Month: June 2008
How to cool your PC!
How to cool your PC!
Times of India/IANS
Computers hate heat. So this summer, be sure to think about keeping your computer cool. Computer components themselves run hot, and yet they’re not designed to operate above a certain temperature.
When the temperature outside gets uncomfortable for humans, you can be sure that your computer isn’t liking the situation any better. So for a trouble-free summer of computing, take steps now to ensure that your PC stays cool.
Clean the fan!
In a sense, fans are a computer’s most important component. Without them, your computer’s processor, memory, and other vital parts would overheat and eventually fail or cause your computer to slow down or to start behaving erratically.
So at least once a year – and the beginning of summer is a good time – you should inspect the fans in your computer to ensure that they’re operating, and you should also clean them, for all fans collect dust and function less efficiently as a result.
Notebook computers typically have a fan that vents to the back or side of the computer. The fan generally kicks in periodically, when the computer is doing lots of work or when the temperature outside is high.
Desktop computers often have several fans: one or more on the back of the PC that vents to the outside, one inside the computer on the central processing unit (CPU), and often one on the graphics card.
Each of the fans on your computer should be vacuumed out and cleaned. Turn the computer off, vacuum, and then use cotton swabs moistened in water to clean the fins. Also, make sure the fans are still functioning.
With desktops, turn the computer on while the case is removed, and see whether the fans spin up. With a notebook, listen closely to determine whether the fans spin up from time to time. If any fans are no longer functioning, have the computer repaired before continuing to use it.
Avoid overclocking!
Overclocking is the term used to describe attempts to run computer components at higher voltages or speeds than they were designed to support.
In many modern computers, the basic input output system (BIOS) – typically accessible by pressing Del or F2 when your compute r boots up – contains settings that allow enthusiasts or experimenters to overclock the CPU, memory and graphics card.
Unless you know what you’re doing and have taken steps specifically to provide extra cooling to your computer, avoid the temptation to overclock. If your cooling fails, your components will overheat much faster than otherwise – and may even be damaged permanently.
Give your PC the right seat!
Where you place your computer is important when it comes to keeping your computer cool. Place desktop computers on the floor, if possible, since it’s cooler down there – and move them close to an air conditioning vent, too, if one is available. Do not place them close to other heat-generating devices.
With notebook computers, there’s often less choice about where to place them, but try to keep them off your lap, which will make both you and your computer less comfortable.
Switch off, when not using!
“Always on” computing is great in principle, but computers that stay on constantly in the summer are more susceptible to failure, if the heat rises or cooling fails. So turning your computer off when you’re not using it will save not only electricity but potentially your PC as well.
Monitors, too, generate a lot of heat when turned on – even when they’re not displaying an image. Just put your hand near the back of your monitor – CRT or LCD – to find out. Get into the habit of turning off your monitor when you step away from the computer for extended periods of time.
Cool utilities
These days, many computers come with software programmes that allow you to monitor the temperature of your computer. These utilities can also come handy.
As even if you don’t know what temperature is considered acceptable, the utilities will display warning signs when components of your PC get too hot.
7% in maths can get you through IIT-JEE
7% in maths can get you through IIT-JEE
17 Jun 2008, 0421 hrs IST, Manoj Mitta,TNN
NEW DELHI: If you score 7% in your Class XII mathematics paper, you fail. But if you score 7% in your IIT-JEE mathematics paper, you can still make it. That’s exactly what happened in the 2007 entrance exam, an RTI query has revealed.
The top 7,202 general category candidates who qualified in the 2007 joint entrance examination, with an aggregate cutoff of 206 marks, included those whose score in one of the subjects was as low as 12 (mathematics), 22 (physics) and 18 (chemistry).
Given that the maximum marks in each subject were 162, the scores of some of the qualified candidates in JEE 2007 work out to 7%, 14% and 11% in the three subjects.
These details have come to light from the fresh data supplied last month under RTI by IIT-Bombay on JEE 2007, which had been organized by it. If such poor performance in individual subjects could not stop candidates from making it to the all-India rank (AIR) list, it was thanks to a radical change in the 2007 examination in the procedure for calculating subject-wise cutoffs.
As TOI first reported on March 17, the change resulted in single-digit cutoffs: 1 in mathematics, 4 in physics and 3 in chemistry, making a mockery of the purpose of ensuring that the selected candidates displayed a certain minimum level of knowledge in every subject.
Under the procedure introduced in 2007, the cutoffs are pegged to the best marks obtained by the bottom 20% of the candidates in each subject.
The change was prompted by the embarrassment IIT-Kharagpur faced over its inability to explain before the Central Information Commission how it had arrived at the much higher cutoffs in the previous examination organized by it in 2006.
The latest disclosure made by IIT-Bombay belies the general expectation that, because of sheer competition, the relaxation in subject-wise cutoffs, which constitute the first screening of the candidates, would not compromise the quality of the intake.
Consider the case of the candidate who scored just 12 in mathematics, a subject crucial to all engineering branches, and yet managed to get rank 3,989 on the strength of his aggregate of 239 marks.
Another candidate who got merely 12 more in mathematics and 6 more in the aggregate, however, jumped 590 rungs higher in the AIR list: his rank 3,399 was, according to the latest counselling browser published by IITs, good enough to secure admission in 2007 in IIT-Kanpur and IIT-Kharagpur.
Despite the negative marking that is done for wrong answers, how can IITs justify the presence of such poor performers in the coveted AIR list?
N Venkataramani of IIT-Bombay, who was the vice-chairman of JEE 2007, told TOI: “Don’t let these aberrations make you lose sight of the fact that an overwhelming majority of the selected candidates are the best in the country. Having changed the cutoff procedure on account of the problems that arose with the 2006 examination, we are closely reviewing the new system and will refine it as we go along.”
Govt: No cellphone ads with children
Govt: No cellphone ads with children
Sanchita Sharma, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, June 17, 2008
Concerned by the health fallouts of cellphone radiation, the government has drafted guidelines asking manufacturers and service providers to avoid advertisements showing children and pregnant women using cellphones. There are about 250 million cellphone users in India.
Last year, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had also asked the Indian Council Of Medical Research to conduct a long-term study on the hazards of cellphone use and abuse.
The Hindustan Times was the first to report this on October 6, 2007.
Ministry of Telecommunications draft guidelines say electromagnetic waves emitted from mobile phones can seriously damage the tissues of the users’ brain and prescribe limited use by children, pregnant women and heart patients. “Mobile phones are being used by very young children over long periods, causing problems like headaches and short-term memory loss,” says Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Anbumani Ramadoss.
“There is still no data available worldwide on long-term use. Cellphones emit low levels of radiofrequency (RF) energy while being used and even lower RF in stand-by mode. But since long use can cause RF to heat tissue and cause biological effects, we need to know its impact,” says the minister.
Ministry of telecommunication guidelines say RF energy can harm human health by heating up tissues, prompting many doctors to advise people not to talk for long or keep cell phones in the breast pocket (near the heart) or trouser pocket (near the crotch).
“Conversations should be kept brief and hands-free sets used as far as possible. People with implants such as pacemakers should take basic precautions such as not carrying the phone in their breast pocket just over the pacemaker,” says Dr K. K. Aggarwal, chief cardiologist at Moolchand Hospital.
Three large international studies have been published on cellphone safety since December 2000. The studies investigated any possible association between the use of wireless phones and primary brain cancer, tumours of the brain or salivary gland, leukaemia, or other cancers. None of the studies found any harmful health effects, but since the average period of phone use in these studies was around three years, none could answer questions about long-term exposure.
As a precaution, several governments – such as the UK – recommend children under 16 years to limit cellphone even though no scientific evidence that any health hazard exists.
Old vehicles to go off road by Jan
Old vehicles to go off road by Jan
By Ahmed Abdul Aziz (Our staff reporter/KHALEEJ TIMES)16 June 2008
ABU DHABI — By next January, 20-year-old light vehicles would go off the roads and the import of cars manufactured five years back would be banned, according to a senior official at the Ministry of Interior (MoI).
Colonel Ghaith Al Zaabi, Director-General of the Federal Traffic and Patrol Department in the MoI, told Khaleej Times yesterday that the decision of the Cabinet’s Services Committee is aimed at regulating licensing of light and heavy vehicles with the objective of reducing the rush on roads and to protect the environment from the emissions of the old cars.
He said that licences for cars manufactured in or before 1988 would not be renewed. He advised the owners of such vehicles to not apply for licence renewal from January 2009.
The licences of cars manufactured 15 years ago would not be renewed from January 2010, he added. According to Ministry of Interior’s latest statistics, the UAE has 1.8 million vehicles of different makes and manufacturing years. Import of used light vehicle would be allowed if it is not more than five years old and in the case of heavy vehicles not more than seven years old.
The decision also bans transfer of licence of vehicles aged more than 10 years. “It means that if you have a light car that was manufactured 10 years ago, you would not be able to sell it to another person,” Col Al Zaabi clarified.
However, vintage and classic cars have been exempted. “The classic and historic cars can be imported, if they fulfil the requirements of the technical check,” added Al Zaabi. Licensed taxis would be allowed to get renewal just for five years from the date of production of the car. The Ministry of Interior will coordinate with the National Transportation Authority to implement the decision.
Check-in during summer rush
Check-in during summer rush
By Zoe Sinclair (Our staff reporter/KHALEEJ TIMES) 16 June 2008
DUBAI — Airlines at Dubai International Airport are checking in passengers and closing boarding gates early to help an expected 11 million people travel smoothly during the peak summer period starting today.
More than 300 Dubai Airports staff have also volunteered to help customers make their way through the airport, coping with 20 per cent more passengers than last summer — the highest passenger numbers yet.
Emirates Airline will close its boarding gates 15 minutes before take-off time from June 22 to ensure flights leave as scheduled during the summer rush.
Mohammed H. Mattar, Emirates airport services senior vice-president, warned that anyone arriving late at the boarding gate would be left behind.
“Emirates is implementing the 15-minute before departure gate closure in consideration of our customers who arrive on time for their flights,” Mattar said. “The new policy will allow aircraft to take off as scheduled as it takes about 15 minutes to locate and off-load the baggage of missing or late customers.”
Emirates’ customers are requested to check in two hours before departure and to arrive at the boarding gate 35 minutes before their flight departs.
Passengers are reminded at various points of the new 15-minute early gate closure, including via public address system.
Help for transit passengers
Transit passengers from flights arriving late in Dubai will be escorted by airport staff through formalities to ensure they make it to their onward connection flights.
Indian Airlines Gulf regional manager Abhay Pathak said the airline had begun opening its check-in desks four hours before departure ahead of the busy summer time.
“We also will have a number of Indian Airlines staff helping passengers through the airport during summer along with Dnata staff,” Pathak said.
“Ultimately it is the physical movement of people and ground-handling staff which are important if passengers are late and bags have to be unloaded.”
Volunteers at hand
From Dubai Duty Free staff to Dubai Airports management, more than 300 staff are taking part in the volunteer programme as part of the initiatives to manage Dubai International Airport’s smooth operation during the annual peak season from June to August.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: “Our employees understand the challenges we face during the peak season and are going the extra mile by volunteering to improve the travellers’ experience. They are available at every step in the terminal journey, helping and assisting customers with their requirements.”
The volunteers in red shirts, present at 35 different locations from kerb-side to the gate, will help passengers move quickly through queues by distributing clear resealable bags for liquids and gels and advising them to remove metal ahead of screening machines.
After trial run last week, Majed Al Joker, Head of Operations at Dubai International Airport, said: “Our customers are able to undergo the security check in a much shorter time without any compromise to the security process.”
Other measures included more detailed signage, instruction videos, better screening machines, more check-in counters (including self and mobile check-in counters), more immigration counters, and e-gate registration facilities in both arrivals and departures.
Rail package for Shirdi pilgrims
Rail package for Shirdi pilgrims
Monday June 16 2008 09:38 IST G Virat Singh for Express News Service
BANGALORE: Indian Rail Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will be introducing a daily rail tour package from Bangalore to Shirdi and Shanisignapur on Monday.
Though the IRCTC has not made any public announcement to the effect, sources at the IRCTC stated that it would be a three-night and four-day package on the Karnataka Express that leaves Bangalore city railway station daily at 7.20 pm. The train will have 10 berths, of the 72 in the train (both sleeper and 3AC) reserved under the package by the South Western Railway.
The IRCTC, besides offering free onboard breakfast and dinner to those who avail of the package, will also provide cab services and accommodation. The cab services are available from Kopargaon station to Shirdi and vice versa.
The pilgrims will be accommodated at Hotel Sai Tulsi and Hotel Sai Garden in Shirdi on twin-sharing and triplesharing basis. The package cost for twinsharing will be Rs 3,100 (sleeper), Rs 5,500 (3AC), Rs 2,960 (sleeper) and Rs 5,320 (3AC) for triple-sharing.
Those who wish to avail this package can book their tickets by logging on to http://www.railtourismindia.com or send an email to tourismsbc@irctc.com. Tickets can also be collected in person from the IRCTC office at 2/2, CB Royal building, Rajajinagar, Bangalore.
Call: 23123877/22960014.
Indian arrivals
Indian arrivals
By Nilima Pathak Published: June 13, 2008, 00:03
Get to know Bob Hoekstra, former CEO, Philips Software Centre, Bangalore, India.
I believe in living for the moment.
My motto has been to enjoy life. Things may not work out my way all the time, but I believe in at least trying.
I like action and have the passion to take up anything and pursue it wholeheartedly. If you act out of fear, you tend to make the wrong decisions.
During my eventful seven-year journey through India as part of my 37 years with Philips, I was inspired by the eagerness and motivation levels of the locals. Indians are also very good at accepting things as they are.
India’s extremes of dire poverty and IT success compelled me to write two books: An Exemplary Family in Bangalore and Other Short Stories, which contains vignettes of life in Bangalore, and Our India, which details my impressions of India.
The proceeds of the book go
to two Indian NGOs: The HOPE Foundation and Freedom Foundation, which focus on education and health issues respectively.
Second thoughts
I had to ask myself if I was making the right decision at the time. When I landed in Bangalore in 1999, I almost took the first return flight out of the country. I only stayed because my wife, Geraldine, thought we should treat it as an experience.
It was all so shocking to find stray dogs and cows at Bangalore’s international airport, but Geraldine insisted that we take it as a challenge. We checked into The Taj West End Hotel.
To our surprise, the surroundings of the hotel were in total contrast to what we had experienced a little while earlier.
I remember going to my luxurious office the next morning.
Gazing out of the office window, I saw a neighbourhood that was very poor. At an intersection outside, the traffic – including bicycles, autorickshaws, cars and buses – was honking away and danger was lurking all around. Inside my office there was nothing but world-class professionalism.
The staff was disciplined, results-oriented and
time-focused.Over the weekend, Geraldine and I would do a bit of exploring and go for walks on Race Course Road. Initially it was difficult to get used to people intruding.
Many Indians, without meaning any harm, are quite inquisitive by nature. Since we didn’t speak Hindi, it was difficult to make people understand that we needed space, but we soon hired
a driver who spoke good English and we were then able to communicate.
On weekdays I would initiate company programmes to address rural markets. And since cycling has been a hobby, on weekends I would go to Nandi Hills (about 55 km from Bangalore) to interact with families. That interaction made me understand and empathise with the less fortunate.
I developed a different perspective towards life. The technologies we applied to serve the people in the villages made me very hopeful that India would thrive.
Early life I was born in Eindhoven in southern Netherlands on April 11, 1945 and raised in The Hague. I spent the best years of my life in school. My elementary school was close to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, in the middle of the fields. I remember walking through the potato fields with my classmates.
We would often steal potatoes and corn, build a campfire and bake them. I still remember that taste!
My family stayed close to the Peace Palace in The Hague on the coast of the Netherlands. During summer, I loved doing my homework on the beach and carried my books along
and had fun. At one time, I wanted to become a forest ranger, then later, a pilot. It was all a part of growing up.
I was quite good in mathematics, physics and chemistry. In those days one could easily buy sulphuric acid and all kinds of chemicals. We had a storeroom in the house and I did my chemistry experiments there. I’m lucky that I never burnt the house down.
I graduated with a Masters in Physics in 1968 from the Technical University, Delft in the Netherlands and received offers from the best industrial research laboratories, including Shell and Unilever.
But Philips seemed like a logical choice because both sets of grandparents and other family members had worked with Philips and it was considered the best laboratory in the Netherlands.
The meaning of marriage
Geraldine and I met in 1962 when we were 17 and 16, respectively. We got married in 1967 while we were still
in college. When I was working at Philips Research, opportunities came along and I got an offer to go to Bell Laboratories in the US on an exchange programme in 1976.
We had two children by then and since our daughter, Marieke, and son, Tim, were still young, we stayed there for over a year before returning to the Netherlands. Geraldine has always been extremely supportive; marriage certainly helped me evolve as a person.
She took care of the children and looked after the house. Later she earned her degree. Back then it was difficult to find a job unless it was in the teaching profession. So she worked as a private English tutor. We made many right decisions in that respect.
I remember a remark made by an Indian friend much later in life. He was explaining that the reason the Indian service industry was doing remarkably well was due to the fact that most Indians opted for arranged marriages. “Indians have to try to make relationships work,” he said. This made a strong impact on my life and gave our marriage a new meaning.
Once our children grew up, we decided to explore the world. In 1992 we went to Knoxville, Tennessee, while still with Philips. In 1996, we went to Taiwan and I worked as the chief technology officer for Philips computer monitors business. This was another great and new experience, as the large computer companies like IBM, HP and Dell drive this business.
Being out of my home country widened my outlook. All countries have their own distinct living style, but as an expatriate one has to decide about one’s biases and count on everything as a new experience.
Having travelled to several places, I observed various cultures, customs and habits. I found that in the US, drivers invariably had a tendency to be polite.
In Los Angeles, they readily gave way to pedestrians. India was absolutely different.
A driver in the US had once warned me, “In India, you need only three things to drive: a horn, a brake and courage.” Even my father, who had been to India, remarked that traffic in India was “not normal”. I remember wondering what he meant
by “not normal” at the time, but I found out for myself soon enough.
People say I’m obsessed with Indian culture and customs. That might well be true! Sometime back, I held an elaborate Indian naming ceremony and gave Indian names, Kavitha and Bhaskaran, to my grandchildren, Merel and Tobias.
I am going back to the Netherlands with some great experiences. I’m glad I didn’t turn around and go home on that first day I landed!
– As told to Nilima Pathak, a writer based in India
Top 10 Fun Ways to Live Longer
Top 10 Fun Ways to Live Longer
By Mark Stibich, Ph.D.
A healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to mean treadmills and salads everyday. Many activities that are fun and pleasurable are also good for you. By understanding how these activities can help you live longer and what to do to get the most benefits, you’ll be putting some fun into healthy living.
1. Drink Red Wine
Red wine is packed with resveratrol, an antioxidant. These work to protect your body against the effects of aging. One or 2 glasses of red wine a day can help keep your body young.
2. Eat Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is a wonderful food that contains a large amount of antioxidants that protect your body from aging. Find good quality dark chocolate, learn to appreciate it, and have a bit of it each day. Eating chocolate may lower your blood pressure and cholesterol while providing an energy boost.
3. Smile
Smiling is a great way to change your attitude, connect with people and give benefit to your body. Like relaxation, smiling can work to counteract the effects of stress. By forcing ourselves to smile, we “trick” our body into believing that everything is good, thereby reducing stress. Like a switch, smiling can actually change your mood. So put a smile on, even if you don’t feel like it, and pretty soon you’ll be smiling for real.
4. Have More Sex
Sex and touching are thought to be essential parts of health. Sex releases an assortment of beneficial chemicals in the body. Sex and touching help us bond with others, strengthens relationships, and increases our own self-worth. Frequent sex may even extend your life by years.
5. Relax
Relaxation is the opposite of stress. While stress brings harmful health effects, relaxation helps our bodies to rest, heal and function better. By practicing daily relaxation techniques, you can train yourself to turn off your stress and replace it with calm energy. This will improve your blood pressure, heart rate and ability to cope with life’s challenges.
6. Make Exercise Play
Physical games and sports are a great way to keep both your body and mind healthy. Simple exercise routines are great for maintaining balance, flexibility, endurance and strength. Group games and sports can give your mind a workout as well, as you anticipate other people’s actions and how to work together. Find a game and activity that suits your level of physical ability and play often.
7. Sleep
Sleep is an essential body function. Most Americans do not get enough sleep. Medications, stress, illness and poor sleep habits all can prevent you from getting between 7 and 9 hours a night. The health benefits of sleep include more energy, better immune function, and more.
8. Spend Time With Loved Ones
Relationships are an important part of health. Not only do strong bonds with other people mean you will have help when you need it, being connected also means protection from loneliness, depression, and mental illness. Spend time cultivating your relationships with friends and family to improve your health and your life.
9. Solve Puzzles and Play Brain Games
Mind games are a great way to stay involved and engaged in the world. Games can exercise different parts of your mind and entice your curiosity. If possible, choose social games like chess or bridge that exercise your brain while keeping you connected with others.
10. Be Positive
Having a positive attitude about aging can add more than seven years to your life, according to researchers. Avoid the cultural push to glorify youth and regret each passing year. Find ways to to pleasure in your increasing age and enjoy greater learning, experience, and control in your life.
Why Do Women Live Longer Than Men?
Why Do Women Live Longer Than Men?
By Mark Stibich, Ph.D.,
It’s a phenomena seen in every population and every country: women live longer than men by 4 to 5 years everywhere. At first people tried to explain this fact by saying that men did more dangerous things and therefore died younger. Men ride motorcycles, don’t go see the doctor and just take more risks. When the statisticians got done with the data, though, these explanations didn’t really explain much. It seems women just live longer. In fact, men are around five times more likely to die from cardiovascular problems than women. Why could this be happening?
Women, Life Expectancy and the Female Body
Researchers in the Netherlands think they may have an answer: menstruation. It seems that when women menstruate, they release a hormone called “estradiol.” This hormone basically gives the heart a workout. During the second half of a menstrual cycle (and during pregnancy), the female cardiac output increases around 20%. This increase is equivalent to what happens when someone exercises. So basically the female heart gets a sustained workout for a few days every month. The result? Less cardiac problems than men (at least that is what these researchers are suggesting).
Is That the Whole Story?
No. The female body also has some genetic differences that may protect against aging, but the estradiol-heart health link may form an important part of the life-expectancy equation.
The Three Gems
The Three Gems
Friday May 30 2008 11:46 IST Express Features Thiruvananthapuram
ONE is quite tensed, the other one is very serious about the whole thing and the third one is absolutely cool. This is what we felt as we caught up with Arjun Krishna, Harisankar and Mahadevan respectively, the three finalists (all hailing from Thiruvananthapuram) of Ragaratnam Junior, the reality show to find the best talent in Carnatic music, aired by Amrita TV.
The first prize winner will win Rs 3 lakh. The second and third prize winners will get Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1 lakh respectively. Besides V Dakshinamoorthy and the house judges of the show, ie Binni Krishnakumar, Sriram and Kavalam Sreekumar, the final will have three celebrity judges who are doyens in the field of Carnatic music.
“I have to do well and so I am practising regularly in the morning and evening,” said Harisankar, a Class IX student of Infant Jesus School, Kowdiar. And giving him all encouragement is his father Alleppey Sreekumar, assistant professor, Swathi Tirunal Music College, Thiruvananthapuram.
“Now I am taking lessons from my grandmother also,” said Hari, referring to music exponent Prof K Omanakutty. He is all praise for the show. “I have learnt about many aspects of music through this show,” said Hari, who hopes to make it big in music field some day. “I want to make a mark in different kinds of music and become a good musician,” he added.
He has already sung in four films- Valkkannadi, Saphalyam, the remake of Vigathakumaran and Rishivamsham.
“I have done well in the kacheri round. I also got appreciation in Ragam Thanam Pallavi and Thillana rounds too,” said Hari, who is the elder son of Sreekumar and Kamalalekshmi. “I have got support from all my family members,” he said.
Arjun Krishna had made ripples in music field before he became a participant in Ragaratnam Junior, thanks to the 10 songs he sang in the musical film Anandabhairavi. However, the show has been a different game altogether, he said.
“It has been a really good experience for me. It is because of the show that I learnt Pancharatnakeerthana and I have learnt a lot sitting through different rounds,” said Arjun, a Class X student of Christ Nagar School.
His teacher and guru has been his father M Balakrishnan, music teacher with Karikkakam Government HS. Besides Anandabhairavi, Arjun has also sung in Oruvan.
“Through the show I could reach out to more people. And I have got appreciation from viewers outside the country also,” said Arjun. He considers kacheri round and Meera bhajan round as his best ones. “I am a bit tensed. But, hope to do well in the final. May the talented one get the prize,” said Arjun.
Mahadevan, who has won scores of fans through not just his music but also his infectious smile, is quite a happy-go-lucky fellow.
“I have no tension. I just want to go there and sing well, that’s all. I never thought I would reach this far,” said Mahadevan, who is a Class VI student at Shantiniketan School, Peyad. “He is very young and so naturally he is pretty easy going. He is a bit lazy about practicing,” said V Jayalakshmy, Mahadevan’s mother, who is a school teacher. His father Sriram is doing business.
It was Lalitha, his paternal grandmother who initiated him into music. “She started teaching me veena first. Then I started learning singing from her. Now I learn from Kavalam Sajeev. Actually my veena recital in the show was much appreciated,” said Mahadevan. He had also scored well in Thillana round and sargasangeetham round.
The final will be held at University Senate Hall this Saturday from 6 p.m. Entry to the venue has been restricted by free pass. To obtain the same, do contact 9847171137. The event will be telecast on Amrita channel on June 8 from 6.30 p.m. onwards.
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