Talk Mag February 28, 2013 by Suhas Shankarappa

talk Volume 1 | Issue 29 | February 28, 2013 | Rs 10

the intelligent bangalorean’s must-read weekly

ENTERPRISE An exciting festival for startups is coming to your neighbourhood 7 HIJRAS Why some among the sexual minority harass you 10

RAMESH HUNSUR

FRUITY DAYS Fun ways to savour watermelons, the summer delight 18

LUXE LIFE

See more BMWs and Jaguars on Bangalore’s roads? Sales are at an alltime high, with professionals and cab operators buying models once reserved for the super rich, report PRASHANTH GN and BASU MEGALKERI

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

mail

The spy camera story was unputdownable I read your cover story on spy cameras (Spy tech terror, Issue 28) and must say it was written very well. After I picked up the magazine, I didn’t put it down till I had finished reading the entire cover story. It was gripping and revealed many unknown facts about the use of spy cameras. I commend Savie Karnel for the amount of research she has put into the story.

looking John Abraham and a pasty-looking Shahid Kapoor flaunting their fairness. Gawk! Preeti Mishra via Facebook

Good balance I liked the cover story about the fighter jet pilot Suneet Krishna and the new ‘homemade’ fighter aircraft Tejas (Taking off, Issue 27). The issue had a nice balance of reports and features. I am also a regular reader of Sensei Avinash Subramanyam’s Leena Fernandes Way of Budo column, Indian Academy Degree which I like a lot. Overall, College great going, folks!

Fairness fixation I liked Divya Sreedharan's article about the craze for fairness creams (Not just skin deep, Issue 28). It hits home for most of us dark, nay, olive- toned women! But let's not forget that men can be just as obsessed with fairness, what with even a swarthy-

Freda Nott Homemaker I've kept all old issues of Talk Recently, I had been to my cousin's place in Bangalore and saw a huge stack of Talk preserved carefully. I started reading one of the issues and was truly

team talk EDITORIAL

EXECUTIVE TEAM

SR Ramakrishna Editor Sridhar Chari Consulting Editor Prashanth GN Senior Editor Sajai Jose Chief Copy Editor Savie Karnel Principal Correspondent Basu Megalkeri Principal Correspondent Prachi Sibal Senior Features Writer Sandra Fernandes and Maria Laveena Reporters and Copy Editors Anand Kumar K Chief of Design Shridhar G Kulkarni Graphic Designer Ramesh Hunsur Senior Photographer Vivek Arun Graphics Artist

Sumith Kombra Founder, CEO and Publisher Ralph Fernandez Manager - Marketing Aaron Jones Asst Manager Marketing Abhay Sebastian Asst Manager - Sales Mithun Sudhakar Asst Manager - Sales Kishore Kumar N Head - Circulation Vinayadathan KV Area Manager - Trade Yadhu Kalyani Sr Executive Corporate Sales Lokesh KN Sr Executive Subscriptions Prabhavathi Executive Circulation Sowmya Kombra Asst Process Manager

Printed and published by Sumith Kombra on behalf of Shakthi Media Ventures India Pvt Ltd FF70, Gold Towers, Residency Road, Bangalore -560025 and printed at Lavanya Mudranalaya, Chamarajpet, Bangalore-560018. Editor: SR Ramakrishna. Editorial Office: FF70, Gold Towers, Residency Road, Bangalore 560025 Email: info@talkmag.in Phone: 08040926658. © All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited.

gobsmacked. I'm sure lots of people would have told you that your magazine features excellent writing, so my wishes are not going to be unusual, but I do hope you stay around for a long time to come. Oh, did I tell you? All the 27

issues of Talk are now with me in Mangalore! Louisa Braganza Mangalore V-Day photo shoot madness Still laughing about Prachi Sibal’s

article (My not-so-funny Valentine’s, Issue 27) on how foolish things can get in news-paper offices just before V-Day. Raj Kiran Bangalore Write to letters@talkmag.in

carlton tragedy

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

editor talk

DEATH TRAP Carlton Towers is now set to reopen, amidst charges by a consultant that the owners bribed the authorities to get clearances

The smoke looked

and smelt like death On the eve of the third anniversary of the Carlton Towers fire accident that claimed nine lives, survivor Maneesha Ramakrishnan describes the trauma and her painful recovery

PRACHI SIBAL prachi.sibal@talkmag.in n February 23, 2010 the city was shaken by the news of a fire accident at Carlton Towers, on Old Airport Road. Television viewers watched in horror the macabre spectacle of people jumping to their deaths from the top floors in a desperate bid to escape the fire.

The tragedy claimed nine lives and left many injured in body and spirit. Three years later, 43-year-old Maneesha Ramakrishnan still struggles to speak. The smoke inhaled during the accident left her vocal cords permanently constricted, and repeated tracheotomies could only partly restore her voice, today reduced to a faint murmur. Her sense of smell is permanently lost and she now breathes with the assistance of a tube surgically implanted in her larynx. “I still have carbon monoxide residue in my lungs,” she says, giving Talk an account of the trauma. The multiple surgery and the months she spent in the ICU have changed her outlook. “You realise there is nothing more precious than the breath you take. I have become more sensitive to death and suffering. Even non-living

things speak to me now. At the same time, the slightest of fevers triggers the fear of ending up in hospital again,” she says. The uneasy equilibrium of her life was disturbed when she first heard of the possibility of Carlton Towers reopening. Maneesha was enraged. Since then, the anger has subsided but the fear lingers. “Last year I would have been against Carlton Towers reopening. There is aggression, but a lot more subtle now,” she tells us. Here is her story, in her words:

Fateful day At about 3 pm on the fateful day, we were in the middle of a conference call on the seventh floor office of our UK-based investment firm. Suddenly, the phone lines got disconnected. When I stepped out to get them fixed, I heard

As one who had worked at Carlton Towers, I was shocked and surprised by what happened on February 23, 2010, just a couple of months after Mid-Day, the newspaper I then edited, had moved out of the building. We worked late nights and early mornings, with one of our shifts beginning at 4 am. We grumbled about the lights being switched off along the staircase, but otherwise, Carlton Towers had never appeared unsafe. (I had once worked in a cramped high-rise on Barakhamba Road in Delhi. It was demolished some years after the fire authorities declared it unsafe). The stairs were wide, and the windows opened out easily, with no walls blocking them. Yet, nine people lost their lives there. Faulty wiring and thoughtless maintenance were the prime suspects. The estate staff had got their security priorities all wrong, and barred the fire exit. The gates weren't big enough to allow the fire engines in. What also became shockingly obvious was the lack of preparedness. The fire authorities had little by way of rescue equipment. They brought no life nets that could save those jumping to escape the blaze. Three years on, there is no sign that the fire department is better equipped to tackle fires. With widespread violation of building by-laws, Bangalore is becoming more vulnerable to fire accidents. Prachi Sibal brings you Carlton Towers survivor Maneesha Ramakrishnan's story. It should open our eyes to the silent risks at our homes and workplaces. This week, the headlines were dominated by four of Veerappan's men heading for the gallows. Krupakar and Senani, the wildlife photographers who had spent 14 days as the bandit's hostages, had told me some of their jungle stories. The gang came across as naïve in many ways, and had abetted Veerappan in his horrific brutality, but the state cannot escape responsibility for how they finally turned out. We hope you like what we have put together for you this week. SR Ramakrishna ram@talkmag.in

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in RAMESH HUNSUR

someone shrieking. I opened the doors and a cloud of smoke engulfed the place. I reached out for a fire extinguisher, but none of us knew how to operate it. There was so much smoke and it smelt so awful. It looked and smelt like death and my body was burning because of the smoke. We opened the windows and saw people holding sheets spread out below, asking us to jump down. I began breaking the glass. I thought that God was taking me away. My phone kept ringing and I had no energy to even cry. I had seen physical hardship before and felt this was God’s way of helping me out of it. At about 5.15 pm, the police rescue team arrived on our floor, and were calling out, ‘Anybody here?’ I could hear them but had no voice to respond. Fortunately, they found me, took me outside and down the stairs. I remember counting the steps and felt I was being rescued and the worst was over. I collapsed at the gate and the next thing I knew, I was at Manipal Hospital. The next three-and-a-half months I spent in the ICU, with a ventilator attached to me. It was a nightmare. I lost 40 kg and was a mere 35 kg by the time I got out. I had lost all confidence, watching the bodies of patients who didn’t make it being wrapped around me. But I knew I couldn’t lose hope, so I made friends with the doctors and the nurses. A series of infections followed and I had to keep returning to the hospital until May last year. The initial treatment of three-and-ahalf months amounted to about Rs 10 lakh,

Legal trouble Going to the court was the most ridiculous part for me. I told Anurag Jain,Anurag Jain, the owner of Carlton Towers, to save himself, and told the court that the 40 accused had no role to play in the tragedy. They met me at the court and it frightened them to see me. They promised help even a month ago when I went for a hearing. It has been three years but I have received no help. I don’t expect them to understand, but they can listen at least. We don’t have to go by the law. I will go by the universal law, which is all that can bring closure.

Revisiting Carlton DAMAGED Injuries kept Maneesha in the ICU for three-and-a-half months. She now breathes with the help of a surgically implanted tube

which the Government paid for. They put a condition that I should move to the general ward, which I agreed to. The rest of the treatment expenses, about Rs 12 lakh, was borne by my insurance company.

Homecoming I live with my two sons (now 17 and 22) and have spent 20 years of my life working. The first thing I noticed when I got back home after another four-and-a-half months spent at my parents’ place, was my dog. I was very attached to him but he refused to recognise me in my state. For months together, he barked at me until he realised I was the same person. I was in a hurry to get back to normal life and straightaway got down to cleaning and cooking and the rest of it. I got a job with IBM and moved closer to my

office in Manyata Tech Park. I was very conscious of my voice and cough those early days, even when people didn’t make me feel odd. I quit because I don't like those buildings anymore, and couldn’t function in one. I believed that God kept me alive for a reason and began working part time in schools. I like to cook and feed people. I will soon start catering from home and employ people who need jobs. What my children and I learnt from the tragedy was tremendous. The doctors still don’t know how the voice actually comes out of me. I was the last to be discharged from the hospital, and given the shape I was in at that time, people were scared when they met me. I have become a good display for fire safety workshops; but I don’t mind it.

It was only in 2011 that I first went near Carlton Towers after the tragedy. The moment I reached Indiranagar, my legs began to give way. I broke down every time I saw the building after that. It was only a few days ago that I gathered courage and went there, stood alone in front of the building and said ‘Now you can start again’. It is important for me to acknowledge that my suffering was not ordinary. I am going back there on the 23rd to relive the whole incident and pay homage to the nine lives lost. It will be a flash mob titled ‘Weapon called Grace’ which will start at the same time the fire broke out three years ago. To reopen it this way wouldn’t be fair to those who went away. If they (the owners) won’t make peace, I will. They still don’t know what suffering is. I will redefine suffering and make it useful for humankind. I will tell them I need help, everybody needs help.

leader spotlight

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

Is Siddu your next CM? Siddaramaiah is in many ways the Congress leader most eligible to become chief minister— but his own weaknesses and a set of powerful enemies pose a serious threat to his political future

BASU MEGALKERI

he contested assembly elections from Chamundeshwari constituency on a Bharatiya Lokdal Party ticket, and became an MLA. He later joined the Janata Party. In this period, he became well-known across the state as the president of the ‘Kannada Kavalu Samithi’ (Kannada Watchdog Committee), set up to supervise the implementation of Kannada as official language. In 1985, he got re-elected as MLA and became a minister for the first time, handling the portfolio of animal husbandry. From then on, over the past 35 years, he has handled many important positions, and proven to be a successful finance minister. He has held the post of deputy chief minister twice.

JD(S)’ father-son duo of Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy. Having primed themselves for a good electoral harvest in their home base of the old Mysore region, they saw the entry of another Vokkaliga strong man as a dire threat. But they found unexpected relief when Siddaramaiah sprung into action, frustrating every move made by Krishna. What a senior Congressman believes: Siddaramaiah is being used as a front by a whole army of senior leaders that include Mallikarjuna Kharge, Veerappa Moily, Oscar Internal battle When the Congress high command Fernandes, KH Muniyappa, BK and Shamanur deputed SM Krishna to lead the poll Hariprasad Shivashankarappa, united in their effort in the state, those opposition to SM Krishna. This group who were hurt fears Krishna gaining an upper most were not hand means it stands no chance his rivals in the His own worst enemy of getting chief ministership. party, but the The Congress has clearly smelled vicThis faction favours tory, and not surprisingly, Mallikarjun Kharge as chief minSiddaramaiah’s dream of ister, with Siddaramaiah getting the consolation prize of the deputy CM’s post. But if there

basavaraju@talkmag.in

e may look and act like a veteran of the game, but in many ways, Siddaramaiah, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, comes across as a political innocent. Take for instance his constant proclamation: “I am a chief ministerial candidate!” Anyone who understands the Congress high-command wouldn’t talk like this. It has been seven years since Siddu migrated to the Congress from the JD(S), but is yet to shed his non-Congress traits. His open interest in the top job has made things loud and clear to other aspirants, and earned him many enemies in his own party. Siddaramaiah has none of the qualities that today’s media-savvy politics demands. He is cast firmly in the old mould, someone influenced by the ideals of Ram Manohar Lohia. He sees himself as a socialist with concern for the backward and the poor. Even his enemies regard Siddaramaiah as a politician who espouses democratic values. Siddaramaiah was born on August 12, 1948, in a small hamlet in Mysore district. He entered politics in 1978 by becoming a member of the taluk board. The first milestone in his political career came in 1983, when

WAKE UP, SID The Congress needs Siddaramaiah’s support, but won’t unanimously back him for chief ministership

Opposition leader Siddaramaiah who rule the roost in the state unit of the Congress. The high command seems to have decided to face the polls on a Dalit-Kuruba caste equation. But while this favoured Siddaramiah as the tallest leader of the Kurubas, it also required him to act like a statesman and take all leaders of the party into confidence. Instead, he has made new enemies. SM Krishna and KPCC President Parameshwar seem to detest Siddaramaiah.

becoming chief minister is well capable of turning into reality. What might come in the way of that dream is his own rough and individualistic character. A friend of Siddaramaiah says, “It was Ramakrishna Hegde who first got him into the party fold when he was an independent and made him a minister. But he left him and joined Deve Gowda. Gowda made him the party president and deputy CM, but he left him and went to the Congress. Even now, instead of adjusting to the ways of the Congress, he has been proclaiming himself as the next CM everywhere. This is unlikely to work out to his advantage.” At present, its KPCC president G Parameshwar and

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arises a difference of opinion, then the deal is to back Siddaramaiah against Parameshwar of the Krishna group. A source says it is proof of this group’s success that the high command appointed Veeranna Mattikatti, a Lingayat, as chairman of the election campaigning committee, thereby limiting the control of Krishna in the party’s pre-poll efforts.

Leaders who want Siddaramaiah defeated

Congress: SM Krishna-led faction of Parameshwar and DK Shivakumar, eyeing the CM’s post JD(S): HD Deve Gowda, who believes Siddaramaiah betrayed him in 2006 to join the Congress

Taking the battle home KS Eshwarappa of the BJP, the other big Kuruba leader in the state, is feeling diminished by the rise of Siddaramaiah. The talk is that he has joined hands with Deve Gowda’s JD(S) to target Siddaramaiah in his long neglected home constituency, Varuna. The fact is that for all his concern for the welfare of the people, from the day he was elected, the machinations within his own party have kept Siddaramaiah completely occupied. He has virtually handed over charge of his constituency to son Rakesh, who is widely seen as immature. In effect, the constituency has gone out of Siddaramaiah’s hands. The most talked about leader there is Kapu Siddalingaswamy, the right-hand man of the KJP’s BS Yeddyurappa, who not only hails from the area, but has been actively working in the constituency for the last

BJP: KS Eshwarappa, who wants to beat Siddaramaiah and emerge as the number one Kuruba leader

NEMESIS? File photograph of Siddaramaiah with Devegowda when he was still with the JD(S). Gowda, once his mentor and now rival, is determined to prevent him from becoming chief minister

two years. Recently, Yeddyurappa announced Siddalinga-swamy’s candidature from the constituency. Varuna has 42,000 Lingayat votes, and in addition, Siddalingaswamy has the blessings of the pontiff of the influential Suttur mutt. He has handed out money generously for weddings and festivals, turning himself into a familiar face in the area.

comes from Deve Gowda, who still feels he was betrayed by the Kuruba leader who joined the Congress in 2006. Deve Gowda has sworn to do everything in his power to keep Siddaramaiah from becoming chief minister. After a long search, he has settled on one Cheluvaraju as his candidate to defeat Siddaramaiah. Cheluvaraju has made a good name as an assistant commissioner of police in Mysore, and sought voluntary retirement to contest the elections. The caste equaGowda’s arrow But the biggest threat for Siddaramaiah tion is in favour of Cheluvaraju. Varuna

constituency has 35,000 Kuruba votes and an equal number of Nayak votes; and Cheluvaraju is a Nayak. In 2006, when Siddaramaiah contested from the Chamundeshwari constituency, a vengeful Deve Gowda had nearly finished him with a similar strategy. Siddaramaiah then scraped through with a wafer thin margin of 257 votes. If Siddaramaiah’s enemies in the party succeed, he might not even make it as an MLA. It is a challenging time ahead for Siddaramaiah, easily the most eligible Congress leader to become Karnataka’s next chief minister. His fate will be depend on how effectively he can counter his rivals in the Congress and elsewhere.

biz trend

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

Start-up call An entrepreneurship festival in March hopes to inspire the Bangalore ecosystem, now at No 19, to aim for a place among the world’s Top 10

PRASHANTH GN prashanth.gn@talkmag.in

hen two entrepreneurship promotion networks, the India-based The Indus Entrepreneurs (TIE) and the US-based Unstoppable, get together to hold a Startup Festival in Bangalore between March 7 and 10, they hope to rally enthusiasts around one chief goal—put Bangalore among the globe’s top 10 start-up ecosystems, from its current position as the 19th most entrepreneurial city in the world. That ranking is from a report on the top 20 startup ecosystems around the world, released by the US-based Startup Genome in November 2012. California’s Silicon Valley unsurprisingly topped that list. While the report was based on studying some 50,000 start-ups around the world, it cautioned that ‘Asian’ cities could not be sufficiently studied and compared and therefore do not feature prominently in the list. In any case, there have been challenges to Bangalore’s preeminence even within India, with some detecting a shift in momentum towards New Delhi and Mumbai. For now though, its position as No 1 is clear enough. But can it crack top ten lists like the one made by Startup Genome? Mukund Mohan, CEO, Microsoft Accelerator, Microsoft’s startup evangelisation arm, says that while Bangalore is “undoubtedly the start-up capital of India,” it has a long way to go to get anywhere near a Silicon Valley. “Bangalore needs more high quality technology talent than it has now, greater funding, more seed lending institutions, a greater number of people willing to work in startups rather than in established companies, and a greater willingness, ability

and conviction to take risks. The top five startup ecosystems have all these. Bangalore will get there if it can create similar conditions.” Mukund Mohan, who has worked in Silicon Valley and studied the start-up scene in India, also points to the macro-economic conditions that hold cities like Bangalore back. “The industrial, investment and regulatory climate in India is way too cumbersome. It takes just two days to set up a company Mukund Mohan in Singapore, five days in San Francisco and London, but 56 in India. Bangalore is 19th not because of Bangalore alone, but because of India,” he says.

Failure and creativity There are cultural factors at work too, especially with regard to attitudes to failure, something that many experts have stressed. “We have to encourage people to take risks, telling them that failure is very normal, perfectly okay. In the West, there is greater acceptance of failure and from failure emerges creativity,” Mohan says. Even the moneybags have to be less risk-averse. In Mohan’s words: “We would like to see a climate of funding being built. Government can nudge a range of investors to come together and offer avenues. Funders too have to take risks.” Governments need to step in, from a market perspective. “The Kerala government has a programme in which it guarantees purchase of five per cent of a startup’s product. The Karnataka government should attempt this,” Mukund adds. S h r a d h a Sharma, founder and chief editor of YourStory.in, an online media platform focused on startups, notes that Shradha Sharma while Silicon Valley has a decades-old start-up culture, Bangalore’s wave is more recent. “Bangalore needs a higher number of entrepreneurs—people who are ready to take risks—and higher flow of funding at the idea stage. Now, most funding happens only

when a company shows hints of revenue generation or when market traction becomes evident. Bangalore also needs companies capable of floating IPOs, companies that have turned multi-millionaires, and more mergers and acquisitions to make the point that start-ups here are really good enough to be bought.” She is optimistic. “Bangalore’s start-up growth has been so strong we assess that in two to three years time, Bangalore will catch up with the rest of the world and also transform India’s technology and e-commerce landscape. Bangalore has all the elements that can make it part of the top 10 ecosystems.” Bangalore does have startups with global imprint, she points out. Companies like Sourcebit, Inmobi, United Mobile Applications, and Violet3D are good examples. Within India, Mohan says Bangalore beats even the second city, New Delhi, by a

wide margin. “Nearly 60 to 65 per cent of technology start-ups in the country are from Bangalore. Delhi and the National Capital Region is number two, Mumbai is number three, Hyderabad four and Chennai five.” Only in ecommerce startups did Delhi rank at the top recently, but Bangalore leads in all other segments —B2B, Big Data, Cloud and Mobile applications and consumer Internet. I estimate there are around 4,000 start-ups in Bangalore including those in products and services. There are 800 in Mumbai and 1,300 in Delhi NCR.”

Vlad Dubovskiy, founder of Unstoppable, which is among the organisers of the upcoming startup festival, and an entrepreneur himself, concurs with Mohan about Bangalore’s start-up status. “About 40 per cent of all new age start-ups come out of Bangalore. The city has a startup community of one and a half lakh people. Because of the information technology sector and relatively higher technology talent pool, Bangalore has a head start over Mumbai and Delhi.”

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Reimagining Bangalore Dubovskiy says the four-day festival is expecting around 5,000 people and is open to yet-to-be entrepreneurs, early stage startups and diverse partners. He says, “The effort is to re-imagine the city and take Bangalore from the 19th most entrepreneurial city in the world into the top 10. We want to quantify the ecosystem by collecting pledges that deliver every resource to support entrepreneurs in Bangalore and stitch together the ecosystem under a unified brand—Bangalore Rises— which will bring together entrepreneurs, government, business, academia, investors and organisations willing to commit to make Bangalore a big destination for entrepreneurs.” Shradha feels Bangalore is a startup leader in India. “The number of technology firms is the highest, the developer ecosystem is the best, it has a good presence of venture capital funds. Setting up a company is relatively cheaper in Bangalore than in Delhi and Mumbai, human resource availability is very good, international exposure is high and engagement

Start-up Genome's Top 20 enterprise ecosystems 1. Silicon Valley 2. Tel Aviv 3. Los Angeles 4. Seattle 5. New York City 6. Boston 7. London 8. Toronto 9. Vancouver 10. Chicago

ADVENTURE CAPITALIST Vlad Dubovskiy, founder of Startup Festival co-host Unstoppable, describes himself as a creator of start-ups that address human needs

from the external world is high. There are a lot of startups with simultaneous presence in Bangalore and Silicon Valley. People in Delhi and Mumbai have always been saying there needs to be more startup activity in their cities,” she says.

Angels in your city Sasha Mirchandani, co-founder of Mumbai Angels, the well-known angel funding network, started a Bangalore chapter last year.

“Bangalore is the centre of start-up activity in India. Close to 12 of our portfolio companies are from Bangalore and also a good percentage of our angel group members are from here. That is why we decided to launch Bangalore Angels.” Shradha has high hopes for Bangalore. “For me, Bangalore will stay ahead in the race and we expect significant developments within the next two to three years in the startup space.”

11. Paris 12. Sydney 13. Sao Paulo 14. Moscow 15. Berlin 16. Waterloo (Canada) 17. Singapore 18. Melbourne 19. Bangalore 20. Santiago

Start-up festival for aspiring entrepreneurs (March 7-10) Day 1: Koramangala Day 2: Jayanagar

to do something remarkable for our city.

Day 3: Indiranagar Day 4: Palace Grounds Over 100 partners will cocreate and run social, cultural, educational, professional and entertainment festivities on all four days. Partners can make a public pledge

Submit pledges @www.startupfestival.in/p ledges. Contact 098 45 018124 or email team@unstoppable.in or visit startupfestival.in

biz trend

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

How they learned to love e-tail A combination of factors forces internet start-ups founded on innovative ideas to switch to selling stuff onlline

an e-commerce platform for fashion and lifestyle products in 2010,” he savie.karnel@talkmag.in said. The change has clearly worked for them. Ashutosh says business has or start-ups, ‘course correction’ isn’t unusual. been doubling every six months since Sometimes, they discover 2011, a year after the business took they are in the wrong another direction. “Today Myntra business, and make fun- boasts of over 500 fashion and damental changes. A trend is for lifestyle brands on its platform, with innovative internet start-ups to lapse over six lakh visitors daily,” he said. Chennai-based Koolkart into “safe” e-commerce. It takes this form: A website with (www.koolkart.com) has seen 25 per a novel concept gets us hooked. We cent more traffic after it migrated to follow it and recommend it to e-commerce last year. The site was friends. After some months we dis- launched as a shopping recommencover that this unique website has dation site listing the best deals on turned into another online store sell- the net. “We found that we recommended online deals and diverted our ing regular products. Bangalore-based Myntra users to other sites. The experience (www.myntra.com) started as a per- we provided the user was not fulfillsonalised gifting site in 2007 but took ing. The users didn’t return to our to e-commerce in 2010. The company site,” said Suneil Chawla, co-founder, Koolkart. is now a fashion and Like Myntra, lifestyle products eInvestors often Koolkart is now an tailer. Co-founder online apparel and Ashutosh Lawania push start-ups fashion retailer. attributes the change to get into Chawla’s site gets to Myntra being e-commerce 5,000 visitors every ahead of time. day. Of them, 65 “The personalisation business was big in the US per cent are from metros and the rest back in 2007 and two US-based start- from smaller towns. Koolkart’s plans revolve around ups, Cafepress.com and Zazzle.com, inspired us to start a similar company boosting e-commerce further. “The in India,” Lawania told Talk in an e- vision behind Koolkart is to create a community of shoppers who find the mail interview. “But after a couple of years we latest fashion trends at great prices. It realised the personalisation business also provides a platform for designers was a very niche category for India and shoppers to interact with each and ahead of its time. That’s when we other,” said Anupam Agarwal, codecided to realign our business founder, Koolkart. Bangalore-based Koovs model. Myntra transitioned to being

SAVIE KARNEL

Changers

Myntra: From personalised gifting to selling fashion and lifestyle products. Koolkart: From online shopping recommendations to selling apparel. Snapdeal: From promoting group deals to selling everything from pet food to mobile phones.

Koovs: From promoting group deals to selling women’s fashion products.

CHANGE OF TRACK Suneil Chawla and Anupam Agarwal’s Koolkart is shifting from shopping recommendations to e-tailing. (Right) Ashutosh Lawania, co-founder of Myntra

(www.koovs.com) started as a group buying site, inspired by the trend in the US. Here, a local deal was offered to a minimum number of people. Only when a certain number of people committed to buy the deal was the coupon issued. For instance, a spa treatment was offered at a 50 per cent discount, only if five people bought it. When the five people signed up, the “koov” or coupon was issued. This concept did not sustain itself, and Koovs went on to become an e-commerce site specialising in women’s fashion products. “We feel that e-commerce is booming in India and it is what we should venture into at this point,” cofounder and CEO Rajesh Kamra told Talk. When it launched, Delhi-based Snapdeal (www.snapdeal.com) popularised itself as a deal site. It initially offered deals in restaurants, gyms, salons and the likes. But now it has turned into a full fledged e-commerce site that sells everything from mobile phones and pet supplies to kitchen ware and foot wear.

Snapdeal does not feel it has changed, though. “We were always a deal site and still offer deals,” said Anjana Subramanium, Manager, Corporate Communications, Snapdeal. She insists we call Snapdeal an online market place, not an ecommerce site. Whichever way the company chooses to brand itself, users have witnessed the change. As for the discounts Snapdeal offers, they are no different from what other e-commerce sites offer. Some industry insiders say goals can change once a company finds potential investors. “Many entrepreneurs launch their companies on the basis of innovative concepts and stand out in the crowd. Once they get noticed and receive funding they move on to do other things they wanted to do,” said the founder of a social website who didn’t want to be named. “Sometimes investors pressure companies to get into e-commerce for quick gains. The founders are then forced to abandon their original idea and become an online shop.”

sexual minority

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

TOUGH LIFE Hijras say they are pushed out of mainstream jobs, forced into begging and then described as a ‘nuisance’

‘Treat us as humans’

What forces hijras into begging? Why do they project an image of themselves that society fears? Community insiders tell you the real story VAISHALLI CHANDRA

times create a ‘nuisance,’ and why they harass innocent people at traffic signals. The intention was to explore hat happens when if we can ever hope to bridge this the mistakes com- growing gap. mitted by society come back to haunt Starts in school it? This has clearly Shanthipriya*, a 25-year-old hijra, been the case with the community of walks into the room with her tradehijras, who exist in the margins of mark tumka (dance-like movement), society, and share an uneasy relation- and plonks herself on a plastic chair. ship with it. Her lips, painted red, part into a wide, Decades of ill-treatment, neg- friendly smile. “Hai,” she says, in a lect, abuse, disassociation and forced clear and heavy voice that is still dissegregation has completely alienated tinctly male. most of them from society. But, what “I was in the seventh standard is disturbing is when the very society when I knew I was different,” she that forced this sexual minority group says. It took two long and painful into begging and prostitution by years for Rajesh to turn into denying them the basic needs for Shanthipriya. Without a hint of hesileading a decent life, complains of the tation or shame, Priya, as she’s called “begging nuisance.” among friends, recalls, “Meri baat aur Talk spoke to a few members of chal different thi.” the secretive hijra community on Born with a man’s body, Priya, what forces them into begging, why like most hijras insists that she felt they project an image of themselves like a woman quite early on, and was that the society fears, why they some- seized by a feeling of humiliation

because of her ‘in-between’ condi- shunned completely, and forced into tion. “I still remember, when I used to leading almost invisible lives. raise my hand to answer any question, behind my back boys would call Clothes expose them out loudly ‘ombathu’ (number nine in Priya works at Samara, one of the betKannada),” she says. Elaborate hand ter-known city NGOs that work with gestures and a girlie tone - these man- sexual minorities, where she earns a nerisms set Rajesh apart, and life in salary of Rs 3,500. But her monthly an all-boys government school expenses come to nearly Rs 10,000, became one unending ragging ses- forcing her to resort to begging to sion. meet the additional expenses. “We The constant name calling— look like men, but dress like women. ‘ombathu’ and ‘dumbi’ (bee in What other option is there for us but Kannada), and other demeaning to beg? How else are we to pay our remarks played havoc with the mind rent, utilities bills and buy dal-chaawof a young, confused Rajesh, who was al?” she asks. still trying to understand why it was Since they look out of place in wrong to want to dress like a girl. both men’s and women’s clothes, Disgusted with the sexual choice of clothing is one of the harassment at school, Rajesh dropped biggest reasons why hijras find it difout before entering ninth standard. ficult to enter mainstream workThat wasn’t all, with family members places, she says, citing her own bitter unable to understand and unwilling experiences. “I worked as a houseto accept his confused sexual identity, keeper for six months, when I wore he was forced on to trousers and shirts the streets. like a man. But some ‘What other “I met people people who had earoption do we like me and they lier seen me wear a introduced me to have but to beg?’ sari and beg would the community, harass me every day. asks Priya before that I spent They would ask me three months on why I wasn’t wearing the footpath,” recalls Priya. Happy to a sari, what did I have in my pants, be adopted by a nani (elder hijra), and all kinds of stupid questions like Priya says the initial months were the these,” she says, adding that she most difficult. regrets ever wearing the sari as it preToday, she is convinced that sen- vents someone like her from coming sitising society about sexual minori- back into society and leading a norties must start from school. “If I was mal life. not harrassed in school, today even I With no proper education Priya would have had a degree,” Priya says. is clearly at a disadvantage, but she Alienation for sexual minorities says, “I am talented, I take documenbegins in school, and it is no surprise tary photographs. I can also speak that when they grow older, they are good English and French.” She is

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

“ready to work anywhere,” but cannot apply for a job since she knows she’ll be rejected.

Help against harassment Samara is an NGO that works to bridge the gap between the hijra community and the general public. Its volunteers say both hijras facing harassment, and citizens harrassed by hijras, can contact them, and they will help resolve the issue.

‘Employ us, we won’t beg’ Unlike Priya, Sulekha is a commerce graduate and fluent English speaker, who is qualified to get an office job. “But who is willing to employ me?,” she asks, saying her sexual identity gets more attention from potential employers than her marks card. Multi-talented, 43-year-old Mythri, is a professional cook, a competent housekeeper, and has even worked with corporates in administration jobs. She too has got good command over the English language, despite having discontinued her studies in fourth standard. She dreams of having her own catering business, but says that loads of investment is required which she cannot raise on her own. Currently, she runs a hammam but the maintenance and rent of the place itself costs her about Rs 20,000. She says that while she may not have the educational qualifications, she is ready to do strenuous work that would bring her some minimum respectability. “No one likes to beg,” she says, “But, what’s the guarantee that society will accept us? Give us proper jobs and not harass us?”

Call them on 9945601651 or 9945231493.

Both of them are clear and confident when they say, “Give us a platform to showcase our talents. Allow us to work. We will stop begging or doing sex work.” The latter especially is frowned upon by society, but the fact is that even when hijras venture into sex work, often they do not find ‘clients’ as they appear manly and are humiliated when potential customers turn them down, they say. The wheels of change may take time to turn, but Mythri feels that society has to start by taking baby-steps. When asked what the first step would be, she answers readily, “Treat us as humans.”

Self defense mechanism Shanthipriya, Mythri and Sulekha say that many a time, men pass lewd comments, try to molest or sexually harass them. Sulekha says that a hijra will only react when provoked. To underline the point, she says, “A dog on the street will only bark if you throw a stone at it.” They point out what should be obvious to anyone who sees the situation they are caught in—the common behaviour associated with hijras—clapping, loud and rough talk, threats of lifting their sari, are all part of their defense mechanism. Mythri even says that hijras are often

doubly victimised, because regular men and women impersonate them to use the hijra image to their advantage when it comes to begging and prostitution. “We have come across regular men who dress up like us and beg. Some of them harass people. There are also women sex-workers who pretend to be hijras, and rob their clients. All they have to do is clap their hands like us, and then it is said that hijras robbed someone.” Whatever the truth of these statements, it is clear that the marginal status of the hijras make them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse by just about anyone—not just their clients, goons or the police.

urban planning

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

IN THE WAY Many trees in old Bangalore are more than 50 years old, and represent the planning of a more spacious era

Cut down the trees Arguing that the trees lining our streets are a hazard, Rangaraj Hebbar suggests a startling new approach to greening our city

lessed with mild weather throughout the year, Bangalore is an ideal city for a walking enthusiast like me. But even a cursory look at what goes by the name of footpaths in the city is enough to drive away all my enthusiasm. You walk on them at your own peril. Ill designed, unsafe and bereft of any standardisation, the footpaths here are a hazard, and the trees on them add to the misery. Recently, residents of

B Rangaraj Hebbar Retired engineer, interested in urban planning

Koramangala were up in arms against the felling of trees against widening roads in the area. There is also much anguish about tree cutting for the Namma Metro project. When it comes to trees, a battle is on in a city once described as a pensioners’ paradise, and today a bustling metropolis. Something has to give in this unequal battle, and it seems the beautiful trees that line our streets would have to be a casualty. It must be unique anywhere in the world for a city showing no signs slowing down to have such massive trees lining the streets. We have simply not grown out of the mindset of those spacious days of Sher Shah Suri, when he was conceptualising the Grand Trunk Road. Let us briefly investigate why trees along the streets are misplaced. * Massive tree trunks block the footpaths, and in some cases, partially block the roads as well. * Marauding roots ruin footpaths and even adjoining roads. * When town planners do succeed in creating surfaces to counter the natural growth of trees, the roots tend to wither for lack of breathing space, and become unsafe for life and property, particularly during wet weather. * Periodic falling of leaves, flowers, branches, make the streets a con-

stant mess and add to the garbage the way of any structure. Nobody wants to destroy a tree unless it is problem. * In the old parts of the city, absolutely necessary, so the impordrainages are over 100 years old, and tant thing is to have mutual trust. In most developed countries, the roots of the trees are a constant city roads are comthreat to them. pletely free of trees. If * The streets are ill In the West, there are exceptions, lit, largely because the roads are they are trees handlimited lighting is picked: they remain obscured by trees. completely small, and are at best So there is a strong free of trees ornamental. It’s what case for selectively makes walking along doing away with all trees on the pavement and streets. the sidewalk in those places such a This sounds harsh, and there must be pleasure. Even their famed highways a way of compensating the resultant do not have trees on either side. loss of green cover. Here are some Where space permits, about 100 ft is kept scrupulously free on either side, suggestions: * Increase the density of trees and even the overgrowth is pruned in places like Lal Bagh and Cubbon systematically to ensure less damage in the event of accident (the vehicle Park to the extent possible. * Shift the race course and the skids into open land instead of into a golf course outside the city and use tree). Trees are allowed only beyond the space as forest cover, with facili- this dedicated strip, which also ensures there’s no heartache during ties for walking and cycling. * Many public sector compa- future expansions. Town planners in Bangalore will nies own unused real estate. Convert also have to answer why there are no them into mini-forests. * Shift defence establishments Lal Baghs or Cubbon Parks in the out of the city, and use the space for massive concrete jungles coming up afforestation. In any case, the British in the Devanahalli, Kankapura Road, concept of a ‘Cantonment’ is no Bannerghatta Road and Whitefield areas. It is in these places where we longer valid. * Grow trees on vacant lots, should create mini-forests like Lal but allow owners and the authorities Bagh and leave the streets free of all to remove them when they come in encumbrances, trees included.

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

Posh is as posh does

Posh SAVIE KARNEL savie.karnel@talkmag.in

e all know what posh means. We use it to describe something expensive and luxurious. If someone is driving a Rolls Royce, we say he can afford posh things. The stories behind the origin of the term are varied and interesting. The most popular and widely related story is about compartments in ships. The story goes that when the W British travelled to India in the 19th century, they felt troubled by the scorching sun. There were certain compartments which were shady and got the cool sea breeze. On their onward journey from Britain, the cabins on the Port Out, located on the left of the front part of The Talk the ship, were the column on word origins coolest. On the return

voyage, the cabins on the Starboard side, on the right on the front part of the ship, were the most comfortable. These cool cabins were expensive and reserved for the rich. It is believed that the tickets for the cabins were stamped with POSH, which stood for Port Out, Starboard Homeward. Even the two sides of the front of the ship were inscribed with PO and SH. The luggage of the passengers travelling in these compartments was also marked with the letters. Occasionally people claim to have seen tickets with POSH written on them. Noted American columnist William Safire supports this legend in his 1984 book, I Stand Corrected. He quotes a letter from an Ellen Thackara of Switzerland: “When I lived in the Orient the P&O Line out of London did put beside the names of important people ‘POSH’, so they would have the cooler side of the ship.” The P&O is the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, whose steamers travelled between Britain and India.

K E Y

O R D S

OH-SO-POSH The 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang helped popularise the word

This story of the term’s origin appeared in the 1930s and gained quick popularity. We see one of its more famous usages in the 1968 film based on Ian Fleming’s children’s book Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The song in the film goes: O the posh posh travelling life, the travelling life for me First cabin and captain’s table regal company Pardon the dust of the upper crust— fetch us a cup of tea

Port out, Starboard home, posh with a capital P-O-S-H, posh. In his writings around 1908, English poet Edward Fitzgerald describes his ‘most unaccountable admiration and friendship’ for a boatman called Joseph Fletcher, also known as ‘Posh’. In Fitzgerald’s words, Posh was “A great man. A man of the finest Saxon type, blue eyes, nose less than Roman, more than Greek, and strictly auburn hair that any woman might sigh to possess.” Another theory is that the term has its origins in the gypsy language, Romany, where the word posh meant half. In early 19th century England, posh was a slang word used to denote a half penny. It later came to be used for small amounts of money, and then for money in general. Whatever be the true story of the origin, posh seems to have some connection with wealth. The word has also come to mean stylish and fashionable, and hence the dubbing of Victoria Beckham as Posh Spice in her former avatar as a pop singer.

luxe life

talk|14 feb 2013|talkmag.in

RAMESH HUNSUR

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK Abbas says he bought his Audi from money he earned from MC-ing

The rich cruisers As Bangalore splurges on luxury sedans, BMW emerges the top seller, racing past that old status symbol, Mercedes Benz. The Audis and the Jaguars aren't too far behind either

PRASHANTH GN prashanth.gn@talkmag.in

uxury cars that cost more than Rs 30 lakh are selling more than ever before in Bangalore. Even amidst a persisting slowdown, Mercs, Audis, BMWs and Jaguars are crawling the traffic-clogged roads of our city, with builders and entrepreneurs constituting their biggest buyers. Customers with deep pockets are revelling in the new options. Luxury car dealers in Bangalore report an increase in sales between 15 and 150 per cent from 2010 to 2012. Today, BMW is the number one luxury car manufacturer in India, and in Bangalore, beating the Audi, Mercedes Benz and Jaguar in sales over the last four years. If you see more BMWs than any other luxury car on Bangalore roads, you know why. A BMW dealer spokesman said the brand holds the record for the highest growth in a year, with 73 per cent recorded in 2010.

BMW India claims a 40 per cent market share of the luxury car segment, with its 3-Series and 5-Series selling in almost equal numbers in all cities, including Bangalore. The growth rate had fallen drastically to less than 10 per cent in 2012, but BMW continues to ride on the 2010 momentum, and hasn’t lost market share. In terms of actual sales numbers in Bangalore, BMW sold 400 cars in 2010, jumping to 650 in 2012, a clear leader in the city.

Then come professionals like doctors and architects. Techies constitute 5 to 6 per cent of our customers,” a dealer spokesperson said. While Audis start at Rs 35 lakh and go all the way up to Rs 2.5 crore, most luxury cars sold in Bangalore fall in the bracket of Rs 35 lakh to Rs 70 lakh. That doesn’t mean the city only buys entry-level luxury cars. In fact, the Audi R8 Spyder, with its race-car like looks, costs close to Rs 2 crore, and finds takers in Bangalore. Audi speed Mercedes Benz, the aspirational luxury Audi, albeit from a lower base, has posted even higher growth in Bangalore, bringing it car of an earlier generation, is doing well, too, though it is trailing in the close to the leader. From 221 overall competition. Over cars sold in Bangalore in Builders make two years, it has recorded a 2010 it sold 550 cars in 2012, up a large 15 per cent rise in sales in a 150 per cent rise. Bangalore: it sold 300 cars Audi Bangalore, near chunk of luxury in 2010 and 345 in 2012. Electronics City is the sole car buyers Every month, Mercedes Audi dealer in the city, and Benz sells 10 to 50 cars in finds three models selling more than the others — the A4 (Rs 37 lakh), the city. Again, industrialists, real estate busithe A6 (Rs 47 lakh) and the Q7 (Rs 75 lakh). nessmen, and top IT honchos are its main “Most buyers are entrepreneurs and builders. customers, with builders making up a partic-

talk|14 feb 2013|talkmag.in

ularly large chunk. The Rs 30 lakh to Rs 60 lakh bracket, covering the B, C, and E class offerings from the company, constitutes the bestsellers. Interestingly, the Merc dealership talks about a Rs 1 crore psychological barrier. “Our experience of Bangalore buyers is that they don’t typically cross the one crore mark even if they can afford it,” said a dealer spokesman. TVS Sundaram, the company’s longtime outlet, is on Kasturba Road, in the heart of Bangalore. Mercedes Benz now has a second dealer, Akshaya Motors, near RV College of Engineering on Mysore Road.

British accent The Jaguar is a relatively new entrant into the market, going back about three years. The British luxury brand claims a 30 per cent rise in sales since 2010, from 50 cars that year to 75 in 2012. The Jaguars cost between Rs 57 lakh and Rs 1.03 crore, with the ‘XF’ version being the most popular among its offerings. Popular Autoworks, in Bommanahalli on Hosur Road, is the sole Jaguar dealer in Bangalore. Their spokesperson said: “We have been able to sell Jaguars in Bangalore, Mangalore and even North Karnataka. Businessmen, real estate developers, money lenders and landlords are our main buyers.” A Jaguar owner (who works in the hospitality/entertainment sector and prefers anonymity) told Talk he had zeroed in on the car as he found it combined “masculinity with style and flair.” He declared fervently: “It may not be the highest selling luxury car in India, but as a status symbol, it ranks number one to me.” OLD FAVOURITE (Top) Farooq Mahmood, MD of Silverline Realty, swears by his CLS class Mercedes Benz. Apart from the XF, Jaguar Land Rover The new Mercedes showroom near Rajarajeshwari Nagar on Mysore Road plans to assemble its second model in India at its Pune facility at an entry price of Rs ly priced models.” the three German luxury makers to come 44.5 lakh, with a 2.2 litre diesel engine. It into India, has been overtaken by BMW also plans to assemble an XF variant in All-India picture and Audi. India at the comparatively low price of Rs Del Sehmar, communications manager, 12 lakh. Its acclaimed 2.2 litre diesel engine Jaguar Land Rover, estimates a maximum Early mover is coming to the Indian market for the first market potential of 25,000 luxury cars a While BMW and Audi started their operatime this year. year in India. In China, sales touch 70,000 tions in India in 2007, Mercedes has been The Jaguars will be built alongside the cars a year. around in India for almost 15 years. The Land Rover Freelander 2, produced in By 2020, the luxury car segment is company, however, has seen demand for Pune since May 2011. Jaguar’s currently estimated to constitute 3 per cent of the its products dwindle after rivals started available diesel and petrol overall passenger car expanding their reach and launching new variants, with 3 and 5 litre market in India. BMW products, especially in the entry-luxury ‘Typically, engines, are priced has maintained its lead segment. Bangalore buyers between Rs 57.15 lakh and in the Indian luxury car Contemporary styling is said to be Rs 1.03 crore. market, even as comdriving the BMW and Audi, which have don’t cross the Jaguar Land Rover petitor Audi from the created multiple sub-segments within the Rs 1 crore mark’ India vice-president Rohit Volkswagen group has luxury car market. The entry-level corpoSuri is upbeat about localnarrowed the gap. rate editions of models like BMW 3-series isation, and its cost benefits. He told the BMW sold 9,375 units and Audi A4 have helped both companies media recently: “Our best-selling models in India in 2012, topping the list of luxury gain higher volumes in the market. in India are the Land Rover Freelander 2 car makers for the fourth consecutive year. The Society for Indian Automobile and the Jaguar XF and this has driven the In the same period, Audi sold 9,003 units. Manufacturers estimates that car sales in move to build these products locally. So we Compared with its sales of 5,511 units in India will grow to 50 lakh vehicles by 2015 are now delighted to offer this car (XF) as a 2011, Audi’s sales jumped 63 per cent. The and 90 lakh by 2020. It touched 20 lakh in locally built product with a new engine…. company is determined to overtake BMW 2012, and the luxury car market currently (this) will enable us to provide our cus- in luxury car sales in India by 2015. constitutes less than one per cent of this tomers with a wider choice of competitive- Mercedes Benz, despite being the first of volume.

Wallet factor Mercedes Benz Five models in 10 classes from Rs 29 lakh to 1.45 crore

BMW

11 models from Rs 34 lakh to Rs 1.25 crore

Audi 8 models from Rs 37 lakh to Rs 1.98 crore

Jaguar 5 models from Rs 57 lakh to Rs 1.03 crore On road prices (approx)

Bangalore sales BMW 400 to 650

Audi 221 to 550

Jaguar 50 to 75

Mercedes Benz 300 to 345 (Figures for 2010 and 2012)

Zoom barabar

2012 20 lakh 2015 50 lakh 2020 90 lakh (Total car sales in India, as projected by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers)

luxe life

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

RAMESH HUNSUR

Car seva Bangalore's biggest super-luxury cab services are owned by two operators, one of whom began life as a hairdresser, and the other as a waiter

operators. Ramesh Babu, who works as a hairdresser at Bowring Institute, and Radhakrishna Holla, who began life as a waiter, own many amesh Babu (42) bought a Rolls luxury cars. Royce Ghost in 2011 for Rs 3.1 crore. He pays a monthly instal- Saloon to salon ment of Rs 7 lakh on it. Called by Ramesh Babu’s foray into the cab business was a reviewer as ‘a mansion on accidental. He lost his father, who ran a hairwheels’, it is a favourite among film stars and cutting saloon, when he was just nine. The high-level diplomats visiting Bangalore. family rented out his father’s saloon for Rs 5 a The Rolls Royce finds 10 customers a day, and his mother took up work as domestic month, and Ramesh Babu charges them Rs help. 50,000 for eight hours. That still leaves him After studying till the 10th standard, with a monthly deficit of Rs 2 lakh. Ramesh took up his father’s profession. While “The car brings me prestige. I make up at it, in 1993, he bought a Maruti Omni, but for the loss from the other cars didn’t use it much. It was at I rent out,” Ramesh Babu told this point that his mother’s Bangalore is Talk. employer, who worked at Bangalore doesn’t have Intel, suggested that he rent South india’s too many Rolls Royces, known out his car to his company. hub for luxury worldwide as the car of royalty, Ramesh Babu followed car services business tycoons, and movie his advice, and the business stars. Dayanand Pai, real estate prospered. Today, he runs developer, Chander Baljee, owner of Hotel Ramesh Tours and Travels, and Royal Orchid, and Prakash Shetty, who runs owns 160 cabs, of which 23 are luxury cars. the Gold Finch Hotel, are among the few who “I first brought a Mercedes Benz E class own Rolls Royces in Bangalore. in 2004,” he says. He paid Rs 38 lakh for it As Bangalore rises as a global city, cus- then. tomers with the means to buy luxury cars are For all his success as a cab operator, on the rise. Clogging the city’s streets are not Ramesh Babu has not forgotten his origins. just the regular Marutis and Hyundais, but He still works at Bowring Institute and also high-end Jaguars, Audis, Mercs, and charges just Rs 65 for a hair cut. BMWs. Ramesh Babu owns Audis, Mercs and But surprisingly, many of these luxury BMWs as well. “I am proud whenever Amitabh cars are owned not by the ultra-rich but by cab Bachchan visits Bangalore, he travels in my operators who started out modestly. car. Last year when Canadian Prime Minister One estimate puts the number of super- Stephen Harper visited India, he and other luxury cars (above Rs 25 lakh) in the city at diplomats used our services. He also gave us 200, with a majority being in the fleet of cab an appreciation certificate,” he says.

BASU MEGALKERI

Rolls Royce: the king of cars

basavaraju@talkmag.in

Rolls Royce is perhaps the most prestigious brand when it comes to cars. It is also one of the most expensive—its flagship Phantom model costs as much Rs 4.5 crore. The iconic British brand—now owned by German carmaker BMW—is extremely choosy when it comes to its customers, so as to maintain its reputation and exclusivity. You cannot buy a Rolls Royce just because you have the money to buy one - it was recently reported that the carmaker refused to sell its car to Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat.

Want a ride? (Rent for eight hours)

Audi: Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000

THE FLEET ADMIRALS (Top) Balasubramaniam with his Jaguar, one of 15 luxury cars in his Cabs India fleet. (Bottom left) Ramesh Babu with his Rolls Royce Ghost, for which he pays an EMI of Rs 7 lakh a month. Radhakrishna Holla's Cauvery Car Rentals has a fleet of 80 luxury cars.

Banks trust travel agencies like the one luxe cab business. run by Ramesh Babu, and offer up to 90 per Requests for cars come from cities like cent finance for high-end cars. Hyderabad, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. “Recently, the affluent Kothari family had a wedding in Chennai, for which Varied customers Rolls Royce is favoured during marriages as they hired 50 luxury cars from Bangalore,” well. Last year Ramesh Babu rented it out for says Balasubramanium. Bangalore took the lead in the cab busithe wedding of IPS officer Narayana Gowda’s son. But it is not just the rich and the power- ness in the 1990s with the IT boom. The many software and BPO companies that came up ful who hire luxury cars. “People from the lower middle class hire needed cabs for their staff. They hired luxury BMWs and Mercs for weddings. For half a day, cabs for their top bosses, visiting India from we charge them Rs 3,000 to 4,000,” Ramesh the US and countries across the world. Medical tourism too added to the demand. Babu says. Operators who got into the business Celebrities too who visit the city have specific choices. “Priyanka Chopra and Arjun then have grown and now ventured into the Sarja prefer Jaguars,” says Balasubramanium, luxury car business. “In the US, New York and owner of Cabs India, which has an office at Washington take the lead in cab services. In Sampangiramnagar. He got into the business India, it is Delhi, Mumbai and then Bangalore, in 1995 and now owns 200 taxis, of which 15 which makes Bangalore No 1 in South India,” says Gopinath Rao (28), who has returned are luxury cars. with an MBA degree from London to join his father’s cab service, SA Operators. Luxury cab hub The recently held Aero Show saw over In the last two decades, Bangalore has grown to become south India’s centre for the super 100 luxury cars being hired for delegates.

BMW: Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000

Mercedes Benz: Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000

Car facts

Events like these keep the business running through the year. Super-luxury cars may not always bring profits, but the business from normal cabs helps. Balasubramanium agrees operators buy the top-end cars for prestige rather than profits.

 Just one in 200 luxury cars is a

Waiter to luxe operator

classified as 'super-luxury'.

Radhakrishna Holla, then a waiter at a restaurant, started Cauvery Car Rentals in 1996. Now, he owns 80 luxury cars. He has also formed the Bangalore Tourist Taxi Association, and heads it. He fears that Bangalore may not lead the luxury car business for a long time. From last April, the state government started levying a lifetime tax of 15 per cent on the cost of luxury cabs. Earlier the cab owners paid only Rs 1,760 a year, and no lifetime tax. “Paying life time tax makes no sense to us, since we sell off the cars in three to four years,” he says. Luxury cabs are sold for two reasons: after the initial years, their maintenance costs go up, and customers prefer shiny new cars.

Jaguar: Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000

cab.  Star hotels sometimes book luxury

cars in bulk for use as cabs. Leela Palace ordered 300 in 2010.  Cars that cost above Rs 1 crore are  Super-luxury cars pride themselves

on their ship-like steadiness, thanks to high-end suspension. They also feature sensors that guide driving and parking, and a futuristic, all-automatic dashboard. Seats are fitted with massage devices and video players. Some cars come with slide-open bars. Cab owners have gone to court for a change in the tax system. They fear Kerala will overtake Karnataka in the luxury car business. “There the lifetime tax is just five per cent. Many Bangalore cab owners have sold their luxury cars to their counterparts in Kerala,” says Holla.

Rolls Royce: Rs 50,000

Rolls has always had a history of being selective with its list of owners—only a select few are given the car even for a test drive.The company is known for making thorough checks on the profile of interested buyers to assess their social status and to decide if they really deserve to own the celebrated brand. Godman Osho Rajneesh was famously snubbed by the makers of Rolls Royce when he approached them to buy one. The guru later got his revenge by accumulating the world's largest collection of Rolls Royces (93 in all), all of them supposedly gifted by his rich disciples. Bollywood actors Sanjay Dutt and Amitabh Bachchan are among the few in the elite list of RR owners in India. While Sanjay Dutt gifted a Rolls Royce Ghost to wife Manyata, Big B was gifted a Phantom by Bollywood producer-director Vindhu Vinod Chopra. A few Indian maharajas too have owned the iconic brand. Elvis Presley, John Lennon, David Beckham and Michael Jackson are among the international list of celebs who have owned a Rolls. Bangalore folks who own a Rolls privately: Dayanand Pai, builder, Chender Baljee, Royal Orchid Hotels owner, and Prakash Shetty, Gold Finch Hotel owner.

food path

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

Melon magic The water melons are already here, and for those who can’t wait for summer, Sandra M Fernandes compiles a few special recipes. Have them whichever way you want—hot or cold Watermelon and Peach Salsa

Ingredients: Lime zest - 1 tbsp, fresh lime juice 1/4 cup, deseeded and diced fresh watermelon 2 cups, peeled and diced fresh peaches - 1 cup, chopped fresh basil - 1/3 cup, dried chives - 1 tsp, cherry tomatoes halved 3 cups, salt and freshly ground pepper

Spicy Watermelon Soup

Ingredients: Watermelon de-seeded and chopped - 5 cups, five-inch piece of lemongrass stalk finely minced, shallots finely chopped - 3 tbsp, ginger finely chopped - 3 tsp, garlic finely chopped - 1 tbsp, extra virgin olive oil - 1 1/2 tbsps, one small green chilli finely chopped, lime juice - 2 tbsp, salt to taste

Method: Whisk together lime zest and lime juice in a bowl; stir in watermelon, peaches, fresh basil and chives. Season halved cherry tomatoes with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste and top it with mix in a bowl. Serve with warm bread or spread on garlic toast and grill to make watermelon and peach bruschetta.

(Optional non-vvegetarian add-o on): Large prawns cleaned and deveined - 4, finely chopped fresh coriander leaves - 1/4 cup, extra virgin olive oil - 1/2 tbsps, salt to taste

For the soup Method: Purée watermelon in a blender until smooth. Transfer to a bowl. Don't wash blender. Sautee lemongrass, shallot, ginger, and garlic in oil over moderately low heat. Stir for about 5 minutes, until golden. Add a third of the watermelon purée and simmer, stirring for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and pour back into to blender along with chilli, lime juice, and salt. Blend until smooth. Add remaining watermelon purée and blend again. If necessary, season with more chilli, lime juice, and salt to taste. Press soup through a sieve into a serving bowl and discard the solids. Chill uncovered, for two hours before serving cold. (You may also serve it hot, in which case, heat it up only after it has chilled for 2 hours - this allows the flavours to mingle). Serves four people.

For the optional prawns Steam prawns until just cooked through. Toss with coriander, oil and salt, and place into soup bowls. Serve soup over the prawns.

Recipes contributed by Monika Manchanda and Suman Bolar

Spicy Watermelon Salad

Ingredients: Deseeded watermelon cubed - 5 cups, half of a medium-sized onion thinly sliced, finely chopped spring onion - 1/3 cup, orange juice - 1/4 cup, red wine vinegar - 1 tbsp, honey - 1 tsp, finely diced red pepper - 1 tsp, finely diced cloves of garlic - 2, pinch of pepper and ground mustard, oil - 1/4 cup, chiffonaded mint leaves

(optional garnish) Method: In a large bowl, combine the watermelon and onions. In a small bowl, combine the orange juice, vinegar, honey, red pepper and seasoning; slowly whisk in the oil. Pour over watermelon mixture; toss gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Just before serving, sprinkle with mint. Serves four people.

Watermelon Sorbet

food processor, then press through a sieve to remove Ingredients: Sugar - 1 cup, any remaining seeds. Whisk the chilled syrup into water - 1/2 cup, lemon juice - 1/4 cup, watermelon the puree. Pour into a shallow metal pan and deseeded and cubed - 3 freeze until ice crystals cups form around the edges, Method: Cook the sugar, about 30 minutes. Stir the water and lemon juice ice crystals into the centre together, stirring of the pan and return to occasionally until the sugar the freezer; repeat every is dissolved. Remove from 20 minutes until all the heat and chill for at least liquid is frozen. Serve one hour. Puree immediately. Serves four watermelon in a blender or people.

back stage

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

MOTLEY CREW (From left) Anshul Pathak, Swetanshu Bora, Anjali Nair and Rency Philip

Somewhat like a play! Actor-playwright Vinod Ravindran's directorial debut Somewhat Like A Balloon may not be a conventional play but has everything that makes for a memorable performance

PRACHI SIBAL prachi.sibal@talkmag.in

n ‘devised theatre,’ the script is created not by a writer, but emerges from a collaborative effort by the performers, and is largely improvised and spontaneous. So, when I first heard about such a performance, called Somewhat Like A Balloon, I didn’t know what to expect. The director and actors didn’t start out with a script but had one at the end of rehearsals. That sounded intriguing. I had watched some parts during an early rehearsal, but that hadn’t helped much. The four members of the cast were in search of something, but that was all I could make out. But it piqued my curiosity enough to make me sit in on the rehearsals and preview the play before they opened on stage as part of Jagriti Theatre’s

Curtain Raisers. The central theme of Balloon is a boy’s search for his father. The play opens with a scene of a couple going through their daily routine in a repetitive loop. A child arrives and the couple’s routine changes, but only in a small way. Actor Swetanshu Bora and Anjali Nair were effortless and entertaining, in stark contrast with the monotony of the situation. The play is a well-crafted mix of humour and serious thought. While there is enough slapstick on stage through the effective use of mime, each scene and moment has layers of deeper meaning. The search, which is initially a physical one of a child for his father, is followed by a metaphorical one, featuring three explorers bragging about their conquests, and for whom getting lost is the equivalent of failure. They speak of a man floating in the sky attached to some ballons whom they all seemed to have spotted during their travels. What starts off as anecdotes soon turns into a bragfest as they try to outdo each other with details about the mysterious balloon man. As the play progresses, the boy travels through many places, meeting different people on the way. He also encounters hurdles and makes some friends, a chirpy gecko being easily the most memorable of them. Rency Philip’s rendition of the gecko is so expert that it can take you from pure

laughter to utter despair within the it is a journey of ups and downs for the viewer, who must keep pace with space of a few moments. All this does not mean that the the rapidly changing emotions. While the production doesn’t story and the action happens at a purely fantastical or abstract level— shy away from using spoken lines, for there are subtle hints throughout the most part it relies on mime. The that serve as a commentary on every- combination of mime and music is day reality. For instance, mammoth far more expressive than one can thermocol legs attached to big black imagine. A circus scene alone—intershoes are used to denote a senior spersed between the explorer’s conpoliceman who addresses the child versations and the boy’s search—is in stark contrast with when he comes to the otherwise make a complaint The production deliberately monotabout the missing onous goings on. father. relies heavily on The actors display The story is not a mix of mime silly tricks and play set in any particular and music off the audience, location. The actors bringing in some play multiple roles, and even the child’s role changes unpredictable impromptu laughs. Innovation it seems is central to hands in every scene. While this would be a disadvantage in a linear every aspect of this production, script, it only brings in fresher per- whether it is the lack of a working spectives to the emotions here. script, the simple yet funky costumes, Despite the limitations of a rehearsal, or the illusion of a house created with no lighting transitions to aid the through a suspended netted strucaction, the actors were still able to ture. The cast is dressed up in brightseamlessly step into new characters. ly coloured overalls with contrasting Anjali Nair, dancer-turned-actor t-shirts. All of this contributes to the who plays the child’s mother, an effect of a lively stage scattered with explorer and some other characters, colour. If that wasn’t quite enough, lends stunning physicality to every last year’s Mahindra Excellence in expression, making her the surprise Theatre Award winner Sujay Saple is doing the lighting design. that the viewer must watch out for. Despite numerous black outs, Somewhat Like A Balloon preSomewhat Like A Balloon hardly has a dull moment. From the time the miers at Jagriti Theatre’s Curtain actors get on stage to the curtain call, Raisers Festival on February 22 at 8 pm

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

Rewind The week that was  China quake: Eight people were injured in an earthquake near the border area of China's southwestern Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. The 4.9magnitude quake, toppled 72 houses and damaged 949 others in Yunnan's Qiaojia County.  US shooting: A shooting spree early Tuesday left three people dead and two others injured in Orange County, California,USA. The search for the gunman ended when he shot himself dead in a stolen car as police closed in.  Tunisian PM resigns: Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali resigned on Tuesday after his attempt to end a political stand-off by forming a government of technocrats failed.  Pistorius case: ‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius returned to court on Wednesday to hear explosive allegations that he fought “non-stop” with his slain girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on the night of her killing.  Hyderabad blasts: 12 people were killed and 40 injured on Thursday, in a series of explosions in Dilsukh Nagar bus stand area of Hyderabad; NSG is probing the incident.  Strike: Sporadic violence broke out on Wednesday in India as labour and bank employee unions went on a two-day strike to protest rising prices and government policies to open up the economy. A union leader was killed in Haryana and factory units damaged in Noida.  Cauvery row: Hours after the Centre made public the notification of the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa termed it a “tremendous achievement,” while leaders in Karnataka decried it.

A Ramayana reunited

The ongoing collaborative partnership between the British Library and other institutions in India, has already delivered some interesting results, including the digitisation of 10,000 historical images of Indian botany, and a major

exhibition on Indian history, titled Mughal India: Art, Culture & Empire. One of their latest projects is the digitisation of the ‘Mewar Ramayana,’ a 17th century manuscript regarded as one of the most lavishly produced copies of the Ramayana.

Originally commissioned by Rana Jagat Singh I of Mewar in 1649, it contains over 400 exquisite paintings and is considered to be one of the finest of all surviving illustrated renderings of the epic. Stored in separate folios held by different institutions in India and the UK for almost two centuries, the manuscript will be brought together for the first time in May this year in a new digital resource. The British Library currently holds around 80 per cent of the surviving manuscript, and the remaining folios are held by Mumbai’s CSMVS Museum and other Indian institutions. For more details, log on to pressandpolicy.bl.uk

E-romance RD goes bankrupt, again deluge

E-books have been proclaimed to be the future, but there are few Indian publishers who actually promote the format seriously. Now a new company called Indirom, which went online on Valentine’s Day, might change that. Founded by Naheed Hassan, an economist, and Shanti Dominic, an engineer, they aim to publish romantic fiction targeted mainly at readers from across South Asia and the sub-continental diaspora. Their titles will be in English, and not more than 36,000 words long, and are tablet, ereader and smart phonefriendly. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ indirombooks

Reader’s Digest, a feel-good magazine if ever there was one, has filed for bankruptcy, the second time it is doing so in the last three-and-a-half years. The move came after its parent company, RDA Holding Co, announced that it had an accumulated debt of US 465 million dollars (Rs 2,400 crore). The magazine has been in circulation for nine decades and is read by over 25 million people across the world. Insiders say its fortunes changed after readers started

switching from print to the electronic media. Reader’s Digest was founded in 1922 by DeWitt Wallace and his wife Lila Acheson, and its first edition carried a cover story on the importance of self-education, written by Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone. In 2010, the magazine had recovered after it was taken over by its lenders.

Calling writers and poets Online literary journal Open Road Review has invited submissions for their fifth issue, to be published on May 1, 2013. They are looking for short fiction, poetry and non-fiction, apart from art work. They prefer genre fiction with a literary slant, but do not accept horror, science fiction or stories for children. According to their website, creative nonfiction submissions should be “more than a dot on the map

or an incident.” In poetry, they look for fresh voices. The journal, founded in 2011, publishes established writers, but also encourages new ones. The Review is published once every quarter, and a print anthology of the best works that have appeared in the journal is scheduled to appear later this year. For detailed guidelines, and to read their latest issue, visit www.openroadreview.in

IIPM’S story The Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM) and its pony-tailed chairman Arindam Chaudhuri have got a Gwalior court to order the blocking of 78 websites critical of the institute, including those of leading media organisations and the University Grants Commission (UGC). For those who tried to look up what IIPM was trying to hide, here’s an excerpt from the UGC notice: Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM) is not a University within the meaning of Section 2(f) of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956. Further, as per Section 22 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, IIPM does not have the right of conferring or granting degrees as specified by the University Grants Commission under Section 22(3) of the University Grants Commission Act. It is further clarified that IIPM is neither entitled to award MBA/BBA/BCA degree nor it is recognized by UGC. After the blocking, Chaudhuri, who describes himself as a management guru, tweeted, “I should say UGC and AICTE are organisations full of bribeseeking corrupt officials where, even at the top, they have a track record of being caught red-handed and being jailed. The standard of education they have created in the nation is shameful, to say the least.” What management, guruji!

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

Forward

Flash fiction Duckbill, a publishing house for children and young adult books is holding a flash fiction contest to celebrate Platypus Day on March 2. The ten best entries will win Duckbill books. The opening line for entries should be: "The platypus was confused." Complete the story in 100 words, and email it to feedtheplatypus@duckbill.in by March 1. For more info, log onto www.duckbill.in/platypus.php

Phalke Film Festival

To commemorate the birth anniversary of Dada Saheb Phalke, the ‘father of Indian cinema,’ a Noida-based company called Research and Broadcast Services (RBS) Media is organising a two-day film festival on April 29 and 30 in the National Capital Region. The festival screens classic and new movies, and offers film students and aspiring filmmakers a chance to network with professionals. For its awards, it has invited nominations in many categories, and already received over 250 entries, including blockbusters like Ra.One and indie works like Onir’s I Am, apart from foreign films. An interesting addition to the festival this year is the 5 Shift Film Project, which involves making a 410 minutes film from scratch in just five shifts, and the 21 Days Animation Project, where participants get to make a 3-5 minute animated film in a 21-day time frame. Winning films from both categories will be screened at the festival. The deadline for submissions is March 15, 2013. For more info, log on to educationexpo.tv/awards/awards.aspx

Story workshop Vineet Singh teaches body movement and visualisation skills for children between seven and 12. He uses folk tales from around the world in his workshops. United Arts Society and Edu Arts Solutions have joined hands to host Living Stories, a workshop led by him, at Counter Culture in Whitefield on February 24. For more information, call 41400793/4 or visit www.facebook.com/ EduArtSolutions

India’s poorest chief minister Tripura, which broke all records with 93 per cent voting in the recent assembly polls last week, is governed by India’s poorest chief minister. CPI(M) leader Manik Sarkar washes his clothes every morning, holds just over Rs 10,000 in his name and owns neither a house, mobile nor car, and is the only CM in the country to live in such austerity. His reputation for honesty plays a big role for his party, which hopes to return to power for soon. According to his a record fifth straight time election affidavit, Sarkar has when results are announced just Rs 10,800 in his bank

account. He follows the CPIM policy of donating his CM’s salary to the party, which then pays him a Rs 5,000 monthly stipend. Sarkar says the pension received by his wife Panchali Bhattacharjee, a retired government employee, takes care of both their expenses. Sarkar, who refuses to use the red beacon on his official car, told a newspaper recently his only expenses are “a small pot of snuff and a cigarette a day.” Sounds like one tough act to follow for the rest of our netas.

Yamaraj to curb drunken driving It’s surely the most interesting public service campaign of the year. Zara, a popular bar in Chennai, in association with the Chennai traffic police, decided to address drunken driving (responsible for 70 per cent of road fatalities in the country), by enlisting none other than Yama, the God of death in the Hindu pantheon. Patrons who got into their cars (handed to them by valets) were startled to find Yamaraj patiently waiting for them in the backseat. They were then duly scolded and handed a slip that said ‘Your time has not yet come.’ Interestingly, many drinkers who experienced the live stunt considered it a wake-up call and opted to use the drivers-for-hire service. To watch a hilarious video of the campaign, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsSenbHekes

Is Apple making an ‘iWatch’? According to Bloomberg News, a team of 100 product designers, marketers, and hardware and software engineers are working on a smartwatch at Apple. Experts have suggested that the size of the group shows that the socalled “iWatch” project has moved beyond the testing stage. Some customers have already adapted Apple’s iPod Nano as a makeshift watch by adding a wristband. A smartwatch would mark Apple’s entry into the much-hyped field of

wearable computing. But others, including tech writer David Gilbert, say the report is based on rumour, and not facts. He says ‘smart watches’ have a history of failure, citing the example of Microsoft’s dud Paparrazzi watch in 2004, and adds that it is unlikely that Apple will venture into this line. But the report has created a buzz on the Net, with people speculating about the kind of operating system and energy source it will use, among other things.

The week ahead  Pak operation: Following instructions from Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, the Pakistan military is set to launch a "targeted operation" against militants in Quetta following the killing of nearly 90 people in a terror attack.  Meat scandal: The horse meat scandal in Europe is only getting worse with Nestle, the world's biggest food company now saying tests have found traces of horse DNA in packed products made from beef in Italy, France and Spain.  Dhaka protest: The crowds are swelling at Shahbagh, a square in the heart of Dhaka in connection with protests against war crimes and demands to bring to book the guilty.  Russia plea: Russia urged the warring sides in Syria to halt their almost two-year conflict and start talks, warning that seeking a military settlement risked mutual destruction.  Port control: A Chinese firm is all set to run the strategic Gwadar port in Pakistan after the cabinet approves the decision. The move has created a flutter in Indian security circles.  Airline plan: AirAsia, a leading low cost carrier based in Malaysia, is gearing up to start an airline in India in association with Tata group and Arun Bhatia of Telestra Tradeplace Ltd.  Stayed: The Centre is expected to work out legal strategies to counter the Supreme Court's stay on the death sentence of four Veerappan associates for six months.  No nurses: With the government summarily terminating the services of contract nurses, the burden on permanent nursing staff of Victoria and Vani Vilas Hospitals, run by the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, has increased many fold.

pet care

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

For love and money The business of caring for other people's dogs is a lucrative one

MARIA LAVEENA maria.laveena@talkmag.in

any dog owners have the inclination, but not the time or sometimes the energy, to walk their dogs - the one ritual that they compromise at their own peril. But for those that also have the money there is now the option of hiring pet walkers. Pet walkers are dog lovers themselves, or they wouldn’t be in the business. And they have discovered that it can be pretty good business too. Rajesh Acharya, a software professional started Angel Pet Walkers in the city almost a year back to earn a second income. He was pleasantly surprised when in a few months, the pet walk business started earning more money than his main job. “I had

M RAMESH HUNSUR

PET POOJA Dog Daze’s Sukriti Bannerjee charges Rs 700 per month per dog. Vaishnavi Prasad’s (right) Pet-sitters is run by volunteers and don’t charge for their services

no idea that so many people had a need exercises. We make them run around and for this service. Though I was aware that feel active in the given time,” she says. Since her business is more about people are busy and don’t mind spending some extra bucks on their pets, the spending time with dogs, she charges a expansion in clientele in the initial modest Rs 700 per month, without a time months was more than we asked for,” he limit. The dogs are walked for as long as they insist. Unlike other organisations says elatedly. Angel Pet Walkers is located in which have only monthly deals, Sukriti Indiranagar and has both pet walkers and has customers who come to her occasiondog trainers. They have two pet walkers ally just for a week or sometimes a day or and three dog trainers who are busy two. She charges between Rs 200 to Rs throughout the year. Acharya says that he 500 for these short-term services. Irene Richard, who has two dogs and has at least two customers on a daily basis has never heard of pet for pet-walking and once walkers before beamed in a while, when his team Sukriti says she with joy the minute she is not able to manage cerstarted Dog Daze heard about it. “It is tain breeds, he outsuch a difficult task to sources it to other organbecause she take my dogs for a walk. isations. missed her dogs They run endlessly, “Sometimes, our fight with other dogs boys can’t handle a few breeds like the Husky or the German and sheepishly we lose control in no time. Shepherd, due to their temperaments, I am ready to pay money for this kind of and we outsource these to other people service.” Dog Daze does some ‘pet-sitting’ who run pet walking businesses like ours and gain a commission,” he says. As they too. Owners leave their pets when they are potential rivals, Acharya does not go out on weekends. “I don’t have trouble in becoming a pet-sitter as generally we name them. Angel Pet Walkers charges Rs 4,000 have customers only during the weekend. per month for a daily morning walk. If So that becomes very easy for me,” she customers want it done twice a day, the said. Her pet-sitting charges are between Rs 250 and Rs 350 a day with additional fee goes up to Rs 5,000. Sukriti Baneerjee, who moved here costs for food. She says her studies have not been from New Delhi for her studies, runs Dog Daze. She lives in an apartment with her affected. “I have three flat mates who friends at Byapannahalli. She started Dog understand and take care of my business Daze not to earn extra income but when I’m off at college,” she says. There is also a demand for dogbecause she missed her dogs back trainers. Acharya says people are ready to home. “My parents weren’t ready to pay as much as Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000 a send my pets along with me as month to modify the behaviour of the they thought it will impinge on dog. His dog-trainers go to their client’s my education. I love my dogs house four times a week and train them and miss them very much. I in various things like assisting in particustarted Dog Daze to stop lar tasks or just living harmoniously in thinking about them and I’m modern-day domestic-life. His dog trainvery pleased with my decision,” ers earn about Rs 4000 a month. Some pet-sitters use volunteers and says the the 19-year-old. Pet-walking need not just be hardly charge at all. Vaishnavi Prasad, a a ramble from the dog’s residence Blue Cross volunteer and an animal rights and back. Sukriti says that her pet- activist, says, “Anybody can give us a call walking is all about doing some fun- at any point of time, and we will be more stuff. “We include a lot of games and than happy to help them sending our volunteers.” Her organisation, Pet-sitters, has 50 of them. “You never get the right people to take care of your dogs when you’re out; we make sure the dogs are taken care of, in the right way by the right kind of people,” she says. Says Siddharth, a volunteer: “We love animals and don’t really mind taking care of pets for a day or two as it also helps us relieve our stress and tension, even if it’s for a while.”

fun lines

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

Heard the bad noose?

COURTESY: HASIB KHAN

President Pranab Mukherjee, who as minister notoriously sat on proposals for ages, has proven a quick decision-maker when it comes to rejecting mercy petitions of death row convicts. she said. "You're supposed to put the noose around your neck, not your waist," he said. "I tried that," replied the blonde, "but I couldn't breathe."

Diamond trade-off

With other apple technologies like iCloud and Photo Stream, photos update automatically without syncing.

Barber: "Sorry sir, just asked." The next day, he asked AK Antony: "Sir,

can watch as many times as you want in 48 hours." Not a bad way to watch HD films. With the remote, you can select Music from the Apple TV main menu to play purchased iTunes music directly from iCloud.

Priced at Rs 7,900, it comes with a remote. The HDMI cable has to be bought separately.

What is more, users can stream music, photos and videos to Apple TV not only from their computers but from their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. If you already Those who have already made purchases have a film or other media on one of these on iTunes will know that the movie collection available to Indians needs some devices, it need not be rented or bought serious upgrading, but Apple now claims to again. You can also stream a home video you just recorded - actually just about offer "instant access to the hottest anything you have on your iPhone or iPad, Hollywood titles and new releases—often including those apps and games. the same day they come out on DVD."

India, Italy and Britain are agog with news that top Indian officials were bribed during the sale of Westland helicopters to the Indian Air Force.

You can search by title or genre, and SD rentals start from Rs 80, while HD rentals start from Rs 120. "You have 30 days to start watching, and once you begin, you

what's this Italian chopper scandal?"

of Arvind Kejriwal?"

Antony shouted: "Why do you ask?"

CBI: "Then why do you ask ministers those questions?"

Barber: "No, sir."

Barber: "I don't know anything about the scandals, sir, but when I ask those "Are you an agent of questions, their hair Baba Ramdev?" stands up straight Barber: "No, sir." and my work becomes CBI: "Are you an agent easy." The CBI soon landed at the barber's door.

Get it set up to your satisfaction, and your living room will never quite be the same again. If you have kids, expect more tussles.

Helicopter shot

Barber: "Sorry sir, no offence."

pple TV is now here in India—not the much talked about Apple television set that Steve Jobs’ company has long been rumoured to be working on, but the little streaming device that lets you play high definition movies, videos and photographs on to your existing HDTV, using your Internet connection at home. Like all things Apple, it is small, sleek, and cool, in more ways than one. It can fit in the palm of your hand, and Apple claims it is quiet and energy-efficient. It connects to the TV with an HDMI cable. And while HD and SD films can be streamed over the Internet from the iTunes store, launched here a few months ago, music and photos can stream from your computer.

On his visit, British Prime Minister David Cameron turned down the Indian demand that the famous Kohinoor diamond be returned. The 105-carat diamond was taken away by the British when they ruled India. It is now on display in the Tower of London. The Unreal Times, a satire website, suggested Manmohan Singh promise the Brits more precious stones and send Indian Institute of Planning and Management founder Arindam Chaudhuri to London in exchange for the Kohinoor. In case you didn't know, Chaudhuri is the author of a self-help book titled Discover the Diamond in You.

Kapil Sibal shouted: "Are you cutting my hair or interrogating me?"

echwalk Apple TV in your living room The lowdown on the much talkedabout streaming device that marks the company’s foray into home entertainment

Dejected by comments that she was dumb, a blonde decided to commit suicide. A man spotted her hanging from her waist. He asked her what she was up to. "I'm hanging myself,"

Busy at work, the barber asked Kapil Sibal: "What's this coalgate issue?"

There is also Wall Street Journal Live for those who follow serious business and corporate news, and YouTube and Vimeo videos to dip into.

Blackberry Z-10/Q-10 While the Blackberry has lost market share and more, fans are eager to get their hands on the new Z-10, where the Blackberry operating system transitions to a new one based on the QNX Real Time Operating System (RTOS) it acquired some time ago. The Z10 is expected to

be launched on Feb 25, and cost in the region of Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000. The Z10 is all touch-screen version, while the Q10 will have the Qwerty keyboard for diehard qwerty adherents. Watch this space next week to check out this make or break phone for Research in Motion, better known as Blackberry.

SRIDHAR K CHARI

L I S T I NGS

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

food

performance Course Road, till February 24 22269898  Sizzlers for all: At this sizzlers festival you can choose from options like teriyaki chicken with tempura vegetables, egg fried rice, spicy pork spared ribs, grainy smith, curried peach relish, plantain crisps, fish and sweet pepper brochettes, lobster A La plancha and charmula barbequed prawns. Estia, 17 C, Sadaramangala Road, Whitefield, till February 28 66707777

 Flavours of Asia: This weekend treat your taste buds to some authentic Asian food as you try out dishes from China, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, Philippines, and Vietnam. The dishes will be cooked using various methods such as stir fry, steam, braising, roasting and grilling. Priced at Rs 1,099 plus tax. The Square Foot Outside the Box, Novotel Bangaluru Tech park, Ground Floor Sarjapur Outer Ring Road, Bellandur, till February 23 66705000

 Grilling weekend: Love a combination of seafood and vegetables? Then head to Global Grills this week where you can choose from dishes like Oriental teriyaki, Tunisian harissa, Mediterranean peri peri and more. The Polo Club, The Oberoi, MG Road, till February 24 41358205  Kebab delight: Vegetarians and non-vegetarians can rejoice as they can indulge in a platter of kebabs cooked in the tandoor, tawa and kadhai.

Vegetarian kebab platter is priced at Rs 350 and the non-vegetarian platter is priced at Rs 450. Pind Balluchi, 4th floor, Garuda Mall, Magrath Road, till February 25 41153761

 Kebabs and curries: Choose from authentic dishes like Hyderabadi murgh biryani, kheema baida parathas and galouti kebabs as non options. Vegetarians can have chana kulcha, dal makhni, paneer bhurji paratha and subz Biryani, accompanied by salan and raitha. Cubbon Pavillion, Lobby

Level, ITC Gardenia, Residency Road, February 22 and 23 22119898  Eat out of a box: Get a feel of the Japanese style of eating as you eat from a bento box. The box includes starters, sushi, grill, nemono, tempura, main course of rice or noodles and dessert. You can choose from a chicken, seafood or a vegetarian bento box. Edo- Japenese Bar and Restaurant, ITC Gardenic, Residency Road, Till February 28 22119898  Love berries? If you love berries: mulberry, gooseberry, raspberry and strawberry, head to Natural Ice Cream to taste their creations with these. Double your happiness as you avail some discounts on their ice creams. Available at all Natural Ice Cream outlets

 Seafood surprise: Taste some of the delicacies from the coast. Choose from dishes like podi chapa (boneless kingfish cubes), squid rings tossed in onion and special Mangalorean masala, pepper flavoured deep fried prawns and white pomfret curry. Dakshin, ITC Windsor, Golf

 Reggae Beats: This weekend groove to some reggae beats as yestyear’s star Apache Indian is all set to perform live. Apache Indian, also known as DJ Steven Kapur, has performed in over 25 countries and some of his hits include Movie Over India, Chok There, Don Raja and Boom Shakalaka. He will be performing songs from his latest album, It Is What It Is which includes a re-recording of some of his biggest hits. He will be performing with Low Rhyderz dOP and Mike Shannon. dOP will churn out some house music whereas Mike Shannon will play some shifting house and techno tunes for you. Tickets are priced at Rs 500. Counter Culture, 2D2, 4th Cross Dyavasandra Industrial Area, Whitefield, February 23, 8.30 pm  41400794

retail therapy

music Kirtana Kumar vocals, Mario on bass, Sanjeet on drums, Shakthi on flute, Srinivas on the sitar and Sunny on percussions. Bak Bak Bar, No. 1, Kira Layout, Koramangala, February 22, 8.30 pm 8792000392  Quartret magic: Watch Konarak Reddy on guitar and vocals along with Kirtana Kumar on vocals, Muthu Kumar on percussion and Mishko M'ba on bass perform this weekend. They will perform some of their original and popular numbers. bFlat, 100 ft Road, Above ING Bank, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, February 22, 8.30 pm 41739250

 Fireworks on stage: Known for their versions of the Beatles, Police, Michael Jackson and more, Mad Orange Fireworks is all set to rock your weekend. Their music is on the lines of jazz, funk, rock and pop. Watch Michael Dias on vocals and guitars, Kaushik Kumar on bass and vocals, Shravan Bendapudi on drums, percussion and vocals and Ramanan Chandramouli on guitars. Counter Culture, 2D2, 4th Cross Dyavasandra Industrial Area, Whitefield, February 22, 8.30 pm 41400794  Fusion night: Performing this weekend is Aghor, a band whose music is a mix of jazz, blues, Hindustani classical and flamenco. Watch Nikhmal on guitar, Jataveda on

 Spiritual evening: American singer-songwriter and worship leader Don Moen will be performing in town. Moen has received the Dove award for his musical, God With Us and has performed with artists like Justo Almario, Abraham Laboriel, Alex Acuna, and Carl Albrecht. St Joseph's College, Langford Road, Shantinagar, February 24, 5.30 pm 22211429  Music to warm your soul: Be a part of this carnatic performance by Soumya Subbuganga on vocals, Jyotsna Manjunath on violin, TN Ramesh on mrudangam and Bharadwaj on morching. The concert will have varnam, kriti, thillana, bhajans and Devarnamas. Counter Culture, 2D2, 4th Cross Dyavasandra Industrial Area, Whitefield, February 24, 7 pm 41400794

 Magical eyes: Give your eyes that smokey and magical look with Tips &Toes baked eye shadows. Available in two sets, the Fashion Diva has bright colours which can be applied during the day whereas smokey eyes has slightly darker shades to give you that dreamy look. Available at all Tips & Toes outlets  Love massages? You need not go to a massage parlour anymore as Osim brings to you uRelax, cushions that fit your chair and give you a massage instantly. Available in three modes, Shiatsu, Swing and Rolling the massage cushions relieves you of pain and stress.

Available at Osim outlets in Langford Town and Home Stop, Opposite Garuda Mall  Beat the heat: This summer season, look like a diva in the 109°F latest collection, Arab Esque. The collection is inspired by Arabic artwork and has ancient Arabic designs, prints, and geometric shapes with Islamic tiling. Available at all 109°F outlets  For true fans: Iron Maiden fans can now flaunt their passion through their shoes. Vans introduces their latest Iron Maiden collection that has Eddie cover art from their album, The Number of the Beast. The art-

work is on both the panels of the shoe and has customised tongue labelling. Vans store, Forum Mall, Kormangala and Phoenix Market City, Whitefield  For bag lovers: Ladies are in for a treat as they can shop for a new range of SpringSummer bags. The bags include texture blocking, patch work and reptile print and are available in colours of white, off white, coniac, black, deep blue and turquoise blue. Da Milano, 1 MG Road Mall, MG Road  Comfortable yet stylish: Beat the rains with Wrangelr’s stylish water-repellent jeans. The jeans are not water proof but unlike other jeans that are uncomfortable when wet, these ones stay. They repel stains and on ironing the water repellency improves. Priced at Rs 2,995. Available at all Wrangler stores

L I S T I NGS

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

chef’s table

theatre An Arabian Night  An Arabian Night: This comedy is based on the legendary collection of folk tales, One Thousand and One Nights. It will showcase familiar and much-loved stories like Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and Aladdin. The play has elements of suspense, romance and comedy. Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, 16th Cross, G.D. Park Extension, 2nd Main Road, Malleswaram, February 24, 12 pm and 4 pm

 Teri Amrita: The play is a love story between two people who have been exchanging letters for 35 years. Set in the backdrop of partition, Zulfikar Haider and Amrita Nigam meet during childhood and, over a period of time, form a bond. Though they choose different paths in life their love is alive through the letters. Amrita writes to Zulfikar about her deepest emotions to which he replies with a lot of love.

Directed by Om Puri, the play also stars Om Puri and Divya Dutta. MLR Convention Centre, Dyvasandra Industrial Layout Mahadevapura , Whitefield, February 23, 7.30 pm 33151263  Gandhi Matthu Godse: Based on real events, the play is about Mahatma Gandhi, his life, his values and his struggle. It's not clear as to why he was shot but this play aims to unfold

the truth of our freedom movement. The play also throws light on the life of Nathuram Godse, who himself was a patriot and a freedom fighter. Tickets are priced at Rs 80. KH Kala Soudha, Ramanjaneya Temple Compound , Banashankari, Hanumanthanagar, Februay 23, 7 pm 26539239

 Siddhartha: Based on Hermann Hesse's novel by the same name, the play is about the spiritual journey of a man named Siddhartha, who is shown to be living during the time of the Buddha. It has the theme of man’s quest for enlightenment. Directed by Yogesh Master, tickets are priced at Rs 200. KH Kala Soudha, Ramanjaneya Temple Compound , Banashankari, Hanumanthanagar, Februay 24, 7 pm 26539239

 Sahebara Saarkeetu: Based on MR Srinivasa Murthy’s book, Rangannana Kanasina Dinagalu, the play is about Ranganna, a schoolteacher who is promoted to the post of inspector. After visiting a number of schools, he realises that the inspector's job is not easy. His mission is to educate the teachers and to improve the working of schools earns him the love of teachers and the wrath of local politicians. Ranga Shankara, 36/2 8th Cross II Phase, JP Nagar, February 27 and 28, 7.30 pm 2649 3982  Yayati: One of Girish Karnad's first plays, Yayati is based on an episode of the Mahabharatha where Yayati is given the curse of premature old age by his father-in-law, Shukracharya, who is incensed by Yayati’s infidelity. Ranga Shankara, #36/2, 8th Cross, 2nd Phase, JP Nagar, February 22, 7.30 pm 26592777

To get your event listed, write to us at listings@talkmag.in

 Culinary treat: Treat your taste buds to the finest dishes across eight restaurants spanning over a week starting March 4. Chef’s Table will allow customers to dine at some of the finest restaurants in the city and have chef's special dishes. This six-course tasting menu is priced at Rs 2000. Registration will begin February 26. You can log onto www.chefstableweek.com to register. The restaurants participating are: Caperberry, Dickenson Road Blue Ginger, Taj West End Masala Klub, Taj West End Karavalli, The Gateway Hotel, Likethatonly, Whitefield Olive Beach, Ashok Nagar Rim Naam, The Oberoi Royal Afghan, ITC Windsor

film Silver Linings Playbook pm Gopalan Cinemas, Bannerghatta road- 12.35 pm, 10 Gopalan Mall, Sirsi Circle- 12 pm Cinepolis, Bannerghatta Road- 10.10 am, 10 pm Rockline Cinemas, Jalahalli Cross12.45 pm, 9.45 INOX, Mantri Mall, Malleswaram12.55 pm, 9.20 INOX, Swagath Garuda Mall, Jayanagar- 9.05 pm PVR, Kormangala- 10 am, 3.30 pm, 9. 10 PVR, Orion Mall10 am, 3.35 pm, 9.10

 Kai Po Che Hindi Based on Chetan Bhagat’s bestselling novel, The 3 Mistakes of My Life the film is about friendship and the time spent with your friends. Directed by writer-director Abhishek Kapoor of Rock On fame, it stars Sushant Singh Rajput, Amit Sadh and Raj Kumar Yadav in the lead. Gopalan Grand Mall, Old Madras Road- 10 am, 2.20 pm, 7.30, 10 Fame Shankarnag, MG Road- 10 am, 2.40 pm, 7.20 Innovative Multiplex, Marathahalli- 2.30 pm, 7.30, 10 Fame Lido, off MG Road- 1.25 pm, 10 Vision Cinemas- 10 am, 2.50 pm,

7.45, 9.55 Gopalan Cinemas, Bannerghatta Road- 10am, 3.15 pm, 7.40, 10 Gopalan Mall, Mysore road- 10 am, 5 pm, 10 Cinepolis, Bannerghatta Road- 10.30 am, 1.15 pm, 4, 6.45, 9.30 Rockline Cinemas, Jalahalli Cross10.30 am, 3.20 pm INOX, Mantri Mall, Malleswaram10.05 am, 12 pm, 2.45, 4, 7.25, 9.30 INOX, Swagath Garuda, Jayanagar- 10.05 am, 2.45 pm, 7.25, 9.35 PVR Koramanagala- 10.40 am, 1.20 pm, 4, 9.20  Zila Ghaziabad Hindi The film is based on the gang war between two powerful rival groups of

Gurjars in Ghaziabad. One group is led by Satbir Gujral and the other group is led by Mahender Fauji Bainsla . The events had taken place in the 1990s. Mahendra Fauji Bainsla was an ex-Indian Army official and had participated in the Indo-Pak 1965 and 1971 war. Directed by Anand Kumar it stars Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Vivek Oberoi and Minissha Lamba in the lead. Innovative Multiplex, Marathahalli- 11.45 am, 5 pm Fame Lido, off MG Road- 12.35 pm, 6.15 Gopalan Grand Mall, Old Madras Road- 10.15 am, 4

 Silver Linings Playbook English Based on the bestselling novel by Mathew Quick, the film is about Pat Solatano who has lost everything—his house, his job, and his wife. He is now back to living with his parentsand father after spending eight months in a state institution on a plea bargain. Pat is determined to bring his life back on track. During this he meets a girl Tiffany who has her own set of problems and things get complicated. Directed by David O Russel it stars Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Chris Tucker, Jennifer Lawrence, Jacki Weaver and Anupam Kher in the lead. Cinepolis, Bannerghatta Road- 10.50 am, 4,30 pm, 10 INOX, Garuda Mall, Magrath Road- 10.25 am, 4

pm, 9.35 INOX, Mantri Mall, Malleswaram- 10.05 am, 3.45 pm, 9.40  A Good Day to Die Hard English John McClaine is back and this time on foreign land to help his son Jack. But what he doesn't know is that Jack is really a highly trained CIA operative out to stop a nuclear weapons heist. Directed by John Moore, it stars Bruce Willis, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jai Courtney, Patrick Stewart and Megalyn Echikunwoke in the lead. Gopalan Grand Mall, Old Madras Road- 10.05 am, 12.25 pm, 4.50, 10 Fame Shankarnag, MG Road12.35 pm, 5.15, 10 Innovative Multiplex, Marathahalli- 11.15 am, 1.15 pm, 5.30, 10 Fame Lido, off MG Road- 10.05 am, 12.25 pm, 2.45, 5.20, 7.25, 10 REX theater11.30 am, 3.45 pm, 8.10 CineMAX, Bellandur- 2.45 pm, 4.45, 9.45 INOX, Garuda Mall, Magrath Road10.05 am, 12.40 pm, 2.45, 5.20,

7.25, 10 INOX, Mantri Mall, Malleswaram- 10 am, 12.40 pm, 2.30, 5.20, 7.25, 10 INOX, JP Nagar- 10 am, 12.45 pm, 2.55, 5.20, 7.30, 10 INOX, Swagath Garuda Mall- 10.15 am, 12.40 pm, 5.20, 10 PVR, Orion Mall- 10.30 am, 3.35 pm, 5.40, 7.45, 9.50  Myna Kannada Written and directed by Nagashekar, the film stars Chetan Kumar and Nithya Menon in the lead roles. The music has been composed by Jassie Gift. The film is based on a true story. Saagar- 10.30am, 1.30pm , 4.30, 7.30 , Veeresh10.30am, 1.30pm , 4.30, 7.30, Navarang- 10.30am, 1.30pm , 4.30, 7.30, Uma10.30am, 1.30pm , 4.30,

7.30Gopalan Cinemas, Bannerghatta Road- 10 am, 5.35 pm Cinepolis Bannerghatta Road- 10 am, 5.35 pm Gopalan Mall, Mysore Road- 12.20 pm, 7.20 Gopalan Cinemas, RR Nagar- 10 am, 12.20 pm, 6.45, 9.30 Mukunda Theatre- 11 am, 2 pm Gopalan Grand Mall, Old Madras Road- 10.30 am, 4.15 pm Rockline Cinemas, Jalahalli Cross- 10.30 am, 1.05 pm, 3.45, 6.20 INOX, Garuda Swagath Mall, Jayanagar- 12.20 pm, 6.20 INOX, JP Nagar- 10.05 am, 3.20 pm INOX, Garuda Mall, Magrath Road- 12.50 pm INOX, Mantri Mall, Malleswaram- 10.35 am, 1.30 pm, 4.05 PVR, Koramangala- 10.15 am, 1.10 pm, 6.35 PVR, Orion Mall- 10.15 am, 1.10 pm, 6.35

Mynaa

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

DEMONSTRATED BY PRIYA CRASTA. PHOTOS BY RAMESH HUNSUR. TRANSCRIBED BY RADHIKA P

What the universe tells us raining in budo means living by nature. For this, possess the warrior spirit and practise the warrior’s way. To be natural is to give up the need to measure. Don’t measure time. Sure, punctuality is all important. Keep your appointments-for you never know what important learning in life you will miss if you’re late. Time your responses for utmost effectiveness. But also let life flow. Do not live with mundane prescriptions of breakfast, lunch and dinner hours. Remember the tiger eats only when hungry, not three times a day. Don’t measure strength or weakness. An animal never compares its strength with its enemybig or small. They just fight with freedom. Hence a tiger weighing less than half a bison can generate amazing power. My teacher once narrated how a mother veered her car away from running over her child. He said this was possible only because the mother did not measure her skills, and delivered with complete freedom

Way of Budo 22 Constant planning and measuring keeps us from understanding the truly important lessons of life, says Sensei Avinash Subramanyam

her intent of saving her child. In my own life I have not measured pain. Once, during a demonstration, when I came into contact with a high tension electric wire, I felt a ripping sensation in my body, but I could forget the pain and drive to the hospital. I partied a day after the operation though I was advised complete bed-rest. About 25 years ago, when I accidentally poured boiling water on my chest and the doctor had to brush off the blisters, I was happily chatting with my friends. You need to train to detach injury and pain from the rest of your self. Recollect the times when you could withstand great pain for something you loved? Take the trivial example of women threading and waxing. They are able to tolerate pain because they accept it. Extend that tolerance to all spheres of life. Avoid charting destinations. In budo, a black belt cannot be a destination. You are not a warrior for one month or one year; budo training constitutes your entire life. It doesn’t matter where you start: how good or bad or strong

or weak you are. It’s about evolving from wherever you begin. Evolve in thought and action. Become simple. This does not mean deprive yourself. It’s okay if you eat at the Taj West End, but it shouldn’t matter if you eat from the street cart either. You should feel exactly the same. What is important is the process of hunger, availability, satisfaction. Budo has transformed me. I used to loathe lizards when I was young. Today I find them cute and don’t mind holding them in my hand. The other day, while waiting for a friend for over an hour, I sat at the curb and noticed a line of ants. Over the hour I saw them marching by, nudging each other-a whole life was being played out there. By the time my friend arrived I had developed an empathy with the ants and was reluctant to leave them. I realised how watching ants could bring love and joy in life. Today I can relate to a paper cup from which I drink coffee. I wonder what has gone into making the cup-the trees that were chopped to make paper, and the labour that has

gone into making the cup. Mind you, this is not ideology or a fad. Budo is about an inner realisation and feeling. Training in budo has changed every part of my life. When a person approaches me with a problem, I don’t analyse or offer pre-set answers. It’s as though I draw from the universe to uniquely respond to each person’s problem. So my answers vastly vary from person to person. So too, when I perform a martial arts demonstration, I never prepare in advance. My demo is fashioned on the spot in response to the audience’s energies. When I prepare cocktails for my friends it is never from a book. It is a feeling about what the person’s body will like. And in every instance cited above, my words and actions have worked 100 per cent. I am not lauding myself. I attribute the 100 per cent to the universal energy that has all the answers, the energy that we are all tied to but have lost touch with. It is also because of the grace of God or Spirit that runs through the universe.

STRETCHING EXERCISE 1

Starting Posture - stand relaxed and erect with feet together. Step out with the left leg with feet shoulder width apart and parallel to each Pic 2 & 3: Without touching, slowly join hands in front and move them upward in other. Find your centre of gravity a circular motion. Place arms in a circle. Relax shoulder, hip, leg and neck. Relax and maintain balance. the mind.

Bend knees and stay in posture for 2-3 mins. Drop hands down and return to normal Breathe evenly. Meditate. posture. Meditate for internal strengthening. Perform whenever required.

Death of a journalist Congress leader LR Shivarame Gowda is the prime suspect in the murder of a lawyer and fearless reporter. Taking up his defence angers the legal fraternity

When he was murdered, my junior he murder case I fought for DCP Somashekar, accused of Prof B Basavaraju urged me to take up the arrogance and high-handed- case to defend the main accused, LR ness, was extensively covered Shivarame Gowda, a Congress leader. I in the media. Before that, I had came to know that Basavaraju and represented the Gulbarga district police Shivarame Gowda were close friends. The case had social and political chief Srivastava in the Kamalakar lock-up death case, and got him released on bail. dimensions. Lawyers’ associations, acadeThe newspapers had carried reports about mics, and politicians like HD Deve Gowda had condemned the murder. I was hesitatthat case, too. Along with the Somashekar case (see ing to take up the case, but Basavaraju Talk Issue 8), I had handled the curious said, “You must fight the case for my sake. Please don’t refuse.” I Paduvara-halli twin murgave in. der case in a Mysore court. Farmers had laid Gangadharamurthy I had provided much fodhad been socially active. der for the newspapers for siege to the DC’s Apart from practicing two years. Many of my coloffice and locked law in the courts of leagues would say: up the officials Nagamangala and “Hanumantharaya, you Mandya, he used to take are getting a lot of publicipart in protests against injustice, expose ty.” They were probably jealous. But I scams through his articles. He had earned the enmity of Shivarame Gowda and his shrugged it off. Close on the heels of these cases, in maternal uncle Shivanna. On September 23, 1992, 1992, another controversial case landed on my table. It was the Kanchanahalli Gangadharamuthy left home on his Gangadharamurthy murder case. motorbike at 8.45 am. He was hurrying as Gangadharamurthy was a lawyer who he had received an emergency call. His used to write for the Kannada weekly wife Nagamma, who saw him off at the door, became anxious when she saw some Lankesh Pathrike.

crime folio

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

Fabled ranconteur and Bangalore’s top-notch criminal lawyer brings you moving, sensational and bizarre stories from 40 years of his practice

CH HANUMANTHARAYA

of his adversaries, including one Lokesh, following him on their scooters. After a while, a man called Govindachari came running to her to say, “Your husband has been killed…” On hearing this, Nagamma fainted. Her elder brother Rudrachari lodged a complaint at the Bellur police station. The circle inspector in Nagamangala then was C Basavaraju, and the superintendent of police for Mandya district was one Mahapatra. Basavaraju took me to the five-star Taj Hotel on MG Road in Bangalore. Shivarame Gowda was hiding there. He admitted he had not been on good terms with Gangadharamurthy, but told me he had nothing to do with his murder. After

VIVEK ARUN

memoir

memoir collecting the details, I returned. The news of my advocacy for Shivarame Gowda spread swiftly. The Bangalore Lawyers’ Association resolved that no lawyer should argue for Shivarame Gowda. Similar resolutions were passed in Nagamangala and Mandya. I was in a fix. I had to fight for Shivarame Gowda only after quitting the Bangalore Lawyers’ Association. I petitioned the High Court questioning the constitutional validity of the resolution. B Viswanatha Shetty, who subsequently became a High Court judge, was my lawyer. The High Court stayed the resolution. Armed with the stay order, I was ready to go to the Mandya to argue Shivarame Gowda’s case. While I was shaving in the morning, just before leaving for Mandya, the famous owner-editor of Lankesh Patrike, P Lankesh, called me. He did not mention the case directly, but said: “Hanumantharaya, truth is complex. Humanity is above the Constitution, law, and the courts. The human being is central. So men change the Constitution and the law. I came to know that you are appearing for Shivarame Gowda. The decision is yours. But think before taking a call. Please come to my office when you are

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

Gowda, a senior politician from Mandya, free.” And he disconnected the phone. I thought about the difference stood by us. He had made a name as an between Lankesh’s approach and the reso- honest politician, and his support gave me lution passed by the lawyers, whose profes- great strength. Achar Krishnamurthy, who claimed to sion it is to uphold the law. While Lankesh said it was my right to take a decision, the be the president of the Mandya Lawyers’ lawyers association had appropriated that Association, told us, “Answer our questions right to itself. I was impressed by Lankesh, before entering the court premises. who preferred to uphold individual free- Otherwise, we won’t allow you in.” I dom. The shaving cream on my chin had agreed. We walked towards the office of the dried up. I lathered my face again and finlawyers’ association which was adjacent to ished shaving. the court and the office There was a condoof the district’s deputy lence meeting for The lawyers commissioner (DC). Gangadharamurthy. I learnt When we were Lankesh, whom I called tore a sleeve off crossing the DC’s office, I ‘mesthru’ (teacher), besides Basavaraju’s saw something strange. politicians G Made Gowda, black coat Thousands of farmers Deve Gowda, Atmananda, had laid siege to the office and HT Krishnappa paid tribute to the journalist. In addition to to press the government to meet their becoming emotional at the meeting, demands. The farmers had locked up the Devegowda had held a picture of officials inside and tied huge bulls to the Ganagdharamurthy on his head during the windows. The bulls were menacing with procession. It is a different matter that the their sharp horns and loud snorting. A lawyer called Keshavamurthy was same Devegowda, when he became the chief minister later, had Shivarame Gowda delivering a speech through a loud speaker. He was saying, “Lawyers have come from as one of his cohorts. When Basavaraju and I went to the Bangalore to fight for murderer Shivarame Mandya court together, a group of lawyers Gowda. Gangadharamurthy was a friend of stopped and cordoned us off. KC Shankare farmers, and we must not allow anybody to

protect his killers. We must send back these two lawyers to Bangalore…” The farmers, relaxing in the shade of the trees, erupted and started advancing towards us. I was really terrified. I looked at Shankare Gowda, and he put his hand on my shoulder. The police came rushing to protect us. The farmers wanted to attack us. Lawyer Srinivas, who was also an office bearer of the Raitha Sangha (farmers’ association), pacified them by saying, “We are taking them to question them. Please maintain calm.” The lawyers rained questions on us with raised voices. They said we must answer their queries keeping in mind that Gangadharamurthy was also a lawyer. I said, “This is a sensitive issue. I am also sad at the murder of Gangadharamurthy, but how fair is it to decide who the culprit is without hearing the case? The decision must only be taken in court…” Enraged by my words, the lawyers tried to attack us. The policemen shielded me and took me to a safe place. But Basavaraju was assaulted. The lawyers tore a sleeve off his black coat. The police then saved him too. (To be continued) Translated by BV Shivashankar

T I M E P A SS

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

talk the intelligent bangaloreanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s must-read weekly

How do advertisers talk to Bangaloreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most intelligent readers? They call these numbers Abhay 95388 92618 Mithun 98864 69787

T I M E P A SS 1st Cross

2 3 5 6

DOWN India will face this country in the Davis Cup at the KSLTA (9) ____ touts are on the rise in the city on account of bureaucratic delays (8) Theatre in Gandhi Nagar (7) Area in the news when strangers assaulted and sexually molested a young woman in early Feb (10)

Last week’s solution Across: 5 Kemphole, 7 Ambulance, 8 Krishna Raja Sagara, 9 Russel, 13 Tillari, 14 Malpe, 15 Majali, 17 Gopalan, 18 Nine, 19 Doctors.

4 8

Across The condition of a labour ward in this city hospital has literally caused a stink (7) Karnataka was the theme of this International Crafts Mela (9) Shillong-based blues band who played in the city on Valentine's Day (8)

Talk’s weekly crossword for Bangaloreans who know their way about town from a forest fire recently (5) 15 Northernmost district of Karnataka (5) 16 ___ City: Bangalore of course (6) 17 Governor Bhardwaj's first name (7)

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

Dynasty which ruled the area around Bangalore in the 11th century (5) 10 Our IPL team in short (3) 11 The state High Court has stayed the acquisition of land for setting up a cricket academy in this area (10) 14 Range in Bandipur which suffered

Down: 1 Catfish, 2 Vipul Bansal, 3 Mazurier, 4 Fali Nariman, 6 Mahadevapura, 10 S A Ramdas, 11 Kurla, 12 Kodagu, 15 Magod, 16 Pets.

Mohammad _____ : Vice-President of India who was in the city recently (6) 9 One of the oldest Chinese restaurants in the city (8) 12 Polls which are scheduled for Match 7th (3) 13 A lack of support staff is making application for this government document a mess (6) 18 The BBMP recovered Rs ___ crores in surprise property tax inspections recently (3)

Prof Good Sense  I am 24 years old, and have just moved into Bangalore on a new assignment. I find it extremely difficult to make friends. Any advice for me? Sindhu, JP Nagar Genuine and cordial relationships with people around you is a psychological necessity. I suggest you invite your colleagues over to your house for tea. That way, you can break the ice in an informal atmosphere. You could also find out who is more approachable, and chat with them. Find ways of bonding: ‘Would you know of good bookstores in Bangalore?’ ‘I’d like to catch this concert on Saturday. Want to come along?’ ‘I know of a good restaurant around the corner. Does Chinese food interest you?’ If you come across as friendly, you will soon have friends. But give it time. Don’t rush. Have patience. Best of luck. Prof M Sreedhara Murthy teaches psychology at NMKRV First Grade College. He is also a well-known photographer. Mail queries to prof@talkmag.in

talk|28 feb 2013|talkmag.in

The ‘I kiya’ effect Now that government’s cleared the way for Ikea to enter India, we thought we’d let you in on the Swedish furniture giant’s secret. Ikea is famous for their do-it-yourself furniture units that can be assembled at home. Now, a bunch of researchers at the US’ Tulane University have found that what might seem like a bad marketing idea (asking customers to spend extra effort in assembling the product) is exactly what makes Ikea products such a hit. And that’s because it allows people to feel proud about assembling the unit themselves—however badly—which then makes

Pre-historic porn It seems our prehistoric ancestors used to love the dirty stuff as much as we do. Even more predictably, they seem to have better taste in it as well. We’re talking about the Kangjiashimenji Petroglyphs, bas-relief carvings cut into redbasalt rock in the remote Xinjiang region of northwest China. Archaeologists (who knew their jobs got this exciting?) say that the carvings are the earliest—and some of the most graphic— depictions of sex

discovered so far. They depict a cast of nearly 100 figures in various intimate positions, many of them wearing masks. That makes it sound very much like the goings on at the Playboy Mansion, but let us not forget to mention the visual clues that suggest the action was part of a fertility ritual, or some such excuse for the ancients to have a go at it. Oh yes, they used to have a lot of fun back in the Bronze Age, but more importantly, they wanted you to know about it, too.

them prefer it to anything bought off the shelf. It seems grown-ups behave no differently from a child who feels more proud about a paper boat he’s made than a toy boat purchased from a store. In other words, we believe that the things we work hard at are the things we love doing, but it could very well be the other way round. They have dubbed this phenomenon ‘the Ikea effect,’ because the company was one of the first to exploit it on a large scale, helping to make its founder Ingvar Kamprad become one of the world’s richest men.

Shake it Harlem style Gangnam Style had it coming. The Korean smash hit is now facing stiff competition as the cyber hordes switch to the new 'viral' phenomenon—‘Harlem Shake.' It started with a video that showed a bunch of Aussie teenagers in a cramped bachelors' pad, suddenly breaking out into a crazy dance to the beats from Harlem Shake, a track by electronic musician Baauer. It became such a big hit on YouTube

(more than 12,000 video versions, and watched up to 44 million times!) that it has triggered an epidemic of dance videos, many of them featuring flash mobs in funny costumes, doing the Harlem Shake in public spaces. Popular versions include an underwater version by the US' University of Georgia's men's swim and dive team, and even one that shows Norwegian army men going crazy on the snow.