Postnoon E-Paper for 12 May 2013

MOTHER CAN’T BE REPLACED

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ajeshwari NM is a retired teacher, activist and founder of Thodu Needa, a senior-citizens’ movement. More than this, she says, she is first a daughter and a mother. She shares with Postnoon the challenges she faced while rediscovering her potential and establishing a career — all made possible because of the steadfast support from her family, especially her mother.

PG 4

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DROPOUT STATE Talk about trying to build high-rises on a shaky foundation.

Despite open schools and large budget allocation for education, dropout rate in schools is high.

With poverty maintaining its stranglehold on economically weaker sections, the well-meaning schemes to boost mass literacy are losing steam.

REPORT ON PG 3

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here’s an uncanny similarity between how Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam and how Kuljinder Singh Sidhu’s Sadda Haq were treated by the governments of TN and Punjab respectively just before their release.

PG 28

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MAY 12, 2013 HYDERABAD

WEATHER: CLOUDY. CHANCE OF A THUNDERSTORM; 36°C

DEFYING ALL ODDS

32 PAGES

THE BILLIONAIRE’S PLAYGROUND

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he French Riviera is, undoubtedly, one of the most popular destinations for billionaires the world over. They arrive in hordes every summer to spend time at the breathtaking locales, beaches, bustling resort towns and quaint villages. Cannes Film Festival, which will begin on May 15 this year, is one of the most important events which is held on the French Riviera and here are few places which you must visit when you go to the Billionaire’s playground.

PG 16&17

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CITY SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

APPEAL FROM CELINA JAITLY

Fans galore Sunrisers fans meet-up will be held.

Where: Rush Sports Cafe & Bar, Madhapur When: May 13, 8 pm

Music to serve a cause Karuna, musical concert dedicated to kids with HIV. Concert will feature singer Usha Uthup and others.

Where: HITEX, Madhapur When: May 17, 5.30 pm

Mother’s day out Along with a gala brunch spread,plan a perfect day for mothers filled with activities like mehendi, bangle making, foot massage and salsa class.

Where: The Square, Novotel When: May 12.

Junior masterchef Junior Gourmet is on.

Where: The Park Hyderabad When: Till May 17, 10 am

Show your love Fisher-price will convert Mother’s Day message into a special song.

Where: Inorbit Mall, Madhapur When: May 11 and 12.

Perfect gift for mother Mother’s day special collection

by Global Desi, AND and Shoppers Stop.

When: May 12.

Fun day The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace has designed a special and enjoyable brunch menu to celebrate this important day.

Also treat her to a day at the Heavenly Spa. Where: The Westing Hyderabad Mindspace When: May 12

Women empowered Coffee session with Yudhajit Baul (Martial Arts Specialist).

Where: Anavila, Banjara Hills When: May 12, 5 pm

Treat your leading lady Take your mother out for a fabulous brunch.

Where: Encounters, Taj Krishna When: May 12, 12 noon to 3.30 pm

Play pursuits Children’s theatre workshop by Samahaara.

Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills When: Till June 1, 5 pm to 7 pm

Expert talk On the occasion of Mother's Day, Bollywood actress and mother of twins Celina Jaitley wants people to know that animals who are locked up in zoos suffer and that their true natures can't possibly be appreciated when they are kept in captivity.

Listening post Western classical Beatles and Jazz will be conducted.

Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills When: May 12, 4 pm to 5.30 pm

Goethe-Zentrum Hyderabad and Birdwatchers Society of Andhra Pradesh present expert talk by Pankaj Sekhsaria on the post December 2004 ecological scenario in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Where: Goethe-Zentrum When: May 16, 6 pm

It’s showtime Movie Char Adhyay will be screened.

Where: Prasads Lab Preview Theatre, Banjara Hils When: May 12, 11 am.

A musical voyage Raahie, a musical show will be staged.

Where: Hard Rock Cafe, GVK 1, Banjara Hills When: May 16, 9 pm

Magic of dance Kuchipudi dance workshop by renowned dancer Veena Ganesh will be conducted.

Where: Our Sacred Space, Secunderabad When: May 10 to May 12, From 5 pm

CINEMAS

Spirit of Summer A contemporary jazz workshop.

Where: Rang Manch, Himayathnagar When: Till June 1, 8 am to 9 am

Big Cinemas, Ameerpet, 30581470; Cinemax, Banjara Hills, 44565555; Cine Planet , Kompally, 61606060; INOX, Banjara Hills, 447677770, Prasads, Tank Bund Rd, 23448888; PVR, Punjagutta, 08800900009; Talkie Town, Miyapur, 40214175; Tivoli, Secunderabad 27844973

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CITY SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

Man dies in accident

5 die in heat wave

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Neighbours attack woman

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n a freak incident, G Mallesh, a 38-year-old man, was found dead in his seat in a cinema theatre yesterday where he was watching a movie. His death was noticed an hour after the film was over. Kushaiguda police have registered a case and investigations have started. The initial report says that he suffered a heart attack.

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ive deaths have been recorded across the State due to sun stroke. While three persons died in Warangal district, one each died in Karimnagar and Guntur districts. Warangal has recorded a temperature of 46 degrees Celsius.

The City also has been witnessing a temperature of 42 degrees Celsius or more for past two days.

woman, Rama Devi, a resident of Hamal Basti, suffered serious injuries when her neighbour, Kranti, and others attacked her to take revenge on her husband Venkatesh, who had reportedly picked up a quarrel with Kranti a day before. She is in Gandhi Hospital with severe injuries, and the Chikalguda police are investigating the case.

Criminal caught after long chase Mohd SUBHAN

mohd.s@postnoon.com

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t was the longest chase by the City police in recent times.

Finally, they caught up with the criminal and recovered most of the stolen gold, cash and vehicles.

Chikalguda police had to give a 5,000-km chase across four states to collar Nikhilesh Kumar, a native of Allahabad, UP. When the law finally caught up with him, he had in his possession 70 tolas of gold and a Ford car, said crime inspector Mohd Khaja Mohiuddin.

Kumar, 30, came to the City seven years ago and was employed as a driver by a man named

Rajvardhan in Meddibavi, Seethaphal Mandi. Last week, when Rajvardhan and his family had gone on a vacation, he looted all the gold ornaments and cash and

escaped in the employer’s car. To prevent being traced, he destroyed his mobile phone and threw the sim card in a well. Only when Rajvardhan came home two days ago did he realise what had happened. He lodged a complaint against the missing driver with the Chikalguda police.

On May 6, a police team set forth in search of him. Based on some clue the employer supplied, the team had to travel to Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, where he had relatives.

Every time the police reached one spot, they would be told that Kumar had come but is now gone. Finally, he was nailed at the Allahabad railway station. Kumar, taken aback by the AP police’s enterprise, is said to have confessed to the crime. He pleaded financial difficulties to justify his crime, police said.

Groom found dead before marriage Postnoon News feedback@postnoon.com

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nder mysterious circumstances, a groom was found hanging dead by the ceiling fan in his home in Vijaysri Colony of Vanasthalipuram, just two days before his marriage. The marriage of M Ranaga Rao, 30, was fixed on May 11 and his parents had gone to their native place n Kangatla of Guntur district for inviting relatives. Rao, who works with a private transport firm, was alone at home, police said.

Neither his parents nor neighbours could throw light on why he took this extreme step. Parents say he was normal and showed no stress. In fact, he had gone to purchase a dress for his wedding the other day. No suicide note was found. Police said the neighbours saw his home was locked and there was no activity. They made enquiries and found the front door locked from inside. Breaking open the door, they found the body hanging in the bedroom. Police surmised that he was not interested in this marriage but was forced into it by the worried parents who were concerned at his remaining unmarried at 30.

Heavy dropout mars literacy drive in AP Govt’s claim of growing literacy rate in the State is not borne out by facts. Despite open schools and a large budget for education, dropout in schools is high. It’s because of the govt’s inability to reduce poverty and tame the private players whose commitment to commercial gain outweighs desire for mass literacy.

Rahul Ramakrishna

FOR REPRESENTATIONAL PURPOSE ONLY

rahul.r@postnoon.com

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ndhra Pradesh’s latest socio-economic survey report indicates an increase in drop-out rates in schools. Contrary to the common belief that several educational schemes such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Mid Day Meal have encouraged enrolments in schools, the report points out how it is all negated by the high dropout rate.

According to AP’s socio-economic survey report for 2012-13, enrolment in all types of schools in the State during 2011-12 was 133.91 lakh, out of which 4.10 lakh were in pre-primary, 70.84 lakh in Classes I–V, 26.06 lakh in Classes VI and VII, 32.67 lakh in Classes VIII-X and 0.23 lakh in XI and XII classes (52.91, 19.46, 0.17 and 3.06 per cent respectively).

The report shows that during 2011-12, dropouts at Classes IV were 15.60 per cent, at Classes I-VII were 20.79 per cent and

Class Enrolment I-X

129.57 lakh*

Enrolment (percentage)

Dropout rate (percentage)

Actual figure of dropout

96.77

45.71

59,22,644.7

*Excluding pre-primary enrolment of 3.06 per cent

Total enrolment 133.91 lakh

45.71 percent at Classes I-X. According to government statistics, 2011 registered the lowest level of dropouts from schools. In 2010-11, the dropout rate was 46.21 per cent, in 2009-10 it was 53.36 per cent and in 20082009 it was 60.73 per cent. The statistics also show the highest number of dropouts were recorded in the last decade in 2003-04, when the dropout percentage was 66.70 per cent.

Experts say it takes more than just free education and a free meal scheme to tackle this problem. According to academician Charul Sharma, “We must not assume that children opt out of schooling because they have a choice. In the hundreds of cases we have rehabilitated, we realised that education for children from BPL families was a burden as their hands could be used for generating income. While the government promises free education and the Right to Education, in reality, its infrastructure is yet to gear up to these basic challenges of

money requirements.” The limp functioning of the Rajiv Vidya Mission and the lack of clarity on RTE are some of the main drawbacks. He also says that most of the survey’s reports are botched up in an attempt to present a better picture; reality is far worse than presented.

Union leaders say the absolute lack of welfare systems for BPL families is why children are opting for employment rather than education.

Says M Ravinder, president of AP Teachers Federation, “Poverty and immigration are the main reasons for this brain drain. The fact that the State government can spend crores of rupees on political icons who are embroiled in corruption charges but cannot spare enough for a three-meal scheme for children is an indication of its seriousness. Even after RTE came into effect, they could not implement it because they have no control over the private players in the education market.”

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CITY SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

Mother can’t be replaced Here’s an inspiring story of a daughter who, at 63, takes care of her bed-ridden mother aged 84. She did the same for her father when he was alive.

MOTHER’S DAY PADMINI C

padmini.c@postnoon.com

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ajeshwari NM is a retired teacher, activist and founder of Thodu Needa, a senior-citizens’ movement.

More than this, she says, she is first a daughter and a mother.

“I was the only child for my parents for many years. As the sole offspring, I was a spoilt child, I believe. Everything at home was taken care of by my mother while my father took care of all my needs outside. Till I was into my 30s, I didn’t even know how to write a cheque.

Incidentally, as sheltered as I was from the outside world, there was no hiding from the realities of my own world. I was married off at the tender age of 13 and delivered my first child three years later. Curiously, my mother also delivered her second child soon after.

I think that taking care of her now is the least I can do to pay her back for all that she’s done for me. Everything that I am and I have today is thanks to them.

Rajeshwari NM, founder of Thodu Needa

The next few years when I was slowly discovering the trials and travails of motherhood, things changed. My marriage was falling apart and suddenly, I found myself at the head of a household, with three children and two aging parents to care for.

Left with few choices, I went back to school. I took up the disrupted studies along with my son! Mom and son studying together! I completed my degrees and at 34, got an appointment as a teacher.

Marriage gone on the rocks, I slowly rebuilt my life. Today, my two sons and daughter are all settled well in life. But what none of us has forgotten is the role of my mother and father in making this happen.

People are often surprised when they find out that now, at 63, I’m still caring for my 85year-old bed-ridden mother, as I did for my father until he passed away a few years ago.

After the initial surprise, they always ask me if I’m doing it out of a sense of duty or some unshakeable obligation. Even my mother often tears up when I’m feeding her or washing her, feeling that she’s become a burden on me.

I can never forget the time when I went back to school, when my mother raised not just my siblings, but also my children, kept house, and took care of everything for me so that I could single-mindedly pursue my education. She never once com-

plained, or even considered it as a sacrifice. Taking care of her now is the least I can do to pay her back for all that she’s done for me. Everything I am and I have today is thanks to them.

And as a mother, I’m so proud that my children and grandchildren share the same values and have been helping take care of her, as well or even better than me.

But no, I will not celebrate Mother’s Day. Sadly, as many sto-

ries of selflessness and sacrifice of mothers (and fathers) there will be, there are not half as many children doing anything to see the same kindness and gratitude repaid.

Go to an old-age home on a Sunday and you’ll see mothers hanging by the door, with their hearts in their mouths, heartbreakingly eager to see their sons, the very children who’ve abandoned her there. Even those who are at home are being used

as care takers, cooks or cleaners in households as if they are use and throw entities. Children seem to have forgotten that real ancestral property is not in the wills they are hotly contesting in courts, but their own parents, who bring with them the wisdom, wealth and culture of their ancestors. The day I will celebrate Mother’s Day is the day I see no child or mother left orphaned.

Until then, any celebration will be for namesake only.”

Rape of lakes, SOUL to move judiciary A SOUL team that visited the Manikonda Lake was shocked to see the recent developments, with construction activity in full swing everywhere. Once a big lake, it has shrunk to one-third its size with debris dumped all around.

Md Nizamuddin nizamuddin.a@postnoon.com

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ollowing the encroachment and dumping at Manikonda lake, the Save our Urba Lakes (SOUL) has decided to go to court against the offenders, which prominently includes LANCO group. Under the initiative of Mayor Mohd Majid Hussain, some of the encroachments in this lake bed were removed last week. But it has not deterred big sharks, say SOUL functionaries.

A SOUL team that visited the Manikonda Lake (Mysamma Lake) was shocked to see the recent developments, with construction activity in

full swing everywhere. Once a big lake, it has shrunk to one-third its size with building materials and debris dumped all around.

“As per the HMDA nor ms, no construction activity should be made within 30 meters from the boundary, but several constructions have been found violating this norm. The daring devilry can be gauged from the fact that an entire road is built on the Tankbund area”, says Rajkumar Singh, convener.

It was observed that a large amount of debris, sand and boulders are regularly dumped on the tank bed area to create partition.

“This has come in handy for

new constructions after the water dried up. I have never seen like this before. The construction activity is right in the lake bed,” lamented Jasveen Jairat, co-convenor.

According to Jasveen, the authorities have completely ignored the ‘catchment area’ of most of the lakes, which should have been protected.

This is the main reason for drying up of lakes in the City. When construction is permitted, there is no scope for water, coming from top to reach the lake. “The irony is that the authorities have focused only on Full Tank Level (FTL). Even this is technically incorrect in practice,” she noted.

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READERS’ LETTERS SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

RANT OF THE WEEK

WHEN HEROES TURN VILLAINS Here’s an ‘ex-ardent’ fan of the Mega family pouring his heart out in the wake of the road brawl in which Chiranjeevi’s son Ram Charan Tej was involved.

He still cannot seems to recover from the shock from hearing about the real nature of his reel hero. There are others too: one found our reporter’s story one-sided; another finds Ram Charan Tej’s stand ridiculous.

So WTF are these officials doing about it ?

Sunil in response to Watch out! 95 percent mangoes artificially ripened using cancer-causing calcium carbide (May 9)

Well said

ur Society has become a very tough place to live in these days. An ordinary citizen always lives in fear of one or the other. It might be police or a rich man or a politician. And now joining the list are our beloved heroes as we call them with pride. I was stunned when I saw the news about Ram Charan Teja .How could he do what he did because someone blocked his way? Some channels reported that he hit the two techies, some others reported that it were his bodyguards. Whatever the case, it’s disturbing to see a star, whom we thought was a good human being, involving in brawls on roads. I was a big fan of Ram Charan, but since that incident, I cannot say that anymore. Let me also make a request to Ram Charan: Please do not be in the illusion that you can hit anyone in real life as you do in your films. You very well know these are the people that make you what you are: your father Chiranjeevi garu should know. Remember, you are a part of a very famous family and such incidents are bad for the reputation of not just yours but of the whole family. And if there’s more to the incident than meets the eye, please speak out, as there are many like me who want to believe that the news is false.

O

TOP LETTER

e cannot expect response specifically only from techies… as the truth about the incident is yet to be unravelled. It is human to react and respond, but Charan’s act is terrible and his stand on the incident is even more ridiculous.

W

AVINASH

in response to Fighting a lost cause (May 10)

AJ

An ex-ardent fan of Mega Family.

In response to Fighting a lost cause (May 10) via email

This reader thinks the writer has nailed it. He says India should not expect China to behave in a just and responsible manner. ell said, Surendran. The common man are fade up with the behaviour and the action shown by this ruling congress party. Even though we believe in peace but retaliation of Chinese army in Indian territory is highly shameful and we should as a united nation with such a high profile army should react bravely instead of talking such rubbish things and waiting for a miracle.

W

PRAMOD

in response to India-China conflict: Bullies don’t play by rulebook (May 3)

robably the techies thought, it’s useless to waste their time on it. Or maybe they are too busy with IPL or Iron Man. In any case, what can a blog, tweet or FB post do, what the police couldn’t in broad day light? Let them release the CCTV footage to the public first. Then we will know what exactly happened. Even cops acted like impotents, not reacting to it properly (for the obvious reasons). There were morphed pictures and there were a series of pictures, which shows RCT passing by. Nevertheless, what would one do when u get mobbed at a traffic signal.

You wait till it is green and zoom off. The same thing you do with beggars at signal posts. But beating them up, tearing up their shirt is unpardonable (just because you are powerful and bodyguards). Makes you look like an arrogant idiot. It’s true we lack traffic sense: we drive like morons. So it could be the techies fault. But again, beating them up is far too extreme, unless they hit your Aston Farting!

P

A MAR

in response to Fighting a lost cause (May 10)

Let them be!

The reader is furious about the rising instances of cruelty against animals. have fought with some people who were abusing a pup and these were people who had no shame in calling themselves educated. If you can, help them, else just leave be, but please do not harm them.

I ne sided article. Pay attention. Techies are not telling the whole truth.

O

XERO

in response to Fighting a lost cause (May 10) Via email

BHARAT

in response to Animal abuse on the rise in Hyderabad (Apr 19)

Win `500 every week

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ALSO SEND US YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS.

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NATION SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

Heroin worth `1 cr seized

SILCHAR: At least 550 grams of hero-

in, worth an estimated `1 crore in the street market, was seized by BSF from two persons in a hotel in Assam’s Silchar town today, official sources said. On a tip off, BSF personnel recovered the contraband from the two persons staying in a room of the hotel, the sources said. The duo confessed having brought the heroin from Myanmar.

Shinde to review Jharkhand security

Bangalore blast: 2 arrested

MALE: Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde will

THRISSUR: Two persons hailing from

visit Jharkhand on Tuesday to take stock of the security situation and development initiatives in the Naxal-affected state. The Centre is worried over unabated violence in Jharkhand where there were 542 abductions and nearly 200 killings perpetrated by Maoists in last three years, a Home Ministry official said.

In the last four months alone, there were 55 incidents of abduction and more than 30 killings in violence carried out by Naxals in the state.

Priyadarshini killer gets parole

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has granted 13 days parole to Santosh Kumar Singh, undergoing life sentence in the riyadarshini Mattoo rape and murder case, to appear in his LLM examination. The court directed Singh to furnish a personal bond of `25,000 before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Saket while allowing his plea against the single judge’s order dismissing his application for parole.

A bench of Chief Justice D Murugesan and Justice Jayant Nath granted Singh parole

from May 16 to 28 and directed the Tihar jail authority to allow him to appear for LLM 2nd year examination after his personal bond is accepted by the magistrate. Singh, a law student from the Delhi University, had raped

and murdered Mattoo, a thirdyear law student, in January 1996. He was acquitted by the trial court on December 3, 1999, but the Delhi High Court had on October 27, 2006 reversed that decision, holding him guilty of rape and murder.

The high court had also awarded death penalty to him in the case. Singh, son of a former senior IPS officer, had challenged his conviction and death sentence awarded by the high court; the SC reduced the sentence to life imprisonment.

PTI

Dyslexia doesn’t stop this plucky pilot’s flight Covering 6,400 nautical miles, Tan started his flight from Langkawi in Malayasia on March 26 and will return to Kuala Lumpur via Phuket on May 15.

KOLKATA: Braving the inborn difficulty to read numbers and symbols, 21year-old dyslexic Malayasian pilot Capt James Anthony Tan has managed to fly half-way around the world in a tiny, sin-

TO OVERCOME HIS INBORN DIFFICULTIES, THE MALAYASIAN YOUTH MAINTAINED A TRACKING SYSTEM ON HIS WEBSITE WHICH INDICATED THE PROGRESS OF HIS JOURNEY. gle Cessna 210 Eagle aircraft.

“I wanted to do something to inspire and motivate people and convey the message to youngsters from all over the world that nothing is impossible,”

Tan, a commercial pilot who has a flying record in North Africa and the US, said after arriving here from Nagpur via Karachi yesterday.

Narrating his flying experience, Tan told a press conference that he had moments of concern about sufficient fuel and weather “while I was flying from Russia to Alaska and when I saw frozen waves.

“It was a simply incredible scene as I was crossing an icy zone and I had to warm the engine with a heating device and hand gloves were not enough.

Temperature was minus 30 degrees celsius,” he said.

To overcome his inborn difficulties, the Malayasian youth maintained a tracking system on his website which indicated the progress of his journey.

With a pilot licence from Australia and UK civil aviation, Tan claimed to be the youngest pilot to fly alone around the world in a single engine aircraft, besides achieving the feat in the shortest duration.

He said he has always tried to raise awareness about problems faced by children with special needs and motivate them to chase their own dreams.

Covering 6,400 nautical miles, Tan started his flight from Langkawi in Malayasia on March 26 and will return to Kuala Lumpur via Phuket on May 15.

PTI

Coimbatore have been arrested here for their suspected involvement in the April 17 bomb blast in front of the BJP office in Bangalore, police said today.

They were arrested from the house of Shabeer’s relative at Kecheri near Kunnamkulam in the district yesterday, they said. A total of 17 persons have been arrested so far.

Naxals attack DD tower, 3 cops die Search operation launched in the region to nab the attackers.

RAIPUR: Three police personnel were killed and another injured when Naxals attacked a Doordarshan TV tower in Maoist-hit Bastar district of Chhattisgarh early this morning.

“The attack took place at the Doordarshan TV tower at Marenga village under Parpa police station in the district this morning, leaving three police personnel killed and one injured,” Inspector General of Police (IG) Bastar Range Himanshu Gupta said over phone.

Marenga village is around 15 km from Jagdalpur, the district

Maoists are known to attack isolated government facilities to draw reinforcements into their ambushes. headquarters. The injured jawan has been referred to Raipur for treatment. Security forces have launched a search operation in the region to nab the attackers.

PTI

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WORLD SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

Twin blasts kill 43 in Turkey REYHANLI: Twin car bombs killed at least 43 people and wounded 100 Saturday in a Turkish town near the Syrian border. The bombings were the deadliest in Turkey, a key supporter of the Syrian opposition, since the conflict started more than two years ago.

Rescuers were hunting for possible survivors buried underneath the rubble of buildings destroyed by the blasts.

‘Libya gunmen end siege’

6.5 quake strikes off Tonga

TRIPOLI: Libyan militiamen besieging

SYDNEY: A strong 6.5-magnitude

the foreign and justice ministries in Tripoli have now withdrawn and handed control of the compounds back to the authorities, Justice Minister Salah al-Marghani said. “Those who were at the two ministries have handed over the two ministries to a committee formed by the government and the General National Congress.”

earthquake struck off the Pacific nation of Tonga on Sunday, US seismologists said, but no tsunami warning was issued. The under-sea quake hit at 08:46 am (2046 GMT Saturday), 139 kilometres (86 miles) from the town of Neiafu, on the south coast of the island Vava’u, at a depth of 205 kilometres, the US Geological Survey said.

Pakistan picks Sharif

Partial, results from Saturday’s election represented a stunning comeback for a man deposed in a 1999 military coup.

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Damon Wake

Agence France-Presse

LAHORE: Partial, unofficial results from Saturday’s election represented a stunning comeback for a man deposed in a 1999 military coup — but Nawaz Sharif looked short of an outright majority, raising the prospect of another weak coalition government.

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif appealed to all parties to join him in tackling Pakistan’s mountainous problems after securing victory in historic elections that defied Taliban violence.

Partial, unofficial results from Saturday’s election represented a stunning comeback for a man deposed in a 1999 military coup -but he looked short of an outright majority, raising the prospect of another weak coalition government.

The party of former cricket star Imran Khan — whose promises to end corruption resonated with middle-class and youth voters -- conceded defeat but vowed to form the next provincial government in the restive northwest, where Khan has vowed to end US drone strikes.

The landmark polls mark the first time an elected civilian administration completed a full term to hand power to another through the ballot box, in a country where there have been three military coups and four military rulers. Official results were emerging only slowly early on Sunday but TV projections suggested no single party would win a simple majority of 172 seats in the national assembly.

According to the private TV network Geo, Sharif ’s centre-right Pakistan Muslim League-N (PMLN) was leading the race with 126 seats and Khan’s Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) had 34.

With just 32 seats so far, the Bhutto clan’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) -- which led the outgoing government with 125 seats in the old national assembly -- was relegated to a humiliating third place.

Flanked by his brother Shahbaz and his daughter Maryam, Sharif gave a victory speech late Saturday to hundreds of jubilant supporters at PML-N headquarters in Lahore.

“We should thank Allah that he has given PML-N another chance to serve you and Pakistan,” he said, after nearly 60 percent of the 86 million electorate turned out to

We should thank Allah that he has given PMLN another chance to serve you and Pakistan.

Nawaz Sharif

Former Pakistani prime minister and head of the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif waves to supporters after his party victory in general election in Lahore on May 11, 2013.

AFP PHOTO / ARIF ALI vote despite polling day attacks by the Taliban that left 24 dead.

Sharif, who has vowed a probusiness agenda to revive Pakistan’s crippled economy, struck a conciliatory tone following Khan’s high-voltage campaign.

“I appeal for all parties to come to the table and sit with me and solve the country’s problems,” Sharif said.

The election was fought over the tanking economy, an appalling energy crisis that causes power cuts of up to 20 hours a day, the alliance in the US-led “war on terror” and chronic corruption. Prime minister twice

before in the 1990s, Sharif ’s historic third term will begin only after he brokers a deal with political rivals to form a coalition.

But his supporters hailed a new day for the nuclear-armed country. Youths in Lahore danced in the streets holding stuffed tigers — the PML-N’s election symbol — and people offered sweets to celebrate the win.

Political analysts said the result would most likely be a hung parliament in which the PML-N would have to team up with its

former opponents from the outgoing government led by the PPP. “(Sharif) needs to solve the issue of terrorism and other problems crippling the economy. If he delivers quickly, fair enough, if not then he will face crisis and criticism,” pundit Hasan Askari told AFP. Chief Election Commissioner Fakharuddin Ebrahim praised the authorities for their cooperation “which enabled us to hold free and fair elections” and recorded a turnout of nearly 60 percent, the highest since 1977.

Both Sharif and Khan won at least one of the seats they had contested, but the PTI, which had promised a “tsunami” of support, quickly conceded defeat.

Asad Omar, a senior PTI leader, sent his congratulations to Sharif ’s party and said Khan, who is in hospital after falling from a makeshift lift during a campaign rally, was taking the results like a sportsman.

Newly elected PTI member Shaukat Yousafzai said: “It is very clear that PTI has emerged as the largest party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, so we will form our government here with the help of like-minded political parties.”

No simple majority

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fficial results were emerging only slowly early on Sunday but TV projections suggested no single party would win a simple majority of 172 seats in the national assembly.

PPP humiliated

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ith just 32 seats so far, the Bhutto clan’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) - which led the outgoing government with 125 seats in the old national assembly -- was relegated to a humiliating third place.

Imran concedes defeat

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Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister and head of the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif, cheer as they listen to Sharif outside his residence

he party of former cricket star Imran Khan -- whose promises to end corruption resonated with middle-class and youth voters -- conceded defeat but vowed to form the next provincial government in the restive northwest, where Khan has vowed to end US drone strikes.

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COMMENT SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

EDITORIALS THE EXECUTIVE IS at fault

Happy Mother’s Day

There has arisen a muted outcry among politicians against judiciary saying the court rules today. On the face of it, it sounds true because every aspect of governance is called into question. Government is perpetually on the brink vis-a-vis judiciary. But then who is to blame, the government or the judiciary? Of course, it is the Executive that has, by serious omissions and commissions, leads the situation to judicial intervention for every aspect of governance. Take the example of several major scams that came up during the current UPA rule. Is any of it the handiwork of Judiciary? The judiciary has, on the contrary, saved the system from collapse with its intervention and sagacious advices and admonitions. The latest, to take another cue, is Supreme Court stance asking the government to come out with a Bill to make the CBI independent of the government of the day. It is in the light of brazen interference in the CBI’s functioning in the coalgate investigation. A report that has to be given in confidence to the Court is vetted by junior functionaries of the law ministry.

How could any self-respecting judicial official tolerate it? So it the Executive that is at fault and requires to introspect and correct, not judiciary.

THERE WOULD HAVE been blood Ram Charan Teja has denied that his security men had assaulted the techies who were involved in a roadside brawl with him. He seeks to assert this by saying that there would have been blood had his “strapping six-footers” laid hands on them.

That’s very generous and very thoughtful on his part. Imagine the scene if Ram Charan had let his bodyguards take over. But who were the men in safari suits who rushed out of nearby fivestar hotel to rough up the two techies? There’s no clarification.

Rumour has it they were men deployed for Ram Charan’s father Chiranjeevi’s security, a Union minister. But why were men alloted for a minister’s duty doing “errands” for his son? There’s is certainly more to this than meets the eye.

From the hip SYED SHOAIB

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he second Sunday in May is celebrated as Mother’s Day. Anna Jarvis who first held a memorial for her mother, a caregiver for wounded soldiers during the civil war, in Grafton, West Virginia in 1908 was particular that Mother’s Day should “be a singular possessive, for each family to honour their mother, not a plural possessive commemorating all mothers in the world.”

It’s interesting that different countries celebrate Mothers’ Day (plural possessive) or Mothers Day (plural non-possessive) on different days in a year following their respective cultural and religious practices. Thank God, a concept so universal yet daily to the essence of our life is not restricted to a holiday alone. In India, additionally, mothers are specially remembered on Saraswati pooja day during Devi Navratri and Maatri Pooja (worship of mother).

In Mexico, several mothers march through Central Mexico City to demand the federal government to trace the tens of thousands children who go missing in the wars against drug cartels. President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, on the other hand, took a policy-oriented approach to the holiday by pitching the benefits of his healthcare reforms to moms nationwide. The White House also marked the day by celebrating free birth control provided by Obamacare.

There’s always pain, suffering, resilience and several such sustaining qualities that we learn, particularly from our own mother. Mine, taught me how to continue the battle of life, after losing a son (my younger brother) a 20+ good looker to the whirls of water during a group holiday, which I was a part of.

Despite the heavy sedation she was put into to overcome the memories of having to give away one of her three children to fate, mum still reels off the right recipe for an aromatic biryani or that delicious sweet, which she could not prepare anymore.

There are many who would have bitter-sweet memories of their mother, but even in possi-

ble failures, mothers teach us how to learn from mistakes.

Look at the courts and you will be surprised with the number of lawsuits filed against mothers and complaints even in police stations against some for various property or other issues. Kobe Bryant, long-time Los Angeles Laker and future Hall-of-Famer, is in a bitter feud with his moth-

IT’S INTERESTING THAT DIFFERENT COUNTRIES CELEBRATE MOTHERS’ DAY (PLURAL POSSESSIVE) OR MOTHERS DAY (PLURAL NON-POSSESSIVE) ON DIFFERENT DAYS IN A YEAR FOLLOWING THEIR RESPECTIVE CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICES. er over ownership of memorabilia worth more than $ 1.5 million.

Mother Nature, the ultimate mother, has also taught us about the vagaries of seasons. So, many seasoned mothers joke how there is not just a Mother’s Day but also a Mother’s Night, particularly for those who are new mothers and never imagined how to handle the difficult

part of the bundle of joy thrust into their hands. Some remark that celebrating a day for her is sexist. That’s okay, as Father’s Day is just a month away. If children are difficult to handle physically or psychologically and the father gives up, the mother is always there and vice-versa too.

For those who have a lost a mother, this day might just be a painful reminder of the several undone tasks. Relive it in your next generation. As Indian actor Gulshan Grover remarked during a bitter divorce battle about the care of his son, “Except breastfeeding, a father can also be a mother.” Maternal instincts are universal and like animals, men also can take up the role of a mother, where need be.

Just imagine what it could be if an average stay-at-home mum could collect a salary check for doing laundry, cooking, childcare and in most households, working outside too. So if you have a heart, do not buy your mother a greeting card or coloured flowers, as Jarvis vehemently opposed the commercialisation of this day. Just write to her a personalised letter or make a call reminding her how everything in your life, except her can be replaced.

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BUSINESS SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

FIIs invest `7,500 cr in May

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verseas investors are showing renewed interest in the Indian equity market, with investment of a whopping over `7,500 crore this month so far amid political and economic worries. With this, the total foreign investor investments in the country’s equity market has reached `68,561 crore since the beginning of 2013.

$10-mn pay package for Cognizant CEO

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ffshore-centric IT services major Cognizant has paid its India-origin CEO Francisco D’Souza a pay package of $10.61 million in cash, stocks and other benefits. The US-listed company, which has a large portion of its 1.63 lakh workforce in India, paid Frank a base salary of $590,000, stock awards worth $9.59 million and a non-equity incentive plan compensation of USD 405,780 for the last year. However, his $10.61 million package for 2012 was lower than $11.76 million paid to him in 2011 when 44-year old Frank had got stock awards of over $10 million.

Coal panel meet this week

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he panel formed to devise a policy on Public Private Partnership with CIL as one of the partners to augment coal production may deliberate on various models suggested by different ministries on the PPP route in a meeting likely this week. The coal ministry has set a production target of 482 million tonne and off-take of 492 million tonne for CIL for 2013-14.

G7 smoothes divisions, agrees on currency policy The G7 also used its latest gathering to firm up its commitment to combatting tax evasion, which is illegal, and tax avoidance.

Ben Perry Agence France-Presse

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he Group of Seven advanced economies smoothed over USEuropean differences at a weekend meeting on how to balance deep austerity measures with ways to support fragile growth.

G7 finance ministers and central bank governors also pledged Saturday their commitment to tackling tax evasion on the second of two days of talks in the English countryside, British finance minister George Osborne (pictured) said.

The G7 additionally vowed not to intentionally set out to weaken currencies, after the yen on Friday hit its lowest point against the dollar in more than four years.

The United States has put pressure on European nations to scale back their spending cuts amid fears they may harm growth, but Osborne said the meeting in Aylesbury, northwest of London, revealed much common ground.

“This meeting confirmed there are more areas of agreement between us on fiscal policy than is commonly assumed,” the Chancellor of the Exchequer told a press conference afterwards.

He said the G7 had “discussed the importance of having in place credible, country-specific, medium-term fiscal consolidation plans for ensuring sustainable public finances and sustainable growth”.

French Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici appeared to echo Osborne’s remarks.

“The consensus is gaining momentum in the way we balance support for growth and fiscal consolidation,” he told reporters.

“There is still a real will to reduce the deficits but certainly there is a change of tone” among G7 members, Moscovici added.

The G7 is meanwhile committed to “nurturing” world eco-

Hero, Bajaj lose ground as Honda gains apanese auto major Jnumber Honda’s pursuit for the one position in the Indian two-wheeler market is not only hurting its erstwhile partner Hero MotoCorp but another homegrown firm, Bajaj Auto is also facing the heat in the motorcycles segment.

According to the latest data released Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), while both Hero MotoCorp and Bajaj saw their bike sales decline in April, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), the wholly-owned arm of the Japanese firm posted increased numbers.

Hero’s domestic motorcycle sales declined by 12.5 per cent to 4,32,657 units as against 4,94,473 units in the same month last year.

Similarly, Bajaj also posted 0.19 per cent dip at 1,99,838 units compared 2,00,228 units in April 2012.

HMSI’S MOTORCY-

THE UNITED STATES HAS PUT PRESSURE ON EUROPEAN NATIONS TO SCALE BACK THEIR SPENDING CUTS AMID FEARS THEY MAY HARM GROWTH nomic recovery, said Osborne.

“Overall, our discussions over the past two days have reaffirmed that there are still many challenges to securing sustainable global recovery, and we can’t take it for granted,” he said.

“But we are committed as the advanced economies in playing our part in nurturing that recovery and ensuring a lasting recovery so that we have prosperity in all our countries.”

The talks, also attended by top representatives from the

European Union and International Monetary Fund, built on last month’s wider Group of 20 meeting while looking ahead to next month’s G8 summit in Northern Ireland.

The G7 comprises Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. The G8 is the G7 plus Russia.

The IMF has welcomed government efforts to cut spending but also urged Britain to lessen the pace of its austerity programme to support the country’s fragile economic recovery.

On Friday, US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said the world’s biggest economy feels “strongly there needs to be the right balance between austerity and growth”, amid accusations that Germany has forced heavily indebted eurozone colleagues such as Spain and Italy down a path of deep spending cuts.

The G7 also used its latest gathering to firm up its commit-

ment to combatting tax evasion, which is illegal, and tax avoidance, which occurs when individuals and companies take advantage of legal loopholes.

“Today, we all agree on the importance of collective action to tackle tax avoidance and evasion,” said Osborne.

Britain has made the issue a priority of its presidencies of the G7 and G8, and Osborne said: “It is vital that both developed and developing countries collect the tax that is due to them.”

The G7 also reaffirmed its commitment to reforming financial regulation.

“It is important to complete swiftly our work to ensure no banks are too big to fail,” Osborne said.

“We also agreed on the need for structural reforms to boost competitiveness of growth, including new trade agreements,” he added.

CLE SALES GREW BY 53.77 PER CENT TO 11,86,726 UNITS AS COMPARED TO 7,71,715 UNITS IN THE PREVIOUS FISCAL. Contrary to this, in a declining market HMSI saw its bike sales in India grow by 48.76 per cent to 1,15,536 units as against 77,665 units in April last year. In the last fiscal, HMSI’s motorcycle sales grew by 53.77 per cent to 11,86,726 units as compared to 7,71,715 units in the previous fiscal.

On the other hand, market leader Hero saw its bike sales decline by 4.72 per cent in FY13 to 53,62,730 units from 56,28,513 units in 2011-12.

Likewise, Bajaj’s domestic motorcycle sales dipped by 4 per cent to 24,63,863 units in FY13 as against 25,66,757 PTI units in 2011-12.

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FOCUS SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

The possibility of a cultural clash between Spielberg’s Hollywood sensibility and those of his fellow jurors has not gone unnoticed.

The jury also includes Indian actor Vidya Balan.

Michael Thurston Agence France-Presse

LOS ANGELES: Steven Spielberg will bring a Hollywood veteran’s eye to the more arthouse Cannes Film Festival next week-but he insists he has no preconceptions and will be a strictly “democratic” jury head.

The legendary filmmaker, who first came to Cannes for the premiere of ‘ET’ in 1982, says he is looking forward to being on the Croisette, even if he is a little ‘rusty,’ not having served on a festival jury for over 25 years.

The 66-year-old-the third American to head the Cannes jury in four years-chairs a panel that also includes Nicole Kidman and Oscar-winning director Ang Lee to pick who wins the coveted Palme d’Or at the May 15-26 festival.

The prospect of watching and critically assessing 19 films in 12 days might be daunting to some, but Spielberg is unfazed.

“Not me! Every weekend I watch between four and six movies. I catch up on what I’ve missed during the working week. So two films per day in

Cannes, I’m rather looking forward to it,” Spielberg said in a pre-Cannes interview.

“It’s a great honour, but it’s above all the promise of great pleasure,” he told the French arts magazine Telerama, in comments published in French.

The director, who has won only once at Cannes-best screenplay for 1974’s ‘Sugarland Express’, has had a disappointing run of late on the awards front, with his two latest Oscar entries ‘War Horse’ and ‘Lincoln’ coming up short.

But over the years Spielberg has made some of the biggest blockbusters and award-winning films of modern cinema, including ‘Jaws’ (1975), ‘Jurassic Park’ (1993), ‘Schindler’s List’ (1993) and the ‘Indiana Jones’ movies.

Asked if as jury head he would reward films with popular potential, or more difficult works, he demurred.

“I believe that, before they are shown, all films are equal.

Whether they are small or big, they are a sum of the personal visions and collaborative efforts.

“Each time the filmmaker’s intentions are the same, whether

Masterpieces Spielberg has made some of the biggest blockbusters and award-winning films of modern cinema, including ‘Jaws’ (1975), ‘Jurassic Park’ (1993), ‘Schindler’s List’ (1993) and the ‘Indiana Jones’ movies.

Each time the filmmaker’s intentions are the same, whether it is Christopher Nolan or Michael Haneke: to express what he has inside, Steven Spielberg, Filmmaker

it is Christopher Nolan or Michael Haneke: to express what he has inside,” he said, referring to the blockbuster ‘Dark Knight’ director and Haneke, whose understated ‘Amour’ won last year at Cannes. The possibility of a cultural clash between Spielberg’s Hollywood sensibility and those of his fellow jurorsan international bunch, to say the least-has not gone unnoticed.

The jury also includes Indian actress Vidya Balan, Japanese director Naomi Kawase, Scottish filmmaker Lynne Ramsay, French actor Daniel Auteuil, Romanian director Cristian Mungiu and Oscar-winning Austrian actor Christoph Waltz.

“No roster of Cannes jurors in recent memory has been as stacked with influential, distinctive, high-profile global film industry figures,” wrote film critic Jon Frosch, in a piece published by The Atlantic online.

“The common strand running throughout Spielberg’s body of work is the filmmaker’s palpable desire to reach directly for the viewer’s emotions.

Cannes fare, on the other hand, is often cooler, less

accessible.Spielberg and the Cannes Film Festival should be a fascinating confrontation of cinematic and cinephilic tastes and tendencies,” he wrote.

Spielberg has been tightlipped about what kind of jury chairman he will be when he takes his seat in the Palais des Festivals, where stars will hit the red carpet on Wednesday.

“Democratic!” he said, when asked by Telerama. “But give me a bit of time. I haven’t been on a jury since the Avoriaz festival in 1986, when we gave the prize to ‘Carrie,’ by Brian de Palma. I’m a little rusty,” he said.

US jury heads at Cannes are not rare: there have been three or four per decade since the 1960s, before which they were French. Figures on Spielberg’s level have included Martin Scorsese in 1998, and Francis Ford Coppola in 1996.

Two of the last three were Americans: Tim Burton in 2010 and Robert de Niro in 2011. In that year the Palme d’Or went to “Tree of Life,” one of two American films in competition, but hardly a crowd-pleasing blockbuster.

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INTERVIEW SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

Desi tales from down under Australian author Ken Spillman finds an enthusiastic fan base among his young Indian readers.

SUNORY DUTT

feedback@postnoon.com ou’re counted among Australia’s most versatile and prolific authors with over 35 books spanning various genres to your credit. How and when did you begin writing for Indian readers, is there an Indian connection?

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India captured my imagination immediately when I first visited in 2006. When I returned home to Australia, I started reading a lot of Indian books and planning my next visit. In 2008 I was selected for an Asialink Fellowship, funded by the Australia-India Council, which enabled me to write for three months in Delhi. I had intended to write only one story, but I wrote several — I couldn't stop! After presenting sessions at the Mussoorie International Writers Festival, I returned to Delhi and wrote a book called Advaita The Writer, which is about a girl who goes to boarding school in Dehradun. In the story, Advaita meets Ruskin Bond at Mussoorie, and he gives her some important advice. That book was my first with Indian characters and settings, and was published by Tulika, a fine Chennai-based publisher.

Since late 2008, I have spent almost one fifth of my time in India.

Do I have an Indian connection?

Well, perhaps some Anglo Indian teachers during my primary school years planted a seed that has sprouted in later life.

What are the challenges of living in Australia and writing within an Indian context?

A writer must be immersed in the world of the story, so the challenge is no greater for a writer living in Perth, Hyderabad or Timbuktu. Rohinton Mistry lives in Canada but writes about Mumbai. Some authors write about other planets or past centuries, but we live on earth now. I visit India and carry it in my head wherever I go, all the more because I enjoy reading Indian authors best of all.

What is it about writing that appeals to you?

Freedom. I have never liked confinement, and in my imagination I have the freedom to do anything and go anywhere. I can create a world, a situation, a problem... And I can have the power to resolve the situation or issue. Imagination is a power we all have, and sometimes people under-

estimate the preciousness of it.

Without imagination, a movie would just be pictures and sound on a screen, and we wouldn’t feel excited or scared or sad. Books would be just words on a page. Because those words connect with our imaginations, we can experience feelings as we read. It's magic!

With the current generation so taken in by gadgets and gizmos, how can parents get them interested in reading?

Parents need only to provide an environment in which books are available and talked about. Books should be part of the natural habitat of a child,

some boundaries, some time in which children are freed into a more silent world where their imaginations can grow.

Why or how did you decide to write specifically for young readers?

I was always going to be a writer — I started as a poet and writer of short fiction. Then I made a living by writing nonfiction. But I always knew that fiction was my calling. Along the way I had kids, and I loved reading to them in a very animated way. It recreated the delight I'd felt reading books as a kid, so I used that feeling to create my own children's stories.

What was the response to your first book, Advaita The Writer?

The reviews and feedback have been sensational. Imagination triumphs over homesickness, a girl meets her hero Ruskin Bond, some humour...

What more could you want?!

What else have you written for Indian readers?

The Daydreamer Dev series... There are three books to date, published

by Puffin. Dev has wild adventures in his daydreams, and they are funny too. So far he has crossed the Sahara, climbed Mount Everest, traced the Amazon. I will soon be going to Mumbai to sign a deal for a pilot movie for Daydreamer Dev — animated!

What inspired your latest book, Radhika Takes the Plunge?

A writer must be immersed in the world of the story, so the challenge is no greater for a writer living in Perth, Hyderabad or Timbuktu.

I visit India and carry it in my head wherever I go, all the more because I enjoy reading Indian authors best of all.

Ken Spillman, Australian author just as computers and tablets are now part of the natural habitat for many children. TV, games and gadgets are all okay, but they are great consumers of time. Parents should be aware of that and provide

In Australia, there have always been many migrant kids. I wanted to write a story about a fairly recent arrival, and because I have met so many Indian kids, that was the easiest.

Radhika is such a hilarious kid, and exaggeration is her forte. So I gave her a big challenge in the book, and of course she triumphed! I'm very fond of the Radhika character, and I'm writing another book about her.

How are Indian readers different from Australian readers?

Hmmm. Kids all over the world love humour, adventure, stories that engage emotions. If there is a difference, it is that Australian kids are more sceptical, more worldly. That's not a good thing!

PICK YOUR

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Are you working on any news books for India?

Yes! I have a picture book forthcoming from Pratham books — it's about an auto rickshaw. I have another book about cricket, for Scholastic. I know my Indian fans are going to love that!

For more information on Spillman and his books, visit http://www.kenspillman.com

Across Stores

ities Twin C

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ART AND CULTURE SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

Chinese paintings in UK

Elizabeth I in a portrait

A collection of Chinese paintings, some more than 1,000 years old, including many classified as national treasures in China and so fragile that they have never before left Asia, is coming to the V&A in London for a major exhibition this autumn. It will include loans from the Forbidden City in Beijing as well as museums and private collections across the world.

The National Portrait Gallery has spent £329,000 on a postcard-sized painting about which it knows almost nothing, except that it is more than 400 years old, exquisitely painted, and outrageously flattering. Elizabeth I was in her late 50s and losing teeth and hair, when the image of a girlish roundfaced queen, dazzling in cloth of gold and diamonds, was created.

Heritage centre in Cairo?

Unesco has declined to comment on reports in the Egyptian press that it plans to set up a regional centre for world heritage in Cairo. According to the website Ahram Online, Unesco’s director general Irina Bokova discussed establishing such a centre in the Egyptian capital with Mohamed Ibrahim, the minister of state for antiquities, during a recent meeting.

REVISITING TAGORE SRINIVAS SETTY

was supported by Victoria, and was held in Paris.

Next venues were Russia, England and America.

Recognising his doodles as the nascent stage of his art, he said “The only training I had from my young days was the training in rhythm in thought, the rhythm in sound. I had come to know that rhythm gives reality to that which is desultory, which is insignificant in itself. And therefore, when the scratches in my manuscript cried, like sinners, for salvation, and assailed

Rabindranath Tagore’s The Last Harvest, a collection of paintings, is on display for a month at the Salarjung Museum.

The Last Harvest is a selection from his 2,000 paintings, that was first exhibited to mark his 150th birth anniversary.

KANCHAN AGARWAL kanchan.a@postnoon.com

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his was an international exhibition fully commissioned by the Government of India. The paintings have been picked from his works at Rabindra Bhavana and Kala Bhavana at Santiniketan, and the National Gallery of Modern Art. Well known as the composer of our national anthem Jana Gana Mana and national song Vande Mataram, Tagore has many appraised literary titles to his credit such as Gitanjali (an

His painting career started with doodles — it was natural to doodle, as he attempted to transfer into words, his profound thoughts.

anthology of songs), Choker Bali, Gora and Ghare-Baire. A reformist, he abandoned the formal system of education imparted at schools at an early age and embarked his own free-willed journey on it. Tagore was also a theatre enthusiast, and is said to have been naturally adept at these skills except painting. But being surrounded by painters, he was inspired to try his hand at this medium, too.

His career as a painter essentially started with doodles. A thinker, it was as part of the natural process to doodle, as he attempted to transfer into words,

his profound thoughts. It was in 1990 when he was nearing 40 that he sat with a sketchbook to consciously draw. He was using the eraser more than the pencil, he notes. Realising that he was not meant to be a painter, he withdrew. This is how the man who made about 2,000 paintings in his lifetime, began painting.

It was a lady called Victoria Ocampo who found value in his evolved doodles in 1923 which by now had more structure and grasp. After four years of involved doodling, he was now painting, and by 1930, was ready to exhibit. His first exhibition

Looking at a visual illusion Optical Art is a style of visual art that makes use of optical illusions.

These abstract works have better known pieces made in black and white.

I

n October of 1964, in an article describing this new style of art, Time Magazine coined the phrase Optical Art (or Op Art, as it's more commonly known). The term referenced the fact that Op Art comprised illusion, and often appears — to the human eye — to be moving or breathing due to its precise, mathematicallybased composition.

After (and because of) a major 1965 exhibition of Op Art entitled The Responsive Eye, the public became enraptured with the movement. As a result, one began to see Op Art showing up everywhere: in print and television advertising, as LP album art and as a fashion motif in clothing and interior decoration.

As an "official" movement,

Op Art has been given a lifespan of around three years.

Bridget Riley is one noteworthy artist who has moved from achromatic to chromatic pieces, but has steadfastly created Op Art from its beginning to the present day.

First and foremost, Op Art exists to fool the eye. Op compositions create a sort of visual tension, in the viewer's mind,

ART FOR DUMMIES

my eyes with the ugliness of their irrelevance, I often took more time in rescuing them into a merciful finality of rhythm than in carrying on what was my obvious task.” He also called this his “unconscious training in drawing”. Looked upon as an artist of modern art, he spoke of lines and colours: “Their ultimate purpose is not to illustrate or to copy some outer fact or inner vision, but to evolve a harmonious wholeness which finds its passage through our eyesight into imagination. It neither questions our mind for meaning nor burdens it with unmeaningness, for it is, above all, meaning.” that gives works the illusion of movement. For example, concentrate on Bridget Riley's Dominance Portfolio, Blue (1977) — for even a few seconds — and it begins to dance and wave in front of one's eyes.

Realistically, you know any Op Art piece is flat, static and twodimensional. Your eye, however, begins sending your brain the message that what it's seeing has begun to oscillate, flicker, throb and any other verb one can employ to mean: "Yikes! This painting is moving!".

As it is geometrically-based nature, Op Art is, almost without exception, non-representational.

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ENVIRONMENT SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

Plants ‘hearing’ helps growth Plants might be able to eavesdrop on their neighbours and use the sounds they "hear" to guide their own growth, according to a new study that suggests plants use acoustic signaling to communicate with one another. "We have shown that plants can recognise when a good neighbor is growing next to them," said study co-author Monica Gagliano, an evolutionary ecologist.

Clearing forests banned A ban on the clearing of tropical forests in Indonesia is on the verge of being extended in a historic deal that could protect some of the world’s most threatened habitats. For the past two years the government has imposed a moratorium on felling forests in an effort to halt the deforestation that has laid waste to much of the country’s virgin habitat.

The plight of the honeybee The European Union (EU) has announced that it will ban, for two years, the use of neonicotinoids, the muchmaligned pesticide group often fingered in honeybee declines. The US hasn’t followed suit, though this year a group of beekeepers and environmental and consumer groups sued the EPA for not doing enough to protect bees from the pesticide onslaught.

Rise in greenhouse gas level sparks calls for action The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has surpassed 400 parts per million for the first time in human history, US monitors said, sparking new calls for action to scale back greenhouse gases.

Kerry Sheridan

feedback@postnoon.com

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limate scientists say the threshold is largely symbolic and has been expected for some time, but warn that it serves as an important message that people need to reverse the damage caused to the environment by the heavy use of fossil fuels.

The Earth has not seen these levels of CO2 in three to five million years, long before humans existed, in a time when temperatures were several degrees Celsius warmer and the sea level was 20-40 meters (yards) higher than today, experts say.

“We are creating a prehistoric climate in which human societies will face huge and potentially catastrophic risks,” said Bob Ward, policy director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

“Only by urgently reducing global emissions will we be

able to bring carbon dioxide levels down and avoid the full consequences of turning back the climate clock.”

Data showing that the daily average CO2 over the Pacific Ocean was 400.03 ppm as of May 9 was posted online by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s monitoring center in Mauna Loa, Hawaii.

A separate monitor at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego, California concurred, with its measurements showing atmospheric carbon dioxide at 400.08 ppm.

Michael Mann, director of the Earth System Science Center at Penn State, said the main concern is the speed with which

The planet will soon be warm by more than two degrees Celsius, which is the temperature threshold that scientists are worried about. the concentrations of CO2 are rising.

“There is no precedent in Earth’s history for such an abrupt increase in greenhouse gas concentrations,” Mann, who has authored two books on climate change, told AFP. “It took nature

hundreds of millions of years to change CO2 concentrations through natural processes such as natural carbon burial and volcanic outgassing,” he said.

“What we are doing is unburying it. But not over 100 million years. We’re unburying it and burning it over a timescale of 100 years, a million times faster.”

Experts have long expected the 400 ppm threshold would be passed.

“In itself the value 400 ppm of CO2 has no particular significance for the physics of the climate system,” said Joanna Haigh, atmospheric physicist and head of the department of physics at Imperial College London. AFP “However, this does give us the chance to mark the ongoing increase in CO2 concentration and talk about

why it’s a problem for the climate.”

Haigh said that unless swift action is taken, “the planet will warm by more than two degrees Celsius, which is the temperature threshold that scientists are worried about.”

Pre-industrial measurements of CO2 were about 280 ppm. Greenhouse gases have risen steadily since records began in the 1950s, and are likely to soar by the end of the century, said the Grantham Institute’s director Brian Hoskins.

“We’ll certainly see them rise higher than they are now.

Given current human activity, levels of CO2 could be near 800 ppm by end of century,” he said.

“Unless as a society we devise ways to remove CO2 directly from atmosphere, such as through negative emissions technologies, we’re going to be stuck with a very slow decrease of CO2 from peak levels, and everybody will have to deal with the implications of global warming.”

14

FOOD SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

Lion meat tacos on offer

Champagne improves memory

Shopping whilst hungry

Even after a Florida eatery’s decision to serve lion meat sparked a storm of protest via social media, the restaurant that specialises in exotic foods put lion meat tacos on its menu this week.

Despite receiving death and bomb threats, the eatery has gone ahead with the offer at $35 per serving. The meat is legal in the US as lions are only considered a threatened species.

Compounds found in a glass of bubbly can stimulate signals in the parts of the brain that control memory and learning, a study has found.

Researchers at the University of Reading say our ability to remember routes or events are known to deplete with age, which could lead to poor memory in old age or even dementia.

Visiting the supermarket when your stomach is rumbling not only increases the amount you buy, but also leads consumers to increase the amount of high calorie food they purchase by a third. Even short term food deprivation increases overall grocery shopping and impacts the calorie content of the foods we purchase according to the latest study at Cornell University.

Ideal for an evening during the winter, The Park's outdoor bar Aqua manages to keep it cool even in this hot summer.

So, if you’re in the mood to chill with friends, Aqua definitely makes it to the top five in the list of hangouts.

Postnoon reviews.

nidhi.b@postnoon.com

S

EER

S

Where: Aqua, The Park

CH

T

ummer in this City can bum any of us out. Even going out for dinner feels like torture thanks to the stillness in the air around, let alone drinking outdoors. However, The Park's Aqua does a great job in beating the heat. Despite being an outdoor bar, drinking and eating by the pool side works at Aqua. The ambiance, decorated with timed, coloured lights makes it work. I was surprised to see the number of people — families, friends, colleagues alike — gathered at the bar to enjoy an otherwise mundane Friday night.

Unlike most bars in the City, Aqua doesn't boast any signature cocktail collection.

Instead, friendly waiters just surprise their customers with innovative concoctions. “We don't have a collection of signature cocktails as such, but we try and create new drinks for people who like

E

NIDHI BHUSHAN

to experiment. So many people fect blend of coconut, rum and who sit at the island bar ask pineapple with none of the the bartenders to surprise flavours overpowering the them with something differother, the Rob Roy is a treat for ent... and, at Aqua, we do just those who like a refreshing that,” says Reggie, who waited whiskey-based drink. “It is our our table throughout the classic Mojito which is the evening. Talking about experimost popular drink at Aqua. It menting, I was one of those is most in demand,” adds who asked Reggie to surprise Reggie. me. And, he did so with a glass Moving on to the of musk melon juice spiked ambiance, while Aqua has its with Bacardi white rum. Ideal negatives for being an outdoor for the summer, the fruity bar especially because it's cocktail was refreshing so hot, it scores with its and worth a repeat. live band perforThe best part about mances. Because, the cocktail was that really, who would it wasn't filled with worry about the heat spoons full of sugar when you have songs syrup that normally like Hotel California O IM (Eagles), Summer of 69 overpowers the taste of AG DT O O alcohol. The drink (Bryan Adams), Coming allowed the muskiness of the Back to Life (Pink Floyd), etc, melon to blend perfectly with to enjoy your drinks with? the Bacardi.

And, that too, being perFrom the regular cocktails, formed well! Probably, that's Pina Colada (a tropical mix of the secret to Aqua's lively pineapple juice, coconut cream atmosphere — its Friday live and rum) and Manhattan or performances.

Rob Roy (Bourbon or Scotch, The Mezze and the Nonsweet vermouth and bitters) veg Kebab Platters are mustare must-haves. While the Pina haves among the finger foods.

Colada at Aqua, unlike at So, if you want to forget most other places, is a perabout the heat, head to the very cool Aqua, you won’t regret it. I don’t!

Must-haves: Fruit-based cocktails

15

FOOD SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

SPICE IT UP

Kanchan Agarwal

visit after 6pm, be prepared to be surprised. There is a chance you may feel offended unless you are ready to give what it takes to savour good food—patience. Why I say this is that you will find many (and when I say many, I really mean it) patrons on bikes, a few in cars, eagerly waiting for their turn while fresh bhajjis are fried in a huge wok. After waiting for about 10 minutes, when he starts serving, the huge batch might be exhausted in less than a minute as you stand watching.

But when you finally get your turn, at the first bite, you instantly know it was all worth it. When the hot and crisp coating of fried batter, and the tangy, juicy, slightly spicy chilli melts in your mouth, you can’t help but notice that a lot of thought has gone into making it.

kanchan.a@postnoon.com

I Streetside view

n a busy commercial area such as Ameerpet, there is a spot just as busy to munch on a delicious snack called mirchi bhajji. The place popularly is referred to as Bhaiya Bhajji but the board outside the shop is so faded that you can barely make

Place: Bhaiya Bhajji Location: Behind Hanuman temple, Ameerpet Cost: `10 per plate anything of the peeling paint on it.

For `10, you get a couple of bhajjis with mint chutney, onions and what I like to call ‘the magic masala’ sprinkled all over. If you ever decide to

DINING AT THE FARM

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eF Th lik ey ou r

Where: The Farm

M ANIL KUMAR

an t uie

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nei Address: 715, Road 36, Jubilee Hills ,q Meal for two: More than `1,000 + taxes ghb y s Time: 9am to 11pm co make you feel less guilty. ourh , l l soon as you enter a ood cof The Farm, it What came next was my fee shop — sm

A

immediately transports you to a Mediterranean setting. You can’t help but spend a few moments studying the interiors. The wooden seats in the patio make visitors feel welcome immediately. The seating inside is quite comfortable as well. The walls are done in a refreshing shade of orange, and here and there, you spot a few quaint cupboards which only adds to the beauty.

The Farm is like your neighbourhood coffee shop— small, cosy, quiet and comfortable. For a true music lover, this can easily become a favourite haunt, because of their conscious choice of music including jazz, folk, dubstep and dub qawwali, even.

We ordered minestrone verdure, it’s a tomato-based soup with diced capsicum,

KANCHAN AGARWAL

kanchan.a@postnoon.com

M ANIL KUMAR

carrot, cabbage and beans garnished with parsley and cheese for `130. It is a nice

blend of flavours, and as satisfyingly rich as it is, the many vegetables in it might

favourite—mushrooms in ginger and chilli. It was a joy relishing those fresh mushrooms. The lebanese starter, referred as just that by the staff, was a delicious chicken starter spread on freshly made pita breads. The well known chinese chilli chicken was another of the dishes given to us.

I would have left with good memories of sipping on The Farm’s special lime mint mocktail, and swaying on the musical notes if the management had been just as pleasant. Restaurants usually go out of their way to be at their best with all customers. But for all the upmarket hype that can be associated with it, their service was just disappointing, leaving us with a bitter taste in spite of the delicious food. In conclusion, poor quality service, might be The Farm’s only demerit.

Noor Kitchen NOOR JAFRI

Missi Roti A quick roti for a lunch, pack-in picnics or travel.

Ingredients Quantity n Wheat /atta 1 cup n Roasted besan 1 cup n Soaked green gram dal 1/2 a cup n Red chilli flakes 2 tsp n Chopped green chillies 2 tsp n Chopped fine ginger 1 tsp n Jeera powder 1 tsp n Haldi 1/2 a tsp n Salt to taste n Oil or ghee as required Procedure n Roughly grind soaked moong dal, with little salt and haldi. n Add wheat flour and roasted besan flour with the dal paste. n Also add chopped green chillies, ginger and all the masala powders. n Mix everything into a soft dough and leave it for sometime. n Roll out into medium thick rotis. n Cook it on a hot tawa (pan), with medium flame applying oil or ghee from both the sides. n It should turn golden brown, keep pressing it with a frying spoon.

Chef’s note: n It's a protein-packed, delicious, low fat and low calorie dish.

Contact us @ Noor kitchen Mobile + 91 9441282318 Residence + 91 40 23356947 Like us @ https://www.facebook.com/Noorkitchen follow us @ https://twitter.com/NoorKitchen

18

HISTORY SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

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1 Si 998 na tra Th di e le es g of end a ar he y ar sin t a ge 1897 - Guglielmo Marconi made the first communication by wireless tta r, telegraph. ck ac in tor Lo an s d An sh ge ow le -b s, us at in th es e si ag co e n of Fr 82 an 2010 - Jessica Watson . k becomes the youngest person to sail, non-stop and unassisted around the world solo.

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May 15

May 15

May 15

1957 : Britain tests first hydrogen bomb on the Christmas Island area in the Pacific Ocean, the arms race between countries continues to escalate as each country tests bigger and more destructive nuclear devices

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1 an 929 d th e Sc The H ie F ol n i lyw ce rst oo s A ev d wa er Ro rd Ac os s w ad ev e em el re y t H ha A ot nd wa el ed rd . ou s o ta fM t a ot ba ion nq Pi ue ctu t h re el Ar d ts at

May 16

1975 - Japanese climber Junko Tabei became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

17

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2 in 00 th a 7 at te Tra tra st- in in run s fr s ha ag om ve ree N cr d ort os by h se b an d ot d th h So e go u D v th em er K ili nm ore ta e a riz nt c ed s. ros Zo Thi s th ne s is e sin th 38t ce e fi h P 19 rst ara 53 tim lle . e l

2012 - The Beau Sancy, one of the world's most famous and oldest diamonds, was sold at auction for $9.7 million.

19

SPOTLIGHT SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

TO A BEAUTIFUL FUTURE

Secunderabad Club's annual May Queen Ball, held yesterday, is an attempt to establish future beauty queens.

The colourful event saw hundreds of youngsters parade around in fancy clothes. Here are a few pictures.

1

S BALAKRISHNA

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Saluting motherhood

Tollywood actress Nisha Agarwal spent time with underprivileged children on the eve of Mother’s Day. The event was organised by Sakri Bai, who shelters more than 1,000 homeless children in the City.

9

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1 Shruthi, Rahul 2 Nandita, Babita 3 Shreshta, Avantika

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10

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4 Himanshi, Ashitosh 5 Ankita

7 Seema 8 Deepanjali

10 Poornima 11 Akshara

6 Nelofar

9 Swati

12 Aparna

20

CINEMA

A

SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

N

When money rules all...

ani, Catherine Tresa starrer Paisa is Krishna Vamsi’s biggest film in years and it’s said to be yet another hard-hitting film based on a contemporary issue. Explaining the idea behind the film, Krishna Vamsi said, “These days, money has become more important than relationships. We have reached a situation where the entire world is after money and things like human values, relationships which were quite important a decade ago are slowly losing their importance.

The concept of Paisa originated

from this change that I have observed in the society. It’s going to be a trendy film. When I wrote the script, I knew that Nani will do complete justice to the film. I’m glad that he immediately agreed.”

The principal shooting of the film has been completed and currently it’s in post-production stage.

Nani’s character in the film is named as Pra’Cash’, who’s obsessed with money. Sidhika Sharma and Charan Raj are playing important roles. Sai Karthik has scored the music and the audio will be launched on May 19.

SMART ACT

I have huge respect for rowdies :

RGV

R

GV is back and this time he’s treading familiar turf. His upcoming film Satya is about an intelligent guy who takes the path of crime.

Sharwnanad is playing the titular role and Anaika Soti is the lead actress. Amitriyaan Patil and Anjali Gupta are playing other important roles. The film’s trailer was recently launched in Hyderabad and the lead actors of the film graced the event, along with RGV. Talking about the film, RGV said, “Back in 1998, I made Satya based on what was happening in the underworld in Bombay. A lot has changed over the years and my new version of Satya is completely different. I believe that crime will never come to an end. No matter how hard you try to eradicate crime, there’ll be at least one person who’ll take this route. I’m more interested in the psychology of a criminal and what drives him to follow this route. Satya is the story of such person who’s extremely intelligent. For that matter, I have a lot of respect for rowdies. They have been an important part of my filmography and I draw inspiration from a lot of things they do.” Sharwanand revealed that he was delighted to team up with RGV and that it was his longtime dream.

Sumanth Kumar Reddy has produced the film. Vikas Saraf is the cinematographer. Nitin and Sanjeev Darshan have scored the music. The film will release in July.

F

ans of Nayanthara and Arya were in for a big shock when a ‘wedding invite’ announcing their marriage began doing rounds on the internet. For the past few months, rumours have been rife that Arya and Nayanthara were more than just friends despite vehement denials from both of them.

No wonder the wedding invite, which even mentioned the date and time, convinced a lot of people that the two are getting married for real. The invite went viral and at last producers of a Tamil film Raja Rani, in which Nayanthara and Arya are playing lead roles, confirmed that the wedding invite was part of the publicity campaign for the film. It’s a smart move indeed and the wedding invite managed to capture a lot of eyeballs, especially on the internet.

21

CINEMA SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

We are like friends: Sharman on father-in-law

A

ctor Sharman Joshi, son-in-law of veteran actor Prem Chopra, says they bond really well.

“I am very close to him. He is a wonderful person and a fine actor with such a rich body of work,” Sharman, who is married to Prem Chopra’s daughter Prerna, said.

“There is so much to learn from him. We have spent so much time together that now me and my father-in-law are like friends.

We bond well. We have a great rapport,” added the 34-year-old seen in films like Golmaal, 3 Idiots and Ferrari Ki Sawaari.

Prem Chopra, 77, is known for his roles as villain in Bobby, Do Anjaane, Purab Aur Paschim, Woh Kaun Thi and Daag.

Sharman says his father-in-law has achieved so much in his life that he is an inspiration for others.

“He has accomplished a lot. He is constantly working. He is one person who loves his work. He doesn’t need any encouragement,” said Sharman who also praises the senior actor’s “disciplined” life.

“I like the way he leads his life like exercise, routine and diet. He has a lifestyle to follow,” he added.

IANS

Star-power drives BO wins but won’t make typical films:

DIBAKAR T

hough star power and box-office success of a movie are interdependent, Dibakar Banerjee won’t make a typical film by just banking on big names and then manufacturing collection figures to draw the audience.

“Cinema has been a star-driven medium and it has been so since the beginning. There is nothing wrong in that as stars make a film profitable,” Dibakar said.

“Almost 70 per cent of the time people go to theatre to watch stars and the rest 30 per cent is what you play with, to make the experience more

rewarding and that’s the way it will be,” he said. Dibakar, however, prefers to cast new faces as they proPTI vide a balance.

Salman helped me when I was battling cancer:

PREM SONI F

ilmmaker Prem Soni, who has recovered from cancer of gallbladder, says his friend and Bollywood star Salman Khan stood by him during his trying times.

Prem Soni is the director of Preity Zinta’s debut production venture Ishk In Paris.

“Salman was very concerned when he got to know about my health issues. He got in touch with me and was very supportive when I was battling with cancer. Salman bhai is just a call away and his call makes a huge difference to me,” said Soni.

“He must be a huge star, but he is a far better human being. However, now I am healthy and fine and thanks for all the support,” he added.

After Soni was diagnosed with cancer, Ishkq In Paris, which was supposed to release in November 2012, was pushed to May 2013.

Soni has added a song with Salman in the film and says he considers him as his mentor.

“Salman is beyond work for me... I look up to him. He is my mentor and the song was written keeping him in mind right from the beginning,” said Soni.

Ishkq In Paris features Preity, Rhehan Malliek and Isabelle Adjani.

22

CINEMA SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

Arjun Kapoor promotes Aurangzeb

A

ctor Arjun Kapoor, who plays double role in Yash Raj's upcoming crime thriller Aurangzeb, will also promote the film in a double role.

The makers of the film have decided to opt for a unique way of promotion, and urged Arjun to promote the film through double role for a strong impact. The 27-year-old will now give interviews to news channels in a double role. He himself worked on the script and penned down questions and answers for the interviews.

A source close to the team revealed: “Taking the double role one notch higher... Arjun will be interviewing Arjun on news channels.”

The film is directed by Atul Sabharwal and also features Prithviraj, Rishi Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Sikandar Kher, Amrita Singh, Deepti Naval, Tanvi Azmi and Swara Bhaskar and launches Sasha Aagha. IANS

Rhehan Malliek feels fine in Ishkq in Paris

M

odel-turned-actor Rhehan Malliek, who is debuting on the big screen with Preity Zinta's maiden production venture Ishkq In Paris, says he is not marginalised in the film.

Directed by Prem Soni, Ishkq In Paris features Preity, Rhehan and Isabelle Adjani.

“I don't think I am sidelined in Ishkq In Paris. It is like Preity's comeback, so obviously all her fans are eagerly waiting to see her. She is a huge star and I am the lead actor in the film. For the first time people would watch the film for her, but they will watch it for the second time for me,” Rhehan said.

A successful model, who has been part of many music videos and TV show Sanjeevani, says he got his first break in Bollywood a little late.

“I know I got my break a little late, but better late than never.

Basically, I am not from Mumbai. I am from Delhi, so I have no filmy backup. I have struggled a lot and this film is worth the wait,” he said. IANS

My film journey N has been a great ride

ational-award winning actress Kangana Ranaut, who registered her first hit this year with Shootout at Wadala, says the ups and downs in her filmy career have all been worth it as she got to work with big names and bigger projects.

After tasting success with Gangster, Fashion, Once Upon A Time In Mumbai, Raaz-2, Tanu Weds Manu, the 26-year-old also went through her share of flops in Tezz, Miley na Miley Hum, Knock Out, No Problem and Rascals among others. But this year looks promising to her as she has an interesting range of movies lined up for release.

“I have been very lucky to have worked with some of the biggest names and been part of some interesting projects. My journey has been a roller-coaster ride but it has all been worth it,” Kangana told PTI in an interview. Ask her how she deals with success and failure, she says, “I don't let the two of them get to my head.”

In Shootout at Wadala, Kangana played the love interest of gangster Manya Surve, essayed by John Abraham.

“I am glad that the film has done well. And ironically, films where I have played a gangster's moll have been successes. But I don’t read too much into it. I’m an actor and at the end of the day delivering a good solid performance is my priority,” she said.

The actress is gearing up to play a nautch girl in her next film Rajjo, to be directed by newcomer Vishwas Patil. The film will trace the journey of a nautch girl who goes on to become a classical dancer.

“There was a lot of research that went into my role for Rajjo. I have visited 'kothas’ and met with women working there to understand their body language PTI and mindset,” she said.

CINEMA SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

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CINEMA SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

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CINEMA SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

GWYNETH PALTROW A

MEETS PSY

ctress Gwyneth Paltrow and her singer husband Chris Martin approached South Korean rapper PSY for a picture for their son.

Paltrow's son is a fan of Gangnam Style singer, so when she spotted him at the Costume Institute Gala in New York City, she asked him for a snap, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

“Our son is obsessed with him. So Martin sees him and says, 'Oh my God, there's PSY'. I thought it

was P-S-Y, so I was like, 'Who's PSY?' she said.

“So we went up and Martin was like, 'Hello, I'm from the band Coldplay'.

PSY didn't seem to know who he was, but then he put it together and he was really happy to meet. We said, 'We're so sorry to bother you but can we have a picture for our children?' And we sent it to the kids, like, 'Yeah, check it!'”, she added.

Paltrow and Martin have two children — Apple, eight, and Moses, seven.

IANS

Our son is obsessed with him. So Martin sees him and says, 'Oh my God, there's PSY'. I thought it was PS-Y, so I was like, 'Who's PSY?' Gwyneth Paltrow, Actress

Demi Moore seeks to reach out to daughters

A

ctress Demi Moore seems to have reconciled with daughter Rumer Willis. The two were seen partying together.

“Moore and Willis have been working on repairing their relationship," radaronline.com quoted a source as saying.

“But the problem is that Moore wants to go out and party with her (Willis) again, and that is where all the problems started before," the source added.

Moore has three daughters — Rumer, 24, Scout, 21, and Tallulah Willis, 19, with her second husband actor Bruce Willis.

Her relationship with her daughters had gone downhill after she split from her third husband Ashton Kutcher in November 2011.

"Moore's girls are really apprehensive about letting their mother back into their lives.

They want her to be totally over (husband) Kutcher and healthy," the source added. IANS

A

dam Levine's smug mug may be enough to send rabid fans into a tizzy. But according to the Voice coach himself, he didn't always give good face.

The 34-year-old rocker recently signed on as a spokesman for Proactiv+, and in this exclusive clip, Levine recalls how he was once riddled with insecurity over his acne-prone days.

"When I was in high school and had acne, I spent a lot of time sulking in my room and being upset," he says.

"I was depressed, I was not happy," he adds.

Through his Proactiv+ spokesman gig, Levine says he wants "people to understand that even though we are celebrities or are successful or whatever, that we're no different than everybody else.

Everybody's insecure to a certain extent."

Adam Levine talks feeling "insecure" over acne-prone skin

26

CHAI TIME SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

SUNDAY CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Gave medicine to 6 Duelers’ pride 11 Consomme 16 Fountain in Rome 21 Banquet host 22 Vietnam capital 23 Get more out of 24 Sank, as a putt 25 Puts in the post 26 Walking — — 27 Pentium producer 28 Minneapolis exurb 29 Channels 14 and up 30 Construction piece (hyph.)

32 More judicious 34 Least 36 Marsh bird 38 Improve the highway 40 Sounded like a crow 42 Nuisances 43 Fridge maker 45 Holds down a job 47 Vote to accept 49 “Whole” thing 52 Sensational 53 Glistening 54 Big wheel 57 Golfer — Ochoa 58 More than uptight 59 Relieve 60 Baylor’s home 61 Where Asia begins 62 Mead subject 63 Coil of yarn 64 Moon rings 65 Rural rtes.

66 Cooks dinner (2 wds.)

68 “M*A*S*H” setting 69 Old movies, maybe 70 Baby chick sound 72 Equinox mo.

73 Silver bar 74 From Mandalay 75 Aspirin targets 77 Adjust the tires 78 Krishna devotee 79 Broke to bits 82 Join 83 Cross the creek 84 “Lettuce pray” and more 88 Audiences 89 One-celled plants 90 Singer — Brewer 92 Starfish arm 93 More boorish 94 Enjoyed a banquet 95 Made like sheep 96 Eva or Zsa Zsa 98 Camelot lady 99 It repels moths 100 Happy rumbles 101 Cold cut 102 Insect killer 103 Becker or Pasternak 104 Daddy’s mate 105 Funnel-shaped flower 106 Feel nostalgic 107 Phi Beta — 108 Family tree, to some 109 Pals 111 Webfoot 113 Imitation chocolate 115 Faction 119 Public esteem

121 Untrue (2 wds.)

123 Hall or Hannah 125 Murmur 126 Maintains possession 127 Kiddie ride 129 Spread sand or salt 131 Coffee shop lure 133 Murphy of “Beverly Hills Cop” 134 Cantata performers 135 S-shaped moldings 136 Meted out 137 Bottle- — dolphin 138 Whets 139 Shake awake 140 Nail groomer DOWN 1 Express doubts 2 Insurance center 3 Asimov genre (hyph.)

4 Sushi fish 5 Hubby of Lucy 6 Blacksmith’s job 7 Celine’s country 8 “Me, — — I call myself” 9 Vive le —!

10 Business salutation 11 Robber in the forest 12 Extends the lease

13 Unconventional, plus 14 Mao — -tung 15 Mr. Sulu’s place 16 It could be a group effort 17 Hamster or mouse 18 Beethoven dedicatee 19 Air ducts 20 Ms. Lupino 31 Safari boss 33 Pungent 35 Deep black 37 Brand name 39 Nerve cell 41 Shaggy flower 44 Vicar’s residence 46 Part of WATS 48 Zoologist Fossey 49 Drink noisily 50 Vast multitude 51 Backspace on a PC 52 Boundary 53 Frozen rain 54 Hold dear 55 Click-on items 56 Search party 58 Yellow jackets 59 City near Canton 60 Stretch, perhaps (2 wds.)

62 Knight’s mount

63 Not crisp 64 Cowboy’s charge 67 Hibachi residue 68 Tarzan’s weapon 69 Viking letters 71 Pulled ahead 73 Homer opus 74 Stuck around 76 The ex-Mrs. Bono 77 Rile up 78 Cottontails 79 Destroy a document 80 Stack 81 Check for fraud 82 Forearm bones 83 Exhausted 85 Built-up 86 Supermodel — Campbell 87 Damascus’ land 89 Facilitating 90 Runway surface 91 Banded quartz 94 Earl — Biggers 95 Nudge 97 Grads 99 Seashore 100 Vatican figures 101 Save (2 wds.)

103 Perplexed 104 Learns well

105 Most inferior 106 BMW driver, maybe 107 “Lend me your comb” guy 108 Vestiges 109 Tenet 110 Pays attention 112 Stew ingredient 114 It’s often bid 116 Mademoiselle’s school

117 Promising rookie 118 Curry favor 120 One way to sketch 122 Skunk’s defense 124 Do dock work 126 Purview 128 Pi successor 130 Freud topic 132 — -com movie PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

27

CHAI TIME SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

STAR POWER Date 13-5-2013

As per Hindu panchang

THIRUVAIKUMAR

thiruvaikumar@yahoo. co. in 040-27177230 / 9949870449

TAURUS

GEMINI

Financial helps expected from various sources will come by. Unexpected turning point likely with which will make you cheerful. Be careful with new friends and keep them at a distance.

Businessmen will take stringent action against erring staff. Couple will be more affectionate towards each other.

Delayed marriage talks will resume and end favourably.

Children will make you happy and proud. Minor misunderstanding likely within the family members but will soon get resolved. Spouse will be cooperative and more affectionate.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Brokers and commission agents might face a decline in their income. Your stock is set to pile up. You will receive good support from parents in all the good efforts undertaken.

Be careful in food habits as health problem is likely. Employees will work with a focus and complete the works for the fullest satisfaction of the management and the superior.

Held up marriage talks to resume and progress well. Some are likely to undertake pilgrimage or jolly trip with family members. Separated couple may be reconciled.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

Recently married will be happy, to hear the news of arrival of the offspring. You will complete the works with a determination without giving up, though you face hurdles and obstructions.

Govt. works will get delayed beyond expectation which might make you upset. You will be participating in the grand celebrations performed at your VIP friend’s place.

All the worries and tensions existed will reduce gradually and long pending wishes will get fulfilled. Employees need to focus well in discharging their duties so as to earn recognition

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

You will undertake challenging tasks and complete them successfully.

Happy events are likely to take place at home. Influx of visitors and close relatives will bring cheer to family.

Written off dues will be received which will make you cheerful. A major portion of the debts will get cleared which were haunting you all these days and hence you will feel relaxed.

You will feel happy to see children’s achievements. Ego clashes and misunderstanding between couple will disappear. Debt issues will be under control.

SUMAA TEKUR

tarotreadhyd@gmail. com

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

The Sun – Time to ruminate on your life’s journey and reflect on all the things that could have been. Don’t use this reflection as a time to regret.

The Empress – The person who falls will also stand again.

Don’t feel depressed if things are not going your way.

Keep a positive attitude.

Ten of Swords – You may be asked to counsel someone about taking some important decisions.

Don’t get too personal while doing this.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Three of Pentacles – Continuity is very important in all the work that you do.

You need to stay stable and focused on your work. Don’t get bored of the routine.

Eight of Cups – You seek validity of someone/something before you can trust. Do your homework; ask people before you give in to something.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

Ten of Pentacles – Your actions are going to attract some reactions from coworkers and family members. Keep an explanation how this will work.

Eight of Wands – Some form of guilt is eating you up. You have done something with the intention to harm someone and you’re can’t bear the the guilt.

King of Swords – Be a team player. You learn to be part of the larger group and realize that all people can’t think the same way as you do.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Ace of Wands – You will be receiving some important news — good or bad depends on how you are going to use that information. Don’t trust someone new.

Six of Wands – The frequency with which you are meeting someone or doing something new is giving people mixed ideas about your intentions.

Eight of Swords – You are fighting some withdrawal symptoms even as you’re trying to beat an addiction. Keep strong and let your will power take over.

Two of Wands – Take stock of your financial situation and do what’s best for you. No point trying new things when you don’t have the energy.

NON SEQUITUR PEARLS BEFORE SWINE POOCH CAFE

STRIP TEASE

AGNES

ARIES

TAROT READ Date 13-5-2013

Funny church bulletins What follows are ACTUAL announcements from ACTUAL church bulletins: 1. Don't let worry kill you — let the church help.

2. Thursday night -Potluck supper. Prayer and medication to follow.

3. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.

4. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

5. The rosebud on the alter this morning is to announce the birth of David Alan Belzer, the

sin of Rev. and Mrs. Julius Belzer.

6. This afternoon there will be a meeting in the South and North ends of the church.

Children will be baptized at both ends.

7. Tuesday at 4:00 PM there will be an ice cream social. All ladies giving milk will please come early.

8 Today the pastor will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing "Break Forth into Joy".

9 On a New York convalescent home: "For the sick and tired of the Episcopal Church."

Vol: 2, No 296 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad – 500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon. com and for subscription, please call 040-4067 2222, Fax: 040-4067 2211

INDIASCOPE

28

SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

DEFYING ALL ODDS Sadda Haq, a Punjabi film set during the political turmoil in the state in the 1980s and early ‘90s, finally released a few days ago after a long battle between the makers of the film and the various religious and political groups that demanded a ban on the film.

HEMANTH KUMAR

hemanth.k@postnoon.com

T

here’s an uncanny similarity between how Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam and how Kuljinder Singh Sidhu’s Sadda Haq were treated by the state governments of Tamil Nadu and Punjab respectively, just before their release. While Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha imposed an interim ban on Vishwaroopam citing law and order problem, a similar stance was taken by Punjab’s CM Parkash Singh Badal in April this year just before Sadda Haq was slated for release.

“It is our priority to maintain peace and communal harmony in the state... we don’t want that the movie to vitiate the communal atmosphere of the state,” Prakash Singh Badal said while trying to justify the ban imposed on Sadda Haq. It’s probably the first Punjabi film in recent years where the makers had to fight against overwhelming pressure from various political and religious groups in Punjab that were demanding a permanent ban on the film.

So what exactly was the reason behind the long battle between Kuljinder Singh Sidhu, the writer, producer and lead actor in Sadda Haq and the others? The film is based on real incidents, which occurred in the 1980s and early 1990s, and narrates a story behind what prompted young men in the state to rise up and fight against a corrupt police and government system. The censor board refused to give a certificate initially and finally it was cleared by Film

Certification Appellate Tribunal earlier this year.

Meanwhile, several political parties including BJP, Punjab Mahila Congress, Shiv Sena and few other religious groups claimed that the film glorified the Khalistan movement. Even the police officers who saw the film prior to its release were highly critical of how the police officials were depicted in the film.

Sadda Haq, as per reports, is inspired from the lives of Khalistan movement supporters Jagtar Singh Hawara and Balwant Singh Rajoana, who were accused of assassinating erstwhile Chief Minister Beant Singh in 1995, apart from throwing light on how several civilians were branded as terrorists by the police officials during their fight against insurgency.

The film has already been termed as a huge hit at the box-office in foreign countries like Canada and the UK, where the film released a few weeks ago and it opened to packed houses in Chandigarh and other cities upon its release on May 10. Not surprisingly, the role of censor board has once again come under the scanner with several filmmakers and actors from Punjabi film industry questioning how the government can ban a film after it has been passed by the censor board. What’s even more surprising is the fact the film was initially given an ‘U’ certificate and after the Supreme Court allowed the film to release, the censor board gave it an ‘A’ certificate. The intervention of political parties is another cause of concern

THE FILM HAS ALREADY BEEN TERMED AS A HUGE HIT IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES LIKE CANADA AND THE UK and quite rightly so. As in the case of Vishwaroopam, this turned out to be a battle between freedom of speech and hurting people’s sentiments.

Indian cinema has just celebrated its 100th anniversary and yet we shy away from making hard-hitting films and every time people make a hue and cry about the negative impact a film is going to have on people at large, it brings us back to

square one.

It’s high time we ask ourselves, where does one draw a line? We are becoming an extremely intolerant society day by day. We find it extremely hard to take a joke, a satire is a big no-no and questioning the injustice done in the past is nothing short of blasphemy. If cinema indeed has the power to incite communal violence, then it also has the power to bring about drastic changes in the way we think. The latter doesn’t happen in most of the cases which brings us to the point — do people take movies so seriously that it’ll alter the way they view the world around them? The fact that nothing about our society has changed, except tilting on the negative side, proves the real impact films have on us. Sadda Haq is, after all, just a film which defied all odds in its journey and emerged triumphant.

CHARULATA (1964)

B

ased on Nastanirh, a story written by Rabindranath Tagore, Charulata is about a lonely housewife who finds herself drawn towards her brother-in-law. Directed by Satyajit Ray, the film, starring Soumitra Chatterjee, Madhabi Mukherjee and Sailen Mukherjee, is one of his most acclaimed works of Ray’s. In 1965, the film was screened at Berlin Film Festival and Ray won the Silver Bear award for Best Director and the Indian government also conferred it with the Best Film Award.

Every morning I wake up wanting to make a film. But I don’t think I will.

Writing has been passion, though, and I continue doing it.

Mrinal Sen, director DID YOU KNOW ?

Girish Kasaravalli’s first feature film in Kannada, Ghatashradha which released in 1977, was one of the 100 films and the only Indian film to be chosen at the Film Archive of Paris in 2002, as a part of Cinema’s 100th anniversary.

In 2003, Vidya Balan was all set to play the lead role opposite Srikanth in a Tamil film titled Manasellam.

Santosh was directing the film and after a few days, she was dropped from the film since the director was not happy with her performance.

Eventually, the role went to Trisha. A decade later, the tables have turned and how!

29

SPORTS SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

Anand to meet Nakamura

Tomic pulls out of Rome

F

resh from a brilliant victory against Veselin Topalov, world champion Viswanathan will next take on Hikaru Nakamura of United States in the fourth round of Norway chess 2013 Super Tournament. The three rounds for Anand have been contrasting so far. It was s sedate start with an easy draw as white against Levon Aronian and then a kind of moral victory when Anand gave away nothing to his world championship challenger Magnus Carlsen and drew again.

Clouds over AmCup future

A

A

ustralia’s Bernard Tomic has pulled out of next week’s Rome Masters as his father fights an assault charge in a Spanish court. Tomic, the world number 53, was missing from Saturday’s draw for the crucial French Open warm-up which starts on Monday in the Italian capital. On Tuesday, John Tomic is due to appear again at a Madrid court facing charges of assaulting his son’s practice partner in the Spanish capital last week.

merica’s Cup officials pressed on Saturday with their probe of the capsizing of a catamaran that killed Andrew Simpson, seeking answers to keep world sailing’s most prestigous event afloat. Artemis Racing member Simpson died when the Swedish team’s AC72 overturned while training on San Francisco Bay on Thursday. The accident plunged the Cup into uncertainty, fueling concerns over the safety of the 72-foot catamarans.

Alonso forecasts win

BARCELONA: Fernando Alonso gave

his stricken Ferrari technical director Pat Fry a good news bulletin on Saturday when he forecast he could still win his home Spanish Grand Prix despite starting from fifth on the grid.

The 31-year-old Spaniard said he was not surprised to miss out on pole or the front row after seeing Mercedes dominate qualifying, but added that he believed he could be much stronger in race trim.

That opinion was sure to encourage technical boss Fry who was rushed to hospital on Saturday for an appendix operation after falling ill and complaining of pains.

Fry was at first thought to be suffering from kidney stones. He was expected to undergo surgery later on Saturday and to be unavailable to work again this weekend.

Despite being quick in practice, Alonso was only able to qualify in fifth after which he said: “I think today was not a surprise for anyone in the team.

“We were three or fourth tenths off pole position in the last two or three Grands Prix, and here some people brought new parts so we are half a second off... We need to recover this halfsecond.

“Our car on one-lap pace is not as quick as the others, but on the longrun pace it’s as quick as the others, or even better. That is our strong point and we need to take every opportunity

Grizzlies defeat Thunder MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE: Marc Gasol scored 20 points and Memphis made all six of its free-throw attempts in the final 63 seconds to beat Oklahoma City 87-81 in game three of their NBA playoff second round series. Gasol scored 16 of his points in the second half on Saturday for the Grizzlies, who retained home court advantage by taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference series.

Gasol attempted just four shots in the first half and finished six-of-14 from the field in front of a crowd of 18,119. The Spaniard, who was named the NBA’s defensive player of the year last month, drained eight of his nine free-throw attempts and pulled down AFP nine rebounds.

Ferrari’s Spanish driver Fernando Alonso sits in the pits during the first practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona on Saturday ahead of the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix.

AFP/TOM GANDOLFINI that comes tomorrow. We need to be optimistic and try to be on the podium, or even something better.

“We have the car to do a good race.”

Warned that it is almost unknown for a car that does not start on the front row to win, he said: “It is time to change that record.

“Every race is unique, but if you look at races in this championship, we

see that Mercedes is struggling a lot in the races.

“So, Kimi and Sebastian may be more of a target for the race itself than the Mercedes guys, and also in the championship Sebastian is first and Kimi is second. It would be nice to finish the race in front of them. And I think if you finish in front of them, you will be very close to victory here.”

AFP

Rosberg cautious despite pole BARCELONA: Nico Rosberg secured his third career pole position as Mercedes completed a hat-trick of qualifying successes and then warned that he is worried his tyres will let him down in Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix.

The 27-year-old German led the way as his team locked out the front row of Saturday’s grid but he was immediately concerned afterwards that he does not endure a repeat of his problems at last month’s Bahrain Grand Prix where he limped home ninth.

“I had a really good lap at the end and it is great motivation for the team but we have to be cautious because of what happened in Bahrain,” he warned.

“Everybody’s been working hard back in the factory. We will face different issues with the tyres than we did in Bahrain, but it will still be a big challenge with the tyres tomorrow.”

Rosberg clocked a dazzling best lap time of one minute and 20.718 seconds to outpace his nearest rival and Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton by two-tenths of a second. After poles secured by Hamilton in China and Rosberg in Bahrain, this was a magnificent treble top for the resurgent Mercedes outfit as they outclassed their rivals at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Defending triple world champion Sebastian Vettel gave his best for Red Bull to qualify third ahead of Kimi Raikkonen for Lotus as well as local hero and two-time AFP champion Fernando Alonso.

Hibbert powers Pacers past Knicks INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA: Roy Hibbert finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds and George Hill hit five three pointers as the Indiana Pacers beat the New York Knicks 82-71 in game three of their second round NBA playoff series.

“The pre-game mantra I had was, ‘tonight’s my night, tonight’s my night’,” Hibbert said.

“Luckily my hooks (shots) were falling. I was around the basket, tipping balls and creating extra possessions.” Paul George finished with 14 points, eight assists and five steals, while David West had 11 points and 12 boards for Indiana, which rebounded from a 105-79 loss in game two.

Hill also had 17 points for the Pacers, which went 10-of-33 from beyond the arc in front of a crowd of 18,165 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse arena Saturday.

The Indiana Pacers now head into game four late Tuesday with a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Roy Hibbert #55 of the Indiana Pacers goes to the basket during the Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks durAFP/NBAE/RON HOSKINS ing the 2013 NBA Playoffs on Saturday.

Carmelo Anthony finished with 21 points for the Knicks, which got Amare Stoudemire back in the lineup after he missed two months because of

right knee surgery. Stoudemire scored seven points in nine minutes of playing time.

Knicks J.R. Smith, who is suffering from an illness and

almost didn’t play Saturday, had nine points.

“We know if we take the three (pointer) away from this team they are going to struggle to score,” Indiana coach Frank Vogel said. “We were able to guard the paint and the threepoint line and that is the goal with this team.”

Indiana’s biggest problem in game two was turnovers when they committed 21. But they cut that to 17 on Saturday.

Vogel said he was pleased with the job Hibbert did, not only on offense but also on defense in helping to shut down Anthony, who is battling a shoulder problem.

“This is his best playoff game ever,” Vogel said of Hibbert. “He is oozing with confidence. Everybody wanted to kick him when he was down early this season when he wasn’t playing with confidence. Now he is playing extremely well on AFP both ends of the court.”

30

SPORTS SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

Top 3 look for Rome boost Djokovic, Federer and Murray all have work to do before the start of the French Open, with the Rome Masters being the last tournament chance to tune their clay game into top form.

ROME: The leading trio of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray all have work to do before the start of the French Open in a fortnight, with the Rome Masters the last tournament chance to whip their clay games into top condition.

Of the three leading seeds at the event, which begins on Sunday at the picturesque Foro Italico, only number three Murray lasted until the quarterfinals in Madrid last week.

Defending champion Federer was ambushed in the third round by Japan’s Kei Nishikori while Djokovic, the world’s top player, exited a round earlier at the

hands of Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov. Federer’s strategy of taking seven weeks off to rest some physical niggles and train backfired as he went down to Nishikori in his second match back.

As a result, the Swiss remains the only player in the current top 10 not to have played a final this season.

He and Tomas Berdych, who put out Murray in Madrid, are the lone members of the elite without titles in 2013.

“I’m going to make sure I’m going to be as well prepared as I can be for Rome,” said 17-time Grand Slam winner Federer before leaving Madrid.

Lingmerth leads at suspended Players David Lingmerth of Sweden plays his second shot on the 11th hole during round three of THE PLAYERS Championship at THE PLAYERS Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass on Saturday in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

AFP/ANDY LYONS

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA: Sweden’s David Lingmerth drained a a birdie putt at 17 to seize a two-stroke lead at the Players Championship, where darkness halted Saturday’s weather-hit third round. The US PGA Tour rookie was two strokes in front of 14-time major champion Tiger Woods, Spain’s Sergio Garcia and fellow Swede Henrik Stenson when play was suspended. The horn had sounded

to signal the end of play, but Lingmerth had the option of completing the hole he was on.

In the waning light he had hit his tee shot at the par-three 17th, featuring TPC Sawgrass’ famous island green, to nine feet. He calmly rolled it in to get to four-under for the day, 12under for the tournament.

“I was rolling it pretty good here towards the end on the back nine,” Lingmerth said. AFP

OF THE THREE LEADING SEEDS AT THE EVENT WHICH BEGINS ON SUNDAY, ONLY MURRAY LASTED UNTIL THE QUARTER-FINALS IN MADRID LAST WEEK. “Clearly I have no choice but to hit the practice courts.”

Federer has never lifted the trophy in Rome, where Rafael Nadal (six titles) and Djokovic (two) have hogged the honours for the last eight editions.

Djokovic confessed to ankle pain from his injury suffered last month in the Davis Cup. Though he won Monte Carlo at the expense of Nadal, and then did not play for a fortnight, the Serb said that his fitness still needs work. “The only positive thing is that I didn’t injure my ankle worse before Rome and Paris,” he said.

Djokovic hopes to remedy his lack of Madrid preparation by the time he begins in the second round in Italy.

He can also look for more respect from sympathetic Italian fans than he got in Madrid, where he was jeered relentlessly

by the Spaniards.

Murray may send an SOS to coach Ivan Lendl in the US for some extra clay tutoring after his Madrid loss, with the Scot heading to Rome in hopes of surpassing his 2011 semi-final, which he lost to Djokovic.

Murray expects no particular extra trouble from the back problems which traditionally arise for him on clay.

“I’m a bit sore at the beginning of the matches, and then once I warm up, I start to feel a little bit better.”

David Ferrer takes the fourth seeding ahead of Nadal while Berdych is sixth.

Rafa described reaching the final as a “dream” after he stormed into his seventh consecutive final since returning from his injury layoff.

Nadal to face Wawrinka in final

Kieran CANNING

MADRID: Rafael Nadal described reaching the final of the Madrid Masters as a “dream” after he stormed into his seventh consecutive final since returning from a seven-month injury layoff with 6-0, 6-4 win over compatriot Pablo Andujar. The Spaniard will play Stanislas Wawrinka in the final on Sunday after the Swiss beat sixth seed Tomas Berdych 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in Saturday’s other semi-final.

“To be able to return to a final here at home, in Madrid is a dream,” he said. “I am very happy and thankful for what I have been able to complete during this season. To be in the final of this Masters gives me a special excitement, now all that is left to do is wait for the final tomorrow.” World number 113 Andujar was blown away in the opening set, winning just nine points, as Nadal broke three times to take it 6-0 and the 11time Grand Slam champion said

he was happy with the aggression he showed early on.

“I played very aggressively in the first set. In the second Pablo began to play at a better level and more aggressively.

“I want to congratulate him for his tournament, because this will serve him well for the future.” Andujar had progressed to his first ever Masters series semi-final and he believes Nadal is in even better than in their only previous meeting at the French

Open in 2011 when the seventime champion at Roland Garros progressed in straight sets.

“I think that Rafa played better. He committed very few unforced errors. In the first set he was very aggressive, and I was a little bit nervous,” he said.

“But I remember that match where in the first set I was also nervous and Rafa committed a few more errors. I was able to step in a little bit AFP more in the court.

IPL 6

METRE

6 S 501

At the moment, the competition is pretty open. We still have a fair chance of reaching the play-offs. For me what matters is the remaining three games and we face RCB on Sunday.

Gautam Gambhir KKR skipper

Michael Hussey (CSK) 574 runs

Dwayne Bravo (CSK) 21 wickets

Moody heaps praises on Parthiv Patel

S

unrisers Hyderabad coach Tom Moody has heaped praise on opener Parthiv Patel for playing a “mature innings”, which laid the foundation for their 30-run win over Kings XI Punjab and improved their chances of reaching the IPL semi-final.

“Today [Saturday] was Parthiv’s turn to put his hand up and hats off to him because it was a very very mature innings, a responsible innings and enabled us to get the total that we got,” Moody said.

At one stage, we were staring down the barrel about 100-110,” The coach Tom Moody told reporters during the post-match press conference last night.

Patel’s 47-ball 61 guided Hyderabad to 150 for seven. In response, Punjab could manage only 120/9 on their home turf and were left with only a mathematical chance of reaching the playPTI offs.

P

31

BATTLE OF THE TITANS

W

L

T PT

CSK

13 10

3

0

20 +0.687

NR

MI

13

9

4

0

18 +0.648

RR

13

9

4

0

18 +0.445

RCB 13

8

5

0

16 +0.540

SRH

13

8

5

0

16 -0.092

KXIP 13

5

8

0

10 -0.018

KKR

13

5

8

0

10 -0.071

DD

13

3

10 0

6 -0.737

PWI

14

2

12 0

4 -1.314

P-played; W-win; L-lost; T-tie; NR-net run rate; PT-points

Chris Gayle (RCB)

40 4S 1608

Michael Hussey (CSK)

61

HIGHEST SCORE

SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

175*

Chris Gayle (RCB)

BEST BOWLER

5-20

James Faulkner (RR)

Royal challenge for KKR G APARNA SAI

aparna.s@postnoon.com

R

oyal Challengers Bangalore still require a few more victories to cement their spot among the top four teams in their bid to make it to the playoffs.

The Challengers are currently tied at 16 points with the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Though they are placed above the Hyderabad side, because of a better net runrate, yet a defeat could alter their positions on the points table.

RCB are set to clash with Kolkata Knight Riders today in Ranchi.

Although struggling at the seventh position on the points table and with only a glimmer of hope remaining, the Knights are still positive in their approach and believe that they can still make it to the next stage.

They are not intimidated by the formidable Bangalore team

and instead believe that they have the arsenal in the team to fire the side to victory today.

KKR are undoubtedly a good team on paper but the defending champions have failed to replicate last season’s performance, this year.

But this does not give the Challengers the change to be complacent, since, on a good day at office, KKR can still be

RCB VS KKR AT 4PM ON SET MAX threatening.

Skipper Gautam Gambhir would hope to put up a good show today while the others including Yusuf Pathan and Jacques Kallis will have to chip in too.

Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bangalore will hope that Chris Gayle would get back to playing in the fashion that he is famous for while skipper Virat Kohli, who missed out on his ton by a whisker in the last match, would look to replicate his performance and take his team forward.

SCORECARD PUNE WARRIORS VS MUMBAI INDIANS Pune Warriors innings (20 overs maximum) RV Uthappa† lbw b Malinga 11 AJ Finch* c Smith b Johnson 10 MK Pandey c Rayudu b Malinga 29 Yuvraj lbw b Harbhajan Singh 33 AD Mathews run out (Tendulkar) 0 Nayar c Harbhajan Singh b Ahmed 11 Richardson c Harbhajan b Johnson 8 Parvez Rasool not out 4 B Kumar c Smith b Ahmed 2 Extras (b 1, lb 2, nb 1) 4 Total (8 wickets; 20 overs) 112 Bowling O M R W Econ MG Johnson 4 0 8 2 2.00 AN Ahmed 4 0 27 2 6.75 SL Malinga 4 0 27 2 6.75 PP Ojha 3 0 28 0 9.33 Harbhajan 4 0 14 1 3.50 GJ Maxwell 1 0 5 0 5.00 Mumbai Indians innings (target: 113 runs from 20 overs) DR Smith b Dinda 0 SR Tendulkar c Pandey b Mendis 15 KD Karthik†c Pandey b Yuvraj 17 RG Sharma* c Dinda b Richardson 37 AT Rayudu c Mathews b Dinda 26 GJ Maxwell not out 13 Harbhajan not out 4 Extras (w 4) 4 Total (5 wickets; 18.5 overs) 116 Bowling O M R W Econ AB Dinda 4 0 35 2 8.75 B Kumar 2 0 12 0 6.00 KW Richardson3.5 0 28 1 7.30 BAW Mendis 4 0 15 1 3.75 Yuvraj Singh 4 0 21 1 5.25 Parvez Rasool 1 0 5 0 5.00

KINGS XI PUNJAB VS SUNRISERS HYDERABAD Sunrisers Hyderabad innings (20 overs maximum) PA Patel† run out (Sathish/Harmeet)61 S Dhawan c & b Harmeet Singh 15 GH Viharic Miller b Sandeep Sharma 5 CL White* lbw b Sandeep Sharma 10 BB Samantray b Sandeep Sharma 0 DJG Sammy lbw b Chawla 0 KV Sharma c †Gilchrist b Awana 22 NLTC Perera not out 32 DW Steyn not out 1 Extras (b 2, lb 1, w 1) 4 Total (7 wickets; 20 overs) 150 Total (7 wickets; 20 overs) 194 Bowling O M R W Econ P Kumar 4 0 32 0 8.00 P Awana 4 0 35 1 8.75 Harmeet Singh 4 0 39 1 9.75 Sandeep Sharma (1) 4 0 21 3 5.25 PP Chawla 4 0 20 1 5.00 Kings XI Punjab innings (target: 151 runs from 20 overs) AC Gilchrist*† b Sammy 26 Mandeep Singh c White b Steyn 0 SE Marsh c Perera b Sammy 18 LA Pomersbach not out 33 DA Miller c White b Sammy 6 R Sathish run out (Perera/†Patel) 25 PP Chawla c Dhawan b Perera 0 P Kumar b Steyn 1 Harmeet run out (I Sharma/Sammy) 3 P Awanac I Sharma b Sammy 0 Sandeep Sharma (1) not out 0 Extras (b 5, lb 1, w 2) 8 Total (9 wickets; 20 overs) 120 Bowling O M R W Econ DW Steyn 4 0 20 2 5.00 I Sharma 3 0 22 0 7.33 NLTC Perera 4 0 19 1 4.75 GH Vihari 2 0 5 0 2.50 DJG Sammy 4 0 22 4 5.50 KV Sharma 1 0 6 0 6.00 A Mishra 2 0 20 0 10.00

Mumbai Indians won by 5 wickets

Sunrisers Hyderabad won by 30 runs

Evenly poised encounter

C

hennai Super Kings is the only team this season which can breathe easy as theirs is the only side which has made it to the playoffs.

But for a few instances, the Kings from Chennai have performed consistently this season.

Their cricketing skills which were on display when they played against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday, was undoubtedly one of the best that was seen this season.

While winning or losing would not worry the Kings too much, their performance could spell trouble for many other teams.

CSK are set to meet Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur when the two encounter each other tonight.

The Royals have 18 points from 13 matches and are comfort-

RR VS CSK AT 8PM ON SET MAX ably placed at the third position on the points table.

But if they fail to post a victory today, and do win anymore matches this season, then they could find themselves kicked out from the “top four” positions.

The Rahul Dravid led side, though not considered the favourites this season, have put up a splendid show this year.

Not only have the experienced players performed well, but even the uncapped players have made their presence felt.

With both the teams looking good and with them putting up a good show in the recent past, it will be difficult to pick a clear winner.

32

SPORTS SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

WIGAN STUN MAN CITY

Tom WILLIAMS

List of recent FA Cup winners

LONDON: Substitute Ben Watson scored an injury-time winner to give Wigan Athletic a sensational 1-0 win over Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday in the biggest FA Cup final upset in 25 years.

With extra time beckoning, Watson met a Shaun Maloney corner with a near-post header to stun 2011 cup winners City and give Wigan the first major trophy in their 81-year history.

Victory represented a fairytale moment for the modest northwest club and their chairman, Dave Whelan, who punched the air with delight at the final whistle, after a shock that stands comparison with Wimbledon’s 1988 success over Liverpool.

He had earlier led the team onto the pitch, having broken his leg while playing for Blackburn Rovers in the 1960 FA Cup final in an incident that ended his top-level football career.

Beneath driving rain, Wigan manager Roberto Martinez celebrated with his players on the pitch, as the Latics temporarily forgot their perilous fate in the Premier League, where they are on the brink of relegation.

“You could see the goal coming — the performance was magnificent. We deserved it,” said Martinez. “You dream of playing at Wembley and winning. The underdogs played with incredible bravery and belief and fought the odds again. That’s the FA Cup.” Watson said: “Unbelievable.

The boys were fantastic and they deserve it. To come on and score the winner in the FA Cup final is a dream.” Watson’s goal completed a miserable season for City and their manager, Roberto Mancini, who awoke on Saturday to media reports that he is about to be replaced by Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini.

League champions last year, City will finish the season without a trophy after being burnt off

by Manchester United in the league and crashing out of the Champions League in the group phase. “I don’t think that we played a good game,” said Mancini. “It’s unusual for us because in a final, you (usually) play better. I don’t

2013 Wigan Athletic; 2012 Chelsea; 2011 Manchester City; 2010 Chelsea; 2009 Chelsea; 2008 Portsmouth; 2007 Chelsea; 2006 Liverpool; 2005 Arsenal; 2004 Manchester United; 2003 Arsenal; 2002 Arsenal; 2001 Liverpool; 2000 Chelsea; 1999 Manchester United; 1998 Arsenal; 1997 Chelsea; 1996 Manchester United; 1995 Everton; 1994 Manchester United; 1993 Arsenal; 1992 Liverpool; 1991 Tottenham; 1990 Manchester United

Total FA Cup wins:

Wigan Athletic players celerbate with the FA Cup after winning the English FA Cup final against Manchester City and Wigan Athletic at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday.

AFP/IAN KINGTON

Martinez joyous after side wins final Steven GRIFFITHS

LONDON: Wigan manager Roberto Martinez admitted he was starting to plan for extra-time when Ben Watson scored the goal that sealed one of the great FA Cup final upsets as his underdogs shocked 10-man Manchester City 1-0 at Wembley on Saturday.

Martinez’s side dominated for long periods against lacklustre City, who had Pablo Zabaleta sent off for a second booking six minutes from full-time, but the Latics think we played our football.”

The Italian flatly dismissed the rumours about his future.

“It’s rubbish, this speculation,” he told ITV. “I will still be here next season. It is rubbish. I am very sorry for our fans.”

City were overwhelming pregame favourites but Mancini showed how seriously he was taking the game by starting with Joe Hart in goal, despite having previously vowed to persevere with deputy Costel Pantilimon.

had been unable to make their superiority pay off.

Martinez was on the touchline considering his options for the extra period when substitute Watson escaped marker Jack Rodwell to power home a header in the first minute of stoppage-time.

Wigan then survived a nerve-wracking last few minutes before the final whistle triggered an explosion of joy as Martinez and his players celebrated the most unlikely triumph.

AFP Wigan welcomed back Antolin Alcaraz following a hamstring problem, but Maynor Figueroa, Ivan Ramis, Ronnie Stam and Jean Beausejour all missed out out through injury.

True to expectations, City started on the front foot, with Wigan goalkeeper Joel Robles forced to parry a dipping Yaya Toure half-volley in the fourth minute after Carlos Tevez hit the wall with a free-kick.

Wigan refused to be cowed,

however, and City soon found themselves on the back foot.

Callum McManaman should have done better than curl wide from seven yards after cutting inside Matija Nastasic from Arouna Kone’s sweeping pass, while Gareth Barry had to produce a carefully timed challenge on McManaman right on the edge of the City area.

It was not until the 29th minute that City showed signs of life as an attacking force, with Robles narrowly diverting an effort from a sliding Tevez over the bar with his foot following a cut-back by David Silva. City ended the half strongly, with Robles saving from Barry and then springing to his left to fist away a wellstruck curler from Nasri.

Mancini’s men remained on the front foot in the second period and Emmerson Boyce had to produce a timely block to prevent Aguero from turning in Tevez’s low cross at the near post.

Mancini introduced James Milner and Jack Rodwell from the bench and the pair nearly combined for the opener in the 72nd minute when Rodwell got his head to Milner’s free-kick, only for Robles to save.

Wigan had been subdued, but with 15 minutes to play, Maloney almost broke the deadlock with a

Manchester United - 11 Arsenal - 10 Tottenham Hotspur - 8 Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa - 7 Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers - 6 Everton, West Bromwich Albion, Manchester City, Wanderers - 5 Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bolton Wanderers, Sheffield United - 4 Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham United - 3 Preston North End, Old Etonians, Portsmouth, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest, Bury- 2 Wigan Athletic, Huddersfield Town, Southampton, Leeds United, Derby County, Royal Engineers, Oxford University, Blackpool, Cardiff City, Burnley, Charlton Athletic, Barnsley, Notts County, Clapham Rovers, Wimbledon, Coventry City, Ipswich Town, Bradford, Blackburn Olympic, Old Carthusians - 1 cunning free-kick from wide on the right that bounced off the top of the bar.

Wigan were given further reason for optimism in the 84th minute, when Pablo Zabaleta was shown a second yellow card for felling McManaman as he bore down on goal. Maloney whipped the resulting free-kick wide, but Wigan had the momentum and in the first minute of injury time, Watson glanced Maloney’s corner past Hart to write his name in cup final history.

Wigan pile on misery for Mancini Steven GRIFFITHS

LONDON: When Roberto Mancini awoke on Saturday to reports that he is set to be replaced as Manchester City manager by Manuel Pellegrini, he must have hoped for one last show of defiance in the FA Cup final.

A comprehensive victory over Wigan at Wembley would have been the ultimate two-fingered salute to the club’s Abu

Dhabi-based owners if Mancini does indeed lose his job.

Mancini could have claimed with some justification that ending the club’s 35-year trophy drought by winning the 2011 FA Cup, then landing City’s first English league title in 44 years last season and securing another FA Cup to make it three trophies in three years would have been enough to remain in charge at Eastlands.

But instead his team responded to the threat to their manager’s job by delivering a lacklustre display and trudged away from Wembley on the receiving end of one of the great Cup final upsets as Ben Watson’s stoppage-time header gave underdogs Wigan a 1-0 victory.

Not since Wimbledon’s infamous Crazy Gang shocked Liverpool in the 1988 final has there been such a stunning Cup

final result and it is likely to serve as the final act of Mancini’s City career.

Txiki Begiristain, the City director of football, was seen meeting with Pellegrini’s agent Jesus Martinez in Madrid last month and reports on Saturday claimed the Malaga manager has agreed to join City, who are said to be willing to pay the four million euro release clause AFP in his contract.