his wife (Suhasini) lying in coma for the past does not happen, and the two decide what they think eight months. The pattern of life is set, visits to the is best for their loved ones. ICU conversations with the doctor in charge, taking difficult decisions and waiting for God to give the The show stealer is Rajeev Ravindranathan as Girish answer. with his unmistakable Malayali accent and a simple dialogue. A must see movie with fantastic acting by Kalki, as Tara is a total contrast to Shiv, she is young, Naseeruddin Shah and Kalki Koechlin, who do not volatile, explosive mouthing the f words and shit as upstage one another but complement each other's often as the dialogue permits. She vents her anger at roles.
24 | JULY 2016 Group show by Chennai artists at DakshinaChitra from 8th – 31st July 2016.
July 2016 | 25 b r idge Backward Finesse By Maj C.N.Anand (Retd) S - 6 5 easily! H – 8 4 3 D - A T 6 3 West led the spade king, then continued with the C - A K 8 6 S – K J 3 S - A Q T 8 4 spade jack and won. He then shifted to a diamond. H – Q T 9 5 H – 7 This was ducked to east, who played a third spade D – J 8 7 4 D – K Q 5 which was ruffed in dummy. Declarer cashed the C - Q 9 C – J 7 5 2 diamond ace and ruffed a diamond in hand. He then S- 9 7 2 played off the heart ace, took dummy’s top clubs, H – A K J 6 2 D – 9 2 and ruffed another diamond in hand. C - T 4 3 In the above deal both sides are non-vulnerable and West now had Q T 9 of hearts and south had K J dealer was North. The bidding: of hearts and a club. When declarer exited with a club, west was forced to ruff and return a trump into South West North East south’s K and J. Looking gleefully at West and purring 1 C 1 S in delight she said, “if you had not doubled, I would Dbl 2 S Pass Pass never have found this play.” However, she went on to 3 H Dbl All pass explain that it does not mean that one should never If the four trump cards in wests hands were in east’s double, but must defend like men and not boys. hand, a straightforward finesse would have produced the desired results. With West penalty-doubling, how Initially, after playing two rounds of spades, if west to take a reverse finesse will have to be thought of. had continued with a spade, the result would have At first glance it looks as though the losers are two been different. When east gets in with a diamond, he spades, two hearts, one diamond and one club. But must play a fourth round of spades guaranteeing two perched in the South seat was a lady of rare beauty trump tricks for west. and brains, and she was not the type who gave up GYM NEWS Hair Harmony The Club has opened a Men’s Beauty Parlour called the ‘Gym’s Harmony’ from April 2016. It is a full-fledged parlour with well-trained and experienced staff and run by Ms. Pushpalatha, who also runs the Ladies Beauty parlour. The Men’s Parlour, which is three months old, offers hair Cuts, colouring, shaving, beard trims, head oil massage, facials, pedicure, manicure and body massage. As of today, it is functioning in the Barber Shop but shortly, the entire place will be completely OBITUARY renovated with a beautiful, clean We regretfully announce ambience and a spa. the demise of our member Watch out for the Mr. R.A. Srinivasan (RS-225) spa! May His soul rest in peace
26 | JULY 2016 Congratulations! We would like to congratulate our club member Mukund Padmanabhan for his new posting as the Editor of the prestigious The Hindu. Mukund, who started his career as a lecturer in philosophy at the Hindu College, Delhi University, entered journalism as an Assistant Editor with Newstime, Hyderabad in 1986. Subsequently, he has worked in Sunday magazine (Calcutta); The Indian Express in Chennai, before he joined The Hindu as a Senior Associate Editor in 1997. He became the Editor of the Hindu Business Line in 2013 and took over as Editor of The Hindu in March this year. Among his other achievements as a journalist, Mr Padmanabhan has launched new publications for The Hindu including the Metroplus Weekend, Cinema Plus, and the music season supplement. An avid tennis player, (he is a regular at our MGC tennis court) he has covered Wimbledon for three years. Padmanabhan is also responsible for conceiving The Hindu theatre fest and the November fest. We wish him the very best in his new job.
ACHIEVEMENTS SHIVNAREN SRINIVASAN – GOLF CHAMP He moved on to the national
SPO RT S Amateur circuit before he turned 18 and has excelled at the Tamil Nadu Amateur Golf Championship (an IGU Categorised event) held at Coimbatore this month. Incidentally, he is the first local lad to win the Tamil Nadu Amateur Championship which is traditionally hosted by the Coimbatore Golf Club. He was also the only player to finish under par with a final score of 287 (1 under) for the tournament. Off the course, Shiv is a second year student of Economics at Loyola College, Chennai with a keen interest in music - a Shivnaren Srinivasan aged 19 years has been playing golf since he Trinity College Grade 4 qualified was four years old. At age 6, he played his first golf tournament - the keyboardist and a self taught US Kids World Golf Championships in 2003 at Williamsburg, USA. guitarist. He is currently ranked 8th in the Amateur Merit List. A regular competitor at the IGU categorized Junior Tournaments, he was ranked 3rd in the country in Category B (age 14-15 years) in We wish Shiv the very best in all 2011, recording his first national win at Coimbatore in the same year. his future endeavours.
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