CHENNAI’S LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
June ’10
Volume 2 | Issue 2
“Fashion to me is oxygen” - Rehane To hang or not to hang The Debate on death penalty
Ghost Rider Chris’s tryst with Chennai
Something sizzling Dining at Holy Smoke
Living in
Lumbini Square June 2010 TAXI 1
lis
ce en s er ice nf r v Co Se
ub dp an ce ren nfe co or
f ) er ce rtn pa an t le en en iab int em ts rel Ma nag okle s ur d Yo Ma t Bo ding s an ign iew trac ocee ding es ev e r , D nd R /Abs SB P roce ng sti ng a ram D/U nt P (Ho dli Prog /DV Pri ite an OM bs rs H -R CD We pe ce / Pa ren cts nfe ra Co Abst
ns
tio
olu
gs hi n
& s s s e ce r p vi e r P Ser g n i h
ing t i g d ye ttin g p Co ese sin p s Ty oce esign Pr r D phy e ag Cove ogra sion m m t &I ho nver sion .co 7 P g g o ver ion in in 44 C r h e 4 s d n Con vers ns bli 308 nd a u e R ng ook Con lutio ine illp -4 i k u r d o nq -44 Co E-B e & g So gaz w o t L r 1 M k to ptur hin Ma Ar @i t: +9 X s / oo Ca blis s & ie a r L i B ta Pu al s M qu ll u T n H e ca Da dia ourn / : e ,J L to or M M s G ic oks S n il u a o tr r Bo em c e El nt fo / b We geme na a tM c je o r P
E
u P -
is l b
Volume 2 | Issue 2 | June ‘10 LENIN PAUL FOUNDER
VIJETHA RANGABASHYAM EDITOR IN CHIEF
USHA JESUDASAN CONSULTANT EDITOR
KARTHIK.R CREATIVE AND DESIGN HEAD
NANDITA THOMAS MARKETING
REBECCA FERNANDEZ PUBLIC RELATIONS
JERALD W. ADMIN
ASHOK RAJ C.U PHOTOGRAPHY
KATEEJA, RISHIKA SUTWALA, RENIE RAVIN COLUMNISTS
SRIKALS GRAPHICS PVT LIMITED, CHENNAI PHONE: 044 2225 3092-94 PRINTING
EMAIL: marketing@thetaximag.com URL: www.thetaximag.com PHONE: 044 4308 4448 FOR ADVERTISING
IRON QUILL PUBLISHING SERVICES PRODUCTION 2
TAXI June 2010
Letter Editor-in-Chief’s
Every June, we breathe a sigh of relief - the hottest days of summer are over, dark rain clouds gather over us, schools and colleges are bustling with activity again, and the long promised summer blockbusters finally hit the screen. After the long lazy days of summer, it is good to be active again. It is also a month for partying at stunning fashion events, as stores bring out lovely new clothes and products. Our cover girl this month is the charming and chirpy Carla Dennis. A South African by nationality, Carla has already fallen in love with India and its culture. She says that this is the place of endless opportunities. If you are around the Mount Road signal, you will see a little boy religiously selling ear buds every single day under the sweltering heat. He should really be holding a pencil in his hands, learning new things and be at school like all other children his age. Poverty forces him to hold not a pencil, but a stack of ear buds to earn his bread and butter. Most of us are educated and can read and write. Education has given us a profession or a job that comes with a high status, good salary, opportunities to travel and experience new cultures and new ways. What about little boys and girls like these? What does the future hold for them? Taxi gives you an insight into how you can make a difference. On 6th May, 2010, the trial courts in Mumbai declared that Ajmal Kasab be sentenced to death for his role in the Mumbai terror siege of 26/11. Capital punishment is a bone of contention all over the world and there are activists for and against it. Some argue passionately for the death sentence as the only way to punish and deter criminals; others are against it on humanitarian and moral grounds. This month, Taxi gives you some perspectives on it. Chennai is well known for its mouth watering food. Month after month, we find new restaurants springing up everywhere. We visited one such place, Holy Smoke, at Ispahani Centre and bring you our review. We met Rehane, one of India’s leading designers, and had a chat with her about her work, role models, God, politics and just about everything. Chennai was spell bound with professional biker, Chris Pfieffer, who pushed his biking skills to the highest limits to entertain us. Taxi had an interesting chat with him too. A huge thank you to all of you who appreciated our anniversary issue. It is so good to hear your views. We hope that you will like this issue with its assortment of ideas. Keep writing to us.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CAN BE SENT TO vijetha@thetaximag.com Vijetha Rangabashyam Editor in Chief
THE BEST FEEDBACK/OPINION WILL BE FEATURED IN OUR FORTHCOMING ISSUE. June 2010 TAXI
3
6 4 TAXI June 2010
10
14
36
Contents My fair lady
6
Holy moly
16
An eye for an eye
18
Living in Lumbini Square
25
Pursuit of palpability
32
A spectacular act
36
A helping hand
38
JUNK IN THE TRUNK Gadgets this season
46
VARIETY Crossword, Sudoku
52
COVER: Photography: Sunder Ramu Hair & Make-up: Samantha, Page 3 Model: Carla Dennis Stylist: Vira Shah
June 2010 TAXI
5
W
hen I met her, I had a short recap of “Devil wears Prada” playing in my mind; just for her stinging confidence, buoyancy, resounding voice and her pristine demeanor. Rehane Yavar Dhala made her debut in the fashion industry back in 1996. There was no looking back for her since then. She stands as one of India’s top designers and her creations are known for its flamboyance. I caught up with the queen of design at her flagship store in Nungambakkam.
Where does your penchant for fashion find its origin? I’ve always loved fashion and beauty. I’ve been an enthusiast of aesthetics in general. To my recollection, I’d say at the age of thirteen. How would you describe your design aesthetic? I believe in creativity. I am not a minimalist. A lot of designers fashion a minimal look or a sexypretty look. I am not one of them and there is a lot of creative fire in whatever I design. I think creativity, modernity and how relevant it is in today’s context would best describe my design aesthetic.
My Fair
LADY - Vijetha Rangabashyam
I don’t design clothes for women to make them more alluring to the opposite sex. It’s irrelevant to me. I want to make her look good and the pieces she buys from me should be timeless. She can pick one of my creations and wear it even after ten years and if she can’t then she can frame it and put it on the wall.
What are the overriding colours in your collection?
What is your favourite era in fashion?
Designers you admire.
It has to be the Mughal era. But as far as the world fashion goes, I think 70’s was a lot of fun. The whole rock and roll, sex and drug lifestyle is so fascinating in terms of fashion.
Who is your exemplary Rehane woman?
A look you would advocate for the working women.
Anyone with a point of view, an attitude and anyone who is disgustingly confident.
Hair slicked back, a pair of high heels in their bags, which has to be big. I’d rather they wear either a bright red lipstick or thick black kajal. Both would be a little too much. In terms of dressing, in my opinion, salwar kurtas are not formal at all. A nice shirt with a pair of trousers will do the trick.
Would it be acceptable if I said that your design imagery rejoices comfort and highbrow elegance in place of sexiness and glamour? To an extent, yes. My collection is intellectual yet feminine. 6 TAXI June 2010
It’s always red. It’s weird. I don’t know if it’s my favourite colour but somewhere or the other in every collection of mine you’ll find a red. There is a signature colour called the ‘Rehane Red’ and you will probably see that colour throughout my collection. Jean Paul Gaultier is absolutely my idol. I love his work. His humility and honesty when it comes to designing supersedes anything. His sense of humour and his global attitude in fashion is exceptional. I think highly of Kawakubo’s creations and Galliano is great too. But I still think Gaultier rules! Designers in your closet. Apart from Rehane? Let me think. There is a lot of native stuff that I pick up. For instance, I picked up this stole from Mongolia. I don’t really buy Indian designers. This shirt I’m wearing is from a brand called All Saints. It’s a fabulous brand, but when it comes to dressy stuff it’s always Rehane.
Photography - Ashok Raj C.U
“I want the world to become one. I don’t want boundaries anymore between people and sexes. I design for individuals who bear the same ideology”
June 2010 TAXI 7
International Sensibility?
vs
Indian
International. Any day. The “Indian Sensibility” at the end of the day is international now. Some of them so blatantly ape the designers abroad, it’s such a shame. Your dream holiday destination. Mongolia. I love the horses. I like to see them run across the beautiful landscape of Mongolia. I think that is where civilization actually began. People say that human civilization finds its roots in South Africa but I don’t believe that. We’ve been told that my family comes from the line of Genghis Khan; that’s probably why I love Mongolia so much. Living or dead, the people who you want to invite for a dinner party and why? I think they should all be dead people, because I think they were more interesting. The living ones are too politically correct. They all have a social agenda and at some point in time they all become stiflingly boring, unless they are very close to you or supremely confident like me. Now coming to the list, I would like to invite all the prophets, Mahatma Gandhi, Marie Antoinette (I absolutely adore her) and Christian Dior. Think about it, Mahatma Gandhi would be so much fun to hang out with. He’d be so humorous and uncomplicated. A word or two about your family. My family is my ultimate universe. My support system. It is what keeps me very grounded and gives me my discipline. It is my lifeline. But you are my family too, you know. The world is my family. When you are not working, you are… Fashion to you is. Fashion to me is oxygen. It defines who I am. I’d just be someone without substance without fashion.
8 TAXI June 2010
When I’m not working I’m praying. I follow the Islamic faith. I won’t say I am religious but I am very communicative with “my” God. I think god is very personal to every one. I also write poetry.
As colourful as my clothes are, my poetry is very dark. I have three kids to take care of. I don’t have much time in my hands. What are you reading now? The Tao of Power by R.L Wing. I read this book everyday. It’s phenomenal. I take something from the book every time and incorporate it in my life. It has made a huge difference to the person I am. You should try it. On your ipod? My taste in music is eclectic. Kasabian, Them Vultures, Begum Akhtar, a lot of Jimmy Hendrix, and how can I not mention Rihanna? Her image is so fab! But I got to say, this particular song of hers, ‘The wait is over’ is so identical to a song from the movie Shivaji. Hats off to Rahman! Other than designing, something that you are passionate about. I am very passionate about Chennai and its people; its roads, the Cooum River, the politicians and the false promises they make year after year. I’m going to be chasing my dream for the next ten years, which is to be the number one designer. After that, everybody better watch out. May be I’ll get into politics to change the way things function in this city. I really pray to God that I won’t have to and hope that this will all change in ten years. And the fact that I have to get into politics to make the transformation is quite ridiculous, don’t you think? Next in line… The Lakme Fashion Week, the Wills Fashion Week and the London Fashion Week. I am creating a very romantic line for Lakme and it’s called ‘Love is in the air’. I am also introducing my men’s line at the Lakme Fashion Week. For Wills and London I am designing a very edgy and a funky line called “Love or money”. I’ve been working and planning for the last six months for these three projects.
If you want to vent out your frustrations over nonexistent auto meters,painful traffic,inconsiderate littering and anything and everything, just remember
.com
Send in your complaints to wtf@thetaximag
June 2010 TAXI 9
DIVA
emure
Carla Dennis
Me: fun loving and career oriented My Family: is amazing My Childhood days: were a learning curve, which prepared me for adulthood My Idols: me, myself and I I’m proud of: the person I have become India to me is: a place where dreams come true First time in show business in India: featured in the movie Prince, in the song ‘O Mere Kuda’ with Vivek Oberoi I’m lucky because: I am able to do what I am passionate about and make a living out of it at the same time 10 TAXI June 2010
Model’s clothes picked up from the streets of Mahabalipuram June 2010 TAXI 11
Chennai is: too hot! I wish: people would stop discriminating against each other Traveling to me is: my life! I practically live at the airport! Chocolate or Strawberry: Chocolate In my ipod: Maxwell, Timbaland, Snow Patrol, Foo Fighters, Lauryn Hill In my bag: Blackberry, iPod, YSL lip gloss, Ray Ban Wayfarer’s, hand sanitizer, Vichy cleanser, moisturizer, sun block and stilettos Money to me is: something every woman should have to be independent The Kingfisher experience: was unforgettable On my tombstone: have not thought about that yet! 12 TAXI June 2010
June 2010 TAXI 13
The Unlimited Fun Xone Channel UFX, India’s first multi-lingual, lifestyle-music channel, was officially launched at Park Sheraton. The event opened with an enthralling jazz performance followed by a few racy English numbers performed by the beautiful songstress Shruti Hassan. Adding glamour to the event were film stars and well-known figures from the television industry.
Sailing 100 Years The Royal Madras Yacht Club celebrated 100 years of Sailing with a cocktail dinner and fashion show at The Courtyard by Marriot. The models sported stylish clothes from Purple, the clothing store. Post the fashion show the members of the Yacht Club got their dancing shoes on and partied the night away.
14 TAXI June 2010
Gorgeous Graduates NIFT recently saw this year’s batch graduate in style with their annual fashion show choreographed by Ganesh Gurung at Le Royal Meridien, under the leadership of Dr. Anitha Mabel Manohar. The show was attended by designers, key persons from the garment industry, fabric dealers and the who’s who of the industry.
June 2010 TAXI 15
O
ne might expect Holy Smoke to exuberate a grungy aura. Dingy corners with pictures of Jimmy Hendrix and other rock legends on the wall. Clouds of smoke drifting in circles in the air. A standalone, lonesome looking yellow jukebox. Well, the list is really endless. While all this paints a fascinating picture in your mind, Holy Smoke is not remotely close to this fictitious little portrait. Holy Smoke – the restaurant run by Linesh, the restaurant is fairly contemporary with its placid walls and sleek furniture. The warm colours and the soft lighting evoke your modern sensibilities. What’s great about this place is that it hosts its very own DJ who spins out some awesome tunes. Coordinates to Holy Smoke shouldn’t be a problem, considering it is located within the city’s well-known mall – Ispahani Centre. The menu reads an international spread but veers towards present day American fare. The ‘Rock Sizzler’ and Swiss Fondues are reason enough for one to give Holy Smoke a shot. We try the cool and crunchy lettuce wraps stuffed with bean sprout topped with crisp noodles, and they vanish from the table within a few minutes. Then comes the Herb and Garlic Fondue – English cheddar cheese served in a little pot with a flame underneath with bread sticks, twisted puffs, garden fresh vegetables and chicken on the side. The availability of fondue in Chennai is scarce, and this dish was worth the wait. There is an assortment of steaks to choose from for the steak lovers. Other dishes include grilled fish, mignon and tournedos. Holy Smoke is famous for its sizzlers, which arrive on the legendary Holy Smoke lava stone, which is heated to approximately 400 degrees centigrade. Though the idea is undoubtedly fantastic, maybe 400 degrees is a bit much considering the side orders are almost toiled and shrunken by the time you finish the meal. And warning, please don’t try lifting the dish; we are not Karnam Malleswari’s counterparts. The Arabic sizzler comes with a fiery piece of chicken served with tabbouleh, melting hummus, mildly spiced baba ghanoush and pita bread; quaintly mediterranean. Topping 16 TAXI June 2010
Holy Moly! - Baskar Babu
the list of sizzlers is the Nasi Goreng - a cottage cheese treat served with peanut sauce, nasi goreng and sambol sauce. Holy Smoke is a perfect place for you to eat patiently and enjoy your food.
their richness, but after a meal one can intrepidly pat his belly and say “I chowed down some health for once”. There are so many vegetables and more importantly proteins on the side for the ‘health conscious’.
Though the menu is fairly global, the addition of subtle Indian flavour to every one of the dishes is definitely appeasing. What is infallible about the food here is that the dishes don’t compromise on
All said and done, Holy Smoke will be a goldmine amongst the yuppie crowd. The variety and the quantity will astonish you. Perhaps the menu is a bit hackneyed, but a wise man once
said,“ it doesn’t matter if it’s done a hundred times, you do it differently”. Holy Smoke is a stellar example of that. Alongside good food, I smell success.
HOLY SMOKE, open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Photography - Ashok Raj C.U June 2010 TAXI 17
An eye for an eye “The mood and temper of the public in regard to crime and criminals is one of the most unfailing tests of the civilization of any country“ - Sir Winston Churchill
A
few days before the judgment was delivered on Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, the lone accused in the Mumbai Terror Siege, our passions were raised and all over the country people were heatedly discussing, “Should he, or should he not be hanged for his crimes?” The media telecast endless opinions from the famous and the infamous, to those whose families he had destroyed. Our local youth group held a neighbourhood debate on the subject. School children too were drawn into the discussions and everybody had a strong opinion. That opinion was that he should be hanged for his crimes. In 1983, the Supreme Court of India made a ruling that the death penalty should be imposed only in “the rarest of rare cases.” The crimes they took into consideration were murder, gang robbery with murder, abetting the suicide of a child or insane person, waging war against the nation, and abetting mutiny by a member of the armed forces. In recent years, the death penalty has also been imposed under new anti-terrorism legislation for those convicted of terrorist activities. Officially, between 1975 and 1991, 40 people were said to have been hanged in India, the last one being in August 2004 (though activists against the death penalty dispute the numbers). 18 TAXI June 2010
Morality is defined as “the principles of right and wrong.” As moral beings, we are rewarded for noble deeds, and chastised and penalized for bad ones. Penalties may vary from a pinch on the arm, to whippings, stoning imprisonment and death. According to law, the punishment must fit the crime. This is recognized as lex talionis, or in everyday language, as “an eye for an eye.” Most of us are uncomfortable with the literal execution of this law as it means that a rapist should be raped, an arsonist have his home torched, a kidnapper his child taken away by force, a fraudulent person made bankrupt. Such a form of justice would take us back to primitive times when this is how society dealt with a crime – by allowing the victim, or his/her family, to find solace in dealing out the same punishment as the crime inflicted. Primitive justice was cold, unwavering and did not take into account human infallibility.
June 2010 TAXI 19
With the evolution of the idea of human rights, and the quest for a more humane method of justice, which conceded the fact that sometimes, a guilty person could be innocent, philosophers and writers began to question the concept of capital punishment. The 12th century Sephardic legal scholar, Moses Maimonides, wrote, “It is better and more satisfactory to acquit a thousand guilty persons than to put a single innocent man to death.” He argued that executing an accused criminal on anything less than absolute certainty would lead to a slippery slope of decreasing burdens of proof, until we would be convicting merely “according to the judge’s caprice.” His concern was maintaining popular respect for law, and he saw the errors of commission much more threatening than the errors of omission.
20 TAXI June 2010
Books to read on death penalty: The Last Day of a Condemned Man by Victor Hugo The Chamber by John Grisham Gallows Thief by Bernard Cornwell The Hangman’s Journal by Sashi Warrier A Hanging by George Orwell The Stranger (L’Étranger/The Foreigner, The Outsider) by Albert Camus
Sir Winston Churchill, the British war time politician, said that, “The mood and temper of the public in regard to crime and criminals is one of the most unfailing tests of the civilization of any country.“ Many countries have rethought their attitude towards capital punishment in the light of this statement. Today, only 58 countries in the world actively practice capital punishment, with 95, abolishing it (the remainder
having not used it for 10 years or allowing it only in exceptional circumstances such as wartime). One of the reasons we were so delirious about the Qasab case, is because perhaps for the first time, such brutality was brought into our front room for days, hour by long hour, and our own hearts were torn to shreds as we shared the agony and the heartbreak of the victims, the authorities and
their families. It was all so tragic, so unfair and of course, someone has to pay. The question is how. Those who passionately argue for capital punishment stress on the fact that it acts as a deterrent to others, and saves a huge amount of the tax payer’s money, which is spent on those in prison. Those who argue against it plead that even in the best of circumstances, men and women who judge can be fallible, and a guilty man can be innocent. They believe that killing a person is not humane, even if the criminal is not humane. Most of our views on this subject are influenced by our religious traditions and upbringing. Different religions have different beliefs concerning capital punishment. In a pluralistic country like ours, it is good that laws are not influenced by any one religion, but by what is seen as the common good. The morality of killing a person is also subjective for each person. Throughout our lives, our beliefs and morals can and most likely will change because of what we read, think and are influenced by. Many writers and film makers have addressed the issue of capital punishment and brought a new understanding to an old problem. How should we as a civilized society react to brutality and crimes especially against our nation? Do write and let us know what you think. Movies on death penalty: Seed Dead Man Walking, based on the book by Sister Helen Prejean The Green Mile The Life of David Gale Dancer in the Dark The stage play (and later film) The Exonerated by Erik Jensen and Jessica Blank The HBO series Oz Prison Break, a television series Let Him Have It Fourteen Days, a BBC documentary The Secret in Their Eyes
June 2010 TAXI 21
Living in
LUMBINI Square - Katheeja Talha
W
hile dropping me off at the site of LUMBINI SQUARE, the auto driver looks up at the tall towers in surprise and asks me if it is an IT park. Neither of us could believe that we were looking at the tallest residential towers in the city, in Purasawalkam. Lumbini Square is TVH’s latest residential development. The residential towers, designed by architect Hafeez Contractor, is set in nine acres, consisting of nine buildings, of fifty four apartments each. The apartments come as three and four bedroom units, duplexes and penthouses, with an integrated basement car parking. Around eighty percent of the units are already sold, and the penthouses will be on sale in a month’s time.
June 2010 TAXI 25
Photography - Ashok Raj C.U
‘The unique selling point of this project is the location’, says N. Sundarji of True Value Homes. ‘Purasawalkam has almost everything. And the height of our building ensures that the penthouses have a view of the sea. It’s almost as if you are living on the top of the city.’
26 TAXI June 2010
The penthouse views are one of the best features of this project. More than 150 feet off the ground, the penthouses offer spectacular views of the entire city - right from the harbour and the sea, to the dome of the new secretariat complex to the cluttered streets and buildings of Purasai and Chintadripet. Each block has three penthouses, ranging from 4500 to 6000 sq. ft. each. The penthouses are efficiently planned to hold
large families with entertaining spaces and completely private bedrooms. Essentially, there are three or four bedrooms, a living and dining area, a kitchen, a small washing area, and a large, open balcony. HI TECH HOMES The penthouses are also equipped with an Integrated Building Management System (IBMS) which provides a single window control of lighting, ventilation,
electrical equipment and security. This can be preprogrammed into various modes like ‘leaving home’, which will turn off all appliances except basic lighting, ‘party’, which will dim the lights to create the required atmosphere and other similar modes. One drawback of the IBMS, however, is that the entire house has to be completely air conditioned without any natural ventilation. The apartment provides 100% power backup in the case of a power failure.
them the option of modifying the interiors to suit their tastes.
INTERIORS
is ideal for families, as it has something for everybody. Its open, green spaces offer a tranquil environment in the midst of opulent luxury in one of the busiest parts of the city.
While the fixed glass windows may not allow natural ventilation, they allow plenty of sunlight, ensuring that all the spaces are well lit. The rooms are spacious and are finished in neutral colours of beige and white, while the dark wood on the doors and on the ceiling gives the space a contrast. Wood, marble and granite flooring add to the luxury of the space. If customers aren’t satisfied with the given finishes, TVH offers
AMENITIES Apart from the facilities of the apartment itself, the complex houses a number of amenities for residents including a swimming pool, a tennis court, skating rink, meditation centre, barbeque area, playground, clubhouse and other features besides acres of landscaped area. If one does not mind the constant air conditioning, Lumbini Square
“
The residential towers, designed by architect Hafeez Contractor, is set in nine acres, consisting of nine buildings, of fifty four apartments each.
“
THE PENTHOUSES
June 2010 TAXI 27
thebanana.in / Adapt
4 6 / 1 C h a m i e rs ro a d , C h e n n a i - 6 0 0 0 2 8 . Te l P h : 4 2 1 1 0 9 3 0 / 4 0 o r 2 4 3 6 2 0 9 5 1 9 , L av e l l e Ro a d , B a n ga l o re - 5 6 0 0 0 1 . Te l P h : 0 8 0 4 1 3 2 8 3 2 0 / 2 1 / 2 2 o r y za . a d m i n @ g m a i l . c o m | w w w. o r y za d ay s p a . c o m .
C E L E B R AT E S
To advertise with us contact 43084448 www.thetaximag.com
FIRST
ANNIVERSARY
LEAP, JUMP &
EDUCATE A
current report reveals that the amount of people with undergraduate and doctoral degrees has escalated fivefold in China through the last decade. The New York Times reported, “In only one
Ravi, a small boy does not go to school and helps his chithappa(uncle) in managing this balloon stall at the Marina beach, Chennai.
30 TAXI June 2010
generation, China has sharply increased the proportion of its college-age population in higher education, to roughly 20 percent now from 1.4 percent in 1978.”
between higher education and earnings is consistent across race and gender.
For several years, development scholars have trivialized the dreams of a technological infiltration that may facilitate emergent societies to scale up to a highly developed economic position. In fact, the single best investment a society can make for economic progression is in education.
For instance, it is quite evident that the family income of Indians in the U.S. is more or less 50 percent higher than the national median. The economic accomplishment of Indians in the U.S., which impelled them to the crown of the country’s economic mound in just one generation, is entrenched in the plain fact that Indians have the utmost educational attainment of any ethnic group in the U.S. Studies unveil that the fraction of Indians with advanced masters, professional or doctorate degrees is nearly five times the nationwide average.
The Census Bureau data establishes that a college degree in India almost doubles a worker’s annual earnings. Nationwide, on average, people with a bachelor’s degree earn almost 83 percent more than those with a high school education. The correlation
The rationale is unquestionable: education is directly associated with economic development. The Indian community’s demographics in Singapore experienced a seismic swing as a result of Indian techies who flew to the island in the 90s, altering their
This sweeping educational makeover is the effect of a tactical Chinese investment, which amplified state funding for higher education for five years.
representation from the working class to white collar professionals. Since Indians amount to almost one-fourth of Singapore’s overall population, this change has undulated Singapore’s total Indian population. But the scenario of Indians in India is vastly different. Even though India has increased its investment in education, it has not been quite as forceful as China, particularly in the higher education segment. Indians have the dire need to be at the vanguard of a major push to advance the cause of education at every level in India. China’s multibillion dollar thrust in higher education has enabled the country ensnare some of the finest intellectual minds in its diaspora back to China to show the way to its educational renaissance. There is an urgent necessity for an equally conspicuous transformation of India’s educational panorama. It’s high time we step up to the plate.
June 2010 TAXI 31
Pursuit of Palpability - Rishika Sutwala
W
hether it is scorching heat or a dreadful downpour, when the clock turns three in the afternoon, it feels like our blood sugars are really low. We desperately need something crispy, tasty and hot to settle our stomachs and get us back to work again. The nearest place to find something is Ganesh anna’s food cart down the street. Even before we are anywhere near it, the wonderful aroma of fried garlic, roasted onion and spices, and simmering tomato sauce drift our way, enticing us to almost run the last few steps. Our stomachs tight with hunger, crave the first bite of that smoking hot, crisp samosa, dunked in chilli, mint
32 TAXI June 2010
or tomato sauce. If you don’t like samosas, try the spongy, round bondas dotted with little pieces of sharp tasting black pepper, or the dark- red pakodas with their fried onions sticking out at all angles inviting you to pick at them for. ‘Just a taste’. Ganesh anna’s cart is a super- special savoury wonder and the good news is that his prices won’t make a hole in your pocket. Till a few years ago, we were heavily warned against eating food from street sellers. “You’ll get Chennai belly, cholera, jaundice, diarrhoea”, voiced the prophets of doom, and most of the times they were right. Today, rickety little
food carts on almost every street corner serve delicious, clean food at a very nominal price. So many people now prefer street cart food, to even home cooked food. Have you ever wondered why street food tastes so yummy? Is it because of the oil used again and again till it is almost black and thick? Is it because of the cooks’ specially grimy, sweaty hands which hold the magic that other hands don’t? The secret is because the cooks treat even the humblest of ingredients with respect and reverence. No bread omelet can be properly presented without a sprig of fresh coriander leaves. That flash of green against the yellow of the
omelet makes all the difference. Coconut chutney cannot taste the same without the ubiquitous mustard seed and squeeze of lime. So every ingredient is given special prominence while preparing and presenting the dish. I decide to spend some time discovering Chennai’s street food scene and I’m amazed at what I find. Most of the food counters in Chennai have been around for many years. Cozee, in Besant Nagar, dates way back to 1985, when neither you nor I were around. They are still as popular today as they were then and are open from 6 in the morning until midnight.
Street chefs wear colourful clothes and entertain their hungry customers with spectacular culinary and other skills. It is a joy to watch an omelet being tossed and caught deftly; steaming coffee being poured from a steel tumbler from one level, into one in another Many of the stalls have pictures of the film star Rajnikanth on the walls behind them. There he stands alongside them, smiling benignly, happy to be their brand ambassador. Every morning, when delicate fingers of light, gently push away the night’s darkness, you can see an assortment of homely looking women carrying pots, pans and wire bags full of fresh vegetables,
heading for their stall. During that not- yet- dawn moment, they are busy lighting stoves and stoking fires, getting ready to spoon the milky looking idly batter into huge containers. Eggs are cracked perfectly against the side of a dish with a whip like sound, and mounds of fresh omelets are piled up, ready for bread omelet. Within minutes, steaming idlis are slid into a large hot case to keep them warm. Soon the sun has made its way up the sky and a queue of hungry customers on their way to work builds up in front of these stalls. For those who don’t want a cooked breakfast, there are tall bottle-green, glass jars filled with butter biscuits, murukus and coconut burfis. June 2010 TAXI 33
‘Variety’ plays a huge part in Chennai’s street food scene. There is something for everyone: Rangoli Chaat House on Nungambakkam High Road has ice-cold Kulfi, crispy Bhel Puri which sets tongues tingling, Mudi and the most famous Paani Puri. Vaishnav’s on Ormes Road in Kilpauk is another chaat corner with a difference, for it serves a rare, grilled cheese puff, a crunchy muruku sandwich and tiny Paani Puris. Novelty in Sowcarpet, which is fifty two years old, is famous for its butter saturated pav-bhajji, pizza and orange peel ice-cream. Junk food lovers can walk up to Tibbs, Frankie, Wraps and Rolls, and the numerous steamy momo stalls. Petawrap - an auto shaped kiosk, which can be found in Nelson Manickam Road, Adyar, has an unusual combination of wraps - vada pav, chettinad chicken and more. Besant Nagar beach has to be the capital of Chennai’s street food scene. Lit up by bright white lights, the beach is full of hungry people wandering towards their favourite aroma. Sizzling Manchurian balls, spicy Bajjis which tickle the palate; noodles of every kind from the pale and bland, to the fiery hot, which makes you cry and hold your breath; little pieces of succulent, red, chicken tikkas served with cool, white, minty curds; chicken tandoors, parathas, chapathis, romali roti, roast corn, groundnuts and deep fried vegetables – all jostle with each other, just like the outstretched hands reaching out for their favourite food. So many aromas, so many tastes. A strange phenomenon of Chennai’s street food vendors is that a regular client soon becomes part of the family. Are you new to town? The cart owner will take you under his wing, and if you allow him, and see in him a friend, he will weave a special relationship with you. He will get to know your name and where you work and all the little details of your 34 TAXI June 2010
life and will ask about them regularly. He will ask you to taste today’s ‘special’ and will wait with bated breath and wide- open eyes for that first look on your face and your opinion. He will often give you a secret extra helping of your favourite food with a wide wink and sometimes even not charge you for it. He also knows your special tastes… “There you are ma, three spoons of salt, no onions and extra spicy, just the way you like it, ok?” Whatever you eat at his stall is infused with love, care and goodness, for he is in this business not just for the profit from the food, but to ensure that you have a good day as well. This is what makes street food in Chennai so special.
A
r a l u c a t c e p S Ac t
W
hen Red Bull brought Chris Pfeiffer to India, we didn’t know what to expect. Although we had watched a thousand videos both on TV and online, nothing prepared us to see Chris perform his stunts on his bike. Chris wowed Chennai with his agility, style and stellar performance. Amidst the shrieks and the screams, Pfeiffer stayed calm, serene and rock steady. While Chennai was still caught in the immense excitement he created, Taxi managed to have a quick chat with him. Were you always interested in professional biking? Yes, but I fully got down to it at the age of 26. That’s pretty late. Do you have a biking role model? AC Farias, a Brazilian freestyle rider. Other than stunt riding, what else are you passionate about? I love free riding on skis, mountain-biking, enduro and trial biking. Any activity I indulge in with my family is endearing too. Was there a point in your career where you thought of giving up your profession? Never. Where do you see yourself ten years from now? A dad who is able to dedicate more time with his children than he does now. How would you feel if your children were inspired to follow your footsteps? I’d always support them to chase their dreams, whatever it is. But I’d never be a pushy parent. 36 TAXI June 2010
Do you have any plans of starting a training academy for young aspiring stunt riders? No, but I wouldn’t mind coaching one or two aspiring riders. What’s the best part of being a professional bike rider? Entertaining people with what you love and at the same time earning respect and good money. What’s the one thing you dislike about this sport? Shipping my bikes around the world can be pretty painful. You’ve been to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. How different is Chennai from the other cities in terms of people response? The crowd was amazing and encouraging in all the cities, but I have to say that the crowd in Chennai was a lot noisier than the North. Do you think your Indian tour will make an impact on the adventure sports scenario in India today? I really don’t know, but I hope that I brought a little inspiration to begin something.
June 2010 TAXI 37
A helping hand - Usha Jesudasan
38 TAXI June 2010
D
uring a discussion on how the good that we do sometimes backfires on us, my friend Dr Shankar related a sad story. As a young student, he realized how privileged he was to have a good education and decided to personally teach someone who could not read or write. He came across a friendly auto driver who had never been to school as he came from a large family, and poverty had driven him to work from the age of five. This child began work carrying bricks at the work site where his parents worked and as he got older did various other jobs until he was old enough to get his license. Now at about 25, he earned his living through driving a rented auto. Every evening after class, Shankar sat with the young man and within a year he was able to read and write a little. The young man had a great motive for wanting to read and write. He wanted to write a love letter to the girl he was in love with. He had seen in the movies how a letter went straight to the heart of a girl. So the first piece of writing he wrote on his own was this love letter. He was so proud of himself and thanked Shankar profusely. Shankar’s eyes misted as he said, “Sadly that letter was rejected by the girl who sent it back to him in shreds and within a few days he hung himself to death.”
was. “Have you a pen and a piece of paper?” said the shepherd. The young man found a scrap in his pocket and gave it to him. The old man took his time and slowly scrawled a word – Maruti Smaran.
instead of being put off by it, it only motivated him into walking along a path where few want to tread.
“It’s my name,” he said proudly. “He said, everyone should know to write their name.”
What feelings come to mind when you read these two stories? Can we ever find an excuse for not reaching out to someone less fortunate than we are?
‘And what was this man’s name?” the young man asked curiously.
THINK ABOUT THIS FOR A MOMENT
“His name was Gandhi.” I can’t help thinking of these two stories together and I have shared them several times in my workshops. Most of you reading this are educated and can read and write. Education has given you a profession or a job that comes with a high status, a good salary, opportunities to travel and experience new cultures and new ways. Shankar decided to become a teacher after this experience. Today he teaches college students and is an excellent friend, mentor and role model for many. He carries the sadness of this first experience close to his heart, but
The story brought to mind another one I had heard - of a young man who went climbing and got lost in the Sahyadris during a summer storm. This man took shelter with a lonely, old shepherd for the night. Next morning, he wanted to pay him for the old man’s kindness and hospitality, but the shepherd refused to accept any money. “Another man came this way once,” he said, and he too wanted to give me something. But he did not give me money. He gave me something else.” The young man was curious as to what this other person gave that the shepherd accepted, so he asked him what it June 2010 TAXI 39
Manners
Matter - Usha Jesudasan
Good manners are a rarity today. We see people asking a sales person, ‘Give me this’ or ‘I want that.’ Or even worse, ‘that woman’ pointing to a lady near by. There is a lack of ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and ‘may I?’. These manners are not considered important by many today. This is evident in the way we see people snap an answer rudely when we ask a question, take something we did for granted or just ignore us. We know that in every situation, having good manners makes you a winner, so why would anyone want to be rude and a loser? As I waited in a large corporate office I heard a young woman scream her frustration at her colleague. Her colour pencils were missing again. “Why can’t you just ask, if you want to borrow them?”, she said, almost in tears. The others thought she was making a huge fuss and passed her off as being temperamental. Actually, she wasn’t. She was just facing a group of people who did not have the manners to ask before borrowing or taking what wasn’t theirs. Having good manners helps us relate to other people with consideration. When we greet someone or ask, “How are you today?” we make them feel a little special by showing that we care. When we say, “I’m sorry,” or “Would you mind if I do this?”, it implies that we show respect. In this age of selfishness, we have forgotten that there are other people around us. I have seen young people at my table serving food for themselves, without even thinking whether there would be enough for everyone. Having good manners also means passing the plate to someone before helping yourself, pouring a glass of water for the one sitting next to you or even asking someone to pass the salt instead of reaching for it across the table.
42 TAXI June 2010
It is good manners that make us write a ‘thank you‘ note when we receive a gift, or have dinner at someone’s home, or when someone has gone out of their way to help us. How we express ourselves shows the kind of person we are - rude or considerate, selfish or generous. Treating others the way you would like to be treated is the easiest rule to follow and encourages others to treat you in the same way. Even the most well mannered people can occasionally say the wrong thing or make a mistake, but being kind, considerate, and generous on a daily basis shows true manners.
At work do remember to: •
Say, “Please,” or “Excuse me”. When you use these words, you are treating the other person with respect.
• Say “Thank you,” to show how grateful you are for their kindness. • Respect someone’s privacy, their space and property. • Say, “I beg your pardon,” when you don’t understand something. • Say, “May I borrow this?” when you take something that does not belong to you. • When you are addressing a group make sure you smile and have an eye contact with everybody.
Don’t: • Read another person’s mail, rifle through their desks when they are not looking, or borrow things without permission. • Interrupt when someone else is talking. • Speak loudly on your mobile phone and disturb others. • Look bored, or roll your eyes upwards when someone is speaking to you.
June 2010 TAXI 43
Bicycle mobile charger kit | NOKIA
he Trunk t in
G
S
ET G D A ie R - Ren
T his Alarmingly smart | ZOMM Have you ever left your phone in an airplane, movie theatre or a bar? With this funky looking device paired to your phone via Bluetooth, you’ll never lose your phone again. The moment your phone is 30 feet away from it, Zomm will vibrate, flash it’s lights and beep so incessantly that you’ll think the aliens have landed. It’s also a fully functioning Bluetooth speaker phone with a noise cancelling microphone. The Zomm was created by a mom, Laurie Penix, because her children were constantly losing their cell phones. We think it might also come in handy for Moms who keep losing their children – just slip your phone into their back pockets the next time you’re in a crowded mall. Expected later this year at Rs. 3600/-. 46 TAXI June 2010
avin
o s a se
n
Jun k
This is the season to be green, and Nokia has joined the party with the just-announced Bicycle Mobile Charger Kit. Where do you plug it, you ask? That’s the green part! The Kit comes with a dynamo, similar to the ones that power the Bicycle’s lights commonly seen in villages and small towns. Priced at just above Rs.850, the kit uses the standard Nokia 2mm port and will give you 28 minutes of talk time with just 10 minutes of pedaling. You can now get away from it all, just you and your bike, and you’ll never miss another call from your boss, thanks to a dead battery. Don’t you miss the good old days?
Navigator zx150 deluxe | MAPMYINDIA Gone are the days when you need to ask an auto-wallah for directions. This top of the line touch screen enabled GPS navigator device from MapMyIndia doubles up as a portable multimedia player with up to 8 Gigs of storage. If that isn’t enough, it also has a Bluetooth hands free, e-book reader and a screen for your reverse camera. The kit comes with a wall charger, car charger and a sturdy windshield mount. Boot up the ZX150 and it only takes a couple of minutes to lock onto satellites and give you the best route to your destination. It even tells you where the closest fuel pumps and restaurants are so you’ll never feel lost on the highway. The maps cover 620 towns and cities. Priced at Rs.19,500 approx.
D5000 | NIKON If you’ve ever been tempted to throw away that dinky little digicam and pick up an SLR, the Nikon D5000 is your inspiration and guide to take you through the transition. Affordably priced at Rs. 35,000 on the grey market, it comes with the standard 18-55 VR lens or you can opt for the 18-105 VR. So what makes this baby so special? The D5000 offers the same image quality as Nikon’s more expensive models like the D90 and D300s. It has an incredibly quiet mode for those daredevil moments when you feel the need to creep up on a bison. Happy clicking, and remember - You don’t take a photograph. You ask, quietly, to borrow it.
Alienware M17x | DELL The mother of all mobile gaming rigs is here. If you can afford it, buy it. If you can’t afford it, sell your house, move back into your Mum’s basement and it will still be worth it. Made of anodized aluminum, this beast from the future comes loaded with a 17” screen, 2 Nvidia GeForce GTX 280M graphics cards and a 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme Quad QX9300 CPU. You can tweak the keyboard’s colors by region, and the speakers are some of the best we’ve ever heard on a laptop. Our only gripe with this machine is that our opponents might just give up the moment we open the lid and turn her on. Moderately priced at Rs.1,40,000 and above.
June 2010 TAXI 47
Movies
- Baskar Sundaramoorthy
SEX AND THE CITY 2 Aside from the stunning clothes, makeup, bags and shoes, it is hard to find a thread to the story line in the sequel to the very popular Sex And The City. “Sex and the City 2” doesn’t have a reason to be on our screens if it’s only intention was to glorify Abu Dhabi’s decadent life, among those who can afford it. This time round, everything has become so plastic and superficial. No more long, insightful chats about love and relationships. Nothing new has been added to our hungry expectations and the girls have forgotten their humble beginnings which led to their success. Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha are now boring. If this is all because they got married, then the message is quite clear to all of us. Diehard fans of SATC will probably love the feeling of being reunited and the colour and drama.
A NIGHTMARE ON THE ELM STREET Whatever you do, don’t fall asleep. And in the era of Redbull, that shouldn’t be hard to do. As you probably know, that is the first and most important rule in order to survive Freddy Krueger’s fatal attack. Most remakes from old classics tend to disappoint the viewer as to how producers try hard to adapt the story to our time, working laboriously on the special effects and scenes transitions that keep us wide awake on our seats, waiting for the next scream to come. Now we actually get to see a very good remake that follows faithfully on Mr. Craven’s steps, telling us a story that is very interesting, whether or not you have seen the original before. The classic movie will always be the best for its creative simplicity, but this remake deserves a bit of credit for still making me scared by a man with knives for nails.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND How can we not enjoy Jonny Depp as one crazy fellow? He is just marvelous in whatever character he plays and if that involves a magical world, envisioned by Tim Burton, nothing else could go wrong, right? Well, that is not entirely true. “Alice in Wonderland” is a beautiful adventure, enjoyable at any age and time, with enough excitement to leave a reader satisfied and longing for a glimpse of that journey in flesh and blood. Unfortunately, Mr. Burton’s take on Carrol’s imagination has left something to be desired. The characters are well constructed, but the story that promises what we haven’t yet seen lacks a bit of determination and pace to keep the viewer guessing and interested. “Alice in Wonderland” is okay, but if I am going to believe that falling through the rabbit hole is worth my while, I need enough reason to not want an immediate rescue back up.
48 TAXI June 2010
Books
- Baskar Sundaramoorthy THE PARTICULAR SADNESS OF LEMON CAKE – AIMEE BENDER Aimee Bender’s celebrated brand of modern magical realism takes a particularly spare, melancholic turn in her latest The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, the tale of Rose Edelstein, who discovers at 9 years old that she can taste in every bite of food the emotions of each person who has grown, harvested, and prepared it. Rose’s mysteriously conferred new sense quickly proves less a gift than a burden - a constant and unwelcome portal into the most private thoughts of everyone around her, including her own unhappy family. Lemon’s story never fully coalesces, but it still lingers long after, like the hum of a half-forgotten melody.
LAST CALL – DANIEL OKRENT Daniel Okrent, who has applied his journalistic curiosity to everything from the building of Rockefeller Center to the Civil War in his previous books tackles the history of Prohibition, looking at why alcohol ‘’seeped through the lives’’ of Americans before finally being outlawed by Congress in 1920. In 1763, the young colonies boasted 159 rum distilleries; by 1820, booze was cheaper than tea. Last Call is a potentially, um, dry story, but Okrent is a born storyteller. In his hands, the prodigiously researched narrative, rife with tales of corruption, adventure, and backstabbing, flies like fiction.
Music Albums
- Baskar Sundaramoorthy
GODSMACK, THE ORACLE A pause, has certainly refreshed the members of Godsmack, who have been on a recording hiatus since 2006’s sonically adventurous “IV.” The New England head bangers have returned with a sinewy, muscular set that harks back to their 1998 debut. Despite its back-cover pronouncement that “the old me is dead and gone,” “The Oracle” boasts a pleasantly vintage sound that opens with the punchy rhythm and grooving riffs of the song “Cryin’ Like a Bitch” and works through the taut arrangements of tracks like “War and Peace,” “Good Day to Die” and the gallopping “Forever Shamed.” While “The Oracle” is certainly familiar, it still sounds fresh enough and well worth the wait for fans who prefer their Godsmack served up straight. DEFTONES, DIAMOND EYES Through the decades, music fans have witnessed how the loss of a key band member can lead to a group’s demise. The Deftones have proved just the opposite. Following the death of left bassist Chi Cheng, the hard rock act recruited new bassist Sergio Vega, and wrote its sixth studio album, “Diamond Eyes.” The set is full of the Deftones’ usual energy and showcases singer Chino Moreno’s knack for alternating between screams and sweet vocal delivery over heavy, complex guitar work. Accompanied by laid-back riffs and electronic loops on the song “Beauty School,” he croons, “I see your face and I know I’m alive.” The set’s title track-which includes the line “Time will see us realign”-reminds fans that the Deftones definitely miss Ching’s presence, but the group is still dedicated to rocking out until his hoped-for return.
June 2010 TAXI 49
Veg & Non-veg
Buffet
Lunch / Dinner
Breakfast
Inclusive of
Exclusive Package
in
S3.5 hrs
tym Che i n ro e r i ve f r e d
Boat House Road, Athanavur, Opp. Murugan Temple, Yelagiri Hills, Vellore Dt., - 635853. Ph: 04179 - 295410 / 295411 | hlmyelagiri@gmail.com | www.hotellandmarkyelagiri.com
Children’s Play Area
Open Air Theatre
40,000 sq.ft of landscape
40 Cozy Rooms in 3.5 acres
HOTEL LANDMARK
a nn
i
C R O S SWORD 1
2
3
4
5
6
ACROSS
7
1. Cultivated plot (6)
8 9
4. Written musical compositions (6) 9. Film (5)
10
10. Refrain from voting (7) 11. Listlessness (8) 11
12. Meat of vegetables cooked slowly (4)
12
14. Shrink (6)
13
16. Evaded (6) 14
15
16
17
19. Part of the neck (4) 20. Resident (8)
18
23. Inactivity (7) 19
20
21
24. Play (5) 25. Excused (6)
22
26. Deferred payment (6)
23
25
DOWN 1. Risk taker (7) 2. Stud (5) 3. Panache (8) 5. Monetary value (4) 6. Responded (7) 7. Tendon (5)
24
26
Sudoku Sudoku Fill in the missing spaces so that each row, column and 3x3 block have all the numbers from 1 to 9. Difficulty level: Mild
8. Freight (5)
2
13. Flatfish (8) 15. Use up (7) 17. Take away (7)
1
6 7
18. Large expanse of water (5) 19. Dissonance (5)
8
21. Accolade (5) 22. Pace (4)
v
9
6
4
1
5
2
6
2
4
1
4 9
7
6
3
8
3
vV
1
2
52 TAXI June 2010
9
6
7
3 5 9
4
7