A BYTE OF LIFE Monday, June 8, 2009

03
RECESSION! WHAT’S THAT?
Dosa Calling and 36 Degrees defied
popular caution

FREE CIRCULATION Vol. 3 No. 105

ANGRY
OLD MAN
Manoj Kumar returns to directing
with an Indo-Pak love story. And
he’s still not forgotten the “dirty
thing” that Shah Rukh did.

» PAGE 10

Paes conquers Paris

Leander Paes credits his third
French Open title to tennis legend
and one-time mixed-doubles
partner Martina Navratilova

» PAGE 08
02 NAMMA CHENNAI ERGO Monday, June 8, 2009

Brunch on
The Raintree has introduced Sunday Brunch promising to bond the family
with fun, frolic and food. The ambience is a European Street, the famed
Bombay Chowpatty and namma Chennai, all rolled in one. Chaat counter,
pav bhaaji, egg counter, dosa counter...are some of the main attractions.
Brunch is on from noon to 3.30 p.m. For reservations call 4225 2525.

Cops and motorcycles

A motorcycle theft lobby is known to be
operating in Ambattur and adjoining
areas. Reliable sources reveal that many
two-wheelers have gone missing from
the areas and some policemen are
involved in the thefts. A few months
ago, a motorcycle parked near a police
station there mysteriously went missing
and the station authorities refused to
register a case.

What can he do?

A senior cop who has been posted to a
big chair in the city has vast experience
in the field of intelligence services. A
few envious khakis in the force are
secretly taunting the senior. “What can
DIFFERENT TUNE
an intelligence man do in a law and
order situation?” they mutter.

Unwritten code
Theft at cellphone shops are known to
be happy affairs for some police
personnel. The reason – if the case is
cracked and lost property is recovered
there is an unwritten police code that
says that a high-end mobile phone is the
reward for the hardworking officers.
Due to this the tainted khakis turn up-
to-date cellphone users.
PHOTOS: S.S. KUMAR

T he launch of the second edition of

the Meera Isaiaruvi Tamil Music
Awards held in the city on Saturday
saw playback singers and lyricists of
the Tamil film industry sway to a dif-
ferent tune. Singers including Naresh
Iyer, Benny Dayal, Rahul Nambiar,
Karthik, Vijay Yesudas, Shwetha Mo-
han, Madhumita, Srilekha Parthasa-
rathy, Sumangali, Charulathamani,
Suchitra and Mahathi walked the
ramp wearing clothes designed by
Priya Rajesh.
Themed ‘Celebrating Excellence in
Music’ the awards recognise the most
popular songs and albums of the year
2008-09. The awards cover film, Car-
natic and folk songs.■
 Monday, June 8, 2009
Vision in times of recession
These entrepreneurs found the recession the best time to open up restaurants
Shamaz (extreme right)
and Riyas of 36 Degrees
on Santhome High Road
DEEPA VENKATRAMAN
A
t the time of recession, all
one can think of is to save
one’s earnings and not
start any business ven-
ture. However, in the last two
months, two new food joints
have opened. Ergo spoke to K.
Kumar of Dosa Calling, a speci-
ality restaurant in Kilpauk, and
Shamaz and his partners of 36
Degrees, a swanky new restau-
rant on Santhome High Road,
to find out their ambitions be-
hind starting afresh in times of
recession.
Dosa Calling
Little did the four NRIs know
that the song ‘London Calling’
would inspire them to say
goodbye to their well-placed
jobs in an overseas five-star ho-
tel and come to India to start
their own hotel company, Se-
rene Restaurant and Hotels Pvt.
Ltd.
K. Kumar, Raj Nanda, Gop-
inath and Hafidh are very hap-
py about their 40-day-old
maiden venture, Dosa Calling.
In spite of having more than
a decade’s experience in the
hospitality industry, it took
them one year to make their
dream come true with an initial
investment of about Rs. 1.5
crore out of their personal sav-
ings. “We designed a business
model that would not get af-
fected by recession. From our
research, we observed that
there was a dip only in luxury
goods and fine dining. Al-
though we have a fine dine, our
prices range from Rs. 23 to Rs.
03
New moves
‘Twilite Corpos’ is conducting dance classes for children, corporates
and ladies in T. Nagar. Classes will be taken in batches and for
different age groups, to help one reduce weight and build up
confidence. For details call 9790983380/9884331103.
K. Kumar of Dosa
Calling in Kilpauk.
PHOTO: S. THANTHONI
80. We serve about 30 varieties that the food industry has not ment was about Rs. 40 lakh.” On why they have stuck to
of exotic dosas made of five been adversely affected, says: They have branded it 36 De- pure vegetarian, he says: “Right
kinds of batter apart from other “People in Chennai drive down grees: At 36 degrees u go minus. now, we don’t want to clutter
southern snacks and desserts.” to any part of the city for good “The name strikes a chord with our menu card with a large va-
With a beeline of foodies on food. We have not compro- every Chennaiite as the average riety of dishes and hence have
Sunday evenings, Kumar is sat- mised on our food quality and temperature of the city is 36 de- stuck to vegetarian. But we may
isfied with the way the business quick service, and hence are grees but one feels cool inside start non-veg items in due
has picked up. He says the se- confident of attracting food our restaurant,” says Shamaz. course.”
cret is good service in a swanky connoisseurs right from the The business is quite encourag- The three plan to soon open
western ambience – chefs in start.” ing and they expect it to im- another branch at Gopalapu-
classy uniforms and an open While Shiham and Riyas have prove considerably once ram and Anna Nagar and a
kitchen where one can see the a hospitality industry back- schools reopen. multi-cuisine restaurant at As-
dosas being prepared. From Ju- ground, Shamaz is into timber As you enter the cool 1,200 sq cendas IT Park and extend their
ly onwards, they will have an and interior design. Shamaz, ft, 40-cover fruit cream joint current outlet on Santhome
exotic combination of dosas who is also related to Shiham, with low and soft sofas, one can High Road into an outdoor
pertaining to one particular re- says: “We met Riyaz when he choose from a variety of milk restaurant.
gion. was a partner of a coffee shop shakes, fruit juices, all-veg piz- Home delivery service can be
In a year’s time with NRI in Dubai and he expressed a de- zas and grills. Their signature availed of by calling 2495 4200.
funding of Rs. 4 crore, they plan sire to start his own in India. dish, however, is the fruit ■
to take Dosa Calling to Banga- Hence, we took off from there creams – dry fruit falooda
lore, Pune, Pondicherry and and opened a food joint out of cream, kiwi cream, strawberry
Hyderabad and also open a our savings. The initial invest- cream and so on.
multi-cuisine restaurant – Wok:
The Indian Way – and a north-
ern frontier and Chettinad spic-
es fusion – Inde.
“It’s during recession that we
are able to negotiate better rent
rates with the landlords for an
ideal price for lease of about
seven years,” they say. Howev-
er, the only qualm is recruiting
qualified chefs, but they have
back up plans for the same.
One can call 4554 6060 and
snacks can be home-delivered
in pizza boxes and chutneys in
air-tight containers.
36 Degrees
The trio of Shiham V.P., Riyas
P.P. and Shamaz Mohammed
of 36 Degrees were and are con-
fident that the business will do
well in spite of the challenging
times in the market. Shamaz,
one of the partners who feels
04 KALEIDOSCOPE ERGO Monday, June 8, 2009

News you can use

Buy and sell international stocks
Kotak Securities has announced the
launch of Kotak Trader, a trading platform
that will allow investors to trade in stocks of
24 different international exchanges. Thus
individual investors who wish to use the
USD 2,00,000 allowed by the RBI to be in-

Renew the
vested out of India can now look at equity
investments in foreign companies too. Ko-
tak Trader is a joint effort of Kotak Secur-
ities and Denmark-based Saxo Capital
Markets.

Mini Quiz
A. For the first time in its history Bharti
view on
energy
Airtel declared a dividend of ____% on 29
April 09
1. 10%
2. 55%
3. 200%
4. 20%
B. The Minister of State in the Ministry of
Finance is Fundamental analysis
1. Palanimanickam
2. O. Paneerselvam for stock investments
3. Montek Singh Ahluwalia
4. YV Reddy
Send your answers to finergo@goergo.in or
SMS your answers to 92813 98889. For
example if you choose 1 as the answer to
question A and 2 as the answer to question B
type it as A1B2 and send it. Winner will be
chosen by lucky draw from all correct
answers.

Answers for last week’s quiz

1. Custodian
2. Singapore
3. Taurus Ethical fund
4. 24 years
5. Penny stock KARTHIKEYAN JAWAHAR tainability. But the current methods degrees higher temperature? How
6. Securities Transaction Tax karthij@finerva.com of conversion of solar energy to us- about reusing things more often (as
7. Short term able energy (electricity, steam) are opposed to recycling, as recycling al-
8. 15078

9. 1,498,000
10. 5,760,000
LAUNCHING SOON
Initial Public Offerings
Rishabdev Trechnocable Limited
Gemini Engi Fab Limited
PSU IPOs which could be launched soon
National Hydro Power Corp
Oil India
NFO’s Of Mutual Funds
Religare Gold Exchange trade fund
IDFC Hybrid Portfolio fund
Reliance Gold Saving fund
Reliance International Equity fund
T
here has been a lot of talk since
the last few years on renewable
energy sources, particularly
since India started discussions
with the USA on the nuclear agree-
ment. Previously, talk on wind tur-
bines was limited to companies
talking about putting up one for tax-
saving purpose.
The sudden jump of crude prices
to over US $145 sparked the renewed
view on renewable energy. Experi-
ments with bio-fuels have backfired,
with the conversion of food into fuel
creating a virtual rise in prices and
real rise in political sentiments. Crit-
ics now argue that bio fuels consume
more of earth’s resources than non-
renewable fuels. Nuclear energy,
however clean, is also exhaustible.
So what is the way out? Solar and
solar-related sources seem to be the
best alternative for long-term sus-
less efficient. The new Renewable
Energy Policy of the Government of
India, which envisages every build-
ing beyond a certain square feet of
construction to have energy being
generated used in the form of solar
panels, solar heaters and mini-wind
turbines, is a welcome measure. This
will help reduce the price of the
items and also increase their effi-
ciencies by increasing the R&D
budgets.
Apart from this, we can all contrib-
ute to the revolution by consuming
less power. Suggestions to turn off
lights, ACs, fans and the omnipres-
ent computer before leaving the of-
fice need to be implemented more
diligently now than ever before. Can
business leaders start thinking of
having more video conferences than
commutes to the airport? Can we
have the office ACs running at a few
so consumes energy)? The above-
mentioned things are going to be a
part of our lives sooner than later, as
supplies are running out.
So why an article on renewable
energy in a personal finance co-
lumn? Imagine the opportunities for
investment in the field. Wind, solar,
communication infrastructure, de-
signer townships (to reduce com-
mute), water purification and reuse
systems, LPG & LNG (though non-
renewable, they burn clean and
hence will substitute petrol and die-
sel to a larger extent), energy educa-
tion and electric vehicles are just
some of the areas where we can find
aggressive growth of companies.
Do we have Indian companies in
the above fields? Oh yes, and I would
definitely invest in those companies.
Happy investing in a cleaner, green-
er, sustainable energy future! ■
Monday, June 8, 2009
05
K
areena Kapoor’s look in Kam-
bakkht Ishq is being touted as
her most glamorous ever, but
her make-up artist Mallika
Bhat says that apart from looking ul-
tra glam, she will also sport a “Barbie
doll look” in the action thriller.
“One of Kareena’s looks in the film
is inspired by Barbie doll,” Bhat said.
In Kambakkht Ishq, Kareena stars
alongside superstar Akshay Kumar
who plays a Hollywood stuntman. It
also stars Hollywood biggies like Syl-
vester Stallone, Brandon Routh and
Denise Richards.
According to Bhat, Kareena’s dif-
ferent looks in the film have a lot to
do with the progression of her char-
acter.
“At first she has a plain Jane look,
followed by a cute girl-next-door
look and then she ultimately turns
into an ultra-glam diva as she plays a
model in the film,” she said.

Kareena’s
Bhat said that Kareena has been
made to wear minimum make-up
and tied ponytails for the first part of
her character, while she leaves her

new
hair open and sports little gloss for
her second look.
But later Kareena’s eyes are well
accentuated with different colours,

avatar
she added.
“For her glamorous look, I used
metallic liners in colours like char-
coal, blue, green, grey and played
around with a lot of shimmer on her
eyes.
But what remained permanent for
Bollywood bombshell to Kareena throughout the film was the
creamy baby pink lip colour that I
sport Barbie doll look in have not used on anyone yet,” Bhat
said.
Kambakkht Ishq “She is a girl. Like every other girl,
she enjoys getting ready and so I
guess she enjoyed slipping into the
glamorous character. She liked to
get ready for it like any other girl her
age would have,” she said. ■
PHOTO: AFP
IANS

Suri Cruise becomes

youngest style icon
S
he may not even wardrobe full of clobber tiny feet. On a shopping
know how to eat a from Burberry, Dior and trip to Los Angeles with
chocolate croissant Cavalli. her mum, Suri was
properly, but three- The tot was recently caught wearing a trendy
year-old Suri Cruise spotted wearing a 60- ruffled orange frock with
seems to have become pound Ralph Lauren Il- fashionably clashing Ma-
the world’s youngest su- lyana dress - and the ry Jane shoes.
permodel after catching fashion house frantically “She’s probably the
the attention of top de- rushed out a statement only supermodel who
signers queuing up to confirming the fact. gets away with eating
dress her. She has even had a pair pastry,” the Mirror quot-
The daughter of actors of Christian Louboutin ed an onlooker as saying.
Tom Cruise and Katie shoes custom-made after ■
Holmes already has a a mould was taken of her ANI

Katie Holmes with her daughter Suri Cruise. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES/AFP
06 VILLAGE ERGO Monday, June 8, 2009

Buddhist bitten
A Buddhist in the U.S. has been bitten by a
venomous copperhead snake - despite
fighting all his life to free captive animals.

Stefani dismisses Rossdale split Snake

reports shares bed
No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani has shot down reports claiming
that her marriage to Gavin Rossdale is on the rocks amid with couple
allegations the former Bush frontman has been cheating on A Chinese couple
her. According to online gossips, Stefani was on the verge of was stunned when
divorcing Rossdale after reportedly catching him romancing they woke up to
other women, reports Contactmusic. find that a 2-
Rumours claim the stars, were holding off on announcing their meter-long snake
split until after Stefani finishes her current US tour with her was sharing their
reunited band. bed with them.
ANI The two from
Xiangfan, Hubei
province, did not
know what to do
90-year-old gets high school with the snake and
decided to call the
diploma police, reports the
A 90-year-old woman received her high school diploma, 73 China Daily.
years after she dropped out from the institution during The couple
great depression to financially assist her parents. surnamed Zhang
Eleanor Benz left the Chicago Public Schools’ Lake View discovered the
High in 1936 during her senior year to take a job and help snake under their
her parents. quilt at about 1 am.
This week, at her 90th birthday party, Benz family After the police arrived, they captured the non-venomous
presented her with the diploma, a 2009 gown, a cap with a snake, but they could not find an explanation as to how it
1936 tassel and a wooden got into the bed.
replica of Lake View in the ANI
1930s, the Chicago Sun-
Times reported.
“I was overwhelmed by it
all,” Benz said. German man sets record for
“I was ecstatic. My diploma
is dated February 1, 1936 speed-kissing
and signed by Olice Winter, A German man has set a new record in speed-
the then principal. I feel kissing, after smooching 111 women in 60 seconds
blessed,” she said. outside a Berlin disco.
Benz’s children arranged Michael Basting, 31, secured an entry in the
her diploma after she told Guinness Book of Records after lining up the ladies
one of them recently that on the pavement for a quick peck on the cheek.
not graduating from high Basting, from Bavaria in southern Germany,
school was her greatest managed almost two kisses a second, beating the
disappointment. previous record holder from Australia.
PTI DPA

BB STAR SOPHIE
EYES RONALDO
B
ig Brother star Sophie
Reade has revealed that
she has eyes only for Man-
chester United’s Cristiano
Ronaldo even though she cheers
for rivals Liverpool.
The 20-year-old glamour mod-
el said she found the Portuguese
winger extremely attractive and
thinks he has “a brooding Span-
ish charm”.
wrapped up please,” The Sun
quoted her as saying in a recent
interview with Playboy.co.uk.
The busty blonde, who has pre-
viously posed for the magazine,
further said she would not have
to worry about the soccer ace
pleasing her in the bedroom. She
added: “He is incredibly athletic
so I wouldn’t have to worry about
him flaking out on me.” ■
PHOTO: AFP

“I would like Cristiano Ronaldo ANI

 Monday, June 8, 2009
07
Websites of the day
Songs, styles and history of the pop music girl groups of the early 1960s: Zebra crossing
http://www.girl-groups.com/ A father in Dorset, England stuns his
Information on the past, present and future of electro music. Includes locals at a nearby pub by his mode
artist profiles, discographies, audio samples, lyrics, articles and photos: of transport - a zebra.
http://www.electroempire.com/

AMU honours Dr. Rahman

The music
O
scar-winning composer A.R. Rahman
was conferred an honorary docto-
maestro ended rate by the Aligarh Muslim University
(AMU) at its 59th convocation. The
his speech with musician, who said he was overwhelmed
with the honour, urged more young people
the song Jai Ho to join creative fields like arts and media.
“In a world of mass killings, terrorism and
violence, we need positive emotions,” said
Rahman.
Rahman also urged the youth to learn
and join him in building a strong, harmo-
nious India.
“I find a transcendent language that all
can understand that can bring all together -
a language that awakens in each of us an
awareness that all energy is spiritual energy
and the fate of one is linked to the fate of
all,” said Rahman.
Quoting Nelson Mandela, he said:
“Education shall be directed to the full
development of the human personal-
ity and strengthening of respect for
human rights and fundamental
freedoms. Education alone can
eradicate poverty.”
Along with Rahman, eminent
Urdu writer Gopi Chand Na-
rang also received an honor-
ary doctorate.
West Bengal Governor Go-
pal Krishna Gandhi was the
chief guest along with Jus-
tice A.N. Ahmadi. ■
IANS

LA conducts R(o)aring to go
TRANSGENDER job fair

S
ydney Dupree came to Los
Angeles because, as a young
male-to-female transsexual,
she found Memphis hostile.
She came to the transgender job
fair because jobs are hard for her
to find, even in Los Angeles.
Dupree has been frustrated by
discrimination and employers
who turn skittish when confront-
ed with documents identifying
her as male, both typical reasons
why the transgendered struggle
to find and keep jobs, especially
during a recession.
“I did what I had to do to sur-
vive,” Dupree said with a shrug. “I
had to get out of Memphis. I just
left on a bus.” centre’s annual Trans-Unity
The fair featured 17 public and Pride celebration, billed as the
private employers willing to re- nation’s largest, and began with a
ach out to the transgender com- seminar educating employers on
munity, held in the centre’s small the legal rights of transgendered
쒀 A baby white tiger is held by its minder at the zoo in the eastern German town
courtyard after a morning rain employees and such tricky issues
of Aschersleben. The young tiger was born on April 5, 2009 in the zoo. PHOTO: AFP
cleared. as restrooms. ■
It was organized as part of the Reuters
08 SPORT ERGO Monday, June 8, 2009

Jeev tied seventh

Jeev Milkha Singh’s one-over 73, which gave him a share of the seventh spot, was the best among
the Indians at a drenched Celtic Menor Resort in the yet-to-be-completed penultimate round of
the Wales Open golf tournament in Newport. Among the other Indians, Shiv Kapur was the next
best-placed after Jeev at the tied 33rd spot after carding a 74 which took his two-day total to
one-over 214.

England’s Ashes worries

England are worried that key top order
batsman Kevin Pietersen may struggle to be
fit for this season’s Ashes series at home to
Australia. The ex-England captain was ruled Barcelona star Dani Alves
out shortly before does the trick for Brazil in
the start of the their South American
side’s humbling qualifiers. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
four-wicket loss to
the Netherlands in
Friday’s opening
match of the ICC
World Twenty20 at
Lord’s with a
recurrence of the
injury he first
sustained in the
Caribbean earlier
this year.
Pietersen has undergone an injection in a
bid to make sure he is fit for England’s
match against Pakistan at the Oval on
Sunday – a game they effectively have to
win if they are to get through to the Super
Eight second stage of the World Twenty20.
But England coach Andy Flower believes
Pietersen may need several months rest to
regain full fitness – and if that is the case
he would miss the first Ashes opener in
Cardiff starting on July 8 and possibly the
entire Test series as well. “They are terrible
injuries,” said former Zimbabwe batsman
Flower. “I had an Achilles problem for
about five years when I was playing and
they are very difficult to get rid of. They
can hang around for a long time and with
our schedule you don’t get huge chunks of
time off. I think you need months off to
get rid of those sort of problems Leander Paes
altogether,” said Flower.

Old wa
(foreground left)
AFP celebrates with tennis
legend Martina
Navratilova
(foreground right) eyed
Nadal may miss by Bill Gates after the
French Open doubles
Wimbledon final. PHOTO: AFP Paes thanks ‘soulmate’ Navratilova after
A damaged right knee could keep Spanish
tennis player Rafael Nadal out of this
that just at the end of the second with cancer and I couldn’t p
year’s Wimbledon. Toni Nadal, the reigning
set when we were getting a bit she basically stayed away f
Wimbledon champion’s uncle and coach,
nervous and a bit edgy, she the game and didn’t play m
said the 23-year-old had a damaged right

A
s he battled a freak injury came out there and was just doubles until I came back,”
knee and was doubtful for the Grand Slam
and nerves in the French making eye contact. Lukas added.
which starts on June 22.
Open men’s doubles final, served three doubles faults early Paes also lauded his op
“We have taken him out of the Queen’s
ace Indian tennis player in the third set. I told him at one nents in the French Open fin
tournament (June 8-14) and will do
Leander Paes said an inspiring eye point, Martina is out there. Dick Norman and Wesley M
everything possible to get him there, but
contact with his legendary former Come on. Have a look at her. die. “Dick and Wesley served
this is subject to medical tests,” Toni Nadal
mixed doubles partner Martina She’s inspiring us.” Paes de- ally huge and made it diffi
said. “There is something wrong with his
Navratilova lifted his spirits. scribed Navratilova, a 20-time for us. They did a great jo
knee but right now we are uncertain what
Paes and Czech Lukas Dlouhy Wimbledon champion with getting to the final,” P
the problem is.”
rallied from a set down to clinch whom he won the 2003 Wimble- whose career doubles t
Swede Robin
the French Open title which was don and Australian Open mixed count stands at 40, said.
Soderling knocked
the Indian’s ninth career Grand doubles titles, as his soulmate Reflecting on his partner
Nadal out of the
Slam. Paes got hit between his and said the American has been with Dlouhy with whom he
French Open this
eyes by a return volley during the by his side through some of the ished runner-up at Roland
year. The latest
match and required treatment. most trying times of his life. ros last year, Paes said,
injury scare is not
The 35-year-old said Navratilo- “Martina has been a soulmate started playing together at
connected with
va’s presence in the audience gal- for many years. We’ve been land Garros last year. We
the persistent
lery helped him get over these through a lot in life, especially then to the champions so
tendonitis
testing moments of the match. me in the last eight years. She’s made it a point that we wo
suffered by the player. Nadal is currently
“Whenever I look at a person been along with me, supporting come back and try and win it
resting at his hometown of Manacor on
like Navratilova, she gives me a me, guiding me at times,” Paes year.” ■
the island of Majorca and will undergo
lot of inspiration. It was strange said. “When I was diagnosed
detailed medical tests from Monday.
ANI
 Monday, June 8, 2009
09

‘‘
Weightlifting accounts for a major share of medals in the Commonwealth Games but SAI and Sports
Ministry have not provided enough basic equipments, food supplements during the past four of the
camp that started in February. We are also finding it difficult to get the recommended number of coaches
because they are not being given lucrative money for the one and half years of assignment.
Indian Weightlifting Federation General Secretary Baldev Raj Gulati

B Big
razil leaped to the top of the South American qualifying table
for the 2010 World Cup with a 4-0 rout of host Uruguay while
former leader Paraguay fell 2-0 at home to Chile.
Brazil won at Centenario Stadium for the first time since
1976 on goals by FC Barcelona star Dani Alves in the 11th minute,
AS Roma cenral defender Juan in the 35th, Sevilla’s Luis Fabiano in
the 52nd and AC Milan star Kaka on a penalty kick in the 74th
minute. Goals by Matias Fernandez in the 12th minute and Hum-

guns
berto Suazo in the 50th gave the Chilean a critical away triumph
that put them only one point off the pace of Brazil and Paraguay,
which now trails on goal difference.
Together with Argentina’s 1-0 triumph over Colombia at Buenos
Aires, the four top teams have separated themselves with five
matches remaining to decide the four squads which will qualify for
the showdown in South Africa.

scrape
Brazil stand on 24 points, moving atop Paraguay by virtue of
superior goal difference, with Chile are next on 23 points and
Argentina fourth with 22.
The Uruguayans are fifth, five points back of Argentina but only
one ahead of Venezuela and just three atop Colombia and Ecua-
dor, which has a match in hand.
The leaders are not out of reach but even if they hold onto their
spots, the remaining six teams have World Cup hope. South Amer-

through
ica’s fifth-place finisher will meet North America’s fourth-place
team for another 2010 World Cup bid.
Uruguay knew extra heart-break from a fifth-place finish in 2005,
losing out on a World Cup trip to Germany in a playoff against
Australia.
Daniel Diaz’s goal in the 55th minute gave Argentina a crucial
home victory, stretching the gap on lower rivals for coach Diego
Maradona’s side and staying within reach of the top spot. Bolivian
heartache continued with a 1-0 home loss to Venezuela on an own
goal in the 32nd minute.
Ecuador, level on 14 points with Colombia, will try to move up
with an away victory Sunday at doormat Andean rivals Peru in
Lima. ■
Brazil leaps atop World Cup
AFP qualifying table

arhorse marches on
French Open triumph
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10 FLICK ERGO Monday, June 8, 2009

Susan Boyle signs U2’s financial wizard

Britain’s Got Talent runner-up Susan Boyle has reportedly roped in U2’s
financial wizard to manage her career.
The 48-year-old and her family allegedly signed legendary showbiz guru
Ossie Kilkenny, who turned the Irish rock band into multi-millionaires.
ANI

‘Shah Rukh did a dirty thing’

Manoj Kumar on ‘OSO’ and turning
director again for ‘Indo-Pak’ love story
RUCHIKA KHER Asked if he still had any
grudges against Shah Rukh

B
ollywood veteran Manoj
Kumar is upbeat about
donning the director’s hat
once again in his golden
jubilee year in the industry for
an “Indo-Pak” love story.
The actor-turned-filmmaker
may have moved on from the
Om Shanti Om controversy, but
maintains that what Shah Rukh
Khan did was “dirty”.
“Though I had three subjects
in mind, I decided to first go
with Indo-Pak: A Love Story. The
film will not revolve only around
patriotism. It will have a human
and romantic angle,” says Manoj
Kumar. “The film will highlight
that there are a lot of commo-
nalities between the two coun-
tries. We have the same
It was not that I get features, our food is similar and,
angry with people on after all, a few years ago we
everything, but I have were one single country,” says
the 71-year-old actor, who was
to protect the image known as ‘Mr. Bharat’ for his pa-
of Manoj Kumar triotic films like Upkaar, Sha-
heed and Purab Aur Paschim.
Khan for the spoof on him in Fa-
rah Khan’s 2007 film Om Shanti
Om, he says he has moved on
but asserts that what Shah Rukh
had done was wrong.
“Shah Rukh did a dirty thing.
When I reacted he then visited
me, apologised and said he will
remove the scene from the film,
but he did not keep his promise.
It was not that I get angry with
people on everything, but I have
to protect the image of Manoj
Kumar. Later when he removed
the scene, I dropped the mat-
ter,” Manoj Kumar said.
Manoj Kumar says he would
like to cast new faces in his new
venture though he likes Aamir
Khan best among the current lot
of heroes.
“I like Aamir’s work and I’m
particularly happy that he is do-
ing less and only meaningful
work, but for my film I want
fresh faces,” the Padma Shri
awardee said. ■
IANS

Memoirs of a
Oh, b-boying!
9-year-old
C horeographer-director Farah Khan, a judge on
television reality show Entertainment Ke Liye
Kuch Bhi Karega, has promised a group of S lumdog
Millionaire’s nine-
contesting 15 girls and boys a chance to be part year-old star Rubina
of one of her films. Ali is ready to tell her
“I have promised a group of very talented life story.
young girls and boys who performed b-boying (a According to
type of break dance) that I will give them a reports, the Mumbai
chance in my film whenever I am working on resident, who played
something where I can use their talent,” says the young Latika in
Farah. director Danny
A street dance style that evolved as part of the Boyle’s Oscar-winning
hip hop movement among African-American and movie, is penning a memoir.
Puerto Rican youths in Manhattan during the The book, Dreaming: My Journey to the Stars, will
early 1970s, b-boying has now caught the fancy chronicle her story of growing up in the Mumbai slums
of youth in several cities. instead of her rise to fame, reports Us magazine.
Farah says the act by the Mumbai-based group “Rubina brings alive a world of wastelands and rat-
involved innovative hip-hop, awe-inspiring stunts infested shanty dwellings, and shows us her home, a
as well as acrobatics, making it “fascinating” to wooden shack with a tarpaulin roof, where she grew up
watch. with her beloved father and siblings,” said a statement
“The act they did has never been seen before released by Transworld Publishers.
in Indian cinema and that is also one reason The tome will be released in the UK in mid July
which attracted me to give them my word,” Proceeds from the book will be donated to Ali and
adds Farah. ■ Medecins du Monde, a French medical aid organisation. ■
IANS ANI
Monday, June 8, 2009
11
De Niro accosted by drunk fan
Actor Robert De Niro was accosted by a drunk female fan on
the set of his new film Stone in Michigan. The woman, named
by TMZ.com as Carlyn Campbell, allegedly barged into the sets
before police were called to remove her. Campbell was later
admitted to a local hospital.

Cine City

Nayan’s tattoo
A rumour that is making rounds in Andhra
Pradesh is the secret wedding between actors
Nayanthara and Prabhu Deva. When
contacted, Nayanthara has reportedly said that
Prabhu Deva is a good friend of hers.
Meanwhile, sources reveal that Nayan sports a
tattoo ‘Prabhu Deva’ on her right wrist. The
first letter ‘P’ is written in English, while other
alphabets are in Tamil.

I
n a bid to shoot down split rumours, Angelina Jolie is
reportedly considering sealing her relationship with Brad
Pitt.
According to pals, the stunner has given in to Pitt’s pleas
to get married.
Friends say that the star pair could wed by the end of the
summer once their current filming commitments are done
away with.
A close friend of the pair said: “Usually it’s Brad who wants
to talk marriage. But this time it was Angie. An aide sent them
all the Press clippings about their ‘relationship problems’ and
Angelina said it was probably best if they married to put an
end to the stories. Brad’s face lit up – he was thrilled.”
Rumors were buzz that Brad (45) had rekindled his friend-
ship with ex-wife Jennifer Aniston (40) to Angelina’s fury –
but the pal denied this, reports The Mirror.
Karunas back
The friend adds Brad and Angelina have earmarked New as hero
Orleans for the wedding, and their six children would be After donning the lead role in Dindigul Sarathy,
involved “in a big way”. ■ Karunas plays hero in Ambasamudram Ambani.
ANI The movie, which hit floors yesterday, is about a
youngster who thrives to become rich through
honest means. He is paired up with Navneet Kaur
of Arasangam fame. The music is composed by
Karunas and lyrics by poet Vairamuthu. The
movie to be directed by Ramnath is being
produced by John Britto.
12 ERGO Monday, June 8, 2009

Friday’s query
Which cartoon character
do you relate to and
why?
■ Winnie the Pooh. I look similar to that
character
Xavier IBM
■ Tweety it’s a happy bird which keeps
itself cool n people come to rescue if it is
in trouble
MP.Roselin Allsec
■ Turk, I honestly resemble the character
Lakshmi, Arun Easikkappan Wipro
■ Tom and Jerry bcoz me and my hubby
always fight like that
Vennila TCS-eserve
■ Jerry. My expressions and activities are
similar to Jerry
Sinduja.C IBM, Sindhujaa, Deena Wipro, Ashok Bhrigu Khanna from TCS eServe has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime. The picture was
TCS, R.Viswanathan Hexaware taken at Times Square, New York.
■ Timon. My way of talking and humour
is similar to him
Sugan.P IBM, Senthilganesh TCS
■ Spider man. I like to be a night time
hero. He has excellent power
Francies Raj.S Perotsystems, Thirumal 3i-
infotech
■ Rocky, office assistant in Microsoft
office 2003. He guides in English, math
besides mesmerizing us with his amusing
animations
Deepak Vasudevan Verizon
■ Tom since it always thinks innovatively
to catch jerry though it fails. That’s the
spirit. My way of thinking/working
should be always innovative
Saranya.M Cognizant
■ Mowgli, it’s exactly my photocopy. We
look like twins and of same character
Smruthi Gopi Allsec
■ Mickey mouse. My sound effects are
similar to Mickey Mouse Hiresh from Technosoft has nominated his team mates as Partners in Crime. The picture was
Shantha IBM, Rajesh Wipro shot in Kodaikanal during their first team outing.
■ Bugs Bunny it’s intelligent, witty and a
good prankster like me
Senthil Arjunan Calsoft Ltd, M.Srinivasan Allsec
■ Laurel because my friends say I look
like that
Karl Antony Allsec
■ Popeye because I love Olive oyl
Nandagopal.C, Kasthuri TCS
■ Heman: Mighty, save people and
punish culprits
Jerin Anand TCS
■ Dora my actions are similar to her
Jabha.J IBM, Renuka Allsec, Shobi Wipro
■ De De (Dexter’s sister). Ellorayum
bayangarama mokka pottu azha vappen
Priya.G IBM, Abhinetri TCS
■ Calvin, cause as a kid I had a ghost as
an imaginary friend (Hobbes)
Vinay Perotsystem

Today’s query:
Who is your favourite
Janarthanan from HCL Technologies has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime. The picture
author and why? was clicked during their outing to Leavenworth, Kansas.
 Monday, June 8, 2009
Palaniselvan from HCL Technolo-
gies has been nominated Office An-
gel by his team members.
Palaniselvan could be only spotted
with his bright smile and energizing
laughter. He is an excellent people
manager and a great friend who can
be approached at any time for any is-
sue.
Vidyasankar Sundararaman
from Patni Computers
doodled this.
■Lady: Hello sir, idhu ladies compartment-nu yathana thadavai solradhu, Solliyum kaadhula vaangadha
maadhiri yaeruringa? Man: Naan T.T.R...
■Man-1: Do you know my friend can drive 12 cars at a time? Man-2: Really?
Man-1: Yes, he is an electric train (12 CAR) driver...
Mohamed Yusufdeen J,
HCL Technologies
13
■ Dear Guru & Hamsa,
Wish you both a very happy
B’day. Wish you both have a
great year ahead and all success
you are looking forward.
Veena M, TCS
■ Dear Shreyas,
A birthday is just the first day of
another 365-day journey around
the sun.
Enjoy the trip We hope that for
every candle on your cake you
get a wonderful surprise;
The more candles, the bigger the
wish!!!!…
Wishing you a very warm
Birthday.
From COE Batch-19, Wipro
■ Hai Guys,
Congratz to NSC team. Rock as
usual.
Lukeson, Wipro
■ Hi Jandhu,
Iniya Piranthanal nalvaazhthukkal
de, May wish you all your dreams
come true! Don’t think that you
are getting older, instead you are
become so brilliant de. Good
Luck for your future life, God
bless you.
Cheers,
Bunn, Boooms, Cubee, Jo-joo, Lux,
Dhivaa
Wipro Technologies.
Belated wishes
■ Dear Karthik,
Your birthday is a special time to
celebrate the gift of you to the
world.
Belated wishes to you. May god
bless you.
Best Wishes,
DSU TEAM, Infosys BPO Limited
■ Hi Raghavan,
Wish you many more happy
returns of the day! May God
bless you with all happiness and
all your dreams come true!!!!
From,
Your Best friend.
■ Dear “Thala” Lakshmanan,
On your birthday we wish you
much pleasure and joy, Birthday
is a beginning of a new year,
may this year be filled with joy
and success. We hope all your
wishes come true. May each hour
and minute filled with delight,
And your birthday be perfect for
you. “Ayiram irunthalum thala
thala thaan !!!!
Wishes from: Indrani C, Ilavazhuthi V,
Kalaivani S, Supriya Nair, Subba
Reddy, Sasikumar A, Jonathan D,
Prabakar D, Vaidyanathan S,
Chandrasekhar A, Vinoth N, Dennis
Vimalan, Sangeetha R and Navia A,
Scope International, Karappakkam
14 TRAFFIC JAM ERGO Monday, June 8, 2009

Not too young, too tall

A ten-year-old boy from Gloucester,
England was refused a discounted
child’s meal - because he was too tall.

sudoku

A. Karunashankar of
Wipro Technologies
shot this picture at
Hightstown, New
Jersey with his
Canon Powershot S5
IS camera.
Hobbies: Surfing Net

KAKURO
So you think you would make a terrific photographer but never really had the
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the PRB Act). RNI No. TNENG/2007/24553
 Monday, June 8, 2009
15
Word’s worth
Nidor (nye-der) the smell of burning fat, or any strong meat-cooking
smell. It has been applied, unfortunately, to the smell of burning
martyred flesh: “The nidor of a human creature roasted for faith.”

B.C

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

It is a favourable day for career progress. Superiors
may appreciate your work and give you more
responsible work. However, being overconfident may
harm you a lot. You may not get ample time with
your beloved due to your busy schedule.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20

You mind may be wandering in all directions when
the day begins. Remain practical, everything will
work out just fine. This may seem to be the perfect
kind of attitude to achieve good results on the
career front.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20

Routine activities may take up a lot of time today.
BORN LOSER This might dissolve your interest for important tasks.
Initiations from your end will be seen only after
lunch, feels Ganesha. On the love front however,
there will be no problems.
CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20
A very smooth beginning of the day. Ganesha
thinks you will be very easy going today. Since
everyone around you perceives you as an ‘emotional
person’, treating them in a different way may give
them a shock.
LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20
You will kick start your day with a powerful charged
up morning. This may help you in finishing off your
work quickly or improving your performance in
meetings. However, Ganesha warns you not to
experiment with your beloved’s mood.
VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20
Creativity may bloom today but you may not be
FREE RANGE WORKING IT OUT able to turn your ideas into projects. Don’t get
disheartened though, says Ganesha. Make sure that
you store these ideas as they may prove to be
useful later.
LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20
Your communication skills will flourish today. You
will be able to focus at the right thing at the right
time. Hence, you may remain extremely busy at
work. Try taking your beloved out for dinner, smiles
Ganesha.
SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20
Today the day may play tricks on you. Ganesha
advises you to be careful with any kind of
communication, especially with strangers. Being too
direct or straightforward might work against you,
ultimately causing harm to your work.
SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20
Your career graph is doing amazingly well, but
Ganesha does not like the over confidence you have
developed. Today, try finishing all your important
work as you are likely to forget. Also, if you get a
chance, do not hesitate in helping colleagues.
CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20
As the day starts, you may want to contemplate
about your pending work. If you remain focused,
you may be able to finish off everything before the
day ends. Ganesha feels that as for today, it is
more important to pay attention on the career front.
AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20
PREVIOUS The day may begin on a positive note. Since you
can handle meetings well, you should not hesitate
ISSUE’S in calling for meetings, if the need be. Ganesha
feels that the professional in you may forget to pay
SOLUTIONS due attention on love life.
PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20
Heavy workload will not bother you. Ganesha
congratulates on your concentration and hard
working attitude. You may have new goals or
ambitions in mind. The best time to achieve that is
now.
Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni
16 ! ERGO Monday, June 8, 2009

A motorcyclist performs during the ’Red Bull X Fighters’

freestyle motocross show at Croatian capital Zagreb’s main
square. AFP PHOTO/ HRVOJE POLAN

A visitor attends the open days of the Royal Netherlands Army at the
Bernhardkazerne in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. PHOTO: AFP