A BYTE OF LIFE Friday, January 23, 2009

FREEDOM
10 MALE MATTERS
08
OF SPEECH Latest from Milan men’s
Asin upset with Aamir fashion week

FREE CIRCULATION Vol. 3 No. 14

TO HIT
AND

BE FIT
Our city seems to be getting more con-
scious of personal security and fitness. Cor-
porates are bringing in martial arts
professionals to offer self-defence training
to the women staff on their campuses. And
fitness freaks find a new way to keep
themselves motivated – a gym partner.
» PAGES 4 & 5
02
Namma Chennai
FILM
Mexican Film Festival
The Embassy of Mexico, New Delhi
and Indo Cine Appreciation
Foundation are organising a
Mexican Film Festival. Bad Habits
will be screened on Monday, Pan’s
Labyrinth on Tuesday, Silent Light
on Wednesday and Carnival of
Sodom will be screened on
Thursday. For details: Contact E
Thangaraj, 98401 51956.
Where: South Indian Film Chamber
Theatre, 606, Anna Salai
When: From January 26 to 29 , 6.30
p.m.
ART
The Hunting of
the Snark
’The Hunting of the Snark’,
paintings and drawings of Hans
Kaushik, will be exhibited at The
Madras Terrace House, 15, Sri
Puram 2nd Street, Royapettah from
January 25 - February 15 . You can
see the paintings from 12 noon to
7 pm. For details, call: 4503 8391
Where: The Madras Terrace House,
15, Sri Puram 2nd Street,
Royapettah
When: From January 25 to
February15, 12 noon to 7 p.m.
TELEVISION
Ssshhhh Phir Koi Hai
Promising a true horrifying
experience with this new narrative,
Ssshhhh Phir Koi Hai brings to yet
another teeth-chattering tale -
Qayamat; encapsulating fear,
panic, terror, anxiety, romance et
all.
When: From January 23 , every
Friday and Saturday at 10 p.m. on
Star One
ERGO Friday, January 23, 2009
SALE
Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy Hilfiger end of the season
sale is happening at the Flagship
Store on Cenatoph Road from 23
January ’09. Pick out the latest
collections of women’s’ wear with
discounts of flat 50 per cent on
classy dresses and party wear.
Check out hot designs of winter
wear and elegant tops and
bottoms with discounts ranging up
to 50 per cent. Avail discounts on
all accessories and home
collections. For details, contact:
65719591 /90
Where: The Tommy Hilfiger
Flagship Store, 5, Cenatoph Road
When: From January 23
FOOD
Mylai Maami
Samayal
Deccan Plaza organises food
festival, Mylai Maami Samayal,
from Januray 23 to February 8 .
Some of the dishes are Panagam,
Neer More, Vazhathandu Charu,
Seedai Vazhapoo Vada etc. For
details, contact: 6677 3333 or 98409
87713
Where: Olives multicuisine
restaurant, Deccan Plaza, 36,
Royapettah High Road, Royapettah
When: January 23 to February 8 .
Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 12
noon to 3.00 p.m. and 7.00 to 11.00
p.m. on other days.
RADIO
Republic Day
special
On Republic Day, Radio City has
lined up various interactive
programmes throughout the day
between 7 am and 9 pm. The
breakfast show, Vanakkam Chennai,
will be totally dedicated to heroes.
‘Speak up Chennai’ - a segment of
the show will invite people to talk
about whom they think of as
heroes. Alli Durbar with RJ Aarti
will pay tribute to women who
have made India proud.
When: January 26 , 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
 Friday, January 23, 2009
Infant’s body found amidst
containers at harbour
A newborn baby was found
dead in the container yard in-
side the Chennai Port Trust on
Wednesday. Harbour police are
investigating
The infant, a boy, was found in
a plastic bag amidst the contain-
ers that were stacked up after be-
ing unloaded by lorries for
export. The bag was spotted after
a crane lifted the containers to
load onto a ship at the dock on
Wednesday afternoon. “The bag
had fallen to the floor and some
yard workers in the vicinity
03
We will, we will rock you
Saarang – the mother of all culturals hosted by IIT-Madras – only seems to be getting bigger and
bigger. Apart from the plethora of events, this year’s attraction, for all those music fans, is the
light music show by Sonu Niigaam and Benny Dayal. Yes...Sonu Niigaam believes in numer-
ology (if you been wondering why more vowels have been added). You are the lucky one if you
have already booked a ticket for the January 23 concert, otherwise there is the Theatre Fest
promising to leave you entertained. The theatre groups performing are: Evam Entertainment
(January 23), Ashish Sen and Group (January 24) and Primetime Theatre Company (January 25).
The plays will be staged between 6 and 7.30 p.m. at Students Activities Center, IIT-Madras.
Thirst choice
FILE PHOTO: R. RAGU
opened it to find the infant in a
dead and decomposed state.
They alerted the police,” said P.
Nagarajan, Assistant Commis-
soner of Police, Harbour.
The harbour police conducted
preliminary investigations and
sent the infant’s body to Govern-
ment Stanley Hospital for an
autopsy.
Whether the baby was placed 쒀
between the containers at the Geese quench their thirst from a hosepipe from a lawn inside a private engineering
yard if it came to the yard along college campus in Adyar. PHOTO: R. RAVINDRAN
with some container lorry is un-
der investigation. ■
04 ERGO Friday, January 23, 2009

Big Story
Watch this
Tommy Hilfiger is offering 20 per cent
off on all its watches. Hurry, offer is
valid only till February 15.

Hello,
PARTNER!
It’s never too late to meet your weight
loss goals for the year, provided you
find a suitable gym partner
VIPASHA SINHA
vipasha.sinha@gmail.com

Y
ou’ve admired Salman Khan for being consistent in keeping
up that six-pack? Or wondered what it takes Shilpa Shetty to
maintain that 36-24-36 raving figure? But both cases
haven’t been motivating enough to drag you to the gym as
you are plain lazy.
One handy solution for all you lazy, motivating-seeking, wan-
nabe fitness freaks is getting hold of a perfect gym partner.

Workout partners
“My blood started to boil when I saw Shah Rukh Khan’s six-
pack. At 20, I have a six-inch flab and he at 50 flaunts his six-pack
abs. I tried working out, but the motivation did not last long and I
was back to square one until I joined a gym with my school
friend,” recalls Anirudh Nagarajan, a medical student.
“We two pot-bellied sob partners decided to gym together,
which surprisingly proved to be of great help. Six months down
the line, I lost four-and-a-half kilos and we still workout together
and he is a kilo behind me.”
Prajeev T.K., 23, works for an event management company and
is a regular gym goer. What drags him to the fitness centre?
“When I workout with my friend I don’t know how time flies and
the session goes smooth. Especially when I do weights, I tend to
lift more knowing that my partner will help me out if needed,”
Prajeev says. “Not only that, I feel safe checking out girls as I have
a company,” he winks.
A good number of youngsters will swear that a good gym
partner is their inspiration behind hitting the treadmill.
“A gym/fitness partner can prove a good motivator. When one
is lazy the other pushes, and vice-versa. Sometimes, it can also
act as healthy competition,” says Jayavarma J., fitness specialist,
Maverick gym, Indira Nagar.
However, a few fitness experts say the partner doesn’t matter
once one enters the gym, since individual needs are different and
each body type requires a unique workout routine. ■

Things you must see in a gym partner

~ My friend next door: Proximity plays an important
role as whenever you are lazy your gym partner can drag
you to the gym or vice-versa. A lot of time is saved as one
doesn’t have to wait for the other.
~ Ageing gracefully: Find a person who is in and
around your age. There are three levels of working out –
beginner, intermediate and advanced. It gets more effective
when you belong to the same age group. It also becomes
easy to relate.
~ Size does matter: Instead of being inspired, you
would end being envious if your partner is fitter-looking
than you. So, choose a friend whose gym requirements are
the same. You might end up competing with each other for
a better body.
 Friday, January 23, 2009
05

I kick, spray, hit…

it comes handy
Those late working hours should
get safer if you have equipped Reshma Sharma’s
workshop in
yourself with a crash course in progress

self-defence, as many women

have discovered Wipro, HCL,
MONISHA MOHANDAS encouraging them to go
CTS and
monishamohandas@yahoo.com take up a lesson or two. Perot
As the safety of em- Systems

P
epper spray, chilli
powder, knife and
blade. These are not
the ingredients of a
dish, if you thought so, but
a new recipe that is in-
creasingly being tried to
safeguard one from mis-
chief-mongers – anywhere,
any time of the day.
Whether you are travell-
ing alone in the night or
want to defend yourself
from some unwanted male
advances, the city’s grow-
ing self-defence classes
have the answer to all your
complaints.
Crime and harassment
against women has forced
many women to take up
self-defence classes as a
protective gear. Though
Chennai has not see many
incidents of the kind in the
recent past, the cases in
Bangalore and Delhi were
enough to send a “chill
down the spine” of their
Chennai cousins.
Safety first
Ajuba Solutions, for ex-
ample, conducts self-de-
fence programmes
periodically for its women
employees.
Various tips and tech-
niques on how to antici-
pate and avoid getting into
a potentially dangerous
situation, how to diffuse a
situation while protecting
oneself from bodily harm
and how to defend one
physically in case the sit-
uation requires are among
the practical classes im-
parted. It doesn’t stop at
that.
Tips and techniques re-
lated to self-defence are
displayed on the compa-
ny’s intranet and emails
are sent to all employees
ployees is paramount for
companies, a majority of
firms today have the karate
instructor brought to the
campus to equip staff with
the necessary skills.
Paradigm Shift, a Chen-
nai-based self-defence
centre, conducts pro-
grammes for corporates
and well as open sessions
once a month. Their self-
defence programme called
‘Give It To Them (GITT)’ is
conducted by Tharuna
Shah.
“Wipro, HCL, CTS and
Perot Systems have ap-
proached us to conduct
training classes, so we go
to their campuses and
train nearly 100 employees
a month,” says Tharuna,
founder and director.
From personal develop-
ment to handling handy
equipment like chilli spray
to kick-boxing, women are
taught how to use simple
objects as a weapon.
Lessons or two
“A number of women
want to learn self-defence
techniques as they face vi-
olence and lewd com-
ments at office as well as at
home,” says Reshma Shar-
ma, who teaches karate
and conducts self-defence
camps on request. “These
classes can pull up their
physical strength and
mental ability to handle
harassment.”
Karate master Shihan
Hussaini is also of a similar
opinion. “I have IT em-
ployees taking classes from
me as a safety precaution
as many are of the opinion
that Chennai is not safe,”
says Hussaini. “Some get
so involved that they take
up a one-year course.” ■
have
approached
us to
conduct
training
classes, so
we go to
their
campuses
and train
nearly 100
employees a
month
Tharuna Shah’s
self-defence
class
How karate helped me continue my job
It was after the murder and rape of a BPO
employee in Bangalore that my parents got more
cautious about my safety and insisted that I enrol
in a self-defence class.
After making a few enquiries, I decided to join the
crash course offered by Shihan Hussaini. I chose
the one-week self-defence capsule called L.S.L.T –
Life Saving Lethal Techniques. It taught me the
importance of presence of mind.
Impressed with the coaching I decided to take up
a full-fledged course in karate. I joined the
Isshiryu Karate’s Tough Track to Black Belt
(IKTTBB), which is a one-year intensive
programme. This is a step-by-step process for one
to graduate from white belt to black belt. I have
now reached the brown belt (second kyu) and am
looking forward to the test. Though I am not
subject to any abuse, the classes have boosted my
confidence to handle any situation.
(Samantha Roddericks works with Cognizant
Technology Solutions as technical writer)
06
Sport
Sri Lanka revise India
tour schedule
The central town of Dambulla will host just one
match instead of two during India’s upcoming tour
of Sri Lanka, the two cricket boards said in a
statement on Thursday. Dambulla, which was due
to hold the first two matches of the five-match
one-day series, will now host only the opening
game on January 28.
The remaining four matches and a Twenty20
international will be played in Colombo during the
brief tour, which ends on February 10. The first and
fifth one-dayer will be day games, while the other
matches will be played under lights. The series was
finalised to partly fill the gap created by India’s
cancelled tour of Pakistan in January-February
following the Mumbai attacks in November. India
last toured Sri Lanka in July-August of 2008, losing
the Tests 1-2 before winning the one day series 3-2.
Revised schedule: Jan 28 - First one-dayer, Dambulla
Jan 31 - Second one-dayer, Premadasa stadium,
Colombo (day/night) Feb 3 - Third one-dayer,
Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (d/n) Feb 5 - Fourth
one-dayer, Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (d/n) Feb 8
- Fifth one-dayer, Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
Feb 10 - Twenty20 international, Premadasa
Stadium, Colombo.
AFP
Visa warning for Zimbabwe
cricket chief
The Australian government on Thursday warned
Zimbabwe cricket boss Peter Chingoka that he must
have good grounds to enter the country to attend
an International Cricket Council conference.
Chingoka is one of 254 Zimbabweans not
permitted entry into Australia because of their links
with Robert Mugabe’s regime in the strife-torn
African nation. But Chingoka’s position as chairman
of Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) means he is required to
attend the two-day conference of directors that
begins January 31.
The ICC on Thursday could not confirm whether
Chingoka had applied for a visa
to visit Australia, and attempts
by the domestic news agency,
Australian Associated Press
(AAP), to contact ZC’s
headquarters were unsuccessful.
Australia’s Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
(DFAT) said that Chingoka
would need “very particular
grounds” for Foreign Minister Stephen Smith to
grant him entry. “Australia’s sanctions are an
important mechanism for applying pressure on the
Mugabe regime,” a DFAT spokesman said.
AFP
ERGO Friday, January 23, 2009
Tough day for Armstrong
Lance Armstrong avoided a serious crash which ended the race prospects of eight
cyclists, including defending champion Andre Greipel, during the third stage the Tour
Down Under. Strong winds, hills and a helicopter also tested Armstrong’s patience and
stamina in his comeback race after three years in retirement. For the third straight day,
Armstrong finished among the main pack. He was officially 32nd of the 124 riders.
Ruthless Rafa
Serena, Mauresmo put through paces
A
merciless Rafal Nadal
barged into the Australian
Open third round on
Thursday but patchy three-
time champion Serena Williams
was put through her paces. In hot
and blustery conditions, the
Spanish world number one
crushed Roko Karanusic of Croa-
tia 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 to stay on track for
his first hardcourt Grand Slam ti-
tle.
In contrast, Williams needed to
mount a second set recovery after
Gisela Dulko took a 5-2 lead. The
American finally woke up to reel
off five games in a row and tame
the Argentinean 6-3, 7-5. Nadal
wrapped it his one-sided match
in 97 minutes to set up a clash
with 79th-ranked German Tom-
my Haas.
Comfortable win
“He played aggressively, it’s
not easy to play against someone
who plays inside the court and
hits big shots with the forehand,”
Nadal said. “But I feel very com-
fortable here and I’m very happy
with the victory.”
Williams acknowledged her
performance had been good, rat-
ing it a D minus. “Today I was at
like a D minus at best,” she said.
“But it’s good that I was able to
win, too, when I wasn’t playing
my best. I definitely will try to do
better. She had some opportuni- PHOTO: AFP
ties but I never felt like I was go-
ing to lose.” playing right now and I just want Seeds sail
She joins top seed Jelena Jan- to go as far as I can, just enjoy
kovic, third seed Dinara Safina every single match I play here.” Among the men, Chilean 13th
and fifth seed Ana Ivanovic in the Also safely through was eighth seed Fernando Gonzalez sped
third round after they all assured seed Svetlana Kuznetzova and past Argentina’s Guillermo Ca-
their berths on Wednesday. 2006 champion Amelie Maures- nas. The 2007 finalist out-
While the Williams’ are consi- mo, who survived a scare from punched Canas in a tight first set
dered favourites, the unassuming British qualifier Elena Baltacha to before winning 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 in
Elena Dementieva is in a rich vein win 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. The experienced two hours and 19 minutes, set-
of form. Frenchwoman, in her 14th year of ting up a clash with 24th seed Ri-
Grand Slam tennis, warned she chard Gasquet. “I’ve never played
Russian challenge would get better as the tourna- him but I know he’s a great player
The Russian fourth seed steam- ment progressed. Next up for her and it’s going to be a tough
rolled Czech Republic’s Iveta is dark horse Victoria Azarenka, match,” Gonzlaez said of Gas-
Benesova 6-4, 6-1. The Beijing who continued her recent im- quet.
Olympic gold medallist is seen as pressive form by breezing past They were joined by sixth-
one of the most consistent the Czech Republic’s Petra Kvito- seeded Frenchman Gilles Simon
players never to have won a va 6-2, 6-1. The Belarusian teen- who bounced back from losing
Grand Slam and she senses her ager, ranked 14 in the world, lurks the first set to down big-serving
time is coming. “I’m not thinking as an outside chance here after Australian Chris Guccione 6-7
about my chances,” she insisted. winning her first WTA tourna- (5/7), 6-4, 6-1, 6-2. ■
“I’m really enjoying the way I’m ment in Brisbane two weeks ago. AFP
 Friday, January 23, 2009
07

‘‘Europe-bound
I know he (Shoaib Akhtar) has said he wants to play on for another three or four
years. But I don’t think he can now handle the pressures and demands of five-day
cricket. He is a very good bowler but I think he would be well advised to restrict his career
to one-day and Twenty20 matches that way I can see him carry on for another two or
three years.
Waqar Younis

PLAYER OF
THE WEEK

Sunil Chettri going for trial with English

Championship side Coventry City
AYON SENGUPTA sign for the Washington club. But I am go-
ayon@goergo.in ing to play abroad next season, that’s for
sure,” he adds.

D
elhi lad Sunil Chettri seems to be the
toast of Indian soccer the current
season. After being linked with En-
glish clubs Fulham and Leeds Unit-
ed over the last couple of months the
diminutive striker is at last heading to Eu-
rope for a trial with English Championship
side Coventry City.
According to club sources, club manager
and former Fulham star Chris Coleman
was impressed with Chettri’s prowess and
had studied a detailed recording of the
striker’s performance both in the national
side and his club East Bengal. “My agent
had presented the City management with a
CD of my games and they seem to have
liked it. They were impressed with the fact
that I had scored a hattrick at the AFC Chal-
lenge Cup final,” Sunil says. “I know noth-
ing about the trial; I am expected to travel
with the team and watch them play a
League game on January 28. After that I
think they will work on my trial.”
Chettri, who already has an offer from
MLS side DC United, says his first aim is to
play in England. “The DC offer still stands. I
just need to go and sign it after three
months. But I think playing in England is a
bigger challenge so I want to give this a
shot. Otherwise I can always go back and
Chettri, who is under contract with Kol-
kata side East Bengal for the current sea-
son, will play the club’s opening fixture of
the second phase of the I-League on Janu-
ary 24 against another Kolkata side Chirag
United before departing for London. “I am
a professional and my coach has requested
me to play that game,, so I think I will only
travel after that.
My contract with the club states that I
can go for trial abroad if the situation
arises,” Chettri says.
East Bengal’s ASEAN Cup winning coach
Subhash Bhowmick, who took charge of
the club after a disastrous first leg, also
doesn’t have a problem with Chettri mis-
sing out on crucial second leg matches. “If
he can get a foothold in England it is only
going to serve Indian football better. So we
should think about the larger picture. My
best wishes are with him,” Bhowmick says.
Coventry, who were relegated from the
top division of English football in 2001 after
a gap of 34 years, are right now struggling at
the 13th spot in the English second divi-
sion.
The club is looking for some bold new
signings during the January transfer win-
dow and also for the next season to make a
bid back to Premiership reckoning. ■

PHOTO: RAJEEV BHATT
Money matters
He may not have seen much
action on the football field but
with speculations running left,
right and centre about his record
breaking move to low-lying En-
glish side Manchester City, Kaka
made sure that he always re-
mained in the media spotlight.
As accusations and counter ac-
cusations flow thick between that
player, his agents and the two
clubs involved – AC Milan and
Manchester City – many say foot-
ball has won the battle against
commercialism and capitalism as
the Brazilian refused a move to
the relatively unknown Manches-
ter side bankrolled by a Saudi
millionaire.
AC Milan had agreed to the
whopping transfer fee on the of-
fering but ultimately the player
and Man City failed to reach a
common point. With Kaka
backed by 20 personal sponsor-
ship deals linked to him remain-
ing at Milan, City were presented
with a complex scenario. But
while City had three lawyers, Ka-
ka’s father tried to personally
handle negotiations himself. “It is
like buying a business, you have
to carry out your due diligence so
you know what you are buying,”
City officials said. “If each one of
those sponsors decides if the
player goes to Manchester City
they are pulling out, there is a
consequence for the player.”
(Each week we feature a player who
has defied odds and come out as
winner during the past week. But
this week’s pick, Kaka is here for
something totally different. If you
have a pick for next week send it to
us at feedback@goergo.in)
08 ERGO Friday, January 23, 2009

Portfolio
What men w
The men’s fashion week in Milan has emerged with some rather interesting finds and re-finds that cou

Gabbana of stealing his quilted tie showcased in Milan might be-

trouser look, which he show-
cased in June 2008, in their 2009-
2010 fall/winter collection.
D&G retorted, “We surely have
plenty to learn, but certainly not
from him. The Armani style was
come menswear’s answer to last Studded jacket from
season’s two-toned tights by Roberto Cavalli
Chanel.
The fashion house’s stole jack-
et, too, might catch up on the de-
mand list.

A
men’s fashion week is,
more often than not, much
duller and low on drama in
comparison to the wom-
en’s wear ones. The clothes, spec-
tators and critics complain, have
little distinguishing character.
(Does one remember anything
but the skinny ties from last sea-
son?) The fall/winter 2009-2010
edition of the men’s fashion
week in Milan, however, threw
up some drama. Quilted trousers
here were the centre of debate.
Giorgio Armani accused designer
duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano
never a source of inspiration for
us and it is years since we have
bothered to watch his collec-
tions.”
Come to think of it, quilting
might be next season’s next big
thing. Besides the before-men-
tioned feuding designers, the
menswear week has also seen
quilting in Vivienne Westwood
(trousers again) and Etro’s collec-
tions. Moreover, besides the
trousers, D&G has opted for quilt-
ing even on jackets, either whole
or on the collars.
Emporio Armani’s two-toned
While Karl Lagerfeld recently
and famously declared the usher-
ing in of the new modesty and ex-
it of bling, Roberto Cavalli and
Prada seemed to think otherwise.
While the latter went all out with
studded shirts, trousers, over-
coats and even shoes, Cavalli
showed relative restraint with
studded leather belts and jackets.
While skinny is on its way out of
women’s wardrobes, Gucci went
retro with rock ‘n’ roll. Read
leather and fur jackets and very
skinny shiny disco pants. A case of
one’s loss and another’s gain? ■

The stole jacket

from Emporio
Armani Skinny pants
from Gucci

Armani’s two-
toned tie
 Friday, January 23, 2009
09

want
uld be the coming season’s next big thing
Lesser-known labels that
are now not so
S he’s been called a one-woman design
stimulus, the leader of the fashion
world and a practitioner of change you
can wear. But whatever silly title you
bestow upon USA’s new First Lady
Michelle Obama, 45, there’s no doubt
that in the first hours of her husband’s
presidency, she injected a sense of style
and modernity that has long been missing
Bling from Prada. PHOTOS: AFP from the White House.
In the process, she generated the first
Quilted pants, front-page headlines for fashion in a long
again, from time, with everyone from The New York
Vivienne Times to the Wall Street Journal deeming
Westwood her choices worthy of careful analysis and
explanation. No disrespect intended to
Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton or Barbara
Bush, but Obama’s recent predecessors on
the arm of power were defined by tastes
in fashion that were more frumpy than
fresh. Now, the younger first lady mood is
young, vibrant, democratic and supportive
of a distinctly American sense of style.
So it was out with fancy gowns and
accessories from foreign fashion icons like
Oscar De La Renta, Christian Dior and
Yves St Laurent. Even old school US
designers like Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren
and Calvin Klein didn’t get a look in at
the first lady’s wardrobe. Instead the
clothiers of the historic day were the
previously little known designers Isabel
Toledo and Jason Wu.
Most people watching had never heard of
either of them, but quickly learnt that
Toledo is a Cuban-American who has
been designing under her own name for
20 years in New York, selling her
creations at the exclusive department
store Barney’s and briefly serving as the
creative director for Anne Klein. Wu, who
is only 26, is even more obscure. The
Taiwanese-born designer only graduated
from fashion school three years ago and
was recommended to Obama by the
owner of one of her favourite Chicago
boutiques. In an interview Wednesday,
Wu explained how he was asked to make
a gown for Obama but had no idea she
had picked
out his
creation for
the historic
occasion. In
fact he was
sitting on his
couch eating
pizza when
he saw his
dress had
been chosen.
“I was
shocked,
excited and
happy,” he
told MSNBC.
“To be part of
history is my
dream come
true.” ■
DPA

Quilted pants and jacket from D&G PHOTOS: AFP

10 ERGO Friday, January 23, 2009

Akon insists on being just 21

Flick
Rapper Akon is totally confused about his age.
His birth certificate suggests he was born in April
1977, but he refuses to believe he is 31 years old
and insists he is in his 20s.

Mono earring is back

Angelina Jolie revives the trend that was
popular among Madonna, Cindy Crawford
and other stars in the late ’80s

A
ngelina Jolie revived the
trend of the mono ear-
ring by wearing it at the
Berlin premiere of The
Curious Case of Benjamin But-
ton.
The 33-year-old actress mod-
elled a lone diamond-encrusted
feather earring by jeweller Asprey,
under her ‘50s glam bouffant
alongside boyfriend Brad Pitt at the
premiere, reports the New York
Daily News.
They were popular among Ma-
donna, Cindy Crawford and other
stars in the late ’80s.
Meanwhile, the Tomb Raider
star has sparked rumours that she
may quit the film industry for
good by planning another long
break from acting this year.
She has often spoken about
giving priority to her family’s
well-being over films.
The mother-of-six
stayed most of 2008
away from work so
as to prepare for
the birth of twins
Knox and Vivienne.
She is now plan-
ning another long
hiatus. ■
ANI

Maguire to produce film Jim Carrey reveals fears

based on ’Good People’ over gay kiss in film
Tobey Maguire has been signed on to Canadian-American film actor Jim Carrey
produce big screen adaptation of Marcus has revealed that while deciding on whether
Sakey’s crime novel Good People. to take up the role of a homosexual convict
The Spiderman star is also the in I Love You Phillip Morris, he battled fears
frontrunner to play the male lead role. that he might discover that he enjoyed
The novel tracks the tale of a couple in kissing men, which could affect him in real
debt from several rounds of futile fertility life. The film stars Carrey as jailed con artist
treatments who think their problems are Steven Jay Russell who falls in love with his
solved when they stumble upon money cellmate Phillip Morris, played by Ewan
found in their deceased tenant’s McGregor. The two actors locked lips for the
apartment. The 33-year-old actor, who comedy drama, prompting the actor to
rose to fame with his role as Peter Parker, wonder what effect it would have on him
has been signed on for Spider-Man 4 and and his relationship with Jenny McCarthy, if
5 too, reports Variety magazine. he found himself enjoying it. “I did find
He is set to work with director Sam myself wondering what will people think?
Raimi, who too has been roped in for the And what if I like it? And how will that
future instalments. ■ affect me? And Jenny?” Contactmusic
ANI quoted him as saying. ■
ANI
Friday, January 23, 2009
11
Jennifer Hudson to perform at Grammys
Jennifer Hudson has confirmed that she will be performing at
the Grammy Awards, and is ready to face the spotlight again
after having faced the horrors of her tragic family murders.

Asin upset Cine City

with Aamir

W
e have heard of actors throw-
ing tantrums during the sets,
but Asin is doing that post
Ghajini.
Although, she has gained immense
popularity amongst Bollywood indus-
try, she is upset with actor Aamir Khan
for his dictatorial terms of not giving
her the deserving media attention
and recognition. As per sources, Aa- New venture
mir did not allow her to talk to the After several decades in Kollywod, actor Prabhu has
media before the release of the movie decided to enter the Kannada film industry.
and what worsened the situation was According to sources, he has flown down from
that the publicity stills that were re- Kolkata, where he was shooting for Mani Ratnam’s
leased to the media consisted of on- Ravan, to Mysore to take part in the shooting of his
ly Aamir. upcoming Kannada movie titled Boss. Directed by
Though Asin had agreed to this debutant Raghu Raj, Boss is produced by Ramesh
in the beginning, she realised that Yadav. Prabhu dons the role of an investigative
this was a big mistake later on. officer in the film.
Sidelined by the actor and the
producers, the lady had insisted
with Vipul Shah, the director of
London Dreams, that she be al-
lowed to talk to the media when
she wished or else she would ter-
minate the contract.
Joseph Tottumkal, her father
and also her manager, says that
she was merely demanding the
right to freedom of speech.
Whatever said and done, with
the Nokia Screen Awards for
female debutant in Bollywood,
she has made her mark in this
industry. ■
Ergo Correspondent

Fan following
Unlike other film promotions which involve lot of
fanfare, Dhanush recently chose to be around his
fans to popularise his latest release, Padikadhavan.
He visited two cinema halls, Albert and Kasi, and
saw the movie with the masses. We heard that a
customary ‘palabishekam’ was done for his cut-out
at Albert theatre. He is expected to tour Trichy and
Madurai to meet his fans.
12 ERGO Friday, January 23, 2009

Thursday’s Query: Rajamani TCS,

Binita,
Infoview Technologies,
Which is your Rajesh, Siva ,PMC,
Upendrah, FSS,
favourite motorbike Uday, Barry-Wehmiller,
Manjula G,
and why? Cameo Corporate Service,
Amarnath, TCS
■ Royal Enfield Bullet. A bullet is
the best cause of its pioneering ■ Yamaha RX-100. The roaring
thump for over 50 years and sound during the top-gears and
enduring performance on any the beat it has, thrills the rider
surface. Everybody gives way to and of course almost everybody
the legend and I’m proud to be a who are hearing it from a long
Bulleter. distance.
Vijay, SathyaNarayanan,
Mohan Kumar, FSS,
TCS Senthil Arjunan,
Calsoft Ltd,
■ Bajaj CT100 the best fuel ARS, Perot Systems,
efficient vehicle. Amudhan, Sify Vasanth from IBM Daksh, Chennai, has nominated his friends as
Gunasekar, Partners in Crime. This pic was clicked in Ooty.
PMC ■ Samurai just because it has
crossed one lakh kilometers going
■ Bajaj Discover because it’s strong. Vasu,
simple and powerful. AdventNet
Bala,
Wipro ■ Scooty comfortable for ladies,
reducing the petrol in traffic
■ Bajaj Pulsar DTSi 220CC signals by auto kick start.
because it is "Definitely Male". Ramya Selvaraj,
Kalyan V, Infosys, Perot Systems
Surendar,
Cognizant, ■ The real road ruler’s bike, Hero
Vijay, Technip Honda Karizma. A guy is a real
hero only on this bike.
■ Evergreen TVS 50. Aparna,
Kesavan, Murali, HCL
Ravi, PMC,
Arun, Sify, ■ Yamaha R1, no others beat it.
Shiva HCL, Yamaha only for men .
Michael, Sebanto, Levi,
Cognizant, Infoview Technologies
Vibina Rajakumar, Ganesh Babu Jagadeesan from Infosys has nominated his friends as
Infoview Technologies ■ Yamaha RX 135, great look, Partners in Crime. This photo was clicked at Aaliyar Dam, Pollachi,
sound, pick up etc. during their team trip.
■ Unicorn with a rocket engine. Mohamed Siddiq A,
Wow and then drive. TCS,
Biraja, HCL, Senthil Kumar,
Lalitha, Infosys HCL
Art featured in this column will receive
■ Harley Davidson because it’s ■ No doubt, it’s new Bajaj Pulsar gift coupons from Fruit Shop on Greams
the only bike that can bet with 180. It looks very well. Good Road. Send in your addresses so that we
cars and in fact Bajaj Discover mileage. I feel comfortable while can post the coupons.
bcoz simply it’s my bike. riding the bike. Better disc break
Goutham, to save our life.
Infoview Technologies Sabarinathan M,
Cognizant
■ Hero Honda Splendour easy to (Web Team)
ride and maximum mileage. Sutiksha
Kesava, Srikanth,
Srinivasan,
Today’s Query: Sudhakaran of
Wipro Technologies
Prakash, PMC, doodled this.
Balaji K M, If you could take up
Mindtree Ltd
an oath for Republic
■ Bajaj Pulsar because it is stylish
and powerful pickup. Day, what would it
Sivaraja,
RR Donnelley, be?
 Friday, January 23, 2009
■ Dear Ammu,
As we observe your birthday now,
Your cake and gifts don’t matter much. We
celebrate a person who
Brings happiness to everyone,
Someone who gives more than she gets, And
fills our lives with joy and fun. So Happy
Birthday, and many more!
Chennai Future Bright Team, Wipro
■ Dear Vidhya,
Wish you a many more happy returns of the
day. May God bless ur future with lots of
surprises. We wish for u that whatever u want
most in life, it comes to u, just the way u
imagined it or better.
From your ever loving team. Aghi, Albert, Charu,
Karthika, Krithika, Lawrence, Luxmi, Manik, Mani V,
Merlin, Rajesh, Rekha, Rohini, Samu, SathisK, Sathis,
Shankar, Sudha, Suganthi, Tamil, VijayB, VijayC,
Vimal. TCS
■ Hi Mathini,
Many More Happy Returns of the Day
MATHINI - 23/01/09... Mathini Means for M –
Morale;
A – Affectionate; T – Talented;
H – Humble; I – Innocent ; N – Noble
I – Instinct character; Come on dear….Spread
your smile for Ever!!!
Sajini, Viji (Infosys), Kasthuri & Sankari, Five star
group, TCS
■ Dear Porkodi,
Greetings for you B’Day. Wishing you a day as
special as you are. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We wish
you Many many more happy returns of the
day. Have a very nice & prosperous year
ahead. May all the forthcoming days pour
happiness and joy on you for your lifetime.
Pirandha naal nalvazhthukal. Padhinaarum
pettru peruvazhvu vazhga!!!
4ever your frndz,
Ramachandran G, Manikandan, Indhumathi and
Vishal kutty, TCS - SNR.
■ Hey Siva(Jack),
Happy b’day Jack. We wish you a wonderful
life filled with love and happiness. You are
very special and you deserve the best. Oru
treatukaga ewlo panna wendiyadhu iruku ;-)
Cheers, Friends, Cognizant
■ Hi Raj,
Wish u many many more happy returns of the
day...May this year
and the ones to come bring great laurels to
you.
Sadhana, CTS
■ Dear Seshadri,
"Many Many Advanced Happy Returns of the
Day. Enjoy a real cool birthday.
Deepak Vasudevan, Verizon Data Services
■ Dear Nandhini,
Once a year we get the chance
To wish you birthday cheer. So happy birthday
to you Nandhini, From the bottom of our
heart. And may your good times multiply, Till
they’re flying off the chart!
Wit love, Changamithra & team, HCLT
13
■ Hi Vanitha, ■ Hi Priya,
If there’s something that you’re dreaming of Wish you many more happy returns of the
then may it all come true, because you day!!! May god bless you and all your dreams
deserve it all. Many More Happy Returns In come true.
Advance By Siva....
Best Wishes, Sathiya & Team, HCL Tech,
■ Hi Senthil
■ Dear Chandini, Birthday HAPPY Birthday man. I wish u say this
Wish you Advance Happy Returns of the day, along with wo angel’s accompanying u always
May your very special day overflow with joy with Health & Wealth to blossom U forever.
and peace thank god for his grace and mercy Cheers!!!
his wonders to you never cease we love you With Love & Affection, Kamal TCS
and cherish you we wish that every one of
your birthday will be the happiest yet ■ Dear Angu Nanba
Wave-2 & UM-non prod team Wish you a Happy Birth Day.We turn not older
with years but newer every day.
■ Dear Mummy, Hearty wishes from,
Wish you a very happy birthday. Sekar, Kishore, Sweatha, Karthik, Vinoth, Arjun
PUTINA ROJU SUBAKANSHKALU:). Trimble, 3I, CI, WEIR, HCL
Wish you all success and hapiness from this
moment. May god bless you with all wealth ■ Dear Neenu Merry Stephen
and happiness. Have a great year ahead dear... Its another day For you . GOD picked another
With love... Akila & Lakshmi, HCL petals on your flower, wishing your flowers
may bloom for year.
■ Dear Jo, Wish you Many More Happy Returns of the
Happy Happy Birthday!!! Hope you get your Day.
dream guy (6.2) this year:-) Determination Jo Gourisankar T S
will pay. Cheers! Hexaware Technologies Ltd
ILP team Gomathi, Krithika, Shankar, Jay
■ Dear Krishna,
■ Hi Lourthuraj ( Rajkutti) We Wish U A Very Very Happy Birthday.
Wish you Many more Happy Returns of the May God Bless You with all your wishes come
Day & Wish you all success and happiness from true this year.
this moment . Have a Wonderful and Prosperous year
From, Justien , Kani,Rakshan & Prabu ahead...
Wth Luv,
■ Hey Everloving GE Team
First you forget names; then you forget faces;
then you forget to zip up your fly; and then ■ Dear Ibrahim
you forget to unzip your fly. May u grow to He is not born once, He does not die once, He
be toothless ! happy b’day simple. have a gr8 is born everyday,
day and a fabulous year ahead. He is trendy and his name is Ibrahim.
with luv...Collins n Sreejith Many Many Many More Happy Returns of this
day baby!
■ Dear Veecharuva VIKY Wishes from,
Yengal vizhak kuluvin saarbaka viky techyin Balaji, Senthil, Gopi, John, Vimal, Rakesh,
piranthanaalai munittu yengalathu Mark, Navneeth, Aravind and all other Allsecians.
vazhthukkalai therivithuk kolgirom."Porom
porom kondada porom viky techy yoda ■ Hi Senthil
piranthanaalai kondada porom !" Wish u a Birthday HAPPY Birthday man...
happy birthday viky! I wish u say this along with
Hearty wishes, Two angel’s accompanying u always with
Commitee Members. Health & Wealth to blossom U forever
Cheers Buddy!!!!
■ Dear Azar, With Love & Affection
Wishing u a Happy Birthday and many more Kamal, Kamalakannan S, TCS
to come. We wish all ur birthday dreams and
wishes comes true & Also may the god bless u ■ Hi Wiproites
with all u desire & deserve! u’re older today Happy Republic Day.
than yesterday but younger than tomorrow, Lukeson
Happy Birthday. Happy B’day to mom’s Kanna Wipro
(maa)!!!
With love, ■ Dear Kevin,
Aman & Parveen, Parjan, Anand & Inayath Let this Day brings u all the joy and success, as
u ever asked for. Wishing u A Very Happy
■ Dear Nithie, Birthday!
Wishing you health, Happiness and love on Let ur B’day Lights up with smiles & glows
your special day and always! Have a with all love and care.
wonderful Birthday! cheers!
Hearty wishes from, Friends Wishes From,
Gershome, Srini, Team ATG, E&A & P&U, Allsec Tech
14 ERGO Friday, January 23, 2009

Music madness

Traffic Jam Music teachers in the U.K. have been urged to

wear earmuffs when teaching beginners - because
novices blast notes out much louder than trained
individuals.

sudoku

Athiyaman P. of FCI
Technology Services
clicked this picture
during Pongal
celebrations in a small
hamlet
at Singaravadi in
Thiruvannamalai
district.

Photographs of the
harvest festival, rural
India and little-
known rituals will be
given preference this
month. Please send
us fresh photographs,
preferably those
clicked by you on a
recent trip, to
clickpick@goergo.in

All photos selected for clickpick this month KAKURO

will receive a gift voucher worth Rs.1,000, cour-
tesy Kantilal Diamonds (Ph: 2828 1700). Read-
ers are requested to send their addresses with
their entries.

TEAM
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(Editor responsible for selection of news under
the PRB Act). RNI No. TNENG/2007/24553
 Friday, January 23, 2009
Floorboard fugitive
A Romanian robber who had been on the run for four years has
been caught - hiding out under his mum’s bed. Brazen Petru
Susanu built a cosy hideaway for himself under the floorboards of
his mother’s bedroom, but was caught after suspicious neighbours
spotted his tee-total mum head home with a bag full of booze.
15
Word’s worth
"Retardataire" (ri-tar-duh-terr) an adjective meaning behind the times,
or characteristics of an earlier period. Used mainly about artistic styles, it
seems useful to describe people with fossilized hairdos: "She’s so
retardataire - when was the last time you saw a beehive like that?" The
word comes from a French word meaning ’one who is late in arriving.’

B.C

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

Your honesty to work is projected today. You will
make a plan for work and stick to it. Personal life is
going to play secondary role. Your soft heart may
inspire you to have a lovely conversation with your
beloved. In short, it is a positive day, in your favour.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20

Ganesha finds an intense lover in you today. On the
other hand, on work front, it is important day for
discussing long lasting projects and day also favours
serious brainstorming sessions. Towards end of the
day, you may wish to spent time with beloved one.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20

There may be conflict of emotions and practicality
BORN LOSER today. Ganesha feels that best is to have objective
approach towards your work so that you can take
right decision. Your attachment with your beloved
may become stronger today, feels Ganesha.
CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20
It may be the day of team work. If you remain low
profile, you may learn more in group discussions.
Ganesha’s insight says that you may also be quite
concerned about life partner. Those expecting to
meet someone special have stars in favour.
LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20
In case of joint efforts, you may feel little strained
so if you are working on a project, just watch out
and try not to be apprehensive. Ganesha feels that
you should be bit careful while dealing with your
superiors today.
VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20
This is a favourable day if you are in R and D
FREE RANGE WORKING IT OUT department. On the personal front, you may need to
avoid being apprehensive about your partner’s
behaviour. In second part of the day, you can have
merry times with beloved one or spouse.
LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20
You may wish to avoid complexity at work so you
may remain attentive and cautious. If you are in
serious relationship, you may wish to take a
decision. If already married or in relationship, day
indicates harmony with the partner.
SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20
Today, you may be focussed on one particular
subject and may wish to think about it till you find
solution. Towards evening, you may put off
someone close to heart, unknowingly. Ganesha
advises you to handle relationship with care.
SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20
Ganesha feels that you may have pragmatic
approach towards your work. The day is good for
working on important projects. Personal front and
relationships do not seem to have any problem. So
you can expect smoother sailing today, in general.
CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20
You may be pretty confident today. Anger is
something you need to control. You may also
expect your team members working harder. Due to
your charming outlook, your beloved one may
remain in a cheerful mood and make your day!
AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20
PREVIOUS Financial planning may draw your attention so even
while you are working at office, this factor may be
ISSUE’S running on the second track in your mind. You may
need to curtail expenses. You may not be able to
SOLUTIONS devote full time to your life partner or admirer.
PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20
Ganesha finds you in a mood to finish your targets.
You may be pretty energetic with lots of new ideas.
Ganesha advises you not to deviate and keep
working on current projects, so as to finish them
first. Personal life is fine today.
Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni
16 ! ERGO Friday, January 23, 2009

A gardener woman
transporting
kumquat trees for
the lunar New Year
celebrations makes
her way toward
downtown Hanoi on
Thursday. AFP PHOTO

Miss India Parvathy

Omanakuttan
displays designers
Shane and Falguni’s
collection during the
Gitanjali Luxury Fest
2009 in Mumbai on
Wednesday night.
PTI PHOTO