Postnoon E-Paper for February 25th 2013 by Scribble Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

city events

SAREE DRAPING WORKSHOP

There is a saree draping workshop at Panache, The Finishing School, on February 28. Topics covered will include styles of sari draping (regular, gujrati, cocktail, ghaGRA) and tips. It will also cover the use of scarves and stoles in styling.

Weather for Hyderabad

Evening

Overnight

28°C

20°C

Clear with cloudy periods.

Morning

Afternoon

26°C

34°C

Sunny with cloudy periods.

A mix of sun and cloud.

New Delhi Mumbai Max 25 Max 32 Min 15 Min 21 Clear.

Chennai Max 31 Min 22

Mostly clear.

Mix of sun and cloud.

Bangalore Max 33 Min 18 Partly cloudy.

AROUND THE CITY: YOUR GUIDE TO THE TWIN CITIES Dinner — 19.30pm onwards. Contact: (040) 4949 1204

SHOWS

MISCELLANEOUS

ANANTA Opus 195 Concerto for Sarod electronic and symphonic orchestra by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Pierre Thilloy. Where: Shilpa Kala Vedika When: March 1 Contact: (040) 2355 4486

Samahaara workshop Samahaara is organising ‘Samahaara Weekend Theatre Workshops.’ Apart from acting, it includes outdoor theatre activities, readings, analysis and discussions. Where: Lamakaan, Off Road no. 1, Lane Adjacent to C-Bay Banjara Hills When: Weekends, Up to February 24 Contact: 96427 31329

Imany World music- jazz and soul. Where: Hyderabad International Convention Centre Novotel & HICC complex Near Hitec City P.O Bag 1101 Cyberabad Post Ofﬁce When: March 15, Contact: (040) 2355 4486 The First Cut A festival of short films and documentaries, where amateurs can showcase their talents. Where: St Francis College for Women, Uma Nagar, Begumpet When: March 4, 10.30am onwards

The Landmark sale Landmark announces its sale of up to 70 per cent off. Bestselling books starting at `49, 3 for 2 on the top 500 new releases are some of the offers. Where: Landmark When: Up to February 25 THREE IS A CROWD: A girl carries a baby and sits behind a scooter at Mojamjahi Market.

Contact: Up to February 25

ART Darpana Exhibition of paintings by Jayadevanna TS, an artist from Mysore, sponsored by Kanasa and Culture Department, Bangalore. Where: Rainbow Art Gallery, GMC Paryataka Bhavan Begumpet When: Ongoing, 11am onwards

For the love of fauna ‘For the love of fauna’ is a group art exhibition by G Jagadeesh, Jaya Prakash and Maddileti Gaddam. Where: : Residence Inn, Opp SBH Bank, Kavuri Hills, Jubilee Hills When: Up to March 6 11am to 7pm Contact: (040) 2311 3709 Return Of Innocence Sculptural paintings by Lester Paul will be on display. Where: Iconart Gallery, Banjara Hills When: Up to March 2, 11.30am to 7pm Contact: www.iconart.in

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

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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

Solo art show Display of works by Saraswathi L. Where: Muse, Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre When: Up to March 2

DINING Double the love Papa John’s offers heart shaped thin crust pizza for an entire month. It is available in all existent flavours and at no extra cost. Where: All Papa John’s outlets. When: February. Korean Promotion Flavours of authentic family style Korean cuisine prepared by native chefs from Hyatt Regency Incheon. Where: Oriental Bar & Kitchen. When: Lunch — 12.30pm onwards

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

ead down to Syn at the Taj Deccan where a Korean feast of flavour awaits you. Korean cuisine is unfortunately the step child of Asian cuisine in Hyderabad, but Syn will change that view, charged with flavour and spicy enough to tantalise even the most spice-damaged Indian taste buds. The festival runs for dinners only till February 28, so be there to experience the Seoul of food (see what we did there!). You can read the full review by The Foodist online. City’s #1 spot

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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

Filmmaking workshop Alliance Francaise along with Yavanika Films is conducting a film appreciation course over two weekends and a filmmaking workshop over four weekends for adults. When: Weekends starting from February 23, 11am onwards. Contact: 94901 00404 Sushi Food Festival There is a Feng Sushi food festival. Where: Deccan Pavilion, Begumpet When: Up to March 3, 7.30pm onwards Contact: (040) 2340 0132

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

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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

city MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

CIVIC

LAST YEAR... HERE Dog days in Hyderabad

ast year we had reported how Indian dogs suffer appalling cruelty on the streets while expensive foreign breeds live in proper homes. People prefered foreign breeds to an Indian stray. Consequently, the street dog population started increasing at an alarming rate. We also reported on the distinct advantages of Indian dogs over foreign breeds. .

FEBRUARY 25, 2012

NUMEROLOGY

`100

crore is the cost the City had to bear, for security purposes, when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Hyderabad after the bomb blasts.

Every year the situation is getting worse. Some of these students have a lot of political back up. There have been instances where they attacked the supervisors... senior staff, Osmania Univ See page 7

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

Law to protect the public or public servants? Life comes to a standstill when a politician visits an area. When the CM came to the City to take stock of the situation after the blasts, it cost the City `100 crore.

Will politicians ever let OU function smoothly? The university has always been in news for all the wrong reasons. Now, students who have passed out continue to reside in the hostels with political backing.

A name-sake anti-terror organisation? OCTOPUS, misused by politicians, has become a white elephant, sources say.

Survey respondents demand modern trains. A majority of Assocham survey respondents wanted GPS-based and high-speed trains. But even basic hygiene and amenities are missing in most existant trains.

Is evicting immigrants the solution? BJP plans to hold agitations to evict Burmese, Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals from the City.

Official-mayor standoff reveals muck underneath Sources say the mayor’s surprise visit could have been prompted by the tax defaulters list being made public by the zonal commissioner.

Md NIZAMUDDIN nizamuddin.a@postnoon.com

surprise visit by the Mayor Mohd Majid Hussain to the central zone in Khairatabad on February 23 generated an unseemly standoff between the civic patriarch and the official. It has been more than six months since the mayor conducted a surprise inspection in any of the zones. Even though some of the inspections were conducted at the end of 2012, none prompted an altercation between the mayor and an IAS official. According to sources, the zonal commissioner D Ronald Ross did not have the slightest indication that the mayor would be visiting his office. It is believed that the inspection was part of the establishment’s ploy to tame the zonal commissioner, whose actions have reportedly posed a problem for some in power. One of the surprising aspects which came to light is that a contractor was seen recording measure book of the GHMC. This made the mayor take the zonal commissioner to task. He demanded the suspension of the engineer, whose work was being done by the contractor. He said even the chief minister and other ministers had complained about the lackadaisical sanitation work in the zone. When asked about the details of unauthorised construction activities, Ross reportedly replied that until and unless the commissioner sends a circular, he cannot reveal the details. This left the mayor redfaced, who reacted by saying

that even the commissioner works under an elected representative. The mayor maintained that the central zone would be under the scanner from now on. It is believed that the surprise inspection was prompted by the recent developments in the central zone, where his ward Ahmednagar also falls. According to sources, one of the reasons could be the recent demolition of some of the structures in his ward without his notice. Another reason being cited is the list of property tax defaulters from central zone

The mayor has ordered for vigilance enquiry on all the occupancy certificates issued in Circle7 and 10 and asked for a detailed report. being made public by Ross. During his inspection, the mayor found that town planning staff of Circle-7 and 10 were not available in the office. He has directed the zonal commissioner (central) to list out the names of the officers who are

not available between 3pm and 5pm (visiting hours), even after regular instructions and circulars about the same. Audit superintendent, Circle-7, assistant medical officer of health (AMOH), Circle-7, divisional accounts officer (DAO), Circle10, and executive engineers, Circle-7, are some of the officers who were not available during visiting hours. He has ordered for vigilance enquiry on all the occupancy certificates issued in Circle-7 and 10 and directed the concerned officials to submit a detailed report along with the photographs of the buildings.

NEWS BRIEFS Injured blast victims battle for life

ISRO to launch 23rd PSLV today

TDP demands release of water to delta

MLC poll counting underway

ix of the injured in Thursday’s terror attacks in Hyderabad remain critical, hospital sources said. Three injured at Care Hospital and three at Yashoda Hospital are battling for life with critical injuries. The twin bomb blasts at the crowded Dilsukhnagar area in the City on Thursday evening claimed 16 lives and left 117 wounded.

SLV-C20, with the primary satellite SARAL, is set to be launched at 5.56pm today from the ﬁrst launch pad in Sriharikota, in coastal Andhra Pradesh, Indian Space Research Organisation sources said. PSLV-C20, the 23rd PSLV mission of ISRO, would put the 400 kg Indo-French satellite and six others into orbit.

DP demanded that the State government immediately release water from Nagarjuna Sagar canal to the western delta, covering Guntur and Krishna districts. Chandrababu Naidu has, in a letter to the CM, said paddy, chilly and maize crops were withering away. If the government releases water to the delta, crops valued at `500 crore can be saved.

he counting for six MLC (three graduate and three teachers constituency) seats began this morning at six different locations across the State. A. total of 82 candidates contested the elections, which were held through a ballot system on February 21. The results of the elections are expected to be declared by evening.

city MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

SECURITY

Once upon a time there was an OCTOPUS

OCTOPUS sena is a living example of the wanton ways of the government and the police. What an anti-terror!

he ‘elite’ sena continues to enjoy privileges. This news appeared on August 13 last year: “Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today inaugurated the anti-terrorist wing ‘OCTOPUS,’ which was established for the first time in the State to control terrorist activities. The State government constructed the building with highclass facilities behind Tourism Bhavan at Begumpet, where around 250 commandos would be working. Of them, 100 Commandos would be deployed at the Tirumala Tirupati Devastanam at Tirumala. The OCTOPUS would impart training to security personnel to control terrorist activities in the State. The building was constructed at a cost of `5 crore with a state-of-the-art conference hall and communication networking. The works are executed by the Andhra Pradesh State Police Housing Corporation Ltd.”

INKESHAF AHMED ahmed.m@postnoon.com

he rise in political activity in the State capital due to the bitter separate Telangana agitation and the callous attitude of the police department in preventing terrorist attack seems to have compromised on the security of the City. These are some of the prime reasons which led to the twin bomb blasts at Dilsukhnagar that claimed 18 lives and injured 117 on Thursday. If we look at Hyderabad from its security angle, the recent bomb blast was the first incident after the 2007 twin bomb blasts at two famous spots in the City — Lumbini Park and Gokul Chat. The present political dispensation, led by the Congress Party, which came into power for the second consecutive term in May 2009 under the leadership of former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, announced the formation of Organisation to Counter

Terrorism Operations (OCTOPUS) in the aftermath of the twin blasts in 2007. But the then State government could not take any concrete measures to strengthen the organisation, which was touted to resemble the elite National Security Guards (NSG).

WITH YSR GOES OCTOPUS

The untimely death of YSR in a plane crash on September 2, 2009 not only created a huge vacuum in State politics, but also led to the eruption of the separate Telangana agitation in December 2009. The T-agitation, which is still raging, put unprecedented pressure on the State government, especially on the police department from the law and order point of view. The City police, which was already burdened with law and order and VIP security duties, were entrusted with the responsibility of controlling the Telangana agitation. With YSR was gone the ambitious Octopus, which still has posh offices and staff, but hardly

any task. The formation of NIA further rendered it redundant. Commenting on the present status of the City police, a senior congress leader said that maintaining law and order had become the biggest challenge for City cops in the wake of T-agitation. “The City police are already

facing a shortage staff and the Tagitation put further pressure on them. As a result, 90 per cent of the total staff in the police department have confined themselves to maintaining law and order and (keeping watch on) VIP movements, rather than undertaking other crucial tasks

to prevent terror.” A TDP leader also expressed similar views.

DGP BLAMED

On the other hand, many politicians blamed DGP V Dinesh Reddy for the recent terror attacks. "The union home ministry issued alerts regarding impending terrorist attacks recently. It was clearly mentioned in the alerts that the terrorists may target Hyderabad. The DGP and the police department should have taken some concrete security measures to avoid it. But it did not happen," CPI floor leader Gunda Mallesh told Postnoon. BJP senior leader and former union minister of State for Home Minister Ch Vidyasagar Rao felt that the State should immediately take concrete measures to strengthen OCTOPUS by providing adequate funds. He also said that OCTOPUS should be entrusted with the complete responsibility of countering terrorist operations instead of the intelligence department.

city MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

ECONOMY

PM’s visit costs city `100 crore Shutting down business and normal activity during a VVIP visit is justified by security but life of the City derails. ‘Do we need such visits?’ ask many. M ANIL KUMAR

RAHUL RAMAKRISHNA rahul.r@postnoon.com

orget brand Hyderabad. When a bomb rips through a crowded market place in Dilsukhnagar, not just the locality, the whole City will suffer a debilitating economic blow. Add to it the miseries caused by visiting politicians. When Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited the blast site on Sunday to take “stock” of the situation, the entire area and other localities like Malakpet, Kothapet, Begumpet and surroundings were shut down for virtually the whole day. Nobody was spared, particularly the businesses. Poor hawkers, squatters, the criers all lost a day’s earning. Postnoon’s reality check of these areas showed staggering losses not just in the past few days, but on a Sunday when the PM decided to mourn the blast.

Akkayya Rajamma, a fruit vendor’s business thrives on Sundays. After the blast, she says, customer numbers have dropped from 200 to 20s. “There was no point in me going out

into the streets on a Sunday with the PM visiting. There was absolutely no chance of me making any business until 2pm. My first customer was at 3.30pm and I still need to make `1,000 to break

DANGEROUS HYDERABAD

even through the week.” Other vendors say that the entire Dilsukhnagar-Kothapet area took a hit. This being a Sunday, they say, all the 300 vendors will collectively put up a `20 lakh loss by evening. Next come the transport services. Auto rickshaws, shared rickshaws, buses and cabs took a heavier hit. Dilsukhnagar bus depot was shut for two hours. Every hour records a collection of `30 lakh to `40 lakh rupees especially by the APSRTC. And being a Sunday, the afternoon would not generate revenue. So in effect, the entire revenue put up APSRTC’s Dilsukhnagar depot by Sunday evening would be a meagre `25 lakh as opposed to the amount it generates. Auto rickshaw drivers were the worst hit of all. As a union member explains, all of February has been a bad spell and the PM’s visit topped it all. “Keeping in mind all the auto rickshaw ser-

vices (share auto, paid autos and cabs ), at least `80 lakh to `1 crore collections are made around Dilsukhnagar area. Today’s has been the lowest, with very few passengers. The numbers barely even make the 1 lakh margin,” he says. The auto rickshaw business recorded a heavy dent of over `1 crore in a span of six hours. Last, but not the least, the security net thrown over the Dilsukhnagar area and the areas leading to it have left the businesses there with no revenue. Traders associations from Sultan Bazaar estimate a minimum of `100 crore loss. So the entire sum total of losses incurred because of the blast and especially the PM’s visit can be easily put over a `120 crore. “Why do we need such VVIP visits?” asks Nayeem Quadri, a hawker who was watching from the sidelines the PM being briefed about the blast at the spot.

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espite rules that motorists should not take U turns on flyovers, City commuters continue doing so, disregarding safety concerns. Although the traffic police installed dividers along the entire length of some flyovers, there are several more that require

the same stringent restrictions. In this picture, motorists are seen making a U turn on the very busy flyover near the Begumpet airport. A common sight on most days, this flyover is also known to be an accident hotspot thanks to the antics of Hyderabadi motorists.

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city MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

UNIVERSITY FILES

M ANIL KUMAR

The illegal lodgers of OU Hostel rooms that can typically accommodate six students, now have nearly nine in each. But nobody dares to raise a voice against non-boarders for fear of political backlash. ALEENA ALICE aleena.t@postnoon.com

eers of Osmania University are in awe of headstrong student seniors, who have taken a permanent abode at the campus hostels denying space to freshers. The university provides hostel facility for students who are pursuing their Post Graduate and higher education courses. It’s now an open secret that most of the senior students, who finished their course, have not vacated the hostel rooms causing misery to the new students and management. The OU campus hostels can accommodate 3,000 boys and 2,000 girls. But presently there are more than 5,000 girls who are staying unauthorised in the hostels. Boys section too is running at double the capacity. Earlier the hostel wardens would conduct sudden checks to keep a tab on the illegal accommodation of the students. Since 2009, however, no checking was conducted or notice sent to the inmates. Their reluctance is because of the students’ allegiance to various political parties, especially those advocating separate Telangana. “Every year the situation is getting worse. Some of these students have a lot of political backing. There have been instances where they attacked the supervisors who had conducted raids and asked them to leave. Some of them, especially the boys, have external political support and we are powerless to get them evicted. Though we do not provide the non-boarders mess facility,

they somehow ‘adjust’ and ‘share’ the room with the junior students,” said a senior staff of the hostel management. The lodgers have no option but to adjust with the overstaying students. “A room here can typically accommodate six students. However, there are nearly nine

students staying in one room. We find it tough during exam times. Not only that sometimes when we return from college, and want to take relax, the non-boarders would have already occupied our mattresses. Since they are seniors we are scared to tell them anything directly,” says a first year PG student.

If this was one side of the story, a few non-boarders who have been staying there for more than two years have to justify their stay at the hostel premises. “We did not get jobs after we completed our course. Since we come from very poor families we are left with no option but to stay back at the hostel itself. Also in a

The OU campus hostels can accommodate 3,000 boys and 2,000 girls. But presently there are more than 5,000 girls who are staying unauthorised. Boys section too is running at double the capacity.

city like Hyderabad, staying in a hostel will be safer and more secure for a girl,” said a nonboarder. The hostel management however, says that unless and until the university takes serious action, this malpractice will continue as it is. “The main problem here is that the university should make sure that double PG holders are not given accommodation. Most of the double PG holders join courses only to get accommodation in the hostel. If this practice is stopped then the problem will be solved,” said the chief warden Prof D Chennappa.

city MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

RAILWAY BUDGET

Race, rail, Race! A brilliant pre-budget survey by trade body Assocham comes out with many suggestions for improving efficiency and amenity for passengers. One is a moratorium on new passenger trains. POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com

irtually 65 per cent of the 7,000 people representing all sections interviewed in 20 cities by the Assocham team have voted in favour of moratorium on new passenger trains and want the Railway Budget to focus on safety and modernisation, improving existing track and rolling stock and separation of passenger and freight lines. The passengers want trains to run at much higher speeds, even at 180 to 200 kms per hour and heavy investment in safety related areas like more efficient signaling, GPS based train control, and making a serious attempt to implement the corporate culture in running the largest transportation system. Releasing the findings of the interviews, the chamber presi-

Vast country, vast rail network, but it sadly lacks corporate management and culture. Rajkumar Dhoot Chamber president dent Rajkumar Dhoot said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have 63,974 route kms, 1,31,206 bridges 9,000 locomotives, 51,000 passenger coaches, 2,19,931 freight cars operating 19,000 trains each day transporting over two million tonnes of freight and 23 million passengers every day touching 7,083 railway stations across the length and breadth of this vast country and yet sadly lack the corporate culture.â&#x20AC;? Majority of the respondents

feel that the large private sector participation in railways will be possible if investors are convinced that the government is committed to run it as a profitable entity. There has been widespread public acceptance of the recent modernisation of Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad airports despite the huge costs involved and the private sector participation in their construction and running.

URBAN GROWTH PHENOMENAL Assocham strongly feels that the country as a whole cannot ignore the huge demand that rapid urbanisation and immigration of people from villages and small towns to metros and mini-metros would create for more transportation. Though roads would also share this burden long distance travel could only be com-

Suggestions

n Immediately improve food provided in trains which is popularly termed poison

discourse. Accepting that as a public utility catering to the needs of a people with wide variation in socio-economic capability, the railways could not always apply economic viability to every service it provides, most people would like to suggest that the transport major must be compensated for social service obligation from general revenues.

n Govt compensate the social commitment service like MMTS

FINANCIAL HELP TO RAIL

n Stop introducing new trains that add strain on rail network and slows the service n Improve amenities urgently, rodent-ridden coaches will not do for 21st century travel

n Give priority to freight movement, revenue is vital to survival n Give more autonomy to zonal managers to improve service n Raise speed to 180-200 km. This is possible if no new trains are introduced

fortable and possible on a mass scale with railways. Mumbai that in 2011 had a population of 18.14 million would in 2015 grow to 25 million, Delhi and Kolkata from 14.11 million to 16 million, and Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, and other mini-metros cross 10 million. By 2030, some 40.76 per cent of our people, that is 500 million, would be living in urban areas against 31.16 per cent in 2011. This urban bulge will give us an idea of what would be the size of the long distance travelling public in the immediate future. There is therefore no escape from building a most modern scientifically designed and ICT based railway system. As this will take at least a decade to implement in full, there is also no escape from starting the process right now itself. Also it is evident that such a system has costs and cannot be run as a social service at a huge discount to the travelling public forever. The chamber wants this imperative to sink in the public

The chamber suggests an annual grant of `15,000 crore for now to the railways from the general budget. This will be in addition to the one time grant of `20,000 crore the chamber had earlier suggested for safety-related investments and preparing the railways for transformation to the new responsibilities. Assocham has suggested a three-way split of the undertaking with the passenger and freight sections becoming separate entities and the operations alone under the direct control of the Railway Board. The board itself will have members from these two separate entities and will concentrate on planning and monitoring and will have overall authority to issue directives to the two separate entities from time to time. This arrangement will also ensure that the well knit structure of the railways at present is focused on implementation of operation directly under the board which can set efficiency and economy norms. The zonal managers should be given more autonomy and financial powers and made accountable for pre-set operational indices. The financial arrangement could be worked out with the assets being owned by the Railway Board and treated as leased out to the two corporations dealing with passenger and freight customers. Compiled by PK Surendran

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

Business

QANTAS DIRECTOR QUITS OVER BANK SCANDAL

A director at Australia’s Qantas Airways resigned from the board on Monday after being linked to scandals at Italy’s Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena. Corinne Namblard denies any wrongdoing but offered her resignation to Qantas chairman Leigh Clifford.

BUDGET EXPECTATIONS

TECHNOLOGY

Huawei launches fastest smartphone

IT needs a leg-up from government The industry needs simpler procedures with clearly defined policy framework to help MNCs enter, establish and grow in India. PRUDHVI RAJU K prudhvi.k@postnoon.com

ownward revisions and low growth expectations for the Indian economy and IT industry, projected by agencies and industry bodies, is a bothering factor. It is evident that neither the country’s economic growth nor the growth of the IT industry will touch even the last year’s growth (FY 12). Much of IT industry’s downturn can be attributed to the global slowdowm but industry leaders say there is so much government can do in this budget to drive its growth to the fullest potential. “The decline of the economic growth to the lowest in a decade is certainly a worrying factor. Monetary easing, policy directions on improving the investor sentiments, consensus on Direct tax code, GST (Goods and Service Tax) and others need an immediate push. The government should rationalise the taxation and bring about more clarity on Transfer Pricing. Reducing the amount of litigation under various tax frameworks and creating transparency will certainly help with buoyancy and growth in IT sector,” said Suman Reddy, vice president and MD, Pegasystems. Transfer Pricing refers to the value attached to transfers of goods, services and technology between related entities (between two units of the same company in different countries). It also refers to the value attached to transfers between unrelated parties, which are controlled by a common entity. “There should be clarity on the transfer pricing and the procedures, how it is to be interpreted and processed. Currently the regulations for transfer pricing are a bit too non-deterministic and makes it difficult for any multinational corporation with development labs or engineering operations

Other requirements Rollback minimum alternate tax to previous level n No limitations on forwarding businesses losses (currently 10 years) n Policies to further strengthen skill development and to ease the tax process n

in India to plan their investment and expansion strategies,” said Ramesh Loganathan, vice president (products) and centre head, Progress Software. The business leaders also assert simple procedures required for attracting MNCs to start their operations here. “The current government policies for MNCs in India lack a structured framework. The industry needs simpler procedures with clearly defined policy framework to help MNCs enter, establish and grow in India,” said Suman Reddy.

“Innovative start-ups will drive the growth in the sector in near future shifting the dependency of the industry from the services domain. Startups should be given taxation and infrastructural incentives to allow them to grow at a faster pace and help them to stabilise the business especially in the first couple of years when they are in an early stage.” he added. “All export companies in IT/ITES companies are entitled for refund of service tax paid on the input services. However, the same is not a reality due to the complexity involved in getting the refunds. Many small companies are not applying for the refund considering the hassles being created in the chain of refund claim. “The government should make getting refunds a smoother process that helps in saving valuable time for the companies, said Padmaja Chowdary, treasurer, ITsAP (The IT and ITES Industry Association of Andhra Pradesh).

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DOLLAR `53.79 `54.10 `85.15 POUND `81.83

hina’s Huawei, the number three smartphone maker behind giants Samsung and Apple, unveiled Sunday a new mobile, the Ascend P2, which it claims is the fastest in the world. Sharp-cornered and thinner than a pencil at 8.4 mm, the company said it can achieve speeds of 150 Mbps, fast enough to download a two-hour high-definition movie in less than five minutes. The mobile, which has a 4.7-inch, high definition screen, has a powerful 1.5 GHz quad-core processor and is able to use the fourth-generation high speed mobile networks being rolled out worldwide. Huawei said its phone surpassed top speeds of 100 Mbps for the fourth-generation network ready versions of Apple’s flagship iPhone 5 and Samsung’s Galaxy SIII.

CELKON LAUNCHES PHONE, TAB

elkon, a city based mobile manufacturing company, has launched A225, 4.7 inch dual core smart phone and a CT 910, a 3G SIM voice call tablet in the market. The dual sim smart phone is priced at `9,499 runs on 4.1 Andriod with 8 mega pixel rear camera and 2 mega pixel front camera. The 7-inch voice call tablet runs on Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) with 1 GHz Processor is priced at `8,699.

BSE 6,057.70 5,856.65 NSE

20,025.67 19,340.14 44.10 23.13 9.20 6.35

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

nation CRIME

Denied cigarettes, gang beats up teens MEDININAGAR (JHARKHAND): Three teenagers including a girl were beaten up by miscreants beat after their father refused to give them cigarettes at Patan in Palamu district, police said today. The teenagers father Amrika Paswan has shop which sells cigarette. Last evening some miscreants came to the shop and demanded cigarettes. Paswan told them they should pay for the cigarettes and he cannot give them without money. Infuriated the miscreants started beating the teenaged sons and daughter of Paswan — Ramlagan Paswan, Abhay Paswan and Seema with a lathi. The children were at the shop to help their father, the sources said. The three children of Paswan were rushed to nearby primary health centre, where they were treated. An FIR has been lodged. PTI

4m expected for Pongala

illed by Guinness World Records as the single largest gathering of women in the world, a staggering four million devotees are expected to cook offerings as part of the famous Attukal Pongala festival to be held in Thiruvananthapuram today. The women line up on either side of the roads in the capital city to cook their offering “pongala” on makeshift stoves of bricks and firewood. IANS

AK-56 FOUND DURING SEARCH OPERATION An AK-56 assault rifle and a carbine were seized by security personnel from the jungles near Hrangchalkawn village in south Mizoram’s Lunglei district, police said today. The weapons were seized by security personnel of the state police and Assam Rifles during a combing operation yesterday.

HYPERSONIC BRAHMOS?

ART FOR A CAUSE

Artists create wall paintings during the “Design The Change” wall art event in New Delhi on Sunday. AFP/SAJJAD HUSSAIN

CRIME

‘Woman killed over personal animosity’

She was murdered by a man who was upset with her as she was creating problems in his relationship with her friend. NEW DELHI: Personal animosity was the reason behind the murder of a 25-year-old woman who was shot dead near the Sarai Kale Khan bus terminal, police said Monday. Pooja, a resident of Bhajanpura in east Delhi, was standing near the Sarai Kale Khan inter-state bus terminal in south Delhi when she was shot Sunday night. She was taken to the AIIMS Trauma

Centre where she died of bullet injuries. Police sources said Monday that she was murdered by a man called Munshi Yadav, who was allegedly upset with her as she was creating problems in his relationship with her friend Kiran. “Munshi Yadav, who murdered the woman, wanted to marry her friend Kiran. He said Pooja was creating

hurdles in the relationship, which had led to arguments several times,” a police official said. According to police, Pooja was accompanied by her livein partner Manoj at the time. She had a loud argument with Yadav, after which he shot her. Yadav, and another man named Rehman who accompanied him, were arrested. IANS

NEWS BRIEFS Mentally ill man clubs mother to death

5 NDFB militants held with arms, ammo

Four killed in two separate accidents

6 more floating outposts for India-Bangla border

PANAJI: A 45-year-old mentally challenged man allegedly hacked to death his 75-year-old mother in their house at Siolim near here, police said today. The incident took place yesterday when accused Ravi Shirodkar hit his mother Nalini with a wooden plank on her head, leaving her dead on the spot, they said.

GUWAHATI: Five NDFB militants have been nabbed and arms and ammunition seized by the Army in Assam’s Baksa district today, ofﬁcial sources said. Security personnel also recovered four 9 mm pistols, ﬁve rounds of ammunition, six mobile sets and two motor-bikes from their possession. The militants are being interrogated.

THRISSUR: Four persons were killed in two separate road accidents in the district, police said. Two persons were killed when a tourist bus knocked them down at Kecheri early today. Two others were killed at Aattoor late last night in a head-on collision of their motor bikes, police said.

KOLKATA: Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde, who on Sunday reviewed coastal security of West Bengal said the BSF would get six new ﬂoating border outposts for enhanced surveillance of the riverine India-Bangladesh border in the state. The three ﬂoating BOPs are at T-Junction, Sagar, Shamsernagar at the riverine Indo-Bangla border.

BrahMos Aerospace, an IndoRussian joint venture, has initiated efforts to develop technology for hypersonic version of the BrahMos missile which can travel at ﬁve to seven times the speed of sound, a top company ofﬁcial has said. “The company is roping in academics to develop the requisite technology before going in for designing and developing missiles which can travel at Mach 5 to 7. It will be BrahMos II version next to the present variants of Mach 2.8 to 3.5,” A Sivathanu Pillai MD & CEO of the company told PTI. He said the IISc, Bangalore, would collaborate with the company with a 20 member scientists’ team developing technologies for high temperature material required to build the missile, cram-jet propulsions and energy modules and the requisite algorithms.

GUJ GRAIN OUTPUT FALLS The foodgrain production in Gujarat has dipped by 8 lakh tonnes in 2011-12 over the previous ﬁnancial year, according to Socio Economic Review of the state. As per the second advance estimates for year 2012-13, the production of total foodgrains and oil seeds are estimated to be 71.56 and 38.28 lakh tonnes, respectively, a considerable dip. However, the overall agricultural growth rate of the state continues to be in double digit. During Rabi season, at end of January 21, 2013, the acreage under various crops was reported at 29.64 lakh hectares, which is 87 per cent of average area (34.21 lakh) sown during the last three years, the review said.

We were expecting that after the two executions (of Kasab and Ajmal Guru), some reaction had to come. We had been giving alerts throughout the country. Sushilkumar Shinde Union home minister

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

World

F-35 FLIGHTS SHOULD RESUME SOON: PENTAGON OFFICIAL The Pentagon's director of the F-35 programme said Monday the next-generation fighter jet could be back in the air within a fortnight after an engine crack forced the grounding of test flights. Lieutenant General Christopher Bogdan, in Australia for talks on the jet, also dismissed any talk of foreign customers backing out of the costly F-35 or Joint Strike Fighter project because of its delays.

CUBA

MR MAYOR

Castro era to end in 2018

President Raul Castro announced the five-year term he has just begun will be his last. MEXICO CITY: The race to succeed Mr Castro, who is 81, now has a front-runner: Miguel DíazCanel Bermúdez, 52, an electrical engineer and former minister of higher education, whom Mr. Castro selected as his top vice president on Sunday, making him first in the line of succession. “It represents a definitive step in the configuration of the future leadership of the nation,” Mr Castro told lawmakers at a

“It represents a definitive step in the configuration of the future leadership of the nation.” Former president Fidel Castro (L) listening to his brother and current president, Raul, at Cuba's new National Assembly.

Raul Castro President of Cuba

conference of legislative leaders in Havana on Sunday. He added that Cuba is at a moment of “historic transcendence.” Indeed, Mr Castro’s speech had the tone of an unsentimental goodbye. Just as Mr Castro has inched the island toward free market reforms since taking over from his brother in 2006, his plan for a transition amounts to a slow fade, or, as Mr Castro put it, the “gradual transfer”.

STONES VS GUNS A Palestinian protestor hurls a stone towards Israeli security forces during clashes at the entrance of the Jalama checkpoint, near the West Bank city of Jenin, on February 24, 2013. Israel demanded of Palestinian leaders to quell unrest as thousands of detainees in Israeli jails staged a oneday hunger strike a day after an inmate died, and their supporters clashed with security forces. AFP PHOTO/SAIF DAHLAH

When Azra Jafari became mayor of Nili, she knew that the impoverished and remote Afghan town desperately needed roads and investment. She was aware she would be living in very basic conditions, on a meagre salary of $76 (£50) a month, and that taking care of a four-year-old daughter at the same time would be challenging. What she was less prepared for was the appearance of a powerful mullah in her unheated, makeshift office, wagging his finger at her, warning that Nili was not about to accept a female mayor who thought she could "exploit her femininity in order to complete a few projects and influence our women". "After three months, the same man came up to me and thanked me," Jafari recalled, four years later. "He said, 'If a man could do just half of what you've done here, our province will surely flourish.' He now supports me and we work very well together – I have a great deal of respect for him." She is now referred to as "Mr Mayor" by her community, a title that conveys respect in a country not known for women's rights. Until 2009, Nili – a small town of about 40,000 people at the centre of Daykundi province – had never seen a female official, said Jafari.

NEWS BRIEFS South Korea swears in first female president

Jordan cop, two children hurt as Syrian refugees riot

Pak in dark after major breakdown in power grid

SEOUL: Park Geun-Hye was sworn in as South Korea's ﬁrst female president Monday, vowing zero tolerance with provocation from North Korea and demanding Pyongyang "abandon its nuclear ambitions" immediately. As leader of Asia's fourth-largest economy, Park, the 61-year-old daughter of a military strongman, faces challenges including slowing growth and soaring welfare costs in one of the world's most rapidly ageing societies. Taking the oath of ofﬁce before 70,000 people in front of the National Assembly building in Seoul, Park called on North Korea to "abandon its nuclear ambitions without delay" and rejoin the international community. The North carried out its third nuclear test earlier this month, triggering global condemnation and the threat of toughened sanctions from the UN Security Council.

AMMAN: A Jordanian cop and two Syrian children were injured when refugees rioted at the Zaatari camp in northern Jordan, prompting police to use tear gas to disperse them, a government ofﬁcial has said. The unrest involving around 200 Syrians broke out after a visitor to the camp distributed money to the refugees yesterday, said Anmar Hmud, a government spokesman. "A man from an Arab country gave away cash to the refugees in Zaatari. When he was done, a Syrian man approached him asking for money but the man had no more to give and the two began ﬁghting," Hmud said. "After that around 200 refugees started rioting. "Police intervened, using tear gas to disperse them after a policeman and two Syrian children were injured in the riots," Hmud added. Several refugees were wounded in clashes with Jordanian police after they protested against harassment.

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad, Feb 24 (PTI) Cities across Pakistan, including the capital, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar, plunged into darkness today after a major breakdown in the national power grid, ofﬁcials said. The blackout began at about 11.30 pm after a privately run 1,200 MW thermal power plant in southwestern Balochistan province developed a fault and stopped generating electricity. "The HUBCO (Hub Power Company) plant developed a fault and the load was transferred to the Mangla and Tarbela hydel projects but they tripped. After that, several smaller powerhouses tripped," Javed Parvez, CEO of the Islamabad Electric Supply Company, told the media. The Mangla and Tarbela power projects had resumed generating electricity and efforts were being made to restore the supply of power to cities in phases, Parvez said and added power had been restored in parts.

PICK YOUR

Across Stores

ities Twin C

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

Comment Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking.

THE PLAGUE OF TERROR

Agence France-Presse

outh Korea's new president hinted strongly Monday that she would seek to rein in the powerful conglomerates that dominate the national economy and have been accused of stifling innovation. Park Geun-Hye made the domestic economy the focus of her inaugural speech as she was sworn in as South Korea's first female president in a ceremony in Seoul. The daughter of the late dictator Park Chung-Hee, Park took aim at the giant family run corporations, or "chaebols", that were nurtured by her father as the motors of South Korea's economic growth. There have been growing calls to reform chaebols such as Samsung and Hyundai whose interests have expanded into almost every sector of the economy, and whose financial clout has smothered smaller competitors. "I believe strongly that only when a fair market is firmly in place, can everyone dream of a better future and work to their fullest potential," Park said in her speech. "By rooting out various unfair practices and rectifying the misguided habits of the past which have frustrated small business owners ... we will provide active support to ensure that everyone can live up to their fullest potential," she said. There is a widespread public perception that the chaebols have monopolised the benefits of economic growth but hi-tech firms such as Samsung have raised South Korea's profile abroad with their innovations in electronics and mobile computing. Park, who belongs to the ruling conservative party, had pushed the need for chaebol reform during her campaign.

POLTROONS, POLICE, PRIESTS & POLITICIANS HARD TALK

Albert Einstein Nobel winner

Park fires the first shot JUNG HA-WON

HIGH-FLYING THOUGHTS

A female mayor in Afghanistan is unimaginable. And that she is doing well gathering praise from all including her husband who first thought is astounding. It is people like Azra Jafari that inspires those who have given up on Afghanistan to change their views.

PK Surendran

terrorist is a certified coward. It is the most cowardice activity a human being can take up. And, it is abusive of religion as no God worth His salt ever ask you to wage a war on his behalf. Show me one Divinity that asks you to be God’s agent of war, I will eat my words. This being the truth why is that the religious heads are not preventing this rescaling activity the world over? This is something for the faith healers to answer. As Postnoon reported the other day, a 15-year-old can make a bomb, a five-year-old can trigger it. Where is the bravery? What do we achieve from killing a few unwary people who have possibly done nothing against humanity? The twin blasts of Thursday in Dulsukhnagar are another grim reminder of the failure of the religious heads to correct their flocks. It is also a pointer to those men who are an insult to the uniform. For, no terror takes place without local helps and priestly sanction. What happens when one promotes terrorism, misconstrued as a brave act? Look not far, look just across the border.

Pakistan is today the victim of its own monster it created to ‘teach others a lesson.’ Not a day passes without a sectarian killing in Pakistan. The Frankenstein monster it created has gained a thousand heads and it is spilling over the borders. And, none but the brave journalists of Pakistan know this better. I have a sneaking respect for the journalists of Pakistan. Read them, listen to them whether it be the Dawn or the Nation or any other English daily. In all 120 journalists were killed in Pakistan since its creation, 51 of them in the last 10 years. They are the sufferers and, therefore, they are the best authority to talk of terrorism. In a country where mercenaries of death sow death liberally, they have shown extra ordinary courage to live and work. The last 51 journalist victims of Pak were on following beats. n 6% Business n 14% Corruption n 25% Crime n 4% Culture n 16% Human Rights n 61% Politics n 39% War

ly. The myth that poverty and illiteracy are two fundamental reasons for terror is proved wrong. Many of the modern terrorists are well-educated, techsavvy people who should be spending their lives meaningfully. It is the same with corruption (myth is that the poor and ill-paid indulge in corruption). Even the wealthy and highlypaid defence officers are caught for corruption. So while the traditional theories fall by the way side one must put the blame on the selfish vote-catching local mercenaries who masquerade as political leaders.

HOW TO ROOT OUT TERROR

Unfortunately, there’s no easy way out. Until and unless political parties declare terror has no colour or faith (not political statement which our politicians give without batting an eyelid) there is no hope. That moving swiftly against terror may bring in surprise elements but the law and the rulers must be firm remains underscored in the war against terror. Those giving hate speech are the first to be lynched. Word precede deed, there can be no clemency for those preaching naked hatred against their fellow countrymen.

TAILEND

There is an example of brave political stance taken by the late communist Acharya, EMS Namboodiripad of Kerala. The Marxist-politician once declared his party did not need BJP votes which astonished those used to political chicanery. But a similar stance one ought to take vis-a-vis terror. Let all political parties denounce sincerely that the burden of not proving guilty who are caught on terror charge is on them, not on the community. And, if the police played scapegoat politics they ought to be sacked.

DISCRIMINATION?

Many old theories of terrorism fall apart when examined close-

EDITORIALS Stop this atrocious behaviour, police

hat is the situation in India coming to? On the one hand we strut about saying we have the RTI Act that empowers citizens to seek any information sans Defence secrets. And, on the other, we are arresting people who comment on news and developments. Not even in Emergency Days did the police behave like this. Comment on Facebook and other social media is the right of every citizen. Moderating the speech is the portal’s or publisher’s job, not commentators. It is shameful that the UPA government which crows about aam aadmi goes right out to grab the neck of the same aadmi at the ﬁrst instance. The police registering cases under Sec 68 A of IT Act against those commented on P J Kurien and his alleged complicity in a rape case of Suryanelli is reprehensible and objectionable. We can’t call it a democracy any longer if we do this. Those abusing power must remember that we can’t ape China on this. We are a free country and our freedom of opinion is not negotiable.

READERS’ VIEWS

Captain Cool is back and how!

ave those who bayed for the blood of Dhoni gone into hiding? If not, then they should. Because Dhoni’s 206 no was not the maniacal badgering that appears like a flash in the pan, but a powerful, calculated effort that was timed right and fine. Our team’s fortunes have not been great, and all fingers pointed at the man that won this cricket-crazy nation the world. With the several strokes he played to get his double, he has blasted away any doubts about his form and capabilities.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

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

VANGUARD OF CHANGE

French women on top

Songs of solidarity

rance has overtaken the United States in placing women on the boards of the world’s 200 largest companies, according to a study released on Friday. The average percentage of female directors among Fortune Global 200 companies, the world’s largest by revenues, came to a modest 15 percent, but 25.1 percent of directors in the 17 top French companies are now women, thanks to a French quota law..

Flying high

n March 8 — International Women’s Day — the UN will release a song called ‘One Woman’, featuring more than 20 artistes from across the world. The musicians, both men and women, have come together from every corner of the globe to spread the message of unity. Violence against women, discrimination and gender equality will be addressed in the piece, which also features Anoushka Shankar from India. The song will be put up on the http://song.unwomen.org/ on March 8 and will be available for download thereafter.

young woman in Ghana is breaking barriers by becoming the first civilian female pilot trained in her country. Patricia Mawuli, 24, is also the first black African to obtain the “coveted” Rotax Aircraft Engines certificate. And if this weren’t unusual enough for a woman in rural Ghana, Mawuli is also an aircraft engineer. Mawuli transports medical supplies and doctors all around the country. AFP/MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH

You have to start somewhere... If you ask me, there is no combination like sports and women. I would be really happy if it went across and women participate in it.

It’s amazing how many of the issues facing women in the ancient world still linger today. Women still face the same sort of disrespect and abuse today.

Shah Rukh Khan Actor

Madeline Miller Author

WORKING WOMEN

TWO STEPS BACK

Bring older women back on TV, says British MP

Canadian cops abuse aboriginal women

n a recent report, Human Rights Watch has accused the Canadian police of raping and abusing aboriginal women in the country. Receiving little response from the authorities, the organisation published critiques of the police commissioner and the government for failing to take action. Indigenous leaders have called on supranational human rights organizations and supporters of aboriginal self-determination to continue calling attention to the abuse of native peoples by Canadian authorities, reports Press TV.

20-year-old dies after acid attack

young woman died on Sunday of her injuries sustained in an acid attack a month ago. A man had thrown acid on the 20-year-old woman while she was alone at an Internet cafe where she worked. The woman and her attacker were in a relationship and were considering getting married. When she asked him to maintain some distance until her parents gave their consent for the wedding, the man was enraged. The fiance has now been arrested.

A girl holds a national flag during a pro-government rally in the village of Arad in Muharreq, Bahrain.

‘Regulate Internet to curb crimes’ A committee set up by the Maharashtra government has suggested a clampdown on offensive material available on online sites.

committee, set up by the Maharashtra government to recommend measures to curb crime against women, has suggested a clampdown on obscene and offensive material available on the Internet and social networking sites. The Justice Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari committee has also suggested that a rape accused, who is fifteen years old or above, must not be treated as a juvenile.There is an urgent need to impose restrictions on objectionable material which is easily available on the Internet as it has the tendency to “corrupt

young minds”, says the third interim report of the committee. The copy of the report was produced before the Bombay High Court last week during the hearing on a public interest litigation filed by NGO ‘Help

Mumbai Foundation’. Another recommendation is that names of the people convicted for crimes against women be published. This would bring about awareness and prevent such crimes, it says. Further, it says, those who do not report the crimes against women too should be treated as offenders. “Being a mute spectator is a crime,” says the committee. The panel castigated the police for being insensitive to the women. If a police officer refuses to take cognisance of a crime against women, he should be prosecuted and his senior should be held responsible too, it suggests. PTI

he Independent reports that MP Harriet Harman has written to seven broadcast chiefs in the UK, demanding details on how many women over 50 are employed as newsreaders and reporters. The MP says that many women are being hampered from fulfilling their career goals by a combination of ageism and sexism. She said, “Women have made great strides in terms of interviewing, reporting, presenting, but then they are swept under the carpet. This is the next frontier of discrimination.”

Syria gets first woman battalion

n war-torn Syria, women have stepped up to do their part. A total of 150 Kurdish women have set up a female-only battalion in the northern province of Aleppo, states a report from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. While women have fought alongside men, this is the first time an all-woman troop has been set up. The announcement comes a month after the government set up units called the National Defense Forces, which have actively been seeking to recruit women of all ages.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

campus

GIRLS IN FOCUS

The movie It's a girl will be screened at Lamakaan at 7pm on Thursday. Shot in India and China, the movie depicts problems faced by girls today.

IN A FRENZY

COLLEGE FEST

ANIMATION CENTRAL The three-day IIIT fest, Felicity, was a youth extravaganza — vibrant, colourful and zesty.

AMY ROSE THOMAS amyrose.t@postnoon.com

IIT Felicity is creating a flutter in the City with more than 6,000 students from across the country turning up at the do. Among the events that were organised, rock nights on Saturday and Sunday were the most attended, and renowned Indian bands like Paradigm Shift and Scribe had the crowd in a frenzy. One of the most anticipated events, Battle of Bands, which had bands from different colleges in the City taking part, had a band from HCU emerging as the winner. Online competitions that were lined up before the fest had colleges from 67 countries participating. One of the organisers, Goutham Valeti says, “Online competitions, including coding competition, cash in and mathematical questions, went viral before the fest. The prize money that we offered was also quite attractive with the first prize being `50,000.” Other events included facade (face painting), paper dressing, graffiti, rangoli, stomp the yard (dance competition), robo soccer, robot wars and others. “Participation in any event was free of cost, except the

BALAKRISHNA

Battle of Bands, which had bands from different colleges in the City taking part, had a band from HCU emerging as the winner. adventure sports. We had skate boarding and rappelling set up and a lot of adventure freaks took part. Royal Enfield had put up a test driving campaign which saw students in hordes turning up,” Valeti says. Events like hair dressing and

paper dressing that are usually not part of other college fests were major crowd pullers here. “We had a blast dressing up people’s hair. We gave funky hairstyles to everyone. Getting men’s hair done was much more interesting than ladies’,” one of the participants, Rekha says. Since the theme of the fest was animation, students decked the campus with illustrations of various cartoon characters, including Flintstones, Dragonball Z and Popeye, and Pokemon. “Basic theme given to participants was animation. However, we tweaked it a bit for each of the competitions. For instance, the theme given to t-shirt designing competition was hope and animation,” she says. One of the stalls set up at the fest was by NGO Make a Difference. Mansukh, a volunteer, says that the fest saw MAD t-shirts selling like hot cakes. “The t-shirts we sold was for `350 and the funds will sponsor the education of the underprivileged children. We had a lot of inquisitive students turning up to buy these t-shirts and to know more about the organisation,” he says. The fest was a youth extravaganza — vibrant, colourful and zestful.

SILVER JUBILEE FEST Dept. of Computer Science announced the much awaited “Silver Jubilee Fest — A two-day National Fest" which is going to happen in July 2013.

COLLEGE OF THE WEEK

Sophia

College For Women is an undergraduate college established in 1941 by Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is affiliated to the University of Mumbai. The university granted temporary affiliation to the college for first year and intermediate classes. The college introduced BMM, a three-year course leading to a degree in journalism and advertising in 2000-01.

TRENDING...

The film, Laying Janaki to Rest, will be screened at Lamakaan on Wednesday from 7pm. The film explores the symbolic relationship of Sita, a goddess from the epic Ramayana, with the image of women in India. Documentary filmmaker Madhureeta Anand made the movie.

Radio City 91.1 FM launched an exclusive line of ‘Love Guru’ tshirts. Funky love quotes, whacky messages, is something that the listeners can look forward to as ‘Love Guru’ tee-shirts offer all these and more. ‘Love Guru’ t-shirts will be available in various designs for girls & guys.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

OSCARS

SPECIAL

15 AFP

THE 85TH ACADEMY AWARDS

Cringes, laughs, stumbles B

en Affleck's Iran hostage crisis drama Argo won the coveted best film Oscar on Sunday at the climax of the 85th Academy Awards, Hollywood's biggest night which saw many movies honoured. Taiwan-born Ang Lee won best director for spectacular 3D fantasy Life of Pi, Daniel DayLewis took home his third best actor trophy for Lincoln and Jennifer Lawrence was crowned best actress for Silver Linings Playbook. But veteran filmmaker Steven Spielberg, whose presidential drama had the most nominations with 12 nods, went home without either of the top awards — best picture or best director.

Overall, Life of Pi won most Oscars with four awards, against three for Argo and Les Miserables, two each for Django Unchained and Lincoln, and one for Zero Dark Thirty. The show was heavily musical: British singer Adele sang Oscar-winning 007 theme Skyfall as part of a segment feting 50 years of Bond films, and legendary diva Barbra Streisand sang The Way We Were in her first Oscars performance for 36 years. There were also performances from the cast of multiple-nominated Les Miserables, including best supporting actress winner Anne Hathaway, and from Chicago, on the 10th anniversary of its best picture Oscar win. Affleck, whose movie had taken virtually all of

the top prizes during Hollywood's awards season, paid tribute to Spielberg as a "towering" talent in the movie industry. In an unexpected move, the best picture winner was announced by First Lady Michelle Obama, addressing the Oscars show — and final presenter, legend Jack Nicholson— by videolink from the White House. Hunger Games star Lawrence got a standing ovation as her award was announced, over fellow nominees Jessica Chastain, French star Emmanuelle Riva, Naomi Watts and nine-year-old Quvenzhane Wallis, the youngest ever nominee. DayLewis, who had been widely expected to win best actor,

appeared to fight back tears as he took the stage — and then joked as he was handed the golden statuette by Meryl Streep. "Three years ago, before we decided to do a straight swap, I had been committed to play Margaret Thatcher," he said, referring to Streep's Oscar-winning performance as the former British premier in The Iron Lady. The show included a tribute segment to the James Bond movies, with Adele's performance and legendary diva Shirley Bassey belting out the theme tune from Goldfinger. The star-studded and heavily musical show was preceded by a twohour A-list fashion parade on the red carpet, with a healthy serv-

ing of old-school Hollywood glamour on display. Family Guy creator MacFarlane started with a joke about Affleck, who — despite his win's ultimate triumph — failed to win a best director nomination, quipping that he was "unknown to the Academy." Affleck — the first person to win best picture without being nominated as director since Driving Miss Daisy in 1990 — had a diplomatic well wisher, Saturday when new US Secretary of State John Kerry tweeted best wishes. Although he started the season two months ago as the favourite, Spielberg had to settle with Day-Lewis's best actor Oscar, which had been widely expected. AFP

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

OSCARS 2

SPECIAL 5

18 AFP

NIGHT OF

SPLENDOUR The most prestigious award ceremony is upon us. The red carpet of the 85th Academy Awards ceremony saw stars flaunting creations of Giorgio Armani and Christian Dior with elan and style. 9

1 Jessica Chastain 2 Halle Berry 3 Amanda Seyfried 4 Charlize Theron 5 Jennifer Lawrence 6 Anne Hathaway 7 Helen Hunt 8 Nicole Kidman 9 George Clooney, Stacy

Keibler 10 Bradley Cooper with a guest 11 Steven Spielberg, Kate Capshaw 12 Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner 13 Naomi Watts 14 Quentin Tarantino 15 Daniel Day-Lewis 16 Joseph Gordon-Levitt 17 Hugh Jackman

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

health

KERALA DOCTOR INVENTS SYRINGE THAT CAN'T BE REUSED In a major breakthrough, a doctor in Kerala developed a cheap, effective and eco-friendly medical syringe that can never be reused. The syringe can be used for injection as well as blood aspiration in a single sitting. In other syringe models, separate devices are needed for each procedure.

BIRTH PANGS

Taking that first breath

WHO reports claim birth asphyxia causes 900,000 deaths each year. Doctors stress on the need to have proper equipments like suction during delivery to treat an asphyxiated baby. DEEPASHRI V

deepashri.v@postnoon.com

s the name suggests, birth asphyxia occurs when the baby does not get enough oxygen during birth. Some of the reasons why this happens are insufficient oxygen supply in the mother’s blood, low blood pressure of the mother, early separation of placenta from the uterus or compression of umbilical cord, according to medicalgeek.com. It also says that birth asphyxia can even occur just after birth due to anaemia, shock or respiratory problems. It can also occur if labour is not monitored properly, or prolonged signs of distress from the baby were not recognised, said Dr Devika Gunasheela, managing director and consultant obstetrician gynaecologist at Gunasheela Hospitals, Bangalore. The baby can develop cerebral palsy, retardation or have difficulty in reading and writing, she said. Sometimes it can’t be prevented, as in the case of “abruption (bleeding behind the placenta),” Dr Gunasheela said. According to the World Health Organisation, birth asphyxia results in nearly 900,000 deaths each year and is one of the main causes of “early neonatal mortality.” The WHO has also set some standard procedures that need to be followed while treating asphyxiated babies, so as to minimise the damage and improve chances of

recovery. Apart from providing ventilation and clearing the airways, it stresses on “drying, stimulating and warming babies in distress.” But these resuscitation principles are not practiced properly everywhere. A paediatrician is present during delivery to resuscitate the baby, said Dr Sharmila

ANEWS PP-LYBRIEFS YOURSELF

Asthana, consultant paediatrician at Apollo Hospital. “During the transition from before birth to after birth, when the baby takes the first breath, the paediatrician helps out. If the baby doesn’t cry immediately, or there is a gap of more than five minutes for the oxygen to reach the brain, it can permanently dam-

HOUSECALL

age the brain.” She said you have to ‘bag and mask’ the baby. It can be done even for half an hour, till you get to the nearest care centre. Secretions that block the baby’s air passage should be removed by suction. The ABCs of resuscitation are airway, breathing and circulation. Only

DID YOU KNOW?

after breathing is alright, circulation is checked. After the passage is cleared, the breathing is assessed. “The baby is not pink as soon as it is born,” she said. If the baby does not respond to this, then it is intubated. A tube is put down the throat and into the lungs, and oxygen is sent through the tube, she said.

PIONEERS

iTriage Health

Nyctalopia

Women’s hearts do race

Percy Julian

Created by two ER docs, iTriage helps you answer the questions: “What medical condition could I have?” and “Where should I go for treatment?” Save, easily accessible, and share the healthcare information that's most important to you. iTriage has 4.5 star rating from our millions of users in over 80 countries.

Nyctalopia, also called "Night Blindness," is a condition which makes it difficult or impossible to see in relatively low light. It is a symptom of several eye diseases. Night blindness may exist from birth, or be caused by injury or malnutrition. The most common cause of nyctalopia is retinitis pigmentosa, a disorder in which the rod cells in the retina gradually lose their ability to respond to the light.

The heart of an adult beats about 70 to 80 beats per minute, 100,000 times every day, 40 million times a year and in 70 years it will have beaten 2½ billion times. A female heart beats about 10 times per minute faster than a male’s. The rate can increase to as much as 200 per minute during heavy exercise.

Born to former slaves in Alabama in 1899, pioneering chemist Percy Julian was not allowed to attend high school but went on to earn his Ph.D. His research at academic and corporate institutions led to the chemical synthesis of drugs to treat glaucoma and arthritis, and although his race presented challenges at every turn, he is regarded as one of the most influential chemists in American history.

health MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

LIFESTYLE AND HEALTH

BREAKTHROUGH

NO TIME FOR BABIES women opt for freezing eggs There is an increasing trend of working women, who want to delay pregnancy, going in for freezing eggs. It’s scientifically called ‘oocyte freezing’. NEW DELHI: Deepika Gupta, 35, a lawyer in a Delhi court, has been into a few relationships but has not been able to narrow down to Mr Right. With her biological clock ticking fast and her wish to have her own children in the near future, she has now chosen to have her eggs frozen and have babies when she finds her companion. According to experts, with women getting more career-oriented and opting for late marriages, fertility could decline and their chances of having babies later too become difficult. But egg freezing offers them an option to have their biological children whenever they want. “Many women are coming forward to preserve their fertility as either they don’t want to have a child now or haven’t found the right person. Every month we get four-five queries about egg freezing and one or two of them come in for the procedure,” said Shivani Sachdev Gour, director, Surrogacy Centre India (SCI) Healthcare, in Kailash Colony in south Delhi,. The right age for a woman to have children is before 30, after which the ovum quality slowly reduces. After the age of 37, it becomes really difficult for women to conceive naturally. “Women aged between 30 and 35 years face problems in conceiving. Most of my customers are above the age of 35 and are generally single women or married women who are not ready to take a maternity break while their career is at its peak,” Gour said. The technique of egg freezing — where the ovum from a healthy woman is taken and stored for future use — was

popular among higher income groups but career-oriented women are now becoming aware of it and coming forward for the procedure. “Initially egg freezing was used for medical reasons where women suffering from diseases like cancer used to freeze their eggs before going in for chemotherapy, which affects the ovulation process. However, this technique is now being used for lifestyle reasons too,” Gour said. The process takes two-four weeks from injecting hormones to stimulate ovulation, egg retrieval and preservation at minus 196 degree Celsius for future use.

Doctors said after egg freezing, a woman has also to go through the entire process of egg retrieval, banking and invitro fertilisation (IVF) in future. The procedure costs around `140,000-`160,000 (about 2,5003,000 USD). Gour said her clinic charges `30,000 (about 600 USD) annually for egg banking. Talking about the process, Abha Majumdar, head of the Centre of IVF and Human Reproduction in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, told IANS: “On an average, a woman ovulates one egg monthly and hormones are injected to ensure multiple ovulations during the process.” The eggs are monitored with the help of ultrasound and hor-

mone testing to ensure good quality. “The women have to undergo a minor procedure so that eggs are collected from the ovaries and protected under a special process,” said Majumdar. Gour said the success of egg freezing depends on the preservation process. “We now have fast freezing process where survival of eggs after thawing is above 90 percent which also results in a normal baby,” said Gour. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences is also exploring egg freezing as an option for preserving fertility and is planning to develop an egg banking system. IANS

Scientists back drug for lungs blockage WASHINGTON: Scientists have backed clot-busting drug for pulmonary embolism, a potentially deadly blockage of lung arteries, caused by blood clots that travel from elsewhere in the body, usually the leg. While clot-dissolving drugs (thrombolytic agents) can remove the blockage, they can also leave a patient with a life-threatening bleeding. Symptoms include chest pain, anxiety, cough, sweating, shortness of breath and fainting. “The message to doctors is clear: Take the chance. It doesn’t matter how old the patient is or what other chronic diseases the patient has,” said Paul D Stein, professor of osteopathic medical specialties at the Michigan State University, the American Journal of Medicine reports. His team’s findings suggest that concern over the bleeding tied to thrombolytic therapy may keep doctors from giving the drug to patients who could be at higher risk. Only 20 per cent of unstable patients with associated chronic conditions received the drug, compared to 80 percent of those without such conditions. IANS

RESEARCH

Faulty glands linked to kidney stones WASHINGTON: Excessive calcium levels, linked to formation of kidney stones, can be traced to the over activity of parathyroid glands (hyperparathyroidism), affecting women and the elderly, suggests a new study. Researchers from the University of California Los

Angeles (UCLA) determined that hyperparathyroidism is the leading cause of high blood-calcium levels and is responsible for nearly 90 per cent of all cases. Calcium loss from bones often leads to osteoporosis and fractures, and excessive calcium levels in the blood can cause kid-

ney stones, researchers from the UCLA said, the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reports. “If patients find they have high calcium, they should also have their parathyroid hormone level checked,” said Michael W Yeh, associate professor of

surgery and endocrinology at the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, who led the study. Using data from lab results, researchers identified 15,234 cases of chronic high-calcium levels. Of those cases, 13,327 patients (87 per cent) were found

to have hyperparathyroidism. The incidence of hyperparathyroidism — reported as the number of cases per 100,000 people per year — was found to be highest among African Americans, followed by Caucasians, Asians and Hispanics. IANS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

Entertainment SENSITIVE RGV

CINE BYTES

I MADE ATTACKS OF 26/11

WITH A LOT OF FEAR “I have changed a lot as a person after making Attacks of 26/11, but that may not necessarily be in a positive way,” RGV said, in his usual satirical tone, at a recent event held in Hyderabad. He’s awaiting the release of his next film Attacks of 26/11 which is based on the terrorist attack in Mumbai in 2008. Talking about the film, RGV claims that it encompasses little known details about the terrorist attack which is the USP of the film. “Honestly, I had no intention to make a film on this ghastly incident when I visited the Taj Hotel in Mumbai, three days later. Nobody had a clue about what and how it had happened and over the period of next two years, the police officials had filed a chargesheet on the incident and

Kasab, the terrorist who was arrested, made a confession. Later, several people wrote various articles and books based in the incident. Although there have been several bomb blasts in different parts of the world, I have never come across such an incident where 10 terrorists took an entire city hostage,” RGV revealed, adding, “Almost 80% of the film is about what had happened between 9.30pm and 1am in Mumbai when terrorists killed scores of people mercilessly at CST, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower and Leopold Cafe and the rest of the film is my imagination about what the terrorists might have done just before landing in Mumbai.” In a rare confession,

RGV admitted that making the film was quite scary indeed. “I have made a lot of films out of conviction, passion and even power because I could do so. For the first time, I made a film with a lot of fear. I think that’s what is so different about Attacks of 26/11. Several police officers and other people, who were on the crime scene that day, shared a lot of personal details with me and since then I have had a fear in my heart, if I could do justice to the source material. It was a big responsibility. A lot of people believe that I hide my emotions. I must say that I am aware of human sensitivity and I think I have become more sensitive while making this film. In my entire life, I have never come across such extreme people who went on a killing spree,” RGV said. The film opens in screens on March 1.

Simbu croons for Baadshah

amil actor Simbu seems to have caught the attention of quite a few Telugu ﬁlmmakers. After singing a song in Backbench Student, he has sung a peppy track named Diamond Girl under the aegis of music director Thaman for NTR’s upcoming ﬁlm Baadshah. NTR and Kajal are playing the lead roles in Baadshah and Sreenu Vaitla is directing it.

Vishnu Manchu’s new film begins

he shooting of Vishnu Manchu’s new film under Veeru Potla’s direction began yesterday in Tirupati. Lavanya is playing the lead role in this action entertainer and she’ll join the film’s shoot on February 28. Vishnu is producing the film. More details about the cast and the crew will be announced soon.

Iddarammayilatho to release on May 10

llu Arjun, Amala Paul and Catherine Tresa starrer Iddarammayilatho is currently being shot in Barcelona. Puri Jagannadh is directing the film and the producer Bandla Ganesh has officially announced that the film will release on May 10. Devi Sri Prasad is scoring the music and we hear that the audio might release in mid April.

Entertainment MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

HARD CHEESE?

CINE BYTES

Ali Zafar puts a no-kiss clause

RAVI VARMAN

INJURED

inematographer Ravi Varman, whose resplendent visuals in Anurag Basu’s Barfi fetched him accolades, was injured while shooting for his latest film Ram Leela. Varman fractured his hand, putting a question mark on the rest of the schedule. The film features Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone in lead roles and is directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. “Sanjay Bhansali Sir suggested that we immediately wrap up the rest of the schedule. However, Ravi Varman didn’t want Deepika Padukone’s and Ranveer Singh’s dates to go to waste. So he struggled along. But it soon become impossible for him to wield the camera with the fractured hand. Sanjay Bhansali Sir has now called off the rest of the schedule and would now resume in April,” said a source from the unit. It is believed that the losses are minimal as only two days of shooting remained.

ctor-singer Ali Zafar got up, close and personal with Aditi Rao Hydari in London, Paris, New York, however, he says kissing on screen is something he would never do as it makes him uncomfortable. “I can’t kiss on screen! I can’t do these scenes for sure. Its more of a personal choice. I don’t think I will feel comfortable. Even before signing a ﬁlm, I tell that this is one thing that I will not be able to do,” Ali said. IANS

Sajid stands up for Sonakshi

onakshi Sinha invited comparisons with Reena Roy when she stepped out in a 1980s disco-style look for the launch of Thank god it’s Friday, from ﬁlm Himmatwala. “She looks very much like Sonakshi Sinha! You cannot compare her with any other heroine, she has her own style, own charisma and she is fabulous,” said Sajid. IANS

‘Satya 2’ trailer to launch with ‘The Attacks of 26/11’

ilmmaker Ram Gopal Varma will release the theatrical trailer of Satya 2, the sequel to his 1998 movie Satya, with his upcoming film The Attacks of 26/11. “The trailer of Satya 2 will be attached with The Attacks of 26/11,” a source said. “I have almost finished 50 percent of shooting for Satya 2. The entire film will be shot in Mumbai, he says. IANS

Entertainment MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

HONOURING THE WORST

Who scooped the Razzies?

he Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2, Adam Sandler and Rihanna are among the “winners” of the 33rd annual Golden Raspberry Awards — the Razzies — which are not so much handed out as they are thrown at those who are voted as perpetrating Hollywood’s worst achievements.

Breaking Dawn – Part 2, the fifth and final installment in Stephenie Meyer’s vampire saga, was recognised in seven categories, including worst picture. The flick’s Kristen Stewart was also cited as worst actress; Taylor Lautner, worst supporting actor; Lautner and 12-year-old Mackenzie Foy, worst screen

TAYLOR LAUTNER AND 12-YEAR-OLD MACKENZIE FOY WON THE RAZZIE FOR WORST ONSCREEN COUPLE IN BREAKING DAWN PART TWO.

couple; the entire cast, including Robert Pattinson, worst screen ensemble, and Bill Condon, worst director. Sandler, who last year monopolised the Razzies — and set a record by winning in 10 categories with the “comedy” Jack & Jill — this year got only two awards: For worst actor of the

year and worst screenplay, both for That’s My Boy. Wilson revealed to the press that although Rihanna, as worst supporting actress in the movie Battleship, won her Razzie by a landslide, worst screenwriter Sandler only beat the authors of Twilight - Breaking Dawn by a single vote.

CINE BYTES Lohan’s ex-assistant subpoenaed

indsay Lohan’s ex-assistant is being forced to testify in the actress’ upcoming “lying to cops” case... the same assistant who ratted her out to police. TMZ has learned Lindsay’s ex-assistant Gavin was served with a subpoena by the LA City Attorney’s office.

Brook feels her curves are ‘comedic’

ctress Kelly Brook, known for her voluptuous figure, thinks she has a “comedic” figure. “I’ve always been a curvy girl and have a body of comedic proportions. I’ve learnt to embrace it, accept it and make it work for me,” she added. IANS

Daniel Radcliffe’s Oscar debut Oscars) going to fun,” Daniel Radcliffe “It’sbe (the told a reporter at the Independent Spirit Awards. But he admits he’s a bit nervous about it all. “Walking on that stage and doing what we’re doing, it’s nerve-wracking,” Radcliffe said.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

Chai Time

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Forgiveness does not always lead to a healed relationship. Some people are not capable of love, and it might be wise to let them go along with your anger. Wish them well, and let them go their way. Real Live Preacher

KAKURO

QUICK CROSSWORD

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 Powerful feline 5 FedEx alternative 8 Kind of button or attack 13 Chilled 15 Opposite indicator 16 Splash clumsily 17 Make a comparison 18 Stag’s sweetheart 19 Maltreatment 20 Well past one’s prime 23 Just hired 24 Bric-a-___ 25 Arch enemy 27 Make a little ___ long way 30 Course, in education lingo 32 Hooded viper 33 Sky holder of myth 35 Guest of honor’s place 37 First name in ‘70s women’s gymnastics 41 Get a bad situation under control 44 One inspired by Calliope 45 ‘American ___’ 46 Where the case is tried 47 Telepathic gift 49 Fairy tale meanie 51 Serpentine letter 52 Lacking integrity 56 Hoggish bellow 58 Cry at the bullfight 59 Realistic and practical 64 Treated the lawn, in a way 66 Take in sustenance 67 Fern’s reproducer 68 Small egg 69 Gift wrapping time, for many 70 Tribal symbol 71 Violin rub-on 72 Blair’s old house number 73 ‘___ on truckin’’

DOWN 1 Game on horseback 2 Brown or Rice (Abbr) 3 Device often worn on a lapel 4 Lip-puckering 5 Poll category 6 Eeyore’s friend 7 Rathskeller mug 8 The Bible’s 150 9 Celebrant’s robe 10 English subjects? 11 Early Japanese immigrant 12 Readies for swallowing 14 Hand over with confidence 21 Lando’s sci-fi pal 22 Car dealer’s offering 26 Lyric poem part 27 Struggle for breath 28 NFL legend Graham 29 ___ vera 31 Cultural no-no 34 Better-chosen 36 Acquired dishonestly 38 Amusement park annoyance 39 Wildebeests 40 Yellows or grays, perhaps 42 River horse 43 Least bumpy 48 Unexpected 50 Kia subcompact 52 Sportscasting commentator’s forte 53 Martini garnish 54 Uncle of folklore and literature 55 Canary call 57 Pillow-filling fiber 60 Basilica center 61 Mechanical learning 62 Elm or fir 63 Burlapmaterial 65 First name in pharmaceutical giants

Chai Time MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013 Thiruvaikumar

STAR POWER for 26-2-2013

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

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

You perform better to resolve even difficult tasks and succeed. Your administrative skills will be sharp, which brings you accolades. Friends and close relatives who severed their relationship with you will be back. Pregnant women to be careful.

STRIP TEASE AGNES

Though you are a polite person, if provoked you will not leave any issues just like that and ensure that the issue creator is taken to task. Health will be fine. You will come out of confusion and tension. Real estate deals will bring gains.

Self-confidence and happy atmosphere in family are likely to keep you cheerful. Prepare to achieve your goals despite challenges. Help through spouse’s relatives likely. You get respect wherever you go, which will make you cheerful.

You respect character more than the financial status of anyone. Your self-confidence level will be at its highest. You understand the characters of persons closely associated to you and deal with them accordingly. You are aware of your strengths.

Though you are a better adviser when it comes to others’ problems, you might not be so effective when you deal with your own issues. Enemies succeed in creating trouble but you act wisely and succeed in completing all undertaken work.

You will face any type of challenge or hurdle and succeed over them with confidence and determination. Elder brother will extend full support. You will involve in religious and charity activities. You will be in the forefront of a temple renovation.

Past disappointments have taught you a lesson and you will be careful now to avoid further failures. Experience will help you in a big way to proceed in the right direction. You befriend VIPs and powerful politicians to your benefit.

Ego clashes and misunderstanding between couples will disappear; they get affectionate towards each other and lead a happy life. Avoid being emotional and harsh as such action might land you in trouble. Avoid making hurried decisions.

Travel and tension will reduce gradually and you can heave a sigh of relief. Expected money might not come in full but a major portion received will keep you financially comfortable. Avoid frequent and emotional outbursts at all costs.

TAROT READ

Sumaa Tekur

tarotreadhyd@gmail. com

ARIES:

GEMINI:

Eight of Wands – A project you have been working very hard on goes to the next level. You are appreciated for your efforts. Time to open the champagne bottle.

LEO:

Page of Cups – Matters of the heart are in focus today. If you have been putting off some relationship-based decision, today may be a good day to decide.

LIBRA:

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE

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

SAGITTARIUS:

Seven of Cups – There’s confusion over relationship with someone close. Expectations have to be set right, you need to decide how much to invest in it.

TAURUS:

Justice – A decision is putting the brakes on your current living situation. Unless that decision is made, you feel restless and are unable to get on with life.

CANCER:

The Sun – Good day to start new projects. Everything works well and all doubts will be cleared. Those you work with will communicate much better.

VIRGO:

Nine of Pentacles – You’re happy in the comfortable space created by things you hold dear. You don’t want this to be disturbed. You’re not exactly lonely, but alone.

SCORPIO:

Three of Cups – Time to celebrate your success. Plans are working and you need to just keep at them. Be open to advice, but the ultimate decision will be yours.

CAPRICORN:

Ace of Pentacles – You’re at the right place at the right time. Synchronicity has a way of making good happen. You find solutions to difficult problems.

PREVIOUS SOLUTIONS

PISCES:

Nine of Swords – You’re feeling edgy, restless and irritated. It might be a good idea to tell people around you to stay away till you cool off.

NUMBER GAME

Swords – Some bonds from the past are being severed. You may not see it yet but it is for your own good. You’re able to see things more clearly now.

SCRABBLE

AQUARIUS: Eight of

POOCH CAFE

You will benefit through close relatives and friends staying abroad. Certain important works might not get completed in a single attempt. Expenses will go beyond your control and you will find it difficult to cope with the situation.

for 26-2-2013

Eight of Pentacles – You need to enhance your skills and make the most of bookish knowledge, applying it to the daily job routine. It will take you a long way.

NON SEQUITUR

Problems that seemed difficult to complete, will get completed now without any problem with your wise approach and shrewd action. You identify indirect enemies and trouble creators and show them the door. Govt sops are likely to be yours.

SUDUKO

Problems created by children will be resolved and a peaceful situation will prevail at home. Health problems faced by daughter will be over and she will be active. Also, her negative thoughts will disappear as she begins to think positive.

Boggle ROME PARIS ATHENS VIENNA Vol: 2, No 220 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

Entertainment MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

BLAST FROM THE PAST

It’s a full circle for KUNIS

ctress Mila Kunis says she played a witch in an elementary school production of The Wizard Of Oz nearly two decades before starring in the movie’s prequel. The 29-year-old, who attended Rosewood Elementary School, portrayed Glinda the Good Witch in a classroom recreation of the 1939 fantasy epic when she was a young girl. She has since been landed a role in Sam Raimi’s new Hollywood movie Oz the Great and Powerful, and she was delighted to be given the chance to star alongside Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz as Theodora, one of the three witches, reports dailystar.co.uk. “The first full-length book I read in English, was Return to Oz. And the first movie that I remember seeing was Wizard of Oz... Then get this, I realised while doing this press (for this movie), that I was in the Wizard of Oz play in fourth grade and just completely forgot about it. So, somewhere there is a footage of me being the understudy to Glinda the Good Witch,” Kunis told US talk show host Conan O’Brien. IANS

CINE BYTES

Kate Hudson cuts down on work

ctress Kate Hudson is choosing her ﬁlms prudently following the birth of her second son in 2011, as she does not wish to spend much time away from her children. “If someone says it’s a threemonth shoot, I get a little shy because of Ryder in third grade and Bing being 19 months. It’s so much to juggle, so I’ve been doing ﬁlms that are a little less time (consuming). IANS

Brand to reveal marriage secrets?

ctor Russell Brand says he is game to write his next autobiography, and hints it might even have some secrets about his marriage to singer Katy Perry. “I will write more ‘Booky Wooks’. Maybe I’ll wait until I get married again or have more children before I write any more,” said Brand, who split from Perry. IANS

Nick Carter engaged to Lauren Kitt

ackstreet Boys singer Nick Carter has proposed to his girlfriend of four years, Lauren Kitt. The 33-year-old proposed Kitt, 29, in the Florida Keys with a seven-carat diamond ring Wednesday. He admits he was desperate to pop the question. “I was like, ‘I don’t want (the ring) anymore!’ It was driving me insane. I just wanted to get it out of my hands and on to hers,” he said. IANS

sports

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

SUPERBIKE RACING

SOFUOGLU MAKES NAG, HYDERABAD PROUD

The defending and three-time World Supersport Champion gave Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki (co-owned by Nagarjuna, Nandish Domlur and MS Dhoni) its first win of the series and set a new lap record in 1' 33.283”.

enan Sofuoglu wins the 32nd race of his career in World Supersport Race at Phillip Island by getting the nod over pole man Sam Lowes (Yaknich Motorsport Yamaha), after a thrilling battle that went on throughout the entire race. The defending and three-time World Supersport Champion gave Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki the first win in the series and set the new lap record in 1’ 33.283”. Lowes, on the other hand, did his best to stay with the Turkish rider to eventually finish with a solid second place. Rookie Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport Team) ended up 3rd his debut race in World Supersport. The Reigning European Superstock 600 Champion managed to stay with the two riders up front during the first part of the race, slowing down a bit later on and finishing with 6.771 seconds from Sofuoglu. Second Mahi Racing Team India rider Fabien Foret finished 4th ahead of Intermoto Ponyexpres duo of David Salom and Luca Scassa, with Andrea Antonelli (Team Goeleven Kawasaki) to follow. The 2002 World Supersport Champion got a terrible start from the 3rd spot on the grid, crossing the line at the end of lap 1 in 14th position. An unlucky Roberto Rolfo (ParkinGO MV Agusta Corse) was forced to withdraw from the race following a technical problem on his MV Agusta F3 in the very last part of the race, while battling for 4th position. A big crash on the exit of Turn 12 at the end of lap 3 involved Russian Vladimir Leonov (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha) and Raffaele De Rosa (Team Lorini Honda).

I am very happy with the remarkable progress the team has made within a short span of time. I look forward to attending all the races, starting with Spain in April. Akkineni Nagarjuna Co-owner, Mahi Racing

sports

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

MEXICO OPEN PREVIEW

Nadal to test niggling knee The 11-time Grand Slam champion will conclude a 3-tournament Latin American tour in Acapulco, playing in his third tournament in four weeks. ACAPULCO, MEXICO: Rafael Nadal (left) will test his troublesome left knee again this week at the Mexico Open, then decide if he’ll brave the first Masters Series event of the year on the hard courts of Indian Wells. He came back from an injury layoff of seven months to reach the final in Vina del Mar, Chile, and followed up by winning the title in Sao Paulo on February 18. In Brazil he needed just 78

WGC MATCH PLAY

Kuchar downs Mahan to win

MARANA, ARIZONA: Matt Kuchar denied Hunter Mahan a World Golf Championships Match Play Championship title repeat, triumphing over his fellow American 2 and 1 in Sunday’s final at Dove Mountain. Kuchar, eliminated by Mahan in the quarter-finals of the elite 64-man event last year, avenged that defeat as he prevented Mahan from joining Tiger Woods as the only back-to-back winners of the title. “What an incredible feeling to be standing on top after six matches. I really have to give Hunter a lot of credit,” Kuchar said. “He got off to a slow start and I got up pretty quickly, 4-up at the turn. I was thinking I was going to try to do the same that

Finchem opposes ban

GA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem defended golfers who prefer to use the belly putter Sunday, saying he opposes a plan to ban the anchoring of putters. Finchem disputed claims that anchored putters provide any type of competitive advantage. “Where the PGA Tour came down was that they did not think banning anchoring was in the best of interests of golf,” he said.

he did to me last year and see if I could do 6 & 5. But Hunter made a great battle, played some great golf coming in.” Mahan was the first defending champion to return to the final since 2006 winner Geoff Ogilvy was runner-up in 2007.

minutes to beat Argentina’s David Nalbandian 6-2, 6-3 in the title match. But the 26-year-old says he still feels intermittent pain in his left knee and could yet opt out of the hard court tournament at Indian Wells, where men’s main draw play begins on March 7. Nadal is a two-time champion at the BNP Paribas Open in the California desert east of Los Angeles. That tournament is immedi-

NBA Milestone for Bryant, Lakers beat Mavs DALLAS, TEXAS: Kobe Bryant (right) scored a game-high 38 points and became the youngest player in NBA history to surpass the 31,000-point mark as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Dallas Mavericks 103-99 on Sunday. Five-time NBA champion Bryant, who scored 14 of his points in the final quarter, also had 12 rebounds and seven assists and reached the 31,000 milestone at 34 years, 185 days. Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain had the old mark at 36 years, 164 days. “Kobe made some unbelievable big plays coming down the stretch,” Lakers’ coach Mike D’Antoni said.

ately followed by the Masters Series event in Miami where he has never won. “Let’s see how my knee responds in Acapulco. We will discuss what has happened during these three tournaments and what I thought about it,” Nadal said after his Brazil triumph. “Then we will see if we are ready to play in Indian Wells or not.” Nadal said it wasn’t the

thought of stepping up against top competition like Novak Djokovic, Federer, Andy Murray and compatriot David Ferrer that caused him to hesitate, nor was it the possible stresses of the hard court surface. Instead it’s just the simple fact that his knee is still not 100 percent. “It’s better and I’ve been able to compete, but it’s still bothering me,” he said after arriving in Mexico. AFP

US INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS Nishikori captures title MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE: Japan’s Kei Nishikori (right), who did not drop a set all week, easily defeated Feliciano Lopez 6-2, 6-3 in the final of the US Indoor Tennis Championships, claiming his third career ATP Tour title. The 23-year-old Nishikori needed just 67 minutes to earn his second title in four months as he managed to break unseeded Lopez’s serve four times on Sunday. “I’m very happy with the way I played today,” said Nishikori, adding, “To win this title is an amazing feeling. I tried to concentrate on all the important points.”

Ferrer defends Buenos Aires crown

BUENOS AIRES: World number four David Ferrer of Spain defended his crown Sunday at the $490,000 ATP claycourt tournament in Buenos Aires with a 64, 3-6, 6-1 win over Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka. Ferrer, the top seed, saw off his third-seeded rival before a 4,000 crowd at the Lawn Tennis

Club despite dropping serve at the start of the deciding set as he then proceeded to polish off six games on a roll. The 30-year-old pocketed his 20th career title and second of the year after Auckland. “It is difficult to defend a tournament but tennis has been kind to me,” said Ferrer. AFP

NASCAR SPRINT CUP

Johnson wins Daytona 500, Patrick comes in 8th

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA: Jimmie Johnson (left) won the Daytona 500 on Sunday as pole sitter Danica Patrick’s bid to become the first woman to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup race ended in an eighth-placed finish. Johnson held off a last-lap charge from Hendrick Motorsports teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr at Daytona International Speedway to win “The Great American Race” for the second time. Mark Martin was third. Patrick, already the first woman to earn pole position for a race in NASCAR’s elite series, did grab another slice of racing history when

she became the first woman to lead a lap of the Daytona 500 and the first to lead a lap of a Sprint Cup race under a green flag. “It was nice to run up in that lead group,” Patrick said. “The only downside was I didn’t get a chance to take a risk. “I am hear to learn. I felt pretty comfortable. Taking the green flag, that is the best place to be on the track.” Her quest for history was in the spotlight all day. Even grand marshal James Franco took note, calling at the start: “Drivers — and Danica — start your engines!” AFP

sports

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

AUSTRALIA IN INDIA

ASHWIN STRIKES AGAIN

Ravichandran Ashwin had the dangerous Shane Watson caught by Sehwag to raise hopes of an India victory with Australia 158 runs adrift with nine wickets in hand. Scoreboard Australia 1st innings 380 India 1st innings (overnight score 515/8 ) V Kohli c Starc b Lyon 107 MS Dhoni*† c †Wade b Pattinson 224 RA Jadeja b Pattinson 16 R Ashwin b Lyon 3 H Singh b Henriques 11 B Kumar c Clarke b Siddle 38 I Sharma not out 4 Total (all out; 154.3 overs) 572 Bowling O M R W MA Starc 25 3 75 0 JL Pattinson 30 6 96 5 PM Siddle 24.3 5 66 1 NM Lyon 47 1 215 3 MC Henriques 17 4 48 1 MJ Clarke 8 2 25 0 DA Warner 3 0 19 0 Australia 2nd innings EJM Cowan not out 13 SR Watson c Sehwag b Ashwin 17 Total (1 wickets;) 34 Bowling O M R W R Ashwin 6 0 14 1 Harbhajan Singh 7 2 14 0 RA Jadeja 3 2 2 0

G APARNA SAI from Chennai CHENNAI: Ravichandran Ashwin once again struck for India as he claimed the first wicket of Australia’s second innings at the end of the morning session on Day four of the first Test match, here, on Monday. Needing a minimum score of 192 runs in their second innings to get India to bat again, Australia were 34 for one at lunch. Shane Watson, who came in as an opener instead of David Warner (as the latter was suffering from gastroenteritis), was dismissed on the last ball of the first session when the ball bounced of the shoulder of the bat, only to be caught by Virender Sehwag at the slips. Ed Cowan was at the other end, unbeaten on 13. Australia have an uphill task as they need to score quick and hope that their pacers perform well on a pitch which is more suitable for spinners, if they want a positive result by the end of the match Earlier, India posted a formidable total of 572 in reply to Australia’s first innings score of

Rafa should play here: Warne

he “dusty wicket” at the MA Chidambaram stadium drew flack from all quarters of the cricketing fraternity. While the players were surprised at the manner in which the pitch was deteriorating with every passing day, it surprised even the experts, especially Australian great Shane Warne.

The former player kept posting tweets about the pitch, telling that it would be better if tennis player Rafel Nadal came as played here as he was the “king of clay”. “I think Australia got selection wrong... Nadal is the best player on clay - he should have been selected !! Hahahah he tweeted.

380 runs. Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (pic), who scored his maiden double century, outclassed the Australian bowling, having hammered 24 fours and six sixes. Adding to his overnight score of 206, Dhoni’s innings came to an end on 224, when he was caught behind by Matthew

Wade of James Pattinson. He batted for 25 minutes in the morning scoring 18 runs off 22 balls including two fours and a six. B Kumar, who supported Dhoni well at the other end, was the last batsman to be dismissed. He scored a useful 38, with the ball crossing the boundary rope on four instances.

ZIMBABWE IN WEST INDIES

Sarwan leads Windies to victory

ST GEORGE’S, GRENADA: Ramnaresh Sarwan (right) capitalised on an outrageous bit of good fortune to hit his first one-day century for three years and guide the West Indies to a series-clinching sevenwicket win over Zimbabwe on Sunday. Responding to Zimbabwe’s challenging total of 273 for eight, the 32-year-old Guyanese right-hander put aside the torment of a short tour of Australia earlier in the month and finally stamped his return to the international scene with an unbeaten 120 — his fifth and highest ODI score. It ensured the target was overhauled off the final ball of the penultimate over to the delight of a boisterous home crowd. It could have all gone so very differently however as he benefited from an umpiring error while the Zimbabweans also missed the opportunity to have the decision overturned which would have seen Sarwan run out for 53. Sarwan’s generous slice of luck came as he dashed for a single and Chamu Chibhabha’s throw to the non-striker’s end hit the stumps directly.

Scoreboard

Zimbabwe V Sibanda b Dwayne Bravo 51 C Chibhabha b Narine 11 H Masakadza c Narine b Dwayne Bravo 60 B Taylor lbw b Dwayne Bravo 0 C Ervine b Dwayne Bravo 80 M Waller b Roach 26 R Chakabva c Pollard b Dwayne Bravo 15 P Utseya not out 12 K Jarvis c Darren Bravo b Dwayne Bravo 1 N M'Shangwe not out 0 Total (8 wkts, 50 overs) 273 Bowling: Roach 10-1-63-1, Best 10-0-53-0, Narine 10-0-55-1, Russell 6-0-29-0, Dwayne Bravo 10-1-43-6, Pollard 2-0-15-0, Deonarine 2-0-11-0 West Indies K Powell c Taylor b Masakadza 57 R Sarwan not out 120 Darren Bravo cTaylor b Masakadza 0 N Deonarine run out (Utseya) 42 K Pollard not out 41 Total (3 wickets; 49 overs) 274 Bowling: Jarvis 9-1-55-0, Chatara 8-0-64-0, Chibhabha 5-0-25-0, Utseya 10-0-54-0, Masakadza 7-0-27-2, Mushangwe 10-0-47-0 Result: West Indies won by seven wickets

Umpire Peter Nero ruled “not out” on the appeal, choosing - against general convention - not to seek confirmation of the decision from the television umpire. TV replays showed Sarwan to be well out of his ground when the bails were removed, and although it was reason for justifiable anguish for the Zimbabweans, they failed to exercise their right of referral via the same television technology before the next ball was bowled. Opening the batting for only the second time in his near 13-year senior international career, the former captain gave the hosts an excellent platform in an opening stand of 111 with Kieran Powell (57). After Hamilton Masakadza had removed Powell and Darren Bravo in the space of three deliveries in the 26th over, Sarwan got good support from Narsingh Deonarine (42) before Kieron Pollard belted an unbeaten 41 off just 20 deliveries to ensure that victory was achieved. Earlier, Masakadza was one of three Zimbabweans to hit half-centuries in justifying their captain’s decision to bat first.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013

sports

MARADONA RETURNS TO ITALY DESPITE TAX STORM Diego Maradona returns to Italy on Monday where he will again find himself facing questions over allegations that he owes millions of euros in taxes. The Argentine World Cup winner will watch his former club in Udinese and then give a news conference on Tuesday.

LEAGUE CUP

SPANISH CUP

Swansea end Bradford fairytale

Bradford had accounted for Arsenal, Villa and Wigan en route to the final. TOM WILLIAMS Agence France-Presse

Kaka, Villa await chance in El Clasico KIERAN CANNING Agence France-Presse

Swansea City’s English midfielder Nathan Dyer (R) scores the opening goal of their AFP match against Bradford City at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday.

Goal star Dyer frustrated by penalty snub

LONDON: Swansea City ended Bradford City’s League Cup run with a record-breaking 5-0 victory in the final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday to crown the club’s centenary year with a first major trophy. Bradford fell well short in their bid to become the first team from England’s fourth division to lift one of the

wansea winger Nathan Dyer admitted he was frustrated by the painful penalty snub that robbed him of a chance to complete a hat-trick in the 5-0 League Cup final demolition of Bradford on Sunday. Dyer played a key role in Michael Laudrup’s team securing the first major silverware in Swansea’s history as he opened the scoring with a close-range

effort in the 16th minute and then bagged the third goal with a curling finish two minutes after half-time at Wembley. But when Swansea were awarded a penalty in the 56th minute after Bradford goalkeeper Matt Duke fouled Jonathan de Guzman, the man of the match felt he should have been handed the chance to seal his hat-trick.

game’s most coveted prizes. Goals from Nathan Dyer and Michu gave Swansea a 2-0 half-time lead, with Dyer doubling his tally early in the second half before Jonathan de Guzman added a fourth with a penalty after Bradford goalkeeper Matt Duke was sent off. De Guzman made it five as Swansea broke the victory margin record set by Man Utd against Wigan in the 2006 final

RETURN OF THE SUPERSTAR

Becks revels in Paris winter tale

PARIS: David Beckham admitted his goal-producing, 15-minute Paris Saint-Germain cameo was a special moment for a footballer long written off as nothing more than an advertising man’s storyboard. The 37-year-old former England captain shivered on the Parc des Princes bench for 75 minutes on Sunday before

being summoned back into the limelight where he inevitably had the final word. A neat one-two with Jeremy Menez in injurytime allowed Zlatan Ibrahimovic the chance to tuck away the goal that sealed a 2-0 win over bitter rivals Marseille which preserved PSG’s three-point lead in France.

“The welcome before the match and when I came on was fantastic. To get the chance at my age to play in a great championship and in a great team, I’m very proud and happy,” said the exManchester United, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy man. “It’s fantastic to be amongst these super players.”

Beckham, who is on a contract until the end of the season and is donating his $1 million salary to a Paris children’s charity, said he had not been disappointed to have been left on the bench. “I always knew that coming here, at my age and in the transfer window, I didn’t expect to start. But that remains the objective.” AFP

FOOTBALL BRIEFS Inter, Milan draw as Messi rallies Barça Balotelli returns to derby ahead of El Clasico

Juve move seven points clear

Lennon hails Celtic’s supporting cast

MILAN: AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli missed a handful of chances in his first derby in over three years as the Rossoneri shared the spoils in a 1-1 derby draw with hosts Inter Milan on Sunday. Milan took a 21st minute lead through striker Stephan El Shaarawy and dominated throughout before lamenting their earlier misses.

MILAN: Goals from Paul Pogba, Sebastian Giovinco and Stephan Lichsteiner eased Juventus to a 3-0 home win over Siena and a sevenpoint lead on Serie A title challengers Napoli on Sunday. In the late match, dominant AC Milan had to settle for a 1-1 draw and a share of the points in the ‘Derby della Madonnina’ away to Inter.

GLASGOW: Celtic manager Neil Lennon hailed the performance of his squad players as they helped his side close in on the Scottish Premier League title with a 5-0 win over 10-man Dundee on Sunday. Forty-eight points separate Lennon’s league leaders from basement club Dundee and the Hoops manager rested several key players.

MADRID: Lionel Messi admits that Barcelona need to raise their level after two below par performances for Tuesday’s El Clasico in the Spanish Cup against a Real Madrid side desperate for a morale boost. Barça made an almost faultless start to the season only dropping points in the league with a 22 draw with Real Madrid.

MADRID: Playmaker Kaka (above) is hoping to be involved as Real Madrid try to salvage their season when they travel to face Barcelona in the second-leg of their Spanish Cup semi-final on Tuesday with the tie finely poised at 1-1. The Brazilian scored and helped set-up Gonzalo Higuain’s winner as Madrid came from behind to win 2-1 at Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday and having started three consecutive league games for the first time this season he said he can feel his confidence returning. “I don’t want to talk again about the return of Kaka but I feel much better,” he told reporters. “I am there if the manager needs me and I need to be wellprepared for the crucial part of the season.” Assistant boss Aitor Karanka also hinted after the game that the former Milan man could be involved on Tuesday and hailed his return to form in recent weeks. “I don’t know if he will start at Camp Nou but it is important that he is showing this level of performance, particularly for his confidence,” he said.

I don’t want to talk about the return of Kaka but I feel much better. I am there if the manager needs me and I need to be prepared for the crucial part of the season. Kaka Real Madrid playmaker