Monthly Archives: January 2012

You should get to know … Subbanna Varanas

Business & Economy, Nri's / Pio's, Uncategorized

Job description or business description: Massage Par Excellence. I give a deep tissue massage and specialize in Indian head massage.

Background: I was born in Madras (now Chennai), India, and went to university in Hyderabad. I have a bachelor’s degree in commerce, and later, while working in a hotel in the Sultanate of Oman, went to school and earned an advanced diploma in French and on my return to India in 2000 earned an advanced diploma in Spanish. From working as a health club manager in a hotel in Oman, as a journalist in Hyderabad, working on oil rigs in Ajman in the United Arab Emirates, bartending on Carnival Cruise Lines sailing in Mexico and the Caribbean and driving a cab in New York City, I probably did more than a dozen jobs. Besides giving massages at my clinic and doing translation, interpretation and voiceovers, I work in the BOS restaurant, in the Renaissance Savery Hotel downtown. After returning to the U.S. in 2007 I studied massage therapy and became a licensed massage therapist.

Notable achievements: I speak five languages fluently and meet and greet in another five. Becoming a citizen of the greatest country in the world was a long-cherished dream that became a reality in September.

Why I do what I do: I am a people person and love to know people wherever I travel and live. The very first year I arrived in Des Moines I sold corn Indian style, roasting them on hot coals and rubbing Indian spices on them, in the downtown farmers market. I realized Iowans are warm and friendly and quite a few of them encouraged me to start my own Indian restaurant. But since the time I started as a masseur in the Sheraton Hotel in Bombay back in 1980, I wanted to pursue massage as a profession. On my return to Des Moines from India in 2007, I went back to school and got my certificate and license and started Massage Par Excellence. There is absolutely nothing like helping people de-stress with a relaxing and rejuvenating massage. I educate people (especially women, who constitute 90 percent of my clientele) that as much as a manicure and pedicure is vital, massage does magic to stressed minds and bodies.

What I do to get away from work: I love to travel (I’ve been to 30 countries), and I believe travel does not have to be to other countries. My wife, Brenda, and I drive an hour from Des Moines and eat lunch in a small town and just totally unwind. I listen to music, and I try meeting new people and keep myself updated by talking to my friends around the world on Skype.

How I give back to the community: I volunteer, especially by participating in free chair massage clinics to aid food pantries and other worthy causes. I have been a tour guide at Terrace Hill. I actively participate in the Merle Hay Neighborhood Association activities. As stated on my website, on my massage clients’ request, a percentage of the massage fee is donated to the charity of their choice.

Words to live by: “Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure.” — George Edward Woodberry.

Best business book I’ve read lately: “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson. The story of the charismatic pioneer of the personal computer revolution is truly gripping and inspiring.

The best place in central Iowa to entertain clients or colleagues: I visit quite often the India Star at 55th and Douglas Avenue. The close proximity to my home and clinic makes it easy for me to introduce Indian cuisine to my American friends and clients.

One thing I would change about the Des Moines area: I would like to see more shops and establishments on the street level in the downtown area. Except for the East Village (and that just in the past few years), the rest of the downtown is deserted during afternoons and simply a ghost town during evenings. The skywalk system may be a great boon for office workers to reach the food courts, but it has literally killed any chance of opening a business on the street level. More people would frequent the shops and restaurants at all times of the day if they spent time on the streets.

What Iowa can do to attract more people like me: I know that Iowa has been great to immigrants, and we need to keep on opening our doors to immigrants from around the world to continue to contribute to the colorful mosaic that is Iowa.

My mentor: My mother raised five kids and she started going to school when I, the last kid, was 15. She did teacher training and went on to get a Ph.D. She taught college until she retired. By her own example she taught me that learning has no age limit.

What I would do if I could do something else: I would love to write travel guides. I would like to describe not just the tourist sites and the restaurants and shopping but the people and their way of life and culture.

Contact information: Massage Par Excellence, 3839 Merle Hay Road, suite 210. (515) 450-7052  www.subbu.com

source: http://www.DesMoinesRegister.com / Business> Featured / by Subbanna Varanasi / January 16th, 2012

Anna University-BCT Kalam centre to enhance professional skills

Business & Economy, Education, Nri's / Pio's, Science & Technologies, Uncategorized

By A Staff Reporter – MUSCAT:

The Anna University and Bahwan CyberTek Kalam Centre of Excellence set up by Bahwan CyberTek in collaboration with the Ramanujan Computing Centre (RCC), Anna University, was inaugurated by the former President of India, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam in the university’s Chennai campus yesterday.
Also present at the inauguration were Hind Bahwan, Chairperson, Bahwan CyberTek Group, Durgaprasad, Director and CEO Bahwan CyberTek Group, Mannar Jawahar, Vice-chancellor of Anna University and Rhymend Uthariaraj, Director of RCC.
Bahwan CyberTek has set up the 40-seat state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence (CoE) with Bahwan CyberTek’s Cuecent BPMS Software Suite. Through the COE, Bahwan CyberTek will provide an opportunity to enhance the professional skills of the students and faculty of Anna University in BPM, SOA and emerging technologies. Bahwan CyberTek will also provide project sponsorships, research options and paper publications support to the students and faculty of the University.
Kalam at the launch set the vision for the joint AU-BCT Kalam Centre of Excellence initiative to research the convergence of Bio, Nano, IT and Ecology to build sustainable innovation and leadership in institutions to emerge out of India that will have a global impact.
Hind Suhail Bahwan, Chairperson, Bahwan CyberTek Group said “With innovation being the corporate philosophy, and with our strong commitment to contribute to the society we operate in, we have set up this CoE to serve the students and faculty of this esteemed university and also be a platform for ongoing innovations in IT.”
S Durgaprasad, Director and CEO, Bahwan CyberTek Group said “My association with my alma mater is a special one and I firmly believe that this coming together of the Industry and the Academia marks a true collaboration and commitment to bring about far-reaching technological innovations.”
Prof P Mannar Jawahar, Vice Chancellor – Anna University, said “The CoE that has been established at RCC is a world-class, shared-use educational and R&D facility serving the student and industry community.
“Bahwan CyberTek will conduct certification courses and aid in providing projects and consulting work for the faculty and students of Anna University. This collaboration holds tremendous potential for innovation and offers far-reaching benefits for students. The technologies formed by the partnership of RCC-AU and Bahwan CyberTek not only will enable and enhance further technology development and research, it will positively impact the knowledge of students of Anna University”.
Ramanujan Computing Centre (RCC) located in Anna University (AU), Chennai, is functioning as a technology provider to students, researchers and teaching community to fulfil their computational, technological and Internet requirements. The centre is truly state-of-art with the sophisticated Wi-Fi connectivity, Video Streaming Server to render Video Conference/Video-on-demand facility.
Bahwan CyberTek, established in 1999, is a global IT provider of innovative software products and services.

source: http://www.main.omanobserver. om / Oman Daily Observer / Sunday, January 15th, 2012

Kamal and Dhanush to share the screen with Hollywood actor Jackie Chan

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion

Kamal and Dhanush will be sharing the screen with Hollywood actor Jackie Chan in a film to be produced by Aascar Ravichandran. Aascar Ravichandran who is supposed to be a stalwart producer is a specialist in commercial films. All the films he has produced has never failed at the box office.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cinema News From Tamilmovie.com

Now Aascar Ravichandran is producing a film which will have world’s number one hero Jackie Chan in the lead role. This film is being produced at a cost of Rs 400 Crores. It is also understood that two actors from Tamil film industry will also be acting in this film. Apart from them one of the top most heroes of Bollywood will also be making a special appearance in this film. Aascar Ravichandran has approached Kamal Haasan and Dhanush for dates.

So sources in Kodambakkam confirm that Kamal and Dhanush are the two actors who will be acting in this high budgeted film.

source: http://www.tamilomovie.com / Actor News / Friday, January 13th, 2012

The house that John Moses filled

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Uncategorized

Step into the 50-year-old home of John and Esthell Moses, and you will feel yourself transported into the magical world of CS Lewis. From the teakwood furniture handed down over generations, to the dozen over-sized antique wall clocks adorning the walls of their hall alone, to the brass lamps sitting on the shelves, the Moses residence is a haven for all things Victorian.

This ‘dedicated junk collector’, as he likes to call himself, has been collecting and restoring since he was 30-years-old — proof of which are the 150 lamps, 50 clocks, two cycles, gramophones, and other Victorian articles that you will find in nooks and corners. Even the kitchen shelves of their spacious residence in Kilpauk Garden Colony, Chennai, have been invaded by the collectibles.

It would take one a day, at the least, to list out the treasures that Moses has collected — and we might add it has not been an easy task for him, as most of these antiques have been spotted, sought out, bargained and sometimes even fought for.

“There is a story behind every antique I have collected,” smiles Moses as he remembers the feeling of achievement once he manages to get his hands on a prize. He talks about how he acquired one of his most prized possessions — a 1927 HMV gramophone, the largest ever produced. “It took me eight visits before I could strike a bargain, after which I had to bring it home in a truck. My wife was not very happy about the whole thing,” he says.

Being a technician himself, Moses started restoring antiques as well, and while today, we enjoy the luxury of Google to find information on anything under the sun, the 58-year-old Moses has had to depend on books about antiques, from where he gleans information on how to repair them.” Sometimes you break two and learn on the third,” shares Moses, adding that though restoring and maintaining antiques is laborious and expensive (many of the antiques are so rare that Moses has had to use makeshift spares or get them made to order at a premium), he is glad that it keeps him occupied. What else does he get out of it?

Being a member of the Madras Heritage Lovers Forum, he displays his best at their August exhibition, where school children get to see them. This, besides his personal satisfaction, is what keeps Moses happy with his hobby that is a dead investment — he cannot sell them. “They are plentifully available abroad and not many appreciate them here,” he sadly concludes.

But if there is a Victorian antique you want identified or restored, or if you are looking for something you remember seeing at your grandparents’ home while a child, chances are that Moses will be able to help you.

source: http://www.expressbuzz.com / Home> Magazine / by Ryan Peppin / January 13th, 2012

POSCO : Special `innovation` lecture held at Hindustan University

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Uncategorized, World Opinion

– Lecture focuses on `Global Leadership, POSCO Innovation`

Song Byoung-kwan, Senior Manager of POSCO-ICPC, recently gave a lecture at Hindustan University. Titled “Global Leadership and POSCO Innovation,“ it was attended by the school`s MBA and EIBIS students.

Divided into two sessions, the lecture featured some interesting facts regarding the similarity of the Korean and Tamil languages, which was highlighted by creative and timely use of video clips. For example, both Inge vaa (Tamil) and Iriwa va (Korean) mean “come here.“

He also emphasized the importance of cultural understanding as the only way to understand a country and its people as a whole.

“Understanding differences is the first step for a global company to move forward to a more positive future, because we are part of a much bigger global society and we have a responsibility for a better world,“ he said.

Mentioning the importance of ceaseless challenges to become a global leader, Song pointed out that human beings must learn a lot from animals as well, about how to adapt to new environments and how to move on in life.

“We must learn from history, as well as from leading companies to excel. Don`t be afraid of facing new challenges and work as a team,“ Song said. “Success in life is about overcoming the previous failure and giving it another try.“

A part of the lecture was a video presentation highlighting the history of POSCO, one of the world`s largest steel companies. One of the world`s `Big Three` steel firms, POSCO is operating eight regional hubs, 80 subsidiaries and sales networks around the globe. In India, the company has offices in Delhi, Maharashtra, Orissa and Chennai.

“POSCO`s history is the history of creativity, which has been a major driving force behind its current and future success. Resources may be limited, but creativity is unlimited. POSCO will continue to explore the world and open up markets in an effort to remain as a reliable and trustful global enterprise.“

sails@posco.com

– Song Byoung-kwan, Senior Manager of POSCO-ICPC, gives a lecture at Hindustan University under the theme of “Global Leadership and POSCO Innovation.“

source: http://www.4-traders.com / Homepage> Shares> Korea Exchange> Posco / January 12th, 2012

Book on Cauvery

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

At the function: G.K.Vasan, Union minister of Shipping, (second right) and Kaumuri Bapi Raju, MP (third right), G. Rangaswamy Moopanar, president, Sri Thyagabrahma Mahotsava Sabha (left)and A.K. Palanivel at Thanjavur. Photo: B. Velankanni Raj

‘Mazhai,’ a book of verses on rain and Cauvery Delta, was released in Thanjavur recently.

The Union Minister for Shippping, G.K.Vasan, released a Tamil book titled ‘Mazhai,’ written by G. Srinivasan, at Thanjavur on Monday last (January 9). Kaumuri Babi Raju MP and chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam received the first copy. Speaking on the occassion Vasan said that writing poetry is a difficult task.

“It is even more difficult to write poems that provide food for thought. When the poet makes people think and act with his poems, he achieves the goal.”

Quoting some poems from the book, Vasan said that one on Cauvery issue spoke of the reality on the issue. The poem says that the farmer of Cauvery delta wants rain to be copious in Coorg, so that his Kannada brethren can not store the water and open the dams. Thus the Delta farmer will get the rain. Vasan quipped by saying “It appears that only Lord Varuna can help the people in Tamil Nadu in the Cauvery issue.” He said that the book contained poems on spirituality, health, social issues like environment, poverty and poems on leaders like Mahatma Gandhi.

G. Rangaswamy Moopanar, president of the Thyagabrahma Mahotsava Sabha, presided over the function. Sintha Mohan, Tirupati MP, N.R. Rangarajan, Pattukottai MLA and S.P. Anthonisamy, chairman of Parisutham Institute of Science and Technology, received the copies of the book. A. Alagappan, former governor, Rotary Club, and director, Blossom School, Dr. Mohandos, Nephrologist, V. Jeevakumar from Tamil Nadu Murpokku Ezhuthalar and Kalaignargal Sangam and Kamaraj, Professor, Tamil University, offered felicitations. The book has been brought out by Mahavir Printers, Thanjavur.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Arts> Books / by G Srinivasan / January 12th, 2012

 

1,500-acre Japanese township to come up soon on OMR

Business & Economy, Uncategorized

Chennai:

Tamil Nadu government has signed a memorandum of understanding with a Japanese consortium and real estate developer Ascendas to build a 1,500-acre integrated township with residential and industrial facilities for Japanese investors. It will come up 50km south of Chennai along Old Mahabalipuram Road.
Chief minister J Jayalalithaa signed the MoU on Tuesday with the Ascendas Development Trust (AIDT), which has built an IT park in Taramani, and a consortium comprising corporate finance provider Mizuho Corporate Bank and JGC Corporation, a programme management contractor and investment partner.
Ascendas Group president Chong Siak Ching said, “We are happy to have the support of the government of Tamil Nadu and to work with Japan’s leading companies Mizuho and JGC.” The government has promised collaboration with local government agencies for the project’s implementation. The township is expected to have lifestyle amenities for up to 40,000 people,” Ascendas officials said. “The infrastructure will be eco-friendly.”

 

Shinya Fujii, director general of the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) said the township would house industries from the manufacturing sector.

source: http://www.Timeofindia.Indiatimes.com /  Home> City> Chennai / TNN / January 11th, 2012

The long and short of it

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Uncategorized

 Fitting script to star Balki feels that’s a concept we can’t really change Photo: Murali Kumar k.

Ad man and feature filmmaker R. Balki tells Bhumika K. that in Indian cinema the actor is definitely bigger than the character

His ads make sure you don’t switch channels between programmes. You’ve also enjoyed his films if you’re as much of an Amitabh Bachchan fan as he is. The same guy who came up with the “Daag achche hain” concept for a washing powder, also turned the Indian love story on its head with the May-December romance “Cheeni Kum”. R. Balakrishnan, better known in the ad and film world as R. Balki, is now in the process of giving Sridevi’s acting career a breath of fresh air.

He’s producing the much-awaited “English Vinglish”, Sridevi’s large screen comeback, written and directed by his wife, Gauri Shinde.“My wife wrote the story with certain experiences in mind…it’s an ode to her mother. It’s a woman-oriented subject and needs a certain sensitivity in how it’s made. I loved the script so much, I just wanted the film to be between us,” is how Balki explains his entry into the Hindi film industry as producer.

Balki, who’s the chairman and chief creative officer of ad-agency Lowe Worldwide, was in Bangalore recently to speak to college students at ‘Expressions 2012′, the annual seminar on journalism and mass communication organised by Commits. Ad guys never fail to charm with their talk, and if the students at the seminar lapping up his every word were anything to go by, Balki was Chief Charmer. Playing clips of his advertisements, Balki spoke of the power of advertising, of saying so much without saying it all. And how the same ad can be stretched into an entire movie.

It’s all out in the open — that Balki is a big fan, both of music composer Ilayaraja and Amitabh Bachchan — a combination that made his maiden film “Cheeni Kum” in 2007 and then again his “Paa” in 2009, great successes with the audience.

It is also now part of Bollywood legend that Balki writes the script keeping in mind particular actors, and always gets them to star in those roles. “In Indian cinema, an actor has assumed a role larger than that of the character he plays. So you start thinking on those terms. Auro (the character of a 13-year-old that AB played in ‘Paa’) is still Amitabh Bachchan at 13 — he’s witty, intelligent, sarcastic — everything that Amitabh is. You and I can’t change it,” is Balki’s reason for fitting a script to star. He continues: “My desire is to work with Amitabh Bachchan so I will write for him. Shah Rukh Khan also has an image associated with him and it’s a strong one, Aamir Khan is still Aamir Khan, even if he is playing a college student. The characters can’t be actor-neutral and we love it. It’s a bonus we as a country have.”

All this Balki says over phone, as the high-flier who zips into the seminar zips out to meet his mother who lives in Bangalore. “I’m a Bangalorean. We’re Tamilians who’ve lived here all our life. I’ve spent 34 years of my life in Bangalore. It’s only in the last 13 years that I’ve been in Mumbai. I guess my association with Bangalore figures in me as a person, and influences me. Bangalore has always been cosmopolitan in outlook and I’m comfortable with my Hindi, Tamil and Kannada. It may rob you of the kind of cultural richness that you would have if you were born in a city like Chennai, but it is replaced with another richness — a far more easy going, fuss-free attitude, which reflects in the way I think.”

A product of Frank Anthony Public School and Christ College, Balki has fond memories of the restaurants and landmarks in the city, and “of lanes I’ve walked in depression” when he was quite undecided about his career. “Theatres like Lido, Galaxy, Lavanya and Lakshmi, and Kannada, Tamil and Telugu films are all part of my memories,” he laughs. “I love Kannadiga food; I love akki rottiand bisi bele bhath and ask my mother to make Kannadiga saaru when I visit.”

While he straddles both worlds — of ad and feature filmmaking — with ease, Balki says “I love advertising. It’s like solving a problem; it’s addictive. Unless you have a fantastic story to tell, making a feature film is too laborious a process.” That, coming from a man who claims he’s never worked on a single crossword in his life! Speaking earlier at the seminar, Balki spoke of how advertising is one of the most insecure professions. “You don’t know where your next idea is coming from. It can kill you or make you. It’s just a game and you keep playing.”

source: http://www.TheHindu.com/ Arts> Cinema / by Bhumika K / January 10th, 2012

Malaysian Indian Film Festival opens

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Resources of Free Materials

From left) Actor Saranya Ponvannan, Malaysian actor Haanii Shivraj, South Indian Artists’ Association general secretary Radha Ravi and Malaysian Indian Congress Youth Wing Chairman T.Mohan at the inauguration of the Malaysian Indian Film Festival in Chennai on Monday. Photo: S.S.Kumar

For the first time, movie buffs in the city will be treated to Malaysian Tamil movies. A three-day Malaysian Indian Film Festival opened at Sree Devi preview theatre, T.Nagar, on Monday.

Unlike the Tamil film industry here, Malaysian Indian filmdom is small and has less patronage. Vijay, Chairman of Malaysian Indian Film Festival, said the Indian population in Malaysia is less than 10 per cent and Tamil-speaking population is much less. Only two Tamil movies were made between 1960 and 2000. After digitisation, the number of movies produced has gone up to six or seven a year.

Majority of movies were made on shoe-string budget except for a few like ‘Appalam’, which was produced by a Malaysian company. “Most theatres there prefer to screen Tamil films produced in India and only one or two Tamil movies made in Malaysia get released in theatres.

The major source of revenue is through DVD sales and there is no question of piracy,” he added.

Actors also promote their movies by installing stalls at Thaipoosam festival. Haanii Shivraj, who took up acting two years ago, juggles between anchoring shows in Tamil channels here and acting in Malaysian Tamil films, said: “I gave up my job as flight stewardess and became full-time actor. There is no divide between television and films and many actors opt for TV serials for more recognition.”

Of the 26 Malaysian Tamil movies that were released in theatres, 10 were nominated for screening in the festival. T.Mohan, Youth Wing Chairman, Malaysian Indian Congress, said the festival would provide a platform to recognise the talent of Malaysian technicians, improve the quality of movies and market films in India for more revenue.

Inaugurating the festival, Radha Ravi, general secretary, South Indian Artists’ Association, said the Malaysian Tamil film technicians must seek opportunities to expand the industry and must develop better interaction with the Tamil filmdom here. Vagai Chandrasekar, treasurer of South Indian Artists’ Association, suggested the Malaysian Tamil film industry share its technical equipment and cast actors from Tamil Nadu as the movies would have better business in both the countries.

E.Thangaraj, general secretary, Indo-Cine Appreciation Foundation, said the fete was organised at short notice to promote new talent in the industry. The movies screened at the festival would be adjudged by actor Charlie, Fatima Babu, actor-turned-director Manobala for awards in six categories. Actor Saranya Ponvannan also took part.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / News> Cities> Chennai / by Staff Reporter / January 10th, 2012

‘Nanban’ for the French

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nri's / Pio's

As we’re nearing Pongal, the excitement among eager fans has become multi-fold. The latest is that, ‘Nanban’ will be the first ever Tamil film which will be released with French subtitles in France!

The film releases big on January 12 and the booking start from January 8, four days prior to the release. The makers are hopeful of seeing a huge opening for this Pongal release and trade gurus are confident it will thanks to the star value, promising crew and a long festive weekend.

It is also said that since the film was certified by the censor board during the end of December 2011, the film will qualify for 2011 awards and not 2012.

The official remake of Bollywood blockbuster, ‘3 Idiots’, ‘Nanban’, stars Vijay, Jiiva, Srikanth and Ileana in the lead roles with music by Harris Jayaraj. It is indefinitely one of the most awaited and promising films of 2012.

source: http://www.IndiaGlitz.com / Saturday, January 07th, 2012