MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
WEATHER: A MIX OF CLEAR AND CLOUDY SKIES; 29°C
WWW.POSTNOON.COM
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Reese Witherspoon arrested!
Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon was arrested for disorderly conduct in the US state of Georgia after authorities detained her husband for drunk driving, US media reported on Sunday. While cops questioned her husband Jim Toth after seeing the couple's car swerving early on Friday, the actress allegedly did not make any new friends. Entertainment news website TMZ reported she started acting up, asking "Do you know my name?"
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HYDERABAD’S FIRST COMPACT AFTERNOON NEWSPAPER
W O R L D
E A R T H
D A Y
AS THE METRO RISES, CITY’S TREES BEGIN TO FALL
Residents dream of having a Metro line in their neighbourhood, but reality seems to have sunk in now with the Metro rail officials indiscriminately felling trees. SRINIVAS SETTY
REPORT ON P7 Global warming has its fair share of supporters and dissenters. Despite ample proof, many still refuse to accept the
CHANGE
simple truth that the climate is changing, and not for the good. On World Earth Day, we let the numbers do the talking.
P16&17
IS HERE
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MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
city events
CORPORATE EXPRESSES LUNCH
Testa Rossa is introducing a corporate express lunch, which is specially designed for people on the move. The lunchtime platter consists of a pre-decided menu and changes every day. The lunch is economically prices at `199 for veg and `249 for non-veg option.
Weather for Hyderabad
Evening
Overnight
Morning
New Delhi Max 35 Min 25
Afternoon
32°C
25°C
30°C
36°C
Cloudy and clear skies. Chances of shower.
Cloudy. Chances of a thunderstorm.
Sunny. Chance of a thunderstorm.
Cloudy with sunny periods
Mumbai Max 33 Min 26
Partly cloudy.
Chennai Max 33 Min 28
Clear.
Chance of rain.
Bangalore Max 32 Min 22 Chance of storm.
AROUND THE CITY: YOUR GUIDE TO THE TWIN CITIES WORKSHOPS Summer camp Oakridge is conducting a camp for children in which they can learn story telling, clay modelling and more. Where: Oakridge International School, Nanakramguda Road, When: Ongoing 9 am onwards Contact: (040) 20042460 Filmmaking workshop for children Yavanika Films will conduct a unique filmmaking workshop this summer vacation for children. Where: Begumpet When: From April 24, 2pm to 7pm, Daily classes except on weekends Contact: 94901 00404 All about cycling A half-day interactive workshop on cycling will be organised. Fitness, nutrition, preparing for competition and prevention of injuries are some of the topics to be discussed at the workshop. Where: Alliance Franchise, Road no 3, Banjara Hills When: Registration: Ongoing Event: May 4 Contact: (040) 2335 0008
Hyderabad Film Club is hosting a Bangladeshi Film festival and today the movies Transformation, Spartacus 71 will be screened. Where: Sarathi Studio, 8-3-321, Ameerpet, When: Ongoing, 6:00 pm onwards. Contact: 93910-20243
ART Solo Show Recent works of artist Dr Snehalatha Prasad (Phd in Arts) is on display. Where: Muse Art Gallery, Located in Marriott & Convention Centre, Tank Bund Road When: Ongoing event until April 26. 11 am to 7 pm Contact: (040) 27522203 The Deviant Digital art on canvas by Aekka Yadagiri Rao. Where: ICON Art Gallery, Road no 12 Banjara Hills, When: On till May 3. 11.30 am to 7pm Contact: www.iconart.in
SHOWS Documentary screening Dam'n'ed, a Telugu film with English subtitles on the life of adivasi communities affected by the government’s decision to construct the Polavaram dam. Where: Goethe-Zentrum Hyderabad, 20 Journalist Colony, Road no 3, Banjara Hills When: April 20, 5.30pm onwards Contact: (040) 2335 0443 Film Festival
Malvani cuisine Taj Deccan is hosting Malvani Food Festival at Spice Junxion. Enjoy a scrumptious spread of classic dishes
Commissioner & Spl Officer
Helpline GAS BOOKING IVRS NO HP 9666023456 Indane 9848824365 BSNL Complaints HMWS & SB Complaints
198 155313
POLICE CONTROL ROOM Hyderabad 27852435 Traffic Control Room 27852482 DCP Traffic 23234065, 23243499F Pollution Control Board 23887500 ELECTRICITY General Complaints Breakdown Section
DINING
155333 23431178 23431179
MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
23262266 24166666R ENC 23225267 Engineering 23220418 MCH Tankbund 23225397 Emergency MCH Circle I&II 24525842 MCH Circle III 24736912 MCH Circle IV 23326975 MCH Circle V 23326976 MCH Circle VI MCH Complaints 1100 Head Office 23225397 IVRS CUM MANUAL ENQUIRY PHONE NUMBERS (TRAIN & RESERVATION) RAILWAYS Rail Nilayam 27833169, 27824216 Railway Information 131 Reservations 135 Recorded Information 1345 Enquiry (IVRS) 1331, 1332, 1333
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS: Tourists visit Charminar in Old City. like pandhara kombdiche saar, kale vatana ni gawarchi bhajji and puran poli. Where: Spice Junxion, Taj Deccan, Road No 1, Banjara Hills When: Till April 25 Contact: (040) 6652 3939 IPL Fervor You can order any four or six items from the menu and get the chaat of the day for free. Where: Kailash Parbat, Above Ebony Gautier, 2nd floor, Road No 36, Jubilee Hills When: Ongoing Contact: (040) 2355 8856 Mega mugs TGI Friday's announced TGI Friday’s mega mugs offer to coincide with
WATER SUPPLY Complaint Cell Sewerage Complaint Hyd. Water Supply HOSPITAL General Hospital, Sec-bad Niloufer Hospital, Red Hills NIMS, Director, Punjagutta Osmania General Hospital Railway Hospital, Lalaguda Apollo, Jubilee Hills Care Hospital, Banjara Hills Care Hospital, Nampally Care Hospital, Musheerabad Care Hospital, Sec-bad Kamineni Hospital, LB Nagar
155313 23307328 23313163
27505566 23314095 23390933 24600146 27001134 23607777 30418888 30417777 30419000 30416666 39879999
BLOOD BANKS Blood Bank,Narayanguda Chiranjeevi Blood Bank Blood Bank Mediton Goal Red Cross, Vidyanagar ADRM Blood Bank Mythri Charitable Trust NTR Memorial Trust Care Banjara Hills
the start of the IPL.. Where: Thank God Its Friday RK Cineplex When: Ongoing Contact: (040) 4015 1925
MISCELLANEOUS
Kuchipudi Dance A Kuchipudi dance ballet will be performed by Dr Padmasri Sobha Naidu. Where: Ravindra Bharati, Public Gardens, Saifabad. When: April 23, 6:00 pm onwards. Contact: (040) 23233672
Three for two Taj Safaris offers guests the option of extending their two-day trip. It gives you a third day complementary stay. Where: Taj Safaris When: Offer is valid from April 15 to June 30 Contact: (022) 6601 1825 Furniture Fair Furniture and decorative items are on display. Where: Hitex Fair Grounds, Izzat Nagar, Madhapur. When: Till April 22. Contact: 040 6613-4422
27567892 23559555 23226624 27633087 27035588 27550238 30799999 30418296 30417445
AMBULANCES Apollo 23548888, 23607777 Kamineni 24022222 Medwin 23202902, 23204616 Smile Line Dental Hospital 23747979 Red Cross 27627973 Niloufer Hospital 23314095 Gandhi 23320332 AIRLINES
M ANIL KUMAR
Airport Director 27903785, 27906001 For Air India Flight Information Toll free (from any network) for IC Flights 18001801407 And for All Flights: 1800227722 Air India has revised its flight timings. For more information call (Toll free) 18001801407, 1800227722 from BSNL/MTNL 04023430334 from other lines and mobile Website; www.airindia.in TOURISM OFFICES AP Tourism, Hyd 23262152/53/54 Sec-bad 27893100 Dept of Tourism 23453110 India Tourism 23261360 AP Tourism information Centre (24x7) 23450444, 23455999 UK VISA OFFICE VFS India Pvt Ltd Building, 8-2-542/A, Sunil Chamber, Road No. 7
Beside Meridian School, Banjara Hills34. Working hours are from 8 AM to 1 PM And 2 PM to 3PM. MUSEUMS Salar Jung Museum AP State Museum Nizams Museum
24523211 232431300/7641 24521029
Readers’ views
We invite you to write to us comments, suggestions, viewpoint or just about anything to feedback@postnoon.com or #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500 033 or even by way of a call on 4067 2222
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
City
YESTERDAY’S QUESTION
IS IT RIGHT TO GIVE A SPECIAL PACKAGE TO A PARTICULAR STATE? 31% 62%
YES (A) NO (B)
TODAY’S QUESTION
SHOULD INFRASTRUCTURAL PROGRESS COME AT THE ENVIRONMENT’S EXPENSE? A)
YES
B)
NO
To vote visit www.postnoon.com
CIVIC
CRIME
2k govt posts lie vacant There are over 2,000 vacant posts of directors and chairmen under 38 corporations in the State, awaiting the attention of the CM. will have slow political ramifications in the coming elections, if the matter is not looked into,” says a member of the AP minorities commission. So far, there have been isolated cases of appointments in some government departments. TTD chairman Kanumuri Bapiraju’s second stint as chairman, N Tulasi Reddy’s appointment as chairman of the 20-point programme, senior Congress leader Sitaramaraju’s appointment as member of the public service commission and Mandali Buddha Prasad’s appointment as chairman of official languages commission are few such cases where vacant posts were filled.
RAHUL RAMAKRISHNA rahul.r@postnoon.com
T
here is an undercurrent of resentment among ruling party workers and reports suggest that in view of the coming elections and three-month long events lined up for the CM and the CMO, the vacancies are here to stay. Among the 38 corporations and commissions with no chairmen or directors are the AP State minorities commission, AP State minorities finance commission, AP women’s commission, AP State SC/ST welfare commission and the AP State BC welfare commission. It was promised that these posts would be filled by Sankranthi this year. But these commissions are still functioning without a head.
TROUBLES PLAGUING COMMISSIONS
The AP State women’s commission has been without a chairperson for almost eight years now. The last chairman was trans-
ferred due to political rivalries within the organisation. A three-member deputation staff now steers the organisation, but as Sarala Rajya Lakshmi, project director of the women’s commission, says, “The commission was created to make policy-level changes in women empowerment and welfare related issues. But without a
CRIME Man slits friend’s throat, arrested Md NIZAMUDDIN nizamuddin.a@postnoon.com
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man, Nagaraju, slit his friend’s throat with a shaving razor. The deceased, N Gangadhar, was a labourer who migrated from Kallur village of Kurnool district a couple of years ago. He worked as a labourer at construction sites and also used to wait for work at Labour Adda, near Old Gulshan Hotel, Chikkadpally. He had relatives in Hyderabad, but whenever he had money, he used to consume liquor and quarrel with his co-workers. On the eve of April 19, Gangadhar met Nagaraju.
They consumed liquor near Nala, at Fever Hospital, Nallakunga. Gangadhar was semi-conscious when Nagaraju took him to a pavement near Padma Colony, Achaiah Nagar, Chikkadpally. When he was unable to move, Nagaraju cut the throat of his friend with a shaving razor blade around 8.30pm and bolted. He left Gangadhar bleeding on the pavement. He died on the spot. Two days later, on a tipoff, the staff of Chikkadpally police station arrested the accused Nagaraju. Police say it was due to previous enmity between the two. A case has been registered and investigations are going on.
chairperson, we have been doling out justice like any other regular court and our true potential has been taken away.” Other commissions resound with similar views. “The executive powers of an organisation or the commission are absent because of the absence of a director. In our case, the absent chairman’s post
POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS “In the coming elections, it is absolutely necessary that this issue be tackled before the party cadre, who have been loyal to the party, seep away slowly into the Opposition. It will be a good way of rewarding loyalty towards the party,” says a deputy district director of the AP social welfare commission.
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Man held for IPL betting POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com
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nvolvement in cricket betting over cellphones for the ongoing IPL matches between Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Rajasthan Royals by Karunakar Reddy alerted the police. On credible information, the sleuths of the commissioner’s task force (central zone team), Hyderabad, raided a house near Venkateshwara Swamy Temple, Chikkadpally on Saturday. The team apprehended the accused, who was accepting cricket bettings over cellphones from ‘punters’. The accused is a resident of Moosarambagh, near Dilsukhnagar. The police seized one colour TV with Hathway box, three cellphones and net cash of `56,500. The accused, along with seized material, was handed over to the SHO, Chikkadpally police station, for further action. The raid was conducted under the supervision of P Rameshaiah, additional deputy commissioner of police, commissioner’s task force; A Bhaskar, inspector of police; SI K Satish and staff of central zone task force team.
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city MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
CIVIC
LAST YEAR... HERE
Property reassessment to net GHMC `300 cr
Changing the game
L
ast year we had reported how the State government planned to set up well-equipped English medium government model schools to provide quality education to all. This, they hoped, would reverse the flow to private schools. The plan was to have residential schools so as to prevent children from dropping out. They also decided to improve existing schools.
APRIL 22, 2012
Reassessment will be done according to the door number, as a massive variation was seen in the number of assessments.
NUMEROLOGY
2,000
is the number of trees felled in the City last year. A majority of these were uprooted to make way for the Metro rail project. Officials claim the trees have been translocated.
with the work of developing GIS-based (Geographical Information System) assessment of property tax in Circle No 1, Docket No 101, in the pilot survey, found the results surprising. As per the report of the company, there are 4,705 assessments in Docket No 101 of Kapra Circle. But as per GHMC data, there are only 3,252 assessments. This translates into a huge difference of 1,453 assessments. After this was brought to the notice of the higher officials, they decided to entrust the work of completing the survey of the remaining dockets in the area to the company. According to the officials, it has already submitted a report on 17 dockets. The property tax collections from an average docket is `1.20 crore. After the mapping
Md NIZAMUDDIN nizamuddin.a@postnoon.com
A
fter striking gold with property tax collections for 201213, the GHMC now aims to net an additional income of `300 crore each year by reassessing the properties in the Corporation limits. Reassessment will be done according to the door number, as huge variation was seen in the number of assessments. According to the officials, the GHMC has 338 dockets, with an average of 4,000 assessments (door numbers) in each docket. This means an approximate of 13 lakh assessments will be done by the GHMC within a few months. The responsibility of reassessments has been given to Vensoft India Pvt. Ltd. Vensoft, which was entrusted
Senior citizens have contributed to our society and deserve our respect and gratitude. Instead, they are often mistreated or ignored. This has to change.
After the mapping done through GIS and based on the report, the GHMC reassessed the figure and it was set at `1.90 crore. done through GIS and based on the report, the GHMC reassessed the figure and it was set at `1.90 crore. Thanks to the reassessment, the GHMC can potentially earn `70 lakh to `90 lakh more. “The corporation is thinking of handing over the remaining dockets for reassessment to Vensoft,” said a higher official. “Even though the GHMC will be paying `70,000 for each docket’s mapping, after assess-
ment of 338 dockets, the GHMC will be able to collect between `300 crore and `350 crore based on the report given by the company,” he added. According to the official, over the past two decades, the construction of houses has continued unabated, but information regarding each door number does not exist. Even though the GHMC has seen construction of individual houses, apartments, gated communities, malls, shopping complexes in the recent decades, some of them might have missed the allotment of door numbers. They acknowledge the fact that there was no synchronisation between constructions and allotments of door numbers. With the report submitted by the company, the GHMC will be numbering all the houses in its limits.
R Mamata Bai, Aasara See page 3
THINGS WE 5LEARNT TODAY The column that teaches everyone something new about the way the City functions.
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On World Earth Day, see our tree cover disappear. Over 2,000 trees were felled in the City last year. Most were for the Metro rail project. Planting saplings outside the City and translocating the trees is really no solution. After all, how does it help the City if the trees are elsewhere?
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Treat senior citizens with the respect they deserve. Elder abuse is a growing problem. The victims are reluctant to report the issue because the accused are their own family members. It’s time we stood up for the elderly.
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Committees remain headless, await attention. There are over 2,000 vacant director and chairman posts of important committees in the State, awaiting the CM’s attention.
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Reassess to gain more, says the GHMC. The GHMC will reassess its properties in the hopes of netting an additional `300 crore.
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Young shoppers use mobiles to shop. India’s shopping trends have changed with technology.
NEWS BRIEFS Rain expected in next 24 hours
No more VIP darshan at night in Tirupati
TRS chief received kickbacks, says Rao
Congress T-MPs call for separate state
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I
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C
he State Meteorological Department predicts another spell of rains for the next 24 hours in different parts of the City and the State. Isolated thundershowers are likely to occur. The maximum temperature expected is 35 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature expected is 24 degree Celsius, said officials.
n what could be seen as a huge relief for millions of devotees who visit Tirupati, the TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devestanam) authorities have primarily decided to do away with VIP Break Darshan facility at night. TTD executive officer LV Subramanyam added that the VIP Break Darshan during daytime will be continued as usual.
elangana TDP Forum chairman and senior MLA E Dayakar Rao alleged that TRS president K Chandrasekhara Rao received huge kickbacks from officials in Obulapuram, Bayyarama and Polavaram project issues. He said that he has evidence to prove his allegations and asked him to face a public debate on the issue.
ongress MPs from Telangana region raised the issue of separate state in Parliament. The MPs organised a protest programme in front of the Parliament entrance and raised slogans demanding that the UPA government create the separate state immediately. They also held placards to express their disapproval publicly.
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city MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
POLITICS
Set up standing committees, now! The whole idea behind bringing in the concept of the standing committees was to reduce the number of working days of the budget session. INKESHAF AHMED ahmed.m@postnoon.com
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he delay in formation of the newly announced standing committees by Assembly Speaker Nadendla Manohar is causing great anger among Opposition party MLAs of the House. Most of these MLAs feel that they were tricked by the State government in the name of standing committees. They allege that the State government has starved them of their basic rights as public representatives of the State by announcing the introduction of a new system of vote on account budget and formation of standing committees. “We were skeptical about the functioning of the standing committee from the very beginning. The delay in formation of these committees even after three weeks of the first phase of the budget session vindicated our stand. The whole idea behind bringing in the concept of the standing committees was to reduce the number of working days of the budget session. The reduction in the number of
days of budget session would only mean taking away the rights of Opposition party MLAs in raising their voice,” TDP senior leader and MLA KE Krishna Murthy alleged while speaking to Postnoon on Sunday. Murthy said that the erstwhile system of presentation of annual budget by the State finance minister followed by a lengthy debate on budget proposal was the best system for providing an opportunity for the Opposition to exercise their rights-raising public problems in the House. “Most of the MLAs are a dejected lot now. We used to get adequate amount of time and opportunity to raise public problems in the erstwhile system. But the introduction of the new system, despite having many advantages, will not serve the actual purpose. The reason for this is that there is no compulsion on the part of the State government to implement the recommendations made by the standing committees,” he added. The senior MLA asked the Speaker to immediately form the standing committees and initiate debates on various bud-
CIVIC
getary allocations of the State government. He also warned that the Telugu Desam Party would resort to agitation if the delay continues in coming days. BJP floor leader in AP Assembly E Lakshminarayana said that they are being confronted by the people for not raising the public problems. “When the State government announced its move to introduce standing committees, we thought it would not only mark the
beginning of a parliamentary-type model but also provide an opportunity to us to see that our views, suggestions and recommendations are incorporated in the governance of the State. As a responsible political party, we have already decided to be part of at least nine essential committees, including welfare, urban development and irrigation, to raise our doubts. But the delay in formation of the committees is forcing us to face the wrath of the people,” he said. The floor leader further revealed that as per the information they were given, the standing committees should have begun their functioning by now. He requested the Speaker to immediately get the standing committees functioning. CPI floor leader Gunda Mallesh (in pic) also expressed similar views. He said that it’s high time the State government and the Assembly Speaker proved their sincerity towards the people of the State. The Assembly Speaker had decided to form 12 standing committees to undertake debates and discussions on various budgetary allocations made by the State government in its annual budget.
PILGRIMAGE
Land acquisition a AP’s Haj quota increased hurdle for work As State Road widening projects are being held up due to property acquisition problems. Md NIZAMUDDIN nizamuddin.a@postnoon.com
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he GHMC has taken up road widening and junction improvement work at the congestion points of arterials in different parts of the City. But land acquisition continues to be a big hurdle for the corporation and a headache for officials. The 40ft road from Shankermutt to Shivam via railway track proposed in the Master Plan is almost complete, except for one property in its way. Ironically, it is the property of IAS officer Manjula. According to officials, the site is getting affected to a depth of 10ft. Negotiations were held with her and she expressed willingness to hand over the property, subject to payment of compensation at market value. Road widening between Shalibanda and Falaknuma was one of the top priorities of the corporation. The existing 60ft road from Charminar to Falaknuma is proposed for 80ft
width. In this, 274 properties are getting affected on both sides of the road. According to officials, 232 properties have already been acquired and demolished. A total of 32 properties, including religious structures, are left due to High Court orders against the land acquisition proceedings. Proposed for flyover construction to be completed by the year end, the road widening at Tolichowki Chaurastha is also proceeding at a slow pace. Approved for 150ft wide road from Mehdipatnam to Shaikpet junction, the process is at acquisition level. According to officials at Tolichowki junction, the road width has been increased to 210ft in order to accommodate the proposed flyovers. “Marking has been given and negotiations are in process along with the Tolichowki junction development. Simultaneously, land acquisition process was also initiated,” said GHMC commissioner MT Krishna Babu.
authorities gear up for Haj, the Haj committee sees an increase of 1,756 seats this year. POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com
H
aj is one of the biggest events held under the supervision of the State government every year. The State government, in association with the State Haj committee, is leaving no stone unturned to please the Muslim community in the penultimate year before the crucial 2014 Assembly elections. The State Haj Committee succeeded in getting a huge quota of seats in 2013. The committee got permission to allot 7,322 seats for prospective Haj aspirants as against the original quota of
5,566 seats. Reacting to this, State minority welfare minister Syed Mohammad Ahmadullah said his continuous efforts with the Union government and Central Haj committee led to the increase in the quota. “On behalf of the State government, I have been pursuing the matter with the Union government and Central Haj committee authorities. Our efforts to get an increase in the quota succeeded this year,” he said.
HUGE DEMAND
The demand for Haj is unrelenting. This year too, the State Haj committee received a total of 16,972 applications from across
the State. Committee chairman Syed Khaleeduddin Ahmed said since the last three years, the State Haj committee has been receiving a huge number of applications for Haj and added that the facilities being provided by the State government, including security to perform Haj, is one of the reasons for the huge inflow of the applications.
DRAW OF LOTS TOMORROW
The Qurrah (draw of lots) for selection of pilgrims for Haj 2013 will take place tomorrow. The Centre gives a subsidy of `20,000 to each Haj aspirant who performs Haj under the aegis of State Haj committee.
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city MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
GOLDEN YEARS
‘Community vital for seniors’
HONOURING A LEGEND
A full five years after the inception of GHMC’s senior citizen welfare programme, project director of Aasara R Mamata Bai talks progress, challenges and the path ahead.
PADMINI C padmini.c@postnoon.com Tell us a little bit about Aasara’s current initiatives. Our most recent initiative has been to increase the number of day care centres from 75 to 100 in the City. The commissioner has just announced that he is willing to offer `50,000 to `1,00,000 plus the expenses for a caretaker from GHMC as support for each centre. In addition, we are now looking at setting up and expanding library facilities in the all the zones. Moreover, we have been concentrating a lot of our efforts on the regularity and number of medical camps, especially in the slums, so we can reach the poorest of poor. However, day care centres are your main priority? Yes, without a doubt. The single-most important thing for the welfare and empowerment of senior citizens is community building. Being a part of these local community associations means that they have a support system in case of emergencies, a way to fight depression and loneliness, a platform for sharing grievances, and a body that will fight for the rights of its members. Therefore, it’s crucial to build and encourage this network to reach every area in the City. Senior citizens often say that financial dependence is their biggest woe. In cities like Bangalore and Delhi, job fairs for the elderly have been hugely successful in addressing this concern. Are you planning similar initiatives? It is true that senior citizens come with a wealth of experience and many are still fully capable of putting in more years of
service. Unfortunately, an initiative like this also requires the participation of the industry and we currently don’t have the manpower nor the network to facilitate this. However, if there’s any party willing to come forward, we’ll surely take this up. Elder abuse is another serious concern, isn’t it? Absolutely. Unfortunately, because of financial dependence and since it involves children/immediate family, they remain mum. We have been canvassing extensively to encourage associations to provide counselling and to raise awareness among seniors about their rights. Going forward, what should be the areas of focus for the State? A lot can be done to change their plight. But the priority should be on (i) providing comprehensive medical insurance as 60 to 70 per cent of the expense incurred by seniors are health-related. The government should encourage private hospitals to bring out elder friendly policies. (ii) Commuting facilities should be improved. For instance, in many states, bus travel is completely free for them. We must replicate a similar model. (iii) Recreational facilities must be improved so they can become a vibrant community. (iv) Pensions should be regularised and (v) the Senior Citizens Act must be implemented in letter and in spirit. Any other thoughts? We have to realise that these senior citizens have worked all their lives and contributed to our society and therefore deserve our respect and gratitude. Instead, they are often mistreated or ignored. This has to change. N SHIVA KUMAR
Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah felicitates popular Telugu writer Dr Ravuri Bharadwaja, who has been selected for the prestigious Jnanpith Award, 2012. The function took place at Taj Mahal Hotel in Abids on Sunday.
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city MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
ENVIRONMENT
Metro rail takes out City’s green cover
Residents dream of having a Metro rail line in their neighbourhood, but reality seems to have sunk in, especially after Metro rail officials indiscriminately felled trees. SRINIVAS SETTY
ALEENA ALICE aleena.t@postnoon.com
“W
hen the well runs dry, we know the true value of water,” said Benjamin Franklin. Looking at the way the City is rapidly turning into a concrete jungle, this quote seems very relevant. Today being Earth Day, environmentalists and officials talk about the harsh reality that many seem to be turning a blind eye to the environment. With over 2,000 trees uprooted in the City over the last one year because of the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) project, and a few by residents themselves, the City is losing its green cover every day. Environmentalists and denizens raise their concern about how the mass chopping of trees will have an adverse affect on the environment. Though Metro officials claim that the trees are being translocated and new saplings are being planted to make up for the loss of the trees that are felled, conservationists and citizens do not seem convinced. With a few thousand more trees to be axed shortly, what is raising concern is that the officials are doing nothing to give back to the City and the people what they are taking away from them. Just a few days ago, dozens of trees were felled at Ameerpet for the Metro rail project. According to an activist, what the officials have been putting on paper about translocations and sapling planting is quite different in reality. “Though the authorities concerned have been announcing that for every tree that is felled they are planting five saplings in the peripheral areas of the City, what is the proof that they are
With over 2,000 trees uprooted in the City over the last one year because of the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) project, the City is losing its green cover. really doing so? There is no one to keep a check. Depriving the people in the vicinity of trees, what is the point of them planting trees 50-100 kilometres away from where the trees are uprooted? The officials are taking away the lung space of the people and making bogus claims,” says social scientist C Ramachandraiah. Adding that there is no value
for the trees that are translocated to new areas, he says, “There is hardly any chance for these trees to survive, the main reason being that there is no one to take care of them. The officials have not shown proper records of the planting of new saplings, neither of the translocation of trees. Despite suggestions from many environmentalists, Metro officials have been going ahead and ignoring our protest,” he says. Meanwhile, Metro officials claim that they are doing everything they can to protect the City’s green cover. The OSD, urban forestry in HMR, Swamy Das speaking to Postnoon, said, “So far, the HMR translocated nearly 700 trees and planted 60,000 saplings. We will be planting saplings in various schools in the City apart from in the peripheral areas,” he said.
On one hand, citizens and various activists are protesting against the cutting down of trees and on the other hand, government officials are conducting conflicting activities in the name of development. So what can be a solution to the problem? A few environmentalists say that the government should at least ensure that it adhere to the regulations of providing open spaces for citizens. “For every given density of population, there is a rule that open areas like parks and playgrounds should be available for lung space. So the government should encourage parks and plant trees in them. This way, the dependency on trees along roads will also decrease,” says environmentalist S Sailesh Kumar. Meanwhile, there are a few environmental advocates who
state that petitions should be moved to the National Green Tribunal to report violations by the government itself. “According to the Environmental Protection Act, 1986, the felling of fully grown trees is wrong. It is nothing but green murder. However, what the government seems to be using here is the principal of Eminent Domain, where the government is felling trees in the name of urban development. But even then, they are not ensuring that green cover is given back to the City. There are discussions for a petition to be filed under the National Green Tribunal Act to ensure that the Metro authorities in reality give back the green cover that they are taking away from the citizens,” says Dr Venkateswara Rao, assistant professor, University College of Law.
8
city MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
CONSUMER SURVEY
RINGING UP YOUR
Comparing product prices (72%) was the top activity for mobile shoppers. Home (71%) was the favourite point of access for mobile shoppers.
PURCHASES
Over 43% of shoppers accessed shopping sites at night. 62% of mobile shoppers always checked prices on their phone before they shopped in a store or a mall.
Key highlights of the eBay India SummerMobile Commerce Survey
59%
For over 52% of mobile shoppers, debit card is the preferred mode of payment.
of mobile shoppers stated they would consider shopping on their cellphone this summer to avoid the summer heat and crowded market areas.
Popular merchandise to shop on the mobile include SUNGLASSES
COTTON APPAREL
TEES
SHORTS
CAPS
49% 43% 36% 34% 18% While gadget shopping,
67%
of mobile shoppers are seeking to buy cellphones, followed by tablets at
35%
The top colours this season for mobile shoppers are WHITE
BLUE
GREEN
BLACK
CREAM
56% 50% 22% 20% 20%
83%
of mobile shoppers prefer to use their mobiles to shop for themselves, while
consumers use their mobile to shop for their parents,
29%
shoppers use their mobile to shop for children.
for their spouses,
53% 47% 85%
30%
19%
of consumers have downloaded the eBay app or surfed the eBay website via mobile phones/tablets.
PHONES
will be the most popu- CLOTHES & FOOTWEAR lar category of purchase by mobile commerce shoppers for their family and friends this season, followed by
of all respondents stated that they accessed shopping sites or shopping apps on their mobile device; with 60 per cent of respondents stating that they had bought a product online on their mobile device.
42%
Over 25% of mobile shoppers preferred to shop via their mobile device for products in the price range of `10,001 and above.
Cellphones are no longer just used for making calls, sending messages and playing games. The new-age customer has taken to his mobile device to fulfill his inner shopaholic and the plethora of online shopping sites has helped the trend really take off. Leading e-commerce website eBay conducted a survey of 1,345 eBay India users to find out what makes them tick. The sample group was overwhelmingly male, with 92 per cent respondents being men, and young, with 39 per cent of consumers being between the ages of 18-25 and 31 per cent being between 26-30 years. A total of 49 per cent were from non-metros.
36%
of mobile shoppers shop once or twice a month, while 24 per cent shop via their mobiles frequently.
Convenience of mobile shopping is what makes 54% of consumers shop via mobile phones /tablets.
57%
of consumers use 3G services, 32% use 2G services and only 11% use EDGE.
Cellphones continue to be the favourite mobile internet device for mobile shoppers at 51%; with 18% using both their mobile and tablet equally.
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
focus
NO ONE TO TURN TO
Public spending on health in India amounts to just four per cent of GDP, less than Afghanistan, according to the WHO. A lack of private insurance and a public system that has “collapsed” according to the country’s rural development minister means an estimated 70 per cent of healthcare spending is borne by Indians out of their own pockets.
HEALTHCARE
9
In India, ‘no frills’ hospitals offer $800 heart surgery AFP PHOTO/MANJUNATH KIRAN
ADAM PLOWRIGHT AFP BANGALORE: What if hospitals were run like a mix of WalMart and a low-cost airline? The result might be something like the chain of “no-frills” Narayana Hrudayalaya clinics in India. Using pre-fabricated buildings, stripping out ACs and even training visitors to help with postoperative care, the group believes it can cut the cost of heart surgery to an astonishing $800. “Today healthcare has got phenomenal services to offer. Almost every disease can be cured and if you can’t cure patients, you can give them meaningful life,” says founder Devi Shetty, one of the world’s most famous heart surgeons. “But what percentage of the people of this planet can afford it? A hundred years after the first heart surgery, less than 10 per cent of the world’s population can,” he told AFP from his office in Bangalore. Already famous for his “heart factory” in Bangalore, which does the highest number of cardiac operations in the world, Narayana Hrudayalaya (Temple of the Heart) projects are ultra low-cost facilities. The first is a single-storey hospital in Mysore, which was built for about `400 million ($7.4 million) in only 10 months and recently opened its doors. Set amid palm trees and with five operating theatres for cardiac, brain and kidney procedures, Shetty boasts how it was built at a fraction of the cost of equivalents in the rich world. “Near Stanford (in the US), they are building a 200-300 bed hospital. They are likely to spend over $600 million,” he said. “There is a hospital coming up in London. They are likely to spend over a billion pounds,” added the father of four, who has a large print of Mother Teresa on his wall — one of his most famous patients. “Our target is to build and equip a hospital for six million dollars and build it in six months.” The Mysore facility represents his vision for the future of
healthcare in India — and a model likely to burnish India’s reputation as a centre for lowcost innovation. Air-conditioning is restricted to operating theatres and intensive care units. Ventilation comes from large windows in the wards. Relatives visiting patients undergo a four-hour nursing course and are expected to change bandages and do other simple tasks. In its architecture, Shetty rejected the generic multi-storey model, which requires costly foundations and steel reinforcements as well as lifts and complex fire safety equipment. Much of the building was pre-fabricated off site and then quickly assembled.
With few ACs, prefabricated buildings and visitors helping out, the hospitals aim to make surgery affordable.
ROLL-OUT PLANS
The Mysore facility will be followed by others in Bhubaneswar and Siliguri. Each will owe its existence to Shetty’s original success story, his pioneering cardiac hospital in Bangalore which opened in 2001. About 30 heart surgeries are performed there daily, the highest in the world, at a break-even cost of $1,800. Most patients are charged more than this, but some of the poorest are treated for free. Its success has made Shetty a
wealthy man and earned him international renown. Al-Jazeera recently broadcast a six-part series on the hospital whose wards are packed with low-
income farmers and labourers. In the crammed waiting room, families from across South Asia wait for appointments with the boss who juggles them between stints in theatre. “We saw him on TV recently and we could see his commitment to poor and middle class people like us,” said Ranjan Bhattacharya, a civil servant, who brought his ill wife 2,000 km by train from northeast India. In its dealings with suppliers, the hospital group works like a supermarket, buying expensive items such as heart valves in bulk. By running the operating theatres from early morning to late at night, six days a week, it is inspired by low-cost airlines which keep their planes in the air as much as possible. The British-trained surgeon sniffs at the output of Western counterparts who might do a handful of operations a week. Each of his surgeons does up to four a day on a fraction of the wages of those in the West. “Essentially we realised that as you do more numbers, your results get better and your cost goes down,” he said.
SYSTEMIC ‘COLLAPSE’
Public spending on health in
India amounts to just four per cent of GDP, less than Afghanistan, according to the WHO. A lack of private insurance and a public system that has “collapsed” according to the country’s rural development minister means an estimated 70 per cent of healthcare spending is borne by Indians out of their own pockets. So is Shetty a sharp-witted businessman who has spotted a gap in the market or a philanthropist? “We believe that charity is not scalable. If you give anything free of cost, it is a matter of time before you run out of money, and people are not asking for anything free,” he said. His first foreign venture is a hospital on the Cayman Islands, targeting locals who would travel to the US for expensive treatment, and he says he would love to expand into Africa. From 6,000 beds now in 17 clinics, he aims to expand Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospitals to a group with 30,000 beds in the next five years. “The current regulatory structures, policies and business strategies (for healthcare) that we have are wrong. If they were right, we should have reached 90 per cent of the world’s population," he said.
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
Business
OIL PRICES UP IN ASIA ON BARGAIN HUNTING
Oil prices rose in Asian trade Monday as bargain-hunters moved in following a price plunge last week as investors waited for fresh economic data from China, analysts said.
WATER PURIFIERS
PRUDHVI RAJU K prudhvi.k@postnoon.com
D
espite the economic slowdown, the market for domestic water purification systems is estimated to be growing at 10 per per annum and the market is pegged at around `1,909 crore (Products alone not service/spares etc. and not including water filters). The humongous growth of water purifiers market also pushed even local players to take their share in the market. “There is a mixture of organized and unorganized players but their size varies from market to market. Certain markets like Gujarat, Delhi NCR and Madurai are flooded with local players who import components and assemble it. The best estimates would put the organized sector at around 60-70 per cent of the market,” says Marzin Shroff, CEO Direct Sales & Sr Vice President Marketing, Eureka Forbes. He further adds, “There is an intense competition among the branded players with Eureka Forbes dominating the market with a 55 per cent share. With over 146 branded purifiers, 10 large players are vying for a share of the domestic water purification market. In a way, this competition is healthy for the industry, which increases the overall size of the market." On challenges for the industry, Marzin says, “The consumers are unaware of the right technology/product appropriate for purification in a particular water condition. For instance, when you have a health problem, the doctor prescribes the medicines that are required to cure you based on your symptoms and health condition. Similarly when it comes to water, understanding of the problem is a must even before trying to address it. One should choose condition specific purification and use technologies like RO, UF, UV, NF or combine them when needed appropriately. “Various brands of water
10
MITSUI SURGE
‘Pure water’ market stays unaffected by slump
The market for domestic water purification systems is estimated to be growing at 10 per per annum.
purifiers available in the market recommend various technologies. In fact, at times, they claim what is incorrect or not true. A recent example was one brand claiming ‘0% wastage RO purifier’. What the advertised product does is to provide a tank to collect the reject water. There is no membrane/ RO purifier that can provide 0% water wastage as of now, it is a myth. On the other hand, film stars, cricketers and others who have no knowledge of water purity recommend products to consumers. It is important for consumers to open their eyes and know the facts before they choose a water purifier.” When asked the about the value addition of his brand to the customer, Marzin explains, “Through extensive mapping of water quality of India where we have a complete know-how of the water quality in various parts of the country. Almost 30 years of Research & Development has created over 17 different technologies for water purification. There are over 17 different kinds of water conditions and only Aquaguard (and no other brand of water purifier) has solutions and technologies to address all these different water conditions.” Objectionable taste, high TDS, high salinity, high hardness or other chemicals like excess calcium, poisonous heavy metals like Arsenic, chromium or excess fluoride or nitrate in their water is pushing the need of water purifier even in rural India. When asked the need of subsidising the water purifiers from government to address the issue of the people who cannot afford water purifier, he explains, “The answer always does not have to be outside with someone else. Companies like ours are now tying up with the local village communities to provide community water plants. These plants go on to become a source of living for the villagers. Today over 100 Aquaguard water shops are already functional in rural India.”
GOLD `26,267 10g SILVER `43,813 1kg
24C
for
for
DOLLAR `54.13 POUND `82.44
Shares in Japan's Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding surged on Monday morning following a report that the shipbuilding giants are starting merger talks. By the morning break, Mitsui Engineering was up 13.60 percent to 192 yen while Kawasaki Heavy's shares advanced 1.80 percent to 339 yen. Earlier, the Tokyo Stock Exchange temporarily suspended trading in the firms' shares "to confirm whether the report is true or not", it said in a statement. However, both firms dismissed the report in the leading Nikkei business daily, with Kawasaki saying: "This is not what we have announced and there is no truth to the report."
NUMEROLOGY
2030
is the time by which the World Bank vows to to eradicate extreme poverty to 3.0 percent or less of the world's population.
OPEN SKIES The Israeli government approved an Open Skies deal with European carriers on Sunday, as local airline workers went on strike with hundreds burning tyres outside the premier's office in protest against the plan. "The goal of the reform we approved today is to reduce the costs of flights to and from Israel and to increase incoming tourism," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement, saying the deal had been in the works for "many years." "We will continue to advance reforms to reduce the cost of living and increase the efficiency of services to Israelis," he said.
THUS SPAKE You probably all know Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and Opel, but many of you may not know... Baojun passenger cars.
BSE NSE
BOB SOCIA GM CHINA PRESIDENT
19068.78 54.13
5809.00 25.90
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
nation
PM URGES SMOOTH FUNCTIONING OF PARLIAMENT
The government was ready to debate all issues, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said today as he appealed to the opposition for smooth functioning of parliament. "It is my sincere wish that house will function. If there are any concerns of the opposition we are willing to debate all," Manmohan Singh told reporters.
RAPE CAPITAL
11
SUCCESSFUL RECOVERY
Second accused arrested In a joint operation, the Delhi and Bihar police arrest one more person allegedly involved in the rape of a five-year-old. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who underwent surgery for sinusitis two days ago, has recovered successfully, a doctor said yesterday. "Mrs Sheila Dikshit has had uncomplicated recovery since her sinus surgery two days ago," said a statement from Dr. Ashok Seth, chairman of Fortis Escorts Heart Institute. Dikshit, 75, underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) on Friday at the Fortis Escorts Heart Institute. IANS
Manoj in 15 days’ custody NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Sunday sent the first accused in the five-year-old girl’s brutal torture and rape here to 14 days’ judicial custody. Manoj, who was arrested from his village in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district, was presented before a magistrate who sent him to judicial custody till May 4. IANS
NUMEROLOGY
`1,500
Protests rock Delhi NEW DELHI: Angry protesters staged a second day of demonstrations yesterday to voice outrage over the brutal rape of a five-year-old girl — storming the barricades outside the residences of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Demonstrators squatted on the streets, shouted slogans and scuffled with policemen over the rising incidence of rapes, even as two more rape incidents were reported — of an 11-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl in separate incidents.
400
Delhi has witnessed around 400 rapes since the beginning of the year. The government enacted a stringent anti-rape law, providing for death penalty for rarest of rare rape cases, following the Dec 16 gang-rape, which led to the 23-year-old's death.
Police to blame? NEW DELHI: Amnesty International India yesterday called for an impartial probe into the alleged misconduct of police officials. “This case shows the appalling extent of indifference in the police force to violence against women and girls,” said G Ananthapadmanabhan, chief executive of Amnesty International India.
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal Monday demanded that the minimum support price (MSP) for wheat be fixed at Rs1,500 per quintal by the centre. An activist and supporter of India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is watched by security officials as she shouts slogans outside the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s residence during a demonstration against the rape of a five-year old girl, in New Delhi yesterday.
NEW DELHI: One more person allegedly involved in the rape of a five-year-old girl here a week ago has been arrested, police said today. Pradeep, the second accused, was apprehended from Bihar in a joint operation by Delhi and Bihar Police, Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar told PTI. “He will be brought to Delhi today after getting a transit remand from Darbhanga court,” Kumar said. Manoj, the first accused who was arrested on Saturday from
Muzaffarpur in Bihar, had told police during interrogation that one of his friends was also involved in the crime. The girl was raped on April 15 in a building in east Delhi’s Gandhi Nagar locality where the victim and accused Manoj lived and she was rescued 40 hours later on April 17. Manoj had fled from the house thinking that the girl was dead. Pradeep’s arrest came after investigators yesterday launched a hunt following protests here demanding the removal of the Police Commissioner. PTI
‘Stop politicising rapes’ KOLKATA: Expressing displeasure with parties like the BJP “politicising” the brutal rape of a five-year-old girl in Delhi, Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh called for the growing incidence of child sexual abuse to be looked in “totality” with the help of social activists, law makers and enforcers. “I think we strongly condemn all such incidents. Unfortunately political parties
are politicising this dastardly act,” he told reporters here. “If you remember that immediately after the Delhi gangrape, government of India had given this task to Justice Verma to suggest changes in the law and you must compliment government of India also for the quick response to the recommendations of the Justice Verma committee,” Singh said. IANS
Contsable kills parents NEW DELHI: A middleaged couple was stabbed to death here by their constable son, while his wife looked on, following an argument over the victims’ interference in his marital affairs, police said yesterday. Constable Neeraj, 28, posted at the Patiala House court complex in central Delhi, was arrested for murdering his father Dharam Singh and mother Kamlesh, both in their late 40s, after an altercation with them on Saturday night at their house at Chhawla area in west Delhi, police said. The victims’ bodies were found yesterday around 6.30am. An iron rod and a kitchen knife used in the crime were recovered from the victims’ house, the police added. Neeraj was questioned after the bodies were recovered and he confessed to the killings, the authorities said.
BJP ALLEGES COVER UP Alleging "massive cover up" in 2G spectrum allocation, the BJP today said that it had sought adjournment of question hour in both houses of parliament to raise the issue of the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) report on the scandal. "There is a massive cover up of the 2G scam by the JPC. Why did they have to show the report to the law minister, when Supreme Court had said the report should not be shown to bosses," said Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar today, day one of the second half of parliament's budget session.
We ought to identify best practices, document them properly and disseminate them widely so that we are prepared when a disaster hits. Manmohan Singh Prime Minister
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
World
GOOGLE BOSS DEFENDS UK TAX BILL Google’s executive chairman Eric Schmidt insisted that the company’s “key” role in developing Britain’s electronic commerce sector should be taken into account in the row over its controversial tax arrangements. According to figures cited by Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke, Google paid only £3.4 million in British corporation tax in 2011 on revenues totalling about £2.5 billion, sparking fury in austerity-hit Britain.
BOSTON BLASTS
‘YOU KNOW MY NAME?’
It could be hard to quiz blast suspect The Boston mayor, Tom Menino, told This Week on ABC that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was so seriously ill that agents might never be able to interrogate him.
T
he surviving Boston bombings suspect is so seriously injured that investigators may struggle to interrogate him effectively, it was suggested on Sunday, as further questions were raised about the FBI’s previous contacts with his dead brother, reported the Guardian. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the 19year-old who is accused of plant-
100
SACRE BLEU! Adriana Passacantilli, 7, and her mother Sue participate in a candelight vigil for Roseann Sdoia who was seriously injured during the Boston Marathon bombings on April 21, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. AFP
agents might never be able to interrogate him. “We don’t know if we’ll ever be able to question the individual,” he said. Dan Coats, a Republican member of the Senate intelligence committee, told ABC: “The information that we have is that there was a shot to the throat. It doesn’t mean he can’t communicate, but right now I think he’s in a condition where we can’t get any information from him at all.” The Boston police commissioner, Ed Davis, said the broth-
ers had probably planned more attacks, based on the many more unexploded homemade bombs found at the scene of their gun battle on Friday with police. The stockpile was “as dangerous as it gets in urban policing”, Davis said. “We have reason to believe, based upon the evidence that was found at that scene – the explosions, the explosive ordnance that was unexploded and the firepower that they had – that they were going to attack other individuals,” he told CBS.
‘FBI dropped the ball’
A
Congressman accused the FBI of having “dropped the ball” after the bureau admitted that it interviewed Tamerlan Tsarnaev in early 2011 at the request of a foreign government, believed to be Russia, which had concerns he was linked to Islamist terrorism. The FBI said it concluded he was not involved in terrorism.
NEWS BRIEFS SEast Asian leaders aim to patch maritime rifts
Protesters in final bid to block France gay law
Militants capture town in northeastern Mali
Iran to stand with Syria in face of crisis
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN:
PARIS: Tens of thousands of opponents of government plans to legalise gay marriage marched in Paris Sunday two days before a final vote on the bill, which has provoked fierce and sometimes violent protests. Protesters shouted slogans against President Francois Hollande as they made their way through the city.
GAO: Arab militants captured a village near Mali’s desert city of Timbuktu on Sunday, sources told AFP, as ethnic Tuareg rebels massed in a show of strength near another key northern city. The Arab Movement of Azawad (MAA) told AFP it had taken Ber, a settlement of around 9,000 people some 50 kilometres (30 miles) east of Timbuktu.
DAMASCUS: Iran has expressed its solidarity with Syria amid prevailing crisis, with the visiting national security head from Tehran assuring support to President Bashar alAssad’s efforts to handle “aggressive foreign policies”. Alaeddin Boroujerdi has arrived in Syria on a three-day visit to discuss prevailing situation with top Syrian officials.
SEast Asian leaders will focus on rebuilding unity when they meet in Brunei this week after rifts over how to handle territorial disputes with an assertive China. The summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) convenes amid China’s aggressive claiming nearly all of the South China Sea.
years
Dirce Navarro de Camargo, Brazil’s richest woman and the widow of the founder of the private conglomerate Camargo Correa, has died at the age of 100, press reports said Sunday.
T
ing the pressure-cooker bombs with his older brother Tamerlan that killed three and injured more than 180 at the Boston Marathon last Monday, was being treated in hospital for a reported bullet wound to the throat and was unable to speak. He was captured on Friday night, a day after a violent gun battle with police that left his brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, dead. The Boston mayor, Tom Menino, told This Week on ABC that he was so seriously ill that
Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon was arrested for disorderly conduct in the US state of Georgia after authorities detained her husband for drunk driving, US media reported Sunday. Entertainment news website TMZ reported she started acting up, asking “Do you know my name?” An officer answered, “No, I don’t need to know your name,” to which the 37year-old reportedly shot back: “You’re about to find out who I am ... You are going to be on national news.”
NUMEROLOGY
Suspect is stable he surviving Boston bombing suspect is awake and responding to questions in writing, several US media outlets reported late Sunday. NBC News, citing federal officials, reported that despite a throat injury that keeps him from talking, the Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was beginning to respond to questions from investigators.
12
A French deckhand survived after a crocodile latched onto his head in northern Australia by punching the reptile repeatedly until it let go, a report said on Monday. Yoann Galeran, 29, had swum out to retrieve a moored dinghy at Nhulunbuy on Sunday evening when the two-metre (6.5 feet) saltwater croc attacked, grabbing him by the head and rolling him in the water. His employer, Lisa Heathcote, told the Northern Territory News that Galeran was able to fight off the beast before scrambling to safety aboard the dinghy and making it back to shore.
The Burmese government engaged in a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya that continues today through the denial of aid and restrictions on movement. Phil Robertson Human Rights watch
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
13
THE PAGE DEDICATED TO WOMEN AND THE ISSUES THEY FACE ACROSS THE GLOBE
VANGUARD OF CHANGE
Inspiring women
Gender equality important for prosperity
A
new study finds women give longer and more confident political speeches when they are exposed to images of female role models. Previous research has found that the presence of female leaders in government has a significant effect on girls' educational goals, and seeing other women in STEM (science, technology, engineer and math) careers can help women want to pursue those careers themselves.
Encouraging diversity
W
T
ith women projected to comprise a majority of the world’s urban dwellers and head increasing numbers of households, gender equality in employment, housing, health and education is vital to ensure the prosperity of the cities of the future, according to a new United Nations study. “Women are key drivers of economic growth and wealth in the hands of women leads to much more equitable outcomes in terms of the quality of life of families and communities,” the study, entitled State of Women in Cities Report 2012/13, said.
he majority of Australia’s listed companies now have a gender diversity policy in place or plan to implement one, according to the findings of an independent report released by ASX. Larger companies are more likely to have diversity policies with measurable objectives and the data indicated there is a direct, positive correlation between the size of an entity and the development of measurable objectives.
AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF
It is a shocking incident and the way this fiveyear-old girl was raped shows the sick mentality of men. There is a need to change this mentality.
It makes absolutely no sense to have a significant proportionate of the population (women) underutilised and hampered by barriers to achievement.
Krishna Tirath WCD minister
Maria Miller UK minister
UNDER ATTACK
WORKING WOMEN
Mentally challenged woman raped in Pune
Germany rejects female board member quota bill
A
22-year-old mentally challenged woman has been allegedly raped by a ward boy at a hospital in Chinchwad, Pune, where she was admitted. What’s worse, the doctor couple who run Suyash hospital attempted to cover up the crime by blackmailing the accused into giving the `5 lakh to overlook the matter. The ward boy, Subhash Bhausaheb Bhodad (22), has been arrested, as have the doctor couple, Dr Varsha Vishal Sonawane and Dr Vishal Atmaram Sonawane.
A CHANGE IS COMING BIG SISTERS
B
ig Brothers Big Sisters of America is a nonprofit organisation whose mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors. It is one of the oldest and largest youth mentoring organisations in the United States. Big Brothers Big Sisters organisation mentors children of all ages in communities across the country.
A Kurdish female fighter observes the movement of Syrian government forces in Aleppo.
Anorexic in Sweden? Become a model! Talent scouts from modelling agencies have been waiting outside eating disorder treatment centres and approaching patients with offers.
A
Stockholm treatment centre for eating disorders said recently that talent scouts from modelling agencies had approached their patients outside the clinic, hoping to recruit them. “They were outside the building and waited for the girls to go out for a walk,” the director of the public institution, Anna-Maria af Sandeberg, told Swedish news agency TT, without naming the agencies. The unscrupulous head hunters were familiar with the patients’ routine and would stop at nothing, she added.
“One of those contacted was in a wheelchair because she was so skinny,” af Sandeberg said. The incident took place several months ago, and the girls’ schedules have since been changed.
The director of the Elite Model Management agency in Stockholm, Fredo Kazemi, denounced the methods as “disgusting and unethical”. “I do not think that any large, serious agencies work this way,” he told TT. The Stockholm centre for eating disorders is the largest of its kind in Sweden, currently treating 1,200 patients. The fashion industry is regularly accused of promoting extreme thinness and working with models that suffer from eating disorders. Earlier this year, Israel banned models with a BMI level below 18.5 from advertising campaigns. AFP
G
erman MPs have voted against a proposal to introduce a legally binding quota for female representation on the boards of companies, after a charged debate in which one MP spoke of "networking in the men's room". Germany has one of the lowest levels of female corporate representation in the developed world, at just four per cent. The proposed bill would have seen German companies have 40 per cent of board seats occupied by women by 2023.
ON THE FRONTLINES SOJOURNER TRUTH
B
orn a slave, Sojourner Truth escaped with her baby girl to freedom at the age of 29. The African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist is best known for her extemporaneous speech, 'Ain't I A Woman' on gender inequalities. Truth even preached to the Michigan Legislature against capital punishment.
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
Comment You could not step twice into the same rivers; for other waters are ever flowing on to you.
HIGH-FLYING THOUGHTS
Today’s Google doodle is about the Earth Day. It, like many others before, is pretty neat. But would this cute combination of lines instill in us that love of nature that could be the one thing required to save Mother Earth. Let’s hope so.
TURBULENT TIMES
Myanmar unrest tests iconic status of Suu Kyi LETTER FROM MYANMAR Amelie Bottollier-Depois
Heraclitus Greek philosopher
Drug wars in no-man’s land ALEXANDRE PEYRILLE
Agence France-Presse
P
araguay, which elects a new president Sunday, may be small and unassuming. But it is the world number-two marijuana producer and a transit point for cocaine headed to Brazil and Europe, so organized crime casts a long shadow. In this mostly rural, sparselypopulated nation of 6.5 million sandwiched between Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia, small planes wing in from hidden airfields in Bolivia and Colombia to touch down at sprawling ranches in Paraguay’s northeast. The distribution network is often anything but discreet: traffickers routinely dump drug cargo right out of the sky onto roads and fields -- since the state does not control its land or air border security in the area. Trucks pick up the illegal shipments and rumble right off to booming Brazil. And so do bikes, cars and even traffickers on foot. “There are parents who tell their children: go into trafficking. You will make a lot of money. Little girls dream of marrying drug lords," Liberal senator Robert Acevedo told AFP. And the tonnes of illegal drugs flowing through the area have upped the stakes in terms of violence that often shadows ultralucrative organized crime, and here, in clashes between Brazilian and Paraguayan drug rings. “The deaths you see are Mexican-style. There are decapitated bodies, arms severed, bodies burned alive," he said. “We are in a process of a Mexicanization of the violence."
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A
ung San Suu Kyi’s refusal to condemn attacks on Muslims in Myanmar has dimmed the Nobel laureate’s lustre among global rights campaigners, but observers say her reticence will do her no harm with voters. Nearly a month after religious riots killed 43 people in central Myanmar, the former political prisoner turned lawmaker finally voiced sympathy for Muslims targeted by violence that saw mosques and homes razed. But Suu Kyi again failed to clearly condemn attacks against Muslims -- who represent an estimated four percent of the population -- or hate speech by some extremist Buddhist monks. Instead, as in 2012 when two waves of violence between the stateless Rohingya Muslims and ethnic Rakhine Buddhists caused more than 180 deaths in the west, the opposition leader more indirectly urged respect for the “rule of law". “They did not feel they belonged anywhere else and you are just sad for them that they are made to feel they did not belong to our country either," she said of Myanmar’s
Muslims last week during a visit to Japan. But Suu Kyi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 and endured years of house arrest, defended the restrained nature of her remarks and said: “I am sorry if people do not find my comments interesting enough to acknowledge them." Rights groups say her comments, delivered late and without criticism of the perpetrators of violence, sit uncomfortably with her position as a democracy champion who led a long
fight against Myanmar’s former military junta. “I’m glad she is in some ways recognising that these people are facing a very, very difficult situation” but “there has to be more than just her feeling sad," said Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch. “The burden of action here lies with the government, but she is not an ordinary opposition leader either... and this is where some of this moral authority built up over the years needs to be used," he added.
For their part Myanmar’s ethnic minorities harbour suspicions of the Burman majority group -- including Suu Kyi -and complain that discrimination endures under Myanmar’s civilian-led reformist government. The Rohingya in particular feel let down by Suu Kyi. Some 800,000 of the minority group, considered by the UN as one of the most persecuted in the world, live in Rakhine State where tens of thousands of people were displaced by the violence last year and still languish in makeshift camps. Human Rights Watch has accused security forces of allowing and in some cases leading assaults against the Rohingya. Abu Tahay from the National Democratic Party for Development, which represents the Rohingya, said Suu Kyi has an “obligation” to intervene given her status as daughter of independence hero Aung San and a “democratic icon". Yet he stepped back from openly criticising the leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) — which is tipped to win general elections in 2015 that could install Suu Kyi as Myanmar’s president. Suu Kyi’s core constituency in the dominant Burman population sees the Rohingya as worthless illegal immigrants, and any offers of support may haunt her at the elections.
EDITORIALS When cops come a cropper Not above the law
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he biggest conundrum in the Delhi rape case was the police persistently trying to hush up the case in which a five-year-old minor was raped. Initial reports suggest that the police themselves tried to pay the parents of the girl Rs 2,000 for their silence. Now when hints surfaced that there could have been another man involved, the police refuted such theories outright. Now what have they to say when they have arrested the second man involved? Not just that: the local police were sluggish in their response when the parents approached them to report that the girl had gone missing. Despite repeated flaying, it looks like Delhi police have not learned their lesson. It is this shameless, irresponsible attitude that is encouraging potential offenders to do their worst, because they have high hopes in their efficiency of the police. The man involved is a labourer; police trying to hush things up for politicians and other powerful people has happened before. This could only mean that the police were trying to save their own blasted reputation, which in any case is way beyond redemption. But if they should wish to redeem it, they just have to simply do their job. But that is the hard part, isn’t it, sirs?
READERS’ VIEWS
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o one is above the law and it’s high time celebrities and politicians understood that. You drive drunk and you will have to pay the price for it. Reese Witherspoon, who recently joined the bandwagon of celebrities who think they are above the law, shouted at a police officer for doing his job. Though the actress has issued a public apology, it shouldn’t excuse her from the punishment she rightfully deserves.
We invite you to write to us comments, suggestions, viewpoint or just about anything to feedback@postnoon.com or #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500 033 or even by way of a call on 4067 2222. Editor: Dean Williams
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
campus
THE CALL OF THE WILD
The Jungle Book, a Hindi play by PBR Creations and Nishumbita, will be staged at Lamakaan on Saturday from 7pm onwards.
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ROBOKID 2013
FASHION’S FINEST
Budding fashionistas With a style of their own and a keen interest in fashion, these collegians intend to become future trendsetters and let the world know of their sartorial choices. AMY ROSE THOMAS amyrose.t@postnoon.com
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hey are diehard fashion followers attending college today. And tomorrow, they intend to become fashion trendsetters. And what better way to let the world know of their style than setting up a fashion blog? Many fashion blogs started by collegians today are garnering much attention from advertisers, fashion followers and other fashion bloggers. With a style of their own and a keen interest in fashion, they are confident about their sartorial choices and want to make it big in the industry. One such fashion blogger is Kirtana John whose blog http://memypendown.blogspot.in/ is quite popular among collegians. Currently studying at St Francis College, she says she started the blog on her friends’ insistence. “My friends always commented on my sense of dressing and loved the kind of clothes I chose. They always insisted that I start a blog where I could share my take on fashion and styling. It’s been nearly six months since I have started the blog and the response has been very encouraging. I have had magazines, newspapers and other bloggers asking me to write for them. They say they like my style of writing and my fashion sense. However, for some time now, I have not been able to dedicate much time to the blog due to my exams and other responsibilities. My plan is that after my exams, I will spend some quality time on my blog and give it a makeover of sorts with summer here,” she says.
Jay Robotix announced ROBOKID 2013 — a first-of-itskind robotics competition for school students of Andhra Pradesh. This State-level competition for students of Class VI to Class XII will help the participants learn and experience applications of robotics.
COLLEGE OF THE WEEK
Yale
University is a private Ivy League research university located in New Haven, Connecticut. Founded in 1701 in the colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Yale employs over 1,100 faculty to teach and advise around 5,300 undergraduate and 6,100 graduate and professional students. Almost all tenured professors teach undergraduate courses, more than 2,000 of which are offered annually.
Another fashion blogger Arushikha Goswami, who is doing her MBA, gets her friends to model for her when she wants to portray a trend. “I get my friends to model for my blog. There are many times when I spot a trend in college and right then and there I upload the picture and write about the trend,” Arushikha says. Her blog http://beebubbly.blogspot.in/ caters to plussized women. So from where do they get
MANY FASHION BLOGS STARTED BY COLLEGIANS TODAY ARE GARNERING MUCH ATTENTION FROM ADVERTISERS AND FASHION FOLLOWERS. THEY ARE CONFIDENT ABOUT THEIR SARTORIAL CHOICES AND WANT TO MAKE IT BIG IN THE INDUSTRY. the finances to buy new clothes and accessories?
“Yeah, that is a problem I face. I use up all my pocket money to buy new stuff. My parents have started noticing the number of clothes I get for myself. Apart from clothes, there is not much expense since I only model for my blog and get my sister to take photos,” she says. After a sneak peek into these blogs, it is clear that these budding fashionistas will go a long way and so will their blogs. With Do-It-Yourself projects and trend alerts, they offer guidelines for the uninitiated.
TRENDING...
The ENRICH workshop intends to provide an opportunity for kids to explore their interest areas and learn about new areas which they haven’t experienced yet. Kids will be encouraged to actively participate in a variety of activities, which will help them discover their skills and develop their personality, while having fun all along. The workshop, which is aimed at students between the ages of 12 and 14, will go on from April 24 to May 8 and will be held at Oxford Bookstore, Raj Bhavan Road. This is an initiative of Great Hyderabad Adventure Club and Oxford Bookstore.
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
spotlight
FOR FUTURISTIC HOMES
STARS COME DOWN
Actor Akkineni Nagarjuna inaugurated Vector Systems Pvt. Ltd, an experience centre for smart and futuristic homes in the city on Sunday.
LET LOOSE
Cuba Libre is hosting Pink Stiletto Nite tonight. For ladies, drinks are on the house. So, head to the pub to have a blast.
T Subbirami Reddy with actors Balakrishna, Sridevi, Nagarjuna, Chiranjeevi and film producer D. Ramanaidu at TSR- TV9 film awards that was held on Saturday at Shilpakala Vedika.
Movie matter
EYE FOR ELEGANCE
THE SEARCH BEGINS
Bollywood-themed party Ramgad was organised at HICC on Saturday. Guests were seen having a gala time at the do. 1
Logo of Miss & Mrs India Gujarati was launched with much fanfare in the city. Chief guest at the occasion was Bina Mehta. Sixty contestants took part in the event. 1
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1 Esha
5 Samita
2 Unnati 3 Shikha
6 Esha 7 Nishital
4 Anika
8 Bina Mehta
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1 Sirish, Poorna 2 Rahul with a friend 3 Sunaina, Debira
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
health
VIRUS STRAIN FROM MAINLAND ARRIVES IN TAIWAN
Samples of the human H7N9 virus strain, provided by the mainland China, arrived in Taipei Saturday and have been sent to a laboratory so that their biological features could be studied, Xinhua reported. The samples will be used to assess the effectiveness of virus testing measures on the island. IANS
TYPHOID
DEEPASHRI VARADHARAJAN
deepashri.v@postnoon.com
M
ary Mallon worked as a chef at a restaurant in New York City. She was a carrier of typhoid, though she did not show any signs or symptoms of the disease (though she was not affected, she could spread it to others, making her an 'asymptomatic carrier'). She was blamed for the death of three people, and infecting 51 others and was in
isolation for decades. On November 12, 1938, The New York Times reported her death, while still in isolation. Today, typhoid is not necessarily life threatening, if diagnosed and treated on time, but it drains you out, especially if you get a recurrent attack. Enteric fever is a term used to describe typhoid (caused by bacterium Salmonella typhi) and paratyphoid (caused by Salmonella paratyphi). When the bacteria is not completely eliminated from the system, the disease can recur. The symptoms of enteric fever include nausea, headache and gall bladder
infections, said Dr Aftab Ahmed, general physician at Apollo Hospitals. The disease can spread through contact with infected person, especially faeces of the infected person. It also spreads through contaminated food and water. In areas where the underground drainage and drinking water pipes are broken or there are chances of the two mixing, typhoid outbreaks can occur.
DIAGNOSIS
Typhoid or paratyphoid can be diagnosed with a blood test. Widal, an antibody test for typhoid, will give a negative or
unreliable result during the first week, said Dr Ahmed. While Widal test is prescribed from the second week onwards, a blood culture test during the first week, to test for Salmonella typhi or paratyphi, is recommended during the first week.
TREATMENT
Dr Ahmed said patients are given antibiotics and the treatment goes on for 10-14 days. But if not treated on time, it can lead to life-threatening complications like intestinal haemorrhage and intestinal perforation, he said. Since it affects the intestines, patients are advised
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to have bland foods that are not too heavy.
VACCINATION
For people who travel to disease-prone areas frequently or need to eat outside very often, doctors recommend getting a typhoid vaccination. It is not a compulsory vaccine for infants. It’s a single dose vaccine, which can be taken at any age, said Dr Kiran Krishnamurti, paediatrician at Andromeda Centre. She said the vaccine is effective for three years, and needs to be taken again if the person wishes to continue with it.
Typhoid spreads through contaminated food, water and contact with an infected person. If you travel frequently or eat out often, you will need to take a few precautions to prevent enteric fever.
Keep the Typhi bug at bay ANEWS PP-LYBRIEFS YOURSELF
HOUSECALL
Charity Miles
Parkinson's disease
Charity Miles is a free app that allows you to earn money and raise awareness for charities by walking, running or biking. Just choose a charity and hit the streets. As you walk, run or bike, the app will measure your distance and you will earn money for your charity, up to the initial corporate sponsorship pool. itunes.apple.com
Parkinson's is a degenerative disease of the brain that affects the nerve cells involved in movement. Because Parkinson's disease attacks the part of the brain that controls our movements, it affects activities we take for granted, such as talking, walking, swallowing and writing. Typical features of the disease include a tremor or fine shake while the person is at rest, unsteady balance and rigidity. bbc.co.uk
DID YOU KNOW? You must ditch whiskers to beat sneezes A moustache can aggravate hay fever by trapping pollen. One study found men who washed their moustaches twice a day with liquid soap used fewer antihistamines and decongestants. The reason being that cleaning got rid of stuck pollen grains. bodyandsoul.com.au
PIONEERS Michael R Harrison Michael R Harrison served as division chief in paediatric surgery at the Children’s Hospital at the University of California for over 20 years, where he established the first Foetal Treatment Center in the US. He is currently a Professor of Surgery and Paediatrics and the Director Emeritus of the UCSF Foetal Treatment Center. In 2009, he received a Paediatric Device Consortia Grant Award from FDA. en.wikipedia.org
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health MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
RESEARCH
STUDY
BABIES become conscious at just five months old?
Scientists have now shown that as from an age of five months, infants are endowed with a form of consciousness similar to that seen in adults.
LONDON: Babies have a conscious experience of the world and are capable of storing memories from as early as fivemonths-old, a new study has claimed. Babies have long been considered as beings with limited skills and behaviours that are principally automatic and of a reflex type, and are not accompanied by a subjective conscious experience. Scientists at the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Paris, working in collaboration with scientists from NeuroSpin (Inserm/CEA) have now shown that from an age of five months, infants are endowed with a form of consciousness similar to that seen in adults.
growing pains I am a single father. There's an age gap of 10 years between my daughters. My youngest child, 5, doesn't interact much with us. We’re not close to our extended family. Will it affect her later? Single parents are common around the world but it’s still a fairly new concept in India. While adults are indeed affected by the responsibility of being a single parent, the children or might not be signifi-
Scientists used an alternative approach which consisted in determining whether the neural markers of consciousness seen in adults might also be present in babies. Recent research in adults has revealed a two-stage response by the brain to the perception of an external event. During the first 200 to 300 milliseconds, perceptual processing is wholly unconscious and accompanied by neural activity that increases in a linear manner - according to an amplitude which increases constantly depending on the length of time the objects are presented to them. A later, second stage is characterised by a non-linear response corresponding to the threshold of consciousness,
researchers said in the study published in journal Science. Only periods of presentation that are sufficiently long to reach this threshold will give rise to a later response and be accompanied by conscious perception. This late and non-linear response by the brain is considered to be a neural marker of consciousness. During the study, the presence of this marker of consciousness was tested in 80 infants aged five, 12 and 15 months. They were asked to look at faces presented to them for varying periods of time (or in other words, for periods shorter or longer than their threshold of perception), while the electrical responses of their brains
were recorded. In all the age groups, scientists saw the same late and nonlinear response as in adults, thus confirming the presence of this "neural signature of consciousness" in the babies. However, although this response is recorded at around 300 ms in adults, it occurred much later in the babies, only being established after at least a second in the youngest infants. Researchers concluded these findings reveal that the cerebral mechanisms underlying perceptive consciousness are already present at a very early stage in infants. However, at that time they are relatively slow, before accelerating gradually during development. PTI
Men with high testosterone levels preferred
NEW YORK: Women at their peak fertility find the scent of men with high testosterone levels more appealing, a new study has found. Previous research has shown that ovulation can impact a woman's mating preferences. In the new study, researchers tested whether women's sexual scent preferences changed depending on men's levels of testosterone and cortisol, LiveScience reported. Male volunteers were given Tshirts to wear for two consecutive nights, during which time they were prohibited from using scented soaps or detergents; drinking or smoking; or eating garlic, onion and other pungent foods. Female volunteers sniffed the men's shirts and rated the pleasantness and intensity of the smells on scales from one to 10. They also completed a questionnaire about their stage in their menstrual cycles and whether they were using hormonal contraception. The researchers took saliva samples from the men to measure hormone levels of testosterone and cortisol. Women who were at the most fertile stage of their menstrual cycles preferred the smell of men with higher testosterone, rating these "manly" shirts as the most pleasant. However, the women showed no preference for the smells of men with higher cortisol levels. Researchers also found that without taking the women's fertility into account, neither hormone had an influence on how attractive the men smelled. PTI
Dr Diana Monteiro
‘TELL YOUR CHILD WHY HER MUM ISN’T AROUND’ cantly affected, depending in their understanding of why their parents are not together. Losing a parent to death vs parents divorcing can bring about two different reactions in a child. Thus, depending on the situation you are in, you might have to deal with your child appropriately. For anyone, including a child, it’s not about
how many people you are close to in your family or friends circle, but rather the quality of those relationships. As your daughters grow, its important to understand each of their unique emotional needs. Talk to your child about why her mother is not around. If it is because of divorce, then ensure that you help them
understand that the relationship did not end because of them, and ensure that you allow them to share a relationship with their mother. Children might not know and how to express their concern and love for the other parent, so allow them to express this without you negating their feelings. Further, encourage
your child to have a network of social support, be it friends or family, who can love her, show her affection to meet her emotional needs and ensure healthy development. The writer is a counselling psychologist at the Hyderabad Academy of Psychology. You can write to her at askdrdiana@gmail.com
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MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
Entertainment CINE BYTES
Iddarammayilatho to release on May 24
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llu Arjun’s upcoming film Iddarammayilatho is now going to release on May 24. Initially, the makers were planning to release the film on May 10, but the release has been pushed further partly due to the IPL effect. Puri Jagannadh has directed the film and it also stars Amala Paul and Catherine Tresa in lead roles.
STAR POWER
GJG is off to a good start
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ithin, Nithya Menen starrer Gunde Jaari Gallanthayindhe is off to a fabulous start at boxoffice. The word of mouth was extremely positive post the film’s release and it’s poised to be one of the biggest hits in Nithin’s career. Vijay Kumar Konda had directed the film.
Balupu’s team returns to India
T
he entire film unit of Ravi Teja, Shruti Haasan and Anjali starrer Balupu has returned to India after spending two weeks in Portugal. Two songs were canned on Ravi Teja and Shruti Haasan in Lisbon and Algarve. Gopichand Malineni has directed the film and it’ll release later this summer.
SIBLING BONDING
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he first look of Naga Chaitanya, Sunil starrer Tadakha, which was unveiled recently, has got a tremendous response. It’s the first full fledged commercial entertainer which Naga Chaitanya has acted in a long time and he’ll be seen as a happy go lucky guy who pushes his brother to become stronger to fight against injustice. Naga
Chaitanya and Sunil will be seen as siblings. Tamannaah and Andrea Jeremiah are also playing the lead roles. It’s the second time that Naga Chaitanya and Tamannaah are teaming up after the success of 100% Love. The principal shooting of Tadakha has been completed and currently it’s in post production phase. Kishore Kumar, who had earlier made Koncham Ishtam Koncham Kashtam, has directed the film and Bellamkonda
Suresh has produced it. The film is a remake of a superhit Tamil film Vettai which had Arya, Madhavan, Amala Paul and Sameera Reddy in lead roles. SS Thaman has scored the music and the audio will be launched on April 24 in Shilpa Kala Vedika in Hyderabad. Tadakha is expected to release in May.
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Entertainment MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
MAKING IT POSSIBLE
CINE BYTES
Ranbir is in every frame of my ‘My brothers are excited about Aashiqui 2’
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film: Dibakar
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ilmmaker Dibakar Banerjee says his short film in Bombay Talkies couldn’t have happened without actor Ranbir Kapoor, who he says appears in every frame of the movie. Banerjee has directed one of the four short films in Bombay Talkies. Talking about it, Banerjee told IANS: “He (Ranbir) is totally associated. He is a shadow of god associated with the film. He is there in every frame. He is there as the ultimate hero against this average common man. Without Ranbir, this could not have happened.” Banerjee’s film features Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead role. The director said that he had been wanting to work with Nawazuddin since a long time. “I have been wanting to work with him since Black Friday. It was a lovely experience. It was a spiritual experience for both of us,” he said. Talking about the Aamir Khan-starrer promotional song for Bombay Talkies, the director said it will be a huge boost for the movie, which is primarily a celebration of Indian cinema’s centenary. “He (Aamir) is not there in my film or any of other the other films. He is there in the promotional song. He has been such an enthusiastic supporter of the project. His presence will be lovely for this film,” he said. Other directors who have contributed to Bombay Talkies are Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar and Karan Johar. The film releases May 3. IANS
ctor Aditya Roy Kapoor says his brothers Siddharth and Kunal are very excited about Aashiqui 2, his first film as a lead. “Both my elder brothers checked YouTube when the promo was released, and they were very happy," the 27-year-old said. “They said 'Aditya, it’s a different role, you are looking very different. We didn’t know that you had this side to you’,” he added. IANS
‘Sridevi truly empress of Indian cinema’
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roducer Boney Kapoor said his wife, actor Sridevi, truly deserves to be honoured with the title ‘Empress of Indian cinema’, adding nobody else deserves the award more than her. “I think she truly deserves the award. She is most definitely an empress of Indian cinema. I’m extremely happy for her,” said Boney Kapoor. IANS
Ramaiya Vasta Vaiya looks great: Sonu Sood
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ctor Sonu Sood has just finished dubbing for director Prabhudeva's upcoming film Ramaiya Vasta Vaiya and says the movie looks “fabulous”. The 39year-old will be seen playing Shruti Haasan’s strict brother in the movie. “Yesterday, dubbed for Ramaiya Vasta Vaiya. Looking fabulous. Congrats Girish Kumar, Kumar Taurani,” Sonu tweeted Sunday. IANS
Entertainment MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
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Entertainment MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
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Entertainment MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
MEDIA GOOF-UP
misidentified as a Boston bombing suspect
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ooey Deschanel got quite the shock yesterday when she was mistakenly identified as one of the two suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings on a local Fox News station. According to Peter Ogburn, while the radio show producer and writer was watching the manhunt for a second suspect unfold on Fox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, the New Girl star’s name was misidentified in the closed captioning as 19-year-old Dzhokhar A Tsarnaev. “Marathon bombing, he is 19-year-old Zooey Deschanel,” read the misleading (and completely incorrect) caption. Tsarnaev was ultimately arrested Friday night after he was found hiding in a boat behind a home in Watertown, Mass. “Oh come on, Fox,” Ogburn wrote, sharing a pic of his TV screen on Twitter.
CINE BYTES
Zac focusing on becoming all-round actor
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ac Efron may be loved by teenage girls, but he’s trying his best to step away from his High School Musical days and focus on becoming a more wellrounded actor. “Dennis (Quaid) says the only role he sort of had for himself is to do as many different types of movies as possible and never stop stretching or trying something new, particularly roles that challenge you,” said Zac.
Jude Law speaks up for the seals
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ctor Jude Law has written to the World Trade Organisation to urge it to uphold a European Union ban on seal fur. The British actor was writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). PETA has also enlisted actress Pamela Anderson in its publicity campaign against the seal trade.
Russell Crowe is a big fan of mime
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ctor Russell Crowe started appreciating mime after he saw the performance of Marcel Marceau, an internationally acclaimed French actor and mime artist. "I loved it,” he says of the first time he saw Marceau perform. “He was at the top of his game. But just for clarity, I have never intentionally performed a mime,” he added. Russell also admitted his love for films as a child. IANS
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
Chai Time
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
The first duty of a leader is to make himself be loved without courting love. To be loved without 'playing up' to anyone - even to himself. Andre Malraux
KAKURO
QUICK CROSSWORD
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SUDOKU How to play kakuro Kakuro is a popular game similar to sudoku in some ways. But is also suitably different. The key question: ‘How do you play kakuro?’, well here are the rules of kakuro. The answer: The kakuro grid, unlike in sudoku, can be of any size. It has rows and columns, and dark cells like in a crossword. And, just like in a crossword, some of the dark cells will contain numbers. Some cells will contain two numbers. However, in a crossword the numbers reference clues. In a kakuro, the numbers are all you get! They denote the total of the digits in the row or column referenced by the number. Within each collection of cells — called a run — any of the numbers 1 to 9 may be used but, like sudoku, each number may only be used once. Let’s have an example to explain this concept more clearly: In the image above, which shows a section of a kakuro puzzle, you will see the numbers ‘26’ and ‘14’ in the top row. Look at the 14. This means that the total of the three cells underneath must sum to 14. Therefore 9, 4, 1 could be the answer, or perhaps 7, 4, 3 and so on... So, how do you work out the actual combination? Well, this is done through elimination and cross-referencing. For instance, as you work out the answers for other kakuro clues, this will naturally limit the valid combinations, and hence the answer for this particular run. Note the second cell in row two — it contains two numbers, 30 and 11. The 30 refers to the vertical run underneath the number 30 and the 11 refers to the two cells to the right, horizontally, of the number 11.
ACROSS
PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
SCRIBBLING PAD
1 Bare minimum 6 Poet Ogden 10 Tenor's standout performance? 14 Nostalgic song 15 Shivering fit 16 Medal metal 17 Slowed down 20 One captain of the Enterprise 21 Transcendentalist Ralph Waldo 22 Put to work 23 Name on elevators 24 Tool put away for the winter 28 100 centimos 30 Bring to court for a plea 32 Germ 35 Constrictor, eg 36 Do a bending exercise 40 Perfect, NASA-style 41 What Mr Spock suppressed 42 ‘Right to remain silent’ name 45 Cheese-shredding gadget 49 Pitcher's target 50 Female in the family 52 ___ polloi 53 Eightfold 56 With the bow, to a violinist 57 React quickly 61 Cop after dealers 62 Other, in Mexico 63 Good-night girl of song 64 Tricyclist, typically 65 Type of bag with handles 66 Prepared for a photo
DOWN
1 Prison 2 Plaza Hotel terror 3 Has a crush on 4 Parachute material 5 Stake in the grass?
6 Country singer Judd 7 Film ‘___ of God’ 8 Litigious type 9 Name on toy fuel trucks 10 Docket 11 Wade's opponent 12 Word with ‘equipped’ or ‘mannered’ 13 Classified information? 18 Like some garages 19 Gardener, at times 23 Ending for ‘psych’ 25 Pointed remark 26 They sometimes clash 27 Stranded matter 29 Australian big bird 30 Act as a henchman 31 Quitter 33 Capital of Italia 34 ‘Woman’ singer's woman 36 Slave away 37 Cajun ingredient 38 Matter to go to court over 39 Phrase before ‘tear’ or ‘shoestring’ 40 Rock band equipment 43 Right this minute 44 Flamingo feature 46 Treys 47 Epoch when mammals began 48 Ran amok in public 50 To the left, to Popeye 51 Half of the forearm bones 54 Hit the horn 55 ‘Do ___ others ...’ 56 Dr J wore one 57 Smithereens maker 58 Horse food 59 Bug 60 Make one's drink last
Chai Time MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013 Thiruvaikumar
STAR POWER for 23-4-2013
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As per Hindu panchang thiruvaikumar@yahoo. co. in, 040-27177230 / 9177596118
ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
CANCER
LEO
VIRGO
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
Long since held-up work resumes and gets completed. Confusion will disappear and you will get clarity in vision. Misunderstanding and cold war with neighbour will be over. In exchange of an old property, you will purchase a new one.
STRIP TEASE AGNES
Money comes from all the expected sources. Success is certain as you work hard and sincerely. Court verdict will go in your favour. VIPs will befriend you. Politicians will be in the limelight and get good support from their party workers.
Influence is set to improve as your charisma attracts everyone. You look happy and cheerful. Money comes from expected sources. Your clever talks and creativity will earn appreciation. You maintain cool and work with a lot of patience.
Politicians advised to stay away from internal politics. Some undertake pilgrimage. Speculation yields decent gains. You hesitate to enter into others’ personal matters. Minor accident is likely; drive carefully. You keep cool in challenging situations.
Avoid commitments to anyone for the time being. Heat-related ailments likely to affect you; take care through treatment. Your harsh talks might hurt other’s feelings; avoid this. Though inflow of money is good, expenses too will increase.
Children make you proud and happy. You are responsible and complete all works with full focus. Govt sops likely for businessmen. Financial position will be strong, hence you relax. Efforts put into marriage finalisation will be successful.
Some have a bright chance to go abroad for the first time. You talk firmly and get all work done. Real estate transactions will bring favourable gains. Blood relatives extend financial and physical help; this encourages you to do tough work.
You receive appreciation for your different and innovative approach. With your surprise and swift action you have your enemies in check. Your talk shows maturity and knowledge. Those deprived of a child since long can expect an offspring.
Expected money will come, which will make you financially strong. You will be generous but at the same time stubborn in your decisions. Do not worry over the future. Sudden travel likely to be undertaken but will yield the desired good results.
TAROT READ
Sumaa Tekur
tarotreadhyd@gmail. com
ARIES:
GEMINI:
Four of Pentacles – Your self-control, decision-making abilities and sociability are in focus. These are all linked to your career choices. Make the most of it all.
LEO:
Knight of Wands – Good time to take a solo journey, inner spiritual journey. You are inclined to find the true purpose of your life and want to be part of the process.
LIBRA:
PEARLS BEFORE SWINE
The Empress – You need to invest time in learning tools that make your chosen path both affordable and easy to understand. No doubt that effort is needed.
SAGITTARIUS:
Queen of Wands – You have the tendency to invest in costly playthings that you get bored. It’s alright if you can afford it. But aren’t you adding to a lot of junk?
TAURUS:
The Moon – Take care of your skin as rashes caused by pollution and bad diet can cause trouble. Don’t hesitate to consult a dermatologist if in any doubt at all.
CANCER:
Death – Too much of something is too bad. Even too much of a good be harmful. Watch your diet and ensure a balance, especially if you aim for weight loss/gain.
VIRGO:
The Sun – This is the do-it-yourself season. You will get help if you ask for it but ultimately, the legwork will have to be done by you. Stay motivated.
SCORPIO:
Four of Swords – You may be spending too much time online and this is affecting your real social life, as online time can blur the lines of real and virtual.
CAPRICORN:
Six of Cups – Don’t be taken in by the tantalising promises someone makes. Wait for the offer letter to come before you plan your next steps. Stay positive!
PREVIOUS SOLUTIONS
PISCES:
The Tower – Memories can play havoc if you let them take control of your mind. It’s a never-ending tunnel. Only with selfcontrol will you be able to get out.
NUMBER GAME
You are frustrated when things don’t work and blame the irresponsible system that we are forced to work within. Don’t let anger get the better of you.
SCRABBLE
AQUARIUS: Five of Cups –
POOCH CAFE
Happy atmosphere prevails at home. Persons who benefitted through you may not respect you, don’t worry though. Take care of your spouse’s health. You might be deprived of sleep due to unexpected tension; stay cool and meditate.
for 23-4-2013
Five of Pentacles – Eating the wrong food could be detrimental to your health plan despite exercising right. Think of ways to restore and maintain the balance.
NON SEQUITUR
Delayed marriage talks will resume and progress well. You will cheerfully involve in new efforts and become successful. Purchase or selling of house or land will be profitable and end smoothly. Those awaiting a job will get favourable news.
SUDUKO
Those into export-import can expect a windfall in gains. Selfconfidence level will be at its high. Real estate deals end in gains. Businessmen have sudden and unexpected fortune opportunity. Employees will be happy with the management.
Boggle ACTOR BAKER MODEL PILOT AGENT Vol: 2, No 276 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad – 500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon. com and for subscription, please call 040-4067 2222, Fax: 040-4067 2211
28
Entertainment MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
TOUGH GUY
CINE BYTES
Seacrest, Gomez in flirty mode!
I
f singer Selena Gomez flirted with anchor-producer Ryan Seacrest, he too wasn’t far behind on their recent meeting. Gomez is said to be dating singer Justin Bieber, who she was spotted kissing in Oslo. “Selena showed up looking super sexy in a low-cut top, and she totally flirted with Ryan,” showbizspy.com quoted a source as saying. IANS
Performing with autistic fan was highpoint
S
TOM CRUISE
not afraid of getting injured
H
ollywood actor Tom Cruise doesn’t worry about getting injured while shooting for action sequences, says fight consultant Andy Norman. Norman, who worked with him in Jack Reacher, said: “Tom gets right in there, he’ll
take the knocks and the bruises and he doesn’t want us to hold back. He’ll still be there at 2am going over fight scenes... he’s a total perfectionist.” He also revealed that Cruise involves himself in every stage of planning of fight scenes.
“A fight scene like the one in Jack Reacher where he takes on five guys at once can take up to eight weeks to put together and Tom is involved from day one,” femalefirst.co.uk quoted Norman as saying. “Tom is so famous in the industry for his focus and he
gets so into the character he wants to be there from when we first get together to talk about the fight. He wants to know the emotion, the reason behind it, the why, how much training he needs, the intensity and he makes the job easier because you’re not having to carry him,” he added. IANS
inger Katy Perry says performing her single Firework at a fundraiser with autistic fan Jodi DePiazza has been her career’s highlight. “Performing it with an autistic girl accompanying her on piano and vocal harmony at a fundraiser was the most important performance of my career,” Perry said at a music expo. IANS
Downey Jr unsure about fourth Iron Man
A
ctor Robert Downey Jr is uncertain whether there will be a fourth part to the Iron Man series, despite the fact that Iron Man 3 has reportedly minted 32 million pounds. “Right now the future is uncertain but I think it’s very important that we end this first Marvel phase in a way that is definitive and has people asking questions,” express.co.uk quoted Downey Jr as saying. IANS
sports
29
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
MORE THAN HE CAN CHEW
Biting is the way to victory! Liverpool’s troubleprone striker Luis Suarez sparked fresh controversy on Sunday when he appeared to bite Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during the sides’ 2-2 Premier League draw at Anfield. Professional sports and biting have been a rarity. Those sporadic moments though are hard to live down and remain etched in memory for a long time. Below are some such infamous incidents.
Or that is what Liverpool’s Luis Suarez believes. LONDON: Liverpool striker Luis Suarez on Sunday apologised for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during the sides’ 2-2 Premier League draw at Anfield. The incident occurred midway through the second half, with Liverpool trailing 2-1 following a tussle in the penalty area. “I’m sad for what happened this afternoon, I apologize (to) Ivanovic and all (the) football world for my inexcusable behaviour. I’m so sorry about it!!,” the controversial Uruguayan said on his Twitter account. “I apologise also to my manager, playing colleagues and everyone at Liverpool Football Club for letting them down,” he added. Referee Kevin Friend did not appear to see the incident and took no action, despite Ivanovic attempting to show him the bitemarks on his arm.
Controversy magnet
S
uarez has been a magnet for controversy. Last season, he was handed an eight-match ban and fined £40,000 after the FA found him guilty of repeatedly racially abusing Patrice Evra during a game against Man United. In a World Cup quarterfinal in 2010, the Uruguayan was vilified for a deliberate handball on the goal line that prevented a goal and helped Uruguay qualify for the last four at the expense of Ghana. He was banned for seven games by the Dutch football authorities after sinking his teeth into the shoulder of PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal while playing for Ajax in 2010.
n
n
Suarez had earlier been booked for a handball that gifted Chelsea the penalty from which Eden Hazard put the visitors 2-1 up, but he finished the game by heading in a dramatic equaliser in the seventh minute of injury time. Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre commented: “Luis has
made an unreserved apology for his actions today. “His behaviour is not befitting of any player wearing a Liverpool shirt and Luis is aware that he has let himself and everyone associated with the club down. We will deal with the matter internally and await any action from the FA.” AFP
n
July 30, 1996: On the final play of the college football matchup between Georgia and Auburn, Robert Baker lunged on the hind legs of Uga V and snapped at him with his incisors. Jan 7, 2009: Andrew Peters of the Sabres started a skirmish with the Senators’ Jarrko Ruutu. Peters shoved his glove in Ruutu’s face, who responded by biting down through Peters’s glove. Jan 24, 1979: In the Penguins’ game against the Flyers, Arron Asham took a nip at Matt Cooke, after which he said, “There was a scrum, I grabbed him. There were two guys on Harts and my glove got tangled in his mouth and he bit me, so I lost it.”
May 4, 2010: Boston’s Marc Savard (L) earned a penalty for slashing at Flyers goalie Brian Boucher in a Flyers-Bruins Eastern Conference semi-final.
AP’S PRIDE
June 28, 1997: In the third round of their WBA heavyweight match on, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Mike Tyson bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s right ear.
April 25, 1983: In Boston’s victory in the first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks, Celtics guard Danny Ainge was chomped by Hawks centre Wayne ‘Tree’ Rollins.
LONG BEACH INDYCAR GRAND PRIX
Sato is first Japanese driver to win
Winners of the AP State Under-7 and -17 chess championship pose with their haul in the city on Sunday. Of these, Uppala Praneeth, K Abhiram Reddy, Sevitha Viju M, Meghana P Ankitha Goud Palle Bala Chandra Prasad, M Chakravarthi Reddy, P Supreetha, Sabbi Srirohitha, Aasa Deepika K and S Akhila will represent the State in upcoming national events.
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA: Takuma Sato grabbed a slice of IndyCar history on Sunday, becoming the first Japanese driver to win a race in the US open-wheel series at the Long Beach Grand Prix. “This is just amazing,” Sato said after leading 50 of 80 laps and piloting the No. 14 car for A.J. Foyt racing across the line ahead of Graham Rahal. “It was just a perfect week-
Top seven 1.Takuma Sato (JPN) 80 laps in 1hr 50min 8.7155sec (average speed: 85.763 mph), 2. Graham Rahal (USA) same lap (under caution), 3. Justin Wilson (GBR) same lap, 4. Dario Franchitti (GBR) s.l., 5. JR Hildebrand (USA) s.l., 6. Oriol Servia (ESP) s.l., 7. Marco Andretti (USA) s.l.
end to be honest,” he added. “The team did a tremendous job. Pit stops, right calls, the power was great, and I was comfortable in the car and able to push everything.” Sato was making his 52nd IndyCar start and his previous best finish was second at Edmonton in 2012. He was driving for Rahal Letterman in that race in Edmonton. AFP
sports
30
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
FED CUP
Williams sisters lead US to win
The Williams sisters delivered singles victories to lift US to a 3-2 playoff win over Sweden. DELRAY BEACH, UNITED STATES: Serena and Venus Williams delivered singles victories Sunday to lift the United States to a 3-2 Fed Cup playoff victory over Sweden that will keep America in the elite World Group. Venus Williams persevered to deliver the clinching point, sealing a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Johanna Larsson on her eighth match point. The seven-time Grand Slam champion had been rolling toward the win, serving for the match and the tie at 5-4 in the second set when she delivered three double faults to drop her serve. She immediately broke back to take a 6-5 lead, but had to claw through a 12th game that went to deuce nine times. “She started lifting her game, but thanks to all the support
here I was able to give it to the US,” said Williams, who had seven of her 11 double faults in the second set but hung on to give the United States an unbeatable 3-1 lead.
Djokovic eyes Nadal’s French Open title MONTE CARLO, MONACO: Novak Djokovic can cast his hopes forward a month to the start of Roland Garros with serious thoughts of a Paris title after stunning Rafael Nadal to win a first career trophy at the Monte Carlo Masters. The Serb world number one, who was almost unable to start the prestige clay week due to an ankle injury, consulted with his doctors on a daily basis before deciding to take a chance. The week-long gamble eventually paid off with a 6-2, 7-6 (7/1) win over Nadal which ended the Spaniard’s 46-match win streak, comprising eight consecutive titles at the cliffside Country Club. With his next date on court
not for another fortnight in Madrid, Djokovic can fully heal and plot his strategy on the clay as he prepares to bid for the French Open crown which is missing from his Grand Slam collection. Last year’s losing finalist to Nadal in Paris believes his chances are becoming stronger to finally lift the clay court major. “This trophy could not come at a better moment for me. It was a difficult last two months. I’ve been through some ups and downs emotionally, physically,” Djokovic said. “But I’m right in the place where I want to be this moment confidence wise, game-wise. I just need to do what I have done always: stay committed, to rest well, prepare well.”
The Americans then opted out of the meaningless doubles, giving Sweden a walkover win and making the final score of the tie 3-2. Venus was given singles duty
at the last minute by US captain Mary Joe Fernandez, who apparently felt that 20-year-old Sloane Stephens hadn’t bounced back adequately from her errorstrewn 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 loss to Sofia Arvidsson in the opening match of the tie on Saturday. World number one Serena Williams had put the Americans back on track Saturday with a win over Larsson, and she put the 17-time champion United States up 2-1 with a dominant 62, 6-1 win over Arvidsson on Sunday. Serena fired 10 aces and broke Arvidsson twice in each set en route to the victory. Serving to extend the first set, Arvidsson double-faulted to give Williams a break point, then netted a backhand to surrender the frame. Williams was even more dominant in the second set, rac-
ing to a 5-0 lead before Arvidsson finally held serve. Back-to-back aces gave Williams triple match point, which she converted with another service winner. “Today I played better — I had to going up against the number one player from Sweden who had a really good win over our star player in America,” said Williams, who stretched her perfect Fed Cup singles record to 10-0. AFP
Rafa aims at Barcelona recovery BARCELONA: Rafael Nadal will quickly bury his sorrows after the end of his eight-year title streak in Monte Carlo, with the Spaniard quickly turning his focus to the Barcelona Open starting on Monday. Nadal went down to defeat in Sunday’s Monte Carlo final to Novak Djokovic 6-2, 7-6 (7/1) but is not mourning the end of a 46-match winning run at the prestige venue. “With not much preparation, I was able to play in the finals, a few matches,” said the knee injury victim who missed seven months but who has since played in five straight finals and won three trophies. “This week is going to help me be fit for the next weeks.” Nadal is the king of the home clay in Catalonia. The 26-year-old has won seven of the past eight editions at the venerable Real Club de Tenis.
His only miss came in 2010, when he did not play, compatriot Fernando Verdasco keeping the trophy firmly in Iberian hands. Nadal began his clay season last week and showed his usual superb form on his surface of
TOUR’S HERITAGE TOURNAMENT Graeme downs Simpson in playoff HILTON HEAD, SOUTH CAROLINA: Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell defeated Webb Simpson at the first hole of a suddendeath playoff on Sunday to win the US PGA Tour’s Heritage tournament. McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, defeated the reigning US Open title holder Simpson with a par at the
Serena had put the US back on track on Saturday with a win over Larsson, and she put the 17-time champion, US, up 2-1 with a win over Arvidsson.
first playoff hole. McDowell had fired an impressive two-under par 69 at wind-swept Harbour Town Golf Links, marred only by a bogey at the final hole that left him on nineunder 275. He was joined there by Simpson, who carded an even-par 71 that included three birdies and three
bogeys to force the playoff. England’s Luke Donald also posted a 69 to share third place with American Kevin Streelman, who carded a 72 for seven-under 277. Overnight leader Charley Hoffman struggled in the windy weather and his sixover 77 saw him fall into a tie for sixth place on five-under 279. AFP
choice - just not enough to get past an inspired Djokovic though Nadal can see improvement. “I feel for moments in the second set I played my best tennis of the week. So that’s an important thing.” AFP
BOMB BLASTS GREEK MARATHON REMEMBERS BOSTON VICTIMS THESSALONIKI, GREECE: The eighth international Alexander the Great Marathon Sunday was dedicated to the victims of the Boston marathon. More than 12,500 runners wore black arm bands and tags with the word “Why?” as the classic marathon run of 42.195km began in the northern town of Pellas and ended in Thessaloniki. Winner of the race was 28-year-old Ethiopian Teklu Geto in 2 hours, 19.29 minutes while the first woman finisher was Magda Gazea of Greece, in 2 hours, 41.26 minutes.
IPL 6
METRE
6 S 209
I am under scrutiny, I have not scored runs... the drop catch was a really bad let off and it could have cost us the game. Not good enough for me. We will have to look and see what's right. Adam Gilchrist KXIP captain
Virat Kohli (RCB) 322 runs
Vinay Kumar (RCB) 12 wickets
‘Sachin, Rohit felt 160 was a good score’ R
icky Ponting said that Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma "felt" that 161 was a good score on the Feroze Shah Kotla track but poor bowling upfront changed the equations in their IPL match against Delhi Daredevils. "I don't think we were 30 runs short. When Sachin and Rohit were batting, they felt that 160-165 was a pretty good score on this track. They felt that it was a nice even surface which was a bit on the slower side. So at the break, we were happy to defend 161," Ponting said. "When Virender and Mahela challenged us, but then our bowlers did not execute the plan. The line and lengths that we talked about were not maintained and before we knew, it was 60 off six overs. We tried different bowlers and different combinations.”
RCB
31
BATTLE OF THE TITANS 17 4S 760
Chris Gayle (RCB)
DELHI DAREDEVILS V MUMBAI INDIANS Mumbai Indians innings (20 overs maximum) DR Smith c Yadav b van der Merwe
8(13)
SR Tendulkar c Warner b Yadav 54(76) KD Karthik† run out (Yadav)
2(9)
RG Sharma c Russell b Yadav
73(64)
KA Pollard not out
19(16)
AT Rayudu not out
2(4)
Extras (lb 1, w 2)
3
Total (4 wickets; 20 overs; 93 mins) 161 Bowling
O
M
IK Pathan
4
0 24
R
W Econ 0
S Nadeem
4
0 20
0
5.00
RE van der Merwe 4
0 35
1
8.75
UT Yadav
4
0 31
2
7.75
AB Agarkar
3
0 37
0 12.33
6.00
AD Russell 1 0 13 0 13.00 Delhi Daredevils innings (target: 162 runs from 20 overs)
95(83)
5
2
0
7(9)
SRH
7
5
2
0
10 -0.104
CSK
6
4
2
0
8 +0.729
RR
6
4
2
0
8 +0.714
Bowling
O
M
KXIP
6
3
3
0
6 +0.204
SL Malinga
4
0 26
1
MI
6
3
3
0
6 -0.194
JJ Bumrah
3
0 38
0 12.66
KKR
6
2
4
0
4 +0.021
MM Patel
PWI
7
2
5
0
4 -0.706
DD 7 1 6 0 2 -0.913 P-played; W-win; L-lost; T-tie; NR-net run rate; PT-points
balls, did Chennai look like they would win the match. But the same luck did not prevail in the case of Rajasthan Royals who lost their previous match when they clashed with Royal Challengers Bangalore, also on Saturday. They took first strike but unfortunately were bundled out for a mere 117 runs, a target which the opponents comfort-
SCORECARD
DA Warner not out
7
NR
Virender Sehwag (DD)
BEST BOWLER
4-13
Sunil Narine (KKR)
I
t will be a match of teams evenly poised when Chennai Super Kings take on Rajasthan Royals today at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai. Both the sides have eight points each from six games and are placed at the third and fourth positions on the points table in the order of CSK and RR respectively. Chennai are on a high after their victory against Kolkata Knight Riders, when the two sides clashed on Saturday. The Kings restricted the Knights to a paltry 119. While it seemed that CSK would reach that total in no span of time, that did not happen as they huffed and puffed their way to victory. It was not until a heroic knock from Ravindra Jadeja, who slammed 36 runs from 14
59(74)
T PT
95*
aparna.s@postnoon.com
V Sehwag not out
L
HIGHEST SCORE
G. APARNA SAI
10 +0.470
W
33
A finely poised clash
DPMD Jayawardene* lbw b Malinga
P
Virat Kohli (RCB)
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
Extras (w 1, nb 3)
4
Total (1 wicket; 17 overs; 83 mins) 165 R
W Econ 6.50
4
0 36
0
Harbhajan Singh 3
0 30
0 10.00
9.00
DR Smith
2
0 24
0 12.00
KA Pollard
1
0 11
0 11.00
Delhi Daredevils won by 9 wickets
CSK VS RR AT 8PM ON SET MAX ably reached in 17.5 overs. Both the teams would be eyeing a win in this match, as a victory today can catapult the winning side to the top of the points table. Both the teams have performed well throughout this
tournament. While Chennai was always considered as one of the top teams, Rajasthan did not have the same tag and were treated as underdogs. But Rajasthan have done well this season and have been preforming consistently. If they continue to put up a show of this kind, it should not be a surprise if they not only win today’s match but also the cup, eventually.
VICTORY, AT LAST!
KINGS XI PUNJAB V PUNE WARRIORS Pune Warriors innings (20 overs maximum) RV Uthappa† c †Gilchrist b Awana 37(44) AJ Finch* c Vohra b Gony 64(66) Yuvraj Singh c Gurkeerat Singh b Azhar Mahmood 34(35) SPD Smith not out 6(28) LJ Wright c Hussey b Azhar Mahmood 34(11) AM Nayar not out 2(2) Extras (lb 4, w 4) 8 Total (4 wickets; 20 overs; 95 mins) 185 Bowling O M R W Econ P Kumar 4 1 36 0 9.00 Azhar Mahmood 4 0 42 2 10.50 P Awana 4 0 38 1 9.50 MS Gony 4 0 32 1 8.00 PP Chawla 4 0 33 0 8.25 Kings XI Punjab innings (target: 186 runs from 20 overs) AC Gilchrist*† c †Uthappa b Kumar 4(1) Mandeep Singh not out 77(97) Azhar Mahmood lbw b Mendis 0(3) M Vohra b Yuvraj Singh 22(23) DA Miller not out 80(77) Extras (lb 2, w 1) 3 Total (3 wickets; 19.5 overs; 97 mins) 186 Bowling O M R W Econ B Kumar 4 0 31 1 7.75 BAW Mendis 4 0 38 1 9.50 AB Dinda 4 0 37 0 9.25 R Sharma 3 0 28 0 9.33 Yuvraj Singh 2 0 15 1 7.50 LJ Wright 2.5 0 35 0 12.35
Kings XI Punjab won by 7 wickets
Delhi Daredevils batsmen Virender Sehwag and D Warner after their victory during the IPL 6 match against Mumbai Indians at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI/SHAHBAZ KHAN
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013
sports CL SEMI-FINAL PREVIEW
Bayern gear up for Barcelona RYLAND JAMES Agence France-Presse MUNICH, GERMANY: Bayern Munich face the litmus test in their bid to become the first German team to win the treble of European, league and cup titles when they host Spanish giants Barcelona in Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final, firstleg. Having swept aside all rivals to win this season’s Bundesliga title, Bayern are bidding to reach their third
Champions League final in four years, but Spanish championselect Barcelona block their path to Wembley. Bayern warmed-up for the showdown at Munich’s Allianz Arena with a 6-1 win at Hanover 96 on Saturday, the same scoreline by which they routed Wolfsburg in the semifinal. Coach Jupp Heynckes dropped a hint for Tuesday by incorporating both strikers Mario Gomez and Claudio Pizarro into a 4-4-2 formation.
World Player of the Year Lionel Messi has been included in the Barcelona squad for the first-leg of their Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
SERIE A Juve sight Scudetto as Milan lose ground JUSTIN DAVIS Agence France-Presse MILAN: Juventus virtually secured their 29th Serie A title on Sunday with a 1-0 win over AC Milan who saw their own bid for Champions League football next season suffer a blow. A second-half Arturo
Vidal penalty settled what was a less-than-inspiring performance from both sides and left the champions requiring just four points from their remaining five games to defend the Scudetto. Juve, however, could wrap up the title next week if they beat Torino at home.
SYDNEY FC RELEASE BRAZILIAN DEFENDER FABIO
Sydney FC said today (Monday) they had terminated the contract of Brazilian defender Fabio Alves after one year with the Australian A-League club. Head coach Frank Farina is in the process of reshaping his squad for next season and said he could not guarantee the left back a regular start.
LA LIGA
Falcao keeps Atletico in race for second
MADRID: Radamel Falcao’s goal 14 minutes from time was enough to move Atletico Madrid back to within three points of neighbours Real Madrid as they ground out a 1-0
32
win at Sevilla. The goal arrived in controversial circumstances as referee Jose Luis Gonzalez didn’t spot a handball by Mario Suarez in the build-up. AFP