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The Hindu : SUDHINDR. A.B

Challenging questions were asked at the Science and Technology Quiz held recently.

Cutting edge science: The winners.

Did you know that only the U. S., Liberia and Myanmar have not adopted metric systems, and that a puri bloats like a balloon due to moisture? The national finals of the Texas Instruments Science and Technology Quiz held here recently was a poser not only to the participants but to the audience as well.

How they won

In the end, the team from Sri Kumaran Public School (SKPS), Mallasandra, Bangalore held its nerve to win the contest. After five rounds of quizzing, the SKPS team of Athith. K and Shubham Nandy, tied with the team from Padma Sheshadri Bal Bhavan Senior Secondary School (PSBB), Nungabakkam, Chennai. Both teams scored 50 points. In the tie-breaker round the Bangalore team was declared the winner.

“We just kept our cool in the last round. Shubham told me to have patience and not to press the buzzer, unless we were sure of the answer. We have emerged victorious in about 10 quiz competitions this year and we have done our institution proud,” said Athith. They were also this year’s winners at the regional finals of The Hindu Young World Quiz Competition. They received a laptop each and trophies. Their school was given a microscope and a trophy.

Delhi Public School, Gaziabad were the second runners up team. The teams from Abhinav Vidyalaya, Pune and Birla High School, Kolkata were the other finalists. Biswadip Mitra, President and Managing Director, Texas Instruments gave away prizes to the winners.

Fostering inquiry

He said the event, open for students from Stds. VIII to X, was in its seventh year. The aim was to foster inquiry and innovation among young students that would motivate them to take up science as a career. “This is part of corporate social responsibility activity. Besides this, we are also sponsoring education of…More

The Hindu :

Producer Kent Walwin talks about stepping into potential controversy with a film on Jesus Christ’s undocumented years

PHOTO: V. SudershanPointing in a new direction Like many scholars, Walwin believes Christ spent some years in India

Kent Walwin is a man of many words. Amiable and witty, the much-feted British producer, whose film and television credits include “Hotel New Hampshire” and “Where Angels Fear To Tread”, is actually planning to tread contentious territory.

This year’s Dayawati Modi Award winner now seeks to make his most important film to date. “Young Jesus: The Missing Years” is about the undocumented time span between childhood and the beginning of his ministry as recorded in the New Testament. Walwin says apart from the generic allusion that he advanced in wisdom and stature, there is no mention of where Jesus was between the ages of 12 and 30. Like some scholars, Walwin believes he spent this period in India.

Walwin is working in close association with Satish Kumar Modi, and the film is partly inspired by Modi’s book “In Love with Death”. They agree the plot could spiral into a controversy. “But aren’t we in a medium that thrives on a little bit of controversy? Whatever has been said in the book has already been shown in ‘The Passion of the Christ’ . And it was also an interpretation of a director.”

But a little way down the discussion, Walwin concedes he will show the film to the Church and Hindu and Buddhist priests before releasing it in theatres.

Walwin’s theory is based on the differences in the teachings of the Old Testament and the New. “The Old talks of an eye-for-an-eye approach, while the New is about showing the other cheek if you are slapped on one. It is quite similar to what Buddha and Buddhism preached. There are documentaries and books which say that Christ came to India in a…More

The Hindu : y>Sound off! Arshai Banu condemns society’s obsessions with good looks

One day, as I was browsing through the television channels, I happened to come across a fashion show a channel titled “Miss South India 2009”. The contestants were being handed out prizes for titles such as “beautiful hair”, “beautiful eyes”, etc. This blatant use of physical beauty to bag awards and the media limelight stuck me as very unfair. I must admit that I was a big fan of beauty pageants and have sent many sleepless nights following the “Miss Universe” and “Miss World” titles. I feel that winning an award for an attribute that is natural and genetically inherited is not fair.

Why should any person bag an award just because they were lucky to get the perfect figure? This prejudice on looks governs everyday interactions. As a species, we judge people by their looks and opinions are derived by looking at someone. The physical attributes of a person plays a vital role in all aspects of human life. This attitude has misguided our youth and made them over conscious about their looks and figure.

Though earlier restricted to women, nowadays beauty parlours and spas for men have emerged in cities as well. There is a need to realize that each individual is special in their own way. Physical attributes must not be used to govern human relationships. I feel that beauty contests should be held in the age group of 50 to 60 years, for if people manage to keep their good looks in that age, they must have worked very hard at maintaining it.

Do you have anything to say? About the state of the world, the city, your angst? Pen it stylishly and you might get it published. And dash off your piece with your photograph. Email it to bangmetro@gmail.com or post it to MetroPlus, The Hindu, 19 & 21, Bhagwan…More

The Hindu : y>It is time to stop the rape of the hills, says Dharmalingam Venugopal, who is on a mission to put the beleaguered Nilgiris on the world map. Pankaja Srinivasan reports

Photo: K. AnanthanMan of the mountains It’s time the local people took initiative to save the Nilgiris, says Venugopal

Dharmalingam Venugopal is an angry man, and an anguished one too. From the Badaga community, he has grown up with stories woven around his beloved hills. Pointing to where a herd of wild bison graze on a Kotagiri hillside, he talks of the wisdom of his forefathers, who spoke of the emme thada, aane thada and aan thada the bison path, the elephant path and the one for human beings. One would not trespass into the other’s territory; there was none of the man-animal conflict. “If only we had the intelligence of our forefather, and the sense to live well alone,” he laments.

The angry hills

Venugopal’s anger is at the wilful devastation of the hills. He quotes a study by the Tamil Nadu government and the Geological Survey of India in 1982. The report predicts dire consequences for the Nilgiris unless immediate measures are taken. Astonishingly, the warnings seem to have gone completely unheeded. Twenty seven years after the report, in the recent deluge in the Nilgiris lasting less than a week, there have been more than 1,000 landslides that have left many dead and homeless. Loss to property has been immense. Venugopal who has been on a ‘Save the Nilgiris Campaign’ for years simply says, “I rest my case.”

The Save Nilgiris Campaign that he launched in 1985 (it started as a one-man pamphleteering campaign, he laughs) has been instrumental in improving the social conditions and the environment of the Nilgiris. Stalwarts like Sundarlal Bahuguna and former President R. Venkatraman, have actively supported the campaign, one learns.

Then, in 2006, Venugopal initiated the Nilgiris Documentation Centre…More

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BEAUTY BEHIND BARS

Suchitra Srinivasan sees how much birds cherish their freedom and has hundreds of pictures to prove it. The avid bird-watcher visits nearby forests to photograph them taking flight, chattering excitedly or swooping down to catch their dinner. The free birds exhibit happiness, courage and love. “It’s amazing to see small-sized birds being so bold just to save their young ones from harm” she says.

She uploads these breathtaking photos on her blog http://picturesofbirds-tropical.blogspot.com to discourage people from caging birds and taking away their foremost right. “Millions of nests are disrupted and parent birds killed or poisoned. A lot of parrot species have become extinct in the wild. The reason is the huge demand for pet birds”. She is distressed by oft-heard stories of imprisoned birds mutilating themselves, starving to death or screaming hysterically.

Niranjan Amarnath, PETA activist quotes petaindia.org- “It is estimated that for every bird sold in the market, two die en route. Fledglings are stolen from their nests and smuggled in tiny boxes. Some are rolled up inside socks. Their wings are clipped with scissors. They are doomed to a lifetime in cramped cages. Despite the Wildlife Protection Act and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, a black market in birds thrives openly. Never buy a bird from a pet market. Keeping these birds caged is a punishable offence (PCA Act, 1960)”. To wake up to the sound of chirping, Shobha Menon, co-founder of the NGO Nizhal says the best way to bring back birds is to plant bird-friendly trees.

Suchitra sums it up. “Birds are social, gregarious beings and have a complex society of their own. They are best left alone in their natural habitat”.

HERO OF THE WEEK

Sonali Raval and Aditya Kaul of Cisco found a street dog with its tail cut off. He had such a huge maggot wound that he could not even sit comfortably. Sonali…More

The Hindu :

Here’s one probiotic drink that does not come at a fancy price

PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABUGLASS OF GOODNESS Buttermilk is better than milk

‘P robiotic’ is the latest health mantra. Probiotics are sold in fancy capsules at fancy prices these days. But there is a probiotic drink that has been around for ages — it is a thirst quencher, a weight reducer, a source of vital nutrients, a body detoxifier, an intestine cleanser, replenishing beneficial intestinal bacteria, and relieves acidity, indigestion, diarrhoea and dehydration! Our humble majjige or buttermilk does all this, carrying the honour as lightly as butter floating on whey.

No wonder, Ayurveda considers buttermilk a health drink. In fact, besides all the benefits mentioned above, Ayurveda believes buttermilk helps shrink haemorrhoids, reduce excess kapha and pitta in the body, treat anaemia and insomnia, bloating of the stomach, and even the effects of poison!

A probiotic food, it has beneficial microbes that survive the digestion process and go on to shower a host of benefits on our bodies. This includes manufacturing vitamins and boosting immunity, improving digestion, and protecting us from cardiovascular diseases and carcinogens. The protein in buttermilk is also more easily digestible than that contained in milk. “Those with digestive problems are advised to drink buttermilk rather than milk, as it is easily digested,” says Dr. S. Anand Rangan.

Buttermilk is low in fat, but high in potassium, vitamin B12, riboflavin, and calcium. This makes buttermilk a powerful ally for people trying to reduce weight. “Apart from being a health drink that’s low in calories, the astringent factor or rasa in buttermilk helps the body get rid of adipose tissue and extra calories,” says Dr. D. Shivashankari, Ayurvedic physician.

Though it’s a great drink during summer as it prevents dehydaration, sweating, tiredness, muscle cramps, nausea and headache, it is a great drink at other times too. Buttermilk is not just an Indian…More

The Hindu :

Makaramanje, which celebrates the relationship between Raja Ravi Varma and his muse Anjali Bai, brings together talented artistes

Of love and longing Makaramanje

One of Raja Ravi Varma’s most celebrated paintings is ‘Pururavas and Urvashi’ — it captures a tragic moment in the tumultuous love between these mythological characters. Running parallel to their relationship is the tragic love between Raja Ravi Varma and his muse Anjali Bai.

And, interweaving these stories is Lenin Rajendran, the director of “Makaramanje” (The Mist of Capricorn). The film has been exquisitely cinematographed by the much-feted Madhu Ambat.

The central character of Ravi Varma is played by ace cinematographer Santosh Sivan, making his debut as an actor in a feature film, and playing the muse is Karthika, daughter of yesteryear star, Radha. While the film is being made in Malayalam, it will be dubbed into Hindi and English.

The story unfolds as Ravi Varma narrates the myth of Pururavas and Urvashi to Anjali Bhai. Pururavas lives in the midst of nature. Envious of the charm this man has over nature, the celestial beings conspire, and send Urvashi, the apsara, to lure him.

Urvashi is torn between her divine mission and her love. The celestials allow her to stay on, but with a condition — that she never see him naked. The day that happens, she would be called back. One stormy night, the inevitable happens, and Urvashi tears herself from Pururavas. It is this heartbreaking parting that Ravi Varma captured in his immortal painting.

“Meanwhile, in real life, Ravi Varma and Anjali Bai were also going through a similar turmoil. Society could not tolerate or fathom the depths of love between a high-society painter and a model from the lower class. Finally, Anjali Bhai leaves him. I’ve made this movie to explore these emotions,” says Lenin.

“Makaramanje” captures this conflict where the borders between the creator and creation are dissolved in love. It…More

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PHOTO:S. SIVA SARAVANANComing to life Watch Karadi tales come alive on Disney channel

Karadi Tales audio books has been launched as an animated series on Disney Channel. The television series, comprising 26 titles from the Karadi tales catalogue is being aired on Disney channel at 9.30 a.m. on weekdays.

Directed by Soumitra Ranade, the series features animated characters and backgrounds styled on the lines of the Indian mask-making tradition, to provide a distinct look and feel.

The soundtrack features Naseeruddin Shah, Girish Karnad, Saeed Jaffrey and other celebrated artistes.

The series currently airs in English and Hindi, and will soon be broadcast in regional languages also.

With the rich music and narrative, children will be able to enjoy an exciting animated storytelling experience.

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The Hindu :

Accident on Hill Road raises moral questions

A SLICE OF LIFE Accident on Hill Road

I magine this — You’re driving, after a late night party, under the influence of alcohol. As you negotiate a bend, you hit a person right in the middle of the road. What do you do now — report the matter or leave him to take care of himself? That forms the crux of Hindi film “Accident on Hill Road”, directed by Mahesh Nair.

The film is based on a real-life incident, where a woman hit a man, drove home, and parked the car in the garage with the manstill wedged in the windshield. Celina Jaitley plays Sonam Chopra, a nursing assistant, in this thriller.

Prakash Shrivastava, the victim, is played by Farooque Shaikh, while Abhimanyu Singh plays Sonam’s boyfriend Sid. The couple leave Prakash clinging to life in her garage. But soon, there’s a fight for life. “It’s adapted from ‘Stuck’, a 2007 Hollywood film. We’ve adapted some portions of the film to suit Indian audiences,” says producer Nari Hira of Magna Films.

Says Mahesh Nair: “The toughest task was to convince Farooque Shaikh. But, once he heard the script, Farooque agreed. He even went to trauma care centres to talk to doctors and patients.”

“We short-listed Celina for the female lead, knowing very well it was not a glamorous role, ,” says Hira.

Incidentally, “Accident on Hill Road” is said to be the first mainstream Hindi film to be shot entirely on High Definition Viper camera.

The music is composed by Raju Singh (who has done most of the background scores for Mahesh Bhatt’s productions as well as Anurag Basu’s films).

“There is only one song in the film — ‘Nasha Nasha’, sung by Sonu Nigam, with lyrics by Sandeep Nath.

The song is integral to the storyline — it is played in a lounge club where Celina and Abhimanyu are drinking and…More

The Hindu : y>Rakhi comes to blows with ishQ Bector

MUSICAL FACE-OFFishQ Bector and Rakhi Sawant

Rakhi Sawant has gone what she calls “hi-glam” for a new music video by ishQ Bector.

His new album, called “Jhagde” , has Rakhi sporting a new, short hair-do. ishQ banks on Rakhi being her catty self, bold and brazen as usual.

“We’re taking her cattiness to the next level,” quips ishQ. The composer, who also sings and performs for his videos, is best known for his hit video track “Aye Hip Hopper”, “Karle Gunaah” from “Ugly Aur Pagli”, “You Got Me Rockin and Reeling” from “Billu Barber”, the title track of “Maan Gaye Mughall-e-Azam” and rap-vocals for “Race”.

In the video of “Jhagde”, Rakhi will be seen coming to blows with ishQ in a freestyle boxing match. Rakhi claims, “If ishQ thinks he will get away with the ‘jhagde’, he’s sorely mistaken. Even with a hip look, I can beat the Hip Hopper black and blue in any boxing match.”

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