Postnoon E-Paper for May 19th 2013 by Scribble Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

WAVE RIDERS

ome of the things thrill-seekers enjoy are soaking up the sun and riding the waves. And if you thought India had a dearth of surfing spots, think again. May to September is the perfect season to head out with a surf board and hit the waves at some of the country’s most popular surfers’ paradises. PG 16&17

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Hyderabad’s first compact afternoon newspaper

MAY 19, 2013 HYDERABAD

ON SUNDAY

BUY A PROFESSOR!

OU’S GREAT SUMMER SALE! With immense political pressure and senior officials at the university ‘buying seats’ for relatives, experts question the quality of education that will be delivered henceforth at OU.

REPORT ON PG 4

32 PAGES

WHOSE WELFARE IS IT ANYWAY?

he lack of promotion of development programmes launched by the State government has Congress leaders worried, as their efforts are not having the desired effects on voters. PG 3

THE BLING RING HEIST PG 25

CITY SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

THE SEASON FOR LIGHTS

Rock Walk Society to Save Rocks is holding a rock walk. Where: Naya Qila, Golconda When: May 19, 7 am to 11 am Contact: 98490-37240

Cannes at Taj Cannes and French Riviera inspired menu. Where: Celeste, Taj Falaknuma Palace When: May 21 to May 28.

Book launch Dr Sandhya Amirichetty will be launching her book Petals from my Heart. Where: Oxford Bookstore, The Park When: May 19, 5 pm

Summer fun Aero-modelling will be organised. Where: GVK One Mall, Banjara Hills When: May 19, 11 am

Saree workshop A workshop on saree dry wash, rolling and polishing will be held. Where: Colorama Printers, Begumpet When: May 19, 11 am to 4 pm

Artists galore

It’s a busy time for contract workers who supply lighting to function halls. At least 10,000 marriages were held in the City this season. SRINIVAS SETTY

Mango Mania

Mehandi magic

You can ask for mango cheese cake, mango gateau, mango almond tart and others. Where: Le Cafe, Novotel. When: May 31.

A mehandi workshop is on. Where: Shilparamam, Madhapur When: Till May 20, 11 am to 1 pm and 2 pm

Ocean’s Eleven

Relations and Reflections

Eleven of the finest prawns are on offer. Where: Lacantina, Novotel. When: Till May 31, 7 pm to 11 pm

Paintings of Shambu Prasad Reddy will be on display. Where: Iconart Gallery, Banjara Hills When: Till June 3

Play pursuits

Dancin' Party

Children’s theatre workshop by Samahaara. Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills When: Till June 1, 5 pm to 7 pm

Medical camp A free blood pressure check-up and awareness camp on the occasion of World Hypertension Day. Where: City Center Mall - Banjara Hills, Hyderabad Central When: May 19.

Carnival time Chota Bheem carnival that will feature solo dance, solo singing, fancy dress and drawing competitions will be held. Where: Inorbit Mall, Hitech City When: May 27

ADOPT ME!

Sand art Summer camp in sand art for kids between the age of 6 and 16. Where: Shilparamam, Madhapur When: Till May 20, 11 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm.

Summer training camp for children on water colouring. Where: Shilparamam, Madhapur When: Till May 20, 11 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm

CINEMAS

Students at Twist N Turns will be presenting a performance. Where: Hari Hara Kala Bhavan, Secunderabad. When: May 19, 2 pm to 5 pm

“Hi there! I am Samson. I am very loving and gets along with other dogs easily.” Gender: Male Age: Six years Breed: Great Dane Vaccinated: Yes Contact: Nita @VVURSPQUTO

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

CITY SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

New railway laundries

Keep Mecca Masjid promises

t a meeting organised by MBT (Majlis Bachao Tahreek) on the anniversary of Mecca Masjid blast, the victims demanded the government discharge its promises. Corporator Amjed Ullah Khan has demanded that cases booked against the innocent Muslim youth should be closed, as NIA has proved the involvement of Abhinav Bharat.

he South Central Railway has decide to set up four more mechanised laundries in the State at a cost of `125 crore in the next two years to supply clean linen for passengers. The new laundries will come up at Kachiguda, Kakinada, Tirupati and Vijaywada. At present, over 80 per cent of the 25,000 bedrolls are outsourced to private agencies.

Former CM honoured

he centenary birth anniversary celebrations of former president of India and the first chief minister of Andhra Pradesh Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy kicked off in the City this morning. Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy paid floral tributes at the statue of Sanjeeva Reddy. Many State Cabinet ministers were present on the occasion.

All’s not well with welfare schemes The lack of promotion of development programmes launched by the State government has Congress leaders worried, as their efforts are not having the desired effects on voters. MINISTERS HOPED THE CONGRESS WOULD PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN PROMOTING ALL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES AHEAD OF THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Md INKESHAF AHMED

ahmed.m@postnoon.com HYDERABAD: The State Cabinet ministers are a worried lot these days. The reason for this anxiety is the lack of efforts on the part of the State administration in giving wide promotion to the development programmes being launched by Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy’s State government. Despite the efforts of the CM in launching innovative and ‘vote-catching’ welfare programmes, the Congress-ruled State government is failing to achieve the adequate amount of publicity. Ministers feel that this is diminishing Congress’s image with each passing day. “No State government has launched welfare programmes

like we did here. The historic SC and ST sub-plan and the Bangaru Talli scheme (which is meant for the development of the girl child) are being implemented for the first time in the country. Apart from these two,

there are many other welfare programmes which make AP a unique state. But even after implementing such revolutionary programmes, we are failing to promote them,” minister for women development and child

welfare V Sunitha Laxma Reddy said. Sunitha agreed that lack of an effective communication mechanism has come in handy for opposition political parties. “Our rival parties know no bounds when it comes to criticising us. They attack us without any reason, only with a view to mislead the people and protect their vote bank,” she said. The minister told Postnoon that in order to make up for the loss being caused by the lack of effective communication, all

Congress ministers have decided to ask the party organisation to give wide publicity to all the welfare programmes. “Our party has a huge network up to the grassroot level across the State. We are going to ask our party president to join hands with the State government in taking all our welfare programmes to the doorsteps of all people during our ensuing extended party meeting,” she said. The extended meeting is scheduled to be held on May 22. Similar was the reaction of another Cabinet minister, D Manikya Vara Prasad. Prasad hoped that the party would play a crucial role in promoting all the government programmes ahead of the crucial General Elections. Another Cabinet minister, K Pardha Saradhi, also felt that the time had come for the party to don the role of an effective communicator in order to give publicity to the State’s programmes.

Look at your own properties, GHMC Man spurns lover, While GHMC has been focusing on collecting property tax, rental arrears from its own complexes stand at a whopping `8 crore.

accused of assault

Mohd Subhan mohd.s@postnoon.com

Md Nizamuddin

HYDERABAD: The women’s

nizamuddin.a@postnoon.com

police team from the CCS has arrested a man who has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman, claimed to be his girlfriend. It is alleged that he promised to marry the victim, but then married someone else. The police claim that the

HYDERABAD: Even as the GHMC is busy in focusing on collections from property taxes and trade licences, it appears that it has lost focus of its own properties. By the end of the financial year, the rental dues outstanding from GHMC complexes stood at a whopping `8 crore. Buddha Bhavan Complex in Secunderabad should have been a top earner for the corporation, but it has recorded rental dues outstanding at `3.24 crore. Kushaiguda Complex in Kapra has outstanding dues of `99.47 lakh. Hari Hara Kala Bhavan (in pic) at Patny Junction, has arrears to the tune of `93.58 lakh. According to officials, notices are being served to these defaulters but no action has been initiated yet. “I have forwarded the suggestions regarding action against the defaulters. It is up to the commissioner to

initiate some action,” says a higher official from estates wing. One of the reasons cited by the estates wing is lack of staff. With one additional commissioner and two clerks, the wing has been craving the attention of the administration. A total of 921 shops, also called locally as ‘mulgies’ are allotted on lease, of which 101 shops remain vacant. For three shops in Cellar, it is mentioned that they have been

vacant ‘since long time’. Some are vacant since 2010 and a few from 2012. Chilkalguda complex has a couple of shops vacant for 15 years, while around 40 remain vacant from 2012. With nominal rents for these shops, several of the lessees have given their shops for sublease. “I was surprised, the way people were giving away shops named after them as sub-lease for others,” said GD Priyadarshini, additional commissioner.

A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL WAS REPORTEDLY RAPED BY HER UNCLE. THE VICTIM CLAIMS THE UNCLE WAS INTOXICATED WHEN THE ACT OCCURRED. victim and the alleged perpetrator, a resident of Chilkalguda, met a year ago. The victim alleges that he promised to marry her and even introduced her to his parents. The friendship then turned into a sexual relation-

ship, which the victim claims was sexual assault, as it was done under false pretences. The victim claims that he suddenly stopped contacting her and changed his mobile number. Even his parents refused to acknowledge her. It was then that she found out that he had ‘secretly’ married someone else. She then went to the police alleging she was sexually assaulted by him. Elsewhere, a seven-yearold girl was reportedly raped by her uncle in Parsigutta. It is alleged that the victim was vacationing in her uncle’s home, and when her mother and aunt were out shopping, she was raped by her uncle. The victim claims the uncle was intoxicated when the act occurred and threatened her with violence. Her mother and aunt found the victim crying in her room, before revealing what had happened. A complaint was lodged at the Chilkalguda police station and the police have arrested the uncle.

CITY SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

OU scam: Pay to be a prof With immense political pressure and senior officials at the university ‘buying seats’ for relatives, experts question the quality of education that will be delivered henceforth at OU. SOURCES SAY MONEY BAGS ARE BEING EXCHANGED THROUGH MIDDLE MEN FOR HIRING CANDIDATES FOR THE COVETED POST OF ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AND THAT LAKHS OF RUPEES ARE INVOLVED IN THIS.

ALEENA ALICE

aleena.t@postnoon.com

he new academic year is round the corner and recruitment in various colleges are in progress. Osmania University has also been hiring faculty for various subjects. However, eyebrows are being raised about the recruitment procedure. According to sources, the university is under a lot of pressure from various political groups as well as others with vested interests. Hundreds of posts for lecturers and assistant professors have been vacant since 2007. Though advertisements were given earlier calling for applications, the varsity has kept delaying the recruitment. One reason for the delay is said to be the additional financial burden on the university. “Whenever the university holds a recruitment drive, obviously a lot of financial assistance is required. Since there were not much funds, there has been a delay in the recruitment,” said a

senior faculty at the university. According to sources, since the post of the assistant professor has of late been the most coveted one, money bags are being exchanged through middle men for hiring candidates for this post. Lakhs of rupees are involved in this. Sources say apart from political parties showing interest in the recruit-

ment, senior officials at the university too are buying the faculty posts for their relatives. With the kind of recruitment that is taking place, educationalists question the standards and quality of education that will henceforth be delivered. “Once upon a time, Osmania University was among the top universities internationally.

Candid confessions Bestselling author and blogger Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan, in the City for a reading of her third book Cold Feet, talks about her life as a blogger, her inspirations and much more. Amy Rose Thomas

amyrose.t@postnoon.com

voice that is engagingly honest and frank stood her apart from the rest. Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan became a household name soon after she identified herself as ‘eM’, the pseudonym with which she writes her blog Compulsive Confessions. She has come a long way since her initial compulsive confessor days. Now, with more than two million following her blog and two bestselling books You are Here and Times of Layla the Ordinary, she is unanimously being called India’s answer to Bridget Jones. “I am flattered because Bridget Jones was hilarious and funny. If people are calling my book hilarious then it is a compliment. However, my characters are nothing compared to Bridget Jones’ character,” she says. Her new book Cold Feet is about five women in Bombay. The story focuses on different kinds of relationship these five

However, as the years went by, OU lost its glory for various reasons known to everyone. Everything within the university is politicised now. If OU has to regain its past glory, the quality of education should be brought back. Candidates with credentials have to be hired, else it is bound to affect the academic quality,” says Dr S Singh, retired

OU professor. Stating that pressure from various sides is bound to hit any university, but that the university is supposed to withstand them, educationalist and MLC Dr K Nageshwar Rao says, “When recruitments take place, any university is bound to come under a lot of vested interest pressure. However, the officials concerned cannot be vulnerable to this sort of pressure. If the university has to be academically upright, recruitment should be conducted via a fair process, else there will be a decline in the education standards.” OU vice-chancellor Prof S Satyanarayana, was not available for comments.

Mayor shocked at state of affairs at call centre Md Nizamuddin

nizamuddin.a@postnoon.com

S BALAKRISHNA

have and the struggles they go through in understanding themselves. When asked whether she gets inspired by her friends’ lives while writing stories about young urban women, Madhavan says, “My friends will kill me if I ever say that. The reason why my first book sold so well was because my friends wanted to know if they were in it or not. This book is completely (a work of) fiction since I have gotten my friends out of my system. There are times when they tell me something and immediately ask me not to write about it and there are others too who ask me to write about them.” She says she asked her parents not to read her blog since it is more like a diary. They didn’t read my blog till four or five years ago. They kept away from my blog for long because I had asked them strictly not to read it. I asked them frankly if they would want read about my love life and they said no. But nowadays they read it once in a while and comment on it. I feel very weird when they do that,” she says.

isturbed by allegations that officials at the GHMC call centre in Banjara Hills were lying to the public regarding the completion of civic works, the mayor made a surprise visit to the call centre. To his surprise, he found that problems were never solved but the public were receiving messages stating that the issues have been resolved. “In 99 per cent of the calls I made to the complainants, I found that the problem was still pending. There were many cases which were closed before they were taken up,” Mayor Mohd Majid Hussain said, speaking to the media. “Cases related to town planning are horrible,” he noted. When he called a senior citizen in Kukatpally, he received the feedback that officers sought favours from him. “What an apathy that even the senior citizens, who are proactive in community work, are being asked for favours,” he said. Hussain, who cross-checked about 40 calls, texted the

officers concerned to immediately take up the pending grievances. He said stern action will be taken against the officials if they failed to do so. “I shall be visiting the call centre every 10 days,” he assured. During the feedback, a person named Srinivas said that piles of garbage were left for more than four months in his area. Gnaneshwar, a respondent, said that unauthorised construction that started in January in his area was still continuing, even though he got a reply that it has been solved. Meenaz M Khan complained about the problem of street lighting in February, for which she called the GHMC centre 10 times.

READERS’ LETTERS SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

Save the lakes, save Hyderabad With our City lakes fast disappearing (Md Nizamuddin’s Rape of lakes, SOUL to move judiciary, May 12), it is heartening to see that citizens are angry at encroachers and wish to save our water bodies. But anger alone is not enough.

almost the end of their recruitment tenure… Hats off to SOUL; their passion and persistence to save City lakes even after multiple threats from lobby.

PRASHANT

and consequent population consulted expert engineers and constructed water resources inside and outside the City. The current rulers are more concerned about their welfare and their future, and have started undoing what was done earlier.

via email

alab Ho Aabad! Irony, a city of lakes is losing its breathing space day by day… Authorities are collaborating with land and builder lobby. Politicians are snatching public money since it’s

Win `500 every week

We are giving `500 to the reader who writes in the best letter every week. So get to work. You can e-mail us at feedback@postnoon.com, or write to us at Postnoon, #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Rd no 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, 500033. ALSO SEND US YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Winds of change Mohd Subhan’s story on Sultana Begum (How an abused wife in Hyderabad found the will to help others, May 11) struck a chord with many. Sultana’s story is an inspiring one, and she is a beacon of hope for many battered women.

ood work Sultana Bi. May Almighty give you more strength to help such deprived women in society. The male gender should be effectively tackled with an iron hand. Liquor, ganja, gutka and other such menaces should be removed by the government. Let poor people bring their daily earnings home rather than spending in these vices. Gambling is another cancerous disease. Please curb this act and the so-called social club adda of gambling promoted by these so-called leaders of the State.

KS SUDHAN

via email in response to How an abused wife in Hyderabad found the will to help others (May 11) Read the report at http://postnoon.com/2013/05/11/how-anabused-wife-in-hyderabad-foundthe-will-to-help-others/124738

he government seems to have drawn a master plan for the ruin of Hyderabad. Predecessors who had forethought the expansion of Hyderabad

B M ADHAVA MURTHY

via email Read the report at http://postnoon.com/2013/05/12/rapeof-lakes-soul-to-move-judiciary/124917

PICK YOUR TEAM Security please! Rahul Ramakrishna’s article on the lack of security at Jubilee Hills bus station (Jubilee Bus Station is a tragedy waiting to happen, May 16) made readers suggest measures to make it a safer place. We hope some change will be seen soon, now that the authorities can’t claim to be unaware of the situation.

TOP LETTER

hy is Vijay in the squad and not Viru, Yuvi and Gauti? Remember Indian team selectors, it is not an Indian pitch... It's English pitches… Let us see the performance of India without Viru and Yuvi.

VAMSUI KRRISH

Cricket is almost a religion in India, and we weren't surprised when the team selection for the Champions Trophy (Indian team for Champions Trophy 2013 announced, May 4) got cricket fans writing in to express their ideas about the players picked.

ou people forget Gambhir. This (is) too much.

The selector made some nice selections, but why Murli Vijay? How many more chances does he need to prove himself or what is the selector trying to prove? He is a useless batsman.

HEMANTH

M AHBUB

via email

hy is Mohit Sharma not the wicket taker bowler?

JASH

via email You can’t forget Yuvi.

RAMESH KUMAR

via email

uvi match winner hai yaar. Agar IPL ka performance dekh ke usko drop kiya gaya hai toh this is wrong... Yuvi Indian team ki jaan hai.

SHASHANK SHARMA

via email

irat Kohli is the best, the bestttttttttttttttttttttttttt.

PUJA

via email

rivatise the entire JBS to exservicemen under the supervision of police umbrella. The locals in and around JBS are known for their notoriety and illegal activities. Passengers, especially women, are targeted by these bad elements who, like termites, infest the government land abutting the nallah. The area is taken over by rowdies and unsocial elements who are harassing passengers. Autowalahs are hand in glove with these goons and fleece innocent passengers. They are a threat to the very existence of JBS. A liquor outlet is there just at the entrance of the bus station and unauthorised construction is going on with the blessings of all agencies. CCTV is one aspect. What about clearing these unsocial, nefarious people who are also a big threat to JBS? Please look at this angle also. This is the actual scenario at JBS. Please take stringent action in weeding out this menace.

hy is there no Joginder Sharma (Haryana police) and Sreesanth — the winning duo of 2007 T20 World Cup? At least we should have Ashish Nehra (best performer of 2003 World Cup). I don't see the bowl swinging... Are you planning to lose without Piyush Chawla & Ramesh Powar? (*This comment was posted before Sreesanth was busted for spot-fixing.)

A MRINDER SARAO

via email Read the report at http://postnoon.com/2013/05/ 04/indian-team-for-champions-trophy-2013announced/123556

KS SUDHAN

via email

he APSRTC higher authorities under whom this JBS is are situated at MGBS (The depot manager picket depot is the estate officer for this bus station). They should take cognisance of this article and take action for installing security cameras and security/police personnel on a war footing basis.

BHUVAN

via email Read the report at http://postnoon.com/2013/05/16/jubilee-busstation-is-a-tragedy-waiting-tohappen/125619

NATION SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

11 injured in clash

‘Jaipur rapes: More victims likely’

4 electrocuted in HP village

RAJAPALAYAM (TN): Eleven persons

JAIPUR: Two days after three hearing-

SHIMLA: Four people were killed and

were injured in a clash between two groups at Sivalingapuram near here, police said today. Police said three houses were also damaged in the clash around midnight last night. The injured were hospitalised, sources said, adding, police reinforcements have been sent to the area to monitor the situation.

and speech-impaired girls alleged rape and molestation by employees of a residential school here, statements of all the victims has been recorded, police said Sunday. The incident occurred in a school run by an NGO. Statements of 16 differently-abled inmates were also being recorded on suspicion that there may be more victims, police said.

five were critically injured after an electric current seeped into some houses in a Himachal Pradesh village, police said Sunday. Officials said that a technical snag in a transformer in Paleur village near Chamba town, some 345 km from here, led to electricity seeping into around 40 houses Saturday night, resulting in the tragic incident.

ED files money laundering case against I-T officer

CHILLING TIME

NEW DELHI: In fresh trouble

A boy cools off at a water theme park on a hot day in Allahabad on Saturday. Temperatures soared in Allahabad to a maximum temperature of 47.28ºC. AFP/SANJAY KANOJIA

for Income Tax department officer Ashutosh Verma who was arrested in 2008 for allegedly diluting I-T appraisal of companies of arms dealer Suresh Nanda, the Enforcement Directorate has registered a criminal case of money laundering against him. The agency is set to record the statement of Verma, who was last year promoted as a joint director in the department, and will soon attach properties of the officer, including a resort in Goa, under provisions of the Prevention of Money

SC lashes out at two-finger test

The judges said rape survivors are entitled to legal recourse that does not violate their physical or mental integrity and dignity. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has held that the two-finger test on a rape victim violates her right to privacy, and asked the government to provide better medical procedures to confirm sexual assault. A bench of Justices B S Chauhan and FMI Kalifulla said even if the report of the two-finger test is affirmative, it cannot give rise to presumption of consent on part of a rape victim. “Undoubtedly, the two-finger test and its interpretation violates the right of rape survivors to privacy, physical and mental integrity and dignity. Thus, this test, even if the report is affirmative, cannot ipso facto, be given rise to presumption of consent,” the bench said. The two-finger test entails medical inspection of the female hymen. Referring to various international covenants, the judges said rape survivors are entitled to legal recourse that does not violate their physical or mental integrity and dignity. “Medical procedures should not be carried out in a manner that constitutes cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and health should be of paramount consideration while dealing with genderbased violence. “The State is under an obligation to

make such services available to survivors of sexual violence. Proper measures should be taken to ensure their safety and there should be no arbitrary or unlawful interference with her privacy,” the bench said. Keeping in mind the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights 1966 and the UN Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power 1985, the apex court said, rape survivors are entitled to legal recourse that does not re-traumatise them or violate their physical or mental integrity and dignity. “They are also entitled to medical procedures conducted in a manner that respects their right to consent,” it said. PTI

VERMA WAS ARRESTED BY CBI ON MARCH 9, 2008, FROM A FIVESTAR HOTEL IN MUMBAI ALONG WITH SURESH NANDA, AN ACCUSED IN NAVAL WAR ROOM LEAK CASE, HIS SON SANJEEV AND SHAH. Laundering Act (PMLA), official sources said. The CBI had last year charge sheeted Verma after

four long years of investigations in the case for which Nanda’s son Sanjeev and chartered accountant Bipin Shah are also accused. Sources said Verma will be questioned about the acquisition of Goa based property by the name Nitya Resorts, worth Rs 4.4 crore, which the CBI alleges was received by the officer as part payment for showing illegal favours and diluting Nanda’s I-T assessment case. The statements of Nanda’s and few other associates of Verma will also be included in the probe, the sources added. PTI

WORLD SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

Emmelie wins Eurovision

N Korea tests missiles

Inmates flee Siberian jail

COPENHAGEN: "Europe adores

SEOUL: North Korea Saturday

MOSCOW: Over 2,500 police officers

Emmelie," the Danish press exclaimed after 20-year-old Emmelie de Forest won the Eurovision Song Contest early Sunday in Sweden's third largest city, Malmoe. The Danish singer took the crown from last year's Swedish winner Loreen after gaining 281 points from viewers and jurors, who accounted for 50 percent each of the vote.

launched three short-range guided missiles into the Sea of Japan, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing South Korea's defence ministry.It was reported that the defence ministry detected two missiles launched in the morning and the last one was in the afternoon. The defence ministry said the launching might be training launch.

are engaged in search of four inmates, jailed for murder and burglary, who escaped from a prison in the East Siberia's Irkutsk region by digging a tunnel, local officials said Saturday. The prisoners escaped from an industrial area of a colony in Markovo village, where they worked as carpenters, by digging a 20-metre-long tunnel.

Pak politician shot dead The killing came hours before voting was due to start at 43 polling stations in Karachi in a partial re-run ordered due to allegations of rigging in last weekend's polls.

KARACHI: Gunmen have killed a Pakistani politician from Imran Khan's party in the southern port city of Karachi on the eve of a partial re-run of May 11 polls that were marked by more than 150 killings. Zohra Hussain, 59, vice president of the women's wing of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the province of Sindh, was targeted by three gunmen on a motorcycle outside her home in an upmarket part of the city late Saturday. Former cricket star Khan was quick to pin the blame on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) party, which represents the Urdu-speaking majority, and specifically its boss, Altaf Hussain, who lives in exile in London. "I hold Altaf Hussain directly responsible for the murder as he had openly threatened PTI workers and leaders through public broadcasts," Khan said on his Twitter feed, describing the killing as "a targeted act of terror". "I also hold the British Govt responsible as I had warned them abt Br citizen Altaf Hussain after his open threats to kill PTI workers," he said, adding that he was "shocked and deeply saddened by the brutal killing". Firdous Shamim, a local PTI leader, told AFP that Hussain "was leaving her home for some work when three gunmen attacked her. She thought they wanted to snatch her purse and handed it over to them but they

Zohra Hussain, 59, vice president of the women's wing of Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) in the province of Sindh, was targeted by three gunmen on a motorcycle outside her home in an upmarket part of the city late Saturday. The motive behind the shooting was unclear and there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. A PTI leader said Zohra "was leaving her home for some work when three gunmen attacked her. She thought they wanted to snatch her purse and handed it over to them but they killed her". killed her". Police said all three gunmen escaped after the attack. "They shot her with one bullet near her chin and she could not survive," senior police official Nasir Aftab told AFP. The motive behind the shooting was unclear and there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. The killing came hours before voting was due to start at 43 polling stations in Karachi in a partial re-run ordered due to allegations of rigging in last weekend's polls, which marked Pakistan's first democratic transi-

Imran blames Altaf

ormer cricket star Khan was quick to pin the blame on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) party, which represents the Urdu-speaking majority, and specifically its boss, Altaf Hussain, who lives in exile in London.

tion of power. Tensions have been running high between PTI and the MQM, Karachi's dominant party, after

Khan's party accused its rival of widespread vote rigging. MQM has denied the charge and announced a boycott of the rerun. PTI and the right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami party have staged nationwide protests against the alleged irregularities. Pakistan's election commission ordered the partial re-run due to allegations of ballot stuffing in a constituency known as NA-250 -- largely an affluent neighbourhood of the financial capital. Voting in seven constituencies in Karachi last weekend was

Nigeria army imposes curfew

Assad wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t resign until end of mandate

KANO: Nigeria's military on Saturday imposed a 24-

DAMASCUS: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad insisted

hour curfew in parts of a northeastern city as soldiers pressed on with a campaign against Boko Haram Islamists that has sent people fleeing from their homes. Nigeria launched the sweeping operation this week, deploying thousands of troops across three states where President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency after the Islamists seized territory and chased out the government. The group, which has said it wants to create an Islamic state in Nigeria's mainly Muslim north, has carried out scores of attacks since 2010, and has become emboldened and better armed in recent months. In the city of Maiduguri, a "24-hour curfew" was imposed in 12 neighbourhoods.

he will not resign before the end of his mandate in 2014 as a car bomb exploded in the capital Damascus on Saturday killing at least three people. "To resign would be to flee," Assad said in an interview with the Argentine newspaper Clarin when asked if he would consider stepping aside as called for by US Secretary of State John Kerry. "I don't know if Kerry or anyone else has received the power of the Syrian people to talk in their name about who should go and who should stay. That will be determined by the Syrian people in the 2014 presidential elections." He nevertheless said he welcome a US-Russian peace initiative to end Syria's two-year civil war.

extended by three hours after complaints that polling stations opened late in the city, which last year saw record violence linked to ethnic and political tensions. The election saw some 50 million Pakistanis vote, with centreright former prime minister Nawaz Sharif emerging the winner nearly 14 years after he was deposed in a coup. The Taliban, who denounce democracy as un-Islamic, killed more than 150 people during the election campaign, including 24 on polling day. AFP

Probe opens into US train crash NEW YORK: US officials opened an investigation Saturday into a rush-hour collision between two commuter trains that injured 70 passengers and severed a key rail link in the northeastern United States. Train service in the busy Northeast corridor from New York to New Haven, Connecticut used by tens of thousands of commuters was suspended indefinitely and will likely be snarled for days as officials seek to determines the causes of the crash. Investigators were focusing on a section of the rail on the eastbound track going toward New Haven that was fractured at a rail joint. "This fracture is of interest to our investigators because (of) some of the witness marks on the fracture surface of the rail," an official said.

COMMENT SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

EDITORIALS ABOUT TRADITIONAL Russian values Russia has decided to review its adoption pact that it has with France after the latter legalised gay marriage. This is in the wake of the statement of the Russian president Vladmir Putin which he made last month that Russia could change its adoption agreements with the countries which allowed gay marriage that goes against “traditional Russian values”. According to the traditional values, marriage is defined as the union between man and woman and so anything otherwise is very unRussian. Russia has a history of being very hostile towards homosexuality: it was only decriminalised in 1993. Despite the decriminalisation, state authorities, establishments and the church are vociferous about their lack of tolerance towards Russians who are different. Over the years Russia has been in the efforts to build a macho image. Pictures of Vladmir Putin hunting, riding and fishing “topless” are not merely publicity stunts to make young girls swoon over the pint-sized strongman, but they are part of those efforts to portray a sort of show of strength and impart a sense of it to Russians: be rough, tough and strong in body and mind. Accepting and making space for gays, or for people who are different, requires kindness and a large heart. These are the basic virtues that make people brave and courageous, too, for only those with these values can understand people who are different, who are always a minority. Much cannot be said that the fight for gay rights have achieved much, but it is heartening to see that more and more nations have been taking cognizance of their problems and acting on them. Russia seems hell-bent on being blind to the happenings in the world in this respect. But the fundamental truth is that gays born in Russia do not become un-Russian because they are gay. And if the macho men calling the shots in fatherland do not understand that, Russia is very far from being a great nation. What is happening in Russia is not very dissimilar to something that happened in another fatherland in Europe. The marrow-deep nationalism only wrecked that nation and brought it on its knees.

Adopt and restore a lake is new mantra From the hip SYED SHOAIB

t’s interesting that the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has invited interested individuals, voluntary and corporate organisations to adopt lakes in and around the city in order to protect and preserve water bodies. Last week, HMDA Commissioner Neerabh Kumar Prasad said 176 lakes in the jurisdiction of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and another 325 water bodies in the erstwhile Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA) area were open for adoption. A draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) suggests that those adopting a water body for (at least) three years, will be responsible to restore it to its Full Tank Level and a buffer zone, monitor its inlets and outlets through constant vigil by employing suitable watch and bear the expenditure involved,

while technical assistance would be provided by the HMDA. The Master Plan analysis using old topo-sheets showed a total of 2,845 lakes in the HMDA extended area comprise 906 lakes in Ranga Reddy district, 1,454 in Medak, 342 in Nalgonda and 143 lakes in Mahbubnagar district. Hyderabad, a popular tourist destination is best known for its lakes like Osman Sagar, Durgam Cheruvu, Himayat Sagar, Hussain Sagar, Shamirpet, Ruknud Daula, Mir Alam and Saroornagar. According to a study carried out by Save Our Urban Lakes (SOUL) and Hyderabad-based Saci Waters, of the 51 lakes that were identified in the Mir Alam and Umdasagar basins, only 21 can be termed as 'surviving' with the remaining falling prey to encroachments due to rampant urbanisation between 1978 and 2004. Lakes contribute significant additional recharge to groundwater due to infiltration; however, unplanned urbanisation in metro cities has led to loss of water bodies, resulting in increased runoff. There is rapid depletion of groundwater level, and the worst groundwater scenario is being experienced by apartment complexes. An addi-

tional problem is the pollution due to factors like idol immersion during Ganesh Chaturthi, washing of clothes in lakes, and indiscriminate dumping of debris. Healthy lakes have a natural lake-restoration capacity to cleanse themselves. Each lake is an individual ecosystem with a food chain of organisms that assimilate incoming nutrients. The food chain moves nutrients up from the simplest singlecelled bacteria, to fishing. This natural lake-restoration system works very well to improve lake water quality, keeping the ecosystem in balance until excessive nutrient inflow overwhelms the ability of the ecosystem to assimilate the nutrients. A lake-restoration project should be a rewarding experience, ultimately creating community pride and value for a job well done when the lake’s water quality improves. Lake stakeholders often spend thousands of man-hours over several years discussing the lake's water quality problems and analysing possible solutions. One or more studies by lake experts may be commissioned, followed by years of arduous efforts to raise money – sometimes millions of dollars – to restore the lake. But, all too

often, after the ‘solution’ is implemented the water quality is as poor as ever or sometimes worse. Consequently, many lake groups are facing the same water quality problems today that they worked on for years, despite spending a lot of money in the interim. According to the European Water Framework Directive, lakes should have a good ecological condition. In a state like Andhra Pradesh, successful lakerestoration plans should ultimately help in solving the water problems. Authorities expect the Osmansagar to go completely dry by May end, while water in the Himayatsagar reservoir might last a little longer. From March to April this year, on an average, the groundwater table has gone down by 0.67 metres in Hyderabad. Valuable lessons can be learnt from Tamil Nadu, where protection of tanks, ponds and lakes is becoming a mass movement, particularly with Neera Exnora adopting 10 water bodies for restoration recently. If one is a nature lover and cares for precious lakes, and does not want them disappearing in their lifetime itself, even individuals with passion can adopt lakes, like we do children and pets, all eternal investments.

BUSINESS SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

MFs invest `4.74 lakh crore

Huge fine for power quota violators

PC to woo Dubai investors

in `4.74 lakh crore into the debt market in 2012-13, making it their biggest investment in the last 12 years. The FY 2013 also marked the 12th consecutive year of net inflows by MFs into the debt market. The investment by MFs in the debt market during 2012-13 stood at `4,73,460 crore — the highest net inflow for a single fiscal since 2000-01.

NEW DELHI: The Centre plans to slap penalties of

NEW DELHI: With a view to attract-

crores of rupees on states that overdraw or underdraw power than their allocated quota. Sources said that hiking the amount of penalty on entities violating grid discipline is a major proposal being mulled by the power ministry. At present, the penalty imposed for non-compliance with the grid norms, especially overdrawal, is a few lakh rupees. After last year’s massive grid failures, the ministry is seriously thinking of heftier fines, possibly penalties of crores of rupees, sources said.

ing foreign investments, Finance Minister P Chidambaram will visit Dubai on May 26 and engage with sovereign wealth funds to sell the India growth story. The Minister is scheduled to meet his counterpart in Dubai and also hold bilateral consultations with the SWFs (Sovereign Wealth Funds) in his day-long visit.

NEW DELHI: Mutual funds pumped

‘Trade war will hurt EU, China alike’

EU exports to China totalled $212 billion last year, with imports $334 billion, making theirs one of the biggest trading relationships in the world. Bryan McManus

Agence France-Presse

he latest tit-for-tat EUChina trade disputes could signal worse to come but both sides have a lot to lose if things get out of hand and harm the much-needed economic growth they seek, analysts said. In May alone, the two have locked horns over solar panels, steel tubes and telecoms equipment, sparking fears of a trade war between two of the world’s biggest trading partners. Analysts said the increase in tensions could simply reflect the fact that both are feeling the pressure from a sharp economic slowdown. China grew at its slowest pace in 13 years in 2012 while the EU economy, sapped by the debt crisis and soaring unemployment, is mired in a record-long recession. “I think the fact that the EU is in a negative growth spiral cannot be divorced from their trade actions with China,” said Sergio Marchi, head of the Marchi Group management consultancy and former Canadian International Trade Minister and ambassador to the World Trade Organization. EU political leaders “at this time of job losses and economic hardship want to demonstrate to their constituents that they are tough in the face of any challenges from China,” Marchi said. But the danger is that they go too far. “The EU must be careful in not overplaying its hand. China understands politics but they don’t like being put on the public spot, especially if it runs the risk of losing face publicly. “If they decide to fight back, then the EU might be facing a lose-lose scenario,” Marchi added. Zhang Hanlin, professor at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said the main loser in any trade war would “certainly

be the EU, EU consumers and EU industry, not China. “The EU is recovering and definitely needs the support of the global market because the EU, like China, is an economy that depends a lot on foreign demand,” Zhang said. The stakes are enormous. EU exports to China totalled $212 billion last year, with imports $334 billion, making theirs one of the biggest trading relationships in the world. Analyst said the risks are even greater with a new political leadership in Beijing which may be more sensitive to slights. So far, their response has been firm but guarded. China “does not want ... a trade war,” Chinese commerce ministry spokesman Shen Danyang said this week after the EU threatened an anti-subsidy probe into telecoms imports.

ANALYST SAID THE RISKS ARE EVEN GREATER WITH A NEW POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IN BEIJING WHICH MAY BE MORE SENSITIVE TO SLIGHTS. “We hope the EU will not take actions that do no good to either side.” Brussels was careful too in announcing the telecoms probe, highlighting it as a “decision in principle” taken pending “negotiations towards an amicable solution with the Chinese authorities.”

DON’T

OVEREMPHASISE SPATS

The EU is not blind to other Chinese sensitivities. For example, Beijing has

expressed concerns over what it sees as US efforts to contain its power in Asia and the Pacific as President Barack Obama ‘pivots’ back to the region. It has also noted EU-US plans for what could be the biggest Free Trade Agreement in the world. An EU official said that during last month’s visit to China by EU foreign affairs head Catherine Ashton, Chinese officials had “mentioned again” the possibility of Brussels and Beijing concluding an FTA. While the EU feels an investment protection accord would be best at this stage, the official said the EU had reassured Beijing a US accord was “not aimed at closing the transatlantic relationship” but rather at opening it up, including to China. “Europe is poised to launch this process as soon as China is ready and we look forward to working with the new Chinese government to reach a deal,” EU trade spokesman John Clancy said Friday of the investment accord. “This would be a first step — when we see progress in these talks with China (we could) also envisage to consider an FTA,” Clancy added. At the same time as there have been disputes, there have also been agreements. Earlier this month, for example, the European Commission approved a $900-million tie-up between Sweden’s Volvo Trucks and China’s Dongfeng Motor which will create the world’s biggest lorry maker ahead of Germany’s Daimler. “I would not give the current trade spats ... more importance than they are due,” said European Liberal Democrat lawmaker Sir Graham Watson. “Dumping investigations are the normal currency of international trade ... during the last Commission, it was all about shoes and bras,” Watson said. “The Brussels-Beijing relationship will go on as before.”

Infosys served `582 crore tax notice NEW DELHI: Income Tax department has slapped a fresh $106 million (about `582 crore) tax demand notice on Infosys, for 2009 fiscal, adding to the tax woes of India's second largest IT firm. The Bangalore-based software services exporter is already contesting additional income tax demands of $214 million (about `1,175 crore) for four fiscals years beginning 2005 and said it will take legal recourse against the fresh tax demand notice as well. "The company has received the assessment order from the Income tax authorities for fiscal 2009 on May 2, 2013 along with a demand order for an amount of USD 106 million," Infosys said in a filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last week.

INFOSYS IS ALREADY FACING TAX DEMANDS WORTH $214 MILLION FOR FISCAL 2005 TO FISCAL 2008 In the filing Infosys added, "As the company is contesting this position like earlier years, the appellate authority would be approached within the time limit prescribed under the relevant law." Infosys is already facing tax demands worth $214 million for fiscal 2005 to fiscal 2008 "mainly on account of disallowance of a portion of the deduction claimed by the company under Section 10A of the Income Tax Act." The deductible amount is determined by the ratio of export turnover to total turnover. The disallowance arose from certain expenses incurred in foreign currency being reduced from export turnover, but not reduced from total turnover, it added. The tax demand for fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2008 also includes disallowance of portion of profit earned outside India from the STP units and disallowance of profits earned PTI from SEZ units, it said.

FOCUS SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

The dance of the Gods Theyyam manages to defy the caste system: it is an astonishing sight for an Indian to witness a landlord touch the feet of a tribal farmer when he performs Theyyam. EA ABHISHEK

feedback@postnoon.com

e arrived at Kannur railway station on April 28, to document a folk-art form called Theyyam. The Theyyam season would be over in some days, and we were glad we made it in time. The ritual that we had set out to cover was scheduled for April 30, on the premises of the Erumbala Tharavad (an ancient house of the Erumbala clan), in a town named Kaliasherry. It is believed that Theyyam, a corrupted form of the word Devam which means God, wards off evil forces and their effects and brings prosperity to those who conduct the ritual. Theyyam is a folk art form in which artists perform, dancing and reciting, various mythological characters in huge and colourful costumes with intricate make-up. Despite its profound dramatic aspects, visual appeal, rich legacy, Theyyam has not managed to attain the kind of popularity other performance arts like Kathakali and Mohiniattam have in Kerala. Theyyam is basically performed by people from agricultural tribes. There has been a sharp fall in the number of artists and the geographical reach of the art-form, as Theyyam, once an art form known and performed through

the length and breadth of Kerala, today are limited to the north Malabar region comprising Kozhikode, Thalisherry, Kannur and Kasargod. The day of the shoot came. The artists looked amused by our presence. And while we were setting up our equipment, one of them walked up and introduced himself. Rajesh was one of the chenda (percussion instrument) artists who were to perform at the ritual. We asked him about Theyyam. “Starting from costumes to make-up, everything is prepared by the artists from natural materials like coconut leaves, sandalwood and herbs,” he explained. At five in the evening, the artists began their preparations for the performance which would be early next morning. The main Theyyam to be performed was Puthiya Bhagawati. This Theyyam is believed to be Lord Shiva’s daughter who was sent to this world by him to eradicate small-pox. Theyyam is performed for good health and prosperity of the people in the region. The artist who would be performing the main Theyyam was Haridasan Mangadan Peruvilla. Haridasan, who started performing at the age of 11, is one of the very few artists in these parts who can perform five different Theyyams. Early in the morning Haridasan gave a grand performance, so much so that those present saw flashes of divinity in his face — during those three hours he was the Theyyam: he

If I ask for money, it becomes a business and that should not happen. I did not leave a lucrative job in the Middle-East to come here for money, I came here to perform. It is in my blood. Rajesh Chenda player was God. People gathered around the Theyyam for blessings which he gave reciting slokas. About his performance, Haridasan said, “You give a film actor a script and he will act, but I have to be well-versed with the historical and mythological aspects of the different characters I play to perform them well.” The most fascinating part of Theyyam for the people who witness it, is that they can see their God in all grandeur, for the impact is deeper than that of

praying before an idol in a temple. The ritual ended, there was one thought in my mind: how caste was being played out in the open. Because I saw artists were bowing before the members of the family who were conducting the ritual. When I asked Rajesh about the caste and cash issues, he got a little conscious. In a low voice he said, “We artists are from a lower caste: it has been like this for centuries. Long ago, each tribal-caste was allotted the rights to perform particular Theyyams based on the hierarchy. We are not supposed to ask for money for our performance: we accept whatever is offered, however meagre it be.” But why does not he demand more money? He smiled wistfully and said: “If I ask for money, it becomes a business; that should not happen. I did not leave a lucrative job in the middle-east to come here for money: I came here to perform: it is in my blood.” An inexplicable sense of amazement prevailed within me after witnessing the performance and talking to the artists, which was accompanied by an uncanny sense of disappointment when I figured that castedivision, existed even today in Kerala with all its high literacy and HD. But I was assuaged that there existed a profound tolerance between the people of different castes here, a tolerance that has allowed co-existence, coexistence that defines Kerala and its art and culture. It is heartwarming to see how these artists

Haridas, above performing. are committed to keep the artform alive, despite all the difficulties they face. Interestingly, at the end of it all, Theyyam manages to defy the caste system here: it is an astonishing sight for an Indian to witness a landlord touch the feet of a tribal farmer when he performs Theyyam.

INTERVIEW SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

hemanth.k@postnoon.com

fter studying in Vizag, Chennai and later working in Dubai, Canada and US in the Telecom industry for almost 14 years, the idea of taking a plunge sounds a like a bold move for anyone and it’s the all the more crazy when you hear that is exactly what Sridevi did. Currently, she’s working as an assistant director on the sets of an upcoming Telugu film titled Kiss. This is her story, so far and what she plans to do next in film industry.

You spent nearly 14 years in Telecom industry. What was that turning point which convinced you that you needed to take a plunge into film industry? I always had a passion for movies and since I was creatively inclined, I dreamt of doing something at some point in my life. My parents never thought that I would make such a move and I must thank my husband for being extremely supportive. Moreover, it’s not an easy decision to make when you are the mother of two. The turning point, which convinced me to take the risk, was the time I spent on the sets of My Name is Khan. I was an extra on the film’s sets in Novato, California. Siddharth Malhotra and Varun Dhawan were working as assistant directors under Karan Johar back then. I was really impressed by the passion which people had and there was so much energy on the sets that it made me think about what I was doing till that point of time. Life is short and if we don’t do what we really want to, then what’s the point of having big dreams? Luckily, my husband and parents understood my point of view. So, here I am, juggling between US and India. (smiles) Soon, I joined New York Film Academy (NYFA) in Los Angeles and on the last day of the month-long course, my instructor specifically told me that I should continue in the field. That was another major reinforcement.

After spending a day on the sets of My Name is Khan, Sridevi realised what her true calling was and soon her life took a dramatic turn.

their lives if they want to become a director or for that matter a screenwriter since it takes a long time to get a breakthrough. Your case is completely different. Do you have a strategy in mind about what you want to do? I agree that making a decision like this is itself a big risk. Before I started working on the sets of Kiss as an assistant director, I was supposed to work on

another project which didn’t take off. Before I actually got down to work, I tried to reason with my husband saying, ‘How many of us really live a life? A day will come when you'll regret not doing something which you really wanted to and this is my passion. You think you'll be happy knowing that your wife isn't able to do what she really wants to?’ That kind of drove the point home that I was really serious about what I wanted to do. Shobu Yarlagadda is a good friend of mine and he let me hang out on the sets of Panjaa. I was totally engrossed in the rigmarole of behind-thescenes action. I certainly want to be a director in future. In fact, I am planning to start preproduction on a film and release it next year. Of course, I couldn’t stay away from my kids for a long time. Luckily, most part of Kiss was shot in Bay Area. The fact that I got the opportunity was a big deal for me.

How do you explain about your dreams to your kids? Do they understand what you are doing?

PIC: KAMAL KIRAN

Hemanth Kumar

It’s certainly difficult and my younger son doesn’t understand what his mother is doing. Luckily, the system is quite different in US. Everyone works and my husband and I share the responsibilities. In a way, my kids are used to being away from their mother for a short period of time.

There are too many misconceptions about the film industry. Is that something which was always on the back of your mind before making this big move? It's totally up to you to chart your path in this industry. I guess some of it is true and I wouldn't know how to deal with it when I face a situation like that. But having dealt with different situations all my life, I think the experience empowers you to make the right decision. The most important thing is to find the right team to work with.

Lets say that your dream of making films comes true. Where do you see

A lot of people start working on film sets quite early in

Pick

at the

yourself in the larger picture? One of my favourite films is Mr & Mrs Iyer and I certainly see myself as an indie filmmaker in future. Bringing an outlook of what happens in reality to screen is something which intrigues me and we see very little of that in our films. Someone recently claimed that there's a dearth of writers. That's not true. We have the talent, but some people don't have the money or the backup to find a breakthrough. Over the past few months, I have come across several talented people here in Hyderabad who have the ability to make it big. All they need is a chance and I am sure they’ll go places. A lot of things are changing in the film industry these days. When it comes to me, I think in English and I believe that I'm in the new generation of filmmakers who want to bring new ideas on to the table. I would also love to make films in Telugu, because it brings me back to my roots.

Is connecting to your roots a big priority for you? Yes, big time. My kids don't speak the language, unfortunately. There's a lot of misconception about NRIs here. People are very down-to -earth back there. Even though you have an accent or have different mannerisms, your heart is still Indian. The principles and values that I inculcate in my kids are similar to what I learnt from my parents. I want my kids to learn the language and stay rooted to Telugu culture. That's as important as cinema for me.

How do you plan to convince producers or financiers, because the moment you say indie cinema, it becomes a touchy issue? I was in sales while I was working in Telecom sector and I believe in the philosophy that 'You never sell the product. You sell the quality'. I am confident that I'll meet at least one person out of 100 who will believe in my dream. I am a very positive person and I always believe in the possible. I believe what my mum told me once, 'If you believe in something, it'll come true.' I doesn’t hurt to dream big, after all.

airport,

ART AND CULTURE SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

Nelsons takes charge

Photos raise privacy issues

n all photos, taken by Arne Svenson from his second-floor apartment, the faces are obscured or not shown. But the residents of a glass-walled luxury residential building across the street had no idea they were being photographed and never consented to being subjects for the works of art that are now on display — and for sale — in a Manhattan gallery.

ndris (AHN'-driss) Nelsons has been named music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The chairman of the 132-year-old orchestra's trustees made the announcement. The 34-year-old Nelsons, a native of Latvia, said in a statement that he is "deeply honoured and touched" by the appointment and plans to make his first appearance in Boston in June.

All eyes on Richter painting

1968 oil painting by German artist Gerhard Richter sold for some $37 million at Sotheby's contemporary art auction, a new record for a work by a living artist. The sale took in $293,587,000, at the low end of the pre-sale estimate of $284 million to $383 million, with 83 per cent of the 64 lots on offer finding buyers. PIC: RAHUL JAIN

Interacting through pictures For all those budding creative artists who think Hyderabad lacks an open platform to help them, Open Show is here to change that. KEERTHANA M

feedback@postnoon.com

yderabad has been known for accepting new talents and trends with great amount of zeal. This adaptive nature of the crowd has given opportunities to many talent organisations and clubs. Open Show is one such organisation that was started in Hyderabad in January, 2011. Open Show organises regular events around the world – San Francisco, Cairo, Paris, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Delhi. It is a medium where photographers, filmmakers and multimedia producers (amateurs and professionals) can screen their works to the public in high profile spaces. Open Show was started in Hyderabad by Madhu Reddy,

who is a photographer herself. She says, “I started Open Show in Hyderabad with the hope of collaborating people who appreciate visual arts and the ones who produce it.” The body of Open Show in Hyderabad is run by a group of members in the 2040 age bracket.

Under the category of photography, Open Show accepts even a single photo as long as it has something to narrate. Reddy says, “We take in any photos that show the commitment between the photographer and his/her photo. Under short films, we usually take in non-fictional, animated or theme-based works with a four-10 minute duration and in multimedia category, any works of audio and visual, collage, music are accepted.” Open Show conducts an average of five screening events annually. Reddy adds that she wanted to provide a platform to photographers and filmmakers in Hyderabad since most of them go to cities like Delhi or Mumbai, searching for opportunities. Open Show gives an open space for the presenter and the audience to interact and gives room for instant and direct feedback and suggestions. Technical elements of the

A call for careful hearing

works are given lesser priority than the artistic perception. This organisation is a nonprofit one and has no sponsors or funds. Entry to watch the screenings are free, although they pass around a hat during the screening to let the willing people contribute. The funds are raised by the organisers themselves from their own pockets. So, the entire organisation runs on the system of ‘gift economy’. The last screening of Open

IN THE CITY

In a first-of-its-kind attempt in India, the Drama Association for the Deaf or DAD, is putting up a play Sign Please, by the deaf community for the deaf community and others. Kubra Fatima feedback@postnoon.com

nju Khemani and Praveen Kumar came together to form DAD to include the deaf community into the social strata. The two of them have been working with people having various disabilities for the past couple of years and believe that with the help of DAD, theatre can be used as a platform for them.

Having secured a degree from the National School of Drama, Anju believes that the deaf community has the skills and the inclination to use theatre as a platform to include themselves in society and this association will combine the various multi-cultural and linguistic communities into one. When asked about the experience of working with deaf people, Anju says, “This is my profession and it is similar to

working with non-deaf people.” The play is a comedy about three deaf friends played by Phani Kumar, Mohammad Abdul Ashwaq and DVS Sethu. Throughout the play, they will communicate with the audience in the Indian Sign Language. The audience will be taught a few simple hand movements and expressions which will make it easier for them to follow the play’s proceedings.

When asked about the sign language, Anju said that there are

Show in Hyderabad was in January this year and the next one is on June 21, 2013. Entries are invited from people belonging to all walks of life – students to professionals. The entries can be mailed to the co-producer at madhu@openshow.org. The last date for submitting entries is June 10, 2013. “The venue for the event is Lamakaan. Those submitting their works should be physically present during the screening,” says Reddy.

various internationally-recognised languages such as Indian, American and British sign languages. Just like Arabic, Spanish and French, sign language is a separate language by itself and does not follow a particular script, rather it is a combination of elements like various hand movements, finger movements and facial expressions. These movements and expressions are different in each country’s sign language. With the help of this association, Anju and Praveen hope to spread awareness about the deaf community in various public spheres and hope to take Sign Please to many public places like schools, malls, theatre workshops, etc. The play will be held at Lamakaan on May 19 at 7.30pm.

ENVIRONMENT SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

Global warming not stalled

Butterflies make a late show

Unknown pest threat warning

he second-coldest March on record contributed to the delayed emergence of many rare species, according to the charity Butterfly Conservation. “First sightings” recorded by the public showed the insects typically appeared a fortnight later than normal. One rare species — the grizzled skipper — emerged a month later than last year.

uggestions that global warming has stalled are a “diversionary tactic” from “deniers” who want the public to be confused over climate change, according to the world’s best-known climate scientist. Prof James Hansen, who first alerted the world to climate change in 1988, said on Friday: “It is not true that the temperature has not changed in the two decades.”

ong Kong saw its first electric taxis hit the streets on Saturday in a step towards reducing the city’s high levels of roadside pollution. The 45 bright red cars were launched by Chinese electric vehicle producer BYD, which is partly backed by US investment titan Warren Buffett. Called the BYD e6, the five-door crossover sedans are powered by iron phosphate batteries and take two hours to charge, a statement from BYD said, adding that they can then travel for 300 kilometres (more than 180 miles). The cars have been rented by the Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association, which is testing them over the next six months. “The idea of being environmentally friendly is a global trend and the electric car is one good example,” said Wong Chung Keung, president and chairman of the association. “An electric car saves the cost of fuel and will allow our taxi drivers to earn more,” he added, saying that a normal taxi would cost HK$0.8 (10 US cents) to run per kilometre (0.6 miles) while an electric car would cost HK$0.2-HK$0.3. He called for more charging stations around the city to encourage taxi drivers to go electric. BYD said it is setting up 47 chargers in nine charging locations near car parks. Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary John Tsang was quoted in a BYD statement as welcoming the electric car and saying he was committed to “promoting environmental sustainability by laying the foundation for Hong Kong to become a zero emissions city”. The government announced revisions to its air quality objectives for the first time in 25 years in January 2012, after University of Hong Kong research showed pollution-related illnesses killed more than 3,000 resiAFP dents a year.

tree expert has said the biggest threat facing UK trees is likely to come from a disease currently unknown to science. Tree officers suggest urban trees, already under stress from city living, are among the most susceptible. Last year’s arrival of ash dieback threatens to change the nation’s treescape forever, ecologists say.

Hong Kong launches

FIRST ELECTRIC TAXIS

BUMPY ROAD FOR ELECTRIC CARS

he road has gotten bumpier for electric cars. Coda Automotive, one of what had been a promising crop of electric car startups, filed for bankruptcy protection this month, and said it would reorganise around the electric storage market. High-end electric car maker Fisker Automotive, which has had financial woes for months, announced meanwhile it was laying off 75 per cent of its workforce, raising the prospect of defaulting on US government loans. Electric cars are still coming to the market from luxury maker Tesla, and from major

automakers such as General Motors, Nissan and others, but the outlook has become murkier. “It’s not like people are clamouring for these vehicles,” said Rebecca Lindland, analyst with Rebel Three Media, and member of a committee studying barriers to electric cars for the National Academy of Sciences. Lindland said her view that Americans “Just don’t see how an electric car can fit into their lifestyle. We continue to be riskaverse in investing in new technology in our cars.” Mike VanNieuwkuyk of the research firm JD Power & Associates said more people are

aware of the electric cars on the market “but there is still a low number of consumers who say they would purchase an electric car.”

A report by JD Power and its partner LMC Automotive found battery-powered vehicles’ share of US auto sales was just 0.08 per cent in 2012, and predicts this will reach only 0.47 per cent by 2015.Only about three per cent in the survey said their next vehicle would likely have a batteryelectric powertrain. VanNieuwkuyk said consumers are held back by a lack of plug-in charging stations, concerns about the range of the vehicle before it needs recharging, and especially the high cost. At the same time, the analyst said, gasoline-powered cars “are improving enough to meet the

needs of the consumer,” without the price tag of electric cars. The lack of range and long recharging times are key factors. “Sitting around for eight hours waiting for your (Nissan) Leaf to charge up is not exactly a selling point,” he said. “EVs have a sitting-on-your-ass factor that conventional cars do not.” More important, said Kavanagh, is that the US electric power system cannot support large numbers of electric vehicles which need constant charging. “The US power grid is not capable of supporting that,” AFP he told

FOOD SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

End of World Nutella Day

Spaghetti Panda Burger

emember Japanese burger chain Lotteria? It previously made headlines for its crazy five-patty burger. Now it's back with another burger creation — the Napoli Panda Burger. Don’t worry —there’s no actual panda meat. Instead, this burger features a pile of spaghetti with tomato sauce on the patty. And the bun is stamped with the image of two pandas (mama and baby?).

ara Rosso loves Nutella. So much, in fact, that in 2007 she founded World Nutella Day. The annual event, which takes place on February 5, encourages fans of the product worldwide to post pictures and blogs. However, Ferrero has now sent Rosso a cease-and-desist letter demanding that she stop publishing anything with the Nutella name, logo or likeness.

Popeyes tries out breakfast

opeyes for breakfast? The fried chicken chain is experimenting with a two-day breakfast menu at a single location in Mooresville, NC. According to a press release, the breakfast includes items like grits; bacon, sausage or chicken breakfast wraps; a country fried steak biscuit; a sausage, egg and cheese biscuit and a ‘Louisiana’s Best Chicken’ biscuit.

MEXICAN MAGIC

The Tostada festival at the Westin is certainly one that will excite any food lover. The tostadas though small in size are big in satisfaction. Add to it a sip of margarita and you will soon be asking for more. FLEME VARKEY

fleme.v@postnoon.com

ll good food begins with the letter T, or so I have come to believe, after tasting the tostadas at the Westin. In fact the best of Mexican food — Tortillas, Tacos and Tostadas all begin with the letter T. Working the Mexican magic into the City is the Tostadas festival at Mix. For the uninitiated, tostadas forms a part of the typical Mexican street food culture. Tostadas, as Chef de Cuisine Mukesh Sharma informed us, are crispy, fried treats with corn or flour as base, usually spread with something sticky — say, refried beans or guacamole — and then topped with any number of ingredients, from cheese, sour cream, salsa and chopped tomato to cooked pork or

pulled chicken. Mix, Westin’s bar, has gone all out to bring in the Mexican touch in terms of food. Even the odd menu translations are a clear indication that it has the international touch. For instance, dorados de papa, translates into spicy sweet potato mashed with chipotle and cabbage with sour cream. These bite-sized portions make for perfect snacks at the bar. It’s just right to keep your stomach busy while you catch a

Where: Mix at The Westin in Raheja Mindspace

When: May 15- 31

garita

drink with friends or root for your favourite IPL team as they play. Tostadas are best had with margaritas and the best part of this food festival is that they keep the spirits coming, according to your tastes. Their new concoctions — the Wasabi mar-

Time 4pm-11pm

(wasabi, lime and sugar syrup), Pineapple margarita (a distant cousin of the pina colada), Mexican blue (tequila, blue curacao and lime juice) and Mexican chilli cucumber (it’s hot! As the name suggests) are some of the best. Arun, the mixmaster at the bar surely knows his drinks. Not to forget, Chef Mukesh also tells us that they have used different types of salsa to heighten the taste. Orange, mango,

pineapple and sour cream salsa make it a delightful experience. Coming back to the Tostadas, both vegetarians and non-vegetarians have ample choice. If you ignore the fried base, it’s one of the healthiest food options. We would recommend that you sample all of it, but what deserves special mention is the Pollo- roasted tomato chipotle, marinated pulled chicken, black refried beans on flour/corn tortilla, avocado and sour cream. For some they have also used a topping of feta cheese. for vegetarians, do taste the mango tostada made of chopped pieces of ripe mangoes, jalapeno brunoise on corn tortilla. The tostadas are a quite a mouthful but if you still have space for more, the buffet at Seasonal Tastes can care of that. We left Mix in high spirits and full stomachs and totally in awe of these bitesized wonders.

PIC: S BALAKRISHNA

FOOD SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

From Mumbai with love

A MATTER OF TASTE PIC: SRINIVAS SETTY

Kanchan Agarwal

served khakra in the name of nachos at `279. Recommended by a Cream Centre fan, the vegetable biryani for `189 was not so bad. Even chhola bhatura was good. Cream centre also has siz-

kanchan.a@postnoon.com

hen a well-known brand from Mumbai like Cream Centre, with its many stories of goodwill and good food, of how it started small and made it big and of how its patrons go gaga over its very name, comes to Hyderabad, it comes with a baggage of expectations. It is hard to say if the customer’s expectations are high or restaurant’s standards have plummeted which makes one struggle to feel fully satisfied with the food. It is a pity when even dishes from the Indian cuisine start tasting like food manufactured in a factory. We started with chaat.

Bambaiya ragda — Mumbai’s all time favourite with a Cream Centre twist, the menu says. To be honest, the aloo patties in it seemed to be from those ready-to-fry packets. The texture was very crumbled and I could neither see nor taste any potato. The ragada, on the other hand, had a very strong flavour of asafoetida. It was even worse to be

Location: Arka Prime, above Jack n Jones, Road no.36, Jubilee Hills Meal for two: `1,000 Tel: 49640729 zlers for `259 to `349, and staple north Indian dishes like paneer tikka masala, dal makhani, etc for not more than `200 each. The best thing we had there was

Will Mumbai-based chain Cream Centre be able to work its charm on customers in the City? Taste their chhole bhature and find out for yourself?

Though Cognac is best enjoyed by itself, there are foods that can be paired with it to enhance the drinking experience. Here are a few.

NIDHI BHUSHAN

nidhi.b@postnoon.com

EER

Tips, Chilli Fried and Soy dip. The Hennessy V.S.O.P, which first gives you a whiff of spices like vanilla, cloves and cinnamon, has a defined grape character to it. This variety was paired with Salmon Cooked on Wood Planks and Scallops and Bean Curd Cooked on Wood Planks. While the salmon added to the smooth Cognac flavours, resulting in a delicious blend, the bean curd, with its extra soft interior, couldn’t really do anything. Probably, not such a great round for vegetarians. The last but definitely not the least, the Hennessy X.O, created by Maurice Hennessy in 1870 for

A preparation of sweet, scrambled eggs. Noor Kitchen NOOR JAFRI

Macaroni. A signature dish, it was simple with cheese sauce, mushrooms, american corn, capsicum and american corn cheese balls. Broadly speaking, the food isn’t all bad or good. It depends on individual tastes. If it is your lucky day, you may find the food that made Cream Centre what it is.

Treat for the senses s we’ve told you before, Park Hyatt’s Oriental Bar and Kitchen is the ideal place for hanging out with your someone special — its soft lighting and subtle music that allows conversations makes the bar worth it all. Top this experience with the Hennessy brand of Cognacs, and everything is right food, Cognac O IM can do wonders for sure to go ‘smooth’. T AG OOD your palette and dinPark Hyatt recently organised a special event to educate ing experience. In an Hyderabadis on how they can attempt to do just that, the chef enhance their Cognac-drinking at the Oriental Bar and Kitchen experience. The hotel’s paired the Hennessy V.S, the Oriental Bar and Kitchen preHennessy V.S.O.P and the pared a special menu of food Hennessy X.O with the oriental that blends well with three difcuisine served in four courses ferent kinds of Cognac. for vegetarians and non-vegeNeedless to say, the event left us tarians. spirited and asking for more. The Hennessy V.S (very speFor those who aren’t really cial) that bears an intense and familiar with Cognac, this varifruity character with oaky ety of brandy is usually notes was delightfully paired enjoyed after dinner. And, more with the Duck Liver Wanton, commonly, people enjoy the Mango, Pineapple, Vanilla and drink while smoking cigars. Cardamom and Asparagus However, if paired with the Basket Crisp Roll, Steamed

Ande ka halwa

his circle of friends, is rich with candied fruit flavours. The best out of the three, the Hennessy X.O is smooth and gives a powerful and soft totality through its texture. The hint of cocoa and warm fruit presence makes all its sips delightful. This variety of the drink was paired with Poached Beef served with carrots, spring onions and ginger flakes and Poached vegetable rolls. Because of its rich fruity nature, the last brandy blended well with the dessert too. In fact, the coconut custard was a perfect ending to a sumptuous meal. While it’s too late for you guys to be spoonfed this special menu, hope this article helps you blend your Cognac with the right food from the regular menu. Cheers!

What: Cognac food pairing Where: Oriental Bar and Kitchen, Park Hyatt Price: `2,700 per person plus taxes

Ingredients Quantity n Eggs 10 n Desi Ghee 4 tbsp (melted) n Sugar 1 cup n Rawa 2 tsp n Green cardamoms 3 to 4 (powdered) n A few pistachios and almonds Skinned and sliced n Kewda water 1/4th tsp n Saffron A pinch. Procedure n Beat the egg whites and yolks separately and keep aside. n Heat ghee, mix the yolks and whites. n Add sugar and rawa and stir. n Lower the heat and continue adding the ghee. n Keep stirring till it's cooked and forms a smooth consistency and the ghee separates out. n Remove from the heat, dissolve saffron in the kewda water and sprinkle on the eggs. n Serve it hot, garnishing with almond and pistachio slices. Chef’s note: n It’s very delicious and easy to make. n It’s best served for breakfast with parathas or puri. Contact us @ Noor kitchen Mobile + 91 9441282318 Residence + 91 40 23356947 Like us @ https://www.facebook.com/Noorkitchen follow us @ https://twitter.com/NoorKitchen

HISTORY SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

May 20 1498: Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama becomes the first European to reach India via the Atlantic Ocean when he arrives at Calicut on the Malabar coast.

May 21 1991: Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi is assassinated by a female suicide bomber of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, during a political rally.

M a y 22

2012: Tokyo Skytree is opened to public. It is the tallest tower in the world (634 m), and the second tallest man-made structure on Earth, after Burj Khalifa (829.8 m).

May 26 1969: Apollo 10 returns to Earth after a successful eightday test of all the components needed for the forthcoming first manned moon landing.the day before.

May 26

2008: Film director, producer and actor Sydney Pollack, whose string of hits included Tootsie, Out of Africa and The Firm, dies of cancer at his home in Los Angeles, at the age of 73.

May 22

May 25

May 23

May 25

May 23

May 24

1980: Namco releases Pac-Man in Japan. The iconic arcade game is one of the longest running franchises of all time as well as being one of the highest-grossing video games of all time.

1934: American bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde are ambushed by police and killed in Louisiana. They robbed banks and stores, and allegedly killed several policemen and civilians with their gang.

1945: Heinrich Himmler, chief of the SS, assistant chief of the Gestapo, and architect of Hitlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s programme to exterminate European Jews, commits suicide one day after being arrested by the British.

1895: Playwright Oscar Wilde is taken to Reading Gaol in London after being convicted of sodomy. He served two years in prison and was in exile for three years before dying in Paris.

2011: Television legend Oprah Winfrey airs her last show, ending her twenty five year run of The Oprah Winfrey Show.

1992: The last Thai dictator, General Suchinda Kraprayoon, resigns following prodemocracy protests. His appointment as prime minister resulted in large protests, culminating in a general curfew and military deployment in Bangkok.

SPOTLIGHT SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

Fashion favourite Diehard fashion followers made a beeline to N Grill where Priyanka Chigurupati presented the CHIGURUPATI collection at a one-day pop up shop on Saturday. 1

Meet and greet Kolkata Knight Riders took part in an interaction session organised by Dish TV at ITC Kakatiya Hotel on Saturday. 4

1 Bhargavi, 2 3 4 5

Ajita Reddy Sridevi Uma, Priyanka Anisha Moni

Agarwal 6 Prani,

Rajveer 7 Pratyusha,

Jasmine 8 Ruchika 9 Nikita Reddy

A fun affair Kids and parents were in attendance at Landmark, Banjara Hills where a geography quiz was conducted.

CINEMA SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

TAAPSEE ON A ROLL

All eyes on Paisa

he audio of Nani, Catherine Tresa starrer Paisa will be launched later tonight at Shilpakala Vedika, Hyderabad. Krishna Vamsi has directed the film and Ramesh Puppala has produced it. The film's shooting was wrapped up last month and currently, the post-production is going on. It's been a long time since Krishna Vamsi has tasted success at the box office and he seems to be quite confident about the success of his latest film. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The film originated from several things that I have been observing around me. In the past

five years, the importance attached to money has grown by leaps and bounds. Human values and relationships are not a priority for us anymore," he said. Paisa narrates the story of one such young man who's obsessed with money and it's said to be a political drama set in Hyderabad. Sidhika Sharma and Charan Raj have also played other important roles. Sai Karthik has scored the music. Will Krishna Vamsi be able to deliver a hit at the box office this time? That's the question on everyone's mind these days.

PUSHPAKA VIMANAM GOES TO SHANGHAI

amal Haasan, Amala Akkineni starrer Pushpaka Vimanam has been chosen to be screened at the Panaroma section at the upcoming Shanghai International Film Festival. Directed by Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, the film had released in 1987 and it went on to become a classic. It was one of the rare silent films in

contemporary Indian cinema and it even won a National Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment in 1988. The film narrates the story of an unemployed youth who gets access to a five star hotel, where he falls in love with a rich girl. The film was particularly noted for its take on relationships and how one man's life changes when he is overcome with guilt. Tinu Anand had played the role of an assassin and a case of mistaken identity leads to a comedy of errors. The film clicked well at the box office and it was a roaring success in several states. In a recent interview, Singeetham Srinivasa Rao confessed that several people had requested him to make a sequel to this film; however, he has clarified that he'll never make a sequel to even touch that subject. Incidentally, SS Rajamouli's Eega will also be screened in the same section at the Shanghai Film Festival which will be held from June 15-23.

aapsee is in a happy zone these days. Last month, she was seen in Chashme Baddoor and Shadow and the former film went on to become a big hit at the box office in Hindi. The summer seems to be getting better for her with plenty of work and not to forget new friendships. Taapsee is currently shooting for Vishnuvardhan's upcoming film in Kullu-Manali. Ajith is playing the lead role in the film and it also stars Arya and Nayanthara, apart from Taapsee. She has been bonding

quite well with Nayanthara, in particular. "Was a freezing cold day. N v ladies decided to go for a mountain biking ride in between shots (sic)," she posted on Twitter, referring to Nayanthara. The film will be her biggest film so far in Tamil. Apart from this film, she's also playing the lead role in Raghava Lawrence's upcoming horror comedy Muni 3. On the other hand, the postproduction of her upcoming Telugu film Sahasam is going on full swing and the audio is slated for release next week. Directed

by Chandrasekhar Yeleti, Taapsee will be seen as an innocent girl who believes that world will come to an end because of our sins. She's pairing up with Gopichand for the second time and the duo was last seen in Mogudu. The film is an action adventure in which Gopichand, who plays a security guard, goes on a treasure hunt and Taapsee joins him in his journey. The film has been shot in Hyderabad, Kerala, Ladakh and few other places. BVSN Prasad has produced the film and it might hit the screens in early June.

CINEMA SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

Nargis Fakhri roped in for

Main Tera Hero

Ishkq In Paris will recover money: Prem Raj

ockstar actress Nargis Fakhri has bagged a “key” role in Varun Dhawan-starrer Main Tera Hero. The movie, produced by Balaji Motion Pictures, will be directed by Varun’s father David Dhawan. Actress Ileana D’Cruz, whose performance in Barfi! was widely appreciated, is already a part of the movie. “Ileana and Nargis are playing key roles in the film Main Tera Hero, Girish Johar, head of acquisition and distribution, Balaji Motion Pictures, told IANS. “Details are being worked upon,” he added. Main Tera Hero, which will go on floors this June, is slated to release April 4, 2014. It is expected to be a commercial project, aimed at entertaining the youth and family audience. IANS

he release of director Prem Raj’s Ishkq In Paris may have been delayed, but he is confident that the film will manage to recover the money. “It’s not an expensive film, so I feel we will not lose too much of money. It’s not an over-budget film and looking at the positive response, I am sure the film will recover its money for sure,” Prem Raj told IANS. After Prem Raj was diagnosed with cancer, Ishkq In Paris, which was supposed to release in November 2012, was pushed back to release in May 2013. It is actress Preity Zinta’s debut production venture. The director says he is thankful to Preity, who took the risk of waiting for him to return after his treatment, to release the movie. “Hats off to Preity Zinta, who said she will wait for me to comeback. She was very clear and did what she felt. She said that we started the journey together and shall also end it together. I really look up to her,” he said. The movie, now scheduled to release May 24.

French honour for Kashyap F

ilmmaker Anurag Kashyap will be conferred with the French honour Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters for his efforts in the promotion of Indian cinema across the globe. India is the guest country at the ongoing Cannes International Film Festival, which began Wednesday. French Culture Minister, Aurelie Filippetti will confer the Chevalier dans l’ordre des Arts et Lettres honour on Kashyap at a ceremony during the film fest.

CINEMA SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

I WAS CLOSE-MINDED

RISHI KAPOOR EXCITED

ABOUT SEVEN RELEASES THIS YEAR

ABOUT TV: ABHAY DEOL

JOHN ABRAHAM,

THE INDIAN RAMBO

e admits to having been closed to doing anything on TV, but never say no is the mantra for actor Abhay Deol, who carved a niche for himself with zara hatke roles in films like Dev D. He will now be seen on the small screen, which he says was completely unplanned. "I never thought of being a part of the small screen. If anything they said was for TV, I would say no without even thinking about it," Abhay, who will be hosting Zee TV's new show Connected Hum Tum, said. When the project came his way, he said, his manager "was like just consider it, at least take

a look at it". “Then I took a look at it and I got interested,” he said. “I asked myself 'What is it about TV that you are closed to?' The interest generated through the show made me question my close-mindedness towards TV." Connected Hum Tum is about six women, who will capture every moment of their lives through cameras. Abhay will try to link their stories together. Abhay, 37, was launched by his uncle Dharmendra in his home production Socha Na Tha.

eteran actor Rishi Kapoor seems to be as busy as his son Ranbir. He is excited about the total of seven releases he has this year, and that he plays different characters in each one of them. “(I am) looking forward to lot of films this year. I have seven releases — one just released, Chashme Buddoor and then Aurangzeb. And then (I have) five more films —

D-Day, two more films to be directed under Yash Raj Films banner, and Kaanchi and Besharam. These are very interesting roles and films,” Rishi said. “I'm very passionate about my work and for me, work is great enjoyment. It's a great learning curve and good journey as an actor. All my characters are different from each other,” he added. Meanwhile, the actor's look in Nikhil Advani's D-Day has created quite a stir. "We have worked on the character and a lot on the look. I have received so many messages congratulating me. The look has created quite a stir, and I am looking forward to that film,” he said. IANS

IANS

irector Sanjay Gupta and actor John Abraham are teaming up to for India's answer to Rambo. After the success of Shootout of Wadala, they are joining forces again for this epic revenge saga that will on the lines of Hollywood blockbusters like Kill Bill and Django Unchained. A statement said: "The revenge saga is on the lines of a Bollywood Rambo. When dabbling with the script the director could think of no one better than John to essay the role of the protagonist since he has the physique to carry off the character and is synonymous with action." The film will be made on par with international standards with a contemporary linear treatment, it added.

CINEMA SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

Beyonce pregnant with second child?

WHEN

MIRANDA KERR’S LINGERIE WAS STOLEN

upermodel Miranda Kerr’s valuable lingerie collection was once stolen by Bling Ring, a notorious gang of youngsters who steal celebrities’ personal belongings. The former Victoria’s Secret model’s enviable lingerie collection was specifically targeted by the notorious gang of celebrity-obsessed teen burglars because they wanted

inger-songwriter Beyonce Knowles is reportedly pregnant with her second child with rapper husband Jay-Z. A week back, the pop star, who is already a mother to a 15month-old, wore a high-waist Givenchy gown that covered her belly to the Met Ball in New York,

reports thesun.co.uk. If sources are to be believed, Knowles’ pregnancy was the talk of the glamorous fashion event. The rumour spread like wildfire when the 31-year-old pulled out of her Mrs. Carter world tour in Antwerp, Belgium because of dehydration and exhaustion. IANS

COOPER HELPS HIS FRIENDS

ame hasn’t gone to actor Bradley Cooper’s head. He readily came to the rescue of his friends and their families to pay off their debts in their hard times. The 38-year-old admits that finding fame has been disorientating, but he hasn’t let his star status go to his head. “There is a certain amount of disorientation. You can’t relate to having more money than you ever imagined or even know how to spend or invest. It’s absolutely luxury, I

know that,” dailymirror.couk quoted Cooper as saying. “But I don’t think I’ve let it affect the way I live or change how I think. I still live pretty much like a nomad going from one film shoot to another. I don’t collect sports cars or have ambitions to own my own private jet. Making a lot of money has enabled me to help some of my closets friends pay off debts, mortgages, things like that,” he IANS added.

to look sexy, reports contactmusic.com. Nancy Jo Sales, who first exposed the gang in an article, told Vanity Fair: “They wanted to look sexy. Looking sexy in a celebrity’s clothes, well that’s even sexier. Especially Miranda Kerr, who (was) a Victoria’s Secret model. “The fact that they stole the underwear just seems so weird, but it’s not weird when you think about it, because

they’re growing up at a time when their culture is constantly telling them to be sexy.” “Everything from toys to video games to music to fashion is hypersexualised for girls. Stealing their underwear was part of a whole trend to emulate these celebrities. They don’t just want expensive underwear; they want Paris Hilton’s underwear,” added Sales. IANS

CHAI TIME SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

SUNDAY CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Cramp 6 Toted up 11 Mediocre writer 15 Courage under fire 20 Shelve indefinitely 21 Grouchy 22 Farewell 24 Like a hermit 25 Oil-well capper Red — 26 Goody-goody 27 Interlaced 28 Tasty carbohydrate 29 Indiana city 31 Copycats 33 Digestive juice 34 McEnroe’s ex 35 Exciting novel (hyph.) 37 Prepare apples 39 Kenya’s loc. 41 LP speed 42 Fits of pique 43 Some Christmas trees 44 Formal attire 46 Bench or hassock 50 Diamonds, to a fence 51 Fortune 52 Warrior princess 53 Famous hotelier 57 Spanish painter (2 wds.) 59 Delts’ neighbors 60 Muffin maker 61 “Lonely Boy” singer 62 Cause to expand 63 Foul 64 Cubed 65 Hoss, to Ben 66 In the blink of — — 67 Emulated Niobe 68 Dainty pastries 69 Foot, slangily 72 Campground initials 73 Belgian river 74 Ralph — Emerson 75 Cement component 76 Try to force (2 wds.) 79 Beach scavengers 80 Spreads like kudzu (2 wds.) 84 Upset 85 Husky 86 “Me Tarzan, you —!” 87 Noisy dispute 88 High spirits 91 Common wildflower 92 Piece of chicken 93 Got stage fright 95 Before, in combos 96 Ground grain 97 Cartoon bear 98 Participate (2 wds.) 99 1492 vessel 101 Shipping box 102 Drags behind 103 Trousers, e.g. 104 Snowmobile parts 105 Phaser blasts 106 Most profs 107 Web suffix 108 Uptight 109 Scoundrel 111 “Wool” on clay sheep 112 Kitchen staple 114 Marsupial pocket 117 Temper

118 Invent a word 119 Pileated — 124 Gripping device 126 Cougar’s home 128 Kublai and Genghis 130 Tight spot 131 Fable author 132 Organic compound 134 Calf-length skirts 136 Chilling 137 Pickle juice 138 Tractor pioneer 139 Pizzeria fixtures 140 Technical details 141 Got up 142 Club, briefly 143 Mr. Gainsbourg 144 Feel DOWN 1 Snail-mail need 2 Galileo taught there 3 Go out with — — 4 Piece of cake 5 Is deserving of 6 Cleopatra’s snake 7 Jimmy, “the Nose” 8 Peaches and plums 9 Church official 10 Batik artisan 11 Half a bray 12 Mud bricks

13 Courteous 14 Hull bottom 15 Fog and steam 16 Mr. Greenspan 17 Unlucky gambler 18 Tavern sign (2 wds.) 19 Domain 23 Like some income 30 Maria Shriver’s mom 32 Hits the cuspidor 36 “Miami Vice” cop 38 Sooner than anon 40 Cold feet 43 Keep a straight — 44 Fakes out the goalie 45 Tijuana “Mrs.” 46 “Calendar Girl” singer 47 Poet — Wylie 48 Shining brightly 49 Food holder 51 Snow-boot liner 52 Craft knife (hyph.) 54 Technical sch. 55 Ring stats 56 Silly 58 Dog days in Dijon 59 Water main 60 Cardinals and blue jays 63 Empower 64 Waste time 67 Discerning

68 Keep score 69 Prong 70 Mantra chants 71 Above, in verse 73 Greasy 74 Deli offering 75 Gill alternative 77 Numerical prefix 78 Life of the party 79 Semblance 80 Hindu royalty 81 Did a laundry chore 82 Exuding moisture 83 Wallet filler 85 Sets a trap 86 Fishing lures 88 RN assistants 89 — the Red 90 —, vidi, vici 91 Hang in folds 92 Really impresses 93 — sale by owner 94 Hoarfrost 96 Like many driveways 97 “Star Wars” guru 98 Traffic snarls (hyph.) 100 Seek information 101 Despot 102 Mull over 103 More than OK 106 Honor society letter 107 Locking up

110 Pinched off 111 Kitchen tools 112 Dearer, as memories 113 Alcove 114 Picket-line crossers 115 Wide-awake 116 Timex rival 118 Issues a summons 119 Give up, as a right 120 Crinkled fabric

121 One of the Carpenters 122 DeMille movies 123 Entertainer Della — 125 Part of MSG 127 Between ports 129 RN employers 133 Stimpy’s pal 135 NNW opposite PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

CHAI TIME SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

STAR POWER Date 20-5-2013

As per Hindu panchang

THIRUVAIKUMAR

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

TAURUS

GEMINI

Held up works will resume and get completed. Your thoughts will be innovative. You will implement new ideas successfully. Keep a watch in the activities of your son.

You will outperform others with your sharpened administrative skills. You have to spend more for the good events that are to take place at home. Debt problems will be under control.

Court verdict is likely to be in your favour. You will try and control the unwanted expenditure and start saving in a small way. You will pay advance for the immovable assets.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

You will complete even the challenging works with ease. Some are planning to construct their own house and will be successful in their goal. Sudden expenses might put you under a fix.

Your long pending plans will get fulfilled and make you very much cheerful. Financially a strong position keeps you relaxed. You will plan certain important task for your kids’ future.

Good financial inflow is very much likely. Sudden and frequent travels likely to make you upset. You will be in the limelight in the functions or get together you attend.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

Couple is advised to avoid ego problems and remain cordial. Deficit financial situation is likely to improve for better. VVIP’s friendship is likely which will bring good benefits in future.

Good news through spouse is likely. Pregnant women need to avoid travelling and be prompt in regular medical checkups. Those who are trying for a job will be successful.

You will be appreciated by everyone for the perfect work execution. Your stock is set to pile up. Good turning points likely to give you a prosperous situation with the help of friends.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Delayed government works will resume and get completed in a faster pace. Confusions existed in the family will be over and harmony will prevail between members.

You will be able to clear a portion of a debt for which you were paying higher interest. Minor tensions about ancestral property are likely to depress you, but no need to worry.

Self-confidence and will power levels are at their high. You will perform sister’s marriage in a grandeur. Property purchase and registration is likely to be take place.

SUMAA TEKUR

tarotreadhyd@gmail. com

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

Five of Swords – Don’t get overly emotional about another person or thing. It will make you very nervous, insecure, fidgety and depressed.

Seven of Pentacles – There are great opportunities for you to break away from routine and do what you always wanted to. This may not be connected to money.

The Magician – An association with an old friend will help you in your job. You just need to brush up your memory and see who among your college friends.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Three of Wands – Stick to the usual routine work. At this phase of your life, you find comfort in doing the familiar and knowing you’re safe.

The Hermit – Your intent is as important as the action. Many people intend to lose weight and, therefore, exercise and diet. That start is necessary.

Two of Swords – A senior in your profession will be instrumental in bringing you to the limelight and helping you decide on your next move.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

Four of Cups – By being too rigid in your mindset to new ideas, you are blocking your ownprogress. Try to keep an open mind about a new task.

The Lovers – You do not have the luxury of time to sit on decisions that are very important. Hurry up and don’t make people wait for too long.

Strength – You have immense talent and capabilities. You will find plenty of opportunities in the ensuing days to showcase what you really capable of.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

NON SEQUITUR PEARLS BEFORE SWINE POOCH CAFE

STRIP TEASE

AGNES

ARIES

TAROT READ Date 20-5-2013

Five of Cups – You are interested only in the premium goods – whether it’s while shopping for home items or shopping for a job. You don’t want to settle for anything .

The Moon– You may be stuck in the middle of an odd moment when you have lied to someone and get caught. Be strong and come clean.

Ace of Cups – You suspect that a close family member is hiding something from you. This is not a great feeling, especially when you don’t have a proof.

A story with a moral One day John asked Mary, “Hey, Marie, how about you and me go to dinner next Friday?” “Sure, that would be nice,” said Marie. On Friday he picked up Marie and took her to dinner. When they sat down, John asked Marie, “Hey, Marie, would you like a cocktail before dinner?” “Oh, no, John, “said Marie. “What would I tell my Sunday School class?” John was setback a bit, so he didn’t say much until after dinner. Then he pulled out a pack of cigarettes. “Hey, Marie,” said John, “Wanna smoke?” “Oh, no, John,” said Marie. “What

would I tell my Sunday School class?” John started feeling low. On their way back they passed a motel. He’d struck out twice already, so he figured he had nothing to lose. “Hey, Marie,” said John, “how would you like to stop at this motel with me?” “Sure, John,” said Marie. The next morning John looked at Marie lying there in the bed. He woke up Marie and asked, “What are you going to tell your Sunday School class?” Marie said, “The same thing I always tell them......... You don’t have to smoke and drink to have a good time.

Vol: 2, No 303 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad – 500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon. com and for subscription, please call 040-4067 2222, Fax: 040-4067 2211

INDIASCOPE

SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

The official selection of Eega to few film festivals abroad is making a lot of buzz these days. This is the story of another Telugu film titled Vanaja, which rocked film festivals in 2006, but didn’t release in AP

LOST IN TIME VIHIR (2010)

irected by Umesh Kulkarni, this award winning Marathi film is a story of two adolescent cousins, Nachiket and Sameer, trying to make sense of the world around them. The two meet during summer vacations and one fine day, they begin playing a game of hide and seek in a rather unusual way which changes their lives forever. Vihir was screened at Pusan film festival, Berlin Film Festival and Rotterdam Film Festival in 200910. Sudheer Palsane was the cinematographer of the film.

Rajnesh Domalpalli, Director

Hemanth Kumar

I have never considered cinema as a means of livelihood. For me, cinema is a craft. So I wait until I can make the movies I want to.

Hemanth.k@postnoon.com

oger Ebert, in his glowing review of Rajnesh Domalpalli’s debut film Vanaja, writes, “Vanaja, a beautiful and heart-touching film from India, represents a miracle of casting,” and describes the lead actress Mamatha Bhukya as ‘a natural star, her eyes and smile illuminating a face of freshness and delight.’ Those words, written by one of the greatest film critics that ever lived, couldn’t be more true. Back in 2006, while Telugu audience were celebrating the success of Pokiri, a little known filmmaker Rajnesh Domalpalli, a final year student at Columbia University was finishing his first feature film titled Vanaja, as a part of his thesis project. The film, mostly shot in a village in Andhra Pradesh, was made with a budget of $20,000, but little did Rajnesh anticipate what lay ahead of him. Vanaja was first screened at Toronto Film Festival and later, he won the award for Best First Feature Film at Berlin Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation. On the whole, it won 32 awards and it was screened in more than 100 film festivals across the world over the years. Ironically, the film hasn’t been able to manage to get a theatrical release in Andhra Pradesh.

Shaji N Karun director DID YOU KNOW ?

Mamatha Bhukya My guess is that it’s tag as an ‘art house’ film could be one of the reasons why most of us haven’t seen or for that matter even heard of this film. Mamatha Bhukya, the lead actress in the film, was selected after Rajnesh interviewed nearly 250 girls for the role and she was trained in Kuchipudi for almost an year by Srinivas Devarakonda, a disciple of wellknown Kuchipudi guru Vempati Chinna Satyam. Vanaja is the story of a low caste fisherman’s daughter, who’s goes to work at the local landlady’s house with a hope of learning kuchipudi from her.

As time flies by, the landlady becomes quite fond of Vanaja and the two bond over several sessions of Kuchipudi. The landlady’s son returns after completing his studies in US. He finds himself drawn towards Vanaja and one day he rapes her. When she becomes pregnant, her baby is snatched away from her since she’s from a low caste. The film’s biggest strength is a beautiful performance by the lead actress Mamatha Bhukya. One has to watch the film to belief why several critics have called her a personification of innocence.

Surprisingly, Vanaja is devoid of melodrama, a trait which is quite common in films that deal with caste system, gender bias in rural India. Cinematography by Milton Kam is a delight to watch on screen. Such colours are rarely seen in contemporary Telugu cinema and the music is quite soothing. It’s easy to see why Vanaja did so well at several film festivals abroad. It’s beauty lies in its purity of emotion and the subject it tries to address, but is there an audience for such kind of cinema in AP? Your guess is as good as mine.

Arun Vaidyanathan’s debut feature film in Tamil Achchamundu! Achchamundu! is the first Indian film to be shot with a Red One camera. The film released at a time when digital filmmaking was slowly catching up in South India. Sneha and Prasanna played the lead roles in this film.

In 1977, the world premiere of Satyajit Ray’s Shatranj Ke Khiladi, at London Film Festival, was on the verge of being cancelled because the print wasn’t subtitled. Saeed Jaffrey, one of the actors in the film, saved the day for Ray by reading aloud all the lines in English while the audience listened on headphones!

SPORTS SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

Warner faces enquiry

avid Warner is facing a Cricket Australia enquiry after attacking two noted Australian cricket writers on twitter. Robert Craddock wrote a critical article on IPL, following the spot-fixing scandal and in response to that Warner, who plays for Delhi Dardevils, launched a series of abusive tweets. Warner called Craddock a Pr*** who writes s*** and also described the other coloumnist Malcolm Conn an old f***.

Anand loses to Hao Wang

Alexander halts Purdy

iswanathan Anand suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Hao Wang of China for the second time this year to sign off joint fourth in the Norway Chess 2013 super tournament. In with a chance to finish first in a major tournament, Anand could not control the proceedings and was on the defensive early against Hao Wang who seems to be in great touch against stalwarts in the past few months.

nternational Boxing Federation welterweight champion Devon Alexander posted a dominant seven-round technical knockout of over-matched Briton Lee Purdy on Saturday. Alexander’s title was not on the line after Purdy failed to make the 147-pound weight limit on Friday, but the champion improved to 25-1 with 14 knockouts despite hurting his left hand during the first round.

Li, Shiwen in final

PARIS: Olympic champion Li Xiaoxia knocked off top seed and title-holder Ding Ning in a thrilling contest to reach the final of the World Table Tennis Championships in Paris on Saturday.

Third seed Li had reduced Ding to tears after pipping her to the Olympic crown in London last August, and there was more heartbreak for the world number one as Li this time triumphed in the French capital with an exhilarating 8-11, 11-1, 4-11, 13-11, 11-6, 11-8 victory. “I really wanted to win the last (sixth) game to make it to the final. I want to stay as long as possible to play in front of this audience, this is the biggest motivation I’ve got,” Li told ITTF.com. Her opponent in Sunday’s title match will be secondranked Liu Shiwen, who will be making her first appearance in the final after seeing off 18-year-old Zhu Yuling 11-8, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-8 with China already assured of winning all the medals in the women’s singles. “It wasn’t as easy as the score shows. (It was) thanks to my fighting nature I won the match,” said Liu.

Carpenter captures Indy 500 pole

Meanwhile, men’s title-holder Zhang Jike moved into the quarter-finals by beating Austria’s Robert Gardos 11-6, 6-11, 11-7, 115, 11-9. Zhang, the Olympic champion, but seeded fourth after some inconsistent displays this year, will face Patrick Baum for a place in the last four after he upset London 2012 bronze medallist Dimitrij Ovtcharov in an allGerman affair. World number one Xu Xin swatted aside the challenge of Portugal’s Marcos Freitas en route to a commanding 11-7, 11-5, 11-5, 11-7 success to earn himself a last-eight meeting with Japanese Kenta Matsudaira, who emerged in a thriller against Belarusian Vladimir Samsonov 3-11, 1513, 12-14, 11-8, 11-9, 3-11, 11-8. The third German to reach the last 16 and Europe’s leading hope Timo Boll cruised into the quarters as he ruthlessly disposed of Japan’s Seiya AFP Kishikawa.

China’s Li Xiaoxia waits before a serve from China’s Wu Yang on Saturday, during the quaters of the women’s singles of the World Table Tennis Championships. AFP/JACQUES DEMARTHON

Koenig wins stage, Tejay keeps lead SAN FRANCSICO: Leopold Koenig won the seventh stage of the Tour of California atop Mt. Diablo on Saturday, while overall leader Tejay van Garderen’s third place finish had him poised to win the title on Sunday. Czech rider Koenig gave the NetApp team its first stage win in the Tour of California, holding off an aggressive Janier Acevedo three kilometers from the summit of Mt. Diablo. BMC’s van Garderen finished third, 12 seconds behind Koenig to keep the yellow jersey and retained with his triumph in Friday’s individual time trial. “I’m thrilled. I’m still soaking it in,” said van Garderen, who is now set to seal his first career stage-race triumph in Sunday’s final, 129.9km stage from San Francisco to Santa Rosa. “It was an unbelievable team effort,” said van Garderen in praising his team’s efforts on the hors categorie climb. “I knew they were strong, I knew they’d

LEOPOLD KOENIG WON THE SEVENTH STAGE WHILE OVERALL LEADER TEJAY VAN GARDEREN’S THIRD PLACE FINISH HAD HIM POISED TO WIN THE TITLE. be motivated, but they went above and beyond expectations today. “They made my life somewhat easy, although it still was a hard day.” The 24-year-old American, who finished fifth in the Tour de France last year, has already made a strong start to the season, with a fourth place finish in the Paris-Nice and a runner-up finish at the Tour de San Luis. Saxo rider Michael Rogers, the Tour of California winner in 2010, finished in fourth to maintain his second place in the overAFP all standings.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA: Ed Carpenter captured the pole position for the Indianapolis 500 in Saturday’s time trials, edging rookie Carlos Munoz and withstanding a last-ditch bid by Australian Will Power. Carpenter, a 32-year-old American stepson of current IndyCar series founder Tony George, was only fifth-fastest in the first round of time trials at the famed 2 1/2-mile (4km) oval where the 97th Indy 500 will be staged on May 26. But that was enough to put Carpenter, the only owner/driver in the series, into the “Fast Nine” final qualifying session among the quickest racers to determine the exact starting order for the front three rows. With early rain shortening the day’s activities, each car was given one chance to post a fourlap qualifying average in the final session, drivers making their runs in reverse order to the speeds they had posted. Carpenter took the tenative pole with a fourlap run that averaged 228.762 mph (366.019 k/hr) and the time stood despite scares from Munoz, a 21-year-old Colombian newcomer, and Power, who led the early session at 228.844 mph. “Victories were great, but an Indianapolis 500 pole is the best,” Carpenter said. “This is the start of a dream come true. This is just the first part of what we want to do.” Carpenter, a two-time IndyCar race winner, had the fastest pole average in seven years and improved upon his best Indy 500 starting spot, AFP which had been eighth.

Pacers hold off Knicks Lance Stephenson scored a career playoff-high 25 points to lead the Indianapolis Pacers to a 106-99 victory over the New York Knicks. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA: Lance Stephenson scored a career playoff-high 25 points on Saturday to lead the Indianapolis Pacers to a 106-99 victory over the New York Knicks and into the NBA Eastern Conference finals. The Pacers withstood 39 points by Knicks star Carmelo Anthony to win the best-ofseven Eastern Conference second-round series four games to two and will now battle reigning NBA champions Miami for a place in the NBA finals. The Pacers reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since falling in 2004 to Detroit. Last year they fell to the Heat in a bitterly fought six-game second round series. The Heat, led by NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James, finished off the injury-hit Chicago Bulls in five games, and will be well-rested when they host the Pacers in game one of the Eastern Conference

Ian Mahinmi #28 and Lance Stephenson #1 of the Indiana Pacers congratulate each other with winning Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against New York Knicks on Saturday. NBAE/AFP/RON HOSKINS finals on Wednesday. New York native Stephenson said he was eager to prove himself after what he considered a sub-par outing in game five, in which the Knicks fended off elimination at Madison

Square Garden. “Last game I felt like I played not to my ability,” said Stephenson, who also grabbed 10 rebounds. “I couldn’t wait for this game. I was very focused... we took AFP care of business.”

SPORTS SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

Tim treble rocks England Julian GUYER

LONDON: Tim Southee bowled New Zealand back into contention in the first Test against England with a dramatic burst late on the third day at Lord’s on Saturday. At stumps, England were 180 for six in their second innings — a lead of 205 runs. England were building a sound position at 159 for two when paceman Southee wrested back the initiative with three wickets for four runs in 17 balls. In all, England lost four wickets for 12 runs to throw the first of this two-Test series wide open, although their lead was now almost as much as New Zealand’s meagre first innings 207. Nightwatchman Steven Finn was six not out and Ian Bell nought not out at stumps. “Now we’re into the bowlers,” Southee, who had close of play figures of three for 34 in 14 overs, told reporters. “Finn is in and we know (Stuart) Broad is capable with

New Zealand’s Tim Southee celebrates the dismissal of England’s Jonathan Bairstow during the third day of the first Test at Lord’s cricket ground in London on Saturday. AFP/GLYN KIRK the bat and (Graeme) Swann is dangerous, he can score some quick runs. We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves. We’ve still got a job to do.” Jonathan Trott (56) and Joe Root (71) shared a third-wicket stand of 123 before the latter’s

exit sparked England’s slump. They had steadied the ship after England captain Alastair Cook and fellow opener Nick Compton had fallen to the leftarm pace duo of Trent Boult and Neil Wagner respectively with the score on 36.

way”, according to Federer, the Swiss sealed the win in 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 to set up his first final with Nadal since the Spaniard’s French Open victory in 2011. With Nadal only returning to the tour this year following a seven-month layoff, Federer admitted: “I missed him more when he is not around for seven months. “There are also other players out there who have beaten us — (Novak) Djokovic and (Andy) Murray — and sometimes we have been drawn in the same section and so we haven’t played each other. “But it’s nice to have

Phelps rules out comeback LOS ANGELES: Olympic swimming great Michael Phelps has thrown cold water on a report that he would come out of retirement with a view to swimming at the 2016 Rio Games. “Why do I keep getting texts about coming back?” Phelps said on Twitter Friday night after a Florida television station reported he planned to return to the pool. Peter Busch of an NBC station in Fort Myers, Florida, reported on Friday that Phelps “had a change of heart” and would be training for the 2016 Games. Busch’s father, Frank Busch, is the director of the US national swim team. Still, Phelps downAFP played the suggestion.

those revival moments because we’ve had some epic finals. I’m sure we’re both looking forward to it. I clearly am, I hope he is too.” Berdych had caused the first major upset of the tournament when he ousted world number one Novak Djokovic on Friday.

MOBILE, ALABAMA:

Shortly after tea, Root was nearly run out when he dabbed the ball onto the offside and set off for a single before Trott sent him back. A direct hit by New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum would have seen the Yorkshireman run out but Root just did enough as wicket-keeper BJ Watling tried to make the best of a bad return with a despairing effort of his own. Watling injured his knee in the process and was replaced behind the stumps by McCullum, who had given up keeping in Tests because of knee and back problems. Root, in only his fifth Test and first in England, punched Wagner through the covers for four to complete a 78-ball fifty featuring six boundaries. But in sight of beating the Test-best 73 he made against India, the 22-year-old, promoted up the order because Bell had flu, inside-edged Southee on to his stumps. Jonny Bairstow was then yorked off his foot by AFP Southee for five.

Rome’s much awaited final ROME: World number three Roger Federer and Spanish nemesis Rafael Nadal will clash for the 30th time when they meet Sunday in the final of the Rome Masters. Six-time Rome champion Nadal booked his place in his eighth successive final this season after dominating Tomas Berdych 6-2, 6-4. Federer’s semi-final was against French upstart Benoit Paire, who had accounted for Marcel Granollers and Juan Martin Del Potro on his way to an unexpected place in the last four. Despite being taken to a first set tie-break that “could have gone either

Choi edges Nordqvist

But despite an improved second set performance against the fifth seed, the Czech could not match Nadal’s power as the Spaniard put himself within touch of a second title inside a week following his Madrid Masters triumph AFP last Sunday.

South Korea’s Chella Choi fired a six-under par 66 Saturday to seize a onestroke lead over Sweden’s surging Anna Nordqvist after the third round of the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic. Choi, seeking her first LPGA title, stood on 17under 199 after 54 holes with Nordqvist, who fired a course and tournament record 61, and secondround leader Jessica Korda of the United States sharing second on 200. “Every hole birdie chance because I know my shots,” Choi said. “So I think just confidence and focus on just teeing ground. It’s no problem.” Australian Hall of Famer Karrie Webb, in search of her 39th career LPGA title, was another shot back on 201 after making her 53rd consecutive cut. Nordqvist fired 10 birdies and an eagle against a lone bogey to break the day-old course and event mark of 62 set by American Sydnee Michaels. “Today was a lot of fun,” Nordqvist said. “It’s one of those days where you feel like all your hard work and your patience is paying off. You see yourself with a lot of confidence and know you can do it and believe in yourself.” Nordqvist, who began the round sharing 27th place, strung together five birdies in a row starting at the par-4 third, taking advantage of both par-5 holes on the front nine in the run. She began the back nine with back-to-back birdies and added an eagle at the par-5 13th before suffering her first bogey in 30 holes at the par-3 14th. But Nordqvist responded with three birdies in a row, a run that finished at the par-3 17th, and parred to complete her sensational round, a career-best by four strokes and the lowest fired by any LPGA player this AFP season.

Bradley clings on to PGA lead IRVING, TEXAS: Keegan Bradley, trying to win the Byron Nelson Championship for the second time in three years, fired a two-under par 68 Saturday and clung to a one-stroke lead over South Korea’s Bae SangMoon. In windy conditions at the par-70 TPC Four Seasons Resort course, Bradley closed with a bogey for the third round in a row but the American still stood atop the leaderboard on 13-under 197 with Bae on 198 after a third 66 in a row. “I’m playing really well,” Bradley said. “I’m proud of how I played the

last two days, and I’m happy with where I’m sitting.” Bradley won his first US PGA title at the 2011 Byron Nelson and

went on to win the 2011 PGA Championship in his first major appearance. Bradley could become first wireto-wire winner at the Byron Nelson since 1980, when Tom Watson won the event for a record fourth time by capturing his third Byron Nelson title in a row. Mark Hayes also did it in 1976. Tom Gillis was third on 199 after concluding his round of 67 with a 45foot birdie chip-in from a greenside bunker, with compatriot Scott Piercy fourth on 200 after a 66 that featured AFP several long birdie putts.

IPL 6

BATTLE OF THE TITANS

METER

6 S 617

51 4S 1892

Chris Gayle (RCB)

Michael Hussey (CRK)

175*

HIGHEST SCORE

SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013 Chris Gayle (RCB)

BEST BOWLER

5-16

James Faulkner (RR)

Eagles in must-win encounter Harbhajan took my wicket many many times, so I just wanted to mimic the reaction. Really well received by this fabulous crowd. Adam Gilchrist KXIP skipper

Chris Gayle (RCB) 708 runs

James Faulkner (RR) 26 wickets

TN police look for bookies’ local head

s investigations continued into the betting racket involving IPL matches, Tamil Nadu Police on Saturday said they have zeroed-in on the local head of the bookies, who is absconding. "We have found that one person named Prashant living in Ayanavaram here is the head of bookies involved in betting. He has absconded from his residence. We are probing further into this," CB-CID SP S Rajeswari told PTI. Investigations continued for the second day, a day after the CBCID arrested six bookies and seized computers, laptops, mobile phones used by them in betting. Police sources said efforts were also on to find out about the mastermind of the racket, said to be operating from Delhi. PTI W

T PT

CSK

16 11

22 +0.530

16 11

22 +0.441

16 10

20 +0.322

RCB

18 +0.457

SRH

18 -0.031

KXIP 16

16 +0.226

KKR

12 -0.065

12 0

6 -0.775

PWI

12 0

6 -1.203

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

G. APARNA SAI

aparna.s@postnoon.com

t will be a nervous Sunday for both Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Royal Challengers Bangalore as today’s encounter between SRH and Kolkata Knight Riders will decide the fourth team which will make it to the playoffs. If Sunrisers will the match, they will make it to the next stage but a loss for the hosts (Hyderabad), will see the Royals from Bangalore sail through. Both SRH and Royal Challengers Bangalore are tied at 18 points but RCB are currently placed fourth, one place above the Sunrisers by the virtue of a higher net run rate. Meanwhile, KKR, which had won the tournament last year, put a poor show this season. They managed to win only six matches from the 15 they

SRH VS KKR AT 8PM ON SET MAX played. Although a victory today would not effect them in any manner, yet they would look to win this match and end the season on a high. But it will not be easy keeping in mind their recent form and also the fact

SCORECARD KINGS XI PUNJAB VS MUMBAI INDIANS Kings XI Punjab innings (20 overs maximum) AC Gilchrist*† b Coulter-Nile 5 Mandeep Singh c Pollard b Dhawan 1 Azhar Mahmood lbw b Malinga 80 SE Marsh b Harbhajan Singh 63 DA Miller c Coulter-Nile b Pollard 6 M Vohra not out 20 Gurkeerat Singh lbw b Malinga 0 Chawla run out (Maxwell/†Karthik) 1 P Kumar b Malinga 0 Extras (lb 3, w 4) 7 Total (8 wickets; 20 overs) 183 Bowling O M R W Econ NM Coulter-Nile 4 0 29 1 7.25 R Dhawan 4 1 26 1 6.50 DS Kulkarni 0.4 0 12 0 18.00 RG Sharma 0.2 0 1 0 3.00 Harbhajan 4 0 33 1 8.25 SL Malinga 4 0 39 3 9.75 KA Pollard 2 0 22 1 11.00 GJ Maxwell 1 0 18 0 18.00 Mumbai Indians innings (target: 184 runs from 20 overs) GJ Maxwell c Vohra b Kumar 0 AP Tare b Sandeep Sharma 22 AT Rayudu c †Gilchrist b Awana 26 RG Sharma* b Chawla 25 KD Karthik† c & b Chawla 0 Pollard c Miller b Sandeep Sharma 22 R Dhawan lbw b Azhar Mahmood 14 Harbhajan c Gurkeerat Singh b Gilchrist 5 NM Coulter-Nile b Az Mahmood 9 SL Malinga not out 1 DS Kulkarni absent hurt Extras (lb 6, w 2, nb 1) 9 Total (all out; 19.1 overs) 133 Bowling O M R W Econ P Kumar 3 0 15 1 5.00 Az Mahmood 4 0 24 2 6.00 Sandeep Sharma 4 0 39 2 9.75 P Awana 4 0 29 1 7.25 PP Chawla 4 0 20 2 5.00 A Gilchrist 0.1 0 0 1 0.00

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE VS CHENNAI SUPER KINGS RC Bangalore innings (8 overs maximum) V Kohli* not out 56 CH Gayle c Hussey b Bravo 28 AB de Villiers c Jadeja b Sharma 5 MC Henriques not out 12 Extras (lb 3, w 2) 5 Total (2 wickets; 8 overs) 106 Bowling O M R W Econ R Ashwin 2 0 21 0 10.50 CH Morris 2 0 22 0 11.00 JO Holder 1 0 20 0 20.00 DJ Bravo 2 0 26 1 13.00 MM Sharma 1 0 14 1 14.00 Chennai Super Kings innings (target: 107 runs from 8 overs) MEK Hussey c †Rahul b Khan 6 M Vijay c Gayle b Rampaul 32 SK Raina c Vinay Kumar b Khan 0 DJ Bravo c Tiwary b Vinay Kumar 11 MS Dhoni*† c Unadkat b Khan 24 RA Jadeja c & b Khan 7 S Badrinath not out 0 Extras (w 2) 2 Total (6 wickets; 8 overs) 82 Bowling O M R W Econ R Rampaul 2 0 20 1 10.00 Z Khan 2 0 17 4 8.50 JD Unadkat 2 0 16 0 8.00 R Vinay Kumar 1 0 10 1 10.00 RP Singh 1 0 19 0 19.00

Kings XI Punjab won by 50 runs

RC Bangalore won by 24 runs

that Sunrisers have had a good run at home this year. SRH, on the other hand, need this victory. Having won six of the seven matches on their home turf, Hyderabad would hope they are able to carry forward this momentum. Sunrisers played their last match on Friday, against Rajasthan Royals, at home. In that clash, SRH defeated RR by 23

runs. Although their batsmen had initially struggled, yet they managed to get back on track as their bowlers bowled exceptionally. The Eagles, who desperately need a victory today, would hope to get a similar result as they had against the RR and can get the better of the Knights in their bid to seal their place among the top four.

Playing for pride

une Warriors India played party spoilers in their previous match when they defeated Kolkata Knight Riders in a must win match for the latter. Today, Pune, the team placed on the last rung, take on Delhi Daredevils on the former’s home ground. The previous time these two teams clashed, Daredevils emerged victorious having won the match by 15 runs. In today’s clash, it will be a matter of salvaging lost pride more than anything else for both the bottom placed teams. Delhi Daredevils who are a place above the Pune Warriors on the points table, need this victory only to gain two more points and not for any other rea-

PWI VS DD AT 4PM ON SET MAX son. The same is the story with Pune Warriors. A victory or defeat would not alter anything much for the teams but for maybe their positions on the points table. With nothing much to lose or gain, both the teams, Pune Warriors India and Delhi Daredevils are likely to give the players who did not have much to play this season, a chance today. Sunday being the last day of the league rounds of this season’s Indian Premier League, a decent crowd is expected to turn up at the venue.

SPORTS SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

The mother of all farewells With the title already wrapped up by United, and with Wigan, Reading and QPR confimed in the relegation places, attention switches to Ferguson’s last stand as well as a host of other farewell performances. Fixtures

Sunday (8.25pm IST) Chelsea v Everton, Liverpool v Queens Park Rangers, Manchester City v Norwich City, Newcastle United v Arsenal, Southampton v Stoke City, Swansea City v Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United, West Ham United v Reading, Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa

(from left to right) Rafa Benitez will most likely be making way for the return of the ‘special one’ Jose Mourinho at Chelsea; Moyes will say goodbye to Everton before he heads to Manchester United; and Sir Alex ferguson will oversee his 1,500th and final game with United.

Tom WILLIAMS Agence France-Presse

LONDON: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson will bid an emotional farewell to his trophy-laden career on Sunday as the curtain falls on another roller coaster English Premier League season. Ferguson will take charge of United for the 1,500th and final time at West Brom, where veteran midfielder Paul Scholes could also make his last appearance for the champions after

simultaneously announcing his retirement last week. Ferguson’s successor-inwaiting, David Moyes, will end his 11-year association with Everton at Chelsea, who on Wednesday claimed a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Benfica in the final of the Europa League. Moyes, who will take over from Ferguson on a six-year contract on July 1, said he was grateful to the players who have played under him. United old boy, Michael Owen, will hope to feature in

Bayern win thriller

THE ONLY SOURCE OF REAL SUSPENSE ON THE FINAL DAY WILL BE THE TUSSLE FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFICATION. Stoke City’s game at Southampton after announcing that he, too, will retire at the end of the season. Liverpool’s fans, meanwhile, are preparing to say goodbye to

long-serving defender Jamie Carragher, who is set to make his 737th and final appearance at home to QPR before taking up a position as a television pundit next season. The only source of real suspense on the final day will be the tussle for Champions League qualification. Tottenham Hotspur hope to pip Arsenal to the fourth and final qualifying place, but to do that they must win at home to Sunderland and hope their north London rivals drop points

at Newcastle United. There is also a possibility that Chelsea and Arsenal will end the season level on points, goal difference and goals scored, which would necessitate a playoff to decide which club finishes third and qualifies automatically for the Champions League. For that to happen, Chelsea would need to draw 0-0 at home to Everton and Arsenal would need to win 2-1 at St James’ Park, but Chelsea’s interim manager Rafael Benitez says he does not envisage such a scenario. Wigan Athletic’s loss at Arsenal on Tuesday consigned them to relegation alongside Reading and QPR, but the clubs above the bottom three still have a financial incentive to finish the season as high up the table as possible due to the incremental allocation of end-of-season prize money.

LAST TEARS IN PARIS

Champions Bayern dug deep for their 29th league victory in 34 matches as they came from two goals down to win. Ryland JAMES Agence France-Presse

BERLIN: Bayern Munich came from two goals down to seal a 43 win at Borussia Moenchengladbach, while their Champions League final opponents, Borussia Dortmund lost 2-1 at home to Hoffenheim on the final day of the Bundesliga on Saturday. Champions Bayern dug deep for their 29th league victory in 34 matches as Franck Ribery scored twice, then set up Arjen Robben for the winner after Gladbach had scored three goals in the opening 10 minutes. Bayern finish the season with 25 Bundesliga records, including most wins, most points (91), fewest goals conceded (18) and the biggest points

lead over the side in second (25). Hoffenheim now face a promotion/relegation play-off against second division Kaiserslautern to stay in the Bundesliga after they stunned Dortmund as winger Sejad Salihovic netted two penalties in the last 13 minutes to leave them 16th. Schalke 04 secured their Champions League play-off place with a 2-1 win at Freiburg as an own-goal by Julian Schuster for the visitors secured the Royal Blues’ win. Freiburg will be joined in the Europa League next season by Eintracht Frankfurt, who finished sixth after they drew 22 at home to 10-man VfL Wolfsburg, who had Japan defender Makoto Hasebe sent off.

An emotional David Beckham walks off the pitch for the final time after the French L1 football match between Paris St Germain and Brest at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. AFP/KENZO TRIBOUILLARD