Postnoon E-Paper for 07 March 2013

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013 HYDERABAD

WWW.POSTNOON.COM

32 PAGES

WEATHER: CLEAR; 29°C

`3

Sam Raimi’s film Oz: The Great and Powerful — the cinematic take on the first book of L Frank Baum’s beloved The Wonderful Wizard of Oz series releases this week. We take a look at the characters.

P16&17

HYDERABAD’S FIRST COMPACT AFTERNOON NEWSPAPER M ANIL KUMAR

VC PLEDGES TO

STERILISE EFLU

Lack of counsellors and illegal lodgers who instigate are the bane of the Varsity, admits VC.

P6

FIT AS A

FIDDLE Starving and size zero is a strict no-no for youngsters.

They are sweating it out at the gym and dancing their way to a perfect figure. We speak to a few youngsters about this fitness fad.

BEGUM BAZAAR REELS,

MERCHANTS SLAM HEAVY-HANDED COPS

Shop-owners in Begum Bazaar allege that, after the twin blasts, the police are preventing people from entering the area to purchase goods — thereby preventing them from earning a livelihood.

REPORT ON P3

P8

VVIP AIRPORT’S

STINKING ISSUE

A rapidly-growing dump yard abutting the airport, threatens to spill over onto the runway.

P7

2

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

city events

GERMAN MOVIE NIGHT

German film Sophie Scholl — The final days will be screened, as part of the Women’s March, with English subtitles. The film was directed by Marc Rothemund. The screening is at Goethe-Zentrum Hyderabad on March 12, at 6pm.

Weather for Hyderabad

Evening

Overnight

29°C

20°C

Clear.

Mostly clear.

Morning

Afternoon

26°C

35°C

Mostly sunny.

Sunny.

New Delhi Mumbai Max 30 Max 35 Min 15 Min 24 Clear.

Chennai Max 31 Min 24

Clear..

Partly cloudy.

Bangalore Max 31 Min 21 Partly cloudy.

AROUND THE CITY: YOUR GUIDE TO WOMEN’S DAY EVENTS IN TWIN CITIES Aapki Marzi : Tales of Womanhood.

Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills When: March 8, 7pm onwards Contact: 96427 31329

WOMEN’S MARCH’13 It’s a girl The film tells the story of abandoned and trafficked girls, women who suffer extreme dowry related violence, and mothers who fight for their children’s lives.

Where: Goethe-Zentrum, 20 Journalist Colony, Road no. 3, Banjara Hills When: March 8, 6pm onwards Contact: (040) 2335 0443

Theatre festival The listening post is about women who had to struggle in the field of music in the early years of Jazz. It also takes a look at women who made it big in Jazz.

Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills When: March 10, 4pm onwards Contact: 96427 31329

The Justice Verma report To bring clarity to the public regarding Verma report on rape laws, Vasydha Nagaraj will give a lecture.

Where: Goethe-Zentrum, Hyderabad When: March 13, 6pm onwards Contact: (040) 2335 0443 Women in Public Spaces About one month ago GoetheZentrum Hyderabad has called for applications for a group photography exhibition on ‘Women in Public Spaces.’ This is an exhibition of selected entries.

Where: Goethe-Zentrum, Hyderabad When: March 15-24, 9.30am to 5.30pm Contact: (040) 2335 0443 Katharsis in Forbidden Zones Paintings, sculptures, installation and performance by Dimple B Shah, as part of Women’s March 2013.

Where: Kalakriti Art Gallery,

MISCELLANEOUS

CELEBRATING WOMEN’S DAY: Taken at the Go! 5k Women’s Walk/Run event organised by the Hyderabad 10k SRINIVAS SETTY Foundation.

Road no 10, Banjara Hills When: Up to March 13, 11am to 7pm Contact: (040) 2355 4485 DocuSplash!

Barf, 1997 & Sita's Family, 2002, Delhi Mumbai Delhi, 2006 and Naach, 2008, will be screened.

Where: Goethe-Zentrum, Hyderabad When: March 24, 11am onwards Contact: gothe.de/hyderabad A body that will speak As a part of women's march, Lamakaan is showcasing films on gender activism or films made by women film makers. This film is made by Sukanya Sen and Pawas Bisht.

Where: Lamakaan,

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

155333 23431178 23431179

MUNICIPAL CORPORATION

23262266 24166666R ENC 23225267 Engineering 23220418 MCH Tankbund 23225397 Emergency MCH Circle I&II 24525842 MCH Circle III 24736912 MCH Circle IV 23326975 MCH Circle V 23326976 MCH Circle VI MCH Complaints 1100 Head Office 23225397 IVRS CUM MANUAL ENQUIRY PHONE NUMBERS (TRAIN & RESERVATION) RAILWAYS Rail Nilayam 27833169, 27824216 Railway Information 131 Reservations 135 Recorded Information 1345 Enquiry (IVRS) 1331, 1332, 1333

Lane Adjacent to CBay, Opposite GVKOne, Road No 1, Banjara Hills When: March 10, 7pm onwards Contact: 96427 31329

DINING BLU celebrates women A Women’s Day special Sunday brunch.

Where: Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Banjara Hills When: March 10 Just For Women Special W-Lunch for women every Wednesday. The six course menu consists of soup, live salad bar, beverages, appetizers, main course and desserts.

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

Where: Ohri’s Ruci & Idoni, Opposite Rainbow Hospital, Banjara Hills When: Every Wednesday, 1pm to 3pm Woman's Day offers Rajdhani is offering an exclusive 25 per cent discount for all its female guests. The special menu will include malpua with rabdi, kesari jalebi with rabdi, strawberry halwa, apple basundi and badam bhog.

Where: All Rajdhani outlets in Hyderabad When: March 8

Girl Getaway package Tower Club at lebua is a five star executive all-suites, all-club hotel in Bangkok. ‘Lavish Luxury package’ offers a minimum of two nights at lebua’s Tower Club suite.

Where: State Tower, Bangrak, Bangkok When: Valid till March 31 Contact: www.lebua.com

OTHER SHOWS Ji, Jaisi Aapki Marzi On the International Women's Day, March Theatre presents Nadira Zahir Babbar's acclaimed play, Ji, Jaisi

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

Follow every rainbow Landmark hosts the launch of the book Follow Every Rainbow by Rashmi Bansal. The book is on inspiring stories of 25 women entrepreneurs.

Where: Landmark, Somajiguda When: March 7, 3.30pm onwards Contact: (040) 6463 1597

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

City

YESTERDAY’S QUESTION

SHOULD AP GO FOR HIGH TARIFF POWER FOR COMMERCIAL USERS? 89% 11%

YES (A) NO (B)

TODAY’S QUESTION

DO YOU THINK THE PUBLIC IS EQUALLY AT FAULT FOR THE STATE’S POWER CRISIS? A)

YES

B)

NO

To vote visit www.postnoon.com

SECURITY

3

Cops terrorise Begum Bazaar Five battalions of special police and greyhounds besides the local police are wreaking havoc with City’s largest wholesale market, and people are crying foul.

Md NIZAMUDDIN nizamuddin.a@postnoon.com

A

fter terrorists pulverised Dilsukhnagar it is the turn of the police to go on a rampage in Begum Bazaar and Ranigunj, which happen to be the biggest wholesale markets in Hyderabad. Consequently, businesses have suffered a debilitating blow with customers shying away from the markets.

Shop owners in Begum Bazaar are flabbergasted. “What are the police doing?” asked a harassed shop owner, who has been swatting flies for two days with no customer calling. How will they call? The police, meant to protect lives and property, are themselves terrorising those coming to do business from across the State. There are some 3,000 shops in Begum Bazaar alone.

For the past one week, City markets, especially Begum Bazaar and Ranigunj, have been

virtually sterilised by the police in the pretext of security. “We are laid on the mat,” bemoaned Omprakash Aggarwal, former president of Hyderabad Kirana Merchants Association, whose provision store has no customers for a week. “They are denying us our bread. It’s horrible.”

Another merchant, Ramesh, whose shop in the Bazaar has no customer for a week now is sad.

His harassed look is enough to convey his feelings. Shopowner after shopowner told Postnoon today how the police have been frisking buyers coming from districts and quizzing them about the cash they carry. “Without cash how will they buy things?”

Allegations are raised about the police on beat wresting cash from the customers coming from districts.

“They (cops) are killing our City, I am sure. And there is no Sarkar here,” cried a hotelier in the area. The Bazaar, usually a very crowded place with business buzzing, is nearly deserted.

According to shopowners, police have been frisking buyers coming from districts and quizzing them about the cash.

A lawyer in the High Court is outraged. He says the police are violating the fundamental rights of the people. “According to Article 14 of the constitution, the State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.

According to Article 21, no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.” But the police seem unfazed. “As long as the threat remains, we will check everyone,” insisted Circle inspector P Sathiah.

(With inputs from Inkeshaf Ahmed)

CRIME

SECURITY

Court gives man 10 years for chopping off wife’s hands

Qasim used to harass his wife and in an inebriated condition hacked her hands.

Mohd SUBHAN mohd.s@postnoon.com

I

n a ghastly incident, a man chopped off his wife’s hands, when she didn’t meet his dowry demands. The Guntur District Court has sentenced the man to 10 years rigorous imprisonment.

Shaik Bibi Jaan, 24, and Shaik Chenna Qasim, residents of Tenali town in Guntur district, met at a tailoring centre and fell in love. They tied the knot in 2005 and have two children. But their marital bliss was shattered when Qasim started harassing Bibi for dowry two years into the marriage. Bibi managed to get some money from her parents hoping it

would end the harassment, but Qasim was greedy for more.

Unable to bear the torture any longer, Bibi lodged a complaint against her husband in the 3 Town Police Station. When the police also failed to do anything, she moved into her parents’ house with her children.

On January 6, 2012 when an intoxicated Qasim went to Bibi’s parent’s house and started beating up his son. When Bibi tried to intervene, her turned on her and started attacking her. When the two were outside the house, he picked up a butcher’s knife and chopped off both of Bibi’s hands.

Incidentally, Tenali is the assembly constituency of AP Assembly speaker N Manohar.

Red alert sounded in City

W

ith the inputs from national intelligence agencies, the City police stepped up security measures like checking of motorists and bikers at all the busy centers in the State capital. High alert has been sounded in the State, especially in the twin cities and surrounding areas, and security has been beefed up at all important temples for the ensuing Sivaratri festival.

On a fresh directive issued by the Central Intelligence Bureau of a possible terrorist strike on the occasion of large congregation of devotees at temples in connection with the upcoming Sivaratri festival, the police have stepped up security and vigil at all crowded places in the twin cities.

Police have deployed police personnel at all important temples.

NSS

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city THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013 LAST YEAR... HERE

GOVERNANCE

Where is the money?

Naive hands at checks

L

ast year we had reported how students studying in class X were employed in vehicle pollution checks.

They were blank when asked a few questions about mobile vans. These students declare the vehicles environmentally fit. None of the operators were aware of the guidelines or Bharat Stage Emission Standards, when asked about it.

The GHMC has still not cleared the bills of contractors who worked for CoP-11. The contractors are now looking for better jobs at the Metro Rail project.

MARCH 7, 2012

NUMEROLOGY

294

Assembly headquarters in the State will witness the formation of a human chain on the occasion of International Women’s Day, as part of the Youth Congress programme.

During the monsoons, all the water seeps through the garbage and into the pipeline... despite purifying it, all the residents in the slum develop skin rashes...

Nani, youth president See page 7

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

1

High time other govt departments followed suit.

The Department of Planning & Technology became the first government department to accept RTI applications filed online. RTI has also been included in civil services exam.

2

A one-day stunt or a move here to last?

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Youth Congress has pledged to protect the dignity of women and said men facing criminal charges will not be allowed in the party.

3

Md NIZAMUDDIN nizamuddin.a@postnoon.com

“T

he officials are seeking four to five per cent for clearing our CoP bills,” alleged a contractor from central zone, pledging to fight the bureaucracy along with other contractors.

The financial year is about to end and the GHMC budget 201314 is getting ready for government approval but officials continue to sit over nearly half of the contractors’ bills, suggesting that the money has been channeled into something else. Many works are not on record and those on record are half done.

Though the GHMC boasts of ‘successfully’ organising the CoP-11, many contractors who worked hard don’t know where to look. Having spent sleepless

nights, some contractors have gone ahead and grabbed whatever work they could at the Metro Rail project.

Contractors with good expertise and technical knowhow are no more interested in working for the GHMC. This is evident from the fact that for projects like remodeling of nallahs, the corporation, at times, has had to call for tender notices five times. Officials now carp that contractors are not responding to the tenders.

“They are not even ready to record our work. What more can be said?” asks Hanumanth Sagar, general secretary of Contractors Association.

For instance, a contractor who worked for GHMC at Fever Hospital completed the work in spite of several hurdles.

But when the time came to recover the checks, officials

Some believe that even though a few contractors have moved to the Metro Rail project, others will not want to spoil their long-standing relationship with the GHMC. bound him under the “red tape,” making him run from pillar to post. Now, he is happy working with the L&T Metro Project, where he finds everything to be “systematic.”

“It’s too much; where has all the money gone?” asks K Kamruddin, a member of the Association.

The irony is that the tender is called by engineers, but when the time for collection of receipts comes, the engineers are

nowhere to be seen. Higher officials responsible for making payments excuse themselves citing various reasons. “If this kind of treatment persists, then most of us have to shift (our job) and look up at (other) works like Metro. We will be protesting over the delay shortly,” warns another contractor.

Senior engineers acknowledge that the contractors face problems. But they believe that even though some may have switched to Metro, most of them will stay on, for they have are habituated to working at the GHMC and will not want to spoil the long-standing relationship.

“The higher officials who take decisions ask us is to call tenders and we oblige. But after the completion of the work, we can do nothing to help them,” says a senior engineer.

NEWS BRIEFS

Counsellors still not given importance in universities.

EFLU has been functioning without a counsellor, which is mandatory for every educational institution.

Student denied hall ticket, ends life

Power cuts in City to go up to three hours

Burglars decamp with gold and cash

Man pushed against electric poll, dies

4

D

T

T

B

Begumpet airport plagued by garbage woes.

The garbage will soon spill onto the runway if not action is taken, sources say.

5

Is 10 years in jail punishment enough?

A man was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for chopping off both his wife’s hands for dowry.

enied hall ticket, an intermediate student committed suicide in Medak, reports said. The incident occurred in Sangupeta village of Andole mandal. The deceased Sayilu’s father said he was studying in first year intermediate in the Kranti Junior College of Jogipet and was not issued hall ticket, as he had not paid the fee.

he scheduled power cuts in the GHMC region will go up to three hours a day with effect from today.

The existing scheduled load relief in the GHMC region is two hours every day. According to AP Central Power Distribution Company Limited officials, the power cut will be effected twice a day at the rate one and half hour in each spell.

he State cabinet will meet today after a long hiatus of three months. The CM will chair the meeting. The meeting is being held in view of the ensuing budget session of both the Houses. The State cabinet will also discuss various issues, including last month's twin bomb blasts, power crisis and the controversial Babli project issue.

Krishna, 28, a resident of Bapunagar, SR Nagar, was murdered by his relatives. The deceased went to his sister-in-law Sunitha's house on the night of March 5. Both had a heated argument and Krishna, intoxicated, caught her hand. Her relatives beat him and pushed him to an electrical poll, after which he sustained severe injuries.

5

city THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

POLITICS

YC goes woman-friendly Youth Congress activists say they will form human chains in all the districts of the State and take a pledge to stand by the women of the State, as their brothers.

Md INKESHAF AHMED ahmed.m@postnoon.com

T

he rape and death of victim X has impelled the AP Youth Congress to take a pledge to protect every woman and handle those who dare to mar the modesty of womenfolk.

The Youth Congress in AP will take a ‘sapadh’ (pledge) on the International Women’s Day tomorrow to protect the dignity of women in the State.

The party president said they will not allow any man facing a charge of crime against women to get a party ticket.

As part of the programme, Youth Congress activists will form human chains in all the districts of the State and take a pledge that they would stand by the women of the State as their brothers.

Speaking to Postnoon AP Youth Congress president Dr Challa Vamshichand Reddy said the Youth Congress will oppose any man facing allegation of serious crimes against women getting tickets.

“We will prevent those men,

POLITICS

Legislators flock offices

facing such charges, from coming anywhere near the Congress party,” Dr Reddy said.

He said human chains will be

formed in all the 294 assembly headquarters.

The youth brigade of the ruling Congress had earlier organ-

ised ‘Outreach,’ an exclusive convention for women in Guntur district. The convention was a hit with women, it is claimed.

CONGESTED CITY

POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com

W

ith the budget session of both the Houses slated for March 11, offices of the main political parties are getting crowded once more. The MLAs and MLCs, who had stayed away all this while, are keen on making their voices heard. While the Congress offices are getting ready for defending the government, the TDP, YSRC, MIM and BJP are busy finding loopholes in the governance, which happen to be huge.

As there are too many questions, the questions are likely to be selected by lot. Opposition members have denounced it as an improper system.

Three to four heavily loaded trucks carrying Metro rail slabs are stationed at a Nagole road for a week now, SRINIVAS SETTY causing traffic congestion. In the evening, the traffic is jammed for two-three hours.

The Youth Congress also plans to implement the 33 per cent reservation of seats to women in all its organisations.

SECURITY

Landmines in CM’s constituency L

andmines and bombs found in the Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy’s constituency created flutters. Landmines were found during road works in Uyyalapenta.

The police rushed to the spot along with the bomb squad and defused the landmines.

Following this, the police are undertaking intense search at Bakarapet, Rompicherla and KV Palli forest border areas.

They found two landmines at Appireddigaripalle and an electric wire of a landmine near Talupula.

Two carriage bombs were also found in the Jillelamanda forest area.

NSS

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city THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

UNVIERSITY PROTESTS

VC pledges to sterilise EFLU Lack of counsellors and illegal lodgers who instigate are the bane of the Varsity, admits VC. ALEENA ALICE aleena.t@postnoon.com

T

he prestigious English & Foreign Languages University (EFLU) has been functioning without a counsellor, which is mandatory for every educational institution, though this itself is no guarantee that the mentally ill can be eliminated. Jared Loughner of Arizona who shot dead six and injured 12 others is a case in point.

However, every University that has students from different backgrounds and cultures coming to study, it is necessary to have a counsellor and counselling cell. This is not the first time a death, suicide or quarrels have taken place within the University premises.

Had the management taken action or acted in time when the complaint was first brought to their notice about the fight

N SHIVA KUMAR

between Kamran Mudassir and his friend Wasim, they could have averted the disaster.

Instead, the procter dragged him to the police station for ‘counselling.’

Over the years the protests by students at the University and

Had the management taken action when the complaint was first brought to their notice, they could have averted the disaster. the regular allegations of harassment have been causing the image and reputation of the University to take a beating.

Unauthorised lodgers are another problem haunting the University. “Some of the students here have been seeking refuge in political activities and

M ANIL KUMAR

gain immunity from rules. For any topic under the sun they agitate, sullying the name of the University. There are scores of them staying on illegally.

Drinking and fighting in the nights has become common on

DANGEROUS HYDERABAD

M ANIL KUMAR

WHAT ZEBRA CROSSING?

F

or most Hyderabadi motorists, traffic signals seem to be nothing more than an accessory on the City streets. After all, who really pays heed to the signals or important things like zebra crossings? In fact, if there is no traffic police present at a signal, you can be sure to see more than a handful of the vehicles jump the red light. The remaining that do wait for the light to turn green will conveniently park their vehicles on the zebra

crossings.

In this picture taken near the Nampally Exhibition grounds, vehicles are seen speeding despite the traffic light being red. Pedestrians on the other hand make a run for it, even as vehicles don’t bother to stop or follow traffic rules.

Expectedly, this was happening because there was no traffic policeman in sight.

In the meanwhile, zebra crossings seem to be mere decorations.

the campus and around hostels,” said a senior faculty of EFLU. Speaking to Postnoon on what the management is going to incorporate to ensure that the name of the University, the VC Sunaina Singh said, “What hap-

pened in Mudassir’s case is very unfortunate. The first change that is going to come in the University is that we are going to appoint a full time counsellor. I am also going to make sure that the people who are illegally staying on campus are evicted. It will take time, but we will ensure that this system of staying illegally is removed from grass root level.

The management will make sure that the law and order in the University is maintained and under no circumstances will any student who violates that will be entertained.”

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city THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

CIVIC

VVIP airport’s stinking issue

A rapidly growing dumpyard abutting the airport, threatens to spill over onto the runway.

N SHIVA KUMAR

RAHUL RAMAKRISHNA rahul.r@postnoon.com

T

he Begumpet airport’s runway strip near Bowenpally is perennially covered with smog coming out of the burning garbage dump abutting the premises. Surprisingly, official records suggest that it is the property of the Defence Estates Office of the Cantonment Board, which was then turned into a playground for children. After this, the three acre land was turned into a parking space by a private dhaba for a lease worth `2 crore. And now, for the last two years it is a dumpyard.

Locals from the slum surrounding the dumpyard say it wreaks havoc during the monsoons as their drinking water connection runs directly underneath the dumpyard.

“During the monsoons, all the water seeps through the garbage and into the pipeline at the dumpyard, which reaches our homes. It is dirty, polluted and despite purifying it, all the residents in the slum develop skin rashes and eyesight problems every year,” says Nani, youth president of the Babanagar colony.

Even the Defence Staff quar-

ters have complained to the Cantonment Board about the misuse of this land. “We have raised this issue with the MLA and the MP and the Ward member. All three of them have conveniently forgotten this issue after nodding their heads and assuring us of a solution,” says Pavan Mitra, a resident of the quarters.

Even the ragpickers complain that dumping garbage here is a problem as most of the col-

lection comes from localities far away. “We collect garbage from areas as far as Bollarum, Balanagar, Marredpally, Rasoolpura, Police Lines, Prakash Nagar and Secunderabad and bring it here for segregation. And every time an issue is raised over the dumpyard, this place is closed for two months and we need to find an alternative spot,” says Jhanaka, ragpicker.

The land was originally designed to hold the Cantonment Board’s OCTROI toll gate. In effect to this, it was later decided to be turned into a park for children to play.

A half constructed fountain, with an allotted budget of `7 lakh, stands incomplete at the entrance. Currently, the dumpyard poses immense security risks to the airport runway.

“In another two years, the garbage will start spilling into the airport. People can very easily jump over the fence and onto the runway at night,” says Nani.

The dumpyard has also witnessed a couple of murders, with the most gruesome occurring recently in November 2012.

The body of a victim with his head smashed in was found dumped within the garbage mounds.

RTI

DoPT blazes a trail, allows RTI online

Move will pave way for quicker empowerment of people. In another laudatory step RTI is included in the Civil Service exams.

POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com

I

n a surprise move, the Department of Personnel & Technology has become the first in all government departments to accept RTI applications filed online. While the DoPT has been instrumental in helping the Central government’s many attempts at diluting the RTI Act’s powers, the move comes as a surprise. What is more interesting is that many other departments are ready to follow suit after the DoPT’s move.

The novel feature can be accessed by enrolling at the website www.rtionline.gov.in.

Payment details and confirmation receipts can also be obtained online, which ensures complete transparency and protects the identity of the applicant. Activist Rakesh Reddy Dubbudu says, “It is a welcome move and we hope

that other departments too begin to accept RTI requests that are filed online.This has been something that has been demanded from all quarters for quite a while now.” He, however, adds that the RTI can only be effectively used when people are ready to fight from the ground level.

The new format of the Group 1 Civil Services has included Ethics and Integrity and RTI in its syllabus. The new paper lays emphasis on these topics, while laying a special coverage of the RTI Act.

RTI IN UPSC

The new format of the Group 1 Civil Services has included Ethics and Integrity and Right to Information in its syllabus. The new paper has laid emphasis on these two topics while laying a special coverage of the RTI Act beginning from the philosophical basis of governance and probity, to work culture, citizens charters, utilisation of public funds, challenges of corruption etc. DoPT has also changed the marks distribution of papers and increased the number of compulsory subject papers of general studies for the

main examination. From Civil Services (Mains) exams, 2013, there will be four compulsory general services papers of 250 marks each, in addition to two

optional papers of 250 marks each.

Earlier, there were two compulsory papers on general studies and two optional papers of

300 marks each. Total marks for the main exams will be 1,800.

The paper on essay and English comprehension will continue to be of 300 marks. This decision was headed by Professor Arun S Nigavekar former chairman of UGC and the changes were granted by the prime minister.

The prelims of the UPSC Group 1 exams will be held on May 26 and the last date for application is April 4.

AGE OF THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

8

A PAGE DEDICATED TO THE TRIUMPHS AND TRIBULATIONS OF GEN Z AMY ROSE THOMAS

amyrose.t@postnoon.com

I

t's hard to believe that there was a time when teenagers incessantly starved for days to be a size zero and looked up to the likes of Keira Knightly. In contrast to that, today’s youngsters do not believe in starving and following extreme diets.

They are hitting the gym and dancing their way to becoming fit and staying healthy. Their idols are Jennifer Lawrence and

Scarlett Johansson, who are fit but curvy as well. Overnight, those who go the extra mile to be fit have become uber cool.

“Being fit is the new obsession. When people get together for coffee, one of the most recurring topics of discussion is about what they do to remain fit, which gym they go to and so on. Our onscreen actors are the biggest sources of inspiration since many of them are open about their plump histories. Many newcomers including Sonakshi Sinha, Arjun Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor had shed as many as 30

kg before coming into the limelight. Even now, you wouldn’t call Sonakshi and Sonam as size zero but they both look natural and fit,” 21-year-old Preeti Sukumar says.

Youngsters are spoilt for choice with a wide range of exercise options available to choose from including yoga, aerobics, dancing, hitting a gym and so on.

Many collegians are hooked to more than one fitness regime. As a result, many of them lead a busy life — waking up two hours before college hours for

FIT AS A FIDDLE Starving and size zero is a strict no-no for youngsters. They are sweating it out at the gym and dancing their way to a perfect figure.

We speak to a few youngsters about this fitness fad.

jogging and later getting back from classes for a session on Zumba dancing or Salsa.

Moreover, many a youngster today is ruled by weekend syndrome in which they dress their best and hit the dance floor at pubs on Saturdays. Anyone who cannot hold their own on the dance floor is looked down upon and this phenomenon has driven many youngsters to take up dance classes.

“Everyone waits for the

Youngsters are spoilt for choice with a wide range of exercise options available to choose from including yoga, aerobics, dancing, gym and so on. weekend to come so that they can get on to the dance floor and impress the opposite sex with their dance moves. When you go for a college party, you will be surprised to see that everyone is a dancer. Those who do not know dancing, secretly attend dance workshops to learn a few moves. Luckily for me, I have always loved dancing since I was a child. So, dancing comes easily to me and I when attend a party I do not feel like an outsider,” 19-year-old Rachel Jacob says.

Another reason for this fitness fad among youngsters is Facebook. What follows after you put up your picture on Facebook, is sleepless nights.

You are obsessed about the number of people liking your picture and what kind of comments you get for the picture. Anything short of a hundred likes on your profile picture on Facebook is considered unimpressive. So is the number of friends you have on your social networking site.

So in a way this virtual vanity has inadvertently turned many youngsters into fitness freaks.

“Someone who is not on Facebook is treated like an alien.

The number of likes you get on your profile picture determines how cool you are you in your real life. And there is very little that one can do on photoshop to make you look good. So, in a way Facebook has put health in focus,” Jenny Issac, 20, says.

With the cool quotient attached to it, fitness has overnight become the new mantra of the youngsters. Starving and getting a size zero figure are passé. They are sweating it out at gyms and dancing their way to being fit and staying healthy.

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

focus

FOR GOOD OLD DAYS

Bamiyan province, known for its vast Buddhas destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, wants to revive its tourism heyday in the 1960s when visitors thronged to its mountains, lakes and impressive historical and archaeological heritage. Since the fall of the Taliban, the province has been one of Afghanistan’s most tranquil areas despite being surrounded by more volatile provinces.

RAYS OFF HOPE

AFGHAN SKI RACE FUELS OPTIMISM FOR THE FUTURE

JORIS FIORITI feedback@postnoon.com

T

he road to get there may not be safe and local attacks may be at a decade high, but an annual ski race in the Hindu Kush offers Afghanistan the glimpse of a better future, organisers say. Under the beady eye of Afghan police armed with machine guns, a reminder of the country’s war, local and Western skiers compete in a gruelling test of physical fitness in the mountains 180 kilometres west of Kabul.

“Organising a ski competition seems frivolous, but it has a symbolic dimension,” said Christoph Zurcher, the event’s Swiss founder. “People here can think that Afghanistan is going some-

where instead of going down.”

There are no ski lifts in Shaidan valley, Bamiyan province, so the 30 participants in last week’s “Afghan Ski Challenge” first had to clamber up a steep ascent on a course ranging in altitude from 3,200 to 3,480 metres.

Afghans accustomed to mountain conditions soon stretched ahead of breathless international skiers as a cheerful crowd of several hundred supporters and children from nearby villages shouted encouragement.

The stunning setting and peaceful atmosphere was a world away from Afghanistan’s violent image, and Zurcher hopes that the race is one small step towards the valley becoming a proper ski resort.

“Most countries which are

off-track, when they open, people rush there. Look at Cambodia or Burma. If Afghanistan opens, it will be the same.”

Zurcher, a journalist based in Zurich, said the idea of holding a race came to him when he was stuck in Bamiyan for four days in 2010 while on assignment. “With all those mountains around, it doesn’t take long for a Swiss person to think about skiing. Few locals had heard of the sport.”

Zurcher found sponsors to buy equipment from Europe and held the first race in 2011, with the event now supported by a range of commercial backers who guarantee free entry and provide prizes of luxury watches and jackets.

After completing the first arduous climb, a flat section and then another ascent, skiers com-

pleted the 2.6-kilometre course with a well-earned cruise to the finishing line on beautiful powder snow.

“I’m very happy, we trained really hard, seven days a week as soon as snow started to fall,” said Sajad Hosseini, a local guide.

He won in a time of 28 minutes. The last exhausted and sunburnt foreigners finished after more than three hours.

“It wasn’t just about the race.

It was also about the ski business. Tourism will develop in the future,” Hosseini said. “First because here it’s cheap. And also because nobody did it before, so people will love to come here.”

Despite the optimism, serious problems remain for the country. The organisers issued a warning that “mountains of Afghanistan are not the Alps nor the Rocky Mountains”, stressing that racers took part at their own risk, given poor access to medical care in the war-torn, povertystricken country.

Bamiyan province, known for its vast Buddhas destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, wants to revive its tourism heyday in the 1960s when visitors thronged to its mountains, lakes and impressive historical and archaeological heritage.

Since the fall of the Taliban, the province has been one of Afghanistan’s most tranquil areas despite being surrounded by more volatile provinces.

But there has been a recent rise in incidents, with the deaths of five New Zealand military personnel last August shocking many who believed that the eth-

9

nic Hazaras who dominate Bamiyan were keeping Taliban insurgents at bay.

The two roads from Kabul remain unsafe due to kidnapping and robbery, and provincial governor Habiba Sarobi admits that 18 Afghans died in attacks in Bamiyan linked to the insurgency last year, the worst record in 11 years. On race day, armed police watched over the scene on Sarobi’s orders.

With Afghan forces taking over the fight against Taliban-led insurgents as NATO combat troops withdraw, the outlook for

Under the beady eye of Afghan police armed with machine guns, a reminder of the country’s war, local and Western skiers compete in a gruelling test of physical fitness. the country is uncertain and mass tourism appears a distant dream.

But Gull Bayzadeh, a local travel agent who helped organise the race, saw the success of the event as a sign of Bamiyan’s long-term potential. “Skiing and tourism are symbols of peace. It will replace the war, the fighting,” he said.

“I’m sure that if we continue like this, Taliban will drop their guns and come to ski,” he joked.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

Business

GM TO HIRE 1,000 TECH WORKERS General Motors announced plans on Wednesday to hire 1,000 high-tech workers to staff a new IT innovation center in suburban Phoenix, Arizona.

The largest US automaker said it expects to hire more than 4,000 new information technology workers over the next three to five years.

MOBILE APPLICATIONS

Apps help tap biz better

10

TIME WARNER SPIN-OFF

Those catering to local requirements are sought after by smartphone users.

PRUDHVI RAJU K prudhvi.k@postnoon.com

M

obile application industry continues to grow with steep rise in smartphone sales. The growth in development community from across the country along with decrease in costs in creating apps is also facilitating the growth.

“It is getting easier and cheaper to create consumer mobile apps. Many start-ups and developers are actively creating apps. Earlier development hubs used to be Tier 1 cities like Bangalore, Delhi and Pune.

However, cities like Nasik, Cochin, Calcutta and Thiruvananthapuram also have active developer communities.

We want to nurture and facilitate them through support system and conducting various events to bring out local and innovative content,” says Annie Mathew, director, Alliances, BlackBerry.

Local content is gaining ground and became as relevant as global. For instance, to a large extent, one can offer global content in some categories like gaming. Local games like Ludo or Snake and Ladder developed by the Indian companies have not done well. On contrary, cricket games developed by Indian developers are popular around the world. Utilities and productivity apps like managing daily business and personal

schedule is largely global content.

Interest towards local banking apps also cannot be undermined in that category.

“Books are mostly global, but when it comes to education, it is the local that drives the mar-

Popular app categories n n n n n n n n n n

Games Utility Entertainment News and Magazines Books Health and Fitness Sports Productivity Photo and Video Music and Audio

k e t .

However, local content dominate the s e a r c h - fi n d deals about restaurants and shopping malls,” she says.

“Businesses have to go mobile to reach their consumers effectively as they can see their customers who are already on mobile. It is not just about taking the web content to an app. Business intelligence like consumer preferences and analytics play a key role in determining the strategies and help in building brands. For instance, businesses can even know when to send information to the consumer so that he would receive it,” she explains.

About the trends, she says, “Students who are developing

mobile apps directly without having exposure to web apps are thinking out-of-box. Such people can question the traditional way development and filter out unnecessary tabs and make the app smoother and faster. For instance, BB app developer Arvind Sanjeev, 21, has created RideSmart app, which can control the car by switching and controlling features like AC, parking lights, locking. This will help the user to switch on the AC and make it cool much before he gets in to it,” “Content is still the king in determining the success of application, followed by user interface. Native integration of app with calendar, inbox and alerts will increase the stickiness of the app with the user. For instance, native travel apps developed for BB can notify about taxi and hotel bookings and help the user in doing that before the travel. It can also send frequent notifications about time left out to check in,” she says.

Talking about the costs in building applications’ for business, she says, “A native or specialised app can be developed at the cost of `2 -2.5 lakh whereas students can develop at `50,000.”

Asked about the number of paid app downloads as compared to free apps, she said that there is huge growth in paid app downloads.

India can return to 8% growth: Montek LONDON: India has all the requirements to return to a GDP growth rate of 8 per cent in the coming years, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia said, while highlighting that current account

deficit is a big problem right now.

"India has averaged 7.5 per cent growth in the last 10 years. It should have done that for 15 years but it is possible to bring it back to the average performance of the last

decade. The target for 2013-14 is 6.5-7 per cent and then accelerate further. India has all the requirements to return to 8 per cent, even if it is later than expected," he said.

"A little over 5 per cent is a slowing down but the whole

world is experiencing a slowing of growth. It is a worry because we expect much more but it is not as big a disaster as the media makes it out to be.

Growth is important but that growth has to be inclusive and sustainable," he said.

PTI

10g GOLD `29,900 10g GOLD`31,100 1kg `60,100 1kg SILVER `55,400

24C 24C

for for

for for

DOLLAR `54.66 `53.79 `85.15 POUND `81.94

Time Warner announced Wednesday it would spin off its publishing arm Time Inc. by the end of the year, allowing the US conglomerate to focus on its television and film operations. Chief executive Jeff Bewkes said in a statement that a spinoff "provides strategic clarity" for the media-entertainment giant. The announcement comes after unsuccessful talks to sell some of the titles in the Time Inc. group. Time Warner said its board had authorized management "to proceed with plans for the complete legal and structural separation of Time Inc. from Time Warner" which would make the publishing unit a "an independent, publicly traded company." The company publishes 21 US magazines, including its flagship Time magazine, People, Fortune and Sports Illustrated and 25 websites.

NUMEROLOGY

$500

mn

is the amount the World Bank has committed for developing geothermal energy in developing countries.

BANK EXECUTIVE KILLS SELF The communications chief of Italy's scandal-hit Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (BMPS) killed himself Thursday by jumping out a window at the bank's headquarters, Italian media said. Investigators had searched David Rossi's home and office 10 days ago in connection with a probe into hundreds of millions of euros missing from the accounts of BMPS, the world's oldest bank. But no charges had been brought against him. Rossi leapt from a window of the 14th-century Rocca Salimbeni palazzo in Siena, where the bank is headquartered, reports said. Rescuers were unable to save him. Prosecutors launched legal proceedings after media revealed that BMPS had lost some $900 million following risky investments in complex financial products.

BSE 6,057.70 5,815.85 NSE

20,025.67 19,259.22 44.10 6.61 9.20 2.75

11

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

nation MUMBAI

CABINET CLEARS SERVICES GUARANTEE BILL The Union Cabinet has given in-principle approval to a Bill to provide for the right of citizens to time-bound delivery of goods and services.

PRATAPGARH KILLINGS

FIRE AT MUMBAI SLUM

CBI to begin probe into DSP’s murder School buses to install CCTVs to nab molesters MUMBAI: In wake of growing incidents of child molestation by conductors, city police have asked all schools in the metropolis to install closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) in their buses which ferry students.

Police have also asked school authorities to ensure regular check-up of drivers' eye sight every six months, besides having drivers' and conductors' antecedents verified.

"The CCTVs with at least 15 days recording facility should be installed in school buses," said a police officer. School authorities hiring private buses for children should also go through details of the vehicles such as registration number, road permit, driver's license, insurance and vehicle fitness.

Bus windows should be fitted with horizontal grills.

Surprise checks may be conducted to see whether the driver and conductor have consumed alcohol, the official said.

Two molestation incidents came to the fore recently in the city, which prompted police to take a slew of measures to curb the menace.

In January, a 35-yearold school bus conductor was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a four-year-old nursery student of a premier Juhu school on a moving school bus.

A month later, a 24-year-old school bus cleaner was arrested on charges of molesting a three-year-old girl in suburban Malad.

PTI

Investigation into four FIRs filed in connection with the killings has been taken over by the CBI.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav talking to the media after visiting the family of slain village head Nanhe Yadav Wednesday.

PTI

LUCKNOW: The CBI is likely to begin a probe into the murder of Uttar Pradesh DSP Ziaul-Haq and two others on Thursday, officials said. The "request letter" by the state government reached the CBI office late Wednesday, follow-

ing which an approval was sought from the department of personnel and training (DoPT), said an official.

Following a go ahead, the CBI formally registered a case in connection with the killings of Haq, village head Nanhe

Yadav and his brother Suresh during violence at Balipur village in Pratapgarh district, late Saturday, officials told IANS. A team has been constituted to probe the murders. The CBI has also compiled the newspaper clippings and video recordings of the violence, officials said. "Spade work in the matter has been done. The CBI team will now go to the crime scene to piece together the jigsaw of the three killings and to do some forensic work as well," a CBI official added.

Investigation into four FIRs filed in connection with the killings has been taken over by the CBI. While two FIRs were lodged in connection with the murder of Nanhe Yadav and Suresh by their family members, two others were lodged by the police and the widow of the slain police officer.

In the FIR lodged by the DSP's widow Parveen, she has accused former state minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya of conspiring to kill her husband. Following Haq's killing, his widow had demanded a CBI probe. IANS

NEWS BRIEFS Curfew continues in Kashmir Valley

Delhi cop shot at while 17 grenades seized chasing criminal from Manipur militants

Srinagar: Kashmir observed a shutdown for the fourth consecutive day today even as authorities continued curfew in several parts of the Valley to prevent deterioration of law and order in the wake of killing of a youth allegedly in Army firing in Baramulla. "Curfew remains in force in eight police station areas.

NEW DELHI: A 40-year-old Delhi Police head constable was shot at and injured while chasing and arresting a criminal here Wednesday night, police said.

Shyam Lal, deputed with the crime branch, was shot around 9.30pm in west Delhi's Janakpuri area. He received a bullet injury in hand, police said.

Pick

IMPHAL: Seventeen powerful grenades have been recovered from two insurgents of banned People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, police said today.

The police suspect that the grenades were meant to target security and police personnel and attack those persons who refused to comply with extortion demand.

at the

Eight people sustained burn injuries and around 100 huts were reduced to ashes in a major fire that engulfed a slum near Bandra station in west Mumbai, officials said Thursday. The fire which started around 2 am quickly spread to adjoining slums in the congested Shastri Nagar slum colony, catching people unawares in their sleep, according to BMC Disaster Control room. However, local youths immediately raised an alarm and helped evacuate the people and their belongings quickly to safe spots. As the flames spread, several gas cylinders also caught fire and started bursting, and added to the damage and losses. Ten fire tenders rushed to the spot and finally doused the fire by 6am. The cause of the fire is being investigated, the officials said. Of the eight injured, five were discharged after treatment for minor burns.

SL NAVY OPENS FIRE In yet another attack, an Indian fisherman was today injured when Sri Lankan naval personnel allegedly fired at some fishing boats off Kodiakarai coast, about 200 km from here, fisheries department officials said. The 40year-old fisherman from Karaikal in Union Territory of Puducherry, part of a group of fishermen who had put to sea from Kodiakarai in Tamil Nadu's Nagapattinam district, was injured in the shoulder, Assistant Director of Fisheries at Nagapattinam, Gunasekaran said.

The Lankan naval men had opened fire in the air and then at the fishing boats, causing extensive damage to the boats also, the official said. The fishermen said they were fishing in Indian waters when they were fired at.

The injured fisherman has been admitted to a hospital.

airport,

-

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

World

BRITISH BLUES GUITARIST ALVIN LEE DIES British guitarist Alvin Lee, best known for his performance with the band Ten Years After at the famous Woodstock festival, died on Wednesday aged 68, his family announced.

SYRIAN CRISIS

Rebels take UN men hostage The UN said it was trying to negotiate the release of its men, while a rebel spokesman said the troops would be held until Assad’s forces pull back from a Golan village.

DAMASCUS: UN officials said negotiations were under way Thursday with Syrian rebels who seized 21 UN peacekeepers in the Golan Heights ceasefire zone between Syria and Israel, as rebels took total control of the key northern city of Raqa.

Syrian rebels on Wednesday abducted the peacekeepers, who are from the Philippines, diplomats said, as the frontiers of their war against President Bashar alAssad spread further.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon called for their “immediate” release and demanded the Syrian government and rebels respect their “freedom of movement and security”.

Officials in Manila urged the troops, who are part of a 300-

They are being treated as guests, not as hostiles. We have high hopes that they are going to be released soon.

Colonel Arnulfo Burgos

Spokesperson of the Filipino Army A Syrian warplane fires at a target in Raqqa on March 6, 2013.

strong Filipino peacekeeping unit, to be released immediately.

Philippine armed forces spokesman Colonel Arnulfo

Burgos told AFP the rebels were treating the hostages well.

The Britain-based watchdog Syrian Observatory for Human

Rights distributed two amateur videos with statements by the rebel Yarmuk Martyrs Brigade claiming the capture.

AFP

THE RED SEA OF GRIEF Venezuelans filed past the open casket of late President Hugo Chavez as he lay in state Wednesday after throngs of weeping loyalists gave the firebrand leftist a rousing farewell on the streets. As Venezuelans began three days of goodbyes, an election to succeed Chavez loomed not far in the distance, as the curtain came down on a 14-year socialist presidency that heightened tensions between the poor and the wealthy in the oil-rich nation. Hundreds of thousands waved flags and chanted “Chavez lives” when his hearse crawled across the capital in a seven-hour trip from the hospital where he died to the academy he once called his second home.

NEWS BRIEFS Australia blocks North Korean embassy plan

Budget impasse: Obama Italian man shoots two tries dinner diplomacy women dead, kills self

Pope Benedict’s official ring cancelled

MELBOURNE: Australia has decided to scrap North Korea’s plan to reopen an embassy in Canberra.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr said today that the hermit kingdom’s proposal, which he initially supported, is no longer going ahead. “This is in response to their recent nuclear test,” quoting Carr’s spokesman, AAP news agency reported today.

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama met Republican senators for a rare dinner on Wednesday, as he sought to end an ugly budget stalemate that is clouding the early days of his second term. Obama sat down with a group of senior Republican lawmakers, including some of his most vocal critics, at the Jefferson Hotel.

VATICAN CITY: Pope Benedict XVI’s gold papal ring, the symbol of his power used to officially seal documents and ensure their authenticity, has been cancelled, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said.

Known as the Fisherman’s Ring, it was due to be destroyed with a special silver hammer after Benedict’s resignation February 28.

ROME: A pistol-wielding bankrupt man stormed into a government office in central Italy’s Perugia city and singled out two women employees who he shot dead before committing suicide.

The 43-year-old man was identified as Andrea Zampi. His family owns a small training company in Perugia.

12

MONROE’S LIPS

An online-only auction of a trove of Andy Warhol’s lesser, but often hitherto unavailable works, raised $2.3 million at Christie’s, with a lithograph of Marilyn Monroe’s lips coming out on top. The 1964 “I Love Your Kiss Forever Forever,” featuring five different-colored sets of the screen siren’s lips, led the auction results at $90,000.

The week-long Internet sale, which ended Tuesday, more than doubled its pre-sale estimate for the 125 works offered, with bargain prices attracting 263 bidders and 1,500 bids from 36 countries, Christie’s said.

NUMEROLOGY

86

Colombian novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez described himself as “very happy” on his 86th birthday, which he celebrated Wednesday at his home in this capital in the company of family and friends.

AS LONG AS IT TAKES A Republican senator sought Wednesday to block President Barack Obama’s nominee to lead the CIA, saying he would speak as long as it took to do so, citing concern about drone strikes on US soil.

In a remarkable display that highlighted the partisan divide in Washington, Rand Paul talked for more than nine hours in a so-called “filibuster,” seeking to derail John Brennan’s appointment at the US spy agency. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, tried to bring the blocking tactic to a close, but Paul, the conservative factions’ favourite, refused to stop.

I don’t think there is a representation for our culture, our way of life, our standard of living. I’m very concerned about my country.

Pauline Hanson Oz anti-immigration firebrand

13

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

Technology CeBIT 2013

Glimpse at the future GADGETS AND GIZMOS GALORE AT WORLD’S TOP IT FAIR

RICHARD CARTER feedback@postnoon.com HANOVER: From a glove that can be used as a mobile phone to a remote-controlled spy helicopter: this year’s CeBIT, the world’s top high-tech fair, showcases a bewildering array of gadgets.

For geeks in cold climates, China-based firm Winnershine Technology has just the thing: a glove that can be used as a mobile phone while keeping your hands toasty warm.

Connected to your smartphone via bluetooth, the earpiece is in the thumb of the woolly green glove, with the speaker in the little finger, allowing you to make calls without getting your hands cold. Yours for a snip at $12.50.

Equally nerdy is the smartphone-controlled golf ball developed by Woddon Industrial Limited.

No need for golf clubs: simply download the app to your smartphone, then wave your device as if swinging a club. The ball judges the speed and angle of the “swing” and moves accordingly.

Woddon also showcases their latest line in remote-controlled spy devices.

Budding James Bonds can choose between flying saucers, helicopters or airships and pilot them using a smartphone, taking pictures or real-time video of their unsuspecting target.

The latest “iConCopter”, due out in a couple of months, has a maximum range of 50 metres (165 feet) and is likely to retail at around 299 euros ($390), said sales manager Harry Chen.

But not all gadgets at the CeBIT, the self-styled Davos of high-tech, are so frivolous.

Taiwan-based PenPower Technology is wowing crowds with its text-reading and translating scanning pen.

Sleek-black and scarcely bigger than a normal ballpoint pen, the device scans text from a sheet of paper and transmits it instantly to a smartphone before offering to translate it into more than 20 languages.

Launched last month, the futuristic pen recognises a host of Asian languages, including Japanese, Chinese and Korean,

Big brother watching Google says the FBI is monitoring the Web for potential terrorist activity. But it can't say how extensive the surveillance is. As part of the Google Transparency Report, the Internet giant released data on official requests for data under the Patriot Act passed after 9/11. But Google said it was only allowed to provide broad ranges of numbers: in the years from 2009 to 2012, for example, it received between zero and 999 requests. The requests affected between 1,000 and 1,999 accounts, except in 2010 when the range was 2,000 to 2,999 accounts, Google said.

To Insta with love

and costs around 130 euros, said manager Shin Kuo, who believes it is a unique application.

Another world first is claimed by video card manufacturer Spreengs.

Everyone likes to add a personal touch to a birthday card but the New York-based firm has gone a step further by allowing users to upload videos or a photo slideshow to the inside of an ordinary greeting card via a USB port.

The cards are available for between 25 and 45 euros depending on the size of the screen.

Also pulling in the crowds

Satzuma unveiled a can-sized personal drink-chiller that plugs neatly into your laptop or desktop and keeps your beverage cold all day. on CeBIT’s first day was the “Cookoo” watch unveiled by Bluetrek Technologies from Hong Kong.

The Cookoo looks — and functions — just like a normal watch but is linked to the smartphone in your pocket and notifies you when you have

received an email or when one of your Facebook friends has updated his or her status.

The Cookoo can also take pictures, which are transferred to your smartphone, and allow you to skip songs playing on your MP3 player without the hassle of taking it out of your pocket.

Launched in January, the watch retails at 129 euros, said sales manager Willy Vong.

One of more unusual computer accessories on show is a mouse in the shape of the iconic yellow three-wheeled van from cult British TV comedy classic “Only Fools and Horses”.

But for the ultimate in pointless but fun gadgets that no selfrespecting nerd should be without, UK-based Satzuma is hard to beat.

Large crowds gathered around its stand at the opening of the show to coo over a tapshaped shower radio or alarm clock shaped like a directors’ clapper board that sleepy users have to snap down to stop the wake-up call.

Satzuma also unveiled a personal drink-chiller. The cansized red fridge plugs neatly into your laptop or desktop and keeps your beverage cold all day, enthused sales executive Michaela Grill.

“Cold beer all day and you need never get up from your desk,” she said.

Nokia desperately wants Instagram for Windows Phone and it's proving that this week. The company has just released #2InstaWithLove, a new Windows Phone app for Lumia devices that's specifically designed to put pressure on the release of an Instagram app for Microsoft's mobile OS. "Many of you have asked when Instagram will be coming to Windows Phone, and the #2InstaWithLove app was created as a way for you to have your voice heard," says Nokia. The app simply lets users take a photo and it automatically applies a filter and turns the image into a polaroid-like result with the #2InstaWithLove moniker.

No longer spam hub India is no more the top spam spewing nation. According to Sophos Labs' Dirty Dozen list, it is the US. and China that are the top global spam relaying countries.

India led the list in the latter half of 2012 and China has leapfrogged into second place after a spell in the lower half of the list. According to Sophos Labs' Dirty Dozen of top spam relayers, the US is responsible for spewing 18.3 per cent of global spam, while China relays 8.2 per cent. India has now only 4.2 per cent share of the global, marginally ahead of Peru which relays 4 per cent. The fifth spot is shared by France, S Korea and Italy.

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

Comment Men think highly of those who rise rapidly in the world; whereas nothing rises quicker than dust, straw, and feathers.

TRUE ART

MICHELE LERIDON Agence France-presse

W

ith no pope and no government, Rome residents could be forgiven for feeling a little apocalyptic after the first papal resignation in 700 years and an Italian election that could bring down the eurozone.

The Eternal City has seen the rise and fall of an empire, multiple barbarian invasions and a few bombardments in its nearly 3,000 years of history.

However unprecedented the current situation — at least in the city’s modern history — it is still better than being pillaged by barbarian hordes.

And some observers feel this limbo could herald some muchneeded fresh air blowing through Rome’s musty palaces of power both Vatican and Italian — often consumed by intrigue and corruption.

“Today Rome is empty, waiting for someone to come and occupy its palaces,” said Ferruccio Sansa, a columnist for Italian daily Il Fatto Quotidiano.

“The places of power can also be the places where we outline a better future,” he said.

Whoever moves in “has to be conscious of the call of duty: inventing a new Renaissance,” he said.

Speaking of Renaissance, a new exhibition opened in Rome this week of works by Titian — a master who knew a thing or two about church and state.

Particularly striking are the portraits of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V at the height of his powers and Pope Paul III — a master schemer and Roman aristocrat who cemented his family’s power in a turbulent pontificate between 1534 and 1549.

14

THE MEXICAN ‘GURU DUTT’

BUT... SERIOUSLY

Lord Byron Poet

Vatican: No Pope, no hope

HIGH-FLYING THOUGHTS

It’s a sad day for Bond fans, or more precisely Skyfall fans. Sam Mendes won’t be a part of Bond 24, the next super-spy installment. Mendes known for his American Beauty and Revelotionary Road says he has other commitments to look to. It was Mendes that made Bond something more than a killer and a womaniser.

Ajay Hotchandani

I

t’s 3am. I was fighting insomnia.

To distract myself I turned on the TV (turning myself on was too tiring at this point).

Flipping through the channels I came across an old black and white hindi movie. I watched a couple minutes of it, and it piqued my interest. However, I decided to go back to bed. Years later I was describing the movie to some relatives in Montreal when good ol’ Uncle Jeeves said the movie was called Pyaasa. I manage to get hold of a copy and was simply amazed by the movie. Solid story line, amazing acting and directing and not to mention the song at the end “Ye Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaye” … spiritual, to say the least.

The plot of Pyaasa is that Guru Dutt is a struggling poet that no one cares for or is paying attention to. His family thinks he is wasting his life and the love of his life married someone else for money. Believing that his life is not worth living anymore he decides to commit suicide. Through a weird twist of fate he does not die but everyone believes he did. Only after his supposed death, he and his poems become famous.

The lines were blurred for Guru Dutt as fiction became reality. During his career he had several flops and obstacles in his movie career. At the time no one saw his work for the pure genius it was (is). Was his role in Pyaasa a premonition of what was to come? Starting to sound a bit familiar, isn’t it? In the end Dutt was found dead after mixing sleeping pills and alcohol. It is still yet to be determined if it was suicide or an accidental overdose, however there were at least two previous suicide attempts.

Fastforward to 2012. On the streets of Detroit’s impoverished neighborhoods walked an odd man. Guitar on his back, long black hair, dark rimmed glasses and a face worn out from

decades of hard construction work walked a man named Sixto Rodriguez. In 1970 and 1971 he released two albums and both were major flops. The producer said he thought only six copies of the album sold.

Forty years later Sixto Rodriguez gets a call from someone in South Africa who informs him that he was more famous than Elvis and The Beatles in South Africa. One of his songs was credited as being the unofficial anthem that helped end apartheid in South Africa. How is it that Rodriguez was this famous and he didn’t know about it? Well, everyone in South Africa thought Rodriguez was dead — that he committed suicide. And everyone in the US (who even knew about the

album) thought the album was a dead flop. Years later, through a documentary called “Searching for Sugar Man” and a piece on 60 Minutes show.

Starting to sound familiar?

They were both geniuses who created works of art that has survived the truest test of time.

Some say their works have been resurrected, while others will argue that work this great never died. People who have watched Pyaasa know about Guru Dutt and follow Sixto Rodriguez are but a few. It boggles the mind to watch Dutt’s movies or listen to Rodriguez’s music and know that these masterful works of art and the artist were once cast aside…only that they came back and showed the world that true genius lives on no matter.

EDITORIALS Befriend the sun

P

rolonged unannounced power cuts, acute water shortage, the sun’s rays becoming hot needles of iron by noon... summer is here and it’s not good. With the demand for power pegged at 271 million units, and the supply being 202 million units, with reservoirs getting not much water inflows, there is not much to hope for, but to bear it. Hydel power projects are reported to remain idle due to poor rainfall and hence no water to generate power from. Apart from the sweat and the toil that everyone has to go through in summer, those most hit are industries and students. The gentle hum of generators is becoming a common thing even in otherwise quiet neighbourhoods. It’s a far cry to please the rain gods, but can we not make a friend of the eternal sustainer of life on earth, the sun, who at the moment is the villain? Yes, solar power. Apart from the

READERS’ VIEWS

installation cost, there seems not much to be spent later. Solar energy is one of the most viable modes of generating electricity with vital benefits like lower carbon footprints. As long as the eye of heaven shines hot and bright, consumers are assured of a steady supply. Not just that, it will take a huge burden off the State’s and Centre’s energy cache which depends mostly on hydel and thermal plants. Since rains are playing truant, we are running out of options but this one. Instead of blasting money on beautification of the city when some world summit approaches (flowers in pots laid on the city streets for the delegates of the CoP summit to feast on with their eyes have withered and other such efforts done have been ruined by metro construction works), this is what the state government should be doing... seriously.

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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THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

tELEVISION

'BROADCHURCH' WRITER PENS ONE

Broadchurch writer Chris Chibnall has penned new two-part TV film The Great Train Robbery for BBC One. The first film will star Fast & Furious 6 actor Luke Evans as Bruce Reynolds, the mastermind behind the famous heist.

HISTORICAL FANTASY

DRUG TALK

HEMANTH KUMAR hemanth.k@postnoon.com

I

t’s 793 AD. Somewhere in the hills of Eastern Baltic region, a warrior slays scores of soldiers from the opposing army. He looks up to the sky and watches hundreds of crows swooping down on to the battlefield and then the warrior’s eyes fall upon a wizard who liberates the souls of the dead. The warrior shows no signs of winning the battle and goes back to his home in Scandinavia. He dreams of heading to the West instead of the usual path they travel and there lies the biggest problem. Jarl Haraldson, their chieftain, who owns all the ships, shows no interest in the warrior’s plans of raiding lands in the West. That warrior is Ragnar Lodbrok who would soon become one of the legendary figures in Norse folklore.

Vikings, the new TV series on History Channel, is a historic drama set in the medieval ages which traverses the rise of the Vikings. It’s tough to say whether History Channel has pitched Vikings as a competitor to HBO’s Game of Thrones because Vikings doesn’t have the required drama, at least so far, which would make it a compelling watch. Like Jarl Haraldson, we are clueless about what lies in the West and the episode doesn’t show any glimpse of what Ragnar is after. On the other hand, his relationship with his wife and son is a revelation. Ragnar expects his twelve-yearold son to be a fierce warrior like him while his wife Lagertha is a strong-willed woman who has no qualms with the grand ideas that Ragnar fosters in his mind.

Travis Fimmel, who plays Ragnar, looks comfortable in his character’s shoes.

Although he doesn’t come across as a legendary figure in Norse mythology, he invests a lot of intensity into his role and he shines quite well. The pilot episode’s best performance comes from Katheryn Winnick (Lagertha), who might very well be the actor to watch out for in the series.

Among others, Gabriel Byrne (Jarl Haraldson) and Clive Standen , who plays Rollo, stand out. Ever since shows like

Game of Thrones, Spartacus and Tudors raised the bar in terms of production design of historical drama and fantasy TV series, anything less seems rather underwhelming.

Vikings is one such example. Yes, the show has got nothing to do with great kingdoms or men in gorgeous costumes, but apart from some breathtaking shots of fjords, the first episode of Vikings has hardly anything to boast about. Most importantly, the writing leaves a lot to be desired. Michael Hirst, who wrote the Emmy Award winning TV series The Tudors, gives us very few reasons to fall in love with Vikings, as of now. Considering the myriad of legends woven around Vikings, one would expect that the TV series too raises its bar in future.

Russell Brand made Phillip Schofield gasp after seemingly swearing during a live appearance on This Morning in which he also admitted to being "a pest". Brand opened up about his own struggles with drink and drugs while talking about gig at Wembley Arena, which will help support people in the UK trying to beat addiction. "Those people that are a nuisance when they take drugs or drink, this is to raise money to get treatment," he said. "I was a pest. I would definitely fit into that category.”

DID YOU KNOW

Community

was based on creator Dan Harmon's life at community college, attempting to reconcile with his girlfriend in Spanish courses. He has also stated the characters are loosely based on the people he hang around with and has nothing to with his film and television career. The character of Abed is based on a real person also named Abed: Abed Gheith

TRENDING...

SAILING THE HIGH SEAS Vikings, the new TV series on History Channel, which is based on the epic saga of the Viking King Ragnar Lodbrok, gets off to a wobbly start. Despite an interesting premise, the pilot episode never really manages to evoke a sense of awe and it leaves you craving for more action.

Keeley Hawes has joined David Mitchell and Robert Webb's new sitcom Our Men. Our Men is set in the fictional Central Asian Republic of Tazbekistan, with Mitchell playing newly-arrived British Ambassador Keith Davies and Webb as his deputy head of mission Neil Tilly.

Lenora Crichlow has landed a role in a new US pilot.

The Being Human star will appear in a new sports comedy from ABC. The as-yetuntitled sitcom also stars The Godfather actor James Caan and Psych's Maggie Lawson as a father-anddaughter duo who coach a baseball team.

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

spotlight

LADIES JOIN THE PARTY

Shamrock, Madhapur, presents Chica Nights with DJ PIYUSH. So ladies, here’s your chance to party it up. Get in free with your girl gang and party all night long.

Set the floor on fire as DJ Piyush will ensure you are on your feet all night.

18

S BALAKRISHNA

WOMEN ONLY

8

Raising a toast 1

The Pink Ladies Club celebrated its second anniversary and the upcoming women’s day with a party at the Park Hotel on Wednesday.

2

9

3

4

5

6

10

7

1 Lakshmi Manchu

6 Tejdeep Kaur Menon

2 Bharati, Fathima,

7 Isha 8 Tanuja, Rajveer

Ashu Gowri 3 Reena

9 Divya, Aarthi

4 Nandini Rao

10 Rachna, Sabeena

5 Vidhi

S BALAKRISHNA

STRENGTHENING A MOVEMENT

S BALAKRISHNA

Managing Director of APSRTC AK Khan(2nd left) is seen at the Oil and Gas Conservation Fortnight awards presentation that was held at the Katriya Hotel and Towers, Rajbhavan Road on Wednesday.

S BALAKRISHNA

CREATING BALANCES The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organised a Convention on Women Leadership 2012 with the theme ‘Rising over Challenges of 21st Century’ at the Park Hotel, on Wednesday.

SEARCH FOR MEANING

Oxford Bookstore, Hyderabad in association with Sri Sri Publication Trust organised the launch of Stumbling into Infinity: an Ordinary Man in the Sphere of Enlightenment by Michael Fischman, president of the US chapter of Art of Living foundation.

Seen in the pic is Anju Poddar with the author.

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

health

HEALTH LEADING ISSUE FOR WOMEN: EXPERTS

Experts in the national capital warned Wednesday that the leading issue being faced by women was health. Sidharth Sahni, senior consultant breast surgeon at Apollo hospital said: "Forty percent of new cases of cancer in India afflict women.

India has the highest rate of cervical cancer in the world."

CONGENITAL INSENSITIVITY

19

In a world without pain

What if you can’t feel physical pain, be it a burn or a migraine or a fracture? How can you go for treatment if you don’t know you have a problem?

While some children are born with this condition, other acquire it due to various factors like diabetes of vitamin B12 deficiency. adulthood, for others it’s a daily struggle they need to cope with.

We immediately react when we touch something hot. But in these children, small injuries become big if they do not keep watch. “When they don’t feel the pain, they are more susceptible to it. Later on they realise (that they have some injury).

“There is no medication. They are advised to constantly look for sores,” said Dr Ghanta. “Behaviour therapy is given, so that they psychologically adjust to cope with it. It is all about training.”

DEEPASHRI V

deepashri.v@postnoon.com

W

hile at first feeling no pain sounds like a boon, one will soon realise that with the main indicator of discomfort absent, your health is at stake.

When a child with a condition called congenital insensitivity to pain falls down and hurts himself, unless there are physical symptoms like bleeding which he notices promptly, there is no way he’ll know he is hurt — because he can’t feel the pain.

There may be sores in the sole of the foot, but the patient will never know or feel any discomfort. These small injuries develop into huge problems slowly, unnoticed.

ACQUIRED INSENSITIVITY

Some people acquire insensitivity to pain. According to expertconsultbook.com, syringomyelia (a spinal cord disorder), spinal cord tumour, or diabetes mellitus can result in this. It is common in people with sensory neuropathy disorder, Dr Aftab Ahmed, senior consultant physician at Apollo Hospital, Secunderabad, said.

“Alcoholics, diabetics, leprosy patients or those with vitamin B12 deficiency can acquire an insensitivity to pain,” he said. “We check the nerve functions. Sometimes there is burning and numbness also.”

He said certain precautions need to be taken, especially with the foot, as these injuries go unnoticed.

A regular leg inspection is a must as patients injure themselves without their knowledge, he said.

“They are prone to develop larger injuries, joint problems and painless ulcers.”

‘IT IS ALL ABOUT TRAINING’

“Pain being transmitted to the brain is missing or perceived differently.

It’s a perception disorder, just like any other emotion,” said Dr Satish Ghanta, neonatologist and paediatric intensivist at Little Stars Children's Hospital. “Even babies who are born prematurely have a different level of tolerance to pain, compared to other babies.”

While some children grow out of this neurological issue as they reach

ANEWS PP-LYBRIEFS YOURSELF Sworkit Sworkit is designed to keep your workouts more interesting by building randomised workouts that do not require any extra equipment and will not become monotonous.

The circuit training aspect provides additional cardiovascular fitness with each exercise being presented in 30 second intervals.

HOUSECALL Palindromic rheumatism Palindromic Rheumatism (PR) consists of sudden and rapidly developing attacks of arthritis. There is acute pain, redness, swelling, and disability of one (usually) or multiple joints. The interval between recurrent attacks is extremely variable and how long the attack lasts is also variable. There is no joint damage after attacks.

DID YOU KNOW?

PIONEERS

There’s a type A-H too!

Severo Ochoa

The most common blood type in the world is Type O accounting for about 46 per cent of the world's population.

However, in some areas, other blood groups predominate. The most rare type of blood group, Type A-H, has been found in less than a dozen people since the type was discovered.

Severo Ochoa was a Spanish-born US scientist. After studying at the University of Madrid, he spent two years studying muscles. He later immigrated to the US and worked in pharmacology. In 1959, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering an enzyme that enables the synthesis of RNA, enabling scientists to recreate the cell process which translates hereditary genes.

20

health THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

RESEARCH

DIET AND HEALTH

Personality traits probed in high-res brain scans The project will use advanced brain imaging technology to collect vast amounts of data on healthy adults and make it available worldwide.

WASHINGTON: US researchers on Tuesday published incredibly detailed images of the human brain as part of an international project aimed at uncovering how brain architecture influences personality.

The five-year “Human Connectome Project” or HCP — being conducted at 10 research centers in the US and Europe — will use advanced brain imaging technology to collect vast amounts of data on healthy adults and make it freely available to researchers worldwide.

“The HCP will have a major impact on our understanding of the healthy adult human brain,” said David Van Essen, of the Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis. It will enable “the scientific community to immediately begin exploring relationships between brain circuits and individual behaviour,” he said.

“And it will set the stage for future projects that examine changes in brain circuits underlying the wide variety of brain disorders afflicting humankind.”

Tuesday’s initial release includes scans of 68 healthy adults, along with behavioural information, including individual differences in personality, cognitive capabilities, emotional characteristics and perceptual function.

The extremely high-resolution brain scans were achieved using two techniques of magnetic resonance imaging.

Each have limitations, the researchers said, but taken together, they should give a more complete picture of what goes on in the brain.

The researchers also performed scans of the test subjects while performing specific tasks.

The resulting dataset is massive — comprising two terabytes (2 trillion bytes) of computer memory, or the equivalent of more than 400 DVDs. Over the next five years, the researchers hope to release similar information on a total of 1,200 individuals, including siblings and twins, which will help determine which brain circuitry traits might be inherited.

AFP

Fish better than fish oil pills: Study WASHINGTON: A new study shows that eating fish has greater health benefits than fish oil dietary supplements.

Omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish may have diverse healthpromoting effects, potentially protecting the immune, nervous, and cardiovascular systems.

But how the health effects of one such fatty acid — docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) — works remains unclear, in part because its molecular signalling pathways are only now being understood.

Toshinori Hoshi, professor of physiology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and colleagues studied how fish oils help lower blood pressure via vasodilation at ion channels.

Their findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

In vascular smooth muscle cells, such as those that line blood vessels, ion channels that span the outer membrane of a cell to let such ions as sodium, calcium, and potassium in and out, are critical to maintaining proper vessel pressure, reports Science Daily.

The researchers found that DHA rapidly and reversibly activates these channels by increasing currents by up to 20 fold.

DHA lowers blood pressure in anesthetised wild type mice but not in mice genetically engineered without a specific ion channel sub-unit.

In comparison, the team found that a dietary supplement, DHA ethyl ester, found in most fish oil pills, fails to activate the same channels, and even antagonises the positive effect of DHA from natural sources, on the cells.

The DHA ethyl ester seems to compete with the natural form of DHA for binding sites on the ion channel.

IANS

BREAKTHROUGH

Portable gadget detects strokes WASHINGTON: Scientists have proposed a new portable gadget that could help one detect strokes based on eye movement, says an American study.

A bedside electronic device that measures eye movements can successfully determine whether the cause of severe, continuous, disabling dizziness is a stroke or

something benign, according to results of a small study led by Johns Hopkins researchers, reports Science Daily.

“Using this device can directly predict who has had a stroke and who has not,” says David Newman-Toker, MD, PhD, an associate professor of neurology and otolaryngology at the Johns

Hopkins University School of Medicine and leader of the study, according to the journal Stroke.

“We’re spending hundreds of millions of dollars a year on expensive stroke work-ups that are unnecessary, and probably missing the chance to save tens of thousands of lives because we aren’t properly diagnosing their dizziness or verti-

go as stroke symptoms.” .

Newman-Toker says if additional larger studies confirm these results, the device could one day be the equivalent of an electrocardiogram (EKG).

And, he adds, universal use of the device could “virtually eliminate deaths from misdiagnosis and save a lot of time and money.” IANS

21

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

Entertainment GOING GREEN

CINE BYTES

SHRUTI HASSAN PLEDGES HER SUPPORT TO EARTH HOUR 2013

T

ollywood celebrity Shruti Hassan has joined hands with WWFIndia to pledge her support to the Earth Hour — WWF’s global campaign to raise awareness and inspire individual action on climate change.

She will be part of Earth Hour — now the largest global environmental movement that enables individuals, organisations, governments and groups to show support for policies and practices that balance development and environmental concerns. The speed and scale of climate change, fuelled by the ever increasing consumption of the Earth’s resources, is impacting the whole world. Unless we make efforts to transform our energy production systems to renewable, as far as possible, we will enter a trajectory of climate instability and energy insecurity that will affect each one of us. Every individual has the power to make this transition possible by taking small, yet significant steps. Reiterating her support to this cause, Shruti Hassan said, “It is my honour to be associated with such an inspiring and meaningful cause like the Earth Hour. If we aspire for a clean and healthy environment, and for cities that develop sustainably, then we should be aware of our part as well, and be willing to change our own behaviour. Imagine the difference that it will make when all of us get together.”

Siddharth does a cameo for NTR!

N

TR’s upcoming film Baadshah, which is gearing up for release on April 5, will feature Siddharth in a cameo. NTR and Siddharth have been good friends for quite some time and it’s the first time the two are teaming up for a film. Kajal is playing the lead role opposite NTR. Sreenu Vaitla is directing the film and Thaman has scored the music.

Mr Pellikoduku fizzles out at BO in US

S

unil, Isha Chawla starrer Mr Pellikoduku has turned out to be a colossal failure at box offices in US. In its opening weekend, the film collected a paltry `7 lakh. The film was a remake of Tanu Weds Manu and was directed by Devi Prasad.

Sunil has moved on to his next project, which is being directed by Uday Shankar.

Bad Boy’s release pushed to March 22

K

arthi, Anushka starrer Bad Boy, which was supposed to release in AP on March 9, has now been postponed to March 22.

Suraaj has directed the film and KE Gnanavel Raja has produced it.

The film’s Tamil version, Alex Pandian, was an average fare in TN. Currently, Karthi has begun shooting for his next film titled All in All Azhagu Raja.

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

fashion

NEW COLLABORATORS

PAUL SMITH has teamed up with David Bowie to create the official T-shirt for the musician's long-awaited album, The Next Day, which is released on March 11. The pair are long-term friends and the project marks the first of many collaborations planned this year.

22

STYLE and SUBSTANCE IN THE BAG

Little Red Tote, a new go-to site offers backstage access and an insiders guide into the glamorous world of beauty, fashion, celebrities and health.

SUNORY DUTT feedback@postnoon.com

G

ood things come in small packages. In this case, in a stylish little red tote, courtesy India’s top models Nethra Raghuraman and Fleur Xavier. Both these stunning girls who have the beauty and brains to stay the course for over two decades in a highly competitive industry are sharing their expertise on the world wide web.

There are umpteen websites out there that claim to show and tell you what works best. So in a crowded field, are Nethra and Fleur riding on their star quotient? They share candidly, “Being established models in this industry, we’ve had the pleasure of witnessing and working with some of the most talented people this field has to offer. So leveraging our brand value and bringing this knowledge and “inside access” to the world seemed the perfect idea behind our first online venture. Of course it helps that both of us are well known names from this industry. But fame can only get you a jumpstart or some attention. What actually helps is good content, which is what we concentrate on at all times.”

The brand is an online and offline property and a manifestation of Nethra and Fleur. Content is written and curated by them and regularly updated with informative articles. At any given point there are about nine articles to read and many more in the archives.

While Nethra is still actively modeling and also hosting and judging TV shows, Fleur diversified from modeling a couple of years ago to concentrate on interior designing and a furniture design business. But her love for all things hip, happening and healthy keeps her in the know.

If you’re wondering how two supermodels from an industry notorious for its catfights manage to work together, Nethra lets us in on the secret,

“Well, we’ve known each other since the time we started working and became friends quite early in our careers. We think alike on a lot of matters so it was a natural progression for us to work on a venture together. We compliment each other and work well in tandem.”

Launched in January this year, the

site aims to give every woman who is passionate about her beauty a portal where she can get an idea on the products that are out there in the market and a better understanding of what would work best for her make her feel and be as beautiful as she really is. It’s

aimed at informing readers about the key people in the industry, tips and tricks of the trade, a glimpse into backstage and the latest trends and happenings in the world of beauty and fashion. Anything in it for the metrosexuals? For now they’ll just have to wait and watch!

For your latest fashion, beauty, health and celebrity fix visit: www.littleredtote.com

Of course it helps that both of us are well known names from this industry. But fame can only get you a jumpstart or some attention.

What actually helps is good content, which is what we concentrate on at all times.

Nethra and Fleur Models

Entertainment THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

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Entertainment THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

24

25

Entertainment THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

WORKAHOLIC

CINE BYTES

OHN ABRAHAM TOO BUSY WITH FILMS, HAS NO TIME FOR MARRIAGE

A

ctor John Abraham says various film projects are keeping him so busy that he has no time to get married.

“I would like to get married but I don’t know when it will happen. I have Shootout At Wadala and other two projects. This year I am busy...

Packed with work,” John told reporters.

John, 40, will be seen playing a Mumbai gangster of the 80s, Manya Surve, in Sanjay Gupta’s Shootout at Wadala. He will play an intelligence officer in his next home production film Madras Cafe and then he will be seen in Karan Johar’s Dostana 2.

His first release of the year was Goldie Behl’s I Me Aur Main. PTI

Srihari will look superb as Sher Khan: Sonu Sood

A

ctor Sonu Sood has no regrets that he had to opt out of the Zanjeer remake. He wishes Srihari, who has replaced him in the project, good luck, and is confident the southern actor will look “superb” in the role of Sher Khan.

“Srihari is a wonderful actor and he will look superb as Sher Khan in Zanjeer, “ said Sonu.

IANS

Birju Maharaj to choreograph Madhuri

A

ce Kathak dancer Birju Maharaj will be choreographing film actress Madhuri Dixit in her forthcoming flick Dedh Ishqiya, currently being shot at Sitapur, near Lucknow. The film, directed by Abhishek Chaubey, is a sequel to the commercially successful Ishqiya. Birju Maharaj confirmed that he would be directing the dance steps of Madhuri Dixit after a gap of several years.

IANS

Kolkata’s politics justifies ‘Gunday’ characters

B

ollywood director Ali Abbas Zafar, of Mere Brother Ki Dulhan fame, says the politically turbulent nature of Kolkata will help audiences understand the characters of his next venture, Gunday, better. “It’s quite a politically turbulent city and once you see the film, you will understand why these characters take birth in Kolkata and go on their journey, “ Zafar said at a media conference on Tuesday.

IANS

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

Chai Time

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

You cannot acquire experience by making experiments. You cannot create experience. You must undergo it.

Albert Camus

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 Word with ‘Island’ or ‘division’ 5 Farm units 10 Utilize and return 14 Zatopek of Olympic fame 15 Garlic bulb 16 Flower of one’s eye?

17 Muse count 18 Like Cheerios 19 Monster that’s really a lizard 20 Reward a home-team homer 23 Numerous rejections 24 Was introduced to 25 Daytime drop-off?

28 Books that cover the world 32 Puffed cereal brand 35 No longer in port 37 ‘Othello’ villain 38 Evidence of cooking 40 One way to unwind 43 Parting remark 44 At any time 45 Melchior and others 46 Net judge’s cry 47 Venture to utter 50 Maritime distress call 51 Grant money 52 Pet rocks or the Macarena, eg 54 Emulate a slacker 63 Infinitesimal amount 64 ‘The Raven’ writer, in footnotes 65 Raymond of ‘Perry Mason’ 66 Free stuff 67 Do blackboard duty 68 Golden Rule preposition 69 Like Death’s horse, in Revelation 70 MacLachlan and Rote 71 Carnival-game action

DOWN

1 Telescope part 2 Do not include

3 Pinta’s companion 4 Close of ‘Fatal Attraction’ 5 Guitar with no plug 6 Put your hands together 7 ‘The Godfather’ composer Nino 8 Neck and neck 9 Sam Cooke’s ‘You ___’ 10 Morally correct 11 Oliver Perry victory site 12 A big river 13 Peter I, for one 21 Arrived lifeless, for short 22 Labor leader Chavez 25 Like a twangy voice 26 Stage whisper 27 Teensy, in Toulouse 29 Staples Center player 30 Tequila plant 31 Loudness units 32 Trees bearing valuable nuts 33 Insect that’s finally gotten its wings 34 Graph component 36 Lincoln, informally 39 Sleep stage 41 Sound 42 Volunteers’ counterparts 48 Magazine that highlights Clio winners 49 ‘Fargo’ affirmative 51 Traditional truism 53 First public appearance 54 Sylvester’s speech problem 55 Skunk River state 56 Abbr curtailing a list 57 Not any 58 Translucent gem 59 It really smells 60 Jupiter’s spouse 61 Dinner crumbs 62 Smith or Warner

Chai Time THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013 Thiruvaikumar

STAR POWER for 8-3-2013

27

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

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Hardship faced by businessmen will be over and they will be prosperous. You will become very active by driving away the laziness in you. Trouble creators will become silent. Children will do well in their studies and preform well.

STRIP TEASE AGNES

Businessmen will see a flourishing time. Competition will reduce considerably. A peaceful atmosphere will prevail at home. Comforts are likely to improve substantially and you will lead a luxurious life.

Tensions and worries will end.

Those suffering from chronic disease will be all right now to a great extent which will make them happy. Financial inflow will be very good. Bitter experiences you had in the past will never recur. Couples will be affectionate towards each other.

Enemies will become inactive and you will the gain upper hand. You might have to spend more towards performing good events at home. Financially a strong position is expected.

Major debts will get cleared and you will relax.

Avoid anger and be polite to all to achieve your goals successfully. Court verdict will go in your favour. Keep a watch on children’s activities as there are chances of them faltering.

Misunderstandings with friends and family will disappear.

Businessmen will feel cheerful and active as they are able to keep their competitors at bay.

Health looks very fine. Plan to purchase a land or house might get delayed. You will fulfill the wishes of your family and make them happy.

Businessmen will have a profitable situation by working hard and with focus. You will undertake the works with a clear mind and with determination. You will not take any wrong decisions. Couples will be more cordial.

Your detractors will keep quiet now and try to follow your footsteps as there is a good turning point likely which will put you in the limelight. Minor worries and laziness might upset you. Businessmen will be successful in their new efforts.

Delays in purchase of house or land will be over and the deal will materialise now.

Misunderstanding with maternal relatives will end. Employees will be relieved of burdensome responsibilities and from harassment by superiors.

TAROT READ

Sumaa Tekur

tarotreadhyd@gmail. com

ARIES:

GEMINI:

Eight of Swords Some bonds are being severed. But they may not be very strong ties. You will be forced to give up some friends because they are negative.

LEO:

Nine of Swords Some disappointment is indicated.

You may be feeling let down by someone you trusted very deeply.

Get over it and move on.

LIBRA:

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE

The Empress You’re tied to some commitments you just cannot get out of. You feel strongly about the duty and responsibilities expected of you.

SAGITTARIUS:

Ten of Wands - You’ve reached the end of a phase of your life. Though it has been fruitful, you’re feeling exhausted and need a break before taking on more.

TAURUS:

Five of Cups You’re feeling low and out of sorts because of some disappointment.

Someone you trusted deeply has let you down. Just move on.

CANCER:

The Chariot Travel is on the cards. This will be an important journey when you meet interesting people who make an impact on your future life course.

VIRGO:

Ace of Pentacles This is the meeting of the left and right brains. You’re able to use your creativity and make it work in a largely structured format.

SCORPIO:

Three of Cups It’s celebration time! Be prepared for a string of good news to hit you, regarding work and also family life.

Time to relax and forget the stress.

CAPRICORN:

The Moon Mood swings can make you irritable towards others. Avoid being part of large or small groups. Stay by yourself and spend time alone.

PREVIOUS SOLUTIONS

PISCES:

Judgement - An international trip is possible in the next few weeks. Don’t get your hopes up too high. It may be a short trip with little down time.

NUMBER GAME

The Sun You’re bright and cheerful and this happy disposition wins you many friends. People even come to you for advice because you seem so practical.

SCRABBLE

AQUARIUS:

POOCH CAFE

Realtors will see profit and earn a good margin. Financial position will improve and become stronger. For the businessmen, tensions will be eased and the going will be smooth. Employees will get support from colleagues.

for 8-3-2013

Knight of Pentacles - Planning is key today. Keep some buffer time between appointments and account for delays and disappointments. A tough, testing day.

NON SEQUITUR

You will fulfill the wishes of your children at any cost and keep them cheerful. Debt problems will be under control. Do not ignore important work.

Health of mother is to be taken care of. Purchase of household items likely.

SUDOKU

Your social status and influence is set to improve .Your bold and timely decisions will yield the desired results. Friendship with VIPs is most likely which will yield good returns in the future. Financial position will be strong.

Boggle BAY SEA POND GULF LAKE LAGOON Vol: 2, No 230 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad – 500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon. com and for subscription, please call 040-4067 2222, Fax: 040-4067 2211

28

Entertainment THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

ALWAYS TRUSTING

CINE BYTES

Miley Cyrus signs on with Britney Spears’ manager

M

iley Cyrus is taking her postDisney musical comeback very seriously. E! News has exclusively learned that Miley has signed on with veteran music manager Larry Rudolph, the man widely credited with resuscitating Britney Spears’ career. The news comes a little over a month after Cyrus partnered with RCA Records to distribute her highly anticipated new album.

Fisher to reprise Princess Leia role

N

ot long after Luke Skywalker himself (Mark Hamill) revealed to ET that he was in talks to join the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII cast, Carrie Fisher has confirmed she will indeed dust off the gold bikini, so to speak, and reprise her role as Princess Leia.

Christian Bale to star in The Ends of the Earth

KATE HUDSON ‘I DON’T KEEP ANY SECRETS!’ K

ate Hudson admits that despite her celebrity status, and all that comes with it, she’s still a trusting individual.

“I choose to,” Kate said when asked about trusting people by Glamour magazine.

“The reason I trust so much is that I don’t feel like I have anything to hide. If somebody betrays that trust, it could never be so bad, because I

don’t keep any secrets.”

The Glee actress said not all of her friendships have been perfect, but unless something happens involving her children, she rides it out.

“I’ve had friends who’ve lied to me, I’ve had friends who’ve done things behind my back, I’ve had people steal from me — and it doesn’t stop me from trusting. The only thing that gets me angry is with [peo-

ple who invade the privacy of] the kids. It’s the only place where I sort of go, ‘Is this worth it?’” she told the mag.

Kate has been sporting a sexy frame on Glee, and she credits it — in part — to her second child, Bing, who was born in 2011.

“Dancing, pilates and running after Bing,” the actress said when asked how she looks so good on the show.

C

hristian Bale is reportedly in talks to star opposite Jennifer Lawrence in The Ends of the Earth. It was confirmed that Lawrence would reunite with her Silver Linings Playbook director David O Russell on the romantic drama, penned by Argo writer Chris Terrio. Russell is keen for Bale to play the male lead, with other contenders including Johnny Depp and Matt Damon.

sports

29

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

NBA

Heat stretch win streak to 16

The Heat will have a chance to pass the Clippers with triumphs at home against Philadelphia and Indiana.

MIAMI: LeBron James (left) scored the game-winning layup with 3.2 seconds remaining Wednesday to give defending NBA champion Miami a 97-96 victory over visiting Orlando, stretching the Heat’s win streak to 16 games.

James dribbled to the basket while being guarded, but flipped the ball up and into the basket to boost Miami’s overall clubrecord victory run and provide his team with a 12th consecutive home triumph.

The reigning NBA most valuable player finished with a gamehigh of 26 points, while Dwyane Wade added 24 points and Chris Bosh contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Heat.

LEAGUE CRICKET Kishan Prasad HCA One-day tournament

Boys Town 184 (Md Abrar 46) bt Satya 95 (Azmath Khan 3 for 22) Col CK Acrylic 232 (Md Kaleemuddin 52, Syed Azhar Alam 32, Manohar 3 for 36) bt Starlets 145 (Srikant 32, Md Kaleemuddin 3 for 18) Green Turf 80 (Asaduddin 30 no,

Shakeel 3 for 16, Harshavardhan 4 for 20) lost to Concord 81 for 3 Consult 154 (Abhinav 46) lost to Mayura 155 for 2 (Ashish S 55no, G Singh 36, Neeraj 32no) United 187 for 7 (Harshavardhan D 32, P Praveen Kumar 57, G Narayana 39) bt Hyd Patriots 119

(Amit 4 for 26) Apex CC 197 (Zaheer 34, Syed Javeed 41, Gopi 4 for 34) bt Gaganmahal 163 for 9 (DRC Kiron 63, Hashim 4 for 25) Picket 114 for 9 (Deepak 30, Rakesh Singh 3 for 14) lost to Lal Bahadur 115 for 9)

BANGALORE WINTER RACES

Water Blues could win S Narredu-trained Deep Blue Sky can make amends in The Varada Trophy, the feature event of Friday afternoon races at Bangalore. The first race will begin at 2-15pm.

1st Race: The Gadag Plate Div-I 1200 M Horses Rated 20 to 45 / 6 years old and over Selections:1 NavalApporach 2 The Senator 3 Jewel Lady 2nd Race: The Bhagamandala Plate 2000 M Horses Rated 40 to 65 Selections: 1 Ace Dancer 2 Supreme 3 Ice Stone 3rd Race: The Bugs Bunny Trophy 1200 M 3 years old only Selections: 1 Forever Honour 2 SunGlow 3 Nayan Star 4th Race: The Gadag Plate Div-I

1200 M Horses Rated 20 to 45 / 6 years old and over Selections: 1 Angel Queen 2 Black Beauty 3 Day Trader 5th Race: The Varada Trophy 1400 M Horses Rated 60 to 85 / 5 years old and over Selections: 1 Deep Water Blues 2 SparkOf Beauty 3 Matios 6th Race: The Belur Plate 1100 M Maiden Indian Horses / 3 years old only Selections: 1 Artorious 2 Sweet N Smart 3 Alala

7th Race: The Devarayanadurga Plate 1400 M Horses Rated 20 to 45 Selections: 1 Sukhmanee 2 Serengeti 3 Absolute Joy The Ramanagar Plate 1200 M Horses Rated 00 to 25 Selections: 1 Sareeta 2 Starstruck 3 Gold Spalsh Days Best: Artorious 1st Treble 3,4,5 JACKPOT 4,5,6,7,8 2nd Treble 6,7,8

LeBron James scored the game-winning layup with 3.2 seconds remaining to give NBA champion Miami a 9796 victory over visiting Orlando.

Miami, with the best record in the Eastern Conference at 4515, moved within one triumph of matching the longest win streak in the NBA this season, a 17game run by the Los Angeles Clippers.

Orlando, with the NBA’s second-worst record at 17-45, were led by 25 points and 21 rebounds

from 7-footer Nikola Vucevic, a 22-year-old from Montenegro.

Miami led 55-40 at half-time before the Magic rallied within 77-74 entering the fourth quarter.

Orlando opened the fourth quarter with a 12-4 run for an 86-81 lead before the Heat bounced back to leave the game level at 93-93 with 2:22 remaining.

Jameer Nelson’s jump shot and a Tobias Harris free throw gave the Magic a 96-93 lead.

James, Wade and Ray Allen missed three-pointers before Bosh hit two free throws after being fouled by Vucevic to pull Miami within 96-95.

Orlando’s Al Harrington missed a three-point attempt and James grabbed the rebound. AFP

SRI CHAITANYA TECHNO SCHOOLS

Sports fest begins

HYDERABAD: The statelevel sports fest of the Sri Chaitanya Techno schools has started at the Saroornagar Indoor Stadium. D Sudheer Reddy, MLA for LB Nagar, inaugurated the event. About 1, 700 students of 180 Sri Chaitanya Techno schools across the state are participat-

ing in the following categories Junior girls, junior boys; Senior girls, senior boys.

Winners will be feted with medals and trophies on Sunday, March 10, the concluding day of the fest. The best school winning most medals will be the overall championship trophy.

INVITATIONAL GOLF CUP Twin Cities’ golfers to fight for supremacy HYDERABAD: Banyan Tree Retreat is launching its 9 Hole Executive Golf Course by organising an Invitational Golf Tournament on March 9–10.

This invitational tournament will see some of the best known golfers of the twin cities showing their finest skills at the Golf Course at Banyan Tree Retreat.

Around 150 golfers will be participating in this tournament.

The invitations sent to prominent personalities have seen an overwhelming response from the city golfers.

The tournament will be played in 5 groups of 30 players

each and the winner of each group will get Designer trophies and latest callaway equipment as prizes. The best player will win a Montblanc Watch.

sports

30

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

ATP MASTERS PREVIEW

USPGA TOUR PREVIEW

Lowry ready to make mark

Nadal faces tough test Not since last year’s Wimbledon have world No 1 Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Nadal all been entered in the same tournament.

REBECCA BRYAN Agence France-Presse INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA: Rafael Nadal faces the toughest test yet in his injury return as the ATP Masters on the hard courts of Indian Wells brings the “big four” of men’s tennis together again.

Nadal, who won the Indian Wells title in 2007 and 2009, will be under the fiercest scrutiny as the fifth-seeded Spaniard continues his return from a sevenmonth injury absence that kept

him out of last year’s US Open and prevented him from defending his Olympic gold.

His February appearance at Vina del Mar, Chile, marked his first tournament since a shock second-round exit from Wimbledon, after which he was idled by his left knee injury.

Nadal, whose 2012 French Open victory was his 11th Grand Slam title, reached the final at Vina del Mar and went on to claim clay court titles at Sao Paulo and Acapulco.

But even he admits he

doesn’t know how his knee will respond to the rigors of a hard court Masters event, where the field features 49 of the top 50 players in the world.

The last time Nadal played a hard court event was at the 2012 Masters in Miami, where he pulled out of his scheduled semifinal against Murray with left knee trouble.

“All I can do is all the right things to be ready,” Nadal said after a light-hearted exhibition in New York on Monday. “I really hope that the knee will go well. I

don’t know how well, but the knee will give me the chance to compete.

“I know the knee isn’t 100 percent better yet, but if it is now well to be competitive, to run with no limitations or limitations on my movements, that’s a lot.

That happened last week in Acapulco for the first week and that’s going to give me a lot of positive feelings and confidence in myself.”

Juan Martin del Potro, who played in the exhbition, was full of enthusiasm for his rival’s return.

“We are so blessed to see him playing again,” said del Potro, who predicted it wouldn’t be long before Nadal was again challenging for number one in the world.

Nadal, seeded fifth, could meet defending champion and second seed Federer in the quarter-finals.

To get that far Federer could have to get through a re-match of last year’s final against American John Isner in the fourth round.

World No. 1 Djokovic and No. 3 Murray are on a semi-final collision course.

Djokovic, riding a 13-match unbeaten streak in 2013, vanquished Murray in the Australian Open final in January and has since claimed the title in Dubai.

The Serb is seeking a third Indian Wells crown after victories in 2008 and 2011.

Murray hasn’t played since falling to Djokovic in a grinding four-set final at Melbourne.

However, the Scot could overtake Federer at No. 2 in the world rankings if he reaches the final.

RIO GRANDE, PUERTO RICO: Ireland’s Shane Lowry (bottom), who upset World No 1 Rory McIlroy in last month’s World Golf Championships Match Play event, is hoping to boost his chances of a USPGA Tour future this week.

Ranked 65th in the world, Lowry is among the top-rated players competing for a $630,000 top prize in the $3.5 million Puerto Rico Open, which opens on Thursday at the 7,506-yard, par-72 Trump International Puerto Rico resort.

“I want to play on the PGA Tour as much as I can,” Lowry said. “We were lucky enough that we did get an invite. Very grateful for that and hopefully I can make the most of it this week.” Lowry hopes for a solid performance while an elite field of 65 players take part in this week’s $8.5 million WGC event at Doral in Miami, leaving the remainder of the PGA talent pool to chase the title in Puerto Rico. Lowry went on to reach the third round after beating McIlroy in the first round two weeks ago.

ALL-ENGLAND OPEN

Lee escapes as China stars slump

Wednesday results (x denotes seeded player)

Men’s singles — 1st rd Sourabh Verma (IND) bt Dionysius Rumbaka (INA) 10-21, 21-14, 24-22 Wang Zhengming (CHN) bt Ajay Sayaram (IND) 15-21, 21-18, 21-10 Chen Long (CHN x2) bt Boonsak Ponsana (THA) 18-21, 21-10, 21-15 Chou Tien Chen (TPE) bt Du Pengyu (CHN x3) 21-17, 15-21, 21-18 Tien Minh Nguyen (VIE x8) bt Tan Chun Seang (MAS) 21-12, 15-21, 21-15 Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk (THA) bt Hu Yun (CHN x6) 21-16, 11-21, 23-21 Kenichi Tago (JPN x7) bt Viktor Axelsen (DEN) 22-20, 21-15 Chen Jin (CHN x5) bt Daren Liew (MAS) 21-15, 19-21, 21-11 Kashyap Parupalli (IND) bt Hsu Jen Hao (TPE) 21-17, 21-18

RICHARD EATON Agence France-Presse

BIRMINGHAM, UK: World number one Lee Chong Wei managed one of his most nerve-jangling survivals on Wednesday when he saved him two match points in the first round of the AllEngland Open.

Lee, who hopes to win the famous title back and capture it for a third time, looked dead and buried at 19-20 down in the final game with Wong Wing Ki launch-

ing a kill from an imposing position.

But the world number 18 from Hong Kong hammered it into the net, bringing a great gasp from the crowd, and a couple of minutes later the Malaysian had completed an improbable escape by 13-21, 216, 23-21.

Lee did that after saving another match point at 20-21, producing a good smash to the body and a nerveless piece of judgment in leaving Wong’s ensuing block, which sailed just long.

Wednesday results (x denotes seeded player)

Women’s singles — 1st rd Bae Yeon Ju (KOR) bt Li Xuerui (CHN x1) 21-18, 21-18 Sung Ji Hyun (KOR x5) bt Petya Nedeltcheva (BUL) 21-15, 21-14 Lindaweni Fanetri (INA) bt Wang Yihan (CHN x3) 21-12, 21-19 Tine Baun (DEN x7) bt Sashina Vignes Waran (FRA) 21-12, 21-19 Saina Nehwal (IND x2) bt Sapsiree Taerattanachai (THA) 21-8, 18-21, 21-16 PV Sindhu (IND) bt Busanan Ombungrumpan (THA) 21-13, 21-16 Ratchanok Intanon (THA x8) bt Tai Tzu Ying (TPE) 21-18, 21-13 Juliane Schenk (GER x4) bt Aprilla Yuswandari (INA) 21-19, 21-17 Wang Shixian (CHN x6) bt Carolina Marin (ESP) 16-21, 21-19, 21-18 Jiang Yanjiao (CHN) bt Sayaka Takahashi (JPN) 18-21, 21-19, 21-18

sports

31

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

ENGLAND IN NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand skittle out England for 167

Kiwi pair sorry for drinking session

Bruce Martin and Neil Wagner claimed four wickets apiece in the Test.

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND: England were hustled out for just 167 on the second day of the opening Test against New Zealand Thursday as the unfancied Black Caps attack destroyed the tourists' powerful batting line-up.

Debutant Bruce Martin and Neil Wagner claimed four wickets apiece as England's batsmen threw away their wickets on a relatively tame surface with a series of rash shots against the disciplined New Zealand bowling.

Jonathan Trott top-scored with 45 as the tourists' first innings lasted just 55 overs after the first day's play was abandoned due to bad weather.

Tim Southee grabbed an early breakthrough to dismiss Compton for a duck in the third over of the innings, putting pressure on the opener, who faces growing pressure from Joe Root for his spot at the top of the order.

Left-arm paceman Wagner, a late inclusion in the New Zealand side after an injury to Doug Bracewell, then claimed the wickets of Alastair Cook (10) and Pietersen (0) in successive balls to leave England reeling at 18 for three. Pietersen has been

DUNEDIN: Former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori (above) and bowler Jeetan Patel apologised on Thursday for going on a drinking session which left Patel injured and unable to take the field against England.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said the pair's behaviour during the incident, which took place after the first day of a New Zealand XI warm-up match against England in Queenstown last week, was "completely unacceptable".

"NZC understands that Jeetan Patel was refused entry to a bar in Queenstown," it said in a statement.

"He subsequently fell and hit his head. Patel returned to the team hotel, felt unwell and took himself to A and E (the accident and emergency ward)."

Patel, who is not part of the Black Caps Test side currently playing England in Dunedin, missed the second day's play of the warm-up match, with team officials telling media he was unwell.

Scoreboard

New Zealand's Bruce Martin (C) celebrates with team mates BJ Watling (C-R) and Neil Wagner (L) as England's Matt Prior walks after being dismissed. AFP

short of cricket in the lead-up to the Test series, rested for England's limited overs fixtures against New Zealand and posting meagre returns of 14 and eight in his only warm-up match.

Ian Bell and Trott dug in for a partnership of 46 before Bell fell for 24 trying to drive Wagner through mid-wicket, instead scooping the ball to Rutherford,

who took the catch.

Root (4) departed just before lunch after tentatively swiping at a Trent Boult delivery and edging to Dean Brownlie in the slips, leaving England struggling at 715. Left-arm spinner Martin kept up the pressure on the middle order, dismissing the dangerous Matt Prior for 23 and then enticing Trott (45) into a rash sweep

England, first innings Cook c Rutherford b Wagner 10 N Compton b Southee 0 J Trott c Boult b Martin 45 K Pietersen lbw Wagner 0 I Bell c Rutherford b Wagner 24 J Root c Brownlie b Boult 4 Prior c Williamson b Martin 23 S Broad c Browlie b Martin 10 Finn c Rutherford b Wagner 20 Anderson c Wagner b Martin 23 M Panesar not out 1 Extras (b4, w2, lb1) 7 Total (all out, 55 overs) 167 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-18, 3-18 , 4-64, 5-71, 6-108, 7-109, 8-119 , 9-166, 10-167 Bowling: Southee 15-3-45-1, Boult 15-4-32-1, Wagner 11-242-4, Martin 14-4-43-4

shot that hit the top edge and carried to Boult.

Stuart Broad (10) tried to hit the spinner out of the park but instead sent the ball straight to Brownlie on the boundary.

Steven Finn (20) and James Anderson (23) added useful tailend runs before Anderson gifted Martin his fourth wicket with a wild swing.

AFP

SUNNY SPEAKS

INDO-PAK CRICKET

Veterans’ series next month

LAHORE: Pakistan's former cricket captain Inzamam-ul-Haq (above) will return to action next month when he would lead the national veterans team against arch-rivals India in a two-match series in Sharjah.

Fawad Ijaz, the Chairman of the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association, told the media that the Indo-Pak series will include two 40-overs-a-side matches and will be played on April 18 and 20.

PTI

‘Dhoni should continue as captain’ NEW DELHI: Impressed by the changed leadership style of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, former skipper Sunil Gavaskar today said that the Jharkhand dasher should continue as India's captain till the 2019 World Cup. Gavaskar feels that Dhoni has changed his captaincy approach after the debacle against Australia and England and he was now a much-more assertive leader on the field.

"The one month he had after the home series loss against England had given him time for introspection. He has changed positively as a captain. Now, if a player is not attentive and not upto the mark, Dhoni is letting him know. He is not making too many gestures but he is making the player know that he (Dhoni) is not happy," Gavaskar said.

"He is very fit and in great batting form. With the changed

leadership approach I think he should not be disturbed till the 2019 World Cup. We should not even discuss it (of changing captaincy)," said Gavaskar

when asked if Dhoni's form and inspiring captaincy in the ongoing Test series against Australia has given him a breathing space after the recent string of losses.

Gavaskar, who had recently said after the home series against England that Dhoni should take a break from captaincy, however, said that it's upto the India skipper to decide whether to play till 2019.

"I don't know whether he would play till 2019 considering his age by that time. I am saying he can play till 2019 but it's upto him to decide on this," he said.

"During the England series I thought he needed a break from cricket. India were not doing anything against England, the players were just meandering and the bowling changes when England were batting were defensive. But now I think Dhoni has recharged and he is in great batting form though he needs to tighten up a bit in his wicket-keeping," Gavaskar told NDTV. PTI

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

sports

VILLAS-BOAS ISSUES BALE WARNING TO INTER Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has insisted Gareth Bale is now even more likely to damage Inter Milan's European hopes than in his last celebrated encounter with the Italian giants. Wales winger Bale, 23, made a name for himself in October 2010 when he scored a hat-trick.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND OF 16 With Juventus keeping a clean sheet in their past five CL games at home, Lennon called the stadium a ‘fortress’.

Classy Juve outplay Celtic JUSTIN DAVIS Agence France-Presse MILAN: Strikes in either half from Alessandro Matri and Fabio Quagliarella earned Juventus a comfortable 2-0 win over Celtic in their Champions League last 16 second leg and a place in the quarter finals for the first time in seven years Wednesday.

Trailing 3-0 from a disastrous first leg at Celtic Park last month, the Scottish champions were left needing a "minor miracle", in the words of manager Neil Lennon, if they were to cause a huge upset at Juventus Stadium.

But despite a positive Celtic performance

PSG through to last eight after Valencia scare ANDY SCOTT Agence France-Presse PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain advanced to the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday after a 1-1 draw with Valencia at the Parc des Princes allowed them to progress 3-2 on aggregate.

They had to survive something of a scare, however, with Jonas putting the visitors in front on the night 10 minutes into the second half.

Valencia had looked very much out of this last-16 tie when they were 2-0 down going into the final minute of the first leg last month.

and several clear-cut chances in the opening half, the Hoops never posed a real threat to the Italian champions, who will now relish a first appearance in the last eight since their exit to Arsenal in 2006.

"The difference is the quality in the final third," said the Celtic coach. We had good chances again and we didn't take them.

We played some decent football but we missed some really good chances to score or at least get back into the game.

"Quality counts, and that's what makes the differece between the two teams."

Despite the gulf in budget between the sides, Juve coach Antonio Conte said he had not underestimated Celtic's potential.

"You can't forget Celtic qualified from their group with 10 points,” he said.

30TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF LUTZ EIGENDORF

Who killed ‘Beckenbauer’?

NIKOLAJ STOBBE Agence France-Presse

BERLIN: On the 30th anniversary of his death, the mysterious demise of East German football star Lutz Eigendorf (right) still prompts the question -- was he murdered by the former communist regime's secret police?

end Franz Beckenbauer who captained and coached his country to World Cup titles, Eigendorf was just 26 when he died.

Suspicion still surrounds the accident, with many pointing the finger at the former East Germany's secret police -- the Stasi -- as Eigendorf had fled the regime in 1979.

On March 7 1983, Eigendorf died in hospital from his injuries two days after crashing his sports car into a tree while driving home on a wet night following an evening at his local pub in Braunschweig, near Hanover.

Dubbed the "Beckenbauer of the East" during his short career, in reference to West German leg-

NEWS BRIEFS CSKA weakened as Russia battle resumes

Nigeria to face Mexico in Houston friendly

Ancelotti lauds PSG players for progress

Chiefs' win stretches lead as Pirates held

MOSCOW: The Russian Premier League resumes on Friday after its winter break with leaders CSKA Moscow out to defy injury worries and see off a challenge from Zenit and Anzhi in what appears to be a three-way race for the title. After the initial games on Friday, the real business gets underway on Saturday when CSKA meet Samara.

LAGOS: African champions Nigeria will face Mexico in a highprofile friendly in Houston, Texas, on May 31 as part of their preparations for the Confederations Cup in June.

"We are pleased that the reigning champions will have such a highquality preparation for the games that we have in the month of June," said secretary Musa Amadu.

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti praised his players after they battled past Valencia to join the continent's elite in the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in 18 years.

Leading 2-1, PSG appeared at real risk of blowing it when Jonas put Valencia in front on the night early in the second half.

Leaders Kaizer Chiefs stretched their advantage over Orlando Pirates in the South African Premiership race to five points Wednesday by winning 2-0 at bottom club Chippa United. Substitute Kaizer Motaung scored his first goal in a year on 58 minutes soon after Chippa had been reduced to 10 men.

SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA:

32

League just beginning, says Conte TURIN, ITALY: Juventus coach Antonio Conte said the Italian giants' bid for European glory is just beginning after a 2-0 second leg win over Celtic ended the Scots' faint hopes of making it to the last eight of the Champions League.

Juve had taken a huge step towards the quarter-finals thanks to a 3-0 win over the Scottish champions at Celtic Park last month.

At a packed but drenched Juventus Stadium, Celtic produced a positive first-half performance but went in for the break 1-0 down after a 24th minute strike by Alessandro Matri.

Asked how he would approach the next phase of the competition, Conte -- who won the Champions League with Juventus as a player in 1988 -said: "We have to wait for the draw.

"I tend to be a fatalist so we have to watch out and see which players we do have available and who we come up against. We're now in a very positive situation, but with some pros and cons.

Hope we will be able overcome the challenges that lie ahead."

With a six-point lead over Napoli at the top of Serie A, Juve are also in a battle to defend their league title.

I tend to be a fatalist so we have to watch out and see who we do have available and who we come up against.

Hope we overcome challenges that lie ahead.

Antonio Conte Juventus coach