Food. As Eavesdropper hears, the secret of south Indian success in the hurly burly of the global corporate arena has something to do with diets in that region of the country. Of course, speculation in this direction was set off by none other than Chennai?s own mega-success, Indra Nooyi, the current chairperson of PepsiCo, Forbes?s fifth most powerful woman in the world, and communicator non-pareil of the world?s perception of America. All Nooyi did was indicate a love of curd rice, a southern favourite that tends to perplex onlookers. And this wasn?t even in response to a question on her diet. It was in response to a question on her secret of success. How long, wonder observers, before PepsiCo launches curd-rice flavoured potato wafers? Low on fat, with its taste ?as big as ever?, as Lays? TV commercial says. Aimed especially at those who like to go lightly wolfing down their fill.
Scent paradox
Till recently, temples were being erected in her honour. Now, film star Khushboo is facing the ire of the multitudes of Tamil Nadu. First, she was slapped with a string of law cases in different courts for her alleged approval of premarital sex. This time round, she has been dragged to the courts for failing to take off her slippers (uh-oh) in the presence of religious idols at a film muhurat in Chennai. According to sources close to the actor, given the multiplicity of cases against her, she plans to hire a battery of defence lawyers to obtain justice. Knowing the gradualism of the legal process, she?ll need them awhile.