Epaper 11 october 2013

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013 HYDERABAD

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TAKEN! P16&17

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WEATHER: A MIX OF CLOUDY AND SHOWERS; 30°C

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Yesterday, Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan was kidnapped from his Tripoli hotel. Kidnappings has often been used as a tool for political and financial gain, and while some of those who have been taken are rescued, others meet a tragic fate.

Here are kidnappings that captured the world’s attention.

HYDERABAD’S FIRST COMPACT AFTERNOON NEWSPAPER N SHIVA KUMAR

THE FINAL INNINGS

Tendulkar, the only batsman to make 100 international centuries, said he had been ‘living a dream’, but recognised it was now time to hang up his boots.

P31 SPECIAL SCREENING OF NAIYAANDI FOR NAZRIYA

Actress Nazriya, who accused director A Sarkunam of using a body double to shoot intimate scenes in Naiyaandi, will watch it at a private screening Wednesday with her father and advocate to decide her next course of action.

P21

SRK PERFORMS TO SOLD OUT SHOWS IN SYDNEY

Shah Rukh Khan and his star-studded troupe of musical show Temptation Reloaded, who are in Perth set to stage a livewire performance, regaled packed houses of Bollywood buffs in Auckland and Sydney.

P28

THE BOSS WAZ HERE

REPORT ON P4

Bollywood action hero Akshay Kumar made a dramatic appearance at the Charminar as part of promotions for his new movie Boss.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

city events

MUSIC LOVERS

The duo are back again! Vishal-Shekhar, well acclaimed for their soulful sensational music numbers, is all set to enthrall their patrons in the land of Nawabs. Vishal-Shekhar Live in Concert Hyderabad is happening on October 19 at the Hitex Exhibition grounds.

Weather for Hyderabad Morning

New Delhi Mumbai Max 37 Max 32 Min 27 Min 29

Evening

Overnight

Afternoon

25°C

20°C

25°C

30°C

Cloudy with showers likely

Mix of cloudy and clear skies

Cloudy and sun with a slight chance

mix of cloud and sun with a slight chance

Mostly sunny

Thundershowers

Chennai Max 34 Min 27 Thundershowers

Bangalore Max 29 Min 19 Thundershowers.

AROUND THE CITY: YOUR GUIDE TO THE TWIN CITIES WORKSHOP

Mono-act Play A mono-act, one act play based on the living evils faced by a woman.

This play would fall under the genre of Physical Theatre.

Where: Lamaakan, CBay, opp. GVK One, Banjara Hills, Road no.1 When: Until October 11 7.30 pm onwards Contact: (040) 2770 0734

Samahaara Weekend Theatre Workshop Find time only on the weekends and want to learn the basics of stagecraft, this workshop is ideal for you.

Refresh yourself from your daily grind, learn something new and unique, meet likeminded people and bring out the creative side of you..

Where: Lamakaan, Lane next to CBAY, Off Road No.1, Banjara Hills When: Until December 7 10am to 12pm, Saturday & Sunday Contact: (040) 6666 3939

ART

EXHIBITION Lepakshi Dasara Mela A handloom Exhibition-Cum-Sale for Dussehra.

Where: Opposite Police Control Room, Gun Foundry, Hyderabad When: Until October 13, 11am onwards Contact: (040) 2323-5028

DINING

Friday Barbeque Enjoy the chill of early winter as you relax at the lush green lawns. And beat the chill with grills prepared live by the chef.

Drinks served from the bar complement the grills.

Where: Alfresco Hotel Taj Krishna, Road Number 1, Banjara Hills When: October 11-13 7pm onwards Contact: (040) 6666-2323 Navratri Thali Go ahead and relish these special delicacies this Navratri with the King of Thali, Khandani Rajdhani!

Where: Level 1, Uptown Banjara, Opposite Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Road No.3, Banjara Hills When: Until October 13 11.30am onwards Contact: (040) 64593998 Sizzler festival Love sizzlers? Head to the Square for the Sizzler festival. Sample a variety

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

A COLOURFUL SYMPHONY: Women spotted taking part in Bathukamma festival celebrations at Kukatpally on N SHIVA KUMAR Thursday.

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

of vegetarian and non-vegetarian sizzlers. The festival is on till November 21.

Where:Novotel Hotel Convention Centre, Hitech City When: Until Noember 21 12 Noon onwards Contact: (040) 67112368 89 offer Heads or Tails, the drink is yours! Go to Spoil and pamper yourself as you enjoy any drink at just `89/ every day of the week When: Till October 31, 8.30pm onwards Where: Spoil, Road No.1, Jubilee Hills

food festival.

Where: Manasarovar The Fern - An Ecotel Hotel, Chiraan Fort Club, US Consulate Lane, Begumpet When: Until October 13, 7pm onwards Contact: (040) 30839710/ Sudipto 8790994804, Amit - 8790994835

THEATRE/PLAYS

Buy Art Fair Art works by 75 artists and 400 Art works , the India's best talent on sale.

Where: 1672 S.B.I Bldg 3rd floor, Road No. 12, Banjara Hills , When: Until October 28 11 am onwards Contact: 9885228446

Tantalising delicacies Enjoy this festival season with a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food as part of Bhuri Bhoj, a Bengali

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

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

Living with the masters An exhibition of paintings and sculptures by artistes such as Anand Panchal, Bhairu Raghuram, Ramesh Gorjala, Seema Kohli, Srinivas Reddy, Srinivas Tailor & Vennimalai.is being held.

Where:Plot No. 259/C, Road # 12, M.L.A. Colony, Banjara Hills When: Until October 15 11 am onwards Contact: (040) 6656 4466

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

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

news

TODAY’S QUESTION

YESTERDAY’S QUESTION

PC SAYS UPA IS GONNA BE BACK? DO YOU AGREE?

IS DIGGY MAKING OVERTURES TO THE YSRC BY SAYING JAGAN IS LIKE MY SON? 18 82%

YES (A) NO (B)

A)

YES

B)

NO

To vote visit www.postnoon.com

CRIME

SMOKED

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Brothel owner murdered as he defaults on loan MOHD SUBHAN mohd.s@postnoon.com

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he Abids police have solved the murder of Ramesh Raju,45, who had been running a brothel in Kalyan Nagar in SR Nagar. A native of Nellore, Ramesh was found murdered near a cinema theatre on October 8.

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CITY

An Indian pedestrian protects his face while engulfed in a cloud of pesticide during a dengue prevention spraying in the Old Quarters in New Delhi on October 10, 2013. Nearly 1,400 dengue cases have been reported from the Indian capital and adjoining areas and at least five people have died of dengue in Delhi. AFP PHOTO/ Andrew Caballero-Reynolds AFP

Police have booked a murder case against Uday Anand, a petty financer who made cash available on interest, and three accomplices. It is said that Uday had once lent `6 lakh to Ramesh.

Ramesh’s nephew informed the police that his uncle had paid interest for a year and then stopped. Uday was troubling him to give the remainder. Police seized bloodstained clothes and a dagger with the help of sniffers.

CRIME

Vexed second wife and kids kill man A green card holder met a gory death at the hands of his second wife and their minor sons when he did not play fair by them, police report.

MOHD SUBHAN mohd.s@postnoon.com HYDERABAD: Javed Ahmed is a green card holder of America and he has wife and children back in the US. He conducted a second marriage when he came to his native city with one Ayesha. They have four underage sons. Javed is said to have shuttled between his first wife and second wife. He had bought a flat in Hyderabad where Ayesha and children lived. He would come and live with them a couple of months every year.

do away with him. A few days ago they managed to administer sleeping pills in his drinks and when, one of the sons throttled him while another cut his throat with a knife.

Later, Ayesha cried aloud saying someone murdered her husband. Police suspected foul play and on interrogation the woman admitted the crime, pleaded that he was cruel and deprived them of their only property. Police have taken her into custody and arraigned four sons but only one son was caught while three have escaped.

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Recently, he sold the flat and sent the money to his first wife. A dejected and angry second wife and her sons quarrelled about why he married a second time if he could not take care of his wife and sons.

As Javed seemed to be not in a mood to oblige his second wife and children, the woman and her sons allegedly decided to

CITY BRIEFS Chacko rules out Prez rule

Rajender says Kiran harmed T interests

Shinde says Centre to send T note to AP

Gitam School to conduct national conference

CLC condemns actions of top leaders

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ICC official spokesperson PC Chako has made it clear that imposition of President’s Rule in Andhra Pradesh was the last option.

Chako said on Thursday the Centre would impose President’s Rule only when there was no alternatives to the Centre. He said there is democratically elected government in the State and it was functioning well.

RS Legislature Party leader, Etela Rajender has alleged that Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy caused a lot of injustices to the Telangana region. He said that the Chief Minister had allocated Rs. 6,000 crore to his native Chittoor district at the cost of Telangana region while denied funds for drinking.

nion Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said the Centre would send a resolution on Telangana State to Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly soon. He also made it clear that a draft bill would be placed in the Assembly and not Telangana Bill. He said the Centre would do justice to the Seemandhra region.

ITAM School of International Business will conduct a two-day National Conference on “The Way Forward for Indian Sezs: Role, Performance & Possibilities” on its campus on November 22-23. Dr Shahazadi B Shaik, Program Director said SEZs have taken India to the next level of progress.

ivil Liberties Committee has condemned the actions of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu and YSRCP chief Jaganmohan Reddy in opposing the formation of Telangana State and provoking the Seemandhra to go for agitations, thus creating a rift between the two regions, for their vested interests.

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News FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013 LAST YEAR... HERE A knotty, costly affair

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ast year we had reported that GHMC is spending lakhs of rupees everyday to remove cables. The expenditure incurred on labour, equipment and fuel is close to `50,000 per day in the Central Zone alone. We also reported that this decision was proving to be a costly affair during CoP 11 for both the corporation and cable operators.

OCT 11, 2012

NUMEROLOGY

2m

devotees from all over the world are expected to visit the Saibaba Temple in Shirdi, Maharashtra on the occasion of the 95th “punyatithi” (death anniversary) of Saibaba.

With very good rainfall in the current year and a sharp increase in the sown area, we expect robust growth in farm output.

We have also taken numerous reform measures over the past one year.

P Chidambaram Indian Finance Minister

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A date with the BOSS

The city was in for a treat when Bollywood star Akshay Kumar made an unannounced visit to Charminar to promote his much-awaited movie Boss. However, many fans wondered why cops had allowed a film star to use a national monument to promote his movie.

See page 13

THINGS WE LEARNT TODAY

The column that teaches everyone something new about the way the City functions.

1

Chidambaram says Indian economy is all set for growth Indian Finance Minister P. Chidambaram is confident that economy will soon grow at over 5.0 percent.

2

Mongolia’s ‘eco-Nazis’ target foreign miners Mining makes up a fifth of Mongolia’s economy and it has enjoyed one of the world’s highest growth rates since the authorities invited in foreign companies to extract its gold, copper and coal.

3

Malala Yousafzai wants to be the PM of Pakistan Teenage rights activist Malala Yousafzai told an audience that she would like to become prime minister of Pakistan to “save” the country.

4

US government shutdown still continues A White House meeting ended with no decisions made on how to end the government shutdown.

5

STAR GAZING

Cyclone Phailin alert in Orissa and Andhra Pradesh A cyclone barrelling towards the east coast intensified, leading a warn of a “very severe” storm.

ARUN DANIEL arunyellamaty@postnoon.com

A

ction hero of Bollywood films, Akshay Kumar’s unannounced entry into Charminar created a flutter among the usual visitors to the monument today. He came accompanied with police.

Wearing a blue jeans, black kurta and green overcoat, the cleanshaven Akshay had put on tinted goggles. He looked more like the superman about to fly than a film hero promoting his new film. Though unannounced, a lot of people had gathered to have a glimpse of their silver screen hero.

“It was great coming to Charminar, the response here is fantastic and the city looks really good from here,” he commented when he sped away in the car.

Boss he may be but he did not go unchallenged. Many present at the scene, who included his fans wondered why the police had allowed a film personality to use the national monument to promote a private enterprise. ‘It was not even for a public cause,” grumbled a jeweller nearby.

“What if Amitabh Bachchan or Rajnikant want to promote a

private business from Charminar tomorrow?” asked RM Khaitan, a trader who has an a showroom near Charminar.

But all this did not dampen the spirits of his die-hard fans.

Farana Sultana, a resident, said, “ I have been a big fan of Akshay and I am very exited to finally get to see him. He still looks so young and handsome.” Similar was the expression of a youth who had rushed to be photographed with Akshay but found himself outsmarted by others. “He is a nice man. I like his films. I want to be a hero like him,” said he who had been dis-

appointed for he did not get a shot with his hero.

Akshay made up his way to the monument and watched the city from the top and waved at the people who were screaming him name and waving back at him. After posing for pictures and completing his walk, he walked down.

Many people gathered were excited to see him and tried their best to get closer to him and catch a closer view of him. Cops and bouncers had a tough time controlling the crowd.

However many people did not appreciate Akshay climbing

Wearing a blue jeans, black kurta and green overcoat, the cleanshaven Akshay had put on tinted goggles.

A lot of people gathered to have a glimpse of the star. the monument to promote his film, a senior citizen, Ashraf-ullah, said, “How could the police give permission for something like this at this great monument?

Doesn’t the government have any respect towards this monument? Why did they allow him to climb up the Charminar and make a mockery of the monument? Tomorrow many other celebs will start doing the same.

What if any mishap had taken place? Cops shouldn’t have given any permission, to make this monument a stage for them to promote their films.”

Ravi Kumar, who had gotten stuck in the traffic because of the celeb’s visit, said, “I am getting to work and don’t appreciate this drama by celebs, let them promote their films at hotels or anywhere. Not in public places and cause inconvenience to public.”

News FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

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DEATH ANNIVERSARY

Two mn devotees head to Shirdi

Saibaba’s 95th ‘punyatithi’ is likely to be a momentous event with visitors from all over the world.

SHIRDI: The Saibaba Temple in Shirdi, Maharashtra, is all geared up to receive around two million devotees from all over the world for the 95th "punyatithi" (death anniversary) of Saibaba, an official said here Thursday.

Revered by followers of all religions, Saibaba, who lived and preached in Shirdi and surrounding regions during the late 19th and early 20th century, took "samadhi" Oct 15, 1918.

The 95th death anniversary functions shall begin from Saturday, Oct 12 and continue till Oct 14, The Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust has made arrangements for the lodging, boarding, darshan, distributing prasad, local movements, vehicular regulations and other requirements for the hordes of pilgrims who have already started arriving here from Thursday.

"To ensure that everybody gets opportunity for darshan in the Saibaba temple, VIP passes, aarti passes and other puja arrangements will be stopped for these three days," said Ajay More, executive officer, Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust.

The trust has made arrangements for round-the-clock entry to the Saibaba Samadhi temple and other important sites nearby, besides a host of cultural and devotional programmes to keep the devotees engaged.

Top artistes from Maharashtra like Manoharbuva B. Dixit, Vishwanath Ojha, Madhumati Mishra, and K.V. Satyanarayana will present a variety of bhajans, kirtans, dance and other devotional programmes on the occasion.

The 95th anniversary is considered a dry run for the death centenary in 2018 when more than 10 million devotees are expected to arrive.

IANS

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News FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

SPOILER ALERT

STIR SPOILS FESTIVE MOOD First time in recent years, many people including students, have lost the Dasra fest holidays as they are all cooped up in their homes, unable to go far with agitation affecting transport and security.

ALEENA ALICE aleena.t@postnoon.com

T

he ongoing agitation in the state has spoiled the festive spirit and school holidays. People in general and students in particular can’t travel much and make use of the festival for social calls and other life’s societal necessities.

Dasara is one of the major festivals when family members gather to celebrate and share the happiness of the occasion. Every year, Dasara is celebrated with pomp and show, but this year the celebrations are going to be a low key affair.

Since the festival happens to fall on an extended weekend many people had AROUND THE

CITY

Since the festival happens to fall on an extended weekend, many people had planned for a long leave.

However , the Samaikyandhra bandh has acted as a dampner. planned for a long leave. However, the Samaikyandhra bandh all these days acted as a dampner.

With the APSRTC staff on strike and the train reservation closing one month back, most of the denizens were forced to cancel their trips to their native places and stay back.

Taking advantage of the situation various private buses have doubled their prices and are fleecing passengers.

“A ticket which would cost me Rs. 500 in a private volvo bus is now costing me Rs. 2000. Not everyone can afford to pay so much. I was hoping to spend some time with my family as its been over six months since I visited them, however, with the agitations and the “Rasta roko” my parents had advised me to stay back.” says R. Samyuktha a native of Eluru.

Though the strike has been called off by the APTRANSCO department and the education department temporarily, the uncertainty and fear of what would happen next has been deterring people from traveling. “I would have no problem to travel from here to Visakhapatnam since the situation there seems to have relaxed to a certain extent but, the situation is still uncertain. I am not sure if I will make a trip, because I don’t want to get stuck there. Many of my colleagues too cancelled their trips because of this uncertainty.”

Meanwhile,for the people in Andhra regions where the agitation was in full swing and is still continuing in certain areas it is a very sad situation. Because of strike for nearly 62 days, as many as six lakh employees from Seemandhra have lost their two months salaries and are facing tough times just a few days before the major festival. Private sector employees too are facing a crisis as several industries are not functioning since the workers are taking part in the stir.

Festive time is when traders make the maximum profits, however because of the strike even they are facing hardships with hardly any business in hand.

Raghuram a Footwear Store owner in Besant Road Vijayawada said, “The absence of transport has affected our business badly. The streets look gloomy and there is no festive spirit.”

A ticket which would cost me Rs. 500 previously is now costing me Rs. 2000. Not everyone can afford to pay so much. Due to agitations my parents have advised me to stay back.

R Samyuktha A native of Eluru.

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News FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

REPORTER’S DAIRY

Leave lo unaru madam, mangalvaram vastaru W ith Dasara just round the corner, the Government has declared a holiday on October 14. But, for the GHMC officials, the holiday season has already begun several days ago. At least this is what you are likely to hear when you make a call to any of the civic officials: “Leave lo unaru madam, Tuesday roju vastaru” (He is on leave; he will come back on Tuesday). However, the sad part is that the class IV contract employees of the GHMC have no holiday. In fact, even on the festival they have to work for extra hours to clear the garbage that has accumulated during the festival.

(AA)

HAPPY MARRIAGE OF HOLIDAYS WITH AGITATIONS

India is the most festival-rich country in the world. Being a multi ethnic society, it has an endless procession of holy- days.

Add to this the agitations the year has gone to waste with no real work or achievement. This is becoming a real issue in Andhra Pradesh where stir of various kinds add to the festivals and holidays.

India had a golden chance to keep away from all religions when it comes to statecraft but our selfish politicians (mostly Congress that rules all through) gave in and began to give holidays to every birth or death or such excuse of this or that personality. Serious students who form a minority are indeed worried. after all it is their future that is at stake. Where’s the hope for the young in this country? Asks an agitated research student, Abhilash Khair. He certainly reflects the thought of all sincere and serious students. But who will save them is a big unanswered question.

(SS)

GHMC LANDS IN POTHOLES

Grater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has once again failed to pass the honesty test conducted by the rain God. Despite claims to the contrary, the corporation did very little to brave heavy rains. The waterlogged roads and residential areas proved to be a big hurdle for the traffic and general public.

The sanitation work by GHMC also does not reach anywhere.

This is especially true of the

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drain lines that get clogged and not cleared regularly. We don’t see workers cleaning the drainage pipelines anywhere in the city. It seems that this civic wing works only in emergencies.

The road which goes to the governor’s house, which is proudly called “Raj Bhavan” was also clogged with rainwater, which at some places created craters and pools. One must see the magic of the famous guest house for the VIPs and the delegates disappearing under water, even when it rains heavily for a few minutes,

so much for the low-lying areas and slums!

(MA)

OWAISI JOKE

The biggest joke (according to bloggers from Hyderabad) of the century is MIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi talking of ‘secularism’!

His yardstick of secularism is ‘anti Hinduism’ and he shows it unabashedly. Recently, when the Times Now TV’s Arnab Goswami invited Owaisi to a debate on how Home Minister could send unsolicited letter to all states asking them not to ‘harass innocent Muslims’.

Owaisi spit venom on BJP and Hindus without realising that TV reaches all people and he was creating destation.

Owaisi held Kiran Kumar Reddy ‘communal’ when he asked security to allow a priest he knows into the temple near Charminar. His party (?) went to a great extent branding Kiran a communal CM. Now, it is Jaganmohan Reddys turn who had a word of praise for Narendra Modi. “How can he praise a Hindu CM?” is what he reportedly wondered. If we have such ‘friends’ who needs enemies?

(PK)

CANE AND ABLE OF AP

The Andhra Pradesh political situation resembles to a free-for-all brawl where everybody is fighting everybody else. Many get caught in the crossfire, such as

star-politician Chiranjeevi. Being a popular icon of two generations, he can’t willingly deny Telangana nor can he say no to a united Andhra. Similar is the situation of Chandrababu Naidu.

He is a father whose two sons are Cane and Able. In such a situation, what did the God who created them do? But, For Naidu and Chiru, this is the worst turn in their career, where they are caught in a bind, and silence seems to be the best policy. But in politics, silence will not be allowed. What a catch 22 situation!

(PK) (Contributed by Srinivas Setty, Aleena Alice, Mohsin Ali and P K Surendran).

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News FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

SLOWDOWN IMPACT

Hard times on B-schools; placements, enrolments down Unfortunately, job opportunities for MBAs have not grown in the same proportion as the period coincides with the global financial slowdown.

POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com NEW DELHI: According to The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India’s (ASSOCHAM) latest assessment, a large number of business schools, other than the top 15-20 with the likes of IIMs, are going through difficult times due to the economic slowdown hitting the corporate balancesheets.

This has further resulted in a sharp drop of 40-50 per cent in campus hiring, and an equivalent decline in the number of students applying for admissions this year.

The paper, titled ‘B-Schools are facing the consequences of economic slowdown’, by ASSOCHAM also revealed that the salary packages which are offered at B-schools and engineering colleges are being reduced by 35-40 per cent as compared to the previous year.

While releasing the paper, DS Rawat, secretary-general ASSOCHAM, said, “Campus recruitments have gone down drastically. As a result, a large number of the B-schools and engineering colleges are not able to attract students.

“At least 190 B-schools have already closed in metros such as Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmadabad, Kolkata among others. Another 165 are struggling for their day-to-day survival.”

Rawat asserted that the situation in engineering col-

At least 190 B-schools have already closed in metros such as DelhiNCR, Mumbai and Bangalore. Another 165 are struggling for their day-today survival.

DS Rawat ASSOCHAM

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leges is worse since many of them lack adequate infrastructure and quality teaching faculty.

He stressed that the global uncertainly has certainly affected the placement pattern at Bschools and engineering colleges. This year the number of placements are fewer and there is no hike in the average pay packages.

Apart from the IIMs and a handful of others, it will be challenging for several business schools to get 100 per cent placement.

The paper pointed out that this year the offers from the financial and telecom sectors have gone down by 35 per cent.

The pay packets offered are not very encouraging and are much less, when compared to the previous year.

The paper also dealt with the steep drop in registration with

15-18,000 in total this year.

Also, it was noticed that over 35 per cent of students appearing for the MAT exam has dropped, a research conducted annually by the AIMA. There are myriad instances where students opting for partic-

This year the number of placements are fewer and there is no hike in the average pay packages. Apart from the IIMs and a handful of others, it will be challenging for several business schools. ular colleges in the university(cases in point are colleges under IP University, Delhi) do not show up for counselling, forcing the college managements to scout for new enrolments.

Some of these colleges have also been forced to close several pro-

grammes making the faculty redundant in the process. "The situation is quite bad" echoed several of the directors surveyed for the report.

The paper went on to highlight the fact that many parents and students alike are contemplating whether or not to invest several lakhs for a two-year course, considering the placement scene for MBA graduates is at a low point due to the slowdown.

It is estimated that around 300 to 500 institutions have become defunct as they are not getting enough students to stay viable.

The paper went on to stress that besides quality of education in an institute, students are more concerned about the placement, salary statistics and discounts offered on the fee structure.

MBA seats in India grew almost four-fold from 95,000 in 2006-07 to 3, 60,000 in 2011-12, resulting in a five-year compounded annual growth rate of

30 per cent.

Unfortunately, job opportunities for MBAs have not grown in the same proportion as the period coincides with the global financial slowdown.

The MBA capacity in the country was built based on the projection of a 9 to 10 per cent economic growth rate.

Rawat concluded by saying that the quality of higher education in India across disciplines is poor and does not meet the required needs of the corporate world. “We have a peculiar situation. On the one hand, there are no jobs available; on the other hand, corporates are searching for skill sets not available with the students", pointed out the ASSOCHAM paper.

ASSOCHAM has advised Bschools to improve the required infrastructure, train faculty, work on industry linkages, shell money on research and knowledge creation, and provide a better pay package faculty members, old and new.

9

News FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

MUSIC FROM THE HEART

INTELLIGENCE LAPSE

Thrilled to be in a city of music lovers: Pais Alisha Pais, solo artist, who is popularly known for her song, ‘I am a maniac,’ which she wrote after her break-up, was in town.

ARUN DANIEL arunyellamaty@postnoon.com

P

opular singer-songwriter and music teacher Alisha Pais has made an impact on India’s indie music scene, with her appearances at many major festivals. Performing for the first time ever in Hyderabad, the solo artist says she is excited to play at this festival.

A self-taught singer and guitarist, Alisha’s inspiration is her father. “My father always used to sing me and my brother to sleep. It was the only way we could fall asleep, he is a great musician and song writer. “ Alisha started of her journey five years ago and in these five years she has made quite a mark as a solo artist, she say, “I began five years ago as a solo artist, before that I used to play in juniors college in a band later everyone got busy. I wanted to continue and couldn’t wait for long to join somewhere else, so decided to take my guitar and stared to write a lot of songs and became a solo artist.” she says she had quite a tough time being a solo artist than a band and she had to be extremely carefully

without making any mistakes and work hard.

Alisha first began a serious interest in music when, at the age of 13, she was chosen to play the lead role as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor

INFERNO

Fire at a Japanese hospital kills 10

TOKYO: A fire broke out at a Japanese hospital early Friday, killing 10 people, the police said.

“We have confirmed the deaths of 10 people — eight inpatients and two hospital workers,” said a local police spokesman in the southern Japanese prefecture of Fukuoka.

A further eight people were injured in the blaze, according to police who added that the condition of the injured was not immediately known.

Video footage aired on public broadcaster NHK showed firefighters surrounding the hospital as smoke poured out the front entrance of the building, parts of which were gutted by the fire.

Dark streaks of soot were smeared across the second floor win-

dows. The fire is believed to have started around 2:20am at the four-story building and was put out more than two hours later.

“The cause of the fire is yet to be determined,” the police official said, adding that the victims have yet to be identified.

Opened in 1970, the hospital is located in a quiet residential area, local media said, adding that many of the inpatients were elderly. NHK quoted a firefighter as saying the building was already belching out flames when fire engines arrived there.

A 43-year-old woman living in the neighbourhood told the network: “A lot of smoke came to the front door of my house and I heard shouts like ‘Help!’ and crunching sounds.”

AFP

Dreamcoat. “I didn’t enter the auditions prepared to play Joseph. I had no idea they had their eye on me until they announced the roles,” she says.

It was that experience that gave her the drive to pursue music professionally. Just after Joseph, Alisha formed a school band and wrote her first song, called “Reality”. She adds, “everything stared to fall into place after that and I love to perform and sing for people, that’s all I want to do.” when she is writing a song or performing she does music therapy for children

below five, just ensuring that children fall in love with music.

However after so many years she has finally decided to come up with an album, on popular demand, “finally I am coming up with an album next year.”

Talking about her choice of songs she writes, she says, “most of the songs are written though my experiences and the song ‘I am’ I wrote after my breakup and this song helped me get over my break up and helped me. This song reminds me of myself and I needed to find myself all over again.”

Alisha’s writing influences come from a robust and diverse assortment of other singer-songwriters and bands like Damian Rice, Cat Power, and even American country music legend Johnny Cash, picked straight from her father’s record collection. About Hyderabad, she says, “this is my first time in the city and my friends who have been here, used to say people here love their music, so I am happy and looking forward for the gig.”

The event is on October 11, Friday, 7pm onwards at Marakesh, Durgam Cheruvu.

DURGA PUJA

Devotees preform rituals with a banana tree wrapped in a sari, symbolising the wife of Lord Ganesha, near the river Ganges during the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata on Friday. The Durga Puja festival commemorates the slaying of a demon king Mahishasur by goddess AFP/DIBYANGSHU Durga, marking the triumph of good over evil.

US missed red flag on Snowden, says report WASHINGTON: While working for the CIA, Edward Snowden was suspected of trying to break into files he did not have access to, but a report from his supervisor on this went unheeded, a newspaper said Thursday night.

The New York Times said Snowden’s supervisor wrote a derogatory report on him in 2009 as he was preparing to leave a CIA job in Geneva. The paper quoted two senior American officials.

Snowden, now living under asylum in Russia, left the CIA and became a contractor for the National Security Agency. This summer he leaked thousands of classified documents on the NSA’s covert programs to spy on telephone calls and Internet traffic at home and abroad.

The supervisor’s note and

Snowden, now living under asylum in Russia, left the CIA and became a contractor for the NSA. This summer he leaked thousands of classified documents on the NSA’s covert programs to spy on telephone calls and Internet traffic at home and abroad. the CIA’s suspicions do not appear to have been forwarded to the NSA, the Times said.

They surfaced only after investigators started probing Snowden’s records once he began to spill the beans on the surveillance programs, the paper said.

In the derogatory report on Snowden, the supervisor wrote that he had detected a distinct change in the computer technician’s behaviour and work habits, the paper said.

That report and the CIA’s suspicions may have been the first warning of what Snowden might have in mind for the future, and a chance to review Snowden’s top-secret clearance or put his work at the NSA under closer surveillance, the paper said.

AFP

10

News FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

WEATHER ALERT

WAR ON DRUGS

East coast braces for Phailin Cyclone Phailin was expected to hit the impoverished states of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh on Saturday evening, accompanied by a storm surge of up to two and a half metres (seven feet) and heavy rainfall.

AROUND THE

INDIA, Amritsar : Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel carry sacks containing 26 kgs of confiscated heroin, recovered near the IndiaPakistan border, during a press conference at the BSF headquarters in Khasa, 15 kilometres (9 miles) from Amritsar on October 10, 2013. 26 packets of heroin were recovered near the India-Pakistan border outpost Rajatal, after the narcotics were allegedly smuggled into India from Pakistan, officials said. AFP PHOTO/ NARINDER NANU

NATION

NEW DELHI: A cyclone barrelling towards India’s east coast intensified overnight, leading weather forecasters to warn Friday of a “very severe” storm that could cause widespread damage and flooding.

Cyclone Phailin was expected to hit the impoverished states of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh on Saturday evening, accompanied by a storm surge of up to two and a half metres (seven feet) and heavy rainfall.

The storm “would increase in intensity with gale wind-speed reaching 205-215 kilometres (127134 miles) per hour at the time of landfall”, the Indian Meteorological Department said.

It warned of extensive damage to agricultural crops, homes and power and communication systems.

The army was on standby in

Fishermen out at sea, along north Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal coast were advised to return to coast. both states for emergency and relief operations, the NDTV news network reported.

Choppers and food packages were ready to be dispatched in areas expected to be worst hit by the storm, which was one notch below the most powerful category.

State officials feared the wind speed could touch levels higher than that of a deadly supercyclone that hit Orissa in 1999, killing nearly 15,000 people.

“We are fighting against nature. We are better prepared this time, we learnt a lot from 1999,” the state’s Disaster Management Minister Surya Narayan Patra told the NDTV news channel.

Fishermen out at sea along north Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal coast were advised to return to coast.

The impact of the weather system was already being felt with heavy rains and gale-force winds on Friday in Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.

India and Bangladesh are hit regularly by cyclones that develop in the Bay of Bengal between April and November, causing deaths and widespread damage to property.

Last January, Cyclone Thane struck the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, killing 42 people.

THE IRONY

Raja Bhaiya faces eight criminal cases

L U C K N O W : Controversial Uttar Pradesh politician Raja Bhaiya today made his political comeback, eight months after he was forced to resign as state minister, over allegations that he was involved in the murder of a senior cop.

Raja Bhaiya, or Raghuraj Pratap Singh, was taken back as a minister in Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s cabinet this morning. He had recently been cleared by the Central Bureau of

Investigation in the killing of Deputy Superintendent of Police Zia ul Haq in March. The independent MLA from Kunda had been accused of plotting a murder the police officer, who was shot dead in a village in his constituency. Raja Bhaiya faces eight criminal cases, including those of attempt to murder, robbery and dacoity.

His reinstatement is being seen as the ruling Samajwadi Party’s political message to the Thakur community.

NATION AND WORLD BRIEFS Asaram Bapu’s custody extended

‘The nation will vote back to power UPA’

Rahul continues damage control procedure

Army’s operation Keran ends

Israeli man beaten to death in West Bank

J

W

S

K

J

aipur: A court in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur town on Friday extended, till October 25, the judicial custody of spiritual guru Asaram Bapu, arrested for sexually assaulting a minor girl.

The 72-year-old Asaram has been lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail since September 01. The court of the district and sessions judge will consider Gujarat cops’ plea on a sinilar case.

ashington: Finance Minister P Chidambaram said on Thursday that the UPA government will be voted back to power in the General Election in India next year. “Let me tell you, people of India will vote my government back to power. I thought I should tell you lest you waste too much of power,” Chidambaram told a Washington audience.

angur: Days after publicly embarrassing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by terming as “complete nonsense” the ordinance passed by the Union Cabinet to protect convicted legislators, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi Thursday attempted some damage control by calling the PM his second guru. He was speaking at a public rally in Sangrur district.

eran: Two days after the operation in Keran was wrapped up by the Indian Army, villages along the LOC that have lived through gunbattles, search operations and constant military presence continue to battle fear and uncertainty. At villages along the border there have been more than 150 ceasefire violations and infiltration attempts in the past.

erusalem: An Israeli man was beaten to death and a woman injured in an apparent militant attack by Palestinians at their West Bank settlement home, police said early Friday.

“They were beaten with blunt instruments,” at the settlement of Brosh, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP, adding that the assumption was “definitely” of a militant attack.

11

News FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

NOBEL HOPES

HOLY SHADE

‘I want to be PM’ Muslim pilgrims gather under the shade as they arrive to perform the afternoon prayer in Mecca’s Grand Mosque on October 10, 2013, as more than 2 million Muslims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for the hajj pilgrimage to the shrine city, the world’s largest annual human assembly which peaks on October 13, according to local state media.

TOPSHOTS/AFP PHOTO/FAYEZ NURELDINE

US GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

The stalemate continues AROUND THE

WORLD

WASHINGTON: A White House meeting between US President Barack Obama and House Republican leaders Thursday ended with no specific determination made on how to end the government shutdown or raise the nation’s debt limit, Xinhua reported.

“The president had a good meeting with members of the House Republican Leadership this evening; the meeting lasted approximately an hour and a half,” the White House said in a readout after the meeting.

“After a discussion about potential paths forward, no specific determination was made. The President looks forward to making continued

Earlier Thursday, US House Speaker John Boehner said that Republicans planned to offer a temporary shortterm debt ceiling increase to negotiate with Democrats.

NEW YORK CITY: Teenage rights activist Malala Yousafzai told an audience in New York Thursday that she would like to become prime minister of Pakistan to “save” the country.

In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour at a sold-out public event, she also said winning Friday’s Nobel Peace Prize would be a “great honor.”

Asked about her conflicting dreams of becoming a doctor or a politician, and whether she would like to become premier, Malala said she wanted to help her homeland.

“I want to become a prime minister of Pakistan,” she told Amanpour to cheers from the audience.

“I think it’s really good because through politics I can save my whole country,” she added.

“I can spend much of the budget on education and I can also concentrate on foreign affairs.”

Malala was shot in the head by the Pakistani Taliban on October 9, 2012, for speaking out against them, demanding that girls have the right to go to school.

She was flown to Britain for specialist care and made a remarkable recovI think it’s really ery, going on to become a global good because ambassador for chilthrough politics I dren’s rights.

The 16-year-old can save my has written an autowhole country b i o g r a p h y, addressed the United Nations and Malala Yousafzai set up the Malala Fund.

PICK YOUR

progress with members on both sides of the aisle,” said the readout.

“The president’s goal remains to ensure we pay the bills we’ve incurred, reopen the government and get back to the business of growing the economy, creating jobs and strengthening the middle class,” it said. As the partial government shutdown is in its 10 day, Washington faces another fiscal deadline.

Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew has told Congress that the federal government will reach its debt ceiling of

$16.7 trillion by Oct 17, and failure to raise it would lead to a catastrophic default.

Earlier Thursday, US House Speaker John Boehner said that Republicans planned to offer a temporary short-term debt ceiling increase to negotiate with Democrats.

Obama is “happy” with the latest offer from House Republicans and this is an encouraging sign, White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters during the daily briefing Thursday.

@

Across Stores

ities Twin C

12

News FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

RISE OF THE RIGHT-WING

Mongolia's 'eco-Nazis' target foreign miners They dress in black, while some sport swastika tattoos and others wear rings adorned with the Germanic Iron Cross.

SEBASTIEN BLANC Agence France Presse ULAN BATOR: A silver swastika hanging around his neck, Boldbaatar Gombodorj points out his targets on a map of Mongolia like a World War II commander: little flags representing foreign mining firms that he and fellow “eco-Nazis” accuse of destroying their country.

Mongolia’s mining boom has brought the vast, sparsely populated country immense wealth but also inequality and ecological damage, and now fringe ultranationalist environmentalist movements are emerging in response.

Herders have roamed Mongolia’s steppe for centuries, while the country only threw off the Soviet yoke after decades of domination, creating fertile ground for a mix of communal land rights and nationalism that can turn into unashamed racism.

“Those who pollute the rivers and springs taint their purity, and they should be punished by death,” he adds, citing the revered Mongol warrior Genghis Khan, whose portrait adorns the walls.

Gombodorj, a 56-year-old retired soldier whose first name means “hero forged from steel”, sports a thick moustache and cauliflower ears from wrestling, the national sport.

He says the swastika is an ancient Mongol symbol and that his group, Fight for the Security of Mongolia, does not support fascism. But other campaigners openly identify themselves as

neo-Nazis and reference the Third Reich.

When Gombodorj joined the army he knelt on the ground, held a Mongolian flag to his forehead and “swore to defend every inch of our land. And now it is being sold into the hands of foreigners”, he says.

Mining makes up a fifth of Mongolia’s economy and it has enjoyed one of the world’s highest growth rates since the authorities invited in foreign companies to extract its gold, copper, coal and iron ore.

One of the biggest and most high-profile projects, AngloAustralian giant Rio Tinto’s Oyu Tolgoi mine, is expected to produce an average of 430,000 tonnes of copper and 425,000 ounces of gold annually for 20 years, and generate up to onethird of the government’s revenue.

But it has been embroiled in a series of disputes and Mongolia’s foreign investment laws have since undergone a series of changes.

“The foreigners dictate what the relationships should be within Mongolian society and they dictate what laws should or should not be implemented,”

AROUND THE

WORLD

Mining makes up a fifth of Mongolia’s economy and it has enjoyed one of the world’s highest growth rates since the authorities invited in foreign companies to extract its gold, copper, coal and iron ore. says Mongolia’s best-known ecowarrior, Tsetsegee Munkhbayar, who heads the group Fire Nation.

In Tsagaan Khass, or “White Swastika”, the most radical group of all, members greet their leader Ariunbold Altankhuum with a Nazi salute while clicking their heels.

They dress in black, while some sport swastika tattoos and others wear rings adorned with the Germanic Iron Cross.

In their office, tucked in the basement of a Soviet-era building in central Ulan Bator and

overseen by a bust of Genghis Khan, Altankhuum told AFP the group was filling the role of local authorities who have failed to stand up to foreign firms.

Tsagaan Khass show up at sites unannounced to inspect licences, check on Mongolian workers’ wages and ensure that the revenues benefit locals, he says, and if dissatisfied with what they find, they sometimes sabotage operations, confiscating keys or puncturing vehicles’ tyres.

But, wearing a Gestapo-style black leather greatcoat, he insists: “We are not a gang of gangsters.”

The mining firms “violate the rights of Mongolian citizens”, he says. “They dig a hole and then leave behind terrible environmental damage.”

The influence of such groups is difficult to gauge, with Tsagaan Khass claiming to have more than 3,000 supporters, and Gombodorj declining to say how many people belong to Fight for the Security of Mongolia.

Their hard-core approach has not gone mainstream, but Mongolians may become increasingly polarised if mining inequality persists, says

Jargalsaikhan Damdadarjaa, a prominent economist, commentator and broadcaster.

“It is a matter of balancing environmental conditions and mining interests, and it is not always done properly. Rules and regulations are not enforced as good as the people want,” he says.

Munkhbayar, of Fire Nation, won the US-based Goldman Environmental Prize in 2007 for his work in shutting mines near the Ongi river, one of the country’s largest.

But he has also spent time in jail and his group has resorted to force — firing at equipment at a mine in the southern province of Ovorkhangai, and shooting arrows at a government building when leaders refused to meet them.

“These are necessary methods when other means have proved unsuccessful,” Munkhbayar insists. “Over the past 20 years, more than 4,000 water sources have been identified as drying up and 1,300 have disappeared.

“The main reason is mining activity,” he says. “When we go into the countryside, we are welcomed like saviours.”

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

Business

FIRST TRANCHE OF IFC RUPEE LINKED $1 BN BONDS

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) expects to come out with its rupee linked bonds issue before the end of 2013 as a part of its plan to raise $1 billion, said a senior official.

BACK ON TRACK

13

FUEL PRICE FREEZE

On the road to recovery The Indian economy will bounce back from its current predicament assures Finance Minister Chidambaram WASHINGTON: Indian Finance Minister P. Chidambaram is confident that Indian economy will soon regain its momentum and grow at over 5.0 percent and perhaps closer to 5.5 percent in fiscal 2013-14 despite predictions to the contrary.

India had seen a pickup in exports between July and September; a reversal of the negative growth in manufacturing..

After growing at an average of 8.5 per cent per annum between 2004-05 and 2010-11, Indian economy had registered a decline with a downturn in the global economy in 2011, he acknowledged at an event here Thursday.

But “India’s experience in this period is not unique,” Chidambaram said at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Washington think tank, speaking on “Recapturing India’s Growth Momentum.”

“Virtually all the major emerging economies around the

world have seen a sharp decline in growth — the so-called Great Descent,” he said noting in line with expectations of a gradual global revival, the Indian economy has also showed early indications of recovery.

India had seen a pick-up in exports between July and September; a reversal of the negative growth in manufacturing; and a reasonable rise in freight traffic, indicative of economic activity picking up, he

said.

“With very good rainfall in the current year and a sharp increase in the sown area, we expect robust growth in farm output. We have also taken numerous reform measures over the past one year,” Chidambaram said.

“We expect these measures to show their impact from the second half of the current fiscal and believe that the Indian economy will grow at over 5.0

per cent and perhaps closer to 5.5 per cent in 2013-14,” he said.

Referring to the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook which has lowered India’s growth projections to 3.8 percent in fiscal 2013 and 5.1 percent in fiscal 2014, Chidambaram said it “does not share my optimism, but I may tell you that we do not share their pessimism.”

India has at least six strong microeconomic growth fundamentals in its young demographics, international economic integration, an increasingly “capable” financial system, sophisticated firms, sophistication of the workforce and democracy, he said.

“Nothing has changed on these,” Chidambaram said asking his audience “not to lose sight of the microeconomic foundations of Indian growth, which are delivering one doubling of GDP every decade.”

With a resolve to strengthen these fundamentals, India was set to write a new growth story that “will captivate the world in the next ten to twenty years, as India takes its place as the third or fourth largest economy in the world,” he said. IANS

WORLD ECONOMY

US impasse affects global growth WASHINGTON: The fiscal uncertainties in the US have global implications and will undermine the efforts to end poverty in developing countries, the World Bank said.

“The US remains the biggest economic power in the world and whatever happens here is going to affect all the developing countries,” Xinhua

quoted Sri Mulyani Indrawati, World Bank Group’s managing director and chief operating officer, as saying Thursday.

The US debt ceiling issue is clearly getting attention around the world, and it is in everyone’s interest for the fiscal dispute between US Democrats and Republicans to be resolved in a timely manner, she told

reporters during a press briefing.

As the US government shutdown is in its 11th day, Washington faces another fiscal deadline. The federal government will reach its debt ceiling of $16.7 trillion by Oct 17, and failure to raise it would lead to a catastrophic default, US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew has said.

IANS

GOLD`30,365 10g SILVER `49,310 1kg

24C

for

for

DOLLAR `54.99 POUND `88.14

Argentina has extended a six-monthold freeze on fuel prices for 45 days via a resolution published Thursday in the official gazette. The Domestic Commerce Secretariat’s resolution says the measure is aimed at “reinforcing transparency” in the marketing of goods and services, ensuring supplies and protecting consumers’ rights. The measure states that the price of fuel sold at service stations may not exceed the maximum price April 9 of this year. The freeze does not prevent gas stations whose prices were cheaper on that date from raising them by up to 20 percent to bring them into line with other stations where prices were higher. IANS

NUMEROLOGY

5,000

workers, estimated to be 10 percent of the global workforce, have been laid off by the world’s biggest generic drugs manufacturer Teva.

INFY GIVES RECORD DIVIDEND Ahead of the festival season, Indian IT bellwether Infosys Ltd has declared a whopping 200 percent interim dividend of `20 per share of `5 value to its investors for the first six months of this fiscal. In a regulatory filing to stock exchanges Friday, the blue chip firm said its board of directors had approved an interim dividend of `20 per share. “The record date of dividend is October 18, 2013,” the company said in the filing note. The interim dividend for this fiscal is `5 or 100 percent more than the company gave in last fiscal (2012-13) at`15 per share (300 percent) of `.5 value in Oct 2012 IANS

THUS SPAKE During the quarter, we witnessed broadbased volume growth, robust client additions, five large deal wins and increased sales momentum of our big data and cloud offerings.

S.D. SHIBULAL INFOSYS CEO AND MD

BSE NSE

20,272.91 150.97

6,020.95 45.60

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

Comment

HIGH FLYING THOUGHT Obama appears set to still not use the word 'coup' so as to retain his freedom of maneuver to resume the military aid. A smart policy would be to try to use whatever influence the US has left to solve disputes. Now it seems to be giving up the little leverage it has in Cairo.The good, fuzzy feeling in Washington may prove fleeting.

ITALY

14

Tragedy brings hope for Italy immigrant rights FRANÇOISE KADRI Agence France-Presse ROME: In the wake of last week’s shipwreck tragedy in Italy, refugee and immigrant rights advocates are hoping for a change of heart in a country that is struggling to accept a new multi-cultural identity.

After visiting Lampedusa island where over 300 migrants died, Prime Minister Enrico Letta announced a reform of asylum laws and said Italy should abolish the crime of illegal immigration.

“It is now or never for things to change,” Khalid Chaouki, a Moroccan-born lawmaker from the centre-left Democratic Party in the Italian parliament, told AFP in an interview.

Italy’s current laws on immigration “were put in place in a climate of fear by right-wing governments over the past 20 years,” he said.

At the centre of the debate is the “Bossi-Fini Law” which considers all irregular migrants “suspects” liable for steep fines and punishes people who come to their aid, including fishermen who fear having their boats seized by prosecutors.

Chaouki said he believed it was possible “to overcome ideological rifts” within Letta’s leftright coalition government and find a majority in favour of reforming the law.

Afghan politician and former minister of foreign affairs, Zalmai Rassoul (C), leaves after registering for the forthcoming presidential elections at the Independent Election Commission (IEC) in Kabul on October 6, 2013.

But immigration activists are less optimistic, particularly since the coalition includes Silvio Berlusconi’s People of Freedom party which helped vote the hugely controversial law in place.

“The government seems very stalled,” said Igiaba Scego, an Italo-Somali writer who heads up the association “Meetings of

Civilizations”.

An announcement by the EU’s executive that it plans to beef up the Frontex border guard service has also proved contentious, with charities saying the organisation is more steered towards fighting illegal immigration than saving lives.

Italian divers said the death toll from the refugee shipwreck

last week had risen to 309 after seven bodies were recovered on Thursday.

Sandro Triulzi, a historian of Italy’s colonial past in Africa said many Italian officials remain stuck in a “security” approach to immigration.

“The difficulty for Italy is to accept its multi-cultural character,” he said, adding that large-

scale immigration only goes back 20 years in a country that used to be a land of emigration.

Triulzi said Italy “had not settled with its past and the loss of colonies is seen as a wound”.

“The migrant is still seen as a colonial subject, good for picking tomatoes or looking after elderly people for not much money,” he said.

For these immigration rights advocates, another key step in the cultural revolution they want to see is a reform of a law that grants Italian nationality on the basis of parentage.

Reform would be good news for the 500,000 children of foreign-born parents in Italy who have to wait until they are 18 to become Italian.

Italy also has a way to go on views about the five million foreign-born people on its soil — around 7.5 to 8.0 percent of the population — who represent some 12 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) even in an economy hit by crisis.

“The presence of foreigners is not discussed in pop culture, in television shows. In films, black women are prostitutes or maids, black men are drug addicts, gangsters or migrants at sea,” Scego said.

Campaigners also criticise the media for frequently mentioning nationality or skin colour in crime stories, reinforcing negative stereotypes.

EDITORIAL

Accepting the mess is key to clearing it

T

here is something about the ‘holy earth’ of this country that makes our leaders reserved in speaking about rotten mess that lies under its colourful, much-flaunted facade of democracy and pluralism. Advani had to go Pakistan to speak his mind on Jinnah (the man responsible for India’s partition, according to his party). Shashi Taroor also learned the hard way, the political diplomacy, when he candidly wondered about the austerity measures announced by the government.

READERS’ VIEWS

Likewise, many of our netas find their honesty popping up in foreign lands where they have no hesitation in telling their audience about the incredible cesspool, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar is no exception to this rule. In her speech at Cambridge University, she admitted that “Generally, the deciding factor is the caste which is discussed in hushed tones behind closed doors.” The rest of the speech was about how this evil has to eliminated for the progress of the country. Half the problems of this

country are caused by the unconditional support to social evils by politicians to secure their vote base. Recent reiteration by the Haryana Chief Minister that khap panchayaths, which order mass rapes and honour killings, are standardbearers of societal well being is just the tip of the ice berg in this department.

Politicians are unwilling to condemn human gods and goddesses (who launder their black money) no matter what criminal activities they carry out under the guise of religion. There are dozens

of social issues that need progressive legislation but there is no honest discourse. Women’s reservation, uniform civil code, LGBT rights are some of the crucial issues our politicians skip as taking a stand might upset their vote banks. To solve a problem, we have to first accept its existence and acknowledge the harm in status quo. Unless our leadership is willing to publicly take on the beasts that lurk under the garb of existing social order, nothing will change.

We invite you to write to us comments, suggestions, viewpoint or just about anything to feedback@postnoon.com or Plot No 550-A1,3rd Floor, Road No 92, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad–500033 Landmark — Volkswagen showroom or even by way of a call on 040-2354 1412. Editor: Dean Williams

15

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

music MUSIC LEGEND

50 YEARS ON, PARIS REMEMBERS PIAF

Fifty years after her death, Edith Piaf will be remembered in the working-class Paris neighbourhood that produced one of the world’s greatest, and most tragic, performers.

I

n the end there was nobody she could not win over.

Fifty years after her death, Edith Piaf will be remembered in the working-class Paris neighbourhood that produced one of the world’s greatest, and most tragic, performers.

And even the Catholic Church, which refused to grant the divorced, hard-living singer a funeral mass following her death, aged 47, on October 10, 1963, has come round to embracing “the little sparrow” with the unmistakeable voice.

A memorial mass, presided over by one of the Paris diocese’s auxiliary bishops, will be held at 5.00 pm at St JeanBaptiste, the parish church in the Belleville district where Piaf was born to — and soon abandoned by — her singer mother.

Loud speakers and giant screens have been rigged up outside the church in which Piaf was baptised to allow as many residents as possible to follow a mass which marks the start of a four-day festival of remembrance in a neighbourhood that remains one of the rougher corners of the otherwise much-gentrified French capital.

Prior to the mass, there will be a silent march from Pere

Lachaise, the cemetery where Piaf was buried half a century ago with only a token blessing from a local priest.

It will all seem a very long way removed from the way in which the church reacted to news of Piaf’s death, from liver cancer, half a century ago. Then, the Vatican newspaper Osservatore Romano observed that Piaf had lived her life in a “state of public sin” and condemned her as an “idol of pre-

fabricated happiness.”

That she was a sinner, Piaf would not have denied. She struggled throughout her life with alcoholism and drug problems, which contributed to three near-fatal car crashes as well as the disease to which she finally succumbed.

Her only child, a daughter born when she was 17, died at the age of two from meningitis, compounded by neglect according to some versions of her painfilled life story.

Legend has it that Piaf was literally born on the streets of Belleville. Not true, according to a new biography by Robert Belleret, “Piaf, a French Myth.”

Belleret says the star, who was born Edith Gassion, came into the world via a local hospital on December 15, 1915.

Belleret also dispels stories of Piaf having suffered childhood blindness, which she herself had recycled along with a claim to have been miraculously cured.

The biographer also sheds new light on Piaf’s conduct during World War II, during which she lived close to Gestapo headquarters in German-occupied Paris and regularly performed for Nazi officers.

After the war, she faced accusations of having been a collaborator who had lived the drunken high-life while much of the city was starving.

But she escaped with her reputation intact, thanks in no small part to a story — completely made-up according to Belleret — about how she had helped French prisoners to escape from German prison camps by passing on fake papers during singing tours, or by allowing them to have pictures taken with them which they could later use to forge identity documents.

That brush with disaster overcome, Piaf embarked on a post-war career which was to see her conquer America and become a household name in many more corners of the globe thanks to the success of “La Vie en Rose” and “Je ne regrette rien.”

She was never, however, able to shake off the shadow of tragedy. The love of her life, married French boxer Marcel Cerdan, died in a plane crash while travelling from Paris to New York to meet her and, in the end, the drink robbed her even of her most precious asset, her voice.

AFP

GO MAD

South India’s biggest music festival Go MAD Festival 2013 is back at Fernhill Palace, Ooty. The festival, scheduled from Oct 25-27, will showcase an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary music, arts, dance and three days of power-packed performances.

Close to 50 acts from across the globe including Indian and International giants; Parikrama, Agam, Soulmate, Shobana Dance Academy, The Tank and the Bangas (USA) and Luke Jon Sheare (Aus), Jamie Ferrari (UK), Noori (Pak), Emergence will be performing at the do.

This year, armed with even more zeal to make the event a bigger success, the organisers of the festival have made sure that every segment of the audience is well catered to. Young women music lovers now have something more to cheer about this year — Camp G — an exclusive-for-girls, ladiesonly camping site, far away from the bustling arenas and main campsite to ensure comfort, yet close enough to be part of all the action. This is a chance for all young ladies who want to have a fun time with their besties.

For a music lover, the festival is a must-visit destination.

For tickets check http://www.gomadfestival.com/tic kets.html, log into http://www.gomadfestival.com or like their page on Facebook and participate in the different invigorating contests.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

spotlight PARTY DOLLS

FESTIVE FUN

Ladies dolled up in festive finery and made a beeline to Kismet for a night of fun. Spotted at the nightclub were Alankrita, Vidhya and many others.

1

2

3

4

HOT NEW WHEELS

The Hinduja Group flagship, Ashok Leyland launched the STILE, a stylish Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) based on a contemporary, award-winning vehicle platform.

5

6

7

ALL FOR A CAUSE

Students of Zilla Parishad Gachibowli High School poses with Bombardier Transportation officials at the school premises. Bombardier Transportation has teamed up with Infotech Enterprises to build a new science laboratory for the school.

8

9

10

11

1 Afsa

4 Vidya

7 Neha

10 Pooja, Kavya

2 Alankrita

5 Hina, Ayesha

8 Asma, Sunaina

11 Hemani, Reshmi

3 Arushi

6 Hiral, Vishal

9 Mital, Mary

NEW ON THE BLOCK

HyperCITY announces the launch of its second store in the City. The store is located at Manjeera Trinity Mall.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

health KEEP AN EYE ON

Cataract, a common disease in the elderly, might also strike children and require a far more complicated treatment, said doctors.

Cataract may occur in children too “A

malformed lens in a developing foetus is the cause of cataract in infants. It is relatively rare, but I receive about 10 to 15 cases a year,” said Sanjay Dhawan, director ophthalmology at the Fortis Hospital.

According to doctors, it was very important to detect paediatric cataract at an early stage, as the retinal image becomes so distorted that a permanent loss of vision might occur without early treatment.

Dhawan said: “Children with cataract might eventually need eye muscle surgery for crossed eyes. In cases of congenital cataract, we do not expect the

baby to have 100 percent vision, they have to be satisfied with 70 to 80 percent vision.”

However, cataract surgery in children was not very painful, said the doctor.

“As a precautionary measure, parents must get neonatal eye examination of their children done,” adds Dhawan. IANS

CAUSES OF CATARACT

In most cases of childhood cataracts, there is no family history and the exact cause is not known.

However, some possible causes include genetic conditions or infections during pregnancy.

Although childhood cataracts that run in the family cannot be

prevented, you may want to read about preventing childhood cataracts for advice on avoiding infections during pregnancy and genetic testing and counselling.

TREATING CATARACTS IN CHILDREN

vision in the weaker eye. Most children with childhood cataracts live a full and normal life.

Cataracts that are not treated can sometimes cause irreversible damage to eyesight, including blindness.

Cataracts can be mild in babies and children, and often have little or no effect on their vision. However, they can also slow down or stop the normal development of sight during childhood.

Cataract surgery can be performed to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens. Children will often need to wear glasses after the operation, or a patch to strengthen the

What is a cataract?

A

cataract is a cloudy or opaque area in the lens located directly behind the iris inside the eye.

Normally, the lens is clear and allows light entering the eye to clearly focus an image on the retina.

When cataracts develop, the light rays become scattered as they pass through the cloudy lens and the retinal image becomes blurred and distorted.

HEALTHY LIVING

Almonds don’t add to body weight S

nacking on almonds helps in reducing hunger while improving dietary vitamin E and fat intake without increasing body weight, according to the latest study.

“This research suggests that almonds may be a good snacks option, especially for those concerned about weight,” said Richard Mattes, professor of nutrition science at Purdue University in the US.

The researchers at Purdue University investigated the effects of almond consumption on weight and appetite.

“In this study, participants compensated for the additional calories provided by almonds so that daily energy intake did not rise and reported reduced hunger levels, particularly when almonds were consumed as a snack,” added Mattes.

The study was conducted on

137 adult participants who were at risk of Type 2 diabetes.

Participants were divided into five groups: a control group that avoided all nuts and seeds, a breakfast meal group and lunch meal group that ate 43 grams of almonds each with their daily breakfast or lunch, and a morning group and afternoon group each consumed 43 grams of almonds between their customary meals.

IANS

Nutty facts n n n n n n n

They reduce heart attack risk.

They lower ‘bad’ cholesterol.

They protects artery walls from damage.

Almonds help build strong bones and teeth.

They provide healthy fats and aid in weight loss Almonds lower the rise in blood sugar and insulin after meals.

They help provide good brain function.

20

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

Technology THE SEARCH IS ON

Microsoft seeks Steve Ballmer’s replacement The board is working toward having the successor to Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer in place by the end of this year

M

icrosoft Corp.

(MSFT)’s board is working toward having the successor to Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer in place by the end of this year and is winnowing a list of candidates, said people with knowledge of the discussions.

The board is narrowing its choices amid preliminary interviews, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private.

Some candidates have declined to be considered, including EBay Inc. (EBAY) CEO John Donahoe, said two people. The board has also solicited advice from Silicon Valley veterans such as Charles Giancarlo, a former Cisco Systems Inc. executive and now a managing director at private-equity firm Silver Lake, said other people with knowledge of the matter.

Board members have already spoken with candidates

such as Ford Motor Co. (F) CEO Alan Mulally; former Nokia Oyj (NOK1V) CEO Stephen Elop, who will join Microsoft when its $7.2 billion acquisition of Nokia’s handset unit closes; former Microsoft No. 3 executive Paul Maritz, who is now CEO of cloud venture Pivotal; and Microsoft business development and evangelism chief Tony Bates, said the people.

The precise timing of a CEO announcement will depend on negotiations over matters like compensation and, in the case of an external candidate, departure from their current company, said the people.

Even if that delays an appointment until next year, the current time frame for the CEO search underscores the urgency for a new leader at the world’s largest software maker. With rivals like Apple Inc. (AAPL) and Google Inc. (GOOG) pulling away in key markets like mobile and tablet comput-

Microsoft has only had two CEOs — cofounder Bill Gates and Ballmer — in its 38-year history. ing, Ballmer is overhauling Microsoft’s strategy and culture to focus on devices and services.

Any new CEO must manage that transition, as well as integrate Nokia’s phone business and run the company.

GATES, BALLMER

Microsoft has only had two CEOs — co-founder Bill Gates and Ballmer — in its 38-year history. Ballmer, who has led the Redmond, Washington-based company since 2000, said in August that he plans to retire within a year.

Frank Shaw, a spokesman for Microsoft, declined to comment on specific candidates or to make Bates available for com-

ment. Microsoft directors have retained executive-search firm Heidrick & Struggles to look at internal and external candidates.

Jennifer Hakes, a spokeswoman for EBay, said Donahoe wasn’t available for comment. Susan Sheehan, a spokeswoman for Nokia, and Gordon Goldstein, a spokesman for Silver Lake, didn’t immediately return calls for comment.

“Alan continues to focus on executing the One Ford plan, and we don’t engage in speculation,” Jay Cooney, a Ford spokesman, said by telephone of Mulally.

Ford directors gathering this week in Dearborn, Michigan, are likely to be discussing Mulally’s future plans, a person with knowledge of the No. 2 U.S. automaker board’s thinking has said. Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford this month touted the abilities of the co.’s next generation of executives, while emphasizing the plan for Mulally to remain CEO.

MEET ON INTERNET OVERSIGHT RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil plans to host an international internet governance meet next April to develop a new model for internet governance.

Representatives of governments, civil society and industry will participate in the meeting, reports Xinhua.

The announcement came after Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff met Fadi Chehade, CEO of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, a LA based non-profit organisation.

Earlier, Rousseff called for greater oversight of the internet, following revelations that the US and its intelligence allies have been tapping digital communications worldwide.

“People all over the world, feel that the trust we had in the internet was broken...We can gather in the meeting and develop a new model of governance, in which we are all equals,” Chehade said.

B’LORE FIRM RAISES 4MN BANGALORE: Data centre automation platform start-up Idea Device has raised $4 million (Rs.24.8 crore) from private equity firm Sequoia Capital through a first round of funding to expand operations and launch new software products.

“We are exploring opportunities for global expansion by foraying into Singapore and US markets through partnerships and associations,” Idea co-founder and chief executive Saju Pillai said in a statement here Thursday.

Incubated at N.S. Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL) in the Indian Institute of ManagementBangalore (IIM-B) campus, Idea develops products in the enterprise IT automation space.

Raghavan was a co-founder of the Indian IT bellwether Infosys Ltd in the 1980s.

Idea’s software products are used by some of the largest enterprises, including banks, stock exchanges and multinationals across the country.

21

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

Entertainment FOUL PLAY

SPECIAL SCREENING OF NAIYAANDI FOR

CINE BYTES

Vinayak keen to do Adhurs 2 with NTR

D

S

outhern actress Nazriya, who accused director A Sarkunam of using a body double to shoot intimate scenes in Tamil romanticcomedy Naiyaandi, will watch it at a private screening Wednesday with her father and advocate to decide her next course of action. On Tuesday, Nazriya filed a police complaint against director Sarkunam for using a double and canning scenes without her permission. "Since she wants to watch the film before its release, we have organised special screening for her. She claims that the director might have added extra scenes with the double. In her police complaint, she requested for a special screening of the film before its release," a member from the film's unit said. On Sunday, Nazriya lodged a complaint with the South Indian Film Artistes Association (SIFAA) against director Sarkunam and producer S Kathiresan asking for immediate action. She alleged that one of the scenes in the film's trailer featured a body double and when she contacted the director, he told her that since she was unwilling to shoot that particular scene he used a double. The scene she was referring to is one where Dhanush, her co-star, hugs her from behind.

Director A Sarkunam, taking a strong stance against the allegation, said that the actress had given him permission to use a double. "After we finished shooting the song Inika Inika, I wanted to shoot one extra close up shot to be included in it. I contacted Nazriya and requested her to come and shoot it but since she was busy in Kerala she asked me to use a double and finish it," Sarkunam said in a statement. "I don't understand how she can make these

accusations against me. She also claimed that I shot some portion of the song with a double, which she claims was shown in the trailer. I challenge her to watch the film with the media and prove it," he added.

Sarkunam is willing to delete the scene featuring a double. "If she wants me to delete the close up shot featuring a body double, I'm ready to do it.

But, I won't delete the entire song from the film. If she wants me to delete it, she should prove that the song also features a double," he said. IANS

irector VV Vinayak is contemplating the idea of teaming up with Junior NTR again for the sequel to highly successful Telugu action-drama Adhurs. "NTR has always been asking me to work on the sequel. I have finally given it a thought and we are likely to meet soon and take a call on it," Vinayak said. IANS

Amala refuses Bollywood project the latest buzz is to be Ihasfbelieved, Amala Paul refused a Bollywood project in which she could have co-starred with Akshay Kumar. The film in question is a remake of Tamil film Ramana. But mind you, Amala is not idling away her time, she has a spew of movies in her kitty.

Baahubali to come in two parts

R

ajamouli had a taken a chance with Eega and it had paid off.

Now his next outing Baahubali is hogging all limelight. This muchawaited movie starring Prabhas, Rana and Anushka is being shot at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad. Now the latest news from the sets is that the story will be in two parts.

Yes, you read it; the film will be released in part 1 and part 2.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

fashion

WHISTLES' TEST AS FASHION CHAIN EYES MENSWEAR

FASHION CHAIN Whistles is to move into menswear next year after swinging into the black for the first time since a buy-out led by former Topshop boss Jane Shepherdson in 2008. The company, which is owned by its management and other private investors as well as two Icelandic banks.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN GIFT

SHOPPERS STOP presents the ‘Choose your Own Gift’ Festival exclusively for Shoppers Stop First Citizen Members. Between September 25, 2013 and January 5, 2014, shop worth `30,000 and receive 3,571* Bonus Reward Points, and shop worth `1, 00,000 to get 17,143* Bonus Reward Points!

bang on TREND We bring you trends from the Lakmé fashion week winter/festive 2013 that struck a chord with the fashionistas.

BOLD PRINTS

This party season, do not be afraid to wear bold prints with intricate patterns and block colours.

Designers Siddharth Aryan, Quirkbox, Aartivijay Gupta, Payal Singhal, Nikhil Thampi and even Anushka Khanna have showcased collections ranging from Khatakali dancers to musical instruments, animated figures and futuristic patterns. “Globally and in India, people are getting quite individualistic, people want to be different and do things that they can relate too, so designers are also creating bold prints to offer niche options” says designer Siddharth Aryan.

Bold prints will certainly catch the eyes of many onlookers this season.

OH MY GOLD

This Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2013 spotted a color palette that one can never go wrong with. Nikhil Thampi, Rocky S, Vikram Phadnis, Sonam Modi and even Sabyasachi Mukherjee took the elegance of gold and opened the doors to an exceedingly glamorous season of partying. From intricate weaves, bold block prints, matt shades and glittering conceptions –gold triumphed as the color choice this fashion season.“Gold may seem very extravagant but if used it in the right way it can have a sobering effect for the party season” says designer Sonam Modi.”

Choose this classic colour for a party for a royal appeal.

MILITARY ACCENTS

Strait jackets with military collars – Lakmé Fashion Week, trended with veterans like Manish Malhotra and Ritu Kumar. “With sharp fitted military accents in their collections, the influence of androgyny is the likely reason for this surging trend.” Says designer Siddharth Aryan who also used Androgynous influences in his collection. Embracing stronger and sharper looks for a woman this year, the military accented cut is definitely the powerful look to watch out for.

DRESSED FROM HEAD DOWN

Who says bandanas and head accessories are stuck in the 80s?

Lakmé Fashion Week proved the myth wrong by some truly inspiring head and hair accessories.

Designers like Archana Kocchar, Debarun, Rajat Tangri and Vivek Kumar conceptualised some of the trendiest head dresses, bandanas, hair bands, tiaras and hair jewelry to add that extra touch to their collections.

Ghungroo hairbands and tiedye bandanas glamour up this party season, from head to toe lit-

erally!

Designer Archana Kocchar says, “The Indian girl is transforming into a global citizen and it’s important that we create looks to fit that. A simple head accessory can change the entire look of a person. Bohemian looks are also in this season”.

22&23

Entertainment FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

24

Entertainment FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

25

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

Chai Time

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, Love like you'll never be hurt,Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth.” ― WILLIAM W. PURKEY

KAKURO

QUICK CROSSWORD

26

SUDOKU 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 referenced 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.

ACROSS

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

SCRIBBLING PAD

1 Prepared to hear “The StarSpangled Banner” 6 Los Angeles haze 10 Timeline divisions 14 Bird for dinner 15 Table sport 16 Four-time Super Bowl-winning coach Chuck 17 One thing “y” can be 20 Unpleasantly grating 21 Low-heeled, wingtip shoe 22 “___ you with me?”

24 Teamster’s truck 27 Court hearings 28 “In God We Trust” is one 31 Watermelon discards 33 Put in position, as a broken bone 34 Dress-code concern 36 Countermands a deletion 38 One thing “I” can be 42 Feel in one’s bones 43 Charitable Mother 45 Candied tuber 48 Water nymph, in mythology 50 Rent to another tenant 51 Blow one’s stack 53 Way into a mine 55 Walton of retail 56 Trying experience 58 A scythe may cut one 61 One thing “h” can be 66 Say it’s so 67 Lender of a hand 68 Filmmaker Morris 69 Wolfe on the trail 70 Remote-control button 71 Fresh from the trail

DOWN

1 Play division

2 “Sis-boom-bah!” alternative 3 Gilbert and Sullivan production 4 Couch potato’s perch 5 Grandson in Genesis 6 More nimble 7 Clever comment 8 “Wonderful!”

9 Squishy lump 10 Find pleasing 11 They make you red in the face 12 Drawing power 13 Most guileful 18 Brown truck co.

19 Less genial 22 Bloc for a doc 23 Org. known for drilling?

25 Deceive 26 “... and ___ the fire” 29 Helpful hints 30 $100 Monopoly avenue 32 Adept 35 Volcano of Italy 37 Achy and tender 39 Large atlas section 40 Swindlers who don’t repay debts 41 Where to find clippers?

44 Impersonal cash source 45 Naval petty officer 46 Depart’s opposite 47 Good wet-ground racehorse 49 Goofy creator 52 Pitching legend Martinez 54 What the “bi” in bicycle means 57 Abandon ship, in a way 59 Made one’s jaw drop 60 Traffic sign word 62 Salad dressing ingredient 63 They say “yes” to drugs 64 Turn rancid 65 1960s TV Tarzan Ron

Chai Time FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013 Thiruvaikumar

STAR POWER for 12-10-2013

27

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

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Employees need to maintain their patience at workplace as superiors may not be in their favour. They might create indirect troubles too and support from colleagues also is not likely. Money will come by from all the expected sources.

STRIP TEASE AGNES

Couple who were deprived of child for a long time can expect happy news about offspring.

Romance is on the cards for some. Businessmen will get good co-operation from their staff and profits are likely to go up.

Financially a comfortable situation is likely to keep you happy. Avoid unwanted arguments and discussions which may not go in your favour.

Even you might face minor troubles from your close friends.

Be alert as you might face irrelevant charges against you.

Handle debt issues carefully else you might face disrespect in the society. Expenses will overtake the inflow of money which will put you in a deficit situation.

You need to take proper and immediate steps to clear the debts else there might be a major problem in the near future. Marriage delay might put you in depression but need not worry as that will be settled soon.

Businessmen also are advised not to sign any new contracts for the time being. Unwanted wanderings and work burden are likely to bring frustration.

Avoid extending financial helps to others as recovery will be a problem.

Misunderstanding between couple will be over and they will be in a very peaceful atmosphere. A major debt issue will be cleared which will make you cheerful. Employees will get very good support from their colleagues and superior.

Mixed results are likely and hence you need to be more alert and careful for getting good effects as much as possible. . Relationship between couple looks cordial. Children might put you in unwanted tensions, be careful.

Employees might feel dissatisfied as they are not recognized well. Some have bright chance to buy a house of their own. Expected money will be received and hence a comfortable financial situation likely.

TAROT READ

Sumaa Tekur

tarotreadhyd@gmail. com

ARIES:

GEMINI:

The Wheel of Fortune - You may be controlling someone, for their own good. But this does not go down too well with that person.

LEO:

The Empress - There may be minor irritants in a relationship. But it’s important for you to deal with them completely before moving on.

LIBRA:

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE

Politicians are advised to maintain a low profile. Financial helps will come by from the expected sources which will keep you relaxed. Businessmen will be able to make good profits and hence need not worry.

for 12-10-2013

Ten of Wands - You are feeling burdened by the emotions of someone very close to you.

You two, either a partner or sibling, have a karmic connection.

NON SEQUITUR

Ace of Wands Creativity needs some outlet. It can be as simple as posting something on Facebook and getting people to notice how you think.

SAGITTARIUS:

The Sun Learn to be grateful for all your blessings. There are many people around you who support you to make things happen for you. Thank them!

TAURUS:

The Hermit – It seems as though you have only been running from pillar to post these days. You need to take a break and ruminate on your needs and self, too.

CANCER:

The Star - You feel the need to belong to a community and to contribute to something that is huge. Charity and philanthropy may interest you. Go down that road.

VIRGO:

Temperance - Be patient about your work situation.

Things will improve soon. You’re getting anxious about the sacrifices you’ve made in order to get here.

SCORPIO:

Page of Wands - Austerity steps are needed now to see yourself and your family through these tough financial times. Don’t take any chances.

CAPRICORN:

Queen of Cups - You’re feeling very emotional about a person very close to you..

Give yourself and this person a lot of space.

PREVIOUS SOLUTIONS

PISCES:

Justice - You cannot always control what happens to other people, although you may be their responsibility, in the technical sense.

NUMBER GAME

- You need some silence. Take time off and get away for a holiday to a quiet place where you can do things that you like.

SCRABBLE

AQUARIUS: The Magician

POOCH CAFE

Avoid the confusions which are putting you in a dilemmatic situation and march forward with your clear cut decisions.

Employees might face a disturbed situation at workplace .

Night travels are needed to be avoided.

SUDUKO

Businessmen might have minor differences with their partners but will get resolved soon and hence need not worry. Misunderstanding between couple will be over and they will lead a happy life.

Boggle RAIN COLD SNOW WIND SLEET FORECAST Vol: 3, No 80 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at # Plot no.550-A1,3rd floor, Road no-92, 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 040-23541412,

28

Entertainment FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

TEMPTATION TOUR

CINE BYTES

Sholay 3D likely to release January 2014

T

he 3D version of the 1975 Bollywood classic Sholay, which was slated to release on megastar Amitabh Bachchan’s 71st birthday Friday, is now likely to release in January 2014. The makers wanted a “four-week window” for the film. “We have requested cinemas to give us a four-week window. So, we are currently in talks with cinemas for a date in January,” Jayantilal Gada, who is the presenter of the film, said in a statement.

IANS

S to R performs sold out shows K in Sydney B

ollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and his star-studded troupe of musical show Temptation Reloaded, who are in Perth set to stage a livewire performance, regaled packed houses of Bollywood buffs in Auckland and Sydney.

The annual Bollywood extravaganza, features Madhuri Dixit, Rani Mukerji, Jacqueline Fernandez, Yo Yo Honey Singh and Meiyang Chang apart from SRK. They first took to the stage in Auckland Oct 4, and performed to an almost packed house. As many as 7,500 tickets to the show were sold out for the show held at a stadium with a capacity of 8,000 people, said a source.

In Sydney, where the performers sang and danced Monday, the venue had a

capacity of 12,500 people and the show sold 11,900 tickets.

“The biggest hits of the evening were SRK’s performance on Lungi dance, and his performance with Madhuri DixitNene,” the source added.

While in Auckland, Shah Rukh was greeted by New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, he met up with the prime minister of New South Wales Barry O’Farrell in Sydney.

Shah Rukh gifted the premier an autographed jersey of his Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team and a signed bat, while Farrell got his copy of “Still Reading Khan” from the superstar himself.

They are said to have shared tidbits on Indian and Australian cinema over dinner.

IANS

Amitabh’s unique birthday celebration

A

mitabh Bachchan had a unique birthday celebration on the sets of game show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). The actor met a 100-year-old fan of his, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and the only thing she remembers is the megastar’s name. The actor will turn 71 Oct 11.

IANS

It’s good to have a support system: Shiv Pandit

A

ctor Shiv Pandit, who will be seen in Akshay Kumar’s Boss, says there is nothing wrong in having a mentor or a godfather.

“If there is anybody to support you, there is nothing wrong in it.

If you have a godfather great, or else it’s your bad luck, frankly,” Shiv said. “I didn’t have any godfather and that is why Akshay selected me for Boss because when Akshay came in this industry, nobody supported him.” IANS

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

FORMULA ONE

LEAGUE CRICKET

Lewis Hamilton tops third free practice

SUZUKA: Lewis Hamilton topped the time sheets in Friday’s first free practice for the Japanese Grand Prix with runaway championship leader Sebastian Vettel third fastest amid spins, run-offs and a flying wheel.

Hamilton clocked a quickest lap of one minute, 34.157 seconds in warm conditions, three tenths clear of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg.

Red Bull’s Vettel, who can clinch a fourth successive Formula One world title this weekend, lapped in 1:34.768.

Fernando Alonso, second in the standings behind Vettel, was sixth quickest. Vettel can become only the third man to win four titles in a row on Sunday if he wins and Ferrari’s Alonso fails to finish in the top eight.

The German has won the last four grands prix to open a 77point lead with only 125 available from the last five races.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain leaves his pit during the a free practice session at the Formula One Japanese GP at the Suzuka circuit on Friday.

AFP

Hamilton, who complained Vettel’s dominance was becoming boring after his rival’s victory at South Korea last weekend, threw his car into Suzuka’s highspeed corners, setting fastest lap

after fastest lap.

Marussia’s Jules Bianchi hit a wall heavily at turn nine early on before Williams driver Pastor Maldonado lost a wheel coming through the sharp “Spoon”

curve.

“I lost a wheel,” he coolly informed his team over the radio, the bouncing projectile well snaffled by marshals as it headed towards a wall.

AFP

A DIVISION THREE DAYS Super league (Day 2) SBH 310 drew with BDL 196/3 (K Sumanth 78, Ravi Kiran 3/79)

A DIVISION TWO DAYS

WMCC 275/6 (Kapil Vyas 53, Ninanth Reddy 105no, YVV Sai Charan 73 no, Bhupender 3/65, Ch Sri Sannidas 3/40) bt Safilguda 166 (Bhupender 57, Karthik 53, Kaipl Vyas 3/45, YVV Sai Charan 5/41)

MATCHES POSTPONED

Hyderabad: All the HCA league matches scheduled to be played on October 13-14 have been postponed on account of the Dussera.

CHESS TOURNEY FROM TOMORROW

Hyderabad: Brilliant Chess Academy will conduct the 89th Brilliant trophy open chess tournament from October 12-13, under the auspices of A.P Chess Association at Brilliant Grammar High School, Dilsukhnagar.

Entries will be closed by 1pm on October 12.

For further details contact J Subrahmanyam on 9247399717.

BAI-JWALA TUSSLE HAPPY I’M ALLOWED TO PLAY: GUTTA

NEW DELHI: Top doubles shuttler Jwala Gutta said she was happy at the Delhi High Court judgment Thursday which asked the Badminton Association of India (BAI) to allow her to take part in national and international tournaments.

Jwala moved the high court Wednesday challenging the life ban recommended on her by the BAI disciplinary committee last week. An independent panel was appointed Monday to look into the issue, barring her from playing in any tournament pending the panel’s report.

“Yeyy happy....allowed to play tournaments...never thought i would have to ask court for permission to play but very happy with orders,” tweeted Jwala Thursday.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist also thanked her Indian Badminton League team Krrish Delhi Smashers and fans for their support. IANS

Jwala allowed to play

NEW DELHI: In a major relief to top doubles shuttler Jwala Gutta, the Delhi High Court Thursday directed the Badminton Association of India (BAI) to allow her to participate in tournaments and suspended the life ban on her.

Jwala moved the high court Wednesday, challenging the punishment of life ban on her recommended by the BAI disciplinary committee last week for delaying a match.

Justice V.K. Jain told the BAI: “You must allow her to play.”

She was also allowed to participate in the upcoming Denmark Open Super Series Premier (Oct 15-20).

The court said: “....the impugned communication dated Oct 7, to the extent it stipulates that the petitioner (Jwala) will not be considered for participation in any national or international tournaments inside or outside India till, submission of the report of the newly constituted committee, is hereby stayed.”

After the recommendation of life ban, Jwala’s entry was withdrawn from the Denmark Open

by the BAI. However, the court directed the association to forthwith withdraw that communication sent to the organisers of the tournament on withdrawing her name, and permit her to participate. In a detailed order, the court said: “Till further orders of the Court, the BAI shall not withdraw the name of the petitioner from any tournament and shall duly consider her, subject to her

being otherwise eligible, for participation in the national or international tournament, inside or outside India.”

The 2011 World Championship women’s doubles bronze medallist Jwala moved the court saying the disciplinary committee’s recommendation was issued in “violation of settled principles of natural justice and fairness, without giving a

hearing to her”.

The court also pointed out that in the absence of the final order on the issue, the BAI’s decision not to allow the player to participate is “premature” and the association ought to have waited for the decision on the penalty to be imposed, “instead of taking such an extreme action in the meanwhile”.

“In the absence of a final decision on the penalty to be imposed upon the petitioner, the decision taken by the President/Secretary of BAI not to consider the petitioner for any national or international tournament inside or outside India would be rather premature,” Justice Jain said.

The disciplinary committee recommended that if Jwala apologises unconditionally, the BAI president may take a lenient view and consider relaxation of the punishment proposed.

The court noted that the emphasis in the committee’s report “appears to be more on the refusal to apologise and less on the nature of the misconduct attributed to her”.

IANS

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

INDIA VS AUSTRALIA T20

Yuvraj powers India to victory

RAJKOT: Yuvraj Singh, in his comeback match, powered India to a brilliant six-wicket win over Australia in the lone Twenty20 International at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium here Thursday.

The southpaw slammed an unbeaten 77 off 35 balls to help India chase down Australia’s monumental total of 201/7 with two balls to spare.

Chasing 202, India lost opener Rohit Sharma (8) early in the second over. Shikhar Dhawan (32), Suresh Raina (19) and Virat Kohli (29) chipped in with valuable performances but

GOLF

Sevenway split for lead

LISBON: Seven players shared the lead after the opening day of the Portugal Masters Thursday including Alvaro Quiros who carded a 29 on his closing nine holes at the Oceanico Victoria course.

The Spaniard, who was the champion on the Algarve in 2008 but whose career was interrupted by wrist surgery last year, suffered two bogeys early in his round.

But he stormed back with an impressive run on the home stretch to card a sixunder 65.

He shares the lead with Felipe Aguilar, Jamie Donaldson, David Lynn, Max Kieffer, Graeme Storm and Simon Thornton.

“It was a good fight after being two over after five holes,” said the 30-year-old Quiros, who now lives in Portugal.

“I was putting beautifully and that was the key. “This is my second home tournament and now that I’m living here I have to consider Portugal home. It’s always good, this event has been special since I’ve been coming here.”

Donaldson, who played in the Seve Trophy last week, was seven under before threeputting the eighth, for his only bogey.

Lynn picked up three shots in his last five holes.

“It was good playing under tough competitive conditions so it’s nice to play well and just bring it on to this week,” said Donaldson. AFP

Earlier, put in to bat, Australia got off to a good start with openers Aaron Finch (89) and Nic Maddinson (34) striking a 56-run partnership. It was a Finch show all the way from there as he slammed a remarkable 14 boundaries and a six in his 52-ball knock.

Glenn Maxwell (27) also slammed four sixes in his 13ball knock to propel the visitors to a huge total.

Indian pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Vinay Kumar bowled well to clinch three wickets each while spinner Ravindra Jadeja clinched one.

IANS

India were reeling at 100/4 after the loss of Kohli in the 12th over. But Yuvraj along with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (24 not out) struck a swashbuckling unbeaten 102-run stand in 51 balls for the fifth wicket to guide India home in the last over.

Yuvraj, declared the man of the match, slammed eight boundaries and five sixes in an innings which had a strike rate of 220. There was not much to talk about the Australian bowlers as only Clint McKay managed to scalp two but gave away 50 runs from his four overs.

SHANGHAI OPEN

Del Potro to face Raonic

ALASTAIR HIMMER Agence France-Presse

TOKYO: Top seed Juan Martin del Potro will face last year’s runner-up Milos Raonic for the Japan Open title after both men demonstrated brute power and steely determination in winning their semi-finals on Saturday.

Former US Open champion del Potro had to dig deep to beat Spain’s Nicolas Almagro 7-6, 7-6 in an electrifying encounter to reach Sunday’s final of the $1.43 million Tokyo hard-court event.

Third seed Raonic ruthlessly dispatched Croatia’s Ivan Dodig 7-6, 6-1 after a spot of early bother, closing out the first semi-final with a flurry of lightning-quick aces.

Del Potro, runner-up to Tomas Berdych in 2008, squeezed through the first-set tiebreak 9-7 with a cross-court backhand that nibbled the edge of the line, prompting a wry exchange of grins between the players.

Sixth seed Almagro continued to go toe-to-toe with the giant Argentine in the second set, again forcing a tiebreak, but del Potro, his blue bandana soaked in sweat, had too much firepower and took it 7-1 on a fierce serve that almost knocked his opponent over.

“We both played at our maximum,” world number seven del Potro told reporters. “He hit

Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina celebrates victory against Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany in their men’s singles match in the Shanghai AFP/PETER PARKS Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai on thursday.

some unbelievable shots and I had to come back with some amazing shots. One or two points can be the difference and I played two good tiebreaks and played well at the important moments.”

Raonic, yet to drop a set in Tokyo after winning his fifth career title in Bangkok last weekend, could prove a tough nut to crack for del Potro, who is playing his first tournament since a shock second-round exit at last month’s US Open.

The baby-faced Canadian, beaten by Kei Nishikori in the 2012 final, calmly overturned a 41 deficit in the first-set tiebreak to take it 7-4 with a rocket serve

nudging 230kph. Local hero Nishikori’s reign as champion came to a halt against Almagro in Friday’s quarter-finals.

“Tomorrow’s a final and anything can happen,” added del Potro, currently sixth in the Race to London standings for the season-ending World Tour Finals.

“Milos is serving so hard and just won a tournament beating Berdych in the final. I don’t know who’s the favourite but he will be a very difficult opponent.”

A fired-up Raonic quickly moved through the gears in the second set, securing a doublebreak with a crunching backhand pass.

Federer, Ferrer defeated

SHANGHAI: Third seed David Ferrer and fifth seed Roger Federer were shocked at the Shanghai Rolex Masters third round here Thursday.

Federer won a tense tiebreak of the second set but still slumped to a 4-6, 7-6(5), 3-6 loss to Frenchman Gael Monfils after two hours and nine minutes, reports Xinhua.

Federer, 32, is battling to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals for the 12th consecutive year.

Federer recovered from a 3-5 deficit in the second set to force a tiebreak. He went on to win four straight points from 3-5 in the tiebreak to level the match. However, Monfils broke in the fourth game of the decider and never looked back.

Earlier, ATP World Tour Finals qualifier Ferrer also lost in the round of 16, beaten by German Florian Mayer 4-6, 3-6 in just 81 minutes.

Mayer snapped a fourmatch losing streak against the Spaniard and the victory is his first Top 10 win of the year.

Mayer will in the quarter-finals take on Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who broke a twomatch losing streak against Japan’s Kei Nishikori with a 7-6(5), 6-0 win.

IANS

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

SACHIN RETIRES

THE FINAL INNINGS Tendulkar, the only batsman to make 100 international centuries, said he had been ‘living a dream’, but recognised it was now time to call it quits.

KULDIP LAL Agence France-Presse NEW DELHI: India’s recordbreaking batsman Sachin Tendulkar announced Thursday that he will retire after his 200th Test next month, calling time on an extraordinary career that lasted nearly a quarter of a century.

Tendulkar, the highest runscorer in both Test and one-day cricket and the only batsman to make 100 international centuries, said he had been “living a dream” since his debut in 1989, but recognised it was now time to call it quits.

“It’s been a huge honour to have represented my country and played all over the world,” he said in a statement.

“I look forward to playing my 200th Test on home soil, as I call it a day.”

India will play a two-Test series against the West Indies at home next month which would enable Tendulkar, who has already played 198 Test matches, to become the first cricketer to reach the 200 landmark.

Tendulkar, 40, said he found it hard to imagine life without cricket “because it’s all I have ever done since I was 11 years old”.

“All my life, I have had a dream of playing cricket for India. I have been living this dream every day for the last 24 years,” he said.

The right-handed batsman, who has scored 15,837 Test runs since his debut against Pakistan in Karachi in November 1989, has struggled for form in recent

In this file photo taken on February 24, 2010, Sachin Tendulkar throws his arms up into the air as he celebrates scoring a world record-breaking double century (200 runs) during the second ODI against South Africa at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium in Gwalior.

AFP/MANAN VATSYAYANA

times.

His 100 centuries in international cricket includes 51 Test tons, but his last century in the longer format came against South Africa in January 2011.

Tendulkar retired from oneday internationals late last year and played his last Twenty20 match earlier this month in an appearance for the Mumbai Indians.

Tendulkar captained India for several years but the high point of his career came in 2011 when, in his sixth World Cup, he helped India win the coveted one-day title at home in Mumbai.

Known as the “Little Master”, he has been widely hailed by his contemporaries as second only to the Australian

legend Sir Donald Bradman in the pantheon of batting greats.

Australia’s Shane Warne, who was considered one of his generation’s finest spinners along with Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan, said no one else came close to Tendulkar in his prime. “Sachin Tendulkar is, in my time, the best player without a doubt — daylight second, Brian Lara third,” said Warne.

Tendulkar, who is now an honorary member of India’s parliament, has sometimes struggled to cope with his iconic status, but he made a point of praising his fans in his retirement statement.

“Most of all, I thank my fans and well-wishers who through their prayers and wishes have

given me the strength to go out and perform at my best,” he said.

Tendulkar first hit the headlines as a 14-year-old when he shared a then-world record partnership of 664 runs in a school match with Vinod Kambli, who would also go on to play for India.

Legendary Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar once said he was convinced Tendulkar would achieve greatness when he first saw him bat in the nets more than two decades ago.

“It is hard to imagine any player in the history of the game who combines classical technique with raw aggression like the little champion does. There is not a single shot he cannot play,” said Gavaskar.

Former captain and teammate Sourav Ganguly said on Thursday no praise was too high for Tendulkar.

“It’s not just the talent he was born with, but what he did with it,” Ganguly told NDTV news channel.

Kris Srikkanth, Tendulkar’s first Test captain, said: “Sachin is still the same person I saw in 1989. That’s his greatness not just as a cricketer but as a human being.” Anil Kumble, who shared a long association with Tendulkar in the Indian side, told the Wisden India website it was time to celebrate “an incredible career”.

“It will be a sad moment for everyone who follows the game, but it is also a moment to celebrate an incredible career,” he said.

TENDULKAR HAS CHOSEN TIME AND PLACE TO RETIRE

T

he greatness of Sachin Tendulkar is that he has never been dropped from the Indian team in any form of cricket, barring a bizarre decision to rest him from the One-Day Internationals (ODI) on the last tour to Australia. That’s an awesome record.

Only he decided to call time, last year from ODIs and now from Test cricket.

He is going out at a time and place of his choosing, not at the prompting of others, whatever be the speculation over his meetings with the cricket board officials or the national selectors. Tendulkar’s retirement had become a national obsession. Now the cynics have started saying that he didn’t want to go to South Africa and face the fearsome fast bowlers, and so he got the board to quickly arrange for a twoTest series at home against the West Indies to reach the milestone of playing 200 Tests. What’s more, he wanted to do it at his home, Mumbai.

It’s uncharitable to point a finger at the great man’s integrity. Even if he indeed wants to play his final Test in front of his home crowd, what’s wrong with it?

Tendulkar’s exit was very much on the cards after his two other famous contemporaries — Rahul Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman — decided to call it a day in the last couple of years.

IANS

Top cricketers pay tribute

NEW DELHI: Current and former cricketers from all around the world saluted the achievements of Sachin Tendulkar after it was announced that the batting legend’s 200th Test would be his last, ending his phenomenal career in all forms of international cricket.

“He has entertained millions of cricket lovers not only in India but across the entire world. While his statistics, records and the sheer volume of runs and hundreds he has made are unmatched, I am a huge fan of the kind of human being Sachin is. Despite everything that he has achieved, he has remained humble and

grounded, a true role model, and that is what makes him special. He has great regard for his seniors, but he is also readily accessible and available to the juniors as well, constantly encouraging them with his knowledge and his experience,” said long-time teammate V.V.S. Laxman.

Former India leg-spinner Anil Kumble, who played with Tendulkar for around 15 years, said: “At some stage, it had to happen. There has also been a lot of talk about this. It’s an amazing career, 24 years in international cricket, 50,000 runs in all formats of the game and yet he still has that hunger

in him. Having seen him from close quarters, as player, captain and mentor, I can say that he still has that hunger in him.

It will be a sad moment for everyone who follows the game but it is also a moment to celebrate an incredible career.”

“Privileged to have seen a child prodigy go on to become a true legend of the game from very close quarters. All the best Sachin,” said his former India teammate Sanjay Manjrekar.

Cricketers who played against Tendulkar were also generous in their praise.

Umpire Dickie Bird said Tendulkar was the closest to how Bradman played.

IANS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013

sports

BRAZIL COULD USE A MESSI: RONALDO

Brazil's national squad could use a Lionel Messi, former World Cup winner Ronaldo said. Asked whether he would like a foreigner to play in the Selecao, he replied: "I would love to have a Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo rejected in their country and then able to play with the national squad.”

ROAD TO WORLD CUP

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Germans lead qualifying hopefuls Joachim Loew's men need to only beat Republic of Ireland at home to join the likes of Italy and Netherlands, who have also already booked their plane tickets to Brazil.

PARÍS: A host of European countries, including giants Germany, could secure their passages to the World Cup on the penultimate round of qualifying matches Friday.

Joachim Loew's men need to only beat Republic of Ireland at home to join the likes of Italy and Netherlands, who have also already booked their plane tickets, in Brazil.

Group C leaders Germany could even afford to draw or lose and still qualify, depending on Sweden's result against Austria.

Yet that has not stopped them from peddling a cautious line ahead of their meeting in Cologne.

Germany may have romped to a 6-1 success in Dublin in October but holding midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is still expecting a battle against the usually tenacious Irish.

"It won't be easy, the Irish fight non-stop for their country," said the Bayern Munich player.

"They're maybe not as good as Argentina or Spain in a foot-

Group C leaders Germany could even afford to draw or lose and still qualify, depending on Sweden's result against Austria.

balling sense, but they have an enormous heart and always give their all."

Belgium and Switzerland can also qualify without depending on other teams' results, although for the former to do so they will need to avoid defeat against

Croatia in Zagreb.

Belgium lead Group A by five points but a defeat would mean their battle with Croatia going down to the final round of games Tuesday, when they host Wales and Croatia travel to Scotland.

The Belgians may have domi-

nated the group so far, winning seven and drawing one of their eight games, but they come into this clash after suffering a pair of blows.

Captain and Manchester City star Vincent Kompany has been ruled out with a thigh strain while teenage Manchester United sensation Adnan Januzaj has once again turned down overtures from coach Marc Wilmots to join up with the national team squad, opting instead to leave his international options open.

Switzerland need to win in Albania to ensure their progress but, just like Germany, with a four-point cushion on Iceland

PREMIER LEAGUE

Ferguson couldn't coach: Barton LONDON: Outspoken English footballer Joey Barton (in pic) claimed former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson "couldn't coach" as he called for improvements in coaching standards in the English game.

Barton was discussing how to increase the number of English players playing in the Premier League after Football Association chairman Greg Dyke set up a commission to look into the matter.

Only around 30 percent of the players currently competing in the English top flight are eligible for selection by the national team -- the worst ratio among Europe's five top leagues.

"We're giving good players to mediocre coaches, because we're not developing coaches," Barton told the Leaders in Football conference in London on Thursday.

"We don't honour coaches.

We honour managers, we love managers -- everyone loves Alex Ferguson.

"I'm not here to disrespect Fergie -- great manager, the icon, the pinnacle of British managers -- but he couldn't put on a coaching session to save his life.

"I've spoken to people about it.

He could barely lay out cones.

This is not a coach, this is a manager. This is the difference.

There's a big, big differe n c e

between a coach and a manager."

The Queens Park Rangers midfielder added: "Fergie's a great, great manager. But he's always had good coaches (alongside him), because he can't coach."

Ferguson retired as United manager in May after a recordbreaking 26-and-ahalf-year spell in which he won 38 competitions, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns.

In an interview with the

The Queens Park Rangers midfielder added: “Fergie's a great, great manager.

But he's always had good coaches, because he can't coach.”

Harvard Business Review published last month, he admitted that he delegated responsibility for training sessions to his support staff in order to observe his players more closely.

"My presence and ability to supervise were always there, and what you can pick up by watching is incredibly valuable," Ferguson said.

"Once I stepped out of the bubble, I became more aware of a range of details, and my performance level jumped."

they could even draw or lose and qualify depending on the Group E result when Cyprus visit Reykjavik.

Russia, who travel to Luxembourg, are the other team that could qualify Friday but that would depend on the unlikely event of Portugal losing at home to Israel.

Perhaps the most intriguing battle for a World Cup spot takes place in Group H where the top four play each other.

Leaders England host Montenegro knowing they could knock out the Balkan nation with a victory.

But with Ukraine entertaining Poland, and the top four sides separated by just three points, nothing will be decided until Tuesday.

England may lead by a point from Ukraine and Montenegro, and have a much better goal difference, but while those two face minnows San Marino and Moldova in their final games, Roy Hodgson's team host Poland at Wembley.

AFP

Qualifier to go ahead MADRID: The World Cup qualifier between Spain and Belarus will go ahead on Friday at the San Moix stadium in Mallorca despite an electric circuit explosion which injured three people on Thursday.

Emergency services confirmed that the three injured were working on the site when the explosion took place and were transferred to hospital with two said to be in a serious condition.

The explosion had reportedly cut the electricity within the stadium, leading to suggestions that the game could be postponed or even moved to a different location.

However, a spokesman for the Spanish Football Federation, Jorge Carretero, told Spanish media sources that the game would go ahead as planned.

Belarus trained as planned at the stadium on Thursday evening with Spain's session set to start at 7.30pm local time.