News

The Hindu :

Technology Search the city on an SMS

Photo: K. AnanthanSearch Just a click away

Life is about searching, finding and understanding information. So, what happens when the only source of search is the only pipeline of information? You are plugged into the Matrix? Perhaps.

Google has transformed the search of information into a few clicks for those who have access to Internet, now it is trying to offer the same experience to cellphone users.

You sms “restaurants somajiguda” to 9773300000 and you get three choices, type next and send it and you will get three more responses. Not the bother of dozens of results to wade through, but three choices. More importantly, it is an impersonal response unlike the dail-up information services where at the end of your request you are asked for name and email id and later get bombarded with calls and spam.

You can even make a PNR enquiry through this service without having to register by giving personal information to cell phone companies. The SMS sent is a standard cost one unlike the premium charge of Rs. 3 or Rs 2.50 being charged by the cell phone service providers. The incoming sms is free.

This SMS foray by the search company comes at a time when it is trying to bring the web experience to cell phone users with its Android platform in the US and other countries. But before the Android is launched in India, you can make do with the 9773300000.

SERISH NANISETTI

<FONT …More

The Hindu :

Do men like to shop? Are they impulsive shoppers? What do they like to buy?

PHOTO: APTHEY LIKE IT TOO! When it comes to shopping men do it differently

There was a time when shopping and visiting the salon were classified as a woman’s activities, the same way driving and reading maps were branded a man’s. Talk about gender typecasts! Today’s metrosexual man no longer invests time in just grooming himself; he also seems to enjoy shopping and not treat it clinically as his ancestors did.

“Men don’t hate shopping — we just shop differently than women. For instance, before a woman buys a pair of jeans, she’ll try on five different pairs, and ask her friends their opinion. We pick up the first pair we think is functional and satisfactory,” says Nimish Mehta, a media professional, who likes to shop.

Vijay, a second year commerce student, is passionate about shopping, and says he loves picking clothes and watches for himself. He shops with his sister and friends whenever he feels his wardrobe needs additions.

“We buy our clothes at branded outlets and export shops, which offer value for money. As long as the shopping is for you, it’s nice taking along a female friend. It gets complicated if the shopping is for the girl you are with,” says Vijay.

Julius, a banker says he normally shops alone, mostly for music CDs, personal items and garments.

“I prefer shopping in malls, mainly due to the convenience. Also, most of my shopping happens over weekends. I am wary of shopping online, as I once bought a watch online, and it turned out to be a cheap imitation. Nothing beats physically checking out things you want to buy,” opines Julius.

Salil, an IT consultant, however, feels that though the shopping experience in Chennai has improved, the umpteen malls that have cropped up in the city make shopping stressful.

“Most of the…More

The Hindu : y>Parvathy Omanakuttan is a hot contender for Miss World. Catch the show live on Zee Cafeé

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES? A picture of poise

Miss World 2008 is scheduled for December 13 at Johannesburg, South Africa and this will be telecast live on Zee Café. Representing India is Parvathy Omanakuttan.

The question is will Parvathy win the crown and bring back the magic of the 90s when India made one splash after another on the global beauty scene? “Parvathy exudes intelligence and has the fire in her belly that I consider an absolute requisite for achieving something in life. What it takes to make a difference on an international beauty platform is a strong sense of individuality and a natural charisma that needs to come from within. You either carry an aura of victory or you don’t,” says noted fashion choreographer, Achla Sachdev.

Supermodel and heartthrob Milind Soman says: “In addition to a striking personality, I think it is poise and temperament that matter. It helps if the contestant has the kind of beauty that is representative of the country she hails from. Parvathy has beautiful south Indian features, comes across as poise and intelligent. She has the makings of a sure shot winner.” Eminent fashion choreographer Lubna Adams feels that to win the crown one needs the “ability to make heads turn, projecting the right attitude and carrying oneself impeccably at all times. Parvathy has just the right confidence and a good deal of ambition to take her places. She will greatly benefit if she calms down a little and lets her beautiful inner self shine through.”

Former Miss India Mehr Jessia says,“I hope she makes the most of it. But more importantly, I hope she thoroughly enjoys herself at the pageant.”

Top model of the 90’s, Marc Robinson feels that one needs that “wow factor to make a difference at an international pageant. It comes…More

The Hindu : y>

Listen on Catch all the action on Radio city till December 12

Radio City 91.1FM is organising “Taaregala jaatre’ (Festival of stars). The FM station aims at bringing to radio listeners 30 luminaries of Kannada Cinema on-air in a 100-hour radio extravaganza.

The festival is being held from December 8 to 12. The event will showcase Sandalwood’s leading personalities co-hosting all shows with the RJs during this period. Listeners can catch Sandalwood’s leading stars, lyricists, music directors co-host entire shows.

While each show will feature the RJ’s and the cine stars favourite music, listeners can also call in to chat with their favourite stars and leave messages.

<FONT …More

The Hindu :

Twenty-two students of the Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology push the limits with a range of progressive, thinking projects

PHOTO: BHAGYA PRAKASH K.ORIGINAL In a true sense, the exhibition is a gamut of ingenious things

At the basement and Atrium of the Alliance Francaise, a ‘Gamut’ of design concepts by the graduating class of the Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology find space and engagement.

Ranging from visual communication design, digital video production, three-dimensional design, textile design, furniture to fashion design, some students of the 2008 batch collaborated with clients like Rabia Gupta Design, Gopika Chowfla Design, Dovetail, Jenny Pinto to Bambu Studio and NGOs like Youthreach, Action Northeast Trust, Janaagraha and more, while some worked on their own ideas. A progressive and inspiring exhibition, “Gamut” reflected the artists, their thinking, role and active engagement in various spheres.Visual communication

Kinnari Thakker’s “Designing for Converging Cultures” uses technology to address local and sustainable solutions for networks and ecosystems for Indian designers. It comes with a newsletter template, scratch-based interface design in Kannada, Web 2.0 initiatives and more. The artist links a participative social media environment where poor, urban children can develop a storytelling bank at the Drishya Kallika Kendra.

Sheetal Tencheri with Delhi-based NGO Youthreach and Gopika Chowfla Design worked on an “inspirational book on trees Touch Wood” printed on wood-free paper using eco-friendly ink which includes articles, poems, paintings, sculptures, photographs, data and more.

Vidhya Saumya’s “Guftagu: Gutarrrgoon”, is “an illustrated book on Indo-Pak trans-border conversations “through notions of nationality, cuisines, dress and fashion codes…” Shakti Dash’s “Ethereal” is a graphic novel which “emerged from a deep interest in contemporary sequential art process and products combined with an obsession with the role of dreams in creative endeavour, poetry, prophecy and fantasy, and influences ranging from the Gothic to dark metal music” using digital manipulation.

Anusha Iyer’s “Music Masala” “was to understand…More

The Hindu : y>

Security concerns have been the top of the agenda of the administration and state government, following the terror strikes in Mumbai, which left nearly 200 people dead and many others injured. The question however remains whether foolproof steps havebeen taken to prevent a repeat of the attacks elsewhere in the country.

MetroPlus asked city residents whether security arrangements have been beefed up in the city, following the strikes. Most feel that though police vigils have increased, there has been no visible enhancement of security resources.

Many complained that the police constables are involved in moral policing outside nightclubs, instead of looking after security treats and arrangements. Many felt that terror can be tackled only if the police and private security forces are better trained and paid. They felt that there was also a need to provide policemen and security guards with better weapons. Many felt that security checks, similar to those conducted at airports should also be initiated in hotels and other sensitive locations to ensure that such incidents cannot be repeated.

MetroPlus samples some of the responses…

I feel that policing must be increased a great deal across the city and the state. Cctv cameras also aid in enhancing existing security arrangements. Salaries must also be increased. Better equipment is also the need of the hour and key to fighting terror.

Arun

Student

I feel that the policemen and security guards must be provided better equipment. You cannot expect them to deal with armed terrorists with old rifles. The salaries of these personal must also be increased. Technology like cctv cameras must be used.

Nithin

Student

There has been no sudden increase or upgrading of the security apparatus. Training is the key to dealing with such acts of terror. Private security guards and police personal must be trained in a better manner. They must be paid better salaries.

Sitaram

Security guard

Security must be…More

The Hindu : y>With packaged water bottles becoming the norm, have we forgotten that water also flows from the tap, asks GEETA PADMANABHAN

Photo: K.K. MustafahStatus symbol? Packaged water has become a major part of our lives

The Delhi High Court has directed acorporate to remove the snow-capped mountain from its packaged water bottle label, and add “as per BIS standard” to the phrase “purity guaranteed”. The court said it “gives a misleading impression to the consumers.” Whether the “manufactured (?) and packaged” water is mineral or not, springs from the mountains or not, one thing’s sure — it’s not likely to go out of business. Or, fashion.

Just how much bottled water has become a part of our life hit me when I got into a tourist taxi recently. The driver turned in his seat and said: “The sealed water bottle in the bag is for you, madam. Gift from the company.” It was a mere three-km ride. What would happen to me on the way? “Not that, madam,” he said quickly. “We give this because everyone carries a bottle now.” That’s true. Everyone carries it now — backpackers, school kids, cyclists, runners, rallyists. Aamir Khan nursed his bottle all through his interaction with the troops. They stick out of office-goers’ lunch bags; are understandably on call next to stock brokers’ PCs and sit ready-to-serve at hot political meetings. On short flights, hostesses hand them over to you. Filled ones litter car interiors, empty ones litter the streets, staircase landings, hotel backrooms, roads, landfills… wherever garbage collects. When New York City wanted to cure the population of the bottle habit, officials launched a campaign that it was “possible” to drink water from a tap! It’s long since the metal “gooja” gave way to the eco-unfriendly bottle. At the recent IFFI, delegates were seen walking around with — not the current partner, portfolio, camera or paper…More

The Hindu :

Shahnaz Husain started out when herbal products were not the in thing. It’s been a lone battle

success storyShahnaz: ‘My products attracted the sufferers of synthetic cosmetics’

She doesn’t mind blowing her own trumpet. Lines like “I did this…I was the first to do that…” oftensurface in a conversation with her. But then, she is Shahnaz Husain, a success story, a path-breaker, an example for many to emulate.

To Husain goes the credit ofinjecting herbal knowledge into our cosmetics and even taking it out of the country,of starting the original ‘beauty parlour culture’ even in our small towns.

In pre-liberalised India, many young girls from middle class families looking for a way to be financially independent found in her beauty therapy institutes, more than a ray of hope. So when Husain says, “I was a lone fighter on a lone stage,” you see her point.

Recently chosen the Woman of the Year by the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for her achievements in beauty and innovation, Husain can look back with satisfaction at the revolution of sorts she created.

Cosmetics in the ’80s and early ’90s were mostly synthetic, and she says she was looking for a way out. “I didn’t have to do much, I just looked at Ayurveda, our 3,000 years of knowledge, for a solution. I think I was at the right place at the right time as people were also tired of using synthetic stuff as there can be disastrous effects of using such cosmetics. In fact, there were quite a few cases that came forward in the ’80s.” Husainsays her mantra became care and cure. “It attracted people, the sufferers of synthetic cosmetics, and also those who never used too many skincare products for the fear of side effects.” Talking about the initial days of her international exposure, Husain relates: “I used to meet people and tell them about India…More

The Hindu :

Srilakshmi Gorur is not only a good swimmer, she is a keen student too. The14-year-old has many dreams for her future

PHOTO: BHAGYA PRAKASH K.Graceful Srilakshmi aims to conquer the world and bag an Olympics gold

In this time and age, not many would look to epics for providing inspiration and soothing frayed nerves. . Ace long distance swimmer – Srilakshmi Gorur – all of 14 years, does just that. The confident youngster is a student of class IX atMES Kishore Kendra. She manages to excel in academics and her sport, swimming.

Putting in five hours of practice each day, six days a week is no mean achievement. She has been following this routine for nearly four years now. On the days she is not in the pool, she is preoccupied with finishing homework, studying for class tests and exams and catching up on class work.

She also manages to take time out and read epics like Bhagwad Gita, Mahabharatha or Ramayana every day.

How was this habit instilled? “My mother would always quote from the epics – the valour, the discipline, dedication and loyalty. I soon began reading these stories. It has now become a habit,” says Srilakshmi.

Her mother Geeta Srinivas adds: “It is good to have some knowledge about our culture. There is hardly anything informative on television these days.”.

Her father Srinivas Gorur takes pride in introducing Srilaksmi to swimming. He says, “In our village (Gorur), the river Hemavathi flows close to our house. During our annual vacations, I used to swim for hours in the river. Srilaksmi also got interested soon. ” Srinivas is a civil engineer and property valuer, who ensures that his daughter does not miss her regular training.

He says, “My day starts at 4 a.m. when I leave my house to pick my daughter from her grandmother’s place. I take her to the pool, take her home for breakfast…More