MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
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Strange are the ways of mere mortals and stranger are those of achievers. After attaining the pinnacle in a chosen field, to let go is not easy for any human being, but immortality was not bestowed upon us. So we had to settle for retirement. In the wake of Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli’s premature retirement, we bring to you unique departures of some sportspersons.
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P16&17
HYDERABAD’S FIRST COMPACT AFTERNOON NEWSPAPER
The rupee's sharp dip against the US dollar has seen NRIs lap up property in the City. Realtors are expecting an increase of 35 per cent in business enquiries from Indians living overseas this year, according to an Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India survey.
AS RUPEE TUMBLES
CITY’S REALTY SECTOR SOARS REPORT ON P7
‘RAHUL IS THE LODESTAR OF INDIA TODAY’ Manchala Sai Sudhakar entered politics, taking inspiration from Jawaharlal Nehru, BR Ambedkar, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. He adores Mother Teresa and follows her saying: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” All he wants, he says, is to see Rahul Gandhi in the prime ministerial chair. Postnoon brings to you the story of a rather unusual neta.
PG 6
A BATTLE
OF UNEQUALS One has worked his way up the organisation while the other had the organisation handed to him on a plate. Two PM-hopefuls have plenty of issues to sort out before 2014.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
city events
FLAVOURS TO SAVOUR
Unique flavours of Pondicherry. Where: Dakshin, ITC Kakatiya, Begumpet When: August 30 Contact: 789301 3000
Weather for Hyderabad
Evening
Overnight
29°C
26°C
A mix of cloudy and clear skies
A mix of clear and cloudy skies
Morning
Afternoon
26°C
32°C
New Delhi Max 35 Min 29
A mix of sun and cloud
Slight chance of showers
Mostly cloudy
Mumbai Max 31 Min 25
Chennai Max 34 Min 26
Showers likely
Scattered thunderstorms
Bangalore Max 28 Min 20
Cloudy with chances of showers
AROUND THE CITY: YOUR GUIDE TO THE TWIN CITIES Where: Zodiac Hall, Golkonda Hotel. When: 12 noon, Till August 31.
SHOWS
Tea flavours Try the tea flavours of Budlabeta, Hapjan, Khobong and Sessa. A portion of the proceeds will be contributed to WWF India's one-horned Rhino Conservation project in Assam. Where: Oxford Bookstore, The Park, 22 Rajbhavan Road When: Ongoing Contact: 8790432354
Live performance The Last Bridge will perform live. Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills When: August 31, 7 pm Contact: 96427-31329 Gigs in town Alter Egoz – Tribute to Pink Floyd will be performing. Where: Hard Rock Cafe, Banjara Hills When: August 29, 9 pm Contact: + 91 88864 80007 Album tour Lost Stories album launch tour will be held. Where: Hard Rock Cafe, Banjara Hills When: August 30, 9 pm Contact: 6463-6375
THE CHOSEN LEADERS: L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited (LTMRHL) at a press conference held at Rail Nilayam announced the names of 80 Hyderabadis who are chosen for the finals of the HMR Brand Ambassadors Campaign. Where: Shwaas - Centre for Inspired Learning, Jubilee Hills When: August 30, 10 am to 1 pm Contact: Salil, at 94405-00277 or Anita, at 99593-83947
Play time Barbareekudu will be staged. Where: NTR Auditorium, Nampally When: August 31, 7 pm Contact: 2323-0641 / 2323-0435
Robot talk Robotics In The 21st Century by Dr Ayanna Howard will be held. Where: Vidyaranya High School, Saifabad. When: August 31, 6.15 pm Contact: Manthan, at 6636-0000 Robot talk Handwork & Brain Development Of Kids, a workshop for teachers and parents will be held. Where: Our Sacred Space, Secunderabad When: August 29 and 30, 10 am to 1 pm Contact: 90300-13344
WORKSHOPS
DINING
Story-telling workshop Creative story-telling workshop by Deepa Kiran will be held. 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
Fish fest To showcase a slice of Indian culinary
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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
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
India on a Platter A culinary journey across the country at The Square. Where: The Square, Novotel When: August 31 Contact: 8686080577 heritage, Taj Krishna is hosting the Simply Fish Festival. Where: Firdaus, Taj Krishna When: Lunch and dinner, Till August 31 Contact: +91 9246 21 5332 Delectable fare Oriental food festival is on.
27567892 23559555 23226624 27633087 27035588 27550238 30799999 30418296 30417445
AMBULANCES Apollo 23548888, 23607777 Kamineni 24022222 Medwin 23202902, 23204616 Smile Line Dental Hospital 23747979 Red Cross 27627973 Niloufer Hospital 23314095 Gandhi 23320332 AIRLINES
Sizzling South This food festival will focus on South Indian specialties and gourmet delicacies from interiors of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. Where: Chill Restaurant and Terrace, Radisson Blue When: Till August 30 Contact: 7799917999
Tea time Dilmah 'Charitea' High Tea on offer. Where: Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Banjara Hills When: August 27, 4 pm to 5 pm Contact: 6733-1133
Airport Director 27903785, 27906001 For Air India Flight Information Toll free (from any network) for IC Flights 18001801407 And for All Flights: 1800227722 Air India has revised its flight timings. For more information call (Toll free) 18001801407, 1800227722 from BSNL/MTNL 04023430334 from other lines and mobile Website; www.airindia.in TOURISM OFFICES AP Tourism, Hyd 23262152/53/54 Sec-bad 27893100 Dept of Tourism 23453110 India Tourism 23261360 AP Tourism information Centre (24x7) 23450444, 23455999 UK VISA OFFICE VFS India Pvt Ltd Building, 8-2-542/A, Sunil Chamber, Road No. 7
Beside Meridian School, Banjara Hills34. Working hours are from 8 AM to 1 PM And 2 PM to 3PM. MUSEUMS Salar Jung Museum AP State Museum Nizams Museum
24523211 232431300/7641 24521029
Readers’ views
We invite you to write to us comments, suggestions, viewpoint or just about anything to feedback@postnoon.com or #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500 033 or even by way of a call on 4067 2222
MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
news
YESTERDAY’S QUESTION
IS GOVT ON THE RIGHT TRACK ON TACKLING SEEMA AGITATION? 33% 67%
YES (A) NO (B)
TODAY’S QUESTION
IS THE TUMBLING RUPEE SETTING UP INDIA’S REALTY SECTOR UP FOR ANOTHER BUBBLE? A)
YES
B)
NO
To vote visit www.postnoon.com
CRIME
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Job seeker duped
A man posing as a functionary of a manpower recruitment agency duped a prospective employee of her gold chain weighing three tolas Mohd SUBHAN mohd.s@postnoon.com HYDERABAD: Conning is a hydraheaded beast. Adopting a new method of deceiving, a man posing as a functionary of a manpower recruitment agency, duped a prospective employee of her gold chain weighing three tolas, Narayanguda police reported. The victim, Sarojana, 24, an MBA graduate told the police that she had earlier uploaded her biodata on a popular website and was waiting for placement calls. Recently, a man who introduced himself as Vijay telephoned her and asked if she wanted a good job in Hyderabad. Eager, she said yes. “I am trying to get a good position for you,” he told
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her. Sarojana thanked him. A week later he again rang up to say he has fixed up a meeting with a company
in Hitec City and that she was to come to a hotel he named with her certificates immediately. Glad to have the stroke of luck, she immediately reached the hotel where he was waiting. He asked some questions and examined the certificates. Meanwhile, he commented that the chain she was wearing was a very nice design. He requested her to show it to him. Unsuspecting the girl took off the chain and gave it to him. Immediately his mobile phone rang. As if engrossed with the conversation, he got up, slowly slunk to the far end of the lobby and disappeared. It took a while for Sarojana to realise that the he had bolted with the gold. She lodged a complaint with the Narayanguda police.
CHEATING
A wedding card gang! Here’s one gang that comes to you with wedding cards after ascertaining the name of the house owner. Their target usually being houses with women in them. POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com HYDERABAD: So far we have seen fake cops, doctors, gas repairmen coming home to loot. Here is a wedding card gang that expressly comes to you with a wedding card to ‘invite’ you for this or that marriage, only in this case it is an invitation for trouble, police warn. The victim V Padmaja, 40 is a resident of Venkat Heights apartments in Vijayawada. The men came asking for Srihari contractor. On being questioned by the security guard, they posed as if they knew
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Srihari and also pretended to call him. Convinced the guys have indeed come to give wedding cards,
they were allowed. When Padmaja opened the door, the men introduced themselves as distant relatives of her husband and wanted simply to invite them to a wedding. Meanwhile, one of them sought a glass of water. As the woman turned to go, they immediately overpowered her and gagged her. They held her at gunpoint and asked for the almirah key. Terrified she gave them the key and they disappeared with 30 tolas of gold and `3 lakh cash. Police have found no fingerprints and suspect it must be a professional gang.
CITY ROADS
R&B dept to work under GHMC POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com HYDERABAD: The blame game between the GHMC and the Road and Buildings (R&B) department will now come to an end, with the later joining hands to work under the supervision of the GHMC. According to the new rule made by CM Kiran Kumar Reddy, the superintendent engineer and the executive engineers from the Road and Buildings department will have to work according to the instructions of the GHMC commissioner. Out of the 6,780 kms
stretch of roads under the GHMC nearly 300 kms falls under the maintenance of the R&B and the NH authorities. Though major stretches of these roads are in miserable conditions, the GHMC is being taunted by the citizens for the poor maintenance. With this move, the R&B department can take up the re carpeting work. This way the condition of the roads will improve,” said a GHMC official. The R&B officials state that the permanent re-carpeting and road strengthening project would be taken up immediately after the rainy season.
CITY BRIEFS IT employees bemoan the FAPCCI to hold three-day Workshop in fashion fate of Hitec City training for entrepreneurs designing for women
CV Anand conducts seminar Hoax bomb call worries to take feedback on SOP Yousufguda school
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o revive the past glory of the IT sector, IT employees in Madhapur on Sunday met and formed a Joint Action Committee. Speaking on the occasion, several IT employees bemoaned that not only IT investments were being transferred to the neighbouring states but also the existing companies in the Hitec City were likely to be closed down due to the political uncertainty.
T
he Federation of AP Chambers of Commerce and Industry is organising a three-day training on export marketing: procedure and documentation from August 29 to 31 between 10 am and 5 pm at Surana Udyog Auditorium.They aim to present an overview on the different areas relating to export/import and the program for the entrepreneurs.
N
ational Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (nimsme) of Ministry of MSME is organising free entrepreneurship and skill development training programs in fashion designing for women for one month from September 4 at MIMSME, Yousufguda. Those between 18 and 45 years are eligible to join the courses.
yberabad Commissioner of Police CV Anand has conducted a seminar of 250 SIs/CIs/ACP and DCP rank officers to take feedback from police officers in the field about the 17-point Standard Operating Procedure for tackling land disputes. They were shown the case study of a notorious land grabber B Ravindra on whom the Madhapur police opened the first land-grabber history sheet.
A
threat call to a private school in Yousufguda, kept the City police on tenterhooks for more than three hours today morning. Around 6.15 am, an unidentified lady called up Sri Sai Ram High School and informed of a bomb planted in the school premises that would explode at any time. The police swung into action immediately only to discover it to be a hoax.
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News MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013 LAST YEAR... HERE
THE STATE OF OUR LAKES
SOUL cries foul, to seek Court help
Not proud history
L
ast year we had reported how Charminar and the Golconda Fort were being considered for World Heritage Status. However, contrary to expectations the monuments did not make it to the Unesco’s list and did not achieve the prestigious status. Experts say that the reason for not making it to the list would be because of the state of shambles it is in.
AUGUST 26, 2012
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people were wounded and 45 killed in separate bombing and shooting incidents in Iraq Sunday, Xinhua reported.
CORRIGENDUM On August 25, Sunday, in the food section, we carried Taj Krishna pictures for the food festival in place of the Sizzling South food festival, Radisson Blu. We apologise for the error occurred.
THINGS WE 5LEARNT TODAY The column that teaches everyone something new about the way the world functions.
Raping of our precious lakes goes unhindered as big sharks are involved. SOUL says the City is losing its valuable assets and the government is to blame for it MOHSIN ALI ali.a@postnoon.com
S
ave Our Urban Lakes (SOUL) whose soul-stirring pleas to protect lakes of the City to avoid a catastrophe later go unheeded. They are disheartened that the Lake Protection Committee (LPC) formed three years ago has done nothing to prevent the encroachment of lakes. It plans to move the Andhra Pradesh High Court again in this context. The LPC was formed in 2010 and it had issued notices to industries, hotels, residential colonies and others who were found to be wantonly polluting the lakes. The HMDA and GHMC had decided to follow the court directive. But the LPC joining hands with some organisations, firms, corporate bodies, institutions and individuals took initiative to preserve the lakes in the twin Cities and outskirts. Of the total of 501 lakes 176 are under the GHMC and 325 are under the HMDA jurisdiction.
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Nirbhaya becomes an inspiration for playwrights Award-winning playwright Yael Farber, whose new work focuses on the fatal gang-rape in December, was inspired by the protests that erupted across the India after the attack.
CITY
The body was active for a couple of months. Fencing of some lakes were undertaken but later it took a laidback approach and let the matter drift, giving the ground to the land grabbers who captured precious water bodies and built posh apartments and offices. The organisation which came forward with the slogan Save
Nirbhaya takes the stage
A South African playwright was inspired by protests following the Delhi gang-rape to stage an award-winning play on sexual violence.
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The race for Seemandhra votes is hotting up With the whole YSR family on the path of agitation over Telangana formation, the war for Seemandhra votes has really begun ahead of the 2014 polls.
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Manila shows the power of people against corruption The so-called "million people march" protested against embedded corruption in the Philippine political system.
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Chinese politician Bo Xilai’s trial gets stricter Prosecutors are pushing for a heavy sentence for Chinese politician Bo Xilai over a murder and corruption scandal.
Our Urban Lakes is fighting against illegal encroachment of lakes. This apart, there is ‘official’ encroachment too. The organisation says that the GHMC is violating the GO111 openly, building parks and other public utilities on the lake banks. Founder member of Save Our Urban Lakes Jasveen Jairath, speaking to Postnoon said, "We are fighting to stop encroachment of lakes and demanding to fence the lakes immediately by marking the actual Full Tank Level boundaries but there is no proper
LIFE INSPIRES ART
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Lake protection in the City has become a serious issue SOUL says that the GHMC is violating the GO111 openly, building parks and other public utilities on the lake banks.
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response from the government. At important lakes like Osman Sagar and Himayathsagar, which provide drinking water to the city, encroachment continues unabated while as per the GO 111 any kind of construction and establishment of infrastructure on lake bank is prohibited". Explaining about the water crisis Jasveen regretted that the government was spending crores of rupees on the Krishna water project. If it had spent even onetenth of it to preserve our tanks, we may not have faced a water crisis. Another member from SOUL said, “Eminent people and celebrities are also involved in capturing lakes but the government adopts an ostrich like approach.” An official from the HMDA, seeking anonymity said, “Jis ka ghar ho dard usi ko hota hai (Only the owner of the house knows the pain).” He says majority of the employees had been from other regions. They just make money and flourish. The have no sense of belonging to the City.
AMMU KANNAMPILLY Agence France-Presse
A
ward-winning playwright Yael Farber, whose new work focuses on the fatal gang-rape of an Indian student last December, was inspired by
the protests that erupted across the country after the attack. “I remember feeling this extraordinary sense of envy when I looked at India... I mean — who takes to the streets anywhere else in the world to speak for a young single woman?” the South African said in an inter-
view with AFP. Shocked by the attack, she posted about it on Facebook. Bollywood actress Poorna Jagannathan saw the post and invited her to India where the idea for a play about sexual violence began to take shape. “Stories stay in public consciousness for a limited time, you have to grab that window,” Farber said, explaining how she chose to stage the play just eight months after the assault. Nirbhaya, or “fearless”, opened to rave reviews and won the Scotsman Fringe First award for outstanding new plays. The 42-year-old writer-director, raised in Johannesburg, told AFP from Edinburgh she was struck by the public reaction to the rape. “I remember wondering what it would take for us South Africans to get on to the streets
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like this, what it would take to penetrate the numbness — what it would take to care,” she said. The name of the play, enacted in Hindi and English, comes from the pseudonym of the 23year-old who was gang-raped and sexually assaulted with an iron rod, and whose fight for life captured the world’s attention. “Everyone was rooting for her to live. She testified twice (in hospital) despite her grave injuries, she demanded accountability,” Farber said. “She challenged ideas the world over that rape victims should be quiet and feel a sense of shame about what they have endured. That’s why her spirit ignited people.”
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News MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
ANALYSIS
Race raging for S-votes
While all parties kept singing Telangana, they all got scared once it became a reality. PK SURENDRAN surendran.pk@gmail.com HYDERABAD: With the whole YSR family on the path of agitation over Telangana formation, the war for Seemandhra votes has really begun ahead of the 2014 polls. The confusing situation after the announcement of Telangana reveals that the star warriors for the Seemandhra votes are the official Congress led by the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and the YSRC chief Jagan Mohan Reddy. Fallen on the wayside seems to be the main opposition party, the TDP, which has been taken for a ride by the Congress party with its abrupt declaration of bifurcation of the State. The party that had earned the ire of Telangana for not supporting a new state finally gave in, only to
see the chilling situation where the Congress and the YSRC are busy apportioning between them its support base in RayalaAndhra. The Congress party is yet to realise that the local polls were the litmus test for major parties to know their scoreboard. Between the Congress and
the YSRC who are playing oneupmanship wooing the Seemandhra voters, the YSRC is the clear winner so far as it wriggled out of the mess right on time. When the party realised that it got nothing spectacular during the local polls, Jagan was quick enough to disown
Telangana state while the Congress was in troubled waters. Seeing the situation where the Congress party’s stock in Seemandhra tumbled like the rupee, Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy was asked to shoulder the burden and emerge the champion of the Seemandhra cause but by the time the CM got into action, the YSRC had already pulled a coup. Now with both the YSRC leaders, Vijayamma and Jagan Mohan Reddy, are on hunger strikes and other modes of protests, the party hopes to sweep Seemandhra. Insiders in the Congress party point out that if things came to a situation where the YSRC would do the carpet-bombing in the Congress citadels, the party hopes to rope it in to merge with it or do a tie-up so that the Congress fortunes in Delhi are
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Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy was asked to emerge the champion of the Seemandhra cause but by the time the CM got into action, the YSRC had already pulled a coup. not spoiled all together. As regional parties rule the roost today, one more will not hurt it, party satraps believe. Whatever, the smug Congress leadership has not really done its homework well on Andhra mess. And the Guntur mirchi may prove too much for 10 Janpath.
POLITICS
T-formation on track, says Cong
Telangana Congress leaders are upbeat about the fact that the separation seems to be going right on schedule. Even the Seemandhra agitations have not dampened their spirits. Md INKESHAF AHMED ahmed.m@postnoon.com HYDERABAD: Notwithstanding the intense agitation in Seemandhra region, the process of creation of separate Telangana state is likely to gain momentum after the conclusion of ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. The UPA-2 government, which is hell-bent on completing the process in a timebound manner, will undertake formal steps to speed up the process. An indication towards this direction was already given by none other than AICC president Sonia Gandhi
recently. She said that the Central government would form an official committee to look into the grievances of the Seemandhra people following the division of the State. Majority of the Telangana leaders feel that the Central government committee was nothing but a group of ministers (GoM), which is essentially a committee set up before the division of any State. As per the existing rules, it is mandatory for any Central government to form a group of ministers, also called a Cabinet sub-committee, to look into the issues that would arise when the process of reorganisation
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of a state takes place. “We strongly feel that the committee our party president referred to was the committee any Union government would form before the division of the State. The Centre is likely to form the committee after the conclusion of the Parliament session. The division of the state process is likely to begin with the preparation of a note for Cabinet perusal,” a senior Cabinet minister from Telangana region told
Postnoon. He further added that the Union government is likely to complete the process as per its earlier announcement, that is, in a span of four to five months.
NO WORRIES OVER SEEMANDHRA STIR On the other hand, the Union government seems to be least bothered about the ongoing Seemandhra stir as it was an expected reaction following the announcement of division of the state. According to Telangana Congress leaders, the party high command was upbeat
about reduction in the intensity of the agitation with each passing day. “The agitation was not a surprise for us. The Justice Sri Krishna committee clearly told the Centre that the division of the State would lead to agitation in Seeemandhra region. The Centre went ahead with the formation of the State even after that, because it knew that the agitation would slowly die down as it was not sponsored by any political party,” a senior Congress leader said. Another T-Congress leader felt the Seemandhra people have exhausted all their resources to hold artificial agitations.
NATION BRIEFS Rifleman accidentally shoots himself dead
Tribals protest Mother Mary in tribal attire
Married woman raped at gunpoint by neighbour
Mumbai rape accused case on fast track
Man gets one-year jail term for electricity theft
IMPHAL: A rifleman accidentally shot himself dead while cleaning his service rifle at Kairang area in Manipur's Imphal East district, police sources said today. Sources said the 35-year-old Thokchom Yaiphaba of the 7th Manipur Rifles, a state force, accidentally shot himself dead at his house at Kairang village late last evening, the sources said.
RANCHI: Tribals in Jharkhand have intensified their agitation against Mother Mary in tribal attire and demanded that this be reversed. In a Ranchi church, a statue of Mother Mary has been installed in which she is wearing tribal sari, with bangles on her arm. Thousands marched towards the church on Sunday, but the police stopped them.
HAPUR (UP): A 32-year-old married woman was allegedly raped at gunpoint by her neighbour in Garhmukteshwar here, police said today. The incident occurred last evening when the victim, a mother of three, had gone to mow grass in the field. The accused came there and raped the woman at gun point. He also threatened her to kill her.
MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government will "do its utmost" to complete the investigation in the Mumbai gang rape case and prosecute the accused expeditiously, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said Monday. He said: "All the five accused have been arrested. Public order and police are subjects exclusively dealt with by the state."
CHANDIGARH: A local court in Hisar has sentenced a man for one year imprisonment for stealing electricity. The court of Additional Sessions Judge also imposed a fine of `5,000 on the convict Dharambir, a resident of Hansi. In default of payment of fine, the convict shall further undergo simple imprisonment for a period of one month.
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News MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
A RARE LEADER
‘RAHUL IS THE LODESTAR OF INDIA TODAY’ Md INKESHAF AHMED ahmed.m@postnoon.com HYDERABAD: If Gandhi were around, he would have given business baron Manchala Sai Sudhakar a ‘Narayan Seva’ award, for the Father of the Nation believed serving the weakest is serving Narayan (God). While businessmen in India are mostly migrating to politics to protect their empire, here is a man who has reversed the trend on the lines of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. He donates a major portion of his earnings for public causes without even becoming a MLA. Sudhakar, who just turned 44, gets a thrill from swimming against the current. Even as far back as 1990, he began AROUND THE to do services for common weal. “I had CITY no ambition and Kukatpally is my home. I want to prove the most useful man for my home.” But what made this clothes with a lot of gold ornaments. “I man, who presides over the MSR group went around like a baadshah,” he smiles of companies, plunge into public ser- sheepishly. But he left all that. Today, he vice like a zealot was the disheartening has given all his bungalows and palatial treatment he received from Chiranjeevi. buildings for his industry and charity Sudhakar, who has blazed a trail in works and live with his family (wife philanthropy, recalls the incident for and two sons) in a modest two-bedPostnoon. “In 2007, like millions of room flat! Instead of Gucci and D&G, he Telugus, I too believed Chiranjeevi wears khadi. “My family and I live in a must come into politics and serve the rented flat in Motinagar. I have a fleet of public. While others only wished it, I luxurious cars. I kept all those luxuriwent ahead and arranged a mass mobil- ous cars for public use and made my isation service and organised yagnas family members travel by autorickeven without the knowledge of Chiru. shaws... My office has plush sofas for It was a great success and Chiranjeevi my visitors but I don’t even have a comlater thanked me. But when it came for fortable sofa at my home,” he says. giving a ticket on PRP label from Sudhakar says he was rattled by the Sattenapally Assembly seat, I was violence in Seemandhra following ignored. I felt hurt and decided to prove Telangana formation. He formed a indispensable for the people of Seemandhra People Protection Front Kukatpally with unparalleled services.” (SPPF) expressly to protect the interests In fact, he is doing all that a govern- of 45 lakh Seemandhra people in ment pledges to do but never does. Hyderabad. He makes it clear that he is Through the MSR Trust he floated, he neither against Telangana nor against set up a 24x7 helpline centre where any- Samaikhyandra. one in distress could ring — from a basic water pipe leakage to a RAHUL’S FAN grave situation like respondThere may be millions who ing to a woman’s distress call want to see the unpolluted at night. He has assigned 150 His call centre helpline Rahul Gandhi becoming PM numbers are people with the task of helpbut, again, they do little to ing the public. 040-64557755 fulfil their desire. But is already 040-65447799 Sudhakar enthused to form a ‘Help UNIQUE PHILOSOPHY Rahul’ team of youngsters. Sudhakar has the most magnificent office in town where thousands “He’s the iconic hope for the young. I turn up with one request or the other should do my bit,” he remarks. Today, for help. Almost all of them are the they are 5,000 and it would be 10,000 common public. “I want them (aam soon, he avers. aadmi) to feel proud of stepping into a glorious building to get grievances VOTE AND A NOTE redressed. He should not grovel but ask Sudhakar again proves different. While with his head high. netas these days bribe voters with “My sole aim is to serve the people booze and money, he does the reverse. of Kukatpally for the rest of my life. The He has declared that when he fields call centre is meant for all people. himself at the next elections, those who Anybody who is in trouble or is facing want to vote for him must give him a any problem can call us with their prob- note of `100 for his trust. “It is a small lem.” Little wonder people talk of him token of appreciation for all the works with love and awe. “Anna is every- we do for the public good,” he says. thing for us,” says a provision store He says YSR had been a pheowner in KPHB. nomenon in his days. Lately, he has Sudhakar’s resolve also turned him reposed his greatest trust in Rahul into an epitome of modesty. Being a rich Gandhi. Others he respects are M industrialist, he used to wear expensive Ranga Reddy and Kiran Kumar Reddy.
CALL FOR HELP
Manchala Sai Sudhakar entered politics inspired by Ambedkar and Rajiv Gandhi. He follows Mother Teresa’s saying: “Not all of us can do great things — but we can do small things with great love.”
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ASSOCHAM REPORT
Tumbling rupee brings cheer to realty sector
10 Mexican abductees identified in mass grave AROUND THE
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Survey reveals a rush of NRIs to buy property in metros including Hyderabad.
MEXICO CITY: Authorities say 10 of 13 bodies found in a mass grave have been identified as those of youths kidnapped from a Mexico City bar in May, a victim’s mother said Sunday. Julieta Gonzalez, whose daughter Jennifer Robles was among the victims, said families met with federal prosecutors who told them that they were still conducting DNA tests but that 10 bodies have been identified so far. An attorney for the families, Ricardo Martinez, said the victims that have been identified include 16-year-old Jerzy Ortiz, whose father is serving jail time for gang activities.
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he Rupee’s sharp dip against the US dollar has made temptations for non-resident Indians (NRI) to buy property with realtors expecting an increase of 35 per cent in business enquiries from the expatriates this year, reveals an associated chamber of commerce and industry of India (Assocham) report. Releasing the Assocham paper on “Falling Rupee sparks property boom from NRIs” Mr. DS Rawat, secretary general, “With the rupee riding low against the dollar, Indian residents are looking to accelerate investment plans back home”. The rupee has fallen by about 34 per cent against the US dollar since August 2011 and crossed `65 against the dollar. The survey highlighted that Bangalore is the most favourite property investment destination for NRIs followed by Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Dehradun. A lot of Punjabis settled in Canada and UK are expected to invest more in Chandigarh sub-urban like Dera basi, Mohali and Panchukla. This time, there is a lower demand for the DelhiNCR market, adds the Assocham survey. Assocham conducted a random survey of nearly 1,250 real estate developers in Delhi-NCR, Dera Basi, Mohali near chandi-
CRIME
and have been growing over the years. Buying a property back home is the top-most priority of every non-resident Indian, at least for those living in the foreign countries as the weakening rupee has given an impetus to fulfill that objective, added 75 per cent of the real estate developers. The Indian developers are optimistic and expecting to get a good number of booking this year. Their confidence is based on the fact that the rupee is plunging and has fallen 35 per cent. The enquiries from NRIs especially from the Middle-East, Europe, the US and Singapore for buying property in India have also risen by 20-25% following the rupee’s depreciation. The record decline in the value of the Indian rupee and the sluggish realty market, proved to be a double delight for overseas Indians investing in property here, adds the secretary general.
The victims were among 12 young people who were kidnapped from a bar in broad daylight, just steps from the capital’s main boulevard.
garh, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Dehradun, Chennai. The survey reveals that interest for buying property by NRIs have increased due to favourable exchange rates. “The Indian property developers are anticipating a 35 per cent surge in enquiries to NRIbased purchasers as the rupee dip against the dollar last six months. The decline in rupee has increased property sales because people want to get value for their money”, added majority of developers. Mr. Rawat further said, “It’s definitely not good news for people back at home, but for a non-resident Indian (NRI), this is definitely the best time to invest. At the moment any nonresident Indian buying a property in India can save around 2030 per cent on property value. The enquiries may go up further if rupee continues to slide, adds majority of the real
estate developers. The majority of real estate developers said the NRI traffic is coming primarily from the UAE/Gulf region, US, Singapore, Australia, UK, Canada and South-Africa. The demand is more for high end properties and commercial buildings. As per the recent estimates, nearly 5 million Indian expatriates live in the six Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and they remit close to $30 billion to India every year
Tropical Storm Fernand forms in Gulf of Mexico
Mexico migrant train derailment kills 6
Oz police find body of man taken by croc
Karzai to visit Pak in quest for Taliban peace
China arrests man for creating online rumours
MEXICO CITY: Tropical Storm Fernand formed Sunday in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to hit the Mexican coastal state of Veracuz early Monday, the country’s national weather service said. The storm is expected to cause heavy rains, intense winds and strong waves in Veracruz and neighboring Tabasco and Tamaulipas states.
VILLAHERMOSA: A cargo train carrying US-bound migrants derailed in a remote area of southeastern Mexico Sunday, killing at least six and injuring several more. The train known as “The Beast,” which carries Central American migrants who pay smugglers to sit atop freight cars, careened off the track near a river in Tabasco state.
SYDNEY: Police on Monday recovered the body of a man taken by a large crocodile in Australia with rangers confident they have killed the animal responsible. Sean Cole, 26, was snatched on Saturday in front of at least 15 onlookers as he swam with a friend across a river that has one of the highest densities of saltwater crocodiles in the world.
ISLAMABAD: Afghan President Hamid Karzai is to hold key talks with Pakistan’s newly elected government on Monday, searching for direct communication with Taliban insurgents to end 12 years of war. It is Karzai’s first visit to Islamabad in 18 months and signals a desire by both countries to overcome distrust and hostility.
SHANGHAI: Shanghai police have arrested the head of a private IT company for creating and spreading online rumours, police said. Fu Xuesheng, 47, was suspected of creating online rumours to slander his competitors as retaliation, reported Xinhua. After failing in one of Sinopec’s biddings, Fu took revenge against the winning bidder.
Bangalore is the most favourite property investment destination for NRIs followed by Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Dehradun.
A spokesman for the attorney general’s office declined to give details on the meeting with the families. The victims were among 12 young people who were kidnapped from a bar in broad daylight, just steps from the capital’s main boulevard, in a case that marred the city’s image as a safe haven from the country’s rampant drug violence. A mass grave was discovered on a ranch southeast of the capital on Wednesday. The families have demanded an independent forensic examination of the bodies and a team of experts from Argentina is expected to arrive this week, relatives of victims said. AFP
WORLD BRIEFS
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AYODHYA
House adjourned after uproar Parliament was adjounred till noon Monday following noisy protests by the BJP and SP members over the VHP’s Ayodhya march being stalled. NEW DELHI: Both the houses of parliament were adjounred till noon Monday following noisy protests by the BJP and SP members over the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s Ayodhya march being prevented from taking place. In the Lok Sabha, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) moved notices for suspending question hour to discuss the issue. Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar requested them to take up the matter in zero hour but SP members resorted to sloganeering. Following this, the speaker allowed the Samajwadi Party to speak on the matter.
But chaos prevailed as many members started speaking, forcing the speaker to adjourn the house till noon. Similar scenes were witnessed in the Rajya Sabha, where SP members shouted slogans. Rajya Sabha Chairperson Hamid Ansari repeatedly requested the members to allow the house to run. As pandemonium continued, the house was first adjourned for 15 minutes and then till noon. The Uttar Pradesh government Sunday stopped VHP from carrying out its "84 kosi parikrama yatra".
Food for chaos
Senior Indian VHP leader, Praveen Togadiya (L), is arrested by policemen during an attempted procession in Ayodhya on August 25, 2013.
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Almost 1,700 people were detained for breaching prohibitory orders, the officials said.
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The Hindu group’s leaders announced a national stir against the crackdown.
Hindu youth (right) of the Veda Vidyalaya watch from a window as Indian soldiers patrol (above) in Ayodhya on August 25, 2013.
HISTORY WIPED OUT?
Raiders hit Egyptian museum The looters made use of the security vacuum in the country following the ouster of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi. They burnt the museum and destroyed several mummies that could not be taken. CAIRO: The ongoing political turmoil in Egypt has jeopardised the country’s priceless historical artifacts. In one of the biggest looting incidents the world has even seen, over 1,000 artifacts were stolen from the Malawi museum in central Minya August 14, Xinhua reported. A security vacuum was created after Islamist president Mohamed Morsi was ousted by the military in early July. The situation worsened when clashes erupted between troops and Morsi’s loyalists Aug 14 after the
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dispersal of two pro-Morsi sit-ins in the country. The looters, taking advantage of the hap, burnt the museum and destroyed a number
of mummies and statues that were too huge to be carried away. “I wonder why didn’t the government take some necessary measures to protect museums during the expected turmoil," said Mohamed el-Kahlawy, professor of archaeology and Islamic culture at Cairo University. El-Kahlawy accused the government of gross negligence that left many museums and archaeological sites vulnerable. “They should have at least evacuated valuable pieces from museums and tightened security around those sites," he said.
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n one of the biggest looting incidents the world has even seen, over
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artifacts were stolen from the Malawi museum in central Minya Aug 14, Xinhua reported. During the Malawi museum theft, one employee was killed, while other security guards ran for their lives. “No one denies the humble security measures in the museum,
but what had happened there was unprecedented and unexpected," said Shadia Mahmoud, head of the international cooperation department at the ministry of antiquities. “But what the museum could do is limited. “The biggest problem is the large number of illegal diggings across the country where unregistered pieces can easily find their way into international markets. What’s more, there were frequent attacks on archaeological sites with the purposes of building houses, cemeteries or for agricultural production," Shadia said.
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SYRIA
Assad says US faces failure He told a pro-Kremlin daily that Syria would never be a ‘puppet’ of the West.
STUART WILLIAMS Agence France-Presse MOSCOW: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Western claims his regime used chemical weapons were an “insult to common sense” and warned the United States it faced failure if it attacked, in an interview with a Russian newspaper published Monday. Assad told pro-Kremlin daily Izvestia in an extensive interview that Syria would never be a “puppet” of the West and said
Washington had never succeeded in reaching its political aims through war. “The comments (accusing the regime of using chemical weapons) made by politicians in the West and other countries are an insult to common sense... It is nonsense,” Assad said. Assad accused the United States of first making the accusations that his regime used chemical weapons in an attack outside Damascus that activists say killed hundreds, and only later starting to look for proof.
Russia backs Syria
MOSCOW: Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned US Secretary of State John Kerry over the “extremely dangerous consequences” of launching military action against the Syrian regime. Lavrov told Kerry in a tele-
BO TRAIL
Prosecuters for heavy sentence
phone call Sunday that Moscow was “deeply alarmed” by comments from US officials indicating a readiness to intervene in Syria in the wake of accusations the regime had used chemical weapons, it said.
Such accusations are completely political and the reason for them is a number of victories by the government forces against the terrorists. Basher al-Assad He said the frontline in the area where the incident took place was not clear and the Syrian regime would have risked killing its own army forces if it used chemical weapons. “This contradicts elementary logic,” Assad said. “Such accusations are completely political and the reason for them is a number of victories by the government forces against the terrorists.” He said it is “not us but our enemies who are using chemical
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weapons.” With calls mounting for military action against Syria, Assad warned Western states to stop interfering in the affairs of other countries and instead “listen to the opinion of the people”. “If someone is dreaming of making Syria a puppet of the West, then this will not happen. “We are an independent
SEXUAL ASSUALT
PHILIPPINES PROTEST
Asaram Bapu gets notice
CAROL HUANG Agence France-Presse
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JINAN: The dramatic trial of fallen Chinese politician Bo Xilai ended Monday with prosecutors pushing for a heavy sentence over a murder and corruption scandal that shook the Communist Party. Bo’s crimes of bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power were “extremely serious” and there were no mitigating factors, they said. The description is a key factor in Chinese sentencing, where courts must generally find both conditions apply if they are to AROUND THE
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impose the death penalty. Analysts widely believe that despite the drama of the five-day trial, which has seen Bo mount a feisty defence, a guilty verdict is a foregone conclusion and a long prison sentence has already been agreed. The Intermediate People’s Court in Jinan said on its verified account on Sina Weibo, a Chinese equivalent of Twitter, that it would give its verdict at a later date. Under Chinese law the death penalty is available for cases of bribery involving more than 100,000 yuan ($16,000).
state, we will fight against terrorism and we will build relations with whom we want for the good of the Syrian people.” He warned the United States against attacking Syria and argued Washington’s previous military campaigns in recent years had always fallen short of their aims. “The United States faces failure just like in all the previous wars they waged, starting with Vietnam and up to our days,” he said.
People rise against graft
T
ens of thousands of people gathered in a central Manila park on Monday to protest against embedded corruption in the Philippine political system after a rallying call on Facebook and Twitter. The so-called “million peo-
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ple march” is one of the largest public demonstrations since President Benigno Aquino was elected in 2010 on an anti-cor-
ruption platform. The protesters ranged from nuns and priests and students to businessmen, middle-class families, lawyers and other professionals, showcasing the broad-based anger over graft in the impoverished nation. AFP
JAIPUR: A notice has been sent to Asaram Bapu, asking the spiritual guru to appear before the police for questioning in connection with a sexual assault case registered against him by a 16year-old girl a week ago, police said Monday. The girl had made a complaint at a police station in Delhi Aug 20, accusing Asaram Bapu of sexually assaulting her at his ashram in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur city, police said. A first information report (FIR) was registered against Asaram Bapu in Jodhpur after receiving a copy of the complaint from Delhi Police Aug 21. “A sub-inspector rank officer has been sent to Ahmedabad where he will deliver the notice to Asaram Bapu. He has been asked to appear before us within the next four days,” an official said.
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News MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013 CRIME
TRAGEDY
A STORM IS COMING
Man stabs 4 on China bus
Lightning kills two brothers
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BEIJING: Four people were killed and 11 others got injured when a knife-wielding man suddenly attacked passengers in a bus in China's Sichuan province Sunday night, police said. The bus camera shows that the man suddenly took out a knife and started to stab the passengers on the bus running through Sichuan's capital Chengdu, about 1,850 km from here, Xinhua reported. The man, surnamed Li, got off the bus soon and continued attacking the people in the street before police subdued him. IANS
WORLD
Visitors watch storm clouds at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area near Las Vegas, Nevada. Moisture from Tropical Storm Ivo is causing heavy rains and flooding in parts of the Las Vegas Valley. ETHAN MILLER/GETTY IMAGES/AFP
BOGOTA: Two brothers playing soccer on a beach in the northern Colombian city of Cartagena were killed by lightning and another person was injured, police said. Armando Jose and Domingo Lopez died while playing soccer Saturday on the beaches of Cartagena's Marbella district, media reports said. Domingo Lopez was taken to a hospital, but doctors were unable to save him because of the severity of his injuries. The other man injured was treated and sent home. IANS
BODY MODIFICATION Thus goes body worship in Venezuela, where undergoing plastic surgery is as common as going to the dentist and beauty pageants are akin to religion.
The painful cost of a pleasant derriere It hurts so much I cannot sit down for even five minutes. I did no research on what it was. I ask God and the Virgin for forgiveness so I can get out of this. This is no way to live.
PATRICIA CLAREMBAUX feedback@postnoon.com CARACAS: Eager to resurrect her failed marriage, Mercedes dreamed of having a shapely rear end. A risky, potentially deadly, silicone injection technique beckoned. She said yes. Now she rues that day. "It hurts so much I cannot sit down for even five minutes," said the 45-year-old, her voice quivering. She is so embarrassed she won't give her last name. Two years ago Mercedes underwent a procedure that has killed 15 people in Venezuela since 2011. It involves having a gel-like substance called a synthetic biopolymer shot into the body. It is not put inside an implant, but rather flows like an injection and spreads through tissues, alas uncontrollably. Mercedes received 560cc of the stuff in each buttock. It was a low point in her life when she was desperate to rekindle her marriage and win back her estranged husband. "I did no research on what it was. I just wanted to know who
Mercedes, Patient
did the best job," Mercedes told AFP while waiting at a clinic. Her dream is to get the silicone out of her body. The original operation cost the equivalent of $800. Days later, she started feeling an intense pain. She has learned to live with it, as she has with stinging criticism from her family. "I ask God and the Virgin for forgiveness so I can get out of this. This is no way to live," she said, her eyes clenched shut.
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NO TO BIOPOLYMERS
Astrid de la Rosa, who underwent the same procedure only to see the gel migrate to her lower back and hips, created a support foundation in 2011. It is called the "No to Biopolymers Foundation" and has recorded 15 deaths so far
from complications resulting from this beauty enhancing technique. The foundation has knowledge of 40,000 people who opted for the procedure, and the number is growing even though in November of 2012 the Venezuelan government banned the use of use of stuffing-like materials such as the synthetic biopolymers for aesthetic purposes. The authorities have brought
charges against some doctors and beauticians who continue to offer the service. "There are even recent cases of parents who give their daughters the biopolymer butt and breast treatment for their 15th birthday and now they regret it," said De la Rosa. Omar Guerrero, a 35-year-old trainer at a gym in the western city of San Cristobal, shot the gel into his pecs to look more buff and is now an utter wreck. The polymers migrated to muscles between his ribs, tightening his thorax and limiting his breathing. He's been flat out in bed for two years. "I cannot do exercise. I cannot run. I am a living dead man," said Guerrero. AFP
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POLITICS
A battle of unequals One has worked his way up the organisation while the other had the organisation handed to him on a plate. Two PM-hopefuls have plenty of issues to sort out before 2014.
AMULYA GANGULI feedback@postnoon.com
E
ven as India waits for the two national parties — the Congress and the BJP — to announce their prime ministerial candidates, the contrast between the two presumed frontrunners for the post is worth analysing. While the BJP's Narendra Modi is relentlessly goading his party to nominate him, the Congress's heir apparent is maintaining a deafening silence on the subject while his party men are clamouring for his selection. One reason for this striking difference is probably that Modi never imagined till recently that he will come so tantalisingly close to the topmost post in the country's governance. As a result, he can hardly wait for the formal announcement. Born in a middle class, backward caste family of ghanchis or edible oil traders, his career has followed an upwardly mobile trajectory which can be an object lesson of the opportunities available in the country. Gandhi, on the other hand, was born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth in a rich, upper caste family famous for its contribution to the country's independence movement and the building of modern India. Since there have already been three prime ministers from his family — a world record in a democracy — the post probably does not have much attraction for him. Moreover, he is aware that it can be his whenever he wants it. He doesn't have to push his party for it.
The contrast however does not go far. Instead, the similarities begin, for neither Gandhi nor Modi have any experience of governance at the national level. True, Modi is a chief minister — and a successful one — but ruling Gujarat is a far cry from presiding over India's destiny. Besides, Modi runs a one-man show in Gujarat. Not only is there no effective opposition party, he has also been able to either reduce his detractors within the BJP to irrelevance, like Sanjay Joshi, or evict them, like Keshubhai Patel. In a very real sense, therefore, he is the master of all he surveys in the state. It will however be vastly different for him at the centre. Not only
Unlike Modi, who has constantly emphasised his development-oriented outlook , Gandhi has never expressed his opinion on any government policy other than speaking in philosophical terms. will he have to run a coalition government (if his party ascends to power) for which he has no experience but his influential critics within his own party will also wait for him to trip up. Gandhi's difficulties in this respect will be far less. While his own party will continue to be as subservient to him as now, the Congress's allies are unlikely to pose
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too many problems since they will be more or less the same as now, comprising (including outside supporters) the NCP, RJD, SP and the BSP, among others. The misgivings about Gandhi, therefore, will relate to his capabilities since, unlike Modi, he has had no experience in administration. Moreover, his rejection of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's offers to join the cabinet suggests that he has little interest in the nitty-gritty of governance, although his reluctance has also been ascribed to the unwillingness of a member of the NehruGandhi family to serve under anyone else. But it isn't only his lack of experience which can affect his performance. He also doesn't seem to have any ideological viewpoint on any subject — the economy, the social system, diplomatic relations. Unlike Modi, who has constantly emphasised his development-oriented outlook — the bijli-sadak-pani factor plus industrialisation, Gandhi has never expressed his opinion on any government policy other than speaking in philosophical terms. Does he favour pro-market policies or a controlled economy? Is he for a paternalistic government providing education and jobs via a caste-based quota system or for a merit-based, competitive system? Is he for official and academic
bans on controversial books — Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses" or AK Ramanujan's 100 Ramayanas — or for regulating the media, as the private member's Bill once introduced in Parliament by his aide, Meenakshi Natarajan, suggested? In a very real sense, therefore, the country will be venturing into unknown territory if either Gandhi or Modi becomes prime minister. No one will know what to expect. The only saving grace will be that it will be a coalition in either case. As a result, both will be under some kind of check. But it is also possible that neither — the overly ambitious and the shrinking violet — will ultimately be able to make it. In Modi's case, the opposition to him from within the party, led reportedly by LK Advani, has been compounded by doubts about the right moment for making the announcement.
If it is made before the Delhi, Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh Assembly polls, it may detract attention from the performance of the BJP's fairly successful CMs in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and also scare the country's significant minority population away from supporting them which they might otherwise have done. In Gandhi's case, it must be obvious even to his acolytes within the Congress that he is not quite the inspirational figure as Rajiv Gandhi was in 1984 or Indira Gandhi in 1971 and 1980. The chances are, therefore, that the Congress and the BJP will either refrain from naming their choices before the general election or turn to someone else — Advani or Shivraj Singh Chauhan in the BJP's case and P Chidambaram in the Congress's, or a completely dark horse. Amulya Ganguli is a political analyst.
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AMAZON
Town cuts deforestation Unlike a few years ago, most agribusiness projects today make use of deforested land and do not encroach on the forest.
SAO FELIX DO XINGĂš: When farmer Luiz Martins Neto first moved to Sao Felix do Xingu a quarter of a century ago, the area had virgin forest, gold and a reservation for the local indigenous people. "They used to say it was the best place to live," he said. But like many others, he created his first fazenda -- coffee plantation -- with slash and burn techniques, helping to destroy his pristine surroundings.
The town in the northern state of Para is turning its back on the destructive ways of the past and trying to save what it has left. "In those days, the more you cleared the forest, the better your life was and the more land you acquired," the 54-year-old said. This was long the prevailing view in Brazil's vast Amazon region, particularly during the 1964-85 military dictatorship. But, decades later, the town in the northern state of Para is turning its back on the destructive ways of the past and trying to save what it has left. "One learns how to do
things right," he said, flashing a proud smile under his straw hat. A new forestry law took effect last October, limiting the use of land for farming and mandating that up to 80 per cent of privately-owned acreage in the Amazon rainforest remains intact. More than 60 per cent of Brazil's 8.5 million square kilometers (3.3 million square miles) is covered in forest, but twothirds of it is either privately owned or its ownership is undefined. On Neto's small farm, pastures and the giant trunk of a dead cashew nut tree are visible signs of past deforestation. The practice is a big part of the history of this town of 90,000 half occupied by indigenous lands and parks. Mining and cattle ranching are other major activities that have left their mark, attracting several multinational companies. "The arrival of the white man was like a river wave: It keeps advancing, advancing but does not recede," said Amauri Bepnhoti Atydjare, a member of the Kayapo ethnic group. Kayapo territory is a big mantle of forest dotted by small hamlets built around a square. Former 'champion of deforestation'
CRIME Japan wife kills cheater hubby with coffee cup TOKYO: A Japanese housewife battered her septuagenarian husband to death with a coffee cup after discovering he was cheating on her, reports said Monday. The 61-year-old woman allegedly attacked her partner after learning of his affair, batter-
The woman allegedly attacked her partner after learning of his affair, battering him repeatedly about the face and head with the mug. AROUND THE
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A decade ago, trucks loaded with timber rumbled through the town and the skies were blackened by smoke from forest-clearing fires. "Sao Felix do Xingu was a champion of deforestation," said Mayor Joao Cleber. "In 2008, the government drew up a list of towns which deforested the most and we were number one," he added.
"But now we are the ones who have reduced deforestation the most, from 2,500 square kilometers (965 square miles) in 2000, to 169 square kilometers (65 square miles) last year." The drive to reverse deforestation followed strong pressure from the federal government. Five years ago, Brasilia made an international commitment to stem rainforest destruction and cut off access to credit for towns deemed the worst offenders. AFP
ing him repeatedly about the face and head with the mug at their home southwest of Tokyo on Sunday afternoon, the Asahi Shimbun and other media reported. Yasuo Hirose, a 70-year-old honorary professor with Yokohama National University, was taken to hospital but later confirmed dead. "He had an affair with a woman I hate," Emiko Hirose told police, according to the reports. "I went mad and hit him more than 10 times with a cup." She has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. AFP
HI-TECH SNIFFING
iPads go to the dogs through touchscreen New York dog trainer Anna Jane Grossman teaches dogs how to use touchscreen devices. She was inspired by a fictional news article about a college grad who instructs dogs on correct tablet technique ROBERT MACPHERSON feedback@postnoon.com NEW YORK CITY: You may or may not be able to teach an old dog new tricks, but you can certainly try to get Fido to use an iPad. New York dog trainer Anna Jane Grossman has done just that, with success -- although a lack of apps limits the possibilities. "It's a novelty. It's just sort of a fun thing to do," Grossman told AFP at School for the Dogs, the canine classroom she runs with partner Kate Senisi near Manhattan's Union Square. "There's not a huge amount
AROUND THE
WORLD
of purpose to it -- but the way I see it, we're playing games all the time on our iPads anyway, so why not play games with our dogs?" Grossman, a native New Yorker and lifelong dog lover who's also a freelance writer, was inspired by a fictional news article about a college grad who instructs dogs on correct tablet technique. The original real-life iPad dog was Grossman's eight-yearold poodle-Yorkie mix Amos,
whose rich repertoire of silly tricks such as rolling over dead upon hearing the words "bang bang." In the interests of objectivity, AFP brought its own dog, a three-year-old dachshund mix, down to Grossman's place to see if she could turn him into a genuine geek on four legs. Starting off simply, Grossman got Bandit to touch her hand with his nose on command, in return for a tasty treat as a reward for correct behaviour. From there she got the dog nudging a fly swatter, then a pad of Post It notes, occasionally using a smear of peanut butter to focus its attention. AFP
MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
Business
UAE TO HOST MEEET ON PLASTICS CONVERSION
The Expo Centre Sharjah will play host to the fifth International Conference for Plastics Conversion, the high-profile industry gathering of plastic converters scheduled for next year.
MONEY MATTERS
SATYA AS MICROSOFT CHIEF?
Asia currencies move up against poor US data A possible end to a US stimulus programme have seen foreigners repatriate vast sums that have poured into emerging economies. TOKYO: Currencies continued their will-they-won’t-they dance over the Federal Reserve stimulus climbdown in Asian trade on Monday after poor US new-home data offered some support to emerging market units. The Indian rupee, which tumbled to a record low of 65.56 to the dollar last week, fetched 63.35 to the dollar in Tokyo morning trade against 64.45 Friday afternoon.
by 13.4 percent, the biggest month-on-month drop in more than three years. The disappointing data raised questions
about whether the Federal Reserve would go ahead with its expected announcement of stimulus tapering at its
The rupee, which tumbled to a record low of 65.56 to the dollar last week, fetched 63.35 to the dollar. The Indonesian rupiah edged up to 10,770 from 10,963. The Philippine peso firmed to 44.17 from 44.26 pesos, and the Thai baht rose to 31.87 from 31.94 baht. Meanwhile the dollar was largely unchanged against two of the world’s major currencies. Against the yen, the greenback was at 98.70 yen, flat from New York Friday afternoon. The euro bought $1.3382 and 132.09 yen compared with $1.3381 and 132.11 yen. Expectations of an end to the US stimulus programme have seen foreigners in recent months repatriate some of the vast sums that have poured into emerging economies, hitting currencies and equities. The dollar was under pressure after the Commerce Department on Friday reported new-home sales in July plunged more than expected from June,
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September 17-18 policy meeting. “There is continued strong focus on indicators to predict when the Fed will begin tapering,” Kengo Suzuki, forex strategist at Mizuho Securities, told Dow Jones Newswires. Last week the dollar had risen after minutes from the Fed’s July policy meeting showed board members had differing opinions on when to wind down its $85 billion a month bond-buying, known as quantitative easing (QE). Some back a “taper” as soon as next month, while others said the bank needed to see more evidence the US economy was strong enough. Fed boss Ben Bernanke has said it will not reel in the scheme until the economy can stand on its own two feet and unemployment is below seven percent. AFP
Asian stocks rise as Fed taper fears wane HONG KONG: Asian markets made modest gains Monday as speculation eased over whether the Federal Reserve will begin an early tapering of its massive stimulus programme. Emerging market currencies suffered a torrid few days of trading last week as dealers bet on an end to the Fed’s $85billion a month monetary easing. But figures showing a slump in US housing market sales on Friday eased fears of an early tapering and led to rallies in Europe and the United States. The feelgood factor carried on into the start of the new week’s trade in Asia with Hong Kong shares up 0.75 per cent and Seoul up 0.81 per cent. Sydney also rose a more modest 0.23 per cent whilst Singapore
was up 0.48 per cent in early morning trade. Tokyo stocks opened 0.43 per cent higher but were marginally lower by the break with the early gains eroded by profit taking, dealers said. In emerging markets, where currencies tumbled last week over concerns that the stimulusinspired investment splurges in their regions would end, trade was broadly positive. Jakarta opened flat, Manila was up 0.40 per cent and Kuala Lumpur rose 0.37 per cent. And there was some much needed respite for emerging market currencies. The Indian rupee, which tumbled to a record low of 65.56 to the dollar last week, fetched 63.35 to the dollar in Tokyo morning trade against
64.45 Friday afternoon. The Indonesian rupiah edged up to 10,770 from 10,963. The Philippine peso firmed to 44.17 from 44.26 pesos, and the Thai baht rose to 31.87 from 31.94 baht. Meanwhile the dollar was largely unchanged against major currencies. Against the yen, the greenback was at 98.70 yen, flat from New York Friday afternoon. The euro bought $1.3382 and 132.09 yen compared with $1.3381 and 132.11 yen. The market rises in Asia echoed modest gains on Wall Street and in Europe at the end of last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.31 per cent while London closed 0.70 per cent higher.
GOLD`31,774 10g SILVER `53,800 1kg
24C
for
for
DOLLAR `63.35 POUND `99.91
India-born Satya Nadella, currently heading Microsoft’s Cloud and Enterprise group, is listed among likely successors to the information technology giant’s CEO Steve Ballmer, who is set to retire within a year. As executive vice president, Nadella “runs a group that continues to churn out growth and profits”, noted Seattle Times in a story on the start of a guessing game among Microsoft watchers since Ballmer’s impending departure was announced. “There is no single clear successor to a lightning rod of a leader who remains one of the most identifiable CEOs in the country,” it said. He is an alumnus of the Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet.
NUMEROLOGY
$10.4 mn is what the world’s top biotech firm, Amgen, will pay and buy Onyx Pharmaceuticals, a consolidation trend in the drug-making industry.
SENSEX TRADES FLAT A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading flat — up 63.45 points or 0.34 per cent — during prenoon trade today. Good buying was observed in IT and technology, media and entertainment sectors, while oil and gas and banking index sectors were under selling pressure. The 30scrip sensitive index of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange, which opened at 18,602.56 points, was trading at 18,582.89 points in the pre-noon session, up 63.45 points or 0.34 per cent from last Friday’s close at 18,519.44 points. The Sensex touched a high of 18,728.19 points and a low of 18,540.98 points during trade so far.
THUS SPAKE We were near the target of 4 per cent (in farm growth) in the 11th plan and at least we will achieve that in the 12th plan. KEVIN RUDD, AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER
BSE NSE
18,596.26 78.21
5,486.45 14.10
MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
Comment Time will say nothing but I told you so/ Time only knows the price we have to pay.
WARFARE
Agence France Presse
WH Auden Poet
AARON TAM Agence France-Presse
T
he founder of a dating service promoting adultery is setting his sights on China’s cheating hearts after a controversial launch in Hong Kong. “It is a reality of life, we are an unfaithful society,” said Noel Biderman, the founder of the Ashley Madison “married dating” service. With its slogan “Life is short. Have an affair”, the website boasts more than 20 million users in more than 15 countries. It has been expanding aggressively, adding Japan and India last year. On Friday it lanched in Hong Kong, where religious and family planning groups have come together to criticise its message. Biderman said he nevertheless expected his service to be “wildly popular” in the southern Chinese city, noting that the website received around 320,000 Hong Kong hits in the past year without spending anything on marketing. “That to us indicates massive appetite for this specific product,” Biderman told AFP, citing rising divorce rates in the city. Government data show 30 out of 100 married couples filed for a divorce in 2011, twice as many as in 1991. The number of divorce cases hit a record high of 21,125 in 2012. Hong Kong is “in transition when it comes to relationships and marriage and that can lead to an interesting environment,” said Biderman. “When we put ourselves into that mix, we can do extremely well.”
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CHEMICAL WAR COULD DRAW OBAMA INTO SYRIA
STEPHEN COLLINSON
Adultery website shines spotlight on Hong Kong marriages
HIGH-FLYING THOUGHTS
What will the zealots that make the ranks of the VHP say when the proper people who are in charge themselves have accused them of using religion for political gain? Nothing. They have lost their face and honour. They have been exposed.
S
igns are growing that the horror of chemical warfare could for the first time draw the United States into a direct military intervention in Syria’s vicious civil war. The US military and diplomatic machine is slowly stirring, after pictures of children apparently choked on poisonous gas shocked the world last week. President Barack Obama is facing another test of a legacy doctrine rooted in avoiding Middle Eastern quagmires. Syria touches a perennial question of whether humanitarian impulses or narrow national interest should define US foreign policy. The crisis is intensifying as Obama is wrestling with how to respond to a coup in Egypt. The president held a rare Saturday meeting with top aides including Vice President Joe Biden, his secretaries of defense and state, intelligence chiefs and senior brass to discuss the US response. Then he called British Prime Minister David Cameron -- hinting at an effort to frame an international coalition for action. It is unclear whether Obama is leaning towards a military strike if the use of chemical arms by Assad’s troops, which would
infringe a “red line” he established last year, is proven It is possible that US diplomatic and military activity in recent days could be simply designed to build pressure on Syrian President Bashar alAssad, who has resisted all US demands to quit power. But the administration appears to be taking steps that would be expected to precede a decision to target Syrian units eventually implicated in the attack outside Damascus. The Pentagon is positioning forces, including ships equipped with cruise missiles, closer to Syria while Obama aides examine the Kosovo conflict for legal precedents for action without a UN mandate, which Russia would surely block. Secretary of State John Kerry has also been burning up phone lines, talking to US allies in Europe and the Middle East. Julian Zelizer, a Princeton University foreign policy historian, believes Obama is yet to sign off on military force. But he said the administration clearly “feels pressure to do something, or to look like it is preparing to respond, for political reasons, (and to show Syria) that there are boundaries to what is permissible.” Obama aides caution that no decisions have been finalized, and want definitive proof that Syrian forces strafed a rebelheld Damascus suburb with chemical arms and killed 1,300
people. But the White House offered credence to the reports in a statement on Saturday’s meeting, noting “contemporaneous witness accounts and (a) record of the symptoms of those killed.” Simply by being seen to marshall the US response, Obama is raising the stakes. “There is a sense in Washington that this is new territory and they will take some sort of action,” said Barry Pavel, a former senior defense and national security official in the Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations. But if robust action does not materialize after Washington pumped its muscles, the administration risks tarnishing its
credibility, said Pavel, now with the Atlantic Council. Obama’s personal reputation is also in play, after he said last year the widespread use in Syria of chemical weapons would cross a US red line. US foes in Iran, China and North Korea are watching to see whether defying the US president entails a price. Obama responded to previous small scale chemical weapons use in Syria by promising direct aid to rebel groups. But he called the chemical attack a “big event,” raising the stakes for himself. A US intelligence finding that the Assad regime was indeed to blame would put Obama in a tough political spot.
EDITORIAL Better late than never... Death fear makes Tyson honest
T
hough it vowed to stay abreast of scientific progress as soon as it attained independence, India is only now waking up to the menace that black magic is. Maharashtra has become the first state in India to bring in a law banning black magic, witchcraft and other superstitious practices, even if after the assassination of the man who led the fight against such blind faith. Through the ordinance the state government hopes it will curb these practices, which are harmful and have proved to be fatal at times. Since enforcement works better than advise, the state government is likely to notify the law, which stipulates a maximum sentence of up to seven years in jail for such practices. This is a landmark decision that will go a long way to educate the rural as well as gullible urban poor people who fall prey to acts of human sacrifice, and other such dastardly acts. Now that a start has been made, let’s hope that better sense will prevail on other states too, some of which have a higher prevalence of such cases.
READERS’ VIEWS
M
ike Tyson, the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world who holds the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles promised to be one if the most famous boxers in history. He was being spoken of in the same breath as the great Muhammed Ali before a string of unpleasant mistakes ended that speculation. Then, he neither accepted his follies, nor did he stop doing them. Now, in the evening of his life, as stated by him, he has confessed to being a bad man at times.
We invite you to write to us comments, suggestions, viewpoint or just about anything to feedback@postnoon.com or #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500 033 or even by way of a call on 4067 2222. Editor: Dean Williams
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MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
campus FOOT SERVICE
TREE PLANTATION
Soles for the needy Soles for Souls initiative encouraged people to take part in the Airtel Hyderabad Marathon by donating their footwear. AMY ROSE THOMAS amyrose.t@postnoon.com
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irtel Hyderabad Marathon might be over, but ‘Soles for Souls’, a shoe donation drive launched on the sidelines of the marathon is still creating a buzz among the collegians in the City. Driven by students from around 30 colleges in the City including St Mary’s, NITHM and Muffakam Jah, the initiative encouraged people to take part in the Airtel Hyderabad Marathon by donating their footwear. “Last year, we decided to experiment with this programme and had started the Soles for Souls in a very small way. We spread the message among the Hyderabad runners’ group and we collected around 20 pairs of shoes. But this time around, we thought of planning something bigger. We selected AHM student ambassadors from various colleges who spread the word about the initiative among their friends, family and colleagues at their college,” Srikanth, who is part of the ‘Soles for Souls’ team, said. As of now, the team has collected more than 600 shoes
while the target was only 200. “We never expected this many donations. We had 200 shoes in mind when we started the campaign. But the response was tremendous. In spite of the fact that most of the colleges denied promoting the campaign, ambassadors we had selected spoke to people in the community, schools, colleges and raised the number of donations. There was a point when we didn’t have a place to store these many shoes before we could give them away to orphanages and NGOs. We were partnered with NGOs like Don Bosco Nav Jeevan Bal Bhavan, Goonj and SOS Village, which had agreed to distribute the shoes to street children and students studying at these NGOs. Later, when the number started rising, we got in touch with NCC corps which also agreed to take 150 pairs of shoes,” Srikanth said. One of the AHM student ambassadors Mihir Shah from St Mary’s College says that he himself collected around 85 pairs of shoes. “I put up posters around my locality and spoke to my friends to bring a pair. The response I got was very favourable,” he added.
Bhavan’s Vivekananda College of science, humanities and commerce, Sainikpuri, has organised a tree plantation programme. This programme was organised in association with Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited, Directorate General of National Cadet Corps and Zee Network. Col AK Singh, group commander, NCC group headquarters, Secunderabad group, AP, was the chief guest of the function.
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEEK
DU
The University of Denver (DU), founded in 1864, is the oldest private university in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. The University of Denver is a co-educational, fouryear university in Denver, Colorado. DU currently enrolls approximately 5,000 undergraduate students and 6,000 graduate students.
TRENDING...
Today’s college students are more narcissistic and self-centered than their predecessors, according to a comprehensive new study by five psychologists who worry that the trend could be harmful to personal relationships. “We need to stop endlessly repeating ‘You’re special’ and having children repeat that back,” said the study’s lead author, Professor Jean Twenge of San Diego State University. “Kids are self-centered enough already.” Twenge and her colleagues, in findings to be presented at a workshop Tuesday in San Diego on the generation gap, examined the responses of 16,475 college students nationwide who completed an evaluation called the Narcissistic Personality Inventory between 1982 and 2006.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
spotlight 1
STYLE QUOTIENT
The bling factor Luxury evening hosted by Jaguar at Park Hyatt was a fun affair. Jewellery designer Moni Agarwal displayed her IIJW collection during the event. Also spotted was actress Sneha Ullal. 1 Sneha Ullal 2 Bhakthi Reddy 3 Moni Aggarwal 4 Manjula, Shalini 5 Manogna 6 Pragna 8 Sangeeta 9 Priyanka 10 Smrita 11 Vaishnavi, Radhika 12 Padma, Vasavi 13 Suharika, Niharika
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ART SOIREE
Artists Kishan Lohiya, Sami Khan and Vijith Pillai displayed their love for automobiles through art at Auto Art. The art exhibition was held at La Galleria, The Westin.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
health
MEET ON SUSTAINABLE QUALITY HEALTHCARE Experts will gather in New Delhi on September 2 at a FICCI meet on sustainable quality healthcare to discuss challenges the private healthcare sector faces in providing affordable services. Senior officials from the ministries of health, finance, communications and IT will also participate.
PREVENTION
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Insecticide-treated bed nets prevent tropical disease The threat of tropical diseases is compounded by the fact that the communities affected are very poor. Scientists have come up with some simple, cost-effective methods to combat these diseases. WASHINGTON: Bed nets treated with insecticide are a simple and economical way to eradicate filariasis, a mosquitoborne tropical disease that threatens 1.4 billion people worldwide, according to research published recently. The researchers, whose study appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that the nets could reduce the debilitating disease’s transmission to undetectable levels. Lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, is caused by a parasitic worm. More than 120 million people suffer from the disease, which has disfigured or disabled about one-third of its victims. The study “highlights the importance of integrating this type of intervention as a part of the global strategy to eliminate lymphatic filariasis,” said James Kazura of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, who participated in the research. In 2002, Kazura published a study on drugs used to combat filariasis in five villages in Papua New Guinea over the course of five years. The drugs were effective at eliminating the parasite from humans but did not stop its transmission
by mosquitoes. Ten years after the villagers took their last medication, they received free bed nets in a government initiative to fight malaria. In the next three years, Kazura and his research team saw the rate of infected mosquito bites per person fall annu-
Neglected diseases
L
ymphatic filariasis is one of the seven neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), primarily parasitic and bacterial infections that thrive in impoverished settings. These diseases can be controlled or eliminated by providing safe and effective medicines to individuals in affected communities through mass drug administration (MDA). The treatments are relatively inexpensive. For example, the treatment for schistosomiasis is $0.20 per child per year. The other six neglected tropical diseases are: n Onchocerciasis n Schistosomiasis n Infections from soil-transmitted helminths (hookworm, Ascaris, whipworm) n Trachoma
ally from 325 to zero, and concluded that transmission had stopped completely. In areas with mosquito problems, bed nets treated with insecticide are commonly used. Bed nets prevent female mosquitoes from obtaining the blood they need to reproduce. Insecticide reduces the mosquito’s lifespan by half, meaning they don’t live long enough for the parasites they carry to become capable of transmission. AFP
Strategies of control
T
ropical diseases are severe, but more often than not, simple cost-effective strategies can be used to prevent the spread of these diseases. Since most of them are vector-borne, a heavy emphasis is placed on vector control. The main strategies for controlling tropical diseases are: n Draining wetlands to reduce populations of insects and other vectors. n The application of insecticides (and/or insect repellents) to strategic surfaces such as clothing, buildings, insect habitats, and bed nets. n The use of a mosquito net over a bed (also known as a “bed net”) to reduce night-time transmission. n Use of water wells, and/or water filtration, water filters, or water treatment with water tablets to produce drinking water free of parasites. n Sanitation to prevent transmission through human waste. n Development and use of vaccines to promote disease immunity. n Pharmacologic pre-exposure prophylaxis (to prevent disease before exposure to the environment and/or vector). n Pharmacologic post-exposure prophylaxis (to prevent disease after exposure to the environment and/or vector). n Pharmacologic treatment (to treat disease after infection or infestation). n Assisting with economic development in endemic regions. wikipedia.org
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THE PAGE DEDICATED TO WOMEN AND THE ISSUES THEY FACE ACROSS THE GLOBE
MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
VANGUARD OF CHANGE
Voter turnout in Pakistan
Granny leave?
T
he voter turnout for women in the recent Pakistan general elections was 40 per cent of all votes. The female turnout is considered remarkable, although there are no comparative figures for previous elections. This was the first time that the number of female voters was counted, reports UN Women. Community awareness programmes were held to get women to vote.
A
Women key to development
leading think tank, Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), has suggested that women over 50 be given ‘granny leave’ to take care of their families. The organisation found that a lot of women had to give up their careers because of family pressure and allowing them leave would be a good compromise. The proposals come after Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, said men and women should be allowed flexible working hours if they need to care for elderly parents, says Daily Mail. The think tank has proposed that people get up to six months’ of leave to take care of grandchildren or elderly parents.
W
omen must be given opportunities to contribute to the country’s development, Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Najib Razak said recently. He said when given opportunities, women have always shown themselves to be capable of living up to the duties and responsibilities placed upon them. “Time and again, it has been proven that when given highranking positions in government, women have excelled,” he added.
AFP PHOTO/MONIRUL BHUIYAN
Women had a hard time. On the first day [Morsi] took power a man came up to me and said, by the way you have to wear the veil. For the past year, we felt it wasn’t our country.
Women are precious like gold. If you expose them, they’ll be looted. Women are weak, so they should think before they venture out... Women have freedom to move but only with their family. Abu Azmi
Merna Tawfik
Samajwadi party leader
Egyptian journalism student
WORKING WOMEN
UNDER ATTACK Self harm among young women rises
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ates of self harm among women between the ages of 15 and 24 have risen by 2.5 per cent a year since 1999, says a new report released by a Australian health body. There was an increase of around 50 per cent in poisoning by pharmaceuticals for females aged 15-24, while some forms of self-harm — using sharp objects — doubled between 1999-2000 and 2010-11 for that group, reports The Guardian. Indigenous people are also increasingly self harming.
THE WAY FORWARD IEEE WIE
I
EEE WIE is the largest international professional organisation dedicated to promoting women engineers and scientists and inspiring girls around the world to follow their academic interests to a career in engineering. Women have long hesitated to get into the engineering fields and the mission of IEEE WIE is to facilitate the global recruitment and retention of women in technical disciplines.
Women from the Balete tribe of Botswana participate in a ceremony dedicated to bringing back to life an ancient tradition of women’s initiation, in Ramotswa.
‘HIJAB APPEAL’ DIVIDES SWEDEN Critics say the campaign trivialises the suffering of women forced or pressured into covering their heads.
SÖREN BILLING Agence France-Presse
I
n gender-equality Sweden, a grassroots movement defending women’s right to wear hijab has split the nation, backed by politicians and celebrities while critics say it supports a symbol of female “oppression”. Hundreds of Swedish women have posted photographs of themselves wearing headscarves on social media sites to show solidarity with a heavily pregnant Muslim woman who says she was attacked outside Stockholm for wearing a veil. Police are searching for witnesses to the incident, which is being treated as a hate crime,
and has sparked a wave of online protest. Leftist politicians and celebrities were among those who lent their support to the movement, dubbed “The hijab appeal”, by tweeting pictures of themselves wearing the scarf. By Thursday, more than 2,000 people had posted pictures tagged with the “hijab appeal” hashtag on Instagram, mostly featuring women of different faiths wearing the veil. A Facebook “event” page set up by the activists garnered 10,000 attendees but had to be removed after the comments section was swamped with racist and sexist remarks. “The number of hate crimes against Muslim women has
increased lately,” one of the campaign organisers, Foujan Rouzbeh, told AFP. However, critics say the campaign trivialises the suffering of women forced or pressured into covering their heads. “I support protesting against the treatment of the woman who was attacked, absolutely,” said Sara Mohammad, the head of a charity for victims of honour crimes. “Not by wearing the veil, which is known around the world as an Islamic symbol for oppressing women.” The politicians wearing the hijab rarely displayed the same support for those fighting for the right not to wear it, sometimes risking their lives in doing so, she argued.
Male bosses get double the bonuses than women
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ore on the unequal pay subject — male bosses are being paid bonuses double the size of those given to female colleagues in identical jobs — which means men enjoy salary hikes of £141,500 more than women over their work life, says a new report released by the Chartered Management Institute. . Female directors received bonuses of £36,270 over the past 12 months, compared with £63,700 awarded to male directors, says The Guardian.
ON THE FRONTLINES EMMA GOLDMAN
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he was an anarchist known for her political activism, writing, and speeches. She played a pivotal role in the development of anarchist political philosophy. Although she distanced herself from firstwave feminism, she developed new ways of incorporating gender politics into anarchism.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
Entertainment BLESSED
APPRECIATION FROM RAJINIKANTH MEANS A LOT DIRECTOR ATLEE
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irector Atlee Kumar, an ardent fan of actor Rajinikanth, received appreciation from the superstar recently when he showed him the trailer of his upcoming Tamil romantic-comedy Raja Rani. The debutant says it means a lot to him. “I wanted to enter films after I watched Rajini sir’s Thalapathi. When I finally maanaged to become a director and finish my film, I want-
ed to seek his (Rajinikanth’s) blessings. I went to invite him for the audio launch of Raja Rani and showed him the film’s trailer. He loved it,” Atlee said. “He said that the trailer looks very good and wished me luck. These few words of appreciation mean a lot to me. I’m sure his words would mean a lot to any filmmaker, new or old. I told myself, ‘If I have impressed him, then how difficult it will be to impress
the audience,” he added. Rajinikanth was expected to attend the audio launch of Raja Rani Friday, but he didn’t turn up for reasons unknown. The film features Arya, Nayanthara, Jai and Nazriya Nizam in the lead roles. It’s the story of finding love between two couples after a breakup. Jointly produced by AR Murugadoss and Fox Star Studios, Raja Rani is slated for a September release. IANS
CINE BYTES Producers must learn from Ramanaidu: Sarath
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eteran Telugu actor Sarath Babu, who plays an important role inproducer D Ramanaidu’s upcoming Telugu romantic-drama Nenem Chinna Pillana, says modern-day producers need to emulate him to be successful. Ramanaidu, who has been producing films for nearly five decades. IANS
Band Baaza’s shoot complete
T
he shoot of Tanish’s Band Baaza is complete. The movie is directed by debutant Nagesh and produced by Nayeem. Vijay Kurakula has composed the songs for this film. The audio of the movie was launched by Dil Raju. He said during the event, “This movie is a family entertainer that can be enjoyed by the whole family.” Let’s wait and watch if Tanish’s Band Baaza will strike the right chord.
Vishnuvardhan’s music in mid Sept
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ishnuvardhan’s audio release is scheduled for mid September. The movie will be Yuvan Shankar Raja’s 101st film as a music composer. Vishnuvardhan stars Ajith and Nayanthara in the lead roles. Sony Music, has acquired Arrambam.
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Entertainment MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
EMPTY STATEMENTS
CINE BYTES
Shilpa Shetty wants to be a child again
Reacting to rape cases with words has no meaning Karan Johar
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he Indian film fraternity took to social networking platforms with full force to vent their anger against the recent gang-rape in Mumbai, but filmmaker Karan Johar says the lack of a solution renders these words meaningless. “I felt so silly even reacting, writing ‘I am disgusted’, ‘I am appalled’ because I feel it’s so helpless. These are just words, they are empty,” the 41-year-old said here Friday at a press conference of the film The Lunchbox. “But what really can we do but react? I think sometimes the words that we write feel empty. Like what I tweeted, it was an organic reaction, but I felt so silly writing those words because they really meant nothing,” he added. Karan stated such incidents are an epidemic and needed to be stopped. “It’s an epidemic and it’s not an epidemic you want to spread, you need to stop it. If someone gave me a solution, I would be standing in the front row trying to solve it,” Karan said. A woman photojournalist was raped by five men in the abandoned Shakti Mills compound near Mahalaxmi railway station where she was on an assignment along with a male colleague. IANS
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hen actress Shilpa Shetty was a child, she may not have known what she wanted to become once she grew up. But now that she is 38, she has the answer to the question. “Finally, found the answer to the most-asked question in my childhood... What do you want to become when you grow up? A CHILD again,” tweeted the actress. For now, she is busy taking care of her son Viaan, with husband Raj Kundra. IANS
Find boyfriend like me, SRK tells daughter
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uperstar Shah Rukh Khan often tells his daughter Suhana that if she decides to date someone, he should be like him. “I am a good man to love. I am very decent, loving, educated and caring. I would tell my daughter, that if she was to find a boyfriend, apart from my anger sometimes, she must find a boyfriend like me,” Shah Rukh said. IANS
‘I became an actor against my parents’ will’
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oha Ali Khan, daughter of veteran actress Sharmila Tagore and late cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, says when she decided to become an actress at 25, it was against her parents' will. The decision also came as a shock to her actor-brother Saif. “When I was 25, I went against my parents’ will and my brother was terrified,” Soha, said while interacting with students at “Follow Your Heart” campaign. IANS
Entertainment MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
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Entertainment MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
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Entertainment MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
CYNOSURE OF ALL EYES
‘N Sync joins Twitter one day before MTV VMAs B oy band ‘N Sync has joined Twitter a decade after splitting up and one day before a rumored MTV Video Music Awards reunion. “Mic check, mic check one.. two... is this thing on?!,” read the lone tweet sent out Saturday afternoon. The ‘N Sync account, verified a few hours after the tweet was posted, adds fuel to the fire that Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick will take the stage together during the televised Aug 25 event. (The ‘N Sync official page links to the fivesome’s various online websites.) The setting would be appropriate, as Timberlake — who was announced as one of the VMA performers earlier this month — is also set to receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, the VMAs’ version of a lifetime achievement award. This year, Jimmy Fallon will present Timberlake with the honor.
CINE BYTES
Tom Cruise wants home in London
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ctor Tom Cruise is reportedly looking to buy a house in London. He is eyeing up the upmarket Notting Hill and St. John’s Wood areas. The 51-yearold has plans to set up a base in London so that he has a permanent place where his seven-yearold daughter Suri can stay with him whenever he is working in Europe. IANS
Nicole is happiest with Keith Urban
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ctress Nicole Kidman says she has never been happier than she is now, and she has credited her husband Keith Urban and their children for this. “(I’m happier) in the sense that I have my girls and my husband and I have a very strong real life to counter-balance my fantasy life now,” she said. IANS
Kim Kardashian is worth it: Kanye West
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anye West is not bothered when people say that being with his lady love Kim Kardashian can ruin his reputation as a successful rapper. He says she is his “joy” and that she is truly “worth it”. “I could have people say, ‘This is going to damage your credibility as an artist or designer.’ And I say, you know, I don’t care, I love this woman. I love this person. She’s worth it to me,” he said. IANS
MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
Chai Time
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation. Robert F Kennedy
KAKURO
QUICK CROSSWORD
26
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 About half of all babies 5 Soak up 11 Bungle 14 Whit or wee bit 15 Nickname for a little guy 16 Place for ewe and ewe and ewe 17 The 100-meter hurdles and the 400-meter relay 19 Televised plugs 20 About half of all babies 21 Couple incorrectly 23 Giant in Jewish myth 26 Highly excited (with ‘up’) 27 Ultimate example 28 Shower mainstay 30 Like fresh potato chips 31 French pal 32 Introductory remarks 35 Activity with a list 40 Cheerful and childlike 41 ‘Support ___ Troops’ 43 Oscar party attendees 46 Puzzle 49 ‘Do’ followers, in song 50 Sussex suds 52 Part of the circulatory system 53 Like cigars and pipes 55 What you are after lining a shot to shortstop 56 Founder’s successor, in some cases 57 Pioneer 62 Phrase with ‘nutshell’ 63 Tell bigger whoppers? 64 As it occurs 65 ‘___ bodkins!’ 66 Continuous 67 Asked for a citation
DOWN
1 Word heard at a kennel club 2 90 deg from vert
3 Sorority letter 4 American Indian chief 5 They might monkey around 6 Roseanne’s TV mom 7 Teacher’s note next to an F 8 ‘... ___ on DVD and Blu-Ray’ 9 Moistens flax 10 Sully 11 Gladdens the heart 12 Railroad station porter 13 In an impulsive manner 18 Dole’s running mate in ‘96 22 ‘Bye,’ in some countries 23 Org with Brownies 24 Units of resistance 25 Regarding some church matters 26 Centers of steering wheels 29 Leads the bidding 30 Singer Mariah 33 Prima donna problem 34 ___ fatale (siren) 36 ‘Eight Days ___’ (Beatles tune) 37 Pulsating effects, in music 38 Genre for ‘The Maltese Falcon’ 39 Bunch of hair or feathers 42 Handwoven Scandinavian rug 43 Othello’s lieutenant 44 O’Brien of ‘The Barefoot Contessa’ 45 Soprano Mitchell and hotelier Helmsley, eg 47 Bellow in the bookstore? 48 Utterly destroys, as an automobile 50 Like Hermes’ sandals 51 Priestess in Bizet’s ‘The Pearl Fishers’ 54 Dry, as bubbly 55 Follow a command 58 Pot top 59 Postal acronym 60 Forbidden fruit sampler 61 ‘Curse you, ___ Baron!’
Chai Time MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013 Thiruvaikumar
STAR POWER for 27-8-2013
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As per Hindu panchang thiruvaikumar@yahoo. co. in, 040-27177230 / 9177596118
ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
CANCER
LEO
VIRGO
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
Avoid anger and taking emotional decisions. Expected money will come and reduce debt problems. You do not like to de dependant. Minor health problems are likely. Some jobs are likely to get delayed or get completed after multiple efforts.
STRIP TEASE AGNES
Written off dues can get collected, provided you put in proper and continuous efforts. Never feel disappointed by the turn of events; march ahead to achieve your goals. Better communication will ensure completion of undertaken tasks.
Marriage talks might hit a roadblock. Better put them on hold for some time. Employees might face certain incidents at workplace that irk them. Businessmen may face a slowdown and new efforts may not progress at the expected speed.
Avoid being emotional and head strong. Kids might make you feel embarrassed; deal with them politely. Those in love face complications and stress but handle the situation with patience. Giving impractical commitments must be avoided.
You will be straightforward and never allow others to commit mistakes. Though expenses are more, inflow will make you comfortable. You complete work which others could not. A longpending court issues will come to a favourable end.
Those who want to change their job can initiate their efforts now. Employees can expect recognition as they will complete all entrusted work in time with perfection and please the management. Your health needs proper attention.
Mother’s health will be a cause for concern. Real estate matters will bring good gain. Be careful in expressing opinions and avoid harsh talk. Good income through maternal relatives is likely. Your influence is likely to increase.
Realtors can expect windfall gains. Sudden financial fortune is likely for some. Tension and worries will end and situation will change for the good. Businessmen advised to go ahead with expansion plans as they get results as expected.
Businessmen will face the competition wisely and win over competition. You will talk wisely and convince most of them to accept your decision. Some are likely to get fortune opportunities. Held-up work will resume and progress well.
TAROT READ
Sumaa Tekur
tarotreadhyd@gmail. com
ARIES:
GEMINI:
The Hanged Man – You will gain a lot of new knowledge from a novice. You will appreciate his/her understanding and openness to learning the new.
LEO:
The Star – There is a huge gap between the way you think and the way someone 10 years younger thinks. Do not try to bridge that gap. It’s just foolish.
LIBRA:
PEARLS BEFORE SWINE
Knight of Cups – Hold your tongue and resist from making comments that project you as a racist. Best to keep mum when you get too emotional.
SAGITTARIUS:
King of Pentacles – Steer clear of anyone who puts you down or gives you the impression that you just aren’t good enough. You know what’s true.
TAURUS:
Nine of Pentacles – The choices you make now will pave the way for the next year. Do not get your hopes up too high. Prepare to spend time alone.
CANCER:
Three of Wands – You are concerned about the state of mankind. Today, you tend to think about world issues and fret about it. A philosophical day!
VIRGO:
Queen of Wands – You may come across as being too rigid and not at all open to new ideas. Change your viewpoint and be more accepting of others’ ideas.
SCORPIO:
Ten of Cups – You may be a good bathroom singer but don’t take these skills seriously. Similarly, be practical about your abilities and know how much you can do.
CAPRICORN:
Seven of Wands – You may feel burdened by the long list of tasks to complete. Organise and spend more time working and less time complaining.
PREVIOUS SOLUTIONS
PISCES:
The Emperor – It’s tempting to be lazy. It’s fine to indulge once in a way. But even as you do that, ensure that your laziness is not inconveniencing someone else.
NUMBER GAME
– This is going to be a tough time. But you must not give up hope. Soldier on with full faith in your abilities. You will come out successful.
SCRABBLE
AQUARIUS: Six of Swords
POOCH CAFE
You have to put in sustained efforts to complete some difficult tasks. Drastic and favourable changes are likely to take place. Plan to purchase land or house will materialise soon. A court verdict pending for long is likely to go in your favour.
for 27-8-2013
Three of Cups – You may have to do paperwork and interact with government officials. First understand the system and all the rules before you set expectations.
NON SEQUITUR
A court verdict may go against you. Tough time will recede gradually. Prioritise your work or face delay in completion. Health is a cause for concern and you need to take extra care. Keep perfect food habits so as to avoid heat-related ailments.
SUDUKO
Happy events to take place at home. New efforts will bring you desired results and appreciation. Be careful while driving as a minor accident is likely. Close friends and relatives will help you out of a difficult situation at an appropriate time.
Boggle KENYA HAITI LIBYA INDIA CHILE ITALY Vol: 3, No 37 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at # Plot no.550-A1,3rd floor, Road no-92, Jubilee hills, Hyderabad-500033 Landmark - Volkswagen showroom 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
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Entertainment MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
ALL IN WHITE
CINE BYTES
Naomi Campbell practises yoga on yacht
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upermodel Naomi Campbell doesn’t give her fitness session a miss — even when she is on board a luxury yacht! She was spotted practising a yoga session with her actor friend Adrien Brody. Both are guests on designer Roberto Cavalli’s yacht. Campbell was up early morning and was seen practising yoga postures with her personal trainer, reports dailymail.co.uk.
Lady Gaga dedicates Applause to fans
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op star Lady Gaga has revealed that she wrote her new single Applause to thank her supportive fans for getting her through her hip injury last year. The 27-year-old says she penned the track to thank her “Little Monsters” for their constant support during her gruelling Born This Way Ball world tour last year.
Now Swift gets beauty, career tips from Roberts
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dons a K wedding dress... for a role
atie Holmes is a bride once more — but only in character. The actress, 34, was spotted wearing a frilly lace wedding dress — complete with a tea-length veil, Mary Jane heels and Bobby socks — while filming a scene for Miss Meadows in her native Ohio Friday. The actress has been spotted spending quality time with daughter Suri, 7, during filming this month in Cleveland, before the pair are expect-
ed to return to the upscale two-bedroom apartment they now call home in Manhattan. In 2006, Holmes famously donned a wedding gown for real when she wed Tom Cruise in Italy in a Giorgio Armani-designed off-theshoulder frock. The pair split last year. Since then, the actress has been spotted looking cozy on set with Luke Kirby, her co-star in Mania Days, which they filmed in New York City this spring.
fter getting advice on dating, singer Taylor Swift has been receiving tips on beauty and career from actress Julia Roberts. They became friends when they filmed the movie Valentine’s Day together. Roberts has urged the 23-year-old singer to take up yoga to help her maintain her stunning figure and to keep her cool, contactmusic.com quoted a source as saying.
sports
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MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
TABLE TENNIS
Taking giant strides 13-year-old Harshvardhanvardhan Lahoti has already carved a niche for himself in the field of table tennis. ALEENA ALICE aleena.t@postnoon.com
H
e is just 13, but Harshvardhanvardha n Lahoti (in pic) has the confidence that is gushing ahead to help him expand his horizon and carve a niche for himself in the field of table tennis. This young lad is nothing short of a prodigy and has made a name for himself among the best table tennis players in the state. Born into a business family, Harshvardhanvardhan set out to play ping pong at the age of just eight. Under the tutelage of Coach Ramesh at YMCA, the
BRIEFS Second straight title for New Zealand’s Ko EDMONTON: New Zealand amateur sensation Lydia Ko won the LPGA Canadian Women’s Open for the second straight year Sunday, leaving an elite pro field in her wake. Ko, whose triumph in Vancouver last year at the age of 15 years and four months made her the youngest LPGA title winner in history, backed up that milestone victory with a fivestroke victory over France’s Karine Icher. “I’m pretty surprised, but I played some really good golf out there, so I was really happy about that,” said Ko, who grabbed another slice of LPGA history as the first amateur to win two titles on the tour.” AFP
New Zealand in final SAN FRANCISCO: Team New Zealand booked their berth in the 34th America’s Cup finals against Oracle Team USA with another emphatic victory on Sunday over Italy’s Luna Rossa. The Kiwis took the challenger series 7-1 by winning the decisive eighth race in the best-of-13 finals by three minutes and 20 seconds. They secured the right to take on defenders Oracle on San Francisco Bay in September for world yachting’s venerable prize. It’s the fifth time in the past six America’s Cup Matches that the Kiwis will be a contestant. New Zealand’s last appearance in the America’s Cup finals saw them fall 5-2 to Switzerland’s Alinghi in Valencia in 2007. Oracle then defeated Alinghi for the prize in 2010 in an edition beset by legal troubles. AFP
teenager has been making rapid strides. His recent victory which won him the Junior Title at the Andhra Pradesh State Level is just another example of it. A student of class nine from Oakridge International School, Harshvardhanvardhan starts his day at 5:50 in the morning by going for a training session and then continues his day attending school. He then gets back home at 4pm and continues with his practice sessions, In spite of his busy schedule with sports he does not neglect his academics and is one of the top ranker’s in his class. Just a few years after he started, he won the Samreddy Sudarshan Reddy Trophy from
Born into a business family, Harshvardhanvardhan set out to play ping pong at the age of just eight uner the tutelage of his coach Ramesh. the Ranga Reddy District Table Tennis Association and then went on to win the AP State Ranking Table Tennis Tournament in 2010. In the same year he took part in the Ranga Reddy Garlapati Venkaiah Memorial inter-school table tennis competition and stood first. His hunger for titles
grew fter he won the under-14 AP school tournament held in Tirupati. Harshvardhan recentlcy participated in the AP State Table Tennis Ranking tournament organised by GTTA and won 2 awards. He is now among the top-14 in the country. A confident Harshvardhan who is currently preparing for the National Level tournament
INDIAN BADMINTON LEAGUE
USA PRO CHALLENGE
Smashers drub Beats BANGALORE: The Krrish Delhi Smashers defeated hosts Banga Beats 4-1 to keep their hopes of a semifinal spot alive in the Indian Badminton League (IBL) here Sunday. Winning the tie at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium helped the Smashers win five points and are now fourth with 13 in the standings. On the other hand, the Beats lost their third tie in four outings and are fifth with nine points. In the first men’s singles rubber, Beats’ icon player Parupalli Kashyap was in his elements against his junior, B. Sai Praneeth of the Smashers, as the World No.14 won in straight games to the delight of the crowd. Kashyap won 2115, 21-11 to make it 1-0 for the Beats. However, the Smashers came back in style to win the next four matches to seal the extremely crucial tie. Jindapon Nichaon of the Smashers overcame Carolina Marin 21-17, 15-21, 11-9 in a tough women’s singles match which took almost an hour followed by World No.4 Malaysian pairing of Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Hoeng defeating Carsten Mogensen and Akshay Dewalkar 21-11, 20-21, 11-7 in the men’s doubles match. Kerala shuttler H.S. Prannoy sealed the tie for the Smashers when he defeated former national champion
Arvind Bhat 21-18, 7-21, 11-8 in the second men’s singles rubber. The World No.47 Prannoy used him jump smashes to good effect in the first game against his much senior opponent. Bhat appeared nervous at crucial junctures, making errors which cost him the game. However, Bhat, playing in his hometown, gave his best shot and completely outplayed Prannoy, after the Beats’ shuttler took a healthy lead. The shorter third game was a close affair with both players keeping in range of each other but Prannoy took the initiative just when it mattered and started hitting aggressive shots and came out victorious in the end, winning the much-needed tie for his team. In the dead mixed doubles rubber, Delhi’s icon player
representing the state in the Under 18 boys category says he finds Timo Bol of Germany his inspiration. Talking about his future plans he says, “I want to take table tennis to a new level in India. I want to represent India in various international tournaments and win laurels for our country.”
Jwala Gutta came together with her former partner V. Diju to take on Carsten Mogensen and Carolina Marin, both playing their second match of the day, and won the match in three games to give her team the extra point. Jwala, playing her first match since the opening round in New Delhi, with Diju won 21-16, 15-21, 11-9. Results: Parupalli Kashyap (Beats) beat B. Sai Praneeth (Smashers) 21-15, 21-11; Jindapon Nichaon (Smashers) beat Carolina Marin (Beats) 2117, 15-21, 11-9; Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Hoeng (Smashers) beat Carsten Mogensen/Akshay Dewalkar (Beats) 21-18, 20-21, 11-7; H.S. Prannoy (Smashers) beat Arvind Bhat (Beats) 21-18, 721, 11-8; Jwala Gutta/V. Diju (Smashers) beat Carsten Mogensen/Carolina Marin (Beats) 21-16, 15-21, 11-9. IANS
Van Garderen wins title
DENVER: Tejay van Garderen added the USA Pro Challenge title to the Tour of California crown he won in May on Sunday, as Slovakia’s Peter Sagan claimed the final stage. “I felt like it was a long time coming because I’ve been so close both the other times,” said van Garderen. “It’s amazing to get it.” The 2013 Tour de France sprint jersey champion Sagan notched his fourth stage win in the seven-stage event as the Cannondale rider’s sharp bust at the finish gave him the win in the 116.5 km (72.4 mile) circuit race in the streets of Denver in two hours, 27 minutes, 15 seconds. He edged Canadian Ryan Anderson, with United HealthCare’s Alessandro Bazzana of Italy a close third. American BMC rider van Garderen led the sprint out into the final 300 meters. He placed 15th to secure the victory. AFP
sports
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MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
US OPEN
Serena launches title bid Williams, seeking her 17th Grand Slam singles crown and her fifth US Open title, faces Italy’s 54th-ranked Francesca Schiavone in the opening night match, today. NEW YORK CITY: NEW YORK CITY, August 26, 2013 (AFP) Top-seeded Serena Williams starts defending her US Open crown on Monday while Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer join her in Arthur Ashe Stadium at the year’s final Grand Slam event. Williams, seeking her 17th Grand Slam singles crown and her fifth US Open title, faces Italy’s 54th-ranked Francesca Schiavone in the opening night match on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts. “It will be a good match,” Williams said. “She’s a really good player. She’s a big fighter and she’s dangerous.” Williams, 31, is 5-2 all-time
against Schiavone, including a second-round victory earlier this month at Toronto on her way to her eighth title of the season, including a Grand Slam crown at
No retirement regrets: Bartoli JIM SLATER Agence France-Presse NEW YORK CITY: Marion Bartoli refuses to rule out a comeback attempt but the reigning Wimbledon champion, who retired earlier this month, also said Sunday that she has no regrets and is enjoying her new life. “I’m not regretting anything because I have been giving 100 percent, trying my best every single day,” Bartoli said. “I have absolutely no regrets at all. “I really haven’t had any doubt about it and had a second thought about it at all. I’m enjoying so many opportunities I didn’t have time for as a tennis player.” But Bartoli has not asked to have her ranking points removed from the WTA Tour, the 28-yearold French veteran propping open the door to a comeback
ever so slightly. “You never know what is going to happen. I am still in the rankings,” Bartoli said. “It’s pretty hard to say I will never come back.” Yet that is exactly what Bartoli said 11 days earlier after losing to Romania’s Simona Halep in the second round at Cincinnati at a WTA hardcourt tuneup event for the US Open, which opens Monday in New York.
the French Open, and the 54th of her career. But she says she doesn’t need another Slam to make this a special year. “That’s the beauty of my
career. I don’t need to do anything at all,” Williams said. “Everything I do from this day forward is a bonus. Everything for me is just extra.” Second seed Nadal, also a reigning French Open champion, launches his quest for a 13th career Grand Slam title against US wildcard Ryan Harrison. The Spaniard defeated Harrison in their only prior meeting, which came in Nadal’s first hardcourt match of the year in March at Indian Wells after a seven-month knee injury layoff. Nadal went on to win at Indian Wells as well as this month at Montreal and Cincinnati and enters this US Open with a 15-0 hardcourt
record this season. “It has been great,” Nadal said. “But there’s no time to think about what happened. It’s only time to think about what’s going on. What’s important is (to) try to be ready for the first round of the US Open. “I have a tough opponent in front of me, Ryan Harrison, and I am focused on that. I hope to be ready to play well. I hope to be very competitive for the first match.” Nadal, who would take home $3.6 million by winning the title, would also end Novak Djokovic’s reign as world number one, if the Serb star also fails to reach the final for a fourth year in a row. AFP
Del Potro hopes for deep run NEW YORK CITY: Juan Martin Del Potro has taken confidence from a hardcourt title and an epic Wimbledon semi-final effort, but the Argentine sixth seed enters the US Open hungry to reach the next level. Del Potro defeated Roger Federer in the 2009 US Open final to become the only Grand Slam winner in 34 majors since the 2005 Australian Open not in the star foursome of Federer, world number one Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and defending champion Andy Murray. “The top four have a big difference to the rest of the players,” Del Potro said. “I have to do well in the big tournaments to get close, but that’s not easy. They are much better than the
rest.” In his most recent Grand Slam appearance, Del Potro lost the longest semi-final in Wimbledon history 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 to Djokovic after four hours and 43 minutes in his deepest Slam run since his US Open title. “It was a very good experi-
ence for me, even in the loss,” Del Potro said. “I played a good match with the number one in the world. Many good things to take.” Del Potro won his 15th ATP crown earlier this month at Washington, his third career title in the US capital. AFP
Nadal, Djokovic target Murray’s US crown
Stosur in Open after split with coach
Morita out, Rogowska in
NEW YORK CITY: Once the hunter, now the hunted, Andy Murray is braced for an all-out assault on his US Open title from rejuvenated Rafael Nadal and world number one Novak Djokovic. Murray ended Britain’s 76-year wait for a Grand Slam men’s champion by triumphing in New York in 2012 and backed it up with his historic Wimbledon victory this year, the first by a British man since Fred Perry in 1936. The Scot beat Djokovic to win the US Open 12 months ago and repeated the dose against the Serb at the All England Club six weeks ago. But it is Nadal, rather than Djokovic, who is tipped to win a second title in New York, to add to his 2010 victory, and clinch a 13th career major. The 27-year-old Spaniard missed the 2012 tournament as he rested his troublesome knees, part of a seven-month injury lay-off which stretched from the second round at Wimbledon to Vina del Mar in Chile in February. Since his return, Nadal has racked up nine titles, including five Masters, and boasts a win-loss record of 53-3 AFP
NEW YORK CITY: Australia’s Samantha Stosur, the 2011 US Open winner, comes into the event this year on the heels of a break-up with coach David Taylor after nearly six years together. And while she will get some help from Aussie Fed Cup captain Alicia Molik during the Flushing Meadows fortnight, Stosur said Saturday will take some time before deciding on a new full-time coach. “Dave and I, we had been together for a long time. It was almost six years. We had some great moments in that period of time,” Stosur said. “I think we both were kind of feeling that we’d almost come to the end. Unfortunately, it happened to be last week.” Strangely enough, it came after Stosur captured her fourth WTA title at Carlsbad, with a victory over Victoria Azarenka in the final. AFP
NEW YORK CITY: Japan’s Ayumi Morita, who has not won a WTA match since May, withdrew on Sunday from the US Open with a lower back injury and was she was replaced by Australian Olivia Rogowska. Morita, a 23-year-old from OtaCity, is ranked at the 52nd in the world and was set to open her campaing at the US Open against Italian fourth seed Sara Errani on Tuesday on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts. Instead, the tournament officials had announced on Sunday that it will be lucky loser, Australia’s Rogowska who will face be facing Errani, who also happens to be a US Open semifinalist last year, in the first round of the current year’s final Grand Slam event. Rogowska, a 22-year-old who hails from the city of Melbourne, is currently ranked at the 152nd position in the world. She had lost in qualifying 6-2, 6-2 to Portugal’s Maria Joao Koehler. AFP
URN
MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
IT
31
ASHES 2013
Finale ends in dramatic draw JULIAN GUYER Agence France-Presse LONDON: England and Australia drew the fifth Test as the Ashes series ended in a dramatic draw on the final day at The Oval on Sunday. England, set a target of 227 to win after Australia captain Michael Clarke’s bold declaration, needed 21 more to win off 24 balls with five wickets left when the umpires decided the light, even with the floodlights on, was too dark to continue and ended the match at 7.35pm local time (1835GMT). The draw meant England, who’d already retained the Ashes, finished the five-match contest as 3-0 winners having triumphed in three successive Test series against Australia for the first time since the 1950s. Jonathan Trott (59) and Kevin Pietersen (62), who both scored their maiden Test hundreds in Ashes matches at The Oval in 2009 and 2005 respectively, kept England in sight of an improbable win, in a match where they had largely been outplayed, after Clarke closed Australia’s second innings at 111 for six. This result saw Australia fail to win a single Test in an Ashes series for the first time since their 3-0 loss in England in 1977 and meant they’d failed to win a Test
Warning to umpire ends bitter Ashes SYDNEY: Michael Clarke told umpire Aleem Dar not to touch him as the fifth and final Ashes Test ended in a draw, Australian media revealed Monday. Clarke’s exchange with the umpires hit the headlines after bad light ended England’s late bid to run down the target set by the tourists’ second innings declaration which injected life into the encounter at The Oval. England, set 227 to win, needed just 21 off 24 balls with five wickets left when the umpires decided the light, even with the floodlights on, was too dark and ended the match. “Michael Clarke asked umpire Aleem Dar to take his hands off him as the final Test ended amid controversy and confusion after one of the most extraordinary days in the history of Ashes cricket,” The Australian’s Wayne Smith said. AFP
SCORE BOARD
England’s Alastair Cook (C) lifts a replica of the Ashes Urn amid his team mates as they celebrate after drawing on the final day of the fifth Ashes Test against Australia to win the series 3-0 at the Oval in London on Sunday. The hosts wrapped up the series with a 3-0 win. AFP/GLYN KIRK
for the ninth match in a row following a 4-0 loss in India earlier this year. “It was slightly strange but I’m proud of the way the lads played and in the cold light of day we’ve won the Ashes 3-0,” said England captain Alastair Cook at the presentation ceremony. “It’s very hard as there are certain guidelines in place -- if it’s that dark on day three you come off and no-one says anything.”
Clarke added: “We’re here to try and win, credit to England they played well today. It was worth a crack. “We got outplayed throughout the series and again we couldn’t get over the line today. England deserve a lot of credit for the way they played.” Cook responded to Clarke’s challenge by taking two fours in the first over of the chase off Ryan Harris. But Harris removed Joe Root for 11 when he flat-footedly edged an intended cut to
wicketkeeper Brad Haddin. It was a record-breaking catch for Haddin, with his 29th victim of this Ashes seeing him surpass the previous world record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in a Test series of 28 set by Australia great Rodney Marsh against England in 1982/83. England, whose run-rate on Friday had barely risen above two an over, scored 22 runs in two overs, 10 off spinner Nathan Lyon and 12 off debutant seamer
Australia 1st Innings 492-9 decl England 1st Innings 377 Australia 2nd Innings D. Warner c and b Anderson 12 S. Watson c Pietersen b Swann 26 J. Faulkner c Prior b Broad 22 B. Haddin c Prior b Broad 0 M. Clarke not out 28 S. Smith c Swann b Broad 7 R. Harris b Broad 1 M. Starc not out 13 Extras (lb2) 2 Total (6 wkts dec, 23 overs, 105 mins) 111 Bowling: Anderson 6-1-27-1; Broad 10-2-43-4; Swann 7-0-39-1; England 2nd Innings (target: 227) A. Cook lbw b Faulkner 34 J. Root c Haddin b Harris 11 J. Trott lbw b Faulkner 59 K. Pietersen c Warner b Harris 62 I. Bell run out (Starc) 17 C. Woakes not out 17 M. Prior not out 0 Extras (lb4, nb2) 6 Total (5 wkts, 40 overs, 184 mins) 206 Bowling: Harris 5-0-21-2 (1nb); Starc 7-0-48-0 (1nb); Siddle 3-0-16-0; Lyon 10-0-44-0; Clarke 2-0-4-0; Faulkner 8-1-47-2; Watson 5-0-22-0; Result: Match drawn
James Faulkner, with Trott piercing the legside field for a couple of excellent boundaries. But a second-wicket stand of 64 ended when Cook was lbw for 34 to left-armer Faulkner, who’d taken four for 51 in England’s first innings 377.
Bad light robs England of thrilling win: press LONDON: Britain’s press on Monday bemoaned the bad light which ended England’s “thrilling march” towards victory in the final Ashes Test, but celebrated a victorious summer. Winning captain Alastair Cook, who has been on the receiving end of criticism over his perceived conservatism,
came in for praise but some of Fleet Street expressed disappointment that the series had not been more exciting. England only required 21 more runs to complete an improbable victory at the Oval when the umpires hauled the teams off for bad light after an adventurous declaration by Australia captain Michael
Clarke. “England’s fearless attempt to catch up with Australia was cut short with the game minutes away from a thrilling climax,” said the Daily Mail’s match report. “They rose to the challenge in the most spectacular way to thrillingly march towards that unprecedented
English 4-0 Ashes success. “Amid the frustration, it should not be overlooked that a draw leaves Australia without a win in an Ashes series for the first time since 1977,” it added. The Daily Telegraph called England’s attempt “one of the most fearless chases in living memory”. AFP
ASHES BRIEFS England are tough nut to crack
Pup takes positives from draw
England 2nd in Test rankings
LONDON: England captain Alastair Cook has warned Australia that his Ashes winners will prove a tough nut to crack when the bitter rivalry resumes later this year. Cook’s team concluded their dominant 3-0 series win over the Australians with a dramatic draw in the fifth Test at The Oval on Sunday and thoughts have already turned to the next instalment of cricket’s most enduring grudge match.
LONDON: Michael Clarke insists Australia’s defiant effort in the drawn fifth Test against England proves they are ready to mount a strong challenge to regain the Ashes. Clarke’s team were beaten 3-0 in the five-Test series, failing to win a single Test in an Ashes series for the first time since their 3-0 loss in England in 1977. They have also gone nine Tests without a victory following a 4-0 loss in India earlier this year.
LONDON: Sunday’s draw in the Ashes finale at The Oval saw England leapfrog India into second place in the International Cricket Council Test rankings as Australia dropped to fifth place - their lowest position for two years. England won the series 3-0 and thereby gained four ratings points to finish with 116 in total. They started the Ashes in third place in the ICC standings.
MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013
sports
MESSI-LESS BARCA STILL TOO MUCH FOR MALAGA
Adriano scored the only goal as a Barcelona side without injured Lionel Messi laboured to a 1-0 victory over Malaga. The Brazilian struck the blow a minute before half-time with a left-footed effort that Malaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero will have been disappointed to see slip through his grasp.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
MacKay buoyed by Cardiff stunner
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TRANSFER WOES CARDIFF: Cardiff City celebrated their return to the top flight with a 3-2 victory over Manchester City that left manager Malky Mackay in understandably buoyant mood. Second half goals from Aron Gunnarsson and a Fraizer Campbell brace proved too much for a City side that led through Edin Dzeko, but looked anything other than title contenders. Their second, from Alvaro Negredo, arrived two minutes into stoppage time. Mackay, who spent £28 million (32.6 million euros, $43.6 million) over the summer in a bid to fight relegation, said: “I am absolutely delighted. For everyone at this football club, this day was a long time in coming. But what a day it was. “It meant a lot to a lot of people so at the end of the game, I have to admit that I felt very proud for those people. Of course I felt proud for the players, but the fans too and the members of staff who work here. They have been through some tough times.” Not such a joyous afternoon for opposite number Manuel Pellegrini, although he wasn’t blaming a surprisingly porous defence. “I don’t think our defence cost us today. There was no problem in central defence,” he said. “Cardiff didn’t cause us many problems, but the game was decided by two corners. “Defending set-pieces is a
duty for the whole team, not just the goalkeeper or the defenders. It doesn’t matter who is guilty. “When we scored the first goal I thought it could be easy for us because we were playing a team that had 10 players in their box. But we didn’t play well. However, we didn’t play badly either. “It’s important for Edin to score. He played well. We also have Negredo who also scored. As an attacking team it’s very good to score two goals away from home. But we had another problem.” Dzeko gave the visitors the lead seven minutes into the second half with a 25 yard strike that left Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall clutching at thin air. However, Gunnarsson’s 60th minute equaliser, after Joe Hart had kept out Campbell’s near post shot, and Campbell’s headed goals on 77 and 83 minutes gifted the Bluebirds a first victory in top flight football since 1962. “I was delighted to get Fraizer from Sunderland for £600,000,” said Mackay. “It was a great bit of business on our part. He has worked so hard over the summer. I know he has had one cap but there is no reason that he can’t force his way back in. He was just what we needed and I knew that he would cause problems. He knew he had to get fitter than he was, but he has and he’s someone who can go from strength to strength. He is a strong, strong boy. He is brave and honest. He has got all of that.” AFP
Villas-Boas bracing for Bale exit
LONDON: Andre Villas-Boas (in pic) insists Gareth Bale’s move from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid has yet to be concluded, but expects negotiations to move on within the next 48 hours. Bale was in Madrid when his Spurs team-mates beat Swansea City to secure a second successive Premier League win, and is expected to switch to the La Liga club in a world record £86 million transfer. But speaking after the Swansea win, Tottenham manager Villas-Boas said: “There is interest from Real Madrid. Whether the transfer will happen or not, hopefully you will have more news in the next couple of days, but at the moment there is nothing I can tell you. We allowed him two days off. It’s not the first time this has come up. We never force non-selected players to come to our games. I decided that last season.” AFP
BUNDESLIGA
Bayern eye Freiburg ahead of Chelsea tie BERLIN: European champions Bayern Munich travel to Freiburg on Tuesday, determined to pick up their fourth straight Bundesliga win before heading to Prague to face Chelsea for the European Super Cup. Bayern were dealt a blow on Sunday with the news star-signing Thiago Alcantara is expected to miss the next seven weeks after tearing ligaments in his right ankle and is due to undergo surgery on Monday. The 22-year-old, who cost Bayern 25 million euros from Barcelona last month, was the only negative news from Saturday’s 2-0 league win over Nuremberg when Pep Guardiola’s side set a new Bundesliga record with 81 percent ball possession.
A Franck Ribery header in the 69th-minute broke the deadlock before Dutch winger Arjen Robben cut in from the right to add the second as Bayern claimed a club record 28th game
Bayern Munich will travel to Freiburg, determined to pick up their fourth straight Bundesliga win before heading to Prague to face Chelsea. without defeat. Bayern head to Prague’s Eden Arena to face Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, the Europa League
holders, on Friday and Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said the Bavarians need another win at Freiburg to keep confidence high. “We want the best possible start with 12 points from four matches, so we can go to Prague for the Super Cup with no weight on our shoulders,” said Rummenigge. Thiago’s injury will force a rethink to Guiardiola’s midfield line-up, with Thomas Mueller or Toni Kroos likely to partner Mario Goetze in the middle, flanked by Ribery and Robben. Freiburg, who have qualified for this season’s Europa League, picked up their only point of the season so far when they drew 3-3 at Hoffenheim on Saturday in a frantic match which saw two
players sent off, while the visitors’ coach Christian Streich was also banished to the stands. Having battered the
Nuremberg goal with 26 shots on target and 10 corners, Bayern travel to Freiburg eager to keep the winning habit. AFP