Talk of the town

- THE STF personnel, combing the forests for the elusive brigand, Veerappan, had none other than the Director General of Police (DGP), Dr. R. Rajagopalan, leading them a few days ago. He took time off his administrative work in Chennai and went in for active policing in Sathyamangalam forests. He joined the elite personnel and spent four days with them, trekking nearly 90 km. The DGP's leading-from-the-front act is seen as morale booster for the policemen on Veerappan trail.

- AFTER THE highly acclaimed ``Phantoms in the Brain,'' the Chennai-bred, San Diego based brain scientist and Professor of neuropshychology, Dr. V. S. Ramachandran is into his next book, ``Artful Brain''. ``The central section will be on art,'' says Dr. Ramachandran, known all over the world for his pathbreaking research, compelling lectures and original writing. The book will have new case studies and expansions of many footnotes in ``Phantoms in the Brain''.

The scientist, who is now in the city on vacation, is also ready with his work on ``synesthesia,'' which in simple terms, is explained as the association between two senses. ``When you hear a tone, you see red or blue,'' says Dr. Ramachandran, who is rated on a par with writers like Dr. Oliver Sacks. But one has to wait for a while for a glimpse of yet another exciting voyage into human brain and behaviour. ``The book will take two to three years''.Dr. Ramachandran will speak at Madras Medical College on Friday.

- GUESS WHO is the latest to be bitten by the quiz bug. Former Election Commissioner, Mr. T. N. Seshan.

Though it is an one-off event, Mr. Seshan will be on the other side of the hot seat at Alphatech 2001, an inter-collegiate quiz contest to be held by the Alpha Arts and Science College. The former Chief Election Commissioner has reportedly involved himself with the fest as a member of its advisory board. College officials say that he has helped them considerably in organising the show.

Though the questions are being researched by a group of lecturers, it is Mr. Seshan's familiar baritone that will fire the questions. From EC to MC. Perhaps, it is appropriate to say, your time starts now, Sir!

- IF YOU had doubted the DMK Government's interest in sports and games, its involvement in two high-profile events might force you to change your opinion. The first is the ongoing ATP tournament and the second, the proposed welcome bash for world chess champion, Viswanathan Anand.The Government is making elaborate arrangements at Kalaivanar Arangam for the January 3 felicitation of Viswanathan Anand. For ATP, the Government made the Nungambakkam tennis stadium available for the tournament as early as November 15.

The reason given for the reticent attitude towards sports and games in Government circles involves the achievements of the former regime: the AIADMK Government had made a name for itself with its massive stadium projects and SAF games. There is nothing that the DMK could do to ``match'' the achievement, the argument went.

But the election year sees a distinct change. Sports promotion drive in the State is getting a new fillip and the Government has been extending a warm hand to the ATP organisers.

It helps that the Member Secretary, Sports Development Authority, plays some decent tennis and the Sports and Youth Affairs Secretary, a post reserved to banish IAS officers, has been manned by an officer known for his record, irrespective of regimes.

By K. T. Sangameswaran, G. Pramod Kumar, Ramya Kannan and R. K. Radhakrishnan.

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