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The Hindu : y>

German car maker Volkswagen has confirmed plans to launch the new Beetle in India this September. This iconic car will be imported fully-built.It is expected to cost almost the same as the Fiat 500 — around Rs. 15-17 lakh. There are also plans to officially launch the Touareg SUV sometime this year, to compete against the likes of the Mercedes M-class and BMW X5. Until now, the Touareg was a dealer import.

As part of its dealership expansion plans in the country, VW would appoint 25 new dealers this year, taking its total dealerships up to 40 by the end of 2009. This is part of an effort to expand its presence in the country prior to the launch of its small car, the New Polo in both hatchback and saloon versions in 2010. The company’s new manufacturing plant at Chakan near Pune is close to completion and is expected to commence operations around May this year, with the Skoda Fabia being the first model to be manufactured at the new 110,000 units per annum plant.

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The Hindu :

Iron Maiden unspooled some classics and some rare treats at the Rock In India festival

Photo: Murali Kumar k.ACES HIGH The play-list was tailor-made for the devoted Maiden fan

Numerous sign-boards all pointed to Palace Grounds, heralding the second-coming of these heavy metal overlords, and forewarned the city to brace itself for yet another swarm of black t-shirts that eventually took over on a laid-back Sunday afternoon.

British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, which was arguably the sole attraction at the two-day festival Rock In India, gave thousands of followers exactly what they wanted when they took the stage as the headlining act.

Maiden fans had their innermost prayers answered when frontman Bruce Dickenson stepped in to announce that this would truly be truly a trip to “Somewhere Back in Time”.In the flesh

Considering that two years ago, fans went home with a rave (about seeing them in the flesh) and a rant about the lack of classic numbers, this play-list was tailor-made for the devoted Maiden fan.

So, after a terribly long fore-play session, Iron Maiden took the stage only to electrify their rather exhausted audience — scorching heat, sultry weather and about a dozen forgettable performances to blame — with the power packed number “Aces High”.

Dusting out several of their moth-balled classics mostly from the Eighties staple, the band went on to remind the knowledgeable fan of their glorious path to their iconic status today.

Unspooling classics such as “Wrathchild”, “Fear of the dark”, “Phantom of the Opera” and moving on to rare treats like “Children of the Damned” and “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”; the play list would have been a treat to the most discriminating.

Prancing around the multi-level stage and pushing the energy level a notch higher after each song, Bruce — with his near supernatural energy levels — had the audience head banging and moshing for nearly two hours.

The ultimate showman…More

The Hindu :

The changes on the new Innova impart a luxury feel to the already comfortable multi-purpose vehicle

Driving ahead The 2.5-litre diesel engine delivers good fuel efficiency and decent power

Toyota has just rolled out the new Innova, which comes around the same time as the launch of its latest rival, the Mahindra Xylo.

The changes are purely cosmetic and minor in nature. Toyota claims a lot of customer feedback has gone into the changes. That explains the addition of all-new comfort features such as automatic climate control, stereo-mounted audio controls and the multi-information display, which go a long way in imparting a luxury feel to the already comfortable multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) and give the Innova a solid leg up on its rivals.

Apart from these, the interiors are largely unchanged. You get the same top-quality materials and good fit-and-finish that matchToyota’s high standards. You also get the same comfortable captain seats which are hugely comfortable.The white-lit Optitron gauges, which get illumination control, look very attractive as well. Top-end Innova variants also get the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and two airbags.

On the outside, the MPV now gets an all-new grille up front, which is more in line with its other cars. There’s a new bumper as well, which gives it an upmarket look and a face similar to the Corolla Altis. The rear gets subtly restyled lamps and a huge chrome strip above the number plate. Overall, the car looks fresher.

Since this is only a minor makeover, Toyota has not changed the engine or transmission. So, you’ll get the same 2.5-litre diesel engine, which delivers goodfuel efficiency and decent power. It impresses with its responsive nature and refinement too.

But you will be a bit disappointed with its noise levels at higher revs. The steering wheel offers decent feedback of what’s happening under the wheels. The Innova is more car-like to drive than segment rivals,…More

The Hindu :

Filmmaker Jeremy Bristow bats for Charles Darwin insisting the man was no atheist and was passionately against slavery

Green revolutionary Jeremy Bristow

For producer-director and journalist Jeremy Bristow, the Wildscreen International Wildlife and Environmental Film Festival by the British Council which took place at the Centre for Film and Drama, is a chance to share a vast range of experiences.“The only problem is to find time the time to attend it!”From hosting “The Money Programme” on business and economics on the BBC to covering international and social affairs, 53-year-old Jeremy is now with its Natural History Unit.

“From making films about the Tigers in India, deforestation in Russia, Cambodia, Indonesia and Trinidad, climate change and the environmental consequences of food, I have spent the last sixteen years in filmmaking.”

His training as a journalist with exposure, he feels, has helped him apply his skills as a specialised environmental filmmaker. “While covering current affairs, I noticed the environmental devastation that was taking place.” Jeremy’s last project were two films on climate change, which he collaborated with David Attenborough.

And, interestingly, his latest project is “Darwin’s Struggle: The Evolution of the Origin of Species”, a film about Charles Darwin, whose 200th birthday was celebrated on February 12. “This film tries to capture the difficulties in his struggle when he wrote ‘Origin of Species’ which he published only 21 years. He was a conscientious man and didn’t want to rush his ideas. He was a compassionate human being and a loving father.”

Jeremy stresses that people have mistaken him for an atheist. “Because he put together a History of Natural Selection, it didn’t mean that there was no creator.” Darwin was fascinated by nature. “He was always looking and observing animal life, was saddened by death and animals getting hurt. But in this, Darwin noticed, came forth new forms of life.” Jeremy points out that Darwin was also…More

The Hindu : y>A new series on Discovery Channel

Smooth ride An underwater car might become reality

Discovery Channel will telecast its new series “NextWorld”. The series is all about how the future will be, a time when we might live on floating cities, fly through skies along virtual highways, drive underwater, live up to 150 years and travel the world at the touch of a button, say the makers. Discovery Channel will reveal the technology, the inventions and the innovations that seem impossible, but are soon expected to be a reality in this series, they add.

“The science fiction of today will be science fact of the future; cities under oceans, flying jet packs, underwater cars, cell phone that changes into a laptop, space tourism, virtual screens, collision-free super cars and 3D photocopiers are some of the innovations that would shape the ‘NextWorld’” explains the makers.

Each episode of this 14-part series will feature futurologists unmasking the technologies that will change the face of humanity and will usher in a whole new way of life. The series begins with “Future Superhuman”, which is about the human being of the future, a technological wonder with abilitiesonce reserved for science fiction.

We will communicate silently with sub-vocal speech, display information inside our own eyes, re-grow limbs and organs and enjoy longevity to the hilt, explain the makers.

“NextWorld” premieres on February 19 at 9 p.m. and will be telecast every Thursday night.

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The Hindu : y>

Photo: Satish H.Behind the glitter Watch the issues that students face in organising college fests

There are reality shows and there are reality shows with a difference. Now Channel [V] is going to follow 12 college students 24×7 with a crew of 30 armed with 11 cameras for “In Your Fest”, a show that will let viewers take a peek into the preparation, the tensions, political differences etc. that the students have to face in their efforts to create a great college festival.

For the production of the show, the channel has tied up colleges like SRCC, Delhi for their annual cultural festival Crossroads and SIMC, Pune, for Fest O’Comm.

The show will be packaged into 10 half-hour episodes. Catch the story of these young adults as they gear up for their first professional challenge, every Friday at 7 p.m. on Channel [V].

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The Hindu :

Motley’s Ismat Apa ke Naam in aid of India Foundation for the Arts was a wry and witty presentation

PHOTO: G. KrishnaswamyTerrific twoRatna Pathak Shah and Heeba Shah brought the works alive

Years after Motley brought “Manto Ismat Hazir Hain” with Ismat Khanum Chughtai’s “Lihaaf” and Saadat Hasan Manto’s “Bu” (Odour) and snippets of Chughtai’s two-year trial in “My friend! My Enemy!” and “In the name of those married women…”, the Indian Foundation for the Arts once again brought “Ismat Apa ke Naam” to Chowdiah Memorial Hall.

Enacting three narratives from Chughtai’s stories — “Chhui Muee” (Touch me not), “Mughal Bachche” and “Gharwali” (Homemaker), Heeba Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah and director Naseeruddin Shah performed a dynamic montage in Hindustani.

Characters flew out of the pages of Ismat Chughtai’s short stories, as the three versatile actors infused life into the colourful and attractive Bi Mughlani and Bhabijan in the Toofan Mail, Kale Mian and Gori Bi, and Lajo and Mirza.

Evoking pre-Partition sensibilities and lifestyles, “Chhui Muee” narrated by Heeba Shah witnesses childbirth in a train compartment with different reactions from three upper-class women. Ratna Pathak Shah reflects on “Mughal Bachche”, the love story of Kale Mian and Gori Bi set in the backdrop of the decline of the Mughals and the landed gentry.

The final story, “Gharwali”, has Naseeruddin Shah perform with such versatility and élan, that the multiple layers and hypocrisies about marriage and the woman of the house were revealed bit by bit with exquisite wittiness.

Minimalist props like a bed and a chair, period costumes and luminescent coloured lighting more than stirred up an era and moods.

While the otherwise reserved Heeba Shah burst with zest as she narrated “Chhui Muee”, Ratna Pathak Shah was comfortable as she told the story of the downfall of “Mughal Bachche” with subtle irony.

Naseeruddin Shah was remarkable to say the least as he deftly switched roles between…More

The Hindu : y>

Haute stuff Sreesanth

Actor Kareena Kapoor and cricketer Sreeshanth have been voted as PETA’s sexiest vegetarians alive. This was decided after PETA India’s annual Sexiest Vegetarians Alive poll. The online contest was conducted by petaDishoom, PETA India’s youth arm. “Kapoor and Sreesanth edged out 2007 winner actor R. Madhavan, doctor Aditi Gowitrikar, film star and Kailasa singer Kailash Kher among others.

Other top contenders were Olympic bronze medallist Sushil Kumar; actors Alicia Silverstone, Pamela Anderson, Mallika Sherawat, Mahima Chaudhary, musicians Sir Paul McCartney and Moby. “When you look at the dozens of gorgeous celebrities in this year’s poll, there are no bones about it – a vegetarian diet makes you beautiful inside and out,” says PETA India’s Anuradha Sawhney.

Kareena Kapoor have been voted PETA’s sexiest vegatarians

“Going vegetarian is the best thing you can do for the animals, the earth and your health. Plus, everyone knows that there is nothing sexier than someone who exudes both passion and compassion,” he adds.

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The Hindu : y>There are not many obvious changes from its earlier version Embera, but you can go for Hyundai Sonata Transform for its space, comfort and price, says OUSEPH CHACKO

The name should have been Hyundai Sonata Evolve because an evolution of the Embera is what this car is. Most of it remains the same — the suspension, the chassis and the seats. The engines though same get a bit more power. The main changes to the Sonata Transform (the Embera name has been discontinued) are the ones that address the weaknesses of the earlier car, namely, the interiors. To complete the update, thereare the obvious changes to the front and the less obvious changes to the rear.

Walk around the car. You’ll recognise it for a Sonata, but you’ll notice it has bigger headlamps, a bigger front grill, a new chin and new alloys. The sides and the rear look the same though — you’ll need an Embera parked alongside the Transform to play ‘spot the difference’.

These changes have made the Sonata look a bit more grown up, which may not be an entirely good thing. The Embera was muscular, the Transform looks more generic and a lot more easy to lose in a parking lot. Not good when you have to compete with the likes of the radical Honda Accord.

The real transformation is in the interiors, which sees immense improvement in quality levels. You can see that the Honda Accord customer is Hyundai’s target. Like the Accord, the big Hyundai now gets dual-zone climate control, AUX and USB ports, six airbags and steering mounted audio controls. And unlike the Accord, the diesel automatic version gets a keyless entry-and-go system.

They didn’t stop at the equipment. Slide into the armchair-like seats, feel around the dashboard, and you’ll find most surfaces now covered in material that feels at least a few notches up above the Embera….More

The Hindu : y>Thespian Naseeruddin Shah tells AYESHA MATTHAN he never signs patriotic filmsas they are either jingoistic or are glorifying war

PHOTO: MURALI KUMAR K.Poverty porn Naseer feels the arguments that the negative aspects of India have been emphasised in Slumdog Millionaire are facile

Three films, four countries and diverse facets that intertwine terrorism. Naseeruddin Shah played a moderate Muslim as Moulana Wali in Shoaib Mansoor’s “Khuda Kay Liye”, Commander Tariq Ali in Scotland Yard with personal and political dilemmas in Jag Mundhra’s “Shoot on Sight” and the frustrated ‘Common Man’ in Neeraj Pandey’s “A Wednesday”. While “Khuda Kay Liye” was set in Pakistan and the US post 9/11, “Shoot on Sight” was in England post 9/11 and particularly 7/7 about London Metropolitan Police Service’s Operation Kratos and “A Wednesday” in Mumbai, post 7/11 train blasts and ’05 floods.

In the city as director-actor of India Foundation for the Arts fund-raising initiative “Ismat Apa ke Naam”, Naseer feels that his role as Tariq Ali was the most significant for him. “It dealt with issues that I’ve faced as a child growing up in an orthodox Muslim family in Sardhana, Meerut, where I was subjected to learning Arabic alphabet ever since I was three years old and told how Muslims should dress. The role was also personal because like me, Tariq Ali, a devout Muslim, has married a non-Muslim.”

The fifty-eight-year-old actor says that both “Khuda Kay Liye” and “Shoot on Sight” were important films about Pakistan that have been accepted and embraced, which is a powerful comment against the crucifixion of Pakistanis in general. “These were films that were a telling statement against the bloodthirsty phobia of a community.”

Naseer has never felt discriminated against or disadvantaged as a Muslim in India and feels that the discrimination depicted against Kabir Khan in “Chak de India”, is jingoistic and predictable. “I never sign patriotic films as they are either…More