Postnoon E-Paper for 01 December 2012 by Scribble Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

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WEATHER: A MIX OF CLOUDY AND CLEAR SKIES; 23°C

Hyderabad’s first compact afternoon newspaper

DECEMBER 1, 2012 HYDERABAD

PG 16 & 17

YEAR IN REVIEW

32 PAGES

ON SATURDAY

Medicine is still looking for a cure for Aids, but in Hyderabad, quacks and superstitions are seriously hampering the fight against the disease. On World Aids Day we investigate the ignorance.

Flintoff COMES OFF

CANVAS TO WIN FIGHT

PG 30

IGNORANCE HURTING AIDS FIGHT? REPORT ON PG 6

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India has formally declared the dancing bear practice to be extinct. Postnoon visits a bear rescue centre in Bangalore that shelters these dancing bears.

ts nas gym mast g s and the ber and dancin e clim igars their ed rop e baz had call wer andars drums t tha ar who Kal rs and and a one nity perbea mru'. h Kal bear mu od com rs to 'da To eac ed his ion of er he d bea liveliho der pensat en und tion use for a rs, a nity ren giv abilitae sur e com form kalandacommu sist tim ,000 wasar RehWildlif move are slim s con ars `50 Kaland e by c Mu ilie ers. ry of y and fam mb adi the gramm Kal grocer tors, nom large 12 me catego by Pro S. Manyning genera h with of 10- in the Tribes ia, SO to ope ting . Wit ed kward of Indis and ing on ps, ren os etc ir eco lud tty the Inc er Bac nmentAdivas ant on sho ing aut rs pre r Oth Gover h the end and was bea driv cing bea tus 000 0 the ng wit es dep poor pover-y, ,00 dan ic sta r buyingto `5, alo muniti y are low call n `20 . nom , afte 000 com sts, theBPL (be Historie per grim s for `3, betweeannum fore in the egory. to hav s and cub y made 0 per t was bear ) cat wn Rajput e fall the `25,00 amoun r the In his kno wer t ty line the r y are and s paltry k aftefamily. s tha the ed for gs who bea say Thi d to loolarge formghal kin chingstling n and use their Dr Sha Mu d of wat wre n me rs, and wee e yea fon ces and bet nin yan dan tches ara yan ani of ort ma rs. Sat ir rep bea Kartick Sesham the ia, eta S, in Ind Ge rs of"They large and dlife SO Bea a Wil cing lain — from ani ing nDan 7 exp living mo 199 ned a perform le, roostear ber ofexamp ting kept ed rs from numls, for rs, figh s, and y to t e call rs nda kala h hav ir bea ma s, bea eon displa cive des the d y two key and pigpets tosuch as par onl hra Praon how h dea with a , andce was ers ers as ience . Witlaced a way And ck ing oth ir aud falcons uen s and but r to che e dur ily rep the owls, This infldicine . In wer rs eas this was st poo s, me crowd isacat ges." bea one, l for mo trid d to sellto the e special cing new viva use ans wer h dan daris, re sm of surndars. tali e, the se wit e ma kala k tim s, tho becam were tion nkeys eers gic tric , the in as mo puppetthe maugars nd ia, con l , lis gal fou the put Jad ir als, in Ind Kat formers mm es d for the l , and per nta se ma 26 stat che

staf of l. The ble 2 wal vegeta ng the 1, 201 on ng the ato. Lyiragi s ted ket of pos choppi et pot ks k pac y ule swe e sac mil is busday — hugfresh erinaryo has wh for the und arete of . Vet rs rs aro a cra ivedn A Sha d bea all bea ly arr and just ere st Aru cue that A e sevd. Mo f has cer Dr h reslains MY wer hal Offi ked wit ion rescuekgs, als rs exp ept wor e yea exc t when to 50mamm nin hout 45 e lt adu und ssiv wit erweigh aro ma — an kgs, se und ghed d -150 less per r the wei at the wilgh 120 be no on has nge her wh a star of ld in st wei must nutritibeing cwas her you s of vilm ale k of , new ati infe woule mu har er in h the of the res Lac of the ne to st is not ma ile a fem gs. . It but ple ir cho forms. Wit wh n 90k manyand prors, moilable,5 is ons wd the to ill sis w day ival, peo n gather to diti cro bea ava ia, tha g ndo y led gno con the ia arr aba and dance ecially also onicall dancin er was th Ind Ind nic from ar! Dia 't shoe do ld ds k th don yge esp o her chr s. As whatev in SouNor jun . e wou ir fiel ch unh tractedkalandbears But somtre lag e the wat She wasn, wh for tion e fed i ballsday in atever Sha cen t con the as the ms. leav und to nds. childre cheerond wer rag s per , whsays Dr als pto e. The r tha by from cult ed bea aro m sou the g and bey ers sym a few roti biscuits le, mamm they h diffi ious appetiteach sum eatedly dru wit t, sin ld see oth herto 10 tea, availabte for when if obv their for al conr rep e it her a hit ld hoofew cou made and d was qua 6-feet legs he hav rs h ach lose ps a file h me a beaf checks poa orie The ny as d wou. But ch . She far fromwit foo dly ade be ed in r, stom s and en staf hin rs alsoce bea kee ords eac ng rs, rea rm ma e to claw in d Wh her cha s. was alo a fewto her Har t can their st bea (sin l sca rche t rec bear. als the tinudder (usfor live fur, and Lao her py, but pedbarely sold r, like ove ken d to the poa tha d on . Mo and the ps me fine. physica bla dicine cures), d to and ong per cen per the hap . Kidnap en in demea also erstannts outines bro che y be ere d, wh she was mo As a ski doing from rs nee fears s, few Kor me stinal t are irel sev h amto 80 be , self ings rke in poi ir can ines atta m, sts has se oth Her ed. it's Apart bea their as cub bears.t 't ent ans gum inte es tha tna res is higut 70 t can sibl nths old er. kill overwo age ithe e can y can me n d da sed of er ity h the atu tha l and ing bon na, Vie g fore che h oth r is firs was abu ny cre stan For mo sent own wit rtal s, abo s to villy hol hav e, the ), thisns, eve sum por rs, rati was Poa the e ma Mo r cub y cubPowerfudon't r. from Chi inishinflict sive age onl n, Id pre st bea er ce. sed wit bea our and bon led out ctio g concult, soarian ore erts New vill , the com ctan lt bea nted, aza bea it's onl ks. end ans Dimant conand elu . in mo er, Bha iali a new avi ed bef exp anpul tal infemakin diffi erin ns from sun Ram scarce her al relu e soc tre, beh erv t to but ght tric , humt an adurs coubear me e shy beforebear meet re surr 'kal it atio formking ng ivals, den ours, food l. Vet eer break, bin his hav the cen d, its obs The make tau ressive ins g beaadult since s, re nex see wis neverweek, world rnationch and r, befo d was from wal blisteri is tum nks of ks wel voluntnu — multi-ile com ore bea head. to have e fest Foo overs rs agoer losu it can At rantineent ed, agg nce agadancin1,200 cub llike This the t Inte Resear the de ny bef d. left the s wer yea own enc cing its string still suckchu ge wor young r me with k wh at r fina ma just ma 21s e kill the ri-i und qua peram cha 1,200 st be an where en the er the day Bak often A few her Bea bears ut it. , the und A dan around the bears king their aro mil 5pm is had was after rid nti, a the bearidge d as But it in r's, tem on the re mu that weraro y wh h oth , all hi, at he is e. r, he abo trie and most home. cing, ere fort oth ls at ny s ma on used the inct ing r bea r. Onl e wit sted 't Sha lains i por es and 4 or boiled nce rati . Thehing ermelon tied ays sibl nds rs We rs pul e the yea ng n Ma Del , 100 lett the ' this dan wh me her fere ent and ster’s pos alw the ext vivexp is ragadditiv und bles gets er bea fortabl the fore isn s ce lari dar form. muzzlet. Sca eve rs. d. as th lastfour friewith, for Bhaund mo y are Con nagem w not — wataya hav ano ther r r nds site dec e as sur reseta ma stoppeda pla saw andfound ghe fast min ved aro cen per ealed difficul n and bea bea , eith dea ee or able rs." Assive arobeaten Bea of ctic 2, all in the adds. India veg Ma tre, knofruits pap wei ozing ano r is coms it join g frie Sha was e she her at she rati tta , one ual in the ely vita ch ser with Each ry day hidden fort yea res was e bad unh food commo thr he With bear pra 201 l live Non cen tes of lon and being sno few bea rs doe makinne. Dr “He the ivid ir g t left t time, . Bhanergha ore lun ridge milk. eve ge or like d. th. r. rs in run g ber 28, rs wil ing s are y ind bears completthe lon s aggps she som ly com are rs are es, gal ia tha rs me ryo Cra bea But ey wil dea to e y cin ee get opi firs like her Ban Ban nka had ld its sk a. por s and hon rid eve by face ntif nin g rha has ned tied ts. thr still dan Novem g bea their to the sur to mu ived and bea can nds. One the are y for of Sha 89 bea wou r, but sk h bea rts "Pe ers at the tre, in Ind egg ms of the por st. Fru the tree and the mu it are to idere are e turropes rubbincing, she en. an or suspeceffo dancon dancin till uced will not risk arr st of eas case all the e. He r bea ans. y. The tres cing slot er w self cue Cen and fore aya, fru h frie run gra ed in a ntr The that hav cen woma wom ," he ade of last at 9 ing centres trod they means not be, the , pap jack bear Mo ne und wit ins to y kno so the id of the timanotheh hum h the and . Dan g g res dan cou Agra, Res four mix y in the ia's dered 200 tre d wit grating nea shiftin kin sha by eriencea dec lls, lth might ion MYA cue be rein alo restingr beg g. The y're afra tre at t of e wit elonpes andgs per ing ma cor the lter 600und the in . She "Ind t vat ski s awa SOU hea ber , er ans ren r ir me blin zzle by ls giv exp Aft erm ser rke can h no bad ile it sigh abl are e bea vin and thece. TH cen em sur she aro tres areulia the k mo wat lon, gra at 2.5k st, do. "Ous Dr fort con ma e SOS g for ABE mu inst thestly taught coa Wh Wit e and a fore to larg start here ld dan rs at thecom was in Dec rs are the Pur a in al Parious dlif , fromer cen rs. act on , the . : ELIZ me ulated the aga ich mo , was on hot Walkinir " say bea be Wil bear" tta Bea under 2 and viv d bea ars cted meant all its are y cou was ion PICS oth pal and st are calc den in ethingfruits, y the e to 197 by and wh ir feet stand paws. of the Nat of var ing nerghaandar.mals ct imp wil fru py the kal is affe ays thers rs cen Act 1998 tion Bho e fore tta s ng paw in a ir hid rs som jack initiallits wer y dire the But alw kal s no Ban acr ani bea . the a in gha mo s ion hap cub the ppi I t its 43 ner er 0) ith cub bea rs love says t fru just plated Sha tect cted Preven and the cking rs, sni led to tion r, so by edule visi “W bear of cub d (196 Pro Ban h 90 oth the s Dr doesn't rati waiting bea , who w tha ld f star its. ht to cra g hou trade amma e die i Sch dlife also enain thels Act e ille for ching mo say e . wit s. I wenng, Bhatless, rag Sha n't kno ey wou staf the fruld gat lon s for and infl bears. rs hav st Wil was ment ima cticcing Poa ing the ed,” practic safe Sha mo age When rni e res ast of they sav are did en. “Th . The on wou ants nA und claw ries of the 43 bea sis, tted ban amend to Anthe pra rs kill dan mo wer akf this t, m” ey its ce ere Aru 0 also aro eat h the hon fru sin Dr elty king 1,20 e wh s injujority 2007, erculo smiThey one l die an are end of ia’s bea g ly bretter from wer m. tre' 2, sis Cru tre friends ura s. wit arin es the is ok n tran ma Since n Tub dai of rly ma 200 nted 627 the the an Ind nat ilie erculo in her their No ma the cenrs are of sme etim ich r's g in ma have bee fam clea. But e cou these all of er me st Tub and cin Hu ar for ridge. g in the bea r a row a bea Som s, wh feed o of ly to and e of gal rs wer y. Of t wasthe othall mu dan el, the g nea at a, t of s. por roamin of nin er ant like the Kal h cas tobacc ey are ear e cells of the d bea countr thaed to par act m cru are sted app and g, traiwere are explain the see by e a hig se of r foo the cued -lik tters pen Sha. “Th es. on rs fore mpt to son ers he While ht not sportin hav to abu res hat haps Dr continu shu n afte bea a toll r ent p but pro red pri The soo due he e “W ?” ask so lf mig , tran e the en t are bar time. opened h bea 't helg for d,” itse turing styl e takes werzzle for 573 e die can kin of fruieach ing s are and eac cap the lifeto hav . Hol mu h and tre, one kgs for task hav cen cell ved What that coo less rs of 2.5 ghed and jected atures bear's oug wei r at the g is sercell. e is an end pai the wn thr sub se cre bea re beinthe one ice her rs is a few ch the i por the lled intobe dra te befo en in . not ny bea qui tty mu s of rag fromt dri e to hidd st area ma needs pre can sported visi rt a rop fore to ge and ds and . Hu tran ided a cha edhan ire day being I dec t has a sch ent ge are . So ' tha and hen rs rid kitchen kitc bea the 'bear es of nce the h nam erie other wit e expmeet of littl res had first losu 've n they enc s, theywhe to the ed cub ive next serv i: Rag d as ress re rs aret of che agg losu Bea kfas cing tal e poa rs are e enc . brea t dan er den rs wer y beaseparatfortable Mos rs suffs includa com and e bears. Man ns t in bea lem . e thesr bea kep them prob infectio ours Sinc othe y are make ing tum and bitfor with rs. The rs to gum wing icult bea r bea Che is diff ce the ains othe ing t, hen rem they mos n diet that k. mai idge suc porr easily can

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THE LAST DANCE

PAGE TWO SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

SUNSET SILHOUETTE

Interactive session Manthan is hosting an interactive session on The Sacred and the Profane: Living and Dying with Blasphemy Laws with Babu Gogineni humanist, rationalist, activist. The meeting is open to all and is free-of-cost. Where: Saptaparni, Banjara Hills Rd No 8 When: December 6, 6.30pm onwards Contact: (040) 2335 5118

Khamma ghani sa The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace is hosting a Rajasthani food festival from November 23 to December 7. Where: Westin Hitec City When: Ongoing, 7pm onwards Contact: (040) 6767 6838

Exile in the wind A painting exhibition by Sisir Sahna is being held at Kalakrithi Art Gallery, Banjara Hills from November 28 to December 8. Where: Kalakrithi Art Gallery, Banjara Hills, Rd No 10 When: November 28 onwards, 11am to 7pm Contact: (040) 6656 4466

Punjabi food festival Head to Hotel Green Park, Begumpet for the Punjabi Food Festival. Where: Hotel Green Park, Greenlands Begumpet When: Ongoing, 8pm onwards Contact: (040) 6651 5151

Expressive art Alankritha Art Gallery presents an exhibition of paintings titled Expressive contemplations by Maredu Ramu, Nirmal Karmakar Nirmala Biluka and Palak Dubey. A preview for the exhibition is being held on November 17 at 6.30pm Where: Alankritha Art Gallery, Kavuri Hills, Jubilee Hills When: Ongoing, 11am onwards Contact: (040) 2311 3709

Kashmiri Wazwan nights A Kashmiri food fest based on the Wazwan cuisine is being held at the Square, Novotel. The fest in on till December 2. Where: The Square, Novotel, Cyberabad When: Ongoing, 11am onwards

CINEMAS

The silhouette of a man at Tank Bund during sunset. Contact: (040) 6682 4422

Art show Symmetrics in the unknown, an exhibition of abstract paintings by 10 artists is being held at Iconart Gallery. The exhibition is on till December 6. Where: Iconart Gallery, Banjara Hills, Rd No 12 When: Ongoing, 11.30am onwards Contact: 98499 68797

U never know The play revolves around a teenager Jennings and her journey to heaven. Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills, Rd No 1 When: December 1, 6.30pm onwards Contact: 96427 31329

Convergence Convergence, an exhibition Of Paintings By Ananad Swaroop Manchiraju is being held. Where: Muse Art Gallery, Marriot Convention Centre, Tank Bund When: Ongoing, 11am onwards Contact: (040) 2752 2999

Salt and pepper Catch Ballantine's presents Salt N Pepper, a series of 10 stories of 10

minutes each, revolving around 10 lives, played by 4 of the most brilliant and versatile theatre personalities. Where: Shilpakala Vedika, Hitec City When: December 1

Art exhibition An exhibition by artists such as Akbar Mohammad, Basuki Das Gupta, Baskar Rao B, Kandi Narsimlu, Srikant Kohle, Shayamal Mukherjee is being held. Where: Gallery Space, Banjara Hills Rd No 10 When: Ongoing, 11am to 7pm Contact: (040) 6554 1836

The last Christmas The last Christmas is a large-scale production featuring live singing, dancing and acting, is the heartwarming story of Retired Gen Roy who recounts his seven favourite Christmases. Where: RNR auditorium, Banjara Hills, Rd No 12 When: December 8, 9 and 10 11am onwards Contact: (040) 6515 7558

Palette scapes An exhibition of paintings on Acrylic on canvas by Nupur Kundu is being held at Shrishti Art Gallery Where: Shrishti Art Gallery,

SRINIVAS SETTY

Jubilee Hills, Rd No 15 When: Ongoing, 11am onwards Contact: (040) 2354 0023

Photo exhibition A photography exhibition of wildlife by Suheim Sheikh will be held from December 8 onwards. Where: Goethe Zentrum, Banjara Hills, Rd No 3 When: December 8 onwards, 9.30am onwards Contact: (040) 2335 0473

Full throttle Tata Motors Presents Tata Motors Full Throttle Trails, a half day off road excursion with challenges to be completed in a stipulated time To take part in the event, mail Tata Motors at trails@tatamotorsfullthrottle.com Where: Hotel Novotel, Shamshabad When: December 2, 8am onwards

Awadhi food fest Taj Krishna is hosting the Awadhi food festival at Firdaus, Taj Krishna. The fest is on for lunch and dinner till December 5. Where: Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills, Rd no 1 When: Ongoing, Lunch and dinner Contact: (040) 6666 2323

Big Cinemas, Ameerpet, 30581470; Cinemax, Banjara Hills, 44565555; Cine Planet , Kompally, 61606060; INOX, Banjara Hills, 44767777, Prasads, Tank Bund Rd, 23448888; PVR, Punjagutta, 8800900009; Talkie Town, Miyapur, 40214175; Tivoli, Secunderabad 27844973

CITY SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

Speeding lorry kills 2

Excise raid on liquor godown

n a ghastly mishap a speeding lorry killed a man Korreshwar Rao and his wife Balu Bai when it rammed into their hut in Pattancheru on Friday night. The speeding lorry hit their hut and dragged it along a few metres, killing the couple. Their children who were sleeping nearby were rescued and escaped injuries. The Pattancheru police has registered a case.

n excise team recently raided a godown at Budhwel in Rajendra Nagar and seized 576 cartons of whisky worth `17 lakh. According to the excise officials these cartons had been stored illegally and the owners had not paid tax. They also arrested a 29-year-old man named Vinay Kumar but his two associates Vinod and Venkateshwar Rao escaped.

Man’s body found in lake

driver who had been missing for the last three days was found dead in the Mir Alam tank on Friday. Taj Mohd Khan stormed out of his house three days back following a quarrel with his wife over a petty issue. However, his family grew alarmed when the 45-year-old driver failed to return. His brothers allege that Khan committed suicide due to the fight.

Parties discuss sub-plan TDP MLA M Narasimhulu alleged that the Congress never cared for the development of SCs and STs and diverted funds to other programmes

INKESHAF AHMED

ahmed.m@postnoon.com

he second day of the winter session of the Assembly saw all the political parties come together on one platform to the discuss the issue of sub-plan for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. The discussion began with a speech by deputy chief minister Damodar Rajanarasimha, who also headed the cabinet subcommittee that was entrusted with the responsibility of submitting a report to bring a legislation for implementation of the sub-plans for the SCs and STs. During his speech the deputy CM said that they had held about 30 meetings with all stake-

DURING HIS SPEECH THE DEPUTY CM SAID THAT THEY HAD HELD ABOUT

30 MEETINGS WITH ALL

STAKEHOLDERS WHILE PREPARING THE REPORT.

holders while preparing the report. “It was wrong to say that the report was drafted by holding meetings within four walls. We held 20-30 meetings to take suggestions and views from all the people concerned. Many of them put forth their views and suggestions. The sub-committee

Aids awareness

Students and members of the LGBT community participate in the Aids awareness rally held at Baghlingampally on the occasion of World Aids Day on Saturday. N SHIVA KUMAR

prepared the reported based on these suggestions,” he said. Rajanarasimha termed the sub-plan as the most special bill to have been introduced in the House. Participating in the discussion TDP MLA M Narasimhulu alleged that the Congress never cared for the development of SCs and STs and diverted funds belonging to these communities to programmes like Jalayagnam. He asked the government to allocate funds in a proportionate manner to all castes of SCs, and STs. TRS leader T Hareesh Rao reeled out the problems faced by SC/ST students during the Congress regime and asked the government to implement the sub-plan in letter and spirit. Earlier, the House paid tribute to former PM IK Gujral by observing two minutes of silence. The Speaker later adjourned the House for 15 minutes as a token of respect.

Former minister makes shocking statement.

ormer minister and senior congress MLA R Damodar Reddy made a shocking statement in the Assembly this morning. Addressing the media, he said that the Congress party would disappear from the scene if it did not give a separate Telangana state. He said that senior leaders like Union minister S Jaipal Reddy, K Jana Reddy, Sabita Indra Reddy, Sunitha Lakshma Reddy and P Sudharshan Reddy would leave Congress party if the Congress goes against creating a separate T-state.

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Have powers to sack defiant ministers: CM C hief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, in an obvious move to send a stern warning to his rebellious colleague DL Ravindra Reddy, the health minister, declared that he was vested with powers to sack anyone defying Cabinet decision. The chief minister was interacting with the media in his chambers after the Assembly was adjourned soon after he introduced the SC, ST Sub-Plan Bill in the House, which was specially summoned to enact the legislation. A debate on the Bill will take place for two days on Saturday and Sunday before its adoption. It may be mentioned here that during the Cabinet meeting held last Friday, Ravindra Reddy stoutly opposed any endorsement by the council of ministers rejecting permission to the CBI to prosecute R&B Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao in connection with Jagan’s illegal assets case and also for rejecting his resignation. Barring Ravindra Reddy, the entire

Cabinet had unanimously approved it and the file was sent to the governor. The health minister also insisted that his dissent in this regard be recorded. Citing the example of Deve Gowda’s case upheld by the Supreme Court in this connection, Kiran Kumar Reddy asserted that he is empowered to sack anyone, who went against the Cabinet decision and thus sent a clear warning to Ravindra Reddy to mend his ways as being a captain of the team he can drop any erring member. The chief minister also clarified that minister Mopidevi Venkataramana’s case cannot be compared with Dharmana Prasada Rao’s as both are entirely different. Moreover, the CBI had permission to prosecute Mopidevi, he pointed out and added that Dharmana had acted as per the decision of the then Cabinet. The file pertaining to Dharmana Prasada Rao was pending with the Governor for clearance, he added. NSS

KVP aims to be back in the limelight R

ajya Sabha member KVP Ramachandra Rao, who literally ruled the State when YS Rajasekhara Reddy was chief minister, is once again trying to steal the limelight in the State politics as Rahul Gandhi has assumed total charge of the Congress. It is learnt that Digvijay Singh, who is close to Rahul Gandhi will be once again made in-charge of AP affairs either in December or January. KVP became very close to Digvijay as he was the State affairs in-charge when YSR was CM. Using this connection, KVP is once again trying to move the right strings and play the cards to occupy the driver's seat in AP politics. Reports suggest that KVP has been in constant touch with Digvijay Singh, briefing him of day-to-day developments in the State. He is also reported

to have held discussions with Marri Shashidhar Reddy and former PCC Chief D Srinivas, who are aspirants for the CM's post. Lok Sabha member Undavalli Arun Kumar, who is close to KVP met Congress president Sonia Gandhi in the Parliamentary Party office on Thursday. It is learnt that Undavalli is also trying to promote KVP Undavalli, an ardent devotee of the Indira Gandhi family, He owed this loyalty to YSR. Still, neither KVP, nor Undavalli approved the plan of Y S Jaganmohan Reddy to leave the Congress. The two stayed back. Though some of the loyalists of YSR have gone to the Jagan’s camp, a majority still remained in the Congress. Both KVP and Undavalli have been taking care to safeguard the NSS interests of these leaders.

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CITY SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

Ignorance hurting Aids fight? RAHUL RAMAKRISHNA rahul.r@postnoon.com

n World AIDS Day, we take a look at what stance different schools of medicinal studies have taken with regard to the world’s most dreaded disease, Aids. The clash of modern allopathic medicine and ethnic medicines has been raging without a definitive conclusion. According to Dr Lavanya Nutankalva, infection specialist at Apollo Hospitals, “Aids is a condition where your immunity is affected. It affects the white blood cells that lends immunity to body. HIV was a medical discovery from the mid-1980s and traced it to Chimpanzees of Africa. AIDS as we know is a condition and not disease.” Furthermore, she adds, “It’s a viral condition. So I do not deny that it is an immunity condition.” Dr Lavanya says, “I don’t deny that Ayurveda is helpful. My advice to people is that they should not combine Ayurveda with Allopathy. If you believe in Ayurveda, go ahead but do not mix.” So far, Hyderabad has registered a decline in the number of HIV patients diagnosed every year. According to year

wise statistics released by the APSacs, In 2010-2011, 57,651 patients were tested for HIV out of which 3,172 patients were tested positive. Positivity rate has been 5.5 per cent as compared to 7.3 per cent in the previous survey of 2009-2010. But Dr Lavanya warns statistics are no indication of reality. “The number of cases has actually gone up. Since I interact and come across these cases everyday, I know for sure. Most of the people I treat are referral-based which means not all of them are new cases. But I believe the overall number of cases across India is coming down.” Meanwhile, the long standing theory that Aids and HIV are just myths used to propagate the business profits for the West continue to stand. The internet is awash with dozens of website that claim to prove that Aids is just a myth and that it can be treated with holistic medicinal treatment, such as Ayurveda. One such website says, that Aids and HIV are just medical myths that have renamed old diseases. According to Natural News, “This doesn’t mean that people aren’t suffering from real immunosuppressive disorders; it means the conventional mythology that attempts to explain the causes of this immunosuppression is factually wrong.” More can be read at www.naturalnews.com/027354_AIDS_immune_system.html

Traditional medicine and Aids

early 17 years ago, a traditional Ayurveda Vaidya in Kochi, NKP Vaidyar, was visited at night by a couple of Tamil drivers pleading to cure them of Aids which they believe they have. They sought anonymity as the stigma of this disease would shatter their families. Vaidyar after meditating over the issue told them, “If you will promise to live a regular life and give up the wanton ways I can do something.” Vaidyar gave them Kamilari Plus, a drug that is aimed at boosting immune system. It was free of cost. After a couple of months they returned. This time they were smiling, sobbing out thanks, they said they feel normal now. They brought more men and it became a problem of plenty. Vaidyar then turned his ayurveda formula into a drug called Imuwin and made it available at a much subsidised cost. The 78-year-old Vaidyar told Postnoon, “ Aids is a condition the Ayurveda had recognised ages ago. Only, it was not virus-induced AIDS or HIV as the modern medical school calls. It is termed Rajeshma a condition where the body loses its immune strength following infusion into blood toxic strains that kill white blood cells. Ayurveda calls its visha (poison) not virus. The only lasting solution is to improve the immune system which is what the Ayurveda remedy seeks to do.”

MARIA JIMENA ALMARZA

The world has failed to track down the virus that causes immune deficiency syndrome that leads to Aids, but world over ethnic systems are taming this dragon with much success, reports say.

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World AIDS Day today Vaidyar gets dozens of letters and emails from various parts of the world, thanking him. The scientific community has a strong school of detractors who counter the HIV claim and brand it the ploy of MNC pharmaceuticals to sell drugs and make money. It is not Robin Cook alone who treats this issue in novels, countless others have argued that despite 25 years of research the medical science could not separate the strain that causes the so-called HIV because there is no such thing. It is not India alone, China has claimed successfully treated AIDS with its 2,000-year old ethnic medical system. WHO says some 30 million people have died of Aids but double the number live a dreadful life where ostracised by the society and consuming expensive drugs like ART, AZT they die a miserable death. Should humanity continue with this fraud? The believe that Aids is a condition produced by a lifestyle, increasing toxicity, is gaining more strength each passing day.

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NATION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

Min congratulates winner

CLASSIFIEDS COMPUTERS

nformation and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari today congratulated debutante director Gurvinder Singh for bagging the coveted Golden Peacock Award for his Punjabi film ‘Anhey Ghorey Da Daan’.Tewari said, “Your success will spur the growth of Punjabi cinema and will encourage young directors.

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Widow vows to bring killers to justice BULANDSHAHR: A week after suspected honour killing of Abdul Hakim, who appeared in Aamir Khan’s reality show Satyamev Jayate, his widow Mahvish today vowed to bring the killers of his husband to justice. “Killers are killers. Whoever they may be. When they did not show mercy while killing my husband, why should I be compassionate to them. They should be subjected to the harshest punishment,” Mahvish told reporters. Mahvish has alleged that her family members were behind the death of her husband. According to Mahvish, the victim was shot dead by her

family members on November 22 after he had just entered a Bulandshahr village in Uttar Pradesh along with her and their two-year-old daughter. Hakim (29) and Mahvish had participated in the honour killing episode of Khan’s show ‘Satyamev Jayate’ to speak against the problem. Mahvish eloped with Hakim in October 2010 after which the couple got married and were staying in Delhi following opposition from the man’s family, according to police. “I have not committed any sin by loving him. I will not sit idle till justice is done,” she PTI said.

UP honour killing

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson (R) poses with a bull during his visit to the Bombay Stock Exchange in Mumbai on November 30, 2012. Johnson is on six day AFP visit to India.

Mamatha assures farmers SINGUR: To contain the ris-

INTERIOR

rinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Friday stepped in to mollify aggrieved veteran party leader Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, who had threatened to quit after being assaulted by activists at Calcutta University. Banerjee called Chattopadhyay and heard him out on the incident.

fter mourning Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s death, his son and party executive president Uddhav Thackeray will tour Maharashtra to interact with party activists, a party official said. Thackeray’s tour will start on December 3 in western Maharashtra’s Kolhapur.

CTI shot BULL BY THE HORNS dead on board train LUCKNOW: A chief ticket inspector (CTI) of the Indian Railways has been shot dead on board the Mahananda Express, between Ghaziabad and New Delhi, police said on Saturday. The incident took place late on Friday when unidentified assailants shot Kifayatullah in the stomach when he sought to see their tickets. The railway official was on duty on the Mahananda Express which runs between West Bengal and New Delhi. He was taken to the Guru Teg Bahadur hospital in New Delhi, where he died at around 10.30 p.m. due to excessive blood loss. Officials said the incident took place when the official was checking tickIANS ets.

Didi pacifies TMC veteran

Uddhav to meet activists

ing resentment among Singur farmers, who had stood by her during the peasant movement against the Nano factory in 2007-2008, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday assured them of regular supply of rice and `2,000 in cash. In her first visit to this rural belt in Hooghly district after taking over as chief minister last year, Banerjee

said: “We have not been able to return lands to the farmers because of the ongoing court case. Once the court case is solved, I am confident we will be in a position to return the lands.” A section of Singur landowners, who were in the Banerjee-led movement against Tata Motors in 200708, demonstrated their resentment against the State government on Wednesday

by raising slogans against newly-appointed minister of state for agriculture Becharam Manna. The farmers, who had not accepted cheques from the Left Front government for the lands they had to give for the car project, were aggrieved over not receiving the dole of `2,000 and rice at `2 per kg. “There was some problem as the previous district

magistrate had fallen ill. Now every month families of the 3,600 farmers who had not accepted the cheques for their lands will get `2,000 and 16 kg of rice every month at `2 per kg,” she said. The farmers, were promised by then opposition leader Banerjee that 400 acres of the acquired land would be returned to them if her TMC came to power. IANS

HIQA to Activists angered India told to probe further by Shiva remark consult IAEA LONDON: Ireland’s health informa-

BHOPAL: Social worker Swami

WASHINGTON: To enter the interna-

tion authority may pursue a further probe into the care of pregnant women in Irish hospitals if the inquiry into the death of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar finds that there may be “serious risks” to other women in a similar situations. The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), which yesterday published the terms of reference for its investigation into the death of Savita said if it emerged that there may be “serious risks” to other women.

Agnivesh was manhandled by activists of a local organisation here for his alleged derogatory remarks against lord Shiva. The incident took place after a programme to launch the Maila Mukti Yatra in which Union minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Jairam Ramesh and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan were present. Police immediately intervened and forced away the activists from the spot. The Manch activists forcibly removed a cloth worn by Agnivesh.

tional mainstream civil nuclear commerce, a top US official has said India should consult IAEA on its nuclear liability law.“While we understand that India’s law is currently being examined by the courts, we believe that consultations with the IAEA would be useful as a means to ensure that the liability law accomplishes our shared objective of moving India into the international mainstream of civil nuclear commerce,” a source said.

COMMENT SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

Free vacations for officials

Clarification

ending GHMC officials abroad to study foothpaths won’t help. Despite the government sending our officials and politicians abroad to study their infrastructure and amenities, none of it is brought back home. Looks like it's just a free vacation for these officials paid for by the taxpayer. Pradeep Kumar Bowenpally

n the article Is the end near?, November 30, Dr Jayakrishna was wrongly quoted as saying, “This medication is given to the mother immediately after delivery,” instead of, “It is given to positive pregnant mother from the onset of labour.” Secondly, it was mentioned that phase four was about reversing the epidemic. The phase four is yet to be launched.

EDITORIALS 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.

Maintain don’t revamp

he GHMC seems to be all set to organise another international event. No doubt there will be a last minute scramble to spruce up the City, but will the civic authorities please bother following all this up with regular maintenance even after the event ends? Nigel Paul Madhapur

EDITORIALS ISRAEL IS ACTING like a sore loser Israel needs to do some serious pondering where it stands. After the United Nations voted to accord de-facto statehood to Palestine, the Jewish state has responded by ordering 3,000 new settler homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, key areas where Palestinians hope to call as a place of their own. Calling the nations which voted for Palestine names and riling against them for not agreeing with the Jewish state will not endear them to anyone. Israel was a nation that came from nowhere, founded on the land that belonged to Palestine in the first place. The first act of hostility came from the Arabs, which proved a sore mistake, but Israel used that as the perfect excuse to grow and grab land over the years, also sowing hate in the minds of the Palestinians, notwithstanding the centuries-old hatred as attested by the holy book, which the Jews produce as proof of their right to the land they have captured using force in modern times. Let’s try to ignore the imbecility of such things happening in a modern world, but after almost a month of bloodshed and carnage, a lull has been achieved, which the world hopes could be used to broker peace. Israel’s reaction to the UN vote is that of a sore loser. Perhaps they know how isolated they are now. So, stop the building of settler homes and act like a mature nation if Israel wants the world to acknowledge it.

WHY WE LOVE... Andrew Flintoff They said he was freak running a freak show. Now Freddie’s hut them up proper. But the essence of Flintoff’s victory in the ring is that it’s never too late to start again and dabble in new things.

A degree in life’s lessons Soul Curry SUMAA TEKUR

recent news report about an act of magnanimity reassured me that the world has not all gone to the dogs. The Sri Venkateswara University in Andhra Pradesh took the decision to postpone its engineering exams by an entire week in order to enable the students of one of the colleges affiliated to it, to collect money to save a student’s life. The report first appeared in the ‘Star of Mysore’, and was then reproduced in the blog, ‘Churmuri’. Esther Preethi is a final year engineering degree student in NBKR institute of Technology in Nellore. Esther was recently diagnosed with liver complications, which later led to liver failure. She was recommended liver transplant at the earliest. Esther is the daughter of a taxi driver in

Madanpalli, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh. Her family could not gather the Rs 50 lakh required for the transplant. Esther’s classmates and college friends decided to seek donations from many different sources to help Esther and her family. About 540 students from Esther’s batch in college approached the college director, V Vijayakumar Reddy, asking for permission to stay away from classes in order to go out and collect the required funds. The college was touched by the students’ determination to save their friend’s life, and not only agreed to their absence from class but also made a donation to the Esther fund. The students then organised themselves into 30 groups and spread out to every nook and corner of Nellore town. They even went to nearby villages to seek donations. Now, the students’ examinations were also around the corner. So they again approached the college management to request the university’s vice-chancellor to postpone the exams so that the students can

ESTHER PREETHI’S STORY IS ONE OF PEOPLE POWER, OF DIFFERENT GROUPS GETTING TOGETHER FOR A COMMON CAUSE AND PITCHING IN WITH WHAT THEY HAD – TIME, WILLINGNESS TO HELP AND THE POWER OF GROUP EFFORT. make up for lost study time. In a perhaps unprecedented decision, the university agreed, showing that true education goes beyond bookish knowledge. It’s heartening to find an education system get out of its cloak of discipline, structure, attendance, exams and mark sheets, to show students the importance of more humane values, such as compassion, kindness, helping and sharing. The university, by this simple act of giving its students more time to study and showing that

they were on the students’ side, would have no doubt won the students’ hearts and given them a reason to help fellow human beings when they can in future, too. Esther Preethi’s story is one of People Power, of different groups getting together for a common cause and pitching in with what they had – time, willingness to help and the power of group effort. Our souls are craving to see more of the old-world goodness. Most of us miss a world where strangers smiled at each other more often, youngsters offered their seat to seniors in the bus and we allowed someone who’s in a hurry to break the queue because his urgency was genuine. We live in a very uncertain world, in which we constantly look for stability, reason and profit to make up for all those fragmented areas of our lives that are out of our control. One certain way is to give back, to create a legacy that’s worth emulating. The student, along with the college and university’s support are surely on the right track.

COMMENT SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

The woman and her chocolate Quirky-side-Up ARPITA BHAWAL

ore than a decade ago, a man on the train from Bengaluru to Kolkata asked me, “What do you really do for a living?” I stared at him. I had just spent half hour immediately before this, explaining the nature of my job to him. I looked around the two-tier AC coach. I had been sure that my fellow passengers would be as elegant as the bogie itself. But obviously, I had missed an important plot point: In any world, women communicators and writers are not deemed as ‘professionals’ even though they earn money for it. The flippant interest about my ‘unusual’ profession or lack of it from this fellow passenger was an epiphany. That was the day I realized that the relationship of a woman with her passion and a woman’s relationship with chocolate is pretty much the same. No man gets the ‘logic’ of the pursuit, though one may

Urban sketches VISWAPRASAD RAJU

find an occasional man who loves chocolate himself without shame or horror. Chocolate is said to contain over 375 chemicals. Neuroscientists are studying the effects of chocolate on the brain to understand how it impacts human craving and over-indulgence. Chocolate actually dulls pain, gives a little euphoric feeling, and also acts as a stimulant. In 1998, my passion or ‘writing’ was a stimulant no less than chocolate – nurtured since the age of five. It had, in fact, charted out an uncommon course for my life – starting with my career as a copywriter. I was certain that everyone – I mean, literally EVERYONE in the Universe knew how ‘special’ a woman was if she happened to be a copywriter. Of course, I didn’t know any better then. Fast-forward to this decade of the iEverything: I couldn’t be more right now. Women writing in the corporate world are still nothing more than enablers and ‘housekeepers’ who edit, rewrite, copy, remould and execute upon request. They are not necessarily seen as visionaries, capable of developing and implementing a strategy, or even worse, translate their efforts into business success.

My other favourite example of another profession that women are great at is wedding planning. Their femininity and aesthetics mostly make them blossom. But yet again, the joke

is on them. Women, who apparently don’t have any career option or an US education to fall back on, choose to become wedding planners. How preposterous is that? Is there no art of

creativity in designing a fairy tale wedding? Sadly, even other women who are incidentally doctors, engineers, scientists and socialites (who got lucky by marrying rich) actually look down on such a profession. Wedding planners are dubbed as the “mother of all the hired help”. After all, they plot the theme, plan the purchases, bargain for good buys and then end up organising, decorating and coordinating the myriad tastes of the client. It is assumed a man would be more “strategic”. What does that word mean, anyway? What is it with this unfair type-casting thing about women? Stupid people! They assume that only women who build bridges or control satellites or become the CEO of a company, or discover a cure for AIDs are smarter! Well, a word of great caution: never underestimate any woman’s experience, challenge her psychological make-up, and mock her ability to be emotionally stable in the face of a crisis. While not much has changed on the Indian trains or in Corporate India, both of which are mostly run by men with myopic views, let us try to celebrate the woman and her chocolate. Remember how good the bar of chocolate feels when you taste it?

Global edits

Foodie

The Independent (UK)

Aids treatment is a success story, but more must be done

n 2000, a year's course of anti-retroviral drugs cost $10,000 and projections caused consternation even in Western countries coping with a few thousand cases of HIV. The idea that treatment might be rolled out to millions in the developing world seemed a pipe dream. Today, that same course of drugs can be had for $100 a year. Thanks to one of the most effective lobbying efforts to fight any disease ever, eight million people throughout the world are now receiving treatment. Deaths and new infections are down. More people are living with HIV than ever before – it has changed from being a terminal illness to a chronic disease. Yet the virus continues to spread at an alarming rate – infecting a further 2.5 million people in 2011. There are three proven cost-effective ways to curb the pandemic, identified by the leading environmentalist Bjorn Lomborg in his book Rethink HIV. They are male circumcision,

THANKS TO ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE LOBBYING EFFORTS TO FIGHT ANY DISEASE EVER, EIGHT MILLION PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD ARE NOW RECEIVING TREATMENT. DEATHS AND NEW INFECTIONS ARE DOWN. MORE PEOPLE ARE LIVING WITH HIV THAN EVER BEFORE – IT HAS CHANGED FROM BEING A TERMINAL ILLNESS TO A CHRONIC DISEASE. which can reduce male-to-female transmission by 60 per cent; scaling up treatment with anti-retroviral drugs, and treating more pregnant women to prevent transmission of the virus to their babies. Leading Aids agencies say there is an annual $6bn gap between what is needed and what has been pledged by governments for Aids programmes. Bridging it could spell the beginning of the end of the worst disease of modern times.

BUSINESS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

Google acquires parcel firm

Yahoo! asked to pay $2.7 bn

Mittal, France reach deal rench Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault announced a deal with steel giant ArcelorMittal on Friday which he said saved part of a massive plant that had been threatened with closure. But unions at the plant denounced what they described as a betrayal by the government, saying they had backed down on a threat to nationalise.

ahoo! said Friday it was ordered to pay $2.7 billion by a Mexican court in a lawsuit stemming from allegations of breach of contract and lost profits related to a yellow pages listing service. The US Internet giant said it "believes the plaintiffs' claims are without merit and will pursue all appeals." The company's statement had few details on the case.

oogle has agreed to acquire Canadian start-up BufferBox, which manages self-service parcel lockers to help consumers avoid missed deliveries, the companies said Friday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The company began with a pilot project in Waterloo, Ontario, and has been rolling out a network of pickup stations across the Toronto area.

Food at the click of a button

Now you no longer have to rummage through cupboards and fish out menus. A new website lets you order you favourite food from anywhere in the City from the comfort of your home.

prudhvi.k@postnoon.com

magine sitting in the comfort of your home and ordering your favourite dishes at the click of a button from a range of restaurants in the City. Akhilesh Kumar and Prashant Angyan have made this a reality with their website www.gyeser.com. The batchmates from REC (NIT) Trichi hit upon the idea of making food ordering simple a decade ago. “During our years in Trichi we found that there weren’t many restaurants that offered home delivery. We were bored of the mess food and wanted to start a website that would bring our favourite food to us. But we got busy with studies and later with building our careers and the idea did not see the light of day,” says Kumar. However, the friends did not find their jobs challenging and rewarding. The real challenge, they saw, was to start something and make it grow. “The business is like our baby — incubating it and making it grow to a mature and evolved business is the real journey. It was only after 11

there are 1,000 biryanis ordered in a certain area and not that many sold by a particular restaurant, the site offers to work with the eatery to help them find the real issue behind

GYESER.COM ALSO PLANS TO LAUNCH VARIOUS WEB-BASED FOOD PRODUCTS LIKE AN ONLINE LUNCH BOUTIQUE WHICH IS AIMED SPECIFICALLY AT CORPORATES.

on board and have plans to bring another 700 restaurants from the City online by March next year. We also plan to expand our operations to Chennai and Pune soon,” Kumar added. The business wants to evolve as a holistic platform, which can offer various services to the restaurant and dining industry. Gyeser.com also plans to launch various web-based food products like an online lunch boutique which is aimed specifically at corporates. Other ideas like social dining, where people can

this. And what’s more, this service is offered free of charge to restaurants and Kumar hopes that this will be used by them to build a consultancy. On the revenue model, Kumar says, “We charge around six per cent of the order value from the restaurants. High volumes should drive the business. The potentiality of the idea can be exploited by expanding to multiple cities and by having around 15,000 orders day. The business will see operational break-even by the end of the next year.” The business began with an initial investment of around `8 lakh and another investment of `7 lakh is in the pipeline. “We already have 100 restaurants

Akhilesh Kumar, co-founder of Geyser.com

get together for a restaurant platter, are also in the works. These are high margin and low volume products. The business is also planning to tie-up with service apartments and corporates to get regular food orders, besides plans to offer various credit points for online ordering. So far, Gyeser.com has exploited various online platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Food Blog and aims to produce a documentary on Hyderabadi Food. The e-commerce site that went live in October has got around 840 orders so far. It hopes to get 1,000 orders by December, after which Kumar and Angyan are eyeing an investment of `1 crore for robust expansion.

SRINIVAS SETTY

PRUDHVI RAJU K

years that we executed our idea. But it seems to have worked out as it is much more relevant today,” Kumar added. While undertaking a market research, the business partners found that Hyderabad is the best place for their website as it is less expensive, more organised and there isn’t another site offering the same service. Kumar says that more than entrepreneur, he is a customer. “The menus and prices change regularly and it is difficult to get through to a restaurant as the line is always busy. The web portal gives customers an opportunity to see the menu online, customise and order food at his/her convenience from a range of restaurants,” he says. And then there is the benefit that this has on the food industry as well. The restaurant sector is usually unorganised and run as family businesses. Since only a few organised restaurants can reap the benefits of being posted online, Geyser.com hopes this will help regulate the sector. The website also keeps tabs on popular restaurants and dishes, and passes on this valuable data to restaurants to help them better their services. For instance, if there is a restaurant that does not deliver its orders on time, the complaint is posted on their dashboard. If

WORLD SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

Clashes around Damascus

Broken Tooth a free man

DAMASCUS: Fighting raged around

MACAU: A Macau triad boss known as

HATFIELD, PENNSYLVANIA: Barack

Damascus on Friday as Internet and phone links in Syria remained cut for a second day and rebels consolidated gains in the east, capturing an oil field near the Iraqi border. Meanwhile, UN leader Ban Ki-moon predicted that Syrian refugee numbers will surge to more than 700,000 by January as the conflict reaches “appalling heights.

“Broken Tooth” walked free from jail Saturday after more than 14 years behind bars for heading a gang blamed for a string of murders and bombings in the former Portuguese colony. The release of Wan Kuok-koi has triggered tightened security in the world’s biggest gaming hub.

Obama warned Republicans would give Americans a lump of coal for Christmas if they kill his plan to raise $1.6 trillion from higher taxes on the wealthy. But the most powerful Republican in Washington, House speaker John Boehner, warned that talks on averting a year-end tax and spending crunch, were going nowhere.

AFP

Obama pans Republicans

Israel orders settlements Steve Weizman

JERUSALEM: Israel revealed on Friday plans to build 3,000 more settler homes in east Jerusalem and the West Bank after a historic UN vote to recognise Palestine as a non-member observer state, with Washington describing the move as “counterproductive”. In the Thursday vote in New York, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly backed a resolution recognising Palestine within the 1967 borders as a non-member observer state. Israel lashed out in response on Friday, with an official confirming to AFP plans to build the 3,000 settler homes, without

A Palestinian throws a stone toward an Israeli bulldozer on the sidelines of a demonstration against the expropriations by Israel in the West Bank village of Kafr Qaddum, near Nablus, on Friday. Israel is to build 3,000 new settler homes in east Jerusalem and the West Bank after the Palestinians won recognition as a non-member state at the UN. AFP/JAAFAR ASHTIYEH

specifying exactly where they were to be sited. Washington said the plan would make resuming peace talks harder. “We reiterate our longstanding opposition to settlements and east Jerusalem construction and announcements. We believe these actions are counterproductive and make it harder to resume direct negotiations or achieve a two-state solution,” said National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said that, despite past failures, Washington would keep trying to get Israelis and Palestinians to the negotiating table. AFP

US slams Israel’s decision JERUSALEM: The US on Friday denounced Israeli plans for new settlements in east Jerusalem and the West Bank in the wake of a historic UN vote to upgrade Palestine’s diplomatic status. “In light of today’s announcement, let me reiterate that this administration has been very clear with Israel that these activities set back the cause of a negotiated peace,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.

ANIMAL KINGDOM SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

ELIZABETH SOUMYA

elizabeth.s@postnoon.com

harati was a star performer in her younger days. With the news of her arrival, people of the village would abandon their chores, leave their fields and gather around to watch her dance to drum sounds. She was especially a hit with the children, who would hoot, sing and cheer for her. But few could see beyond her charm. She made others happy, but was far from it herself. Kidnapped along with her siblings when barely a few months old, she was sold to her present owner. Her mother, like most bears, was killed. As a performer, Bharati was overworked, walking from village to village in the blistering sun, the only holidays were festivals, Ramazan, Id and Bakri-id. Food was scarce and most often leftovers from her master’s home. A few years ago, she stopped dancing, her owner left her at a place where for the first time, she saw and met others like her. Bharati found herself at the Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre, Bangalore, one of the four centres in India that shelter 600 dancing sloth bears from around the country. The other centres are in Agra, Bhopal and Purulia. She shares a 43 acre forest area in the Bannerghatta National Park with 90 other bears of various ages. When I went to visit the centre one morning, Bharati and her friends were restless, waiting for their daily breakfast of ragi porridge. No matter where they are roaming in the centre's forested area, the bears are prompt to appear near a row of barred prison-like cells at feeding time. The shutters of the cells are opened soon after food is served and each bear enters one cell. What one can't help but notice here is that cooking for so many bears is an endless task and needs quite a few pairs of hands and pretty much the entire day. Huge cans of ragi porridge are being transported from the kitchen. So I decided to visit the 'bear kitchen' that has a chart with names of bears and a sched-

ule posted on the wall. The staff is busy chopping the vegetable of the day — sweet potato. Lying around are huge sacks of ragi and a crate of fresh milk packets has just arrived. Veterinary Officer Dr Arun A Sha who has worked with rescued bears for nine years explains that all bears without exception were severely underweight when rescued. Most weighed around 45 to 50 kgs, half of what these massive mammals would in the wild — an adult male must weigh 120-150kgs, while a female must be no less than 90kgs. Lack of nutrition has also led to many of them being chronically ill and prone to infections. As dancing bears, most were fed whatever was available, a few ragi balls in South India, 5 to 10 rotis per day in North India and tea, biscuits, whatever junk food was available, says Dr Sha. Hardly adequate for mammals that can reach 6-feet when they stand on their hind legs he points out. Most bears also have their canines broken (since bears have canines attached to the bone, they can't entirely be pulled out), this means severe dental infections, even gum tumours, making consuming chunks of food difficult, so porridge works well. Veterinarian Shanti, a young volunteer explains the bear menu — breakfast is ragi porridge with multivitamin additives and milk while lunch served around 4 or 5pm is porridge with vegetables, boiled eggs and milk. Each bear gets 100 grams of honey every day, either mixed in the porridge or hidden away in the forest. Fruits like watermelon, papaya, musk melon, grapes and jackfruit are calculated at 2.5kgs per bear and hidden in the forest, giving the bears something to do. "Our bears love jackfruits," says Dr Sha, who says initially the bears didn't know that fruits were to be eaten. “They would just play with them”. The staff started smearing honey on the fruits. Sometimes the fruits would gather ants, which is ok since ants are part of a bear's natural diet, he explains. While the act of dancing in itself might not seem cruel, the capturing, transporting, training and the lifestyle the bears were subjected to have taken a toll on these creatures. Holes were drilled into the bear's muzzle for a rope to be drawn through and

THE LAST

A dancing bear, before surrender tied around its head. The 'kalandar' pulls at the string to make it perform. Many bears still have unhealed muzzles making sucking food difficult. Scars on their faces are common and even used to identify individual bears. There are nine bears in the centre that have turned completely blind with the ropes tied to their muzzles grating and rubbing against their cornea. Dancing, which mostly means shifting their feet, was taught by making the cubs stand on hot coals cracking their paws. Walking for long hours, snipping of their claws for trade led to paw injuries and inflammation in a majority of the bears. Since 2007, 43 bears have died of Human Tuberculosis, most likely to have been transmitted by the Kalandar families. They have a high case of Tuberculosis due to abuse of tobacco and

unhygenic conditions. It is not contracted from the crowd but from the kalandar! Diagnosis is difficult as the bears don't show obvious symptoms. But some do lose their appetite. The centre keeps a file for each bear that records each meal consumed by the bear. When a bear repeatedly skips meals the staff checks if it's doing fine. Apart from physical scars, the abused bears need to overcome many of their fears and reluctance. Poached as cubs, few have socialised with other bears. At the centre, a new bear is first quarantined, its behaviour and temperament is observed before

Dr Arun A Sha

letting it in an enclosure next to another bear's, where it can see another bear. Only when the bear is comfortable with other bears does it join the forested area. But making friends isn't easy for everyone. Dr Sha sites the case of Shankar. “He was afraid of all the 89 bears in the centre at the time. He would run at the sight of another bear, but was comfortable with humans. PICS: ELIZABETH SOUMYA

Bears are served breakfast of Ragi: Most dancing bears suffer dental problems including infections and gum tumours. Chewing and biting is difficult for most, hence the main diet remains porridge that they can easily suck.

Since these bears were poached as cubs, they've had little experience with other bears. Many bears are aggressive when they first meet other bears. They are kept in a separate enclosure next to the enclosures of other bears to make them comfortable.

2.5 kgs of fruit are weighed for each bear at the centre, before being hidden in the forest area.

12&13

DANCE

THE TORTURERS

India has formally declared the dancing bear practice to be extinct. Postnoon visits a bear rescue centre in Bangalore that shelters these dancing bears. We tried as many combinations as possible. But just before his death last year, he had made three or four friends he was finally comfortable with, this is after three long years." As for Bharati, she still gets aggressive around women. "Perhaps she was beaten by a woman or has had some bad experience," he suspects. After a decade of efforts by Wildlife SOS, "India's last dancing bear" was surrendered at Bannerghatta in December 2009 by its kalandar. Bears are Schedule I animals under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and a ban was also enacted in 1998 by an amendment in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1960) clearly making the practice illegal. But in 2002, 1,200 dancing bears were counted from around the country. Of these 627 were rescued and that was all of them. “What happened to the other 573?” asks Dr Sha. “They all must have died,” he continues.

Mortality is high among poached bear cubs, about 70 to 80 per cent but it's only cubs that can be taught tricks. Powerful and aggressive, humans don't stand a chance against an adult bear. For the 1,200 dancing bears counted, there must be 1,200 adult bear mothers that were killed, since they are always around the cubs, he adds. With India declaring the dancing bear practice as extinct on November 28, 2012, all surviving dancing bears will live in rescue centres till their death. None can be reintroduced to the wild. With no skills, they will not survive and bad health means risk to wild bears. While it might not be a direct impact on conservation, “With no kalandars, the market for bear cubs is affected. Poaching of cubs always meant, killing the mother, so mothers are also saved,” says Dr Sha. But the end of this practice doesn't mean India’s bears are safe.

These mammals, found in as many as 26 states in India, continue to be poached for their gall bladder (used in oriental medicine for liver, stomach, and intestinal cures), fur, claws and bones that are in demand in China, Vietnam, Korea and Laos. Diminishing forests has also meant conflict with these otherwise shy and elusive creatures like never before. This week, bear experts from all around the world meet in New Delhi, at the 21st International Conference on Bear Research and Management. The bears at the centre, know nothing about it. Crates of fruits — watermelon, musk melon and papaya have arrived and are being weighed. Most of the bears are snoozing alone under tree canopies, few are resting with friends. One large bear begins to run and they all start moving. They know the fruits are here and they're so happy they could dance.

he community that used bears to perform for a livelihood are kalandars, a nomadic Muslim community with large families consisting of 10-12 members. Included in the category of Other Backward Tribes by the Government of India, along with the Adivasis and communities dependant on forests, they are poor and fall in the BPL (below poverty line) category. Historically, they are known to have performed for the Rajputs and Mughal kings who were fond of watching bear dances and wrestling matches between men and bears. Kartick Satyanarayan and Geeta Seshamani of Wildlife SOS, in their report Dancing Bears of India, 1997 explain — "They earned a living from a large number of performing animals, for example, monkeys, bears, fighting roosters and pigeons, and kept others as pets to display to their audience such as civet cats, owls, falcons, and partridges." This influence was used to sell medicines and talismans to the crowd. In time, there were specialisations, those with dancing monkeys became madaris, the puppeteers were Katputlis, the magic trick performers Jadugars, the

rope climbers and gymnasts were bazigars and the mast Kalandars had their dancing bears and drums called 'damru'. To each Kalandar who surrendered his bear a onetime compensation of `50,000 was given under the Kalandar Rehabilitation Programme by Wildlife SOS. Many Kalandars move on to opening grocery shops, renting generators, driving autos etc. With dancing bears their economic status was pretty grim, after buying bear cubs for `3,000 to `5,000 they made between `20,000 and `25,000 per annum. This paltry amount was used to look after the bear and their large family. In his nine years, Dr Sha says that

only two kalandars from Andhra Pradesh have called to check on how their bears were during. With dead bears easily replaced with a new one, this was but a way of survival for most poor kalandars.

BOOKS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

SHORT READS Title: Life Among Giants Author: Bill Roorbach Publisher: Algonquin Books David 'Lizard' Hockmeyer, a 17-year-old strapping quarterback, has everything going for him... until his parents are mysteriously murdered, leaving him and his sister adrift. Over his lifetime, Lizard unravels the lurid tale of the incident that defined his life.

Title: Antifragile Author: Nassim Nicholas Taleb Publisher: Random House Many things benefit and grow stronger with stress and pressure — bones and revolts, for example. Taleb has identified and calls these things “antifragile”, a category of things that not only gain from chaos but need it in order to survive and flourish.

Title: 1775 Author: Kevin Phillips Publisher: Penguin Group 1776 is considered the watershed year of the American Revolution. Not true, says historian Kevin Phillips, who argues his case in 1775: A Good Year for Revolution. Phillips explains how the events, like the exodus of British troops influenced the revolution.

Title: The Great Pearl Heist Author: Molly Caldwell Crosby Publisher: Penguin Group A wily jewel thief and a celebrated Scotland Yard detective go head and head when a string of exquisite pink pearls is stolen. Set in London in 1913, the book is in the tradition of Sherlock Holmes, weaving wit, humour and worthy opponents.

Drawing room politics

About a week after Tavleen Singh became a reporter at an Indian newspaper, Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency. Durbar takes the reader through the unsettling times that followed. JYOTSNA NAMBIAR jyotsna.n@postnoon.com

y school history books stopped at 1947. Some of them made a cursory note of the integration of former colonies and princely states into the newly formed nation, but that was about it. It was years before I realised that India didn't exactly have a 'happily ever after' post Independence. Renowned journalist Tavleen Singh's Durbar bears ample testimony to India’s turbulent postIndependence days. Starting off as a cub reporter during the Emergency and coming into her own as a political journalist over the years, Singh's story could have been just like the tale of any other scribe in that era but for her upbringing. Growing up in an influential family in Delhi, Tavleen was very much part of the social set that included princes, politicians and Rajiv Gandhi.

History is neither dull nor pedantic in Singh's hands — it reads like a racy thriller. Delhi's drawing rooms, the new-age durbar, feature as prominently as campaign trails and press meets in Singh's narrative. The times when Rajiv and Sonia made their appearance at one of these parties, the other guests tended to act like the king and queen just walked in, reinforcing the metaphor. Singh acts as a opinionated fly on the wall, offering an insight into a veryDelhi sort of political set-up. Journalists tend to live on the fringes of the lives they report on; they rarely are invited into the inner circle. Singh's book offers as much insight into the personal life of power players as

it does their public personas. Singh's career, as she tells it, is remarkable. The kind of reach she has — being able to arrange interviews with Rajiv Gandhi, meeting Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale weeks before Operation Blue Star — is incredible and enviable, especially considering that most journalists spend three-fourths their time cajoling people to talk to them. What's also incredible is that Singh does not present her subjects in the light of what she knows about them now. At every point, you get the impression that she's telling you how she

saw the leader at that point in time, especially in the case of Rajiv Gandhi. The book is certainly not meant to be objective or a reporter's account; it is a purely personal one, peopled with falli-

Name Durbar Author Tavleen Singh Pages 312 Publisher Hachette India

ble men and women who find themselves holding the reins of power. Singh laments the fact that completely apolitical people were led into politics, and ended up causing much misery with their ignorance of the country and its people. She realises her disconnect with Indian life early on, and watches with dismay as people of her own circle — rich, frivolous and convent-educated — attempt to take on issues far removed from their realm of interest. Singh provides a riveting account of Independent India — from the riots in Old Delhi, dynasty politics, compulsory sterilisation, Operation Blue Star and the beginning of insurgency in Kashmir. History is neither dull nor pedantic in Singh's hands — it reads like a racy thriller. In a span of 300 pages, she ably captures the mood of what are probably the most unsettling times of Independent India. The Gandhi family are at the core of the book; so inseparable is their story from the story of our fledgling nation. This book will kick up controversy and debate; few that deal with the ugly truths of our nation's history don't. But this is a story that needs to be retold — so that the new generation is aware and the older generation remembers — because ignoring history is often a costly mistake.

BOOKS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

The Last Laugh

FIFTY SHADES

CHICKEN

FL FOWLER

f you are the type to appreciate good food and dirty puns, it doesn't get any better than this delightfully clever, wickedly funny cookbook. As the blurb reads, Fifty Shades of Chicken “follows the adventures Miss Chicken finds herself at the mercy of a dominating man, in this case, a wealthy, sexy, and very hungry chef,” who later, becomes delighted to be “the main course.” Jokes aside, For chicken “lovers” everywhere dedicates FL Fowler, the author of the book. Featuring titillating recipes including but not restricted to Dripping Thighs, Vanilla Chicken, Sticky Chicken Fingers, Bacon-Bound Wings and more, glossy closeups of male hands and trussed up chicken, the author promises to leave you hungry for more.

BORED

OF THE

RINGS

HENRY BEARD AND DOUGHLAS KENNEY

efore founding the National Lampoon, while still in college, humorists Henry Beard and Douglas Kenney scripted an epic of their own, parodying Tolkein's Lord of the Rings which went on to sell more than 300,000 copies and has been republished several times over the years. If you have read the originals (and didn't turn into a Tolkein worshipper) and happen to be familiar with the pop culture references of the '60s and '70s, Bored is the book for you. Follow the story of the ring which Dildo Bugger gives to his nephew Frito, who embarks on a journey across Lower Middle Earth to the land of Fordor. Grossly offensive, inappropriate and dated it may be but damn, if Bored of the Rings isn't one of the funniest books you'll ever come across.

The only thing more fun to read than popular books are their parodies. Here’s taking a look at some of the most outrageously hilarious spoofs of our beloved favourites. B ARRY TROTTER

AND THE

SHAMELESS PARODY

MICHAEL GERBER

eleased in 2001, this utterly charming and hilarious spoof of Harry Potter has sold over over 700,000 copies worldwide, spawning a number of equally popular follow-ups and sequels. Made lazy by his universal fame, Barry Trotter is now twenty-two and unwilling to leave Hogwash, the Wizard school, where his every whim is catered to. But things change when a Barry inspired movie goes on the floors, the budget of which is surely to pull Hogwash down. So Barry Trotter, Ermine Cringer, and Lon Measly must elude packs of rabid fans, outwit Barry's sponging godfather Serious, and vanquish their old foe Lord Valumart, while also defeating Hollywood and keeping Hogwash safe.

Honourable Mentions n

Nightlight n Hunger Pains n The Chronicles of Barnia: The Lying Bitch in the Wardrobe Star Warped n Alice in Blunderland COMPILED BY PADMINI C

DA VINCI COD: A FISHY PARODY DON BRINE

“A

London curator is found dead with a cod shoved down his throat beneath the mysterious message, "THE CHATHOLIC [sic] CURCH HAD ME MURDERED!" Applying his brilliant code-breaking skills, "anagrammatologist" Robert Donglan rearranges the letters to get "H! THE CCC COME HARD, HURDLE A COLT," a clue that entangles him with French secret agent Sophie Nudivue; a priest-cryptographer; a brutal killer known as the Exterminator; and the suppressed works of Leonardo da Vinci's more talented sister, Eda. Racing against time, Donglan must beat the Bad People to discover the truth behind the holy bloodline. Now, how's that for a plot?

PRIDE

AND

PREJUDICE

AND

SETH GRAHAME-SMITH

ZOMBIES

“I

t is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains,” starts the Seth Grahame-Smith's parody. Purists and Jane Austen loyalists might cringe at the very idea of warping the beloved classic. But to the rest of the world, we say, read it! In an alternative universe England has been overrun with zombies, the Bennett sisters are the best zombie slayers in Herfordshire. Arrival of the hoity-toity Mr. Darcy and the ensuing chaos makes for some of the most hilarious sequences you'll likely to encounter in a classic. Replete with romance, heartbreak, class-struggles, cannibalism and of course zombies, you don't want to miss this!

WHAT’S SELLING Oxford Bookstore’s best in fiction

Oxford Bookstore’s best non-fiction

New York Times’ best in fiction

New York Times’ best in non-fiction

n Cut Like Wound by Anita Nair

n Celebrating India by Anuradha Goyal, Linda Ashok

n The Last Man by Vince Flynn

n Killing Kennedy by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Duggard

n Merry Christmas, Alex Cross by James Patterson

n Thomas Jefferson by Jon Meacham.

n The Racketeer by John Grisham

n Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly

n Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan

n No Easy Day by Mark Owen

n Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver.

n How to create a mind by Ray Kurzweil

n You Never Know When You'll get Lucky by Priya Narendra

n The Green Room by Wendell Rodricks

n The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling

n Word Power to Mind Power by B.Prasad Rao

n Fifty Shades Darker by EL James

n The 3rd Alternative by Stephen Covey

n 5 Fifty Shades Freed by EL James

n A New Eart by Eckhart Tolle

WOMEN SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

WEBSITES OF THE WEEK The Sartorialist: The gorgeous fashion photography of Scott Schuman highlights everyday (and stylish) people on the street, yet each image looks like a high-end photo shoot.

Flickr: This isn't just for photo storage of family photos to share with Grandma. It's actually a fabulous image resource; there are Flickr groups for even the most specific topic.

Polyvore: This is a dynamic site that allows you to learn about — and participate in — creating hot new fashion trends. On Polyvore, you can "clip" fashion items from around the Internet.

Changing young lives Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs works with the aim of helping young women achieve their dreams of starting their own individual ventures.

The digital leash All About Eve

FLEME VARKEY

Amy Rose Thomas amyrose.t@postnoon.com

stablished by six women entrepreneurs in 2004, the Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs (COWE) has now grown into a 1,000 women-strong organisation. Started with the aim of encouraging young women to start new ventures, COWE has so far helped women of all strata in every possible way. COWE provides the guidance, finances and facilities for women entrepreneurs. President of COWE P Soudhamini says, “We noticed that there is a dearth of institutions in the city that caters to the needs of women entrepreneurs especially one with a proper democratic and organisational structure. Our sole aim when we started out was to solve this issue. We six women namely Shylaja Reddy, Suman Kumar, Uma Ghurkha, Sandhya Reddy, P. Soudamini, P. Girija and Sangeeta Reddy came up with this idea to start the organisation and there has been no turning back since then.” COWE believes in working with girls from their college years by holding workshops and allowing them to be part of the job carnivals organised by the

NGO. “It is essential to let the budding entrepreneurs to know about the organisation so that just after college those who are interested in beginning their venture will find all the help they need. Most of the times, girls are clueless in spite of knowing what they want to do, they do not know how to go about it. We also organise and conduct workshops on sustainable ventures. Apart from this, we also offer special guidance to

ladies who are compelled to leave their jobs after marriage. We help these ladies to find their feet again and help them with occupations that they could take up with family in mind. It so happens at times that a lady may be good with the production part of the business while an other would be equipped with marketing skills. Once we know of such people, we help them start a new venture themselves. Live Well is one of the companies that was initially supported by the organ-

President of COWE P Soudhamini

A still from a fashion show organised by COWE

isation and is doing well now,” she says. COWE also helps out ladies from the lower economic strata to help with skill development. “We have workshops that teach women tailoring, beauty treatments, candle making and making jute bags, which will help women make a living by themselves. We have tie-ups with banks in the city so after the workshops, ladies will also be provided with loans so that they don’t need to borrow money from local money lenders to start afresh,” Soudhamini says. Twelve members were represented by the organisation at Vendor Development Programme that was held at Mexico City this month. “We have tie-ups with the UN and international women organisations across the world. Vendor Development Programme is an event that is organised annually by these institutions. Companies like Accenture, Johnson & Johnson and IBM had appeared at the programme and six of the representatives sent by the organisation got contracts from them,” she says. Kudos to COWE for changing the lives of young women by inspiring them and helping them in their ventures.

enied the right to travel without consent from their male guardians and banned from driving, women in Saudi Arabia are now monitored by an electronic system that tracks any cross-border movements. Since last week, Saudi women’s male guardians began receiving text messages on their phones informing them when women under their custody leave the country, even if they are travelling together. The system is meant to be a high-tech version of the "Yellow Slip" law already in place in the country, which forbids women from traveling abroad without male accompaniment and requires a male signature on a yellow sheet of paper in order to leave the country. Talk about women’s movement. The Saudi kingdom has taken it quite literally. Women should be curtailed no matter how many women a man can roam around with. Even a prisoner walks around free within the prison walls but here, this is deplorable. She is not allowed to drive, not allowed to show her face, not allowed to wear clothes of her choice. All she is allowed to do is — submit. Submit to the menfolk, submit to the petty, if not silly whims and fancies of some man in a cloak. Technology has advanced in many spheres, yet the brains of the men in that country remain primitive. While the world is protesting the use of micro-chip tagging in animals, the Saudi Arabian king thinks, this move will earn him brownie points. Everywhere in the world, women are up in arms against issues like eve-teasing, rape, abortion etc but in Saudi Arabia, all a woman can do is raise her arms to pleasure her husband or in submission. It’s a sad state of affairs. Laws are made to protect one’s rights but in this case, laws are made to abuse women. To make the servitude permanent. This century or for the next 10 centuries, for men in Saudi Arabia words like equality and freedom and change will probably be just some letters strung together. Unless...

SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

DEEPAK DESHPANDE

2 1

MUSIC TAKES CONTROL Another edition of FAD nightouts came to an end on Friday. Provogue Epic Night with DJ Piyush was fun and fashionable. The guests dressed in their stylish best grooved to the latest Bollywood chartbusters. Kismet was where the party began.

6 1

Kubra Sait 2 Sunny Anand, Kashish 3 Radhika, Pratika 4 Mamata, Sunil 5 Divya, Rafi 6 Akshat, Varsha 7 Farha Hussain

Saying it with cheese

The members of the Taj Krishna Ladies Club spent an evening dining and talking over cheese at the Pearl Room in Taj Krishna.

DEEPAK DESHPANDE

RELATIONSHIPS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

I AM ALL EARS

am 28. My boyfriend is 30. We both love each other deeply and feel that we are made for each other but sometimes things end being up so complicated that both of us end up busy with our work and rarely find time for each other. We are seriously worried now. Please help.

Dear worried kid, What makes you so sure that you are soulmates? Every relationship begins with a honeymoon period, it's tempting to think you've met your soulmate. But what follows later, I am sure you have understood by now, is your main test. Will they become your soulmate? This takes more than magic or fireworks. So work schedules aside, major efforts from both partners is needed to keep the ship from sinking.

AMY ROSE THOMAS

amyrose.t@postnoon.com

fter arguments revolving around “I need space” and “you have changed”, which seem to last for a lifetime, you make the inevitable decision to move on and say so long to the person whom you thought was the one. A rough breakup is bound to leave a lot of debris in its wake mostly in the form of gifts that your ex gave you when all was well in paradise. For some, these gifts remind them of the good days they spent with their loved ones before things took a turn for the worst. If you have emotional attachment to the stuff that your ex had given you, it would do you good if you would toss them away. However, there are some out there who are expecting the gifts that they bestowed on you back. Should one toss these gifts away or return them back? What is the right breakup etiquette? “I went through a very rough breakup and even though my ex did not demand his gifts back, I thought it would do me good if I returned them back since I wouldn’t have to see them. But my ex refused to take them back and ultimately I was forced to throw them away. I have been regretting throwing away a watch since that day,” student Reshma Patel says. At times, these gifts become part of your life when you get used to them. In such situations, even the thought of tossing these things away will give you panic attacks. “I broke up with my boyfriend two months back. We were in a relationship for three years so obviously we have exchanged a lot of gifts. We had fallen out of love so our breakup was amicable. We never mentioned about returning gifts to each other and we don’t intend to do so too,” media professional Sonia Desai says. However, if you are caught using gifts from your ex your friends mistake you for being still emotional attached with your ex. When Kristen Stewart was spotted wearing Robert Pattinson’s t-shirt after the cheating scandal broke out, media accused her for being hung up on Robert Pattinson. Tabloid decrypted her behaviour and stated that she was guilty for the affair and was trying to keep Robert close to her heart. “When your friends know that you are still using stuff that your ex had once gifted you, they mistake it for your fondness for him. They think that you still harbour feelings for your ex and would not rest until you get rid of the things. At times, it is not about the person but the closeness you develop for things. I was in such a situation when I went through my breakup. My ex returned all the gifts that I had given him. But I couldn’t get myself to return them or toss them. I really like those things and I have gotten used to them. My friends and ex call me crazy for using them but I don’t mind,” IT professional Preeti Dyani says. Gifts are gifts and once a person gives it you, it is yours and you get to keep them. If he gave you a promise or an engagement ring you should return it because it was you who broke the promise, anything else is yours to do. Anything you see fit.

ccording to a University of Arizona study set to be published in a forthcoming issue of Clinical Psychological Science, writing about feelings can actually leave some recently divorced people feeling more distressed. This is especially true for people labeled "high ruminators" — or those who "have a tendency to ruminate on their [failed relationship], brood on their experience and go over it and over it and over it again."

Breakup etiquette Once you made your decision to end your relationship, what does one do with the gifts that you have received from your ex. Is returning these gifts the right thing to do?

CINEMA SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

KVJ is an

intense drama Krish goes full throttle in his third film Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum which is a riveting drama about one man coming to terms with his destiny. HEMANTH KUMAR

hemanth.k@postnoon.com

edemption has been an important subtext in Indian mythology and this act of divine justice in the face of adversity has been the subject of folklore for ages. Krish takes a leaf out of Indian mythology for his latest film Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum which is essentially about one man coming to terms with his destiny. The essence of the film boils down to the protagonist’s journey as he becomes a saviour for hundreds of people who had been suffering in the hands of a mining baron. The film is about B Tech Babu (Rana Daggubati), a reluctant artiste from a Surabhi family, who wants to go to US to study. When his grandfather dies, B Tech Babu goes to Bellary to perform a play, which we are

told was his grandfather’s last wish. In a parallel story, several tribals are forced to abandon their homes when the forest is burnt down by a mining baron Reddappa (Milind Gunaji). Devika (Nayanthara), a documentary filmmaker, comes to Bellary to investigate more about illegal mining and collect evidence against Reddappa. Pretty soon, the lives of B Tech

Movie: Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum Cast: Rana, Nayanthara, Milind Gunaji Directed by: Krish Rating: Babu and Devika intertwine as they take Reddappa head on. Rana Daggubati dazzles throughout the film with his impeccable dialogue delivery on stage and his terrific screen presence is a major asset to the film. Nayanthara

is good in her role as a documentary filmmaker who becomes the driving force in Babu’s life as the latter realises that he needs to take a stand and fight against Reddappa. Krish, who had earlier directed Gamyam and Vedam, has dabbled with an action drama which blends larger issues like illegal mining, displacement of tribals with some well conceived action sequences. Background score by Mani Sharma is spectacular. The dialogues written by Sai Madhav Burra are thought provoking. So what exactly is the film trying to say? Look carefully and you’ll realise that Krish was in fact trying to drive home the point that there’s a god in all of us and that is the bottom line of the film. Go watch it.

Devaraya up for release S

rikanth, Vidisha and Meenakshi Dixit starrer Devaraya is gearing up for release on December 7. The film was earlier supposed to release on November 23; however, it was postponed at the last minute. Nani Krishna has directed the film and Kiran has produced it. Srikanth will be seen in two different roles and the film is a socio fantasy which revolves around the untold story of Sri Krishna Devaraya. Srikanth’s performance as Sri Krishna Devaraya is said to be a major highlight of the film. Chakri has composed the music.

D for Dopidi's first look on December 3

he first look of Sundeep Kishan, Varun Sandesh starrer D for Dopidi is going to be launched on December 3 in Hyderabad. Most part of the film’s shooting has already been wrapped up and a song is going to be shot this weekend. Melanie

Kannokada is playing the female lead in this crime comedy. Siraj is going to make his debut as a director. Raj & DK, who had earlier directed Flavours, 99 and Shor in the City, are producing the film and it’s their debut production in Telugu.

CINEMA SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

Aamir scores a hit Writing and making thrillers is never easy. It has to be gripping, should engage the viewers and has to steer away from predictability. And Reema Kagti’s Talaash scores in all these aspects.

No one is a prop in films: Asin

ollywood actress Asin says it is unfair to call anyone, let alone a heroine, a prop in a male-oriented film. She says whatever the role may be, a heroine plays a part only she can essay in a movie. “I don’t think anybody is a prop (in a film). You need a female protagonist and only she can do the role. So it is not very fair to call anybody a prop,” Asin said. After making her mark in the southern film industry, Asin made her Bollywood debut with Ghajini in 2008. Since then, she has been a part of many successful films like Ready, Bol Bachchan and Housefull 2. “I think I am satisfied with the roles which I have got. They have become hit also. It is not easy to come from south to the north. Otherwise, everyone would be doing it,” she said. Even if any of her films don’t manage to do too well, Asin knows how to take it in her stride. “Only two of my films have had an ensemble cast. I am proud and happy that I did those films as I formed many professional relationships with many stars. I am sure that there are better films ahead,” she added. “I don’t give any guarantee. But it has all been a success so far, thanks to god’s grace. But I have no set formula. I work with teams who I like to work with. I think that is the formula. Generally I select universally appealing and fun scripts,” she IANS said.

alaash has no similarity with Kahaani, a story which has been doing the rounds since the announcement of the film. It’s different as it merges conspiracy, tension and tragedy with a lot of dexterity. Add to it the sharp turn of events, efficient dialogue delivery and of course, the suspense... you have a winner. Aamir Khan plays an investigation officer, Inspector Shekhawat, who is informed about the accident and subsequent death

of a superstar. The case turns into a mission of his own for Inspector Shekhawat when he is forced to reel under the repercussions of a disturbed married life. Facing his own demons becomes difficult. On his quest, Inspector Shekhawat meets a sex worker (Kareena Kapoor), who deepens the mystery. What looks like a simple car accident investigation turns into a haunting mystery. Aamir gives a very restrained performance

Movie: Talaash Cast: Aamir Khan, Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor, Directed by: Reema Kagti and stays away from the stereotype, giving depth to his character. Rani Mukerji delivers a sensitive portrayal of a mother and wife who is just a helpless witness to the problems that are in front

of her. But of the three leading cast, it is Kareena who shines the most. She looks beautiful, in spite of her gaudy outfits, doesn’t overact The movie is dramatic and absorbing. While the cop tries hard to solve the jigsaw puzzle on screen the spectator is equally intrigued by what he/she sees. Score for Reema Kagti and writer Zoya Akhtar. It’s the sort of film that’s extremely tough to pull off, but Reema pulls off the trick with aplomb and composure.

Lot to learn from Ali: Yami Gautam A

ctress Yami Gautam, who will be seen with Ali Zafar in Aman Ki Aasha says she is eagerly waiting to work with the actor-singer as she feels there is a lot to learn from him. “There is a lot to learn from Ali. He is such a fabulous actor. He is an all-rounder. He is a singer, music composer, actor and what not. I am really looking forward to work with him,” Yami said. IANS

CINEMA SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

MUSIC SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

DESTINATION INDIA

t's 2012, the world hasn't ended yet and music fans in India feel like they must be in heaven. The last decade saw Gods of Rock appear on Indian soil. Iron Maiden, Roger Waters, Mark Knopfler, Joe Satriani among others came to the country — superstars who we never thought we'd see perform live in our wildest dreams. But this decade is raining rock stars and musicians of all genre already.

UPCOMING n

and 12 Tickets prices: `1,500, `3,000 and `10,000 n

M.I.A

GIGS

number 1 DJ who headlined the Invasion Festival earlier this year in India with performances in Delhi, Pune and Bangalore is back again. This time around in balmy Goa. Going from the dance loving hordes that turn up for Sunburn each year, they'll probably drop in and make this one big party too. When: December 8 Where: Baga, Goa Tickets for: General `3,250 VIP: `6,500

English called Babaloo. When: January 11 and January 13 Where: Pune, Gurgaon

The turn of the new millennium brought with it, Hybrid Theory, a debut album by an American band that called itself Linkin Park. The album grew into an infectious introduction into modern rock for most youngsters then. This was until everything Chester Bennington sang sounded just as Linkin Park should. But in the end, what really matters is we haven't heard anyone play LP in a while so they're coming down themselves to perform. When: December 13 Where: Mumbai

SNOOP DOGG

Guns N' Roses

Every Indian who has ever stepped into college since the 90s manages to learn two lessons, that are actually songs — Sweet Child of Mine and November Rain. Doesn't matter if your GNR repertoire is limited or you have disco-graphic memory, what's important is 27 years after their birth, the once most dangerous band on earth will perform on Indian soil. After last year's Metallica concert in Bangalore, looks like dreams do come true. Where: Bangalore, Mumbai, Gurgaon When: December 7, 9

There are things about the London Singer-Songwriter M.I.A that those familiar with her music might not necessarily know. Not only can she sing, but she can also paint. Nominated for an Academy Award, two Grammy Awards and the Mercury Prize she actually started her career as a visual artist in 2002. What's more, she'll be part of India's biggest art Festival so far — the Kochi Biennalle in Kerala. A more important fact being shared among ardent fans is that this is her second time in God's own country. The artist recorded the video for her song Sunshowers in the state in 2004. When: December 12 Where: Kochi n DAVID GUETTA After his debut in 2001, the French DJ David Guetta has sold over five million albums around the globe. The world's

Rapping with the dead genius Tupac Shakur at Coachella 2012 is as real as Snoop ever got for us, until now, when he'll appear before us in flesh. The American rapper who also performed in the Akshay Kumar starrer Singh is Kinng is all set for his India visit in January. In typical rapper style he tweeted with even numbers: “Shout out. 2 my peoples in India. U ready 4 tha Lion”. In other exciting news he's also collaborating with Bappi Lahiri for an upcoming single in

LINKIN PARK

More on the anvil Swedish house mafia When: January 20 & 22 Where: Bangalore and Mumbai Testament/ Periphery/Bauchklang When: December 15/16 Where: Bangalore Tickets: Season Tickets: `2,250 per day: `1,500 Tickets for under 21yrs: `999

Concerts we've had so far SEAN PAUL

omeone said it as is. When Grammy award winning reggae singer turned up in our country this year, apart from beautiful people and spicy food, he was keen enough to admit “India is a very polluted place”. Nonetheless, inhaling our poisoned air, the brave singer made his fans groove. Where: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore When: November 2, 3, 4

ENRIQUE IGLESIAS

ome may wonder how, but pop sensation Enrique Iglesias continues to be a rage around the globe having sold 100 million albums. On his stopovers in India, as many as 20,000 fans turned up in the Gurgaon concert and the tickets went up to `15,000. Some may wonder why. Performed in: Pune, Delhi, Bangalore When: October 17, 19, 21

BUDDY GUY/ TAJ M AHAL TRIO/ JOHN LEE HOOKER JR

hat was once thought of as the devil's music was adopted by wiser older people who had corporate jobs and outgrew rock. Following up on the success of last year's Mahindra Blues Festival, the organisers brought to Mumbai stalwarts of the Blues — Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal along with John Lee Hooker Jr. Performed in: Mahindra Blues Festival, Mumbai When: January 2012

OTHERS

WHO PERFORMED THIS YEAR

n n n n n n n n n n n

Slayer Korn Third eye blind Poets of the fall Strings Fat boy Slim Akon Opeth Kreator Megadeth Carlos Santana

CHAI TIME SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

SUDOKU

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.

Play & Win

voucher from VENKEY’S VEG Restaurant, Nampally

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 voucher from VENKEY’S VEG Restaurant, Nampally number 11.

Play & Win

Please send in your filled-in entries to Postnoon, #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033. The winners will be announced on this page in Sunday’s edition.

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Rizzo the Muppet, for one 4 Tests the weight of 9 Banister attachment 14 ___ of Good Feelings 15 Home with white, cold walls 16 Sultanate citizen 17 Roughly one of every two deliveries? 18 Confidence game 19 Biblical passage 20 Live up to expectations 23 Pre-revolutionary goings-on 24 Throw a party for 27 Cheese with a red coat 28 Rival of Harvard 31 ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ deputy sheriff 32 Step to the barre 35 Some hip-hop tunes 37 Base bed 38 Imbibe 41 Sleepytime or gunpowder 43 ‘___ go bragh’ 44 Weather vane dir, sometimes 45 Give a heads-up to 47 Iridescent gem 49 ‘Sphere’ intro 53 Trying experience 55 Reason for disappearing

beaches 58 Confess or blab 61 Having nary a cloud 63 Stressed feet, in poetry 64 ‘Norma ___’ (Sally Field film) 65 Ball girl 66 Braid of hair 67 Play part 68 Companion of liquid and gas 69 Mails away 70 Urgent call at sea DOWN 1 Heroic mission 2 In the neighbourhood

3 Hindu or Buddhist scriptures 4 Euphoric feelings 5 Large white bird 6 Weak, as an excuse 7 Vegan's protein staple 8 Habitual tipplers 9 Exploding stars 10 Come up after a dive 11 Steps before battle? 12 ‘London’ has two 13 Risk growing a long nose, like Pinocchio 21 Largo and allegro 22 Rock-boring tool

25 London lavatory 26 Superlative suffix 29 Rock-concert venue 30 ___ Cruces, NM 33 Put on the feed bag

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

KAKURO

How to play kakuro

– Anne Bradstreet

34 Leisurely walk 36 Earth warmer 38 In-your-face sales tactic 39 Shoot from the ___ 40 Put an end to 41 Dinner date complement 42 ‘In one ___ and out the other’ 46 Man from Katmandu 48 Former finance giant ___ Brothers 50 Pageant toppers 51 Monte Carlo locale 52 Beginnings 54 Made public 56 Increase an auction offer 57 Expiration notices? 59 Bussing quartet 60 Old wives' production 61 Major TV network 62 Zodiac lion

CHAI TIME SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

Aries

Taurus

Queen of Wands

The High Priestess

King of Swords

Ten of Cups

Eight of Pentacles –

Four of Pentacles

ork – Use creative ways to make your work more fun. Use word association games to make interesting connections. Romance – There are times when you cannot believe that you and your partner have come this far. Keep working at it and don’t take it for granted ever. Health – Stay away from the heavy chemical stuff and take only that medication that makes you feel refreshed and confident about your health. Money – If money is your priority you may do well by trying your luck in creative jobs that require you to use your instinct more than logic. Tarot message – Go with the flow and try not to disrupt it by coming too much from the head. Let your heart lead you.

ork – Take up a course to further your career prospects. It will make you more confident about dealing with bigger responsibilities. Romance – You feel like a newcomer to the world of romance every time you fall in love or meet someone interesting. Health – Exercise needs attention. Are you doing the right exercises and the right way? Better to consult a fitness expert before you get on a programme. Money – All is well and you have saved for a rainy day. Now you have the freedom to do what you like and spend on things you enjoy. Tarot message – Work on the tomorrow. Plan for the unknown and make sure there’s space for things you like.

ork – Not everyone is going to be happy with your position in the office. There are some people who will want to take your place. Watch out! Romance – Alone together! This sums up what you need in a relationship. You like your own space and are willing to wait for someone who understands this. Health – You need to let go. By trying to control things too much you run the risk of making everyday simple tasks difficult for yourself. Money – Don’t hold back too much. If you really want to buy something, take the plunge but also ensure you can afford it. Tarot message – By being an over-the-top control freak, you make life boring for yourself and others, too.

Gemini ork – Colleagues envy you your position and also ability to do stuff really well. Be on your guard and don’t get too close to anyone. Romance – You need to feel more and think less in relationships. You cannot have a route map for the way a romance should work. Health – If allopathy is not working for your ailment, go natural. This is a good time to try something completely different. But you need to have faith. Money – Finances are in control as long as you don’t make rash decisions. Do not lend or borrow money. This will ruin your plans. Tarot message – You are an intellectual genius and handling that can be quite a task for you.

Cancer ork – Work-life balance has been hit in the last few months. You need to work actively toward regaining this balance. Romance – Family time! Go out on a short vacation to get quality time with each other. Reconnect. A nature trip will be good. Health – There are minor issues that can be treated efficiently if you do the right things like follow a diet and take the right medicines. Money – You are financially settled and feel that there is enough for all your needs. Don’t take too many risks. Tarot message – There are times when you feel inadequate and feel you can do more. Not a bad time to try the new.

Leo

SUMAA TEKUR tarotreadhyd@gmail.com

Libra

Scorpio

Three of Cups

The High Priestess

ork – Your brain may be seeming rusty, especially if you are asked to work on an area of specialisation that’s familiar but you haven’t worked on it in a while. Romance – Use your head. Sometimes, approaching the problem too much through your heart means you cannot foresee problems. Health – Go for a long walk every day. Find a lake or a nearby water source by which you can walk. Make it a routine. Money – You need to act fast on the long-term financial planning that needs attention. It’s not just for tax saving but for your own good. Tarot message – You have many desires, as do all human beings. Rein in the need for instant gratification and think of the long term.

ork – Make sure you’re covering all the tracks in a project. Do your homework well and check that there are no loopholes. Romance – You need to spend more quality time with your partner. That is the only way you can get to know each other better. Health – You may be feeling moony and a little depressed. Do things that make you happy and hang out with other happy people. Money – Expensive shopping sure makes you feel great for the moment but you end up regretting it when you see the credit card bill. Tarot message – Time is flying like the wind. You need to take stock of things that need to get done and work your way through that list.

Capricorn

King of Pentacles

Two of Pentacles

Five of Wands

ork – Expect a gift from a colleague. It will surprise you and make you wonder if there’s a motive behind it. Romance – It’s a good idea for you and your significant other to join a club – book club, horseriding club – that will make you learn something new together. Health – It’s the monsoon season. It’s tempting to walk in the rain. But you must also be aware of the water-borne infections that might cause harm. Money – On a trip, whether business or personal, take time out to review your expenses. Take good care of your credit cards and cash. Tarot message – You are preparing for the next phase of life and are likely to feel confused about what’s happening to you right now.

ork – Be on your guard and don’t mistake a favour for a mere helpful gesture. Romance – You are confused about love and don’t really know what to expect from it. You may be in love but you miss the heady feeling everyone talks about. Health – Take special care of your hair and skin. You may want to take a course of Vitamin E tablets. It will do you good. Money – Remove the rose-tinted glasses and know that not every investment will bring immediate returns. If it does, there is something wrong with it. Tarot message – You need to bare your heart. Talk to a trusted friend. Or find a counselor and use a session just to talk about your feelings.

ork – A strong plan of action with specific timelines will take the stress out of a work project. You can feel more secure about working it. Romance – You come from a traditional viewpoint that you need to be financially sound before you suggest a romance or date. Health – Sleep hygiene needs attention. If you’re having trouble sleeping, don’t ignore it. Get help and do the right things. Money – Keep some money aside to do the things you like – like travelling, gardening, reading, etc. it will make your free time more worthwhile. Tarot message – Money is the foundation of all your thoughts and actions. Let it not lead all you actions.

Date 2-12-2012

Sagittarius ork –Treat your time in each office like a journey on the road. It will never go at the same speed you want it to. Romance – How about a surprise for your loved one? Cook a meal and have a candlelight dinner with conversations. Health – Watch the intake of meat or heavy, processed foods that are difficult to digest. You need to check on the diet every now and then. Money – Size up your investments and do what’s needed to minimise the loss to you, by way of tax saving or other means. Tarot message – You meet people with similarities and find it interesting to know like-minded people. There are all kinds on this earth. Keep an open mind.

Virgo

Aquarius

Pisces Queen of Cups

ork – You need to stay calm and cool while dealing with difficult subordinates. They may test your patience a little too much. Romance – You can sing your way into your partner’s heart, simply because he/she is not listening to your voice but the emotion behind the effort you put in. Health – Take note of your calcium intake. A glass of milk everyday or every other day is a good idea. Money – You look for easy solutions to your tax troubles. Consult an advisor before you make any decisions about where to put your money. Tarot message – Your heart rules over your head. You’re tempted to throw logic out of the window. Not a bad idea, actually.

Vol: 2, No 135 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 040-40672222, Fax: 040-40672211

THE SATURDAY QUIZ SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

IN THE NEWS

9. Which place is called the Paris of South America? 10. In what year did the classic Nintendo game The Legend of Zelda debut? 11. Who stole the Queen of Hearts' tarts? 12. Which place is the Vegas of the East? 13. In which country do the

Yanomami people mostly live? 14. Name the group that Lionel Ritchie left to pursue a solo career? 15.Which famous all-girl group was originally called The Primettes? 16. What is the origin of the word magazine?

DO YOU KNOW YOUR DAVIDS?

CURRENT AFFAIRS

1 2 3 4 5

Which animal in Poland has been known to read at least 50 pages of Pride and Prejudice before sleeping?

Answers

famous for directing which movie trilogy? 6. Who co-created the UNIX operating system in 1969 with Ken Thompson? 7. What is the opposite of Oriental? 8. Which is the monolith shaped liked the Washington Monument?

1.Sylvester 2. Phil Zimmerman 3.Body Building 4.Hexagon 5.The Matrix 6. Dennis Ritchie 7. Occidental 8. Obelisk 9. Buenos Ares 10 1986 11. The Knave of Hearts 12. Macau 13. Brazil 14. The Commodores 15. The Supremes 16. A place for storing goods, especially military ammunition’. It can be traced back to the Arabic makhazin, ‘storehouse’, from the verb khazana ‘to store up.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

TEST YOURSELF WHOSE LAST WORDS WERE THESE?

1 2

Oh Wow. Wow. Oh Wow. Oh Wow. Don’t worry, they don’t usually swim backwards.

Who is the author of the book Durbars?

3 4 5 6 7

Which Australian cricketer announced his retirement from International games recently?

Money can’t buy life

One last drink, please

Which hugely successful video game celebrated its 40th anniversary recently? (It was from the Attari stable.)

I love you, Mum I am bored with it all

The Economist Intelligence Unit recently conducted a research according to which one country emerged as the best place to be born in the world in 2013. Name the country.

I know you have come to kill me. Shoot coward, you are only going to kill a man.

Go on, get out - last words are for fools who haven't said enough.

1 An Oranguatan 2. Tavleen Singh 3. Ricky Ponting 4. Pong, 5.Switzerland

Answers

I'll finally get to see Marilyn.

Where did India unveil the Aakash 2 tablet and who did the honours?

Which waterbody separates the Andaman Islands from the Nicobar Islands ?

with Santosh Ghule Which of these wheels will land you the fortune sooner?

Answer for 42:

Nepali', 'Lepcha', 'Bhutia' and 'Limbu' are the main spoken languages of which Indian state ?

PICTURE PUZZLE 43

There are neither black nor white dots; it’s only an illusion.

Which south Indian ruler was a member of Jacobin Club, the largest and most powerful political club of the French Revolution, and planted the tree of 'Liberty' outside his palace ?

Answers: 1 David Petraus 2.David Blaine 3. David Schwimmer 4.David Letterman

WHO AM I? Many considered me one of the most prolific authors of the 20th century. I wrote numerous fictional romantic novels and have a place in the record books for writing 26 books in the year 1983. Who am I?

Answer : Barbara Cartland

Answers:

KNOW YOUR COUNTRY

1.Steve Jobs 2.Steve Irwin 3.Bob Marley 4 .Jack Daniels 5.Amy Winehouse 6. Winston Churchill 7.Ernesto’Che’ Guevara 8.Karl Marx 9. Joe DiMaggio

1. Who is the puddy tat being referred to in "I tawt I taw a puddy tat"? 2. Who created Pretty good Privacy? 3. Mr. Olympia is a competition in what activity? 4. What is the name for a sixsided polygon? 5. The Wachowskis are most

1 It was unveiled at the UN by Secretary General Ban ki -Moon 2. The ten degree channel 3. Tipu Sultan 4. Sikkim

Answers

SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

Manoj, Rohit eye Test spots

engal captain Manoj Tiwary and his Mumbai counterpart Rohit Sharma are eyeing spots in the Indian middle-order which has opened up following the retirement of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman even as they are focusing on their current jobs in the Ranji Trophy. “I think I am performing really well. Definitely I am looking for a berth in the Test side,” Tiwary said.

Arjun Atwal drops to 44th

Stefanova strikes back

rjun Atwal was cruising nicely at four-under through 16 holes before he hit back-to-back bogeys to drop dramatically in the third round of the six-round Final Stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School. He was at that stage 10-under and in top-20 of the leaderboard but dropped from tied 31st to tied 44th, but still has a chance to make the PGA Tour card for ‘13.

ntoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria struck back and levelled the score against Anna Ushenina of Ukraine in the fourth game of the World women’s chess championship. The comeback victory not only ensured that she would remain in the match but would also force a tiebreaker of games of shorter duration in which Stefanova starts as a favourite once again.

Windsor Manor for Speaker’s Cup Hyderabad: M. Sathyanarayan trained Windsor Manor which comfortably won her last run here, will be fancied in The Speaker’s Cup, the feature event of Sunday’s afternoon races here at Malakpet. 1st Race: The King Rama Plate (Div-II) (about) 1600 Metres, Cat-III. A handicap for horses, 3 year olds and upward, rated upto 12-45 P.M. 1 Itsy Bitsy 60 (Netto) A Imran Khan 8 2 Kohinoor Adhira 60 (A Sharma) Ajit kUmar 3 3 Three Double Eight 60 (Z Shaikh) MFAlikhan 1 4 Foudre Rouge 59 (Prasad R) B Shinde 5 5 Anagalekha 58 (A Sharma) Laxmikant 7 6 Salvadore 57.5 (Vatsalya) Ravinder Singh 10 7 Royal Bird 56 (Fayaz) AK Pawar 6 8 Juliet 54.5 (Satheesh) 90K Anil 2 9 Max Baby 53.5 (Hassan) M Mark 9 10 Golden Star 50 (Srinivas) A Ramana 4 Selections: 1 Foudre Rouge 2 Three Double Eight 3 Itsy Bitsy 2nd Race: The Mica Empress Cup (about) 2200 Metres, Cat-II. A handicap for horses, 3 year olds and upward, rated upto 75. 1-15 P.M. 1 Westminister 62 (Vatsalya) N Rawal 1 2 Flying Spur 57.5 (S.Abbas) A ImranKhan 6 3 Speedtosucceed 54.5 (A Sharma) Ajit Kumar 4 4 Vijays Champ 53 (Deshmukh) PS Chouhan 2 5 Handsome Hawk 52 (Fayaz) Ravinder Singh 5 6 Shades Of Victory 51.5 (A Sharma) Nitin Singh 3 Selections: 1 Vijays Champ 2 Westminister 3 Handsome Hawk 3rd Race: The Corden Rouge Plate (about) 1100 Metres, Cat-II. Terms for Maiden horses 2 year olds only. 1-45 P.M. 1 Fairy Emperor 55 (Hassan) FF Da Silva 2 2 Ciel Blu 53.5 (S Abbas) Ch K chary 3 3 Golden Art 53.5 (Vatsalya) Ajit Kumar 4 4 Lucy Diamond 53.5 (Srinivas) P S Chouhan 5 5 Trustful 53.5 (Satheesh) K Anil 1 Selections: 1 Ciel Blu 2 Golden Art 4th Race: The Chirala Cup (about) 1600 Metres, Cat-III. A handicap for horses, 3 year olds and upward, rated upto 50. 2-15 P.M. 1 Chemeli 60 (N Rao) G Sai Vamshi 8 2 Exclusive 59 (D’Silva) Kuldeep Singh 2 3 Maharadhi 58 (Silvester) AK Pawar 5 4 Wolverton 53.5 (S’narayan) K Alam 4 5 Fortunate 52.5 (Prasad R) N Rawal 6 6 August Kranti 51.5 (Laxman S) Harinder Singh 9 7 Silver Cruise 50.5 (Netto) P S Chouhan 1 8 Architect 50 (Srinagesh) NitinSingh 7 9 Energetic Lass 49.5 (A Sharma) Laxmikant 3

Selections: 1 Fortunate 2 Wolverton 3 Excluisve 5th Race: The Onnu Onnu Onnu Plate (Div-I) (about) 1200 Meres, Cat-II. A handicap for horses, 3 year olds and upward, rated upto 75. 2-45 P.M. 1 Silver Crown 61.5 (S’narayan) S John 2 2 Star Saloni 60.5 (Netto) Sreekant 5 3 Ice Lolly 55.5 (D’Silva) PS chouhan 12 4 Vijaysheel 54 (Deshmukh) Togrolu 13 5 Phenomenal Speed 52.5 (S’suddin) PSai Kumar 6 6 Compromise 52 (Satheesh) K Anil 7 7 Bribe Madi 51.5 (Srinagesh) NitinSingh 11 8 Golden Jewel 51.5 (Vatsalya) Ajit Kumar 1 9 Sweet Candy 51.5 (Satheesh) B Dileep 10 10 Prince Prashant 51 (D’Silva) Kuldeep Singh 4 11 Cannon Ten 50.5 (PrasadR) N Rawal 9 12 Kohinoor Destiny 50 (A Sharma) G Sai Sai Vamshi 8 13 Sivler Liner 49.5 (Fayaz) Laxmikant 3 Selections: 1 Silver Crown 2 Prince Prashant 3 Star Saloni 6th Race: The Hi-Tech Plate ( Div-I) (about) 1000 Metres, Cat-III. A handicap for horses, 4 year olds and upward, rated utpo 50. 3-15 P.M. 1 Flowers Of Music 61.5 (Srinivas) A Ramana 5 2 Queen Of Habashe 61 (Hassan) A ImranKhan 6 3 Victorous Sally 58.5 (Kassam) S Nayak 4 4 Part Time Lover 58 (Satheesh) K Anil 1 5 A Horizontal Urge 54 (A Sharma) Ravinder Singh 3 6 Zulu Punch 53 (Vatsalya) NRawal 7 7 Smashing Beauty 52 (Kassam) Ch K Chary 8 8 Art Connoisseur 50.5 (Fayaz) B Dileep 2 Selections: 1 Flowers Of Music 2 Smashing Beauty 3 Queen Of Habashe 7th Race: The Speaker’s Cup (about) 1200 Metres, Cat-I. (Sweepstakes) A handicap for horses, 3 year olds and upward. 3-45 P.M. 1 Alexander Square 61.5 (Netto) A Imran Khan 12 2 Windsor Manor 59.5 (S’narayan) S John 6 3 Days Of Thunder 57 (Prasad R) P Sai Kumar 17 4 Guiding Light 56 (N Rao) G Sai Vamshi 13 5 Genius Empress 54.5 (Fayaz) K Anil 3 6 Surya Lakshmi 54.5 (Srinivas) P S Chouhan 14 7 Walnut Creek 54.5 (D’Silva) S Nayak 16 8 Melody Queen 54 (Prasad R) FFDa Silva 9 9 Anacostias 53 (D’Silva) Kuldeep Singh 11 10 Royal Shaan 52.5 (Kassam) Ch K Chary 1 11 Young Soldier 52.5 (S Abbas) Togrolu 2

12 Greek Fire 52 (Silvester) Ravinder Singh 13 Alberton Star 50 (Prasad R) N Rawal 14 Drayton 49.5 (Netto) Harinder Singh 15 Aphrodisiac 49 (S Abbas) Laxmikant 16 Bloody Mary 49 (D’Silva) AK Pawar 17 Don Valentino 49 (S Abbas) B Shanker 18 Splendid Act 49 (Hassan) J Vikas Selections: 1 Windsor Manor 2 Alexander Square 3 Royal Shaan

8th Race: The Onnu Onnu Onnu Plate (Div-II) (about) 1200 Metres, Cat-II. A handicap for horses, 3 year olds and upward, rated upto 75. 4-15 P.M. 1 Garibaldi 61 (D’Silva) Kuldeep Singh 10 2 Handsome Hunk 56 (Satheesh) Deep Shanker 1 3 Street Magic 55 (S’narayan) P S Chouhan 11 4 Audacious 53.5 (Netto) Sreekant 5 5 Shatakshi 52.5 (A Sharma) Laxmikant 3 6 Kohinoor Pride 52 (Vatsalya) Ajit Kumar 8 7 Cannon Law 51.5 (Prasad R) N Rawal 6 8 Sheridan 51.5 (Fayaz) Ravinder Singh 2 9 Elegant Approach 51 (Prasad R) B Shanker 13 10 Hurricane Dancer 51 (S Abbas) Ch K chary 4 11 Any Given Time 50.5 (S’narayan) Togrolu 12 12 Attenborough 50 (Fayaz) AK Pawar 7 13 Rich And Famous 49.5 (Satheesh) NitinSingh 9 Selections: 1 Street Magic 2 Garibaldi 3 Audacious 9th Race: The Hi-Tech Plate (Div-II) (about) 1000 Metres, Cat-III. A handicap for horses, 4 year olds and upward, rated upto 50. 4-545 P.M. 1 Sun Bird 61.5 (Netto) A Imran Khan 1 2 Cannon Ace 59.5 (Prasad R) Ajit Kumar 3 3 Betty Prior 58 (S’narayan) S John 4 4 Buck Knife 54.5 (Vatsalya) AK Pawar 2 5 Commanche Gold 53.5 (Prasad R) P Sai Kumar 7 6 Ziv 53 (Srinagesh) NitinSingh 6 7 Over Taker 51 (Kassam) Ch K Chary 5 8 Home Coming 50.5 (Satheesh) Ravinder Singh 8 Selections: 1 Betty Prior 2 Ziv 3 Over Taker Days Best:Windsor Manor Jackpot Race Nos:5,6,7,8, and 9 1st treble Race Nos;1,2 and 3 2nd Treble Race Nos:4,5 and 6 3rd Treble Race Nos:7,8 and 9 Tanala Pool WillOperate On all races Where There Are Five Or More Starters. False Rails Are up.

Ceremonious, Valentine drum in HYDERABAD: Ceremonious, Valentine, Sweety Girl and Precisely That caught the eye when the horses were exercised at the Malakpet racecourse in the City this morning. Sand track 800 metres Aegis (Joshi) 58, 600/44 Moved well. Precisely That (Togrolu) 58, 600/44 Moved on the bit. Dauntless (rb) 58, 600/43 Moved well. Queens Necklace

(Sreekant) 1-0, 600/45 Easy. Kohinoor Vikrant (Ajit Kumar) 1-2.5, 600/47 Easy. Inspirig Tunes (Sai Vamshi) Field Smasher (rb) 59, 600/44 Former finished in front. Racing Ruby (rb) 1-2, 600/46 Easy. Sweety Girl (M Mark) 58, 600/44 Moved freely. Strking Gold (app) Green Gift (rb) 59, 600/44 Former finished in front. Stolen Date (rb) Sprint Saloni (app) 1-1, 600/45 They finished

together. Symbol Of Victory (Laxmikant) Rose Queen (rb) 57.5, 600/43 They finished together. Rustic Gal (Imran Khan) Elenor (Sreekant) 1-3, 600/46.5 They moved freely. Ice Mountain (Anil) 57.5, 600/44 Moved well. Hurricane Dancer (Kiran Naidu) 1-2.5, 600/45 Easy. Sand track 1000 metres Smrithiman (app) 1-17, 800/1-3, 600/48 Easy. Valentine (rb) 1-12,

5 18 4 8 7 15 10

800/58, 600/44 Moved well. Dark Avanger (Imran Khan) 1-18.5, 800/1-2.5, 600/47 Un-extended. Sand track 1200 metres The Leader (Kiran Naidu) 1-32.5, 1000/1-16, 800/1-0, 600/45 Moved freely. Meri Merzi (app) 1-33.5, 1000/1-18.5, 800/1-3.5,600/48 Easy. Ceremonious (Imran Khan) Daniella (Sreekant) 1-28.5, 1000/1-13, 800/57.5, 600/42.5 Former finished in front.

League Cricket A-division two days Saleemnagar 286 (Md Khaled 81, Jaffar Bakara 51, Shaik Dadar 58, Ahmed Aksari 39, Syed Muzzamil 5 for 71, Mirza Maqbool Baig 4 for 66) bt CCOB 263 (Shabaz Khan 55, Mohd Faiyaz Khan 83, Ahmed Aksari 5 for 66)

SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

Flintoff comes off canvas to win fight Chris McKenna

MANCHESTER: Former England cricket captain Andrew Flintoff came off the canvas to mark his professional boxing debut with a points win over American heavyweight Richard Dawson on Friday. The 34-year-old was floored in the second round of a lively affair but after dominating the other three rounds had his hand rightly raised in victory on a score of 39-38 on the referee’s scorecard. It was a deserved win for the former England and Lancashire fast-bowling all-rounder who dropped three-and-a-half stone to weigh in at 15st 6lb for his first foray into boxing after a five-month training camp with former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan. “As a personal achievement, this tops the lot,” said Flintoff, who won two Ashes series during his cricket career. “The crowd made a massive difference tonight. I’ll appreciate I was sloppy at times, but it was a humbling moment.” Flintoff, who was perceived as overweight during his days playing cricket, certainly took the training seriously for this as he looked in much better shape than his American opponent in the four-round clash. The unbeaten Dawson did not have much more experience in the ring himself with just two previous outings against opponents without wins, and he gave away five inches to the taller Flintoff while carrying in almost an extra two stone in weight. Around 5,000 fans turned up at the Manchester Arena -including a mix of boxing fans, those who followed Flintoff ’s cricket career and some who were just intrigued to find out how an ex-cricketer could get on in the boxing world.

Former England cricketer turned professional boxer Andrew Flintoff (R) fights US boxer Richard Dawson (L) in their heavyweight boxing bout at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England on Friday. Flintoff won the fight on points (39–38) to score a victory in his first professional bout. AFP/ ANDREW YATES Some of Flintoff ’s former England team-mates, including Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison amongst others, were ringside to see the man more known for knocking wickets down than fighters, The 34-year-old entered the ring in a Lancashire cricket shirt but it was a walk very different to the one he used to make from the pavilion to the crease, this time the roped-off ring awaited him after Dawson had entered to a chorus of boos. Flintoff looked confident as he stared down the American and soaked up the applause. The former cricketer was rightly awarded the win and the supporters went wild in approval for his successful debut.

Rachel Flintoff applauds husband Andrew Flintoff from the ringside.

Pulls his punches over future in ring Chris McKenna

MANCHESTER, UK: Andrew Flintoff will take his time before deciding if he will continue boxing after his successful heavyweight debut against American Richard Dawson. The former England cricket captain beat Dawson 39-38 on points after a lively affair in front of 5,000 raucous fans at the Manchester Arena, but only after being knocked down in the second round of the four-round contest. The 34-year-old said he will wait until after Christmas before deciding if he will continue his foray into the paid-ranks of boxing. “I really enjoyed it. I said at the start that I knew I was starting at a novice level,” said the former England allrounder, who sported a black eye in his post-fight news conference. “I want some time off, have a nice Christmas. After Christmas I will start to decide what to do. It is quite fresh, still quite raw what happened.” Flintoff had been accused in some boxing quarters of demeaning the sport by thinking he could just casually walk into the professional ranks. But that did not stop former team-mates, Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison, being at ringside to see the man who was twice an Ashes winner during his cricket career. Flintoff entered the ring wearing the shirt of his county team, Lancashire.

AFP/ AY

Ferrari end pursuit of Vettel case LONDON: Sebastian Vettel’s status as the youngest triple champion in Formula One history was confirmed on Friday when Ferrari dropped its probe into the German driver’s conduct at the Brazilian Grand Prix. The Italian giants wanted clarification into a contentious overtaking manoeuvre performed by the Red Bull driver on the fourth lap of the rain-lashed, season-ending race at Interlagos last weekend. Vettel finished sixth while title rival Fernando Alonso was

second as the German claimed the title by just three points. World governing body, the FIA, said Friday that out of courtesy to Ferrari, they had looked into the overtaking move and had declared Vettel to have acted within the rules. “The FIA has replied to Scuderia Ferrari stating that as the overtaking was not in breach of the regulations, and therefore there was no infringement to investigate, it was not reported to the Stewards by Race Control,” said an FIA statement.

Ferrari then declared that they would not pursue their query. “Ferrari duly takes note of the reply sent by the FIA and therefore considers the matter now closed,” said a Ferrari statement quoted by autosport.com. “The request for a clarification from the FIA, regarding Vettel’s passing move on JeanEric Vergne, came about through the need to shed light on the circumstances of the move, which came out on the Internet only a few days after the race,” added the Ferrari.

SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

Steyn leads SA fightback

PERTH, AUSTRALIA: South Africa struck back with a vengeance on the second day of the third and final Test against Australia at the WACA Ground on Saturday. Defending just 225 after winning the toss and electing to bat on the opening day, the Proteas claimed four early wickets on the second day to tear the heart out of Australia’s top order. At lunch, Australia was struggling at 118 for seven in reply, with wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade offering the lone resistance for the home side with a counter-attacking 60 not out, including three sixes. Test newcomer John Hastings was on two. Resuming at 33-2, the home team collapsed dramatically in

the opening 30 minutes of play as pace bowler Dale Steyn (4-33) rediscovered his best form in a stunning spell. In his first over of the day, Steyn removed careless opener David Warner, caught behind for 13 when he slashed at a wide delivery, despite the Australian asking for the decision to be reviewed. Steyn then removed night watchman Nathan Lyon three balls later for seven, caught at gully by Faf du Plessis. Champion batsman Ricky Ponting strode to the crease to huge applause in his final Test, but lasted just over 10 minutes before being trapped lbw by Vernon Philander (2-41), another Australian decision review failing.

Australian skipper Michael Clarke’s golden run of form came to an end when he became Steyn’s fourth victim, caught behind for just five from a searing delivery. The home team was 45-6, having lost four wickets for just 11 runs. It would have been 45-7 had Hashim Amla’s throw at the stumps from mid-off, with Wade well out of his crease and having given up the cause, been a direct hit. After that near-miss, Wade and Hussey steadied the ship for Australia by putting on 55 runs, before Morne Morkel (1-13) found the outside edge of Hussey’s bat and had him caught at first slip by Graeme Smith for AFP 12.

McDowell seizes three shot lead at Sherwood Rebecca Bryan

THOUSAND OAKS, CALIFORNIA: Graeme McDowell got off to a hot start on a cool, damp day Friday, finishing with seven birdies in a six-under 66 for a three-shot lead in the Tiger Woodshosted World Challenge. Northern Ireland’s McDowell had a 36-hole total of nine-under 135 at Sherwood Country Club, where 18 golfers are chasing a first prize of $1 million from the total purse of $4 million. Bo Van Pelt, Jim Furyk and Keegan Bradley shared second on 138. Van Pelt posted a 68 while Furyk and Bradley both carded 69s. Woods, who hosts the unofficial event for the benefit of his charitable foundation, thrust himself into contention with a run of four birdies in five holes starting at the ninth. But he lost some traction with his second bogey of the day at 15 and signed for a three-under 69 for 139. “I certainly hit the ball a lot better than I did yesterday, made a couple more putts,” said Woods, who added that “a nice little groove hitting irons” was the key to his run.

Graeme McDowell waves his ball during the World Challenge on Friday. AFP

Otherwise, Woods said the conditions on the rain-softened course were “tricky”. “The greens were so soft, and we had to hit so much club to try and take the spin off the ball ... but you know, all the par-fives were reachable with good drives, and a couple of pins you could use slopes to get the ball close.” McDowell won this tournament in 2010, capping an outstanding season that included his US Open triumph up the Pacific coast at Pebble Beach. He hasn’t won since, and admitted it would be nice to punctuate a season in which he finished equal second at the US Open and tied for fifth at the British Open with a win -- even in a non-tour tournament. “I would love to compete and play well this weekend, you know, really to kind of put a little icing on what’s been a mediocre year,” he said. “Despite the fact that I feel like I’ve played some decent golf this year, I really don’t have a lot to show for myself, and this would be a nice way to finish.” That said, McDowell said he wouldn’t put any pressure on himself, also cautioning that the course could yield plenty of low scores at the weekend. AFP

Scorecard: South Africa 1st Innings: 225 Australia 1st Innings (overnight 33 for 2) D. Warner c de Villiers b Steyn 13 E. Cowan c Kallis b Steyn 0 S. Watson lbw b Philander 10 N. Lyon c du Plessis b Steyn 7 R. Ponting lbw Philander 4 M. Clarke c de Villiers b Steyn 5 M. Hussey c Smith b Morkel 12 M. Wade not out 60 J. Hastings not out 2 Extras: (lb5) 5 Total: (7 wickets; 36 overs) 118 Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-18, 3-34, 435, 5-43, 6-45, 7-100. Bowling: Steyn 12-4-33-4 Philander 12-0-41-2 Morkel 8-4-13-1 Peterson 4-0-26-0

Spurs fined for resting stars NEW YORK: NBA commissioner David Stern slapped the San Antonio Spurs with a $250,000 fine after the club rested a number of their top players in a game against the Miami Heat on Thursday. Stern ruled that coach Gregg Popovich’s decision not to have Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Danny Green make the trip to Florida was in violation of league policy against resting players “in a manner contrary to the best interests of the NBA.” The Spurs said they needed a rest because they were playing for the fourth time in five days in the finale of a six-game, nine-day road trip. Despite being without four of its top five scorers, San Antonio’s motley crew of bench warmers led 92-85 against the defending NBA champion Heat with under five minutes to go before Miami woke up to win 105-100. “The result here is dictated by the totality of the facts in this case,” said Stern. “The Spurs decided to make four of their top players unavailable for an earlyseason game that was the team’s only regular-season visit to Miami. “The team also did this without informing the Heat, the media, or the league office in a timely way. Under these circumstances, I have concluded that the Spurs did a disservice to the league and our fans.” AFP

Dons face Dons in grudge match Ian Winrow

MILTON KEYNES: The depth of ill-feeling between English lower-league teams MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon will be evident in the boardroom even before the clubs’ first ever meeting in the FA Cup on Sunday. Both clubs trace their roots back to Wimbledon, winners of the cup in 1988, but the decision of AFC chairman Erik Samuelson to snub the offer of

pre-match drinks confirms this will be no reunion of old friends. Instead, Samuelson and his fellow directors will be seated amongst the travelling fans, although for a long time it appeared the visitors section would remain empty, until AFC supporters decided against a boycott of the tie. Even now, there are reports away fans are planning to attend the second-round match wearing radiation suits to avoid “contamination” from

MK Dons vs AFC Wimbledon on Dec 2 at 5.55pm IST on ESPN HD the club they despise. The bitter divide can be traced back to 2002 when, with Wimbledon in dire financial trouble, the Football Association sanctioned plans to move the south London club 56

miles north to Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire. AFC Wimbledon were formed as a reaction to the move and began life in the lower tiers of English nonleague football, but returned to the Football League after five promotions in eight years. Now in League Two, the fourth tier of English football, they will finally confront opponents dubbed “Franchise FC” by their fans in a game almost everybody connected with AFC

hoped would never happen. MK Dons — the club’s continued use of Wimbledon’s nickname, the Dons, is another bitter point of contention — are in League One, but from AFC’s point of view, this game represents much more than the chance to pull off a mere giantkilling. The old Wimbledon served up one of the biggest shocks in FA Cup final history when they beat the mighty Liverpool thanks to Lawrie Sanchez’s header 24 years ago.

SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

Don’t write Chelsea off too soon, warns Mancini The City manager believes The Blues can bounce back in the Premier League.

MANCHESTER, UK: Roberto Mancini (right), the Manchester City manager, believes Chelsea could still have a say in the Premier League title race despite the club’s problems and change of management. Rafael Benitez has taken charge at Stamford Bridge, starting his reign with successive goalless draws, including one against Mancini’s defending champions. The appointment of the Spaniard has also been met by disapproval from large sections of Chelsea supporters and the mid-week fixtures saw their club fall seven points behind current league leaders Manchester United. However, Mancini, whose side go into the weekend fixtures with a six-point cushion over third-place Chelsea, is not yet ready to count them out of the title race. “I don’t think it is a twohorse race,” said Mancini. “Because also we are near

there are three teams. But I repeat we have another 25, 26 games. It is too long to say. “Last year, in six games we recover eight points. Teams like Tottenham and Arsenal can recover these points in the next 25 games, but it is difficult to say

TODAY’S FIXTURES West Ham Utd Vs Chelsea ESPN 23.45 (Sat) Arsenal Vs Swansea City ESPN 02.00 (Sun) Liverpool Vs Southampton Star Sports 02.00 (Sun) Manchester City Vs Everton ESPN HD 02.00 (Sun) the top, but it is difficult to say this because the season is long and in February, when we start the Champions League, everything can change. I think Chelsea could win the league. “At this moment, I think

this now.” Meanwhile, Mancini has admitted that he fears losing three of his first-team squad to international duty for the Africa Cup of Nations, which takes place in South Africa from

January 19 to February 10. The Ivory Coast are expected to call up brothers Kolo and Yaya Toure, plus City fringe player Abdul Razak, for the tournament. “If we lost Yaya and Kolo and maybe Abdul -- who has not played a lot of games here, but maybe in January could be important -- if we have two or three players injured and we don’t have other players, I hope that they don’t go to this competition,” he said. “We talk and we need to talk more with their (international) manager, but it is difficult.” Mancini has been impressed by his club’s recent defensive form, following a run that has seen them concede just one goal in their last six league games. The sequence has coincided with young Serbian defender Matija Nastasic performing so well at centre-back that he has kept England’s Joleon Lescott AFP out of the line-up.

Monaco confirm interest

MONACO: AS Monaco are

interested in signing former England captain David Beckham (above), the second-tier French club’s chief executive TorKristian Karlsen told local media on Friday. “Our team is very young. If we’re lucky enough to attract a player to Monaco with such charisma, such a competitive spirit and who is physically in form it would be terrific,” Karlsen told a newspaper. The Norwegian also told: “We have a very young team who could benefit from a player of his (Beckham’s) stature, experiAFP ence and personality.