A BYTE OF LIFE Thursday, May 21, 2009

COLLISION
COURSE
Relations sour
between Bhutia
and Mohun Bagan
» PAGE 07

FREE CIRCULATION Vol. 3 No. 93

Want to race?
Irungattukottai
race track open
on Sundays
for beginners

» PAGE 08
02 NAMMA CHENNAI
At the launch of EarthSync’s Laya
Project. THE HINDU FILE PHOTO
Let the music flow
E arthSync, a Chennai-based world music
record label, will be hosting the third
edition of the ‘EarthSync Festival’.
The festival will see fusion performances by
acclaimed international artists. To start off,
Kartick and Gotam will perform an electro-
folk collaboration of musicians from India
and Israel. This will be followed by
Shoshan, where the acclaimed Israeli
composer Shye Ben-Tzur will perform
qawwali and folk musicians from Rajasthan.
The event will also showcase the
collaboration between a music producer
(Patrick Sebag) and a sound designer
(Yotam Agam), who remixed EarthSync’s
folk productions.
Above all, the show will be a medley of
dance and music artists from around Asia
and Middle East with contemporary
electronic sound.
EarthSync Festival is on May 30 at Sir
Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall,
Lady Andal School; 6.30 p.m.
Tickets for the festival are priced at Rs. 400
and will be available at Landmark,
Odyssey, Anokhi and EarthSync office. For
more details, call 044 4205 2532.
ERGO Thursday, May 21, 2009
Easy call
Reliance has launched ‘Singapore – Malaysia Calling Card’. The calling card is
priced at Rs. 449 and offers an ISD tariff for Rs 3.50/minute on all calls made to
South East Asian countries. Customers availing this offer will be offered a talk
time of Rs. 407. This offer is available through e-recharge and valid up to June.
Care Earth
launches animal
rehabilitation centre
A NEW HAVEN FOR FURRY AND FEATHERED ONES
ERGO CORRESPONDENT
pets@goergo.in
C
hennai’s animal friends
have another reason to re-
joice. The Care Earth Trust,
an organisation that focuses
on conserving biodiversity for
human well-being, formally
launched their new animal reha-
bilitation centre on Monday. The
Dax Memorial Animal Rehabilita-
tion and Resource Centre (named
after Dr. Jayshree Vencatesan’s
much-loved pet ‘Dax’ who
passed away in May last year),
has been launched in Orapakkam
near Vandalur. The event was
marked by the launch of the book
The Dog: Myths and Realities
about Man’s Best Friend by Shee-
la Rani Chunkath, chairperson of
Tamil Nadu Industrial Invest-
ment Corporation. The first copy
was received by Dr. S. Chinny
Krishna, Chairman of the Blue
Cross of India.
The centre is a safe haven for
sick and injured birds and ani-
mals. They will soon be equipped
with a veterinary care centre and
will operate mobile veterinary
(From Left) Dr. S. Chinny Krishna, chairman, Blue Cross of India,
clinics that will enable rescues
Dr. R. Annamalai, Director, Department of Environment and
and emergency life-saving treat-
Sheela Rani Chunkath, chairperson, Tamil Nadu Industrial
ment. Addressing the needs of a
Investment Corporation at the launch of Dax Memorial Animal
growing population of busy pet
Rehabilitation and Resource Centre. PHOTO: R. SHIVAJI RAO
owners, the centre has a facility
for pets that require temporary
housing when their owners are Earth Trust, Chennai and sent to they are a fledgling initiative, they
out of town. This is available for a their administrative office, which will also find use for second-hand
nominal fee. is located at New No. 15 (old no equipment like computer desks
Ranjit Daniels, Director of Care 8), 2nd Main Road, Thillaiganga- and other furniture in usable
Earth Trust, welcomes the much- nagar, Chennai 600 061. Phone condition.
needed help from the public, spe- number 6543 5841. Alternatively, For more information or
cifically with fundraising that you could pay a visit to their queries on volunteering with
would help cover set-up costs. premises located at Iyyencheri them, email Ranjit Daniels at
If you’d like to contribute to Village, Orapakkam, about 20 km ranjit.daniels@gmail.com. ■
their seed costs and other welfare from Chennai and choose an area
activities, cheques or DDs can be of interest, where you would pre-
made out in favour of the Care fer your donation to be used. As
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Bingo launches new flavour
Bingo brings to you ‘International Cream & Onion’ - the latest
in its finger snacks category with the lip smacking combination
of pure cream, delicious cheese and fresh spring onions. The
new ‘International Cream & Onion’ is available in 3 packs priced
at Rs.5, Rs.10 and Rs. 20.
HCL
launches novel e-waste plan
A group of volunteers from the company have welcomed the employees to route the e-waste
from their homes to their official e-waste contractor
MONISHA MOHANDAS
monishamohandas@yahoo.com
I
n a proactive move to save the envi-
ronment, a group of volunteers of
HCL Technologies have arranged an
e-waste management programme
for the company’s employees to route
the e-waste from their homes through
the software giant’s official contractor
Trishyiraya Recycling India.
Community Service Council, a group
of volunteers from HCL, on Wednesday
organised an awareness campaign at
HCL’s Ambattur facility to create aware-
ness among the employees on the haz-
ards of dumping e-waste along with
other garbage. Electronic waste – be it
computers, tape recorders or other hou-
sehold electronic items, contain toxic
waste and need scientific disposal
methods to ensure that they don’t
end up irreversibly hurting the
03
environment. Through the arrange-
ment, e-waste handed over by the em-
ployees will be transferred to the
e-waste treatment facility of Trishyiraya
at the MEPZ (Madras Export Processing
Zone), Tambaram.
Awareness campaign
Ravi Kishore, co-ordinator of CSC,
during the presentation at the HCL Am-
battur 5 cafeteria, said: “Despite being
one of the largest consumers and pro-
ducers of e-waste, there is a lack of
awareness about the topic in India. The
threat is extremely high.” The aware-
ness campaign also set off the compa-
ny’s Environment Week Celebrations
(from 20th May - 5th June).
Sighting the example of Japan, Ravi
Kishore said, “Though it’s late, strin-
gent actions and rules can help in con-
trolling e-waste. Countries like Japan
where dumping e-waste is illegal are
free from the e-waste threat.”
Like China, India is now confronted
with the huge problem of e-waste –
both locally generated and internation-
ally imported.
P.E. Subhash, commercial manager,
Trishyiraya said: “While there have
been some initiatives to set regulations
for e-waste management, overall, these
hazardous wastes are still typically dis-
mantled and recycled by hand in India
in unorganized scrap yard settings that
lack safeguards and government
guidelines.”
Playing a video of how some of the
recycling industries in India work, Sub-
hash said India has a long to way to go.
“Recycling e-waste is a means of liveli-
hood for many people in rural areas.
Due to lack of awareness, they are risk-
ing their health and the environment as
well. Most of the recycling industries in
India are dominated by small kids who
work with hazardous metals with bare
hands. Proper disposal and recycle
measures only can improve the condi-
tions of these children.” ■
Does your company also have novel
solutions for e-waste? Tell us at
feedback@goergo.in and we will feature it.
04 VILLAGE ERGO Thursday, May 21, 2009

Cops called over messy room

An American dad was so sick of his son’s messy bedroom, he
called police. The 28-year-old was found "crying uncontrollably"
by cops after the spat with his father

Jennifer Hewitt enters Hilton to name

country music her kids after
Singer/actress Jennifer Love Hewitt is planning to
launch a career in country music. Beckhams
The I Know What You Did Last Summer star has Socialite heiress Paris
recorded a new country tune, and according to Hilton is so fascinated by
boyfriend Jamie Kennedy, “she’s a natural”. David and Victoria
“I really want to make her a new demo for her Beckham that she wants
music, because I think she should do singing again. to name her children after
She’s so good,” Contactmusic quoted Kennedy as the superstar couple.
saying. Contactmusic.com reports
ANI that the controversial
queen has become friends
with the pair after dining
with the former Spice Girl
Doctor uses household drill and her partner in
California and she was so
to save boy’s life impressed by the British
A quick-thinking Australian country doctor described how celebrities that she is
he borrowed a maintenance worker’s cordless electric drill planning to give her
to bore a hole into the skull of a 13-year-old boy to drain future babies the
the bleeding that was lethally crushing his brain. Beckham’s first names.
“If you are in that situation you just do those things,” Rob “I am going to ask Victoria and David to be godparents
Carson told The Australian. “It’s not a personal to my children. We had dinner with them in LA and really
achievement; it’s just part of the job.” hit it off. I’m going to name my kids David and Victoria
Nicholas Rossi was brought to the district hospital in because she is so hot and I want kids as beautiful as her,”
Maryborough, complaining she said.
of a headache after falling IANS
off his bicycle and banging
his head.
Carson reckoned that he had
only minutes to relieve the Google adds automatic translation to Gmail
pressure, so he borrowed an Google added automatic translation technology to Gmail, allowing users of its email service to
electric drill from a translate messages in another language with a single mouse click. The Mountain View,
handyman to bore a hole California-based Internet giant said it had integrated its Google Translate program into Gmail,
just above the boy’s ear to allowing automatic translation of messages in several dozen
let the blood out. languages.
Within minutes, Rossi was “When you receive an email in a language other than your own,
showing signs of recovery Gmail will help you translate it into a language you can
and an hour later was on a understand,” Google said in a post on the company blog.
plane to a Melbourne “If all parties are using Gmail, you can have entire conversations in
hospital properly equipped multiple languages with each participant reading the messages in
for brain surgery. whatever language is most comfortable for them,” Google said.
DPA AFP

Berbatov
going all shaky
B ulgarian football star Dimitar
Berbatov has remarkably re-
vealed how he gets the shakes be-
fore Manchester United matches.
The 28-year-old said that it took
him a while to win over United
fans after switching from Totten-
ham in a club-record deal at the
end of August.
The Bulgarian international told
The Sun: “I am still nervous but,
when you play for the biggest
club in the world, you are some-
times shaking before you go on
the pitch. Sometimes I show it
with my hands or by screaming on
the pitch but sometimes it’s the
other way around.”
Berbatov has enjoyed a solid
start to his United career with 14
goals in 42 appearances this term.
“If I don’t show it on my face,
inside I’m a really happy guy.” ■
ANI
 Thursday, May 21, 2009
05
Websites of the day Chees-us Christ
Beat the forecasters by learning your own weather lore: A couple from Dallas have had their snack-
http://www.coldal.org/weather.htm time interrupted by divine intervention -
Check out the best places to travel in 2009: after they found a Jesus-shaped crisp in a
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/bluelist/ pack of Cheetos.

Bollywood stars, politicos to rock IPL final

T
he IPL final at the Wanderers on Sunday will see the who’s
who of India rubbing shoulders with their South African
counterparts at an unprecedented gathering here. Al-
though organisers are tight-lipped about the guest list, top
Bollywood stars and captains of Indian trade and industry as well
as Indian politicians are expected to hog the limelight.
Actors Kareena Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Rani Mukherjee and
Bipasha Basu will join the troupe of world-renowned choreog-
rapher Shiamak Davar alongside the pyrotechnics and laser show
for what promises to be a spectacular closing ceremony. Many
other movie stars, including from southern India, are brand
ambassadors for some IPL teams and are likely to be seen at the
final.
They include Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone,
Ramya and Upendra (Bangalore Royal Challen-
gers); Juhi Chawla, Arjun Rampal, Sajid
Khan, and Farah Khan (Kolkata Knight
Riders); singer Daler Mehndi (Kings XI
Punjab); Vijay and Nayantara (Chen-
nai Super Kings); Ila Arun (Rajas-
than Royals); Hansika Motwani
(Deccan Chargers); and Hrithik
Roshan, Saif Ali Khan and Anil
Kapoor (Mumbai Indians).
Although organisers were
unwilling to divulge names
for security reasons, some
of India’s foremost politic-
ians are also expected to
attend the gala finale of
the five-week spectacle
that has taken South Afri-
ca by storm. ■
IANS

Fishing for trash off Rio

The aim is not to supplant fishing altogether - nor even to return the bay to pristine condition

S
itting in his fishing boat in
the bay of Rio de Janeiro,
Gabriel has an easy time
hauling in his “catch,”
plucking it from the sea with his
own hands, not with a net.
But that’s because the bounty
he is grabbing isn’t fish - it’s the
floating trash that sullies the wa-
ters of one of the world’s most
beautiful cities.
Gabriel, a professional fisher-
man, is one of an army of boat-
man-cleaners employed by the
state of Rio de Janeiro to remove
tons of detritus from the city’s
spectacular harbour.
“We were catching more and
more rubbish in our nets and so-
metimes it got caught in our
boats’ propellers and broke
them,” he explained.
Under a new state program
started early this year, he and the
crews on another 140 boats head
out three times a week to pick up
floating junk that can be recycled:
plastic bottles, plastic sheets, pa-
per, and cardboard. On average,
15 tons of trash is recovered each
time.
The initiative, called Baia Lim-
pa (Clean Bay) and sponsored by
Brazil’s state-run oil company
Petrobras, is just the latest at-
tempt in a long string of oper-
ations to clear Rio’s Guanabara
Bay of pollution.
Much of the sewage from Rio’s
10 million residents still spills di-
rectly into the sea - which also
collects old cars, televisions, tires,
refrigerators and other discarded
items thrown into rivers swollen
during the rainy summer
months.
“Ten years ago, you could still
live from fishing. You can’t to-
day,” said Edmo, a 54-year-old
who has spent three decades liv-
ing off the sea.
He and Gabriel and the others
are employed for three-month
stints to clear away the floating
trash, during which they receive
financial aid. Nearly 1,200 fisher-
men are expected to participate
by the end of 2009.
Some of the trash that is picked
up goes to a recycling plant in-
stalled on the bay and financed
by the private sector. Anything
that can’t be converted is incine-
rated and used in
energy-production.
The plant, which handles 30
tons of garbage a day, is a pilot
scheme that authorities hope will
spread to other parts of Brazil.
“We sell units that treat 150
tons of trash a day - which is what
a population of 180,000 residents,
puts out - for a cost of 15 million
dollars,” explained the plant’s
manager, Jorge Nascimento.
For Rio’s bay, the impact of the
new cleaning program has yet to
be measured.
Perhaps the most telling sign
will be any indication its slow dis-
appearance - its sedimentation
from the daily avalanche of detri-
tus - has been slowed. ■
AFP
06 SPORT ERGO Thursday, May 21, 2009

Cricketer dies in veterans’ match

A former first-class cricketer died during a veterans Twenty20 match in Pakistan,
leaving organisers contemplating a ban on players with a history of cardiac
problems, officials said on Wednesday. Javed Sheikh, 53, collapsed during the
match at Asgher Ali Shah stadium in Karachi, having complained of chest pain
after bowling three overs.

Somdev scrapes through

Keeping Indian challenge alive, Somdev
Devvarman edged past Joao Souza in a
gruelling encounter to advance to the
second round of the qualifying event of the
Right on track
French Open – second
Grand Slam of the year India working to secure 2010 Games, says Kalmadi
in Paris. Seeded 26,
India’s No. 1 player
recorded a 6-2, 2-6, 7-5
victory over his Brazilian
opponent in a hard-
fought encounter lasting
for two hour and 27
minutes on Tuesday
night.
Somdev raced away with the first set in just
29 minutes but a determined Souza was not
in mood to surrender and put up a brave
fight against the Indian in the second set.
The Brazilian did not let Somdev convert any
of the three breakpoints and broke the
Indian twice out of four chances he got, to
draw parity. The decisive third set again saw
Somdev squandering many a chances but
ultimately he prevailed over Souza to book a
second round berth. He will next face Briton
Alex Bogdanovic, who defeated American
Ryler Deheart 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in his opening
round match.
Earlier, Prakash Amritraj crashed out of the
qualifiers after losing his first round match
4-6, 4-6 to Brazil’s Marcos Daniel.
PTI

National boxing coach to

conduct clinics abroad
The first Indian to be nominated on the
International Boxing Association’s panel of
coaches, Gurbax Singh Sandhu is all set to
conduct a clinic for his peers in South
America next month at the traditional
powerhouse of the sport – Cuba. Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi inspecting the Commonwealth Games
Sandhu, along with two other international Village in New Delhi. PHOTO: V. SUDERSHAN
coaches from AIBA’s seven-member panel,
will conduct the clinic after he returns from

the Asian Championship, scheduled from
June 5 to 14 at Zhuhai, China. “It will be a
three-four day clinic in Havana for coaches
in South America. The AIBA panel has the
national coaches of Cuba, France, UK
among others. Poland’s national coach
Adam Kuzier heads this panel,” Sandhu
said.
After the clinic in Havana, the AIBA panel
will meet in July to discuss ways of how to
improve the standard of
international coaching.
On his expectations
from the Asian
Championships, where
India won silver,
through Olympic hero
Vijender Singh (75kg),
and four bronze medals
in the 2007 edition,
Sandhu said: “It’s difficult to say how well
we will perform. Our team is very strong
but then we are expecting some fresh faces
from other countries and this would give
them an element of surprise.”
PTI
S
ecurity is the prime concern
ahead of next year’s Com-
monwealth Games in New
Delhi due to the tense sit-
uation in the region, organisers
said on Wednesday.
“We have to satisfy the Com-
monwealth Games Federation
(CGF) on the security aspect and I
am confident we can do that,” or-
ganising committee chairman
Suresh Kalmadi told local media.
“Security is a very important as-
pect of the Games and we need to
have more communication with
the CGF on that.”
Security concerns in South Asia
have grown after 166 people were
killed in militant attacks in Mum-
bai last November, and gunmen
ambushed the bus carrying the
Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakis-
tan in March. Seven Sri Lankan
cricketers were injured in the in-
cident, forcing the International
Cricket Council to abandon plans
to hold a part of the 2011 World
Cup in Pakistan.
The CGF and Indian organisers
have said that security for the
Commonwealth Games, featur-
ing athletes from 71 nations and
territories of the former British
Empire, will be on par with last
year’s Beijing Olympics. “The
CGF had sent a couple of dele-
gates to check on the security,”
said Kalmadi. “They have given a
report for us to follow up on. The
scenario in all our neighbouring
countries also worries them, so
we have to give them a lot of
comfort on security.”
Organisers are looking at the
October 3-14 Games next year to
showcase their ability to stage
major sporting events with an eye
on hosting the Olympics by 2020.
Kalmadi admitted there were mi-
nor delays in construction of two
venues, but promised to have all
infrastructures ready six months
ahead of the event. “It took us a
while to procure mandatory ap-
proval for some infrastructure
projects,” he said. “That led to a
delayed start, but we have now
managed to catch up and most
venues will be ready in time for
the Games.”Kalmadi said the
CGF executive board were satis-
fied with the progress during a
visit to New Delhi earlier this
month. “The CGF executive in-
spected the venues and ex-
pressed satisfaction with the way
the infrastructure was coming
up,” he said. “We need to main-
tain the momentum, and the or-
ganising committee will keep
monitoring the execution of in-
frastructure contracts.”
New Delhi is only the second
Asian city to be awarded the
Commonwealth Games. The Ma-
laysian capital of Kuala Lumpur
hosted the 1998 event. ■
AFP
 Thursday, May 21, 2009
‘‘
We (Delhi Daredevils) were trying to make sure that a lot of the reserve players get a chance to
play the games before the semi-finals. It is important that we give everyone a chance because it
is quite easy for players to get frustrated after sitting on the sidelines. We were a bit relaxed, I agree,
because maybe we have made it to the semi-finals. But hopefully we will do well in the coming matches.
The football’s in Baichung’s court
AYON SENGUPTA
ayon@goergo.in
I participation in a
ndian skipper Baichung Bhutia
looks to have won the battle
against his club Mohun Bagan.
The Kolkata giants who had show-
caused the forward seem to have lost
the battle and it’s Bhutia who is call-
ing the shots now.
He has decided not to answer the
club’s letter and has flown down to
Mumbai to take part in the finale of
dance reality show Jhalak Dikhla Ja.
“All allegations against me are base-
less. I had taken prior permission
from club officials before giving my
consent to the show. We had a bril-
liant season, winning three trophies.
And I don’t know why the club is sud-
denly gunning for my head,” Bhutia
says. “I have played over two decades
and nobody can question my com-
mitment. Even as a veteran I can give
all the youngsters a run for their
money.”
Club secretary Anjan Mitra had
triggered the row after he questioned
Bhutia’s allegiance towards the team
and the game itself. “He missed a lot
of practice sessions and we cannot
have a different set of rules for him.
We have issued a letter to him and
had given him 48 hours to reply,” Mi-
tra says. “He hasn’t reverted back but
we are ready to wait.”
Armed with offers from several I-
League clubs like Chirag United, East
Bengal, Dempo and Churchill Broth-
ers, Bhutia has already made up his
PHOTO: V.
SUDERSHAN
07
Daredevils skipper Virender Sehwag after their abysmal loss to Bangalore Royal Challengers
mind to terminate his contract. “I will relationship has gone sour.”
come back to Kolkata after the final in
Mumbai on Sunday and will decide
Baichung, meanwhile, is trying to
stay farthest away from all the contro- Baichung Bhutia’s
on my future course of action. I am versies for the next few days. “I want
not playing for Mohun Bagan next to win this show. When I was ap-
season – that’s more or less final,” he
says. “A few clubs, including East
proached I had date issues. But the
channel came to me again with the dance reality lead to
Bengal, have approached me and I
will weigh all options.”
fresh dates and we finally worked it
out. I am not a great dancer but I have raised eyebrows in
It is unlikely that Bhutia will leave
Kolkata and is almost set to don the
grown up watching Mithun Chakra-
borty dancing. I have danced in Mohun Bagan. In
red-and-gold jersey with which he
had started in the early 90s as a teen-
nightclubs, but that’s just
moving wildly. It’s not response, the
ager from Sikkim. East Bengal coach
Subhash Bhowmick, who is vacation-
about matching
steps to a tune forward is
ing in England, has welcomed Bhutia
to the club’s fold.
and emoting to
convey what the rethinking his
The talismanic forward has found
support from all quarters and Chirag
lyrics of the
song mean. So association
United coach and former player Sub-
rata Bhattacharya says: “Baichung’s
it was a chal-
lenge for me with the club
work ethic is tremendous. And after but I am thor-
20 years’ service to Indian football it’s oughly enjoy-
unfair to question his commitment ing.” ■
and love for the game. And to put him
through a media trial cannot be
accepted.”
His JCT counterpart, Sukhwinder
Singh, is also sympathetic towards
Bhutia. “What happened with Bai-
chung is unfortunate. I don’t blame
him for refusing to play for Bagan.
The situation was such that
he was left with no op-
tion. It is a good de-
cision since the
08 ROADSTER
Test your biking and driving skills at the Irungattukottai race track on Sund
plans to start short-term racing courses shortly
A
re you an F1 or MotoGP fan
or a speed freak who would
do anything to indulge in
the thrill of racing?
Here is your chance to not be a
mere spectator and cheer from
the stands but actually have oth-
ers cheering for you.
The Irungattukottai race track
near Sriperumbudur, which is
one of the primary race circuits in
the country, can be now a learn-
ing venue for all those budding
car and motorcycles racers.
The 3.74 km race track which is
owned and maintained by the
Madras Motor Sports Club
(MMSC), apart from its busy pro-
fessional racing schedule, is open
on Sundays for aspiring motorists
who want to get a feel of racing in
a real circuit for a fee.
One of the two racing tracks in
Tamil Nadu (the other being in
Coimbatore), the Irungattukottai
race track was unveiled in 1990,
substituting the Sholavaram air
strip which was used as a racing
track. The venue has been play-
ing host to various national mo-
tor-racing events since it was
resurfaced in 2007.
Pramod Kumar, Executive Sec-
retary, MMSC, says, “We’ve
ays. What’s more, the Mad
opened the track on Sundays de-
spite our busy schedule in order
to give racing aspirants and mo-
toring enthusiasts an opportuni-
ty. This has been a success and
there have been an increased
number of bikes at the circuit off
late.” Drivers and riders are al-
lowed to practise clockwise on
the longer circuit that has three
straights and 12 turns including
10 major ones.
There is also room for circuit
competition, as there is a good
turnout.
D. Saravanan from Choolaime-
du, who is now an aspiring mo-
torcycle racer, started his stint
with the track by riding at Irun-
gattukottai on Sundays. “My
friend told me about this chance
ERGO Thursday, May 21, 2009
"This has been a
success and there
have been an
increased number
of bikes at the
circuit off late"
of riding at the track and I made
use of it. I’ve improved very much
and it has given me the confi-
dence to go for professional rac-
ing,” says Saravanan, who has
now applied for a professional li-
cence and is going for profession-
al racing in the same circuit.
MMSC mandates a helmet for
motorcyclists (riding gear option-
al) and safety gear for drivers.
Due to an overwhelming re-
sponse from budding riding tal-
ents to the race track, MMSC is all
set to start coaching classes from
June. Announcing this, Pramod
Kumar says professional racers
will conduct short-term courses,
which include theory and practi-
cals. An advanced racing course
is also in the pipeline. ■
 Thursday, May 21, 2009
09
Ritz range
Maruti-Suzuki’s new launch Ritz will be available in five variants
- three variants (LXi, VXi & ZXi) with 1.2 litre K12M petrol
engine and two variants (LDi & VDi) with 1.3 litre diesel engine,
priced between Rs. 3.9 lakh to Rs. 4.99 lakh.

Maruti Suzuki
models to be modified

A
ll the models of Maruti Suzuki including the
Maruti 800 and Omni are going through various
modifications and upgradation to meet Bharat
Stage IV emission norms, a senior company official
A motorcycle challenge at said.
Irungattukottai race track. “Our new K series engines are very efficient compared
to previous generation engines. So, we are now
working on all existing engines to improve the after
treatment on emission of the gases,” Maruti Suzuki
India’s Managing Executive Officer (Engineering) I. V.

WANT TO RACE?
Rao told reporters after launching the Maruti’s new
Ritz model in Hyderabad.
“We are basically working on catalysers on the same
engines for different models to meet the Bharat stage
norms that will come into effect from April 2010” Rao
said.
Reacting to reports that Maruti would phase out 800
and Omni models by 2015, Rao said, “We are working
on to upgrade the Maruti 800 and Omni besides
developing compliant models to meet the new emission
norms.”
PHOTOS: R. Ragu and R. Shivaji Rao “Based on preliminary tests, we are confident that we
will be able to comply both Maruti and Omni to meet
Bharat Stage emissions norms, which means it will not
only meet BS norms, but it will continue beyond 2010,”
Rao added.
ras Motor Sports Club also Maruti Suzuki has planned to roll out its first
indigenous model in the next three years, he said
adding “We are developing a new model on existing
platform, all by our engineers at Maruti in India.” ■
PTI

How to race
The Irungattukottai race track is
opposite the Hyundai car factory near
Sriperumbudur, about 40 kms from
Chennai. Anyone interested in driving a
car or riding a motorcycle on the track
can do so on Sundays. The timings are
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for motorcycles for a
fee of Rs. 400. The timings are 2 p.m.
from 5 p.m. for cars for a fee of Rs.
1,000. Prior booking is advisable to
avoid last-minute disappointment. Age
limit is 13 years and above. Any bike
or car can be used.
For more details call 044 – 2499 0998
or email info@madrasmotorsports.in.
You can also visit
www.madrasmotorsports.in
10 FLICK ERGO Thursday, May 21, 2009

A Very Private
Gentleman Million-dollar bags
V ictoria Beckham is a huge aficionado of Hermes
Birkin bags. According to the Daily Mail, former
George Clooney turns assassin in new film Spice Girl has nearly 100 Hermes Birkin bags,
worth more than 2 million dollars altogether,
reports New York Daily News.
The Birkin bag, named after actress Jane Birkin
and designed by French fashion house Hermes,
usually starts around 7,500 dollars.
Posh Spice has been seen carrying the pink
ostrich skin and black crocodile versions and also
owns the Silver Himalayan style, which comes with
a three-carat diamond and is worth about 120,000
dollars. ■

G
eorge Clooney has been roped in to ANI
play an assassin in a new film titled
A Very Private Gentleman.
The big screen adaptation of the
Martin Booth novel will be directed by An- Drew
ton Corbijn.
The story of the film revolves around an Barrymore
assassin who hides out in an idyllic Italian
town before carrying out a final assignment. looking for
He resists his usual aversion to human interac-
tion, and his friendships and romantic entan- new home
glements complicate his mission, reports
Variety. with Long
The shooting of the film will begin in
Italy this fall.
Clooney-starrer comedy film The Men
D rew Barrymore
is looking for a
new home to
Who Stare at Goats has also found itself a move in with
buyer in Overture Films. on-off boyfriend
Overture has grabbed domestic rights Justin Long.
to the war comedy featuring Clooney, Drew, who
Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey and Jeff recently reunited with the actor after the pair
Bridges and helmed by Heslov. split last July, was spotted inspecting
McGregor stars as a journalist who prospective properties with a real estate agent
stumbles upon an ex-member (Cloo- earlier this month, reported femalefirst.co.uk.
ney) of a secret U.S. Army unit that “Drew wants to live with Justin in a sort of
used paranormal tactics. ■ trial marriage, so that’s why she’s looking for a
ANI new home,” said a source. ■
IANS

Now, good
looks are a
problem
J essica Biel complains
that her good looks
are proving to be “a
problem” when it
comes to getting
meatier roles offered
to contemporaries
Natalie Portman and
Scarlett Johansson.
“It really is a
problem,” the
dailymail.co.uk quoted
Biel as saying. ■
IANS
 Thursday, May 21, 2009
11
Jacko likely to make appearance on X Factor
Michael Jackson is being lined up to make an appearance in the X Factor final. If reports are to be believed,
executives from production company Talkback Thames are already in talks with Michael’s manager Frank DeLeo.
Apparently, Simon Cowell is keen to feature him as a mentor to one of the three finalists. If Cowell has his way,
Michael would also be seen singing a duet with his contestant.

Yash Raj Cine City

Films’ new blue-eyed boy

A
ctor Shahid Kapur
seems to have be-
come Yash Raj Films’
(YRF) favourite. His
first venture with the pro- Santhosh Sivan roped
duction giant is yet to hit
the screens, but the actor in for Raavan
has already signed another We hear that cinematographer Santhosh Sivan has
film with the banner. been approached by director Mani Ratnam for his
Shahid’s first film with upcoming flick Raavan. The reason behind this was
YRF is being directed by the quitting of cameraman Manikandan from the
Anurag Singh. He has project. Sources say that Manikandan has been
teamed up with Rani Muk- booked by Farah Khan for her new project which
herji in the film, which was kickstarts in June. With Raavan getting delayed,
earlier titled Hadippa, Manikandan walked out of the project. With more
which is said to be about than 60 per cent of the film complete, Santhosh
cricket. Sivan is expected to complete the remaining. The
The second project that Mani Ratnam – Santosh Sivan duo have churned out
Shahid has been signed up blockbuster films like Roja, Thalapathi, Iruvar and
for will be actor Parmeet Uyire.
Sethi’s directorial debut
and he teams up with
Anushka Sharma of Rab Ne
Bana Di Jodi fame.
“The Yash Raj camp sees
Shahid as the classic roman-
tic hero who has the poten-
tial to turn on the sexy or
rugged vibe when re-
quired,” said a source close
to the actor. ■
IANS

Arya in Johnny remake?

The concept of remake has become favourite in
Tamil Cinema and the latest we hear is plans are
on to remake Rajinikanth’s yesteryear hit movie
Johnny. John Mahendran, son of ace director
Mahendran, who originally directed Johnny, will
be directing the new version. Sources say that
actor Arya has been considered for the role.
12 ERGO Thursday, May 21, 2009

Wednesday’s Query:
Suggest one cold treat
your office can supply
(free) this season.
■ Kuchi ice
Santhu FBSC, Prasad TCS

■ Take the employees to a cool hill

stations or shift the office there
Dhivahar.R Wipro

■ Should not turn off the AC

Saranya.M Cognizant

■ One bubble top Fosters beer can

instead of water can Vignesh from Cognizant Technology Solutions has nominated his friends ( Vinoth, Vijay,
CP.Rajesh Allsec, Pavan IBM Vivek, Vinu, Vignesh, Rames, Saravanan, P Kamatchi, Saravanan, D Ramkumar) as Parters in
Crime. This picture was taken at Angamaly Railway Station during their trip to kerala.
■ Nunghu (palm fruit) with cold milk
Arunachalam Cognizant

■ Cone ice cream

Jai Allsec

■ Family pack Arun ice cream

Arunkumar Allsec

■ Fountain Pepsi vending machine for

free instead of coffee machines
Sivalingam.R CSC

■ Cost cutting nu solli kudika thani a cut

pannama irunda podum
Roopa Ford

■ Cold spicy buttermilk garnished with

coriander leaves
Abhinetri TCS, Rajitha Perotsystems, Karthik,
Venkatesh HCL, David Finny Allsec,
Deena Wipro,
K.Sivaramakrishnan Allsec S.Santhosh from Wipro has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime.
■ Tender coconut
Ramya Jayaseelan Cognizant

■ AC cabs
Hemu Wipro

■ A big bath tub

Priyadharshini TCS

Today’s Query: Now that

the Fake IPL Player has
come out the closet and
called himself a
bluffmaster, what’s your
take on the blog?
Sunitha from Perot System BPO Pvt Ltd has nominated her friends as Partners in
Crime. This pic was clicked at Vandaloor Zoo.
 Thursday, May 21, 2009
13

■ Hi Kalyani, ■ Dear Arun,

Wish you many more happy returns
Magesh from CTS of the day....For everyone the new May the Novelty and Freshness, that
has been nominat- year begins on January 1st, but for are a part of this auspicious day, fill
ed as Office Angel me it begins from your your life with happiness and bright
by his colleague birthday....May u achieve all ur cheer, ahead this year...
Jaya. targets in life. God Bless You !! Wish you a very Happy Birthday..!!
Happy Birthday once again !! With love,
He is a wonderful Kiran PENSTOCK Team,
person who supports Hewitt Associates HCL Technologies
and encourages his
co-staffs. He always ■ Dear Susanta K Mishra, ■ Hello Gokul (Monitor Manda),
comes up with a " WISH YOU MANY MORE HAPPY On this Special day We wish you a
different ideas and RETURNS OF THE DAY" Very Happy Birthday.May it bring u
innovative thoughts. If there’s something that you’re with loads of joy .All the Best for ur
He also loves to dreaming of then may it all come delightful Journey.Keep Rocking.
travel a lot. true, because you deserve it Best Wishes from
all...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! A birthday is iRonicz Spiders Team
just the first day of another 365-day TCS, iNautix,fidelity-Chennai & Mumbai .
journey around the sun. Enjoy the Musigma, NSN, Tata Elexi,
trip. Dont forget to treat else you EMC-Bangalore
will get beat. Juno, Deshaw, Commvault-Hydrabad.
With Luv From
VDSI CMMI ROCKERS ■ Dear MMK,
Hearty wishes from all of us on this
■ Dear Kesav, wonderful day!!
I love my life May God’s blessings be with you all
Because it gave me you through you life!!
I love you Wishing you a very happy birthday!!!
Because you are my life Cheerz and wishes,
Happy Birthday to the Love of My Friends,
Life. New Age Software and Solutions.
Loving Wife, Ashok Nagar.
Mrs. Manonmani Kesav,
HCL technologies

■ Hi Karthik(**Star**),
Belated Wishes
Sending birthday blessings
Filled with love and peace and joy ■ Dear Prem Kumar
Wishing sweetest things happen On your Birthday,
Right before your eyes ! We ish all your dreams are fulfilled
Once a year we get the chance We hope that for every candle on
To wish you birthday cheer. your cake
It pleases us to say, you get a wonderful surprise.
we wish you another great year. We wish for you that whatever you
So happy birthday to you (Karthik), most in life,
From the bottom of our heart. it comes to you,
Mariabhoobalan from Infosys And may your good times multiply just the way you imagined it,
doodled this. infinitely or better.
With care, Wish you happy Birthday .
Rainbow Team SISPA TEAM
Hexaware Technologies Selle synergy

■ Dear Jibsy, ■ WISHING HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

For Sweet and gOOd Friend (IQBAL KHAN & MUMTAZ)
A friend is never a coincidence Mom and Dad
In your life, they are meant to enter It’s a day that
your brings memories of the time
Life to bring you joy and laughter. So you both filled with
I will treasure the friendship between laughter, fun and surprises
us ...It’s also a
SWEET HEART is a special word for perfect time to thank
1.Angelina Jolie is crying, Love, you for your guidance,
Jackie Chan: hey! Why r u crying? LOVE is a special word for care, love and inspiration,
Arnold: hey what happened to u? CARE is a special word for friend a time to wish both
Vijayakanth: Dey, niruthungada, ivvalavu kettingale, andha The FRIEND is a special word for U! of you a wonderful
pulla ethukku azhuvutnunu kettingala?????? Advance Birthday Wishes for my dear life, now and forever.
friend ANNIVERSARY WISHES Dear Parents
2.Erumbu ninaicha yar kathai venumnalum kadikalam, aana Thanks & Regards Your’s Ever Loving Kids,
yaar ninaichalum erumbu kaatha kadika mudiyathu.. Sachin Pushpoth Mubeena, Naveeth, Irshu, Nazu, Vinoth,
Careshine, STG Sears Holdings Managemen Corporation Imail, Rahamath.
14 TRAFFIC JAM ERGO Thursday, May 21, 2009

Cross-dressing ceremony
A British man was the bride and groom at his recent wedding to
his longterm girlfriend - he’s a crossdresser who wore a suit to the
ceremony and changed into a wedding gown at the reception.

sudoku

Zahur Sadiq
from Perot
Systems has
shot this picture
at Madurai-
Manamadurai
Highway using
his Sony
Ericsson W810i
mobile camera

Entries to the
column will get gift
vouchers from
Bubbles Spa worth
Rs.1,000. Winners
can come to Ergo
office on weekends
between 3 p.m. and
5 p.m. to collect the
vouchers.
Call 2857 6688.
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

TEAM
Editor: Karthik Subramanian
karthik@goergo.in

Sr Dy Chief Designer: J.A. Prem Kumar

Dy Chief Designer: R. Ravi Kannan
Illustrator: R. Venugopal

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

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES:
Contact: 2857 5757
E-mail: ads@goergo.in
Website: www.goergo.in

Head of Circulation:
M.G.M. Sharief
copies@goergo.in

SNAIL MAIL
859/860, Anna Salai,
Chennai - 600 002
mail your feedback to
feedback@goergo.in
FAX 2857 6691

Printed and Published by S. Karthik on behalf of

KASTURI & SONS LTD., at Plot B-6 & B-7,
CMDA Industrial Complex, Maraimalai Nagar,
Chengleput Taluk, Kancheepuram Dist., Pin:
603209 & at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860,
Anna Salai, Chennai-600002. Editor: S. Karthik
(Editor responsible for selection of news under
the PRB Act). RNI No. TNENG/2007/24553
 Thursday, May 21, 2009
15
Dog’s dinner Word’s worth
A Yorkshire England nurse had some explaining to do to Widdiful (wid-i-full) someone who deserves
hospital bosses - after she couldn’t get to work because her pet hanging. Another word with this meaning is
spaniel ate her car keys. waghalter. From widdy, ‘a rope for hanging.’

B.C

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

You may easily pass the first half of the day but
during the second half, files will just pile up on your
desk. Communication is on the cards, with your
Inbox overflowing with mails. On the love front,
Ganesha foresees you enjoying a wonderful evening.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20

Nothing seems crystal clear to you. Just relax! This
confusion will last only during the beginning of the
day, assures Ganesha. Evening will find you in a
clearer state of mind. Good news from a far off
place will bring a smile on your face.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20

With luck favouring you, things should go well
BORN LOSER today. Correspondence on important tasks are in the
offing. Since you will meet most of your deadlines,
time you spend in office today will be most
satisfying.
CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20
It’s the second half of the day which will see you in
full action, thanks to the strength conferred on you
by planetary positions. But it’s a bad idea to take
up any work in the first part of the day. In the
evening you will rush to take beloved in your arms.
LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20
Take a pill, but don’t get uneasy if perfectly normal
things start going haywire. In setting things right,
you may skip lunch. On the personal front, getting
an approval from your sweetheart for something
may not be that easy today.
VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20
Things will be all lively and merry around you today.
FREE RANGE WORKING IT OUT Look back, dude, you are one step ahead on your
road to professional success. But Ganesha wants
you to be everyone’s favourite, so stop saying
negative things.
LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20
Say cheese! Today, your stars are smiling at you.
Ganesha thinks you should take advantage of this
situation and improve career prospects. Don’t say,
“Oh! It’s not my job”. Just do whatever comes your
way and impress your boss.
SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20
The genius in you will come to the fore at the work
front. You will earn your boss’ thumbs up for a job
done well. But the real challenge will be to deliver
quality work within a deadline, says Ganesha.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20

Strong winds of opposition may try to swerve you
off your course today. But don’t let them affect you,
advises Ganesha. You and your beloved will enjoy
that blissful moment that all love birds desire.

CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20

Having jump-started your day with lot of hard work,
your batteries may go down later in the day. Add to
this, your emotions and reasons are clashing with
each other. Amid this discord, you will wind up your
day’s work sooner than usual.
AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20
PREVIOUS There’s enough technical work on your plate to
keep you occupied in the first part of the day. This
ISSUE’S may leave you starved of energy and you may yearn
to reach home soon. But it’s not for your beloved
SOLUTIONS that you rush home but for food and solitude.
PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20
With clouds of confusion blocking your thoughts,
things will remain hazy today. Every small thing will
disturb you, making it tough for you to concentrate
on a single task. Watch your words! They can affect
your friends more than you realise.
Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni
16 ! ERGO Thursday, May 21, 2009

Cambodian fine arts

school students take
part in a
performance to mark
the annual ’Day of
Anger’ at the
Choeung Ek killing
fields memorial near
Phnom Penh. AFP
PHOTO / TANG CHHIN SOTHY

Spanish actress Penelope Cruz poses

during the photocall of the movie Los
Abrazos Rotos at the 62nd Cannes Film
Festival. AFP PHOTO / FRANCOIS GUILLOT

Australian cricketers (from left) Shane

Watson, Ricky Ponting, Brad Haddin and
Stuart Clark pose with a ’50 days to go’
cake at the Sydney Cricket ground
following the announcement of the
Australian squad for this year’s Ashes
cricket tour to England, in Sydney. AFP
PHOTO / GREG WOOD