A BYTE OF LIFE Friday, June 26, 2009

07
NEW ROLE
hockey star Rasquinha trades
hockey stick for CEO’s chair

FREE CIRCULATION Vol. 3 No. 119

CROSSING BOUNDARIES
Siddharth Jayakumar is the country’s
first certified documentary credit
specialist with cerebral palsy. Anusha
Parthsarathy reports about his
indomitable urge to defy the odds.

» PAGE 04

PHOTO:S. S. KUMAR
02 ERGO Friday, June 26, 2009

New on the shelves

Namma Chennai
Special Editions celebrates the season with a burst of colours and styles.
T-shirts with polo collar and round neck, contrasting sleeves and double
collars, with colours like raspberry reds, burgundy, cool blues, dark
purples and the likes. Purchase t-shirts for Rs. 1000 and get a Special
Editions gift voucher for Rs. 250. The offer is valid till June 29, at T.
Nagar and Anna Nagar outlets. Ph: 4260 6061.

Food

Never say
Cinema sayonara
Pergola at Hotel Accord
Fly to Dubai
Here’s one more reason why you must watch Slumdog Millionaire,
Metropolitan invites you for an
enjoyable evening with family and
this time on the small screen. You need to answer a question which friends. The hotel is hosting a
will be asked during the movie, to win a free trip to Dubai for three Japanese food festival, Kaeseki,
days and two nights and stay at Atlantis, The Palm. The Oscar- open for dinner with an authentic
winning film will be screened on June 27 at 9 p.m. on PIX English Japanese fare.
movie channel. For reservations call 2816 1000.

What a spread!
The Piano at Savera Hotel has an
all-new buffet to delight you. That
is 75 cuisines from around the world
including kebabs, grills, sea foods,
pan-Asian cuisines, pasta counters,
barbeques and chaats. The buffet is
open for lunch and dinner. Your
meal deal: Come as five and pay for
three; come as three and pay for
two.
For reservations call 2811 4700 extn
1939.

Music
Sale

Remembering Stevie Wonder Rekha’s boutique

on Alwarpet is
World Peace Day will be celebrated in Chennai on June 27 at the holding its
Music Academy with singers and musicians coming together to pay a anniversary sale.
tribute to Steve Wonder. The event will feature singer Sunita Collections including
Sarathy, Benny Dayal, Anu Cheyyur and Devan. readymades and
Musicians include Keith Peters, Viji Cheyyur, Joe George, Joshua Raj, fabric that is light
Allwyn and Mathew Littlewood. Donor passes are priced at Rs. 200 and colours both
and Rs. 300 and available at Exodus, all Landmark and Fruit Shop pastel and cheerful
outlets. are up for sale. The
Fore details call 9841186951/9841695177. clothes are
accessorised with
intricate kundan,
Exhibition zardori, antique and
metal work. For
those looking for
Of colours something to wear
for that special
& designs evening or parties,
they have intricately
The exhibition hall in designed and
Amethyst is organising a accessoried outfits.
sale of collection from Prices range from Rs
Tarun Tahilani, Sonam 550/- to Rs 2500/- &
Dubai and Sapan More. above.
The sale is on till June
30 at Amethyst, 14/30,
Padmavathi Road,
Jeypore Colony, Where: Rekhas Boutique, G23 mookambika complex,
Gopalpuram.
C P Ramasamy road, Alwarpet, Chennai -18.
 Friday, June 26, 2009
03
Any weekend plan?
A group of passionate students get together to make a noise! Be at the Madras Terrace House today to watch the Trash Band
in action. Or, make it on Saturday at 6 p.m. to see the photo campaign by the students of Madras Christian College or Sunday
to watch the screening of Baraka, a film with no dialogue, story or plot.
Madras Terrace House is at 15 Sri Puram, 2nd Street, Rpyapettah. Ph: 4503 8391.

Sapling tambulam
Chennai Mayor comes up
with unique way of driving
home the green message

T
he practice of sending off wedding
guests with a tambulam bag comprising
betel leaf, coconut, banana and other
things auspicious is a tradition no Hin-
du household would break. But, Chennai
Mayor R. Subramanian went a step ahead by
turning environment-friendly at the wedding
of his son Dr. Ilancherizhiyan, which was so-
lemnised on Thursday at Kalaivannar Aran-
gam.
Around 25,000 bags of saplings were dis-
tributed to the guests in the morning, and we
hear another 5,000 will be handed over at the
reception. About six varieties of saplings,
each measuring between one and two feet,
including those of neem, teak and naval, was
the Mayor’s style of sending off guests.
Apparently, the Mayor had been working
on this initiative for the last six months. No
prizes for guessing the message he was driv-
ing through each of his guests. Make the city
green! ■ Guests at Mayor M. Subramaniam’s son’s wedding receive saplings in a
Ergo Correspondent tambulam bags in Chennai on Thursday. PHOTO: S.S. KUMAR

Bag with ornamental

fish creates flutter
The bag is suspected to have been abandoned
by a passenger from Singapore

A n unclaimed bag created a

flutter inside the Chennai
airport complex on early
Thursday. The situation re-
turned to normal after security
personnel found out that the
bag contained live ornamental
fish.
According to police sources,
some passengers spotted the
abandoned bag near the bag-
gage claim area of the interna-
File photo of an ornamental
fish seized at Chennai airport
tional terminal and alerted the
authorities. A security team
rushed in and inspected the
bag for any explosive sub-
stances inside. Upon opening
the bag, the team discovered
65 live ornamental fish sealed
in plastic covers inside three
polythene bags.
The bag is suspected to be
that of an unidentified passen-
ger who had arrived from Sin-
gapore on Wednesday night.
The passenger could have
abandoned the bag to avoid
seizure and arrest by the Cus-
toms department, police
added.
However, preliminary in-
vestigations were conducted
on the incident and airport
authorities sent the bag back
to Singapore. ■
04 ERGO Friday, June 26, 2009

Crossing Big Story

boundaries
Cerebral palsy hasn’t stopped Siddharth from being normal
ANUSHA PARTHASARATHY out, it takes me only 30 minutes. The-
anushaparthasarathy@hotmail.com refore, I have to put in double the ef-
fort even to do simple things like

I
t is difficult for him to type yet he is
an Internet junkie and replies
promptly to my email request for
an interview. His eyes don’t focus
properly but his job is to scrutinise doc-
uments every day. His speech is slow
and slurred but he cracks jokes at light-
ning speed.
Siddharth Jaykumar could be just
another IT professional. In fact that is
precisely what drives the 29-year-old.
Diagnosed with cerebral palsy after a
severe case of jaundice when he was
all but one, he has learnt to defy the
odds. He may not be able to control
certain movements and might walk
with a slight stoop but more than
makes up for it with his indomitable
spirit. “Cerebral palsy is not an illness.
It’s just a neurological disorder,” he
dismisses his condition non-chalantly.
All discussions about his struggles as a
child are strictly off-the-record. Sidd-
harth is concerned only about the pre-
sent, a state that he is happy with.
He did his primary schooling with Vi-
dya Sagar and later shifted to a regular
school and passed out as a state top-
per. “I had to dictate my answers to a
scribe who didn’t know English or the
subject and so I had to keep spelling
out each word. I think I would’ve
scored a lot more if I had written it
myself.”
Siddharth is a document checker
with Royal Bank of Scotland for the
last four years and loves his job. It in-
volves verification of export/import
documents and requires sound techni-
cal knowledge, thorough checking
and spending long hours reading and
typing out documents.
“It is difficult for me to type. I use
only one finger on one hand and if a
normal person takes an hour to tire
turning over pages and reading word
after word. By the end of the day, I am
thoroughly exhausted. But I love my
job. It is challenging even for a normal
person but the fact that I have
been doing it for the last four
years goes to prove that I can
do anything I put my mind “It is difficult for me
to,” he exclaims.
Siddharth is the first person to type. I use only
with cerebral palsy to be a one finger on one
certified ‘Documentary Credit
Specialist’, earning it just 10 hand and if a normal
months into the job. “Most person takes an hour
people do the certification af-
ter three years of working ex- to tire out, it takes
perience but I did it in 10 me only 30 minutes.
months and was one of the 54
per cent who passed. It was Therefore, I have to
one of the proudest moments put in double the
in my life.”
After an interview in 2005 effort even to do
with rediff.com, Dr. Abdul Ka- simple things like
lam sent Siddharth a letter ex-
pressing his wish to meet him turning over pages
and did so a few months later. and reading word
He still has the letter framed
by his bedside. The former after word. By the
President also recalled him in end of the day, I am
his speeches on World Disabil-
ity Day and on a few other oc- thoroughly
casions. “He remembers me exhausted. But I love
by my name. I keep in touch
with him through occasional my job.”
mails and phone calls,” Sidd-
harth smiles proudly.
Siddharth is also a soft skills trainer
and arranged for a tie-up between his
office and Vidya Sagar. “It is my way of
growing professionally with a social
mindset. There have been so many
people who have made a difference to
my life. It is because of them that I
have come where I am now. I would
like to be that to someone else.” ■

Against all odds

■ Siddharth cleared Certified Documentary Credit Specialist (CDCS) exam from
Institute of Financial Services, UK, in April 06 within a year of career and
became ‘India’s first CDCS with Cerebral Palsy.’
■ He was the first person to complete Post Graduation from Vidya Sagar
(formerly, Spastic Society of India) and second person to join the mainstream
school from Vidya Sagar
■ ‘Lala Kailashpat Singhania Award’ from National Society for Equal
Opportunities for Handicapped, Mumbai, was awarded to him in December 2007.
■ Was conferred a National Award in December 2008 by the Government of
India.
■ Invited by Skillshare International, UK, to be a part of delegation to present a
book on cerebral palsy to the then President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in
August, 2006.

PHOTO: S.S.KUMAR
 Friday, June 26, 2009
05

The White Town has an added ad-
vantage of abutting the seafront,
which imparts it a superior environ-
mental character. Its town-planning
and building design, whether in pri-
vate and public buildings, street fa-
cades or Squares, roads, boulevards
and courtyards are exquisite.
Apart from Charles de Gaulle
Square, later known as Governmental
Square and now known as ‘Bharathi
Poonga’ some of the historical edifices,
statues and landmarks which adorn
the urban scene, the town is also fa-
mous for its Manakkula Vinayagar
temple.
The White Town is also known for
the presence of the Sri Aurobindo Ash-
his ‘Cave of Tapasya’ and chose to
build his ashram in the White Town,
the very place on which Lord Agastya,
according to the French archeologist
Prof. Jouveau Dubreuil, had built his
ashram centuries ago
At the centre of ‘Bharathi Poonga’
stands a small surprise – a monument
built not in honour of a queen or of an
empress, but of a harlot.
Another interesting aspect of the
White Town is the Cercle de Pondi-
chery created in 1899. Exclusive to Eu-
ropeans, the club was a social meeting
place for members who were also
French army veterans. The White Town
area of Pondicherry has historic and as-
sociative value for the town-dwellers.

French
ram. Sri Aurobindo called Pondicherry ■

The
connection
P.Raja writes about the historic White Town of
Pondicherry characterised by government and
institutional buildings built by the French

T
he French concentrated in the
construction of Government and
Institutional buildings in the
White Town.
The urban development had to be
restricted within the Boulevard, be-
cause of constant threat of wart.
Moreover, outlaying areas, mostly
agricultural, served as a restricting belt
of urban expansion during the French
occupation. Thus White Town area has
three distinct land users: a) religious
and cultural, b) governmental and c)
residential.
The White Town due to its strategic
importance was the administrative
headquarters. Its inheritance of the
French people has imparted it a superi-
or form of development characterised
by stately mansions and residential vil-
las and institutional buildings, as com-
pared to the Native Town area.

Hot
&
happening
■ Hotel Surguru a veg-
etarian restaurant has
opened one more res-
taurantnear ashram
and Manakula vinaya-
gar temple in the name
of Surguru Spot
■ Enjoy the Karaiku-
di Food Festival upto
July 5th at Nala Res-
taurant in Pride Bizno-
tel, A Unit of Hoel
Mass. Call 97866 50106
■ Bhopali Food fes-
tival at Hotel Atithi.
The menu includes
murg rizala, Bhopal Bi-
ryani, Pasanda and
many types of quorma.
Call 0413-2345000
06 ERGO Friday, June 26, 2009

Iran denies punishing ‘green’ players

Sport
The head of Iran’s football federation has denied punishing players for wearing green wristbands in a show
of support of the opposition during a World Cup qualifier, local media reported on Thursday. “The
comments in foreign media are nothing but lies and a mischievous act,” Ali Kafashin, a federation official
said. Football’s world governing body FIFA wrote to the Iranians to seek answers over alleged punishments
meted out to players who wore green wristbands during the 2010 World Cup qualifier against South Korea
last week, reflecting their support for opposition presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi.

An American dream
US stun Spain to book Confederations Cup final place

S
pain’s 35-match unbea-
ten run came to stunning
close on Wednesday as
goals in either half from
Jozy Altidore and Clint Demp-
sey secured an unlikely 2-0 vic-
tory for the United States in the
semi-final of the Confedera-
tions Cup. The European
champions went into the game
at the Free State Stadium in
Bloemfontein having also won
a record 15 matches in succes-
sion but ran out a deserved
second best against an Amer-
ican team that hustled and
harried for the full 90 minutes.
The prize for Bob Bradley’s
side, whose son Michael Bra-
dley was harshly sent off with
four minutes remaining, is a fi-
nal date Sunday against hosts
South Africa or Brazil, who
meet in the other semi-final at
Ellis Park in Johannesburg. “It
was a great team effort and to
beat an amazing team like
Spain is big,” said US coach
Bradley. “We played as hard
was we could and every guy
contributed. That’s what it
took.”
Promising start
The United States – search-
ing for a first ever competitive
final date – attacked Spain
from the outset, carving out a
couple of early chances
through Charlie Davies, who
came close with an overhead
kick in the 8th minute and a
glancing header a minute later.
Dempsey was the next to try
his luck with a shot from dis-
tance that fizzed just wide
while Spain almost got on the
score-sheet themselves
through Fernando Torres after
11 minutes but the Liverpool
striker just failed to get on the
end of a Cesc Fabregas cross to
the far post.
In an evenly-matched game,
the US finally broke the dea-
dlock after 27 minutes through
Altidore, who latched on to a
Dempsey pass and turned Joan
Capdevila on the edge of the
area before firing a low shot
past Iker Casillas in the Span-
ish goal.
Off-day for Spaniards
Spain were now chasing the
game but lacked the fluency
that had seen them unbeaten
since going down 1-0 to Roma-
nia in a friendly on November
15, 2006 to equal Brazil’s 35-
match unbeaten run, set in the
1990s. However despite failing
to dominate proceedings, Vi-
cente del Bosque’s side could
easily have equalised before
the break through Torres but
Tim Howard saved well at his
near post.
The second half began just
as the first had ended, with
Spain occasionally threatening
as Villa was the next to test Ho-
ward. Villa could also have had
a penalty when Landon Dono-
van made contact in the area
after 53 minutes while Albert
Riera fired narrowly wide a
minute later. Howard pulled
off good saves from Fabregas
and Sergio Ramos before a de-
fensive error from Ramos on 74
minutes allowed Dempsey to
end Spain’s dreams of setting a
new world-record unbeaten
streak.
Final nail
Donovan sent the ball across
the Spanish area and Ramos
tried to control the ball rather
than clearing it, allowing
Dempsey to hook home from
six metres. “No one thought we
could come out and win,” said
Fulham’s Dempsey. “We are
happy with the win and know
we will have to work hard to get
something out of the final.”
The only shadow on the eve-
ning was the sending off of
Bradley, who was shown a
straight red by referee Jorge
Larrionda for a tackle on Xavi
which seemed to merit a yel-
low card at most. ■
DPA

(From left) US midfielder Michael Bradley, US defender Oguchi Onyewu, US midfielder Clint Dempsey and forward Jozy Altidore celebrate after
Dempsey scored the second goal during the Fifa Confederations Cup semi-final match against Spain at the Freet State Stadium in Bloemfontein on
Wednesday. PHOTO: AFP
 Friday, June 26, 2009
07

‘‘
When it comes to playing for your country you don’t really need motivation to go out and perform.
The West Indies is playing good cricket at the moment. They had a very good (World) 20/20
tournament, but in the 50 overs, you have time to settle down. The team that plays consistent cricket over
the series will come out as winners. We have to play consistent cricket and I think that will be the key for us.
M.S. Dhoni ahead of Team India’s first ODI against the West Indies

Gold Hunt AYON SENGUPTA

ayon@goergo.in

E
njoying every minute of his new job, former India hockey
skipper Viren Rasquinha is eager to fulfil the country’s
dream of winning a bagful of Olympic medals. Though at
Beijing 2008, for the first time India won three medals, the
success has increased the age-old hunger. Rasquinha as CEO of
Olympic Gold Quest, an ambitious project started by sporting leg-
ends Geet Sethi and Prakash Padukone, is geared up to feed this
ambition.
One month into his job, he has already grasped the fundamen-
tals and is working intently on the task at hand. “At least five of our
wards are genuine medal prospects for the 2012 London Games.
And it’s our duty to provide them with the best support in terms of
infrastructure, finance and training to achieve that goal,” he says.
“Over the last month I have tried to understand the psyche of the
athletes and build a personal rapport with them. Now I am better
qualified to understand their needs and present them properly to
the board and also possible corporate clients.”
Rasquinha, who probably is the only Indian sportsman to have
the distinction of making it to the merit list of a board examination
(13th in SSC Board, Mumbai), quit hockey during the peak of his
career and opted for a full-time MBA from the Indian School of
Business, Hyderabad. “I always wanted to have a professional de-
gree and the time seemed right,” he recalls. There too, after pass-
ing out he chose the unfashionable and joined OGQ.
“With my background in sports, the additional responsibility
and the final goal of OGQ made it an easy choice,” Rasquinha says.
“A lot of my classmates will give an arm for this job. In terms of
challenges it is the best job an MBA fresher can hope for.”
Commenting on his work, the 29-year-old adds: “I have to now
prepare a daily routine for the players and also research and make
a proper assessment of their scheduling so they peak at the appro-
priate time (London 2012). It has often been seen that Indian ath-
letes after a good international year go to the Olympics and come
out choking. That is something we have to pay a lot of attention
to.”
Next month onwards, he is expected to make good his market-
ing skills as he gets ready to knock the corporate doors for his
athletes. “Brand-building and marketing will be my bulwark for
the next few months. We have already identified the players and
now have to present their case to the corporates and induce a
positive response,” he says. “Hope my two years of MBA study
does not fail me.”
Even with a full plate, Rasquinha still has time for his “first love”,
hockey. “Ultimately my aim is to give something for hockey. But
right now I am a fulltime employee of OGQ and I hope to be en-
tirely devoted to their cause,” the former Maratha Warriors mid-
fielder says. “I am in touch with the current players and also
officials of the new federation and I do give some unsolicited
friendly advice at times.
But I firmly think there is a right time and place for everything
and my time and place is OGQ for now.” ■

Hockey ● Rasquinha’s on-field success

star Viren 2003 Asia Cup, Kuala Lumpur — Gold
2003 Afro-Asian Games, Hyderabad — Gold
Rasquinha 2002 Asian Games, Busan — Silver
2001 Junior World Cup, Hobart — Gold
● Awards won
comes in 2005 Arjuna Award - National level
an all new 2004 Shiv Chatrapati Award - State level (Govt. of
Maharashtra)
● Players signed up by OGQ
avatar of Shooting: Gagan Narang, Rakesh Manpat, Rekha C, Mann
CEO Singh
Badminton: Guru Sai Dutt.
Athletics: Vikas Gowda, Tintu Luka and 19 athletes from P.T.
Usha School of Athletics
Boxing: Sanjay Kolte

PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

08 ERGO Friday, June 26, 2009

Portfolio

Salvatore Ferragamo Versace Prada

Dolce & Gabbana

Men of th
F
rom soft suits to sporty leisure The
wear, designers at Milan’s porio A
fashion week sought more to Giorgio
reassure rather than provoke tion fro
with easy, familiar styles and vi- ni, loo
brant colours for men next spring. presen
The trend at the spring/summer grey w
2010 menswear shows – which end- should
ed on Tuesday – was for a mix of darts a
tailoring and dressed down, with “It is
roomy bags and sportswear shoes table,”
evoking a travel theme. He also
A neat and firm silhouette was in tech
evident – shoulders were defined, orange
while waists and trousers were slim cessori
at Gianfranco Ferre and Roberto line, h
Cavalli. Bottega Veneta had V-shape were c
trousers – full on top and narrow had ov
below – with crisp shirts and jack-
ets. Men in
Trousers, usually slim, were to the Arm
ankle. with sk
As the warm season brings out was als
more skin, several top names made gamo
sure to show off men’s bodies – with and e
revealing vests at Cavalli and open mood”
tops tucked into tiny tight swim- Vers
ming trunks at Dolce & Gabbana, was “r
also seen at Versace. their s
Not known as one to go with white o
trends, Miuccia Prada cut out the Vers
colour seen elsewhere and stuck to unbutt
greys, black and white for an urban jackets
collection shown against a mono- Zegna
chrome backdrop. tops un
Prada presented knit waistcoats Reds
or armless buttoned gilets over arm- for Gu
less collarless shifts of shirts. Tops, bright
some in a flexible wetlook fabric, tops a
had holes. Trousers with tiny black kembe
and white checks or tweed-like nar- of red
rowed at the ankle. ange
“I wanted it to be contemporary, striped
DSquared2 Emporio Armani
wearable,” she said. excitem
 Friday, June 26, 2009
Gucci
he moment
theme was also urban at Em-
Armani – for which designer
o Armani got a standing ova-
om some of the crowd. Arma-
oking to city connections,
nted suits in cool shades of
with a fitted cut and defined
ders and trousers with small
at the front and turn-ups.
s city smart but also comfor-
Armani said in show notes.
o turned to Asia with jackets
hno mesh and put in dabs of
e on jackets, fleeces and ac-
ies. For his Giorgio Armani
e went for classicism – suits
chequered or striped, shirts
versized patterns.
n white
ani also put out white suits
ky blue patterned tops. White
so evident at Salvatore Ferra-
and Ferre which had a “free
easy yet ever impeccable
”.
ace and Gucci, whose mood
esolutely optimistic”, started
shows with men dressed in
or pale creams.
ace also showed comfort with
toned tunics and safari-like
s, also seen at Ermenegildo
and Ferre which had sparkly
nderneath.
s also featured – from fiery red
cci evening suits to a mainly
red and black line of suits,
and trousers from Dirk Bik-
ergs. Bottega Veneta had a mix
tones – purple, red and or-
with tie-dye patterns on
d jackets. “Men are looking for
ment in fashion,” Bottega Ve-
09
Roberto Cavalli Burberry Prorsum Gianfranco Ferre
Dirk Bikkembergs
Milan designers show colourful
neta Creative Director Tomas
Maier said. Earthy tones were also
seen at Salvatore Ferragamo.
Burberry’s Christopher Bailey
took outerwear from dark to pastel
colours, which he said was like
starting with rain and ending with
man for spring
sunshine, an analogy of the tough
economic climate. He chose a sof-
ter shoulder on suiting, worn with
crew necks and knits that had
straps. Cavalli also splashed pink,
yellow and green on tops, trousers
and shiny shoes.
Daring denim
Denim featured heavily – ripped
all the way down at Dolce & Gab-
bana and the key material for the
D&G ‘Brit Cowboy’ line – in jeans,
shirts and patchwork prints, at
times embroidered with shiny
studs. The designer duo mixed
denim with velvet jackets, ties and
bowties and suede or leather
boots.
Denim was dark at Armani and
teamed with a tuxedo at Bottega
Veneta. Embroidery took centre
stage at Dolce & Gabbana who had
sparkling beaded evening wear.
Cavalli put embroidery on jackets
and trousers, some of which had
tops that were folded over hips.
“You have to fight the crisis with
creativity, with the best materials,”
Cavalli said.
For accessories, bags came in all
shapes and sizes while shoes were
mainly rounded or had raised tops
when it came to sneakers. Design-
ers also played with plastic sun-
glasses. ■
Bottega Veneta Etro. ALL PHOTOS: AFP
Reuters
10
Flick
‘I will take complete
break for rugby’
Rahul Bose is the man of all moments. His vast knowledge
comes from his never-ending quest to know more about
the world. Pitched as a thinking woman’s sex symbol in
Bollywood, the actor spoke to TWF Correspondent Ritesh
Sharma on his new films, passion for rugby and more
ERGO Friday, June 26, 2009
■You haven’t had a release this year yet and last
both Dil Kabaddi and Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam
both did not generate a healthy response.
It’s completely up to the audience to judge a film and
that’s where the fate of a film gets decided. But of course
the script too needs to be powerful. Yes, I think doing
Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam was a mistake from my end.
But you can’t give hits with every film. I am looking
forward to a number of films that are already in the
pipeline. The multiplex strike has already delayed the
release of many films but now they will start releasing.
■You were supposed to start with your directo-
rial venture Moth Smoke this year.
(Pause). In fact I was supposed to start it but somehow
it got delayed. I will start it sometime early next year.
Right now I am occupied with too many other things and
then the rugby season begins in September.
■So you are still actively into rugby?
That is something I can’t do without. I captained the
national team and every year I devote ample time to this
sport. In fact this year there will be as many as 40 teams
participating in the rugby championship in Mumbai. I
will take a complete break from shooting for a couple of
months because of rugby.
■Your next release Mumbai Chaka Chak is also
in the pipeline for long
.
No it’s perfectly scheduled for a proper release. I am
really looking forward to that film. It has a very un-
conventional subject. It’s like Panchatantra meets mod-
ern day and has a moral to the story. It’s about how a
man wants to clean his city, Mumbai. It’s completely
different and is certainly going to be liked by all.
■What about Aparna Sen’s The Japanese Wife?
That’s going to release sometime this year. It’s again a
different kind of film, shot partly in Sunderbans, Kolkata
and Japan. But that will do the festival rounds first and
release in India once it’s screened at the Toronto Film
Festival.
■Your film, Before It Rains never released in
India.
(Shrugs and then smiles) But I am sure many in India
have watched it courtesy: piracy. It got a good opening
internationally, then the DVDs were released and by the
time it was supposed to be released in India the DVDs
got pirated. That’s what happens here.
■You have quite a few other releases.
Yes there’s Ghost Ghost Na Raha, which is a fun film
and then there’s Bits And Pieces, which is again a com-
pletely different film.
Trans World Features
 Friday, June 26, 2009
Facebook: The Movie
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button director David Fincher is in talks to helm Facebook: The Movie, according to
reports. The Columbia Pictures film will focus on Mark Zuckerberg, who launched the social networking site in 2004
after creating it as a tool for Harvard University students. Zuckerberg (25) is “the youngest billionaire on earth and
possibly the youngest self-made billionaire ever,” according to Forbes magazine.
HANGING
O V E R A
HANGOVER
MOVIE REVIEW
SHALINI SHAH
shalinishah@goergo.in
I
magine that dull headache,
disorientation and dazed-
ness the morning after a
good night’s drinking. Mul-
tiply it 10 fold and add to it a
tiger in the bathroom, a baby in
the closet, a Chinese in the car
boot, walking chicken in the
hall, an irreversible mess in a
really expensive hotel suite and
a friend god knows where, and
the result is The Hangover.
Two days before Doug’s (Jus-
tin Bartha) wedding, his friends
11
Cine City
Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Stu
(Ed Helms) and future brother-
in-law Alan (Zach Galifianakis)
whisk him off to Las Vegas for
S.P. Rajkumar to direct Vijay
his bachelor party. It is now confirmed. Actor Vijay’s 50th movie will
The next morning, the three be directed by S.P. Rajkumar, who is currently
directing actor R.K. in Azhagar Malai. Apart from
wake up in their suite in various
states of distress and undress direction, Rajkumar will also be writing the story,
and the groom is missing. screenplay and dialogues. The film will be
What’s more, they have zero produced by Sangili Murugan. Rajkumar had
recollection of how they ended earlier worked as the dialogue writer for Vijay’s
up in such a state. superhit flick Friends. Sangili Murugan had
They now need to get the earlier produced Vijay’s Kadhalukku Mariyadhai,
groom back on time for ‘I do’ which was also a blockbuster. The movie is
and for that trace the series of tentatively titled Urimai Kural.
unfortunate events. Will all that
happens in Vegas stay in Vegas?
After a bunch of chick-flicks,
this one’s for the men, if you
could call them that. While Jus-
tin Bartha’s is more of a cameo,
it’s Zach Galifianakis as Alan
who steals the show. Especially
watch out for the jail and black-
jack sequences.
The latter is hilarious and cle-
verly spoofs 21. Ed Helms as the
henpecked boyfriend and Bra-
dley Cooper as the good-look-
ing school teacher join
Galifianakis to make an unlike-
ly trio landed in a common
soup and keep the laughs go-
ing. The jokes are funny and the
film never sags. How the night’s
events unfold, however, is bet-
ter seen on film than read in an
opinion piece.
P.S. Also watch out for a very
special special appearance. ■
It’s now Suriya’s turn
The last hero to join the bandwagon of actors
Film: The Hangover crooning for their films is Suriya. Music director
Director: Todd Devi Sri Prasad, who made actor Vikram sing all
Phillips the songs in his upcoming flick Kanthasamy, is in
Cast: Bradley talks with Suriya to have him sing a song in
Cooper, Ed Helms, Singam. Sources say Suriya is also interested to
Zach Galifianakis, sing. It is to be remembered that Devi Sri Prasad
Justin Bartha made actor Siddharth sing in Santhosh
Subramaniam and actress Mamta Mohandass in
Villu.
12 ERGO Friday, June 26, 2009

Thursday’s Query: Captain Venugopal Kannoth, Vice President -

Your favourite time pass at office Corporate Services, iNautix Technologies India
Private Limited has been nominated as Office
when server goes off Angel by Bhujangappa & Dimple Raj and team.
■ "IM" la mokka poda vendiyadhu dhan Captain is our Boss. He is a true inspiration for
Vengi, Tata Consultancy Services the team. He is the Captain of the Ship called the
Corporate Services. He is cruising along with Bank of
■ Have a discussion with my teammates regarding the ways to New York Mellon with great control for almost three
compensate the productivity for that day years now. Has it in him to win the high sea battles,
Dhivya, Wipro holding together his "achiever" team thereby leading
the company to the desired goals. Indeed a true Jack
■ Gossiping Sparrow of iNautix.
Emmanuel, Hema, Srini Cognizant, Happy Birthday Captain!!!
Karuna Devi, Jansi, Lavanya Calibar Point

■ We’ll play hand cricket

Sathish.R, Allsec Technologies

■ Will play hot seat and shoot the questions like a bullet from
gun
Pradeep Sankaran, Allsec Technologies

■ Teasing others, making fun and praying to be the same for

whole day
Sharique, Navamani IBM

■ Sleeping
Shajahan IBM, Rafiya Allsec,
Sureshkumar.D TCS, Saranya.M, Cognizant

■ Shaking the mouse so that my IM status stays online

Kannan Maikeffi TCS

■ Reading Ergo
Sebastin Perotsystems, Rajesh Kumar.T Infosys, Karthick Congruent Solutions,
Dhananjayan Scope International, Shiva PSBPS

■ Reading books or SMS chatting

Aakash, CSS

■ Putting kadalai with girls

Sasikumar Wipro, MV.Santhosh Kumar, Guru, Rajeshkumar.D, Jelin Allsec,
Manoj, Baskar, Siva, Senthurpandi, Ranganathan, P.Iyappan Raj TCS, Ram
HCL, Deebigan Shell Transource, Dharan Patni Computers, Oviya.Vijay RRD,
Praveen Cognizant

■ Playing Minesweeper game Udayakumar from TCS e-Serve has nominated his friends as Partners in
Mayilraj MindTree Crime. This pic was clicked at Yelagiri.

■ Playing chess in mobile

Uma Ganesh.SS Allsec

■ Friends oda coffee break dhan

Sukhanya.P Cognizant, Jayaprakash, Don Allsec, G.Manoj Perotsystems

■ Chatting with friends

Pinky, Sohail IBM, Arthi Steria, Nasurudeen, Allsec

■ Clean the desktop

Aravindkumar, Cognizant

Today’s Query:
Recall those trade mark words/lines of
your teacher/lecturer with which you
associate him/her Jai Isaac from Perot Systems has nominated his team members as
Partners in Crime. This picture was clicked at Queensland.
Example: One of our colleague’s teacher’s one-liner was: I will kick you out of
the window. So his students used to call him ‘kick’ sir
Friday, June 26, 2009
June 26
■ Dear Esmy,
It’s a nice feeling when you know
that someone likes you,
someone thinks about you,
someone needs you;
but it feels much better when you
know that someone never ever forgets
your birthday. ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY’.
I’m so blessed 2 have a friend like u!!!
May ur day be filled with laughter,
happy memories, wonderful moments
and shining dreams.
Have a fabulous and fantastic year
ahead!!!
Lovely Wishes, from ur friend, Ram
■ Hi Kamal J.B.
May this special day be filled with sweet
memories and happy hours.
Wishing you all the fun and excitement
that only birthdays can bring!
With Cheers, Human Resources,
Coastal Training Technologies
India (P) Ltd, Chennai
■ Dear Sharan,
I’m here, right now, on your special day,
To give a cheer for you, hip, hip, hooray!
So let’s have a fun on your Birthday!!
Don’t feel that you are getting old every
year, but our memories are still young
and fresh:-)
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday
Honey!!! Have a successful year ahead:-)
From, Sugan, Tata Consultancy Services
■ Dear Saran,
Each year your Birthday reminds us,
that we really want to say
We r very glad I know you each day.
We hope you enjoy your birthday,
All he pleasures it has in store,
And because we appreciate you,
We hope you have many more!
Happy Birthdy Saran!!
Hearty Wishes form,
Karthik, Ayub, Bala, Rathina, Sami, Shyam,
Sumesh, Pathi, Selva & Senthil, Nittany
■ Hello Aishu,
Enjoy your Birthday.
May God Bless you!
Warm Birthday Wishes.. C.R.S Family
■ Dear Saranya,
Here’s a heartfelt birthday wishes from
ur beloved friends.
Birth Day is a beginning of a new year,
may this year be filled with joy and
sucess. May all ur dreams come true.
All the best.
with love, ur friends-AD team
■ Dear Sify Support Sankar,
Iniya piranthanal nalvalzhthugal,
Wish many more to come. May this Bday
Be filled with happy memories,
Wonderful moments and shining dreams.
Lots of ppl will be thinking of u on ur
Bday. We just wanted to let u know we
too one of them.
Have a wonderful Day!
Love, Sam & Hema, Tata Consultancy Services
■ Dear Anand,
The happiest moment is when I’m with
you. When you are by my side I feel like
the luckiest person. I am so glad to have
a friend like you. This comes with many
loving thoughts and warm wishes to u.
May your day be filled with laughter and
may the finest things in life always come
ur way. Happy Birthday ! Many more
happy returns of the day.
Regards, Chitra, Wipro Technologies
■ Dear Amul,
HAPPY BIRTH DAY TO U. Its a nice
feeling when you know that someone
likes you, someone thinks about you,
someone needs you;
but it feels much better when you know
that someone never ever forgets your
birthday.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY".
With lots of love, Bhavani Ananthan.
Team-Beacon. HCL Technologies Ltd.
■ Dear SP,
May this special day be filled with sweet
memories and happy hours.
I may hurt you for some reasons but i
always like u for endless reason!
Because i have one good reason you are
my ever lasting friend in my life!
I miss you pa!!!! Wish you many more
happy returns of the day!!!
With lots of wishes, Raghavan. S.S., TCS
■ Dear Sanjay K Menon,
Many Many Happy Returns of the Day..
Wishing you a very happy and
prosperous year ahead.. :)
God Bless You..
With Love.. Amal Kuriakose, Wipro Technologies
■ Dear Mekala Shanmugam (TCS),
My Hearties B’day Wishes To You. May
your each second and minute filled with
delight.
With love, Priyachitra S S TCS
■ Dear Vivek,
Sending birthday blessings filled with
love and peace and joy wishing sweetest
things happen right before your eyes...
happy birthday Have a wonderful future
ahead. Happy Birthday!!!
With Love and care
BT ISOOH2, Wipro Technologies
■ Hi Janan,
Have a Great Birthday! Wishing you to
have life full of happiness.
Regards C.R.S Family
■ Dear Rakshi Kutti,
Best wishes for your first day in school.
Let God wishes be with you forever.
Warm Regards, C.R.S Family
13
June 27
■ Dear Praja,
Wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! May
god give you all JOY in life. Enjoy this
day to the fullest and have FUN.
With Love, Suriya, Infosys Technologies Ltd.
■ Hi Balasubramaniam
May this special day be filled with sweet
memories and happy hours.
Wishing you all the fun and excitement
that only birthdays can bring!
With Cheers, Human Resources,
Coastal Training Technologies
India (P) Ltd, Chennai
■ Dear Milanie (HCL),
Santhosha janmadhinam kuttikke.. ;)
Wishing a very happy and prosperous
year ahead.. God Bless You..
With Love..
Amal Kuriakose, Wipro Technologies
June 28
■ Dear Nelliyan,
Wish You Many More Happy Return of
the day. May all your dreams come true
and this be another fantastic year for
you.
With lots of love MIS TEAM (TCS e-Serve)
■ Dear Senthil,
Wish u many more happy returens of the
Day. You all success in your life.
May this Birthday brings u happiness, joy,
peace and with all that you wish.
Its been a pleasure to work with you.
All the best for a rocking carreer and a
happy life.
Cheers, Citi-Vault Guys, I.John,N.Ram,
S.Durgalakshmi, A.Palani, N Annand, P.Siva
(Boss), K Ranjith M.Ravi, S.Thiya, B.Murali,
S.Sathish (writer) Professional Management
Consultants Pvt Ltd.
■ Hi Kannan
May this special day be filled with sweet
memories and happy hours.
Wishing you all the fun and excitement
that only birthdays can bring!
With Cheers, Human Resources,
Coastal Training Technologies
India (P) Ltd, Chennai
Belated Wishes
■ To My Dear Friend Jeya (HCL),
Sorry…….Sorry…… Sorry…….Sorry……
I am really sorry for forgetting your
birthday eventhough I have an alert
(My sis wedding day) on that day to
remember and this is the 3rd consecutive
year I am forgetting your birthday…
Really sorry for that..
Hope you have enjoyed your birthday
well and wish you all the success in your
life.
Dhananjayan Chandrasekar
Scope International
14 ERGO Friday, June 26, 2009

Traffic Jam
World Dwarf Games
Belfast is to host one of the world’s most unique sporting
events this summer - the World Dwarf Games.

sudoku

Indumathy
from HCL
Technologies
shot this
picture at the
Singapore zoo
with her Nikon
Coolpix P3
Camera.

KAKURO
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(Editor responsible for selection of news under
the PRB Act). RNI No. TNENG/2007/24553
 Friday, June 26, 2009
My thoughts
The announcer at Leicester railway
station in England is brightening up
passengers’ journeys - with his very
own thought for the day.
15
Word’s worth
Genyplasty (jen-i-plas-tee) the name for reconstructive surgery of the cheek when it has
been disfigured or was congenitally defective. From Greek words meaning ‘cheek’ and
‘molded.’ Since so many body parts have figurative meanings (hand, backbone, stomach)
this could be used with the figurative meaning of cheek - giving someone the ability to
answer back saucily when they have either lost it or never had it in the first place.

B.C

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

Today at work, your mind will be on an overdrive
and you will show prodigious efficiency while
performing your routine tasks. Taking up additional
responsibilities should not be a problem for you
today. You will take this enthusiasm at home.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20

Giving a prior consideration to whatever you are
doing will help you handle things smoothly. You are
likely to perform an unexpected act of courage,
which will soar your popularity among your loved
ones. In love, you will tend to be a little corny.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20

Today you need to focus on your domestic life,
BORN LOSER though professional life will continue being
demanding. You may struggle to strike a balance,
but everything will eventually fall into place. Avoid
no-win discussions with your superiors.
CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20
A day bustling with a lot of activities. But this
won’t take your concentration off your work. The
R&D activities will be high on your agenda.
Courtesy your busy schedule, you may tend neglect
your beloved’s calls today.
LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20
It will not be easy for you to keep a check on your
emotions. You will be shelling out advices to all and
sundry. You may want to familiarise yourself to a
virtue called humility. Give suggestions only when
asked for them.
VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20
Don’t be upset if you are unable to meet deadlines.
FREE RANGE WORKING IT OUT It’s time that you allocate some time to sitting with
your planner and noting down your schedule. On
the love front, Ganesha sees you in perfect harmony
with your beloved.
LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20
Librans are natural troubleshooters and staunch
advocates of justice. But it’s time you realise that
not every problem needs solving. Not by you at
least. So, avoid getting frustrated over things that
are beyond your control.
SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20
Today, you will get plenty of time and space at
work. Even the most difficult tasks will be
accomplished effortlessly. Your efficiency will be well
appreciated by your superiors. This will encourage
you to work harder.
SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20
You will begin the day feeling good about life. The
feeling will soon fade. By after, problems will have
started piling up and will refuse to leave you alone.
Avoid inviting any more trouble and try to extend
an olive branch to those who don’t like you.
CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20
Today, you will remain busy addressing meetings.
These meetings will throw up a lot of new
opportunities for you. At work, you will set
deadlines for the tasks to be accomplished. Giving
time and attention to your beloved.
AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20
PREVIOUS Taking care of social engagements will be as vital
for you as finishing the pending tasks. For meeting
ISSUE’S the targets, you may have to coordinate with your
colleagues. The efficiency with which you will be
SOLUTIONS working will turn other’s eyes green with envy.
PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20
You will be wading through a deluge of emotions
today. A dedicated effort towards keeping your
emotions in check may help you sail through the
day easily. If someone points out your mistakes,
take it easy and constructively.
Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni
16 ! ERGO Friday, June 26, 2009

1 3

Lightning
1 streaks the sky
in Kuala
Lumpur. The
wet season
monsoon rains
start in late
May or early
June and
continue until
October.
PHOTO: AFP

Michael Llodra
2 of France
collides with a
ball girl, during
his men’s
singles, 2nd
round match
against Tommy
Haas of
Germany at
Wimbledon.
PHOTO: AFP

Russian
3 President
Dmitry
Medvedev
stands near
the Great
Sphinx during
a tour of the
Great Pyramids
of Giza. PHOTO:
AFP