Epaper 21 september 2013 by Scribble Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

SRL COLONY’S DRAIN BANE

SRL Colony is just another example to prove wrong the government’s decision of merging the gram panchayats into the GHMC limits.

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SEPTEMBER 21, 2013 HYDERABAD

WE’RE BEING

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ON SATURDAY

PUNISHED, CRIES SEEMANDHRA

SPIRITUALLY INCLINED Surekha Sadana is all set to display her work, ‘Spiritual Mapping’ at the Icon Art Gallery. Here’s what Surekha had to say about her career, family and her first solo art exhibition.

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As the political imbroglio over the division of the State continues, those living in Seemandhra are being pummelled by rising costs and a complete breakdown in governance due to the indefinite strike. REPORT ON PG 3

US TV BOSSES RAIL AGAINST PIRATES As America’s TV bosses gather in LA for the Emmys, the massive success of US shows abroad also highlights a clear problem — a huge proportion of viewers are watching their products illegally.

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PAGE TWO SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

A WEAVER’S STORY

Laser Game An amazing hi-tech combination of laser tag and hide and seek. Let the battle field turn into an exciting strategic playground. Where: Rainbow Shopping Mall, Secunderabad When: Sept 20-22, 11am to 10pm

Manoranjan Tax-free This play is an interesting take on the lives of four men, who brighten their lives with sheer imagination and their club has only one motto, “to have good fun with simple imagination.” Where: La Makaan, Opposite GVK One Mall, Off Road No. 1 When: Sept 21, 8pm onwards

Centre Stage Samahaara presents, “Centre Stage” - a two day advanced theatre workshop by Rathna Shekhar Reddy Where: La Makaan, Opposite GVK One Mall, Off Road No. 1 When: Sept 21 & 22, 10am to 5pm Contact: 9885288982

Refreshing Daiquiris It’s the weekend! You don’t have to get to work either. Unless you have something really important happening, grab some refreshing daiquiri’s. Made up of different concoctions, these drinks are going to get the party started! Where: Taj Krishna, Road No. 1, Banjara Hills When: Until Sept 30, 11:30am to 11:30pm

WOVEN FOR COMFORT: A wide variety of handloom sarees are on display as part of the Pochampally IKAT Mela 2013

Mid-Autumn Festival

Comic Con Express Hyderabad cafe. This week, HRC is hosting the Mexican fiesta which will feature all things Mexican. So, what are you waiting for amigos? Where: Hard Rock Cafe, GVK One, Road No. 1, Banjara Hills When: until Sept 29, 11am to 10pm Contact: (040) 40262021

Do you love comics and are you a big fan of Marvel, DC and Bill Watterson. Well, here’s your chance to dress up like one of the characters from their comics. The Comic Con Express Hyderabad is coming to town. So don’t miss it! Where: Hi-tex Road, Izzat Nagar, Madhapur When: Sept 21 & 22, 10am to 7pm

Mexican Fiesta When it comes to food and good music, nothing beats Hard Rock

CINEMAS

Where: Minaaz Art Gallery, Banjara Petals, Road No. 5, Banjara Hills When: Until Sept 27, 4pm to 7pm Contact: (040) 23548619, 9392498451

This September, be charmed by some of the choicest of Cantonese and Sichuan delicacies which celebrates the harvest season in China. Where: Taj Krishna, Road No. 1, Banjara Hills When: Until Sept 23, 12:30pm to 10pm

Contemporary Origins

Ms. Karen Rempel, a Canadian artist will showcase her beautiful creations. Where: Novotel Airport, Shamshabad When: Until Sept 30, 9am to 9pm Contact: (040) 66250000

Solo Exhibition Chiranjeevi Malli, a young and talented artist from Nellore is hosting a solo exhibition.

Bollywood Night If you are planning a weekend night out, head over to Rush Sports Bar. Go and groove to the music accompanied with your besties. Let your hair down as DJ Kawal spins some of your favourite tunes. Where: Rush Sports Bar, 3rd Floor, HUDA Techno Enclave, Above Ratnadeep Supermarket,Madhapur When: Sept 21, 7pm to 11pm Contact: 8008003701

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 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

Laptop stolen from car

Debt-ridden man ends life

n unidentified person stole a handbag containing a laptop, data card, and pen drive in broad daylight from a car on Friday. The car was parked near a private hospital in Secunderabad. The owner of the car has lodged a complaint with the Gopalpuram police station. The owner claims that the thief broke the car window and stole the valuables.

Man commits suicide

44-year-old auto-rickshaw driver, resident of Mettuguda in Secunderabad has committed suicide. The man hanged himself at his home on Thursday. It is alleged that the victim was debt-ridden and was unable to pay off his loans. His wife had recently passed away. The Chilkalguda police have registered a case.

50-year-old man from Anna Nagar in Begumpet hanged himself in his home on Thursday night. The victim, who lived alone, ands is alleged to have been an alcoholic. He recently found out that he was HIV positive, and it was this that led him to take the extreme step, say police. The Begumpet police have registered a case.

We’re being punished, cries Seemandhra As the political imbroglio over the division of the state continues unabated, those living in the Seemandhra regions are being pummelled by rising costs and a complete breakdown in governance due to the indefinite strike. Md Inkeshaf Ahmed ahmed.m@postnoon.com

HYDERABAD: The laid-back attitude of the union government to the ongoing indefinite strike in the Seemandhra region seems to be taking its toll on over four crore people from 13 districts of the state. The people of the two regions — Rayalaseema and Andhra — are made to struggle to meet their daily basic needs. The strike has had a direct effect on the price of essential commodities. The price of vegetables, especially onions, has shot up several fold, as most private transporters have joined the strike. Civil supplies are in disarray, resulting in acute misery for families living below the poverty line.

“We have never witnessed such a situation in Seemandhra. We are forced to fend for ourselves due to the strike. Everything is being sold at a high price. We do not have an option but to get our basic amenities through struggle,” an employees union leader told Postnoon. The state-run APSRTC is one of the worst affected victims of the strike. The transport services have come to a complete standstill since August 13. As a result of the indefinite strike by RTC employees, the corporation is incurring a loss of `13 crore every day. The corporation, which is buckling under over Rs. `4,000 crore of accumulated losses, is being provided much-needed oxygen by Telangana employees, and there has been no dis-

ruption of services in the 10 Telangana districts. Corporation officials are clueless about the existing state of affairs. “We made repeated appeals to the employees’ union leaders to withdraw their strike. But unfortunately our requests did not have any effect on them. We don’t have any strategy to end this impasse,” a senior official of the corporation told

Police in tricky situation Chikalguda police are angry at the public who blame the constabulary of not working and at the same time brand them tormentors. Mohd Subhan

he Chikalguda police who did a fine job of nabbing a gang of five youngsters for a spate of burglaries and theft found themselves in a tricky situation the other day. One of those arrested consumed toilet cleaner in custody and fell unconscious. The police had to summon an ambulance and shift him to hospital. Meanwhile the

family of the man gathered at the police station and shouted at the police, blaming them for custodial torture. The Chikalguda police had been in search of those responsible for a series of burglaries within their jurisdiction. They came upon a gang of five suspected of the crime. The gang members were identified as E Shiva, 23, Sai Kumar, 19, G Giri, 23, K Vijay,25 and K Mahesh, 24.

All are friends and residents of Secunderbad, Tukaramgate and Uppal. Shiva got hold of a bottle of phenyl and drank it. Vomiting, he fell unconscious. Word spread that the police had brutally tortured the youths and soon a crowd gathered in front of the police station. Police said all five are responsible for a number of burglaries and stolen goods were recovered from their possession.

Postnoon. Most importantly, the strike has had a direct impact on the functioning of the state government as it has affected the revenue received by the state. Majority of the state government departments are not working owing to the indefinite strike by over 400,000 Seemandhra employees in the 13 Seemandhra

districts. According to sources, the state government is losing over `100 crore in revenue every day due to the strike. However, the state government is receiving some funds through online payments via eseva. A Congress MLA from Rayalaseema summed up the sentiments: “We are being punished by our party for supporting it.”

Naidu to meet Pranab

he Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and main opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu will meet with president Pranab Mukherjee at 5.15 pm this evening. Apart from raising the issue of the ongoing indefinite strike of Seemandhra employees, he will also request the president intervene on the issue for its early resolution. Party MPs and MLAs will accompany the TDP president during this visit.

YSRC brainstorming

SR Congress Party is holding a brainstorming session on the current political situation in the state and the challenges faced by the party. The meeting will be presided over by party honorary president YS Vijayamma. The party has called for the brainstorming session after taking up the cause of a united Andhra Pradesh in an unprecedented manner.

CITY SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

Lead people to satellite cities: Experts Development of satellite cities is the most important step towards decongesting large cities like Hyderabad, and the time to do this is now with the peripheral towns in a liquid state of growth, the think tank suggests. SYED SHOAIB

shoaib.s@postnoon.com HYDERABAD: A conference to address the many problems faced by cities overburdened due to unforeseen influx of migrant settlers was held here on Friday. The conference laid emphasis on decongesting of cities to resolve problems faced by urban cities, such as, overpopulation, pollution, and non-availability of basic civic amenities. The conference also deliberated on how the development of satellite towns will not only distribute urban population, but will also bring prosperity to rural areas situated around towns. The Conference on Urban Infrastructure, Decentralisation of Urban Growth: Promotion of Satellite Cities was organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in which experts on management of urban growth leading to distributed but haphazard growth of large cities in the country put forward their opinions to improve the situation. Proper management of satellite towns, it was unanimously accepted, was the best solution to ensure control over population and density of large cities, which were not planned to handle and cater to such large numbers. Satellite cities that are adjacent to and linked to an urbanised core city differ from suburbs, as they have municipal

governments distinct from that of the core city, and an employment base sufficient to support their residential population. Authorities should look at making living in such satellite cities viable by improving the quality of living. Speaking at the conference, Additional Commissioner (Planning, T&T and Heritage),

GHMC, D Ronald Rose stressed on the importance of development of socio-cultural aspects of a satellite city. “We have a few cities in India that have successfully experimented with the concept of satellite cities like Gurgaon, Noida and Faridabad. Global experts have also suggested that the concept works very well,

and may help resolve the problems faced by urban development. We need to keep in mind the socio-cultural aspects for the development of satellite cities,” he said. Laying emphasis on good connectivity between the parent city and satellite cities, VB Gadgil the chief executive and managing director of L&T Metro

Rail (Hyderabad) Limited said mass transit facility was an important factor. “Satellite cities are seen as the best means to decentralise the urban growth. In theory, satellite cities could be self-sufficient communities. But trends show that satellite cities experience a pattern of cross-commuting for work or education.”

Man attacked, tension in Lal Darwaza

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HYDERABAD: A city cloth merchant who was pelted with rocks by an unknown man stirred up communal tension near Lal Darwaza last night. Police reinforcements reached the spot and averted a clash. Meanwhile,

the MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi raked up the issue and blamed the police for not acting swiftly. Nazeeruddin, 50, who runs a cloth shop in Patel market in Madina building was riding back home on his motorbike when someone threw stones at him from a height. The stones hit his head and

he fell from the bike. Three people who witnessed the incident tried to chase the unidentified man who threw the stones but he escaped, police said. This happened near Venkatrao School in Lal Darwaza. Nazeeruddin was shifted to a hospital immediately. Word spread and MIM

workers gathered at the scene and raised slogans that would have provoked communal ire if the police had not acted quickly. The Shalibanda police came to the scene, deployed forces and brought the situation under control. A case has been registered and investigation started.

Police say that until the victim has been questioned, and the matter probed, it would be premature to come to a conclusion. Whether it was personal enmity has yet to be established. Police have resisted the attempts of some elements to kick up a row around the incident.

ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE YOUR WEEKLY HYPERLOCAL GUIDE TO THE CITY SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

SRL Colony’s drain bane

Blame it on the government policy or official apathy, but for residents in SLR Colony the stench from the open drain before their homes is part of their lives... so are illnesses. S SRINIVAS SETTY

ALEENA ALICE

aleena.t@postnoon.com

here isn't a single family at SRL Colony in Kothapet where members have not fallen ill because of the open drain that runs right in front of their houses. In Hyderabad if bad roads are a major issue, open drains are another that have been for long the city’s bane. SRL Colony is just another example to prove wrong the government’s decision of merging the gram panchayats into the GHMC limits. Even though this area was always a part of the GHMC, no infrastructure development has taken place, even basic facilities have not been provided. It’s been over 20 years since the colony has been formed, however, there is no proper drainage system in the colony yet. Because of the open drains system, every family in the area has fallen ill. The residents dare not venture out for a stroll, let alone open their windows: such is the stench. It gets worse when

The Kothapet story

othapet is a major suburb of Hyderabad and one of the prime locations in that region that has high potential growth rate for new malls and multiplexes. There are many shopping complexes and several nationalised banks. The biggest fruit market in the entire state, the Kothapet Fruit Market is a major landmark. Apart from being commercially famous, Kothapet is a big residential area comprising more than 40 colonies. it rains, for the drains overflow: even the walls and closed windows will not help keep out the smell. “Despite several complaints to the civic authorities, no action has been taken,” Satish Kumar, a resident, says. “Unable to bear the stink, all the residents of the colony get the drain cleared once a month. About 20 days back, continuous rains and a block in the drain had caused water to flow onto the streets. When we informed the authorities, they dug up the roads say-

Above is a picture of the road in SLR Colony during the monsoon. Below is that of the road that has been dug up for laying of drainage pipes. Works have been stalled due to rains. ing they would lay drainage pipes. But nothing has happened since. Now we have to deal with smelly drains and dug-up roads,” he says. Satish Kumar has been staying here for 15 years. The road that has been dug up was the only one that connected the colony to the main road. “Every morning there is a huge traffic jam in the colony.

Now we have one more reason to dread stepping out,” says Krishna Murthy, another resident of the colony. According to the residents, written complaints were made by the SRL Resident Welfare Association to the GHMC, yet no proper action has been taken. The residents allege that whenever they call the area cor-

porator, a few workers are sent that day to clean the drains; in fact, when GHMC workers come to clean the drain, they demand from the residents Rs 1000 as labor charges. Residents, fearing diseases, themselves buy DDT powder and other disinfectants and sprinkle it along the drains. several cases of kids falling down while walking on the stones on the road but officials remain unaffected.

What officials say

eems like the officials found rains as an excuse to cover up their inability to solve civic issues. When Postnoon contacted the area corporator V Prakash Goud he blamed the rains for delay in works. “Laying new drainage pipelines has been sanctioned and the work will begin after the rainy season,” he informed.

Apart from the welfare association, independent complaints have been given to the officials but it has been of no use. Whenever we approach an official, they make promises that the work would be completed within 10 days. Gopi Goud President of the SRL Colony Welfare Association

Every month we frequent hospitals to deal with illnesses caused by the open drains before our homes. GS Manoj Kumar Resident of SRL Colony

NATION SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

Rajnath cancels Muzaffarnagar visit

Food supplements for TN kids

he Tamil Nadu government has decided to offer nutritional supplementation to malnourished children in schools, in addition to the mid-day meal programme, to improve their body mass index, an official said Saturday. The scheme, to be introduced soon in Perambalur will cover nearly 26,000 government school students.

One of the four killed in firing at Gagaran on September 7 was Abdullah Haroom, an LeT guerrilla, a senior police official said.

An Indian paramilitary solider uses a sling shot against Kashmiri Muslim protesters during a clash in downtown Srinagar, Indian Kashmir’s main city on September 20, 2013.

SRINAGAR: One of the four people killed in firing at Jammu and Kashmir’s Gagaran village Sep 7 was Abdullah Haroom, a foreign guerrilla belonging to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a senior police official said. “Four youth riding two motorcycles were passing by the Gagaran CRPF camp at Shopian

Sep 7. The first motorcycle was stopped, and then another motorcycle arrived. One person took out a pistol and fired. In the retaliatory firing, as you know, four people were killed,” Kashmir Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Ghani Mir told the media Friday. “We are investigating under what circum-

stances these people were accompanying the Lashkar militant. At least two of them, Tariq and Yousuf, let me tell you, were not on an excursion with the LeT militant.” Four people were killed Sep 7 at Gagaran village near Shopian town in firing by personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Another civilian was killed at the same place in a firing incident, allegedly by the CRPF, Sep 11. Of the five killed in the two incidents, four were unarmed civilians with no militancy record. Locals had earlier claimed that the fourth person killed Sep 7, who had not been identified for some time, was actually a labourer from Bihar. Curfew continued for the 15th day Saturday at Shopian, though authorities relaxed it to allow people to stock up on things needed for daily life.

Building collapse in Mumbai THANE: A five-storeyed residential building housing 42 families collapsed in Mumbra town in Maharashtra Saturday morning, said officials who feared there could be casualties. The building, Banoo Apartments, opposite the busy railway station, was 15-years old. Over 100 people managed to escape before it crashed, said a police official in Mumbra, around 30 km from Mumbai. An hour before it collapsed, there were indications of the impending disaster as the building started shaking and wobbling.

Militant killed in J&K police firing

A majority of the panicky residents chose to evacuate and moved to safety. At least three people are feared trapped under the debris and efforts are on to rescue them. This is the sixth major building collapse in Mumbai and its neighbouring areas in the past six months. In April, a building collapsed in Lucky Compound in Mumbra, killing 75, and making it the worst such disaster in the state’s history. In June, four more buildings crashed in Mahim (10 dead), Mumbra (10 dead), Dahisar (seven dead) and Bhiwandi (three dead).

All’s not well in TMC n signs that all is not well within West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress, three of its MPs Friday shared the dais with a dissident legislator and made points not palatable to the leadership - which hit back by slapping show-cause notices on the trio. MP Kunal Ghosh went to the extent of saying he was being made a victim of the Saradha controversy.

haratiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh Saturday cancelled his visit to Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar district which was hit by communal clashes, leaving 48 dead and more than 43,000 displaced.Singh, officials said, had been requested by District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma not to come to the city. In a fax letter sent to the BJP president’s office, the DM urged him not to visit to the area.

Couple arrested for honour killing BHUBANESWAR: A couple was arrested near the Odisha capital for killing their 18-year-old daughter for marrying a man against their wishes, police said Saturday. Radha Gobinda Mallick, 45, and his wife Santilata, 40, burned their daughter Uma to death in a house on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar Friday, said S.K. Patnaik, officer in charge of Balakati police station. The couple, natives of Panpana village in the coastal district of

THE COUPLE’S DAUGHTER HAD ELOPED WITH A MAN SOME MONTHS AGO. Balasore, about 200 km from here, was angry after Uma eloped with 28-yearold Nigamananda Mallick, also from the same village, a few months ago. Uma was staying with Nigamananda in a rented house at Balakati for the last two months. Mallick

and his wife reached the house Thursday and requested their daughter to snap ties with Nigamananda. When she refused, the couple next day tied her up, gagged her, and poured kerosene on her and set her ablaze, police said. Police have also detained Nigamananda for questioning. Earlier, a couple was held in Ganjam in August for killing their 18-yearold daughter for having relationships with some men.

WORLD SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

N Korea suspends reunions

Iraq’s Kurds vote

SEOUL: North Korea on Saturday said

ARBIL: Iraq’s Kurds vote for their par-

it would postpone indefinitely reunions of separated families with the South that were due to be held in four days’ time. The North’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) cited a government body in charge of cross-border relations as saying Seoul’s “hostile” policy was the reason for the postponement.

liament as the autonomous region grapples with disputes with the federal government. The legislative election also comes amid questions over the future of the Kurdish nation, spread across historically hostile countries that have more recently either shown a willingness to discuss Kurdish demands or been in conflict.

Prison evacuated CARACAS: A northwestern Venezuelan prison was evacuated after a violent brawl left 16 people dead, authorities said. “We completed the evacuation of Maracaibo National Prison with support from the people of Zulia,” Prisons Minister Iris Varela wrote on Twitter. The process began after Monday’s bloody clashes at the facility also known as Sabaneta jail.

Embattled Syria submits chemical data to watchdog DAMASCUS: Syria has begun supplying details of its chemical arsenal, the world’s chemical weapons watchdog said on Friday, as rebels agreed a truce with jihadists in a key border town. A senior Syrian official, meanwhile, said Damascus wanted a ceasefire in the 30-month war, which has reportedly killed more than 110,000 people and forced more than two million to flee. Ahead of Saturday’s deadline for President Bashar al-Assad’s regime to provide details on its arsenal, the Hague-based group tasked with dismantling the arms said it has received an initial report. “The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has received an initial disclosure from the Syrian government of its chemical weapons programme,” an OPCW statement said. Its Technical Secretariat is now examining the details, it said. A UN diplomat said the OPCW had received the Syrian declaration on Thursday. “It is quite lengthy,” he said. The organisation has postponed a meeting of its Executive Council set for Sunday that had been due to discuss how to dismantle Syria’s chemical weapons programme. Damascus had until Saturday to supply details of its arsenal, in line with a US-Russian plan that

Syrian families spend a day in a park in the capital Damascus. A senior Syrian official, said Damascus wanted a ceasefire in the 30-month war, which has reportedly killed more than 110,000 people and forced more than two million to flee. AFP/ANWAR AMRO helped prevent military action on chemical weapons. wrangling over the text of the regime targets following a chemi“We talked about the cooperaresolution since Monday in a bid cal attack last month that killed tion which we both agreed to conto find common ground. hundreds of people. tinue to provide, moving not only Russia, a key ally of The plan stipulates that towards the adoption of the Damascus, opposes all references Assad’s regime hand over its OPCW rules and regulations, but to a possible use of force chemical weapons and facilities, also a resolution that is firm and On the ground, jihadist rebels which would be destroyed by midstrong within the United fought fiercely for the town of 2014. Nations,” Kerry said. Azaz on the Turkish border US Secretary of State John “We will continue to work on before seizing it Wednesday from Kerry said he and his Russian that,” said Kerry. mainstream Free Syrian Army counterpart Sergei Lavrov spoke The Security Council’s five (FSA) rebels. on the telephone Friday about a permanent members — the The move by Al-Qaeda front “strong” UN Security Council United States, China, Russia, group the Islamic State of Iraq resolution on ridding Syria of France and Britain — have been and the Levant (ISIS) triggered

the ire of the National Coalition opposition group. It issued a rare condemnation of ISIS, accusing the jihadists of violating the principles of the anti-Assad uprising. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the Northern Storm brigade loyal to the FSA has agreed to a truce with ISIS. Liwa al-Tawhid, another brigade loyal to the FSA, brokered the deal and sent fighters to deploy between the two sides in Azaz, the Observatory said. Symbolic and strategic Azaz has both symbolic and strategic value as it was one of the first towns to be captured from government troops, in July 2012, by the FSA which set up its own administration. Tensions have spiralled between some mainstream rebel groups and ISIS in recent months, especially in northern Syria, where the opposition controls vast swathes of territory. Deputy Prime Minister Qadri Jamil said the war is now in stalemate and Damascus would call for a ceasefire if long-delayed peace talks in Geneva take place. “Neither the armed opposition nor the regime is capable of defeating the other side,” Jamil told Britain’s Guardian newspaper. Asked what his government would propose at the stalled Geneva II summit, he replied: “An end to external intervention, a ceasefire and the launching of a peaceful political process.”

Tamils vote after decades of war

China ready to talk if Japan admits dispute

Merkel makes personal pitch

JAFNA: Sri Lanka’s minority Tamils began voting

WASHINGTON: China said Friday that it was ready to talk to Japan over an increasingly heated maritime row, but only if Tokyo declares the islands to be disputed. Foreign Minister Wang Yi faced questions about ties with the US ally during a visit to Washington, where he called for mutual respect in relations between the United States and a growing China. Wang laid blame for tensions on Japan, which in September 2012 nationalized the islands, known as the Senkakus in Japanese and as the Diaoyus in Chinese. “In spite of this, we are still ready to sit down and have a dialogue with the Japanese to work out jointly a way to manage the current situation,” Wang said at the Brookings Institution.

BERLIN: As fresh polls showed a tightening of

Saturday to elect what they hope will give them a shot at self-rule after decades of ethnic bloodshed that claimed over 100,000 lives. Tamils in the country’s battle-scarred northern province are voting for the first time to elect a semiautonomous council, in an election called amid international pressure on the Sinhalese-dominated government to share power with the main ethnic minority. “Even though this is a local election, there is more interest in it locally and internationally,” S. Arumainayaham, the top civil administrator in the provincial capital of Jaffna, told reporters at his office.

Germany’s election race Friday, Chancellor Angela Merkel promised voters they will be in safe hands if she stays leader of Europe’s economic giant. “Germany has had four good years,” she wrote in a letter mailed to over five million households ahead of Sunday’s vote, in which she seeks a third term for her Christian Democratic Union (CDU). “We have achieved a lot together. I also want the next four years to be good,” wrote Merkel. Two new polls placed her coalition with the probusiness Free Democrats (FDP) neck-and-neck at 45 to 45 percent with the combined leftist opposition of the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and far-left Linke.

COMMENT SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

CARLOS

EDITORIALS THE GOOD & BAD of charity giving In order to divert some corporate energy and replicate the corporate way of doing business into the development sector of India, rich firms have been asked to give to charity. Under the new amended Companies Act, passed by Parliament, large businesses have been asked to spend 2.0 per cent of their profits each year on corporate social responsibility. It’s one of the first such laws of its kind in the world, promising a cash bonanza for charities and NGOs. While funding programmes for education, poverty alleviation, protecting the environment or tackling disease by non-government bodies will speed up development, non-accountability owing to lenience shown towards non-government organisation could prove dangerous. Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, of the Ministry of Home Affairs, has said that there are 20,000 NGOs in the country that receive foreign contributions for their activities to the tune of `10,000 crore every year. The situation raises serious concerns of where this kind of money will go and the consequences of it getting into wrong hands. There already have been allegations that foreign funds are being misused by communal forces. Strict monitoring of foreign contributions by NGOs to ensure that they do not spend the funds on activities other than those permitted by FCRA will not only bring about order, it will also go a long way in ensuring that India’s endemic corruption does not worsen.

WHY WE LOVE... Irrfan Khan For fifteen long years after his debut, Irrfan Khan struggled in the commercialdominated world of cinema, wanting to only do movies that appealed to sensibility. In a field so difficult to survive without giving in to the attraction of mass attracting masala (to which even Naseeruddin Shah succumbed), this man has been steadfast in his conviction The Lunchbox proves.

Into the past Soul Curry SUMAA TEKUR

attended three memorial services last week. One of these was for a dear friend who passed away too soon. He was hale and hearty and one day, a heart attack took him away, just like that. He was an author and corporate trainer. As a tribute to him, and as a celebration of his life and work, his friends organised an event in which friends and relatives read out from his works, and others’ works that he would have liked. There was a feeling that he was there with us at that moment, listening to all the jokes and all the memories that surfaced. Life can be so unpredictable. His wife remained stoic through it all. She knew that her life had changed for good and she told me that she had no choice but to cope. The memories transported us all to their world – the way he used to read from Harry Potter

A NOSTALGIC TRIP IS IN ITSELF SOMETHING THAT CAN TRIGGER MANY EMOTIONS. TECHNOLOGY, THESE DAYS, HAS THE ABILITY TO KEEP THAT NOSTALGIA GOING FOR A LONG TIME. OR, IT CAN BRING IT TO THE SURFACE AT ANY TIME. for his son every night; his way of eating a sabudana vada from the theatre café before a play; his tongue-in-cheek unique brand of humour; the way he managed problems; his attitude to life; his awareness of being in the here and now; his advice to friends; his irreverent attitude to seemingly big problems… everything. The air was thick with the memories of this dear friend. His neighbours spoke; his niece read out a poem; his friends from the theatre circle read from his manuscript; the kids from a theatre group paid their tribute through a short play and a teenage boy whom my friend had encouraged to pursue his interest in music had composed a special tune for him. The second memorial service, which incidentally was on

the same day, was for my greatgrandfather. Here was a man I hadn’t really seen much or interacted with. He lived in Goa for most of his life and I only heard about his great engineering mind, his scientific spirit, his discipline, his ideals and principles. His son made a PowerPoint presentation with black and white and sepia-toned photographs of his father. These were memories neatly filed in an organised way. To those who knew my great-grandfather well, these photographs dipped into the deep recesses of the mind bringing to the surface more memories that were special to them. Memories are personalised to every individual. He remembers them the way his mind chooses to store these thoughts.

The emotions that get associated with these memories are then connected with how one currently feels about that person. A nostalgic trip is in itself something that can trigger many emotions. Technology, these days, has the ability to keep that nostalgia going for a long time. Or, it can bring it to the surface at any time. After my great-grandfather’s memorial service, his daughter pulled out two very old black and white photographs of her parents’ families and shared it on Facebook. It instantly brought the family together. Comments flowed and the memories resurfaced. The grandkids and the brothers and sisters, who are all in different parts of the world made a connection with just those two old photographs. Memories have a way of sneaking up on us when least expected. It can be triggered by a Facebook photo, a shirt, the colour of the sky, a song, a movie, a road, a flower, a book, anything. Memories linger and then they begin to fade but they never really go away.

COMMENT SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

Sniffing for love Quirky-side-Up ARPITA BHAWAL

ody odour hate brigades have been relegated to the attics by our booming scent market, which has made the world a better smelling place, and presumably more attractive. But before the onslaught of perfumes, deodorants and soaps, people took frequent showers to ‘smell nice’ or preserve their natural body odour. In Elizabethan England, girls would place a slice of apple under the armpit to absorb her smell, and then present it to a potential suitor. As disgusting as it sounds, several studies show that natural body odour could be the best way to attract love. According to Jan Havelicek (Charles University, Prague), men find women more attractive during ovulation rather than menstruation even though ‘the changes in smell are subtle’. Well, if this isn’t hygiene, it’s certainly science. Our bodies produce pheromones or natural chemical scents. In animals, the sense of scent is far greater, but not unlike them, we can also differentiate between people, settings, and belongings based on smell. Pheromones help to memorise and learn, develop and

assist in brain function. They influence almost everything: how and who we become attracted to, sexual desire, fertility, sexual readiness, hormone levels, deep emotions and sexual orientation. In women, they also control the menstrual cycle. According to research by Craig Roberts (University of Stirling, Scotland) and Havelicek, women are attracted to ‘the smell of dominance in men’. Would women find a man sexual-

ly attractive if he was sweating and stinking while proposing on his knees in an air-conditioned room? Highly unlikely per The Smell Report by Kate Fox (director, Social Issues Research Centre) that indicates women have a more acute sense of smell than men. Unfortunately, for the multitudinous youth of the world these studies are misinterpreted by the global fragrance industry which creates advertisements worth millions of dollars every

year to cash in on this ‘dominance’ business. Have you seen the ad of Axe Deo where the guy with the average body attracts women like gnats to a light bulb the moment he sprays on the deodorant thereby creating the ‘Axe Effect’? Obviously not everyone knows that their scent is unique, like a snowflake or a DNA imprint, exactly the reason not every person will be attracted to the same smell in the same measure. In an

experiment done by Craig and Jan on 100 people who were presented with the same six body odours, it was proven that liking a certain smell is as subjective as having your breakfast egg done in a certain way. Pheromones rule the very course of a relationship and how long it will last. Also, besides emotions related to love and sex, researcher Agnieszka Sorokowska (University of Wroclaw in Poland) believes our scent can divulge aspects of personality. In an experiment, “Sixty men and women were asked to wear the same tee shirt for three nights in a row so their smell seeped into the material. Hundreds of volunteers were then asked to sniff the shirts and were able to successfully guess who was most neurotic, extroverted, and dominant based on the shirts’ smells.” How could they possibly get that from a stink? Emotional traits (neuroticism, extroversion) change sweating rates and the composition of bacteria in the armpits, thus changing how a person smells. It is also believed that one can subconsciously choose a soul mate through the power of smell alone. Fascinating, isn’t it? If that freaks you out a bit, and you don’t believe in sniffing for love, here’s a little tip: When you want to buy a perfume or a deodorant, hold that thought. Ask a person of the opposite sex to choose the right one for you. Remember, it’s for love.

Global edits The New York Times

Another insult to the poor

n what can be seen only as an act of supreme indifference, House Republicans passed a bill on Thursday that would drastically cut federal food stamps and throw 3.8 million Americans out of the program in 2014. The vote came two weeks after the Agriculture Department reported that 17.6 million households did not have enough to eat at some point in 2012 because they lacked the resources to put food on the table. It came two days after the Census Bureau reported that 15 percent of Americans, or 46.5 million people, live in poverty. These numbers were basically unchanged from 2011, but in a growing economy steady rates of hunger and poverty amount, in effect, to backsliding. Cutting food stamps would accelerate the slide. Food stamps kept four million people out of poverty last year and kept millions more from falling deeper into poverty. Under the House Republican bill, many of these people would be impoverished. The struggling middle class is also faring poorly. Though the unemployment rate dropped to a low of 7.8 percent last year from a high of 9.1 percent in 2011,

The Guardian median household income was virtually unchanged, at $51,017. In a healthy economy, income would rise when unemployment falls. But in today’s weak economy, much of the decline in the jobless rate is not due to new hiring, but to a shrinking work force — the very definition of a feeble labor market in which employed people work for years without raises and unemployed job seekers routinely end up in new jobs that pay less than their previous ones.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD DRASTICALLY CUT FEDERAL FOOD STAMPS AND ACCELERATE A LONG SLIDE FOR LOW-INCOME AMERICANS. Congressional Republicans have shown no inclination to end the automatic budget cuts that, if left in place, will lead to an estimated loss of 900,000 jobs in the coming year, keeping poverty high and incomes stagnant. In addition, there seems to be little Republican appetite for renewing federal unemployment benefits.

Banning smoking in prison cells could trigger riot

his is certain; whoever dreamed up the notion of banning smoking in jails across England and Wales does not understand prisons and prisoners. Short of ordering all prisoners to be flogged twice daily, I can think of nothing more calculated to cause unrest in the slammers than banning snout, burn, tobacco. It is estimated that 80 per cent of prisoners smoke. As of last Friday, there were 84,231 people behind bars. So the prison service proposes to order some 67,000 inmates to give up smoking; it is madness, sheer madness, and I cannot for the life of me understand why the service should want to try it on. It is not as if the wings and landings of the prison system are shrouded in smokers’ fog. Smoking has long since been banned in workshops, visiting rooms and all places where prisoners associate. Inmates can only smoke in their cells – which, after all, are their homes – and in exercise yards. And nonsmoking inmates can ask not to share with smokers. (Understandably so, given the cramped confines of chambers designed to hold one prisoner, now inhab-

PRISONERS’ CELLS ARE THEIR HOMES AND SMOKING IS ONE OF THE FEW PLEASURES THEY HAVE. CRACK DOWN ON THE HEROIN, INSTEAD. ited by two, sometimes three, cons.) According to the Daily Mail, the ban follows a campaign by prison staff who have long objected to breathing in the secondhand smoke of inmates. How so? Sure, staff enter cells, to search and check bars and bolts are intact, but they do not live in them. And the 2007 smoking ban, imposed to protect people from secondhand smoke in public places, did not apply to homes or prison cells. There was a time when tobacco was the currency in prisons. Tobacco “barons” flourished, lending quantities of burn and charging 50% interest. Failure to pay resulted in physical reprisals and prisoners would go on the “numbers” (protection) to avoid beatings. Those days are long gone; inmates can now spend amounts of their own money to supplement their wages and the barons now deal in heroin and other class A drugs.

BUSINESS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

Greece braces for audit

Tim Cook now on Twitter

ATHENS: A new EU-IMF audit of

NEW YORK CITY: Apple chief execu-

Greek fiscal performance and reforms begins, with the debt-laden country hoping progress in reining in spending will unlock further bailout loans. The mission chiefs of the so-called troika of creditors — the EU, IMF and the European Central Bank — will begin the inspection with a meeting with Finance Minister Yiannis Stournaras.

tive Tim Cook joined Twitter, as huge crowds formed to buy up the California giant’s two new iPhones. In his first tweet, Cook described his visit to customers waiting for iPhones near the company’s headquarters. “Visited Retail Stores in Palo Alto. Seeing so many happy customers reminds us of why we do what we do,” he wrote.

GTA V crosses $1bn mark SAN FRANCISCO: Grand Theft Auto V raked in more than a billion dollars in a record-shattering first three days on the streets for the videogame, the publisher announced on Friday. TakeTwo Interactive Software said it believed that the blistering pace of GTA V sales “marks the fastest [of] any entertainment property, including videogames and feature films”.

Full circle for Indian aviation Tata Sons, the holding company of Tata Group, and SIA said this week they were setting up a full-service airline after two failed joint bids to take to Indian skies. Penelope Macrae Agence France-Presse

NEW DELHI: A new Indian airline planned by the giant Tata Group and Singapore Airlines reaffirms the nation’s longterm potential as an aviation market, despite the sector’s current financial turbulence, analysts say. Tata Sons, the holding company of tea-to-software conglomerate Tata Group, and SIA said this week they were setting up a fullservice airline after two failed joint bids to take to Indian skies. “This investment affirms India’s reputation as a lucrative aviation market in the long-run,” Amber Dubey, aerospace head at global consultancy KPMG said. The $100-billion Tata Group in 1932 pioneered air travel airline in India with Tata Airlines, later taken over by the government and rebranded Air India. It will hold a majority 51-percent stake in the full-service carrier while SIA will hold 49 percent as they seek to exploit one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally. “The proposed airline has applied for Foreign Investment Promotion Board approval,” a Tata spokesman said.

However, the joint venture needs a slew of other regulatory approvals and it could be another year before it starts flying, analysts say. Also, while India’s air passenger traffic has doubled over the last seven years, plans for the carrier comes as the sector is flying through rough weather. All but one of the five main airlines is loss-making even though an increasing number of India’s population of 1.2 billion are flying. India’s airlines are contending with the region’s costliest fuel, a falling currency, cut-throat fare rivalry and rundown infrastructure. Still, SIA said it was investing in the carrier as “the Indian aviation industry is projected to experience future high growth rates”. KPMG’s Dubey said, however, the new airline could prompt more consolidation in the Indian market, without naming carriers which could fall by the wayside. “With growing competition, only four strong pan-India airlines may survive in two years,” he said, adding, “Others may operate in small niche markets and collaborate with the pan-

IN THE 1990S, SIA AND TATA SOUGHT TO START AN AIRLINE BUT THE PLAN GOT SHELVED BY GOVERNMENT POLICY CHANGES. India players.” India’s two full-service carriers, Jet Airways and Air India, are seen as being hit hardest by competition from the new airline, analysts said. Budget airlines account for 70 percent of passenger traffic. India’s other full-service airline, Kingfisher, controlled by liquor baron Vijay Mallya, has been idle since last year after running out of cash. Still with India’s vastly under-penetrated air market, Sharat Dhall, who heads one of India’s biggest online travel agencies, Yatra.com, called the new airline “a welcome development... the market has tremendous potential for growth”. Air travel penetration is just 0.04 air trips per capita a year, far behind developed countries such as the US with over two air trips

per capita a year, according to government figures. This marks the third foreign direct investment in the aviation sector since the government said last year foreign airlines could buy as much as 49 percent in local carriers. The decision, overturning a 10-year ban, was part of a wider drive to draw more investment from abroad. Earlier this year, the Tatas also announced a partnership with Malaysia’s AirAsia for a low-cost carrier in India in which it will own 30 percent. That airline, to be based in the southern Indian city of Chennai, is awaiting government final clearance to take off. Now the Tatas will be attacking India’s airline market from two sides — full-service and budget. Analysts suggested that the Tatas dancing with two partners may cause friction with AirAsia. SIA and AirAsia are keen regional rivals. But Tata officials ruled out conflict-of-interest between its two airline operations, telling the Times of India the Malaysian carrier “was in the loop about the new venture”. The second foreign invest-

ment in the sector came In April when Abu Dhabi’s Etihad said it would buy a 24 percent stake in Jet. In the 1990s, SIA and Tata sought to start an airline but the plan got shelved by government policy changes. In 2000, Tata and SIA partnered again to buy 40 percent of Air India but that proposal collapsed. “The wheel has come full circle now” for Tata and SIA, said Dubey.

FOCUS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

Return of Stalin statues signal political divide in Georgia The return of such statues is seen as a backlash against current policies, though authorities say most of the monuments are being re-erected without government backing. Irakli Metreveli

proclaimed president of Telavi’s Stalin Society who was behind restoring the hilltop monument of his “idol”. For him, Stalin embodies the social justice he feels was lost amid the political turmoil and economic hardship that followed the Soviet Union’s collapse. “We miss his truth and justice,” said the 63-year-old, standing under a framed portrait of Stalin in his crumbling office as he launched into an ecstatic ode to the “great leader”. Lazariashvili flatly rejects Stalin’s responsibility in the death of millions of Soviet citizens in brutal Gulag prison camps and the forced collectivisation of agriculture. While Prime Miniser Ivanishvili says he remains “cautiously negative” about the dictator, his culture minister has endorsed plans to resurrect a giant Stalin monument in the courtyard of the Stalin museum in his hometown of Gori. The statue, erected in 1952, stood in Gori’s central square until it was torn down in 2010 on the orders of Saakashvili, who later initiated a law banning the public display of Soviet symbols and prohibiting former Communist Party and KGB security service officials from holding public office. The return of such statues is seen as a backlash against those policies, though authorities say most of the monuments are being re-erected without government backing. For Zurab Butskhrikidze, the vice chairman of Telavi’s city council, “some groups feel more relaxed about expressing views they were forced to hide under the previous government,” now that Ivanishvili’s coalition has assumed power. He supports the continuation of de-Stalinisation policies but through education, rather than draconian measures. “Some people from the old generation still are under the Soviet propaganda’s influence. We can’t do anything about this by force, we need to step up information efforts.

Agence France Presse

TELAVI: Recently re-erected then vandalised within hours, a communist-era statue of Joseph Stalin stands sprayed with bright orange paint on a hilltop overlooking the provincial town of Telavi in eastern Georgia. The slightly larger than lifesize monument was torn down several years ago as part of staunchly pro-Western President Mikheil Saakashvili’s campaign to eradicate all traces of Georgia’s Soviet past. But local Stalin loyalists clubbed together this month to restore the statue — only to see unknown vandals cover it in paint and scrawl slogans on the wall behind, one reading: “Stalin is a murderer”. Sixty years after the dictator’s death, commentators say the incident — the latest of several in the past year — highlights not only the deep political divisions in Stalin’s homeland but also a struggle over his legacy. “Some sort of nostalgia for Stalin still exists in a certain segment of the Georgian society,” said political analyst Gia Nodia. In October 2012, Saakashvili’s party lost parliamentary polls to a coalition led by his bitter foe billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, who has made normalising relations with Russia his foreign policy priority. Since the election upset, Stalin monuments have been erected in six other villages and all have suffered a fate similar to the Telavi statue, each quickly defaced. With Ivanishvili, now prime minister, and Saakashvili preparing to step down as president when his second and final term ends next month, analysts say the changes have emboldened conservatives who believe the time is right to rehabilitate Stalin.

‘WE

MISS HIS TRUTH AND JUSTICE ’

Shota Lazariashvili is the self-

Pick

at the

airport,

TECHNOLOGY SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

BlackBerry cuts 4,500 jobs

US to limit emissions WASHINGTON: The US Environmental Protection Agency proposed Friday to limit carbon dioxide emissions from new power plants, in a bid to implement President Barack Obama’s plan to fight climate change. The move marks the “first milestone” of a major part of the Climate Action Plan announced in June by the US leader, the agency said.

Tech-backed coalition

NEW YORK CITY: BlackBerry Friday

WASHINGTON: An Internet freedom

said it would cut 4,500 jobs as the struggling Canadian smartphone maker retrenches in the face of hefty losses and weak sales of its new handsets.The news, showing BlackBerry’s efforts at reviving its fortunes a stunning failure, pushes the once high-flying firm one step closer to extinction, analysts said.

coalition asked for 21 countries to release information on national security and law enforcement data requests. The Global Network Initiative, which includes Google, Facebook, and Microsoft, asked countries to make it legally possible for companies to report regularly to the public on the government requests they receive.”

US TV bosses rail against Pirates As America’s TV stars and bosses gather in Los Angeles this weekend for the Emmys, the massive success of US shows abroad also highlights a clear problem — a huge proportion of viewers are watching their products illegally. Michael Thurston Agence France-Presse

LOS ANGELES: Fun TV fact: “Desperate Housewives” is a cult hit in North Korea. Slightly less surprisingly, shows like “Breaking Bad” and “House” are watched everywhere, from Latin America to China to France. But, as America’s TV stars and bosses gather in Los Angeles this weekend for the Emmys, the massive success of US shows abroad also highlights a clear problem — a huge proportion of viewers are watching their products illegally. “It’s definitely a big problem,” said Tim Westcott, senior TV analyst at international media consultancy IHS Screen Digest. “People outside the US can download pirate copies of a new US show only minutes after it’s aired in the US via various file sharing sites,” the Londonbased expert told AFP. Beth Braen of the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) added: “Piracy is as big an issue for the TV industry as it is for their film counterparts.” Worldwide popularity Of course, American TV series have long been popular around the world -- “Baywatch,” “Starsky and Hutch” and “Dallas” were staples of television decades before the latest crop of hit shows. “House of Cards,” “Breaking Bad” and “Game of Thrones” are among those vying for glory -and increased riches boosted by awards success -- at the Emmys on Sunday. But they are popular way beyond America’s shores. And the growth potential is enormous: global pay TV revenue last year jumped by nearly 30 percent to over $184 billion, according to a recent study cited by the Hollywood Reporter. For example, in France -- long proud of its “exception culturelle” that protects its own film, television and music producers -- American TV shows now dominate TV schedules. The most popular include “House” -- “Dr House” in French -- and “CSI: Crime Scene

Investigation” (“Les Experts”). The biggest hit, “The Mentalist,” regularly gets over seven million viewers per episode on France’s biggest private channel TF1. In China, US television shows are hugely popular, even if there is little opportunity for viewers to watch them on the giant nation’s state-controlled television stations. HBO dramas are particularly a hit with Chinese viewers, and are available mainly through illicit online streaming, usually the day after they have been aired in the United States, with subtitled versions following soon after. In Japan, US TV shows are popular, with even long-running hits such as “Columbo” still garnering viewers. Public broadcaster NHK’s expansion into satellite television saw it offer a greater variety of series, with recent examples including “Glee” and “Desperate Housewives.” Fantasy drama “Once Upon A Time” began its

HBO DRAMAS ARE PARTICULARLY A HIT WITH CHINESE VIEWERS, AND ARE AVAILABLE MAINLY THROUGH ILLICIT ONLINE STREAMING, USUALLY THE DAY AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN AIRED IN THE UNITED STATES, WITH SUBTITLED VERSIONS FOLLOWING SOON AFTER. run this month. N. Korean ‘Desperate Housewives’ binge North Korea has always derided “decadent” foreign culture and banned nearly all South Korean and US films and TV shows -- but technology has punched numerous holes in the once impenetrable information barrier around the country.

“Sex and the City” and “Desperate Housewives” are the hermit state’s cult favorites. “I was often asked for medicines, but not as often as I was asked for DVDs of television soap operas,” former British ambassador in Pyongyang John Everard wrote in his recently published memoir, “Only Beautiful Please.” “I once lent one contact a set of DVDs of Desperate Housewives and met the same person the next day with big rings under their eyes. They had sat up all night and watched the entire series in one sitting,” he said. In Latin America, illicit downloading or file sharing is rife, with the most popular shows including “The X-Factor,” “Breaking Bad,” “Glee,” “Homeland” and “Modern Family.” Market growth potential The potential markets overseas are huge. “TV is unquestionably more international than

ever before,” Tim Gray, awards editor of industry journal Variety, told AFP. “As channels proliferate around the globe via cable and satellite, everybody needs more content.” IHS Screen Digest analyst Westcott added: “New markets are opening up all the time (AsiaPacific, Latin America, Eastern Europe) and new players in the market are always looking for high quality content, ideally in high volume.” But experts compare the state of TV and film piracy to the music industry before the advent of iTunes. Like record producers, TV folk need to find a way to persuade viewers to watch legally. “Everyone’s looking for a new model that will give consumers an option that’s affordable and attractive,” said Gray. Netflix, a video streaming service with a huge following in America, is touted by some as possibly pointing the way ahead overseas too.

ANIMAL KINGDOM SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

PET NEWS Pet Olympics

Vaccination clinics

ayside Pet Resort is hosting the Dog Olympics & Adopta-thon on October 19. The event will focus on finding homes for at least 100 cats and dogs at local rescue groups and animal shelters.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Cub takes exam

akland County Parks and Recreation is partnering with All About Animals Rescue to offer a number of services for dogs and cats: vaccinations, microchips, heartworm tests, dog licenses, and preventive treatments.

t looks like the giant panda cub at Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C., got a clean bill of health after her first full veterinary exam on Monday. They were able to complete a full exam in about 20 minutes.

CATS AND DOGS The Animal Care Clinic 040-2335 2474 Pet’s World Dog Clinic 98856 46259 Blue Cross of Hyderabad 040-3298 9858, 23544355/ 5523 Vet-N-Pet 040-6553 9535, 93463 05890 Bluplus Pet Clinic 040-2712 1739, 2716 2636 Sri Sai Pet Clinic

040-2779 7458, 9848645350 Claws & Paws 98662 82772 All Creatures Animals Clinic 040-2773 0885 BIRDS Govt Veterinary Hospital 040-2331 9656, 2753 5755 Bird Watcher’s Society 040-2355 6166 Friends of Birds9391048315 SNAKES Friends of Snakes 8374233366

Overfishing of sharks endangers reefs According to a research team, overfishing of sharks made reefs vulnerable to global warming.

cientists studying reefs off Australia said sharks play a fundamental role in the health of coral, and overfishing of them made reefs more vulnerable to global warming and weather disasters. A research team, led by Mark Meekan from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), studied the impact of sharks at the Rowley Shoals and Scott Reefs 300 kilometres (185 miles) off northwest Australia over 10 years. “Where shark numbers are reduced we see a fundamental change in the structure of food chains on reefs,” said Meekan. “We see increasing numbers of mid-level predators such as snappers, and a reduction in the numbers of herbivores such as parrot fishes. “The parrot fish are very important because they eat the algae that would otherwise overwhelm young corals on reefs recovering from natural disturbances.” When coral dies algae grows over it, compromising its ability to re-grow. Meekan said the herbivorous fish chewed out small spaces so re-growth could take place. The study compared the impact of cyclones and bleaching events on the marine-protected Rowley Shoals, where fishing is banned, with the neighbouring Scott Reefs, where Indonesian fishermen — mostly from West Timor — are allowed to catch sharks. It found less coral and

The purrfect cafe more algae on the fished reefs after a major disturbance, which Meekan said was significant as the pressures of global warming increased. “With many of the changes from a warming climate already locked in, there may be little we can do to prevent increased frequency of disturbances on coral reefs in the near future,” he said. “However, this is not the case with the loss of reef sharks. Meekan said the findings showed that declining global reef shark populations due to overfishing was of “great concern” because it would leave the coral structures more vulnerable to bleaching events from warmer, more acidic oceans, and to large cyclones. Even small no-fishing zones in reef areas could provide valuable feeding sites for sharks, maintaining a ecosystem balance ensuring that algaeeating species could thrive. A major AIMS study last year of the Great Barrier Reef, off Australia’s east

coast, found that coral cover had more than halved in the past 27 years due to storms, bleaching linked to climate change and the predatory crown-of-thorns starfish. Intense tropical cyclones — 34 in total since 1985 – were responsible for the bulk of the damage, accounting for 48 percent, with 10 percent due to severe bleaching events in 1998 and 2002. The intensity of cyclones was increasing as the world’s oceans warmed. The rate of decline had increased substantially, with two-thirds of the coral cover lost since 1998. Intervals between disturbances were generally too short to allow recovery, which takes between 10-20 years. According to the team their shark study, published in the latest edition of peer-reviewed scientific journal PLOS ONE had offered a “unique opportunity” to isolate and examine the impacts of sharks on an entire reef ecosystem’s health in a way AFP not attempted before.

France’s first “cat cafe” opens today in Paris with an in house troupe of nine rescue cats ready and waiting to be made a fuss of by cat-loving customers

lready popular in Tokyo where there are dozens, cat cafes allow customers who cannot have a pet at home to enjoy a cup of something hot with a purring cat perched on their knees. Margaux Gandelon, the woman behind the new Cafe des Chats in Paris’s trendy Marais district, says the cats were carefully selected for their social skills and stresses that hygiene and their welfare are her top priorities. “My cats are free all day and all night,” she said. Cindy Engel from Strasbourg visited the cafe ahead of its opening for a preview. The 31year-old welcomed the concept saying it encouraged her to

interact with other people rather than electronic devices. “The cats allow us to not always be connected to our mobiles. What’s more they create social connections,” she said. “Instead of typing on our computers while drinking a coffee we talk about cats to our neighbours,” she added. Not everyone, however, was convinced. “It’s a good experience but eating with cats is not my thing,” said Edward Chrismars, adding that he was just there to please a friend. “It’s alright to have them sitting on the sofa, that’s OK, but they can’t jump on the table or eat from my plate. It’s not AFP hygienic!” he said

BOOKS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

SHORT READS Title: TransAtlantic Author: Colum McCann Publisher: Random House TransAtlantic spans across history as McCann tells the stories of three iconic crossings and weaves them together with the journeys of three women. The book traces both one family’s journey and the development of Irish-American relations as a whole.

Title: The Ocean at the End of the Lane Author: Neil Gaiman Publisher: William Morrow and Company It is Gaiman’s first book for adults since 2005’s Anasi Boys, modern fantasy The Ocean at the End of the Lane is about magic and the power of stories. Gaiman describes it as “an astonishingly personal sort of a novel.”

Title: The Other Typist Author: Suzanne Rindell Publisher: Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam The Other Typist follows Rose Baker, a typist in a New York City Police Department precinct who is instantly attracted to Odalie, the new girl at the office, and together the two women navigate the changing times of the ‘20s.

Title: The Kings and Queens of Roam Author: Daniel Wallace Publisher: AudioGO The book is about polar-opposite sisters Helen and Rachel McCallister. After their parents’ sudden death, Helen is in charge of caring for Rachel. Rachel, then makes a surprising choice that turns both their worlds upside down.

BOOKER PRIZE TO STRADDLE THE WORLD The $80,000 Booker, which has been running since 1968, has until now been awarded annually for the best work of fiction by an author from Britain, Ireland or the Commonwealth. But from this year it will also includes ‘all writers in English’. Danny Kemp

his novel “The Sea”, welcomed the greater inclusiveness but said it would make life “very difficult for the judges.” “They will have to limit how many books can enter, somehow,” he told the BBC. The prize is awarded to a specific book, rather than an author, and is evaluated by a group of judges who compile a long list of novels, followed by a shortlist and then select the final winner.

Agence France-Presse

LONDON: Britain’s Man Booker Prize announced on Wednesday that it was expanding to cover all novels written in the English language, meaning American authors will be eligible for the first time. The £50,000 ($80,000, 62,000 euro) Booker, which has been running since 1968, has until now been awarded annually for the best work of fiction by an author from Britain, Ireland or the Commonwealth. “The expanded prize will recognise, celebrate and embrace authors writing in English, whether from Chicago, Sheffield or Shanghai,” said Jonathan Taylor, chairman of the Booker Prize Foundation. “By including writers from around the world to compete alongside Commonwealth and Irish writers, the Man Booker Prize is reinforcing its standing as the most important literary award in the English-speaking world.” The change will come into effect for the 2014 award. Previous winners of the Booker, one of the world’s richest literary prizes, include

English novelist Hilary Mantel, Australian author Peter Carey and the South African J.M. Coetzee. The Booker has long held out from recognising American authors, fearing that the powerful US literary scene, backed by wealthy academia and creative writing programmes, would swamp the output from the rest of the world. Taylor said the prize’s trustees “have not made this decision quickly or lightly” and it followed 18 months of consultation with the publishing world. “Initially the thinking was that we might set up a new prize specifically for US writers. But

at the end of the process we were wary of jeopardising or diluting the existing Man Booker Prize,” he said. “Instead we agreed that the prize, which for 45 years has been the touchstone for literary fiction written in English of the highest quality, could enhance its prestige and reputation through expansion, rather than by setting up a separate prize.” Novels must still have been published in Britain and entered by their British publisher, he said. The literary world was divided by the announcement. Irish novelist John Banville, who won the Booker in 2005 for

IRISH NOVELIST JOHN BANVILLE WELCOMED THE GREATER INCLUSIVENESS BUT SAID IT WOULD MAKE LIFE ‘VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE JUDGES’. British writer and broadcaster Melvyn Bragg however said the Booker “will now lose its distinctiveness. It’s rather like a British company being taken over by some worldwide conglomerate.” But Taylor said the newly expanded prize was “embracing the freedom of English in all its vigour, its vitality, its versatility

and its glory wherever it may be. “We are abandoning the constraints of geography and national boundaries.” The results of this year’s edition are due on October 15, with the candidates including Zimbabwean novelist NoViolet Bulawayo, the first black African woman to make the Booker shortlist. The Booker’s expansion comes ahead of the start in March of a rival award — the Folio Prize — which also honours English language fiction published in the UK. It has a £40,000 prize. The Man Booker foundation also awards a separate, yearly Man Booker International Prize which recognises a writer’s overall contribution to world fiction that has been either written in or translated into English. Winners of the international award include the American novelist Philip Roth, in 2011. Until 2012 Man also sponsored the Man Asian Literary Prize. The Booker got its name from its initial sponsor in 1968, the food wholesale company Booker-McConnell. The investment company Man Group took over sponsorship in 2002 but kept the name.

Germany’s top critic, Holocaust survivor, dies FRANKFURT: Marcel ReichRanicki, Germany’s leading literary critic and Holocaust survivor, has died aged 93, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper, of which he was book editor for many years, said on Wednesday. Reich-Ranicki was a Polish-

born Jew who became the most influential literature critic in his adoptive country of Germany after World War II. The renowned and feared reviewer, who for years made and broke literary reputations in newspaper articles and on television, was born Marcel

Reich to a Polish Jewish father and a German Jewish mother in Wloclawek, central Poland. Confined to the Warsaw Ghetto during the war, he and his wife Tosia managed to escape to the countryside in 1943 where they were hidden by a Polish family. Their parents

died in the concentration camps. He emigrated to West Germany in 1958 where he immediately found work as a literary critic at the prestigious weekly Die Zeit, and then at the daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

Asked a few years later whether he felt more Polish or more German, he said he thought of himself as “half Polish, half German, and completely Jewish”. Chancellor Angela Merkel said “I will miss this passionate and brilliant man”.

BOOKS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

The state of young love

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell is a lovely, light read, and it is a major relief to find a good young adult book that doesn't involve dystopian societies and spunky heroines. Jyotsna Nambiar

feedback@postnoon.com

ometimes, no matter how much you like a book, there are some things that really annoy you about it. Like the wrong people get together. Or the character you're rooting for does something mean and unworthy. Or the murderer turns out to be the most obvious person ever. Most of us let it go, only cribbing about these flaws to other fans of the book. Others are more proactive. Didn't like who ended up with whom? Do your own matchmaking. Thought the book wasn't steamy enough? Introduce some S&M. Hated that your favourite character was killed off ? Resurrect him/her. Fan fiction allows readers to take a beloved world and make it their own, and the Internet provides the perfect platform to exchange retellings. In Rainbow Rowell's latest novel, fan fiction is where it all begins. Fangirl has as its protagonist 18-year-old college freshman Cather Avery. Cath smiles rarely, dislikes socialising and is almost the polar opposite of her party-loving twin sister, Wren. But on the Internet, Cath is a dif-

ferent person. As 'Magicath', she writes Carry On, Simon - fan fiction of the widely popular Simon Snow series. Reality doesn't hold as much attraction for her; she believes the reason she writes fiction is to disappear. Cath's taciturn roommate Reagan and her constantly smiling friend Levi manage to drag her into the real world occasionally, but her heart still remains in 'fic'. Her sister, who used to write the series with her, seems to have moved on to the adult world of college, but Cath is unwilling to let go. Rowell writes young people well, as was apparent in her

adorable novel, Eleanor and Park. Without resorting to cliches or focusing heavily on appearance, she creates real, living, breathing characters that you can instantly connect with. Cath might be a loner, but she has none of the standard angst or anger that most authors imbue introverts with. Wren does not make too many appearances, but she is constantly on Cath's mind, and hence, on your mind. Levi smiles all the time, but he comes across as so much more than just the life of the party. Excerpts from Cath's fan fiction and the 'original' Simon Snow series form alternate chapters,

but instead of being jarring, they seem to fit perfectly into the narrative. Rowell uses these chapters to carry forward the story; not in terms of plot, but with respect to the emotional trajectory. The only problem is that it makes the novel much, much longer, and slightly more unwieldy. Fangirl does not have the raw brilliance that Eleanor and Park had, but it is refreshing to find a lovely young adult novel that does not involve a love triangle, a spunky heroine and dystopian worlds. What you instead find is young love, and in Rainbow Rowell's novels, young love is a wonderful state to be in.

Name Fangirl Author Rainbow Rowell Pages 650 Publisher St Martin's Press

WHAT’S SELLING Walden best in fiction

Walden best in non-fiction

New York Times’ best in fiction

New York Times’ best in non-fiction

n Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

n Daily Inspiration by Robin Sharma

n Never Go Back by Lee Child

n Si-cology 1 by Si Robertson

n The Secret by Rhonda Bryne

n The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

n The Liberty Amendments by Mark R. Levin

n Rich And Happy by Robert Kiyosaki

n Styxx by Sherrilyn Kenyon

n Orange Is The New Black by Piper Kerman

n Almost Single by Advaita Kala n Girl Named Indie by Kavita Daswani n Critical by Robin Cook n Last Testament by Sam Bourne

n Egonomics by David Marcum

n Dark Lycan by Christine Feehan

n India after Gandhi by Ramchandra Guha

n Seduced by Melody Anne

n Happy, Happy, Happy by Phil Robertson n Zealot by Reza Aslan

WOMEN SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

WEBSITES OF THE WEEK Beauty Addict:\ This beauty blog is updated with the latest happenings in the world of skin, body and hair care. It will introduce you to a wide range of topics from fashion and beauty.

Jezebel: One of several blogs owned by Gawker Media, Jezebel is a feminist blog aimed at women’s interests. The blog contains articles on celebrities, sex and fashion. Check it out!

Catalyst: This website by non-profit group Catalyst hosts research about women in business and an insightful blog, Catalyzing. It sure is an inspiration to read!

Spiritually inclined Surekha Sadana is all set to display her work, ‘Spiritual Mapping’ at the Icon Art Gallery. Here’s what Surekha had to say about her career, family and her first, solo art exhibition. Arun Yellamaty arunyellamaty@postnoon.com

urekha Sadana’s work chants a distinctively meditative experience. For someone who is always on the lookout to experiment with different palettes, Surekha, through her art, tries to provide colour to her inner spirituality. Yesterday, Sadan unveiled a wide array of some of her artistic work as part of her first-ever solo art exhibition titled Spiritual Mapping which according to her is a journey exploring her childhood doubts. “I am depicting my spiritual belief through this art show. I have always been a deeply spiritual person since childhood. When I saw people doing puja, I always had a doubt on the lines and tantras and other things they drew during these rituals. As a child I always wondered why they drew such lines and wanted to delve deeper to understand it at length. That’s how I came up with this work,” explains Sadana. A graduate of medical science, Surekha began exploring her love for the arts much later. “I always wanted to paint, but my parents wanted me to be become a doctor. I only seriously pursued the arts and crafts after

marriage and decided to take it up as a full-time career.” For this, she says, a lot of credit goes to her husband for letting her do so. “My husband was never the one to complain. He understood that I couldn’t live without art. A few years down the line, I was painting and taking workshops in Delhi, and hosting solo exhibitions around the globe,” Surekha continues. Surekha moved to Dubai along with her husband but has been practising art for over 15 years. Surekha, who comes from a humble background, also speaks on behalf of other women and says that husbands should lend their support to their wives and provide support and constant encouragement.

According to Surekha, marriage should never play a barrier between a woman and her dreams. “A woman should never give up on her dreams. She should stand up for it and her partner too should support the idea. An empathetic person her-

self, Surekha donates 90 per cent of the money she makes through her paintings to charity, “I am blessed to have a lot of things in my life. I chose to give the money I make to various orphanages and places that need help. I am trying my best to help out people who are always in need. If I can do so with my art, then why not,” she says. About her art show coming to Hyderabad, she says, “I am happy to come to Hyderabad, I have a few friends here. I am looking forward to the show and hoping to get good response.” The show begins on 20th September to 3rd October. Timing: 11:30am to 7pm at the Icon Art Gallery. For further details on Surekha log on to www.surekhasadana.com.

SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013 1

GRAND EXCELLENCE

Dr Nanda Kishore Dukkipati, Managing Director at Livlife Hospitals was bestowed with the International Centre for Excellence in Medicine. Friends and family gathered to celebrate it at Blue Door, Jubilee Hills. 1 Naziya

3 Sree devi, Nanda

5 Shipra & Arvind

9 Vikas & Shrani

2 Prerna,

Kishore & Karuna 4 Vijaya Lakshmi

6 Karuna & Gopal 7 Zubin

10 Karuna & Nanda

8 Esha & Harish

11 Hena & Komya

Sharan & Soujanya

Kishore

12 Irfan 13 Balram

15 Kishen 16 Seema 17 Neelam

& Saloni 14 Hameed

RELATIONSHIPS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

I AM ALL EARS

ll my friends seem to be getting married. I am 25 years old and some of them are younger to me. I feel depressed and lonely. My parents are also putting a lot of pressure on me to get married. But, I still haven’t found someone who I can call my soulmate. Unmarried Woman

With October being National Breast Cancer Awareness month, let’s take a look at five celebrity couples who battled the disease with their partner’s undying support.

t has been observed that women who post a photo on Internet dating sites receive twice as many email messages as women who don’t. The same study also found that men who reported, on these Internet dating sites, incomes higher than $250,000 received 156 per cent more emails than those with $50,000. Source: Randomfacts.com

Dear unmarried woman, It’s not a big deal if you are not married in the 21st century. Find things that you love doing. Learn a new language, do something fun, travel the world. Let me tell you; marriage isn’t everything! Probably for your friends, they ended up finding someone compatible. This means that you will too, someday. Just keep doing the things that you do and who knows, you might run into him on one of your adventurous trips!

IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH

Sana Mirza

sana.m@postnoon.com

ccording to the National Cancer Institute, 70,000 individuals are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States. While most of them are ordinary people, there are some whose lives play out uncensored on the public stage. Yes, we are talking about our very own celebrities whose day to day activities are recorded, written about, and discussed at length. While we follow a few celebrities religiously probably for the characters they play in movies, there are a few others who actually put on a cape to fight a battle each day. These are a few celebrities who battled with different types of cancers and came out on the other side, much stronger. 1. Christina Applegate – News broke out in August 2008 that actress Christina Applegate was diagnosed with breast cancer only to be cancerfree after a double mastectomy. In an exclusive interview with People magazine, a couple months later, Applegate admitted that her battle with cancer became easier, thanks to her fiancé Martyn LeNoble. Martyn and Christina had known each other for 13 years and said that he made her feel beautiful and com-

2 fortable with her new body after the surgery. 2. Guiliana Rancic – She is probably a face you would easily remember. In October 2011, E! host Guiliana Rancic announced on Today that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and would be treated with lumpectomy, then radiation. She was to also undergo a double mastectomy later. Throughout her battle with cancer, Rancic’s husband, The Apprentice season one

winner, Bill Rancic lent his support, whole-heartedly. Lady Rancic admitted that it was Bill’s constant love and care that lifted up her spirits. 3. Peggy Fleming – The World Champion figure skater, Peggy Fleming was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998. Shocked and disturbed, Fleming had to give up her career to dedicate time to hours of chemotherapy and radiation. It was during such trying times that she relied on her husband and

3 sons for support. 4. Olivia Newton John – The former Grease star, Olivia Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 and went through years of chemotherapy, innumerable surgeries and long hours of radiation. It was her husband John Easterling, who stood by her, all those years. Olivia, a breast cancer survivor went on to set up the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre and is a regular at cancer-support-

4 ing groups, lending a hand to whosoever needs it. 5. Cynthia Nixon – Cynthia Nixon played the responsible Miranda Hobbes in the hit TV show, Sex and the City. After finding a cancerous tumor in her right breast during a routine mammogram in 2008, Nixon kept the matter zipped up, only telling her wife Christine Marinoni. It was Marinoni’s sense of humor and happy persona that helped Nixon face her battle.

CINEMA SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

The man with a RADHIKA Apte in Balakrishna's next I t has been confirmed that Bollywood actress Radhika Apte has been confirmed as the leading lady opposite Nandamuri Balakrishna in his upcoming yet-untitled Telugu action drama that also features Sonal Chauhan. "Radhika Apte and Sonal Chauhan are the heroines in our Balakrishna starrer film with Boyapati Srinu," the film's producer Anil Sunkara posted on his Twitter page. The film marks the second collaboration between Balakrishna and director Boyapati Srinu after the Telugu blockbuster Simha. The film, which is currently being shot for, is being produced under the banner of 14 Reels Entertainment. Reputed composer Devi Sri Prasad has been roped in to compose the music for the film, which will also feature Jagapati Babu in a negative role.IANS

NITHIN overwhelmed with Heart Attack!

heart of GOLD T

hala Ajith as he is fondly called by his fans in Tamil Nadu is said to be a man with a golden heart and is highly respected for his simplicity off screen. He is known not to have any starry tantrums despite being one of the top most stars in the Tamil film industry and is said to be friendly with everyone from the light boy to the producer. Recently he purchased a sprawling land in Chennai and is said to be constructing at least ten houses for all his staff members who have been associated with him for a long time. Foundation stone laying ceremony was held recently which was graced by his wife Shalini. He is also known for doing charity work but likes to keep it under wraps. Meanwhile songs and trailer of his latest film Aarambam have released today and are creating quite a buzz. Ajith has a massive fan following and fans are eagerly waiting for Diwali which is the time when the movie is going to hit the screens.

ithin is riding high with two back to back blockbusters in the form of Ishq and Gundejaari Gallanthayindhe. Incidentally both the movies were chartbusters too, thanks to the superb music composed by Anup Rubens. Nithin is now shooting for two films one of which is Heart Attack, which is being directed by Puri Jagannath. Anup Rubens is doing the music for the film and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a first time for Puri to work with Anup Rubens. Puri is known to have an aesthetic music sense and that seems to have helped Heart Attack get a good music too. Nithin seemed to be super excited about the music of the film and thanked both the director and music director for coming up with great music for this album. The shooting of the film is going on at brisk pace and the unit has completed its first schedule. They are now getting ready for a long schedule in Spain in the last week of September.

ENTERTAINMENT SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

Will India bag an Oscar this time? A mong the contenders to represent India at the Oscars this time, are three films; Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Ship of Theseus and Lunchbox. The decision between the three films that belong to different genres will be announced by 22nd September. Oscar committee more than once has said that they prefer films rooted in culture and country's ethos. Reading up history, we observe that India has reached the Top 5 position at the Oscars only twice in 100 years of cinema with Mother India and Lagaan. Both these films were based on human triumph. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is a story of human triumph and how he doesn't lose hope. Mother India, Lagaan and BMB are also hugely commercial-

ly successful films. Most film makers believe that this year's choice should be the commercially successful and crit-

ically acclaimed movie which was an audience favourite BMB. With about 160 countries fighting the race with one film each, India’s final choice of film being the film based on human triumph, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag stands a better chance to make it in the top 5 list.

Johnnie Walker Black wears a new face

he world famous Scotch whisky house John Walker & Sons has launched an exquisite, limited edition packaging of Johnnie Walker Black Label that embodies the ethos and grandeur of India’s bygone era in a stylish, contemporary avatar. Crafted to deliver a unique experience for whisky lovers, this new pack has been designed exclusively by one of the most celebrated fashion designers of the country Raghavendra Rathore, whose design aesthetic is synonymous with India’s grand her-

SUSHANT is a

SINGH method actor S

ushant Singh Rajput, who bagged Dibakar Banerjee’s next film based on detective Byomkesh Bakshi starts his shooting schedule for the same this year. The role that he has been signed to play is very important and requires a lot of training and intense workshops. As the actor gets out of the promotions of his recent film, Shuddh Desi Romance, the actor directly gets into his next film. Sushant Singh Rajput, who looks like the next big thing in B-town, has requested his master and director of the film, Dibakar Banerjee for 5 weeks to be able to train himself for the role and get into the character, which is intense.

itage and rich culture. Raghavendra’s inspiration for this new pack of Johnnie Walker Black Label is a celebration of the classic Bandhgala Jacket, a historic outfit worn for over centuries by aristocracy, royalty and now famous throughout the world because of the designer’s own unconventional renditions of the same. Through his creations, the designer blends a delicate harmony between the rich heritage of India with a vibrancy that is modern and timeless. Commenting on his latest creation, Raghavendra Rathore says “Indian culture has always inspired my work and this reflects in my designs for the new Johnnie Walker Black Label pack, a must-have for all who appreciate the richness and depth of this liquid. Over the last two decades, the Bandhgala jacket has become a hallmark for a modern, sophisticated Asian style and represents a revival of the true legacy of a bygone era. Johnnie Walker Black Label’s new pack will now flaunt this very elegance, making a statement of genuine substance in my signature designs.” Bhavesh Somaya, Marketing Director, Diageo India commented “We are delighted to have Raghavendra Rathore on board to design our limited edition pack of Johnnie Walker Black Label. The packaging captures a nostalgic impression of a glorious past that blends seamlessly with a contemporary feel. The design collaboration between Johnnie Walker and Raghavendra Rathore is a milestone in bringing together refined aesthetics and distinguished taste through a unique partnership between the two brands.

CINEMA SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

KERRY WASHINGTON

The red carpet experiment A

ctress Kerry Washington likes it when her style team experiments with different looks for her when she attends red carpet events. The 36-year-old says her favourite red carpet attire is a white ball gown by Giles Deacon that she wore in January to the London premiere of Django Unchained, reports femalefirst.co.uk. “Dressing for the red carpet is a creative endeavour, working with a team to achieve the final look is fun. My favourite was the Giles gown. I fell in love with it instantly,” Washington told In Style magazine. “I don’t usually get nervous before a red carpet appearance. When it comes to clothes, I try to make decisions I feel good about,” she added. Away from the spotlight at red carpet galas, Washington’s regular style comprises an amalgamation of high street and designer wear. “My off-duty style is really relaxed comfort is a priority. I like to take sensible classic pieces and throw in trendy elements that are a little more fun. I love MiH Jeans and anything from Topshop - that store is such an essential US import! I’m also a huge fan of Kurt Geiger shoes. Overall, the US high street is nothing compared to the UK,” she said. - IANS

Rappers help woman for family’s funeral

She’s still my Miley S inger-songwriter Billy Ray Cyrus has supported his pop star daughter Miley’s twerking act saying she is still his little girl. “Miley (has) harnessed into something very special. She’s just Miley. She’s an artist, she’s real. I think that’s what’s happened over the years, Miley has been reinventing her sound. She’s evolving as an artist herself. I think that it’s all of what everyone is calling controversy now. That’s still my Miley,” said Billy Ray, reports eonline.com. He appeared on Piers Morgan’s talk show Thursday and discussed his thoughts on his daughter’s racy performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, which created a lot of buzz. When Morgan first brought up the issue saying that as a father, he wouldn’t be too pleased if his daughter “turned to twerking”, Billy Ray seemed to divert from the question a bit. But for Billy Ray, the act by

his daughter was her way of stripping herself from her Hannah Montana image. “I’m her daddy. I come for that school of as a singer-songwriter, as a musician, that it starts with a song. And it’s that magic moment when a song finds the right artist, the right singer, and it becomes a synchronicity of that moment in IANS time,” he said. -

appers Drake and The Game have jointly donated $22,500 to a woman whose entire family was killed in a house fire recently. Ohio-based Anna Angel, 30, lost her five children and her boyfriend when their trailer home was engulfed in flames while she was working at a Burger King outlet. To help cover the cost of the funerals, Drake and The Game have donated $10,000 each to Angel. The rappers also asked for $2,500 from production company 51minds, and gave Angel a total of $22,500, reports people.com. The revelation of the charity was made via a photograph on Instagram. The photograph showed Angel with her five children, who were aged between two and six, as well as her boyfriend Tim Fresch, 25, who was the father of one of the kids. The Game captioned the picture: “I can deal with a lot of things but people losing their children is something that kills me every time... I cannot imagine the feeling she had at that IANS moment.” –

CHAI TIME SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

SUDOKU

THOUGHT OF THE DAY The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would hire them right away. – Ronald Reagan

KAKURO

How to play kakuro

SCRIBBLING PAD

Kakuro is a popular game similar to sudoku in some ways. But is also suitably different. The key question: ‘How do you play kakuro?’, well here are the rules of kakuro. The answer: The kakuro grid, unlike in sudoku, can be of any size. It has rows and columns, and dark cells like in a crossword. And, just like in a crossword, some of the dark cells will contain numbers. Some cells will contain two numbers. However, in a crossword the numbers reference clues. In a kakuro, the numbers are all you get! They denote the total of the digits in the row or column referenced by the number. Within each collection of cells — called a run — any of the numbers 1 to 9 may be used but, like sudoku, each number may only be used once. Let’s have an example to explain this concept more clearly: In the image above, which shows a section of a kakuro puzzle, you will see the numbers ‘26’ and ‘14’ in the top row. Look at the 14. This means that the total of the three cells underneath must sum to 14. Therefore 9, 4, 1 could be the answer, or perhaps 7, 4, 3 and so on... So, how do you work out the actual combination? Well, this is done through elimination and cross-referencing. For instance, as you work out the answers for other kakuro clues, this will naturally limit the valid combinations, and hence the answer for this particular run. Note the second cell in row two — it contains two numbers, 30 and 11. The 30 refers to the vertical run underneath the number 30 and the 11 refers to the two cells to the right, horizontally, of the number 11.

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Not doing much of anything 5 ‘ ___ cost you!’ 9 Bagful on the pitcher’s mound 14 Harvest 15 Chinese dynasty during the time of Confucius 16 Alaskan shelter 17 Wood-dressing tool 18 Bowie knife handle, eg 19 Computer command 20 Direct order? 23 Type of tray or chest 24 Bother the heck out of 25 Onetime co-star of Teri, Felicity, and Marcia 26 Spinning toy 29 Narrow groove 31 Thread site 33 Feeling of fury 34 Uneaten morsel 36 Chewie’s chum 37 Didn’t have to fact-check 38 What very busy people seem to be? 42 Song from Placido 43 Island side dish 44 Enjoy an entree 45 Catcher behind the plate? 46 Wispy white clouds 48 Cheapskate 52 ‘___ on a Grecian Urn’ 53 Its root is itself 54 Baby’s first word? 56 Yoko’s surname 57 Crude but effective 61 Muscleman’s quality 63 Arthurian lady 64 Two-dimensional calculation 65 Musical composition 66 Poker buy-in 67 Flippered entertainer 68 ‘Teeny’ follower 69 ‘Home on the Range’ critter 70 Drops in the field

DOWN 1 Some Arab League members 2 Withhold 3 More slothful 4 Fencer’s weapon 5 Blood of the gods, in Greek myth 6 They’re given in November 7 Artist’s studio site 8 Protestant denomination 9 Carpenter’s cutter 10 Fairy-tale meany 11 One use for scissors 12 Electrically charged atom 13 Word that’s often contracted 21 Wonder Woman’s headdress 22 The Oscars and

Olympics, say eccentric 27 Snack-aisle fixture 58 Apt name for a guy in 28 Bench facing the altar debt? 30 Davenport’s state 59 Last Stuart of the 32 Church singing group monarchy 35 Secretarial skill 60 Relaxed condition 37 Visored chapeau 61 Upscale auto initials 38 Dry as dust 62 Uncooked eggs 39 Free PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER 40 Disgruntled person 41 Funnyman’s forte 42 Blood system letters 46 Type of fair 47 Set fire to 49 Eagle, often 50 Win the love of 51 Kings and queens, eg 55 More

CHAI TIME SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Nine of Wands

Nine of Cups

Seven of Cups

Queen of Swords

Four of Swords

Page of Wands

ork – There is a lot of pollution at the work place. It can be triggered by gossip, rumours floating about and also jealousy. Romance – You have a good time with your loved one. You indulge in fun pleasures and spend quality time together. Health – Your imagination plays a role in how you feel about your body and mind. Worrying often pulls you back. Let positive thinking take over. Money – Be cautious while calculating. If you’re not strong with accounts, hire someone to do the job for you. Compute carefully. Tarot message – In the demandsupply game, pay attention to your role and how you need to contribute. Not everything may go as per your plan.

ork – Come out of the closet and make your ideas public. Don’t be afraid of copy-cats. They’re there everywhere. Romance – You tend to rely on philosophy too much to explain everything. This might be annoying your partner. Health – Don’t ignore the particulars of a health and fitness programme. The details are important as they add to the overall effect. Money – There are many options to manage your money. Look at the financial profiles of some of the successful investors and take tips. Tarot message – If you’ve got it, flaunt it. Don’t be shy to exhibit your talents. People should know what you’re capable of.

ork – You are aware of the gravity of a situation. If a deadline has been missed or a client is upset, set it right. Romance – If you’re thinking of splitting, take time out and think of the consequences before deciding. Talk to your partner and think things through. Health – Worry can aggravate your problem. Go about treatment in the most clinical manner. Getting emotional only worsens the situation. Money – Make some compromises when it comes to negotiating pay package. You cannot have everything on a platter. Tarot message – Take time off and spend some time alone so you can plan your next few years and what you want to do with your life.

ork – Speed is of essence today. Work fast, take fewer breaks and finish the tasks at hand soon. For, time and tide wait for none. Romance – Love doesn’t come free. There are expectations. Make sure you know your end of the bargain before getting into anything serious. Health – If you’re tired of the same old health routine, make it more interesting. How about adding a zumba or dance class? Money – There are different stages in life when you focus on different aspects. Money is in focus for you now. Tarot message – Put useless thoughts and ideas into the trash bin. They only make you weak and delay your progress.

ork – There are rich ideas and creative ideas floating around. Grab them to make the most of them. Romance – When planning a surprise for a loved one, go through the costing again. You don’t want the inflated bill to deflate your mood. Health – You’re stuck in a loop with the same problems and same situations being discussed over and over again. Money – Diner’s club cards, innovative cash and credit cards claim to save you money. Check out the terms and conditions before you sign up. Tarot message – There are too many people vying for the top spot. There is congestion near the top and you don’t want to be caught there.

SUMAA TEKUR tarotreadhyd@gmail.com

Libra

Scorpio

Ace of Pentacles

Three of Pentacles

ork – Divide and rule is a policy that almost always works. Is your boss employing that tactic? Romance – Don’t treat your love life like a research thesis that needs to be analysed and worked on. Go with the flow. There’s nothing better than being in the moment. Health – Being cheerful will solve half your problem. You are anxious about something. Distracting your mind will work. Money – Overcrowding at the bank or life insurance office is making you upset and you want to change your service provider. Not a bad idea. Tarot message – Charter a definite plan for the future and stick to it. Your problem is that you make the plans and then forget about them.

ork – You work through strange coincidences and some uncanny situations. In short, there’s never a dull moment at the work place. Romance – Your romance has become all about show and glitter and less about feeling. Bring back the simplicity. Health – You’re tempted to do just the reverse of what your doctor asks you to. Give a new health plan a shot. It might be just what you need. Money – Managing money is a lot like architecture. Take tips from a construction plan to understand how and where to park your money. Tarot message – The five elements of nature will teach you the importance of balance.

Sagittarius Two of Wands

ork –You are fed up of working like a porter – transporting ideas and suggestions from one group to another. Romance – You get lucky and meet a very interesting person from the opposite sex. Those in relationships see a new side to their partners. Health – Stick to the old tricks of maintaining health. Eating right and exercising when you need to will solve half your problems. Money – Your entire life tends to be surrounded by material possessions. Money will not be a problem for you. Tarot message – You would make a great consultant given your quality of being able to analyse situations well and coming up with practical solutions.

Capricorn

Date 22-9-2013

Aquarius

The Sun

Ace of Wands

ork – Be careful of expenditure and budget. There is every chance that you overspend and would have to account for it. Romance – Do not allow a third person to come between you and your partner. You will end up having communication issues. Health – Fill up your health tank with fruit juices and healthy snacks. Make a diet time table that’s easy to follow. Money – Trash the plans that don’t work out. Quickly make alternate plans and get going. Don’t spend too much time dwelling on one thing. Tarot message – This is boom time when it comes to ideas and creativity. Make the most of it.

ork – There is substantial work still left to be done by the end of the year. Plan your work days better. Romance – It’s double celebration as news of your partner’s success reaches you. You’re overjoyed and party late into the night. Health – Review your current health situation and take proactive steps to manage yourself better. Quit smoking and cut down on alcohol consumption. Money – The mention of money is making you worry because you’re not sure if you’re managing your money well. Tarot message – You have a shot at success if you know how to deal with people. Be as diplomatic as you can. It’ll work out in your favour.

ork – Your expertise is well appreciated. You are on the right road. The bosses are happy with your progress. Romance – Keep some time out exclusively for you and your significant other. Don’t let a third or fourth person ruin your time alone. Health – If you’re finding it difficult to stick to a diet, find interesting ways to do it. Tweet about your progress daily, or ask friends to keep tabs on you. Money – Avoid signing up for a joint bank account or anything where the finances are split. Be the sole owner of whatever is yours. Tarot message – Some amount of madness is good for you. It takes the boredom out of life.

Pisces Ten of Swords

ork – Your ideology is put to the test. A tempting offer makes you want to ignore your own pearls of wisdom. Romance – You tend to throw old-world wisdom around about romance. But it may not be relevant to everyone. Health – The health bulb in your brain has recently been lit. You want to be more careful of what you eat and how much you exercise. Money – Attend a seminar or gathering from where you can pick up useful tips on how to make money and where to invest. Tarot message – There is going to be a generation gap when you interact with youth. Be prepared for it and take it in your stride.

Vol: 3, No 60 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at # Plot no.550-A1,3rd floor, Road no-92, Jubilee hills, Hyderabad-500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad – 500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon. com and for subscription, please call 040-23541412,

THE SATURDAY QUIZ SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

IN THE NEWS

9. In which film did Amitabh Bachchan play the role of Dr. Bhaskar Banerjee 10. ‘You Look the World, We Look After You' is the tagline of which brand? 11. Hematite and magnetite are ores of which metal? 12. What type of a costume is kafani?

13. What is the official language of Cuba? 14. Which colour is generally used to denote infectious illness? 15. Mt Abu is located on which mountain range? 16. Which freedom fighter was assassinated by Nathuram Godse in 1948?

Answers

5. What do you call a delivery that doesn't pitch and travels shoulder to head-high? 6. In which state is Silent Valley? 7. In the Mahabharata, who gave his entire army to Duryodhana? 8. What name is given to Test matches between Australia and England?

1. Polo 2.Walnut 3.Steve Waugh 4. India 5. Beamer 6. Kerala 7.Krishan 8. Ashes 9. Anand 10. SOTC 11. Shirt 12. Sixteen 13. Spanish 14.Yellow 15.Aravalli 16. Mahatma Gandhi

TEST YOURSELF

IDENTIFY THESE SUPERMODELS

CURRENT AFFAIRS 1

1 2

China's richest man was attacked recently. Who is he?

When was the Cannes film festival launched?

According to a study which was conducted by Transparency International, 14 countries were listed with the lowest accountability for arms imports. Was India part of it?

What is the total length of the red carpet unravelled over the duration of the Cannes Film Festival?

What is the name of Australia's 28th Prime Minister, who was sworn in recently?

Name the country that has plans of turning their railway head quarters into a hotel?

4 4

How many times has the festival been cancelled since it began?

What is the name of the Indian actress who was a part of the panel of jury for the year 2013?

1.Beverage tycoon Zong Qinghou 2. No 3. Tony Abbott 4. Myanmar 5. Indian

Answers

KNOW YOUR COUNTRY

Where is the 19th edition of Fenesta Open National Tennis Championship held?

Where in Delhi is this year’s Urdu Heritage Festival going to be held?

Which historical monument in Delhi was restored recently?

PICTURE PUZZLE 85 with Santosh Ghule Hidden here are portraits of India’s most celebrated artist; whose?

Answer for 84:

WHO AM I? I am a 24-year-old beauty pageant winner. I became the first woman of Indian descent to win the pageant and wear the crown in America. Take a guess.

Five faces.

An eight-member Pakistani judicial commission will leave for India Sep 21 for what purpose?

Answers: 1. Kate Moss 2. Miranda Kerr 3. Heidi Klum 4. Gisele Bundchen

Who is the only lady to have won Palme D’Or?

Answer : Nina Davuluri

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been conferred with an award from Turkey. Which is it?

Which is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes film festival?

Answers:

3 4 5

Test your knowledge about Cannes film festival

11 September 1939 2. 2 kms 3. Palme D’Or presented to the director of the best film 4. Jane Campion for The Piano in 1993 5. Three times 6. Vidya Balan

1. In which sport would you use a chucker? 2. Traditionally, what type of wood do Rolls Royce use on the dashboards of their cars? 3. Which cricketer is associated with Udayan, a charity home in Kolkata? 4. Who won the First Twenty-20 World Cup?

1. To Cross-examine the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack witnesses 2.New Delhi 3. Red Fort 4. Humayun's tomb

Answers

SPORTS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

China, Ukraine triumph

Yates wins sixth stage

hina’s Zhang Fengliu won the 72kg women’s freestyle at the 2013 Wrestling World Championships Friday in Budapest, while Ukraine’s Alina Stadnik-Makhynia won the women’s 67kg event, to end the freestyle championships. Zhang beat Natalia Vorobeva of Russia in the final, while Adeline Gray of the USA and Burmaa Ochirbat of Mongolia shared bronze.

p-and-coming British rider Simon Yates won the Tour of Britain’s first ‘mountain’ stage as he crossed the line in front on Haytor Rocks in Dartmoor, southwest England, on Friday while Wiggins remains at the top . Yates burst clear in the closing stages of a 137-kilometre sixth stage to win from Sky Pro Cycling’s David Lopez with Martin Elmiger of IAM finishing third.

Airtel to sponsor I-League

elecom service provider Airtel has been roped in as the title sponsor of the 2013-14 edition of the I-League football which begins Saturday. All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel welcomed the new sponsor. “I welcome Airtel as the new Title Sponsor of the I-League. All India Football Federation stays committed for the upliftment of the sport.”

USA buy time with win SAN FRANCISCO: Oracle Team USA again denied Emirates Team New Zealand an America’s Cup-clinching victory on Friday, snatching the lead in Race 13 and riding it to the finish. The win by the defending champion came after what appeared to be a certain Kiwi victory was thwarted by light winds that caused the day’s first race to be abandoned due to a time limit to complete the race. The USA must still win six more races in a row to keep New Zealand from the one victory it needs to wrest yachting’s coveted Cup from the hands of Oracle team owner Larry Ellison. “Honestly, we both want to kill each other,” Oracle skipper Jimmy Spithill said when asked how intense the rivalry between the team captains had become. “It is one hell of a fight.” New Zealand skipper Dean Barker downplayed the tension as “no more than a good old Australia-New Zealand rivalry,” referring to Spithill’s homeland. Barker described the turn of events on Friday as “frustrating” but said he remained confident the Cup would be heading for New Zealand. “It is the third race we have

Oracle Team USA celebrates after defeating Emirates Team New Zealand during race 13 of the America’s Cup finals on Friday in San Francisco, California. . AFP/JUSTIN SULLIVAN been in the lead and would have won if it wasn’t for wind limits or time limits,” Barker said. “We know we can easily get this done. It is just a matter of going out there tomorrow and racing hard.” In the single race completed on Friday, the Kiwis beat the USA over the starting line and rounded the first mark

a few seconds ahead of Oracle. The defending champion snatched the lead back in a cross-over that resulted in New Zealand being tagged with a penalty. Oracle dodged to avoid colliding with New Zealand but jumped ahead and grabbed onto a lead that grew through the piv-

McCullum guides Volts to victory MOHALI: Brendan McCullum struck an unbeaten 39-ball 67 to guide Otago Volts to a five-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last qualifying match of the Champions League T20 at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium here Friday. Both the teams earlier had already qualified for the main draw of the tournament. Put in, Sunrisers Hyderabad made 143 for five in 20 overs. Jean Paul Duminy top scored with an unbeaten 57 in 38 balls while Cameron White (25) and Darren Sammy (26) also came up with valuble scores. In reply, Otago Volts achieved the target of 144 losing five wickets and 22 balls to spare. McCullum struck five fours and five sixes in his unbeaten 39-ball innings. Earlier, Captain Misbah-ul-

Haq hammered 93 off 60 balls to give Faisalabad Wolves a consolation win over Kandurata Maroons. Misbah, who scored 46 and 56 in the last two games, saved the best for the last leading the

Pakistani side to 146 for six in 20 overs. Maroons ended with 136 for seven with skipper Kumar Sangakkara (44) being the innings’ top scorer. Ehsan Adil was the pick of the Wolves’ bowlers, IANS taking three for 26.

otal upwind third leg of the race. The USA remained in control of the race and crossed the finish a minute and 24 seconds ahead of the Kiwis. The Oracle victory came in a Race 13 rematch after light winds forced the first attempt at the race to be halted when the 40-minute time limit was reached as the Kiwis sailed unchallenged toward the finish. The Kiwis and the defending champions were nearly even at the start and the USA was ahead slightly as the catamarans crept slowly around the first gate. After days of high-speed racing on the bay, the AC72 catamarans seemed to be moving in slow motion as the teams jockeyed to catch puffs of the capriciously shifting breeze. New Zealand rounded the third gate more than two minutes ahead of the USA. The Kiwis were racing the clock rather than the USA from that point forward, but failed to make it past the final marker before time expired. “Luck beats skill every time,” New Zealand tactician Ray Davies quipped while discussing being beaten by the clock instead of the defending

Chess tourney from tomorrow HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Chess Association will organize the AP (Senior Inter District) Chess Challengers (Seniors) selection tourney at L.B.Stadium Hyd from 22 to 25 September. The selected players will represent the state at the Senior nationals. For further details contatct Sree Krishna on 9247143456.

Players selected for nationals HYDERABAD: The AP Chess Association conducted the AP State Youth (under-25) Chess Championship at LB Stadium, here from Wednesday to Friday. The below mentioned selected players will participate at the the nNationals to be held st Calicutt from 1 October. Results: 1. S Raviteja (Vijayawada), 2. V Varun (Hyd) 3. Krishnateja (WestGodavari) 4.Chakra Varthy Reddy (Hyd).

Top bikers to participate in mountain rally SHIMLA: Titan desert MTB Marathon champion Luis Leao Pinto will participate with another top rider Ricardo Rodrigues Martins of Portugal in one of the world’s toughest mountain biking rallies to be held in Himachal Pradesh next month. Portuguese national champion Pinto, ranked ninth in the world and seeded sixth in Europe, and Martins, who is ranked 16th in the world, will be among 74 foreign and Indian participants of the ‘Hercules MTB Himachal 2013’, Mohit Sood, president of the organising Himalayan Adventure Sports and Tourism Promotion Association (HASTPA), told IANS Friday. Both are marking their debut in an Asian biking event, he said. Pinto won Titan desert MTB Marathon, the mountain biking event designed on the analogy of Paris-Dakar, this year.

PORTUGUESE NATIONAL CHAMP PINTO, RANKED NINTH IN THE WORLD AND MARTINS, RANKED 16TH, WILL BE AMONG 74 FOREIGN AND INDIAN PARTICIPANTS. He became the first rider in the history to climb the three steps of the podium (first in 2013, second in 2012, third in 2011). Sood said participants included 14 foreign bikers and they would take part in the seven-day event, ninth in the series, to be flagged off from the state capital Sep 27. Teams from the adventure wings of the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force are also IANS participating.

SPORTS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

Stenson surges, Tiger struggles Sweden’s Henrik Stenson fired a four-under-par 66 in the second round to finish 36 holes on 10under 130 with reigning Masters champion Adam Scott next on 134. ATLANTA: Sweden’s Henrik Stenson birdied three of the first four holes and stretched his lead to four shots Friday at the season-ending US PGA Tour Championship while weary Tiger Woods struggled again. Stenson, playing with one club under the limit, fired a four-under-par 66 in the second round to finish 36 holes on 10-under 130 with reigning Masters champion Adam Scott next on 134. The Australian has started the day only one stroke adrift of Stenson. Both players are among the five who can capture the $10 million playoff bonus prize with a victory in the $8 million tournament. American Jordan Spieth, who has been a tour player for barely two months, was third on 135 with US Open champion Justin Rose of England and Americans Billy Horschel and Dustin Johnson on 136. World number one Woods, a 14-time major winner seeking his third playoff crown who could also win the bonus by winning the title, made a charge at the le-

Molinari targets home success TURIN: Home favourite Francesco Molinari carded a second round 67 to grab a share of the lead on nineunder par at the Italian Open on Friday. The Turin-born 30-yearold, a winner of the event in 2006, heads into the third round on top of the leaderboard alongside Chile’s Felipe Aguilar and Simon Thornton of Ireland. “I said at the beginning of the week I didn’t want to think of anything but try to enjoy the week, try to make some birdies and I’ll try to do the same Saturday and Sunday,” Molinari told www.europeantour.com. He added: “It doesn’t really matter that I won before, this is a special, special week for me. I was emotional yesterday (Thursday) on the tenth tee at 8am with only 50 people watching so now with all these people on my course it’s a great feeling. “It has been brilliant so far so let’s hope it continues to stay that way over the weekend. You have to embrace it, have fun; I smile on the course when I see people I know and I know they are rooting for me so I AFP just try to enjoy it.”

Henrik Stenson of Sweden hits his tee shot on the 13th hole during the second round of the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola at East Lake Golf Club on Friday in Atlanta, Georgia. AFP/KEVIN C. COX

ad but a nightmare finish dropped him 14 shots off the pace after 36 holes. After the round, Stenson said he played the second round with only 13 clubs, one shy of the limit after damaging his 4-wood on the practice range. “The face caved in on my 4wood on the range, so I put it in the locker and played with 13 clubs,” Stenson said.

Stenson said he would try to have a new 4-wood in time for a morning start to Saturday’s third round, moved earlier because of expected storms in the afternoon. But he also admitted, “The safest play might be to try to get the job done with 13 clubs.” Had Stenson carried the nonconforming club, he would have had to accept a two-stroke penal-

ty. Had he used such a club, he would have been disqualified. Fortunately for the Swede, making his Tour Championship debut, he did neither. Stenson opened with two birdies, added another at the third and closed the front nine with another. He began the back nine with his lone bogey of the round but pulled back a stroke

Seven test positive at Moscow worlds PARIS: Seven athletes, including one finalist, tested positive for doping at August’s World Athletics Championships in Moscow, track and field’s world governing body, the IAAF, announced on Friday. The IAAF said it took a total of 1,919 blood samples and carried out 538 urine test during the competition and 132 during the pre-competition period. Seven athletes failed urine tests, the IAAF confirmed, with just one having appeared in a final: Ukrainian Roman Avramenko, who finished fifth in the men’s javelin, but tested positive for steroid dehydrochloromethyltestosterone. The six others were named as Afghan Massoud Azizi (men’s 100m; nandrolone metabolites), Ukrainian Elyzaveta Bryzgina (women’s 200m; drostanolone), Kazakhstan’s Ayman Kozhakhmetova (women’s 20km walk; exogenous testosterone + EPO), Iran’s Ebrahim Rahimian (men’s 20km walk; EPO), Turkmenistan’s Yelena Ryabova (women’s 200m; dehydrochloromethyltestosterone); and Guatemalan Jeremias Saloj (men’s marathon; EPO). The seven athletes have either already been sanctioned or provisionally suspended, the

AFTER TAKING 1,919 BLOOD SAMPLES AND CONDUCTING 538 URINE TESTS, SEVEN ATHLETES FAILED THE URINE TESTS, THE IAAF CONFIRMED, WITH JUST ONE HAVING APPEARED IN A FINAL. IAAF said. “I am delighted that with the assistance of our partners the IAAF has been able to carry out such a comprehensive anti-doping testing programme in Moscow,” said IAAF president Lamine Diack. “The specialised analyses and the blood samples taken in

connection with the Athlete Biological Passport emphasise the IAAF’s firm commitment and resolve to use the most sophisticated methods at our disposal in the fight against cheating in sport.” All urine samples collected in Moscow are to be transferred to long-term storage facilities provided by the Lausanne laboratory for eventual re-analyses at a later stage. The 1,919 blood samples taken during the worlds were analysed daily in the WADAaccredited laboratory in Moscow for haematological screening. “The corresponding serum samples have been transferred to the Lausanne laboratory for further analyses of various blood bio markers which are now ongoing,” IAAF said. AFP

with a birdie at the 16th hole. Scott opened with a bogey, took another at the fourth after a birdie on the third hole, but matched Stenson with birdies at the ninth and 16th holes. Woods opened Thursday with a 73 to stand next-to-last in the field of 30, the worst start for a top seed in the seven-year PGA playoff history, and he ended a birdie drought with his first of the event at the third hole. “It was nice to finally make a birdie after 21 holes,” Woods said. “I missed everything on the high side. The greens were much slower than I thought they would be. “Today they were quicker starting out. I took that into account. I got on lower lines. It ended up working. I made some putts. Hopefully in the next couple of days I can shoot some good rounds.” Woods closed the front nine with back-to-back birdies and had two more at 12 and 13 to pull within four strokes of the lead, but took a double bogey at the 14th., a bogey at the 16th and AFP a triple bogey at the 17th.

Radwanska marches into Korea semis SEOUL: Top seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland overpowered Russia’s Vera Dushevina 6-2, 6-0 to secure a semi-final berth at the Korea Open on Friday. The world number four will meet Spain’s Lara Arruabarrena, who broke local hearts by ending the run of wildcard entry Jang Su-Jeong 6-0, 6-4. The third quarter-final also saw the end of an impressive run by veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm of Japan, who will celebrate her 43rd birthday later this month. Krumm, who had claimed the scalp of second-seed Maria Kirilenko to reach the quarter-final stage, took that form into her match with Italy’s Francesca Schiavone, winning the first set 6-4. But the former French Open champion hit back to take the next two sets 6-4, 6-4. “It was very tough,” Schiavone said. “Date was really strong and she deserved to win the first set, but fortunately I managed to get back in the match.” The Italian will meet third seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the semis after the Russian comfortably saw off Irina-Camelia Begu of AFP Romania 6-2, 6-2.

SPORTS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

Vettel scorches Singapore Sebastian Vettel, chasing a fourth straight world title, won a duel with team-mate Mark Webber, dominating the free practice session.

Lotus admit to owing Raikkonen money SINGAPORE: Lotus admitted

Talek HARRIS

SINGAPORE: Formula One championship leader Sebastian Vettel set a scorching pace on Friday as he dominated free practice at the Singapore Grand Prix in ominous style. The young German, chasing a fourth straight world title, won a duel with Red Bull teammate Mark Webber in the second session, timing 1min 44.249sec around the spot-lit Marina Bay street circuit. “It was quite busy; it’s pretty hot out there, good fun and a nice place, but for all of us it’s quite hard work,” said Vettel. “The time we set was a surprise today, I got a good lap in, but I don’t think it’s completely representative. We seem to be quick, but I think Mercedes will be very strong in qualifying tomorrow.” Vettel has won three of the last four races to take a firm grip on the world championship, which he leads by 53 points from Fernando Alonso. He also topped the podium on his last two visits to Singapore. The 26-year-old outdid Webber early in the session and stayed on top as teams moved on to the slower medium tyres and heavier fuel loads. Vettel’s time was 0.604 quicker than Webber, with the two Mercedes of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton occupying third and fourth. Lotus’s Romain Grosjean survived a lock-up to time fifth, ahead of Ferrari’s Fernando

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany speeds up around a corner during his second practice session of the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix on Friday. AFP/ROSLAN RAHMAN Alonso, McLaren’s Jenson Button and the Lotus of Kimi Raikkonen. Williams driver Pastor Maldonado was one of several racers to test the tight circuit’s barriers when he barged his nose into a wall late in the session. Ferrari’s Felipe Massa and Webber both clipped walls on their way round the 3.1-mile (5.1-kilometre) circuit skirting the night-lit skyscrapers and landmarks of downtown Singapore. Several of the practice times beat Raikkonen’s 2008 race lap record of 1:45.599, indi-

cating the five-year-old mark is set to fall on Sunday. A remodelled Turn 10, dubbed the “Singapore Sling” and once one of Formula One’s most notorious corners, has helped slash times along with track resurfacing and smoother kerbs. With Vettel closing on another world title, debate over drivers’ movements has dominated the race build-up after Ferrari re-hired their 2007 champion Raikkonen to pair with Alonso. Massa, who is on his way out of Ferrari, and Nico

Hulkenberg are both linked with Raikkonen’s seat at Lotus, and the rumour mill has gone into overdrive with speculation that Alonso may consider jumping ship to McLaren. However, Alonso was quick to douse any thoughts that he was about to move, insisting he would stay with Ferrari at least until the end of his contract in 2016. “Not really,” Alonso said on Friday, when asked if he was interested in shifting back to McLaren. “I keep repeating that I love Ferrari and I will stay at Ferrari until the end.”

Alonso rebuffs McLaren over shock move SINGAPORE: Former world champion Fernando Alonso rebuffed McLaren Friday over a shock return to the British team, and said he would stay at Ferrari for at least another three years. Alonso said he was flattered by McLaren’s surprise interest, revealed during the run-up to the Singapore Grand Prix, but confirmed he would see out his contract, which runs to 2016. “Not really,” Alonso told journalists on Friday, when asked if he was interested in moving back to McLaren. “I keep repeating that I love Ferrari and I will stay at Ferrari until the end.” He added: “It’s good to have these comments but there are no intentions — I have three more years with Ferrari and I hope

many more to come. “And if we can extend the contract then that would be my hope.” What started as speculation gathered pace in Singapore after McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh and driver Jenson Button both sung the praises of Alonso, world champion in 2005 and 2006. Alonso is reported to be unhappy at Ferrari’s decision to hire another former world champion, Kimi Raikkonen, as his racing partner next season. And McLaren are yet to confirm contracts for either of their drivers, Button and Mexico’s Sergio Perez, for 2014, although the Briton says his deal for next year is a formality. Whitmarsh stirred the pot when he indicated he was open

to Alonso re-joining McLaren, after his single season there in 2007, as early as next season. “I expect our driver line-up for next year to stay the same but we are open to anything and in the long term he would be a great asset,” Whitmarsh told Britain’s Sky television. “Fernando is in charge of his own destiny, but we’ll see.” However, Alonso, currently second in the drivers championship behind Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel, was quick to quash any expectations of a move. “It’s nice to have comments from other teams... they respect my job and my professionalism,” he said. “So it’s good to have these comments but there are no intentions.” Alonso added that he had no

problem with Raikkonen, despite doubts aired by several observers about whether they will be able to work together effectively. “Of course,” he said, when asked whether he was happy Ferrari had signed Raikkonen in place of current co-driver Felipe Massa. “I was pushing a lot for that decision, finally they took Kimi and that’s good... when the team decided to change Felipe, in my opinion Kimi was the best option.” Formula One is currently beset with rumours over drivers’ movements, with both Massa and Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg linked to Raikkonen’s soon-tobe-vacated seat at AFP Lotus.

they owed money to driver Kimi Raikkonen Friday after the former world champion said he quit the team for Ferrari because he hadn’t been paid. Team principal Eric Boullier said it was true that Lotus were behind in their payments to Raikkonen, blaming “cash flow” — but he insisted they would settle up. “The truth is that yes, we owe him money, that’s true. He’s going to be paid, that’s true too,” he said at the Singapore Grand Prix. Boullier said Lotus had a similar problem last year with Raikkonen, who is reported to be owed multi-million dollar performance bonuses. “If you want to have a little bit more of the story, last year in the same period it was the same story — we owed him some money but at the end of the year we paid it,” Boullier said. “It’s just the way we manage our cash-flow, unfortunately we are not as rich as some other teams on the grid.” Raikkonen and Lotus have been sparring over money for some months but on Thursday, he blamed the non-payments for his decision to move to Ferrari. “The reason why I left the team was really on the money side,” Raikkonen said. “And with things like they are, I don’t have my salary.” Several Formula One teams complain that the sport is too expensive, with Spain’s HRT the latest to go to the wall last seaAFP son.

SPORTS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

Mourinho slams crisis talk

LONDON: Jose Mourinho has

slammed talk of a crisis at Stamford Bridge as the Chelsea manager bids to end his side’s dismal run of four matches without a win on Saturday. Mourinho’s men desperately need a victory over their west London neighbours to erase the bitter taste of Wednesday’s shock defeat against Swiss minnows Basel in the Champions League. That was Chelsea’s first home group stage loss in the competition for 10 years and it came hot on the heels of a 1-0 defeat at Everton last weekend, a result which condemned Chelsea to their worst Premier League start for a decade. But Mourinho is convinced his team’s erratic start is merely the growing pains of a young squad who are still adapting to his demands. “For me, no crisis, for me two bad results. We want to change and we’re going to change,” Mourinho said. “I agree we must have better results. I agree we are not the kind of club that is going to wait two, three, four, five years to have a team. We have to accelerate the process, but we are not going to change. “We want this team to play in a certain way and that’s the way we’re going to work.” Liverpool conceded their 100 percent record in Monday’s 2-2 draw at Swansea City, but they remain top of the table by a

MOURINHO’S MEN DESPERATELY NEED A VICTORY OVER FULHAM TO ERASE THE BITTER TASTE OF A SHOCK DEFEAT AGAINST SWISS MINNOWS BASEL.

point and will look to strengthen their position at home to Southampton on Saturday. Manager Brendan Rodgers will be without Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho due to a shoulder injury, but in Daniel Sturridge he has a striker looking to score for the sixth game in succession.

Southampton drew 0-0 at home to West Ham United last weekend and are bidding for a first victory since their 1-0 success at West Bromwich Albion on the opening day of the season. Buoyed by European success Another manager buoyed by mid-week European success was

Manchester giants to clash

they will find themselves six points off the pace. Both United manager David Moyes and his City counterpart Manuel Pellegrini will be experiencing the Manchester derby for the first time,

Boggle

but Moyes can at least draw on an impressive recent record against City. In his last six seasons as Everton manager, the Scot led his side to victory over City in nine AFP out of 12 games.

BASEBALL SOFTBALL FOOTBALL BASKEYBALL

Suduko

SOLUTIONS Scrabble

Wenger plays down Ozil expectations LONDON: Arsenal man-

Number game

LONDON: Manchester United and Manchester City approach Sunday’s city derby knowing defeat for either side would leave them in danger of being cut adrift in the Premier League title race. The new season is only four games old, but both sides have already squandered points — United drawing at home to Chelsea and losing at Liverpool, City drawing at Stoke City and going down at Cardiff City. The pair already trail leaders Liverpool by three points and should Brendan Rodgers’s men prevail at home to Southampton on Saturday, if either side loses the derby,

Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger, whose side won 2-1 at Marseille in the Champions League to record a 10th consecutive away success in all competitions. Wenger is expected to hand a home debut to record signing Mesut Ozil against Stoke City on Saturday, when Arsenal will be chasing a sixth straight victory.

On Sunday, all eyes will be on the Manchester derby as United manager David Moyes and his City counterpart Manuel Pellegrini get their first taste of the fixture’s frenzied atmosphere. Both sides have made spluttering starts to the season, having each amassed seven points from their first four league games, but they both enjoyed convincing wins in mid-week. United opened their Champions League campaign with an entertaining 4-2 win at home to Bayer Leverkusen, while City enjoyed a 3-0 victory away to Czech champions Viktoria Pilsen. United striker Wayne Rooney confirmed his return to form with a brace against Leverkusen and he will now hope to repeat his performance from last season’s equivalent fixture against City, when he scored twice in a 32 victory. “It’s a massive game,” Rooney said. “Two title contenders. It’s not going to define the season, but it’s a big game, a AFP derby.”

ager Arsene Wenger has attempted to play down the expectations surrounding Mesut Ozil (right) ahead of the Germany international’s eagerly anticipated home debut against Stoke City on Sunday. The deadline day arrival of Ozil from Real Madrid for a club record £43 million ($69 million) provided a huge lift to the north London side. And the playmaker made an immediate impact, taking just 11 minutes to set up Olivier Giroud’s opening goal in the 3-1 victory at Sunderland last time out. Ozil’s first appearance suggested he’ll slot into his new surroundings easily, but Wenger insisted it takes time to adjust to the Premier League. “I think he is not at the top physically yet,” Wenger said. “Overall we are very pleased to have him with us, but he will demand a bit of time to

adjust to the vigorous body challenges he will face in the Premier League. Once he has done that, he will be even stronger.” Victory at the Stadium of Light made it six wins in a row for the

Gunners since their opening day home defeat by Aston Villa — a run that has seen them qualify for the Champions League and taken them towards the head of the domestic AFP championship.