A BYTE OF LIFE Friday, May 15, 2009

08 05
BLACK AND TIGERS’ FRIEND
WHITE Ex MLC Janarthanam talks about LTTE’s
Unbeatable combination beginnings
FREE CIRCULATION Vol. 3 No. 89

A STITCH IN TIME
NGO Chennai
Social Service
is working to
improve
employability
levels in a
small village
near
Sriperumbudur
» PAGE 04

Winners all
HCL Technologies
rewards nearly 500
employees with the ’O2
League of
Extraordinary’ for their
outstanding
performance for two
appraisal years

» PAGE 03
02
Namma Chennai
Cinema
Nine movies
It’s summer time and the
Alliance Francaise of Madras in
association with UTV and ICAF
presents a Children’s Film
Festival. Nine movies will be
screened, starting May 18 to 28,
at the AFM Auditorium at 6.30
p.m.
Rock a Doodle, The Boy who Stopped Talking, The Young Magician,
The White Balloon, The Flying Sneaker,
The Christmas Martian, The Dog Who Stopped the War, The Great
Land of Small and The Case of the Witch who Wasn’twill be
screened.
For details call 2827 9803/ 2827 1477
Workshop
Mehendi workshop
Learn the art of applying Mehendi in just 2
days during this weekend. The two-day
mehendi workshop covers henna mixing
method, cone making and step by step
applying method. Materials and design
book will be provided at the institute.
What: Mehendi workshop
When: May 16, 17
Where: Sakthi Training Institute, 154,
N.T.R. Street, Rangarajapuram
For details call : 9952082585, 9952082726.
Workshop
Festival of Arts
This is something for the zealous women
of today who are interested in assorted
forms of arts. From May 14 to 19, a
festival of arts is being held at C U Shah
Bhavan at Purasaiwalkam. Register
yourself and learn a lot.
What & when:
Jewellery making: May 16
Learn Lamasa: May 18, 19
Saree draping: May 15, 16
Self- grooming: May 17
Where: C U Shah Bhavan, Purasaiwalkam
For Registration and further details
contact Neevaevents at
9884049371,9884061700
ERGO Friday, May 15, 2009
Old for new
Titan Eye Plus has launched its exchange offer, which allows
consumers to exchange their old eyewear for stylish new ones at a
discount of 25 per cent on both frames and lenses. The store also
offers stylish products under its own brands - Titan, Vybes, Eye Plus
and Dash (for kids) and also carries a host of International brands. The
frames are priced from Rs. 395.
Sale
Have a blast
shopping
Westside welcome you for its
month-long summer
shopping extravaganza that
includes attractive discounts
and some great shopping
deals. Summer Shopping
Blast at Westside will run till
May 31. Avail of discounts on
summer apparel (men,
women and youth), super
absorbent beach and bath
towels, and travel bags this
season.
Food
Rustic food
fest
Want to relish the
different delicacies from
Madurai and Virudunagar.
Malgudi, the Southern
cuisine restaurant of Hotel
Savera is celebrating the
Madurai and Virudunagar food fest from May 15. The fest, which is
open for lunch and dinner, has specialties like pudhu vayal era
varuval, Rosealpatti meen podimas, Sivakasi nandu perattal, meen
dosa, Usilampatti kozhi kozhambu and Dindugal attu erachi biriyani.
What: Madurai &Virudunagar Food Festival
When: May 15 to 24 (lunch and dinner)
Where: Malgudi, Hotel Savera, 146, Dr RadhakrishnanSalai.Call
28114700 extn 1934 for details
Contest
Take Woofus Home
If you love puppies and books, here is a
contest from Landmark. To participate in
the Take Woofus Home contest, all you
have to do is to buy any book from the
Woofus series - A Home for Woofus,
Woofus: I don’t want to learn, Woofus:
My mom’s the best, Woofus: I am hungry
and Woofus: Everybody works – from any
of the Landmark stores (Apex, Citi &
Spencers) and complete the slogan ‘I
deserve to take Woofus home
because……..…’. The winner of the best
slogan gets to take home a chocolate
brown Labrador pup! The contest closes
on May 25, 2009.
 Friday, May 15, 2009
03
Planning to study?
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healthcare software for clinical research data management. Mithas Labs is also offering six months clinical courses in
Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Research and Management. For details call 9444067731 or visit www.mithaslabs.com

“No HCLite will be left behind”

HCL rewards employees with ’O2 League of Extraordinary’

ERGO CORRESPONDENT giving pink slips, Srivastava said, hiring’. “Earlier when we saw
feedback@goergo.in “Over 40,000 of our employees growth, campus placements used
were consulted in August 2008 to be conducted 18 months in ad-

W
ith the economic slow-
down it is testing time for
a majority of sectors, but
if the words of D.K. Sri-
vastava, Corporate Vice-Presi-
dent and Global HR Head, HCL
Technologies, are to be believed,
“the crisis has to be looked as an
opportunity.”
In Chennai, on Thursday, to
award employees who have ex-
celled in the ‘O2 League of the
Extraordinary’, Srivastava said
that “Employee first, customer
second” continues to be their ap-
proach.
“We are straightforward in our
talking and transparent in our
functioning,” he said. Explaining
how the global crisis was handled
and why HCL does not believe in
through a consultative process,
where it was decided that no
HCLite will be left behind.”
“But, we also asked them to get
flexible in their functioning and
acquire more skills and asked for
commitment from them.”
Bonus time
There has been no slash in the
pay packet, and employees can
look forward to promotions this
July.
“Last year we gave promotions
and increments. For 2009, the
process started in May, which will
be given in July,” said the Global
HR Head.
Talking about campus recruit-
ment, Srivastava said the compa-
ny is going with ‘just-in-time
vance. Now, we have restricted it
to quarterly.”
Super achievers
Around Five hundred HCLites
were to be given the coveted title
at Thursday’s gala reward. “O2
(outstanding for two appraisal
years) is a complete perfor-
mance-based award, which was
introduced last year. It is an emo-
tional moment as we have fam-
ilies who have not even attended
their child’s PTA meetings in
school jump to see their wards
getting such honours.”
Around 1,200 out of 30,000 em-
ployees are getting this recogni-
tion in the function, which will
also be held in Bangalore and
NCR. ■

Game for some theatre?

ERGO CORRESPONDENT
feedback@goergo.in
Amateur theatre group Rebelz are staging
their sixth play this weekend at the
Alliance Francaise auditorium
promotion only if his personal nowned playwright, who de-
17. This five-productions-old commitment levels are as high cides to hold a playwriting
theatre team consists of a group as his professional commitment workshop. But the characters in
of software professionals who levels. What better way to im- her play decide to take control

H
ow would you like to
break away from the IPL
fever this Sunday and
catch two delightful
plays staged by a bunch of soft-
ware Rebelz?
Two to Tango, Rebelz’s sixth
production and their first this
year will be staged at ‘Top Sto-
rey’, Alliance Francaise, on May
took up theatre part-time for
passion sake and produce plays
every quarter.
Two to Tango will comprise of
two plays; ‘Alice in blunder-
land’ and ‘Playwriting for dum-
mies’, both promising to leave
you in peels of laughter. Alice in
Blunder-land is about Simon,
whose boss has promised him a
press his boss than to introduce
him to Simon’s long-time girlf-
riend? The hitch is; she is fic-
tional.
This is followed by a hilarious
dinner where Simon arranges
for an Alice to show up but three
Alices show up.
Playwriting for Dummies is
about Sheila Punter, a world re-
of the play and what continues
is a battle between Sheila and
her characters to see who writes
best. The plays will be staged at
2. 30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7. 30 p.m.
on May 17. The tickets are
priced at Rs. 100 and are avail-
able at Fruit Shop on Greams
Road outlets and at Alliance
Francaise itself. ■
04
Big Story
Volunteers of Chennai Social Service.
A stitch in time
NGO Chennai Social Service is
working to improve employability
levels in a small village near
Sriperumbudur
MONISHA MOHANDAS
V
ayallur is a small village
near Sriperumbudur,
an industrial town
known for housing
many multinationals. But for
the professional degree-hol-
ders of this village, joining
one of these companies re-
mained a dream.
But now the villagers see a
ray of hope for their future
generation through an NGO
named Chennai Social Ser-
vice (CSS). CSS has adopted
PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
the village and has already
started developmental activ-
ities there.
CSS is an active online
community on Orkut that
was started in 2006 by Sath-
ish Kumar N., a 26-year-old
family businessman in Chen-
nai. Now his community has
more than 1,300 members, of
which 50 active members
contribute to his cause.
The community became a
registered NGO in 2008. With
six members on the Board of
Directors, the CSS commu-
nity is updated every week
about their activities and
modes of participation. They
also conduct activities like
health camps, environmental
camps, painting competi-
tions, blood and organ dona-
tions under various projects.
They adopted Vayallur un-
der a project called Gra-
modharan, with a focus on
education. Activities planned
include setting up computer
training and healthcare cen-
tres and providing the villag-
ers training in tailoring.
“We chose this village be-
cause we found that though
they had high aspirations,
they did not have the means
to achieve it,” says Latha Ba-
bu, project manager, CSS.
“We were shocked to know
that only one girl has gone up
to college in the entire
village.”
Most of the 300 families in
the village depend on tailor-
ing and embroidery to earn
their livelihood. The village
has only one school and has
classes only up to class VIII.
Due to lack of higher edu-
cation facilities, most of
these children end up taking
over the family trade.
“With only one state trans-
port bus, we find it difficult to
travel to the city, which is
why most youngsters in the
village are school dropouts,”
says Vijayalakshmi, the only
girl graduate in the village ac-
cording to a CSS report.
Having decided on their
mission, CSS dove head-
straight starting May this
year. But the process was not
as easy as they thought it
would be.
Some of the village elders
were non-cooperative. They
ERGO Friday, May 15, 2009
had pre-conceived notions
about voluntary organisa-
tions coming and taking up
initiatives. “We found it next
to impossible to convince
them as they had precon-
ceived notions from previous
experiences,” recalls R.Ven-
katraman. “So we decided to
try a different approach and
gathered the youth for devel-
opmental activities.”
With the backing of the
youth, they got their feet
moving on developmental
programme.
And what better way to get
them engaged than cricket!
They organised a cricket
match in the village this May
Day. Some of the volunteers
took charge of forming a ma-
keshift cricket ground.
With that small token, CSS’
first innings began at Vayal-
lur. ■
 Friday, May 15, 2009
Tigers’ friend
72-year-old
Janarthanam was
among the first to
vocally support the
Sri Lankan cause in
the state. Now
through
World Tamil
Federation he
continues to raise
concern over the
situation and feels
LTTE could have
handled the
situation much
differently for
better results
PETLEE PETER
petleepeter@goergo.in
V
ellupillai Prabhakaran
should have concentrated
more on forming a Tamil
people’s force to wage a
democratic struggle for Eelam
rather than strengthening mili-
tary power, says T.R. Janartha-
nam, a long-time activist for the
Sri Lankan Tamil cause and so-
meone who helped LTTE’s early
emergence from Madras in the
1970s.
Attributing the above as the
primary reason for the “big fail-
ure” of the LTTE in Sri Lanka to-
day, Janarthanam adds that the
LTTE supremo failed to involve
the Tamil people completely in
the struggle.
A former Member of Legislative
Council (MLC) in Tamil Nadu, Ja-
narthanam played a key role in
introducing the LTTE leader to
then Chief Minister M.G. Rama-
chandran in the early 80s in a
now-legendary meeting. MGR
later handed over a sum of Rs. 4
crore to Prabhakaran for the Ee-
lam struggle.
Janarthanam, who is now Pres-
ident of the World Tamil Feder-
ation, claims that the first chapter
of LTTE started in the 1970s as
Tamil New Tigers in his Marshals
Lane home in Egmore. “I met
T.R. Janarthanam, an ex-MLC
and strong supporter of the
Sri Lankan Tamil cause.
PHOTO: R. RAVINDRAN
Prabhakaran the first time when
he came to Chennai from Jaffna,
when he accompanied his in-
jured uncle Periya Jyoti for treat-
ment. A soft-spoken lad with a
die-hard spirit for Tamil freedom,
Prabhakaran soon got together
with seven others, including Uma
Maheswaran (who later went on
to form People’s Liberation Orga-
nisation of Tamil Eelam or
PLOT), to form one of the first
groups of the freedom struggle.
The youngsters brought a picture
of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
from Burma Bazaar and took a
pledge before it to get it all start-
ed,” he recollects.
Janarthanam says that two
men in the group were wanted in
a Colombo bank robbery and had
settled in Chennai to avoid arrest.
The fact that Prabhakaran joined
hands with these men irked Peri-
ya Jyoti, but his nephew was
05
“I met Prabhakaran for the first
time when he came to Chennai
from Jaffna, when he
accompanied his injured uncle
Periya Jyoti for treatment. A
soft-spoken lad with a die-hard
spirit for Tamil freedom,
Prabhakaran soon got together
with seven others, including
Uma Maheswaran to form one
of the first groups of the
freedom struggle”
Velupillai Prabhakaran (extreme left) seen with Janarthanam (extreme right) after
the forming of Tamil New Tigers at the latter’s Egmore home. A photo from
Janarthanam’s election campaign pamphlet in the 1980s.
quick to respond by saying that members in 1982, which left MGR lam. “Despite the claims of the
men ready for action are what is fuming. “MGR ordered an imme- Rajapaksa government that the
needed for the moment, he diate evacuation of all Sri Lankan displaced will be relocated and
reminisces. Tamil groups from Chennai. After democracy established, small
After a few years the Tamil New a lot of persuasion he agreed to pockets of guerrilla fighters will
Tigers split and went on to form meet the leaders of the groups, keep emerging and turn out to be
various sub-groups and had a after which a meeting was ar- a big headache for the govern-
history of clashes including gun- ranged at MGR’s Ramavaram ment,” says the man who has
fights in Chennai in the mid 80s. residence.” been growing a beard since the
Janarthanam recalls the after- Upset over the present plight of past 20 years for the Sri Lankan
math of the killing of a Tanjore- Tamils in Sri Lanka, the 72-year- Tamil cause. “I will shave only
based landlord, who was also an old says that the only end to the when a separate Tamil Eelam is
AIADMK functionary, by PLOT problem is a separate Tamil Ee- formed in Sri Lanka,” he adds. ■
06 ERGO Friday, May 15, 2009

Sport
Nadal downs Melzer
Rafael Nadal powered into the third round of the Madrid Open with a convincing 6-3, 6-1 win over
Jurgen Melzer of Austria. The world No. 1 made just three unforced errors on Wednesday, playing on his
favoured clay surface in front of Spain’s Queen Sofia, and converted all four of his break points.

Tevez leaves
United on title
brink after
inspiring
fightback

Manchester United’s
Argentinean forward
Carlos Tevez (right)
celebrates after scoring
against Wigan during
their English Premier
league match at the JJB
Stadium on Wednesday,
PHOTO: AFP

United edge closer

M
anchester United moved
to within a point of a third
consecutive Premier
League title with a 2-1 co-
meback win over Steve Bruce’s
Wigan. Second-half goals from in-
spirational substitute Carlos Te-
vez and Michael Carrick
overturned a first-half opener
from the home side’s Hugo Ro-
dallega, meaning United will win
their 18th English title if they take
a point from either of their two re-
maining matches, against Arsenal
at Old Trafford on Saturday or
away to Hull on May 24.
But they know they almost suf-
fered a serious setback at the JJB
Stadium as they came up against
a spirited and well-drilled Wigan
side who attacked at every oppor-
tunity. Wigan had not won in six
matches going into this encoun-
ter but were a comfortable, if not
surprising for the visitors
throughout and were the first to
go forward after just 90 seconds.
Colombian Rodallega headed a
throw-in over United’s Jonny
Evans which allowed Antonio Va-
lencia to then skip past Nemanja
Vidic. He sped into the box un-
marked but shot wide from a good
position after Vidic had managed
to sprint back and put him off.
United seemed sluggish early on
but finally ignited in the 10th min-
ute when they could have scored
twice in less than 60 seconds.
Following some superbly fluent
passing, Dimitar Berbatov
crossed from the right byline but
Wayne Rooney could not steer his
header on target despite being
completely unmarked four
metres out. Within a minute of
that action, some slick one-touch
football between Rooney, Paul
Scholes and Berbatov helped to
release Cristiano Ronaldo down
the right and his incisive pass
back inside was met by Carrick
but he shot over. Valencia then
had another fine opportunity
courtesy of a free-kick on the edge
of the box and although his cur-
ling effort was heading for the top
corner, United goalkeeper Edwin
van der Sar managed to punch it
clear at full stretch. Any United
fans believing Wigan would mere-
ly lie-down were in for a disap-
pointment and Wigan proved that
on 28 minutes as they took the
lead. Lee Cattermole launched
the ball into the United penalty
area where Rodallega challenged
Vidic in the air and after the Ser-
bian defender slipped, the ball fell
for the Wigan frontman who slot-
ted comfortably past van der Sar.
Just before half-time, United
strung together another sequence
of fine passes until the ball finally
worked its way to Rooney inside
the box but with only goalkeeper
Richard Kingson to beat, Rooney
smashed the ball well over the
crossbar. ■
AFP

India to play four ODIs Doubt over Akhtar’s fitness

in West Indies
The Indian cricket team will take on the West Indies in a
four-match one-day series in the Caribbean between June 26
and July 5. The team will travel to the West Indies after
completion of the ICC World Twenty20 to be held in England
from June 5 to 21, the Board of Control for Cricket in India said in a release.
The first two one-dayers will be played at Sabina Park, Kingston on June 26 and
28 and the last two at Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia on July 3 and 5.
The trip is part of the International Cricket Council’s Future Tours Programme.
Itinerary
June 26 (Friday): 1st ODI at Sabina Park, Kingston. June 28 (Sunday): 2nd ODI at
Sabina Park, Kingston. July 3 (Friday): 3rd ODI at Beausejour Stadium, St Lucia.
July 5 (Sunday): 4th ODI at Beausejour Stadium, St Lucia.
PTI
Controversial Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar got
embroiled into a fresh controversy after his sudden pull
out from a conditioning camp organised for the ICC
Twenty20 World Cup squad stating skin infection.
Akhtar, who has been picked in Pakistan’s T20 World
Cup squad, pulled out of the camp being held in the
mountainous regions near Bhurban, saying he had
developed a skin infection around his groin area for which doctors had
advised him rest for seven to eight days.
“He says he is not in a position to attend the conditioning camp but will
be available to play the practice games as preparation for the World Cup,”
Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam said. Akhtar’s sudden pullout a day before
the camp had raised serious questions over his fitness after captain Younis
Khan and Alam have indicated that the players would be put through
tough physical exercises and endurance tests in the camp.
PTI
 Friday, May 15, 2009
‘‘ Barca on song
This was a time when India should have come forward, shown
leadership and said ’it’s all four of us as hosts, or none of us. Asia
got worried they would lose the 2011 World Cup altogether and decided
to dump Pakistan.
Barcelona beat Athletic to lift 25th King’s Cup
T
hree goals in a devastating nine-min-
ute spell at the start of the second
half saw Barcelona to a 4-1 win over
Athletic Bilbao in the King’s Cup final
on Wednesday and the first of three pos-
Barcelona players sible titles.
celebrate after Yaya Toure levelled for Barca in the first
winning the half before Lionel Messi, Bojan Krkic and
Spanish King«s Xavi struck after the break to give the club
Cup final at the their 25th King’s Cup. The Catalans could
Mestalla stadium wrap up the Primera Liga title this wee-
in Valencia on kend and they face Manchester United in
Wednesday. the Champions League final on May 27.
PHOTO: AFP
On course
“Now we are reaping the rewards of all
the hard work we have put in during the
season,” Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets
said. “I hope this weekend we can secure
our second title.” Barca had an unfamiliar
Former ICC chief Ehsan Mani
look in defence with reserve keeper Jose
Manuel Pinto in goal and Yaya Toure at
centre back again, and they were quickly
exposed at a set piece.
Pinto had tipped a Javi Martinez shot
round the post and Fran Yeste made it
count. His whipped-in corner after nine
minutes found Gaizka Toquero rising
above two defenders to head in at the
back post. Athletic looked fresher, snap-
ping at Barca all over the pitch, until Toure
stepped up to level in spectacular fashion
as he advanced out of defence.
Stunning response
The Ivory Coast midfielder went past
three Bilbao players in the 31st minute,
and from outside the area drilled a low
shot inside the near post. Gradually Barca
asserted themselves and as they swarmed
07
round the Bilbao area in the 55th minute
it was Messi who struck, firing through a
crowd of legs after Gorka Iraizoz could on-
ly parry Samuel Eto’o’s shot.
Three minutes later, Bojan raced
through on a break to score off the far
post and with Bilbao reeling Xavi curled a
superb freekick over the wall and in off
the near post in the 64th. Just before Xa-
vi’s goal the match was held up briefly af-
ter Barcelona defender Daniel Alves was
hit on the head by a tin can thrown from
the stands. Alves was able to continue and
television pictures showed police leading
a fan away. Athletic were a broken team
after that, but earn a place in next sea-
son’s Europa League with Barca’s place in
the Champions League assured for next
year. ■
Reuters
08 ERGO Friday, May 15, 2009

Portfolio
Black and whi
without grey a
Lacoste

Claudia
Schiffer

I
in Chanel t’s hard to beat the chessboard duo. The black and
white combination has survived many scathing at-
tacks. Every year a new shade of blue, brown or
green is classified as the ‘new black’, white is la-
belled ‘high-maintenance’ and both of them together
are likely to make someone beckon you and say “Wai-
ter, one black coffee please” (like in that very old but
memorable Sony Ericsson ad). Or so they say.
Despite that and the occasional interference by red,
which threatens to oust white from its place beside
black, the black and white combination has been there
and been well. Recent months, which have witnessed
people investing in classic rather than seasonal pieces,
have witnessed a conspicuous resurgence of black and
white.
Vivienne Westwood’s black-and-white knit pieces at
the spring/summer 2009 ready-to-wear collection show
in Paris were a marked departure from the flame-
haired designer’s regular colour palette.
Jean-Paul Gaultier’s haute couture 2009 show in Pa- Singer Ciara
ris, marked by an excessive use of net, lace and architec- wearing Emilio
ture-inspired designs, relied heavily on black and white. Pucci
The fall/winter 2009-2010 houndstooth-centred cre-
ations at Moschino and
Alexander McQueen
Moschino were, quite obviously Jea
here, in black and
Alexander white.
McQueen At the Metropolitan
Museum of Art Cos-
tume Institute Gala in
New York, singer Ciara
followed the colour-
blocking trend in a
black-and-white Emilio
Pucci gown.
Narciso Rodriguez,
Karl Lagerfeld and
Dolce & Gabbana are
other black-and-white
loyalists.
The spring 2009 col-
lection of Lacoste,
which recently show-
cased in Manhattan,
was black-and-white-
Narciso oriented, with an occa-
Rodriguez sional splash of colour.
Ebony and ivory
aren’t going anywh-
ere. ■
 Friday, May 15, 2009
09
BULLETIN

ite
Katy Perry
turns designer
Singer Katy Perry has
joined the league of
artists like N.E.R.D and

areas
Esteele by designing a
signature line for the
‘Fashion against AIDS’
campaign.
The ‘I Kissed a Girl’
hitmaker can be seen
posing for the campaign
in a body suit, featuring
a smiley face in heart
designed by her.
“I like things that are
different, I’m very girly,”
the New York Daily News quoted Katy as
saying.
The bodysuit features an abstract pastel
print of human insides – heart, kidneys and
all – and reads on the back: “It’s what’s on
the outside that counts.”
“We live in a materialistic world. We live in
New York City, so we don’t like to think
about the heart and the head –we like to
think about labels and designers,” Katy
added.
“I’m 24, I dress for my age and even a little
bit younger. I don’t play it safe and I don’t
think I have to play it safe yet,” Katy
added.
ANI

Provogue ties up with

Narendra Kumar
Fashion brand Provogue has announced a
tie-up with designer Narendra Kumar,
making him their creative
head.
Kumar asserted he was not
there to just endorse the
brand, but also to work
with the company to
recreate the brand.
“It is not about endorsing
the brand. It is about
working with a brand to
an-Paul Gaultier create the brand. It is
about recreating the image
and glory of Provogue in a new sense, for a
new generation and a new market. It is a
fantastic opportunity for any designer in
the country,” he said.
ANI

Cheryl’s hairdo on top

Girls Aloud star Cheryl
Cole’s barnet is the
most desirable
celebrity hairdo.
The 25-year-old’s
hairstyle trounced
Victoria Beckham’s
pixie cut and Jennifer
Aniston’s sleek hairdo.
“Cheryl Cole mania is
continuing to sweep
the UK,” the Daily Star quoted Shakila
Vivienne Westwood. Ahmed, from poll authors Travelodge, as
PHOTO: AFP
saying.
ANI
10 ERGO Friday, May 15, 2009

Slumdog Millionaire children back on streets, shanties razed

Flick Nearly 20 children who acted in the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire have been thrown on the
streets after Mumbai civic authorities on Thursday morning demolished nearly 50 huts in Garib
Nagar slum of Bandra East, terming the slum unauthorised. The families of Azhar and his co-star
Rubina Ali Qureshi are now pinning their hopes on getting a flat as promised by Maharashtra
Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.

The new face

of L’Oreal
F
reida Pinto and Evangeline Lilly are the latest beau-
ties to join the list of celebrities to endorse products
by cosmetic giant L’Oreal.
While there have been persistent Internet ru-
mours that the Slumdog Millionaire star would be the
face of Estee Lauder, Pinto has said that she is excited to
be the face of L’Oreal.
“I am very moved to be joining the great L’Oreal Paris
family and all these personalities: a family I am now
proud to be a part of,” People quoted Freida as saying in
a statement.
And the other A-lister, to step in front of the lens for
L’Oreal, is Lost star Lilly, who says: “It is a source of great
pride for me to represent a brand whose ambition is to
respond to every person’s aspirations to beauty and con-
tribute to the fulfillment and well-being of everyone.” ■
ANI

I am very moved to be joining the

great L’Oreal Paris family and all these
personalities: a family I am now proud
to be a part of : Freida Pinto

Akon to compose music for

Harrison Ford
2010 football world cup
R ’n’ B musician Akon has landed an to wed long-
incredibly lucrative deal, as he has been asked
to make music for the forthcoming 2010 time girlfriend
football world cup. The ‘Birthmark’ hitmaker Hollywood actor
has been roped in to record a theme song for Harrison Ford is set to
the football world cup event, which will take tie the knot with long-
place in South Africa next year, and oversee time girlfriend Calista
performances throughout the tournament. Flockhart, who is 22
Akon is thrilled about the offer and is years younger to him.
working hard on his music. The 66-year-old star
Akon revealed that he was honoured to get proposed to Flockhart,
hired to direct the music for a big event like 44, on Valentine’s Day
forthcoming football world cup. “I’ve been and they are planning
hired as musical director for the World Cup. I to get married soon,
will be overseeing the World Cup anthem and reported thesun.co.uk. It
music at the ceremonies and I’m off to South will be Ford’s third
Africa this week for meetings. I love soccer, so marriage. The couple
it’s a great honour,” Contactmusic quoted him have been dating for
as saying. more than seven years.
ANI IANS

AFP PHOTO / FRANTZESCO KANGARIS

 Friday, May 15, 2009
11
Karan Johar in $150,000 lawsuit in US
Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions has been slapped with a $150,000 lawsuit in
Philadelphia for allegedly failing to pay hundreds of local actors and vendors for a movie filmed in the
state last autumn.

Cine City

Kanthasamy audio to be
launched
The audio launch of Kanthasamy, touted to be the
first superhero movie of Kollywood, is scheduled to
take place at the Chennai Trade Centre on May 17.
The event, to be organised on a grand scale, will
have dancers from different parts of the world
participating. The movie starring Vikram and Shriya
Saran is also special because actor Vikram himself
has sung four songs in the movie. Kanthasamy,
directed by Susi Ganesan and produced by Kalaipuli
S. Thanu, is set for a June release.

Kangana to
A STILL FROM REVOLUTIONARY ROAD be paid Rs
1 cr in

Rare friendship Tollywood

Actress Kangana
Ranaut, who is making
her debut in Telugu
with Prabhas in Ek
Niranjan, is
reportedly
Kate Winslet being paid a
whopping sum
still wears
H
ollywood actress Kate Win- Kate declared that her close- of Rs. 1 crore.
slet has revealed that she still ness to Leonardo helped her eas- Normally, a
wears the gold band that her ily enact the scenes in the flick the gold debutant in
Titanic co-actor Leonardo Di Revolutionary Road. Tollywood
Caprio gifted her. “I would even let Leo physical- band that would be paid
Kate has also revealed that gold ly harm me if it meant making a around Rs. 10
band has an engraving inside. She, scene better, and I know he feels her Titanic lakh. The flick
however, chose not to divulge what
it says, reports the China Daily.
the same way. If we didn’t have
this rare friendship, I don’t think
co-actor to be directed
by Puri
“Yes, Leo’s ring is engraved on
the inside, but I’m not going to tell
we would be able to show that
chemistry on screen,” she added.
Leonardo Di Jagannadh is
produced by
you what it says,” Kate told Flare ■ Caprio Aditya Ram.
magazine. ANI
gifted her
12 ERGO Friday, May 15, 2009

Thursday’s Query:
Your experience at the poll booth during
the Lok Sabha elections 2009
■ When I used the EVM, I was proud of our technical growth, since it
made as simple as such to cast a vote

Gomathi.NS Servion

■ Being a first-time voter, it was a new experience for me when I

went to cast my vote. The voting went well without any discrepancies
since d cops were in charge

Don Allsec

■ When I was standing in queue for polling I remembered my school

days standing in a queue for prayer meeting

Syed Bilal TCS-eserve

Ajita Pandey from Servion Global Solutions has nominated his
■ No voter without any proper identity card (anything from d list of friends as Partners in Crime. This pic was clicked at T Nagar.
identification) was allowed inside d polling booth and videographers
were appointed. So our sensitive booth polls got over peacefully
MP.Roselin Allsec

■ Jana nayaga kadamaiyai seitha muzhu thirupti

M.Ganpat FSS

■ I’ll b the candidate for next Lok Sabha election, I thought in this
way while waiting for polling in queue

Mohan Technosoft

■ I was not aware of few political symbol and since it’s my first vote, I
thought they would provide name of the leaders like Jayalalitha,
Vijaykanth and so. But I couldn’t find their name. So asked my mom
who was in queue, which symbol denotes Vijaykanth. Al laughed and
they declared its my first vote

Sathyapriya CSS

■ A girl about just 18 years old before me in the queue to vote was
pressing 3 buttons and asked the man to ink on three fingers. The Vishnu from Cybernet Slash Support has nominated his
man replied "loose a pa nee? Hasini Genelia vida mosama iruppa friends as Partners in Crime. This pic was taken at Yelagiri.
pola". Me n my brother laughed like anything
Saranya.M Cognizant

■ Shameful. Most of the educated young folks and first timers and
some people from the low income groups did not even know who
were the candidates and many were not sure whom they wanted to
vote for
Prakash Srivatsan HCL

■ When I was about to vote, I got stuck seeing a beautiful girl there
and at that time got a comment from the agent saying sir, sight
adichathu pothum first vote podunga
Lexsminarayanan TCS-eserve

■ Standing in a big queue to press a small button to make a little red

light glow, what a comedy
Sujithkumar, Rangamani HCL

Today’s Query:
One compelling reason why you should be
given the ’Best Employer’ award Suresh from HCL has nominated his friends as Partners in
Crime. This pic was clicked at Ooty.
 Friday, May 15, 2009
May15
■ Hi Devi,
Sutherson C. of Sip- Wish You A Very Happy Bithday...
tech Solution Ltd. has May this year be filled with joy and
been nominated as fun throughout.
Office Angel by his Wishes from your friends,
friend Muthu Raman Dharani, Geethu, Shanmu, Abi, Chanu...
P.
■ Dear Thajul Kawasakhi,
He is very Mangisaa Kingishaa ! Kingishaa
humourous and makes Paayaasa !! Enna onnume puriyalaya
the environment ? Hongkong language-la unakku
happy. He is very birthday wishes sonnen.
handsome, friendly, Advance Birthday wishes. Keep
hard working and easy rocking.
going person. By,
Abdul Raheem - Ex.410 420s,
On behalf of Round Rockers.
■ Dear Dev,
Team DTCC Wishes you many more
happy returns of the day. Have a
great day and wonderful year ahead.
Cheers from
Team DTCC
■ Dear Kowsalya,
"Count your life by smiles, not tears.
Count your age by friends, not
years." "May the years continue to
be good to you. Happy Birthday
Friend!" With best wishes from
Your loving Friends..
Caliber Point Business Solutions Ltd,
Taramani
■ Cute Mother Chandrika,
Mom, ur birthday means so
much to me; To have you in my life
another year, The time I spent
enfolded in your, love, Each day,
each moment with you is so dear.
I cherish the very special bond we
have. You lift my spirit in so many
ways. I celebrate your life;
I honor you, And send to you my
Sathish Sathya of Scope love and care
International doodled this. and praise.
Your Loving Kutties,
Gerald, Gowri & Sharmila......
■ Santosh,
Wish U a very happy Birthday.
Wish U have a great year ahead.
Urs,
Honey
■ Dear Rizwan, Uday, Naveen &
Team members
I would like to appreciate all the
team members of Ambuja Batapara
project for their successful
Man1 : “Knowledge” – tamil vaarthaiya illa English Vaarthaiya? completion of the project.
Man2 : Theriyalaiyea???
Man1 : Rendum kalantha vaarthai
They put their utmost effort
irrespective of week ends and late
Man2 : Eppadi Man1 : Naalu (Tamil) + Age (English) hours during last 6 months for the
Regards, completion of the project.
Vinothkumar Gopal I wish them many more success in
Aspire Systems forthcoming projects.
13
J Gurunathan
FL Smidth Ltd
■ Dear Balachandar M :)
Here is a wish coming in this
wonderful occasion for you from
your friend. Wishing you a many
more Happy returns of the day and
Every steppings for you will be
Success from this year.
Best Wishes,
BalaJegathesh, Karthikeyan , Dhivya, Pooja.
Wipro Technologies
■ Dear Tintu,
Hrudhayam niranja
Janmadhinaashamsakal.. ;)
Wishing a very Happy and Prosperous
year ahead. :)
With Love..
Amal Kuriakose
Wipro Technologies
May16
■ Dear Aswini aunty,
Happy Birthday to you. May this
special day be filled with Sweet
Memories and happy hours.
Wishing you all the fun and
excitement that only birth day bring
along. We wish you a great and
memorable year ahead! Wishing you
to get one more member in your
family soonJ
With Love & Care,
Team Beacon.
HCL Technologies Ltd.
■ Dear Thajul Kawasakhi,
Mangisaa Kingishaa ! Kingishaa
Paayaasa !! Enna onnume puriyalaya
?
Hongkong language-la unakku
birthday wishes sonnen.
Manymore happy returns of the day.
Keep rocking.
By,
Abdul Raheem - Ex.410 420s.,
On behalf of Round Rockers.
■ Dear Kaushik aka Workholic,
Many More Happy Returns Of The
Day ! Friends are like money in the
bank, longer you keep them,
the more they are worth. Every time
you cross my mind, I think how lucky
I have been, to have you as My
Special Friend.
Wish you a happy, memorable, joyful
day and most importantly ’Last
Bachelor Birthday’!
Greets,
M. Hari Kumar – Verizon
May 17
■ Dear Chris Julian,
Many more happy returns of the day.
God Bless You .
With Love and Wishes
Charm- HCL
14 ERGO Friday, May 15, 2009

Traffic Jam
Vegetarian city
A Belgian city is about to become the
first in the world to go vegetarian at
least one day a week.

sudoku

Sailatha Mithilesh
from Wipro
Technologies has
shot this picture
from her terrace
using Sony H50
camera.
Hobbies:
Photography, surfing
internet and Music.

Entries to the
column will get gift
vouchers from
Bubbles Spa worth
Rs.1,000. Winners
can come to Ergo
office on weekends
between 3 p.m. and
5 p.m. to collect the
vouchers.
Call 2857 6688.
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 Friday, May 15, 2009
Royal response
A 109-year-old woman who complained she kept
getting the same birthday card from the Queen
had a personal response - from Prince William.
15
Word’s worth
Rhathymia (ruh-thye-mee-uh), the state of being
cheerful, merry, and optimistic. It comes from a
Greek word meaning ‘to take a vacation, be idle.’

B.C

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

Ganesha foresees you entering your office in a very
pleasant mood today. This will add to your
productivity and your bosses will certainly be happy
with your output. This day presents a good
opportunity to make future plans with your beloved.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20

Your practical approach to work will surely aid you
in performing well at office today. Finding the right
balance between personal and professional life will
occupy your thoughts. You will receive special
treatment from your beloved.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20

Nothing works better than team work. Cash in on
BORN LOSER collective efforts and co-operate with your
colleagues. Ganesha further advises you keep a
check on your emotions and temper. On the love
front, things will be very smooth today.
CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20
This day comes with a perfect time to hone your
soft skills. At work, it will be easy for you get
technical solutions. If you feel unwell, go home and
relax. The support of your beloved on this tiring day
may leave you feeling great.
LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20
It’s a lucky day for you, and Ganesha wants you to
make optimum use of this time. The braggart in you
will come to the fore today. You will try to impress
your sweetheart by being an absolute charmer.

VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20

Work is worship! Ganesha wants you to understand
FREE RANGE WORKING IT OUT this very well today as you may waste a lot of time
in office. Also, take care of your health. Be extra-
sensitive and caring towards your spouse and family
members.
LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20
By getting more disciplined at your work, you will
expect even your juniors you fall in line. Post-lunch,
however, you may become considerate. A positive
change in your love life will bring you peace of
mind.
SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20
You are very determined today and will finish off all
assignments in a jiffy. Your confidence is charged
up, enabling you to easily put across your points to
both superiors and colleagues. If romantic life seems
to be going a little out of control, don’t rush things.
SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20
This day arrives with the perfect time to deal with
issues related to data entry, collection of
information or communications with important
people outside your organisation. You might rush to
hug your beloved after you call it a day at work.
CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20
You will be more than satisfied with the way things
turn out today. In fact, a happy mood will prevail.
An excellently conducted meeting at the workplace
will fill you with a renewed self-confidence. Hence,
you’d be in a mood to drink a toast.
AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20
PREVIOUS With your brain functioning faster than a computer,
the time is just right to learn a new software. Travel
ISSUE’S plans or long-distance calls may keep you busy. At
the love front, not taking things seriously may help
SOLUTIONS you avoid dark moods.
PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20
It’s a day to slow down your activities. Meeting
deadlines will be imperative at the workplace.
Hence, be very alert today, advises Ganesha. On the
love front, articulating your feelings will help you
spice up your love life.
Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni
16 ! ERGO Friday, May 15, 2009

Thai workers put the finishing touches on a giant model of a football stadium
made from more than 230,000 beer cans to promote the UEFA Champions
League final match between Barcelona and Manchester United in Rome on
May 27. AFP PHOTO/PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL

Aishwarya Rai poses as she arrives for the opening

ceremony and the screening of 3D animated movie
Up during the 62nd Cannes Film Festival.
AFP PHOTO / ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT

Japan’s lingerie maker Triumph International Japan campaign girl Hiromi

Nishiuchi displays the "Konkatsu Bra" or "Husband hunting Bra" in Tokyo. The
Colombian Luiz Bolivar is hooked by a bull during bra has a marriage countdown clock and when she inserts her engagement
a bullfight at Las Ventas bullring in Madrid. ring in the heart-shaped ring rest affixed between the cups it stops the clock
AFP PHOTO/ ALBERTO SIMON and plays a wedding song. AFP PHOTO / YOSHIKAZU TSUNO