Postnoon E-Paper for february 18th 2013 by Scribble Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

32 PAGES

WEATHER: MOSTLY CLEAR; 23°C

WWW.POSTNOON.COM

WHEN ASTEROIDS ATTACK P16&17

The world watched in shock and awe last week as hunks of space rock streaked through the sky in the Urals in Russia. Over 1,000 people were injured by the falling cosmic debris. But it could have been worse... far worse.

RTI ACTIVISTS TURN A MIRROR TO MEDIA P6

HYDERABAD’S FIRST COMPACT AFTERNOON NEWSPAPER

THE BIG INTERVIEW

‘IS CONGRESS

PROPERTY, NOT JAGAN’S’

A fresh face has just risen on the Andhra Pradesh horizon. Armed with a medical degree and tonnes of goodwill, Dr Challa Vamshi Chand Reddy will be AP’s eyes and ears for Rahul Gandhi.

REPORT ON P5

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

city events

THE GLENLIVET

Park Hyatt Hyderabad is offering an exclusive dinner showcasing selection of Oriental recipes at Oriental Bar & Kitchen, with three different age variants of the world renowned single malt- The Glenlivet. It is on February 20, from 7.30pm onwards.

Weather for Hyderabad

Evening

Overnight

23°C

16°C

Mostly clear.

Morning

Afternoon

22°C

31°C

Sunny with cloudy periods.

Mostly sunny.

New Delhi Mumbai Max 22 Max 32 Min 12 Min 22 Mostly sunny.

Chennai Max 30 Min 23

Clear skies.

Bangalore Max 29 Min 18 Partly cloudy.

AROUND THE CITY: YOUR GUIDE TO THE TWIN CITIES 14 years of age. Where: Lamakaan, Off Road no. 1, Lane Adjacent to C-Bay Banjara Hills When: Weekends, Up to February 24 Contact: 96427 31329

SHOWS Yudh Sai Shree Arts presents Yudh, a Bharathanatyam solo by Savitha Sastry on war. Where: Ravindra Bharathi When: February 19, 7pm to 8.15pm Contact: (040) 2323 1245

Theatre workshop The workshop will cover body-mind integration, acting and character and text. No prior experience in theatre is required. Where: Sri Sathya Sai Nigmagamam, Sri Nagar Colony When: weekends, starting February 16, from 12pm to 6pm Contact: 94904 40986

French Film Festival Six French films will be screened with English subtitles. The opening film is Populaire, followed by In the House (Dans la maison) and Hand in Hand (Main dans la main). Where: Prasads IMAX When: February 19-21 Contact: hyderabad.afindia.org Main Rahi Masoom Main Rahi Masoom is a play. It is a biographical sketch of the writer Dr Rahi Masoom Raza. .Where: Lamakaan, Lane Adjacent to C-Bay Banjara Hills When: February 22 Contact: 96427 31329

FLOUTING RULES: An overloaded bike spotted on the wrong side of the road at Sanjeevaiah Park. 11.30am-7pm Contact: www.iconart.in

ART Buy Art It is an anniversary art show of affordable art by 30 artists. All artworks are priced between `1,000 to `10,000. Where: Iconart Gallery, Banjara Hills When: Up to February 18

When: Up to February 18, 9:30am to 5:30pm Contact: (040) 2335 0040

Solo art show Display of works by Saraswathi L. Where: Muse, Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre When: Up to March 2 Return Of Innocence Sculptural paintings by Lester Paul will be on display. Where: Iconart Gallery, Banjara Hills When: Up to March 2, 11.30am to 7pm Contact: www.iconart.in My Breath on Canvas A photography exhibition by Ranjit Sinha on dance. Where: Goethe-Zentrum, Hyderabad

Commissioner & Spl Officer

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

198 155313

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

155333 23431178 23431179

MUNICIPAL CORPORATION

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

DINING Korean Fest The ‘Streets of Korea’ fest features a choice of authentic street food from Korea. Items on the menu include samgyetang, bulgogi, odeng and kimchi. Where: Syn, Asian Grill & Bar, Taj Deccan When: February 18-28, 7.30pm to 11.45pm Contact: (040) 6652 3939 Double the love Papa John’s offers heart shaped thin crust pizza for an entire month. It is

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

155313 23307328 23313163

27505566 23314095 23390933 24600146 27001134 23607777 30418888 30417777 30419000 30416666 39879999

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

available in all existent flavours and at no extra cost. Where: All Papa John’s outlets When: February Korean Promotion Flavours of authentic family style Korean cuisine prepared by native chefs from Hyatt Regency Incheon. Where: Oriental Bar & Kitchen When: Lunch: 12.30pm to 15.30pm Dinner: 19.30pm onwards Contact: (040) 4949 1204

Filmmaking workshop Alliance Francaise along with Yavanika Films is conducting a film appreciation course over two weekends and a filmmaking workshop over four weekends. The workshops are for adults and will be held on weekends. Where: Weekends starting from February 23, 11am onwards Contact: 94901 00404

MISCELLANEOUS Samahaara workshop Samahaara is organising ‘Samahaara Weekend Theatre Workshops.’ Apart from acting, it includes outdoor theatre activities, readings, analysis and discussions. It is for people above

27567892 23559555 23226624 27633087 27035588 27550238 30799999 30418296 30417445

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

SRINIVAS SETTY

The Landmark sale Landmark announces its sale of Up to 70 per cent off. Bestselling books starting at `49, 3 for 2 on the top 500 new releases are just some of the offers. Where: Landmark When: Up to February 25

Airport Director 27903785, 27906001 For Air India Flight Information Toll free (from any network) for IC Flights 18001801407 And for All Flights: 1800227722 Air India has revised its flight timings. For more information call (Toll free) 18001801407, 1800227722 from BSNL/MTNL 04023430334 from other lines and mobile Website; www.airindia.in TOURISM OFFICES AP Tourism, Hyd 23262152/53/54 Sec-bad 27893100 Dept of Tourism 23453110 India Tourism 23261360 AP Tourism information Centre (24x7) 23450444, 23455999 UK VISA OFFICE VFS India Pvt Ltd Building, 8-2-542/A, Sunil Chamber, Road No. 7

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

24523211 232431300/7641 24521029

Readers’ views

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

City

YESTERDAY’S QUESTION

SHOULD THE IT LIMIT OF EMPLOYEES BE RAISED? 91% 9%

YES (A) NO (B)

TODAY’S QUESTION

WILL YOUTH CONG ‘PATENT’ AFFECT CONGRESS’ PROSPECTS OF TAKING ON JAGAN? A)

YES

To vote visit www.postnoon.com

CRIME

Two women con another, escape with cash

The duo told an elderly woman that their sons had been admitted in the hospital with cancer. They then exchanged their fake gold jewellery for cash with the woman, who believed and pitied them. of the mother and daughter and requested them to get them proper jobs, saying both of them had lost their jobs recently. On February 15, the two women, who called themselves Chandrakala and Laxmi, came to Sabita when Harita had gone to work. They chatted with the woman and told her a lot of cooked up stories about themselves. The unsuspecting Sabita empathised with them. All of a sudden, one of them started crying. Asked what the reason was, the two said that their sons are admitted in hospital with cancer and they need immediate surgery to be done. But they don’t have cash though they

Mohd SUBHAN mohd.s@postnoon.com

wo con women, acting convincingly, duped a senior woman who made the mistake of empathising with the duo’s false misery, and now finds herself duped of `3 lakh. The curious case that the Kharkhana police are investigating relates to two as yet unidentified women who introduced themselves as the new tenants of Gunrock Enclave and befriended a senior woman, Sabita, and her daughter Harita from the same colony. The two earned the trust and sympathy

POLITICS

have around 15 tolas of gold between them. The two asked Sabita if she would take the gold as security and give them `3 lakh. Sabita agreed. She arranged `3 lakh immediately and gave them saying Godspeed their noble intention of saving their children. When Harita came home in the evening, her mother told her about the gold and the money lent. Harita was suspicious and she took the jewellery to a goldsmith and found them to be imitation ornaments. Harita lodged a complaint with the police but the police have not yet got any hint of the con women.

ACTIVISM

Telugus stranded Anna for electoral in Gulf come home reforms, to tour country INKESHAF AHMED ahmed.m@postnoon.com

he efforts and commitment of civil supplies and NRI affairs minister D Sridhar Babu to rescue Telugu people stranded in Gulf countries due to various reasons has finally paid off. Less than three weeks after announcing the State government’s decision to bring all the Telugu people back to the State, the minister succeeded in fulfilling his promise. The first batch of the Gulf victims returned to the State from Dubai this morning by a special flight. Sridhar Babu personally met these victims at the Shamshabad international airport this morning and interacted with them. Speaking to media persons on the occasion, the minister said that about 1,000 Telugu people had applied to the government to take them back to Andhra

Pradesh. He added that they would bring back all these people in a phased manner. He also said that the State government is trying to secure the release of Telugu people who were imprisoned for various reasons, including illegal stay in various Gulf countries. “The process of bringing all the Telugu people back to the State in a phased manner is underway. Apart from these people, we are also seriously trying to bring back the Telugu people who were put behind bars for illegally staying in Gulf countries even after expiry of their visas,” he said. A highlevel delegation of State government officials, including regional passport officer Srikar Reddy, are currently touring various gulf countries and holding discussions with the local officials to ensure safe return of all Telugu people. CM N Kiran Kumar Reddy also met the Gulf victims at the airport this morning.

eclaring that he would mobilise six crore people over the next one and a half years for his anti-graft campaign, Anna Hazare on Sunday said Jan Lokpal alone cannot root out corruption, and called for comprehensive electoral reforms and empowering of village-level bodies. Addressing a public meeting in Hyderabad, he said his fight was for changing the entire system and called upon youths to join hands with him. The 75year-old said Jan Lokpal can control 50 to 55 per cent corruption. “What about the remaining corruption? That is why we are demanding (for a) right to reject a candidate (in the elections),” he said. “If all five contesting candidates in an election are goondas (hooligans), whom will the people choose? We are saying that you provide an option to the voters to reject them. If maximum number of voters reject the can-

didates, the election should be cancelled and these five should not be allowed to contest again.” He pointed out that a candidate spends `5 crore to `6 crore in each election to bribe voters. “They get power by using money, and money by using power. There is a need to put an end to this vicious circle.” He vowed to continue the fight for Jan Lokpal and alleged

that the government is not sincere in bringing the anti-graft legislation. Hazare explained that the government initially turned down the demand to involve people’s representatives in bringing the legislation and also referred to the government’s reluctance to bring middle and lower-level bureaucrats under Lokpal. AGENCY

city MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

POLITICS

LAST YEAR... HERE

KCR will sell TRS to Congress: TDP

Parched for funds

ast year we had reported how the State government had allotted a meagre `30 crore for the Krishna Phase-3 project. The project was taken up to improve drinking water supply to GHMC areas. Meanwhile, the government allocated `400 crore for the Godavari project. The board had asked that the State allot at least `500 crore for the Krishna project

FEBRUARY 18, 2012

NUMEROLOGY

1,000

elangana TDP convener Errabelli Dayakar Rao has lashed out at TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao, saying that the TRS has only political ambitions and had no interests in formation of the Telangana state.

Dr Vamshi Chand Reddy See page 5

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

Brutality against animals continues unabated. Bulls have their tails bitten, ears cut off and chemicals rubbed into their eyes — all in the name of sport. With the SC ruling on jallikattu imminent, we hope to see an end to this cruelty.

Congress gets a breath of fresh air. The new AP Youth Congress chief, Dr Challa Vamshi Chand Reddy, appears all set to bring in some fresh blood into the grand old party of India.

100 Assembly seats to achieve a separate state, Errabelli said the former would sell his party to the Congress if he wins 100 seats. Errabelli said it was not correct on the part of Telangana Nagara Samithi convener and Nagarkurnool MLA Dr Nagam Janardhan Reddy to launch a new political party.

GHMC

Uneasy calm prevails

Andhra Pradesh residents had applied to the government to bring them back from the Gulf countries, where they were stranded or imprisoned for various reasons.

Congress should be proud of YSR’s legacy. Jagan Mohan Reddy is not the political heir of his father. YSR is Congress property, AP’s leader, not family property.

Speaking to the media here on Sunday, Errabelli said the Congress has gone back on its word on Telangana many times. The party knows the TRS is a saleable party. He advised all political parties to fight unitedly to achieve a separate Telangana, keeping their flags aside. Alleging that KCR wanted

POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com

Mayor Mohd Majid Hussain puts his stamp on GHMC budget: Old City development package gets priority. N SHIVA KUMAR

Md NIZAMUDDIN nizamuddin.a@postnoon.com

he much anticipated highvoltage drama at the GHMC budget session today did not take off. In an uneasy but calm atmosphere, the mayor, Mohd Majid Hussain, read out his speech on the proposed budget. The mayor came 45 minutes behind schedule and offered no reasons for the delay. The bud-

MIM corporators did not make any attempt to disrupt the meeting, unlike in the past. BJP corporators, on the other hand, were gloomy. getary expenditure of the corporation has been revised to `2,664 crore, of which capital expenditure is `1,313 crore. The budget 2013-14 has the Old City development package, Charminar pedestrian project, Musi Revitalisation project under JNNURM.

MIM IN UPSWING MOOD The MIM has been in an

upswing mood. Akbaruddin getting bail in the hate speech case and his return to the City seems to have added pep to the party ranks. Unlike in the past, MIM corporators did not make any attempt to disrupt the meeting. BJP corporators, on the other hand, looked gloomy as Langer House corporator Uday Kumar is yet to be administered oath.

NEWS BRIEFS

Activists call for alternative media outlets. That mainstream media has its own agenda is well known. RTI activists stressed the need to promote alternative media outlets.

Rain death toll rises to 17 in State

Micro observers for MLC polls

CM to hold meeting on rain damage

Co-operative bank elections underway

Anna wants right to reject unsuitable candidates. The people should have the right to reject unﬁt politicians, said Anna Hazare recently.

Pick up some language skills at University of Hyderabad. From the 2013 winter session, students will be able to study Turkish at the University of Hyderabad.

he death toll of recent rains has been put at 17 in AP. The unseasonal rains and hailstorm also caused extensive damage to crops, ofﬁcials said today. Most of the deaths were after being struck by thunderbolts and due to electrocution, they said, adding that crops in 1,47,986 hectares have been damaged due to heavy rains.

icro observers will be appointed at each polling station in East Godavari district to ensure smooth conduct of MLC graduate constituency elections to be held on February 21, East Godavari district collector Neetu Kumari Prasad said, adding that the deployment of micro observers is vital to maintain transparency.

hief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy will hold a high-level review meeting on the recent hailstorm and heavy rains that wreaked havoc on farmers of the State. He will discuss issues for providing immediate relief to the farmer community and assessment of crop loss. The CM is likely to chalk out a tour programme to visit affected districts.

he process of electing District Co-operative Central Bank (DCCB) in various districts of the State began this morning. Voting has begun already. At many places, activists belonging to the ruling Congress, rival TDP and YSR Congress clashed with each other at the polling centers in a display of one-upmanship.

city MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

POSTNOON SPECIAL

‘YSR is Congress property, not Jagan’s’

fresh face — young and radiant — has just risen on the Andhra Pradesh horizon. Armed with a medical degree and tonnes of goodwill, Dr Challa Vamshi Chand Reddy, in his thirties, will be AP’s eyes and ears for Rahul Gandhi, who is projected as the next PM-promise. This tall and handsome doctor with a winsome smile is the first in recent history to get elected (as opposed to selected) as the Youth Congress president of AP. Coming from a peasant family of Mahbubnagar, which has been rooted in Congress culture, Vamshi Chand, hopes to turn a new leaf in politics by introducing a few clean faces that would uplift the sagging morale of the public and the party. He was an acolyte of the late YSR and has a couple of cases hoisted on him on that count too. But fate has put him in a place where he will oppose the party born in his idol’s name: YSRC. Vamshi Chand says, “YSR is a Congress product and we want him always. He is not a private property.” In an interview with Postnoon’s political correspondent, Inkeshaf Ahmed, the young leader bats with aplomb questions bowled at him. Being a supporter of the late YSR, what would be your equation with YSRC? YSR was a Congress leader and the party should be proud of his legacy. But let me tell you, his son, Jagan Mohan Reddy, is not the political heir of his father. YSR is Congress property, AP’s leader, not a family property. We will deal with YSRC on these lines. We will tell people ‘your vote is for Congress’. It is sad that people cast sentimental votes. They should think and vote. How do you propose to raise the drooping spirits of Congress workers in the State? Youth Congress has 36,000 state to booth-level workers. We plan to work at the grassroots, not at the top. Rahulji has asked us to ensure that elections are held in all organisations and grassroots party workers are listened to. Why is it that Youth Congress remains a neglected lot? It was, not is. At the recent chintan shivir, 40 per cent were youth. How do you plan to neutralise the YSRC threat to Congress? We will tell people that YSR is

S BALAKRISHNA

A fresh face has just risen on the Andhra Pradesh horizon. Armed with a medical degree and tonnes of goodwill, Dr Challa Vamshi Chand Reddy will be AP’s eyes and ears for Rahul Gandhi.

part of ours, not theirs (Jagan and co). We will assimilate his ideals. What party do you see as the biggest rival in the 2014 elections? TDP? YSRC? TRS? None. We are No.1 and they all can compete for the second, third and fourth places. No quarrel (smiles). As for TDP, which claims to be a rival to

Congress, it has completely lost its credibility. You say you wanted 20 per cent seats reserved for youth in the next elections. Is it going to happen? It will have to. We will demand at least 50 seats of Assembly be given to fresh, Youth Congress leaders. We are firm on this. What would be your two

main criteria for selecting candidates? One, they should be clean and sincere. Two, they should be ready for public service. Under no circumstances will we accept anyone who has even faced a criminal case such as rape or murder. But you too face a non-bailable offence for attacking Reliance

The T-connection

eing a man from the Telangana region, how did he get accepted by the rest of the State? Vamshi Chand says he had never been identified as a Telangana man but a Telugu man. “In fact, I got more votes from Rayala and Andhra than from Telangana.” As of T, he has no opinion of his own. “My opinion is that of the Congress party. We understand the sentiments of the people of Telangana. No quarrel. But the ideal solution for it is the second State Reorganisation Commission. Let us go for it.” He calculates that if T does happen, TRS would be part of Congress, and he would contest for Parliament. If it does not happen, he will have a tough time choosing a good constituency and will also ensure victory to the youths who got tickets for Assembly elections. Everything depends on the Central decision, he figures.

outlets in the days after YSR’s death. Yes, it is so baseless that police have not yet pressed for the charges. Do you think there should be a retirement age for politics? I think there should be a line, though I would not set a cut-off age. Seniors should give a chance to the young. It is not happening most of the time. Rahulji will see to it that there is an ideal mix of the young and the experienced. After spending money and time to earn an MBBS degree, don’t you think it a waste of talent getting into a totally different field like politics? No. I joined politics not because I hate medicine, it’s because I love the scope in politics to serve people more. What are your two pet peeves and the two things you love most? (Thinks) I have no pet aversions, maybe unnecessary lying I hate, and the things I love most are politics and films (I love Nagarjuna and Rajani films).

city MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

CONFERENCE

RTI activists turn a mirror to media RAHUL RAMAKRISHNA rahul.r@postnoon.com

hat the RTI Act has been a political game changer in empowering people is an accepted truth. More so is the fact that the mainstream media often promoted the Act for its own vested interests. Speaking at a plenary, activists, academicians and journalists agreed that mainstream media lacked transparency and there was an urgent need for promoting alternative media sources. “Media growth has been fuelled by the literacy and advertising boom in the country in the last eight years. There are over 6,000 newspapers and 700 news channels and the collective annual revenue generated by TV, print and radio news is roughly over `55,000 crore. We must agree that there is a widespread cynicism about paid news. Hence, we need strong regulations for such things not to occur,” said Sukumar Muralidharan, a journalist from Indian Journalists’ Forum. While all regulations will fail to meet expected potency, alternative media sources seem the way out, according to academicians. These would include

Ramnath Bhat, from MARAA Arts and Media Collective, said the issue of airwaves being a public property has never been given a proper discussion. community radio stations, participatory videos, social media and mobile connectivity. “If the RTI Act is a one-way process of empowering people with information, the Right to Communication is a two-way process of sharing this information, thereby reversing the trend of availability of information from the elite to the poor,” said Vinod Pavarala, dean at SN School of Communications, University of Hyderabad. Ramnath Bhat, from MARAA Arts and Media Collective, Bangalore, explained that the issue of airwaves being a public property has never been given a proper discussion. “According to the 1995 Supreme Court judgement by Justice Sawant, all airwaves are pub-

lic property. This judgement alone has helped the fight for public acquisition of radio space,” he said. Any NGO, educational or agricultural organisation can lay a direct access to airspace after three years or more of functioning. “But here too, permissions take ages to fall through. It is another example of repression of fundamental rights,” he added. The fact that the 2G and 3G spectrum scams have been in the news only due to the immense market value and not for the social value itself speaks volumes of the government’s stand on alternative media. “There have been experiments world over where people have devised their own mobile networks and have used to it call each other for free. The TRAI’s policy on spectrum sales clearly mentions that the spectrum be used for the benefit of the rural people. But do we see 3G connectivity in the rural areas?” asked Bhat. Other examples of alternative media included presentations made by women from Deccan Development Society, which had promoted the use of video and film to highlight the plight of their standards of living. Chinna Narsamma and Algole Narsamma, Dalit women from Medak district of AP, explained their role in running their own community radio station and video making workshops. “We have reached out to over 3,000 people in 75 villages about various issues like Bt Cotton, urban migration and so on. Mainstream media has its own agendas and we had been left out of it for ages,” said Chinna. It took seven years for them to set up their community radio station after a prolonged struggle with the government. Now they have been recognised for setting up the first ever Dalit women-run community radio station in India. As Bhat puts it, “The Terrestrial Television Band, of which Doordarshan is the only channel running on, is a public service broadcasting space. DD is the only channel sitting on a huge amount of public airspace which could otherwise be used by the citizens themselves.” Vinod Pavarala said, “RTI and Right to Communication should share a synergetic relationship that would help expand the growth of communications. This way, it could be an actual alternative that looks at social value and not just market value of information.”

WAITING FOR ANNA

People from all ages and walks of life turned up to listen to popular anti-corruption crusader S BALAKRISHNA Anna Hazare at Wesley College grounds on Sunday.

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classifieds MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

THEATRE

The family circus of ‘funny guys’ S BALAKRISHNA

POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com

ouring with a group of people for over two years is not easy. Pulling off a comedy, even less so. But the cast and crew of Get Rid Of My Wife, an Ashvin Gidwani production, makes it look effortless. The secret, they say, is that they're almost like a family. Nasir Qazi says, “We have our inside jokes and enjoy ourselves on stage.” Kishwar Merchant can vouch for that. “In the corporate show, my role has been reduced to just a few minutes at the end. But I get so jealous when I'm watching from the wings and laughing my

head off. They come off stage and tell me, 'You know what he did?' or 'That was so funny!' and I miss it. But I get to watch the show every time and thoroughly enjoy it.” The show has two versions — a longer version than runs for over two hours and a corporate show that lasts for an hour. Talking about the play, Nasir, who plays a double role, says, “The first 20 minutes are packed with subtle humour that only an intelligent audience will understand. When we performed at Ahmedabad recently, the crowd was totally with us. They got the humour from the word go.” Jayesh Thakkar, who plays a speech-impaired character, said,

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“The initial part is all about my interaction with Paritosh Painter (who plays a hearingimpaired character, besides being the writer of the play). It (the humour) then becomes louder and more pronounced as the play progresses.” While it seems to be largely chaotic, the group works well together. Delnaz Paul said, “I belong to the old school of theatre, having being trained by veteran Dinayar Contractor. We've come from that school of disciplined acting.” Thakkar chips in, “Here there is only one discipline — indiscipline!” So when can we hope to see a new age version, perhaps a Get Rid of My Husband?

“That's our next project,” promised Nasir. “We're not sure how many people will come to see such a play though.” Kishwar added, “It all depends on how it is done. And I'm sure a lot of women will come to watch it!” Next on their agenda though

is a play titled Marriages Were Made In Heaven, another comedy. When asked whether they would consider making a serious play, Jayesh said, “We can't do serious (plays). We're the funny guys.” The play was staged at Westin Hyderabad Mindspace on Saturday.

EDUCATION

City gets taste of Turkish delight The course is now offered at the University of Hyderabad. ANUBHA K SINGH anubha.k@postnoon.com

f you ever thought learning a foreign language is difficult, especially when it comes to a language like Turkish or Spanish, then here is a chance for you to learn these languages with ease. The University of Hyderabad has now introduced six hours per week of Turkish language course from the winter semester, 2013, for the university students. The course was started in collaboration with the Indialogue Foundation. It’s an international forum started by some Indian and Turkish youths. “There are many students opting for the language and it shows the success of the course. Now-a-days, most of the youth prefer settling abroad and

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it’s good if they are familiar with foreign languages,” said Ramakrishna Ramaswamy, vice chancellor of the University of Hyderabad. The course is conducted at the Centre for Study of Foreign Languages. The university is also planning to organise many more cultural activities in the coming days. “In this competitive world, if you need to survive, you need to be up-to-date and learning of a foreign language plays an important role. There is no harm in acquainting yourself with foreign languages as it’s not only about learning the language, but will also increase intercultural communication between people from two countries” said Prof J Prabhakara Rao, professor of linguistics and coordinator of Centre for Study of Foreign Languages, University of

Hyderabad. As of now 15 students are learning the language and the university expects the number to be doubled. The university has already launched an online designing course in Turkish through e-room and is now planning to compile an online multi-directional dictionary from Turkish to Indian languages. “It’s always good to learn as many languages you can, especially when it comes to foreign languages. They are quite interesting and challenging too. The language is not that easy to adapt, but yes, through this course, it has become easy for us. There are many words and sentences which sound really funny too, so it’s fun learning Turkish. The dictionary will surely make our learning easier,” said Prabhakar R, a student at the university.

Special report MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

ANIMAL RIGHTS

JALLIKATTU

Is the end finally near? With the Supreme Court hearing on Jallikattu, a brutal bull-abuse game, scheduled for this week, we bring to light the ordeal faced by animals during the event.

AMY ROSE THOMAS amyrose.t@postnoon.com

n spite of protests and orders from the Supreme Court and the Madras High Court, this Pongal season saw terrified bulls being chased and beaten up amid a screaming crowd, as large groups of bullfighters threw themselves at these animals to tame them and grab the bundles of money tied to their horns.

After visiting the places where jallikattu was organised, the investigators concluded that many of the court’s directions were flouted. It is a shame that this blood sport, Jallikattu, which started at the time of the kings, when they used this game to select a son-inlaw, is still rampant and played with fervour in different parts of Tamil Nadu. While spectators cheer on for the bravest man to hang on to the hump of the bull and grab the prize money, they conveniently forget the plight of these animals that are kicked, punched, jumped on and dragged to the ground. In order to get these innocent creatures agitated before sending them to the bullfighters, they are bitten on the tail, smeared with

Spectators participate in illegal Jallikattu as a bull runs for his life through the streets of Avaniapuram.

irritants in their eyes and noses, and at other times, given alcohol. This blood sport is not just dangerous for the animals; most of the bullfighters who participate in the sport end up in the hospital. While the orders of the Supreme Court of India and Madurai High Court mandate that bulls should not be harmed in any way during these taming fests, the latest report presented by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on the Jallikattu organised in Avaniapuram, Palamedu and Alanganallur in Tamil Nadu in the month of January tell a different story. The cruelty and abuses inflicted on the animals during these Jallikattu festivals was shown to violate the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. During the course of the PETA investigation, one bull died and many more were injured. Armed with these evidences and reports, animal activists are eagerly awaiting the Supreme Court hearing that has been delayed for a week. Director of veterinary affairs at PETA, India, Dr Manilal Valliyate, who was also one of the investigators present at the locations, says, “Last time the issue was raised, the Supreme Court gave consent for Jallikattu to be organised only if they follow certain regulations. But after visiting the locations where the sport was organised, it was evident that many of these directions were flouted. The first and foremost direction was that efforts should be taken to ensure that the bulls are not tortured in any way, but at all three locations where Jallikattu events were organised, the bulls were tortured through various means. In many instances, more than one person was found to be clinging to a bull. The Supreme Court order also stated that ‘the end point of the bull taming area shall be enclosed by providing a bull yard, where the bulls should be collected and detained till the completion of the

Observations made by PETA at the Jallikattu locations WAITING AREA n

n n n

n n

Bulls were forced to stand in long lines for more than eight hours without shade, food, water or room to move. Many animals were forced to drink fluids likely alcohol to disorient them. Bulls were continuously pulled and yanked by nose ropes. Handlers forced bulls to move in the lines sideways by painfully pulling and yanking their tails. Some reluctant bulls jumped out of the line and attacked their owners out of fear. The ears of almost all the bulls were cut and mutilated.

Bulls were forcibly beaten and pushed.

VADI VASAL

Closed off from the public, the high-walled vadi vasal is a torture chamber. Organisers and owners of bulls beat them with their bare hands, whipped them with snapped nose ropes and poked them with small, sharp knives. n A bull’s anus was deliberately injured to cause pain. n Bulls’ eyes and noses were forcibly rubbed with irritant liquids to agitate them. n In fear, some bulls jumped against the exit door. n The practice of biting tails was most rampant. n Some bulls were brutally hit

on the bridge of the nose.

ARENA n

Six to eight matadors jumped onto the bulls to tame them. Unable to carry the weight, the bulls often fell to the ground. n Registered participants in the main arena bit the tails of bulls in full view of spectators, media personnel telecasting live coverage and senior police personnel. n Many participants pounced on the bulls. n The path from the arena to the collection area was dotted with dangerous obstructions, such as tractor carriages, water tanks, and a small truck.

COLLECTION YARD n

The collection yard was nowhere close to half an acre in size as instructed by the court. Bulls ran along the streets and into moving traffic. n One bull which was being chased and beaten by a mob jumped into a field and fractured his front leg. It took 90 minutes for the suffering animal to receive medical attention. n Several young people were injured when bulls trampled them on the streets. n Many spectators pounced on the petrified bulls and tried to perform jallikattu on the streets.

A yellow-coloured liquid forced down a bull’s throat at Avaniapuram.

Special report MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

PICS COURTESY PETA

event. Until the spectators have left the event venue, the bulls should be in detention area’. There was no collection yard in Avaniapuram. This resulted in bulls straying into residential areas, roadside shops and places where vehicles were parked. Even though there was a collection yard in Palamedu, it served no purpose as it was small. As a result, two bulls fell into wells. Both sustained injuries and had to be rescued by the fire department.” According to Dr Valliyate, animal torture cannot be regulated and the only way out in order to help these tortured animals is to ban the game completely.

A bull pierced with a pointed metal object at Avaniapuram.

Bulls cramped in a serpentine queue in Palamedu.

Without inducing fear or pain in the animal, it doesn’t run or fight. So, these animals have to be tortured for the game to survive. Banning the game can stop the torture. Dr Valliyate director of vet affairs “Bulls are prey animals. According to animal behavioural studies, bulls adopt a flight or fight response when they feel frightened or threatened. This instinct is deliberately exploited by Jallikattu organisers. Bulls are beaten, poked, prodded, harassed and jumped on by numerous people. They have their tails bitten and twisted and their eyes and noses filled with irritating chemicals. Without inducing fear or pain in the animal, it doesn’t run or fight. So, these animals have to be tortured for the game to survive. Thus, banning the game can stop the torture,” he says.

A bull with mutilated ears in Palamedu.

The torture EAR CUTTING

At least 80 per cent of the bulls observed had their ears cut, with three-fourths of the external ear pinna absent. Dr Manilal Valliyate says, “When the external ear is cut off, the sound is not regulated, resulting in the bull to get agitated. Organisers feel that cutting the ear will help the bull to hear better during these games. Mutilating any body part of an animal violates the The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

FRACTURE, DISLOCATION OF TAIL BONES A bull with a fractured foot in Palamedu.

Many bulls suffered from dislocated or even amputated tails caused by deliberate pulling and

twisting. On many occasions, the bulls’ tails were bitten by the organisers and owners. This is done to agitate them right before they head to the arena.

USING NOSE ROPES

Nose ropes were frequently pulled, yanked or tightened in order to control bulls before they were released into arenas and collection yards. Some animals were even bleeding from the nose as a result of injuries.

USING IRRITANTS

Irritant solutions were rubbed into the eyes and noses of bulls inside the vadi vasal in order to agitate them. At other times, alcohol was forced down these animals’ throats. An agitated bull jumps off the road to save himself in Palamedu.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

Business

MARITIME STATES TO GET CENTRAL AID

Union Shipping Ministry is coming up with a scheme to offer assistance to State Maritime Boards (SMBs) for creation of infrastructure for development of ports, inland waterways and coastal shipping.

PRECIOUS METALS

FBI PROBES FB HACK

The underestimated sheen With its better surge in value compared to gold, silver holds promise for those planning long-term investments.

PRUDHVI RAJU K prudvi.k@postnoon.com

“L

ike gold, silver has outperformed almost every other commodity and equity indices globally during past decade. In last 10 years, silver has performed well to give CAGR returns of 19.9 per cent as per international quotes as equated to gold’s return of 16.8 per cent in the same period. The only difference is that silver, due to its volatile nature, has produced negative returns for two out of last 10 years whereas gold has been able to give positive return for each year in last decade,” said Tapan Trivedi, senior research analyst, Inditrade derivatives and commodities. “Gold and silver, in both international and domestic markets, are seen as safe haven commodities though silver has very high dependence on industrial

growth as well. Likewise, other key international commodities, such as the US dollar also acts as a key determinant for prices as gains/losses in the greenback inversely impacts metals price,” he elaborates. About current trends, he said, “Amongst the precious metals, both gold and silver usually follow a similar pattern in trade though silver, being a high-beta commodity, records mercurial movement in either direction. Over the past five months, bullion has largely remained in a range with spot silver ranging between $34 per ounce on the higher and $30 on the

lower side. “In the domestic markets though, prices witnessed higher volatility which was infused by wide variations in the Indian Rupee. Silver prices are traded in a wide range between `65000-56000 per kilogramme levels for most active contract at the MCX Commodity Exchange. Year to date, both international spot as well Indian silver prices (MCX Apr Contract) have been weak with spot silver prices trading nearly at same levels as starting 2013 though Indian MCX prices dipped 2.2 per cent, backed by the appreciation in Indian rupee lately,”

On investing in silver, Tapan said, “From purely an investment point of view, we feel international markets are currently trading at the lower end of the trading range near the $30 per ounce level. A break of this range could put further weight on prices in near term. In the Indian context, we feel prices could drop in near term and investors can get better investment opportunities towards `51,000-` 53,000 levels. “Over the next few years though, investors can include silver as part of their portfolio as when global economy resumes its normal course, demand for silver would go up which can drive prices to `63,000-`65,000 levels. Silver and gold usually follow similar trading pattern, though major advantage is with the fact that Silver has a higher beta and can generate higher returns if bought in the right cycle,” he adds.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation is collaborating in the investigation of a "sophisticated attack" by hackers on Facebook last month, which, according to the social network, has not compromised users' data. The daily San Francisco Chronicle said Saturday that the FBI is working with Facebook to determine the origin of last month's hacker attack that hit the computers of some workers at the California company. According to the newspaper, the social network said that "malware was installed on laptops used by Facebook employees when they visited a mobile developer's web site". The attack on Facebook came soon after Twitter said early this month that data of 250,000 users had been obtained by hackers, and that this operation "was not the work of amateurs, and we do not believe it was an isolated incident", the company said in a statement.

NUMEROLOGY

$30

is the estimated damage caused by the meteor explosion over Ural Mountains region.

THAI ECONOMY SOARS Thailand's economy enjoyed record growth in the fourth quarter of 2012 as industry recovered from the impact of the kingdom's worst floods in decades, official data showed Monday. GDP soared 18.9 per cent in the three months through December from the year-earlier period according to the government's National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB). GDP rose 3.6 percent compared with the previous quarter. Strong domestic and international demand helped to drive the strong performance, said NESDB secretary general Arkhom Termpittayapaisith. The Thai economy suffered a double-digit contraction in the wake of the months-long floods, which deluged vast swathes of the country in 2011, killing hundreds of people and causing widespread damage to factories.

10g GOLD `30,500 10g GOLD`31,100 1kg `60,100 1kg SILVER `56,600

24C

for for for for

DOLLAR `54.32 `53.79 `85.15 POUND `84.13

BSE 6,057.70 5,892.85 NSE

20,025.67 19,501.95 44.10 33.80 9.20 5.45

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

nation

MILITANTS MAY HAVE INFILTRATED IN POONCH: ARMY A group of half-a-dozen militants may have succeeded in infiltrating into India in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, army sources said on Sunday, adding searches were on.

DIPLOMACY

Camron arrives on 3-day visit

Trade, VVIP chopper deal, Vodafone tax bill and Afghanistan on bilateral talks agenda.

MUMBAI: British Prime Minister David Cameron arrived here this morning on a three-day India visit during which will he meet captains of industry and hold talks with top leaders who are likely to seek more information on the VVIP helicopters scam involving an Anglo-Italian firm. Cameron is likely to be pressed for more information on the `3,600 crore helicopter scam involving AgustaWestland during his meetings with the leadership tomorrow. The helicopters, three of which have already been delivered, were manufactured in southwest England. The visit also comes in the wake of India taking steps to scrap the contract

after Italian investigators probed allegations that aerospace group Finmeccanica, the parent company of AgustaWestland, had broken the law by paying bribes to foreign officials. Cameron is accompanied by a large delegation which includes CEO of top British corporates, ViceChancellors of reputed universities and senior Government officials, among others. This would be his second visit to the country since he took over the mantle, with the first being soon after assuming office in May 2010. In Delhi, Cameron will hold comprehensive talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues. Besides the defence deal, other major issues expected to figure during Cameron's visit would include the `12,000-crore Vodafone tax matter and the UK hosting a meeting between the Pakistan and Afghanistan Presidents. PTI

NAGALAND POLLS

BABY TORTURED TO DEATH

Minister held with arms, `1.1 crore His vehicle was carrying arms, ammunition, liquor and cash. KOHIMA: Nagaland Home Minister Imkong L Imchen was today detained near Wokha district for allegedly carrying a cache of arms and ammunition and `1.10 crore in cash in a vehicle, official sources said. Imchen was going to his constituency Koridanga in Mokokchung district from Kohima when Assam Rifles personnel conducting search of vehicles near Wokha district found the arms and ammunition, liquor and cash, the sources said. The Assam Rifles personnel handed him over to the district administration and police. Imchen is the Nagaland People's Front (NPF) candidate from Koridanga and is also the NPF campaign in-charge of Mokokchung district. The NPF has put up 10-candidates in Mokokchung district. On February 16, an Election Commission surveillance team had seized `1 crore cash from a helicopter allegedly being used by

GOODWILL HUNTING a candidate of the Nagaland Peoples Front (NPF) in Nagaland. A team of EC-appointed observers seized the cash from a chopper, which was allegedly hired to ferry Nyemli Phom, who is contesting the Assembly polls from a constituency in Longleng district. PTI

NEWS BRIEFS Four killed as bus falls into roadside ditch

Woman poisons children UP orders juicial probe Three-year-old girl lured over domestic tiff into Allahabad stampede with toffee, raped

GAYA: Four persons were killed and 30 others injured when a bus overturned and fell into a roadside ditch on a national highway in Bihar's Gaya district today. The driver lost control over the vehicle following which it rammed into the railing of a pool and overturned into a roadside ditch.

CHENNAI: A woman killed her two children by administering poison and then consumed it herself in despondency over frequent quarrels with her husband here, police said today. Police said the woman has been admitted to the Madurai Government Rajaji hospital, while her two children died last evening.

LUCKNOW: Fearing further furore during the ongoing Budget Session, UP has ordered a judicial probe into the stampede at the Allahabad railway station, which left 37 dead. Retired Allahabad HC judge Justice Onkareshwar Bhatt, who will hold the probe, is expected to submit a report in two months.

Pick

The parents of a 10-month-old girl were arrested for killing their baby in West Bengal's North 24Parganas district, police said Sunday. The killing took place Saturday night. According to the police complaint, the couple was unhappy at the birth of a girl child and used to repeatedly torture the baby. The body of the baby bore several injury marks, including cigarette burns. "We found the baby dead, lying near the roadside Saturday night following which we ﬁled a police complaint. Both the parents used to torture her. They did not even feed her for days," said Durga, a neighbour. "The baby was regularly tortured and despite our protests, the parents did not pay heed. Ultimately they killed her," said one of the complainants.

GHAZIABAD: A three-year-old girl was raped by her neighbour after being lured to his room with toffees, police said. The accused has been arrested. Police said the 23year-old accused lured the girl, the daughter of a casual labourer, to his ﬁrst ﬂoor residence by giving her toffees and raped her.

at the

India has presented 50 computers to a college in Belize City, the largest city in this Central American nation, a "timely gesture", a college ofﬁcial said, that would help the institution realise its dreams of becoming the premier educational institution in the country.

A judge, whether sitting or retired, is expected to conduct himself with sobriety, dignity and grace. He cannot be loud, crude, outlandish or behave like a megalomaniac.

airport,

Arun Jaitley BJP leader

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

World WORKERS ABDUCTED

Gunmen seize foreign workers Two Lebanese, an Italian and a Greek have been confirmed by their governments to be among those seized in the attack AMINU ABUBAKAR Agence France-Presse KANO, NIGERIA: Gunmen stormed a construction site in northern Nigeria, kidnapping seven foreign workers and killing a security guard, police said Sunday, in one of the worst attacks on expatriates in the restive region. Two Lebanese, an Italian and a Greek have been confirmed by their governments to be among those seized in the attack late Saturday on the Setraco construction site in the

Bauchi, where Islamist extremist group Boko Haram has carried out repeated attacks, saw two separate gun raids earlier Saturday, but it was not clear if the Islamists were behind the violence. town of Jama’are in Bauchi State. Bauchi, where Islamist extremist group Boko Haram has carried out repeated attacks, saw two separate gun raids earlier Saturday, but it was not clear if the Islamists were behind the violence. While such incidents in the north have been isolated, Islamist group Ansaru, seen as an offshoot of Boko Haram, appears to have made the abduction of foreigners a priority.

AL-QAEDA OFFSHOOT CLAIMS BAGHDAD BOMBINGS Al-Qaeda’s front group in Iraq has claimed a wave of bombings targeting Shiite areas of Baghdad that killed at least 21 people on Sunday. The alQaeda-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) carried out the attacks “in revenge for alleged criminal acts by the Shiite-led government.

AND JUSTICE FOR ALL?

BEATLES ‘TEACHER’ DEAD

Man with IQ of 70 set to be executed in US for murder Warren Hill, is reported to have an IQ of 70, putting him below the threshold for mental disability. WASHINGTON: A mentallyhandicapped man was to be put to death in the US state of Georgia on Tuesday, despite protests from human rights activists and mental health advocates calling the execution a miscarriage of justice. Warren Hill, a 52-year-old African American, is reported to have an IQ of 70, putting him below the threshold for mental disability. “There is no dispute among the experts that Mr Hill is mentally retarded,” attorney Brian Kammer wrote in an appeal seeking leniency for his client. “Because Mr Hill’s execution would be a fundamental miscarriage of justice, this Court must stay Mr Hill’s imminent execution and vacate his death sentence,” he added in another appeal. After spending the last 21 years on death row for killing a fellow inmate, Hill was scheduled to die last July. However, the execution was put on hold for several months due to a change in how the killing was to be carried out — Hill is to be the first in the state to receive a single deadly dose of pentobarbital, instead of the previously standard three-drug lethal cocktail. At the time, the state supreme court ruled unanimously

Because Mr Hill’s execution would be a fundamental miscarriage of justice, this Court must stay Mr Hill’s imminent execution and vacate his death sentence. Brian Kammer Attorney to grant a stay of execution, saying it needed to investigate whether a lower court erred in determining that the change in execution protocol was legal under Georgia law. The US Supreme Court ruled against the execution of prisoners with mental disabilities in 2002, but left each state with the authority to determine what constitutes mental disability. Georgia has the strictest standard of any US state when it comes to determining this, with courts requiring “proof of retardation beyond a reasonable doubt”. A Georgia court agreed with an appeal by Hill’s lawyers that he should not be

put to death, but it was overruled by a higher court in the state, which found that Hill could not prove his retardation beyond a reasonable doubt. “While Georgia never contested Mr Hill’s intellectual disability he was not able to meet the burden of proof,” Eric Jacobson, the Executive Director of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities wrote in an online editorial this week condemning the sentence. Three doctors who had previously testified in favor of the state’s position, wrote in a statement under oath that their initial evaluation was “extremely and unusually rushed”.

NEWS BRIEFS Russia halts search for meteorite in region

BBC journalists go on strike against cuts

Europe split over Ecuador’s Correa support for Syrian rebels declares victory

CHELYABINSK: Russian authorities halted their search for the meteorite that struck the Urals last week, leaving about 1,200 people injured and damaging several thousand buildings. The 10-tonne space rock streaked over the region in a blinding ﬁreball on Friday just as the world was braced for a close encounter with a large asteroid.

LONDON: BBC journalists began a 24-hour strike in protest at compulsory redundancies, causing possible disruption to the broadcaster’s output. Members of the National Union of Journalists walked out at midnight at the end of Sunday’s programming, over cuts which are expected to affect the Asian Network and the World Service.

BRUSSELS: Britain, apparently backed by a handful of European Union allies, is ﬁghting to lift an EU arms embargo barring the supply of weapons to the Syrian rebel coalition battling President Bashar alAssad. As EU foreign ministers go into a daylong meeting on the issue Monday, the internal row remains unresolved despite weeks of talks.

QUITO: President Rafael Correa declared victory in the ﬁrst-round of Ecuador’s presidential vote as he celebrated with thousands of supporters in the capital of the South American country. “We are here to serve you,” Correa told a crowd from the balcony of the presidential palace in Quito. “Nothing for us, everything for you.”

LONDON: British rocker Tony Sheridan, best known as an early collaborator of The Beatles and mentor during the Fab Four’s legendary spell in Hamburg, has died aged 72, his family announced. The singer/guitarist, who died in Hamburg, performed on some of the Beatles’ earliest recordings after meeting John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and original drummer Pete Best in Germany in the early 1960s.

NUMEROLOGY

307

The amount (in Euros) of sales done by the global arms market in 2011. This is down from 412bn Euros in 2010. This is the first time a drop has been registered since 1994,

SHUT OUT PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA: White House correspondents complained that political reporters were denied access to President Barack Obama on a weekend he played golf with superstar Tiger Woods. “Speaking on behalf of the White House Correspondents Association, I can say a broad cross section of our members from print, radio, online and TV have today expressed extreme frustration to me about having absolutely no access to the President of the United States this entire weekend,” said the association’s president Ed Henry.

I’m very hopeful things will change for kids and we’ll start realising we need to take it even further , because it’s all we have and it’s not fair to mess it up. Nolan Gould Actor and activist

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

THE PAGE DEDICATED TO WOMEN AND THE ISSUES THEY FACE ACROSS THE GLOBE

VANGUARD OF CHANGE

Women scientists win fellowship

Afghan entrepreneurs get biz lessons

ight Arab women scientists won the L'OrealUNESCO 'For Women In Science Pan-Arab' award. Each fellow receives a grant of $20,000 and is empowered through this initiative to push forward her research. From a researcher studying vessel dysfunction in diabetic patients to focusing on traffic offloading on WiFi networks, the winners represent the scope of research being undertaken in Arab countries.

US college has been conducting an intensive two-week business course with a difference. The students are Afghani women entrepreneurs, who have had to overcome resistance and punishment to thrive in a male-dominated world. The women learn management, marketing and leadership and are mentored by successful entrepreneurs and teachers for a year after the programme ends. The women also teach their skills to other women in their community, thus striking a blow against patriarchy and oppression.

Climb every mountain

ive American women are planning to climb to Mt Everest base camp to raise funds to stop human trafficking. One of the trekkers recently scaled Mt Kilimanjaro for the same cause. She raised a grand total of $70,000, more than any other US climber on similar fund-raising programmes. The five will be part of the Freedom Climb, an initiative to help at-risk women and children across the globe.

AFP/SAJJAD HUSSAIN

Twelve years ago, marketers deliberately went after pre-teen girls, knowing if you get them, then they will buy a lot of stuff in their teen years.

Money gives men the power to run the show. It gives men the power to define our values and to define what’s sexy and what’s feminine and that’s bullshit.

Steve Biddulph Author, therapist

Beyonce Singer

WORKING WOMEN

TWO STEPS BACK

Afghani women get into special forces

Three paraded naked in Odisha

hree women were allegedly stripped and paraded naked in Sundargarh district in Odisha on suspicion of practising witchcraft, a PTI report stated. The victims were dragged out of their homes in Ambapada village and assaulted by the locals. The mob stripped them and blackened their faces before parading them on the village road. A meeting held later accused the women of practising witchcraft. The local police intervened, rescued the three women and arrested three persons in connection with the case.

Two ‘witches’ saved from fiery death

wo elderly women in Papua New Guinea were saved by the police just as an angry mob was about to set them on fire. The townsfolk accused the two of sorcery and blamed them for the death of an eight-yearold child. The women had been tied to a pole and were about to be set afire when the police arrived. A child was gang-raped and murdered, leading the holy man to accuse the two. A week earlier, a woman was burnt alive after being accused of using witchcraft to kill a young boy.

Women in Delhi dance at a local edition of One Billion Rising on February 14.

SILVER LINING FOR SAUDI WOMEN Following a new decree, Saudi citizenship will now be granted to children born to Saudi women who marry foreigners.

here is good news from the Middle East. Saudi citizenship will be granted to children of Saudi women married to foreign men following a new decree, announced the Saudi Ministry of Labour and the Passport General Department. Children from now on will be treated as Saudi citizens in education and medical care. Every Saudi woman will also be allowed to bring her husband to the kingdom and become his

sponsor without the phrase “husband of Saudi citizen”. According to the new rule, husbands will be allowed to work in Saudi companies provided they hold an internationa l l y re c o g nised

passport that ensures that they can go back to their countries at any time. The only condition is that the Saudi women have to be married to their husbands with the permission of the relevant bodies and the children have to possess valid identification documents. According to recent statistics issued by the Saudi Minister of Labour, 1,988 Saudi women married foreign men in 2011 — 548 from Mecca, 543 from Riyadh, and 490 from the Eastern Province.

fghani women are being trained to join the armed special forces and participate in night-time raids for the first time ever. While women have been part of law enforcement agencies in the country for years now, few considered joining the special forces. This move is because men are not allowed to touch women, making it difficult for armed forces to raid homes. The female agents will now corral women in the house as well as check for male terrorists hiding in women's clothing.

A modelling agency for Muslim women

New York fashion designer Nailah Lymus has opened up the world of modelling, known for its bravado of skin show — for Muslim women. Her agency Underwraps, represents Muslim models proving that women can dress modestly and find themselves on the ramp. The 29-year-old stylist and designer who is a practising Muslim says, “You can be modest and still be fashion-forward and stay true to your faith.” Lymus works her design aesthetic into the head coverings and said they can be styled with as much versatility as hair can.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

Comment Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree. Martin Luther Civil rights leader

Coming in from the wild THE FILM BUSINESS Michael Thurston

he landed the part by lying about her age: Quvenzhane Wallis was five, and the filmmakers were only auditioning girls at least six years old. But they believed her fib and tried her out — and were blown away, giving her the starring role in the low-budget Beasts of the Southern Wild over 4,000 other hopefuls. And now she could become the youngest ever winner of the best actress Oscar, at the 85th Academy Awards, the climax of Hollywood's annual awards season, next weekend. "It was very clear ...you don't meet six-yearolds who have that quality," said director Benh Zeitlin, recalling her audition. "She just had this natural charisma and focus and fierceness and wiseness and morality. In the movie Wallis plays Hushpuppy, living in the Louisiana bayou with her hottempered and ailing father Wink, in a community threatened by floods driven by melting ice-caps. The movie's setting was close to Wallis' home: the actress was born in Houma, Louisiana, on August 28, 2003. Wallis is the youngest best actress Oscar nominee by four years: the next is Keisha CastleHughes, who was 13 when nominated for Whale Rider in 2003. The youngest ever best actress Oscar winner is Marlee Matlin, who took the prize in 1986 for Children of a Lesser God at the positively mature age of 21 years and 218 days. The youngest person to ever win an Oscar in any competitive category is Tatum O'Neal, who was just 10 when she took home the best supporting actress prize in 1973.

HIGH-FLYING THOUGHTS

Looks like Digvijay Singh has some serious worrying to do. Press Council of India chairman and former top judge Katju is giving the Congress war horse a run for his money with his pearls of wisdom. Only when one was thinking ‘good riddance’ when Bal Thackeray kicked the bucket...

POWER PLAY

PADAYATRA POLITICS HARD TALK

PK Surendran

ong ago a man called MK Gandhi set a trend of walking for political end. It is another matter that many could not keep pace with him for he walked in long strides, his spidery legs carrying his frail body with surprising strength and agility. He walked because he knew he represented a people who are steeped in abject poverty and slavery. After Gandhi, it was Vinobha Bhave who effectively used this method to galvanise popular support for donating spare land for the poor. Bhoodan achieved a limited success. He too was a sincere saint who had no axe to grind but nurtured a noble aim. Then the modern Turks took over. For them, the Gandhi’s method was more than a symbolic act. It was a means to an end — a personal end where private benefits are the key. ‘Young Turk” turned Old Turk, Chandradeskhar too took up to walking from South to North and got lands allotted for his mission. What mission? I don’t know. Last heard, he was leading a great life in a sprawling Ashram built for himself much before his death. Since, there had been countless padayatras and motor yatras by the modern “Gandhis,” in this country.

What did they find on the way except holding the TV show and ladling out outrageous promises?

WALKATHON FEVER HITS AP

Now, Padayatra epidemic has hit Deccan Plateau for sometime now. One and all, leaders are eager to start on padayatras for virtually no reason. I suspect this is in reminiscence of the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy launching a padayatra in 2003 that led to his climbing to power. Now, Chandrababu Naidu, the former ‘CEO’ of AP, is on a marathon yatra to beat the YSR record. Chota netas did mini walkthaons. Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy did an Indiramma Baata. Some others did Rajiv Baata and Rahul Baata. And now, Sharmila, the goodwill ambassador of YSRC, is falling and picking herself up on her way through the districts. No good leader — honest and efficient — needs to undertake padayatra in today’s world. Gandhi had a point, he did the right thing but the modern leaders who drive in limousine have no moral rights to make a show of this once-powerful means of shoring up popular support for a public cause. They think they can fool the public. They can’t. In fact, a good leader once elected, knows what he is mandated to do. Since there is no recalling option in our set up the honest leader can pursue progressive works without fear and favour. But no. Our present day leaders have different aims. One is to amass wealth. The other is to

perpetrate the family rule. It is only in this country millions of people take up politics as a ‘profession.’ Unless we make our leaders sweat and ear their bread by some other productive means, this ridiculous situation will continue. But I am wishing for a tall order, sorry, allow me to day dream.

TAIL END

A poster maker in the Thiruvananthapuram made a ‘true’ mistake in the early ‘80s, people tell me. In those days those with drawing ability were also drafted for making political posters though printing was

available. One of the posters read, “all leading dealers of Congress will participate in the 3 day convention”. The mistake was pointed out much after the posters had appeared, and by the time, media had got the wind and they celebrated. But a scintillating pen of those days, Kaniyapuram Ramachandran, came to the rescue of the artist. He said, “by a quirk of fate the artist who designed the poster and wrote the lines did justice to the political flocks today. Why upbraid him, instead, honour him for telling the truth: it is not leaders but dealers we have today in politics.”

EDITORIALS No country for women Let it be, Rahulji

here is no limit on how low our leaders can stoop when it comes to denigrating women. While Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi are going gung-ho over crushing perpetrators of crimes against women, there seems to be little care about implementation of respect for the fairer sex within the party rank and ﬁle. The latest to join anti-women comments chorus is Congress MP from Kerala, K Sudhakaran. He said the Suryanelli gangrape victim is a prostitute who targets powerful people for vested interests. With top party leader and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson PJ Kurien in the eye of the storm, the Congress has been on the defensive. Sudhakaran also went on to describe those who criticised him as idiots. For all the noise about rapes and sexual abuse, the entrenched patriarchal line of faulting the victim has not changed. If this is the take of a top leader from a state that boasts of high literacy and standard of living, one can only pray for women elsewhere in the country.

READERS’ VIEWS

ahulji, please don’t be miffed with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna for “making a strong pitch” for you to be declared the party’s prime ministerial candidate. That’s how the Congress functioned, by heaping praise on their leader or leader-in-waiting. It is an old habit from the time of your granny who loved it and would cut anyone who did not do it. Since old habits die hard, you must let it be. We know you are burdened with a huge responsibility and you don’t like it being brought up now and then, but that’s how it is.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

campus A CHIC AFFAIR

IT’S SHOWTIME

Participants of Samahaara Weekend Theatre Workshop will be staging five short plays at Lamakaan on Saturday from 7pm.

COLLEGE FEST

Hitting the catwalk Students of National Institute of Fashion Technology left Hyderabadis in awe with their performances on stage. PICS: UTKARSH KUMAR

Amy Rose Thomas amyrose.t@postnoon.com

t was a field day for the future trendsetters of the country. The two-day fest, Spectrum, hosted by National Institute of F a s h i o n Technology was an event to remember. The theme of women empowerment was evident in all the events that w e r e organi s e d , including the

cultural events and the garments that were showcased in the fashion show. Mayuresh Vispupe, who choreographed the dance performance staged by NIFT students, says, “We portrayed the plight of the Delhi rape victim through the dance performance. We wanted to give out the message that women are still looked down upon in society and it is high time that

they stand up together to make a difference. We had around seven students from the college taking part in the dance performance.” The second day saw students showcasing their garments, made mostly from recycled items. One of the designers, Uktarsh Kumar, says, “Our collection was inspired by birds. The idea behind our presentation was that women are nurturers and it is because of them that life still remains on earth. Other themes on which students presented their designs were goddess es, cartoon characters and music.” Students of NIFT, Madhapur left Hyderabadis in awe with their performances on stage.

FELICITY The International Institute of Information Technology will be hosting the 12th edition of their intercollege fest, Felicity 2013. The fest will be held on February 22 to 24. A crowd of 5,000 is expected to attend. Felicity attracts professionals, collegegoers and young entrepreneurs for the three-day fest.

COLLEGE OF THE WEEK

JIPMER

The Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER) is one of the top five medical schools in India. JIPMER is a residential medical institution with its own campus spread over 195 acres. It has around 200 faculty members, 360 resident physicians and over 3,000 nursing, administrative and support staff.

TRENDING...

A TREAT FOR TECHIES

ech students from different colleges in the City made a beeline for IIIT College, where Idea Carnival was organised. Hyderabad for Innovation organised the event on the lines of Start Up Weekends, where students were invited to pitch their ideas and ten teams were selected to present their business models to investors. Ankit, a student who was part of the ten teams selected for the investors, says, “Our business model is that gradu-

ates from college should work with retired folks. Those who are retired are experienced and mostly stuck at home without anything to do. We, on the other hand, are brimming with ideas but do not have the practical knowledge. We made a prototype based on these analogies and are waiting for the investors to look at our idea.” After the event, those who are selected by the investors will get their models turn into real businesses.

Cracked: A supreme timewasting site if there ever was one. While deﬁnitely not a good research source, Cracked presents tons of interesting lists on innumerable subjects in quasi-informative, chuckle-inducing articles. Try this if you need a good laugh after a long day.

Hulu: If you can’t afford a Netﬂix account, or can’t ﬁnd what you want there, you should know about Hulu. Although the site has restrictions like time limits on episodes for free members, the selection and quality of the content make it proud.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

spotlight

ROLLICKING NIGHT

DJ Mahesh will be dishing out the best of hip-hop mixes at Cuba Libre tonight. So head to the pub to let go and have a blast.

STAR-STUDDED MATCH

Glamour & action

A bevy of celebrities turned up when Mumbai Heroes and Telugu Warriors clashed on field. Spotted were big-wigs like Salman Khan, Sridevi, Ram Charan Tej and others.

High on fervour 2

Post Valentine's Day event organised by Neha Gandhi and Neha Gupta at Namdari Tent House was a success with ladies turning up in hordes for the do. 4

1 Rina 2 Jassi 3 Neha Gupta, Neha Gandhi 4 Seema, Ruchi 5 Neha, Nikita, Soni 6 Shikha

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

health

MARIJUANA ADDICTS GET HOOKED YOUNG

De-addiction experts say an increasing number of youngster are getting hooked to marijuana in their early college days. Three in 10 people seeking detox, rehabilitation and de-addiction help are students addicted to marijuana, said senior doctor Gorav Gupta from Delhi rehab centre.

MENTAL HEALTH

Stranger in the mirror

Dissociative disorders might have formed the premise for many a work of fiction, but for several people it is a coping mechanism that eventually overtakes their entire lives.

RANJANI RAJENDRA

ranjani.r@postnoon.com

emember Sidney Sheldon’s thriller Tell Me Your Dreams, which describes a young woman, Ashley’s struggle to prove her innocence in a murder case that was committed by her alter ego? Chilling, wasn’t it? But dissociative identity disorder is a very real occurrence for many. While most of us lose ourselves in a good movie or a book, for patients of dissociative disorders these are means to escape reality in an unhealthy manner. “The symptoms of dissociative disorders range from amnesia to alternate identities and are usually developed as a reaction to some trauma the patient may have suffered at some point of time in life,” says Dr Radhika, psychiatrist. She adds that this is a coping mechanism for people who are unable to handle the pain of the trauma. This is typically seen in cases where an individual has been subjected to severe physical, sexual or emotional abuse over the years and more so when this happens in the security of one’s home. There are four types of dissociative disorders – dissociative amnesia, dissociative fugue, dissociative identity disorder and depersonalisation disorder.

DISSOCIATIVE AMNESIA

This is when the individual can’t remember incidents or experiences that happened at a particular time. This can also cause the individual to forget important personal information.

DISSOCIATIVE FUGUE

According to clevelandclinic.org, dissociative fugue causes an

ANEWS PP-LYBRIEFS YOURSELF

HOUSECALL

DID YOU KNOW?

individual to temporarily lose their sense of personal identity and impulsively wander or travel away from their homes and workplaces. People with dissociative fugue often become confused about who they are and might even create new identities for themselves. This, however, is a temporary thing and can last either for a few hours or a few weeks.

DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER

This has probably served as the crux of the plot for several movies and books. More popularly known as multiple personality disorder, dissociative identity disorder is characterised by switching to alternate identities when an individual is under stress. According to mayoclinic.com, the individual may feel the presence of one or more people talking or living inside one’s head. Each of these identities may have a unique name, personal history and characteristics, including obvious differences in voice, gender, mannerisms and even such physical qualities as the need for corrective eyewear. There also are differences in how familiar each identity is with the others. People with dissociative identity disorder typically also have dissociative amnesia.

DEPERSONALISATION DISORDER

This disorder is characterised by a sudden sense of being detached from your real self. People with this disorder often find themselves observing their actions or events as if from a distance, almost like they are watching a movie. In this case, the events may also seem distorted and the world may seem unreal. Psychotherapy is the primary treatment offered to individuals with dissociative disorders. This encourages the individual to talk about their experiences and help identify what triggered the disorder. Techniques like hypnotherapy are also suggested to help the individual overcome their traumatic pasts along with medication prescribed by the psychiatrist.

PIONEERS

Accupedo-Pro

Mumps

Mysterious ways

Norman Shumway

Accupedo-Pro is an accurate pedometer widget that monitors your daily walking on the home screen. An intelligent 3D motion recognition algorithm is embedded to track only walking patterns by ﬁltering and ejecting out non walking activities. It counts your steps regardless of where you put your phone.

Mumps is a viral infection of the parotid glands. These glands, which make saliva, are found either side of the face below the ears and over the jaw bone. The illness used to be common but is rarer now that immunisation with the MMR vaccine is routine.People with mumps are infectious from up to seven days before and up to seven days after the glands ﬁrst start to swell. Mumps usually affects children and teenagers.

Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you went there in the ﬁrst place? This is because your brain perceives the doorway as an "event boundary," and memories from the room you just left are "stored" there for when you need them. This is why when you go back through the doorway you can often recollect.

Norman Shumway was born on February 9, 1923, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. After studying at Vanderbilt and Michigan University, Shumway joined the medical team at Stanford University in 1958. He researched cardiac transplantation on animals and performed early experiments. In 1968, he performed the ﬁrst human heart transplant. He died of cancer on February 10, 2006, in Palo Alto, California.

health MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

THE NATURAL WAY

STUDY

Manuka honey most effective in healing wounds Researchers looked at two key honey ingredients that inhibit bacterial growth: MGO, present in high concentrations in Manuka honeys, and hydrogen peroxide, present in many honeys.

SYDNEY: Honey suppresses the growth of a quartet of bugs commonly infesting chronic wounds, but according to a finding manuka honey is the best of them for healing injuries. University of Technology Sydney (UTS) researchers looked at three kinds of honey, namely manuka, kanuka and clover, to

determine which was the most effective in combating them. Real Manuka honey comes from the Leptospermum scoparium plant that is native to New Zealand, the journal Public Library of Science ONE reports. However, many companies attempt to artificially increase methylglyoxal (MGO) levels, known to inhibit bacterial growth in inferior honey prod-

ucts, and label them as genuine Manuka, but synthetically altered honeys are no match for the real thing. Researchers looked at two key honey ingredients known to inhibit bacterial growth: MGO, which is present at high concentrations in Manuka honeys; and hydrogen peroxide which is present in many honeys at varying concentrations, including manuka. "What we saw was that the manuka honeys were the most effective at inhibiting growth of all the bacteria," said Liz Harry, professor at the UTS, who led the study. "Interestingly, the MGO level alone cannot explain the variation in the effects we saw; the key to the effectiveness of honey is its chemical complexity - it contains several chemicals that inhibit bacterial growth, not just MGO," said Harry, according to an UTS statement. The research was conducted at the three institutes at UTS, in collaboration with New Zealand natural health and beauty products company. "Unlike antibiotics, it is not expected that bacteria will become resistant to honey, a claim that has been supported by our research," Harry added.

Urbanisation cuts people off adequate sunlight WASHINGTON: Increasing urbanisation is cutting off people from adequate sunlight, which helps the skin produce vitamin D, facilitating the absorption of calcium, says a study. About two million years ago, permanent dark skin colour imparted by the pigment melanin began to evolve in humans to regulate the body's reaction to ultraviolet rays from the sun, said Nina Jablonski, professor of anthropology at Penn State University. Melanin helped humans maintain the delicate balance between too much sunlight and not enough sunlight. The pigment allowed enough ultraviolet radiation to produce vitamin D, while protecting the skin from the intense ultraviolet radiation in the equator. Most people now live in cities with limited exposure to the sun. Most of these people are indoors, further reducing their ability to make enough vitamin D in their skin, according to Penn statement. "Think about a farmer who lived in northern England and worked outside," said Jablonski. "In the past, that farmer had the right amount of light pigmentation to make it possible for him to produce enough vitamin D in his skin in the summer to satisfy most of his yearly needs." Jablonski said a typical worker who lives in England today is rarely exposed to that amount of sun, which only compounds health problems. "This can lead to a vitamin D catastrophe for many people." IANS

IANS

RESEARCH

Use of mussels in surgery, cancer BOSTON: Mussels secrete a powerful adhesive to hold tight on rocks swept by violent waves â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and a synthetic version could prove critical for surgery and cancer treatment, researchers said Saturday. Scientists have created materials that mimic the mussels' sticky proteins and could have

medical applications such as sealants for fetal membrane repair, self-setting antibacterial hydrogels and polymers for to deliver cancer drugs and destroy cancer cells. "An inland stream with water moving at only one meter (yard) per second is very hard to stand in," said University of

Washington, Seattle biologist Emily Carrington, who studies the tiny mollusks. "Imagine something going 10 times that speed â&#x20AC;&#x201C; over your whole body." Phillip Messersmith, professor of biomedical engineering at Northwestern University, and his team, have developed a version that is equally water resis-

tant. The substance could prove useful in repairing prematurely ruptured fetal membranes, a condition that is difficult to treat and can lead to miscarriage, premature births and other serious complications. Another team is working to develop synthetic versions of the mussel's adhesive that could help repair broken

bones or teeth. In addition to the medical applications, Carrington's team uses the "glue" as an indicator of environmental changes. Researchers had already observed that the mussel's foot weakened at the end of summer and in early fall, before regaining strength in the colder seasons. AFP

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

Entertainment CINE BYTES

Backbench Student’s audio launched

he audio of Mahat Raghavendra, Piaa Bajpai and Archana Kavi starrer Backbench Student was launched recently in Hyderabad. Madhura Sreedhar has directed the film and MVK Reddy has produced it. Tamil actor Simbu has sung the remix of Jagada Jagada, a song from Geethanjali, in this film. Sunil Kashyap has scored the music.

fter Iddarammayilatho, NTR starrer Baadshah is the latest Telugu film which will be partly shot in Spain. NTR and Kajal, who are playing the lead roles in Baadshah, are reportedly in Spain to shoot for a song and after that they’ll head to Switzerland.

DREAM ENTRY?

ANOTHER

SON RISES IN

T’WOOD!

Yemito Ee Maya to release in April

NTR goes to Spain

t looks like the stage is all set for Mahesh Babu’s son Gautham’s entry in Telugu cinema. Buzz is that a test shoot is being done on Gautham for Mahesh Babu’s upcoming film in Sukumar’s direction. It really is a surprise since Mahesh Babu had evaded the question few days ago when he was asked if Gautham would act anytime soon. It remains to be seen if Gautham indeed plays the younger version of Mahesh Babu in this film, but the makers would be keen on giving fans of Mahesh Babu one more reason to cheer about the film. Incidentally, Mahesh Babu himself had made his debut as a child artiste in his elder brother Ramesh Babu’s debut film Needa which released in 1979. Mahesh Babu was just four years old when he appeared in Needa and later went on to act in several films like Sankharavam, Bazaar Rowdy, Mugguru Kodukulu and Koduku Diddina Kapuram which all had his father Superstar Krishna in lead roles. This untitled film starring Mahesh Babu and Kriti Sanon is expected to hit the screens later this summer. Devi Sri Prasad is scoring the music for the film.

harwanand, Nithya Menen starrer Yemito Ee Maya is fast nearing completion. Cheran is directing the film and Sravanthi Ravi Kishore is producing it. The film has already been shot in Hyderabad, Goa, Chennai and Kaalahasti. The movie is expected to hit the screens in April.

Entertainment MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

BASKING IN THE GLORY

sequel, franchise in offing?

kshay Kumar in the role of a fake CBI officer, carrying out mock-raids across the country in Special 26, has gone down well with the audience. Now, the film’s production company, Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, is keen to carry the heist tale forward into not only a sequel, but an ongoing franchise. The one who is most relieved and happy is director Neeraj Pandey, who had his fingers crossed about the success of his second feature film. His first was the critically acclaimed A Wednesday. Both of Pandey’s films so far have adapted the thriller format. But he now intends to change tracks. ‘I actu-

CINE BYTES

No haunted mansions, spirits in 3G

ctress Sonal Chauhan, who will soon be seen in 3G, says it is an unconventional horror film for Bollywood. “3G is a horror film. But in Indian cinema, the horror films have been mostly about haunted mansions, spirits or black magic. 3G offers you horror in a different way, something that I think the Indian audience will be seeing for the first time on screen,’ she says. IANS

Bips, Nawaz’s unique chemistry in Aatma

ally wanted to start my career with a love story. But then A Wednesday happened, and now Special 26. I may go back to love now. I haven’t decided,’ he said. But as of now, a sequel to Special 26, is being given an added push. Viacom 18 Motion Pictures is keen to start the sequel at the earliest, and Akshay too is reportedly willing to dole out the dates. ‘I’ve left the ending open. We saw Akshay’s character leave the country with his girl. It would now be interesting to see what happens to him and his colleagues. Let’s see.’ Pandey believes ‘less was at stake in A Wednesday as it didn’t feature any major stars’. ‘Special 26 featured Akshay Kumar and we were anxious to see how audiences react to his character and performance. Fortunately, the audiences have embraced Akshay’s unusual performance. All the actors were my first choices and I was glad that they agreed to be part of this project. ‘Though it took time, I consider myself lucky. The response to the film has been very good,’ he added. Special 26, which also features Kajal Aggarwal. IANS

ctress Bipasha Basu is all praise for her Aatma co-star Nawazuddin Siddiqui. ‘It is always the presence and conﬁdence on screen that shows! And Nawaz shines with all that,’ Bipasha added, ‘Cutest thing Nawaz said about his and my unique chemistry in Aatma, that I am taller than him.’ IANS

Saif is all set to do a Butch Cassidy

aif Ali Khan is getting to do a variation on one of his favourite ﬁlms, the George Roy Hill classic Western Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. In Bullet Raja, director Tigmanshu Dhulia has relocated the original buddy ﬁlm’s concept from the Wild West to Lucknow. While Saif plays one of the trigger-happy protagonists, the talented Jimmy Sheirgill plays the other lead in Bullet Raja. IANS

Entertainment MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

Entertainment MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013 CINE BYTES

OSCAR FEVER

Lawrence avoids thinking Hugh Grant a dad again

ugh Grant conﬁrmed on Saturday that he is a dad again. The actor tweeted, "In answer to some journos. I am thrilled my daughter now has a brother. Adore them both to an uncool degree. They have a fab mum." Hugh and actress Tinglan Hong welcomed a daughter named Tabitha in 2011. No word yet on what Tabitha's little brother is named.

Jennifer Lopez not in talks for Jenni Rivera

ontrary to online reports claiming Jennifer Lopez is in talks to produce and/or star in a Jenni Rivera biopic, the actress is not looking to secure the rights to the story of the late MexicanAmerican superstar. “The J.Lo rumor is not true,” a source close to the Rivera family tells Access Hollywood.

Gaga meets sick fan despite own injury

op sensation Lady Gaga didn't let her hip injury get in the way of her will to fulfill her promise of meeting a terminally-ill fan. Gaga was forced to cancel her Born This Way Ball tour earlier this week. However, she made sure not to cancel a scheduled meet-and-greet with five-year-old Kaylee Gurbynski, who has an inoperable heart condition. Gaga flew down to Illinois for a surprise visit.

about Oscar

ennifer Lawrence, who stands a chance to win the best actress Academy award for her work in Silver Linings Playbook, doesn't want to think about what it might be like to win the coveted prize. The Oscar ceremony is to take place on February 24. The 22-year-old admits she would love to win, but she is trying to keep her excitement in check. "It's very important to separate work from your personal life. If you don't separate it, then it blends into your personal life. For my career — yes I hope, knock on wood — that I win, but I don't have a personal interest in it," contactmusic.com quoted Lawrence as saying. "I am not going to cry myself to sleep if it doesn't happen. I'm still going to be happy, I'm still going to be me, I'm still going to have my friends and I will be fine," she added. Nevertheless, she was pleasantly surprised upon getting nominated. It is her second nomination after she was once in the run for the award for Winter's Bone in 2011. She is also proud to be included in a list that also features talents like Jessica Chastain, Emmanuelle Riva, Quvenzhane Wallis and Naomi Watts. "It's really exciting, but it never sinks in. I am so in the zone when I am working that when you hear it, you are like 'Wow'. I know what an honour that is," she added. Lawrence has already clinched prizes for her portrayal of a sex addict in the offbeat comedy Silver Linings Playbook, including the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award for best actress. IANS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

Chai Time

Play & Win

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

KAKURO How to play kakuro Kakuro is a popular game similar to sudoku in some ways. But is also suitably different. The key question: ‘How do you play kakuro?’, well here are the rules of kakuro. The answer: The kakuro grid, unlike in sudoku, can be of any size. It has rows and columns, and dark cells like in a crossword. And, just like in a crossword, some of the dark cells will contain numbers. Some cells will contain two numbers. However, in a crossword the numbers reference clues. In a kakuro, the numbers are all you get! They denote the total of the digits in the row or column refer-

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

on... So, how do you work out the actual combination? Well, this is done through elimination and cross-referencing. For instance, as you work out the answers for other kakuro clues, this will naturally limit the valid combinations, and hence the answer for this particular run. Note the second cell in row two — it contains two numbers, 30 and 11. The 30 refers to the vertical run underneath the number 30 and the 11 refers to the two cells to the right, horizontally, of the number 11.

Play & Win

voucher from VENKEY’S VEG Restaurant, Nampally

ACROSS

SCRIBBLING PAD

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SUDOKU

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

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1 Bit of a tiff 5 Disgusted chorus 9 Like a lit lantern 14 Code word for ‘A’ 15 December air 16 ‘Ghostbusters’ gunk 17 Persuade gently 18 Gaucho’s weapon 19 French philosopher Georges 20 ‘Hit it!’ 23 Picnic pest 24 Letter from Greece? 25 Name of many English kings 29 Actor Kilmer 31 It may get plastered 35 Jeweled crown 36 Extremely smart people 38 Spring month 39 Are ahead of schedule 42 Before, to a bard 43 Nab with a noose 44 Insurance ploy 45 Classical instrument 47 Vague amount 48 Event with a pinata 49 Brooks behind ‘Blazing Saddles’ 51 Constrictor, eg 52 Home with floors separated by half a

story 61 Doctor’s request 62 Like some salsa 63 Had memorised 64 Conservative start? 65 ___ Royale (Lake Superior park) 66 Frost 67 Pair of sixes 68 Sly look 69 Baseline on a graph

DOWN 1 Black Hawk’s group 2 Novel creation? 3 Not proximately 4 Picker-upper, of a sort 5 Straighten, in a way 6 Socialise 7 Beatles album 8 Jalousie unit 9 Money in the bank, say 10 All over the world 11 Bit of old Italian bread? 12 Storm clouds, to some 13 Unite with heat 21 Ingot units 22 Prefix meaning ‘sun’ 25 Lucy’s pal on TV 26 Book with a lock and key 27 Not stick to one’s

guns 28 ‘Where the Wild Things ___’ 29 Small American thrush 30 Poker buy-in 32 Stockpile 33 Predictive deck 34 Carnivorous cackler 36 Dillinger chaser 37 Hebrew prophet 40 Excluding nothing 41 Cautionary beginning? 46 Displaced person, often 48 Computer desktop icon 50 Hawke of ‘Snow Falling on Cedars’ 51 Ball girl 52 Mideast missile 53 Marco ___ 54 Leap with one full rotation 55 Disney’s ‘ ___ and the Detectives’ 56 Shop tool 57 Pod vegetable 58 Alternative to DOS or Windows 59 Turnpike rumbler 60 Merino mamas

Chai Time MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013 Thiruvaikumar

STAR POWER for 19-2-2013

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

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Comforts set to improve. Purchase of household items and furniture to make your spouse cheerful. Children might face memory loss; take necessary steps. Respect spouse’s suggestions as you will benefit. Some are likely to buy a vehicle.

STRIP TEASE AGNES

Expenses might increase as vehicle will breakdown. Be careful while expressing opinions as you might be dragged into controversy. Maintain calm when major issues crop up. You are determined to work hard to complete all delayed work.

Students need to concentrate well in their studies. They need to avoid deviating from their goal. Employees get recognition for sincere and hard work. Petty issues with spouse are possible; try to be cordial and adjust so that peace prevails.

You will take bold and perfect decisions, which will yield desired results and bring you accolades from all. Indirect enemies might come in the open to create trouble for you; be careful. You will get the expected help from your friends and relatives.

Businessmen will march ahead towards growth and prosperity. You fulfill wishes of spouse and children and make them feel happy. Your mind will be occupied with religious thoughts and will help those in need. Financial position set to improve.

Avoid entrusting important work to others as you will only be successful if those chores are handle by you. Avoid harsh talk and emotional outbursts. Though it looks like you may not achieve financially a comfortable situation is ahead.

Official journeys will bring expected results. Issues created by relatives and critics will be faced by you wisely and get resolved. You will be happy and humorous. But be careful in your talks so that you are not misunderstood by anyone.

Undertaking a pleasure trip with family members is not ruled out. Happy events to take place at home, which cheer all family members cheerful. Businessmen will flourish well and profits look up gradually. Family issues will be resolved favourably.

All work will end successfully without facing much troubles or opposition. Powerful VIPs will extend help to you voluntarily, which will see you sail through hard times. Your skills will be exposes and receive appreciation from everyone.

TAROT READ

Sumaa Tekur

tarotreadhyd@gmail. com

ARIES:

GEMINI:

The Tower – Changes in the offing. You might change residence or move jobs. But it will be for the best. You will take time to settle in your new surroundings.

LEO:

The Magician – You come across synchronicity. They were always there. You notice them now. You now have the ability to make the most of your talents.

LIBRA:

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE

The Tower – Be prepared for change. You cannot avoid change from coming into your life and uprooting you. But you can keep an open mindset to tackle it right.

SAGITTARIUS:

Seven of Cups – There is confusion over your decisions. You may not have gotten what you expected from a new job – a letdown, at least with the pay packet.

TAURUS:

Two of Pentacles – You need to make time to spend with your family. Work-related travel may stress you out but it’s nothing you cannot handle.

CANCER:

Death – Keep your mind open to some changes to your living and working situation. It may not be a physical movement. It could also be a change in perspective.

VIRGO:

The World – You might be afraid of approaching a strict boss or a spouse who you think will not understand your problem. But it has to be communicated.

SCORPIO:

Ten of Wands – Learn to delegate responsibilities so you don’t feel burdened. You don’t have to do it all by yourself. But yes, the quality of work may not be best.

CAPRICORN:

Nine of Wands – There’s contradiction in the news you get. What you hear is not aligning with what you see. Wait it out and don’t believe anything.

PREVIOUS SOLUTIONS

PISCES:

Three of Cups – All your hard work and effort are paying off. The results are out and you are shining. You’re in the spotlight with your bosses and clients.

NUMBER GAME

Doing a job with a partner is likely to be a bigger success than trying to do it on your own. Be open to partnerships.

SCRABBLE

AQUARIUS: Two of Cups –

POOCH CAFE

Businessmen will see a good growth and profits are likely to soar beyond expectations. You will do undertaken assignments better than others. Debt problems might gain upper hand; be cautious. The selfemployed will prosper well.

for 19-2-2013

The Wheel of Fortune – Nothing ever stays the same. You need to realise and appreciate the fact that bad times will eventually give way to good times.

NON SEQUITUR

You will be cheerful and active. Journeys likely to be undertaken in frequent intervals. You complete all work without giving up despite hindrances. Students will do well and get appreciation. Son’s career opportunity will excite you.

SUDUKO

Those who are trying for a new job will get good news soon. Financial situation is good as multiple income likely. Family will be cheerful. Those planning construction will be favoured. You will spend time with children and fulfill their wishes.

Boggle HARP BANJO CELLO GUITAR Vol: 2, No 213 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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

Every life has a silver lining HEMANTH KUMAR hemanth.k@postnoon.com

n the opening scene of Silver Linings Playbook, the film’s director David O Russell, focuses on a word ‘Excelsior’ which is pasted on a wall at the Karel Psychiatric facility in Baltimore. The mental health facility has been home to Patrick Jr, the lead protagonist of the story, for the past eight months and slowly he begins to understand the concept of Excelsior. On a different occasion, when Patrick’s father asks him what it means, he says, “It means you know what I’m gonna do, I’m gonna take all this negativity and use it as fuel and I’m gonna find a silver lining, that’s what I’m gonna do.” That single dialogue summarises the entire story of Silver Linings Playbook where two fragmented souls find peace in each other’s company and find a silver lining in their life. Silver Linings Playbook starts off on an explosive note as Patrick Jr (Bradley Cooper) struggles to overcome the haunting memory of his wife Nikki who cheated on him. Despite eight months of psychiatric help and counselling, he hasn’t been able to overcome the overwhelming urge to go ballistic every time he comes across things which remind him of Nikki. The most prominent of them all is a song My Cherie Amour by Stevie Wonder which acts as a trigger every time Patrick hears it. It all changes one day when Patrick meets Tiffany Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence) at a dinner hosted by

his best friend Ronnie. Tiffany is a young widow and like Pat, she undergoes drastic mood swings when someone reminds her of her past. Patrick, in his attempts to get back with Nikki, befriends Tiffany, but the latter slowly falls in love with him as the two begin practising for a dance competition. The film is as much as Patrick Jr and Tiffany’s relationship as it is about Pat’s reconciliation with his family who want

Bradley Cooper is surprisingly good and after Hangover, him acting in a film like Silver Linings Playbook is nothing short of a knockout punch. him to get over Nikki. Pat Sr (Robert De Niro) is a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles football team and after losing his job, he resorts to bookmaking to earn money. He considers his son as a lucky charm and pleads him to spend some time with him, but the latter almost

always avoids him since he’s obsessed with the idea of getting back with Nikki. He doesn’t understand the budding relationship between his son and Tiffany, but he’s more than happy that Pat Jr is more peace with himself. The film also has another important character Dr Patel, played by Anupam Kher, a psychiatrist who helps Pat Jr overcome his bipolar disorder. Silver Linings Playbook is a bitter sweet drama about a family which is coping with chaos in their lives and the topnotch performances from its lead cast, fascinat-

Silver Linings Playbook, starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, is a bitter sweet drama about a guy, who has gone through a nervous breakdown, trying to reconcile with his wife with the help of a young woman who has had her share of heartbreak in the past. It’s a beautiful film where people find peace, love and hope in the unlikeliest of places in their lives.

ing storytelling by David O Russell, make it one of the best family dramas in recent times. Bradley Cooper is surprisingly good in the film and after films like Hangover, A Team and Valentine’s Day, him acting in a film like Silver Linings Playbook is nothing short of a knockout punch. That, he’s extremely good in the film is the real icing on the cake. Jennifer Lawrence’s career has been on a high ever since she played the lead role in Winter’s Bone and after scoring a smash hit with Hunger Games, she’s a talent who’ll rule the roost for years to come. She’s dazzling as Tiffany in Silver Linings Playbook and much of the film’s explosive moments feature her confronting Pat Jr about his obsession for Nikki. Robert De Niro is wonderful in his role as an ardent fan of Philadelphia Eagles who bets all his money on the team which acts as another trigger point that brings the family together. Masanobu Takayanagi, the film’s cinematographer, captures the impulsiveness of Pat Jr and rebelliousness of Tiffany with alarming clarity. The unsteady camera movements in the beginning are in complete contrast with how Takayanagi captures the lives of the film’s lead actors as they calm down as the story unfolds. David O Russell, who has made films like Three Kings and The Fighter, hits the bullseye with Silver Linings Playbook. A story like this could happen in anyone’s life and David O Russell’s choice of actors to narrate it makes a whole lot of difference. This film has its heart in the right place.

sports

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

WORLD GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

Familiar foes await No 1, 2 Roy McIlroy lost last year’s final to Hunter Mahan. Woods won the event in 2003, 2004 and 2008 but lost to Nick Watney in last year’s second round.

REBECCA BRYAN Agence France-Presse

in the world when the field was set last week, but gained entry because Phil Mickelson and Brandt Snedeker opted not to play. Jacobson improved his seeding with his tie for third in the Northern Trust Open on Sunday and will face South Africa’s reigning British Open champion Ernie Els in the first round. World number three Luke Donald, who won the title in 2011 to launch a stellar year that saw him gain the world number one ranking and win both the European and US money titles, heads the Sam Snead quarter and will open against Germany’s Marcel Siem.

LOS ANGELES: World number one Rory McIlroy and number two Tiger Woods will face familiar foes in the opening round of the World Golf Championships Match Play Championship on Wednesday. As the top overall seed, Northern Ireland’s McIlroy heads the Bobby Jones quarter of the draw and will face 64th seed Shane Lowry of Ireland while Woods, top seed in the Gary Player quarter, will face fellow American and friend Charles Howell. Lowry and Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson were outside the top 64

NATIONAL JUNIOR ARCHERY

US PGA TOUR

Merrick wins playoff REBECCA BRYAN Agence France-Presse

Jyothi Surekha atop the podium after winning the 50+50m for girls in the compound round of the 35th National Junior Archery Championship at the SAAP Sports Complex, Gachibowli on Sunday.

LOS ANGELES: Southern California native John Merrick’s (right) youthful dreams came true on Sunday as he captured his first US PGA Tour title with a playoff triumph over Charlie Beljan at Riviera Country Club. Merrick led by as many as two on the back nine in regulation and shared the lead for much of the day as a tightly bunched leaderboard made for a tense finish. Now in his seventh season as a US PGA Tour member, he finally lifted the Northern Trust Open title, and a $1.188 million first prize, with a par at the second hole of sudden death — Riviera’s demanding par-four 10th. “Growing up here in LA, I

just wanted to come to this tournament,” said Merrick, who still lives in nearby Long Beach where he grew up and attended the University of California at Los Angeles. “Now to win it, this is a dream come true.”

BUDDIES GOLF

Obama tees it up with Tiger TANGI QUEMENER Agence France-Presse PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA: US President Barack Obama (right) played a round with Tiger Woods on Sunday, crowning a buddies golf trip with his long-awaited first match-up with the 14-time major champion. Obama was spending a long weekend at a luxury resort in

Florida and on Saturday took lessons from legendary coach Butch Harmon, before meeting up with the golfing icon for Sunday’s round. White House spokesman Josh Earnest confirmed the game to reporters, saying that Obama had played with US trade representative Ron Kirk, Texan businessman Jim Crane — and the former world number one, Woods.

Media teed off

hite House correspondents on Sunday complained that reporters were denied access to President Barack Obama on a weekend he played golf with superstar Tiger Woods. “I can say a broad cross section of our members from print, radio, online and TV have expressed frustration,” said Ed Henry of CNN television.

Harmon told Golf Digest that the interaction between the two was “pretty neat.” “The President said to Tiger, ‘The last tournament you played was fun to watch. It’s good to see you play well again,’” Harmon was quoted as saying. Woods left the course after 18 holes while Obama stayed on to play another nine, according to Golf Digest.

Ko says no to turning pro: Coach

WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s golfing sensation Lydia Ko (above) will resist pressure to turn professional following an eye-catching performance at the Women’s Australian Open, her coach said on Monday. The 15-year-old, already the world’s number one amateur and the youngest tournament winner in US LPGA history, came close to upsetting South Korea’s Shin Ji-Yai before a poor final round saw her relegated to third. Her form at the Royal Canberra Golf Club, which included a career-best 10under-par 63 in the opening round, has a number of pundits, including Tiger Woods’s former caddy Steve Williams, calling for her to turn professional. “There’s no negative ongoing pro in my mind,” Williams said of his fellow Kiwi, who was born in South Korea and moved to New Zealand at the age of six. AFP

sports

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

QATAR OPEN

SAP OPEN

Azarenka beats Serena to retain title Azarenka was helped by Williams making the worst of starts. She was twice break point down in her opening service game and followed it with two double faults. RICHARD EATON Agence France-Presse

“I started at love-30 down and it was ‘you have to keep it together and pull it around’. Serena was on a roll. I knew she would bring her A game, and I was really glad I could stay tough and focussed.” Williams, 31, insisted she will take comfort from becoming the oldest woman to take the world number one spot on Monday. “I can’t say that I’m depressed like I am whenever I lose. I’m definitely not happy, but I’m number one,” she said. “It was such a long journey, and after winning Wimbledon and the US Open and the (season-ending) Championships, I thought, I just don’t think I can win anymore. I don’t know what it takes to be number one.”

DOHA: Victoria Azarenka (right) avenged the loss of her world number one ranking to Serena Williams by beating the American for only the second time in 13 attempts to successfully defend her Qatar Open title on Sunday. The Belarusian’s 7-6 (8/6), 2-6, 6-3 win over the legendary American also completed backto-back title defences, as last month she also defended the Australian Open title in Melbourne. “I just wanted to fight and give it my best, and give myself every opportunity,” said Azarenka, when asked how she recovered from the one-sided loss of the second set.

Serena targets Dubai recovery Serena Williams hopes to shrug off the disappointment of her Qatar Open final defeat by celebrating her return to the world number one spot after more than two-and-a-half years with victory in the Dubai Open. The 31-year-old American’s performances have belied her status as the oldest number one in the history of the women’s game, as she came from the edge of defeat to survive against Petra Kvitova and depose Victoria Azarenka from the pinnacle.

Raonic wins three in a row

SAN JOSE: Big-serving top seed Milos Raonic (pic) captured his record-tying third consecutive ATP Tour SAP Open title on Sunday, defeating German Tommy Haas 64, 6-3 in the final. Raonic, ranked 13th, joined Tony Trabert, the 19531955 champion, as the only players to win the event three times in a row. Raonic has won 24 sets in a row at San Jose, never dropping a set in any of his title runs. “A lot has happened here,” Raonic said. “I’ve grown a lot here. I’ve had my best matches here. The opportunity I was given with a wildcard (entry) my first year here, something to build toward, it’s pretty special.”

BRAZIL OPEN

Nadal triumphs in Brazil The world number five, who has 11 Grand Slam titles under his belt, won the Brazil Open in 2005 held in Costa do Sauipe.

SAO PAULO: Rafael Nadal (in pic) showed he is back in business by clinching his first tournament title since ending a seven-month knee injury layoff, winning the Brazil Open here Sunday. The Spanish former world number one, who has been complaining of nagging knee pain, beat Argentine David Nalbandian in straight sets 6-2, 6-3 in 78 minutes. Currently the world number five, Nadal went on the attack from the start, breaking his opponent’s service before racing to take the first set. The 31-year-old Nalbandian, a former world number three who now

Nadal back in business with Brazil success SAO PAULO: Rafael Nadal showed he is back in business by clinching his first title since ending a seven-month knee injury layoff, winning the Brazil Open on Sunday. The 31-year-old Nalbandian, a former world number three who now languishes at 93 in the ATP rankings, fought back early in the second set but Nadal came from behind to win, sparking wild cheers from the crowd.

languishes in 93rd place in the ATP rankings, fought back early in the second set but Nadal came from behind to win the match, sparking wild cheers from the crowd. The Spaniard pocketed a check of $82,300 for his win and thanked the public for “the great support” he received throughout the tournament. Nadal was the top seed in this $455,775 tournament, his second comeback event following his long absence. He competed in the Vina del Mar Open in Chile earlier this month, losing the singles and doubles finals last Sunday. AFP

ROAD TO WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES

Dreams fade for unpaid Sochi migrant workers MARIA ANTONOVA Agence France-Presse SOCHI, RUSSIA: Tashkent Ibragimov initially jumped at the chance to work on Sochi’s Olympic construction, hoping the earnings would help his family in Uzbekistan. Instead, the job left him broke and humiliated. Having worked in Russia’s far estern Vladivostok constructing hotels for last year’s highprofile Asia-Pacific Economic Summit, Ibragimov “thought it

would be good in Sochi as well”. But the 31-year-old said he was cheated out of his salary by a subcontractor building a hotel for some of the 300,000 sports fans expected to descend on the Black Sea resort city for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. “We didn’t send money home for six months,” the fatherof-three told in broken Russian, explaining how his boss would only give out sporadic cash allowances to him and his group of 15 workers instead of paying a

monthly salary as agreed. On top of feeling powerless and frustrated at having to continuously fight for his paycheck, Ibragimov, as foreman of his group, was under added pressure from his co-workers. Relatives of co-workers from the same impoverished area as Ibragimov blamed him when their cash transfers didn’t arrive and went so far as to harass his family about it back home in the western Uzbekistan town of Beruni, he said.

sports

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

ENGLAND IN NEW ZEALAND

McCullum, Guptill steer Kiwis to win

HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND: Captain Brendon McCullum (left) led New Zealand to a dramatic three-wicket win over England with heroic support from an injured Martin Guptill in the one-day international in Hamilton on Sunday. The game seemed beyond New Zealand’s grasp when they were reduced to 218 for seven as they chased England’s 258 all out. With two players injured, they needed 41 runs off the

WI Vs Zimbabwe

Sammy given Windies break ST JOHN’S, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA: West Indies captain Darren Sammy and big-hitting opener Chris Gayle have been left out of the squad to face Zimbabwe in a three-match ODI series which starts on Friday. Sammy is rested after playing every match for the West Indies in the past two years with D Bravo taking over the captaincy. No reason was given for Gayle’s decision to skip the series. West Indies squad (for first two matches of three-day series): Dwayne Bravo (captain), Tino Best, Darren Bravo, Johnson Charles, Narsingh Deonarine, Sunil Narine, Veerasammy Permaul, Kieron Pollard, Kieran Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Ramnaresh Sarwan.

last 25 balls with effectively one wicket in hand. But Guptill, who had earlier retired with a hamstring strain, hobbled out of the tunnel to provide a vital boost. With limited mobility, he stood his ground and clouted four fours and a six while McCullum continued to blaze away at the other end to get New Zealand home with seven balls to spare. Guptill finished on 27 with 24 of his runs coming from the 10 deliveries he faced on his

return to the crease. McCullum, who pulled New Zealand into contention after they slipped well behind the required run rate in the early stages of their innings, was unbeaten on 69 from 61 deliveries. But he played down his performance and directed praise to Guptill. “He was obviously incredibly disappointed to pull up lame with that injury, and we’ll assess him tomorrow to see where he’s at. AFP

PAKISTAN IN SOUTH AFRICA

SAfrica take series

COLIN BRYDEN Agence France-Presse

CAPE TOWN, SA: South Africa reinforced their status as the world’s number one Test team when they beat Pakistan by four wickets on the fourth day of the second Test at Newlands on Sunday.

The victory, with a day to spare, gave South Africa a winning 2-0 lead in the threematch series and came after a dramatic Pakistan collapse in their second innings. Set to make 182 to win, South Africa lost Alviro Petersen 10 runs into their chase, when he was leg before

wicket to Umar Gul for one. Smith and Hashim Amla (in pic) put on 53 for the second wicket before Smith was leg before to Ajmal for 29. Amla (58) and De Villiers (36) shared a rapid 62-run stand for the fourth wicket before both batsmen perished playing attacking shots. AFP

Brief scores Pakistan, first innings 338 South Africa first innings, 326 Pakistan, second innings (overnight 100-3) 169 (Azhar Ali 65, Misbah-ul-Haq 44, Steyn 3/38, Philander 4/40, RJ Peterson 3/73) South Africa, second innings 182 (H. Amla b Saeed Ajmal 58, A. de Villiers 36, Saeed Ajmal 4/51, Tanvir Ahmed 1/34)

Scoreboards England 258 All out New Zealand B Watling b Anderson 2 M Guptill not out 27 Williamson run out 74 R Taylor c Finn b Woakes 22 Elliott c Morgan b Woakes 22 B McCullum not out 69 J Franklin c Buttler b Finn 3 N McCullum lbw Swann 14 A Ellis c Finn b Broad 13 Extras (lb 7, w 6) 13 Total ( 7 wickets) 259 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-75, 3124 (Elliott), 4-142, 5-155 , 6186, 7-218 Bowling: Anderson 9-1-36-1 (1w), Finn 10-0-54-1 (3w), Broad 95-0-56-1 (2w), Woakes 10-052-2, Swann 10-0-54-1 New Zealand won by 3 wickets

Twenty20 in SA

De Kock hits highest score

JOHANNESBURG: Highveld Lions opener Quinton de Kock hit 126 runs Sunday in a South African Twenty20 Challenge match -- the highest score made in the country in the shortest form of the game. His knock off 69 balls included 13 fours and six sixes and surpassed the 117 of Chris Gayle for the West Indies against South Africa at the Wanderers in Johannesburg six years ago.

WORLD CUP

Feels good to be one up on the men: Fields MUMBAI: All smiles after leading the Australian women’s cricket team to its sixth World Cup title, skipper Jodie Fields said it feels good to be one up on the men, who have won the coveted trophy four times. “It feels good to be one up on the men sometimes,” quipped Fields after the Aussie women beat West Indies by 114 runs in the final to lift the trophy here last night. “But they have always supported us throughout the tournament... Sitting here, it’s an unbe-

lievable feeling. It’s the sixth time Australia has won the World Cup. To do it in the same year as we won the Twenty20 World Cup, I think it is really special.” “To have been part of this team and winning two World Cups is a great piece of history for Australia women’s cricket.” Fields said last year’s tour of India, during which the Aussies emerged triumphant 8-1, gave her team good experience of the sub-continental conditions that came in handy during the World

Cup campaign. “The March tour (to India) was a great preparation for us coming here. We won that series 8-1, so it was good to dominate the series,” she said. Having lost to West Indies in the Super Six stage, Fields said the Aussies wanted to dominate the final. “We were very disappointed with our last match in the Super Six against the West Indies. We really wanted to go into that match and dominate and go through the whole tournament undefeated.” PTI

Brief scores Australia 259-7 in 50 overs (Jess Cameron 75, Rachael Haynes 52, Jodie Fields 36 not out, Meg Lanning 31, Ellyse Perry 25 not out; Shaquana Quintyne 3-27) West Indies 145 all out in 43.1 overs (Merissa Aguilleira 23, Deandra Dottin 22, Kyshona Knight 21 not out; Ellyse Perry 319, Lisa Sthalekar 2-20, Erin Osborne 2-26, Megan Schutt 238) Result: Australia win by 114 runs

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2013

sports

BENITEZ KEEPS PEACE AS CHELSEA MAKE LAST 16

Rafael Benitez played the peacemaker as Chelsea thrashed Brentford 4-0 to reach the FA Cup fifth round despite a series of off-field distractions. Benitez has endured a stormy time at the Bridge since replacing Roberto Di Matteo in November and there seems no end in sight.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Mancini has hopes

FA CUP RESULTS 5th rd Manchester City 4 Leeds 0 Huddersfield 1 Wigan 4

City currently trail United by 12 points, with speculation mounting over Mancini’s future. MANCHESTER: Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes his team’s commanding 4-0 FA Cup victory over Leeds could be the springboard for an unlikely onslaught on leaders Manchester United at the top of the Premier League. City currently trail their cross-city neighbours by 12

points, with speculation mounting over Mancini’s future given their current indifferent form. Mancini, who ended City’s 35-year wait for silverware when he led them to the 2011 FA Cup, would do his chances of holding on to the job a power of good were he to lead them to success in this season’s tournament.

Ramsay urges Arsenal to prove mettle Arsenal who take on Bayern Munich tomorrow go into the round of 16 on the back of a dismal defeat by Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup. TOM WILLIAMS Agence France-Presse LONDON: Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has urged his team to learn from their previous mistakes as they bid to resurrect a stuttering season against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday. The prospect of an eighth consecutive season without silverware swam sharply into focus at the weekend when Arsenal were eliminated from the FA Cup by second-tier Blackburn Rovers. With Arsenal having already gone out of the League Cup to fourth-division Bradford City and with a 21point deficit to make up on leaders Manchester United in

the Premier League, it leaves the Champions League as the London club’s only viable shot at a trophy. Arsenal’s last two experi-

ences of the round of 16 have ended in disappointment, with a 4-3 aggregate defeat by Barcelona in 2011 followed by a loss to AC Milan by the same

scoreline last year. The 2006 finalists’ hopes of European glory last season were crushed in a 4-0 first-leg loss in Milan, and Ramsey says his side cannot afford to let the tie with Bayern get away from them. “Of course Bayern will be a tough game, but we are confident that on our day we can give anybody a good match,” he said. “We will all have to be switched on on the night.” It was a different story in the previous campaign, when Arsenal beat Barca 2-1 in the home leg, only to go down 3-1 at Camp Nou. “We put ourselves in a good position against Barcelona, but unfortunately did not take it into the second leg,” said the Welshman.

LA LIGA Morata and Ramos got the goals in the opening 12 minutes but Ramos’ saw two harsh yellow cards in quick succession.

10-man Real find form

KIERAN CANNING Agence France-Presse

MADRID: Real Madrid recorded their fourth consecutive home league victory with a 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday despite playing for 72 minutes with 10 men. Alvaro Morata and Sergio Ramos got the goals in the opening 12 minutes but Ramos’ night took a turn for the worse just six minutes later

Despite their numerical advantage Rayo failed to create too many clear-cut chances. when he saw two harsh yellow cards in quick succession. Despite their numerical advantage though Rayo failed to create too many clear-cut

4th rd replay Chelsea 4 Brentford 0. Saturday

But the Italian insisted that if his side perform as they did in advancing to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, they can overhaul United in the league. “In Italy, you say a game like this is like brodino soup, a starter,” said Mancini. “I hope it can help us to start to win in the Premier League.”

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW

chances and their best effort was comically blocked by their own player as Leo Baptistao failed to evade Piti’s driven shot towards goal. Before the game much had been made of the fact that Rayo’s Piti and Leo had scored more league goals than Madrid’s two leading strikers Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema. With Higuain suspended, Jose Mourinho chose to start Morata.

5th rd Arsenal 0 Blackburn 1 Luton 0 Millwall 3 MK Dons 1 Barnsley 3 Oldham 2 Everton 2 Playing Tuesday Manchester Utd v Reading (1.30am IST)

LIGUE 1

PSG stumble against Sochaux The Parisians slid to their fourth league loss to leave the race for the championship wide open. PARIS: Paris Saint Germain clearly need the cool head and experience of David Beckham on the evidence of a careless showing on Sunday at struggling Sochaux, where the French title hopefuls slid to a shock 3-2 loss. With the former England star set to make his grand entrance in next weekend’s ‘clasico’ against bitter rivals Marseille, PSG, chasing a first league crown since 1994, had expected to cruise six points clear of Lyon who showed their own mettle earlier with a 4-0 thrashing of Bordeaux. Instead, the Parisians slid to their fourth league loss of the campaign to leave the race for the championship wide open. The capital club, bankrolled for the past two seasons by Qatari cash, now have 51 points from 25 matches for just a three-point lead over Lyon with Marseille just two points further back to add spice to next week’s encounter. Paris turned in one of their all too frequent off-colour showings to underline just what a Jekyll and Hyde outfit Carlo Ancelotti’s side are. Midweek had brought an away win at Valencia to leave PSG with one foot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League but Sunday brought an uncomfortable reality check as Sochaux showed up several flaws in their visitors’ armoury. Jeremy Menez, Thiago Silva and Thiago Motta were all out of action, but they did not lack flair and potential match-winners in the shape of Ibrahimovic and Javier Pastore.