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VOLUM E 1 | I S S U E N O . 1 6 | 1 6 P A G E S
- S M A R T S H O P P I N G S TA R T S H E R E -
CHENNAI | FREE CIRCULATION
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Nina Reddy tells us how she wooed success
The Clash of the Titans
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Androids Vs WinMo
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Green Gizmos Switch on the powersaver mode!
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A Rustic Rendez-vous
The ‘Malgudi’ days are back!
Master Stroke
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Up the Ladder
The Great
Indian Thanksgiving
This Pongal lets weave in some magic!
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On Sale Express catches up with the versatile Thota Tharani
R E V I E W S
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O F F E R S
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C O U P O N S
ON SALE EXPRESS | JAN 15 - JAN 21, 2010
FRI
Hot ‘n’ Happening
Weather SUN
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WED
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THU
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To Do List
Vanilla’s Annual Clearance Sale is here! All furniture and room furnishing will be on sale from January 15 – 16. There is also a workshop for children scheduled on Saturday while the parents are busy shopping! Vanilla Children Place, 8/57, 1st street, Luz Avenue, Mylapore, Chennai – 600004. Contact: 99400 12785
e Love Hope’, an m Buy the CD ‘Liv mentary film. All cu do ss ne are AIDS aw will be given to e sal this m proceeds fro ive campaign iat Init S AID the People and supports tes ilita ab which reh ted by HIV +. ec aff en childr art show titles m Don’t miss the . dras Terrace House Ma the at ’ fitti raf ‘G y h will be on displa tes Na by es tch Ske – 31. till from January 14
SALE The All New Ashvita Check out Ashvita’s new look! Their fine dining restaurant, art gallery, jewellery store, book store and design boutique are sure to provide a complete delight and surprise to shoppers and foodies like never before!
Speed Dial
Ashvita, No. 11, 2nd Street, R K Salai, Mylapore, Chennai 600004. Contact 2847 6063
South Indian Tiffins Are you in the mood for idli, vada or dosa? Here is a list of places you should check out this weekend for authentic rava idlis and masala dosas. Enjoy!
Pongal Special @ Southern Aromas Tempting pongal selections for the festive season! Chef Umapathy conjures appetisers and entrées to satiate the palate. Please make reservations. Southern Aromas, The Residency Towers, Thyagaraya Road, T Nagar Contact: 2815-6363
Murugan Idly Shop 42018181 ID (Sathyam Cinemas) 4392 0346 Saravana Bhavan 2461 1177 (Mylapore) Woodlands 28113440 (Mylapore) Vasantha Bhavan 28418694 (Mount Road)
Vodka Mania @ Garden Cafe
Hot Chips 22351750 (Sardar Patel Road)
Radisson GRT offers special beverage packages for the festive season till January 31. Check out the ‘Vodka Mania’ package @ Garden Café, the all-day dining restaurant, where select brands of vodkas will be served. Four small measures are priced at Rs. 999 and six small measures at Rs. 1,399. Radisson GRT also offers a ‘Weekend Family Buffet’ priced at Rs.500 per adult and Rs. 350 for kids. The buffet is available only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
For Feedback & Suggestions, Contact us at 044-43590099 (or) Email us at in.editor@ingen.in
Radisson GRT, 531, GST Road, St. Thomas Mount. Contact: 22310101
Nook 'N' Corner
DISCLAIMER
All in a Pot! It’s time to start your Pongal shopping, and the most important item in your shopping list would be the earthen pots! It was in these pots that the entire cooking was done and with time, today, it’s only during pongal that they are sought after. It is believed that, on Pongal you should cook in a new vessel. So, head to Kodambakkam and find your pot! Kodambakkam High Road (the shops dotting the pavement)
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TUE
Partly
Annual Clearance Sale @ Vanilla
MON
@ chennai
p e o p l e . t r e n d s . e v e n t s
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SAT
ON SALE EXPRESS publishes the advertisements & listings in good faith but does not hold itself responsible for the representations or claims made for the products and services in respect of which readers are advised to make their own assessment. COPYRIGHT © 2009 ON SALE EXPRESS. Reproduction of any material in whole or part prohibited.
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ON SALE EXPRESS |
JAN 15 - JAN 21, 2010
A Slice of our Tradition ‘Chennai Sangamam’ gives one a chance to encounter our folklore in all its richness
C
ome Pongal and the air of festivity and celebration are set. The last three times during the Chennai Sangamam, I had missed it due to ‘other’ priorities, but this time I wanted to check out what all this hype was about, so there I marched towards The Independence Day Park at Valluvar Kottam. All the roads leading to this park this Monday evening were packed with chaotic rows of vehicles. I was not convinced yet. But my thoughts froze when I entered this park to some brilliant foottapping dapankuthu and a scintillating performance of puliattam. With my doubts now rested, I waited to be swept by the ‘experience’ and I soon was. The flamboyant and flashy Madurai folk performance, the beautiful and exotic mayilattam, the thought -provoking therukutthu, the daring kavadi performance coupled with some amazing folk performances were lined up for the viewers, and I sat through all of it in absolute awe. With a glimpse of every folklore of the state, the entire festival was a good blend of some hardcore values and memorable performances coupled with earthen spicy flavours of our traditional cuisine. Just an hour in this place makes one feel good about witnessing a great occasion and for once you are sure to forget where you are and will plunge into the feeling of festivity. I have always wondered if this entire thiruvizha was an over-rated one;
but now I choose to believe it is a ‘must experience’ one. You have to sit on the floor and watch a brilliant performance and whistle (like a true-blue Chennite)
Udhagamandalam, to the Chettinad and Kumbakonam but I had not done it all; there were many more to this which I am yet to taste and enjoy. As I was feasting, I was wondering if any restaurant in Chennai served such authentic stuff. Then I realised it is easier to walk down your street for some Thai, Italian, Chinese or even North Indian but the enchanting Tamil Nadu cuisine is not that easy to come by. No air conditioned restaurant or heavy bills will give you this feel. Thanks to the Tamil Maiyam team, this show was neatly organised and presented to us at the nearest park or ground. It is more like we are given in a platter, a glimpse of the ‘state’ in the best possible way. As I was all by myself and indulging in every bit of it, I decided to look around for once and was stunned at the crosssection of people around me. There were men who stepped out of their long cars to the ones who ran down their streets with friends; but what was simply remarkable was that they were both having the time of their lives.
hu K
Photo: Prab
Photo: Prabhu K
When I walked out of this place, I realised that I unknowingly carried a piece of it because I wanted to perhaps cherish it till the spirit rises again next year, same time. Till then Chennai Sangamam will be a sangamam of culinary delights, traditional and folk performances and values and J oor g cultures for the people of a to: N Pho Chennai. - Puja Prakash
and enjoy the typical breeze and spirit of folk culture and celebrate the moment. Imagine enjoying this typical folk-type
.............................................................................................. Contact us at 044-43590099 | in.editor@ingen.in
entertainment with some authentically spiced and piquant food. It is the most
ideal combination, if you would ask me. I had a feast of all cuisines starting from the Dindugal to the
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ON SALE EXPRESS | JAN 15 - JAN 21, 2010
Anything
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he is easily one of the most wellknown women amongst the elite in Chennai. From being the Executive Managing Director of Savera Hotel, to being a fitness diva and running a chain of gyms in Chennai, Nina Reddy has carved a niche for herself in the business world. She is looked upon as one of the most successful women in Chennai. Recently crowned the Honorary Mrs. Chennai, Nina shares her moments of success with us. Please tell us about your background and how you made your beginning at Savera hotel? I grew up in Hyderabad and did my schooling at Grammar School and graduated in history from the St Francis College. I got married to Vijay Reddy of the Savera Group and came to Chennai. I was married even before I completed my degree and went back to take my exams as my father had promised me that I would complete my graduation. I have two daughters Nivruti and Rithika and I was a full-time mother until the girls grew up. When I realised that they needed to be independent, I had the urge do something for the family business. I asked my father –in-law to give me an opportunity to join the Savera Group. He immediately agreed and I was given the responsibility of landscaping and that was my first step into Savera. I slowly moved into housekeeping, food and beverage and in no time I was all over the hotel. I took one step at a time and learnt a lot from my experience. And it was indeed a proud moment for me when I was appointed the Executive Managing Director of the hotel. How did you decide to open gyms? Fitness has been my passion. After my second child, I knew I had to exercise and get fit. I wanted to open a health club at Savera for our guests and the concept of Body Lyrics came up. As I was working on getting things organised for the opening of body lyrics, the situation and the people whom I met along the course supported me and believed in me so much, that I ended up opening O2 at Khader Nawaz Khan road, even before I opened Body Lyrics. O2 was meant to be a place for both aerobics and a gym. Now we have branches on O2 at Velachery, Mogappair and we recently opened one at Besant Nagar. Each O2 has something unique in it. Like the Nungambakkam branch has space for group classes, Mogappair has an indoor jogging track, Velachery has the first ever virtual bikes
in India and Besant Nagar has virtual spin bikes. What about your restaurants under Shyam’s group? I am also a Director of the Shyam’s Group of restaurants. Our restaurants include Karaikudi, Punjabi Dhaba, Malgudi, Coconut Lagoon and Amaravathi. South Indian restaurants are our stronghold. I guess people in Chennai are tuned to south Indian food and so our restaurants are doing the best. Karaikudi serves authentic Chettinad food, Amaravathi serves Andhra food, Coconut lagoon serves Kerala good and Malgudi is a combination of all four South Indian cuisines. We use different spices - pepper is the key factor in Chettinad food while red chilli is the key in Andhra food. We have a chain of restaurants on ECR run by Nivi Enterprises. We have an outlet of Kalinga at Velachery and Kebab Court at Velachery and Anna Nagar.
What are the Pongal Plans for the restaurants? Pongal is the first festival of the year and we are full of energy at this time. And we are celebrating this year by being a part of the Chennai Sangamam. It is a matter of pride for us to be a part of the Sangamam. Malgudi will have a stall at Lady Willingdon College and Karaikudi will be at one of the parks in Anna Nagar. The Sangamam is a fest which brings all kinds of people together and I am excited and proud to be a part of this.
What is the success mantra of being such a successful business woman? A loving and supportive family and good friends coupled with my passion has helped me achieve success in all that I have ventured into. I also don’t believe in giving up. Whenever something backfires I am up again and I say what next and keep moving. That has also helped me in being successful. I always think a failure or a risk is an opportunity for me to perform more. Good wishes and love from my family, friends and well wishers have always been a big plus point for me. I started my journey late in life but I believe I have a lot more to achieve in the years to come.
life is beautiful
p e o p l e . t r e n d s . e v e n t s
is Possible!
ON SALE EXPRESS wishes this talented lady success in all her ventures.
- Shivani Arora
What makes your restaurants different? And how is that the food at every Karaikudi taste just the same? I think the consistency in the food we serve is what makes our restaurants different. And since we started Karaikudi, our master Chef Sarthappan has been with us and he has trained all the other chefs. This is what helps us maintain the consistency at all the branches of Karaikudi.
Nina Reddy
Which are your favourite dishes? I love South Indian food and I think it is simple and healthy. I am a non-vegetarian and I love nethili and pepper chicken. And if I have to keep it simple, I love idlis! And my Sundays are incomplete without Biryani from Amaravathi.
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SERVICES
APPAREL & ACCESSORIES
MOBILES & NETWORKS
HOME & OFFICE NEEDS
ELECTRONICS & ELECTRICALS
BOOKS & STATIONERY
JAN 15 - JAN 21, 2010
RED SPOT
| Annai Books Centre
Engineering Books
Park Rd, Anna Nagar West Extn. Ph - 26549314
All 365 Days All 365 Days
Words & Worth Book Store
Books
10% off. Except Children Books.
E - 28, 2nd Avenue, Besant Nagar, Chennai. Ph - 24468659
Odyssey
Books
1+1 offer in Books
Shivani, 46, ECR, Thiruvanmiyur, Ch - 41. Ph - 24516577
Till Stock Ends
Books
10% off.
36, 7th Avenue, Besant Nagar. Ph - 42077019
Jan 31st 2010
Engineering Books
Upto 20% off
49, Ranganathan Street, T. Nagar, Ch-17. Ph-044-24341416
All 365 Days All 365 Days
SAS Connections Madras Book House Renuka Book Seller
Books
Upto 25% off
Lilly pond Shopping Complex, Ch.Ph-25393041.
JJ Book Stall
Books
Upto 20% off
Moore Market, Park Town. Ph-25389528
All 365 Days
Upto 30% off
Suntec City Shopping Mall, Purasawakkam High Rd. Ph - 65856605
All 365 Days
The Light house
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Books
BOOKS & STATIONERY
15% Off
DVD Player
Jan 14th 2010
Induction Stove
Introducing rate Rs.1800/- only and get a Rs.1200/worth cooker or gift set free/ Free lifetime service
79/191, Kodambakkam high road, T. Nagar, Ch-17. Ph-28144422
Jan 14th 2010
Preethi
Blue Leaf-Platinum, mixer grinder
Buy Blue Leaf Platinum get Auto Cooker & Warmer worth Rs. 1990/- free
Ph: 24328822
Jan 14th 2010
Sowbaghya
Electrical & Electronic appliances
Copper bottom stainless steel free with every purchase
T. Nagar, Chrompet, Kodambakkam - 28342908
Jan 14th 2010
Reliance Digital
Electrical & Electronic Items
Assured Free gifts(Conditions Apply)
57, Mecco House, Anna Salai, Ch-2. Ph-44733322
Jan 18th 2010
Philips
Electrical & Electronic Items
Festival Season Assured Free Gifts
All Electronic Outlets
Jan 15th 2010
Kenstar
Electrical & Electronic Items
Assured free gift (Conditions apply) for every purchase
All authorized distributors - 42143359
Jan 14th 2010
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Kovai Lakshmi Grinder
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Vasanth & Co
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Jan 15th 2010
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All Electronic Outlets All Vasanth & Co outlets. Ph-9566163335
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Avail Special Festival price Under exchange - VCR, VCP, VCD, DVD at any condition get a DVD player at only Rs.990/-
Jan 14th 2010
Flat 20% Genuine sale
Velachery. Ph-4595150
Jan 15th 2010 Till Stock Ends
Furniture’s
20% discount
Furn Kare
Furniture’s
Coir-on
Rubberished coir, Bed
Free pillow and mattresses with every purchase of bed
498/23, Congress building, Anna Salai, Teynampet, Ch-6. Ph-24339389
Duroflex
Duroflex sleep systems
Free pillows- Festival season offer- conditions apply
Nearest outlets. Ph-26400740/ 26259940
Till Feb 2010
Interior & Exterior items
Purchase of more than Rs.500/- and get one Potpourri room fragrance free
Adyar, Ch. Ph-24402485
Jan 14th 2010
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Sixth Sense Lighting
HOME & OFFICE NEEDS
29/1, Taramani link road, Velachery. Ph-22433429
Teak ‘n’ Oak
ELECTRONICS& ELECTRICALS
LCD TV - Series V, Series T, Home Theatre System
Sony
Chennai’s ‘Most Wanted’ Spot ...
Right Here!
Call 044 For RED SPOT Listing entries, Contact: 044 - 43590099
- 43590099 for Redspot Listing Entries 5
50% off / 5% cash back offer / Free gifts (Conditions apply)
All Wavetel outlet
Jan 14th 2010
Orange Mobiles
Mobile Phones
Assured Gifts on Every Purchases
Elliot’s Beach, Besant Nagar, Ch - 90. Ph - 9841523233
Jan 14th 2010
Techno park mobile showroom
Mobile phones
Assured free gifts on every purchase
All Techno park outlets
Jan 14th 2010
Sony ericsson mobile phones
T-Shirts free with every purchase (Conditions apply)
All mobile store outlets
Jan 14th 2010
Mobile phones
Free gifts - 2010 calendar, 2010 diary, gold coin / Buy 1 get 1 free (Conditions apply)
All Poorvika outlets
Jan 14th 2010
Nokia mobile phones
Reebok pouch and Reebok watch free on every purchase (Conditions apply)
Anna Nagar. Ph-26269944/ 26221177
Jan 31st 2010
The Mobile Store Poorvika Planet M
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Kenith parker
Shirts
Buy 2 shirts get 1 trouser free
Anna Nagar, T. Nagar, Purasawalkam, Royapettah. Ph-42615168
Jan 31st 2010 March 31st 2010
Raymonds
Shirts & Pants
3 readymade shirts or 2 readymade pants @ Rs.999/-
No: 92, Pondy Bazaar, T. Nagar, Ch-17. Ph-28152865
Rex Fashions
Shirts (Shelton)
Buy 1 Get 1 Free
Mylapore, Velachery. Ph - 43920555
Jan 26th 2010
Silk Sarees
Purchase abv. Rs.50,000/- & get wet grinder free/ Purchase abv. Rs.20,000/- & get electric rice cooker free
Old Washermenpet,Purasawalkam, T.Nagar, Mylapore. Ph-044-42121177.
Jan 14th 2010
V2 Boutique
Exclusive Western Wear
10% to 15% Off.
Shop No. 26, Basement Fountain Plaza, Egmore, Ch-8. Ph - 9840066749
All 365 Days
GJS Exclusif
Salwar & kurti/ Tailoring for ladies
10% to 20% off
No:26, Tansi Nagar, Velachery, Taramani Road.Ph-22433354
Jan 14th 2010
Gold jewellery
Free gifts for purchases above Rs.12,000/- to Rs.5 Lakhs and reduced price per gram
123, Panagal park, T. Nagar, Ch-17. Ph-28141155
Jan 14th 2010
Wedding Jewellery
You can choose any one of our spl.gifts to you.Silver metti & Kolusu/gold coin/Diamond mookuthi (Cond. apply)
74, Usman rd, T. Nagar. Ph-2340027 / II avenue, Anna Nagar. Ph-26265000
Jan 15th 2010
Gold jewellery
Great discount offers in making & wastage charges
Cathedral Road, T. Nagar. Ph-24364501
Jan 14th 2010
Soft Toys
10% off
Shivani, 46, ECR, Thiruvanmiyur, Ch-41. Ph-24516577
Jan 31st 2010
Apparels & Accessories
Flat 30% - 50%
Mount Poonamallee High Road, Porur. Ph - 24760915
Jan 31st 2010
Men’s/Women’s wear
Buy 3 Get 4 (Conditions apply)
ECR, Kottivakkam. Ph -044- 24510720
Jan 31st 2010 Jan 14th 2010 Jan 15th 2010
S.M.Silks
Lalitha Jewellery OKJ Khazana Jewellery Odyssey Reebok Mega Mart
Flat 50% off
Rajalakshmi Hall, 177, Poonamallee High Rd, Ch-10
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Textiles
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The Wear House
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Great annual sale- upto 70% off
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Textiles
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Anita
66A, Taylor’s Road, Kilpauk Garden Road, Ch-10. Ph-26448172
Pub & Bar
25% Discount during “Happy Hours (“11 hrs to 15 hrs) Millennium Dollar
79, 100 feet road, Vadapalani, Ch-26. Ph-23621818
All 365 Days
Great Wall Restaurant
Pizza
Only pay Rs.40/- for regular pizza (for selected toppings only)
Pondy Bazaar. Ph-24343772
All 365 Days
Cascade Restaurant
Food
Dine above Rs.2000/- & get 10% off
T. Nagar. Ph-28343030
All 365 Days
The French Loaf
Food
15% discount for Citi Bank card holders
Ph: 43561333
All 365 Days
Marry Brown
Food
Dine for above Rs.250/- get museli crunch(Complan) free
1A, Pulla Avenue, Shenoy Nagar, Chennai. Ph-43532252
Jan 31st 2010
Inn Chennai Hotel
Rooms
30% off
No: 578, Anna Salai, Teynampet. Ph-42072266
All 365 Days
East Wood Resorts
Rooms
Avail 10% off only weekdays
1/240, ECR, Injambakkam, Ch-41.
All 365 Days
Hotel Park View
Rooms
10% off
Valluvarkottam High Road, Nungambakkam. Ph-42030367
All 365 Days
Hotel Shelter
Rooms
10% discount
Mylapore. Ph- 044-24951919
All 365 Days
Ambica Empire
Orange Computer Education
Anna Nagar. Ph-26288787
Jan 31st 2010
Western Dance / Yoga
41, Sarathy nagar, Velachery. Ph-45014350. www.letsdosomething.in
All 365 Days
Fast track, weight loss, wellness packages, Annual gym membership
25% off
Health Clinic
10% off. If you are referred by patients
Ashok Nagar. Ph-42318402
All 365 Days
Fitness Equipments
Fitness equipment package(10 varieties of equipments) only Rs.50,000/-
168, Shop no:12, Quintegra Towers, Eldams Road, Alwarpet. Ph-43144331
Upto Jan 2010
Devi’s Beauty Parlour
Beauty Package
50% off
Ayyanavaram, Ch-23. Ph-9884953870
Jan 14th 2010
Beauty Touch Parlour
Beauty Package
Makeup for Rs.600/- & get Bleach free and for Rs.1000/and get half waxing free
39/399, 1st main road, Gandhi nagar, Adyar. Ph-42334547
Jan 14th 2010
2 wheelers
Insurance free / get Rs.1000/- extra in exchange of your old bike
All Bajaj showroom. Ph-24422372
Jan 14th 2010
Santro, i10, Accent, Verna
Great exchange offer + Consumer offer / Additional special offers for corporate
Guindy, Anna Nagar, Nandanam, Porur, Kottivakkam. Ph-9940012426
Jan 14th 2010
Rooms & Foods
20% off for rooms and 5% off for food
Arumbakkam. Ph-23791314
All 365 Days
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Food
Accommodation
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Beauty Centres
Travel
Entertainment
Interiors & Exteriors
Education & Learning
Repair & Service
Miscellaneous
Health Centres
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The Vijay Park
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Hyundai
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Bajaj
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The Fitness Zone
Nungambakkam, Besant Nagar, Mylapore, Jan 20th 2010 Velachery, Mugappair. Ph-42323231
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Dr. Batra’s Positive Health Clinic
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O2 Health Studio
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Join & get Laptop free 25% off on referral discount (1st month)/ 10% off on bulk registration (4+)
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Master Diploma in graphics & visual effects
Lets Do Something
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Mobile Phones
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Wavetel
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MOBILES& NETWORKS
ON SALE EXPRESS | JAN 15 - JAN 21, 2010
Mixed Bag
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ON SALE EXPRESS |
JAN 15 - JAN 21, 2010
Wizards of OS G
one, or going still, are the days where you swap your older mobiles for the new ones with a
HTC Touch Diamond
Mobile
higher pixel capacity or a larger touchscreen. The screen real-estate is not the envy anymore nor the mega pixels a pride. You will be considered a prehistoric homosapien if you don’t have a smartphone. Smartphone – defined as a mobile phone offering advanced capabilities, often with PC-like functionality or more like a PC with call making function. So what makes your smartphone smarter? It’s operating system (OS), of course. When we start talking about OS of a mobile, Windows Mobile (WinMo), Symbian Series and Google Android are the prominent names that pop to our mind. Here we pit WinMo versus the Droid. Staring with the user interface, WinMo has been there for like a century and yes we have gotten a bit tired of its dated UI. So this is where the Android takes a lead with its fresh looks and easy navigation. While most of the WinMo mobiles have a resistive touchscreen, the capacitive touchscreen of the Androids make them more comfortable for handling. So going by the cover, Android will be your choice as it has got better interactive capabilities and looks contemporary. But when it comes to customisation, WinMo beats Android by miles. The age of the WinMo comes to play when it comes to get your device customised to your style. And to that, add the Sense UI shell of HTC, that makes the WinMo an opulent piece of art. Multi-tasking is another area where the Android may outdo WinMo. Accepted that Androids are great in running multiple applications, but what we tend to forget is that WinMo is as good as it always has been. General criticism about WinMo is the lack of app close option wherein the apps do not turn off on exit
but keep running in the background. Here also our misconception comes into play that Android is different. No, Android is also of the same nature. Cynical? Launch task manager and get to see for yourself. WinMo has a very practical advantage in multi-tasking in the form of installation of the applications. You can install the apps to your system memory or on external memory cards. But with Android, such luxury is still a fantasy. Thousands of apps available in its market within a very short period have given Android an evolution beyond reach. And this is where WinMo gets hit bad, very bad. With Marketplace in its initial stage, WinMo is way beyond in catching up with Android. Though Opera Mobile is as good a mobile browser as any, Android’s web browser has proved to be the best. For WinMo too, there are very few apps to be found in the marketplace, search around and you will be surprised to find the apps in such abundance. The evolving of most of these apps is complete that should propel the favouring scale towards WinMo eventually. But for now, one point contact for apps is more essential rather than beating around the bush. There it is. Android is surely progressing to be a very good competitor for WinMo in terms of design, content etc. With a stupendous growth in the market and a fresh new outlook, Android is racing to the top. And with the lack of attention it is getting from its developers for its survival,
WinMo is sure to give way to Android if nothing is done from Microsoft. So there is a lot riding on WinMo-7 to be released soon. Both WinMo and Android are great operating systems with their own characters. In the end, it is your decision to choose from the titans of the OS world. - N Balasubramaniam
.............................................................................................. Contact us at 044-43590099 | in.editor@ingen.in
Google Nexus One
7
Timele
As we gear up to welcom out of fashion.
A
year always begins on a festive note. Be it the New Year Day, or the four days of Pongal, all that most of the women want to do is buy a sari for the occasion. Buying a sari in itself has become an occasion these days. This is one product that will always be available and sought after, whether it is modern or traditional. And for several centuries or probably even millenniums (if claims of historians are anything to go by) saris have played a vital role in the day to day life at all kinds of indigenous settlements. Today, we all talk about saris in terms of what we see in a Pothys or an RmKV TV commercial, or the paparazzi pictures of an Indian actress glamorously clad in a fiveyard long cloth-mirror that is meant to reveal more than conceal. However, closer home, a woman’s life starts and ends with a sari, as a popular song goes.
today, a lot of older women wear only the sari, withou blouse or in-skirt. However, as modernity (read Victor modesty) took over the Indian streets, the sari evolved into an aesthetic and conservative design than a attire of functionality. Weddings, togethers, meetings – is scope to be worn. south, it is customary wear a sari on
festivals, getparties, business everywhere th for a sar Dow
Traditionally speaking, a sari is the first swing-bed used to rock the child to sleep. Sentiments, superstitions, status and style guard the purpose of a sari. However, there is a charm that penetrates all these aspects and presents a portrayal that is not only cherished but also awed, universally.
RmKV Silks Grand Reversible Silk Saree (Rs. 68,650/-)
Historically speaking, cotton and silk were the most common fabrics used in weaving a sari. Archaeological data tells us that sari was a single unstitched cloth wrapped around the body of the woman that partially covered her features. Even
Photo Courtesy: RmKV Silks
Weaving a change!
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For those of you who worry about killing silk worms to get your precious silk sari, here is solace. Ahimsa sari (also known as peace saris ) have been slowly paving their way through the market. In the production of our regular silk saris, the cocoons are immersed in boiling water to kill the worms and reel the silk yarn. But with ahimsa silk, these cocoons are left alone
for almost a week. Once th the cocoons and fly away. or peace silk begin. This p Rajiah. If you would like d lection at www.ahimsasilk
ON SALE EXPRESS | JAN 15 - JAN 21, 2010
ess Splendour
me the traditional Pongal fest, we take a look at one attire that never goes
ut a rian e d an
s here ri wn to
all days – occasion or ordinary. What was originally the woven cotton or silk sari, has today transformed into georgettes, chiffons and crepe of different colours, textures and patterns. Convincing Conventions Whatever said and done, the woven legacy of Kanchipuram silk sari is as intricately patterned in our lives as the ‘zari’ in the yard. While the market giants have taken the conventional concept and woven novelty into it, our fashion designers have gone all experimental and come up with the most striking and incredible trends. While the Samudrika conceptualises the epitomised beauty of a woman, the Parampara intends to give a conventional-‘cum’-contemporary feel along side the Vastrakala that aims at fusing the North Indian legacy of hand embroidery on the Kanchipuram silk weave. And the marketing of the ‘Bridal 7’ collection was a visual treat. Different types of silk saris to distinguish the various ceremonies of a wedding captured the attention of the market and created a renewed interest. And with the times changing, people have also begun moving on from the age-old heavily worked silk sari to more contemporary and convenient forms like micro silk, art silk, raw silk, etc.
Nalli Silks, Kumaran Silks, Tulsi Silks, Sundari Silks and Chennai Silks are some of the retailers who are making big money in the segment of contemporary silk designs. Tradition with a Twist A deeper plunge into modernity takes us straight into the trend of pre-stitched or ready-made saris. This comes as a three piece outfit that includes a skirt with closely plaited folds in the front, complete with a yard long ‘pallu’ that can be draped across the body separately and a blouse to go with. This is a designer’s favourite and any woman game for something new and different would love this. It comes in handy especially when your little girl needs to wear a sari. And what’s more, these can be purchased through e-bay!
The 150 year old tradition of weaving the silk from the mulberry worm into yards that create bonds is a tale in itself. And every trailing yard of the woman’s attire breathes it in silence. - Shruti K M
But of course, for the shopaholics, nothing can compensate the experience of seeing, touching and trying before buying. Sri Palam Silks in Pondy Bazaar (oppo. Fatima Plaza) and Rangachari’s in Mylapore are some of the recommended places in the city to buy the pre-stitched ones from.
Nalli Silks Diwali ‘09 Collection
Photo Courtesy: Nalli Silks
he worms mature, they are allowed to pierce Only then does the manufacture of the ahimsa process has been patented by Mr. Kusuma drape yourself in guilt-free silk, check their colks.com.
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ON SALE EXPRESS | JAN 15 - JAN 21, 2010
Reaping Joy! Pongal brings with it memories of pattu pavadais and payasams!
f a s h i o n . s t y l e . i c o n
W
here customs are concerned, there is a significance and a meaning for each festival, usually buried under layers of traditional rituals to be unquestionably followed. When one understands the essence of it, rituals can be simplified to suit contemporary lifestyles. Pongal which usually falls in the second week of January is one of the most important festivals of South India. Essentially a harvest festival, and mainly for the rural population whose main occupation is agriculture, the celebration has extended itself to the urbanites as well. Basically, this festival is a celebration of reaping what you sow and a veneration to the Sun God for His benevolence. Pongal takes its name from the traditional sweet rice dish which is made on the day of Pongal and so named because the act of
boiling over is ‘pongu’. Also called Makara Sankranthi, Pongal falls on the first day of Thai when the sun enters the Makara Rasi (Capricornus). It defines the end of winter and the welcoming of Spring throughout the Northern hemisphere. Every Indian festival demands the drawing of kolams early in the morning, and Margazhi month before Thai sees the most beautiful and intricate floor patterns outside homes. In villages, special Pongal kolams are drawn and there is a particular Pongal kolam which connects a line of houses showing solidarity and the community spirit of rejoicing. The farmers bring in their implements like hoes and sickles and place it for worship.
When I was growing up, Pongal spelt happiness, the coming together of the family members, a spankingly clean home, because the bottom line of the pre-preparation, is ‘out with the old and on with the new’. Unwanted stuff were removed, given away or kept aside for the traditional burning on Bhogi day. The Bhogi Pongal celebrated on the last day of the month of Margazhi, is dedicated to Indra, the Lord of the Clouds and Rain. Offerings are made to please Him so that He blesses the people with a plentiful harvest. All the unwanted things are set fire to, a fire which is kept burning through the night, and there is so much smoke that there is smog till the sun comes up. In the olden days, boys used to go around beating buffalo hide drums. For us girls, it meant new clothes, the soft rustle of pattu pavadais, georgette davanis, and the glitter of jewellery. The Pongal square in the central courtyard, was cleaned and paved with cow dung the previous day for the Surya Pongal puja, and rice flour kolams, enhanced with red clay designs, drawn to mark boundaries. A new earthenware pot was smeared with turmeric paste, and kumkum placed at intervals. Tender, young turmeric with green leaves were tied round the neck of the pot. A golden yellow flame in a traditional Lakshmi lamp acts as a witness to the proceedings. The offerings were placed before the pongal pot, boiled sweet potatoes, puffed rice, beaten rice, fresh ginger, bananas, betel leaves and nuts, sugar cane and any other farm produce which one thought of placing on the banana leaf. The fire was stoked and little pieces of wood placed inside the clay oven. The pongal, which consists of rice, jaggery, ghee and milk bubbled merrily as the sun traveled in the sky. There was this awesome moment we waited for . When the pongal boiled over, we clapped our hands and would go round the sacred place, shouting Pongalo Pongal! Till our parents told us to stop exercising our lungs so vigorously! Camphor was lit, a coconut broken, with our prayers to Surya for His blessings for the coming year. The elders watched which way the pongal boiled over as certain directions were considered auspicious. When the pongal didn’t boil over, the women wrung their hands in despair, because it portended trouble and sorrow for the coming year. The food was something to die for. The ubiquitious sambar with various vegetables never tasted better, and the golden brown roasted potatoes was a fitting accompaniment. The hot fried ulundu
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vadais were tempting enough to be eaten right off the stove! With the sweet semolina payasam, our bellies reached bursting point. Pongal meant giving, and all the workers in the home received new clothes and the goodies which were kept for the puja plus a cash present. The third day is called Maattu Pongal where the cattle, beasts of burden, used for various rural activities are glorified. The cattle are bathed, their horns polished and little brass caps placed on them. Vermillion is applied on their foreheads and their necks are adorned with large beads, flowers and bells. Kaanum Pongal is a day of friendships restored, of visiting elders and having a good time. Most of the working class are given holidays to be able to be with their families. New clothes are worn and the spirit of bonhomie persists. On this day, traditionally the young people are supposed to pay homage to the elders and the elders reward them by gifting them money and clothes. In the olden days, where the joint family system existed, every festival was a celebration of togetherness and participation. With the establishing of nuclear families, and lack of domestic help, the rituals for Pongal have been changed to suit present day lifestyles. Where I used to make the pongal outside, keeping the fire burning and right under the sun, I now make the pongal in the kitchen, transfer it into the pot and place it in the designated place for the puja. Apart from the traditional payasam and sweet pongal, like many other housewives I just don’t have the energy to go whole hog with the rituals. We no longer burn the stuff on Bhogi day; even doing the round of visits on Kaanum Pongal day is impossible what with the traffic gridlock and it is a Herculean task to drive through the milling crowds. Most people head towards the beach and make a full day picnic of it. The basic age old rituals are still honoured even with the passage of time, and the enthusiasm for celebrating the festival remains unabated, even if the laboriousness of the rituals have been pruned. Essentially it is a period of thanksgiving and a prayer to God to continue to shower his blessings and the devout Hindu does not waver from that, come what may. - Sabita Radhakrisha
ON SALE EXPRESS |
JAN 15 - JAN 21, 2010
Traditional
Secrets
This Pongal, we get the best of cooks to share their secrets with you. f R.K Narayan ever visited the East Coast Road, and stepped into the South Indian culinary experience called Malgudi he sure would be a happy man. Elated he will be to see a figment of his imagination been recreated and the magic of his novel brought alive. Needless to say the moment we stepped into Malgudi we could almost feel ourselves to be one of Swami’s friends. This South-Indian restaurant beautifully captures the flavours and essence of any typical rustic village in southern India to the hilt. A wellcushioned hand cart and brightly coloured kolam at the entrance, wooden pillars bordering an open courtyard, walls adorned by Tamil and Telugu alphabets and the constant aroma of curry leaves. They all say vanakkam and welcome you in true south Indian style. Adding charm and authenticity to the very homely ambience are the warm and nurturing, ever smiling Mamis. Mamis who are middle aged, village women visit the restaurant every weekend and serve traditional delicacies
which you probably get to eat only when your grandmother prepares them for you. We were fortunate to have met two Mamis who not only served us delectable Carrot Bollis and Rice Flour Adda but also gave us an insight on very simple yet very scrumptious home style
“A small quantity of grated coconut makes all the difference to the taste,” said one as we grabbed a bite of the Carrot Bolli which had just the right amount of sweet and a strong aftertaste of cardamom. “Also, 2-3 tablespoons of buffalo ghee when added to the dough, not only makes the bollis softer, it also enhances the flavour,” added another. For the lovers of seafood, Shrimp Pakoda prepared by Malgudi’s chefs is something not to be missed. Soft and fresh shrimp meat coated with an interesting blend of spices and served with mint chutney, make for an excellent starter. Interestingly, no gram flour is used in its preparation. The vegetarians who would find it difficult to resist the essence of the pakodas should opt for the Vazpoo vadai which is almost the same preparation, only the meat being replaced by grounded chana dal.
cooking. “South Indian food does have the basic recipes throughout, but the taste does change from region to region. Sambhar in Andhra is way different from that in Tamil Nadu. The trick is to play around with the proportion of pulses and water used,” said a Mami
“You could add a little rice flour to the batter,” said she as she deep fried the vadas for us.
Murungakaai Soup (Drumstick soup). The Chefs here want you to try the Appams, Idiappams and the Chicken Kothu Paratha (a staple dish of Tamil Nadu, has pieces of chicken mixed with bits of paratha, not recommended for those who cannot handle too much spice).
high toast
I
- Ankit Bakshi
Malgudi Southern Cuisine No 204/A, East Coast Road, Akkarai, Sholinganallur, Chennai - 600119 Contact: 24530660, 24530661
Aattakal Soup (Paaya) which is basically mutton bone marrow soup makes for a perfect accompaniment. The vegetarians could stick to the good old
Rice Flour Adda
Serves 3 to 4
Ingredients · 500 gms rice flour · 500 gms white flour · 3-4 tbsp jeera · 2-3 onions, finely chopped · 2 green chillies, finely chopped · Salt to taste Method All ingredients are added to the rice flour that has been soaked overnight. Water is added and mixed to make a thick paste. The batter is scooped out, spread on a frying pan and cooked in oil just as dosa is cooked. Tip Rice flour addas taste best when eaten with tomato chutney.
Photos: Nagoor J
Contact us at 044-43590099 | in.editor@ingen.in
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ON SALE EXPRESS | JAN 15 - JAN 21, 2010
Fraudsters on browse A most talked about topic in media today is the rise in new forms of crime committed online in our country, otherwise known as Cyber crime.
“ k n o w . s p e a k . a c t
Online lottery fraud costs man Rs. 10 lakh” ; “Woman loses Rs.1.5 lakh in online lottery scam” ; “Nigerians arrested for online scam” -these were some of the headlines in newspapers in December. Such news continues to hit headlines due to the spurt in white collar crime online. Many cybercrimes go unreported by victims due to their unawareness of the legal remedy, reluctance or lack of time. According to a police official, money got from cyber crime is estimated to be more than that from illegal drug trafficking.
fence would be punishable with imprisonment for five years and a fine of Rs.10 lakh [Sec 67). For publishing or mailing obscene content of a sexually explicit conduct, the first conviction would be a five-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs.10 lakh and subsequent convictions would be for seven years and a fine of Rs.10 lakh [Sec 67A]. Books or material printed for the purpose of educating the public or in the interest of science, art or bona fide religious purposes are exempt.
Any act of publishing, creating and /or transmitting obscene material is a crime, says the amended Information Technology (IT) Act. Use of Internet has grown by leaps and bounds and so too have frauds committed online such as phishing, data and ID theft and e-commerce offences. In order to make such offences cognizable, the Central Government introduced the Information Technology (Amendment) Bill which was passed by Parliament in December 2008. Subsequently the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008 received the assent of the President on February 5, 2009.
Similarly, it is an offence to damage or disrupt a computer system. One can be punished if, without permission of the owner, he/she downloads, copies, extracts any data, introduces contaminant (virus), destroys, deletes or alters any information from the computer. Besides being liable to pay compensation to the affected party, the offender shall be punishable with imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of Rs.5 lakh [Sec.66]. Cyber crime is borderless and is causing serious security breaches. The Resource Centre for Cyber Forensics, set up by the Department of Information Technology (DIT) at C-DAC, Thiruvananthapuram has developed CyberCheck Suite Version 3.0. tools for cyber forensics. The indigenously developed software product was released in March 2007 . The National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) plans to provide its expertise to Tamil Nadu police in cybercrime investigation . The NASSCOM and Data Security Council of India intend to establish a Cyber Laboratory in Chennai which besides assisting the police in cyber forensics will serve as a permanent training centre.
or the cyber crime investigation department at the nearest police station. You can adopt some easy steps to protect yourself from these scams. Do not click on any links in emails that say they are from your bank. You may type your bank’s full website address into the browser. To verify whether a message is genuine, ring up your bank. Install the right security software that will guard your computer against malicious software. Such a software will not open any email attachments. Use of different passwords will help. Use variations and a password that has a combination of letters, numerals or punctuation symbols will be helpful. For convenience, you can use a fingerprint reader to store passwords for sites you visit often. Online shopping requires adequate precautions. Try to use a separate credit card exclusively for Internet shopping. Avoid using a debit card.
How to Protect Yourself
- Regularly log on to your online banking, credit card or other accounts and
The amended Act provides for jail term for offenders varying from three to ten years and gives the authorities (including police) more powers. Under Sec 66 A, a sender ‘who uses a cell phone or a Personal Digital Assistance (PDA) to communicate, send or transmit any text (SMS), email message, video, audio or picture messages, MMS, the content of which is offensive or has a menacing character or, knowing the content to be false, is persistently used for causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred or illwill, shall be punishable with an imprisonment for two years and a fine of maximum Rs.5 lakh ‘[Sec 66A]. The second or subsequent of-
TAMPERING
Well, if you are an affected party, you can give a complaint to the cyber crime cell
To Sum Up - Do not click on any links in a suspicious e-mail; clicking on such a link may cause the download of key-logging or ‘spyware’ programmes onto your computer
reconcile your balstatements to ensure all transactions are le-
ance that gitimate
- Use up-to-date anti-virus software – including spam filters and even ‘anti-phishing’ programmes, which are available to help screen out potential phishers on websites and e-mails. – Correspondent.,
Speak Out! Readers are invited to share their views with us on online frauds, consumer grievances about products or the outcome of any complaint taken to a retailer or service provider may also be mailed to in.editor@ingen.in for publication.
Harry London has announced a voluntary recall of 3310 individual units of Harry London Chocolate Pecan Caramel Stars because they have not been labelled to include wheat, FD&C colours yellow #5, red # 40 and blue #1 as an ingredient. All Harry London Chocolate Pecan Caramel Stars sold after December 28, 2009 have the correct labelling. No illnesses or injuries have been reported to date. Harry London discovered the error during a routine quality control process check. The product is produced with a pecan flavoured wheat germ nut that is made with wheat and FD&C colourings, which were not stated in the ingredient disclosure label. CMYK
Catheter Endovascular, Inc. and FDA have notified healthcare professionals of a recall of the Trailblazer Support Catheter. This device may crack near the radiopaque marker band. This may result in serious patient injury, including insufficient oxygen supply to the tissues and damage to blood vessels. (Source:US FDA)
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product recalls
Harry London Candies
ON SALE EXPRESS |
JAN 15 - JAN 21, 2010
your style! ight from being the first company to launch a two-wheeler commuter vehicle (the legendary TVS 50), TVS has been a key player in bringing economical and efficient automobiles to the Indian roads. TVS bikes have been known for their fuel-economy and reliability. Victor, Apache, Star – all these bikes have topped the sales figures in their respective segments. Thus expectations were riding high when TVS announced Jive, India’s first clutch-less bike. TVS Jive is targeted at those who want to ride easy without having to coordinate the clutch and the gear. The styling of the Jive is pretty much similar to that of the Star City, but the trimmed fuel tank gives it a stylish personality. Seats are comfortable
with black alloy wheels adding to the décor. The head and tail lamp looks neat and well-fitted. The 15 liter fuel tank is adequately poised on the single cradle chassis. Instrument cluster is fully analog. Gear indicator, turn indicators, fuel gauge, speedometer don the cluster. Equipped with a 4 stroke, single cylinder 110cc engine that is air cooled, Jive gives a maximum power of 8.4 bhp at 7500 rpm and a maximum torque of 8.3 Nm at 5500 rpm. So don’t expect the bike to be among the fastest but it sure does fit into the resourceful ones. The bike uses T-Matic, the clutch-less technology, for auto transmission. So without the use of the clutch, it is easy for anyone to ride the bike with just the knowledge of balancing. Jive can be started in any
gear without any jerks. Only if you twist the throttle, does the bike move. Thanks to the electric start it makes for a much easier driving. Rotary gears help you in bringing the bike to neutral, no matter if it is from the first or the fourth gear. The anti-knocking mechanism ensures lowspeed manoeuvring in top gears; you can go any speed at any gear. So you don’t have to worry about the engine getting shut down leaving you in an embarrassing situation in the middle of the traffic. But the refinement is a big compromise you have to make to go clutch-less. Jive sports an inline telescopic fork in the front and a hydraulic twin coil spring in the rear. Braking power is provided by drum brakes in both the front and rear. The storage compartment under the seat is a commendable feature. With a wheel base of 1260 mm, the cornering and
India’s first
Clutch-less is not new in a twowheeler. Hero Honda came out with its clutch-less scooter Street. The Street’s weakness was its mileage and pricing. So Jive needs to overcome these factors to become successful. And it does mostly. The driving experience is surely different in Jive. But it does take some time before you get used to the clutch-less biking and stop your left hand from pulling the clutch every time. Jive will attract the teens and the parents alike, thanks to its T-Matic.
TVS has proved its astuteness again in improving biking experience. And Jive is another milestone. - N Balasubramaniam Ramkay Agencies # 1,First cross road, Kasthuriba Nagar Adyar, Chennai - 600 020 Tamilnadu Contact : 24454567/ 24454747 Toll Free: 18004252077
C MYYKK
control of the bike is quite satisfying. TVS Jive is available in three colours, Blue, Red and Black.
first gear
R
Follow Traffic Rules Contact us at 044-43590099 | in.editor@ingen.in
Wear your Seat Belts
Have a Safe Drive
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ON SALE EXPRESS | JAN 15 - JAN 21, 2010
Power Savers Shower Power Did you know that almost 50% of your domestic power consumption is used to heat water? For all those people who forget time when you shower, Ripple Mini Sand Shower Timer has come to your rescue. Once the suction cap is attached to your shower wall, just turn the timer to let the sand fall for 4 minutes. Reducing your showers to 4 minutes could save you lot more than just water. Showers are high on water use, heavy on energy bills and hence contribute heavily to greenhouse gases. No, we are not asking you to skip your shower! Just use it wise.
Keep Your Cool! Does your AC eat up too much power? The Cool-N-Save system is out to save some money and power. This can be affixed to the top of most freestanding home air conditioning units. The system is activated only when the AC unit turns on. The hot air from the condenser units fan raises the flap on the patented Cool-n-Save control valve allowing water to flow to the misters that surround the AC unit (approx 1.2 gallons/hr). When the ultra-fine mist is released into the air, it evaporates almost instantly creating what is known as a ‘Flash Evaporation’, which literally sucks heat out of the air as water absorbs the energy it needs to evaporate. The result is a substantial drop in ambient temperature without wetness for up to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The Cool-N-Save can save around 30% of your AC energy costs.
Save As You Shower It will save water, time and money while you just shower. This is achieved with Evolve Shower Head’s ShowerStart™ technology. When the shower is initially turned on, the ShowerStart device monitors the water temperature. When the water temperature reaches bathing temperature, (95 F / 35 C), the conservation mode is activated and the device triggers a trickle, resulting in water and energy savings. Also, the unit automatically resets after each shower.
Get It From The Sun! Solar Hybrid Flashlight offers innovative ‘Hybrid Solar Technology’ which generates renewable power from sunlight or room light and stores it for later use. This flashlight can hold a single charge for over three years with 1-Watt 2X Super Bright LED. Just 8 hours charge in sunlight or room light will provide up to 16 hours of continuous light. It can be charged over and over again. What’s more? You don’t need to store it under the sun – just throw it in your drawer and see it turn on after three whole years!
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go green
This week, let’s take a look at some cool power-saving devices from across the world.
ON SALE EXPRESS |
JAN 15 - JAN 21, 2010
Anyone for Toast & Tea?
Color Craze Dear Kids,
mad lab
S
o, you like to have toast and tea? But cleaning two appliances might sound like ‘too much work’ for some. Fortunately, ‘The Toaster Teapot’ makes you fresh toast and hot cup of tea at the same time, using just one appliance! Just pop in your toast at the top, get your tea brewing in the pot and enjoy. Some may argue that mixing water and electricity is not right, but this product is very stylish and retro looking! Even if you’re not using it, just place it on your countertop and add some affordable glam to your kitchen! Happy tea-time!
Wearing his cowboy hat, Baby Mickey Mouse is all set to play outdoors this season. Colour him bright and happy!
Colour this picture and mail your artwork to in.creativity@ingen.in (or) to the address below within the next ten days (by January 25, 2009) to win exciting prizes!
The Toaster Teapot
online
FUN
Dot on to complete the Logo
Winner for 14th Issue: Kapilash, Sholinganallur
Guess the Ad! Mail your answers to in.creativity@ingen.in & win exciting prizes!
Answer for Last week: Samsung MP3 Player & the Winner is: Karthikeyan V G Contact us at 044-43590099 | in.editor@ingen.in
Mailing Address: - 3B, Nahar Garden Apts., Kannappa Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 41
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ON SALE EXPRESS | JAN 15 - JAN 21, 2010
Art Attack e’s an artist par excellence whose work translates equally well on the big screen. Thota Tharani, Artist and Art Director, has his hands full with films big and small, with each project reflecting his passion for his art. On Pongal, we catch up with him to find out about how he celebrates this festival and what keeps him going despite having achieved it all … After your blockbuster Sivaji, what has been keeping you busy on the big screen? There have been many films big and small, like Kandasamy for instance last year. Right now, I am doing a Telugu film called ‘Leader’ made by AVM Productions and directed by Sekar Kammulu starring Rana. Then, there are other smaller budget Tamil films too. So my hands are full.
What are your most cherished films to date? Every film I work on is memorable for some reason or the other so it’s hard to choose any one. You have achieved so much in life and worked on the most challenging projects. Do you still have a dream project in mind? Yes, I would love to do three types of films - a historical movie, a futuristic film and a mythological one. I am hoping that when such a chance comes, someone will call me!
What keeps you excited each day when you wake up in the morning? My small drawings that I do everyday keep me excited. My art direction in films is something I look forward too as well. It’s a whole team work with the director, producer and cameraman involved and it’s awesome to see the results on screen. Celebrating the harvest festival? I remember the earliest kolams made by our ayah at home on Pongal day and perhaps my interest in art started out with that initial kolam dot way back then! So, I guess the festival has influenced me as a child in some way and awakened my interest in art ! For me, Pongal is associated with visiting temples early in the morning. I love this time of the year, the month of Margazhi.
Then, after the temple pujas, we begin feasting at home! Venpongal is still my favourite dish. What do you normally do nowadays on Pongal ?
on sets
l i g h t . c a m e r a . a c t i o n
H
I visit the temples like the Kapaleeshwar Kovil, the Parthasarathy temple and the Narasimha temple at Narasimmapuram which is around 90 kms away from the city. It’s a very old one that’s been excavated ten years ago.
- Rinku Gupta
Crafting a Decade He’s a very busy man, creating sets (small, big & spectacular) for Tamil, Telugu and Hindi movies. If you’ve not stopped to notice his work, here’s a list of Padmashri Thota Tharani’s art sets, created for Kollywood flicks, in the last 10 years! 2009: Kandasamy 2008: Kuselan Dhaam Dhoom Sathyam Dasavathaaram 2007: Sivaji 2005: Chandramukhi Ullam Ketkumae 2002: Samurai Baba 2000: Kadhalar Dhinam
Things you didn’t know about him Favourite restaurants : Golden Dragon, Woodlands, Karapagambal Mess for its pongal and vadais Gadget I can’t do without: My iphone Style statement: I love linen Obsession: I love shoes and collect the best of them
CMYK
Style addiction: waistcoats I love collecting: Pens and papers of every sort Art Director Thota Tharani
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Published and Owned by Girish Nara and published from Flat-B, Plot-3, Nahar Garden Apts, Kannappa Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 41. and printed by Girish Nara at Vasan Print Products Pvt. Ltd., No.72, North Phase, SIDCO Industrial Estate, Ambattur, Chennai - 98. Editor: Girish Nara