A BYTE OF LIFE Thursday, July 24, 2008

11 12
CHRISTIAN BALE MAHATHI
faces assault charges On her career decision to become a singer
FREE CIRCULATION Vol. 2 No. 144

FIST
OF FURY

Indian pugilists are ready to

pack a punch at the Beijing
boxing ring. The five-member
Indian team will be leaving for
the summer games on August 2.
Ahead of their departure, Ergo
takes a sneak peek at their
medal prospects.
» Page 09
02 NAMMA CHENNAI ERGO Thursday, July 24, 2008

BIG Aadi Amarkalam

Aadi is round the corner and it is raining offers. BIG 92.7 FM
will be present at the RMKV outlet between noon and 8 p.m.
and select one lucky shopper whose bill will be paid by the
radio station. Go shopping every Saturdays and Sundays (till
August 10), participate in the contest and get lucky.

Chicken Little
Brothers absconding for
becomes family
When this family took in an abandoned chick two
12 years arrested years ago, they opened the door to an incredible
Two brothers who escaped after receiving
life sentences for murdering a policeman
were nabbed by police on Tuesday after 12
relationship with a feathered friend
years of hiding.
A special police team led by N. Kamini, SRIYA NARAYANAN
deputy commissioner of police [email protected]
(Washermenpet), on Sunday night, arrested
brothers Krishnamoorthy (42) and

W
hen Radha adopted Kutti
Karunakaran (40), who were sentenced for as a baby chick, she re-
the murder of Muthukumaraswamy, an veals that he looked like
Armed Reserve Police constable, in 1990. an egg with a red hat.
In 1996 Krishnamoorthy was let out on With no experience in raising a
parole, while Karunakaran was granted rooster, the new owners (Radha
bail. The two vanished without a trace. The and her brother Meganathan)
police took the matter to court and the didn’t know that he would soon
duo’s conviction was increased to life become the most pampered
imprisonment. member of their household.
Recently, a team was formed under DCP They recall that their relation-
Kamini to track the brothers. The team’s ship got off to a great start. “The
only lead was the brothers’ friend, one day we brought him in, he
Palani of Flower Bazaar. More than 30 days climbed on my lap and fell
of investigations led the team to Avadi, asleep. He likes to have meals
where the brothers had married and were with the family. He even lies
leading lives under different identities. On down next to us at night and
Tuesday night, Krishnamoorthy was nabbed sleeps with his head on my shoul-
from his in-laws’ house. He then led police der.” Is Kutti a free bird? “Cer-
to Karunakaran. tainly,” says his owner before I
The two are in police custody and are being can complete
interrogated further to determine their the question.
possible involvement in other cases. They “We wouldn’t
will soon be sent to Puzhal prison. dream of shut-
We wouldn’t ting him up in a
cage. He roams
dream of in the house
shutting him freely and inter-
up in a cage. acts cheerfully
with visitors.”
He roams in They leave the
the house television on for
their pet when
freely and they go out, as
interacts he’s comforted
cheerfully by the sound of
human voices
with visitors when his owners
aren’t home.
“When I return
from work, he
jumps down from wherever he is Radha and Kutti.
and comes racing towards me,” PHOTO: R. RAVINDRAN
says Radha who works at Nokia’s .
Sriperambadur plant.
They rattle off tales about him occasion. He loves being hand cial.” Their story proves what
as he watches them with an ador- fed.” After the interview, Radha most of us already know – even
ing stare. and Meganathan call me to men- the smallest creature, when treat-
“Kutti likes Horlicks. And whe- tion that he developed a sweet ed with love and care, responds
never we rustle a plastic cover, he tooth recently. “There are so in kind and rewards you in more
gets excited because he thinks it’s many remarkable things about ways that you might have
a packet of mixture, which by the this guy,” says Meganathan. “Ev- thought possible. As you read
way, he’s addicted to. And if ery time we think we’ve told you this, Kutti is probably using emo-
we’re eating junk food, he pecks everything, we remember one tional blackmail tactics to get an
us gently to be included in the more thing that makes him spe- extra helping of dessert. ■
 Thursday, July 24, 2008
03
Clicked!
’Seen and Unseen’ -- a photography exhibition
by Veena Krishnakumar is on at Tangerine
Restaurant, near old Lifestyle, Alwarpet. The
exhibition is on display till July 30.

Tie-up for the knot Murugavel

V. HARIPRIYA
[email protected] Janakiraman, CEO,
Bharat Matrimony

I
f marriages are made in hea- and(right) Vikram
ven, are the details of pro- Mehra, Chief
spective brides and grooms Marketing Officer
available in the sky? Yes, say of Tata Sky Limited
Vikram Mehra and Murugavel Ja- after the launch of
nakiraman of Tata Sky and Bha- Actve Matrimony in
rat Matrimony respectively.At a Chennai on
press briefing held at ITC Park Wednesday.
Sheraton Hotel and Towers on PHOTO:S.S. KUMAR
Wednesday, Tata Sky and Bharat
Matrimony launched Actve Mat-
rimony, a matrimony-based in- Details, similar to the ones ferred profile, the subscriber has
teractive service on Tata Sky.Said available on the Bharat Matrimo- to type the profile ID and send an
to be the first of its kind globally, ny website, are available to sub- SMS to the number flashing on
Actve Matrimony will feature scribers on their TVs on a 24x7 the screen.
1,000 new matrimonial listings basis. Details like profile ID, age, They will instantly receive a re-
every week, classified according height, education, location and ply from Tata Sky. The registered
to multiple languages and occupation can be viewed on subscribers of Bharat Matrimony
communities. screen. will be alerted about the selection
Using the search engine, sub- made by a Tata Sky subscriber. CEO of Bharat Matrimony. or photographs of those regis-
How to access scribers can get the details, which The service is provided free of tered will not be revealed on the
The application is available to are classified according to lan- cost to Tata Sky subscribers, but Privacy television screen to avoid misuse.
all Tata Sky subscribers free of guages and communities. To get Rs. 10 will be charged per SMS, Vikram Mehra, CEO of Tata Numbers are available only on
cost. the contact details of the pre- said Murugavel Janakiraman, Sky, said that the contact details demand. ■

Celebrated Iranian
director in town
MITHRA SURESH and specifically for ‘Hazaaron
[email protected] Khwaishein Aisi’.
The family is currently settled

T
wo of the celebrated in Afghanistan, where they
Makhmalbaf family were shifted after Mohsen made Kan-
in town, and at the DVD dahar. “I don’t go back to Iran
rental parlour Cinema Par- much, but my children do.” His
adiso on Tuesday where they journey to Afghanistan was to
spoke about film-making in initially conduct research for
Iran. Mohsen and his wife Mar- the film, but the chaos in the
ziyeh, who are in the city for country disturbed him to the
colour correction of their new extent, he abandoned film-
film, were without their prodi- making to undertake social pro-
gious children, Samira, Maysam jects to improve education and
and Hana, who have also made hygiene in Afghanistan.
film festival winning documen- “But you have a beautiful
taries and films. country right here, where no
One of the journalists present one can say, ‘This is India’ be-
remarked that his films reflect- cause there are too many sights
ed life in Iran, to which Mohsen and sounds,” he smiled, looking
replied, “Not all my films do around the store.
that, perhaps Gabbeh and The Mohsen Makhmalbaf and Cinema Paradiso, located on
Peddler, but then here in India Marziyeh making their hand C.P. Ramaswamy Road, has cre-
also there are movies which impression at Cinema ated a Walk of Fame, to resem-
shows India as it really is.” The Paradiso on Tuesday. ble its Hollywood counterpart
discussion naturally veered into PHOTO: R. RAVINDRAN and have collected hand and
Bollywood, which Makhmalbaf footprints of celebrities like A.R.
said was not real, and existed The director is a fan of inde- Rahman, Kamal Haasan and
because people want to be a pendent Indian cinema and S.P. Balasubrahmanyam. Their
part of popular culture. He add- was seen asking Cinema Paradi- latest addition to this are the
ed, “I have not watched a main- so owner, Santhosh and wife Makhmalbafs, whose hand-
stream film, but only snatches Nirupama, for DVDs by Shyam prints will also be displayed on
through channel-surfing.” Benegal, Adoor Gopalakrishnan the walkway to the store. ■
04 KALEIDOSCOPE ERGO Thursday, July 24, 2008

‘‘
Whether you think you can or think you
can’t, you’re right
Henry Ford

Toy rocket
maker
Crowd-sourcing
inspires the e-car
Finnish Internet community seeking to apply the collective approach
US army to start converting used petrol-fuelled cars to electric ones

A
fter the wikipedia, the wik-
Chicago-based toy-making icar.
‘eCars - Now!’ is a Finn-
company commissioned to ish Internet community
seeking to apply the collective ap-
make a gun that can fire proach taken by online collabora-
bullets at variable speeds tors like the authors of Wikipedia
to start converting used petrol-
fuelled cars to electric ones, with

T
he US army has commissioned a the first roll-out due this year.
Chicago-based toy-making compa- The Finnish-language forum
ny to make a gun that can fire bul- claims to be first of its kind in the
lets at variable speeds, and serve world, and wants to provide an
the dual purpose of killing or wounding. alternative to what its members
The army chose Lund and Company perceive as foot-dragging in the
Invention for the project after being in- oil and auto industries. The
spired by its toy rockets that are group is working in the tradition
launched using liquid hydrogen as a of “open source” projects laid
fuel. The impulse the rocket receives at down by information technology
launch can be controlled by varying the __ like the Linux computer oper-
fuel-air mix in a combustion chamber, ating system which was started
say reports. by a Finn and challenged Micro-
Bruce Lund, the company’s CEO, has Plug-in Toyota Prius
soft’s dominance. hybrid vehicles are
revealed that the US army wants them “If we succeed very well it will
to adapt the technology to fire bullets displayed at the 2008
create similar projects across the Plug-In conference and
instead of toy rockets. He says that the world with whom we can share
US Army has always had difficulty in per- Exposition on Tuesday
what we know,” said project par- in California. With
suading soldiers to swap rifles for non- ticipant Jukka Jarvinen, adding
lethal weapons. gasoline prices at
that a similar scheme was record highs, the
Once they have a rifle that can be launching in Denmark. “We’re
used to fire bullets at various speeds, he inaugural three-day
hoping to create a global move- Plug-In Conference and
adds, the soldiers will not have to ment.”
change their weapons over and over. Exposition opened with
Electric cars have struggled to industry speakers and
The new weapon will be called the Vari- shake off a quirky image with tiny
able Velocity Weapon System (VWS), 35 exhibitors
sales of often fantastical vehicles showcasing the latest
says Lund. at prohibitive prices, or econo-
According to him, the VWS will enable technological
my-sized “golf carts” with limited advancements in plug-
soldiers to use the same rifle for crowd range.
control and combat, by altering the in hybrid electric
But because they are charged vehicles. AFP PHOTOS
muzzle velocity. ■ from the power grid and make
ANI more efficient use of energy, they
produce fewer emissions and are electric vehicles in the next three outlet for fans who have so far
seen as a promising clean-air al- to five years. General Motors is been disappointed by the car in-
The new weapon will be ternative to petrol-powered veh- rushing to complete the design of dustry. Some experts say it will
icles. When it comes to promises, its Chevy Volt, which is a plug-in still take 5-10 years for alterna-
called the Variable auto-makers are keen to capital- hybrid, Mitsubishi Motors plans tives to petrol-fuelled cars to take
Velocity Weapon System ise on mounting consumer con- to launch its electric compact car root, given the capacity challenge
cern about high gasoline prices “i-MiEV” in Japan in 2009, and in for an auto industry that is adding
which is prompting trade-ins of Europe Daimler’s electric Smart 65 million new cars a year to a
gas-guzzling SUVs. and Mercedes models are touted fleet of 1 billion.
Chrysler LLC was one of the lat- for 2010.
STOCKTRACK est to say it plans to launch all- But the Finnish group offers an Open source
The group is starting small. It
14942.28 4476.80 has identified demand for more
General Motors is rushing to complete the than 500 electric conversions in
Finland and its website aims to
838.08 design of its Chevy Volt, which is a plug-in
236.70 begin introducing potential
hybrid, Mitsubishi Motors plans to launch its buyers to sellers of suitable used
electric compact car “i-MiEV” in Japan in 2009, cars and components, and me-
chanics who can make the con-
and in Europe Daimler’s electric Smart and version with an electric motor
SENSEX NIFTY Mercedes models are touted for 2010 and lithium batteries. ■
Reuters
Thursday, July 24, 2008
05
Websites of the day
Join Beckham mania and own David’s US $ 42.33

SOURCE: RBI
LA Galaxy shirt, at www.football-
shirts.co.uk. Is your friend’s wedding Pound 84.32
getting out of control? Refer her to, Euro 66.75
www.bridezilla.com 100 Yen 39.36

Wait for Deathly

Hallows in
Japanese ends
H
undreds of Harry Potter but since I’ve followed him
fans dressed up in cos- throughout the years I will be see-
tume on Wednesday as ing him out, and that comforts
they snapped up the Japa- me,” she said, wearing a blonde
nese translation of the seventh wig as Luna, one of the main
and final book of the series, a year characters.
after it appeared in English. Bespectacled 28-year old Saori,
Readers gathered in costume at who was dressed up as Harry,
bookstores in Tokyo, some of said the magic never died
which opened as early as 7:00 am throughout the seven books.
(2200 GMT) to start selling the Ja- “Even if this is the end, I will al-
panese version of “Harry Potter ways have Harry Potter moving
and the Deathly Hallows.” around in my head,” she said.
“I’m so excited I feel like crying. Online bookstore Amazon Ja-
I’m totally enchanted,” said a pan said it received about 95,000
breathless young Japanese wom- orders for the Japanese version of
an who gave her first name as Eri- J.K. Rowling’s book, the most ever
na. She said she had waited for a book in the Harry Potter se-
outside the Tokyo bookstore ries, topping its bestsellers chart.
since Tuesday afternoon. ■
“I feel sad that this is the end AFP
쑸
Clad in witch and wizard costumes, the members of a Harry
Potter fan club wait for release of the Japanese version of
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" at a special corner of
a department store in Tokyo on Wednesday. AFP PHOTO

Making it big on
Model robot the web
Can’t book Kate Moss for a fashion Who knew bad dance skills
shoot? Well, a new modelling robot can could cause such celebrity? Matt
strike a pose. A research institute in Harding has won cult fame by
Kobe Japan has developed a fashion- filming himself dancing badly all
bot they hope will be used for promo- around the world, much to the
tional events as well as fashion shows amusement of millions.
and window displays. Now Harding wants to do more
The robots are the brainchild of re- than dance - he wants to make it
searchers from the Robot Research In- big in order to raise money to buy
stitute at the New Industry Research computers for the poor. Harding
Organisation and can assume human rose to fame five years ago when
like postures by moving their limbs, he quit his job as a video game
neck, waist, and other body parts. maker to travel the world. That’s
Standing 160 centimetres tall, the when a pal suggested he do a silly
bots are made of a metal frame and dance that he always did at work in
covered in polyethylene sheets to give different locations around the
it a human-like look. The joints of the world.
robots are made to look slim, and give In 2004, Harding posted the
the machines a feminine feel and the clips online on his website whe-
body is made of aluminium to make rethehellismatt.com, and it be-
the frame light and affordable to build. came an internet hit.
WENN
WENN
06 VILLAGE ERGO Thursday, July 24, 2008

DaVinci’s vision
Leonardo DaVinci was the first to
suggest using contact lenses to aid
vision back in 1508.

Ice cream vans’ jingles Court rules lesbians are not just
’too noisy’ for the Brits! from Lesbos
Traditional ice cream vans in Worcester, Britain, A Greek court has
have been banned for playing their jingles for too dismissed a request by
long, as they are too noisy. Worcester City Council residents of the Aegean
ordered that the jingles cannot be played for more island of Lesbos to ban
than four seconds. The sellers will not be allowed the use of the word
to sound their chimes before 12 pm or after 7 pm lesbian to describe gay
and can only play music once every three minutes women, according to a
“They only want you to chime for four seconds but court ruling made public
people just won’t hear that,” Telegraph reported. on Tuesday. Three
ANI residents of Lesbos, the
birthplace of the ancient
Greek poetess Sappho
whose love poems
Super snail Heikka is the inspired the term
lesbian, brought a case
world’s fastest! last month arguing the
Super snail Heikka, named after Lewis Hamilton’s Formula use of the term in reference to gay women insulted their
One teammate Heikki Kovalainen, raced to victory in this identity. In a July 18 decision, the Athens court said the
year’s World Snail Racing Championships. Heikki, owned by word did not define the identity of the residents of the
13-year-old Georgie Brown from East Winch, Norfolk, island, and so it could be validly used by gay groups in
triumphed leaving his rivals trailing in his slime with a time Greece and abroad. The ruling ordered the plaintiffs to
of three minutes, two seconds. Brown saw him overcome pay court expenses of 230 euros ($366.2). “This is a good
over 200 garden snails, battling it out over the 13-inch decision for lesbians everywhere,” Vassilis Chirdaris, lawyer
course in their quest to become World Champion. “Georgie for the Gay and Lesbian Union of Greece, told Reuters.
entered a couple of Reuters
years ago and got
through to the finals,
but unfortunately last
year was rained off,”
the Telegraph quoted Brit student asked to pay £800
Polly Brown, Georgie’s
mother, as saying. “We for going 8p in the red!
entered at the last A Brit college student has been levied with a charge
minute, and just of 800 pounds for an overdraw of 8 pence. The
grabbed a few snails bank has threatened to take a legal action against
from the garden, as you Laura Gibson, if she did not pay her debt. The 20-
do, and Heikki managed year-old student has been stung by penalties of up
to get through to the to 166 pounds a month since September. Gibson has
final and win. Georgie’s already paid back 300 pounds but still is unable to
over the moon,” she keep ahead of the soaring charges and owes 515.18
added. pounds on her Lloyds TSB Classic Plus account.
ANI ANI

Ad gave him ulcer and depression

A
Japanese man who took out a ter his arrest on Tuesday, according to
classified advertisement to find the official.
his lost dog wound up instead Nagasawa, who never met the older
with an ulcer after being pestered man, would call the cellphone listed in
by hundreds of nuisance calls, police the classifieds from morning to night,
said on Wednesday. leaving silent messages or hanging up
Satoshi Nagasawa, 34, saw the num- after the victim picked up, police said.
ber of the 63-year-old man in the classi- “Due to the phone calls, the man be-
fieds and dialled it up to 30 times a day came extremely stressed and suffered
for two months, said a police official in psychological damage, which led to a
northern Akita prefecture. stomach ulcer,” the police official said.
“I was irritated and wanted to call so- Nagasawa was arrested after police
meone to give him trouble. I felt re- identified him through his phone num-
freshed thinking that the other person ber and is currently in custody. ■
was troubled,” Nagasawa told police af- AFP

Satoshi Nagasawa, 34, saw the number of a 63-year-old

man in the classifieds and dialled it up to 30 times a
day for two months
 Thursday, July 24, 2008
07
This day , that year Christmas in Denmark
It was in July 24, 1985 that Walt Disney’s ’The Black It’s Christmas in July at a Danish amusement
Cauldron’ was opened in movie theaters in the United park where 136 Santa Clauses from around
States. It was the 25th full-length cartoon to be the world gathered for the 51st annual
produced by the Disney Studios in Burbank, California. World Santa Clause Congress.

Indian blogger’s series to be

published in Pak text book
Book is about five things Pakistanis love about their country

A
n Indian blogger’s write- mer’s death, to the Daily Times’ karhai, pilau etc in
ups on five things Pakista- recent bloodbath in weddings and birth-
nis love about their country Karachi, it seems
Washington- days. Our famous
may soon be included in a that Pakistan is the based doodhpatti chai, of
Pakistani school text book. source of much of correspondent course, is the most de-
The Oxford University Press in the nastiness in a licious thing on
Karachi, which is working on a nasty world,” Hu- Khalid Hasan earth,” Nahal wrote.
Class 11 text book, has sought sain wrote. listed Karachi-based pho-
Mayank Austen Soofi’s permis- tojournalist Ameer
sion to print the series he ran on Quality of Pakistan’s Hamza mentioned Pa-
his blog ‘pakistanpainda- mangoes mysticism, kistani politics and
bad.blogspot.com’ last year. Husain also ‘cele- music, poetry, girls as his top five fa-
Soofi had invited Pakistanis brated the quality of vourites. “And yes, we
from all walks of life to share what mangoes’, Pakista- food and have some of the fin-
they believe are the five best nis’ ‘puzzling adher- writing as his est girls in the world.
things about their country and to ence to democracy’ But ahem, the rest of
‘celebrate their nation’. The book and ‘millions of
favourites the world is also full of
is also expected to include Soofi’s meat-eaters’ in his them,” Hamza wrote.
picture and he is elated. list. “So despite all troubles Pakis-
“It feels good to be published tan is beset with, I don’t think I The list goes on
in a Pakistani text book,” Soofi would trade places with any- Daily Times’ Washington-
told PTI. body,” he wrote. based correspondent Khalid Ha-
Oxford University Press’ editor Nahal S, a Pakistani living in san listed Pakistan’s mysticism,
(higher education) Samuel Ray America, wrote a piece “Because music, poetry, food and writing
wrote to Soofi recently to seek his Heart Hai Pakistani”. Nahal listed as his favourites. Some others
permission to publish the materi- Soofi’s blog ran contributions Powerful and Pak series”. Sufism, Pakistan’s culture, culi- listed ‘cricket’ as the best thing
al for a low priced English text from famous and not-so-famous “As Pakistan hits headlines nary traditions, history and litera- about Pakistan ‘we’ve produced
book for Class 11. Pakistanis. Columnist Irfan ’Maz- around the world, the news all ture and its serene beauty as the some of the greatest players ever’
dak’ Husain contributed his fa- seems bad. From disaster in the five favourites. read a post. ■
Proud series vourite fives in the “The Proud, World Cup, to poor Bob Wool- “We cook dishes like biryani, PTI

Squinter and friends in slumber

1 million ghosts
in Germany!
G ermany has a ‘ghost’ population
of more than one million – people
who are registered but simply don’t
exist, Germany’s Federal Statistics
Office said on Tuesday. The Wiesd-
baden-based office said it believed
Germany’s current population tally
of 82.2 million was too high by 1.3
million because many people had
failed to de-register when moving to
new homes. They remained on the
books as ‘card-index ghosts.’ Ac-
cording to German laws, everyone
living in Germany, citizen or alien,
has to register his name and address
Germany has a at a local government office, and de-
‘ghost’ population register himself and his children
when moving away. For the upcom-
of more than one ing 2011 European Union census,
million – people Germany plans to calculate its pop- 쒀 South Korean students wearing traditional school uniforms participate in a special
who are registered ulation using estimates from regis- lecture at a centuries-old auditorium in Icheon, south of Seoul on Wednesday.
ters, welfare records, mail-carrier Through the lecture, the children learn about courtesy and virtue during their
but simply don’t records and a detailed survey of a summer vacation. AFP PHOTO
exist small sample of the population. ■
Xinhua
08 SPORT ERGO Thursday, July 24, 2008

Yogeshwar nominated for Arjuna Award

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has recommended Beijing-
bound Yogheswar Dutt and 2007 World Championship bronze medallist
Alka Tomar for Arjuna Awards for year 2007.

Argentina
eyeing

D
efending champions Argen- tines are also set to call on
back-to-back tina, likely to field two of
world football’s most excit-
Liverpool’s 23-year-old midfielder
Javier Mascherano, who is keen to
ing and in-demand young- become the first Argentinean foot-
gold sters, loom as the team to beat baller ever to win back-to-back
again at the Beijing Olympics. gold medals.
Twenty-year-old prodigies, Lionel
Messi and Sergio Aguero, are ex- Everybody wants gold
pected to spearhead a richly-tal- “It’s important for any athlete to
ented Argentine squad, which is defend the gold medal,” Masche-
the undisputed favourite to claim rano said. “I might be the only per-
consecutive gold medals. Argenti- son from my country ever to do it
na stormed through the 2004 Ath- and I’ll go down in history, nothing
ens tournament without losing a counts for me more than helping
match or conceding a goal. Messi, my nation.” Argentina launch their
christened the new Diego Marado- campaign against Ivory Coast in
na and even endorsed by the foot- Shanghai on August 7 with the
ball legend as “the player who will Africans likely to field Chelsea’s Sa-
inherit my place in Argentina”, is lomon Kalou and Didier Drogba
so keen to play at the Olympics and Arsenal defender Kolo Toure.
that he may forgo a Champions Australia and Serbia are also in Ar-
League tie for his Spanish club Bar- gentina’s Group A. Brazil, who
celona. have won five FIFA World Cups but
not an Olympic gold medal, are in
Ready for the Games Group C along with hosts China,
Barcelona play their first leg of Belgium and New Zealand.
the Champions League tie on Au- The Brazilians will be without
gust 12 or 13, with the second leg 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year
taking place on August 26 or 27. Kaka after AC Milan’s refusal to re-
The Olympic tournament runs lease him as an over-age player,
from August 7 to the final on Au- but Real Madrid defender Marcelo
gust 23 and FIFA is still mulling said he wants to be part of history
whether clubs are obliged to re- in Beijing. “If we win gold we will
lease their U-23 players. “I am go- go down in Brazilian national team
ing to the Olympic Games history.
whatever may happen,” Messi It would be a very special title. I
said. “The truth is though that I do want to make history but first we
not know how we can resolve have to produce the goods on the
things, but there is no doubt that I field,” Marcelo said. But he be-
will be there. I have really high lieves fierce South American rivals
hopes with the Olympic squad. I Argentina stand in Brazil’s path to
am very pleased that Sergio Ague- the gold medal.
ro is joining us and I am looking Italy, the reigning World Cup
forward to playing alongside him.” champions and bronze medallists
Aguero, who won the Golden in Athens, launch Group D against
Ball as the best player in Argenti- Honduras and are also grouped
na’s Under-20 World Cup win in with South Korea and 2000 Olym-
Canada last year, recently turned pic champions Cameroon.
down the opportunity to leave At- The Koreans though will be mis-
letico Madrid for Chelsea after the sing Manchester United midfielder
rich English club matched Aguero’s Park Ji-sung as an over-age player
release clause of 55 million euros. due to fatigue. Nigeria, who were
Argentina national coach Alfio the first African nation to win
Basile raves about his two dyna- Olympic gold in Atlanta 12 years
mos and their pulsating brand of ago, are drawn alongside Nether-
football. “They always astonish lands, Japan and the United States
me, because they invent someth- in Group B. ■
ing new,” Basile said. The Argen- AFP

PHOTO: AFP
 Thursday, July 24, 2008
09
Beijing Games will be cleanest ever
Drug cheat athletes are far more likely to be caught at next month’s Beijing Olympics Games than at any previous
Olympiad, world doping agency chief John Fahey said on Wednesday. While refusing to guarantee that this year’s
Olympics would be drug free, the World Anti Doping Agency head was adamant they would be the cleanest ever
despite doubts raised over the effectiveness of drug tests.

Lords of the Ring

The five-member pugilist team from India has high hopes for Beijing
AYON SENGUPTA battle is lost. You just get into the ring and
[email protected] give your best and results are bound to optimistic about a good showing from his
come in your favour.” wards and says: “Vijender and Akhil are at

A
mateur boxing at the Olympics has Middleweight boxer Vijender Singh, who the top of their game. On a given day, they
always been dominated by the Cu- caused the biggest upset at the Asian qual- can knock out the best in the world. A few
bans, and this year it looks no differ- ifiers a few months ago by beating the of the bouts at the Olympic will be tough
ent. Cuba has so far won 32 medals in reigning Olympic gold medallist Bakhtiyar but I can assure you that we are not going
boxing at the Olympics and they are sure to Artayev of Kazakhstan, may well be India’s there just to add to the numbers.”
add a substantial number to that tally. But best medal hope amongst the pugilists. The The boxing fraternity also echoes the
beyond all the glamour and pomp sur- unforgiving fists of the 22-year-old and his same view and Jay Kowli, joint secretary of
rounding the sport, five Indians are train- appetite for success make him a fierce the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation,
ing hard at the National Institute of Sports competitor inside the ring. And the burly adds: “Vijender and Akhil are taking part in
in Patiala to achieve the unthinkable. They six-footer is also never shy from a fight. their second Olympics and I have high
are ready to take the big leap and are opti- Born in the temple town of Bhiwani in Ha- hopes of a medal from them because of
mistic about bringing in a medal or two for ryana, the cradle of Indian boxing, it didn’t their recent excellent record in internation-
the country. take Vijender long to follow the footsteps of al competitions. Vijender is one of the
“I believe in myself and I know I am the his elder brother Manoj, a national cham- cleanest boxers in terms of technique and
best boxer in my category. So I just need to pion. Early in his teens, he was picked up with his win over the Athens Olympic gold
follow my dream and the Olympic medal by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) coach medallist he will be high on confidence and
will be mine,” Akhil Kumar (54kg category) Jagdish Singh. His break into the national that is always an advantage when you are
says. Recovering from a wrist injury, the circuit and coaching from a young age has getting into the ring.” ■
2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games borne dividends. Vijender is one of the Team: Jitender Kumar (51kg), Akhil Ku-
gold medallist has battled his way back to most technically sound boxers in India and mar (54 kg), AL Lakra (57 kg), Vijender
the top and is right now rated as the best has already clinched a bonze at the Doha Singh (75 kg) and Dinesh Kumar (81 kg).
boxer in Asia. Confident and composed, Asian Games in 2006 and silver at the Mel- Support staff: Coaches: Gurbax Singh
Akhil says: “I know it’s a big event. But if bourne Commonwealth Games. Sandhu, BI Fernandez and Jaidev Bisht.
you start thinking about it then half the National coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu is Physio: Harishankar Verma.

15 Days to Go....

Vijender Singh PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

10 FLICK ERGO Thursday, July 24, 2008

Made of Honor
The Spanish subtitles in theatres changed the
name of the Patrick Dempsey-starrer Made of
Honor to ‘Quiero Robarme la Novia’. This
translates in English to “I want to steal the
bride”.

Hollywood ‘Walk of Fame’ gets much-needed makeover

H
undreds of dilapidated stars on Hollywood’s Walk
of Fame are getting a much-needed four-million-
dollar makeover ahead of the landmark’s 50th
anniversary, a business group said on Tuesday.
Of the 2,365 stars embedded in the sidewalk along
Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, about 800 THE FOUNDERS OF THE
are considered in poor or very poor condition, ‘WALK OF FAME’ COULD
according to the Hollywood Chamber of Com- NOT HAVE IMAGINED
merce, which aims to replace several of the pink THAT THE CREATION OF A
terrazzo and bronze stars between now and SIDEWALK OF STARS
2010.
WOULD BECOME A TOP
Although demonstration stars were installed in
ATTRACTION THAT DRAWS
MILLIONS OF VISITORS
1958, the ‘Walk of Fame’ was officially launched
FROM AROUND
in November 1960.
THE WORLD EACH YEAR
“The founders of the ‘Walk of Fame’ could not
have imagined that the creation of a sidewalk of stars
would become a top attraction that draws millions of
visitors from around the world each year,” said the cham-
ber’s president, Leron Gubler.
“It is a treasured piece of Hollywood and it is our deeply
felt responsibility to provide for its preservation into the
future.”
A vodka company was first to step up as a corporate spon-
sor of the renovation project and will earn its own honorary
star on the Walk of Fame as a result, the chamber said.
Stretching some 2.5 miles (four kilometres) through the
cinema quarter of northwest Lost Angeles, the Walk of Fame
continues to add stars to its already luminescent list of hon-
oured celebrities.
Actress Holly Hunter, rap mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and
former Disney CEO Michael Eisner have been immortalised
with their own stars in the past month.
In 2005, in an unprecedented defacement, thieves made
off with the star of actor Gregory Peck by cutting it out of the
pavement. It has yet to be recovered. ■
AFP

Miley Cyrus on eBay

Come May 2009, it’s H annah Montana star Miley Cyrus will be
sparking off another Internet frenzy, and
this time it’s because she’s auctioning herself
The Tonight Show off on eBay.
According to reports, Cyrus and her family
minus Jay Leno have just started their very own charity entitled

C omedian Jay Leno will make his

last appearance as host of NBC’s
The Tonight Show next May 29,
the Pappy Cyrus Family Foundation, in honour
of her grandfather.
Proceeds from the auction will be handed
setting the stage for Conan O’Brien over to her foundation, which supports
to replace him on America’s top numerous charities that assist needy children
late-night TV show on June 1, the across the country. Among the items to be
network said on Monday. But auctioned are some of Cyrus’ autographed
even as they announced the clothes, which she had worn to The High School
exact date of Leno’s long- Musical 2 movie premiere and last year’s Teen
planned 2009 departure, NBC Vogue Young Hollywood party. The added
executives said they were bonus is that Cyrus will be selling herself to the
looking for ways to keep highest bidder, who will then be her red-carpet
him at the General Electric date at her upcoming Bolt movie premiere. The
Co.-owned network in a winner will also get Disneyland passes,
role other than as a late- accommodations and car service. Powered by
night host. ■ Auction Cause, Cyrus’ first-ever personal eBay
Reuters auction was to kick off at 7 p.m. on Tuesday
night (LA time) and conclude on July 29. ■
ANI
 Thursday, July 24, 2008

Vertical Limit
11
To Kill a Mockingbird
The watch used in To Kill a Mockingbird was The toeless feet of character ‘Montgomery
a prop, but Harper Lee gave Gregory Peck Wick’ seen at the beginning of Vertical Limit
her father’s watch after the film was actually belong to mountaineer Mark Wetu,
completed because he reminded her so who lost his toes while spending a night
much of him. outdoors above 28,000 feet during a 1994
attempt on Everest.

To bail out Bale Cine City

Batman star arrested over assault charges made by mother and sister

A ctor Christian Bale, star of the new Batman

film The Dark Knight, was arrested over al-
legations he attacked his mother and sister,
police said on Tuesday.
After being questioned at a London police
station a day after appearing at the film’s
West End premiere,
he was bailed to ap-
pear again in Sep-
tember pending
further enquiries,
Scotland Yard said.
Police sources said
Bale faced an allega-
tion of committing
assault in his suite at
London’s plush Dor-
chester Hotel on Sunday.
The force confirmed it had received a formal
complaint after the two women made state-
ments to Hampshire Police in southeast En-
gland. Bale’s lawyers Schillings said he had Suriya turns 33
gone to a London police station voluntarily Actor Suriya celebrated his 33rd birthday with his
“to assist with an allegation that had been fans and family on July 23. Born in 1975, Suriya has
made against him to the police by his mother carved a niche for himself in the Tamil film
and his sister. “Mr Bale, who denies the allega- industry. His birthday was a rather private affair,
tion, co-operated throughout.” ■ although his fan clubs have made sure that
AFP enough posters are on display all over the city
wishing him a happy birthday.

Naan Aval Adhu ready

for release
Naan Aval Adhu, starring Madhavan
and Sadha, is getting ready for release.
With the movie’s shooting already
over, the audio launch is slated for the
end of this month. However, with big
flicks like Kuselan, Satyam, Jayam
Kondan, Dhaam Dhoom and a few
more making their way to the screen,
producers of the Naan Aval Adhu, Star
Pictures, are planning to release the
film by next month.
www.cinesnacks.com
12 SCAN ERGO Thursday, July 24, 2008

Certificate of Excellence
According to Star Box Office.Com, the IIFA Awards
held in Johannesburg in 2003 has been so successful
that the South African Tourism gave IIFA a certificate
of Excellence for Outstanding Contribution towards
making South Africa a preferred tourist destination

PICK OF THE DAY

Sony Max Zee Studio Zee Café Filmy

Namastey London – 8 pm 50 First Dates – 10-30 pm E! News – 9-30 pm Pirates of the Carribean -8
Katrina appears as Jasmeet , British Henry is a veterinarian living in Is there something happening in pm
daughter of a Indian father Hawaii who enjoys the company of Hollywood that you need to know? When Captain Barbossa sends his
Manmohan, who’s planning to get vacationing women. He leaves the Tune in to E! News for the scoop! E! pirate crew to kidnap Elizabeth
her married to the first "achha playboy life behind after he falls for News brings you the breaking Swan and the last remaining piece
ladka" he can lay his hands on. Lucy , who suffers from short-term entertainment stories that you need of Aztec gold. A blacksmith called
Finally local Punjabi Jat, Arjun memory loss. Henry has to romance to know! Fresh out of the pan and Will Turner joins a recently captured
becomes the apple of Manmohan’s Lucy every single day and hope that served steaming hot!. pirate named Jack Sparrow and
eye. she falls for him. goes off searching for Elizabeth.

Dear Diary...
How an unreleased song triggered a
career decision for singer Mahathi

A
nyone who has a pas- This first chance yo pidichiriku” in the movie
sion for music will Saamy proved to be my gate-
agree with me, when I that Ilayaraja Sir way into the music world. I
say meeting the mu- gave me has sang this song when I was on-
sical genius, Ilayaraja Sir, is ly 19 years old. It was Harris
a dream come true. I was
motivated me to Jayaraj who gave me the op-
fortunate to meet him when take playback portunity. Again, it was a step
I was just 17 years old. singing as a closer towards my dreams of
When he heard that I was making a mark in the music
able to find ragaas of keer- career. industry. This song made me
thanais even as a one and a quite popular and I finally
half year old girl, he was came to be known as singer
amazed. Within five minutes of our meet- Malathi.
ing, we were on our way to the recording of Recently, I sang for Harris’ 25th movie,
my first music track. Although, the movie Sathyam. The journey with Harris has
for which I sang didn’t release, it didn’t put taught me valuable things and I have
me down. The experience was worth it, grown a lot from what I used to be. Can you
and it has only inspired me to carve my imagine how one song that was never
niche in this field. This first chance that made public made all the difference to me
Ilayaraja Sir gave me has motivated me to in my life?■
take playback singing as a career. As told to Malathi. K
My second stint in professional singing
came a little later, but I received good feed- Singer Mahathi.
back for my work. The song “Aiya yo aiya PHOTO: M. MOORTHY
 Thursday, July 24, 2008
13
Waking to snakes
Greetings A Canadian woman got a rude awakening when she
reached under her bed and grabbed a 1-metre long snake.
The woman said she heard something under her bed, but
said she wasn’t expecting a snake. She called the police,
who came and removed the slithery intruder.
Dear Pari,
Many more happy returns of the day. Wish you a rocking
year ahead, with all your dreams coming true,

Hi Rekha,
Heartiest wishes from
Vasu, Prem, Suhanya, Shobi,
Nalini & Team Patni.
THEERTHA YATHRA
To celebrate 60 years of diplomatic
It must have been a rainy day when you were born, but it relations between India and Sri
wasn’t real rain as the sky was crying because it lost its most Lanka, Sri Lankan Deputy High
beautiful angel. Commissioner, Chennai, Indo Cine
Happy birthday Rekha… Appreciation Foundation is orga-
Best wishes, nising a Sri Lankan Film Festival.
ESCS Team The South Indian Film Chamber
Ramco Systems. Theatre will screen a movie named
Hi Madhu, Theertha Yathra.
On this special day we wish u a very HappyBirthday. May God Where: South Indian Film
bless u with all prosperity, peace and happiness. Chamber Theatre, Anna Salai
Regards, When: July 24, 6.15 p.m.
Team DTCC,
Tata Consultancy Services.
Hi Venki,
On this special day, I wish God Almighty to shower all his
love and blessings on us. Venki, we complete our 250 days Monsoon Sea Food Festival
since marriage by today. I m lucky to get you as my husband.
Thanks, collections
Vidya, Infosys.
Hi Aman,
Hey! You’ve just completed one successful year in WIPRO.
Congratulations and wishing you all the very best in your
future career endeavours.
Robin Marian George,
Sr. Associate, Wipro Ltd.
Dear Jaiganesh,
Victory and God within your name, Wishing in Ergo gives me
fame,
Hearty Birthday Wishes to you Jai !
D.Anbazhagan, SBS Vinod, Arun, Baskar,
Wipro Technologies. The monsoons watch enthusiasts will
Dear Vishnu, have an opportunity to own the colourful
We wish you a very Happy Birthday. Let this day bring you & bold designs from Tommy Hilfiger as
lots of happiness and success in future. Tommy Hilfiger watches has introduced
Cheers! the special range of Monsoon Collections.
These trendiest fashion accessories are A Sea food market offering a variety of seafood,
Aruna, Prakash, Jayashree,Venkatesh, Kalai,
available for Men and women. fresh and handpicked, by the Master Chef. You can
Shasu, Anusha, Dhana, Aishu, Sowmya
Where: The new collections are also pick up the seafood of your choice and have it
CSS Corp
cooked in your favourite style. What are you waiting
Dear Arun Prabhu, available at select World of Titan,
for? Give a Try!
Many more Happy Returns of the day. May God give all Tommy Hilfiger Flagship Stores,
Where: Paprika, Courtyard by Marriott, Anna
success in your life. Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle, Central, Just in
Vogue, Zimson and other leading Multi Salai,
Best Wishes, DCMS-Team,
Brand Outlets. Teynampet Tickets: Only for dinner
Financial Software Systems
Contact: 6676-4000
Dear Nithya, Price: Ranges from Rs.5995 – Rs.6995
Many more happy returns of the day. All the very best for
your future endeavors
From,

Dear Nithya & Seenu,

Team UCS, Hexaware Technologies
TOP 5 WAYS TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING
Wish you many more happy returns of the day. Let this day
bring you lots of happiness and success in future. 1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Best Wishes, Do your part to reduce waste by choosing reusable products instead of dis-
Poongodi, posables. Buying products with minimal packaging will help to reduce waste.
UCS III Team, Hexaware Technologies.
Hi Amitoj, 2. Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning
Wish You a very Happy Birthday. Have a Prosperous future Adding insulation to your walls and attic, and installing weather stripping or
with lots of Surprises, caulking around doors and windows can lower your heating costs more than 25
Cheers, percent, by reducing the amount of energy you need to heat and cool your home.
Jennifer Susairaj, Wipro Technologies.
My Dear Pandu, 3. Switch to CFL
Hrudaya Purvaka Janmadina subhakankshalu. Wherever practical, replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light
Many More Happy Returns of the Day !! (CFL) bulbs. Replacing just one 60-watt incandescent light bulb with a CFL will save
Wish U Great Success. you $30 over the life of the bulb.
With lots of Love,
Bangu, TCS. 4. Turn it off
Hi Raj, turn off the lights, television, video player, stereo and computer when you’re
A very happy birthday my dear hubby. not using them.
With hearty wishes from your wife Jaya ,
Thirdware Solutions. 5. Drive Smart
Dear Fabienne, Less driving means fewer emissions. Besides saving gasoline, walking and biking
The FINAREF team of POLARIS wishes you A VERY HAPPY
BIRTHDAY IN ADVANCE
are great forms of exercise. Explore your community’s mass transit system, and
check out options for car-pooling to work or school. Also make sure that when
you drive, make sure your car is running efficiently.
14 TRAFFIC JAM ERGO Thursday, July 24, 2008

Olympic error
An email meant for 80 Canadian Olympic Game Volunteers
was accidentally sent to 36,000 people. The email was meant
for volunteers at the games and told the participants how to
sign up for a ’learning session’. Over 4,000 calls flooded the
lines when people couldn’t sign up for the sessions.

sudoku

Raghavendran
from HCL
Technologies
clicked this
picture in Ooty.
Email:
[email protected]

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: [email protected]

TEAM
Editor: Karthik Subramanian
[email protected]

Sr Dy Chief Designer: J.A. Prem Kumar

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

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

Head of Advertising:
Sriya Narayanan
[email protected]

Head of Circulation:
RA. Babu Vijay
[email protected]

SNAIL MAIL
859/860, Anna Salai,
Chennai - 600 002
mail your feedback to
[email protected]
FAX 2857 6691

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Call our
Advertisement Manager
at 2857 6695.
email: [email protected]
Website: www.goergo.in

Printed and Published by S. Karthik on behalf of

KASTURI & SONS LTD., at Plot B-6 & B-7,
CMDA Industrial Complex, Maraimalai Nagar,
Chengleput Taluk, Kancheepuram Dist., Pin:
603209 & at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860,
Anna Salai, Chennai-600002. Editor: S. Karthik
(Editor responsible for selection of news under
the PRB Act). RNI No. TNENG/2007/24553
 Thursday, July 24, 2008

Motorcycling pastor crashes

15
A pastor in Indiana decided to bring out a dirt bike Word’s worth
during a church service, and ended up crashing the "Decussate" (deh-kuh-sate) or (di-kuss-ate) having
bike into the first row of seats. The pastor was trying the form of an X. This comes from a Latin word
to demonstrate unity, but instead displayed how to meaning ’the number ten’ (the Roman numeral for
break a wrist, which he has since had surgery on. His which is, of course, X).
wife says he is doing okay.

B.C

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

The day favours beginning of new ventures, says
Ganesha. You may be very much dedicated to your
work. In your personal life, you may need to refrain
from hot discussions. Any confrontation may hurt
your beloved, so control your language.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20

You may feel like telling someone the truth right on
his or her face. Truth should be presented in such a
manner that person on the other hand doesn’t feel
degraded. In love life, you may need to be
diplomatic enough to maintain peace and harmony.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20

A favourable day for software and hardware related
BORN LOSER work. The day also favours maintenance and
rectification. Married couples may begin a nice
activity like joining online community. Love will go
smooth if you are in compromising mood.
CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20
You may get bogged down by the work load today.
Your diligence and commitment to work will prove
beneficial to you in the longer run. You may not be
able to pay attention to love life. Ganesha suggests
you to balance personal and professional life.
LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20
Ganesha finds you very creative in your work. Luck
supports you so that you can expect appreciation
from superiors. In love relationship, you will be
lucky enough. It’s a favourable day to propose and
day also favours beginning of new relationships.
VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20
Ganesha finds you working very hard or till late at
FREE RANGE WORKING IT OUT office. Ensure that your health doesn’t suffer. In
personal life, you may wish to enjoy isolation and
may also avoid unnecessary dialogues with life
partner or beloved one.
LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20
The day doesn’t favour negotiations of salary hike.
On the other hand, responsibilities may increase,
says Ganesha. You may go out on shopping with
life partner or beloved one which may be expensive
but enjoyable deal!
SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20
You will have to be very active at office. Many new
things/projects may begin today which will require
your active participation. In love life, you will remain
compromising and easygoing. In short it is going to
be an average day filled with loads of work.
SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20
You may remain busy at office today. You must
know that if you ride on too many horses at once,
you may not be able to hold any rein properly. Love
life may be full of charm provided you avoid being
temperamental with your beloved one.
CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20
This is an opportune day on the professional front
but major problem is that your energies may be
low. The end result may not be very satisfactory.
Personal life may draw more attention. You may
wish to enjoy silent moments with your partner.
AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20
PREVIOUS Ganesha finds you sharing knowledge and ideas
with others. Your professional horizons may expand
ISSUE’S today. You have scope of getting carried away by
someone. In love life, you may remain tactful which
SOLUTIONS may help you control high tides and low tides!
PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20
Despite hard work, you may feel that there is
something lacking in the work that you have done.
Your office staff may be supportive but you may still
feel that nobody is helping you out with problems.
In love life, smoother sailing is envisaged.
Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni
16 ERGO Thursday, July 24, 2008