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Food for thought Chef Jacob on record
Cool n healthy
Picture Perfect o
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Trend anew!
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Is your frozen platter safe?
Trek-along
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Summer holidays go green
Chennai days
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Re-Sari
Capture the millisecond moment! Page 8...
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Vivek Oberoi on the city’s charm
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ON SALE EXPRESS | APR 9 - APR 15, 2010
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To Do List
Steak Fest Till Apr 30, 7.30 PM to 11 PM Enjoy fish, beef, lamb, vegetarian steaks and more in the Ranch House’s Steak Festival. Cilantro, Le Royal Méridien, 1, GST Road,St Thomas Mount, Phone: 22314343
craft y Camp - dance, Don’t Miss Holida m and magic show g win dra , nce work, fun scie 4 to 10 . Till Apr16. for the age group wakkam Prince Tower, Purasai Fun N Learn, A-403, 2731. kam. Contact 944540 High Road, Purasaiwak Preserve’ plore, Discover & m Check Out ‘Ex ibition by Chennai exh hy rap tog - A pho r15. tographers.Till Ap Trekking Club pho -40, College Madras, New-24, Old de e cais Fran nce Allia . Contact 28279803. Road, Nungambakkam
@ chennai
p e o p l e . t r e n d s . e v e n t s
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SAT
Eat, drink and be merry Apr 9 - Apr 25, 7 PM to 11 PM Celebrate Baisakhi, the harvest festival and the Sikh New Year with regional delicacies of Punjab. Paprika,Courtyard® by Marriott®, 564, Anna Salai, Phone: 66764488
Speed Dial
Smile please! Camera makes everyone a tourist in other people’s reality, and eventually in one’s own. Get the latest ones and shoot.
Spring-Summer’10
Camera Citi 2811 0467 (Gopalapuram)
Now in stores With an exclusive and stylish mix of cotton linens, premium poly wool and wool viscose fabrics in its exceptional themes – Repose, Dusky Fete and Canny, the Park Avenue’s Spring Summer 2010 collection promises to spruce up your wardrobe with world class style.
Click Camera showroom 4204 8683 (Vadapalani) Shetala Cameras 28490 699 (Spencer Plaza)
At all Raymond outlets
Photocraft Cameras 2259 2877 (Velachery) 3G The Gadget Store Camera showroom 2474 6855 (West mambalam)
Fluorecense Now in store Candy pinks, lime greens and canary yellows are sure to make you look and feel cool this summer. Preeti Chandra’s ‘Fluorecense’ delights you in every colour.
For Feedback & Suggestions, Contact us at 044-43590099 (or) Email us at in.editor@ingen.in
Collage, No 153, Angson Centre, Opp To Fruit Shop, Shafi Mohammed Road, Greams Road, Phone: 28291443
Nook 'N' Corner DISCLAIMER
Frame your memories Beautiful memories are to be captured in photos. Beautiful photos are to be protected with frames. Not just frames but attractive and decorative frames. Lakshmi Ethiraj Art Gallery provides us with a wide range of decorative frames that will give the photos an appealing highlight. Lakshmi Ethiraj Art Gallery New No 70, Near Hyundai Show Room, 1st Main Road, C I T Nagar, Chennai – 600017. Phone: 66427173
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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 | APR 9 - APR 15, 2010
Go Gaga! If you love the city with all its sweltering heat and cramped buses, here’s what you can do, sport your love! hennai finally has its own memorabilia to show off. T shirts, mugs, bags and bookmarks are all part of the recently launched brand ‘Chennaigaga’. Every Chennaite has now something to sport in awe of their city. The trio Sujata Tarakesan, Lalitha Abhimanyu and Mala Jayaram have indeed lifted the spirits of the people here by launching this collection and now we can proudly say, “ Chennai…it’s very hot!” From photo collages on their mugs and bags, to hearts, coffee dabra’s and traditional designs on their T-shirts, each one of their products has been tastefully designed keeping in mind what this city stands for. The grey collared tee with ‘Chennaite’ etched on it is what every person would love to own. As Chennai goes gaga over this brand, the trio share their experience in launching this special venture. The idea of ‘Chennaigaga’ During our various travels across the world, we noticed that many a country, city and indeed even small towns had their own souvenirs to offer. However, back home in Chennai, we realised we had no exclusive, Chennaisouvenirs as such to call our own. So, we three
friends conceptualised a modest range of uniquely Chennai souvenirs and named it Chennaigaga to describe how we felt about the city. Our mantra is: Go gaga over Chennai!
process for our first line took about 3-4 months and it was difficult and exhilarating all at once because of the challenge of newness involved for us, in every aspect.
Bonding over business
Sujata: The products are UniquelyChennai and no one has yet branded the city thus!
The common factors we share are a love for travel, shopping, an eye for the good designs. We are all first-time entrepreneurs with Chennaigaga. We have no formal training in design but Lalitha has an enviable eye for style, Mala used to paint for a hobby and has a special interest in art and Sujata has a flair for writing with creative spurts. Translating ideas into products Mala: The idea was the starting point that led to creating Chennai concepts on a broad scale to begin with, and then came the designs. Finally, came the translation and finetuning of those designs across products. The entire
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The USP
Our favourite Lalitha: All the designs are our favourites – forgive the cliché, but if we were forced to choose, then perhaps our first-ever ‘Chennaiite’ lines and our famous Marina Beach T-shirts. All of the other designs – the smiling pumpkin face, the dabbratumbler and others are also dear to us! Now @ Our products are now easy picks for Chennai-lovers! We are already at Anokhi / Chamiers, The Madras Terrace House, The Silk Route, Ambrosia and Fashion Folks, Adyar. We will be tying up with more stores very soon.
Is more action due? Of course, Chennai has so much going on and a great past too. Our collection is intended to be dynamic although we have just launched our first line… Chennai’s response Extremely encouraging! We are happy to see people sporting our tees and carrying our bags. It shows that people of Chennai have the spirit and are truly gaga over their city.
life is beautiful
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Best compliment for Chennaigaga MP Kanimozhi wrote in our little notebook: “Anyone who loves Chennai will love Chennaigaga.” Now Chennai, what are you waiting for, raise a toast to our beloved city! - Shivani Arora
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ON SALE EXPRESS | APR 9 - APR 15, 2010
p e o p l e . t r e n d s . e v e n t s
Fun in the Sun Is your team zapped out this summer? Here are some corporate getaways that can get them back on the track.
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lanning a team outing for your work buddies? Apart from the usual team lunches or a day of cricket, there are several exciting options that you can find in Chennai, if you want to organise a fun team outing for your team on a weekend… Trek along A trek allows members of the group to relax and interact with each other informally, and also be more sensitive and help each other along during the course of the trek – and that makes trekking a good team-building option. Take your team members for a short but active trekking vacation to some nearby destination. Some options, apart from the usual choices of Kodaikanal or Ooty are at Yelagiri – great for moderate treks around Swamimalai mountain, a high peak. There are easier treks around Jalagamparai waterfalls, Javadi hills and Palamathi hills. Masinagudi also has some worthwhile treks, and you can spot great wildlife as well – take a long trek and you will spot wild elephants, monkeys, deer and if you’re lucky some big cats too.
Game plan
Club it!
You can organise a game of volleyball or throwball in many places around town. If your team members are interested in golf, you can arrange for a golfing getaway at AKDR golf village. You can alternatively arrange for a weekend at one of the many resorts in and around Chennai; like Zest Big Beach, Blue Lagoon and others have areas for beach games. Planet Adventure offers paintballing sessions for corporate groups in Kottivakkam – you can take your team along for a fun day of paintball. A thoroughly enjoyable team activity, paintball is all about working as a team and hitting out at opponents with splotches of paint. Paintball is said to be a tactical game that involves team effort, encourages flexibility and communication among team members and is hence recommended for corporate outings.
Theatre workshops are said to encourage teams to be more at ease with each other, communicate better and affect their functioning as a team, eventually. A lot of theatre trainers offer corporate packages, and combining a weekend theatre package in a pretty resort on ECR might be a more effective way of getting your team to enjoy their weekend getaway. Alternatively, you can arrange for the team to enjoy yoga workshops in one of these scenic resorts as well. This activity may not be an exercise in team building, but your team will surely enjoy this stress-buster and this makes for a refreshing weekend getaway. Hit the water With the summer set in, there’s nothing quite like a weekend filled with water sports. Treat your team to a weekend of water sports – arrange for swimming competitions. You can avail of boat rides in Muttukadu, en route to Mahabalipuram, and catamaran rides in Mahabalipuram. Tarsha water sports complex, located 15kms from
Mahabalipuram also offers other water sports like banana boat rides, water skiing, knee boarding, kayaking and parasailing. Want more?! Well, there aren’t any opportunities for adventurous activities like rock climbing around Chennai, but a couple of organisations around Chennai offer artificial substitutes to these experiences. Adventure Zone, for instance, has a 11-acre property, 90 kms from Thiruvanmiyur, that offers artificial wall for rappelling and rock climbing, and also offers obstacle courses and shooting ranges. Food and accommodation are also available at the venue. You can try go-karting as well - although it is a tad expensive – at Kart Attack, the 300 m long track on East Coast road, MRF Danny’s Karting – a 600m long track, located 27 kms from Chennai. The above activities aren’t necessarily teambuilding ones, but will surely get your team enthused! - Krithika Sukumar
Employees at a paint ball match
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APR 2 - APR 8, 2010
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ON SALE EXPRESS | APR 9 - APR 15, 2010
Old Sari, anyone? f a s h i o n . s t y l e . i c o n
Traditional sari went for a makeover, let’s see what’s up its sleeve?
I
f an old sari is stained or torn in a place or two, or you don’t quite know what to do with your mom’s beautiful wedding sari, but you just can’t bear to throw it away, do not despair. While saris may never go out of style, it is not always possible or functional to wear the traditional full six yards. It’s now time to air out those old saris from the back of your wardrobe and give them a whole new look. “If you have your grandmother’s or moms old saris that you do not want to throw away, you can simply have them remade,” suggests Kavita, Owner, The House of Mayuran. You can simply let your creative streak take over and become your own designer – old saris can be made into skirts, dresses, bed spreads and even curtains. Do-it-yourself fashion can not only be creatively satisfying, but can also help you finally get some use out of those heavy wedding saris stored in the back of your closet. You can stitch the prettiest dresses from your old saris. Just cut a rectangular piece from the same sari and fashion it into a cape, by adding tucks on both sides. Voila! You have a tube dress. Cut the brocade or zari borders from the sari to jazz up your tops. Simply recycle your old saris to create something that is absolutely new and trendy. A dash of creativity and you can have something that looks straight out of a designer boutique, and at less than half the price! For the ones who need help with remodelling, The House of Mayuram is here to help. “It costs around Rs 2000Rs 3000 for a basic remodelling,” shares Kavita. “Depending on the type of sari, a more sophisticated revamping could cost you around Rs 5000 – Rs 6000.” From denim saris to saris with pockets and readymade saris, there are a fascinating array of designs on the scene - some practical, some gorgeous, some bizarre. Take your pick! Jazz it up Here are a few ways you can turn your old saris (or your mum’s) into brand new outfits or accessories.
- The zari of your saris can be made into beautiful accessories like bags and belts. The border from your Kanjeevaram saris can be made into elegant jewellery like a choker or a bracelet. - You can make yourself a beautiful robe, by turning a chiffon sari into one. The robe will be comfortable yet trendy. Use your pallu to make the belt of the robe. - You can make trendy knee length tunics out of your old saris. You can use a plain sari along with the border for the neck for a long tunic. And use the pallu area to make a short tunic that you can team with jeans. - Want an elegant party outfit? Look no further! You don’t need to hunt for fabric or spend thousands on a designer gown, simply use you chiffon or crepe sari. - For an Indo-western look, get your silk sari crushed and turn it into a long flared skirt. Team it with a plain top. - The borders of old saris can be appliquéd onto new fabrics. “Remodelling of old saris is getting really popular in the city. Not many people know about it yet, but we can expect the concept to catch on pretty quickly,” adds Kavita. Nothing can quite beat the variety and vigour of the sari. But this timeless, elegant fashion statement is now ready for a revamp! In a clear departure from tradition, the sari just got more interesting and has developed a fascinating edge. Fashionistas take note! - Aishwarya Shankar
- If you don’t want to spoil your sari by cutting it, you can simply change the look by making a trendy blouse. - Make kurtis out of old cotton or silk saris. The sari borders can be used as the sleeves, side slits and also as a border along the length of the kurti.
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Photo cour tesy: The House of Mayuram ..............................................................................................
ON SALE EXPRESS | APR 9 - APR 15, 2010
A Fiery Fable This week caught up with the genie of the kitchen – Chef Jacob. Here’s his tale....
D
id you know that there are there are 58 types of sambars across our country now, but the South Indian variety is supposed to be the best? Well, that is one of the interesting information that you get to read at Chef Jacob’s blog – the man who is currently basking under the glory of holding the Guinness record for 24 hours of non-stop barbeque marathon. On March 15 at 9.35 am, he successfully completed and set the world record for 24 hours of non-stop barbeque marathon, the first attempt ever in the history of Guinness records! He cooked 485 culinary dishes on that remarkable day that put Chennai firmly on the culinary map of the world. This guy from Uthamapalayam is not unknown to us, we often see this expert in aaha enna rusi on Sun TV making some really lip-smacking food. We met him for an interview at Rasam, Purushavakkam, one of the places where he consults as a chef. Growing up days I grew up in family filled with doctors, but my interest lay elsewhere. You could say I first became interested in cooking at the age of 10, when I first made chappathis, cheerfully encouraged by my family. My interest in cooking continued all through my academic life. After my BSc in Physics, I joined the S.N.R. & sons college in Coimbatore, where I did my catering course. Working as a consultant
Kalam felicitated me on my research on ancient cuisines of South India. He gave me the honour to serve Kongunadu food to dignitaries at a week-long farewell dinner at Rashtrapathi Bhavan. The greatness of that man is beyond words. The genius on Guinness I wanted to do something different, something which has never been done before! I did it as no chef world over as ever attempted it so far. The experience was stupendous! Caught in a soup When my first briyani was getting ready in a cooker, it blew up to the roof and it was sadly witnessed by all my family members, exactly at lunch hour. I ran away from home and returned after 2 hours!
I could have joined a hotel and made money but I realised a long time ago that I wasn’t destined for that. I was more interested in exploring South Indian delicacies. My quest to unravel the hidden delicacies of South India started at the age of 24. I had a simple plan and aim then and still do have - make people remember the forgotten tastes and showcase the culinary strengths of South Indians.
Why the Guinness?
Favourite cuisine
Take a aluminium foil sheet, place 6 strawberries and 3 tsp of sugar. Add a drop of lime juice. Place one cinnamon stick. Wrap it up nicely and put it on top of a dosa tawa. Leave it for 10 mins and serve hot.
Oops, that is a tough one... you are asking a chef to choose a favourite cuisine (laughs ....) my favourites have always been South Indian cuisines and the ingredient I often use is star anise. The making of a successful chef That is simple – you just need to have sharp nose, sharper tongue and loads of patience. Source of inspiration Undoubtedly, my mom is my guru, she is an amazing cook. She instilled in me the pleasure and the art of cooking. Whatever I know, the origin is always my mom! Also, I would say Chef Sheetharam Prasad, Director Culinaire, GRT hotels & resorts. His interest in my research in Kongunadu cuisine was a big source of inspiration for me. A culinary discovery by chance The Betel leaves Briyani – It was definitely a tasty accident! Chef’s most memorable moment On May 2007, our former President Dr.A.P.J.Abdul
I always wanted to get recognition from the top bodies and that’s why went to the Guinness and not the Limca book of records. Barbeque marathon was in fact suggested by the Guinness committee. A quick recipe for our readers
Future plans Opening a new restaurant, may be breaking my own attempt sometime this year or will attempt to set a new record. Who knows – 48 hours maybe ... ( laughs..) Nothing can stop this culinary king, ON SALE EXPRESS wishes him the best in life and food.
- Sri Vikas.U
.............................................................................................. Contact us at 044-43590099 | in.editor@ingen.in
Chef Jacob
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With compact cameras competing to the level of DS
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ife is beautiful. How true. The excitement it has offered us and the memories will be etched within us forever. Well at least the most important ones if not all. But it will just be that, memories. What can be done to give the memories a shape? Capture them on cameras, frame them and enjoy the déjà vu whenever you chance upon seeing them. Friends pulling your leg (literally), loved one’s monalisa smile, children’s mischief, anything and everything that happens around us can be captured for the proof of life that we had. With the arrival of digital cameras, cameras have become so common and very compatible. You don’t have to know about photography or cameras itself. All you have to know is when and how to press the button and, snap, you are ready. Now that you are ready to capture the beauties (yeah, I know what you are thinking about) of the world, let us take a closer look of digital cameras. Point and shoot – that’s what they are being called. Digital cameras are meant to be simple and to be used by everyone without worrying about the knobs and buttons. That’s why the name ‘point and shoot’. Easy-touse and simple operations have made point and shoot cameras the best selling models in the market. Parties, reunions, vacations, marriages and other events are marked with the flashes of these small wonders. And if you don’t own one yet, it’s high time. The huge range of models available in every size and shape will give a lot to choose from. But how different are the point and shoot cameras different from their DSLR counterparts? What will we gain and what do we lose from the compact cams? We hope you to find the answers through this article. Get the point and shoot cameras because of their… Price - Primarily, the affordability factor is the first one to pop its head when purchasing a camera. You can get the best available model of a point and shoot camera, external accessories and save some money also from the price of the least expensive DSLR. Size and Weight - Being slim and lightweight, point and shoot cameras do not need any external accessories such as bags, tripod etc to carry around. You can just put it in your pocket. Of course, some of the compact cams are not so compact because of their super zoom lens. But hey, we support point and shoot.
Photo cour tesy: Casio
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Quiet Operation - Now this is for the stealth operators. Take pictures without
a hint of sound. It is so noiseless that you wouldn’t know whether you have taken the photo or not. Ready to go sneak peek? Oh yeah. Low Maintenance - Another good thing about point and shoot cameras is that you don’t have to tinker with the or-
ings, lens etc. All you have to worry about is to point at the correct person or object. LCD Framing - Point and shoot cameras come with the ability of framing the shots with LCDs. DSLRs do have LCDs but you can’t use them to view and capture shots but viceversa. LCDs help the users in taking shots from different angles and still are able to view what they are shooting. Ignore the point and shoot cameras because of their… Low Image Quality - Point and shoots are loaded normally with small image sensors that produce images with lower quality. Improvements are happening, but the DSLRs are so good with image quality and so far for point and shoot cameras to compete. Slow Speed - The speed of the point and shoot cameras do tend to become a pain. Millisecond moments would be missed because of the slowness of the compacts. The time between the pressing the shutter and the image being taken, or shutter lag, is also being improved but again the instantaneity of the DSLRs are still a dream. Limited Control - The control you have with the point and shoot cameras are much less in comparison to DSLRs. Minimum control over features like aperture, shutter speed and other manual settings also minimize your chances of taking great pictures. Poor Adaptability - One of the major disadvantages of point and shoot cameras are that they are not upgradable. You cannot change their lenses or flashes. You have to stick to them with their default options. The accessories are also limited.
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ON SALE EXPRESS | APR 9 - APR 15, 2010
SLRs, the power is in your hands.
hoot like a pro.
and impress people with your shots.
You have the point and shoot camera now and know what to xpect out of it, let us make you a professional. The camera hat you use may be a compact one but you can make an imact, one that challenges the DSLRs. The mistake that we all tend to do with point and shoot cameras is we put the settings in auto mode and getting satisfied with the result. We don’t worry about the alternatives of the settings that would have made the pictures better. Whatever the camera, it requires the intelligence of the photographer. Use of Flash
When to and when not to Flash use should be limited to dark places and areas of low light. Though the flash brightens p an image in low lighting situation, it can also esult in unnatural skin tone and harsh glares if sed unnecessarily. You can reduce the cruelty f flash by diffusing it. An easy way to diffuse ash is to cover the flash with translucent tape o reduce the intensity. One more thing that you might not be aware is fill flash. To bring out the etails rather than a silhouette, flash can be used o light up the objects or people in the foreground while shooting directly into the sunlight
Macro - Mania
Composition - Work of art
ver heard photographers talking about composng a shot? Composition is the arrangement of lements in the frame. You just have to follow mple techniques to get amazing compositions
Lines - We hated lines during our school days, but you are sure to love this one. Shoot an image with an imaginary line passing from the bottom left to the top right of the frame. Lines draw attention to the subject. Horizontal lines divide the scene while vertical give sense of strength and height. Perspectives - Perspectives help us in adding 3D effect in the 2D medium of photography, by creating a sense of scale and depth. Place one object in the foreground and another in the background and many such positions and enjoy the effect. ISO - Detailing Although auto ISO mode is present in all the cameras, controlling it yourself has benefits. Changing the ISO settings will impact aperture and shutter speed that is needed for the shot. ISO settings allow you take snaps in low light without the need of the flash. It also helps in taking soft moody shots but higher ISO tend to increase the noise in the image. Using the ISO settings creatively can give grime, raw feel to the images.
Polarization - Divide and diverge Using filters gives you more control over the photo to be produced. Polarizer is one among them that eliminates reflection from non-metal surfaces. This is very useful when photographing running water (making it more transparent) or skies (making it more saturated and darker). But how much to spend on the filters? Nothing. The filter just sits on your nose. Your sunglasses can be used as a polarizing filter. Cool hey. So, what do you think? Hope the tips helped you in getting the idea of how to use your point and shoot cameras. But apart from these tips, it is practice, inspiration, innovation and experience that will make you the brilliant photographer that you are. Go shoot ‘em up! - Balasubramaniam N
Compact Corner Sony DSC-TX1 Rs. 17990
New Releases
What is macro? Macro mode is used o take close up shots of small objects. It’s etter to get as close to the subject as possible nstead of zooming in. Using the macro setting, ou can take photos on a point-and-shoot the way ou would on an SLR camera with a fancy lens. You have to make sure that your focus is sharp on he object you’re zooming in on. The background would be out of focus, but try playing around so hat it’s in focus, and your foreground is blurred. his might take some practice, but who knows, ou may get your best photos while just fooling round with settings. And to get a good macro hot, use tripod or keep your camera on a flat urface.
Tic-tac-toe method - Imagine a tic-tac-toe grid in your frame (most of the latest cameras come with the grid). The intersection of the points in the grid is where you have to place your subjects.
Canon IXUS 980 IS Rs.23995
Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FP8 Rs.19990
Nikon COOLPIX L22 Rs.7450
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ON SALE EXPRESS | APR 9 - APR 15 , 2010
What can You get for
99
a year 10
?
ON SALE EXPRESS | APR 9 - APR 15, 2010
Cut the guilt trip! Now that it’s time for the summer vacation, let’s give our Mother Earth a break and go for a green holiday! Fly green
o, summer holidays are here, here are few tips to make it easy for earth even as you idle away in joy.
If you have to fly anyway, at least try and fly green. Many airlines are waking up to carbon offsetting. If you are so
Go local Avoid going to exotic locations in faraway lands. Who said a trip to a nearby hillock cannot prove to be exhilarating? Try places like Masilangudi, Yelagiri etc. Walk away
Vote for public transport Taking a train or a bus, instead of driving or flying, can result in less global warming pollution per person for the miles travelled (and obviously costs less, too). If you have decided to go on a cycle tour, we give you full marks. But please do mind the sun.
Getting good gas mileage is no longer just about cutting greenhouse gas emissions. It’s also about saving some serious money. Simply checking spark plugs, oxygen sensors, air filters, hoses and belts can save you tons of money while saving on those emissions. If you are renting, opt for a fuel-efficient one. And yes, car pool, take friends and family along.
Contact us at 044-43590099 | in.editor@ingen.in
Green hotel
Eat local Eat according to the place you travel to. For getting some imported veggies or meat may not be good to your earth or to your stomach. Visit nature reserves or gardens
Charge with sun
Car care
This is offered by lot of tourist operators these days. This will allow you to get an insider’s feel for the country/city while helping local economic growth. You’ll live like a local, buy home-grown produce and goods, and eat in neighborhood restaurants.
If you don’t have any other house at your disposal, opt for hotels that are eco-friendly and follow their simple tips like switching off lights when not in use, closing off tap water etc.
Walk wherever possible. Of course, you can’t walk much in this scorching heat yet try avoiding taxis or autos while going to a nearby street in the visiting city.
Most cameras, phones and iPods can be charged with a solar charger, which saves carbon dioxide emissions and energy. You’ll save money at home, and you won’t use extra energy resources while you’re on a trip.
Home stay
go green
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Gentlemen drive smooth You can increase your vehicle’s gas mileage by almost 50 percent for highway driving simply by accelerating and decelerating smoothly and slowly. Aggressive driving just means more money down the drain. Don’t be idle Well, we meant your vehicle. When you are unloading or packing your car, turn off the engine. Your car could get zero KM to the litre and contribute to global warming. Contrary to myth, restarting your car does not burn more fuel than leaving it idle.
inclined, you can pay a little extra for your flight and the airline will take your extra money and invest it directly into planting trees. The least you can do is at least book your flights online, instead of in person. Stay with family Hotels are wasting huge amounts of energy and resources through daily cleaning and using bottles of shampoo, allowing lights to burn unnecessarily, and so on. So you can trouble your forgotten friend or long lost aunt.
Supporting the protected areas ensures that they’ll be maintained properly. So, while you walk around, savouring the green glory, you are doing your bit by keeping its maintenance officers busy. Ever-green memories Don’t get those disposable cameras, instead take your own digital camera. Saves energy yet brings in great pictures. Souvenir pure Abstain from buying souvenirs that exploit wildlife or the environment, such as ivory, tortoiseshell, coral or animal hides. Buy handicrafts that are made by locals. They are not only sustainable and are often less expensive. - Catherine Gilon
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ON SALE EXPRESS | APR 9 - APR 15 , 2010
Food Safety and Refrigeration T Whatever be the type of food, cook it thoroughly. Proper cooking would be signified by colour and taste. Always use medium flame to ensure thorough cooking. It is advisable to keep the food warm till it is to be eaten. If food is to be kept in a refrigerator, a shallow container is ideal. Perishable food should never be kept at ambient temperatures, (specifically between 5°C and 60°C) for more than two hours. At such temperatures, bacteria can grow to levels that could cause illness. Also, avoid over-cooking when frying or baking since some ingredients may give out harmful chemicals when cooked at temperatures 120oC plus.
Good water - Always use good water for cooking and drinking. Check whether the water from the tap is clear and has no worms. Some harmful bacteria not visible to the naked eye can cause diseases such as typhoid and amoebiasis. If you suspect the quality of water, do boil it well especially during the rainy season. When you visit hotels, either asks for bottled water or hot water. Vegetables - As far as practicable, try to cook vegetables fresh. Do not buy vegetables that are discoloured or with black spots. They may be insect-infested.
Cold salads, sandwiches, meat products, dairy products and other foods which require refrigeration should always be kept cold (below 5°C).
When you Travel - Do no buy cut fruits and salads while travelling out of town since they have high levels of contamination. Unpeeled fruits are the safest. Wash all fruits before eating.
Do not use stale items - Old food may become stale and should not be used. If stale food is consumed, it could cause serious stomach disorders. If you doubt that an item looks spoiled, throw it out.
Fresh fruit juices offered at roadside juice stalls should be avoided since there is no guarantee that the water or ice used is pure. Packaged juices that are branded or bottled sodas are preferable.
Cooked food may deteriorate if not properly handled while transferring from one vessel to another. Before using leftovers, reheat them thoroughly (temperature of 75 °C) until the dish is hot and steamy. Allow soups, sauces and gravies to roll boil. If you are using a microwave oven, take some extra care while taking out items from it, i.e., wait for a minute in order to avoid burns.
Similarly think twice before buying food. There are many fast food centres on dusty roads. Always choose a decent restaurant. The local people or traffic police at road junctions will be able to guide you on that.
As already noted do not buy any packaged /canned food if the container looks bulging or dented.
Check storage directions on labels of packaged items. If you’ve neglected to properly refrigerate an item, better throw it out.
Refrigerated ready-to-eat foods should be used as soon as possible. The longer they’re stored in the refrigerator, the more chance Listeria, a bacterium that causes foodborne illness, can grow, especially if the refrigerator temperature is above 40° F (4° C). Anything that looks or smells suspicious should be discarded. Mold is a sign of spoilage. It can grow even under refrigeration. Mold is not a health hazard, but it can make food unappetising. The safest practice is to discard food that is moldy. Clean the refrigerator regularly and wipe away spills immediately. This helps reduce the growth of harmful bacteria. Store foods to be refrigerated in covered containers or sealed storage bags, and check leftovers daily for spoilage. Store eggs in their carton in the refrigerator itself rather than on the door, where the temperature is warmer. Check expiry dates. If food is past its “use by” date, discard it. If you’re not sure or if the food looks questionable, throw it out. - Correspondent.
Refrigeration Tips Foods that require refrigeration should be put in the refrigerator as soon as you get them home.
The Delhi State Consumer Commission rapped the National carrier Air India for failing to properly inform passengers about a delayed flight and asked it to pay a compensation of Rs 50,000 to a complainant, five years after the incident.
legal jottings
Sanitise - The cutting tray, knives, kitchen dishcloth and sponges should be regularly sanitized with soap and hot water to prevent bacteria formation and consequent contamination. Allow them to air dry or preferably keep them under sunlight for some time. If the cutting boards develop grooves, do not hesitate to replace them.
focus
k n o w . s p e a k . a c t
hat personal hygiene and clean environment will go a long way in checking food contamination and that food safety is entirely in your hands was the focus of the first part of this article that appeared in On Sale Express (Feb.26March 4). Now, let’s talk about the way you should prepare food and to refridgerate it properly.
AI asked to pay compensation
The Commission, upholding the district forum’s direction to the carrier to pay compensation to the complainant, observed: “In this case, no information was conveyed to the complainant after the initial information about the flight being delayed for hours and subsequent enquiry failed to yield any result in consequence whereof the complainant had to go to airport.”
The Commission bench, comprising President Justice B A Zaidi and member M L Sahni, took note of the inconvenience and misery caused to passenger, Inder Mohan Taneja, by the attitude of the airlines’s officials. The Air India flight, from London Heathrow Airport in London to Delhi, was delayed by two days. However, the information was not properly conveyed to passengers causing inconvenience to them. “Even the arrangements for transport of the passengers from the airport back to the hotel were not appropriate and were extremely uncomfortable. A very uncomfortable feature was that the baggage of the complainant was not returned to them and they suffered great inconvenience at the hotel in its absence thereof. The airline functionaries acted in a very discourteous and negligent manner.” Air India, however, had paid Rs 11,400 towards fare and Rs 3,800 as compensation to each of the persons who registered complaints with the carrier but Taneja alone chose to approach the consumer court seeking higher damages.
Check freezer temperatures periodically.
Undeclared allergen
Dietary supplement tablets Natural Wellness, US, has advised consumers not to purchase or consume the product known as MasXtreme (Lot# 911035) marketed as a dietary supplement as it contains undeclared amounts of Aildenafil, as well as the drug Phentolamine which is an alpha-adrenergic blocker. Aildenafil may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates. Common side effects of Phentolamine include arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) and tachycardia (rapid heartbeat).
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product recalls
Fernando’s Food Corporation, a Compton California establishment, is recalling approximately 9,400 pounds of enchilada products because they were inadvertently mislabeled and contained an undeclared allergen, milk, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced. Milk is a known potential allergen, which was not declared on the label.
Speak Out! Readers are invited to share with us their grievances about products or the outcome of any complaint taken to a retailer or service provider, for publication. E-mail us at in.editor@ingen.in
ON SALE EXPRESS | APR 9 - APR 15, 2010
Park it Right! You can see what’s in the front of the car, now eye the rear also.
“
Hey, I’m taking reverse, see if the car is hitting the pavement…..is it hitting?” “No, you can come.” “Now, is it hitting?” “No, you can come.” Bham. “Now it has hit.” Most of us would remember the scene from a Pandiarajan Tamil movie. This is what happens for most of us if we are not careful when getting our vehicle in reverse or forward in some cases. All these days, the only assistance that the driver had when he tried to park the vehicle was the rear and side view mirrors. But today, we have vehicles equipped with parking assist systems. A reverse parkingassist system helps the driver sense when objects are in the vehicle’s blind spot and helps in preventing accidents. Further, it is estimated that the majority of all reverse and parking accidents could be avoided with the use of a reverse parking-assist system. The parking assist sys-
tems not only help when parking but also when backing up for any reason. Parking assist systems are often default in SUVs and luxury vehicles and are only optional in other models. There are basically two types of parking assist system. One is an array of sensors fitted into the bumper that trigger simple audio warning indicating that the vehicle is approaching an object out of view. The second is a sophisticated camera and video-monitoring system that provides the driver with a view of the blind spot. Bumper sensors system The most basic and simplest of the parking assist systems is the sensor arrangement. The sensors are placed in the bumper and can be recognised by small circular points in the bumper cover. The sensors are connected to a wiring harness that communicates with the central computer. This type of parking assist system uses full ultrasonic or a combination of ultrasonic and radar technology. The tech-
nology determines how close the vehicle is to an object, then the ultrasonic signals bounces off the object. The signals trigger a warning tone and the frequency changes along with the proximity of the object. Some systems also integrate LEDs that are set in the dashboard or rear headliner for the alerting the driver visually. The sensor system need not have to be active all the time. Usually there’s a switch in the instrument panel to turn the system ON or OFF. The most common reverse parking assist system will get activated only when the reverse gear is selected. However as the sensors are separate parts that are fitted in the holes in the bumper, they can get easily affected and thus the whole assist system also gets malfunctioned. Checks for loose fittings or out-of-position should be done regularly. The sensors can also get covered with dirt and grime that can interrupt the signal communication. Washing them with high pressure water helps in these cases. Also the thickness of the coating on the sensors to match the colour of the vehicle needs a check. Too thick (not
greater than 6 mils) and you are in trouble. Camera system More advanced and easy-to-navigate system, this parking assist system contains a rear mounted camera. The system not only senses the object behind but also shows what’s happening in the rear in a screen. These systems, apart from assisting in the parking, also help us in avoiding collision and safety to the pedestrians. A sophisticated system will also plot the vehicle’s projected path as the steering wheel is turned, making the parking manoeuvres as easy as possible. The camera system also, like all electronic items, can get faulty and needs to be checked regularly. Apart from these two park assist systems, there is also a third one which is not only available all over but is just getting recognised and updated. Known as Intelligent parking assist system, it doesn’t require driver intervention as the system estimates the size of the parking space and manoeuvred the vehicle appropriately. With the help of sensors and camera in the front and rear, the driver gets an image of the place to park. He then enters the coordinates and sets it. The system takes over the steering control to park the vehicle. The system will disengage at any time the steering wheel is touched or the brake firmly pressed. There have been difficulties in the initial stages, but the system is still evolving and getting updated. Parking assist systems are becoming more common and it’s not long before they become a part of standard equipment on every vehicle. Parking assist systems are an invaluable safety feature and will surely help in preventing unnecessary accidents. So stay alert and park safe. - Balasubramaniam N
Chevrolet Captiva with rear parking sensors
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 | APR 9 - APR 15 , 2010
Coupon Couple W
e are a happy couple but when it comes to shopping, we are very selfish. We both frequently complain about how much we spend on shopping. The embarrassing incident happened when we both went to a clothing shop. I had a discount coupon that I got from my credit card company and have been intending to use it for quite some time now. We went inside the shop and parted ways to get our stuff. I got a rugged jean and a soiled shirt that cost me in the higher side of 4 digits. As I had a discount coupon that will save me about 50 percent, I was waiting happily for my better half to join me in the billing counter. She has chosen a grand tunic top that equalled my expense. When the items were billed, I gave the guy my credit card and the coupon. My wife noticed the coupon and started fighting that she would have selected some more accessories if she had known earlier. We two started arguing in the counter itself with the billing guy repeatedly saying something. At last, he raised his voice and said, “Sir, the coupon got expired two weeks ago itself”. It’s been years since the incident happened but I still avoid going to the same shop again. - Sivakumar, Saidapet
@
LOL
Do you recollect any such memories of goof-ups on your shopping expeditions, entertainment zones or eat-outs? Email us your misadventure at in.creativity@ingen.in and walk away with surprise gifts. Your story (less than 400 words) will be printed here with whatever name you choose to write under (little angel, drunken monkey etc). Now, go ahead and laugh out loud!
Tag it! Let’s get your brain out of hibernation. Tweak the tag of the given ad and send us to in.creativity@ingen.in or SMS to +91-9092790099 asap. The most creative tag will get an exciting prize.
- It’s good to talk
(Rinkle)
- Stay connected
(Rajkumar S)
- World comes closer
(Venkat Raman)
- Communication Simplified
(Shahid)
Life’s Good
And the Winner is Rinkle
Issue 27 -
14
silly point
i n n o v a t e . i n t e r a c t . i n s p i r e
Best Tags
Disclaimer: The contests conducted by ON SALE EXPRESS are completely in best interest of the readers to encourage creative thinking only and is surely not to disregard or disrespect any brand or company involved. ON SALE EXPRESS is not to be held responsible for, in any manner.
ON SALE EXPRESS | APR 9 - APR 15, 2010
Color Craze Dear Kids, Now that the IPL season is in full swing, let us also get into the celebrations. Colour the Royal Challengers logo with vibrant hues.
Colour this picture and mail your artwork to in.creativity@ingen.in (or) to the address below within the next ten days (by April 19, 2010) to win exciting prizes!
INDIAN PREMIER Schedule
For this week
Date
IST
Teams
Fri - 9
8 PM
vs
Mohali
Sat - 10
4 PM
vs
Nagpur
Sat - 10
8 PM
vs
Bangalore
Sun - 11
4 PM
vs
Delhi
Sun - 11
8 PM
vs
Jaipur
Mon - 12
8 PM
vs
Nagpur
Tue - 13
4 PM
vs
Mumbai
Tue - 13
8 PM
vs
Chennai
Wed - 14
8 PM
vs
Jaipur
Thu - 15
8 PM
vs
Channai
Venue
Winner for 26th Issue: Hari Haran R, Madipakkam
FANTASTIC FOUR
Wrap-around Cooking
of the Week
mad lab
T
he Wrap-stove is a concept that is handy, foldable and safe. It features dotted magnets inside to remain attached to the cookware’s surface. The end of the Wrapstove has to be folded upwards to turn it on and the temperature can be controlled through a touchscreen. Also the idea of heating the vessels from the sides instead of the bottom helps in reducing the cooking time and energy wastage.
Mts
Won
Lost
Points
Nrr
9
7
2
14
+1.118
10
6
4
12
+0.287
11
6
5
12
-0.139
9
5
4
10
+0.428
WrapStove
Guess the Ad! Mail your answers to in.creativity@ingen.in or SMS to +91-9092790099 to win exciting prizes!
Answer for Last week: Sony vaio & the Winner is: Priya Contact us at 044-43590099 | in.editor@ingen.in
Mailing Address: - 3B, Nahar Garden Apts., Kannappa Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 41
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RNI No. : TNENG/2009/30433
ON SALE EXPRESS | APR 9 - APR 15, 2010
The H
e’s worked with the likes of Mani Ratnam and Ram Gopal Verma and has the credentials of a brilliant actor. He has proved himself in light hearted comedies and serious cinema with aplomb and now he’s entering the Tamil film scene as well. No, he’s not starring in a Tamil film but actor Vivek Oberoi’s latest film ‘Prince’ has been dubbed in Tamil and Telugu as well. We catch up with this actor to find out what’s on his mind at this exciting phase in his career… On the sets of ‘Prince’ It’s a Tips film directed by debutant Kookie Gulati and is a hi-octane action film where I did my own stunts. It’s an attempt to make International-style cinema and the efforts have paid off, I think. The film is truly world-class. It was edited in Paris by Nicolas, the same editor who worked on ‘Transporters’. We have used nearly eight cameras for some shots. Romance and action… I have three heroines in the film and all of them have done some action scenes with me, making it one film to really watch out for. All three girls claim to be Maya the hero’s lost love. It’s an edge-of- the-seat thriller about a man who has only six days to live and has lost his memory and to add on, the CBI is chasing him. Kiss and tell It was really embarrassing for me with three hundred pairs of eyes watching us and with a dangerous stunt coming up next! I am not much into public displays of affection so I wasn’t really ready for it but to my surprise, my co-star made
me comfortable and we pulled it off! ( laughs). Now in Tamil
Actor: Vivek Oberoi
on sets
l i g h t . c a m e r a . a c t i o n
Prince People here have always received my Hindi films well, so I thought it’s the right time to dub this film in Tamil. The Chennai connection My mother was born here and my aunt and uncle live here. I speak a fair amount of Tamil that I picked up as a kid and later working with Mani Ratnam in his film. I have spent many a holiday in this city and I am a brand ambassador for ‘The Banyan’... so I keep coming here often. Adrenaline rush I did some amazing stunt shots like jumping across a sixty-feet road from terrace to terrace on a bike! We did cable training, parkours and martial arts training as well for five months before we commenced on the six month shoot. On good friend, Suriya We are working together in Ram Gopal Verma’s ‘Rakta Charitra’ at present. He is a wonderful friend and human being and I know him long before he got married. Ram Gopal Verma – the experience I did Company with him and he is very special to me and always will be. It’s great to be working with him again in this current project which is shot in sequel format and will be something new. - Rinku Gupta
The song of my life I was born in: Hyderabad My school days: Were in Mayo College, Ajmer My relationship with my parents: I look up to my mom and dad who are both my inspiration. I love reading: Spiritual books. My mission in life: To help all those I can. I am currently doing a DEVI project to empower abandoned young girls in Vrindavan. My memories of Chennai: Going sari shopping with my mom and aunt and carrying bags of shopping for them! My dream girl: Could be from Chennai too! I am currently single. On marriage: Could be love or arranged. I am open to both.
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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