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The Hindu : y>

Yamaha’s YZF-R1 and the Suzuki Hayabusa are already burning up Indian roads while Honda’s CBR-1000RR Fireblade waits in the wings, almost ready to take flight.

Speed freaks will have even more reason to celebrate, for Suzuki is planning to launch its litre-class challenger the GSX-R1000 in India.

Expect to see the sporty two-wheeler here sometime soon.

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The Hindu : y>Many options to choose from

Whiz Kidz G-Zone, a franchisee of Genius Kidz Learning Pvt Ltd, will conduct Abacus training for children (from five to 12 years) and calligraphy classes for those aged 10 and above. For more information, call: 98807 70961.

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Jelly Beans will present a summer camp from April 6 to May 15 for children in the age group between three and 10. The activities include free play, individual games, group activities, dance, Taekwondo, sit down activities with theme based crafts and personality development. For registration, call: 41655267 or 9980255267.

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Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan will offer German language course from April 1 to 30 on the institute premises. The course includes songs and stories, dance and drama, movies and much more. Children in the age group between 12 and 15 can register. For details, call: 25205305/06/07/08 or e-mailarts@bangalore.goethe.org

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The Hindu : y>Castrol launches a nationwide hunt for the most passionate biker

In celebration of its 100th year in India, Castrol has launched the Power1 Passion Hunt ( www.power1hunt.com) for the most passionate biker across India.

The search for India’s ultimate biking fan will cover Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore and decide participants for the final in Delhi on April 22. The national winner will get a Yamaha R1.

Tests will include assembling a motorcycle, riding a perfect figure of eight and general biking knowledge.

The event was recently flagged off by actor and avid biker John Abraham in Mumbai.

Italian superbike manufacturer Ducati has selected Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) as a technology partner. The new deal will stand to improve Ducati’s customer responses and business efficiency.

Ducati currently sells its bikes in India through the direct import route and is about to open showrooms in Mumbai and New Delhi in the coming months. The company also plans to introduce three international models in India this year.

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The Hindu : y>Bangalore will mark the International Day of Francophonie with two weeks of films, concerts and more

Half a billion Francophonies around the world will celebrate International Day of Francophonie on March 20. The term was coined by French essayist Onesime Reclus in 1880 to describe the geographic areas in which French was spoken. The Alliance Francaise is celebrating “Quinzaine de la Francophie” with two weeks of films, concerts and more.

From March 18 to 25, witness “Indian Princes and Parisian Jewellers” with Cartier, Mauboussin, Van Cleef and Arpels at the Leela Palace. There will also be a film festival till March 26 in the evening. On March 18 watch “The Afghan Chronicles” and “My Name is Eugen” at 7.30 p.m. On March 23, catch “The Land” and “Monkeys in Winter” from 6 p.m. onwards, and on March 24, “Les nuits d’Arabie’” and “The Rest is Silence” from 6 p.m. onwards. On March 26 at 7.30 p.m. there’s “Destiny”. On March 20, 7.30 p.m. there will be a jazz concert featuring the Sylvain Luc Trio Sud at the Leela Palace. Entry is by invitation only. On March 21, “Clown Doctors get the Fever” will see a show for children and adults by Docteur Clown, a therapeutic clown troupe. On March 22, there will be a series of activities ranging from a photo/video competition, slide show, quiz, talk and more on World Water Day. On March 28, 8 p.m. onwards at the Olive Beach, catch DJ Frederick Gauthier. On March 29, there will be a hip hop dance show featuring the “Slave Farm Crew” on March 29, 7.30 p.m. with a workshop on hip hop music on March 30 and 31 at the Alliance Francaise.

For more information, call 40808181.

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The Hindu :

Quizmaster Siddharth Basu will produce a reality show soon

QUESTION TIME Siddharth Basu on TV again

Siddharth Basu started his career as one of the first independent TV producers in Doordarshan in 1977, at a time when television was just emerging as a mass media tool.

“I never expected that television and the Internet will become such an integral part of our lives. It has been a pleasant surprise.”

Basu currently heads Synergy Communications, a TV production company, and is busy with “India’s Got Talent”, a reality show that will be telecast on Colours soon.

“The show provides a platform for people across the country to showcase their talents, be it dance, singing, cracking jokes, comic acts etc. If you feel that you are talented, you should audition for the show as it provides an opportunity to win money and gain recognition. It will be different from the run-of-the-mill reality shows that are currently flooding the market.”

Basu feels that the television industry in India has grown at a phenomenal pace and is learning from its mistakes. “I feel that there is a trend to copy successful formulas. When ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ became a success, all channels joined the bandwagon; same was the case with the saas-bahu serials and the numerous reality shows. I think that soon, there will be a paradigm shift and TV will mature, as audiences clamour for more diversity.”

Siddharth does not like the recent penchant of clubbing quiz shows, dance shows into the “Reality TV” bracket. “Reality TV cannot be compartmentalised into a uniform concept. There are many differences that exist between a dance show and a situational reality show such as ‘Survivor’ or ‘Big Boss’, where people have to adapt to a specific environment. Even a quiz show cannot be termed a reality show, in the strictest meaning of the term.”

He feels that many news channels have managed to transform themselves…More

The Hindu : y>

M.P.Birla Institute of Fundamental Research will conduct a short duration course in basic Astronomy for students of classes 8, 9 and 10. Classes begin from April 13 to 25. The syllabus will include basic astronomical concepts like identification of stellar constellations, optical telescopes and galaxies. There will also be a field trip to the Vainu Bappu Observatory at Kavalur in Tamil Nadu. For details contact: 22385956/ 65959780 or e-mail:mpbifr@gmail.com

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The Hindu :

Sandeep Subramani brews tea and many conservation ideas for the Nilgiris, where his tea comes from

Photo: K. AnanthanTea time The perfect brew

It is an enterprise that would make it to anyone’s list of dream jobs. But for young Sandeep Subramani, it is no dream, though he does admit that he is fortunate. He runs a ‘tea lounge’ out of a 19th Century cottage in the salubrious Nilgiris.

And, along with tea, he ensures the kitchen is stocked with things described as ‘lush butter cookies filled with almonds’, ‘soft centred dark chocolate truffles, ‘almond and raisin scones sandwiched with cream, ‘tea cake laced with dark chocolate’… It is no wonder his tea lounge is called ‘Tranquilitea’.Tea like wine

Sandeep has grown up with tea so to speak, with his granddad being a planter of considerable repute in the Nilgiris. So, when he speaks of the Silver Tips and the Golden Tips or the Bai Mudan and the Oolong, you hear him out with respect.

To enhance his tea lounge experience, Sandeep has a charming ritual called “the cup that cheers’.

It involves a lecture/demo on the various exotic teas he has. Jewel-toned tea decoctions gleam in their glass carafes, in claret, burgundy and topaz hues.

And, Sandeep explains the origin, the bouquet and the method of brewing each tea. Reading your mind he says, “Yes there are almost as many varieties of teas as there are wines,” and tea-tasting is as fulfilling, he smiles.

It is not just tea that Sandeep brews. He and his team run the Nilgiri Leisure Holidays. “There are some people who want to come to the hills and work with NGOs, or there are those who want to do a photographic tour of the hills, or go trekking and so on. We arrange all that for them. Of course, we also offer the regular, sight-seeing runs, along with interaction with the…More

The Hindu :

Event Price tags and trimmed frills become the talking points as two fashion weeks hit the Capital

ABHIJEET KHANNAHas opted for a stall at DFW. His commercial collection is high on “saleability factor”

Tough times seek prudent steps. So it will be in Indian fashion when the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (March 18) and the Delhi Fashion Week (March 19) open this week. The colour, glamour, drama — all keeptheir promise. However, unlike boom time, caution will be a presence like never before, in surreal fashion. Designers are making their permutations and combinations and admit it is time to trim the frills. Price points and compromises on it are no more greeted with frowns. A touchdown with reality has prompted a few to tweak their designs keeping the quality intact. In short, designers will walk a tight rope, anticipating a mixed market, hoping they have taken the right precautions.

ANJANA BHARGAVHer WIFW collection “Nouveau Princess” is dedicated to the modern-day princess

“Value for money” is the new catch line. Pick and choose one that will last, believe the shoppers. “Mix and match,” say the designers.

RITU KUMAR Urban folklore comes alive in her collection which has elements of the classical, but is international in look

“In times like these we can’t expect people to buy just because something is a brand,” says veteran Ritu Kumar. “They are going to mix and match and would want to take mileage out of one purchase. It will be more value for the same price,” says Kumar.An investment

Anupama Dayal Her collection is inspired from Alfred Tennyson’s ‘The Lotus Eaters’

“A rock-solid product is the mantra,” says the young Anupama Dayal, who has a stall at WIFW and a show at Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai. “People will go for less whimsical clothes which assure longevity and are an investment,” says Dayal.

“Clients are looking for special pieces…More

The Hindu : y>Car and bike questions? We have the answers

I am planning to buy an SUV and am not able to decide which one. My initial budget was Rs. 14 lakh but there are no good options available in this range. I am now looking at Honda CRV 2.0, Grand Vitara, Captiva and Tucson. Can you help me choose the best? Is the Hyundai Tucson being phased out in India? How is the worldwide performance of the Chevrolet Captiva? I travel on an average 50 km per day, including on bumpy roads.

Nikhil Thard

Sadly, there are still no options in the Rs. 14 lakh range. The Tucson is hardly sold in India. Besides, the resale value of a Tucson is very poor. Your best bet is the Ford Endeavour. It is closest to your budget (though it is more than Rs. 14 lakh) and is ideal for bumpy roads. The Captiva is a capable vehicle. It is more refined and user-friendly (to drive) than the Endeavour but it is significantly more expensive.I am 28-year-old and planning to buy two cars, one for myself and the other for my wife. I am looking at a luxury sedan with good legroom, performance and looks. My budget is Rs. 10 to Rs. 14 lakh and for my wife, I prefer a luxury hatchback with good mileage, performance and safety features.

Aditya Kanodia

In the Rs. 10 to Rs. 14 lakh range, your best bet is the Honda Civic. Legroom is decent but the seat position is a bit low. However, there is nothing else in this price range that comes close to meeting your requirements. For your wife, there is a lot to choose from. You could consider the Fabia diesel, which is extremely safe and offers superb mileage and adequate performance. But it is slightly over-priced.I want a diesel car. It will be self-driven. I…More

The Hindu : y>Gowns are a girl’s new best friends, says NEETI SARKAR. And they are worn everywhere — from the party to the wedding

When at the Cannes Film Festival, it was Aishwarya Rai’s gown that was being discussed and criticised, at the Oscars this year, it was Freida Pinto who wowed everybody in her much talked about flattering blue John Galliano gown that even won her a place amongst the best dressed on the red carpet.

Now that’s the international forum we’re talking about when one would have to compete with the likes of Jennifer Aniston who invariably ends up looking fab,

Penelope Cruz who looked dashing in her vintage Balmain dress and Anne Hathaway who donned a shimmery Armani gown at this year’s Academy Awards.

Closer home at the 54th Idea Filmfare Awards, most of Bollywood’s women preferred wearing long and flowy gowns, although a handful like Kareena Kapoor and Bipasha Basu appeared in saris. So have western gowns come to replace saris for formal occasions?

“Definitely not!” opines Akanksha Gupta, a fashion designer at Madura Garments. “In India, it is usually women in the age group of 18 to 29 who might prefer wearing gowns over saris. But with age, and the change in body shape and structure, not many women would feel comfortable in a gown. Moreover, the sari has a charm of its own which is another reason why no other western outfit can replace it suitably.”

In the light of the fact that the gown owes its origin to foreign shores and that the typical Indian woman is more curvaceous than her western counterparts, it is important to understand the kind of colours, silhouettes and fabrics that are best suited for gowns for the desi girl.

According to Bangalore based designer Divya Tater, “Colour, silhouette and fabric have to be well complemented and blended because the gist of the design lies in the hands…More