Postnoon E-Paper for February 7, 2013

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013 HYDERABAD

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UT, YOU BEAUTY P5

32 PAGES

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In the final part of our series on the future of Hyderabad, we find out that giving Hyderabad Union Territory status is something that most stakeholders can live with.

The question is will the Centre agree.

HYDERABAD’S FIRST COMPACT AFTERNOON NEWSPAPER

HIPS DON’T LIE

With Prabhudeva-starrer ABCD set to release soon, dance is back in town. The Muqabla man remains unparalleled.

Postnoon takes a look at B-Town stars who know a thing or two about grooving.

P16&17

Litigants claim that the courts and advocates use agitations as an excuse to adjourn cases indefinitely.

This causes anguish and costs them time and money.

REPORT ON P6

‘YOU’RE NOT WELCOME MR GOVERNOR’

There were days when the sound of the boots of ESL Narasimhan would have scared the mickey out of protesters. However, the Governor, who is also the chancellor of Osmania University, had to eat humble pie and stay away from the annual convocation function due to boycott calls from pro-T student unions. Their contention is that the governor is not in support of a separate Telangana.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

city events

VALENTINES DAY EVENTS

Enjoy a sumptuous Valentine’s Day with a delectable western and Indian menu at The Dining Room. There is also a special Valentine’s Day menu at Tre-Forni Bar & Restaurant. The venue is Park Hyatt Hyderabad, from 7:30pm onwards.

Weather for Hyderabad

Evening

Overnight

Morning

Afternoon

27°C

20°C

25°C

33°C

Partly cloudy.

Chances of shower.

A mix of clear and cloudy skies.

Sunny with cloudy periods.

Sunny with cloudy periods.

New Delhi Mumbai Max 21 Max 31 Min 9 Min 21 Clear skies.

Clear skies.

Chennai Max 31 Min 20 Mostly sunny.

Bangalore Max 31 Min 19 Chances of rain.

AROUND THE CITY: YOUR GUIDE TO THE TWIN CITIES Industrial Exhibition is an ongoing event in the City.

Where: Exhibition Ground, Mukarramjahi Road, Nampally, When: Up to February 15, 4pm to 11pm Contact: (040) 2460 3015

ART For 'HER' A tribute to Victim X, raising the conscience to respect womanhood through art. Exhibition of installations and mixed media art by a variety of artists. The preview is on February 4 at 6:30pm.

Where: Ravindra Bharathi, Saifabad When: February 4-14, 11:30am to 7pm Contact: www.iconart.in

The Landmark sale Landmark announces its sale of Up to 70 per cent off. Bestselling books starting at `49, 3 for 2 on the top 500 new releases are just some of the offers.

Where: Landmark, When: January 25-February 25

The River Moving Within The River Moving Within is an exhibition of art work by Koeli Mukherjee Ghose. It is inspired by the works of Rumi and 'Narda Bhakti Sutra' and reflects a love for life.

Where: Truffles Cafe, Jubilee Hills When: Up to February 8 Buy Art It is an anniversary art show of affordable art by 30 artists. All artworks are priced between `1,000 to `10,000.

Where: Iconart Gallery, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad When: January 18-February 18 11:30am-7pm Contact: www.iconart.in

SHOWS Hyderabad 360 Live virtual and visual music by Puce Muse.

Where: Qutb Shahi Tombs When: February 17,

Urban Stampede The run is aimed at encouraging amateurs and seasoned runners alike to take part in a sport that is enjoyable and beneficial.

Where: CBIT, Gandipet When: March 3 Contact: urban-stampede.com DANCE DRAMA: Students of Nrutya Priya Kuchipudi Dance Institute perform a dance play on the occasion of the N SHIVA KUMAR institute’s 21st anniversary on Monday at Ravindra Bharathi.

7pm onwards Contact: (040) 2355 4486 Confluence Perfect Harmony Productions and Cisne for Arts bring together Zakir Hussain, Bela Fleck & Edgar M for a trio concert.

Where: Shilpa Kala Vedika, Hitec City When: February 8, 6:30pm onwards Contact: (040) 2311 2707 French Film Festival Six French films will be screened with English subtitles.

Where: Prasads IMAX When: February 19-21 Contact: hyderabad.afindia.org Yudh Sai Shree Arts presents Yudh, a

Commissioner & Spl Officer

Helpline GAS BOOKING IVRS NO HP 9666023456 Indane 9848824365 BSNL Complaints HMWS & SB Complaints

198 155313

POLICE CONTROL ROOM Hyderabad 27852435 Traffic Control Room 27852482 DCP Traffic 23234065, 23243499F Pollution Control Board 23887500 ELECTRICITY General Complaints Breakdown Section

155333 23431178 23431179

MUNICIPAL CORPORATION

23262266 24166666R ENC 23225267 Engineering 23220418 MCH Tankbund 23225397 Emergency MCH Circle I&II 24525842 MCH Circle III 24736912 MCH Circle IV 23326975 MCH Circle V 23326976 MCH Circle VI MCH Complaints 1100 Head Office 23225397 IVRS CUM MANUAL ENQUIRY PHONE NUMBERS (TRAIN & RESERVATION) RAILWAYS Rail Nilayam 27833169, 27824216 Railway Information 131 Reservations 135 Recorded Information 1345 Enquiry (IVRS) 1331, 1332, 1333

Bharathanatyam solo by Savitha Sastry on war.

Where: Ravindra Bharathi When: February 19, 7pm to 8:15pm Contact: (040) 2323 1245

DINING Valentine’s Day special There is a candle light dinner and special buffet for Valentine’s day.

Where: Seasonal Tastes, Westin Hyderabad Mindspace When: February 14, 7pm to 11pm Contact: (040) 6767 6888 Dakshin Ruchulu GreenPark brings all the South Indian cuisines under one roof. It includes dishes from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

WATER SUPPLY Complaint Cell Sewerage Complaint Hyd. Water Supply HOSPITAL General Hospital, Sec-bad Niloufer Hospital, Red Hills NIMS, Director, Punjagutta Osmania General Hospital Railway Hospital, Lalaguda Apollo, Jubilee Hills Care Hospital, Banjara Hills Care Hospital, Nampally Care Hospital, Musheerabad Care Hospital, Sec-bad Kamineni Hospital, LB Nagar

155313 23307328 23313163

27505566 23314095 23390933 24600146 27001134 23607777 30418888 30417777 30419000 30416666 39879999

BLOOD BANKS Blood Bank,Narayanguda Chiranjeevi Blood Bank Blood Bank Mediton Goal Red Cross, Vidyanagar ADRM Blood Bank Mythri Charitable Trust NTR Memorial Trust Care Banjara Hills

Where: Once Upon A Time, Hotel GreenPark, Greenlands, Begumpet When: February 1-10 7:30pm to 11pm Contact: (040) 6651 5151 Four course meal There is a special meal for Valentine’s Day. The meal combo for two people includes roasted vegetable, goat cheese quesadilla, pot stickers, stuffed nachos, and cottage cheese delight pizza.

Where: TGI Friday’s, RK Cineplex, Road no 2,Banjara Hills When: February 14 Contact: (040) 4015 1925

MISCELLANEOUS Numaish Numaish is the 73rd All India

27567892 23559555 23226624 27633087 27035588 27550238 30799999 30418296 30417445

AMBULANCES Apollo 23548888, 23607777 Kamineni 24022222 Medwin 23202902, 23204616 Smile Line Dental Hospital 23747979 Red Cross 27627973 Niloufer Hospital 23314095 Gandhi 23320332 AIRLINES

Pochampally IKAT Mela Pochampally handloom park is organising 'Pochampally IKAT Mela 2013,’ a nine-day handloom exhibition of products like hand made bed and home linen, dress materials, silk and cotton saris, dupattas , table mats, covers, cotton shirts and kurtis Where: Minerva (Bibesia) Banquet Hall, Ground floor, Amrutha Mall, Somajiguda When: February 3-11 Contact: (040) 2355 8857

Airport Director 27903785, 27906001 For Air India Flight Information Toll free (from any network) for IC Flights 18001801407 And for All Flights: 1800227722 Air India has revised its flight timings.

For more information call (Toll free) 18001801407, 1800227722 from BSNL/MTNL 04023430334 from other lines and mobile Website; www.airindia.in TOURISM OFFICES AP Tourism, Hyd 23262152/53/54 Sec-bad 27893100 Dept of Tourism 23453110 India Tourism 23261360 AP Tourism information Centre (24x7) 23450444, 23455999 UK VISA OFFICE VFS India Pvt Ltd Building, 8-2-542/A, Sunil Chamber, Road No. 7

Beside Meridian School, Banjara Hills34. Working hours are from 8 AM to 1 PM And 2 PM to 3PM. MUSEUMS Salar Jung Museum AP State Museum Nizams Museum

24523211 232431300/7641 24521029

Readers’ views

We invite you to write to us comments, suggestions, viewpoint or just about anything to feedback@postnoon.com or #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500 033 or even by way of a call on 4067 2222

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

City

YESTERDAY’S QUESTION

IS THE MIM’S PETTY POLITICS AFFECTING CITY LIFE? 77% 23%

YES (A) NO (B)

TODAY’S QUESTION

IS THE SCRAMBLE FOR AADHAAR A BOON FOR BRIBE TAKERS? A)

YES

B)

NO

To vote visit www.postnoon.com

CRIME

3

Fake note gang nabbed Rajendranagar police arrested a three-member gang and seized fake currency bundles worth `15,000 from their possession.

Mohd SUBHAN mohd.s@postnoon.com

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CP Rajendranagar M Mutyam Reddy spreads a bundle of counterfeit notes his team had seized from a threemember gang recently.

It was an alert pan shop owner who notified the police when he received a `100 note that appeared fake. The police came and checked the note and it

Police said the gang members appear to be amateurs. It remains to be seen whether they are part of a larger crime network. was confirmed that it was counterfeit.

Police tracked the man who gave the note and further inter-

rogation led to busting the racket. It is said that Khalid Khwaja, 24, is the main culprit. He is a videographer by profession and lives at SRT Yakutpura. He had named another two associates, Sarwar Ilyas Baba, 28, and Mohd Shakir, 22. The police have also stumbled upon a computer and a printer. It appears that it was an amateur gang, not a professional one. It is not known as yet if the gang is independent or they are just a part of a larger set up.

CRIME

Women-led gold thieves’ gangs held In two separate incidents, the City police arrested two gangs, led by women, that cheated people and looted gold and money.

POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com

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eware of a trio — one man led by two women. If they approach you with any trick, shun them. Two such gangs have been taken into custody by the City police.

In the first instance, a gang, that successfully duped several people including gold merchants and military families, was caught by the west zone task force.

Sailoo (pictured), 28, has two women associates, Laxmi and Savitri, and the trio would plan fleecing operations with care.

One would present a fake gold biscuit and would whisper that it belonged to the Nizam and the

treasure came up while digging for planting. Another would walk in and listen and would say she is willing to buy it for certain sum. The prospective victim, thinking he will lose the bargain, would strike a deal immediately.

The women led these operations.

In another similar case, Chilkalguda police arrested three persons, including two women, and recovered six tolas of gold and `35,000 in cash from their possession, inspector B Anjaiah said.

The arrested people are identified as Shaik Abdul Khader, 35, and his two relatives Parveen, 33, and Hajira, 27. They are all are residents of Maillargadda, Secunderabad.

GOVERNANCE

ICs’ appointment approved RAHUL RAMAKRISHNA rahul.r@postnoon.com

A

fter sending the file back to the CM’s office, Governor ESL Narasimhan put his stamp

of approval on the appointment of four information commissioners. This is despite RTI experts and activists pointing out serious lapses on the part of the State government in the appointments. Neither the

rules of appointment were adhered to nor was it given sufficient publicity to attract the talents. RTI activists have pledged themselves not to spare the government for its wilfulness. A copy of the order is pictured.

MODUS OPERANDI DIFFERENT Here, the method of cheating was different, police said.

Parveen and Hajira would walk into a house around noon. They would impress the woman at home, talking about their ability to double the quantity of gold.

They got these divine blessings at birth, they would say. And, to instil confidence, they would show a finger ring and with sleight of hand make it double.

The avaricious housewife would give them the gold ornaments to be doubled for a fee. The two would exchange fake gold for real and make their escape. The man would then sell them as his wife’s jewellery.

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city THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013 LAST YEAR... HERE Food prices soar in City

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ast year we had reported how the soaring prices of vegetables and other essential commodities were weighing down on the City. Vegetable prices had shot up by more than 50 per cent. With food inflation on the rise, people felt that vegetables have become as precious as gold. Rythu Bazar authorities had predicted that the prices would rise further.

FEBRUARY 7, 2012

NUMEROLOGY

15,000

rupees worth of fake currency was seized by the Rajanderanagar police from a three-member gang in the City. Police said it appears to be an amateur gang.

I can guarantee that all Andhra and Seemandhra leaders will wholeheartedly welcome this idea (of making Hyderabad the second country capital).

Padma Raju, Cong leader See page 5

THINGS WE 5LEARNT TODAY The column that teaches everyone something new about the way the City functions.

1

Government ignore the cries of activists.

Despite RTI activists crying foul on the appointment of four information commissioners, the governor went ahead and approved the same. What activists do next remains to be seen.

2

Do you believe gold can be doubled by a touch?

The police arrested two gangs, led by women, for stealing gold and money. One of them tricked housewives into believeing they can magically double the amount of gold.

3

SPOTLIGHT ON ABIDS POLITICS

MIM’s brinkmanship puts GHMC functioning in peril Will the MIM be able to pass the budget before the Assembly begins? Even if it did, will the short period solve the numerous problems the City faces?

INKESHAF AHMED ahmed.m@postnoon.com

event of disqualifying the MIM corporator, Yadav.

This is the reason the all-crucial budget meeting is postponed to February 18.

But it is fraught with perils as budget has to be discussed and voted. Even if the ruling partners have the number, the game is not always amenable to rules.

If the MIM fails to get a stay from Supreme Court, the party will not only have to eat the humble pie but will have difficulty from non-Congress parties in passing the budget. T he budget that passed unanimously will carry a moral strength. If for any reason the budget could not be passed by February 20, the MIM is in serious trouble.

T

he mayor Mohd Majid Hussain and his party, the MIM, have taken a risk by postponing the budget meeting to February 18 as the Assembly begins on February 21 and the budget should be submitted by then.

The MIM has not really understood the gravity of the situation, say civic experts.

Sources say the party, in its eternal rivalry with the BJP, is banking on a possible stay on the BJP corporator given oath.

Langar House corporator Uday Kumar is waiting for induction for the past three months after the high court declared him winner in the

GOVERNANCE

Subsidised gas deadline pushed C

hief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has clarified that February 15 is not the deadline for Aadhaarlinked subsidised cooking gas supply and appealed to the people not to panic.

The announcement came after an emergency high-level meeting at the Secretariat today.

The chief minister said the people, who have already enrolled and did not receive their cards or lost their Aadhaar cards, need not go to the Aadhaar enrolment centres again, as the system will not accept and register their names again. He directed the officials concerned to extend the services

in 60 Mee Seva centres in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts in a week for issuing duplicate cards to those who have lost or not got them.

Officials have been told to open 300 new Aadhaar centres in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy district.

Reddy said that till all the people are enrolled in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy district and other three pilot districts of Anantapur, Chittoor and East Godavari, the supply of subsidised gas cylinders would continue as at present.

He directed that every week, 100 additional new centres will be opened. He also said that

of the total population of 8.5 crores to be covered in the State, 6.5 crores have already enrolled and the Aadhaar cards generated so far was 5.3 crores and only two crores remained. They assured that the enrolment was being done at a brisk pace.

Chief secretary Minnie Mathew, civil supplies commissioner Sunil Sharma, principal secretary (finance) Dr PV Ramesh, UIDAI DDG Rami Reddy, National Population Register director Anuradha, principal secretary to CM Binoy Kumar, additional secretary to CM Sreedhar, representatives of all oil companies and other officials attended the meeting. NSS

The chief minister has said that all Aadhaar card enrolments should be completed within the next four to five months. arrangements will be made soon for ceding of Aadhaar cards with the cooking gas distributors online and through Mee Seva centres. He also directed that Aadhaar cards enrolment should be completed in the next four to five months all across State.

Officials explained that, out

NEWS BRIEFS

Hyderabad to be made second country capital?

Well, this is the only solution all parties seem to agree to. This will also give a UT status to the City.

BPS date extended to March 31

Youth selling ganja arrested

CISF jawan dies in road mishap

House burgled, gold stolen

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T

T

A

J

Justice delayed is justice denied.

Litigants lose money and time over cases that are endlessly adjourned.

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Confluence of three maestros in the City.

Zakir Hussain, Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer will perform here on Friday.

he government has extended the last date for the pending building penalisation scheme to March 31. But no new applications will be taken. Around 23,000 applications are pending with the GHMC. Nearly `64 crore was generated by the corporation by clearing pending files in the last three months. It rejected 40,000 applications.

he task force west zone team has arrested a youth, Kallu Singh, 26, a resident of Baba Balakdas Math in Upper Dhoolpet, for allegedly selling ganja. Police have seized 1.5 kilogram of ganja from his possession. He is said to have customers queuing up outside his room every day. Police raided his home on a tip off.

police constable of CISF, Arun Saroodya, 46, died in a road mishap on Wednesday morning. His bike had a head on collision with another bike. He died on the spot due to head injuries while the other biker, who sustained severe injuries, is in hospital undergoing surgery. It is not clear if the deceased was wearing a helmet.

ewellery and cash were stolen from the house of Gauri Rao, 55, a resident of East Marredpally. She is said to have gone to the neighbour for a while when burglars used a duplicate key and entered the house and looted the ornaments.

Tukaramgate police are investigating the case. No one has been arrested yet.

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city THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

BIFURCATION DEBATE

UT for City gets max votes

INKESHAF AHMED ahmed.m@postnoon.com

Both the TRS and Rayala-Andhra leaders are opposed to giving up their rights over Hyderabad.

TRS, the self-appointed champion of Telangana, is even ready to give up an economic package if Hyderabad is given to them. “It will offset all other backwardness of the region,” is the general thought among TRS leaders.

that loses Hyderabad, they point out. “In fact, it is a happy solution,” Rambotla believes.

Another TDP leader and former minister S Chandramohan Reddy also extended his support to the idea of Hyderabad beingmade the second capital of the country. Ruling Congress party leader and MLC R Padma Raju also extended his full support to this idea. “I was the first leader from Andhra and Rayalaseema regions to submit a recommendation to the Justice Sri Krishna Committee, which was set up by the Central government in 2010, to declare Hyderabad as the second capital of the country. I can guarantee that all Andhra and Seemandhra leaders will wholeheartedly welcome this move,” Raju told Postnoon. Former Hyderabad mayor T Krishna Reddy favoured the declaration of UT status to the State capital.

TDP

CONGRESS

M

aking Hyderabad the capital of Telangana if the State is bifurcated, or making it a joint capital for a specific period finds few takers in the political spectrum of Andhra Pradesh. But the third option, making it another national capital and a UT gets an almost universal nod.

In the final part of our series on the future of Hyderabad, we find out that giving Hyderabad Union Territory status is something that most stakeholders can live with. The question is, will the Centre agree.

TRS

TDP senior leaders Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy and Sudeesh Rambotla are of the opinion that no objections from any quarter will arise if Hyderabad is made second capital of India. Rambotla says Ambedkar is on record saying Hyderabad has all the qualities of becoming a national capital.

This would also obviate the responsibility of the Centre to dole out huge sums to the region

The ruling party has no great objections to this. This will restrict wrangling between the two regions as the one that loses Hyderabad is bound to develop ill-will for the other. Leaders did not want to be quoted as they insist that the Centre may not bifurcate the State.

BJP

The party is in favour of any status if it will resolve the T-issue.

PROTEST

Guv kept away from OU

PLAN OF ACTION

Pro-T students spike Guv’s programme.

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or the first time in the recent history of Osmania University, the annual convocation today began sans the chief guest and chancellor, ESL Narasimhan. The pro-T students unions gave a boycott of governor call which compelled the governor to skip the function.

Most of the OU student unions joined the boycott call.

Students’ spokesperson, Krishank Manne said, “Governor ESL Narasimhan was the key person behind delaying the creation of separate Telangana state by his false reports to the Center.

OU students hold a grudge against him due to his undemocratic attitude and hatred towards T agitation. We can’t let an anti-Telangana person enter the battle ground of Telangana.

Which is why decided to obstruct his visit.” It is also learnt that the intelligence department had served the governor with a report that his presence would possibly spark off violence.

Reports said the Progressive Democratic Students Union and the OUJAC had taken the lead.

According to OUJAC student leader Dattatri, “So far the Governor ESL Narasimham has been unsupportive towards Telangana. Where was he when so many students had given up their lives for Telangana? He has been sending false reports to the Centre and is not supporting the formation of Telangana,” he said.

The University is conferring 86 gold medals and 292 PhD to students today. There is no honourary doctorate being given to anybody.

Inputs by Inkeshaf Ahmed and Aleena Alice

Minist V Sunitha Laxma Reddy (centre) and Union Minister Krishna Tirath (left) at the Regional Consultation on National Plan of Action for improving Child Sex Ration that took place today at Jubilee Hall.

N SHIVA KUMAR

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city THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

LEGAL

Delayed justice brings misery Litigants claim that the courts and advocates use agitations as an excuse to adjourn cases indefinitely. This causes them anguish and costs them time and money.

ALEENA ALICE aleena.t@postnoon.com

was informed that she had to come another day. “Because of the case I had to borrow money on high interest. Unaware of the T stir, I came and was told to come another day. I don’t know how will I cope with this situation.”

Ramalinga Gowda is another litigant who suffers. "I was happy that my case was in the final stage. But there is now a delay in ruling and I am apprehensive.”

If this was the situation of litigants advocates too are affected because of the agitations. Some of the advocates who earn on a daily basis have had to face losses in income because of the dysfunctional legal system.

Nearly 20 per cent of the advocates survive on meagre daily earnings. However, as a result of agitations their daily wages are affected as there are no cases to fight.

“A lot of litigants had to come all the way from far away districts and return because their advocates were at the court to represent their cases. Not only that, the agitation has further delayed long pending cases. Thousands of cases are now further delayed for judgement,” says advocate Ramani Jonna.

S

o far we have seen how the Telangana agitation affects the educational institutions, hospitals and businesses, but, there is another institution that suffers as well — judiciary.

Numerous cases have been filed in various police stations against agitators, both violent and otherwise. Those booked are not necessarily from the City. Most of them come from districts and the cases are bringing misery to many.

Endless adjournments, holidays and technical nitty-gritty harass the litigants to no end. On an average some 70 odd cases are listed everyday and a majority of them end in adjournment. Involved in the cases are many advocates, who have been agitating to have their names erased, as they argue that they only exercised a democratic right of protest available to them.

Sunitha B, for instance, typifies the harassed litigant. She traveled from Prakasam district on January 28 to be crossexamined in an agitation case. On arrival she

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Private travel operators park their buses along the Toli Chowki main road all day long, leading to traffic snarls and severe inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians alike.

SRINIVAS SETTY

/095 Rs.1 9/: e c i 4 r Pr Rs.5 Cove r Price: : 50% g e f n f i O l Sav Tota

POLITICS Sharmila resumes padayatra

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ate chief minister YSR’s daughter Sharmila resumed her ‘Maro Praja Prastanam’ padayatra from Turkayamjal in Ranga Reddy district on Wednesday.

Earlier, she participated in an allreligion prayer at YSR Congress party office at Lotus Pond residence of Jaganmohan Reddy and left for Turkayamjal, where Sharmila had stopped her padayatra on December 15

after she sustained a leg injury. She later underwent a surgery and was recently declared fit for resuming the padayatra.

Jagan’s mother Vijayamma, his wife Bharati, former minister Konda Surekha, party senior leaders Shobha Nagi Reddy, YV Subba Reddy and others accompanied Sharmila in her yatra.

In Turkayamjal, Sharmila addressed a Rachchabanda programme and interacted with the people.

NSS

A FRESH NEW POINT OF VIEW You can also call or email us at:

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

MUSIC

A musical medley When three musical stalwarts are set to perform together, you can be sure of one thing — it just can’t get better than this.

(from left) Bela Fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edward Meyer are set to perform in the City

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atching one virtuoso perform is bliss.

Watching three is probably the closest one can come to attaining nirvana.

On Friday evening, Zakir Hussain will take the stage with Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer, bringing together the sounds of the tabla, banjo and double bass in a seamless confluence of cul-

DANCE

SRINIVAS SETTY

Their very different influences and sounds made the album a unique mix of jazz, classical, Indian folk and progressive music. tures. The three stand tall in each of their fields, and together, they produce sheer magic.

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain has been a household name in

India since he first performed in 1963. A favourite accompanist for some of India's greatest classical musicians, Zakir pushes his boundaries repeatedly with his collaborations with rock musicians, Western composers and African drummers. He is the youngest percussionist to ever be awarded the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan and has won two Grammy awards.

Bela Fleck has been called the premier banjo player in the world, and not for no reason.

Heavily influenced by jazz and bluegrass, he has constantly been reinventing the traditional twang of the banjo. Since 1998, he has been the recipient of 14 Grammy awards, and has notched up an impressive 30 nominations since.

He has been nominated in more different categories than anyone in the history of the Grammies, an indication of his range of talent and innovation.

Edgar Meyer has been instrumental in bringing the double bass into the spotlight. Especially renowned for his compositions, Meyer has worked with some of the finest Western classical musicians, including cellist Yo Yo Ma,

Mark your calendar n Where: Shilpa Kala Vedika, Hitec City Road n Date: Friday, February 8 n When: 6.30pm onwards n Price: `750 to `2,000 per ticket

mandolinist Chris Thile and fiddler Stuart Duncan. He won the MacArthur award in 2002 in recognition of his skill on an often overlooked instrument.

In 2009, these three remarkable musicians came together and the result was the album The Melody of Rhythm: Triple Concerto and Music for Trio. The trio is accompanied by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, conducted

by Leonard Slatkin. While Fleck and Meyer had performed together before, it was the first time either was collaborating with Hussain.

Their very different influences and sounds made the album a unique mix of jazz, classical, Indian folk and progressive music. Critics attempting to slot the album had a tough time, because the music was nothing like anything ever created.

Hyderabad on Friday will play host to three of the most talented instrumentalists of our time, and it would be a shame to miss the chance to see them perform.

STUNNING

Alliance Française, in association with Andhra Pradesh Tourism brought to the City the Urban Ballet for Bonjour India 2013. The breathtaking performance had the audience spellbound.

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city THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

INDUSTRY

Luxury brands eye India Luxury market in India may touch $15 billion in next two years: Assocham study.

POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com

Y

ou know why the Centre was keen on pushing FDI in retail?

Well, for good reasons.

Studies have proved that India with the largest young working population desirous of upward mobility is hungering for luxury goods. And, more attractive is the fact that they are not affected by the European economic slowdown. Even China is no match to India when it comes to vertically climbing middle class’ thirst for comforts and luxury goods.

Irrespective of the continued global economic slowdown, the luxury market in India is pegged to grow at 25 per cent in 2013 till 2015 and likely to touch $15 billion from the current level of $8 billion, reveals the Assocham-Yes Bank study.

The Assocham secretary general DS Rawat said, “The luxury market is poised to expand three fold in next three years and the number of millionaires expected to multiply by three times in another five years. Increase in

Regardless of the global economic slowdown, the luxury market in India is pegged to grow at 25 per cent till 2015. spending is anticipated across the country and beyond the walls of the metros, with increasing brand awareness amongst the youth and purchasing power of the upper class in Tier II & III cities in India where luxury cars, bikes and exotic holidays and destination weddings are no strangers”.

Globally too consumer spending is on the rise, expected to reach $40 trillion by 2020 with an unprecedented growth of $12 trillion in a decade. Predictable consumer spending patterns beyond geographies and cultures unwrap possibilities of future growth in emerging markets like India where consumer spending is expected to grow four times to $3.6 trillion within this period, driven by increasing income and aspirations, adds the paper.

Indian luxury market is projected to reach $14.7 billion in 2015. The number of Ultra High Net worth Households, with a minimum net worth of `25 crore is expected to triple in the next

five years with a five-fold increase in their net worth to `235 trillion. And the HNIs will be double in number by 2015 with a collective wealth of $2,645 billion.

These projections along with the increasing price parity in the luxury products with other international destinations like Singapore or Hong Kong, and customised products offerings would indicate that the luxury market in India will evolve quickly, highlights the paper.

The Private Equity investments in the luxury sector for the last three years, ie Jan 2009 to Aug 2012 have been less than $1 billion, compared to the $35 billion total PE investments during this period. With the luxury market expected to grow at over 25 per cent year on year, PE investments in the luxury segment are expected to increase and support the enhanced size of the Indian luxury market. There are a number of funds in India, which are focussed on investing in consumer centric businesses, eg Everstone, L Capital and Avigo.

MOST LUXURY BRANDS FOR INDIA, CHINA A number of others are also currently investing in the consumer space owing to lack of meaningful opportunities in other segments and some of these funds are expected to vet the luxury markets' appetite for capital.

Would there be a fund dedicated to investing in the Indian luxury market by 2015 - maybe, maybe not, but the investing focus on the luxury market is unlikely to wane.

“India and China have shown their resilience to the global turmoil by exhibiting sustained growth and thus laying a solid foundation for future global economic recovery. A reflection of this can be seen in the potent demand being witnessed by global luxury brands from these emerging economies. As elite members of the BRIC club which currently accounts for 11 per cent of the total world luxury sales (representing a combined retail value of over $33 billion in 2011-12), India and China are poised to undertake dominant positions in the global luxury market.

While China is on track to become the world’s second largest luxury market within the next five years, India too is not far behind. With positive regulations and policies for the retail

industry being put in place by the government along with a burgeoning middle class, which aspires to own and experience luxury goods and services, India is a market that can no longer be ignored by international brands.

While various estimates exist on the size and growth potential of the Indian luxury market; most estimates align on anticipated growth rates of 20 per cent given the tremendous potential

waiting to be harnessed on products like apparels, accessories, pens, home décor, watches, wines and Spirits and jewellery, apart from services like spas, concierge service, travel and tourism, fine dining and hotels .

Even assets like yachts, fine art, automobiles and real estate.

INVESTMENT OPTIONS

The best returns would come from investing in luxury assets

for the long term and luxury products in the short term. Cars have shown the highest growth rate in luxury assets ie 40 per cent per annum from 2006 driven by a wider choice of brands, availability of cars in the small and mid segment as well as rapid increase in millionaires in Tier I & II cities. It is estimated that luxury assets are going to grow to $7.9 billion in 2015 versus $4.31 billion currently.

Luxury products are projected to grow to $5.38 billion in 2015 versus a current $2.85 billion.

Jewellery is believed to be the largest contributor (31 per cent) for this sub-sector is driven by the investment mentality of Indians.

“Recent trends indicate a shift in the perception of luxury as an overall experience versus a mere material possession. This is evident from data on the Indian luxury services market, which has shown resilience in the face of a global slowdown. The sector is expected to grow to $ 1.45 billion in 2015 from $ 1.05 billion currently. Hotels are the largest growth contributor to this sector followed by travel, tourism and bespoke concierge services,” added Rawat.

The Indian luxury market is a potential gold mine for international luxury brands. However, with every opportunity comes the accompanying challenges and India is no different. With thorough market research, prudent marketing strategies and the right local partner, global luxury players can unearth the sea of opportunities that India represents. (compiled by PK Surendran)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

focus

COOL ABOUT THE COLD

The purebreds that are brought here for racing do not suffer from the cold. Such horses can live outdoors at temperatures ranging from minus 30 degrees Celsius to 30 plus ( minus 22 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit).

SWITZERLAND

9

It’s cooler than the Ascot

At White Turf Skijoring, Switzerland’s poshest ski resort town of St-Moritz, horse enthusiasts, European high society and local folks have been mingling and partying since 1907.

A woman (above) drinks champagne at the White Turf horse racing event (right) in St Moritz on February 3. The races are held on the frozen lake of the Swiss mountain resort and are famous among the jet set. AFP/ BORIS HEGER

AGNES PEDRERO Agence France-Presse ST-MORITZ, SWITZERLAND: Thoroughbreds nervously snort and stamp their hooves, their shiny coats glistening in the sun, before setting off, not around a traditional race track, but across a frozen lake with jockeys on skis hanging on for dear life behind them.

Welcome to White Turf Skijoring at Switzerland’s poshest ski resort town of St-Moritz, a unique event that has been taking place here each year since 1907, giving horse enthusiasts, European high society and local folks a chance to mingle and party.

On the first three Sundays of February, purebreds from across Europe thunder around the lake, trailed by the skier attached to the horse by a rope and a large colourful piece of cloth that disappears in a massive cloud of white powder.

The 12 horses and skiers reach speeds of 50 kilometres (30

they are here,” Staub said, pointing out that in the past he hosted the likes of model superstar Naomi Campbell and Swiss tennis great Roger Federer.

The businessman also organises receptions at the town’s numerous hotels, including one with well-groomed miniature ponies making the rounds on a catwalk.

Champagne, caviar and oysters are served between each race, and a VIP tent has been set up on the frozen lake, beyond the gaze of the media. miles) an hour, sending vibrations through the ice and tingles through the crowd of bundledup, cheering spectators, as they fly around the snow-covered ice track and cover the 2.7-kilometre (1.7-mile) race in a matter of minutes.

“Fifty per cent of the horses come from Switzerland, and the others mainly come from Germany, France, Britain and Hungary.

We also have Russians,” said Silvio Staub, who organises the international races, which are open to betting.

But he stressed that White Turf is not just about the races.

EXUBERANCE, THE NAME OF THE GAME

The St. Moritz native also wants the event to draw crowds simply out to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the party.

Champagne, caviar and oysters are served between each race, and a VIP tent has been set up on the frozen lake, beyond the gaze of the media.

“We are very discreet. People don’t want everyone to know

During the races, exuberance is the name of the game in StMoritz, where luxury bags, Cuban cigars and carefully coiffed dogs are prominently on display along the shores of the frozen, glistening lake.

Dressed in a long, shiny black fur coat, Alicia Brivio, an American from Michigan, sat on a terrace surrounded by palm trees, seeming not to care about the freezing temperatures as she delicately sipped champagne.

“It’s so exciting. When you hear the feet of the horses in the

snow, it’s incredible,” enthused Brivio, who has a Swiss husband and lives in Mendrisio in the south of the country.

Closer to the lake, four elegant and heavily-made-up women in their 60s, each donning beige fur, shook loose to reggae music, while a group of equally elegant men stood nearby admiring a line of parked Rolls-Royces.

The races however do not just draw the wealthy. They also constitute an important local tradition, says Daniela Bolfing, who runs an art gallery at the StMoritz train station.

Skijoring “belongs to StMoritz,” she said, pointing out that she loved the annual event and the chance to hang out with her friends there, even though “I am not the type who likes horses.”

Franciska Fasciatti, a StMoritz lawyer who had come to admire the horses with her young son, agreed.

“This is an event for everybody,” she said.

10

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

Business

SUNDARAM BNP PARIBAS HF BULLISH

Sundaram BNP Paribas Home Finance, subsidiary of Chennaibased Sundaram Finance Ltd, said it is bullish on surpassing its `2,500 crore target for home loan disbursements for the current fiscal as it forecast a positive outlook in the real estate sector.

LIBOR RIGGING

AIB LIQUIDATED

RBS fined $610 mn

Fines slapped on RBS are more than those handed to Barclays for attempted Libor rate-rigging, but less than the amount paid by UBS for similar offences.

RBS Securities Japan Limited has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to one count of wire fraud relating to Yen Libor, it added in the statement.

Japan’s Financial Services Agency said the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission has been investigating the local arm since midNovember for involvement in LIBOR manipulation.

LONDON: State-rescued Royal Bank of Scotland said it will pay fines totalling $612 million to US and British regulators to settle allegations of Libor interest rate rigging. RBS, which is 81-percent owned by the British government, said it has agreed to pay the equivalent of £391 million to regulators, becoming the third bank to admit its part in the Libor affair after Barclays and UBS. The investigations uncovered “wrongdoing” by 21 employees, predominantly in relation to the setting of the bank’s yen and Swiss franc Libor submissions between October 2006 to November 2010, the bank said.

RBS added it had been fined $325 million by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission, $150 million by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) and $137 million by Britain’s Financial Services Authority.

The bank has also entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the DoJ, in relation to one count of wire fraud relating to Swiss franc Libor and one count for an antitrust violation relating to yen Libor.

RBS said it would recoup about £300 million from its staff bonus pool and by clawing back previous pay awards.

British finance minister George Osborne condemned the “totally unacceptable” behaviour at the bailed-out bank and insisted the taxpayer would not pick up the bill.

The lender, which was rescued with taxpayers’ cash at the height of the global financial crisis, said that it would recoup about £300 million from its staff bonus pool and by clawing back previous pay awards.

AFP

ACQUISITION BOOST

News Corp profit doubles to $2.3 bn

The results include $56 million set aside for investigations of the phone-hacking scandal in Britain.

NEW YORK: News Corp said Wednesday it is on track to complete the split of the mediaentertainment conglomerate by June, as the company reported a jump in profits from its accounting of broadcast operations.

The Rupert Murdoch-led group said profits more than doubled to $2.38 billion, boosted by income from newly acquired broadcasters.

In releasing the earnings, Murdoch said the media-entertainment conglomerate was making “progress” toward the breakup of the group into two companies —one focused on publishing, the other on the fastgrowing entertainment operations.

Chief operating officer and president Chase Carey told a conference call the company

was “on track” for the breakup by the end of the company’s fiscal year on June 30.

The company announced the restructuring in June, a move partly seen as a nod to shareholders angered by the reputational damage and costs inflicted by a phone hacking scandal in Britain, and partly because of troubles within the group’s publishing arm.

AFP

10g GOLD`31,028 10g GOLD`31,100 1kg `60,100 1kg SILVER `58,695

24C

for for

for for

DOLLAR `53.79 `53.11 `85.15 POUND `83.20

Irish lawmakers voted through emergency legislation to liquidate the former Anglo Irish bank early Thursday, as part of a deal to ease the eurozone country’s massive debt burden. Weary lawmakers voted in the small hours to liquidate the failed bank, now known as the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, by a majority of 113 in favour to 36 against. Its assets will now be bought out by Ireland’s state run “bad bank”, the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA), which buys risky mortgages from debtplagued lenders. Finance Minister Michael Noonan was forced to announce the emergency bill overnight after details of the plans were leaked, sparking fears there could be a rush to offload the bank’s assets. Accountancy firm KPMG has taken control of IBRC after its board was stood down on Noonan’s orders on Wednesday afternoon.

NUMEROLOGY

25

bn

is the number of digital songs downloaded from Apple’s iTunes Store.

The 25 billionth song bought from the online shop was a Monkey Drums remix by Chase Buch.

GSK PROFIT DIPS British drugs firm GlaxoSmithKline on Wednesday unveiled a 13-per cent drop in annual net profits and outlined a plan for more restructuring in Europe to deliver greater savings and offset weaker sales across the region.

Profit after taxation fell to £4.565 billion from £5.261 billion a year earlier, the pharmaceuticals firm said in a results statement. GSK, which also has a large consumer healthcare division, added that it was weighing its options for drinks brands Lucozade and Ribena as part of its extended European restructuring plans.

THUS SPAKE We believe that Boeing are a great airline manufacturing company, they’re a great engineering company and they will fix this problem eventually, ALAN JOYCE, QANTAS AIRLINES CHIEF

BSE 6,057.70 5,969.05 NSE

20,025.67 19,667.04 44.10 27.32 9.20 9.85

11

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

nation

8-YEAR-OLD GIRL RAPED BY TEEN

An eight-year-old girl was raped allegedly by a teenager in Alapur area here, police said today. The 18-year-old youth raped the girl yesterday after calling her to his house, they said.A manhunt has been launched to nab the rapist.

KASHMIR GIRL BAND

PITCHED BATTLE

NOTICE TO BUDDHADEB

One more held for FB threat Police have a list of 26 people who posted abusive comments.

Police baton-charges protestors during a demonstration against Gujarat CM Narendra Modi outside Shri Ram College of Commerce in New Delhi on Wednesday.

PTI

CAUVERY DISPUTE

Release 2.44 tmc water to TN: SC NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Thursday directed Karnataka to release 2.44 tmc (thousand million cubic feet) of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu. The apex court bench said Karnataka would release the water forthwith. The court passed its order after receiving the report of the expert com-

mittee that had visited the Tamil Nadu part in the delta region and recommended that 2.44 tmc water be released.

Brushing aside Tamil Nadu's objections, the court said: "According to you, whatever you say should be accepted as gospel truth and the order be passed accordingly."

SRINAGAR: Another youth has been arrested in connection with the online abuses and threats to the all-girl rock band of Kashmir, which forced them to quit singing.

Irshad Ahmad Chara, resident of SD Colony, Batamaloo, was arrested late last night by the police, who was raiding different places to apprehend him.

Tariq Khan, was apprehended from Bijbehara, a town in South Kashmir, and Rameez Shah was also arrested from Ganderbal in central Kashmir last night, police sources said.

Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Ashok Prasad, who is closely monitoring the case, has directed stepping up of patrolling in the areas where two of the three girls of the band group reside.

Police have started tracking down the Internet Protocol addresses of the 26 users whose comments, out of the total 900 posts on the band’s Facebook page, were found abusive, officials said.

They said the delay of three days in lodging the FIR was due to large number of posts on the Facebook page of Kashmir’s all-girl band

Panel formed

J

ammu and Kashmir constituted a committee to recommend amendments that would make the existing laws dealing with the offences against women more stringent, an official said. State Law Minister Mir Saifullah, chairing a high-level meeting, constituted a fourmember committee headed by the state’s advocate general to “submit its report within a week’s time”, the official said.

‘Pragaash’, that took time to get scanned.

A case in the matter has been registered under Section 66A of IT Act and Section 506 RPC (criminal intimidation) in the Rajbagh police station here.

A member of the band had yesterday said they decided to call it quits as they respected the decree of Kashmir’s grand mufti who found singing unIslamic.

“We respect the Mufti sahib who said it (singing) is ‘Haram’. We respect the opinion of people of Kashmir also.

That is why we quit,” she said, adding that the band was not disbanded because of online threats.

PTI

The Trinamool Congress slapped a legal notice on former CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and demanded an apology from him for questioning his successor Mamata Banerjee’s honesty. The notice, sent by lawyer Rajdeep Mazumdar following the directive of the party general secretary Mukul Roy, asked Bhattacharjee to apologise publicly within 48 hours, failing which the party would start legal proceedings against him.

NUMEROLOGY

357

candidates are in the fray for Meghalaya Assembly polls.

CLIMATE THREAT TO BIRDS Climate change is threatening the survival of a number of Asian bird species, including those in India, a new study warns. The research conducted by Durham University and BirdLife International says that many avian species from the region are likely to suffer from climate change.

At least 45 per cent and up to 88 per cent of the 370 species studied will experience decline of habitats, leading to changing species composition in specific areas.

NEWS BRIEFS Thane businessman duped of `35 lakh

Avalanche kills one in Uttarakhand

the tune of `35 lakh by four persons on the pretext of providing him loan, police said today. The victim Pravin Bacchav wanted a loan of Rs 10 crore for his business in 2010. He was approached by his friend Anil Patil from Jalgaon and introduced him to his acquaintances Jatin Shah, Ritesh Gupta and Sandeep Singh, assuring that they would help him secure the amount, they said.

"However, the accused extracted Rs 35 lakh from Bacchav on one pretext or the other in the last two years before they started taking calls from the businessman and became untraceable, said police inspector Hemant Sawant. Bacchav has lodged an FIR with the police.

Study Establishment was killed and three Army jawans were injured in an avalanche at a forward post near the Indo-China border in the district, ITBP sources said. The avalanche occurred yesterday when a SASE team and Army personnel were carrying out a routine exercise near Pulam Sundar post, the last Indian post along the Indo-China border in the district, they said. The three Army personnel injured in the avalanche have been rescued and are being brought in an IAF chopper to Harsil, 73 km from here, for treatment, they said. SASE is a private company that works under the ministry of defence.

THANE: A city-based businessman was allegedly duped to

UTTARKASHI: An employee of the Snow and Avalanche

Pick

at the

BJP worker shot dead in Vadodara

VADODARA: A 38-year-old BJP worker was shot dead by some unidentified assailants at Kisanwadi area here, police said today. Kishore Godadi was attacked by assailants, who came in a car near the house of BJP corporator from the area Hitendra Patel, last night, they said. "He was shot at repeatedly by the attackers and received injuries on his throat", said Patel, who rushed Godadi to hospital where he was declared brought dead. Godadi was attacked when he was returning on his motorcycle after attending a meeting of local party workers organised by Patel at his residence, police said. "We suspect involvement of several people in the crime and hope to get some clues soon", police commissioner Satish Sharma said.

airport,

-

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

World

MARTIAN MARKS

This image released by NASA on February 6, 2013, taken by Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) onboard NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity shows a mark (C) made by the rotary-percussion drill of Curiosity on a patch of rock called “John Klein.”

THE US

SYRIA

Army blasts rebel posts DAMASCUS: Syria’s army has launched a fierce assault around Damascus, blasting rebel strongholds and sealing the main entrances to the capital, witnesses said, as prospects for peace talks dimmed.

Shattering months of relative calm in the capital, Wednesday’s offensive coincided with two suicide car bombings that killed almost 20 members of the security forces in the ancient city of Palmyra, a watchdog reported.

It also came as an offer by opposition leader Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib for peace talks with President Bashar alAssad’s regime suffered setbacks, with Damascus ignoring it and a key opposing faction flatly rejecting the initiative.

The surprise gesture by Khatib, head of the opposition National Coalition, was welcomed by the United States and the Arab League, and was expected to receive the backing of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

AFP

A Tunisian protester jumps amid smoke after police fired tear gas during a rally outside the Interior ministry to protest after Tunisian opposition leader and outspoken government critic Chokri Belaid was shot dead.

AFP/FETHI BELAID

LAWLESS FINED

Manual of killer drone-hits out

Lawmakers get access to documents outlining rules for drone hits that kill Americans who help al-Qaeda.

Obama aides insist killing Al-Qaeda suspects, including occasionally US citizens, in hotspots like Yemen complies with US law and the Constitution, even when no intelligence links the targets to specific attack plots.

US President Barack Obama hugs outgoing Interior Secretary Ken Salazar (left) as Obama nominates Sally Jewell to be the next Secretary of the Interior in the State Dining Room of the White House on February 6, 2013 in Washington, DC. Jewell will replace Ken Salazar who held the post during Obama’s first term.

STEPHEN COLLINSON WASHINGTON: In a reversal, President Barack Obama will allow lawmakers access to secret documents outlining the legal justification for drone strikes that kill US citizens abroad who conspire with AlQaeda.

An administration official disclosed the move Wednesday on the eve of a Senate hearing on Obama’s nomination of his top White House anti-terror adviser John Brennan to lead the Central Intelligence Agency in his second term.

Some senators had warned they would use Brennan’s con-

12

firmation as leverage to force the administration to share more information on the legal and constitutional grounds for the US government killing its own citizens.

The disclosure also comes after NBC News published an unclassified Justice Department white paper covering similar ground, reigniting the debate about the killing of estranged Americans who switched sides in the “War on Terror.” “Today, as part of the president’s ongoing commitment to consult with Congress on national security matters, the president directed the Department of Justice to provide the congressional intelli-

gence committees access to classified Office of Legal Counsel advice related to the subject of the Department of Justice white paper,” the official said. Obama aides insist killing Al-Qaeda suspects, including occasionally US citizens, in hotspots like Yemen complies with US law and the Constitution, even when no intelligence links the targets to specific attack plots.

“We conduct those strikes because they are necessary to mitigate ongoing actual threats, to stop plots, to prevent future attacks and, again, save American lives,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said Tuesday.

AFP

NEWS BRIEFS Mexico police question 8 in rape of 6 tourists

Scramble to reach tsunami-hit Solomons

N Korea: Will scrap joint Russia launches six industrial zone telecom satellites

ACAPULCO: Investigators questioned eight people Wednesday in connection with the rape of six Spanish tourists in Acapulco. Five gunmen wearing masks burst into a beach bungalow where 14 tourists were staying late Monday, tying up seven Spanish men and raping the six Spanish women while sparing a Mexican woman.

HONIARA: Disaster relief agencies were scrambling Thursday to reach tsunami-hit villages in the Solomon Islands, warning the death toll following a powerful 8.0-magnitude quake is likely to rise. Six people were confirmed dead after Wednesday’s quake generated a wave that swamped coastal communities on Ndende island.

SEOUL: North Korea has warned South Korea it might scrap their joint-venture industrial zone if Seoul links the project to sanctions over the North’s rocket launch in December, a report said Thursday.

The Kaesong Industrial Complex, on the North Korean side of the border, is the flagship economic link between the two Koreas.

MOSCOW: A Russian Soyuz2.1a rocket carrying six telecom satellites has blasted off from the Baikonur space centre in Kazakhstan, Russian space agency Roscosmos said. The launch was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but was postponed due to bad weather, Xinhua, the Chinese News Agency reported.

“Xena: Warrior Princess” actress Lucy Lawless was fined in a New Zealand court Thursday for boarding a ship with environmentalists last year in protest at plans to search for oil off Alaska.

Lawless had pleaded guilty to unlawfully boarding the oildrilling ship Noble Discoverer with a group of Greenpeace activists last February and occupying it for three days in a bid to prevent it setting sail for the Arctic.

NUMEROLOGY

£15,000 is the amount expected when the only known poem written by Winston Churchill, Our Modern Watchwords, goes under the hammer at Bonham’s auction house.

WITCH HUNT A young mother accused of sorcery was stripped naked, doused with petrol and burned alive in front of a crowd including schoolchildren in Papua New Guinea, reports said Thursday. The woman, named by The National newspaper as Kepari Leniata, 20, was reportedly tortured with a branding iron and tied up, splashed with fuel and set alight on a pile of rubbish topped with car tyres.

According to the rival Post-Courier newspaper she was torched by villagers who claimed she killed a sixyear-old boy through sorcery, with police outnumbered by onlookers and unable to intervene.

The demand that the women are released means that if there is one single woman still in prison in Syria on Sunday, I consider that the regime has rejected my initiative.

Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib Syrian Opposition Leader

13

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

Technology OVERHAUL

IT’S PERSONAL THIS TIME

Dell’s $24.4 billion buyout highlights PC sector woes, say analysts ROB LEVER feedback@postnoon.com

D

ell’s plan to take the computer giant private offers an opportunity to return to its startup roots, but won’t solve the fundamental problems facing the company and the PC sector, analysts say.

The Texas-based tech giant on Tuesday unveiled a $24.4 billion buyout deal giving founder Michael Dell a chance to reshape the former number one PC maker away from the spotlight of Wall Street.

Roger Kay, analyst at Endpoint Technologies, said Dell’s plan underscores the deep problems of an industry roiled by a rapid shift to mobile devices like tablets and smartphones, and away from traditional PCs. “It’s an illustration of how tough the PC business is, that Dell had to take this extreme step,” Kay said.

Kay said that without the pressure of meeting quarterly financial targets, Dell can focus on more profitable PC segments as it tries to reinvent itself as a services and software company.

“Michael has been trying to turn Dell into a supplier of enterprise solutions for a long time,” said Kay. “He has pleaded with Wall Street to give him time.” Kay said that going private would make a transition easier by avoiding the spotlight of “ugly results” which could come from scaling back the PC business.

“The commodity PC business has been suffering,” Kay said.

“Dell may probably keep the higher margin consumer lines but maybe look at rest of the portfolio.”

Shaw Wu, analyst with Sterne Agee, said Dell has a difficult task ahead. “Despite the company’s strong efforts to transform itself... we estimate that about 70 per cent of its business is tied to PCs,” Wu said in a note to clients. On the positive, we believe going private takes

DRIVE ME CRAZY Google on Tuesday announced that it will allow web developers to share hosted websites via Google Drive. All you have to do is store your HTML, JavaScript, and CSS files, and then share a link to your starting HTML file. In fact, Google is eating its own dog food by hosting the instructions on how to do this yourself, on Google Drive. It’s a small update, but certainly a welcome one for Web developers.

If you build or design sites and need to demo your work for clients, this should be a very useful way to show off what you’ve got so far.

WHAT YOU DOING YAHOO? Yahoo! has been struggling and last night it decided to do something crazy – use Google ads in some of its properties. That means that the two companies will have a relationship similar to the one that Google has with publishers all over the web: They give Google access to some of their unsold inventory, and Google inserts small ads it runs on behalf of its advertisers. What makes this deal really strange is that Yahoo has an ad network of their own, so why can’t they sell their own inventory?

MORE POWER TO YOU the company out of the quarterto-quarter grind of being a publicly traded company. But on the negative, not having publicly traded stock could make it more difficult to make larger, transformative acquisitions.”

Wu said that as a private firm, Dell’s cash would be needed to pay equity investors and service debt, noting: “We are not sure going private improves the company’s fundamental position.”

Darren Hayes, a Pace University computer science professor and former investment banker, said that by going private, “you’re not subject to a lot of regulation, you don’t have to answer to your shareholders, so maybe you can be more nimble in strategy.” He noted that “Dell has struggled because of Apple and Lenovo, so this

might be a way to trim costs and regain some ground.”

The computer maker, which Dell started in his college dormitory room, once had a market capitalization of $100 billion as the world’s biggest PC producer.

Dell is now the number three global PC maker, behind Hewlett-Packard and Lenovo, according to the latest report from market tracker IDC, showing Dell’s market share of 10.6 percent in the fourth quarter. HP said in a statement that Dell “has a very tough road ahead” and “an extended period of uncertainty and transition that will not be good for its customers,” adding that HP “plans to take full advantage of that opportunity.”

Chinese maker Lenovo said it would not comment on a com-

petitor but maintained that “we remain as always confident in our strategy, our ability to deliver compelling and innovative products and our overall position and performance.”

Rob Enderle, a tech analyst and consultant, said however that the deal suggests “tighter coupling of Dell and Microsoft,” which is providing a $2 billion loan toward the buyout.

“Surface was created because Microsoft didn’t think the (PC makers) were listening.

Dell will now be listening and Microsoft is likely to listen to Dell better as well,” Enderle said.

“But the goal is to put Dell back in start-up mode... Both will target Apple and Google as a team which is where their combined power is likely to be made visible.”

AFP

Microsoft is facing backlash for the poor battery life in Surface tablets running on Intel chips and today they announced that they are working on touch covers for the device that will add a few hours of battery life to the device. So far, the only way to charge a Surface Pro is by using the connector at the side of the tablet, but the connector at the base of the tablet looks like it's going to be used for future accessories. That could be a dock connector to charge the tablet, future covers that include some type of charging, or even battery packs that could connect on the go.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

Comment War is a game that is played with a smile. If you can't smile, grin. If you can't grin, keep out of the way till you can.

Winston Churchill Former British PM

Life on the Gazza strip THE HUMAN CONDITION Dean Williams

T

here’s something extremely sad about watching one of your idols flounder around drunk at a public event, hands shaking, memory ebbing and flowing like an autumnal tide.

There’s also something inevitable about the episode, as if it was always lurking in the recesses waiting for that opportune moment to dismantle decades of genius. Watching Paul Gascoigne — one of the greatest footballers ever — at a charity event a few weeks ago was one such moment. Gazza’s hands didn’t so much as tremble as they shook like a man possessed. He constantly rubbed his face as he spouted profane-laden drunken nonsense at an audience who at first laughed, and then fell embarrassingly silent. To those of us who have followed Gazza’s career and his rollercoaster ride, this has happened before, and most likely will happen again.

Gazza, like George Best and Heleno de Freitas, had oodles of talent on the field, it was off it that he dribbled through life in a haze of alcohol, dolly birds, and a belief that he was above the game. He isn’t. Since the event, Gazza has admitted himself into rehab, but change will only come with realisation. The realisation that he is no longer the tormentor of defences; that his legacy has been stripped of its pomp by his own misdemeanours; that he is but a man who should have graced the pantheon, but found the journey to football’s firmament paved with pitfalls he could not avoid. I wish Gazza all the best, but I also know that this latest own goal may be the most critical one of his life.

HIGH-FLYING THOUGHTS

Our Modern Watchwords, only known poem written by the adult Churchill, is expected to fetch up to £15,000 at an auction in spring. No one has any high opinion about it. But it’s funny that is expected to fetch so high an amount for something that has been described as “heavy-footed”.

DIGITAL AGE

14

ELECTRONIC DNA

BUT... SERIOUSLY

Ajay Hotchandani

Q

uestion: How do you know when your computer is outdated?

Answer: The minute you buy it.

I’m sitting at my desk which has two laptops, one desktop, four external hard drives, an ereader, a tablet, a printer, my own dedicated modem/router, two cell phones and couple paper clips. Why do I have all of this? Because I need them.

Now that I think about it, I’m not even sure why I bought the second laptop. The battery in the first one is dead and it was easier to buy a new one than replace the battery. Also the laptop is 5 years old, and everyone knows, just like your toothbrush and your underwear, you have to change them every so often, even if they are working fine.

Even before electricity or electronic gadgets were invented, man had it in his genetic DNA to want his electronics on the cutting edge. TV’s got bigger but thinner. It went from black and white to 60000 colors.

They even had colors I didn’t know existed, like Fushlipoe.

Phone went from being the size of a brick to fitting in your back pocket. My first cell phone could do one thing only, make a phone call. Now making a phone call is usually the last thing I use it for. I spend more time playing “words with

friends” than I do making phone calls. I found an app that would help me locate my goat, and I don’t even have a goat. It would be awesome if I could find a goat that fetches soap or soup, either is fine.

Computers and tablets. I like those commercials where they show you all the things you could do with you tablet PC, like prepare graphs and review documents, all while sitting in the airport waiting for an important flight. Realistically, you use it to check your facebook, play Angry Birds and watch YouTube videos about babies and puppies.

We need our computer

faster, because the octo-core with Intel Platinum Pentium with 10GB of RAM just isn’t fast enough. Fast enough for what, I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure I need the twelvecore with Intel Double Johnny Walk Black Pentium with 15GB of RAM and 4TB of memory.

My first laptop didn’t even have 1GB of memory, so you can imagine how excited I was when my new laptop had 500GB of memory. Do you know how many unimportant things I can store on there… .lots!

Yes, we do need a car with so many buttons and gadgets that you require a college

degree in Electrical Engineering and Button Operations to drive.

One of the main reasons is because it’s there and if it’s there then we must have it. As per the United Nation Buttons and Gadgets Treaty, it is important that every year one more button or touch screen option is added to the car.

Of course we need to sync all these devices, and if one device is not compatible with the rest, then we are forced to go buy another computer /phone/car/TV/electric toothbrush that is compatible so we can sleep easier at night. No worries, my bed has no electrical component to it…not yet.

EDITORIALS Here comes Modi

T

here can be no doubt about Narendra Modi’s purpose of his first visit to the national capital after his third victory in Gujarat. If it was his intention to show those there what he is and what he envisages he has succeeded by his glass-of-water epigram. While speaking to students at an event, he held aloft and said: “An optimist would say the glass is half full, while pessimist would say it is half empty. I have a third point of view. For me the glass is always full — half with water and half with air.” What more proof we need of the man’s immense self-belief and sense of purpose? Modi has a way of his own and a way with words. We are not sure if he has played any badminton, but he need not recount any tales from the court nor does he need to tell a tear-jerker. Though he has done some really scary things, those that are not congruent with the

READERS’ VIEWS

right ideals of this nation, he has shown how to pursue growth and achieve it. If nothing at all, he is a lesson in how to create a cult. At least all this holds water in Gujarat. However, the BJP is in a hell of fix. Their actions and propaganda have been hurtful to Muslims and by choosing Modi for PM candidate they stand to completely lose whatever Muslim vote they may have got. And they have once again proclaimed their intention to pursue their Ayodhya agenda.

Not at all clever. The Congress’ fortunes are better. But to lead them they have a young man of bungling incompetence. And what are the voters left with? A brilliant leader with a horrible past, on the wrong side and a relatively inexperienced ‘young man’ with all the pomp and legacy that come from being born into the Nehru family.

We invite you to write to us comments, suggestions, viewpoint or just about anything to feedback@postnoon.com or #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500 033 or even by way of a call on 4067 2222.

Editor: Dean Williams

15

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

tELEVISION

DAVID BRADLEY TO PLAY WILLIAM HARTNELL

David Bradley is to play William Hartnell in Doctor Who 50th anniversary biopic An Adventure in Space and Time. The drama — penned by Who writer Mark Gatiss — will focus on the creation of the long-running BBC sci-fi drama.

CELEBRATING EVIL

MR

FRIENDS REUNION ALERT

In House of Cards, Spacey’s Francis Underwood puts the Prince in Machiavelli. His machinations are Teutonic in their precision and positively Gothic in their brutality.

MACHIAVELLI ANDREW JOSEF feedback@postnoon.com

I

n the 1990’s British TV series House of Cards, the protagonist Francis Urquhart says: “If you will the end, you must will the means.” It sums up the entire series.

For too long people have believed that the end never justifies the means, and for too long those same people have played second fiddle to those that believe the end is paramount, everything else is guff.

Last week Netflix decided to remake the British series in an American vein.

Whitehall and Parliament House were replaced by the White House and House of Congress — pinnacles of Beltway bashing. Francis lost his Urquhart to become an Underwood, and Ian Richardson was replaced by the irascible

Kevin Spacey. The only things they retained were the title, the shockingly honest depiction of politics, and a dialogue so crisp it would break with a breath.

Spacey’s Francis puts the Prince in Machiavelli.

His machinations are Teutonic in their precision and positively Gothic in their brutality.

But rather than be put off by the character, we find ourselves envious. We envy his lack of morality, his focussed revenge, his sharp scheming mind, and his wife — who as a partner-in-crime, is peerless.

From time immemo-

rial we have looked at those who have towered over us on piles of skulls and shattered dreams with awe. Society has told us that we must be ashamed of these human scars that so disfigure our history. But society is a state of flux manipulated by those in power: it can all change in a heartbeat.

Society ingrained the moral compass in all of us through religion, and kept it there through fear, in the hope that few would challenge the status quo. Those courageous enough to do so were victorious through apathy and no small

amount of misanthropy.

To be inspired by the Machiavellian monster is to lust to become him, and it is in this lust that Francis Underwood becomes a gargantuan presence on our screens.

Spacey is no stranger to this type of man. As Dave Harken in Horrible Bosses, Micky Rosa in 21, Lex Luthor in Superman Returns and as Roger Kint in the classic Usual Suspects he showed a side of him that is more human than thespian.

US television is slowly but surely embracing the flawed human being (the British have been doing it for decades) and Francis Underwood is its latest product, following in the large footsteps of Frank Gallagher, Gregory House, Don Draper and Walter White. And viewers are embracing them too. Maybe we’ve finally realised that in the race to get ahead, good guys don’t get very far.

Courteney as Perry's potential love interest Go On is bringing The Bings back together. Courteney Cox has been tapped to reunite with her former Friends hubby Matthew Perry in an upcoming episode of the freshman NBC comedy, TVLine has confirmed. As first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the Cougar Town star will visit Go On this April as a gorgeous (duh) woman whom Julie White’s Anne tries to set up with Perry’s leading man Ryan.

DID YOU KNOW..

Good Cop

will not return for a second series revealed Warren Brown. The crime thriller premiered in August 2012, but its four-part run was interrupted following a real-life tragedy involving two female police officers. The final episode — which featured scenes of a violent attack on a female police officer — was delayed by three weeks, attracting 1.9m viewers - considerably down from the previous episode's 4.39m.

TRENDING...

Call the Midwife grew in viewers as the BBC One medical drama posted an audience of 9.22 million (31.4%), rising 500,000 on last week.

Only a shade lower than January 21's recordbreaking series two opener, 8pm's Midwife was easily the most-watched show of the day.

Channel 4 has announced an all-star cast for new drama Dates. Sherlock's Andrew Scott and Merlin star Katie McGrath are among the actors to have signed up for the half-hour series.

Fresh Meat actor Greg McHugh, White Van Man's Will Mellor and Mrs Biggs star Sheridan Smith will also appear in Dates.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

spotlight

LOUD AND CLEAR

Indian rock band White Lady that has performed at shows including JRO 2011, Fete De La Musique Festival, Freedom Jam and Unseen Underground Pub Fest will be performing live at Hard Rock Cafe tonight.

18

SRINIVAS SETTY

FASHION-FORWARD

1

Vibrant affair

Sasya boutique at Banjara Hills announced its tie-up with Kitsch. Products from Kitsch will be available at the boutique along with designs from notable names like Rohit Bal, Rahul Khanna and others

2

3

4

5

Setting the floor on fire Urban Ballet performed by ten French dancers at Shilpakala Vedika on Wednesday was a treat for Hyderabadis as the dancers skillfully mixed classical music and hip hopinspired movements.

S BALAKRISHNA

1 Mayank, Rachit

3 Priyanka

2 Swati

4 Lona Lohan

5 Beena Mehta

S BALAKRISHNA

TRAVELLING WITH TASTE

A travelling-exhibition experience was launched by Dialogue in the Dark at Kompally that will help sensitise people about the differently-abled and spread awareness about preventive eye care and blindness.

BASKING IN THE GLORY

Hyderabad-based Hansa Ledermann bagged the ďŹ rst prize for Excellent Export Performance during 2011-2012 in Leather Garments category by Council of Leather Exports, Chennai.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

health

OBESE DADS MAKE FOR UNHEALTHY CHILDREN Obese fathers make for unhealthy children, who could also be vulnerable to cancer, says a new research. The study by Duke University Medical Centre is the first to show that paternal obesity may alter a genetic mechanism in the next generation, suggesting that a father's lifestyle factors may be transmitted to his children.

PHYSIOLOGY

19

Man boobs might be funny for most of us. But for the men feeling emasculated by them, it certainly is no laughing matter.

Get it off your

CHEST

DEEPASHRI V

deepashri.v@postnoon.com

G

ynaecomastia is an enlargement of breast tissues in men.

According to MedicineNet, gynaecomastia can occur during infancy or puberty in boys. It disappears on its own with time, usually within six months. But this enlargement could also occur as a side effect of medications and drugs.

There are three types of gynaecomastia said Dr K Shivaraju, senior consultant physician at KIMS Hospital — physiological, pathological and pseudo gynaecomastia.

“Physiological gynaecomastia occurs during puberty in male. There is no need to worry about it,” he said. “The causes for pathological gynaecomastia could be hormonal imbalance (oestrogen and testosterone). Some people have hypogonadism (primary or secondary level) and the testosterone levels are low. It could also be brain related, like a pituitary gland abnormality or pituitary tumours. In very rare cases, chest tumours may also be the cause.”

MedicineNet defines gynaecomastia as “breast tissue greater than 0.5 cm in diameter in a male.” A brain scan and hormonal test are usually done. The treatment, involving medications, depends on the underlying cause.

Sometimes, when the symptom is caused due to some other drugs, it can be reversed once the intake of that drug is stopped, Dr Shivaprasad said.

“Physiological gynaecomastia occurs during puberty in male. There is no need to worry about it,” he said. “The causes for pathological gynaecomastia could be hormonal imbalance. Some people have hypogonadism and the testos-

ANEWS PP-LYBRIEFS YOURSELF

Fact file n

Breast enlargement in men could be pathological, physiological, or pseudogynecomastia.

n

Physiological symptoms occur during puberty and disappear on their own.

n

Pathological causes can be hormonal imbalance or tumours.

n

Pseudogynecomastia is due to fat tissue deposits and can be overcome.

terone levels are low. It could also be brain related, like a pituitary gland abnormality or tumours. In very rare cases, chest tumours may also be the cause.”

A brain scan and hormonal test are usually done.

The treatment, involving medications, depends on the underlying cause.

Sometimes, when the symptom is caused due to some other drugs, it can be reversed once the intake of that drug is stopped, Dr Shivaprasad said.

“Surgical correction is the only way,” said Dr Pramati Reddy, internal medicine consultant at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills. “If it is hormonal, it can be corrected with medicines.” Weight loss (with proper diet pr exercise) helps in the case of pseudogynecomastia, where obesity is the reason for enlarged breasts, she said.

HOUSECALL

DID YOU KNOW?

PIONEERS

Atkins Carb Tracker

Myasthenia gravis

45 miles of nerves

Jonas Salk

Every dieter wants to kick-start a weight loss program, reach a goal, and never have to diet again. Atkins has just made it easier with their new, free mobile app that is fully integrated with all the online tools available on Atkins.com! It even has a barcode scanner to track food items you’re consuming, or look up nutrition information.

Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disorder. It is a type of autoimmune disorders. An autoimmune disorder occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. In people with myasthemia gravis, the body produces antibodies that block the muscle cells from receiving messages from the nerve cell. In some cases, it may be associated with tumours of the thymus (an organ of the immune system).

The brain network uses nearly 45 miles of nerves that are powered by bioelectricity. At least 100,000 different chemical reactions occur in the brain every second. The number of different combinations of synaptic connections among neurons in the brain is larger than the total number of atomic particles that make up the universe.

Jonas Salk was born October 28, 1914 in New York City. In 1942 at the University of Michigan School of Public Health he became part of a group that was working to develop a vaccine against the flu.

In 1947 he became head of the Virus Research Lab at the University of Pittsburgh. At Pittsburgh he began research on polio. On April 12, 1955, the vaccine was released for use in the United States.

20

health THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

STUDY

Link between pesticides and type 2 diabetes?

Pesticides we consume unknowingly tend to get accumulated in body fat, and could be one of the reasons for type 2 diabetes, researchers say.

MADRID: Pesticides in food, air and water may be directly linked with the development of type 2 diabetes, regardless of a person’s age, gender or body mass index, a new Spanish research study has found.

These substances tend to concentrate in body fat, and they might be one of the reasons why obese people are more likely to develop diabetes, since the greater the fat, the higher the pesticide concentrations in the body, researchers from the University of Granada found.

Researchers demonstrate that people with higher concentrations of DDE - the main metabolite in the pesticide DDT - are four times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than other people, the journal Environmental Research reports.

In addition, the risk of type 2 diabetes is also associated with exposure to I-HCH (betaHexachlorocyclohexane), which is present in the formula of the pesticide Lindano, according to a Granada statement.

Researchers analyzed concentrations of a specific group of pesticides in the adipose tissue of 386 adult subjects at San Cecilio hospital, Granada, and Santa Ana hospital, Motril, Spain.

Granada researcher Juan Pedro Arrebola said: “Human adipose tissue (fat) acts as an energy reservoir and has an important metabolic function.

However, adipose tissue can store potentially harmful substances, such as persistent organic pollutants (COPs-pesti-

cides).”

COPs are a group of chemicals with diverse characteristics which are present in pesticides, industrial waste and building material. These compounds penetrate the body mainly through food, but also through air or the skin.

The prevalence of diabetes in the world has significantly increased in the last decades. It is estimated that by 2030, 4.4 percent of the world population will live with this metabolic disorder.

IANS

Can brain trick you into losing weight?

WASHINGTON: Brain circuitry can trick your body into losing weight, says a study.

Scientists from Sydney and New South Wales Universities, identified the brain circuitry that can trick the body into losing weight.

Shu Lin, Yanchuan Shi and Herbert Herzog, professor and his team have been studying the complex processes behind energy balance using various mouse models, the journal Cell Metabolism reports.

They have shown that the neurotransmitter Neuropeptide Y (NPY), known for stimulating appetite, also plays a major role in controlling whether the body burns or conserves energy, according to a Sydney statement.

The researchers found that NPY produced in a particular region of the brain - the arcuate nucleus (Arc) of the hypothalamus - inhibits the activation of ‘brown fat’1, one of the primary tissues where the body generates heat. “When you don’t eat... levels of NPY rise sharply. High levels of NPY signal to the body that it is in ‘starvation mode’ and should try to replenish and conserve as much energy as possible. As a result, the body reduces processes that are not absolutely necessary for survival,” said Herzog.

IANS

RESEARCH

Vitamin C doubles risk of kidney stones LONDON: Daily intake of vitamin C supplements doubles men’s risk of suffering from kidney stones, suggests a new research.

“It has long been suspected that high doses of vitamin C may increase the risk of kidney stones,” said Laura Thomas, from the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, who led the

study. This is because some of the vitamin C absorbed by the body is excreted in urine as oxalate, one of the key components of kidney stones.

They are made up of tiny crystals, which can be formed by calcium combining with oxalate, the journal JAMA Internal Medicine reports.

“Vitamin C is an important

part of a healthy diet,” Thomas said. “Any effect of vitamin C on kidney stone risk is likely to depend both on the dose and on the combination of nutrients with which it is ingested.”

The study tracked more than 22,000 middle-aged and elderly for 11 years. The current analysis included 907 men who said they took regular vitamin C tablets

and more than 22,000 who didn’t use any supplements, according to the Daily Mail.

Of the vitamin C users, 3.4 percent developed kidney stones for the first time during the study, compared to 1.8 percent of non-supplement users.

The researchers said that because there are no clear benefits tied to taking high-dose vita-

min C, people who have had stones in the past might want to think before taking extra supplements.

But the findings do not mean people shouldn’t get plenty of vitamin C through fruits and vegetables, since the antioxidant is important for bone and muscle health, and severe deficiency can cause scurvy.

IANS

21

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

Entertainment HIGH HOPES

CINE BYTES

PRABHAS is a director's

I

actor: Koratala Siva

t's been nearly seven years since Koratala Siva made his debut as a writer in Telugu film industry beginning his writing career with Boyapati Sreenu's Murali. “I didn't plan to become a writer or a director. If not this, I am

sure I would have been associated with one of the 24 crafts in Telugu films,” he says. Ask him how he managed to convince Prabhas to act in Mirchi, which is his directorial debut, he recalls, "Prabhas didn't want to act in the film in the beginning since he

had already committed to act in SS Rajamouli's film. Moreover, he was worried that he might be tempted to take up the film if he listened to the script. After much cajoling, he finally heard the story and liked it immensely." So how was the experience of direct-

ing Prabhas? "He's a director's actor. Despite being a star, he had absolutely no ego issues and delivered his best for the film. You'll see him in a new avatar. In fact, the entire film unit was like a family," Koratal Siva says. Mirchi has been extensively shot in

Europe and Tamil Nadu and the story is set in the backdrop of Palnadu.

Vamsi and Pramod have produced the film and Devi Sri Prasad has scored the music and all the songs have become chartbusters. The film is releasing on February 8 amidst high expectations.

PNK's audio on Feb 20

T

he principal shooting of Varun Sandesh's upcoming film Priyathama Neevachata Kushalama has been wrapped up.

Trinadh Rao is directing this romantic entertainer. Hasika and Komal Jha have played the lead roles. J Sambasiva Rao has produced it. The film's audio is going to be launched on February 20.

Gopichand Malineni to tie the knot soon

G

opichand Malineni is all set to tie the knot on February 14. He's going to get married to Shree Satya who is from Eluru, West Godavari district. A grand reception will be organised in Hyderabad later this month. Gopichand is currently directing Ravi Teja, Shruti Haasan and Anjali starrer Balupu.

Brahmanadam is fond of sketching

A

ce comedian and Padma Shri awardee Dr Brahmanadam has a hidden talent, apart from his onscreen avatar. Not many people know that he's extremely fond of sketching and over the years, he has drawn plenty of sketches on various subjects. We hear that he's even planning to exhibit his art works sometime soon.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

fashion

SHINING ON

PRABAL GURUNG, Emilia Wickstead and Eudon Choi are three of the designers to join the Swarovski Collective for the first time this season. They follow names such as Mary Katrantzou, Rodarte and Giles who remain members of the initiative for their upcoming shows.

Sampada’s traditional block printed outfits bring cheer to those who wear them, as well as empower the many women who help create them.

22

DESIGNER PRINTS AROUND THE BLOCK

SUNORY DUTT feedback@postnoon.com

T

rue to its name, Sampada (meaning treasure) incorporates the traditional Indian craft of block printing in all its outfits — be it kurtas, salwars, dupattas, kaftans, kurtis or saris, upholding the rich craft of block printing bequeathed to us by talented craftsmen through the ages.

The popular label is the brainchild of textile designer Madhu Rao Ayde who started her venture in Delhi two decades ago. A daunting task back then, since Madhu had to manage the entire business process. “It involved getting fabrics printed as per my layouts and colour schemes, designing the outfits, getting them stitched inhouse and then also having to retail them through exhibitions and later, our flagship stores.

Though these start to finish, inhouse processes posed a tough challenge, in retrospect they’ve also given Sampada garments their unique identity, fit and finish,” says Madhu.

And then there was the problem of convincing people about the aesthetic appeal and the earthy feel of block-printed fabric/ garments, which were different from the finish, and consistency of machine printed fabric. Madhu reminisces, “A very small segment of the population in Delhi was conscious about block printed fabric and gar-

ments made thereof. Initially, it was a difficult task making these block printed garments accepted by a large number of people needed to sustain the business.”

Getting women gainfully employed by block printing in rural areas was also a problem as social customs and practices

deterred them from stepping out of their homes. Since its inception, Sampada has been committed to empowering underprivileged women.

Even at its hand-embroidery unit in Delhi, they employ only women, thus helping them augment their family incomes.

Taking their initiative a step further, Madhu set up the Sampada Foundation, which is headed by her daughter Saudamini Rao Ayde.

Saudamini’s training in Social Policy and Development is an asset to their venture.

Saudamini shares, “The

Sampada Foundation will be organising a hand-block printing workshop exclusively for rural women at Sampada’s upcoming manufacturing unit at Bagru village in Jaipur next month. It has also encouraged a group of women in the underprivileged locality of Dakshinpuri in New Delhi to run an all-women hand embroidery unit that supplies its merchandise to Sampada.”

Sampada’s merchandise has a nation-wide presence, greatly appreciated for its aesthetic appeal, style, fit, vibrant colours, excellent quality and sensible pricing.

While the outfits are made with fine quality cotton throughout the year, winters see the introduction of khadi, maheswari and tussar silk fabrics into their collections as well.

They have a distinctively Indian flavour with signature Patti – style, adaptable for both office and eveningwear.

Plans are afoot to establish a chain of stores in major cities of the country. With flagship stores in Delhi (since 1996) and Mumbai (since 2006), a third store in Bangalore is in the works. And apparently another one in Hyderabad is also on the cards.

Sampada’s collection will be available at Petals Exhibition on Feb 8 at Taj Krishna, Road No. 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.SAMPADADELHI.COM

23

Entertainment THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

NEW PAIRS

TEAM UP FOR KARAN’S SHORT FILM

A

ctress Rani Mukherjee will be sharing screen space with Randeep Hooda for the first time in a Karan Johar movie titled Bombay Talkies. Bombay Talkies is a landmark feature film of this year releasing on the centenary date of May 3, 2013, when the industry completes 100 years of cinema.

It is an ode to cinema by four prolific film makers — Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee, Anurag Kashyap and Karan Johar. “Yes, I am doing a short film with Karan Johar and it features Rani Mukherjee,” Randeep said without divulging any details about the project and his role.

The film will also star Mujhse Fraandship Karoge actor Saqib Siddique.

Randeep has been much in demand after his performance in Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, Jannat 2 and Heroine among others. Rani, whose latest release was Talaash had teamed up with Johar in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna way back in 2006.

PTI

CINE BYTES ‘Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster’ may have part 3

“S

aheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns, second instalment of 2011 talked-about crime drama Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, is yet to hit the screens and the makers are already planning part three of the series.

Tigmanshu Dhulia, the creative brain behind both the movies said: “I can’t talk much, but maybe we will go for part three as well.”

IANS

Mahie shoots item number for ‘Bullet Raja’

F

ilmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Bullet Raja with Saif Ali Khan and Sonakshi Sinha in the lead will feature an item number

by Mahie Gill. “We have shot for an item number with Mahie. We have already shot the entire song,” Dhulia said.

IANS

I’m ashamed of Rs.100 crore game: Kay Kay

V

ersatile actor Kay Kay Menon says he is ashamed that there is no cinema left and it’s only about box office business and big numbers. “I am ashamed that talent is not promoted, it’s all about marketing. There is no cinema, it’s only about `100 crore (business),” said the 45-year-old who feels earning `100 crore is “not a big deal”. IANS

Entertainment THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

24

Entertainment THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

25

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

Chai Time

Play & Win

Please send in your filled-in entries to Postnoon, #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033. The winners will be announced on this page in Sunday’s edition.

KAKURO How to play kakuro Kakuro is a popular game similar to sudoku in some ways. But is also suitably different. The key question: ‘How do you play kakuro?’, well here are the rules of kakuro. The answer: The kakuro grid, unlike in sudoku, can be of any size. It has rows and columns, and dark cells like in a crossword. And, just like in a crossword, some of the dark cells will contain numbers.

Some cells will contain two numbers.

However, in a crossword the numbers reference clues. In a kakuro, the numbers are all you get! They denote the total of the digits in the row or column refer-

QUICK CROSSWORD enced by the number.

Within each collection of cells — called a run — any of the numbers 1 to 9 may be used but, like sudoku, each number may only be used once.Let’s have an example to explain this concept more clearly: In the image above, which shows a section of a kakuro puzzle, you will see the numbers ‘26’ and ‘14’ in the top row. Look at the 14. This means that the total of the three cells underneath must sum to 14. Therefore 9, 4, 1 could be the answer, or perhaps 7, 4, 3 and so

on...

So, how do you work out the actual combination? Well, this is done through elimination and cross-referencing. For instance, as you work out the answers for other kakuro clues, this will naturally limit the valid combinations, and hence the answer for this particular run.

Note the second cell in row two — it contains two numbers, 30 and 11. The 30 refers to the vertical run underneath the number 30 and the 11 refers to the two cells to the right, horizontally, of the number 11.

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SUDOKU

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26

Play & Win voucher from VENKEY’S VEG Restaurant, Nampally

1 Departure announcement?

5 Protractor measurement 10 Five-star hotel amenity 13 It’s free when it’s unscheduled 14 Apple utensil 15 Climb like a monkey 16 Alumni weekend VIP 19 Aussie bird 20 Author’s promoter 21 Get under one umbrella 22 Taken back to court 24 Gangling 25 Highly rated 26 ___ to (in on) 28 Pulpit of old 30 Senate counterpart 31 Emotion of the miffed 34 ‘Harry Potter’ title character 38 Jungle dweller 39 More than punctual 40 Flattened circle 41 Walking-on-air feeling 42 Loathe 44 Very intelligent person 46 Windfall 49 Enraged

50 Brand of plastic wrap 52 20 short hundredweight 53 An unforgettable meal 56 ‘Better ___ than never’ 57 Shipbuilders’ woods 58 Anticipatory times 59 Victoria’s reign, eg 60 Indulgence at the mall 61 It might hold a few swallows

DOWN

1 ‘On the ___ hand ...’

2 Ecological community 3 Not subject to change 4 Golfer’s peg 5 Orbital high point 6 Identified 7 It may go from ear to ear 8 Period beginning Ash Wednesday 9 Fraction of a joule 10 Arabic honorific 11 Devoutness 12 Hathaway of Hollywood 15 Favorable weather forecast 17 Biblical brother 18 Tremble from weakness

23 Santa’s landing site 24 Speech coach’s challenge 26 Chlorinated backyard waters 27 Former mayor Giuliani 28 ‘Caught in the act!’

29 Hard-to-fold item, often 30 ___ d’oeuvres 31 Adept at originality 32 Nipper appeared on its logo 33 Wiggly catch 35 Accepted doctrine 36 Homophone for ‘lane’ 37 Tiny amount 41 Get squeaky-clean 42 Raspy 43 ‘The King and I’ heroine 44 Kind of patch for a rabbit 45 Dreadlocks wearer, perhaps, briefly 46 Lacking funds 47 Does municipal planning 48 Existential disquiet 49 Monty Python’s Eric 50 Small progression 51 Off yonder 54 The ‘I’ in TGIF 55 Barbie’s counterpart

Chai Time THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013 Thiruvaikumar

STAR POWER for 8-2-2013

27

As per Hindu panchang thiruvaikumar@yahoo. co. in, 040-27177230 / 9177596118

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

After facing a dull period you are likely to enjoy good effects and feel cheerful. Employees need to work hard to achieve recognition at workplace. Though you may face hurdles in certain work, you have the capacity to face them and succeed.

STRIP TEASE AGNES

You will complete all work at a quick pace and succeed. You express your opinions without hesitation. You will be relieved from all difficulties faced so far and relax. Dull period of businessmen will be over and they will march ahead successfully.

All worries and confusion in the family will disappear. Though a minor setback is likely there will a happy atmosphere at home.

You will be more courageous in completing undertaken work.

Businessmen will be successful in their pet projects.

You act wisely and complete all work in a clearcut way and get appreciation from all. Unexpected minor tensions and disputes likely but you will be able to come out of this soon. A happy situation is likely at home. New efforts might get delayed.

Good effects likely to take place to a maximum extent. Disturbances faced because of children’s wrongdoings will get resolved and you cheer up. All new and good efforts will become successful. Avoid commitment to anyone; disappointment likely.

You will give due respect to others’ feelings and suggestions. All undertaken work will be successfully accomplished.

Financial position looks comfortable. Comforts are likely to increase. Your influence is set to rise; bad reputation will end.

Businessmen will achieve greater heights in their business and all their innovative efforts will be successful. Your administrative capabilities will get sharpened and you will be appreciated by all. Chances of minor financial loss; be alert.

Financial situation is likely to be very strong. Debts will be cleared and you will relax. As expenses are also likely to go beyond expectations, conservative in spending is needed. Minor misunderstanding with spouse likely but will be resolved soon.

Financial position will become very comfortable. Unexpected good turning points likely to take you to dizzy heights. Blood relative will become closer and extend help. Happy events are to take place. Employees are given more responsibilities.

TAROT READ

Sumaa Tekur

tarotreadhyd@gmail. com

ARIES:

GEMINI:

Ace of Wands – Use the creative ideas that cross your mind today. Make them a reality by putting them into action. They click, thanks to your faith and enthusiasm.

LEO:

The Star – There are clouds of confusion and it will clear once the time is right. You have to be patient and not make any rash, impulsive decisions.

LIBRA:

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE

Nine of Cups – This is a wish card and one that makes synchronicity click for you. Be careful what you wish for. It shouldn’t be anything too frivolous.

SAGITTARIUS:

Judgment – What you’ve worked hard on is now put to the test. Cross your fingers and pray those around you see your point of view. You need a break.

TAURUS:

Three of Pentacles – A promotion or recognition is on the cards. You’ll be given new challenges. This is a step up for you, and you need to see it as that.

CANCER:

Nine of Pentacles – You’ve created a comfort zone and are happy in the routine. Don’t be pressurised to break this routine if it does not suit you.

VIRGO:

Six of Swords – Overseas contacts are in focus. You may make a trip abroad for a conference, training or some course. It will teach you more than bookish stuff.

SCORPIO:

The Moon – Logic and reason may not work as well as intuition and insight. Trust your gut feel; live in the moment, and believe it’ll all be fine.

CAPRICORN:

Death – Things are changing. At work, you’re getting new projects and a new team to work with. At home, the most unexpected changes take place.

PREVIOUS SOLUTIONS

PISCES:

Five of Swords – There’s domination in relationships.

Either you dominate or you’re being dominated. Be careful how you deal with this. Don’t get resentful.

NUMBER GAME

ntacles – Whether at home or at work, those around you are seeking advice on the best course of action. You’re not impulsive and that is appreciated.

SCRABBLE

AQUARIUS: Queen of Pe-

POOCH CAFE

Only by working hard and on a continuous basis will you be able to taste success. Long-standing roadblocks will go. Chances of minor misunderstanding are likely with friends and relatives; be alert. Recognition is yours in all work you do.

for 8-2-2013

Six of Cups – You’re missing home (the things that remind you of your childhood or the best years of your life). You get nostalgic and want to get out of this situation.

NON SEQUITUR

Marriage talk will progress well and finalise soon. Businessmen will flourish and expend their horizon. Those who were staying away from family on deputation will go back. Your stock is set to pile up. Employees likely to attain greater heights.

SUDUKO

Good turning points and improvement likely in the family. A comfortable financial position also is predicted. Hurdles will go and all work will get completed successfully. You will fulfill the needs and wishes of family members. Avoid arguments.

Boggle LEAF ROOT BARK TRUNK BRANCH Vol: 2, No 202 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad – 500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon. com and for subscription, please call 040-4067 2222, Fax: 040-4067 2211

28

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

SECOND TO NONE ROBERT DE NIRO (SLP)

PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN (THE MASTER) Role: Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Lancaster Dodd, the eccentric founder of a religious group called The Cause. The character is inspired by L Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology.

Nomination: Hoffman is the dark horse in the category.

When The Master released, critics fell over each other to proclaim that Hoffman was a shoein for an Oscar. However, as the other movies released, Hoffman's 'assured' Oscar is now in jeopardy.

Other Awards: Won the Critics' Choice Award. Nominated for an SAG Award, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award.

ALAN ARKIN (ARGO)

Role: Alan Arkin plays Lester Siegel, a film producer who helps the CIA rescue six Americans trapped in Iran during the hostage crisis.

Role: Robert De Niro plays the obsessive compulsive, baseballcrazy father of Bradley Cooper in Silver Linings Playbook.

Nomination: Two-time Oscar winner De Niro has his work cut out for him. He has so far only won major awards for his intense dramatic roles, and his mostly comic role in the movie might not be the one to buck the trend.

It is his first Academy Award nomination in 21 years, and fans of the Taxi Driver star are hoping he'll take home the statuette.

Other Awards: Nominated for an SAG Award and a Critics' Choice Award.

CHRISTOPHER WALTZ (DJANGO UNCHAINED) Role: Christopher Waltz plays Dr King Schultz, a German bounty hunter who buys Django, a black slave, to assist him in his trade.

Nomination: Waltz is his usual charismatic yet bloodthirsty self in Django Unchained, and his nomination came as no surprise in movie circles. However, many were surprised that his co-star Leonardo DiCaprio did not get an Oscar nod for his chilling portrayal of a Southern slave owner.

Waltz stands an excellent shot at an Academy Award.

Other awards: Won the Golden Globe.

Nominated for a BAFTA Award.

Nomination: Arkin is probably the weakest of the contenders. Many wondered why he was nominated while John Goodman, who played the other movie man involved in the CIA caper, was not even considered.

There are chances that Arkin might get an award if the Argo tide sweeps the Oscars, but it is highly unlikely.

Other awards: Nominated for a Golden Globe, an SAG Award, a BAFTA Award and a Critics' Choice Award.

JYOTSNA NAMBIAR jyotsna.n@postnoon.com

Supporting actors are usually overshadowed by powerful leads, but not this year.

The Best Supporting Actor category is filled to the brim with talent, considering that every one of the nominees is an Academy Award winner. With these veteran actors bringing their A-game to the silver screen, this is the category that promises to be the best.

TOMMY LEE JONES (LINCOLN) Role: Tommy Lee Jones plays Thaddeus Stevens, a Republican congressman who was a principal figure in the debate over the Thirteenth Amendment.

Nomination: Jones has emerged the frontrunner in the best supporting actor race with his outspoken role in Lincoln, in which he held his own against Daniel Day-Lewis. Many critics have put their money on Jones, considering his brilliance as well as the subject and effect of the movie. Also, the one who wins the SAG Award very often goes on to win the Oscar.

Other awards: Won the SAG Award. Nominated for a Golden Globe, Critics' Choice Award and a BAFTA Award.

sports

29

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

ENHANCED DRAMA

Doping widespread in Oz sport, reveals year-long probe The inquiry identified use of prohibited substances including peptides, hormones and drugs.

MARTIN PARRY Agence France-Presse SYDNEY: Drug use is widespread in Australian sport with growing links to organised crime, according to a damning official probe on Thursday that points to “clear parallels” with the Lance Armstrong case.

The Australian Crime Commission inquiry identified common use of prohibited substances including peptides — a type of stimulant — hormones and illicit drugs, with no professional sporting codes immune to the scourge.

The findings from the yearlong investigation shatter Australia’s reputation as a predominantly drugs-free sporting nation, although specific players, teams and codes were not revealed for legal reasons.

The report indicated that sports scientists, coaches and support staff as well as doctors and pharmacists were involved in the provision of drugs, which were often supplied by organised crime gangs.

In some cases, players were being administered with substances that have not yet been approved for human use.

“The findings are shocking and will disgust Australian sports fans,” Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said.

“Multiple athletes from a number of clubs in major Australian sporting codes are suspected of currently using or having previously used peptides, potentially constituting anti-doping rule violations.

“clear parallels between what has been discovered in Australia and the USADA (US AntiDoping Agency) investigation into Lance Armstrong”, referring to the disgraced Tour de France cyclist.

and the United States, that it is not only athletes who are involved in doping, but athletic support staff, organised criminal groups and complicit doctors.”

The report said criminal networks were increasingly

“Organised crime has many facets. It will go to where there is lucrative profits to be made, low risk, regulatory weakness, and they will exploit those vulnerabilities,” he said.

While the investigation did

Australian cricket, football not linked to doping: chiefs SYDNEY: Australian cricket and football chiefs insisted their sports were not implicated in a damning report into widespread doping but rugby league bosses admitted they had a case to answer.

A year-long Australian Crime Commission probe concluded on Thursday that drug use was widespread across multiple Australian sporting codes, with growing links to organised crime.

Specific players, teams and sports were not revealed for legal reasons “Officials from clubs have also been identified as administering, via injections and intravenous drips, a variety of substances.

“It’s cheating but it’s worse than that, it’s cheating with the help of criminals,” he added.

The report said there were

LOCAL SPORTS Brilliant opportunity for children HYDERABAD: Brilliant Chess Academy will conduct the 81st Brilliant Trophy Open Chess Tournament on February 9-10 under the auspices of the AP Chess Association at Brilliant Grammar High School. Entries, which are open to children in the age group 6-14 years, will close by 1.00pm this Saturday. Prize money is being offered in the various categories of the event. Further details can be had by calling the number 92473 99717.

Ojha to lead state team HYDERABAD: The following players have been selected to represent the Hyderabad Cricket Team in the South Zone KS Subbaiah Pillai One Day Cricket Tournament to be played at Goa from Feb 14-20.

Pragyan Ojha (captain), B Sandeep (vice-captain), GH Vihari, Ravi Teja, Benjamin Thomas, VE Sandeep Rajan, K Sumanth, Aashish Reddy, Anwar Khan, Habeeb Ahmed, Amol Shinde, MP Arjun, Praneeth Kumar, G Rahul Singh, CV Milind; coach – Sunil B Joshi, fielding coach — Noel David

This “underlines the transnational threat posed by doping to professional sport, both from a ‘fair play’ perspective and as a broader integrity issue”.

“It is also clear from the findings of this project, the USADA investigation, and previous highprofile doping cases in Europe

but rugby league boss Dave Smith admitted the game had been implicated in the scandal.

“We’ve worked with the crime commission in the last week or so and information has come forward for NRL (National Rugby League) specifically that affects more than one player and more than one club,” he said.

Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland (left) said the sport, rocked when Pakistani pacemen Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif failed

involved in the distribution of illegal substances, and the links may have led to match-fixing and fraudulent manipulation of betting markets.

Crime Commission boss John Lawler said the threat of match-fixing was “extraordinarily serious” with organised crime involved.

drugs tests in 2006, was not included in the report.

“There was no specific evidence or links suggested to Australian cricket, which has a record of proactive management on issues such as anti-doping, illicit drugs, anti-corruption and bans on cricketers and cricket employees betting on cricket,” he said.

“But no sport can afford anything other than constant vigilance.

“Sport is an important part of the Australian way of life and fans have high expectations,” he added. not name specific sports, Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland said his sport was clean and “there was no specific evidence or links suggested to Australian cricket”.

But rugby league boss Dave Smith revealed players and clubs were involved.

HYDERABAD TRACK WORK

Decathlon catches the eye

HYDERABAD: Decathlon, Fastest Finger, Rainbow in the Sky, Vijaykeerti and Pacific Star impressed when horses were exercised this morning (Thursday) at the racecourse in Malakpet.

SAND TRACK 800 METRES Dauntless (rb) Chal Bhai Chal (rb) 1-3, 600/46 They moved freely. Any Given Time (M Mark) 58, 600/44 Moved freely.

Nano Storm (Ajit Kumar) 56, 600/41 Moved well. Maths Professor (Uday Kiran) Alastor (Chary) 55, 600/41 Former finished in front. Santa Monica (S Nayak) 1-0, 600/44 Easy. Victory Sky (Chary) 58, 600/43 Urged. Blazing Asian (Kiran Naidu) 56.5, 600/43 Moved well. Komo Komo Komo (rb) 55, 600/41 Pleased.

Shimmering Ice (Dileep) Hamilton (Anil) 54.5, 600/41.5 Former finished 3 lengths

in front. Exclusive Lady (Chary) 58, 600/43.5 Moved freely. Mr Glorious (M Mark) 57, 600/43 Retains form.

Fashionista (Ramana) 1-1, 600/46 Easy.

Win and Enjoy (Tograllu) 57, 600/41.5 Moved well. Sheer Genius (rb) 56, 600/42 Pleased. Sniper Fire (Kiran Naidu) Vijetha (rb) 1-1.5, 600/46 They moved freely. Flamboyant Star (Deep Shanker) 1-2.5, 600/47 Easy. Advisor (app) Dealmaker (Anil) 58.5, 600/43 Former finished in front. Fair And Square (Deep Shanker) 58, 600/43.5 Moved well.

SAND TRACK 1000 METRES Decathlon (Joshi) 1-9, 800/53, 600/40 Impressed. Ashwa Shakti (Joshi) 1-8, 800/52.5, 600 in 39 Impressed. Rainbow in the Sky (M Mark) Street Magic (K Alam) 1-12, 800/54.5, 600/40 Former fin-

ished 2 lengths in front. Pacific Star (Joshi) 1-10, 800/53.5, 600/40 Impressed.

Musical Note (Joshi) 1-11, 800/55, 600/42 Pleased.

SAND TRACK 1200 METRES Ashleen State (P Venkat) 1-34, 1000/1-18, 800/1-1.5, 600/47 Easy. Fastest Finger (Joshi) Play the Music (P Venkat) 1-26, 1000/1-9, 800/54, 600/41 Former started 3 lengths behind and finished together with more on hand. Vijaykeerti (Tograllu) 1-26, 1000/1-11, 800/56.5, 600/43.5 Worked attractively. Vijays Best (app) Vijays Triumph (Joshi) 1-27.5, 1000/1-11, 800/54, 600/40 Former started 4 lengths behind and finished level.

Looking For Love (M Mark) Fortunte (rb) 1-33, 1000/1-16, 800/1-1, 600/46 They finished together.

sports

30

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

VINA DEL MAR

NADAL TRIUMPHS

Rafael Nadal made a triumphant singles return after a seven-month absence, beating Federico Delbonis 6-3, 6-2 in the second round.

VINA DEL MAR, CHILE: Rafael Nadal made a triumphant singles return after a seven-month absence, beating qualifier Federico Delbonis 6-3, 6-2 in the second round of the ATP claycourt tournament here.

“I’m happy to play a singles match after so long,” Nadal said. “I need days and time to get my game back, but so far the feeling on court is great. For now the most important thing is to spend as much time as possible on court. This victory allows me to play at least two more matches, singles and doubles.”

Nadal hadn’t played singles since a shock secondround exit from Wimbledon in June, although he warmed

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal celebrates a point against Argentine Federico Delbonis during their ATP Vina del Mar tournament singles match on Wednesday.

AFP/MARTIN BERNETTI

up here on Tuesday with a doubles win.

A torn tendon and inflammation in his left knee kept him out of the London Olympics and the 2012 US Open, while a virus further delayed his return to action this year.

The rust was showing as Nadal, now ranked fifth in the world, dropped his serve in the first game of the match and quickly fell into an 0-2 hole to the left-handed Argentinian.

But he rebounded in style against his 128th-ranked Delbonis, regaining the break in the fourth game before prevailing in a hard-fought eighth game to give himself a chance to serve for the opening set.

AFP

FORMULA ONE

Brake failure sends Hamilton crashing out JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN: Lewis Hamilton suffered a brake failure on his first day behind the wheel of his Mercedes on Wednesday, but insisted he had survived more horrifying smashes.

Hamilton was on his 15th lap when he careered off the Jerez track and into a tyre barrier having just moments earlier reached speeds of between 260kph and 300kph.

“I hit the brakes and in a split-second they didn’t work. The pedal went down and nothing happened, so I just braced for the impact,” said Hamilton, after the accident which took place on the second day of pre-season testing.

“I am alive. I have had many experiences like this. At Nurburgring, the wheel came off and that was a lot more painful.

There have been a lot of crashes like this and I have always bounced back.”

Mercedes, who had seen Nico Rosberg only able to complete 14 laps before calling it a day on Tuesday, following electrical problems that caused a minor fire, decided not to run again on Wednesday.

ARMSTRONG SCANDAL

‘Want to be part of Lance granted extension doping solution’ CHANTAL VALERY Agence France-Presse

LOS ANGELES: US AntiDoping Agency chief Travis Tygart said Wednesday that Lance Armstrong wants to help clean up cycling, and the agency has extended its deadline for the confessed cheat to cooperate to do so.

“We have been in communication with Mr. Armstrong and his representatives and we understand that he does want to be part of the solution and assist in the effort to clean up the sport of cycling,” Tygart said in a statement.

“We have agreed to his request for an additional two weeks to work on details to hopefully allow for this to happen.”

After Armstrong admitted last month in a televised interview to using banned drugs during all of his record seven

“We have been in communication with Mr. Armstrong and his representatives and we understand that he want to be part of the solution.”

Tour de France triumphs, Tygart had given the 41-yearold Texan until Wednesday to “cooperate fully” with antidoping authorities if he really wanted a chance to reduce his lifetime ban.

Armstrong had said he wouldn’t be able to meet the deadline. He did voice a willingness to take part in any “truth and reconciliation” commission.

AFP

WASHINGTON: Lance Armstrong, facing a multi-million-dollar lawsuit and reportedly the subject of a new criminal probe, got a bit of breathing room from the US Anti-Doping Agency.

USADA gave him two more weeks to cooperate with antidoping authorities by testifying under oath, now that Armstrong has admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs.

Dallas insurance company SCA Promotions said it would file a $12 million lawsuit against Armstrong over bonuses it paid to him for multiple Tour de France victories.

The company asked Armstrong to repay the money after he was stripped last year of his seven Tour de France titles and banned for life after USADA

Lance tops Forbes most disliked US athletes list WASHINGTON: Disgraced US cyclist Lance Armstrong, who confessed last month to doping, tops the new Forbes magazine list of most disliked US athletes. The list, released on the magazine’s website, saw Armstrong edge football player Manti Te’o on a higher name recognition tie-breaker after each had only 15 percent appeal in a Nielsen/E-Poll survey.

found him to be the key figure in a sophisticated doping scheme on his US Postal Service teams.

“I can now confirm that we are filing tomorrow (Thursday),” SCA attorney Jeff Dorough said on Wednesday. “We think there are several avenues for us to seek recovery on this.”

Armstrong sued SCA and won after the company delayed his 2005 bonus payment because of reports in Europe that the American used performanceenhancing drugs.

“Armstrong and his lawyers said flat-out at that time that if he was ever stripped of the titles they would pay the money back,” Dorough said. “We’re just seeking to hold them to their promises.” That might not be the only legal battle looming for Armstrong now that he has admitted via a confessioal TV interview with Oprah Winfrey.

SPORTS BRIEFS Injury to keep Venus from playing in Doha

Hahn’s Gangnam-style is YouTube hit

Schleck drops out of Tour of Mediterranean

NEW YORK: Former World No. 1 Venus Williams withdrew

PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA: James Hahn, a

from next week’s WTA Qatar Open, citing a lower back injury.

The 32-year-old American, who was ousted by Maria Sharapova in the third round of last month’s Australian Open, has been nagged by the injury since her loss in Melbourne. Williams, ranked 23rd, pulled out of the WTA Paris Open and this week’s US Fed Cup quarter-final tie at Italy because of the back injury.

Williams is a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion whose most recent major title came in 2008 at Wimbledon, where she is a five-time champion. In 2011, she was diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome, an auto-immune disease that can cause fatigue.

Korean-American rookie on the US PGA Tour, has become a YouTube hit ahead of the Pebble Beach National Pro Am after his “Gangnam-style” celebration dance of a Sunday birdie. The 31-year-old born in Seoul fired a final-round 62 to share 16th last week at Phoenix but his birdie dance at the 16th, a grandstand-surrounded hole where rowdy spectators cheer and boo the results of tee shots, stole the show. “I can’t believe that I did that,” Hahn said. “I was having so much fun. It’s a unique venue.

I’ve never heard anything like that before. And to be embraced by the crowd — they actually gave me a nickname, they called me the Asian Brad Pitt. I can’t make this stuff up.“

GRUISSAN, FRANCE: Former Tour de France champion Andy Schleck dropped out of the Tour of Mediterranean on Wednesday, failing to complete the first stage due to breathing problems. The pull-out is yet another setback for the 27-yearold, 2010 Tour de France winner who dropped out of the Tour Down Under in the final stage and has been hit by a spate of injuries that meant he failed to start the 2012 Tour de France.

“This morning I already had breathing problems,” explained Schleck. “Instead of getting better, it just got worse during the race because of the cold and the wind. I didn’t want to abandon out of respect for the fans and the organization, but also because I need this competition.

sports

31

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

AUSTRALIA’S TOUR OF INDIA

Hughes 'the key' in India Phillip Hughes can be a key player for Australia in India, according to teammate Siddle.

SYDNEY: Rejuvenated batsman Phillip Hughes can be a key player for Australia in their four-Test series in India starting later this month, teammate Peter Siddle said on Thursday.

Siddle, who left in an advance party of eight players to help acclimatise to Indian playing conditions, pinpointed the diminutive left-hander as a player to have a major role in setting India big targets to chase.

"If we look at Phillip Hughes, the form he's had since he came back into the Australian side, he showed he'd changed

the West Indies on Wednesday.

While admitting that taking wickets through pace will be hard on the dry and spinfriendly Indian pitches, Siddle said the Australian team needed to stick with what had produced results in the past.

"The way we've won Test matches for years now has been with our pace," Siddle said.

"That's going to play a big role but (off-spinner) Nate (Lyon) is probably going to play a big role at the other end and I think that's where his game will flourish even more.”

AFP

his game for the best," Siddle told reporters at Melbourne Airport before departure.

"His form in the one-dayers has been outstanding. If he can translate that over to the Indian conditions, which will be a little bit different, he's the one. If he can get going and support Pup (Clarke) and Davy (Warner) and Watto (Shane Watson) we can get those big totals."

Hughes missed the opportunity to score his third ODI century this season when he was out for 86 in Australia's 39run series-deciding win over

WEST INDIES IN AUSTRALIA

Watson, Faulkner torment West Indies Faulkner fined

Australia’s Shane Watson bats against West Indies during their third ODI at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday.

AFP/MARK GRAHAM

CANBERRA: Shane Watson hit a century on his return from injury and James Faulkner claimed four wickets as Australia beat the West Indies by 39 runs to claim victory in the one-day international series on Wednesday.

Watson, opening the innings after four weeks out with a calf injury, smashed 122 off 111 balls.

Supported by 86 from Phil

Hughes, he helped Australia reach 329 for seven after winning the toss in the third ODI of the five-game series.

The home side then dismissed the West Indies for 290 off 47.3 overs with left-arm medium pacer Faulkner claiming four for 48 -- all bowled -- to achieve another emphatic victory after wins by nine wickets and 54 runs in Perth.

AFP

DUBAI: Australia’s James Faulkner was fined 10 per cent of his match fee after an ugly clash with West Indies’ Chris Gayle during the home side's 39-run win in the third ODI in Canberra. Faulkner finished the game with four wickets, one of those being the dangerous Gayle who was out for two off the first ball of the 38th over. But he was warned by the umpire for his overzealous sending off of the batsman. ICC said that Faulkner was found to have breached the code of conduct.

Brief Scores: Australia 329/7 in 50 overs (S. Watson 122, P. Hughes 86, Sammy 2/49, Narine 2/55) bt West Indies 290 in 47.3 overs (D.M. Bravo 86, D.J. Bravo 51, Faulkner 4/48, McKay 2/62).

IRANI CUP

RoI dominate Day 1

MUMBAI: Murali Vijay stroked his way to his second successive century in the Irani Cup as Rest of India dominated the opening day of their five-day fixture against Ranji Trophy champs Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.

With good contributions from batsmen Manoj Tiwary (37), Ambati Rayudu (51) and Suresh Raina (36 not out), RoI ended day one at 330 for five.

Vijay, who had notched a double ton for the RoI against last year's champions Rajasthan in Bangalore at the start of the

season, compiled an aggressive 116 and also put on a quickfire 144-run stand with opening partner Shikhar Dhawan (63) to lay a strong foundation.

RoI, without captain and opener Virender Sehwag who pulled out at the eleventh hour due to an upset stomach, dominated the day completely.

The situation could have been even better for RoI had Mumbai's pace spearhead Dhawal Kulkarni not dismissed Wriddhiman Saha just before close with the second new ball for his first wicket. PTI

ICC WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

Ind, Pak lock horns BHUBANESWAR: Indian women's cricket team arrived here for their World Cup play-off match against Pakistan at Barabati Stadium at Cuttack today.

The team members, including captain Mithali Raj, were given ceremonial welcome at the airport before being escorted to the hotel. "The Indian players will not undertake net

practice. They will go to Cuttack for the match early in the morning," an Odisha Cricket Association functionary said.

Barabati stadium in Cutatck, which was selected as the venue of the matches at the last minute, would also host three Super Six league matches involving South Africa, West Indies, England and Sri Lanka.

SPORTS BRIEFS Anand to meet Adams in opener

Three-day IPL inauguration mooted

‘Surprised all my bowlers had an off day’

BADEN-BADEN (GERMANY): Considered the favourite

KOLKATA: A grand three-day inauguration is being

MUMBAI: Livid with her bowlers after the humiliating firstround exit from the Women's World Cup, India captain Mithali Raj said their collective failure in the must-win group match against Sri Lanka was a bolt from the blue. India were crushed by 138 runs, failing to chase the imposing 282/5 set by Sri Lanka. "All the bowlers were off colour. We can expect one or two bowlers of colour a day but not all of them...I think honestly 280 is something I didn't expect Sri Lanka to score against us, the kind of bowling attack we had," Raj said. "Against England also, we gave extra runs in the last session of our bowling department. After the power play overs in the last 10 overs, we gave away too many runs.”

to lift the title, world champion Viswanathan Anand has been given the top billing at the Grenke Chess Classic and and will take on Michael Adams of England in the first round here.

After his third place finish in the Tata Steel Chess tournament, Anand will look to score his first classical tournament victory in quite some time.

The six-player double round-robin tournament has Fabiano Caruana of Italy as the second seed and only one who looks capable of giving the world champion a run for his money.

Besides Adams, the German trio of Arkaditsch Naiditsch, Daniel Fridman and Georg Meier complete the lineup.

planned for the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League by IMG, the event management company of the highly-popular Twenty20 cricket league. Things will be finalised after IMG holds a bidding for the sponsors in Mumbai on February 10. IMG today held a meeting with the Kolkata Knight Riders at the CAB where a discussion on the inauguration took place. "IPL-V in Chennai was a two-day affair but they were keen to make it across three days with the final being the match day (on April 3)," CAB joint secretary Subir Ganguly told PTI. He further hinted that Eden Gardens might not be the venue for the inauguration ceremony as it would host the match on April 3.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

sports

COLE'S 100TH CAP WINS OVER WEMBLEY SCEPTICS

After spending much of his England career cast in the unwanted role of pantomime villain, Ashley Cole was finally able to savour a more appealing moment on the international stage as he won his 100th cap in Wednesday's 2-1 friendly victory against Brazil.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL FRIENDLIES

England beat Brazil DAVE JAMES Agence France-Presse PARIS: England ensured Luiz Felipe Scolari's second spell in charge of misfiring giants Brazil began with a defeat on Wednesday as World Cup favourites Spain, Argentina and Germany all clinched impressive wins on the road.

England beat five-time world champions Brazil 21 at a chilly Wembley to end a 23-year wait for victory over the South Americans.

Home goalkeeper Joe Hart saved an early penalty from the recalled Ronaldinho, before Wayne Rooney (in pic) put Roy Hodgson's side ahead.

An error from Gary Cahill allowed substitute Fred to equalise for Brazil early in the second half, but Frank Lampard gave England victory with a smartly taken goal on the hour.

"The lads who completed 90 minutes deserve a lot of credit because Brazil can't half move the ball," said Lampard.

"We've played some very good games against

England beat 5-time world champions Brazil 2-1 to end a 23-year wait for victory over the South Americans.

Wednesday results Portugal 2 Vs Ecuador 3 France 1 Vs Germany 2 Republic of Ireland 2 Vs Poland 0 Wales 2 Vs Austria 1 Scotland 1 Vs Estonia 0 Belgium 2 Vs Slovakia 1 Sweden 2 Vs Argentina England 2 Vs Brazil 1 Netherlands 1 Vs Italy 1 Greece 0 Vs Switzerland 0 Malta 0 Vs Northern Ireland 0 Macedonia 3 Vs Denmark 0 Turkey 0 Vs Czech Republic 2 Israel 2 Vs Finland 1 Albania 1 Vs Georgia 2 Hungary 1 Vs Belarus 1 Croatia 4 Vs South Korea 0 Bosnia-Herzegovina 3 Vs Slovenia 0 Norway 0 Vs Ukraine 2 Spain 3 Vs Uruguay 1

lesser opposition. We had to work hard and they missed chances, but we did well and we could have scored more."

Scolari, who replaced Mano Menezes in November, refused to be downbeat about the defeat.

"I'm not disappointed.

We played against a strong England team who had strong players and were in good physical form," he said.

In Doha, world and European champions Spain stretched their unbeaten run at senior international level to 17 games with a 3-1 win over Uruguay, a victory sealed by two goals from Pedro Rodriguez after the break.

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS

B Faso, Nigeria make final outside the vast west African state gave them a chance of getting beyond the last eight this time.

GHANA SEEK STRENGTH TO FACE MALI

Burkina Faso's goalkeeper Daouda Diakite saves the last penalty during the penalty shootout of their semi-final against Ghana.

DAVID LEGGE Agence France-Presse JOHANNESBURG: Nigeria play Burkina Faso on Sunday in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final that

was unthinkable when the tournament kicked off in mid-January. The Nigerian Super Eagles did not even qualify for the 2012 championship in Gabon/ Equatorial Guinea and few

Ghana, down and out after their shock semi-final loss to Burkina Faso here Wednesday, will pick themselves up to face Mali in the third-place play-off, assistant coach Maxwell Konadu said.

Despair was etched all over captain Asamoah Gyan's face at the postmatch press conference following the 3-2 penalty shootout loss to a team ranked 66 rungs below them in FIFA's world table.

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