At the 30th Thailand Motor Expo in November last year, Suzuki unveiled a concept called A:Wind. The A:Wind, a concept hatch was in near production-ready form. It has now been announced that the company is coming up with a new global car for the A-segment. The Celerio, as it has been monikered, will replace the A-star in India and the global Alto.

Recently, Maruti Suzuki also showcased their newly-developed transmission Auto Gear Shift in India. It is basically an automated manual transmission (AMT) which equips an electro-hydraulic actuator that automatically operates clutch and gearshift, on the new five-speed manual transmission. This will debut in the new small car.

For starters, this is what the concept A:Wind looks like –

As is clear from the images, the concept has been designed keeping in mind a production form. The Celerio will take heavily from this concept and in all likelyhood will premier at the upcoming Delhi Auto Expo.

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Volvo had recently taken the wraps off its latest offering, the Concept XC Coupé. It has the looks of a crossover, but as the name clearly suggests, is a coupe model. The design incorporated is fluid and seems like it could make it to the next-generation of the XC90. The XC90 is a polpular crossover that Volvo offers in all its markets globally. Here are a set of photos taking you through the concept –

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Well, other than doing your daily household chores, smartphones these days are doing pretty much everything else. One of the foremost features people look for in their phones is a good camera. And boy! Have manufacturers taken heed. Today, smartphone cameras have become good enough to replace at least the low end point-and-shoot cameras.

Now before you start mouthing megapixels, let me tell you it is not about it. Megapixels do not tell you how good or bad the camera is. Megapixels only determine how good the image will look on zooming in or when it is printed. If a high megapixel camera was the best, then theoretically, the Nokia 1020 with its 41 MP camera should be better than the professional 5D SLR which is around 21 MP. So, let me tell you again, megapixels don’t really matter much, what matters is the size of the sensor inside the unit. So, let’s move on.

A lot of people like to click photos with their smartphones and others do it because it is an easy option as compared to carrying a camera. Let me list down a few basics to keep in mind to click better with your phone camera –

• It is photography after all; do not forget the basics like finding a good angle, get the framing and compositions right.
• Understand and study the light around, if the auto mode doesn’t do the job, manually set the exposure when you feel the light is low.
• The phone may not always get the white balance right, set it right manually.
• Get fully thorough with the settings of your phone camera. Use the maximum available image resolution.
• Set face detection on if you are clicking people.
• Use a good photography app (android or ios).
• Phone cameras take great close-up shots, so move in close wherever possible.
• Avoid using the zoom. You can zoom into the picture once clicked.
• If you have shaky hands, turn on the stability function or lean against a structure or use a make-shift stand to put your phone on.
• Clean the lens, always.
• Make smart use of the flash. Eg – Flash can be used during the daytime to negate shadows.
• Edit the colour levels if need be. Use filters smartly.
• And last of all, if you have absolutely no clue how to do it right, go black and white to salvage whatever can be.

 These are some itsy-bitsy tips, but at the end of the day, the name of the game is SKILL. So keep clicking, shoot many angles, get the best shot and keep getting better.

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This right here, is Lambo’s road-ready hypercar, the Veneno. As is typical of Lamborghini’s naming, its name comes from a prize fighting bull of the  year 1914. Ithas been designed for extreme performance and high cornering stability.

Sharp fins, slats and a flamboyant front/rear wing give it a very edgy look. The entire design reeks of aerodynamics. Thanks to a light weight CFRP monocoque frame, the car weighs just 1490 kgs and is fast, extremely fast.

At its heart lies a 750 PS V12 engine that takes it to 100 in a blistering 2.8 seconds. It has an optional four-wheel-drive system. The car tops out at around 355 kmph. 

CRPF has also been extensively used on the inside to keep weight low. There is a hint of beauty, but it is majorly brute. Pure, brutish power! 

Like I said earlier, this can’t be bought coz it’s sold out. They made three of them for sale, and each sold for around 20-25 crore. Which means, if by chance it were to be bought here, it would cost someone around 50 crore (duties & taxes included).

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So, the new Honda City is finally here. It is the fourth generation of the sedan and yes, it now gets a much-awaited, much-anticipated diesel engine. This is a huge occasion and people are already going bonkers over the new car. And why should they not? For more than a decade, the City has held a special place in the hearts of people. Not just this, it has actually been one of the best-selling sedan models in India. In a mileage/diesel driven automobile industry like ours, the City has held its place purely on its petrol mill, and this is a clear indicator of how very good that unit was/is. Honda also hit the jackpot with the Amaze diesel. Considering the fact that it is this same diesel unit that is going to power the City diesel, other car brands have a lot to fear. Now although all of this sounds and looks perfect on paper, there is a lot more than meets the eye.

Throughout last year, the automobile industry has been facing a turndown. The depreciating rupee and rising import costs only worsened things. On the other hand, the market has literally seen a barrage of new vehicles and the consumer now has a whole lot more options to choose from. At this point, no brand can safely talk of a domination/monopoly. A ‘people’s brand’ like Maruti, which at one point had waiting periods for almost all its big-sellers, has practically no waiting period on any of its vehicles.

2013 saw Honda make huge inroads with its Amaze diesel. Honda’s motive back then was to introduce a compact sedan for the Indian market. In my opinion, Honda should have acted on its ‘City’ plans then. They should have introduced the fourth generation City with the diesel engine before the Amaze. This would have given them a huge market share to capture. At a price below Rs 8 lakh, the City diesel would actually be a steal considering that it is an upmarket sedan and also a true heartthrob.

When City was first launched in India, there really was no major competition. The car cashed in on its ‘enthusiast’ and the whole upmarket feel. But now, the competition is massive. I reiterate, I do not say that the new car will not sell, in fact it could go on to break records (considering the kind of surprises our car industry throws all the time). But I definitely feel, Honda could have timed it better, brought it in early. Probably, the early second quarter of 2013?

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BMW will give an Indian debut to its 3 series GT at the Delhi Auto Expo. The GT in the moniker does point to an enhancement in performance, but we still have to wait for further details. Meanwhile, just take a look at this beauty!

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 The Mercedes-Benz S500 is not only a great luxury sedan but is also considered, by many, as the best car in the world.

 It is longer than before and sits on a longer wheelbase. Mercedes has stuck to the concept of ‘do not mend what is not broken’ and has retained most of the aesthetics. Sleek, smooth and classy are just a few terms that come in mind, when seen by an untrained eye.

Under the hood, is a V8 petrol that delivers 460 PS and 700 Nm. The assembly is completed with a 7-speed automatic transmission. The car does a 0-100 in around 5 seconds while reaching top speeds of around 250 kmph.

Most of the interior is made up of wood, metal, leather and just a little plastic. The large TFT screen, 24-speaker Burmester sound system and exceptional sound-proofing for the passengers are just some of the features of the S500.

The rear of the cabin is where real indulgence is. Large screens, aircon vents with fully automated climate control, reclining seats with massage function and suspension setting for the most comfortable ride – anyone feel like it’s an airplane?

The vehicle was launched just a few days back on the 8th os January. It is fully imported in our country so it carries a price tag of nearly 1.6 crore (ex-showroom). It may also be one of the vehicles that Merc brings to its stand at the upcoming Delhi Auto Expo.

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The multi-slat grille with chrome garnishing, very orthodox lam assemblies, bear-hug bumpers and a very tall stance – the Grand Cherokee is a clear mix between the smooth and the robust.

The rear shares slight similarities with the Fortuner. There are chrome inserts here as well and the quadrangular exhausts are a nice touch.

Make no mistake about it, as sauve as the Grand Cherokee looks, it is afterall an SUV. It gets a 3.0-litre V6 diesel unit that makes 240 PS and 580 Nm, in sync with an 8-speed ZF transmission. It will take you ‘anywhere’ literally!

The bird’s-eye view. At almost five metres long, two metres wide, It is a massive vehicle. The design is well-proportioned with strong and square wheel arches. 

Leather, soft material, wood trims, graining, multi-function touchscreen and a topline entertainment system – this Jeep is definitely upmarket on the inside.

Things like these satin-polished 20inch Aluminium alloys are ‘bling’ in its purest form.

There’s no conformation yet, but maybe, just maybe, Fiat could bring this ‘big baby’ to the upcoming Delhi Auto Expo.

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This is the performance enhanced version of the GLA, the Mercedes GLA45 AMG. Say Hello!!

The GLA45 AMG is powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that makes 355 PS and 450 Nm. A 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT with Race Start holds the transmission together. It also has the 4-MATIC AWD. 0-100 is claimed to be under 5 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 250 kmph.

Equipped with the AMG bodykit and the AMG tuning, the crossover is claimed to be a ‘go anywhere’ baby. Quad exhausts at the rear, sleek alloys and bodylines look serious Merc.

Headlamps with daytime running LEDs, the giant three-pointed-star, chromed grille, wide air dams and an overall planted look adorn the front.

Typical of AMG on the inside, lots of carbonfibre, brushed chrome, racy upholstery and the other Merc essentials.

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The 2010 NBA Finals was an epic seven-game series between the Lakers and the Celtics. As loose as it sounds now, back in the 2010 playoffs, both teams pushed as though it was their last legitimate shot at the gold. The Lakers took game 7 and the NBA title that year.

Every hoops fan, one way or another, is well aware of the Celtics-Lakers rivalry. Not only is it the NBA’s fiercest rivalry, but is also one of the most storied rivalries in sports history. Two franchises that invoke extreme emotions from fans and haters alike, have also given the game of basketball some of its greatest players. Jerry West, Bill Russell, Magic, Bird, McHale, Ainge, Jabbar and other greats made way for great talents of the modern-era. Our generation discusses the rivalry on the basis of names like Shaq, Kobe, Garnett, Allen, Pierce, Rondo, Fisher, Gasol and other accompanying players. The two teams have won a total 33 championships with the Celtics having one more than the Lakers. But it is the Lakers that have dominated the rivalry in the modern era.

Today the two teams are facing times that every fan dreads. It is not something uncommon, every team, every athlete has been, and will continue to be, plagued by low points. But the reason this situation right here demands attention is because, this time and the next few coming years could change the entire face of the rivalry between the C’s and the Lakers. From this point on, I will try to give you a perspective, taking into consideration the past few years and the coming few.

The Lakers have always been a heavy spending franchise. The most glorious days that the modern day Lakers fans were witness to was back in the Shaq-Kobe years. A hungry Bryant and a dominating Shaq combined to form one of the most formidable frontcourt-backcourt duos to have set foot on the hardwood. They were joined by Phil ‘Zen’ Jackson as head coach, and went on to achieve a three-peat (gold in 2000, 2001 and 2002). What a few people tend to overlook is, the Shaq-Kobe era too came as part of the re-building process after a lull during the 90s. It was like that decade of the 90s was specifically tailored by the Lord himself, for Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson to cement their respective places as the greatest player and greatest coach. The years post 1996 were the beginning of the re-ignition, Shaq and Kobe for the Lakers, while Boston got Paul ‘The Truth’ Pierce in 1998. The Celtics team, built around Pierce kept pushing for progress, while the Lakers got the three-peat.

Then came the game-changer in 2004, Big Shaq was traded to Miami Heat. With the big man gone, the Lakers joined the Celtics in a place called ‘mediocrity’. During all this while, it is not that the two teams just vanished, it is just that neither made any spectacular run at the playoffs or to the finals. Then came the year 2008, Boston had made blockbuster trades to bring in Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to join Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and coach Doc Rivers. The Lakers had Kobe, joined by the likes of Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, an injuired Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom. The two teams met at the 2008 NBA Finals, with Boston taking the series 4-2. This was Boston’s first championship since 1986 and 17^th overall. This year also paved the way for Boston’s Big-3 (Garnett, Pierce and Allen) and one of the best point guards in the game in Rajon Rondo.

The following year, the Celtics fell to the Orlando Magic in the conference finals. The Magic went on to face the Lakers in the 2009 finals, which saw LA take the gold. The year 2010, brought this rivalry back to its epitome, in a way that even fans of the Bird-Magic era were moved beyond words. Both teams were in the zone and every player with a potential to play to their very best. Kobe was joined by Gasol, Artest (Metta World Peace), Bynum and Fisher, while the Celtics had Garnett, Pierce, Perkins, Allen and Rondo. Practically every fan on the street was in either the purple and gold or the green. With even the Gods as audience, the two teams literally went to war.

Tearing at each other through six games, it all finally came down to a game 7 at the Staples Centre, California. It was what every fan had waited for, for ages – the Laker Show versus the Celtic Pride. In a tough-fought game, the Lakers came on top with Bryant getting his 5^th Championship, his 2^nd Finals MVP and the Lakers’ 16^th title. It was also the first time that the Lakers won a game 7 against the Celtics. For a number of fans like myself, as happy as we were at the display of great basketball, we silently knew that this could probably be the last great franchise battle for at least a while. That series also made another thing clear, one can go ahead and hate Kobe, dis him, not give him due credit, but one just cannot ignore his will to never give up, and try to be king-of-the-mountain.

Post the 2010 season, both teams made a number of shuffles. Every change made in the 3 years leading up to this season, was a contributing factor to the teams’ current scenario and also the re-building strategy that both teams have employed. Phil Jackson retired after the 2011 season. The Lakers traded away their veteran Derek Fisher and got Jordan Hill from the Houston Rockets, Steve Nash was brought in from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for draft picks and cash. Lamar Odom was traded to Dallas Mavericks. In a four team trade, Andrew Bynum was traded to bring in the best big man in the game today, Dwight Howard. With this trade, the Lakers were expected to become serious title contenders. But alas, unlike Jabbar and Shaq, Howard could never establish his dominance as a big man and ended up getting the sour end of a blockbuster deal. That ‘dwightmare’ ended when Howard ended up at Houston this season. The Celtics on the other hand, after 2010, got Shaq and Jermaine O’Neal to fill in for the injured Perkins and Delonte West came back. Perkins was then traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The C’s made additions in the form of Jeff Green, Carlos Arroyo and Nenad Krstic. Other player movements in and out the Celtic locker room involved Brandon Bass, Marquis Daniels, Mickael Pietrus, Glen Davis, Jason Terry, Von Wafer, etc. What the Celtics did in 2012, was let go of Ray Allen, who chose to move to Miami despite a pay cut. Coach Doc Rivers was then traded to the Clippers in 2013, which made way for the big shocker – few days later Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce along with Jason Terry and D.J.White moved to the Brooklyn Nets. This marked the absolute end of the ‘Big 3’ era. Brad Stevens, the head coach of Butler University, is now Head Coach of the Celtics.

The Lakers’ situation

As much as I would like to avoid it, I cannot overlook the whole ‘Howard gone wrong’ case. If the Lakers’ management would have sensed the slightest possibility of Dwight leaving the very next year, they would never have traded a young potent Bynum for the cause. Well, technically the plan was perfect – use the big wallet, west coast climate and Hollywood dreams to lure a big star to join the eternal megastar of the Lakers, Kobe Bryant. Howard never clicked and dissatisfaction only grew within both parties. Prior to the beginning of the 2013 season, Howard moved to Houston and Bryant was out recovering from an Achilles injury. In an attempt to salvage any remaining chances of making it to the playoffs, the Lakers signed veteran big man Chris Kaman and gifted but inconsistent youngster Nick Young. As of now, the Lakers have spent quite a bit on contracts of Steve Blake, Jordan Hill and Chris Kaman; while there are some other minimum level contracts for the likes of Jordan Farmar, Xavier Henry and Nick Young. For now, Kobe and Nash are still out injured, while Gasol still seems far from a 100 per cent. The Lakers are at the .500 mark owing to vigorous efforts from Blake, Young, Meeks, Hill, Farmar, Henry, etc.

It has now been confirmed that Kobe has signed an extension with the Lakers, for the next two years, worth $48 million. There is also a high possibility that a rehabbing Bryant fast-forwards his return to court. This contract will make Bryant the highest paid athlete in the NBA. A wise move that the Lakers could make in the near future is to let go of Nash for a younger option or a draft pick. Then, a glimpse into the future could see Bryant combining with Farmar/Blake in the backcourt while Young/Henry, Gasol/Hill/Kaman man the front.

Selling off Nash, will not only free some salary cap for the big free agent that LA is looking to sign, but also allow Blake to be first choice for PG which will automatically give the younger Farmar more minutes on rotation, thereby developing a better guard. Both Xavier Henry and Nick Young are already showing promise this season and both have optimum ability to play guard or forward. The lack of Howard in the paint, frees up Gasol and allows gives him the freedom to use his passing ability to feed Hill/Kaman who have better spot-up mid-range ability than Howard.

The Lakers and Mike D’Antoni are going to have to play tough if they are to make any noise this season but if they take wise, calculated decisions in the near future; a well-rounded Laker team is not far away. 

Celtics’ situation

Danny Ainge is incharge of operations of the Celtics, and simply put, it’s a ‘youth movement’ down at Boston. It will also be foolish to say that it was unexpected. The average age of the Cs’ starting lineup was slowly but steadily creeping into the unacceptable 30s and it was only a matter of time before the management took steps to reinforce  the idea that ‘players come and go, but the franchise lives on’.  The only way to fight age and survive long-term mediocrity was to take tough calls, and that they did.

Letting go of Doc to the Clippers gave them a first-round draft pick. The trade with the Nets included not only Gerald Wallace, MarShon Brooks and others but also three first-round draft picks. Now, the Celtics have first-round draft picks in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018 (can be swapped for 2017).

Also, over the years, Rajon Rondo has come up to be the real ‘heart’ of the Green army. Constant improvement and considerable experience with the ‘Big 3’ has truly made him the General of the current Celtics. When he comes back from his ACL rehab, the team will function with Rondo at its centre. Coach Stevens and the management now need to surround Rondo with the required talent, rotate wisely and make smart choices with the draft picks that they have in the kitty. The draft picks could be potent stars or could be optimally developed to later be traded for bigger names (remember Al Jefferson and Gerald Green who formed part of the Garnett mega deal).

Sometimes it does get easy, to lose focus of the bigger picture, and claim that a team is going down the dreaded rabbit-hole. The only place I see the Celtics and the Lakers going from here on is a place of new possibilities, renewed rivalry and new individual battles. Now that the Mamba is confirmed for the next two years, it will be worth watching what the alpha dog does with the young talents that surround him. On the other hand, the Celtics will have Rondo rallying his team of young upcoming athletes to go up against the established big names of the NBA. More importantly, when these two teams meet in the future, fresh names will strive to revitalize the match-up that once gave us Wilt-Russell and Bird-Magic.

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The i8 is BMW’s is a hybrid car. It is the high-performance coupe counterpart to the i3, the electric urban car.

The very first attention grabber is the smooth-flowing futuristic design language. It gets distinct panels at the front, the sills and over the rear wheels, while the C-pillar covers form aerofoils.

The most basic of elements – the typical BMW kidney grille remains the same. The LED lamps offer an optinal ‘laser’ headlights, which are 70 per cent more powerful than standard LEDs.

What also add to the sleekness of the i8, are the gull-wing doors with chemically hardened glass. The i8 uses a carbonfibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) shell on a welded all-aluminium chassis.

On the inside, a glass cockpit, touchscreen instrument panels and light and specially designed seats reek of featherweight engineering. The latest ConnectedDrive and 360 Electric mobility services are other added features.

The i8 gets four-wheel-drive. A 3-cylinder 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivers 232 PS of power to the rear wheels, while an additional 133 PS comes from the lithium-ion electric motor. This assembly is mated with a 6-speed automatic. The top speed is limited to 249kmph. It delivers a claimed 50 kmpl.

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It replaces the hugely popular Gallardo, and very clearly draws from the Gallardo’s base designs.

A sleek and smooth design in the traditional wedge shape, the sharp light assemblies and the overall low-slung look look extremely pleasing, and not only to the Lambo fans.

Under the hood of the beauty, lies the familiar 5.2-litre V10 that makes 610 PS and 560 Nm.  The engine is mated to a new 7-speed dual-clutch with all-wheel drive, that Lambo calls ‘Lamborghini Doppia Frizione’. 0-100 TAKES 3.2 seconds while top speed is 325 kmph.

The chassis is developed from the Audi R8’s space-frame design. Not surprisingly, it uses a lot of carbonfibre and aluminium.

The Huracán will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2014.

Typical of Lamborghini’s naming convention, the ‘Huracán’ comes from the name of a famous fighting bull of the Spanish Conte de la Patilla breed. The ‘LP 610-4’ stands for the longitudinally mounted V10 engine, making 610 PS with a four-wheel-drive syste.

There is a driving dynamics system, controllable via a steering wheel-mounted switch that can switch between three different modes, namely Street, Sport and Race.

The interiors get a 12.3inch TFT to display instrumentation. Apart from displaying the rev counter, speedometer and trip computer, it also has the navigation system and infotainment functions. The console, dashboard and the transmission tunnel speak of a jet-like design. The Nappa leather and Alcantara upholstery add to the luxury.

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The RS7 is the sports version of the A7 saloon.

It draws its power from a 4.0TFSI V8 engine that makes 560 PS and 700 Nm. It gets an 8-speed tiptronic transmission with Quattro all-wheel drive.

Aesthetically, the RS7 reeks of the Audi design language. On the nubers, 0-100 is completed in a blazing 3.9 seconds, while clocking a limited top speed of 305kmph.

The honeycomb grille, brushed alloys, daytime running LEDs and the fine creases stand out

Yes, it is sports, and yes, it is all about luxurious indulgence

Rear passengers get the same plush feeling as the one up front

It was launched on the 6th of January, 2014 and is being sold at Rs 1.28 crore (es-Mumbai)

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The question that plagues every sport is “Who is the best ever?” Critics and fans crave to find out the one individual who achieved most success in that sport. Debates go on for ever discussing who excelled and to what extent.

Basketball fanatics have been arguing for years as to who the ‘Greatest of all Time’ is. Names like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson are always thrown into the mix. However, the one player who redefined success on the hardwood was Michael Jeffrey Jordan.

To compare great ballers, a player’s performance during his era is the best benchmark. Jordan won 6 championships and won the regular season MVP award 5 times. He was also included in 10 all-NBA first teams and 9 all-defensive first teams over the span of his career. If that wasn’t enough to substantiate his spot as the greatest, Jordan clinched 10 scoring titles and had an impeccable career average of 30.1 points per game.

His best known performances are numerous. Some of them are, the 63-point game against the ’86 Celtics at the Boston TD Garden, the game winner in the ’89 playoffs, the ’92 NBA finals ‘shrug game’ in which Jordan buried six first-half three pointers and scored 35 first half points, Game 5 of the ’97 NBA finals ‘flu game’ where he scored 38 points, including the winning three pointer with 25 seconds to go, this despite being down with severe flu, Game 6 of the ’98 finals where he stole the ball from Karl Malone and went on to drain a free-throw line jump shot to close the finals.

No Athlete in the history of any sport has ever outgrown the sport the way Jordan did. He took basketball beyond borders. His ‘Air Jordan’ line of merchandise sky-rocketed ‘Nike’ into the global giant that it is today.

Jordan, a lanky kid out of the University of North Carolina, in his early days, was considered all swag and no class. But with his hard work, undying spirit for the game and an uncontrollable urge to win, the results were there for everyone to see. HE became MICHAEL ‘Air’ JORDAN a.k.a ‘His Royal Airness’. Like Magic Johnson would put it, his effort made him great but it was his abilities that made him ‘Air’ Jordan. Genetics could have been his greatest gift but his efforts determined the phenomenon that he is today.

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – MICHAEL JORDAN

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Like prehistoric earth was ruled by dinosaurs, the land of mobile communications these days is ruled by a new breed of instruments called ‘phablets’ (yes grammar-nazis, that is a word). A phablet is a culmination of phone and tablet.

Technology has actually become ever-growing and all-encompassing. Every major manufacturer is coming out with atleast five models every year, and doing all they can to capture majority share in the market. Every phone which is newer than the one launched earlier has some or the other feature added or tweaked. Imagine a time, when our PCs had a GB of RAM, high-end phones these days actually have around 2GB of RAM. Every phone is seemingly equipped with the most vibrant screen in the market. Cameras are being simply judged on numbers. Individuals who don’t even know the concept of a megapixel, jump at the idea of having a 41 megapixel camera on the Nokia 1020.

What I am basically trying to convey is that, phones have gotten all technology that they need and can handle. Samsung can’t throw in a kitchen sink into your Note 4 and tell you that it washes utensils too?? A smartphone is a communication device that can perform a multitude of functions other than basic communication. But beyond a certain point, there are other dedicated electronics to handle those functions; you do not need a phone to pull of DSLR like photos or play music as loud as a boombox or heck, even display like the 3D LED TVs.

Cellphone manufacturers are not only making their smartphones bigger, but also pricier. Five years back, the amount that have gotten you a top-of-the-line phone from a Samsung/HTC, now can only get you a ‘so-called’ budget smartphone from Micromax/Xolo. And no, the manufacturers are not to be blamed here. We, as individuals, affect the decisions brands make. If we demand wisely, the supply will be sensible, sadly, it is the other way round right now.

If our most basic requirement is calling, WhatsApp and the odd internet browsing; why in God’s name would someone buy a Galaxy S4 worth 40 grand? What I’m saying is, if people start buying phones as per their real requirements and not as a prestige product, extremely-expensive, niche phones will find less buyers. This will automatically force the cellular companies to come up with products that offer mediocre/acceptable features at a reasonable/competitive price.

There are phones from Samsung and Nokia that cost more that Rs 40,000, falling in the same bracket as the more premium iPhones. When it comes to getting down and dirty comparisons, these ‘premium’ models don’t offer anything that is out of the world. Infact, a Rs 20,000 Micromax Canvas Turbo does a fantastic job if you go down to the value-for-money section.

This is purely an opinion, and like me, each of you has a right to their own. This topic can be long discussed, and talking about it will only bring newer ideas to the brim. So hit me up in the comments section. Bouquets or brickbats… I’m waiting!!

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Obesity often goes with depression and the two can initiate and influence each other. Although women are a little more at risk for having an unhealthy Body Mass Index (BMI) than men, they are much more susceptible to the obesity-depression phase. In one study, obesity in women was linked to a 40% increase in depression.

Depression can both cause and result from stress, which, in turn, may cause you to change your eating and activity habits. Many people who have trouble recovering from unexpected or emotionally draining events naively begin eating too much of the wrong foods or skipping exercise. Before long, these become habits and habits are difficult to let go.

Binge eating, a behaviour associated with both obesity and conditions such as anorexia, is also a sign of depression. A study of individuals with binge eating problem found that 51 percent also had a history of depression. Additional research showed that obese women with binge eating disorder who experienced mocking about their looks later developed extreme insecurities and depression.

Generally the cause of being overweight is ambiguous. Write-ups that deal with the issue from a habit viewpoint tend to rule out psychological aspects, while those written by psychotherapists generally tend to state that “it is always psychological.” Eating disorders such as anorexia seems to always have some psychological basis. If your food binges are instigated by anxiety, psychological causes are most likely. If your weight problem started during your teens, then psychological problems were significant factors. If your extra mass is at least partially caused by psychological strains, this mass may prove very difficult to lose.

There are a few people though, who seem able to come to some sort of psychological understandings about their weight problems and readily decipher these understandings into permanent weight loss. These people are the lucky few. For most everyone else, the road to fitness is much longer and is often filled with plateaus and roadblocks.

The ultimate solution is simple – not to get anxious. But this solution is easier said than done. To change even one of our stress responses to a calm response usually takes drive, will and commitment to self-improvement. A good idea is to consider fat as just a symptom, like a phobia, a headache or alcohol consumption. The psychological problems basic to all these symptoms are usually the same.

There may not be one psychological motive to avoid physical activity. Instead, there are many possible reasons to make physical activity a routine. Psychological causes often are. The belief that competition is strenuous, so exercise should be avoided, is another reason. Labelling competition strenuous is part of the problem. By avoiding activity, the person gains weight, which feels like guard against an “unfriendly” world. The person may also be traumatized to the point that he/she feels that it is ok to feel miserable all the time by not indulging in physical activity. As a child if a person is habituated to be inactive, rigid or passive, then vigorous physical activities may feel unsafe.

Do these problems have a solution? Psychological therapy can give relief. Doctor can help identifying and correcting any medical, genetic, or metabolic issues adding to extra weight. Counsellors can check that eating is not used for psychological aims that food cannot accomplish. If individuals are self-medicating using food, therapists will come up with effective ways of dealing with stress, anxiety, strain and so forth.

Dieting or restricting calories when you are genuinely hungry is wrong. It acts only as stimulus to binge later. In fact, it is smart to eat normal, rational, modest amounts of a wide range of healthy foods. Portion control and exercising are probably the two most important factors in a successful weight management program.

Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are keys to weight management. Sweets and fats need not be cut out completely. Besides, the body needs the nutrients found in fats and carbohydrates. Moderation must be the idea. Ninety-six percent of people, who lose weight and stay fit, eat a filling breakfast every morning.

Adequate sleep is a necessity. Scientists have found that sleep deprivation increases levels of Ghrelin, a hunger hormone and reduces levels of Serotonin, a hormone that makes you feel satiated. The collective effect may lead to binge eating and weight gain.

Moderate to intensive physical exercise must be a routine. Find people who are motivational. Friends can be great support systems.

Losing just one kilogram a month isn’t great, but if you go any faster, you will make yourself hungry, and hunger will certainly make you overindulge. Be moderate and genuine with yourself. If everyone in your family is on the heavier side, chances are you will be too. But you can be content and fit. Also remember that healthy, realistic weight loss takes time and energy.

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Let me accept, I am not an enthusiastic reader. But I’m so glad that I took up the opportunity to read something like this. Ishmael, both as a book and also as a character, forces you to question your sensibility. It forces you to question all that you have been taught and learnt through the years. It takes your ideas of consumerism, industrialisation and the ‘path of development’ theory and throws it out of the window.

Ishmael is a gorilla who was captured from his jungles as a young one and has spent the rest of his life among humans. During his years of captivity, he develops intelligence or rather an understanding that makes him better aware of his surroundings, humans to be more precise. He is eventually taken by Walter Sokolow, with whom he learns to communicate telepathically. Ishmael then starts reading, and what starts just as an understanding of ‘captivity’, later expands to encompass a broad investigation of humanity and the world we live in. He goes on to get part of the large estate after Sokolow’s death and lives in the city almost independently. He also becomes a teacher whose wants to save the world. It is for this that he tries to find students to spread his teachings. In all his intellectual arrogance and headstrongness, he challenges his pupils to find hope for humans regardless of the obstacles.

The beginning of ‘Ishmael’ involves the narrator going through the classifieds in a newspaper. An advertisement about a teacher is looking for a student willing to save the world grabs his attention and also leaves him annoyed. His annoyance stems from the fact that, his entire life he was looking for someone like that and its only now that someone has come looking for him. Without really trusting the advertisement, he heads to the mentioned address, only to find this monstrous ape, which is able to communicate with him telepathically. This is the ‘guru-shishya’ duo, Ishmael the gorilla and the narrator.

Ishmael really is the carrier, the carrier of Quinn’s theories about humans and their prejudices towards other life-forms and their existence. Ishmael tries to teach humans what he has learnt of them through his years in captivity. He tries to bring them face-to-face with the fact that they themselves, in pursuit of advancement and domination, have become slaves to the self-destructive path of life.

Ishmael talks of two human groups, namely Takers and Leavers. Takers are the ones who are dominant in nature and in constant pursuit of ways to improve themselves intellectually and technologically and end up as the supreme species on the planet. While Leavers on the other hand, are members of tribal cultures and communities who live a very simplistic life and follow the same basic principles that govern other life-forms on Earth. Ishmael talks about how the Taker community outwitting the basic natural and ecological principles is just a façade, and that they are actually dooming themselves as they strip away Earth of its resources. 

This is where the book begins to question every little fragment our support system is built on. The technological advancements, consumerist outlook and industrialization have tuned our cultural attitude in a way that every tiny society, even though self-sustaining, seems uncivilized and prehistoric to us. We moved from hunting and gathering to agriculture. Now, our pursuit on getting land and mechanising agriculture has led to the deterioration of crops and the land itself. We have invented automobiles, airplanes, rockets and so many other machines for our convenience, safety and defense but we forget the extent to which their fuel drains the planet’s natural resources. Our medical facilities seem top-notch, but the kind of metallurgical and medical waste created is unaccountable. Almost each and every single invention of ours is gradually depleting the ozone and causing global warming, while we struggle to control it.

As nations we are failing. Our quest for power and want of more resources both natural and man-made is causing emotional disintegration on a global level. In pursuit of being the perfect nation, every nation is missing the mark wildly. Ishmael at no point of time tells us to get back to how are ancestors lived, neither does he tell us to abandon science and technological advancements. All he wants us to do is to abandon ignorance. He simply pulls off the veil that civilization has put over the human community.

The book ends with the narrator, in the absence of Ishmael, trying to continue what Ishmael had started and spread his teachings to enlighten as many individuals as possible.

Science, technology, finance, industries are all important, but they are not the answer to help the human race survive and sustain. The answer lies in man himself. Each one of us in our own capacities needs to change to see an effect on a macro level. This book can leave you with a million thoughts in your head, of which all can’t be jotted down. Many a times, like comatose patients, we just lead lives thinking nothing can be changed. This is where the question arises, are we as individuals ready to realise that there is still hope and that with persistent effort things do change?

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Inspirational underdog stories, motivational pep talks, mind boggling feats of athleticism and spirit – sports movies have always had, if not all, most of the right ingredients to tug on the heartstrings of its target audience. This is also one of the reasons, why I find it unreasonable to compare movies that portray different sports. Because just as the qualities needed to excel at the sports are different, even the movies related to different sports deserve individual treatment. 

I finally had this opportunity to delve in the realm of the ‘less-discussed’ baseball section of the sports genre – three movies, three different decades, same sport, but very different viewpoints. These three movies make it to every ‘greatest sports movies’ list ever compiled.

BANG THE DRUM SLOWLY (1973) is the story of a New York based pro baseball team and its players. Henry Wiggen is the cocky star pitcher and Bruce Pearson is the catcher. Bruce is not a star, and he definitely is not a team favourite. During the off-season, Bruce learns that he is terminally ill, and Henry, who truly considers Bruce a friend, is determined to stick around with him during his last season with the club. All through Bruce’s last season, Henry and his teammates attempt to deal and acclimatize to Bruce’s impending situation. The team also bands together to make his last year a remarkable one. THE NATURAL (1984) portrays a middle-aged star with an unexplored past. He comes out of oblivion to take a down and out baseball team of the 1930s to the top of the league table. Finally, MONEYBALL (2011) deals with Oakland A’s GM Billy Beane. He is handicapped with the lowest salary constraint in baseball and loses his star players to free agency. To overcome odds and gain competitive advantage, Billy turns to statistics to analyze and put value on the players he chooses for the team.

From BTDS, which deals majorly with the intangibles involved in sports drama, to the Natural, which deals with a single player and his approach to the sport, all the way to Moneyball, that speaks of a GM and his struggle with budget constraints to build a team that can contend for the championship, every movie uses a very different approach to give viewers a peek into the realm of baseball, what its individuals face and how are tough situations handled.

BTDS takes the catcher suffering from Hodgkins Disease; surround him with a close friend in his pitcher and a team, to explore tragedy and the human relationship among team players than can develop during times of adversity. The pitcher and catcher generally share great chemistry because they are always together, but here, they are poles apart. Even the team players seem to lack chemistry. But the news of the catcher’s medical condition and the inevitable end bring out a humane side to every man involved and they attempt to bring forward their best side and give themselves a season worth remembering. It is indeed a tear-jerker. The Natural uses Robert Redford in the middle of the game to showcase all that an individual athlete goes through. They show his trauma, his peak and how he reacts, no matter what the situation. His fierce sense of righteousness and love for the game is clap-worthy. We never know when opportunity comes our way, and the Natural tells us to give it all and not give in to the fear of repercussions. To round it off, I saw Moneyball. This movie has the sport at the centre of the cinematic piece. It is hardcore baseball. Yes, there are subtle messages in the movie, but the major focus of the movie is on how a cash crunch is overcome to put a team that battles giants to take home the gold. Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill come together to use numbers, data and statistics to put their money on prospective game-changers and take their team all the way to glory.

I wish more could be spoken about these movies, without spoilers. But you just have to see them, to realise, that no matter what the sport or sportsman, there is always a story somewhere.

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Honda’s most loved baby amongst the Indian masses has finally made a re-appearance. The new Honda City has been launched with a very competitive price bracket of Rs 7.42 – Rs 11.10 lakh (ex-Delhi). The base E MT petrol model costs 7.42 while 11.10, is how dear the top-of-the-line VX diesel model is. The launch that took place at the Taj Palace in New Delhi today follows the global unveiling that happened back in November 2013, also in Delhi.

This is the fourth generation of the City. It gets refreshes both in terms of mechanicals and aesthetics. The headline of the launch though is the introduction of the City diesel. This is the first ever Honda City to come with a diesel unit. For the untrained eye, the new City looks very similar to the outgoing generation. But there is an increase in wheelbase by 50mm which translates into increased space in the cabin. The boot is 510 litres large and the car gets premium quality interiors with top-notch design elements and features.

Like we said, although similar looking, the new City is a whole different beast. Under the hood lies the 1.5-litre Earth Dreams diesel mill from the Honda Amaze that delivers 100 PS. The petrol option is the tried-and-tested 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine that powered the previous City. Both engines have obviously been tweaked with. The diesel delivers an ARAI-certified 26kpl, which makes it the most fuel efficient car in the country. The petrol unit uses the tweaks to provide improved low-speed responses.  The diesel engine comes mated with a 6-speed manual transmission. The petrol gets an option of either a 5-speed manual or a CVT. 

There are five variants on sale, namely E, S, SV, V and VX in both the diesel and petrol manual modes. The petrol automatic will only be available in the SV and VX trims. The entry-level E variant offers features like power windows and powered mirrors. The S offers a few upgrades like steering mounted audio controls, height adjust for the seats. The SV gets things like a rear armrest and touch-sensitive climate control. The V and VX variants are the top variants and not surprisingly come heavy with features. An upmarket touch-audio system with speakers, alloys, fog lights, turn indicators on the powered mirrors, leather upholstery, lots of chrome and push button start with keyless entry are some of the topline features. 

Technically, the only existing rivals for the new City are the Verna and Fiesta. The previous City had taken criticism for being poor on features. Honda, very clearly, seems to have addressed that. With the competitive pricing, my guess is, the City will look to be king-of-the-mountain. 

PRICES 

E MT – Diesel Rs 8.62 lakh Petrol Rs 7.42 lakh, S MT – Diesel Rs 9.24 lakh Petrol Rs 8.04 lakh, SV MT – Diesel Rs 9.66 lakh Petrol Rs 8.49 lakh,  SV CVT – Petrol Rs 9.49 lakh,  V MT – Rs 10.16 lakh Petrol Rs 8.99 lakh, VX MT – Rs 11.10 lakh Petrol Rs 9.93 lakh and the VX CVT – Petrol Rs 10.98 lakh.

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“If your creation can’t outlive you, then you have failed.” These are quotes one can’t find in revenue charts, business models and profit graphs. Veteran journalist/columnist Vir Sanghvi has managed to get these candid thoughts from some of India’s biggest industry tycoons. From traditional big names of Indian industry like Ratan Tata and Kumar Mangalam Birla to the new gurus of information technology – Nandan Nilekani and Azim Premji, all the way to the champions of the entertainment and telecom sectors – Sunil Bharati Mittal, Subhash Chandra and Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Men of Steel chronicles the life and times of these great business barons. Apart from portraying the humane side of these business-oriented brains, the book takes a look at general perceptions and realities about these individuals.  These people, who are fuelling new India’s leap into the 21^st century, are also faces behind the great story of hard work and strife. Essential to the depth of these profiles is that all these men sat down and poured their hearts out to Vir Sanghvi, about their hopes, their dreams and their heartbreaks. Stories of these men have been contoured based on direct information from the men of steel themselves.

Vir Sanghvi clearly puts substance over style. His journalistic wisdom comes through in the piece about Vijay Mallya where he expertly narrates the ‘success’ story but sounds doubtful about Kingfisher airlines’ strategy. He describes the business ethics employed by several business heads of varied disciplines without dwelling into the complex details of their businesses. Because of this one does not need knowledge of the telecom sector to read the conversation with Sunil Mittal. This stands out as the biggest advantage of this book. It is targeted for a wide audience. Apart from business, it is informative and also throws light on the relationship of a brand with its owner. Many brands have become a part of our routine vocabulary but we are unaware of the owner or the company who owns it. This book will give readers know-how of brands like Bombay Dyeing, Britannia, Kingfisher, etc. Furthermore, the flow of book is systematic. The language is lucid. This will enable a whole new range of readers to get involved.

Throughout the book, Sanghvi has very generously offered us snippets of information like anecdotes, life lessons, etc. He digs into the conception that Infosys came up as an answer to North Indian businesses of that time by South Indian Brahmins. He also finds out on the transformation of the very average Nandan Nilekani to the business leader of today.

It is thought-provoking to know how Kumar Mangalam Birla transformed the Birla legacy so radically. Readers also get to know of admissions like, Subhash Chandra’s distinctive tuft of white hair which he says, developed overnight due to stress and tension when one of his partners stepped back from a deal during the final stage, which he is not insecure about to tell in an interview.

Azim Premji comes across as a multifaceted man who operates on several cerebral levels simultaneously and in like in Sanghvi’s words, “you only really get to core of the onion when you have finished peeling off the layers.”

The successful business of Sunil ’Bharati’ Mittal closed overnight due to government policy changes and the so called ’influence of the big boys’, yet he is satisfied to consider it as divine intervention. Lesson learnt is “sometimes it is good to hang on and wait for the tides to turn.”

In the story on Bikki Oberoi, way back in 60’s and 70’s, Hilton refused to give the Oberoi group of hotels its brand name considering that it will denigrate Hilton’s value, and later in mid 2000’s Oberoi is associated with Hilton but are careful to not to associate Hilton with their luxury hotels as this would weaken Oberoi’s luxury brand image. It is truly a turnaround story of how India Inc. has indeed arrived.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, former CEO and Chairman of BPL Mobile, shows people that an INTEL geek and pioneer of electronic revolution who became one of the biggest operator in the cell phone business without paying any significant bribes too became a victim of corporate sabotage. He aptly demonstrates how so many factors crucial in the running of a business enterprise can indeed be a matter of luck.

Uday Kotak’s (of the Kotak Group) secret for success has more to do with outliving what you’ve created rather than making the money.

What is common in most of these success cases is that all of them have had their shares of problems, challenges and fears. But they chose to persevere. Most of them have fought against corruption and bureaucracy in this country and won over all odds. Hence most of them are self-made men.

These barons who are leading us as a pack into the 21^st century are also the ones who make a huge difference to the masses. By prioritizing generation of employment these businesses can actually offer millions of citizens a chance to put food on their tables. Creating employment at different levels is also something that helps curb brain drain. The government should also work towards providing a conducive environment for businesses to grow. If corporates, the government and its people start growing collaterally, a developed India is not a far-thought.

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