title: Add a variable to request in django
body: <p>In Django I want to add a variable to the request. i.e,</p>
  
  <pre><code>def update_name(request):
      names = Employee.objects.filter()
      if names.count() &gt; 0:
          request.update({"names": name })
      return render_to_response('chatlist/newchat.html',
          context_instance=RequestContext(request, {'form': form,'msg': msg}))
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Is this the right way to add a variable to the request? If not, how should I do it?</p>
  
  <p>Also, how can I retrieve the same value in the templates page? i.e,</p>
  
  <pre><code>alert ("{{request.names['somename']}}");
  </code></pre>