A BYTE OF LIFE Thursday, February 26, 2009

02 06
FOUR LEGS GOOD
Two professionals recall some time FIRST BLOOD
well spent at an animal home Kiwis come up trumps in first T20 contest
FREE CIRCULATION Vol. 3 No. 37

RX RESURRECTION
Oru clue tharaamo The peppy, lively
and “non-stop”
host of FTQ
fame completes
10 years in
the television
industry.
Rekha Menon
on her journey The Yamaha RX series is
so far. hot property in the second-
» PAGE 03 hand market in the city
» PAGE 08
02 NAMMA CHENNAI
Do you care to
spare some time
and thought?
D o you love to play with children? Are you
good at art? Have you always wanted to
paint a room? Do you want to have fun and
get messy at the same time? Are you a
people’s person? Here’s an opportunity for
you.
Involve, a monthly volunteering initiative by
iVolunteer, a not-for-profit organisation
working in the social sector, is creating
awareness on community development at
Kannagi Nagar Community in
Thoraipakkam.
How you can play a role? You need to
volunteer for around three hours, where
you will be required to clean up the
kindergarten rooms, add some colour to the
classroom by putting up posters and paint a
classroom with creative art works.
This will be followed by a general awareness
session on the community by the
programme coordinator of The Hope
Foundation Nursery and Primary School for
the Kannagi Nagar Community. You can
come in as groups and be part of this
community programme.
What, when, where
What: Community work
When: February 28; 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 5/8, Bharathiyar Street,
Saravanbhava Nagar,
Mootaikaranchavadi, Thoraipakkam,
OMR, Chennai – 97
To confirm your participation call
98414 87984 or email
anusha@ivolunteer.in
ERGO Thursday, February 26, 2009
Book launch
Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan will play host to the launch
of Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. The book will be released today
at 6 p.m. For details call 2833 1314/ 0645.
Time well spent
Two business analysts took time off to visit
an old couple and provide some much- needed
cheer to the four-legged residents at their shelter
SHRINIDHI HANDE
enidhi@gmail.com
T hough I love pets, the bache-
lor accommodation I stay in
isn’t conducive for keeping one.
After reading about AWPT in Er-
go last week, my friend Dhara-
nikar Kona and I decided to
visit them. With some difficulty
we located the house and were
greeted by lots of cute cats that
were lazing around. Most of the
cats we find on the street are
afraid of strangers and won’t let
you pet them, but these cats
were extremely friendly.
Mr. Narasimhamoorthy
greeted us and showed us
around. The all white Mongo-
lian cat, Bush, was the most
adorable one while another one
was called Laptop because it
jumps up and sits on people’s
laps. Several dogs and cats lived
in harmony with Mrs. Padma-
vathi and Narasimhamoorthy
who have been treating these
abandoned pets as their own
children. The few hours we
spent in the company of these
animals were well worth it.
(The writer is a business
analyst with Satyam Computer
Services and blogs at enidhi.net)
TAKE ME HOME
There are some new faces at AWPT this week. A few kittens and puppies including the ones in
these pictures are available for adoption. All of them are in good health and are ready to be
given to nice owners free of cost. Call 22781381 or 99629-68265 for details.
 Thursday, February 26, 2009
03
Inviting business plans
The Chennai Fund, started by Charter members of TiE Chennai Chapter, invites
business plans from early stage entrepreneurs. Applications must be sent before
February 27 to bizplan@chennai.tie.org and bizplan@energeate.com.
For details call Sharon at 98842 84578/ 65154900. Website:chennaifund.com

‘‘
Quizzing
won me a
lot of fans. I had
a caller who
wanted to send
me a packet of
prawns for
helping him get
five answers
correct
PHOTO: R. RAVINDRAN

Oru clue tharaamo

Malayalees will not forget Rekha
Menon easily, at least for the non-
stop banter on ‘Quiz Time’. The
television anchor celebrates 10 years
in the industry this year
LIFFY THOMAS
liffythomas@goergo.in
came a fashion statement in
Kerala.
Like her, hate her, there is no
versary in the television indus-
try. Quite an achievement for
this corporate communications
manager with UST Global in
Chennai, one of the many roles
she juggles. She hops from
Chennai to Kerala for her ongo-
ing show on Amrita TV, shooting
for which she schedules on wee-
kends and on a monthly basis.
Plus, she translates books for
children.
The communicator
“It was during my three-
month project in Mavoor
Destiny smiled during her
stint as associate consultant
with Venture Management As-
sociates, Trivandrum. Family
Tele Quiz made the quizzer-
cum-researcher’s quick and wit-
ty style a household name in
Kerala.
The show extended from 13 to
26 to 52 to 1,000 episodes. The
response grew with Question
Time, which replaced prime-
time Malayalam soaps with a
live quiz show – the first in a Ma-
layalam channel.
says, with due credit to her cor-
porate exposure.
A children’s show on Amrita
TV, Kelivadil, followed. Nowa-
days, it is Thirakkil Alpam Ne-
ram on Amrita which is taking
her to a new high.
“It is a very walk-the-talk for-
mat where I interview personal-
ities from different walks of life,
making them open up on ques-
tions they generally wouldn’t,”
says Rekha, in her mid-30s, who
is looking for a longer innings on
television.
From Ranji Panikkar to Oom-

H
er colleagues tease her for
going “bak-bak” through-
out the day and again
talking non-stop on tele-
vision in the evenings. But quiz
enthusiasts loved her witty jab-
ber – in fact, the more the mer-
rier as that would only take them
closer to the correct answers.
The FabIndia kurtas, which she
dotingly wore for every show
(some borrowed), almost be-
denying the fact that Rekha Me-
non made quizzing more fun
with her inimitable style – valu-
nad accent, clues (oru clue tha-
raamo!) and the lively talk. From
making her debut as host for the
penultimate episode of Mafatlal
Tele Quiz (it was luck by chance
as the original host couldn’t
make it) in 1999, Rekha has
come a long way.
This year marks her 10th anni-
Rayons, where I had to use my
charm to get work done, that I
recognised the communicator
in me,” recalls Rekha, who is a
Post Graduate in Environmental
Science.
Her first stint was with Asia-
net, where she worked in the
production unit. “Seeing an-
chors come and go I used to
wonder namakku yogam illalo,”
she laughs.
Showtime
“Quizzing won me a lot of
fans. I had a caller who wanted
to send me a packet of prawns
for helping him get five answers
correct,” she laughs. Rekha’s
streak continued with India Vi-
sion, where she hosted 52 epi-
sodes of Sancheri, a travel show.
“In fact, this made me a pro-
fessional anchor. I picked up all
the nuances of production,” she
men Chandy to Prakash Raj, she
says it is the warmth she shares
with the interviewee that makes
her show click.
This March, the show will be
airing its 50th episode, which is
a must-watch.
“Actor Thilakan is slated for
the 50th episode and I am told
he generally doesn’t smile dur-
ing interviews, which I managed
to change,” she says. ■
04 VILLAGE ERGO Thursday, February 26, 2009

Crazy about piercing

Elaine Davidson, recognised by Guinness World Records as the
most pierced woman, has dramatically increased the amount of
decorative metal attached to her body – from 462 in 2000 to
more than 6,000 in 2009.

Google backs EU antitrust UN chief

complaint against Microsoft urges release
Google threw its backing on Tuesday behind the
European Commission’s antitrust complaint against of jailed
rival Microsoft for tying its Internet Explorer Web
browser to its Windows operating system. Zimbabwe
“We are applying to become a third party in the
European Commission’s proceeding,” Sundar activists
Pichai, a Google vice president for product UN chief Ban Ki-moon
management, said in a post on the company blog. on Wednesday called
■ on Zimbabwe
AFP President Robert
Mugabe to free
around 30 jailed
activists to help “heal
Holocaust-denying bishop the nation.”
“While I support the launch of a unity government, it will
arrives in London be appropriate for Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe to
heal the nation and release the detained activists,” Ban
A British-born Roman Catholic bishop who has denied the
told reporters during a visit to South Africa.
Holocaust arrived back in Britain on Wednesday after being
About 30 human rights activists and supporters of new
asked to leave Argentina.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai remain behind bars
Bishop Richard Williamson was surrounded by an armed
despite the formation of a unity government earlier this
police guard and a crowd of photographers as he emerged
month, meant to end nearly a year of political turmoil.
from the arrivals’ gate of the Heathrow airport after flying
Among them is Roy Bennett, a top aide to Tsvangirai, who
in from Buenos Aires.
was arrested shortly before erstwhile opposition leader
The Argentine government last Thursday gave Williamson
Tsvangirai was inaugurated. ■
10 days to leave the country for having “deeply shocked
AFP
Argentine society, the Jewish people and all of humanity.”
The bishop had been living at a seminary 40 kilometers (25
miles) west of Buenos Aires. He has been at the centre of a
raging
controversy
Shooting mars Mardi Gras
Six people were shot at the New Orleans’ Mardi
after saying on
Gras festival. Authorities said the shooting took
Swedish
place on ‘Fat Tuesday’ – the most festive day of
television last
the 12-day Carnival season – on the St. Charles
month: “There
Avenue parade route shortly before 2 p.m. (2000
was not one
GMT). The victims included a one-year-old boy.
Jew killed by
None of the injuries appeared fatal and police
the gas
quickly arrested two men after a brief chase,
chambers. It was
recovering three guns.
all lies, lies,
The shooting came immediately after the parade
lies.” ■
of Rex – the titular ‘King of Carnival’.
AFP
AFP

Murdoch apologizes for ‘racist’ chimp cartoon

M edia tycoon Rupert Murdoch
on Tuesday apologised for a
political cartoon of a chimpanzee
It was not meant to
be racist, but
week by police in Connecticut,
near New York, after it had at-
tacked a woman. In the drawing,
seen by critics as a racist depic- unfortunately it two policeman stand over the
tion of President Barack Obama. chimp’s body. One says: “They’ll
However, the apology was re-
was interpreted by have to find someone else to
jected as “too little, too late” by many as such write the next stimulus bill.”
the National Association for the The NAACP, a civil rights orga-
Advancement of Colored People Murdoch said the cartoon nization, dismissed the apology
(NAACP), the biggest US advoca- poked fun at the economic stim- and said the cartoon was deeply
cy group for blacks. ulus plan pushed by Obama, offensive.
In a statement on the website America’s first black president. “Mr Murdoch’s apology comes
of his tabloid The New York Post, It “was not meant to be racist, only after almost a week of tens of
which printed the cartoon, Mur- but unfortunately it was inter- thousands of expressions of out-
doch said: “Last week, we made a preted by many as such,” Mur- rage and disgust from people
mistake. We ran a cartoon that doch said. across the country,” said Benja-
offended many people. Today I The cartoon featured Travis, a min Todd Jealous, the NAACP
want to personally apologize.” real-life chimpanzee shot last president and CEO. ■
 Thursday, February 26, 2009
Website of the day
Catch up with your favourite TV
theme tunes of yesteryear:http://
www.tvtunesonline.com/
So much needed in
such little time
O
nly half the 30,000 extra
hotel rooms needed for
next year’s New Delhi
Commonwealth Games
will be ready in time, a parlia-
mentary panel report has
claimed in the latest gloomy as-
sessment.
The report, unveiled late Tues-
day, criticised delays in building
infrastructure and the lack of co-
ordination between the various
government agencies charged
with the October 3-14, 2010
Games.
“The 2010 games are drawing
near and so many projects are yet
to be initiated, let alone being
completed,” said the report by
the panel on transport and tou-
rism headed by federal lawmaker
Sitaram Yechury.
“There are a large number of
civic and other agencies, but
there is an absence of a co-ordi-
nated mechanism.”
Of the 39 hotel sites auctioned
by the Delhi Development Au-
thority (DDA) ahead of the
Games, only 19 had begun con-
struction work, the report said.
“The committee has serious
doubts about the capability of
DDA for expediting the issue of
identification and allotment of
Nepal ready with guided
tour of royal palace
A s Nepal’s last king Gyanendra
heads for India to begin his
first visit abroad after being
stripped of his crown and throne,
the ancestral palace he quit last
year readies to throw its gates
wide open to the public on Fri-
day, when it is metamorphosed
into a national museum.
The Narayanhity royal palace,
one of the best-known sights of
Kathmandu where three kings
had lived and one gunned down
in a surprise attack, becomes the
new Himalayan republic’s latest
Construction work begun in only 19 of 39 hotel
sites allotted for the 2010 Commonwealth Games,
says parliamentary panel report
tourist attraction from Friday.
Now curious onlookers can saun-
ter right up to the razed-down
building where the dark and mys-
terious massacre occurred in
2001, killing the then king, queen
and eight other family members.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal
Dahal Prachanda formally inaug-
urates the royal palace as a mu-
seum dedicated to the people.
Gyanendra and his wife, the
former queen Komal, left the Na-
rayanhity last June after being or-
dered by Nepals lawmakers.
In addition to the razed man-
sion, 19 rooms of the palace
would be opened in the first
phase. Also on display would be
ornate sculptures, mirrors, pho-
tographs and oil paintings. The
government has planned an ad-
mission fee of NRS 100 for Nepa-
lis, NRS 250 for SAARC and
Chinese visitors and NRS 500 for
other visitors. ■
IANS
05
Keep it simple
Civil servants in Zhengzhou, China, have been
banned from sporting unnatural hair styles or
bright clothes, thanks to new city regulations.
hotel sites for construction of
budget hotels for the Games,” it
said.
The panel predicted a shortfall
of 14,000 hotel rooms, but federal
tourism minister Ambika Soni
rubbished suggestions the Games
will be affected.
“Our scheme to develop bed
and breakfast units throughout
New Delhi is working very well,”
the minister told reporters on
Wednesday.
The Delhi government has
urged residents to convert a part
of their property into bed and
breakfast units that will be reg-
ulated by the state authorities.
The Commonwealth Games
Federation (CGF) has raised con-
cern over the slow pace of work,
which has already forced the
world badminton championships
in August this year to be shifted to
Hyderabad.
However, Indian Olympic As-
sociation secretary-general
Randhir Singh played down fears
that the Games will be held in
half-complete stadia.
“Most of the venues will be
handed to us by the end of this
year and the rest by next March,”
Singh said. ■
AFP
In mock defence
쒀 South Korean children wear gas masks as they participate in a civil defence
experience against a mock atomic, biological and chemical attack in Seoul on
Wednesday. AFP PHOTO/KIM JAE-HWAN
06 SPORT ERGO Thursday, February 26, 2009

IPL tournament director

Ex-army officer Dhiraj Malhotra has been appointed as the tournament director for
the second season of the Indian Premier League starting April 10 and concluding on
May 24.Catherine Simpson, of International Management Group, was appointed the
joint tournament director of the T20 League and, along with Malhotra, would be in
overall charge of cricket operations, programming and logistics during the 45-day
event, a media release from IPL said.

Nishikori warned over

bleeping cell phone
Japan’s number
one Kei
Kiwis gallop home
Nishikori has
been warned
McCullum carries his bat to stifle Indian resistance
not to let his
mobile phone
go off on court
during next
week’s home
Davis Cup clash
with China. The
19-year-old has
been told to
leave his phone
in the locker
room after it
kept bleeping
during a first-
round defeat in Memphis last week,
Japanese media reported on Wednesday.
“He will have to be very careful about his
mobile phone,” said Japan’s Davis Cup coach
Eiji Takeuchi. “I’ll be warning him about
that just to be on the safe side.”
Nishikori had left his phone in his jacket
pocket while playing Cypriot Marcos
Baghdatis and ended up a 5-7, 3-6 loser,
later admitting the incoming call had put
him off. “At the very least he will have to
learn to put it on vibration mode,” added
Takeuchi, who also selected Go Soeda,
Satoshi Iwabuchi and Takao Suzuki for the
tie with China. Nishikori’s popularity has
surged in Japan since he became his
country’s first winner on the men’s ATP Tour
at Delray Beach in February last year. The Brendon McCullum sweeps as Indian wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni looks on during their
Florida-based Nishikori has slipped from a Twenty20 match in Christchurch on Wednesday. PHOTO: AFP
career-high 56th in the world after his
breakthrough victory to his current ranking

B
of 93. rendon McCullum made
Reuters 56 not out and shared an
unbroken 60-run partner-
ship with Jacob Oram to
lead New Zealand to a seven-
wicket win over India on
Nehwal set for All England Wednesday in the first of two
India’s world number 10 Saina Nehwal has Twenty20 cricket internationals.
recovered from a shoulder injury and will McCullum fashioned a restrained
return to action at next month’s All England half century from 48 balls with
super series, domestic media reported on three sixes and two fours to steer
Wednesday. The 18-year-old, a quarter- New Zealand past India’s total of
finalist at last year’s Beijing Olympics, 162 for eight with seven balls to
passed a fitness test on Tuesday after spare.
undergoing a five- New Zealand was 166 for three
week rehabilitation in the 19th over when Oram (29
programme, her not out) struck the game’s 24th
physiotherapist Heath six to clinch the win. India’s in-
Matthews said. The nings, highlighted by an unbea-
world junior champion ten 61 by Suresh Raina, included
missed this month’s 13 sixes, one fewer than the rec-
national ord for a single innings in a
championship, dashing Twenty20 international. When
her hopes of claiming New Zealand peppered the short
a hat-trick of singles boundaries at AMI Stadium with
titles. “She is a little 11 more sixes, delighting a crowd
stiff now but is going in excess of 16,000, it established
to be fine by the time a record for most sixes in an in-
we leave for England ternational Twenty20 match.
on Saturday,”
Matthews said. Regular wickets
Reuters India appeared to have posted
a competitive total after losing
the toss and being sent in on a
slow pitch which occasionally
confounded batsmen with low
bounce. Raina played a steadying
hand in an innings which pro-
gressed in fits and starts with al-
ternate clutches of sixes and
wickets. Virender Sehwag opened
the innings explosively with three
sixes from the first three balls he
faced before he was bowled by
Tim Southee for 26. Later, Yusuf
Pathan smashed three straight
sixes from the first three balls
bowled by rookie off-spinner
Nathan McCullum — brother of
Brendon — and was caught on
the boundary by Oram attempt-
ing a fourth. Raina hit two suc-
cessive sixes to raise his 50 from
38 balls. His innings lasted 43
balls and included five sixes and
two fours. McCullum hit two six-
es and a four from three balls to
raise New Zealand’s hundred as
the home team carefully but re-
lentlessly chased down the Indi-
an total.
“It was a really pleasing win,”
New Zealand captain Daniel Vet-
tori said. “In all aspects we played
well. India put us under real pres-
sure and to still get up and win
was a good effort.”
Steady start
McCullum cleverly guided the
New Zealand run chase, opening
the innings and batting through
all of its 18.5 overs.
He lost his opening partner,
Jesse Ryder, with the total at two
but was helped by Martin Guptill
(41) to revive the innings with 54
runs for the second wicket. Ross
Taylor made a valuable 31, guid-
ing New Zealand to 106 for three,
then old heads McCullum and
Oram steered New Zealand
home.
India skipper Mahendra Singh
Dhoni said the manner in which
New Zealand went about its in-
nings was educational. “We got
off to a good start but we failed to
approach it as a 20-over match,”
he said. “There are 20 overs and
people fail to realize its a decently
long game. Nobody took respon-
sibility to stay there in the middle
and bat through because it’s im-
portant to have wickets in hand
at the end.”
The second match is at Wel-
lington on Friday.
Brief scores
India 162/8 (S. Raina 61 not
out, I. Butler 2/29) lose by seven
wickets to New Zealand 166/3 (B.
McCullum 56 not out, J. Guptill
41). ■
 Thursday, February 26, 2009
07

‘‘
There are around 560 days for the Commonwealth Games. If we have enough funds,
these days are enough to make elaborate arrangements for the Games. As an
athlete, I wish to see a successful Commonwealth Games in India. It will energise our sports.
So, the efforts must be made on war-footing for the smooth functioning of the games.
P.T. Usha

Night of mediocrity
European powerhouses fail to impress on the opening night of the Champions League knockout stage

B
arcelona had to scrap for a
1-1 draw at Olympique Lyon
and Manchester United were
frustrated in a goalless game
at Inter Milan as the Champions
League returned with a lack of re-
spect for reputation on Tuesday.
While Barcelona needed an un-
tidy goal from Thierry Henry to
take a slim advantage from the first
leg of their last-16 tie against Lyon,
holders United failed to take ad-
vantage of a series of early chances
in Milan.
United did extend their unbea-
ten run to a record 20 Champions
League matches but manager sir
Alex Ferguson again failed to get
the better of Jose Mourinho and
they will have to tread carefully in
the second leg at Old Trafford.
The other two ties are also well
poised after Porto twice came from
behind to draw 2-2 at Atletico Ma-
drid and Arsenal produced the only
victory of the night, 1-0 at home to
Roma thanks to a Robin van Persie
penalty.

Jittery start
Barcelona’s elegant passing
game, similar to the one that took
Spain to victory at Euro 2008, has
been the envy of Europe this sea-
son but their form has deserted
them lately and they made another
jittery start against Lyon. The
French side took the lead from a
source familiar to anyone follow-
ing the Champions League down
the years, as the game’s leading
set-piece specialist Juninho de-
ceived Victor Valdes with a dipping
free kick from the left.
Barcelona were terrible in the
first half and Karim Benzema came
within a whisker of making it 2-0 Arsenal’s
but they improved after the break Dutch
and got a deserved equaliser when forward
French striker Henry stooped to Robin van
head in a deflected corner. The Persie (left)
away goal gave Barcelona, twice fights for the
former champions, a slim advan- ball with AS
tage to take to the Nou Camp in AC Milan in 2007 but a similar re- Ronaldo’s last-gasp free kick was champions Porto fought out a Roma’s
two weeks. sult from their latest trip to the San beaten away. thriller. Atletico hit the ground French
“We missed our chance in the Siro never looked on the cards. Cris- Arsenal were the only winners running, Maxi Rodriguez giving defender
first half, when we should have tiano Ronaldo forced a point-blank but it should have been a more them the lead in the third minute Philippe
been rewarded for our efforts but save from Inter keeper Julio Cesar commanding victory. They had to before Lisandro Lopez burst Mexes during
we gave everything,” said Lyon and the chances came thick and be content with the penalty from through to put the Portuguese side their
coach Claude Puel. fast for United for the remainder of Van Persie, which the Dutchman level. Champions
the first half. won himself when he was bundled A mistake from Porto keeper Hel- League pre-
Missed chances Mourinho, whose Porto side over by French defender Philippe ton let Diego Forlan’s weak shot quarterfinals
The two English sides in action on knocked out United on their way to Mexes after 37 minutes. slither in at the end of the first half match at the
Tuesday may also have cause to rue winning the Champions League in but back Porto came again with Lo- Emirates
missed opportunities. United were 2004, inspired a huge improvement Goals galore pez turning in Aly Cissokho’s low stadium in
last beaten in a Champions League in the second half but United came Goals were plentiful in Madrid, cross. ■ London on
match when they lost 0-3 away to desperately close to a winner when where Atletico and twice former Reuters Tuesday.
PHOTO: AFP
08 ROADSTER ERGO Thursday, February 26, 2009

RX resurrected
The Yamaha RX series two-stroke
motorcycles, which are now out of
RX 100 costs over Rs. 25,000 in
production, are interestingly the most Chennai city (second-hand
price).
sought-after second-hand bikes in the Twenty-nine-year-old Ram Ku-
mar from Ambattur recently sold
city. Ruling the pack is the RX 100 his 1991 model black RX 100 for a
fat price. “The bike was my broth-
room condition in sheer craze for
the bike,” he adds.
The Yamaha RX 100’s succes-
sors, the RXG, RX 135 and RXZ,
despite being out of production,
are still doing well in the second-
hand market in the city. Similarly,

B
orn to lead’ was the tagline
with which it rolled onto
the Indian roads. Produc-
tion terminated in 1996,
but it is still one of the best and
favourite two-stroke rides in the
country. The famous Yamaha RX
er’s and I started to use it after he
migrated to Canada. I decided to
sell the bike as I am suffering
from severe back pain.
I was taken aback by the de-
mand for the RX when I put it up
for sale,” says Ram, who inciden-
the first five-speed transmission
rides from the Yamaha stables –
the RXZ and RX 135 – are the
most sought-after these days.
The five-speed Yamaha RX 135,
which witnessed a poor response
while being in production, is in- Sa

100 motorcycle has now stormed
back into the market (second-
hand) and minds of young roa-
dies hungry for speed.
With its 98cc air-cooled single-
cylinder engine, the RX 100, con-
sidered the little brother of the
legendary Rajdoot 350 (well-
known as Yamaha RD 350), hit
Indian roads towards the end of
1985. The sleek and stylish four-
speed power-packed ride that
won roadsters’ hearts has been
gradually resurrected. Believe it
or not, a good condition Yamaha
tally had four bidders for his bike
as it was a first-hand one in good
condition.
Shanmugam, who has been
running a mechanic shed for over
20 years in Ashok Nagar, terms
the RX 100 ‘irreplaceable’. “The
vehicle’s good speed, stunning
pickup, riding comfort and low
maintenance requirement put it
on top of the second-hand bikes
in the market. I have seen some
of my young customers, who
have hunted for long, buy the RX
100 and get it serviced to show-
terestingly a hit among speed
freaks and racing aspirants now.
Twenty-year-old Saravanan of
Choolaimedu recently resurrec-
ted an RX 135 five-speed bike
from its muddy grave. Giving it an
eye-catching white paint job and
matching stickering, Saravanan is
gearing up for professional rac-
ing.
“This bike on the race track is
believed to be very reliable,
adaptable and also more stable
than any other five-speed ma-
chine,” says the youngster. ■

The Yamaha RX 100’s successors, the RXG, RX 135 and

RXZ, despite being out of production, are still doing well in
the second-hand market in the city. Similarly, the first five-
speed transmission rides from the Yamaha stables – the
RXZ and RX 135 – are also the most sought-after
An
 Thursday, February 26, 2009
09
Mercedes-Benz’s new E-class luxury sedan consumes 20-23% less fuel
than current models while packing in advanced safety technology
to monitor driver fatigue and offer automatic emergency braking
World’s most aerodynamically Speedometer features fuel
efficient production car, efficiency and gearshift
with drag co-efficient advice indicators
of 0.24 – less than
a Toyota Prius

New tyres have 17% less Headlights dim automatically

rolling resistance to avoid blinding oncoming drivers
BlueEFFICIENCY: New E 250 CDI Transmission: Manual gearbox features
diesel cuts fuel consumption start-stop to shut
to 5.3 litres/100 km and off engine while
CO 2 to 159-164g/km stationary

aravanan with his Yamaha RX 135 five-speed

Source: Mercedes-Benz Wheelbase: 2,874mm © GRAPHIC NEWS

SNIPPET

Castrol
presents
Power1 Passion
Hunt
H ere’s your chance to
enter the second
edition of the Castrol
Power1 Passion Hunt, a
nationwide search for
India’s most passionate biker, and win a Superbike.
To be held in eight cities (Pune, Mumbai,
Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai and
Bangalore), winners from each city will compete
against each other at the national finals to be held
in New Delhi on April 22. The Chennai leg will be
held on April 4.
The challenge includes a test of biking skills, bike
style quotient, biking knowledge and overall passion
for biking.
The overall winner will be awarded a Yamaha R1
Superbike, which will be handed over by actor John
Abraham.
In addition to the ground event, there is an online
component as well in the Castrol Power1 Passion
Hunt.
Bikers can log on to power1hunt.com and create
their own personal profiles as passionate bikers to
showcase to the world. On this site, bikers can
upload pictures, videos and stories pertaining to
biking.
Visitors to the site will be able to vote for the online
‘Castrol Power1’s Most Passionate Biker’ and this
online winner will also have an opportunity to
participate in the all-India final. ■
ANI
n RX 135 five-speed motorcycle being customised for the racing circuit
10 FLICK ERGO Thursday, February 26, 2009

All’s well that mends well?

Penn’s next Sean Penn

in talks for
I t looks like American singer/songwriter Chris
Brown is trying to get back into his ex-girlfriend
Rihanna’s good graces by presenting her with
lavish gifts on her 21st birthday.
As per Hollyscoop.com, Rihanna celebrated her

controversy film on
ousted CIA
spy Valerie
birthday this past weekend, throwing a low-key
party at a home in Hollywood Hills.
Brown is said to have bought her an expensive
diamond necklace and bracelet, along with an
iPod Touch, and his mother is said to have sent
over a bouquet of flowers.
“Chris called Rihanna to wish her a happy
Plame birthday. He’s absolutely trying to get back into
her good graces. He knows he’s very much in the
doghouse right now, and is doing everything he

S
ean Penn, days after receiving his can to show her how sorry he is,”" the Daily
second best-actor Oscar for his work Telegraph quoted a source as telling the New
in the movie Milk, is in talks to star York Daily News.
in a film about ex-CIA spy Valerie GETTY IMAGES “Rihanna so wanted Chris with her on her big
Plame, Hollywood media reported on CANNES, FRANCE - MAY day, but obviously realises why they can’t be
Tuesday. 25: Jury President Sean together right now. But it’s becoming more and
Fair Game will feature director Penn during the Palme more clear that she can’t be without him,” the
Doug Liman (Mr. & Ms. Smith) and is d’Or Closing Ceremony source added. ■
to star Naomi Watts as the real-life at the Palais des ANI
undercover agent whose identity was Festivals during the 61st
illegally revealed in 2003, sparking a International Cannes
crisis for the administration of presi- Film Festival on May 25,
dent George W. Bush. 2008 in Cannes, France.
Variety magazine reported that Penn is (Photo by Sean Gallup/
in negotiations to portray Plame’s hus- Getty Images)
band, Ambassador Joseph Wilson, who
saw his wife’s CIA identity uncovered after
he wrote columns criticising Bush’s han-
dling of the invasion of Iraq.
The former envoy to Iraq, in an
opinion piece in The New York
Times, had accused the admin-
istration of distorting intelli-
gence about Iraq, particularly
about weapons of mass de-
struction.
The film is based on Plame’s
2007 memoir, Fair Game: My Life
as a Spy, My Betrayal by the
White House, according to Varie-
ty.
Should Penn commit to the
project it would be his second
film co-starring opposite
No nose job, or so she says
Watts. The two paired up in
the 2003 drama 21 Grams. ■ D iane Kruger has slammed reports claiming she
had gone under the knife to get her nose fixed.
The National Treasure star had raised eyebrows
AFP
after being spotted with bruises under both eyes as
she recently attended Tommy Hilfiger’s runway
show in Manhattan at New York Fashion Week.
The actress
Fair Game will sparked rumours of
having undergone
feature director rhinoplasty after
Doug Liman (Mr. & she was seen
trying to cover up
Ms. Smith) and is to her eyes with dark
star Naomi Watts sunglasses.
as the real-life However, her rep
insisted that Diane
undercover agent had only had her
whose identity was eyesight corrected.
“The truth is she
illegally revealed in had laser eye
2003, sparking a surgery the day
crisis for the before,” the Daily
Express quoted her
administration of spokesperson as
president George saying. ■
ANI
W. Bush
Thursday, February 26, 2009
11
Obsessed with her Oscar
Kate Winslet is so “obsessed” with her first Oscar that she cannot
stop looking at it. The 33-year old star accompanied it on to The
Oprah Winfrey Show the following day. Clutching her Oscar
throughout her conversation with Oprah, she said, “I keep looking
at him and going, ‘Oooh wow’.”

The Tamil
Western is
S
panish actress Penelope Cruz has revealed that the
dress she wore during the Oscars had been picked out
eight years ago.
Cruz (34) said that the vintage Balmain gown she
back!
wore on February 22 had never been worn, and that she had Director Chimbu
kept it for a special occasion. Devan’s laughter
When Cruz arrived at the event, where she picked up her factory is back. The
Best Supporting Actress award, she was seen wearing the director who wowed
60-year-old dress. the Tamil audiences
“I found this dress eight years ago and I was saving it for with his brand of
something very special,” Contactmusic quoted her as saying. clean, family
■ entertainment in
ANI
Imsai Arasan 23am
Pulikesi and Arai en
305thil Kadavul is
soon launching his
third film, Irumbu
Kottai Murattu
Singam. His penchant
for experimenting
seems to continue;
his debut was a
throwback to the era
of the golden oldies
and his second a refreshing fantasy, and IKMS is a
Western adventure comedy. The lead actors
finalised for the movie are Raghava Lawrence,
Padmapriya, Lakshmi Rai and Nasser, among others.
The Western is said to be set in the 17th century.
The movie is said to be the first Tamil Western after
38 years – the last one was Ganga featuring Jai
Shankar in utterly garish costumes and tacky toy
guns. The movie would be shot in Madhya Pradesh
and other spots in North India. All the artistes have
reportedly spent the last month training in horse-
racing and gun-shooting. The project is estimated to
cross Rs. 15 crore and will be produced by Kalpathi
S.Agoram under the banner of AGS film
Entertainment.

The hunting starts

Actor Vijay has recently launched his next flick for
AVM, Vettaikarran. The pooja was conducted at
the famous AVM Film Studio’s Vinayakar temple.
Vijay was there with his wife Sangeetha and daddy
dearest S.A.Chandrasekar. The film is being
Cruz picked out Balmain Oscar gown eight years ago produced by AVM.
12
Wednesday’s Question:
Two things you would
like to do before you
die.
■ I would like to hear from my
friend’s mouth that I’m his friend.
Bcoz I like him so much but he never
used to recognise, if the 1st one did
not happen, I would like to kill him
Vijay, TCS
■ World tour-I want to enjoy the
beauty of world, reduce my weight-
huge task
Mohan Kumar, TCS
■ Want to meet Bill Gates, want to
become rich
Saga, CSS
■ Buy new house for my mom. To
spend my last minute with my best
friends
Sindu, Ford
■ Live at least a day with my love.
Get answers for d questions which I
have in my mind, but haven’t yet
asked d concerned people
Anu Jackson, Cognizant
■ I want to have a life journey
towards my people. I want to pour
all my love to my beloved one
Manash, TCS
■ Feel satisfied for a complete life
with my dear ones minding their
own work as normal and not
regretting my death. Sing a song that
would keep me normal but neither
happy nor sad
Mukund SCB, Scope International
■ To be a good human, to be an
example to others
Haribabu.R, Changepond
■ I want to make my family live in
an own house which is their dream
for years. I will struggle hard if
required to make their dream come
true
Arunkumar, TCS
■ Want to see my ex-girl friend and
say still waiting for u
S.Poorvi, HCL
■ Swim with a dolphin and skydive
bcoz I love to be adventurous
Senthil, Wipro
■ Oru software company kattanum
adula ellarukum nalla salary
kodukanum
Anand.K, Infoview Technologies
■ I’ll build a nice house and a nice
car for my parents. I will make my
sweet little brother do higher studies
of his wish
Priyang.A, TCS
ERGO Thursday, February 26, 2009
■ To visit the Niagara falls once and
also go to mount Alps
Rakshita, Wipro
■ To meet Thala Ajith and build a
beautiful house in my own money
that is my dream
Lingam, TCS
■ I would like to donate eyes and
blood to save other lives
John RRD, Lexsminarayanan TCS-eserve
■ I’ll spend whole day watching Dr.
Vijay’s movies in theatre as emman
won’t come inside the theatre. No
other options
Sebanto, Cognizant
■ I’ll destroy everything in the world
and I’ll live alone at least for one day
before I die
Amala Jain from Hexaware has nominated her friends
Pandiyan, CSS
as Partners in Crime. They have clicked this pic at
■ I like to see Abdul Kalam and Bill Mahabalipuram
Gates as both of them are good role
models for youngsters
Deepak.S, Infoview Technologies
■ I have to go to office on time at
least once and I have to leave the
office on time at least once before I
die
Arivananthan, Arun, Suree TCS
■ To find my lost girl friend and the
next one is to marry her
Lakshman, Perot Systems
■ I want to kiss my mom and the
next is I’ll donate all my organs of
my body to poor patients
Pravin.S, TCS
■ I want to direct a movie with
Rajnikant because I’m deadly fan of
him n want to become an excellent
model as fashion is my passion
Renzith, Sutherland
■ I would like to have dinner with
Vijay Nishanth from Allsec has nominated his friends as
Siva Kumar, Allsec Partners in Crime. They clicked this pic at
■ To become CEO of RBS and to go a Pondicherry.
world tour with my lover
Senthil, RBS
■ I want to reduce water scarcity n
pollution in Chennai as we’re
suffering from these
Manjari, ArjunSingh, TCS-e-Serve
■ I want my daughter n my hubby to
be safe n secure n want to spend
each n every second happily with
them
Ramya, Allsec
Today’s Query:
Your biggest goof up
on stage at a cultural
event. Sunandan from HCL has nominated his team members
as Partners in Crime. They clicked this pic at Kothaiyur
Dam.
 Thursday, February 26, 2009
13

■ Hi Bhavya {Bow Bow},

Iniya Piranthanal valthukkal... Indru pol

endrum punnagaiyodu iruppayaga... Have a
great Life ahead... Wish you many more
returns of the day.... Kannadathula wish
pannalamnu nenachen but unakkum
Kavyaa R of HCL has been nominated as Office Angel by theriyathu enakkum theriyathu...
Xafinity Paymaster team.
She is very cheerful and filled with fun. A very dedicated Ippadiku,
person and a good friend to have. Muthu, Ravi, Prasad,Lavanyaaaaaaa
Wipro Technologies

■ Dear Vasu and Family,

Our hearty wishes and blessings to your
new born kid. Let him get all the happiness
and success in life. We know he will start
toondoo’ing very soon!! Btw,
congratulations to you too! You just
managed to populate India with one more
wonderful child :)

Best wishes,
Thyiagarajan

■ My dearest Srinu...
Happy birthday big friend, I wish you will
have all happiness in your life.
Keep as you are ... keep as cool and great!
Don’t say that you are getting old, you are
not 80: D: D: D: D
I am happy to have such a friend like you
Art featured in this Happy Birthday SOLY!!!
column will receive
gift coupons from ■ Hi Nithiya & Ramesh R.G,
Fruit Shop on Banu Rekha. Wish u many more happy returns of the
Greams Road. Send K of HCL has day!
in your addresses so doodled this May all your dreams come true.
that we can post the Have a rocking and fun filled birthday
coupons. dears.

With tons & tons of love & friendship,

Rajan.C
HCL Technologies

■ Dear Sharafath ( iyer),

We have enjoyed a lot from the time when
we joined our iRonicz Team.
Every minute and every moment We spent
together will be memorable in our hearts.
We are glad to celebrate ur birthday and
wish u a "Many More Happy Returns of the
Day".
Happy Birthday to u da Machi..Enjoy.

Best Wishes from

iRonicz Spiders Team,
TCS-Chennai , Hydrabad & Mumbai .
iNautix,Fidelity - Chennai.
Musigma,NSN,Tata Elexi,EMC-Bangalore
Juno,Deshaw,Commvault-Hydrabad.
Sardar to Doctor: All over my body where ever i press with my finger I’ve pain.
Doctor : Take a whole body scan ■ Hi Arthy Maadu,
Result : "Finger Fractured !!! " Wish you a many more happy returns of
the day and All the very best for your
Arunprabhu Barathi, TCS exams. Keep smiling always!

Man-1 : Avara poli traffic police-nu yeppadi kandupidicha? Man-2 : Screw Driver-ku poi Driving License wishes from the heart by,
kaekkuraru…. Periya maadu - Karthikrajesh & Divya
Mrs Vasanthi Ponnuchamy, Mr. Ponnuchamy
Mohamed Yusufdeen J, HCL
14 TRAFFIC JAM ERGO Thursday, February 26, 2009

Prison nostalgia
A Chinese man who was released from
prison two years ago has begged
officials to allow him to return to jail,
so he gets food to eat.

sudoku

M. Mohamed
Safeer of TCS
captured this
scenic view in
Cochin.
Hobbies:
Photography
and music

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

TEAM
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karthik@goergo.in

Sr Dy Chief Designer: J.A. Prem Kumar

Dy Chief Designer: R. Ravi Kannan
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KASTURI & SONS LTD., at Plot B-6 & B-7,
CMDA Industrial Complex, Maraimalai Nagar,
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Anna Salai, Chennai-600002. Editor: S. Karthik
(Editor responsible for selection of news under
the PRB Act). RNI No. TNENG/2007/24553
 Thursday, February 26, 2009
15
Hairy situation
A Croatian man is desperate to get rid of his persistent ex-wife, after she frequently posts
letters with her hair attached to them. Ivo Mikesic has demanded a restraining order be
handed to his ex in a bid to stop the hair-raising correspondence.

B.C

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

The first half of the day is favourable for important
meetings and video conferences. However, the
second half might seem boring and long. Take it
easy with your beloved or you might end up in
some disagreement.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20

Important discussions with superiors may go well.
Energy invested in hard work during the first half of
the day will yield good returns by evening. On the
love front the first half of the day seems prone to
arguments. Evening will compensate for that.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20

You will spend most of your time in important
BORN LOSER meetings at office. On the personal front, it would
be wonderful if you take out time for your family.
On the romantic front, do not think twice about
clarifying issues with your beloved.
CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20
The pessimism which you might show in the
morning will slowly disappear as the day progresses.
You will be able to balance your emotions. In your
romantic life, you will be expressive and sensitive.
That might make you touchy on petty issues.
LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20
Avoid any differences with colleagues in the first
part of the day. Avoid negative thinking. To
maintain a harmonious professional and personal
life, you must avoid negativities and misgivings.
Handle the day with care!
VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20
You will adopt a more systematic approach towards
FREE RANGE WORKING IT OUT everything related to work. The second half of the
day might make you feel weary. You will remain
very much attached to family members. In matters
related to the heart, you will be submissive.
LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20
The day might seem heavy – mentally and
physically. However, your intelligence and dedication
to work will be key factors on your career front.
Your beloved might find you unromantic or dull. Pay
more attention to your romantic life.
SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20
Your administrative abilities will be very useful
today. However, technical work may not get done
properly. Do not let such failures disappoint you, as
the second half of the day is in your favour. You
will be in a romantic mood.
SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20
You will be communicating with important people
within or outside the organisation. Similarly, you will
be active on social and professional networks. You
might take up a social cause with your beloved.
You might spend precious time with your family.
CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20
You will be exercising your grey cells for technical/
administrative problems. It might not be the right
day to take important decisions. Love birds will
enjoy romance with the technological support. A
good day to articulate your feelings.
AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20
PREVIOUS Your physical charm will impress others easily today.
You will be impressive and eloquent in speech,
ISSUE’S hence it is a perfect day to attend or arrange
meetings. In the evening you might be in a mood
SOLUTIONS for a romantic dinner.
PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20
You might feel as if you’ve woken up on the wrong
side of the bed, but post-lunch you will feel
energised. At office, you will take more initiatives.
On the romantic front, there will be display of
sensitivity and intensity.
Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni
16 ! ERGO Thursday, February 26, 2009

Fascinating fact
The koala eats nothing but
eucalyptus leaves.