A BYTE OF LIFE Thursday, July 23, 2009

11
DHANUSH
In Mappillai remake

FREE CIRCULATION Vol. 3 No. 138

Not at hand,
but not far away
Discover how Amelio Child Care caters to your
demands as a parent and working professional
» PAGE 03

GET A GRIP!
Roadster columnist Vikram Sunderraj
writes about his latest upgrade
- sporty suspension from
Aussie maker Pedders

» PAGE 09
02 NAMMA CHENNAI
Double treat
A festival of Brazilian and Asian films
promise to keep you entertained
T
here are two film festivals starting
from July 27, promising to offer movie
buffs some good entertainment.
The Alliance Francaise of Madras is
hosting Asian Film Festival, where one film
each day will be screened till July 29.
Peppermint Candy (South Korea), The
Hidden Fortress (Japan), Love and Honour
(Japan) and Eye in the Sky (Hong Kong) will
be screened at 6.30 p.m. everyday.
Also, the South Indian Film Chamber
Theatre will be screening Brazilian films, in
association with the Embassy of Brazil, New
Delhi and the Indo Cine Appreciation
Foundation. The films are dedicated to Sao
Paulo, the largest city in Brazil. The festival
will be inaugurated with the screening of
Linha De Passe at 6. 15 p.m. The film will be
followed by Vilanova Artigas, the architect
at 8 p.m.
Carandiru will be screened on July 28. The
film is based on the real life experiences of
doctor Drauzio Varella inside the dreadful
State Penitentiary Carandiru in Sao Paulo.
Sao Paulo, Sociedade Anonima and Sao
Paulo, a metropolis will be shown on July
29.
For details call 98401 51956.
From Linha De Passe
ERGO Thursday, July 23, 2009
Take me home
Danny is a four-year-old male Labrador
cross who is healthy, playful and
affectionate. He has been neutered and
is up for adoption. Call Praveen at
9884144161
A DOG SHOW
with a difference
The Blue Cross Well Dog Show is a celebration of everything canine
SRIYA NARAYANAN
pets@goergo.in
N
ext month, the city’s most
adorable Indian dogs are
all set to accompany their
proud families to a dog
show like no other. Hosted by the
Blue Cross of India, the annual
Blue Cross Well Dog Show is a
celebration of everything canine.
The dogs are a glorious mix of
natural breeds including those
adopted from the streets or ani-
mal shelters, while others are
mongrels or cross-breeds.
Many participants in the past
have included gorgeous dogs that
have survived serious illnesses
and some have been rescued by
their owners from accidents or
abandonment. The show has al-
ways been a memorable one,
with unique titles and prizes that
include “Dog with the waggiest
tail”, “Rarest colour”, “Friendliest
dog” and “Best rescue”. Certifi-
cates, trophies and gift baskets
will be among the prizes that the
dogs can win.
“Our objective is to demonstrate
our pride in our all-Indian dogs,”
says S. Chinny Krishna, Chair-
man of Blue Cross of India, who
hopes that more people will FILE PHOTO: K MURALI KUMAR
choose to adopt dogs from their
local animal shelters. “If you are
looking for a companion animal, Dogs will not be asked to perform Mark this day
do visit your nearest animal shel- tricks, produce proof of pedigree Venue: CPR Centre, Eldams
ter and choose from the many parentage or compete on the ba- Road
that would be there. All you have sis of breed. All they have to do is Date: August 30, 2009
to do is be willing to show that show up and be themselves. And Time: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
you would make for a responsible of course, it’s hardly a contest Rules for participation:
pet owner. There are no charges. when every dog goes back home Mongrels, cross-breeds and
Though, your donations will help feeling like a real winner! natural breeds (non-
the important services provided For more info, email pedigree dogs only). All
by your local animal welfare bluecrossdogshow@gmail.com owners must be leashed to
group going.” ■ their companion animals.
There is no entrance fee
 Thursday, July 23, 2009
Rooms with a view: Discover it yourself at Amelio
Not at hand,
but not far away
This pre-school-cum-day care centre caters to your demands as a parent and
working professional by also taking into account the proximity of your workplace
ERGO CORRESPONDENT
feedback@goergo.in
T
ucked inside Devaraja
Nagar in Sholinganallur
is the sprawling, calm
and inviting facility run
by Raghavan Jawahar and Sri-
devi Raghavan.
Amelio Child Care Pvt. Ltd.
is one of the youngest “early
learning centres” to have
opened house in this part of
the city, helping working par-
ents maintain a work-life bal-
ance. The place looks like a
castle from the outside, and
the inside is sure to appeal to
you. More so because they
provide customised day care
solutions to companies.
“We are a near-site learning
centre, making us unique,”
says Raghavan. He explains
how its proximity to IT com-
panies makes it easy for par-
ents working on the stretch to
leave their toddlers at Amelio
and yet keep a close tab on
them – be it dropping during
breaks or picking them up af-
ter completing office work.
Project to business plan
Amelio is the outcome of a
project and business plan
competition that Sridevi
worked on during her gradua-
tion years at Harvard Business
School. “I did a project on the
idea and viability of an onsite
day care centre and another
group project on staff interac-
tion in day care centres. I used
the findings to arrive at a busi-
ness plan, where I was sup-
ported by another classmate
and my husband Raghavan,”
explains Sridevi.
While the 5,000 sq ft centre
functions like a near-site facil-
ity, its upcoming learning
03
Listen
to me
Vanilla Children
Place invites you to
attend its
storytelling session.
Vandana Gobind’s
storytelling session
on July 25 is based
on ‘Parents Day’,
which will be
followed by a
cooking session
where the children
will don the role of
‘Master Chefs’. Fee:
Rs. 300.
For details call 044
45534146 /45
Made in Thailand
centres promise to adhere to
the onsite model. Amelio will 쒀 Thai classical dancers perform at the Thai trade
soon be opening its second fair, ‘Made in Thailand 2009, Destination
centre inside Mahindra World Thailand’, which opened at Chennai Trade Centre
School in Mahindra City. on Wednesday. The five-day exhibition on all
things Thailand has around 50 Thai companies
In store showcasing their products.
It functions more like you – PHOTO: S. S. KUMAR
Monday to Friday from 8.30
a.m. to 6.30 p.m. The pre-
school-cum-day care centre
takes children from six
months to six years. Each
room is done up in primary
colours and overlooks a bal-
cony. A surveillance camera in
each room, an activity space
for children, among others,
ensure that children are taken
good care of and have fun.
There’s lot more in Amelio’s
curriculum, so visit
www.ameliochildcare.com. Or
call Raghav (96000 19470)/
Sridevi (90030 72910) to know
more.
04 VILLAGE ERGO Thursday, July 23, 2009

Missing toddler found at home

A massive police search for a missing toddler in
Cape Cod was called off after the tot was found
safe at home in bed.

Samsung claims slimmest watch Sarkozy-Bruni

phone spend 660 £
Samsung Electronics announced on Wednesday what it
claims is the world’s slimmest “watch phone”. on flowers
The handset is 11.98 millimetres thick compared to the 13.9 For France’s First
millimetres of a model by rival LG Electronics, Samsung said Couple, 660 pounds
in a statement. seem to be a meagre
The firm plans to sell the new phone, priced at around 639 amount - Nicolas
dollars, first in France this month and then other European Sarkozy and his
markets. The mobile has a 1.76-inch touch screen on which ladylove Carla Bruni
users can check e-mails and play MP3s as well as make calls. spend the money
AFP everyday to buy
flowers for each other.
The extraordinary sum
was revealed in a
UK’s National Gallery offers public audit of the
presidential accounts
its art on iPhone for 2008 - Sarkozy’s first full year in office, during which
Fans of fine art will be able to access some of their he made Bruni his third wife.
favourite paintings anywhere they choose through a new In fact, the figures were part of the first state audit of
iPhone application launched by the National Gallery in French leader’s spending since the reign of Louis XVI.
London. The couple also used taxpayers’ money to settle 3,000
About 250 of the gallery’s best-loved paintings, including pounds of fines for late payment of electricity and gas
by Botticelli, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Vincent Van Gogh, bills.
Rembrandt and Jan van Eyck, are available to browse, But, it is their annual payments to florists to supply Elysee
using the zoom function to examine them in minute detail. Palace which has caused the most astonishment, The Daily
About 200 minutes of Telegraph reported.
audio video content are PTI
also available on the
application, including
interviews and accounts
of the stories behind the German firm buys Watergate Hotel
art. Washington’s Watergate Hotel, site of the 1972 burglary
The gallery said it was that led to the downfall of a President, was sold to a
the first museum to subsidiary of Deutsche Postbank after an auction failed to
offer such an attract much interest.
application, which will The subsidiary, PB Capital, bought the Watergate from
allow users to look at Monument Realty for $25 million with the only bid for the
paintings at random or hotel, David Astrove, an attorney for PB Capital, confirmed.
through 12 tours The Watergate complex opened in 1967 at a prestigious
grouped by themes - address overlooking the Potomac River and was frequented
love and death - or by dozens of big names but is best known for the break-in
types. that brought down former President Richard Nixon.
AFP DPA

Disney to sell movies

on memory cards
W
alt Disney Co’s Japan
unit said it would sell
movies on flash memory
cards as small as a fin-
gernail so that people can watch
them on mobile phones and oth-
er portable devices.
The movie studio plans to
package pre-recorded microSD
cards together with DVDs hold-
ing the same movie content, al-
lowing customers to watch at
home as well as on the go. These
cards will be available in
November.
Users can watch movies stored
on microSD cards on mobile
phones capable of showing ter-
restrial digital broadcasting, and
other portable gear such as car
navigation systems.
For new movies, the package of
a DVD and microSD card is ex-
pected to retail for 4,935 yen
($53), about 1,000 yen higher
than the DVD alone, a spokes-
man at the Japan unit said.
It is difficult to make a sales
forecast since this would be the
first time for Disney to put its mo-
vies in microSD cards, he said.
Initial titles in the microSD for-
mat include Pirates of the Carib-
bean and National Treasure
series.
Panasonic Corp is set to pro-
vide Disney with microSD cards,
the spokesman said. ■
Reuters

PHOTO: AFP
 Thursday, July 23, 2009
05
Websites of the day Lost in doggy
Learn about American history:
http://americanhistory.si.edu/ translation
Look at pictures of horses: Scientists in Japan have invented a
http://www.horses.co.uk/ device which they claim can translate
dog barks.

New star on the block

South African child actor goes from township to red carpet

E
leven-year-old Sobahle Mkhabase lives
in a township but is headed for the red
carpet as the star of a new South Afri-
can film scooping festival awards and
drawing inevitable comparisons with Slum-
dog Millionaire. Director Madoda Ncayiya-
na’s My Secret Sky tells the story of a brother
and sister whose mother dies, prompting
them to leave their village in rural KwaZulu-
Natal for the bright lights of Durban.
Fighting to survive on the streets, the
young girl played by Sobahle meets an adult
she believes will be her benefactor, but turns
out to be a pimp. She only narrowly escapes
being raped.
Her performance won the best actress
award at Spain’s Tarifa festival, where the
film also picked up the Audience award, vot-
ed for by viewers. Sobahle, like the character
she plays, has no contact with her father. She
lives with her mother in a modest home in the
Durban township of Chesterville.
She was chosen from among 3,000 children
who auditioned in township schools around
the city, where Ncayiyana did the casting
with a megaphone on the school grounds.
“She just attracted my eyes,” he said. “She
had a presence. I was thinking, ’I wish this girl
is good’.”
“And when I made the audition, she was
good as well. She wants to give something, I
was impressed. This girl is going to stun the
world.” For Sobahle, her dreams are becom-
ing reality with the film.
“I wanted to be an actress but I didn’t take
it too seriously,” she said, under close-
cropped hair and almond eyes.
“But when I started the film, I knew that I
want to be a big actress. I am very happy and
proud of myself,” she said.
“The film changed my life because I realised
that I have to look at homeless children as
they are just like you. Just normal like you,”
she said.
“For them, it is difficult because most of the
time, they don’t eat. In winter, they don’t
have a blanket.”
“But the film will make people aware about
that. I am not so different from them. The
only thing that is different from me is that
they are homeless and I am not homeless,”
she added.
The film is the first feature by Ncayiyana,
who has previously shot television shows,
documentaries and short subjects. He said
the movie was informed by his own life expe-
rience.
“I live in a township. I see funerals every-
day. Some children remain alone.”
“People are saturated by orphans. Especial-
ly in rural areas,” he said.
He’s already working on his next screen-
play, with a role written for Sobahle, who
said she wants to pursue acting while keep-
ing her feet on the ground.
“I want to achieve my goal of being an ac-
tress and I need to go to school.”
“You can’t go anywhere without that edu-
cation,” she said. ■
AFP

Sobahle Mkhabase. PHOTO: AFP

How do you sneeze in space? Witnessing the celestial spectacle

A stronauts from the
space shuttle Endea-
vour took questions from
a diverse group of inter-
national space fans inter-
ested in such trivia as:
“How do you sneeze in
space?”
The answer: “Aim low,
off the windshield (of your
spacesuit) because it can
mess up your view,” re-
plied Dave Wolf, who on Monday pen if you flew into a black hole?”
took a spacewalk wearing just No one knows for sure, but
such an outfit. hopefully scientists will figure
The questions came via You- that it out in the child’s lifetime,
Tube and Twitter from such lo- the astronauts answered.
cales as France, Brazil and New “What do you see when you
Zealand and from primarily look at earth from space?” won-
young fans, plus a few adults. dered two school girls from New
Many of the questioners had Zealand.
been following commander Mark “The planet is beautiful, it is
Polansky’s Twitter feed at twit- like a marble down there of blue
ter.com/Astro_127. and white," answered Canadian
Most wondered about day-to- astronaut Julie Payette. “We see
day living in space, but one ques- continents and oceans ... This is 쒀 A male sea lion wears a special pair of sunglasses to look at the solar eclipse at
tion from a small boy in Britain something you can never ever get an observation meet at the Sunshine International Aquarium, which has a
couldn’t be answered even by the tired of while you’re in space.” ■ planetarium for annex facility in Tokyo. PHOTO: AFP
space experts: “What would hap- DPA
06 SPORT ERGO Thursday, July 23, 2009

Windies players end strike

West Indies’ leading players on Wednesday ended their strike over pay dispute after their representatives and the
cricket board (WICB) agreed to resolve the issue through an arbitrator, after a meeting. The players agreed to
make themselves available for international duty following the appointment of former Commonwealth secretary
general Shridath Ramphal as arbitrator.

Berbatov relishing
competition
Dimitar Berbatov has vowed to score more
goals this season with added responsibility
on his shoulders after
the departure of
Cristiano Ronaldo and
Right on time
Carlos Tevez from Old
Trafford. The Bulgarian
Commonwealth Games chief impressed by India’s progress
international also knows
that with Sir Alex
Ferguson drafting in
Michael Owen he needs
to deliver if he is to
cement a first team place
alongside Wayne Rooney.
“I think I can do better (than I did last
season),” he said during Man U’s pre-season the coordination commission
tour of Asia. While Berbatov was credited and the report had identified a
with being one of the team’s most creative number of areas of concern,”
players last season he was also criticised for he said. “On this visit, we got
not scoring as many goals as a 30 million some very good reports. It is
pound striker should. He bagged 14 in 43 clear they are paying attention
appearances. He also infuriated some fans to the recommendations that
with lacklustre performances and a have been made and spending
perceived lack of fight when the team was a lot of time in ensuring those
struggling. With the jury is still out after his things are in proper condition.
underwhelming first season, Berbatov said The venues are on track. There
he was determined to prove his doubters has been some seepage but the
wrong. “I think I can do more. That’s why completion days are still very
I’m happy to be here on the pre-season valid and allows a lot of time
tour,” he said. for fitting out for the games.”
AFP
Security measures
The government told nation-
al parliament on Tuesday that
Sania back on court venue work was on schedule
and all but one of the 17 stadi-
Sania Mirza begins her long summer on the ums would be ready by De-
US hardcourts this week with a trip to cember 31 and the cycling
Lexington, Kentucky for an ITF Challenger, velodrome by the end of
the first of three on her itinerary as she March. Fennell, however, cau-
begins the long and hard climb up the tioned the organisers against
ranking charts on the WTA Tour. easing up.
Sania, who climbed two spots to No. 83 in “We have a long way to go
the world this week, is seeded second at yet. There is a lot of training
Lexington behind Julia Coin, who hogged and development of people,
the limelight at last year’s US Open, training of volunteers and
downing the then French Open champion training of security personnel
and world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic in three for games time mode. Senior
competitive sets in the second round. Delhi police officials briefed
Sania faces Maria-Fernanda Alvarez-Teran of the CGF chief on security and
Bolivia, ranked 234th in her first outing on Mike Fennell, President, Commonwealth Games Federation. Fennell praised the plan, espe-
Wednesday. If she wins her first match, the PHOTO: SHANKER CHAKRAVARTY cially aimed at allaying con-
Indian ace is scheduled to meet the winner cerns following the November
from the match between Tetiana Luzhanska militant attacks in Mumbai.
(the Ukraine) ranked 242 and Ameriacn

A
fter a few early setbacks,
wildcard entrant Allie Will, ranked 631st in India is back on track to
the WTA rankings. host a successful Com-
The Fifth Third Bank Tennis Championships monwealth Games in
in Lexington boasts of a October next year but there is
total prize money of absolutely no margin to ease
$100,000 and is one of up on preparations, games fed-
the few tournaments in eration president Mike Fennell
the world where both has said.
the men and women’s Backed by Asia’s third largest
draw has equal prize economy, India had hoped a
money. smooth build-up and decent
After Lexington, Sania medal tally would help the
will head over to country compete with China as
Stanford to play in one of the summer’s a sports power and future
hottest properties, the Bank of the West Olympic host. However, delays
Classic. Interestingly another Indian Somdev in building the games venues
Dev Varman had won last year’s Lexington in New Delhi as well as work to
Challenger coming in through the qualifiers. transform the crowded nation-
Ergo Correspondent al capital into one ready to at-
tract foreign visitors had raised
serious doubts.
Venue delays forced next
month’s world badminton
championships to be moved to
Hyderabad and other interna-
tional meets scheduled over
the next few months have also
been affected. However, Fen-
nell gave the thumbs up to
preparations after the latest in-
spection by the Common-
wealth Games Federation
(CGF), the Jamaican particu-
larly impressed by security ar-
rangements and continued
government funding despite
the economic downturn.
“We were here a couple of
months ago for the meeting of
“Even without the games, India
is looking at the country and
for the games they have put all
the resources that are neces-
sary,” he added. “They are on
the ball, putting in place ade-
quate security measures which
will make the games a very safe
place. Organising such an
event is very complex, partic-
ularly when you are doing it
when the world is in recession
and when you have a govern-
ment that despite the recession
has committed the funds,” he
said. “But to fit all the pieces
together and to have the coor-
dination, the linkages, this is
something very important.” ■
Reuters
 Thursday, July 23, 2009
07

‘‘
He’s a world-class performer and if he is out of the side of course that is a
blow. But we have a few fast bowlers in the wings who we know can be very
successful in international cricket. Of course we want Flintoff in the side but we’ll see
if his body is up to it. If not there are other guys who can do a job for us.
England coach Andy Flower

val Tyson Gay and fellow

Bolt wants to take over the world Jamaican Asafa Powell. So
Friday’s 100m race at the London
Grand Prix in Crystal Palace is the

U
sain Bolt has al-
ready conquered
the world on his
favourite com-
puter game and now the Jamaican
sprinter plans to gun down the oppo-
sition at the London Grand Prix. Bolt
has become one of the most sought-
after sportsmen on the planet since
he established a new 100m world rec-
ord at the Beijing Olympics last year.
That 9.69secs time brought more than
a gold medal however.
Suddenly Bolt found himself firmly
in the public eye and demands on his
time went through the roof. In an at-
tempt to keep his feet on the ground,
the 22-year-old retreats from the li-
melight as much as possible and
spends his spare hours blasting
players around the world in computer
war games. “There’s been a lot more
media attention, a lot more people
coming up to me, signing autographs.
It’s been a little bit busy but okay,”
Bolt said. “There is not much down-
perfect preparation.
side but sometimes you just want to “I’ve run at Crystal Palace every
be left alone. Sometimes you just season since I started track and field
want to chill out. I don’t go out much, but I’ve never run 100m before,” Bolt
I stay in and play video games. I just said. “It’s always been 200m so it
stay inside and play a lot of video should be interesting. It’s a good
games all day. My favourite is Call of track, I’ve run some fast times there
Duty, Modern Warfare.” so it should be good. I always go there
He elaborates: “I play online but I to give it my best at all times so it
don’t let people know it’s me. If you should be a good race. I’m not in the
do I think they’re going to pick on me best shape of my life, but I’m still in
because they’ll think ‘I’m beating the good shape. But for me it’s not all
world’s fastest man’.” about time, it’s all about perfor-
But even fighting for world dom- mance. The Grand Prix is the last
ination in cyber-space pales in com- meet before the championships so for
parison to defending his reputation me it’s to see where I’m at, what I
as the globe’s top sprinter. Next need to do.”
month’s World Championships in Bolt’s appearance in London will
Berlin will give Bolt a chance to reass- be his last race before the World
ert his dominance over American ri- Championships and he believes he
can fulfil his coach’s prediction that
he can lower his own 100m world rec-
ord to 9.54 seconds. ■
AFP
Jamaican
sprinter Usain
Bolt (centre)
runs with
school children
during in
central London.
PHOTO: AFP

On top of the world

08 ROADSTER
Jaguar XJ set for
Frankfurt debut
T
he restyled
Jaguar XJ, borrowing
some design cues from
the Mk II of the 1960s,
will celebrate its world debut at
the Frankfurt Motor Show in
September just three months pri-
or to its appearance in European
showrooms, the car maker has
announced.
“It is a Jaguar for the 21st cen-
tury inspired by the classic Mk II
and the first XJ,” says designer
Ian Callum.
But the exterior shows little
from the Jags of old apart from
the gleaming mesh-wire front
grille with the Jaguar badge in
the centre.
The high flanks and narrow
stretched side windows give it a
“ready- to-pounce” look. Angu-
lar rather than classic round hea-
dlights are also a radical
departure from the past.
The first model released by
Jaguar since it was taken over by
Tata, the new XJ is clearly aimed
at the luxury market in rivalry
with the BMWs and Mercedes.
It not only sports a choice of
There is speculation that Jaguar is planning a
hybrid model and super sport XJR at a later stage
Italian leathers and wood ve-
neers but all the modern gad-
gets such as a TFT screen in the
central dashboard depicting
different images for the driv-
er and passenger.
It is also equipped with
air suspension, six-speed
automatic gearbox and a
Bowers and Wilkins 20-
speaker sound system.
Standard equipment in-
cludes six airbags, Electronic
Stability Programme (ESP) and
Xenon headlights.
The engine line-up is taken
from the current XF and XK. Ini-
tially the XJ will only be available
with the 5-litre V8 direct-injec-
tion 283 kW/385 hp and in two
supercharged 346 kW/470 hp
and 375 kW/510 hp models. The
3-litre diesel model has an out-
put of 202 kW/275 hp. ■
DPA
ERGO Thursday, July 23, 2009
Get
Y
ou are on a highway topping around 160
kmph and there is a curve ahead. What
are you going to do? Tempted to step on
the gas pedal and make the curve like
Kitt from the Knight Rider show? I guess not!
Our cars are not sophisticated enough to han-
dle such a beating or rather challenging forces
of speed.
A few weeks ago I was driving on a highway
cruising at 100 – 120kmph. The stock suspen-
sion of the car was giving away while take a 70
degree curve bend at classified speeds. Gulp!
That’s when I decided it was about time I got
better hold on the car and went onto place my
order for the sports suspension from Pedders
(Australia).
Expensive, but worth every penny, the Ped-
ders is a sophisticated suspension system. My
feedback in one word after the upgrade is
“Fabulous”. The car just sticks to the road
while cornering and road holding is just un-
believable. What makes this system effective
you may wonder. There is a whole lot of re-
search and innovation behind this suspen-
sion system.
The unique VRD (Velocity Responsive
Dampening System) is the key to the experi-
ence with the Pedders suspension kit. Ped-
ders developed the VRD valve that has a micro
orifice located in the shock absorber piston
through which the oil flow is regulated or con-
trolled resulting in progressive shock re-
sponse rate. The narrow passage opens up for
free flow of oil at low shock speeds but re-
stricting the flow at higher speed rates when
oil velocity increases. The end result is a very
accurate and responsive shocks giving you
solid control of the car at high speeds and
cornering. ■
Email your queries to roadster@goergo.in.
Check out Pedders suspensions at
www.pedders.co.au.
 Thursday, July 23, 2009
Tips for driving in summer heat
Here is some advice for hot days on the road: Small children and pets should never be left alone in a locked car on a hot summer day. The interior of
a car can heat up by up to one degree Celsius per minute in direct sunlight, reaching temperatures of up to 70 degrees Celsius and more within a
short space of time. All doors should be opened before starting the car to allow the heat to escape from the heated cockpit interior. Take regular
breaks with some stretching exercises on longer trips. Avoid filling the tank to the brim as fuel expands in heat. Vapour could escape with a risk of
explosion. When it comes to the vehicle itself motorists should regularly check hoses, belts and the cooling system, tyre pressure and the oil level.
Nissan GT-R is world’s
t a grip! fastest accelerating
four-seater
N
issan’s GT-R supercar
has made it into the Ita-
lian edition of the Guin-
ness Book of World
Records as the fastest acceler-
ating four-seater series pro-
duction car on the planet.
The Japanese sportster set a
world record for the sprint
from 0-100 kilometres an hour
(62 mph) in 3.5 seconds, the
European arm of Nissan
announced.
The unmodified, out-of-the-
box car was powered by the
standard V6 bi-turbo engine,
Hyundai launches
hybrid car
T
he South Korean car
maker Hyundai has
launched its first hybrid
car, the Avante LPi, on
the domestic market combin-
ing a 114 hp petrol engine
with a battery-driven electric
motor and LPG drive.
Hyundai also claims a world
first with a hybrid using lithi-
um-ion polymer batteries.
Consumption is listed at 5.6
litres per 100 kilometres with
a carbon dioxide emission fig-
ure of 99 grams per kilometre.
Fuel consumption in LPG
drive is slightly higher but it
burns cleaner and is much
cheaper than petrol in South
09
which generates 486 horse-
power.
Nissan claims the GT-R also
holds the record for complet-
ing a circuit of the renowned
Nuerburgring Nordschleife cir-
cuit in Germany.
The fastest time of 7 min-
utes, 26 seconds was achieved
during testing in April of this
year.
The production version of
the Nissan GT-R made its debut
at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show
and was launched in Europe a
year later.
Some performance claims
for the GT-R have been disput-
ed in the past by German rivals
Porsche.
The Stuttgart maker said it
carried out a set of sprint tests
with a stock version of the Nis-
san sportster, which failed to
outperform its own 911 Turbo
and GT2 models. ■
DPA
Korea and in other countries.
Hyundai is planning to sell
some 7,500 units of the
Avante LPi this year, hoping
to double sales for 2010.
So far the company has no
plans to export the vehicle
but will hold promotional test
drives in other countries and
possibly make an appearance
at the Frankfurt Motor Show
in September.
Hyundai has for several
years been testing hybrid sys-
tems and has plans to produce
a Hyundai Sonata hybrid fit-
ted with an electric and petrol
engine in 2010. ■
DPA
10 FLICK
FROM
KAL
TO
AAJ
Imtiaz Ali rediscovers
Delhi’s legendary
wedding band
for ‘Love Aaj Kal’ Deepika Padukone and Saif Ali Khan pose at a promotional event for Love Aaj Kal in Mumbai in this June 9 photograph.
PHOTO: PTI
SUBHASH K. JHA ed to connect the present with past, a Del-
hiite at heart, Ali immediately thought of
W
hen director Imtiaz Ali needed a the Jea Band.
leitmotif and a link to connect the “They were there at every wedding. And
past and present in his latest film, I told Saif why not the Jea Band to show
Love Aaj Kal, he got one of Delhi’s your character’s link with the past? So
oldest wedding brass bands, the Jea Band. while recreating Delhi in 1965 we got the
“To understand what the Jea Band vintage cars, the proper clothes and
means to Delhi’s wedding culture, you roads... and the Jea Band which plays in
have to belong to the city. It’s literally more our film in 1965. It also plays in the con-
than 100 years old, it’s so much a part of temporary portion of the film.”
the city’s marriage ethos, you can’t escape Founded by Jealal D. Thadani in 1936,
its influence at any wedding,” Ali said. the band also performed at the wedding of
Starring Saif Ali Khan in a double role Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai in
along with Deepika Padukone, the film re- Mumbai on April 20, 2007. Now when
leases July 31. This is Ali’s third outing as a brass bands are no more that fashionable
director after Socha Na Tha and the hit Jab and in-demand at weddings, the band was
We Met. When the Love Aaj Kal plot need- thrilled to be approached for Ali’s film.
Emma Watson will
join Brown University
H arry Potter star Emma Watson has
confirmed that she will be joining Brown
University in Rhodes Island, an Ivy League
establishment.
“I am (going to university in the Fall)… to
Brown, which is an Ivy League
establishment in the U.S.A. I’ve got a place
there to read literature,” People magazine
quoted her as telling Paste magazine.
Speculations had grown that the actress
would join Ivy League since she went on a
tour of schools under the establishment in
October last year.
Rumours were also abuzz that Watson
would join Yale or Cambridge.
She was linked to Columbia University
too, by U.K. publication The Daily Mail.
Danielle Radcliffe had apparently a few
days earlier revealed that she was joining
Brown University. He told The Guardian in a
July 4 article: “Me and Rupert (Grint) to all
intents and purposes dropped out of
school. And she’s going to Brown.” ■
ANI
“They haven’t changed. Earlier, the fa-
thers played at weddings. Now their chil-
dren play. When they were told they’re
part of the film and that they will be per-
forming on camera for the song ‘Chor ba-
zaari’, they got new uniforms stitched for
the entire band at their own cost,” said Ali.
A part of Delhi in 1965 in Imtiaz Ali’s
new film had to be recreated in Mandawa,
Rajasthan, and Patiala, Punjab. And the Jea
Band contributed not only to the period-
icity but the film’s energy levels too during
shooting.
“We shot with the Jea Band not only in
Delhi but also in Patiala and Mandawa be-
cause the 1965 Chandni Chowk look does
not exist in Delhi any longer. We took the
Jea Band with us to Mandawa and Patiala.
ERGO Thursday, July 23, 2009
After shooting, they kept us entertained for
hours with old film songs,” said the direc-
tor.
Saif picked up many of his actor mother
Sharmila Tagore’s old hits from those eve-
nings in Mandawa and Patiala with the
band. Unfortunately Jea couldn’t record in
the soundtrack of Love Aaj Kal.
“They couldn’t keep rhythm with the
recording mode. Their style of playing is
very unstructured,” said Ali.
Old music is a looming leitmotif in the
film. “We chose ‘Man dole tan dole’ from
Nagin when the other choice was ‘Jhumka
gira re’ from Mera Saaya. We wanted a
sound that could linger,” the director ex-
plained. ■
IANS
Uma Thurman enlists
for ‘Girl Soldier’
U ma Thurman is to star in an
independent drama based on the
1996 abduction of 140 schoolgirls in
Uganda forced to fight as child soldiers
and serve as sex slaves, it was reported
on Tuesday. Thurman, the 39-year-old
star of Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, will
play the nun who tracked down the
armed rebels responsible for the
abduction and secured the release of
110 of the children, Variety reported.
The film, titled Girl Soldier, is based
on Canadian journalist Kathy Cook’s
book about the incident, Stolen
Angels.
“This is a film that had to get
made,” Thurman was quoted as
saying. “It’s beyond me that in this day
and age the exploitation of child
soldiers goes virtually unnoticed and
unchecked by Western media.”
Filming is due to get underway in
early 2010. ■
AFP
 Thursday, July 23, 2009
11
Megan Fox turns down Bond girl role
Model-turned-actress Megan Fox has declined to be the Bond
girl in a forthcoming 007 movie in which she would have
starred opposite Daniel Craig as one of his conquests. The 23-

Katherine year-old was reportedly lined up by producers, but she turned

down the offer as she didn’t believe the role would further her
career, reported contactmusic.com.

Heigl’s a clean freak Cine City

Munjal enters Mollywood

Gowri Munjal, who made her debut with director P.
Vasu’s Thottal Poo Malarum, is all set to enter
Mollywood. The actor will be sharing screen space
with Malayalam superstar Mammootty. The movie,
titled Palery Maanikam, will have Mammookka
playing a double role. Touted to be a period thriller,
Palery Manikkam is to be directed by Renjith. The
movie will also have several new faces who have

K
atherine Heigl
claims she suf- been selected after arduous screening sessions.
fers from mild Munjal was also seen with Allu Arjun in the hit
Obsessive Com- Telugu film, Bunny.
pulsive Disorder when
it comes to cleanli-
ness.
Besides OCD, the
Ugly Truth and Grey’s
Anatomy actor – who is
married to musician
Josh Kelley – claims
she isn’t the easiest
person to live with.
She said: “I’m defi-
nitely a little OCD. I’m
particular about how I
like things and how I
want things. I’m also
obsessed with making
lists!”
According to the
stunner, who tied the
knot in 2007, compro-
mise is the secret to a
happy home, reports
Contactmusic.
She added: “You don’t
have to necessarily com-
Dhanush in Mappillai remake
Remember the hit Mappillai that starred Rajinikanth,
pletely change who you
Amala and Srividya, which revolved around a
are to be with someone
humorous clash between a modest son-in-law and his
you want to be with, but
rich mother-in-law? The roles were essayed to
you do have to compro-
perfection by Rajinikanth and Srividya. The movie was
mise a little bit. You have
also one of the top grossers of that time. Now there
to let go of a little bit of
are plans to remake the movie, and the role
yourself.”
Superstar played has reportedly been bagged by son-
ANI
in-law Dhanush. The remake is to be directed by
Suraaj of Padikkadhavan fame and produced by V.
Hitesh Jhabak. The makers of the movie are on the
search for actors to play the leading lady and mother-
in-law.

AFP
12 ERGO Thursday, July 23, 2009

Arul Raj from Cognizant Technology Solutions, Siruseri has nominated his N.S.Nainar from Coastal Training Technologies India Pvt. Ltd has
Crawford team as Partners in Crime.This pic was clicked in Thalakkonam at nominated his friends as Partners in Crime. This photograph is taken near
Andhra Pradesh when they won PROJECT OF THE YEAR 2008. Calangute Beach, Goa. These are the most rocking guys in company be it a
Coastal Day, team outing or any event.

Augustin from HCL Technologies has nominated CHL team as Partners in Rajendra Kumar M.V. from Sify Technologies Ltd has nominated his
Crime. This pic was clicked in front of Rippon Building during their friends as Partners in Crime. This picture was taken during their trip to
process of rescuing child labours all over Chennai. Tiruchendur.

Santhosh Kumar from Allsec Technologies Limited has nominated his Ramya Subramanian from Wipro Technologies, Sholinganallur has
friends as Partners in Crime. This pic was clicked during their trip to nominated her friends as Partners in Crime. This picture was clicked at
Yercaud. Centre Point restaurant during their team outing.
 Thursday, July 23, 2009
13

Rajkumar D. of Mphasis has been nominated as Office Angel

by Augustine Mohandoss and Air Services team. ■ Uday,
Rajkumar is
May God Grant U what UR Heart
very professional and innovative fun loving guy. He is a walking
Desires & Deserves.....
dictionary. He is well known for his antics. He makes place lively.
Keep you Happy Forever & Ever.....
Best Wishes,
He has tons and tons of ideas and mingles with everyone freely.
Bhagya

■ Oi Ashu ji,
Apun wishing you a wonderful, super
duper, zabardast, xtra bariya, xtra
special ekdum mast n dhinchak bole
to ekdum jhakaas, JANAM DIN
mubarak ho..
Forever frndzz
Chakh de gang

■ Meri pyari Behana

Tumhari is ada ka kya jawab du,
apne dost ko kya uphar du,
koi accha sa phool hota to mali se
mangvata,
jo khud gulab hai usko kya gulab du...
Junam Din Mubarak Ho!!!
Tumhara pyara Bhai

Belated Wishes
■ Dear Annie,
It may be just another day but for us
today is special ’coz its your b’day
Wishing you Unlimited celebrations
and loads of Surprises Many More
Happy Returns of the Day!!! Happy
B’day!!!
Love, Rama, Sri,
Kaushi, DD.
Wipro Technologies

■ Hi Manju,
Many occasions may come in life, But
today is the most special day & You
are always thought of in a very special
way; you are wished the finest things
in life today and everyday!!!!!! Many
many more birthday wishes!!!!!!
With Luv,
CODC Bench,
HCL Technologies,
ETA1, Navalur

Jagananth Mohan from HP ■ Dear Arun,

GlobalSoft, Olympia Tech Park Hope your Birthday gently
doodled this. breezes into your life all the
choicest of things and all that your
heart holds dear Have A Fun - Filled
Day. I hope all your birthday dreams
and wishes come true.
Wishing you all the great things in
life, hope this day will bring you an
extra share of all that makes you
happiest. May each and every
passing year bring you wisdom, peace
and cheer.
Wishing you another wonderful
year of happiness and joy.
Happy Birthday!
Thief 1: dei, unakku therinja kural onnu sollu. Regards, DSU Team,
Thief 2 : eppappo epporulai paarthalum appappo apporulai suttuvida vendum Infosys
cheers,
Baskaran 63 Bay, Polaris
14 TRAFFIC JAM ERGO Thursday, July 23, 2009

Potter chair under the hammer

The chair which JK Rowling sat on to write the first two Harry Potter
books in the series is up for grabs on internet auction site eBay.

sudoku

Divakar
Sundaram N.
working in
Mahindra
Engineering
Services shot
this picture.
Hobbies:
Photography,
travelling and
reading.

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

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(Editor responsible for selection of news under
the PRB Act). RNI No. TNENG/2007/24553
 Thursday, July 23, 2009
Dog adopts panda cubs
A dog in China is playing mum to two abandoned red panda cubs.
The baby creatures were ignored by their real mum at Taiyuan Zoo
and taken on by the dig who is raising them as her own.
15
Word’s worth
Freck (frek) an obsolete Scottish word meaning ‘to move quickly
or nimbly.’ To make freck is ‘to make ready,’ and freck can also
mean ‘keen for mischief, ready for trouble.’ The word may come
from an older word meaning ‘greedy’ or courageous.’

B.C

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

You may be all balled up and unenthusiastic at your
workplace. Seek the help of a colleague to sort out
issues, as your decision power may not be good
today. Strong attachment with your darling may
make him or her feel good.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20

A day to deal with routine matters at office. You
may be in a mood to finish off mundane activities
as quickly as possible as you maybe in a mood to
take a gander at something interesting and
innovative.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20

You may behave logically in every sphere of life
BORN LOSER today, feels Ganesha. You do have the scope to
deal with important tasks, but ensure that over-
thinking doesn’t spoil the cake. Focus on
practicalities of the matter.
CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20
Ganesha finds you giving a serious thought to
matters related to career. At office, if someone
guides you or advises you, you may take it in the
wrong spirit. Personal life seems fairly smooth and
hassle free.
LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20
You are in a mood to experiment today. At office,
you can work on new formulae and altogether
different fundamentals to improve efficiency. On the
personal front, you may wish to do something
radically different just for a ’change’ in life.
VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20
You will voice your opinions about various matters
FREE RANGE WORKING IT OUT very clearly and put them across logically. Ganesha
finds you behaving very courteously with colleagues
and superiors. This amiable nature may help you in
your love life too.
LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20
It is likely to be a wonderful day for you from every
angle. At office, you may give new suggestions and
ideas to your superiors. Love life will be beautiful as
the two of you may be in a romantic mood.

SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20

The day points towards mistakes and rectifications.
You will, however, realise that your efforts were in
the wrong direction. In such case, you might have
to re-do your work from the beginning. On the love
front, you may be judgemental and over-analytical.
SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20
You may wish to make the office atmosphere more
friendly and placid. Besides routine work, you may
work on new principles related to your subject.
Priorities should not be kept aside today, advises
Ganesha.
CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20
You will begin the day all charged up. Your
approach towards work may change. Understanding
the importance of ’team spirit’ may help you get the
best results. Today you may be in a mood to share
work related concerns with your loved one.
AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20
PREVIOUS Ganesha foresees that you will depend rely a bit
too much on your luck today. Instead of putting in
ISSUE’S extra effort at a task, you may deal with it, very
peacefully and steadily. You may spend your
SOLUTIONS evening hanging out with your sweetheart.
PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20
Today you may remain unsure about how to handle
your work, feels Ganesha. Long pending tasks may
be taken up but they may not be completed. While
the day is unexciting and sluggish on the
professional front, you may remain passionate.
Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni
16 ! ERGO Thursday, July 23, 2009

A view of the
partial solar
eclipse in the
Chennai sky on
Wednesday
morning.

Union Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran (R)

inspects a fashion show held by Indian fashion
designers at its pavilion at the International
Fashion Fair in Tokyo. PHOTO: AFP

Enthusiasts
view the partial
solar eclipse in
the Chennai
sky on
Wednesday
morning at
the Birla
Planetarium.

Stargazers view
This underwater image shows the Spanish team the partial solar
competing in the Synchronised Free eclipse in the
combination preliminaries at the FINA World Chennai sky on
Swimming Championships in Rome. PHOTO: AFP Wednesday
morning.
PHOTOS: R. RAVINDRAN