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The Hindu : y>

BMW recently took the wraps off its much-awaited X6 SUV. The coupe styling-inspired SUV was launched at BMW’s new dealership in Mumbai, Infinity Cars.

The BMW X6 will be available on the Indian roads in two variants — X6 xDrive50i (petrol) and X6 xDrive30d (diesel). These cars are available in the country as Completely Built Units (CBUs) and can be ordered across all BMW dealerships in India. The X6 comes for Rs 82.90 lakh and Rs 65.90 lakh (both ex-showroom) for the petrol and diesel options respectively.

The SUV comes with features like the all-wheel xDrive system, which provides better traction, higher stability and more safety. If the sensors detect that the car is about to drift off course, the system reacts in milliseconds. By adjusting the amount of power that goes to the front and rear wheels, xDrive effectively nips over- or understeering in the bud. It’s not only an alternative to the X5 but is striking to look at and promises to be superb to drive as well. But most importantly, it is bound to get you noticed no matter where you take it.

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The Hindu : y>Holi reaffirms the spirit of freedom to do the things you want, and ring in spring with the family, says NEETI SARKAR

PHOTO: VIVEK BENDREColour me yellow, colour me blue: An expression of the palette of the season

We’re ready to celebrate the coming of spring with the many hues and shades of Holi. A time of family get-togethers, Holi cannot go by without a good deal of fooling around with the pichkaris, indulging in some bhang, and playing pranks on family members. Most people admit Holi is one festival they would rather spend with friends and family at home than anywhere else!

Business Management student Dheeraj Panjabi feels: “Holi is a fun festival. This is when you get to enjoy doing what you otherwise are not allowed to do as everybody is in the mood for merriment.”

With joint families often disintegrating into more convenient nuclear ones, spending the day with the extended family is a hallmark of Holi.

“The more the merrier is what works on Holi. It definitely isn’t a pain to celebrate Holi especially when you are in the company of a huge family,” says Ajith Joshi, another student. While splashing coloured water on each other is just one of the specialties of Holi, there are many other traditions that are practiced on this day that add to the grandeur of it all.

This is the day when sons-in-law and their families are invited for a meal to their in law’s house. Newly-married brides are gifted saris by their mothers and married couples in the family don’t spare each other when it comes to playing practical jokes! Then of course there are Holi delicacies that everybody looks forward to. Papri and gujjia seem to be the favourites.

Despite how we feel about traditions waningbecause of time constraints and the notorious excuse that we ape the west in every possible way, many youngsters actually…More

The Hindu :

The Bajaj XCD 135 DTS-Si is well-priced and with proportions perfect for commutein the city

Stylish and sporty The fuel efficient 134.6cc engine gives XCD more pep and improved performance

The XCD 125 introduced Bajaj Auto’s ultra-frugal DTS-Si engine to Indian riders. It helped Bajaj add to the Discover, enhancing its model line-up in a bid to lure buyers of 100cc motorcycles. The XCD 125, which lives up to its promise of providing the mileage of a 100cc bike from a potent 125cc package, has gained much favour among bikers. But Bajaj being Bajaj has gone a step further to roll out the new 135cc XCD DTS-Si. Is the new bike something really different or is it just a cosmetic upgrade? Let’s find out.Design & engineering

The XCD 135 DTS-Si looks larger and sportier compared to the original XCD. It retains the compact dimensions and is relatively smaller than larger 125cc bikes such as the Honda Stunner and Yamaha Gladiator. The XCD 135 dons a black look for its five-spoke alloy wheels, suspension, engine, silencer and chain cover.

The shapely front mudguard looks sporty, as does its small bikini fairing and low-set tinted visor. The bike uses a powerful, halogen bulb-equipped headlight and contemporary turn signal indicators.

Instruments on the latest Bajaj are digital, inclusive of a large tachometer with redline starting at 9000rpm. Included in the package are a clever battery-low warning icon, odometer, trip facility and fuel gauge. Grips, levers and switchgear with a blue ride control switch are the standard Bajaj fare. Ride control is a mode to assist riders with tactile guidance via the throttle when riding in the interests of good mileage. Wide mirrors, again standard fitment across most Bajaj bikes, provide clear, vibe-free vision but their rubber boots fit poorly and are prone to working their way off.

The XCD 135 has a comfortable feeling fuel tank, with nifty…More

The Hindu :

Internet connectivity helps women overcome stereotypicalsocial structures in a big way

If you still doubt the power of online social networking, check out these stories. A simple — but colourful, tongue-in-cheek and provocative — campaign on the Net got worldwide attention recently.

Outraged by the attack on women in a Mangalore pub, Nisha Susan, a 20-something journo decided to hit back, choosing a Facebook campaign as her weapon. Under the banner Consortium of Pub-going, Loose and Forward Women, she appealed to women to send pink chaddis as a gift for Valentine’s Day to the outfit allegedly responsible for the attack.

She could not have imagined the response she got. Taipei Times picked up the story. So did AFP, Feministe, BBC and Times Online. “It triggered a national debate about the rights of women in a fast-changing society where traditions still run deep,” wrote National Public Radio’s Philip Reeves.The big impact

The ‘pink slips’ flew in thick and fast (8,000) from all over the country. Nearly 40,000 women — and men — from Kabul, Chennai, Guwahati to Singapore, Los Angeles joined the campaign.

Around 6,000 wall posts came up on the site. Political parties sat up, State governments stirred into action. Preventive arrests followed, and the outfit withdrew its proposed actions.

A Loyola College study proves the point all over again. Antony Varghese, faculty, PG Department of Sociology, says their study showed Internet connectivity helped women scientists to ‘circumvent’ the male-dominated social structure that impedes career development.

Female scientists have disadvantages in participating in government committees and editorial boards, publishing in international journals and contacts outside of the local research system, the study noted.

They never could get in touch with professionals in developed countries. Unlike their male counterparts, Indian women scientists had few social networks.

Not anymore. The Internet helps them cultivate international ties. They submit papers to international journals or conferences after getting information about them online. In…More

The Hindu :

Michelle Jackson, lead designer at Splash, makes clothes for various cultural sensibilities

CONFIDENT COOKIE: Michelle Jackson

Michelle Jackson turned heads during the launch of the store, Splash, on M.G. Road recently. Dressed in a long, multi-coloured spaghetti dress accentuating her well-endowed frame, false eyelashes, heavy eye make up, stilettos and loads of confidence, she drew in more attention than any of the models at the launch.

Born in Tetbury, UK, Michelle always knew in her heart that she wanted to be a designer. “Tetbury is a small town with not much opportunity. You have to come out to establish yourself,” says this 26-year-old designer who then went to London to study fashion and started by designing swimwear and lingerie. After five years she decided not to be in London, and took off to Dubai, where she started designing for Splash, where she is now the design head.But her journey, recalls Michelle, has not been an easy one.

“People did not take me seriously. Even back home there was a trend of becoming doctors or engineers. So when I said I wanted to be a designer there was a lot of scepticism.” As a designer it is a challenge to design for the needs of every country and culture.Giving something new

“As we have Splash in various cities, I have to think of the multiple cultures and put my head in every country, follow each trend closely. And I believe that there will always be a section that will want to try bold and stylish cuts, and one that will want to dress sober. The aim is to give everyone something new for their wardrobe.”

Has she designed something special for Bangalore? “For me design is all about change. Fashion is not something that you get stuck to. There has to be something new and exciting to intrigue a client enough to want to experiment and…More

The Hindu :

Mahesh Bhat says he usually peddles illusions. Documentaries are his way of giving the wake-up call

PHOTO: BHAGYA PRAKASH K.GIVING FANTASY FUNDAS Mahesh Bhat

After the highly successful “Raaz – The Mystery Continues”, film director, producer and full-time script writer Mahesh Bhat will now offer “Jashan”, an emotional musical drama. “It is the story of ‘every nobody wants to become a somebody’,” says the director.

In Bangalore to launch a campaign on ‘My right to safe food’, he says, “Horror as a genre has paid us rich dividends. The volume of business ‘Raaz II’ generated in the first week was more than what Raaz (the Bipasha and Dino Morea starrer) made in the entire run. It was a quantum leap for us.” He calls RTMC the 21st century horror film. The movie, starring Emraan Hashmi and Kangana Ranaut, deals with issues of the “evil within”, the human psyche and how it manifests itself. Set in contemporary Indian society, the story tackles myths and superstitions which are still widely existent.Calling all audiences

He continues, saying anything that has sensational value, thrills and which is not educational, clicks with the audience. “So is the trend of sequels. Anything to make people come into cinema halls,” says the filmmaker who has lined up another love story for a June release — “Tum Mile” set against the backdrop of disaster.

On producing documentaries with a cause (his recent documentary film “Poison On The Platter” directed by Ajay Kanchan talks about the ill effects of GM crops) he says” “I come from an illusion-manufacturing business. I lull and put people to sleep saying that everything is fine. I am a narcotics peddler. It is documentaries that wake you up to the real world and compel you to act. We have done documentaries on drought, cyclones and floods. Now, on GM foods. This I do as a concerned human being…More

The Hindu :

Gul Panag is all over the place in a new avataar

Versatile ways Gul Panag

What do you call a beauty pageant winner who begins her career in a totally non-glam avatar, then goes in for a sexy makeover and keeps her audience guessing all the while? Besides Gul Panag, you call her versatile, of course.

Mostly in the news this year for her dare-to-bare cover shoots and for playing Aamir Khan’s wife in the popular Tata Sky commercials, Gul is having a great time. “Yes, in that sense I have come full circle. I have done serious cinema, established myself as an actor, done my mag shoots, red carpet appearances, and managed to surprise every time. That’s essential for an actor,” she says.

Gul’s awaiting the release of her film “Straight” with Vinay Pathak, in which she plays a caricature artist who moonlights as an accountant.The film is about Peenu Patel, a London-based restaurateur with confused ideas about his sexuality. There is also a much-talked about onscreen kiss with Vinay. “When don’t I have an onscreen kiss in my movies?” she asks. “In almost every film, I have had one. I am very comfortable with it.”

But this girl’s not giving anybody an opportunity to slot her into a stereotype. “It’s the insecurity of an actor that spurs me to do something different every time. The skill is to seamlessly adapt myself from a ‘Dor’ to a ‘Manorama Six Feet Under’ to a ‘Maxim’.”

Her chemistry with Aamir Khan in ads has fuelled speculation about the two acting together in films. “That could be a possibility in the near future though I can’t confirm anything right now.”

After “Straight” with director Parvati Balagopalan, Gul will be seen in Parvati’s next film “Phir Zindagi”. There is “Hello Darling”, a comedy, and “A Rectangular Love Story”. The actress has also been signed up for RGV’s “Rann” next to…More

The Hindu :

Poison On The Platter is a documentary that aims to spread the message on the impact of GM foods on human health and environment

PHOTO: BHAGYA PRAKASH K.WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE? Celebrities come together to ask that crucial question .

The combinations are bizarre — gene from pig in rice, from fish in tomato and from fire fly in peas. The label is Genetically Modified Food and they spell disaster. As filmmaker Mahesh Bhat puts it: “They open the floodgates and let poison into our blood.”

Bhat has produced the documentary “Poison On The Platter”, directed by Ajay Kanchan, which was screened to a packed audience at Alliance Francaise recently to drive home the message on the impact of GM crops on human health. The screening also marked the launch of ‘My right to safe food campaign’, an initiative of Annadana Soil and Seed Savers, to spread the word on organic food.

Do young Indians know what they are eating? Is India a dustbin of the MNCs? The documentary sought the answers. “On a bleak morning in Assam, I was stunned by my ignorance when food policy analyst Devender Sharma told us about GM crops. And we decided to transfer the shock to every unaware Indian and make them sit up and take notice,” Mahesh Bhat told the audience at a panel discussion that followed the screening.Know your food

“It took us six months of research for the film and this is a work in progress,” says documentary filmmaker Ajay Kanchan. He has done more than 40 documentaries on various social issues and has plans to translate this film into Hindi and other south Indian languages. “Our focus is to sensitise consumers,” he adds.

“Thought provoking” is how author and filmmaker Nagatihalli Chandrashekar describes the documentary. Quoting a World Bank report, which reveals that by 2015, about 400 million farmers will be migrating to cities…More

The Hindu : y>The diesel X3 is one of the most appropriate BMWs for India yet, finds Ouseph Chacko

Photos: Ashley BaxterEndearing features: The X3’s ride is never harsh and the suspension never crashes through craters

BMW launched the X3 in India a year ago but you could have missed it. With only the high-revving but thirsty 2.5 petrol on offer, demand was bound to be limited. SUVs must have a diesel engine if they are to stand a chance and that’s exactly what BMW is now offering in its junior 4×4.

The X3’s two-litre diesel, the same as in the 320d develops 177bhp, which gives this compact SUV enough poke to breech the 10-second barrier to 100kph. What is even more useful is the generous amounts of torque accessible from as little as 1500rpm to make the X3 driver-friendly in traffic. Add to this, the well-matched gear ratios and a responsive gearbox and town-driving is a pleasure. While the 2.0d will never invigorate the driver in the way a smooth petrol six-cylinder can, in-gear performance is strong — 20-80kph takes only 5.7sec, which is good for a car weighing 1825kg. It doesn’t fall short on the highway either. There’s enough grunt from the engine and it can effortlessly maintain triple-digit speeds.

The 2.0-litre displays few of a diesel engine’s less endearing characteristics. There is a slight clatter from cold, but once the oil is warm this engine is mostly refined and at cruising speeds, it is barely audible. It’s only under hard acceleration that you can feel the ever-so-small vibration through the steering wheel. Even at the rev limiter, where most diesels sound agonisingly strained, this engine seems unstressed. It does lack the cultured, mechanical whirr of the BMW’s six-cylinder diesels though.

BMW’s diesel motors have earned a fine reputation for low consumption and the X3 delivers an impressive 9.3kpl in the city and 12.5kpl on the highway,…More

The Hindu : C.K. MEENA

Women should not give in to tyranny on the streets, but claim public space for ourselves

Photo: APWHERE EAGLES DARE: Women, walk proud, walk brave

I am a streetwalker. Were you taken aback just now? That’s because you know the word’s meaning, but how did it acquire it? Scrabble beneath it and you’ll uncover its sneaky implication.

A streetwalker is a prostitute who solicits on the streets. Can’t the word mean a man who’s walking to the corner shop to buy eggs? Or a woman who’s walking to the neighbourhood restaurant? No, a perfectly ordinary word has been given a sense of prurience, and a perfectly mundane activity turned into a covert one. Not that I have anything against sex-workers – on the contrary. I am merely drawing your attention to the history of the word. The society that coined it not only held prostitutes in contempt but also any woman who wandered aimlessly on the street. Because a lone woman would not roam without a visible purpose unless she was trying to sell her body, would she?

I’m going to turn that meaning on its head and say, “I walk the streets and so I’m a streetwalker.” You think I’m making a big fuss over a little word? Look at “call girl”. Higher in status than a streetwalker, she is one who solicits on the phone. A callboy should mean a male prostitute, right? But he is a person who tells actors when to come on stage during a play. Two similar words but with entirely different meanings, depending on the gender.

Maybe I’m digging up old bones when the cemetery has itself vanished. Societies the world over, including ours, have (with few exceptions) progressed considerably in the area of women’s rights. Women work shoulder to shoulder with men, and their position in the public sphere is well entrenched. But time and again…More