Postnoon E-Paper for 02 April 2012 by Scribble Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

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BLACK DIAMONDS FOR FERGIE

MINORITIES ARE SAFE WHEN TDP RULES: BABU

In Las Vegas celebrating her 37th birthday, singer Fergie partied through the night with husband Josh Duhamel and close friend NeYo. In addition to throwing the party for her, Duhamel also bought her black diamonds.

TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu talks exclusively to us about conspiracies, communalism and thieving politicos. P5 Hyderabad’s first compact afternoon newspaper

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CONSTABLE SHOOTS SELF AT SECRETARIAT In a shocking incident, an SPF constable on duty at the Secretariat tried to commit suicide by shooting himself. He is currently recovering at Apollo Hospital. REPORT ON PG 3

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MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012 HYDERABAD

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JUSTICE KALIFULLA SWORN IN AS SC JUDGE Justice Fakir Muhammad Ibrahim Kalifulla was today sworn in as a Supreme Court judge, raising the strength of the apex court to its full strength of 26.

Page Two

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

Spirit of Twin Cities

WATCH YOUR STEP

Womanhood A painting exhibition by Priyanka Poogalia is being held at Beyond Coffee. Where: Beyond Coffee, Jubilee Hills, Rd No 36 When: Ongoing 11 am onwards Contact: (040) 2354 5359

SRINIVAS SETTY

Senior citizens exhibition

History is served

The Siri Institute of Painting is hosting a painting exhibition for senior citizens. 50 per cent of the amount collected from the exhibition will be donated to the poor and old handloom museums. Where: Hotel Marriott, Tank Bund When: March 31- April 4, 10am to 8pm

Truffles Cafe presents History is served a special themed weekend menu. Where: Truffles Cafe, Jubilee Hills, Rd No 10 When: Ongoing, 8am -11pm Contact: (040) 23550105

Miniature traditions Miniature Traditions — An Artistic Endeavor, will be held at Alankritha Art Gallery. Where: Alankritha Art Gallery, Kavuri Hills, Madhapur When: March 24 - April 4, 11 am onwards Contact: (040) 2311 3709

Silk expo The National Silk Expo is being held at Sri Sathya Sai Nigmagamam from March 31- April 6. Catch an exclusive collection of traditional and designer materials and sarees with fabrics such as Tussar, Chanderi, Kotha, Jamdani etc. Where: Sri Sathya Sai Nigmagamam, Sri Nagar Colony When: Ongoing Contact: 93688 82225

Salt of the earth An exhibition of paintings by Tailor Srinivas titled Salt of the Earth is being held at Iconart Gallery. The exhibition is on till March 5. Where: Iconart Gallery, Banjara Hills, Rd No 12 When: Ongoing, 11.30 am onwards Contact: 98499 6879

New conceptualist Catch an exhibition of paintings by Sujatha Basu at Muse Art Gallery. Where: Muse Art Gallery, Tank Bund When: Ongoing, 11am onwards Contact: (040) 2752 2999

Exhibition and sale

When: Ongoing, 12 pm to 3.30pm Contact: (040) 6666 3939

An exhibition and sale of 90 master designers is being held at Kamma Sangham. Pick up designer kurtis and blouses, imitation jewellery, accessories and much ore. The exhibition is on till today. Where: Kamma Sangham Hall, Ameerpet When: Ongoing, 10 am to 9pm Contact: 72072 56086

Wraps and rolls

Show and tell

Asian barbeque The Square, Novotel, Madhapur plays host to an Asian barbeque. Sample grilled specialities from around the world — from Lebanese to Japanese. Where: The Square, Novotel, Madhapur When: Every Saturday, 7pm onwards Contact: (040) 6682 4422

Unique buffet Yellow Chilli is offering a lunch buffet which is truly different. The Buffet which costs `199 (Monday to-Friday) and `249 (Saturday and Sunday). The dinner buffet costs `299 and `349. Where: Yellow Chilli, Banjara Hills, Rd No 12 When: Ongoing Contact: (040) 2338 3838

Acting workshop Samahaara — an acting and dancing workshop is being held to help you hone your acting skills. The workshop focusses on theatre related topics.

CINEMAS

leisure destination for you to unwind. There is also great music, martinis and aperitifs. Where: The Westin, Mindspace, Madhapur When: Monday - Friday, 5pm - 10.30pm Weekends, 8am - 10.30pm Contact: (040) 6767 6828

Where: The Actor’s studio, Madhapur When: Ongoing, 7pm to 9pm Contact: 98854 04784

Combo platters Deli 9 is offering Combo Platters in it’s lunch and dinner menu. Taste various salad and sandwich combos also. Where: Deli 9, Banjara Hills, Rd No1 When: Ongoing, 11am to 8pm Contact: (040) 6550 6662

A suitable lunch Syn at Taj Deccan is offering Syn-to-suit you lunches. Various lunch offers for various requirements from the quick 15 minute lunch to the healthy and long lunches. Where: Syn - Asian Bar and Grill, Taj Deccan, Banjara Hills, Rd No 1

Rolls — boring did you say? Head to Promenade at Ameerpet for a wide variety of rolls that will suit everyone’s taste. Where: The Promenade, Ameerpet When: Ongoing Contact: (040) 6678 8888

Water colours Iconart is hosting Aquarelle as a part of it’s Buy Art initiative. It features water colour paintings. Where: Iconart Gallery, Banjara Hills, Rd No 12 When: Ongoing, 11.30 am onwards Contact: 98499 6879

Go Splash Splash lounge is the perfect

Books n more presents Show and Tell, an activity to promote good expression and communication fro 3-8 year old. The activity aims to improve the childrens ability to communicate well in English. Where: Books n more, Sivaramkrishna Colony, Marredpally When: Ongoing, 5pm to 6pm Contact: 98859 56728

Group show A group show of paintings is being held at Gallery Space till April 14. Where: Gallery Space, Banjara Hills, Rd No12 When: Ongoing, 11am-7pm Contact: (040) 6554 1836

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

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MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

Constable shoots self at Secretariat M ANIL KUMAR

CRIME U Srinivas and Inkeshaf Ahmed feedback@postnoon.com

n a shocking incident, a special protection force (SPF) constable on duty at the State Secretariat tried to commit suicide by shooting himself with his self-loading service rifle (SLR) in the wee hours of the morning on Monday. According to reports, Ch Rajesh, 22, a native of Nellore, was on night duty at the vehicle entrance near the constructed Nalla Pochamma temple. Around 1 am he went inside the temple, put a kumkum tilak on his forehead, sat in front of the temple and shot himself in the chest with the SLR. Fortunately for him, one bullet went out of his shoulder, while another hit the temple ceiling. The guards on duty rushed to the spot on hearing the shots and rushed Rajesh to Apollo Hospital, where doctors declared him out of danger. Temple head priest Srinivasa Sarma said that he learnt about the incident early in the morning

(above) The temple where Rajesh shot himself early this morning (inset) The bullet hole in the temple ceiling and rushed to the temple. By the time he got there, the blood stains had been cleaned and the Saifabad police had visited the spot to investigate the bullet marks and question the other guards on duty.

Security guards close to Rajesh told Postnoon that Rajesh had a wife and a daughter. However, recently his wife had fallen ill and he had gone to drop her at Nellore for treatment. According to reports, Rajesh, had on an earlier

occasion, tried to commit suicide by sleeping on a railway track due to some family problems. Chief security officer Madhava Rao said that some personal and

family problems could have forced Rajesh to take this extreme step. However, he opined that duty-wise Rajesh had been doing alright and had never expressed problems of any kind. According to police sources, before attempting suicide, Rajesh had made two calls from his cell phone — one to his wife and another to an unidentified woman. But in his statement, Rajesh said that he had not tried to commit suicide, but it was an accident that occurred due to a misfire. Meanwhile, SPF DG TP Das visited Rajesh at Apollo Hospital. Saifabad sub inspector of police and investigation officer of the case, S Vijay Kumar told Postnoon that Rajesh had fired three rounds from the rifle. “CS Rajesh was inducted into the police force one year ago and after completing his training he was posted at the Secretariat. He tried to kill himself by shooting himself with his SLR. Of the three bullets, two went into his chest and one was misfired,” the sub inspector said. The police have booked a case under section 309 of the IPC for committing suicide and section 30 of the Indian Arms Act for misusing a weapon.

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MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

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Drunken brawls disrupt life Mushrooming wine shops and kallu compounds near residential areas are giving rise to loud fights, cases of eve teasing and a general disruption of peace

CRIME Sudeshna Koka sudeshna.k@postnoon.com

anvi Kandhwala, an engineering student, who can normally reach home in 20 minutes from Secunderabad, now takes 45 minutes to reach home. The extra 25 minutes these days are spent taking a longer route back home in a bid to avoid three wine shops and two kallu compounds (places where cheap country liquor made from fermented palm wine is served). “We have asked her to avoid that route. It may be shorter, but it’s also very unsafe as there are inebriated men in the area at any given point of time,” says Nikhila K, her mother. Manvi’s is not an isolated case. There are many such girls and families who are facing major problems thanks to the mushrooming of liquor shops in the City. Today every area in the twin cities has at least one liquor shop or a kallu compound in the vicinity. These wine shops are often frequented by labourers who drink all day long. What’s worse is there are frequent drunken brawls and commotions that are proving to be a nuisance for residents. In their inebriated state, these men often ‘force’ accidents and this causes traffic disruptions in areas like Picket and Bowenpally. To add to the woes of residents, there are fights, eve teasing and verbal duels soaked with profanity. The liquor shop related nuisance is strongly felt in areas like Alwal, RTC colony, Kavadiguda, Golnaka, Lothukunta, Ameerpet and West Marredpally. “At the entrance of my colony there is a kallu compound which is open through-

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NEWS BRIEFS Security beefed up for CBI joint director

ollowing an intelligence alert after the charge sheet was filed in Jagan’s case, the security has been beefed up for the CBI joint director Laxminarayana. Apart from a bullet proof vehicle, the security at his residence and also at the office has been increased. Nearly 12 gun men will be on duty for the CBI top cop all put together.

Couple dupes people of `40 lakh

couple, who ran a chitfund business, duped scores of innocent people to the tune of `40 lakh under the Dundigal police station limits. The incident came to light when the victims approached the police. According to Dundigal inspector V Bhaskar the couple Narender Rao, 45, and Hemalatha, 39, residents of Venkateswarnagar, began the chit fund business one year ago. They held monthly auctions but failed to pay money to customers. The police have registered a case.

Traumatised by wife’s death, man kills self

out the day. These drunken men and women get into loud fight and break bottles. Chain snatching and eve teasing cases are also on the rise. We just do not know what to do. We have complained to the police and to the local corporator several times but nothing has helped,” said

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Chitra D, housewife, Alwal. No wonder the location of the liquor shops is contentious. “I don’t understand the need to have them (liquor shops) in residential areas in the first place. What is the government doing in this regard? There needs to be better policing in such areas,”

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asserts Ireen Swaroop, a psychologist who lives in West Marredpally. The police department claims that the number of complaints with regard to kallu compounds and harassment by drunkards have reduced by 15 to 20 per cent in the City. “We do not get any specific complaints regarding kallu compounds. However, during the evenings we get calls reporting harassment and nuisance from drunk men at the police control room. Last year the police received more than 3,50,000 such calls,” said city police commissioner AK Khan. A general assessment reveals that the parameters laid by the government to set up liquor stores are being blatantly flouted. Be it residential area, educational institutions, places of worship or hospital areas, there is no dearth of liquor stores and the related troubles.

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nable to bear the pain of losing his wife, 50-year-old N Tukaram committed suicide by jumping into Kapra water tank on Sunday. The incident took place under the Kushaiguda police station limits. According to inspector V Srikanth Goud, Tukaram was depressed after his wife committed suicide last month. The police have shifted his body to the hospital for post mortem and are investigating the case.

Naidu condemns communal clashes

DP president N Chandra Babu Naidu visited the communal hit areas of Sangareddy on Monday morning. He interacted with the victims of the communal violence, who were injured during the clashes. During his interaction, Naidu condemned the incident and demanded that the State government takes immediate action against those who are responsible for the incident. He recalled how his party strove for communal harmony during his tenure.

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Readers’ views We invite you to write to us comments, suggestions, viewpoint or just about anything to feedback@postnoon.com or #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500 033 or even by way of a call on 4067 2222

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MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

Lokesh may do an Akhilesh: Babu TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu outlines the party’s bypoll plans and possible succession

POLITICS Md Inkeshaf ahmed ahmed.m@postnoon.com

ony Blair and Bill Clinton visited him in Hyderabad. Profit magazine branded him as ‘one of the Hidden Seven working wonders around the world.’ But none of this could help him get his gaddi back all these years. TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, now sandwiched between the TRS and the Congress, is struggling to get a leeway to escape and regain its former glory. Naidu talked to Postnoon after his media meet on Saturday. He says that the TDP’s vanvas has been the result of a conspiracy between the TRS, YSRC and the Congress. When it comes to TDP, they are all one, he believes. But,

win in the next elections. What are you plans for the ensuing byelections in the 18 constituencies? We will go to the people by highlighting the corruption done by YSR Congress president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and how he looted the State to fill his own coffers. Government failure in solving serious public problems like farmers’ problems, women’s issues and hike in power charges are enough to expose the Kiran government. You recently said your party will encourage youth leaders and promised them party tickets as well. Is it an indication for the entry of your son into active politics? My son is involved in business. He is busy doing his own work. I can’t talk about his future as anything can happen in coming days. We will discuss the issue in

he is now fairly happy and hopeful for three reasons: The UP’s SP getting a new life, and Mulayam installing his son Akhilesh as Chief Minister. The third, the high court giving him a clean chit on the assets case. When Akhilesh was crowned the CM, Naidu was the first from the State to dash off a greeting message to Mulayam and his Son. His thought, say his lieutenants, is that if it’s Akhilesh for UP, it could be Lokesh (his son) for AP. Your party got a drubbing in the recent bypolls at the hands of political parties like TRS and YSRC. Why did it fair so badly in the bypolls? Yes, a conspiracy has been hatched to remove us (TDP) from the political scene of the State. All are in this game. I am not scared of these parties. We have strong cadres at the grassroots. We’ve improved our vote percentage. We will

coming days. The recent bypoll victory gave the BJP a boost in Mahabubnagar. Your comments. The Sangareddy incident happened after the BJP victory in Mahabubnagar. In the 9 year rule of TDP there was not a single communal incident. Minorities are safe when TDP rules. You said aligning with the BJP cost you the minority votes. Do you still stand by it? Of course, we do. We realised the mistake and would make amends. You call the Congress leaders greedy pigs? Look how Jagan amassed wealth under his father’s rule. Lokesh once asked me to help him get a piece of government land for business. I refused. I asked my son if he is prepared to go to prison. If so, I can give him land. I have nothing to hide.

M ANIL KUMAR

Kiran took anticipatory bail from party brass on bypolls Kiran is perceived as a better option at present to head the government. Despite many baying for his blood, there is little chance of him being thrown out

U Srinivas srinivas.u@postnoon.com

he Poll debacle and the indiscipline in the Congress party are not threatening factors to Kiran Kumar’s gaddi, thanks to the lack of a clear alternative. Congress, known for kicking in and booting out chief ministers at will has stopped the practice after Sonia Gandhi took over the reins. The main contender for the chief ministerial position, Botsa Satyanarayna, is not seen as a clean and universally accepted leader. So why gamble? This is the thought in New Delhi, senior party leaders said privately. It is amusing to recall that political pundits had given three months’ time to Kiran Kumar Reddy when he took over from Rosaiah. This was extended to six months, and now it’s been 1 year! Congress party and the high command have dropped enough hints about the con-

tinuance of Kiran as the CM. As if the Central leadership looked askance at Azad, here was AICC Secretary K B Krishna Murthy camping in Hyderabad for three days recently. ‘There is a leader in the legislature party, there is a PCC president in place. And we have elections in 2014. We will go for elections under their leadership,” Murthy clarified. He camped in Hyderabad for 3 days, heard leaders from different regions and finally clarified that there will be no change of guard. Krishna Murthy held talks with leaders including Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and State Congress president Botsa Satyanarayana and wanted them to gear up for the bypolls. He told the party leaders that criticism against the Chief Minister was not acceptable. The High Command was unhappy with the poor show of the party in the bypolls, but the CM had informed them as to what was to happen. Senior leaders were of the opinion that if they change the leader there would a confusion in the polls. PCC chief Botsa Satyanarayana in Delhi also clarified that the same team would contest the elections. The statement from Krishnamurthy and Botsa Satyanarayna has made all the difference to the party cadres, especially the CM who has already clarified that bypolls are no referendum to the performance of the Government.

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MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

Reeling under the power shock EFCOOPER

ELECTRICITY Osama Salman salman.o@postnoon.com

T ‘Why was Jagan not arrested?’ NELLORE: TDP leader and former minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy has questioned why YSR Congress president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was not arrested though his name was mentioned as the first accused in the charge-sheet of the illegitimate assets case against him. Talking to the media on Sunday, Somireddy expressed fear that he would tamper with evidence if he was not arrested immediately. He also alleged that the names of big companies that had indulged in irregularities were also not mentioned in the charge-sheet. Somireddy, who recently lost to YSRC candidate Nallapureddy Prasanna Kumar Reddy in Kovuru, said that Jagan should surrender before the court, if he has any moral values. Questioning why he was not being arrested, Somireddy asked if Jagan was above the law. He also alleged that the Congress leadership at the Centre was trying to protect Jagan. He criticised the CBI for letting the big fish go scot-free.

he hike in electricity tariff could not have come at a worse time for domestic consumers. With summer at its peak and soaring temperatures, the consumption of electricity too is going to increase, and for denizens, that spells a considerable increase in expenditure. Postnoon spoke to four families and found out how much electricity they consume and how the new hiked bill value will now be. Scenario 1: Nikitha P, an IT professional and resident of Masab Tank, paid `1,300 towards her electricity bill in April last year. She consumed about 274 electrical units by using two air-conditioners for about eight hours each daily, six ceiling fans, TV, fridge and microwave. Nikitha now has to shell out about `1,615 for the same usage including the additional levied charges. Scenario 2: A single mother living in Attapur, Ayesha Fatima, a school teacher, is worried about her sky rocketing expenses. Last April, she paid `1,500 for electricity consumption. Having consumed about 315 watts through geysers, two air coolers, washing machine and TV, she has to now pay `1,935 including the additional charges due to the hiked tariff. Scenario 3: Kunal Rao, an architect residing in Banjara Hills, usually pays `3,200 in electricity bills having consumed about 512 electrical units using geysers, washing machine, air coolers running 24 hours, dishwasher, TV, desktop computer and fans. His electricity bill in May this year for the same usage will be about `3,712. Last year, he did not have an air-conditioner and bought

one for each of his four bedrooms recently. His bill will skyrocket next month. Scenario 4: Having lived in an ancestral home for generations, Faisal Bin Saleh, a businessman in Asif Nagar, paid `8,000 as electricity usage charges around the same time last year. His consumption was 1280 watts. With the hike, he has to now pay `9,325 for the same usage. Generally during summers, his home runs about four air coolers throughout the day, two refrigerators, microwave, three TVs, washing machine, 10 fans, as well as charging the inverter. Kunal said that hike in electricity tariff is uncalled for. “When the state provides 36 per cent free electricity to the rural sector, we have to pay the price of living in urban areas. The hike is very steep. The

What I don’t understand is why is there a need to hike the tariff. We anyway don’t have power for two hours everyday Faisal policies of the electricity board and the government are flawed,” he opined. With the soaring inflation, this is just an added burden for many. Faisal said that the price of everything is increasing and with the additional bill value, the middleclass will be badly hurt. “What I don’t understand is why is there a

ICONIC CITY Hyderabad Race Club, Malakpet

yderabad has one of the best and largest race courses in the country — Hyderabad Race Club. Located in Malakpet the Race Club is a thoroughbred racing association. Many might never consider a race course as a tourist visiting place but they are mistaken. The experience of seeing an actual professional horse race and seeing the intense excitement among the punters is definitely worth it. The Race Club began its operations in Malakpet in 1968. The tracks, stables, equipments and buildings were constantly improvised and added upon. Today the grand stand can seat up to 1,800 people. The very best horses from all over the country race here. There are two seasons of racing — monsoon and winter sessions. Races are held twice a week. The biggest events of the year are the Deccan Derby held on October 2 and the Golconda Derby in January.

Aishwarya Yerra Hyderabad as a City has a lot to offer in terms of heritage and sights. We take a look at the various places that make this City so special

need to hike the tariff. We anyway deal with power cuts everyday. They have timed the hike really well as people don’t shy away from consuming additional electricity these few months. This means crores of rupees into the electricity board’s accounts,” he said. “For single income families like mine, this is going to pinch a lot. Inflation is high and savings are a bare minimum. We don’t know how we are going to manage,” lamented Ayesha. On the other hand, Pratyusha Sharma, a social activist who observed Earth Hour on March 31, pointed out that the hike will spell good for the citizens. “We consume so much electricity every day, consciously and unconsciously. This will put a tab on it and we’ll think twice before leaving the light on when leaving the room,” she said.

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Jawaharnagar residents oppose City dumpyard ENVIRONMENT Rahul Ramakrishna rahul.r@postnoon.com

he City’s dumpyard at Jawaharnagar is facing stiff opposition from concerned residents. People are up in arms against the presence of the dumpyard, arguing about the ill effects caused by the presence of the dumpyard in their locality. The agitated citizens of the village have decided to pressurise the government into relocating the dumpyard from their neighbourhood. Anasuya, a vendor and resident at a housing colony adjoining the dumpyard said, “How are we supposed to live with the stench and smoke coming from that place? People have developed breathing problems because of the smog coming from that place. This is no safe place for pregnant women or babies. Most of the residents have left this place not being able to

bear the smells that come from the dumpyard.” A short walk through the housing colony shows many boarded up windows and empty flats in The housing colony was built as part of a national housing scheme for the poor. It is evident that they have been cheated of their promise. Shantha Bai, another resident complains, “The garbage yard flushes rainwater this side with all sorts of filth in it. We have to wade through that water and bear that smell. The mornings here are especially scary, the smog is so thick that people do not come out until it clears away.” Despite umpteen number of complaints and representations, these people say that their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. In a recent public meeting with the officials from the GHMC, the residents were harsh and bitter in their tirade against the government’s apathy. Narsimha Goud, the Sarpanch of the village said, “The government had been sleeping for the past 10 years when garbage was

N SHIVA KUMAR

being consistently dumped here from the posh areas of Jubilee Hills and Madhapur. Why is it that these people can’t deal with their own garbage and instead bring it here for us to suffer with? The GHMC had never listened to our complaints and even now with diseases and death tolls rising, there has been no change in their attitude. The dumpyard will have to go.” Environmentalists from Save the Lakes Society and Forum for a Better Hyderabad, point out to the graves of lakes and water bodies that had once been drinking water sources for the village. The groundwater table in the village has been flushed with toxic waste and refuse and now the people have to buy water from private tankers. There is no scope for agriculture as a livelihood as even the most basic amenities like water supply, and clean air are polluted here. It is only a matter of time before we begin to block the entry of the garbage trucks into the village and let the City face its stench, people in the village say.

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MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

N. SHIVA KUMAR

Feline the faith

Postnoon looks at the DargaE-Shareef Hazarath Sayed Suleman Baba at Suleman Nagar in Old City. Devotees feed milk to the cats at this 600-year-old Dargah when their wishes are fulfilled.

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IT reels from shortage of skilled manpower Prudhvi Raju K Prudhvi.k@postnoon

ndian IT industry has a global reputation with $70 billion of service exports. It has made it mark in different areas such as ITO, BPO, KPO globally. Exports constitute 70 per cent and domestic services 30 per cent of the Indian IT industry, valued at $100 billion. According to the Nasscom, the IT industry will touch $225 billion by 2022. The IT industry has got a bright future and is becoming more relevant internationally. However, it is only the top 10 per cent of the human resource that is helping the brand to be positive. According to industry projections, the workforce requirement would double by 2022 and would reach 5 million from the current strength of 2.5 million. However, it’s not going to be an easy ride. Indian IT industry is already struggling for lack of skilled talent. According to the Nasscom, only 25 per cent of engineering graduates are employable. A recent study by Aspiring Minds, have showed only 3 per cent are employable. However, with our industry experience, the figure will not be more than 10 per cent, said Santanu Paul, CEO and managing director, TalentSprint.

Indian IT companies are looking at other countries to build up delivery centres. Some of the companies are already opening up centres in Costa Rica, China, Philippines, Russia and Sri lanka. As the IT industry is mainly driven by quality human resource, it is natural for the industry to go wherever the skilled human resource with the scale is readily available, said JA Chowdary, executive chairman, TalentSprint.

The education system has become exam-centric, where the student is going through question bank and clearing the exams. There is a need to change this system to be knowledge-centric to cater to the needs of the industry. Another challenge is that there is a dearth of qualified teachers in the engineering colleges. The people who fail to enter the industry are turning out to be lecturers. The quality is declining at a rapid rate

as the numbers of colleges are increasing. Running a college in some of the places has become a mere business. The quality of engineering education is suffering mainly in the tier2 and tier3 cities, said Chowdary. The human resource, which is often cited as the strength of India, will become a great burden to the country, he said. The industry people should create necessary interface between educational institutions and industry. The National Skill Development Corporation India (NSDC), an initiative by Central government with private partnership is promoting skill development in India. TalentSprint is one of the few companies selected and co-invested by NSDC to implement this mission. However, there are many more such initiatives required and more such organisations need to evolve to solve this issue. Moreover, there is a need for huge educational reforms to solve the issue at the core level. There should be steps taken in bridging the gap between academia and industry. Quality human resource with industrial experience should recruited at various engineering colleges. The exam pattern to be changed to promote the knowledge of the student, said Chowdary.

China good news boosts Asia markets

Chaplin, Gable, Houston treasures fetch top bucks at Hollywood sale

HONG KONG: Asian markets mostly rose on Monday following strong manufacturing figures from China and after eurozone finance chiefs agreed to boost the region’s firewall against future debt crises. The yen eased against the dollar and euro as traders moved out of the safe-haven currency in the wake of the optimistic news while strong US consumer spending data also provided support. China had said on Sunday that manufacturing activity last month hit its highest level since March last year, tempering recent concerns of a sharp slowdown in the world’s number two economy. AFP

LOS ANGELES: A trademark bowler hat and cane once owned by Charlie Chaplin sold for $100,000 on Sunday, at a Hollywood auction where Whitney Houston gowns and gems also went under the hammer weeks after she died. The bamboo walking cane once owned by the silent-era comedy icon went for $42,000 — considerably more than the $2030,000 reserve price — while the trademark hat was snapped up for $58,000 on the second day of the two-day sale. A riding coat worn by Clark Gable in Gone with the Wind sold for $57,600, nearly four times its $10-15,000 reserve price, while Charlton Heston’s robe from The Ten

Commandments fetched $66,420, and his staff $44,800. On Saturday fans and collectors had snapped up a selection of gowns, stage clothes and jewellery belonging to Whitney Houston, weeks after the Grammy-winning star’s shock death aged only 48. Prices reached more than five times their reserve on some items, including two pairs of earrings worn in the 1992 movie The Bodyguard for $2,880 (estimate $600-800) and $7,040 (estimate $1,000-2,000). The Houston effects were on offer on the first of a two-day “Hollywood Legends” sale at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills — just down the road from where the singer died on

`81.35

February 11. A stage-worn beaded bustier went under the hammer for $19,200, more than three times its estimate of $4,000-6,000, while a brown satin vest from The Bodyguard sold for $3,520, (reserve price $400-600). A small wardrobe’s worth of dresses were pounced on by eager buyers, including one gray velvet gown which sold for $11,520, against an estimate of only $1,000-2,000. Houston died in her hotel room bathroom on the eve of the music industry’s annual Grammys show in Los Angeles. Coroners said on March 22 that she had died of drowning, with heart disease and cocaine use as contributing factors. AFP

POUND MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012 9 NUMEROLOGY

$7.3

billion

will be paid by Singapore’s DBS Holdings to acquire Indonesia’s PT Bank Danamon.

THUS SPAKE “India is not a notax country; it has a determined tax rate. Our country is not and cannot be a tax haven. If you pay tax in your country of origin, you don’t have to pay tax, if we have double taxation agreement with your country of origin,” Pranab Mukherjee, Union finance minister

GROWTH STORY Indo-Japanese car venture Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd closed March with sales of 18,220 units, logging a growth of 87 per cent over the comparable period the previous year. The company’s Etios model registered a 57 percent growth with the highest ever monthly sales of 5,104 units as compared to 3,257 units sold in March last year.

DEAL INKED India and UAE have inked a bilateral pact to boost cooperation on mutual assistance in customs matters. The agreement was signed by SK Goel, chairman, Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), and the acting director-general of UAE Federal Customs Authority (FCA), Khaled Ali Al Bustani. The pact provides for sharing of best customs practices and will also curb the violation of customs laws and protect against illicit commercial practices, by exchanging critical information on a regular basis, a statement issued in Dubai said. Bustani said the agreement will encourage cooperation and promote trade through the exchange of information and expertise between the two countries.

India‑View

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

India unveiled

The dangerous implications of India’s nuclear romance BRP Bhaskar

fforts are on to squash the months-long peaceful movement by villagers living in the neighbourhood of the Kudankulam nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu which has delayed its commissioning. What brought the people out of their homes is the fear that the plant is a threat to their lives and livelihood. Repeated assertions by spokesmen of the national science and technology establishment, from former president APJ Abdul Kalam downwards, have not convinced them that the plant is accident-proof. Instead of talking to the people and addressing their concerns, the Government of India appears set to crush their movement using crude force. At the best of times, it is not easy to have open and honest deliberations on the nuclear issue. Since nuclear technology has military applications, all countries routinely conduct much of the work in this area in total secrecy. The Indian nuclear programme has been directly under the prime minister since its inception, and Parliament does not look into the working of the Department of Atomic Energy closely. The institutional mechanism set up to oversee nuclear safety is under the department itself. So long as the government fights shy of creating an independent nuclear safety mechanism outside the department’s control, its claims about the safety of the nuclear installations cannot be taken at face value. The arguments advanced by

the official establishment to allay fears about the safety of the Kudankulam plant are irrational and unscientific, not to say dishonest. How can Abdul Kalam guarantee its safety when the Russian equipment suppliers are not ready to do so? In a bid to belittle fears of radiation emanating from the plant, the government points out in an advertisement placed in the newspapers, that the people are already exposed to radiation present in nature and used in medical treatment. It is absurd to cite the presence of natural radiation and its use for medicinal purposes to justify exposing the people to a possible nuclear catastrophe. One factor that complicates decision making on the Kudanku-

EVEN IF THE PROJECTS CONCEIVED IN THE PREFUKUSHIMA PERIOD ARE IMPLEMENTED ON TIME (WHICH, GOING BY THE RECORD, IS MOST UNLIKELY), THE EXPECTATION IS THAT NUCLEAR PLANTS WILL SUPPLY 25 PER CENT OF THE POWER BY 2050. lam project, the first stage of which is almost ready to be commissioned, is that the government has already spent about `150 billion on it. When India signed an agreement with the Soviet Union

in 1988 for setting up the project, the cost was estimated at `40 billion. It shot up as a result of the inordinate delay in starting and completing the work, occasioned partly by the Soviet Union’s collapse. But can a democratic government approach an issue involving people’s lives and livelihood the way an auditor looks at a statement of expenditure? That a lot of money has been sunk is no justification for continuing with a project about which grave doubts remain in people’s minds after Fukushima. Anti-nuclear groups, which include persons with expertise in the area, have suggested that part of the investment in the ongoing nuclear projects can be salvaged by converting them into natural

gas-based plants. After the Three Mile Island accident, the US had converted the Shoreham nuclear plant in Long Island, New York, the William H Zimmer nuclear plant in Ohio and the Midland Cogeneration Facility in Michigan to run on fossil fuel. The argument that India cannot ensure energy security without nuclear power rests on questionable grounds. Currently nuclear power constitutes only three per cent of the country’s energy requirement. Even if the projects conceived in the preFukushima period are implemented on time (which, going by the record, is most unlikely), the expectation is that nuclear plants will supply 25 per cent of the power by 2050. This means there is enough time to recast the energy plans in the light of current realities. Two years ago many countries were working on new nuclear plants. Last week the Germans backed out of a commitment to supply equipment for two plants in Britain citing the Fukushima disaster and the European economic crisis as the reasons. Today, India shares with China the dubious distinction of being the only countries determinedly pursuing the nuclear path, undeterred by Fukushima. The ruling establishments in the two countries are guided by visions of reaching the heights of the global economy. As the most populous nations, it is quite legitimate for them to aspire to be the world’s largest economies. The moot question is what route to take to reach the destination. IANS

Adrenaline rush inside caves of Chhattisgarh Rahul Vaishnavi

BASTAR (CHHATTISGARH): Walking down the narrow, steep staircase in a rock crevice surrounded by dense foliage, one enters through a small iron door the pitch dark and intimidating Kutumsar caves. Considered one of the longest caves in the world, the exhilarating journey which lasts about an hour is a must for those seeking an adrenaline rush. Situated in the Kanger Valley National Park in Bastar, which is around 350km from the Chhattisgarh capital Raipur, the caves have been named after the nearby village and are 40-feet deep and an amazing 4,500 feet in length. The entrance of the cave is

The stalactite and stalagmite formations of rocks in the cave.

extremely narrow and big enough only to crawl through. However, a couple of feet down via the manmade iron staircase, the caves open up to be explored with the help of guides equipped with solar lanterns. Once inside, the enigmatic setting will help you play out your Indiana Jones or Hardy Boys fantasies as you walk on the uneven and treacherous rocky surface thrilled by the fear of the unknown. However, breathing in the damp air amidst pitch darkness and echoing sounds does make it a spooky adventure and a strict no-no for the faint-hearted or claustrophobic. As the torch light falls on the rocks around, mystifying and

vivid stalactite and stalagmite formations on the roofs and walls are a visual treat powerful enough to trigger your imagination. The natural patterns have formed over hundreds of years due to rain water percolating through small crevices in the rocks. While a pattern on the roof may resemble the eyes of goddess Durga another on the wall may look like an elephant’s trunk or a peacock’s feathers. According to local folklore, the caves were first discovered in 1951 by tribal folk who were hunting a porcupine and followed it inside the caves. However, as per the official version, the caves were discovered around 1958 by geographer Shankar Prasad Tiwari. IANS

India‑View

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

India unveiled

Himachal snubs Kejriwal

NATION AT A GLANCE

NEW

LUCKNOW: In a late night develop-

DELHI: Apparently upset over the critical comments on State Lokayukta bill, Himachal Pradesh government cancelled a meeting with Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal, who attacked BJP saying it appeared the saffron party and Congress were on the same page on the legislation. Kejriwal described the Himachal’s Lokayukta bill as “very weak and ineffective” and also asked whether BJP was disowning the strong law passed by a BJP-led government in Uttarakhand earlier this year by bringing such a bill in the state. “The Bill is very weak, ineffective and seeks to provide illegitimate protection to corrupt people rather than punish

them. Rather than adopt the strong model of Uttarkhand, Himachal government adopted many controversial provisions of Central Government. This is unfortunate. "Does it mean that BJP dis-

about the cancellation of the function this morning. Kejriwal said that no reason was given to him for cancellation of the event. “They asked me to send a written response when I told them that the Bill was quite bad,” Kejriwal said. The press liason office had sent invitations to media houses regarding the function. Chief Minister PK Dhumal is understood to have cleared consultations with Team Anna. He had repeatedly said the government would bring a strong Lokayukta Bill after consulting all concerned, including Team Anna members. Dhumal earlier attacked Kejriwal saying the activist cannot dictate terms. PTI

CORNERED

$300,000 for Indian art in NY auction NEW YORK: A previously unrecorded work by the master Indian artist Bagta fetched a record $302,500 at the Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art auction here last month. This portrait of the imposing figure of Rawat Gokal Das celebrating Holi with his consorts was consigned by a collector who bought the piece two decades ago for a modest $125, according to New York auction house Bonhams. Dated 1808 this work is a rare representation of Bagta’s larger scale depiction. Bagta was featured in the exhibition which opened at the Museum Rietberg, Zurich, and was on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Master Painters of India, exhibition until recently. PTI

owns its own Uttarakhand Bill? Does it also mean BJP and Congress are on same page on some of the controversial provisions of Central bill?” Kejriwal said. His reaction came as Himachal government cancelled a function scheduled to present a copy of the Lokayukta Bill to the activist. PC Dhiman, Principal Secretary (Home) was to present a copy of the Lokayukta Bill to Kejriwal. A senior government official did not give reasons for the cancellation but claimed that the programme is rescheduled and it will be held in a couple of days. A Team Anna member claimed Kejriwal was informed

ment, the Uttar Pradesh government transferred 152 Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSPs) rank officials, effecting a third tier of transfers in the state ever since the Samajwadi Party (SP) government took over last month. Orders have also been issued to the senior officials in the zone, ranges and districts to immediately relieve officials who have been transferred without any delay.

Bahuguna distributes portfolios, retains 24 DEHRADUN: Two weeks after being sworn-in, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna Sunday allocated portfolios to his ministers. The Chief Minister himself has retained 24 key departments. The Congress government in the hill state, sworn in March 20, has been walking on ice-thin majority since Bahuguna was named the Chief Minister by the party, leading to protests by Congress leader and central minister Harish Rawat. His supporters led by Harak Singh Rawat initially refused to be sworn in as legislators. They fell in line only a few days back.

Maldivian FM to hold talks with Krishna NEW DELHI: India will get a fresh update on the situation in Maldives which has witnessed political turmoil for the past couple of months when Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdul Samad Abdulla meets his Indian counterpart tomorrow. Maldives Foreign Minister arrives here on his first visit abroad and is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister SM Krishna for talks, official Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs Syed Akbaruddin said. Maldives plunged into political turmoil after 44-year-old President Nasheed resigned. Security personnel get hold of a man suspected of creating trouble during a religious procession in Gaya on Sunday.

PTI

Revival of Gandhi’s Tolstoy Farm? JOHANNESBURG: Calls to revive the Tolstoy Farm, a desolate area which once was a thriving commune run by Mahatma Gandhi, renewed during the annual Gandhi Walk. Several speakers at the 27year-old annual Gandhi Walk hosted yesterday in Lenasia, the sprawling mainly Indian suburb south of here, said the organisers should find a way to link the annual event to the nearby Tolstoy Farm. Mahatma Gandhi had set up the Tolstoy Farm as an experiment in community living during his tenure in Johannesburg. The event was started as a fundraiser for building a new

SP transfers 152 police officials in Uttar Pradesh

Gandhi Hall in Lenasia after the original Gandhi Hall in the Johannesburg city centre had to be sold in the 1970’s because it

fell into a designated white area under the draconian Group Areas Act of the then white minority government. Tolstoy Farm, less than ten kilometers from the Gandhi Hall, has fallen into disuse after the last residents left the area in the 1970’s. Despite valiant efforts to revive some activity there, especially by Gandhian enthusiast Mohan Hira, who formed the Mahatma Gandhi Remembrance Organisation, constant vandalism has left a bare shell there. Now the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation wants to find ways of turning Tolstoy Farm into a legacy project, with the Indian

High Commission pledging support. Referring to an earlier meeting between community organisations and Indian High Commissioner Virendra Gupta on the issue of Tolstoy Farm, acting Indian Consel-General in Johannesburg Nandan Bhaisora called for a follow-up: “We would like to take some further action on this.” “Coal India has already assured us that it will be funding the project, so we should take it forward.” However, the idea to rejuvenate the farm situated on the outskirt of the City also met with some scepticism as it is now part of a brick-making company. PTI

Five from Kerela killed in lorry-jeep collision TUTICORIN: Five persons from Kerala, including three women died and 10 were injured when the jeep they were travelling in collided with a lorry at an over bridge in this City, police said. The deceased, part of a 15-member group from Idukki were on their way to Irrukkankudi from Tiruchendur when the mishapoccurred yesterday, they said. The Jeep driver was among those killed. The injured have been hospitalised.

Samajwadi Party MLA from Pathardeva constituency, Shakir Ali, mounted on a horse for a victory procession in Deoria. PTI

Around the World

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

Beyond Borders

Hong Kong goes ho ho, ha! Laughter clubs catch on in stressed-out city whose citizens are too busy to laugh HONG KONG: Hypnotherapist Dick Yu has a mission that seems unthinkable to some Hong Kong people — he wants to make the Asian financial hub’s seven million residents laugh. “Hong Kong people don’t laugh because they are under constant pressure to make more money, to make life better,” says Yu, who has founded 11 Laughter Clubs in the southern Chinese city since 2007. “People get worried easily because housing is so expensive, the cost of living is getting higher and people are concerned about whether they can keep their job.” The 35-year-old trained hypnotherapist set up Hong Kong’s first laughter club in 2007, after he discovered the concept of laughter yoga — made popular as an exercise routine by Indian physician Madan Kataria in 1995. Since then hundreds of heavy-hearted Hong Kongers have signed up for the free classes, a sign, experts say, of the city’s underlying health and social problems. “When you laugh, you’re happier, you become positive and everything else will become better,” Yu says after a one-hour laughing session in a park. “Ho ho, ha ha ha,” the group of 30 students recite. They combine the exercise with deep yogic breathing, give each other highfives, clap and waddle like penguins, all in the name of laughter. The fake laughter very soon breaks into the real thing, demonstrating one of the core principles of laughter yoga: laughter has physiological benefits whether it is fake or real.

300 pitbulls saved from dogfighting arena

As the adage “laughter is the best medicine” goes, researchers credit belly laughs as a recipe for a healthy heart. It helps expand blood vessel linings to increase blood flow, reduces stress hor-

mones and boosts the immune system. A British study last year showed 15 minutes of laughter increased the level of pain tolerance by around 10 percent, as the action helps to trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s naturally produced pain killers. “It was a bit awkward in the beginning when we tried to fake the laughter with the ‘ho ho, ha ha ha’, but after a while you can tell the difference and you feel more relaxed,” said Kaman Wong at one of Yu’s classes. The 37-year-old student joined the laughter club two years ago when he was a supervisor at a food processing firm. “The work was stressful. There was a lot of overtime work, I had to deal with many workers.

If anything went wrong I was responsible, but I’ve learned how to laugh away all the stress,” he says. But on top of his work problems, he said the pressure-cooker atmosphere of Hong Kong itself was getting him down. “Everyone is like a balloon that is about to explode in Hong Kong. If you smile at me, I wouldn’t know how to react to that. I think there are just a lot of barriers among Hong Kongers that we need to break,” he says. Social scientists say the laughter club boom highlights the stress issue faced by many residents of a densely populated city which groans under extremes of inequality, soaring property prices and cramped living spaces. AFP

The arduous art of the chocolate taster Gersende Rambourg

LEBEY CONFESSES

PARIS: First study the colour, then the nose, the structure and taste; as for any good wine, tasting chocolate is both a treat and a serious art, requiring regular practice to fine-tune the senses. And who better to offer a lesson in chocolate tasting than Pierre Herme, the French master pastry chef? “You start by looking at the texture,” he explained at a recent tasting organised in Paris by the Chocolate Crunchers’ Club — a 150-strong fellowship created three decades ago to celebrate a common passion for the bean. “I rough it up a bit first — crushing it to test its resistance,” Herme said, pressing a blade onto various parts of the chocolate bonbon on his plate.

TO KEEPING CHOCOLATE STASHED AWAY IN VARIOUS CORNERS OF HIS APARTMENT SO HE CAN INDULGE IN A QUICK NIBBLE AT ANY MOMENT.

Then comes the time to taste, paying close heed to “intensity, acidity, the lightness of the texture, the finish” — how the flavour lingers after each mouthful — “and for flavoured chocolates the balance between the chosen aroma and the chocolate itself.” Without forgetting the most important of all: “pleasure.”

Five times a year the club’s members gather around some of France’s top artisans to taste all manner of cocoa-based treats — from truffle bars to mousses, biscuits, patisseries and ice creams. The ritual is always the same: each taster needs a small knife, a glass of water and some bread to cleanse the palate. “The knife is essential, espe-

cially for chocolate bonbons,” explained Claude Lebey, the doyen of French food critics and one of the founders of the club, gathered for the occasion in a Paris mansion. “You have to slice the sweets in two, to see the thickness of the coating. It should offer resistance, but should not be too thick either, or it stops you from tasting what is inside.” Lebey confesses to keeping chocolate stashed away in various corners of his apartment so he can indulge in a quick nibble at any moment. “The coffee in this one is dosed just right,” he mused, sucking on a bonbon named Brasilia, created by Jean-Paul Hevin — a star Parisian chocolatier with his own stores in Japan and Hong Kong. AFP

MANILA: An animal rights group in the Philippines said on Sunday it helped police bust a South Korean syndicate operating a massive dog fighting ring and rescued 300 pitbulls. Two South Korean nationals and several Filipinos were arrested in the Friday raid at a two-hectare farm in the city of San Pablo just south of the capital Manila, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) said. Many of the dogs were severely injured, with ripped ears and tongues, including 20 that needed to be euthanised, it said. “This appears to be a large operation and these South Koreans need to be punished,” PAWS programme director Anna Cabrera said. Those arrested were part of the same South Korean group whose operations were busted in December in a nearby province and who later posted bail, PAWS said. About 240 dogs were also rescued in that raid. “Too many animals have already suffered, and criminals are becoming bolder, taking only two months after arrest to get back into their illegal operations once they have posted bail,” the group said as it urged tougher laws to protect animals. Those found guilty of animal cruelty can be jailed for between six months and two years, but suspects can go free on bail as the often-lengthy legal process continues. PAWS said many of the dogs in the latest bust were not properly fed and sheltered, and showed scars and wounds from recent fights. The contests are broadcast online to a betting audience. A picture released by PAWS on its Facebook page showed one emaciated dog chained to a tree in open grounds. In the background, steel drums were used as dog kennels. Police were not immediately available for comment. AFP

Around the World Mali rebels overrun Timbuktu BAMAKO: Mali’s Tuareg rebels claimed control of the legendary desert town of Timbuktu on Sunday, part of a dramatic push across the north, as the disorganised junta indicated it was ready to cede some power. Tuareg rebels assisted by Islamist fighters have swept across much of northern Mali since renegade soldiers staged a coup on March 22, saying they were fed up with the government’s handling of a Tuareg fight for an independent homeland. But since the coup, the rebels have seized several towns, including Kidal and then Gao. Timbuktu — a fabled trading hub synonymous with exotic isolation — was the last major town in Mali’s north not to have fallen into rebel hands. Announcing the “end of Malian occupation”, the MNLA (Azawad National Liberation Movement) said in a statement it would ensure “order and administration”. On Sunday, witnesses told AFP they heard heavy weaponry blasting Timbuktu’s military base. “Yes, the rebels have arrived in Timbuktu”, a resident told AFP by telephone. “As we speak, I see them going towards a bank in the city.” The town of about 50,000 residents is a United Nations world heritage site, nicknamed the “pearl of the desert”. AFP

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

Beyond Borders

‘Friends’ tighten the noose on Syria

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks during a press briefing at the Istanbul Congress Center on Sunday. AFP ISTANBUL: Western and Arab nations called on Sunday for Syria’s Bashar al-Assad to be given a deadline to meet the terms of a peace plan as fresh clashes in a year-long uprising claimed another 40 lives. An international conference in Istanbul by ‘Friends of Syria’ countries also urged the United Nations to act to stop the violence, but steered clear of backing opposition appeals for arms to fight the regime clampdown. In a final declaration, the conference urged Syria mediator Kofi Annan “to determine a timeline for next steps, includ-

‘Friends’ fund rebel army

audi Arabia and other countries in the Gulf are setting up a multimillion dollar fund to help the opposition forces in Syria. The money will pay salaries to members of the Free Syrian Army and soldiers who defect from the regime. ing a return to the UN Security Council, if the killing continues.” “The regime will be judged by its deeds rather than its

promises. The window of opportunity for the regime to implement its commitments to joint special envoy Annan is not open-ended,” it added. The gathering brought together the Arab League and countries such as the United States, France and Germany. Assad on Tuesday said he accepted the plan proposed by Annan. But this has not stopped the shelling of opposition strongholds. The sixpoint peace plan calls for an end to violence, a daily twohour humanitarian ceasefire and access to all areas affected by fighting, as well as an inclusive Syrian-led political process, the right to demonstrate, and the release of people detained arbitrarily. The Istanbul gathering, came amid continuing fighting on the ground as Damascus said it had no immediate plans to pull back its forces. Conference host Turkey warned the world would have no choice but to recognise Syrians’ right to take up arms if the UN fails to act. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticised Assad’s regime for launching new assaults just days after accepting the Annan plan. AFP

Time dulls Falkland’s horrors CARDIFF:

Simon Weston became the symbol of Britain’s war in the Falklands, but while 30 years have not erased the scars, he bears no grudge against Argentina’s people, only their rulers. On June 8, 1982, six days before Argentina surrendered, Weston was on board the military transport ship “Sir Galahad” at Fitzroy, south of the capital Stanley, ready with the other troops to land on the Falkland Islands. But Argentine jets bombed the vessel, which was loaded with ammunition and fuel, killing 48 people including 38 of his colleagues in the Welsh Guards regiment, in the deadliest single attack on British servicemen of the war. Weston, who was only 20 at the time, survived despite suffering burns to 46 percent of his body. Three decades and more than 80 operations later, Weston’s expressive blue eyes

Simon Westen talks during an interview at his home. AFP still look out from a mask of disfiguring scar tissue, but he says the worst is behind him. “I never thought I would die. I wanted to at one time, but I never thought I would,” the

50-year-old told. “I may have been the worst injured to come back alive, but it hasn’t been the worst thing that ever happened to me.” After the Falklands he has said he tried to commit suicide and then found refuge in alcohol. But today, he says he has stopped drinking. Despite everything that has happened, Weston says he has no problems with the people of Argentina. “I’ve got friends from Argentina, I know people from Argentina, I’ve worked with them and I’m even friends with the guy who blew me up. So I don’t dislike Argentinian people. I just dislike their politicians,” he said. As part of the mental healing process, as well as making several trips back to the windswept islands in the South Atlantic, Weston agreed in 1991 to meet Argentine pilot Carols Cachon. But Weston cannot forgive

the Argentine government of the time for what he calls an “illegal, unjustified military action” — and he has harsh words for Argentina’s current president, Cristina Kirchner. “She keeps blowing far too hard and she is going to lose,” he said. “They’ve impounded the Falklands fishing fleet, they’ve harassed supply vessels, tourist ships, getting the dockworkers to cause problems, threatening to overfish. All of those things, they’re aggressive. He said Kirchner’s stance had left Falkland Islanders themselves in a state of constant fear. After his miraculous survival Weston became something of a celebrity in Britain, a development he found difficult at first but which he has come to appreciate. He has featured in six documentaries, written three volumes of memoirs, two novels and three children’s books, and now the former solider is a popular lecturer. AFP

GLOBE AT A GLANCE At least 16 killed in Siberia plane crash MOSCOW: A twin-engine ATR-72 plane with 43 people aboard has crashed in Siberia, killing at least 16 while 12 survivors were rushed to hospital, Russia’s emergencies ministry said. “So far we have found 12 survivors, who have been taken to hospital in Tyumen,” while 16 bodies have been recovered, the Interfax news agency quoted a ministry spokeswoman as saying.

Flood-ravaged Fiji fears cyclone NADI: Fiji struggled to cope on Monday with devastating floods that have brought the country to a standstill with warnings that it could get worse as an incoming storm threatens to become a cyclone. A state of emergency was declared in the South Pacific nation on Sunday as flash floods claimed at least three lives.

Association of South East Asian (ASEAN) foreign ministers pose during the annual Ministerial Meeting in Phnom Penh. AFP

‘Dead’ Australian fights for life in hospital MELBOURNE: An investigation was under way on Monday after a man declared dead by Australian paramedics following a car crash was found to be alive around an hour later. The driver was trapped upside down in the wreckage of a Porsche in a Melbourne suburb and was pronounced dead after being treated at the scene.

Jailed Palestinian leader ‘sanctioned’ JERUSALEM: Jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghuti has been punished by Israeli prison authorities after launching an appeal for “peaceful resistance”, public radio said on Sunday. Barghuti was put in solitary confinement and barred from the prison cafeteria, the radio added without saying how long the sanctions would be in place.

Mexican presidential candidate Enrique Pena Nieto waves to supporters during a political gathering in Ciudad Juarez. AFP

Comment

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

Fair, free and forthright

Editorials MAKE BEST USE OF Zardari’s visit

The Sleep of Reason

akistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to India is an excellent opportunity for both countries to sort out bilateral issues, especially trade. Though India had granted Pakistan most favoured nation (MFN) status years ago, the latter has been dragging its feet on reciprocating the gesture. The Pakistani government is facing tremendous domestic opposition to the proposal, much of it fuelled by anti-India hardliners who predict an economic rout. There is also a general fear in Pakistan that its giant neighbour, with its enormous economic clout, will swamp the market with cheap goods – thereby triggering a collapse of the domestic industry. The Pakistani economy is in shambles and is heavily dependent on doles from the US, Arab countries and China to keep the economy running. Unless the business sector receives a boost in terms of volume of trade, it is only a matter of time before the collapse goes beyond control. The cross-LoC trade has shown that if both countries remain adamant in their wary perceptions, not much progress can be generated. It’s time we did some real business.

WHY WE LOVE Aung San Suu Kyi

uu Kyi should be a role model for all those apathetic souls who have lost faith in politics. If anyone should be jaded it’s Myanmar’s First Lady, but despite the way she was treated by the junta, she came out fighting. Her victory may be symbolic, but pivotal too.

The Human Angle Babu Gogineni

he Spanish painter Francisco de Goya produced a series of etchings in 1797, the most famous of which he titled: El sueño de la razón produce monstruos (The Sleep of Reason brings forth Monsters). In this masterpiece of thought and technique, a writer is asleep at his desk, his head resting in his arms, while behind him are owls, bats, and a gathering storm of other creatures of the night, all menacingly swooping down on him, while a perplexed cat looks on. But, soon after this daring caution, Goya panicked and withdrew his etching, for fear of the Inquisition whose shadow hovered on Spanish society at that time. Goya captured the mood of his age, and as Europe and America woke up to reason and science, these two continents moved on from those dark times. Because of humanity’s uneven moulting, however, the story is different elsewhere, and reasons continued and perilous repose in Africa and Asia is a cause for grave concern. These two continents make up for two thirds of the world’s population, but are heavily weighed down by a magical conception of the world, and by dangerous superstitions. A superstition is simply a wrong belief about something — like believing that seeing a widow could bring bad luck. Untested, and unchallenged, such beliefs can have real and serious consequences; for thousands of years, in India, widows were forced to remain out of sight, and were banished to a miserable life of isolation. Sporting ‘lucky’ shirts, writing exams with a ‘lucky’ pen etc may give a psychological boost, but the fetish can soon cross limits and transform into an obsession with lucky days, lucky dates and lucky numbers. Changing spellings of one’s name to ensure success, performing rituals for good luck, wearing coloured gem stones for success in business etc could soon become a substitute for real work. When large groups of people perform rituals to ‘promote world peace’, it is a warning that the people’s faith in themselves and in their ability to change their lives is declining; disastrously, it is also an abdication of personal responsibility for one’s future.

Online purchase risky

Pity the people

The article advocating online shopping and listing out the benefits of the practice reminded me of an awful experience I had when I bought a pair of shoes online. The process was very confusing and in the end when they arrived, I was very disappointed to find that the stitches had come off near the sole despite the site's big promises of their being of the highest quality. It is not like I do not understand that we need to go with the times, it is just that I have had this bad experience. There you have it.

I read the story about the dumpyard in Jawaharnagar and it surprises me that the GHMC officials have no regard for human life in the surrounding areas. I am sure that people were living in the adjacent areas of this dumpyard even before the dumpyard was set up there. How can anyone allow a dumpyard which is filled with toxic gases to be set up so close to a colony? This is absurd and naturally has wrecked havoc on people's lives. Someone must rehabilitate them before it’s too late?

Savitha K Jubilee Hills

Kavita Rao Gachibowli

In the 54 countries of Africa and in the 52 countries of Asia, it is time to wake up, and to wake reason up! Superstition rarely confines itself to the personal sphere and is bound to impact public policy, thereby weakening the very foundations of democracy. In the current presidential campaign in America, candidates are talking about evolution and climate change as if these were matters of belief and not facts. That is a real danger because a democracy needs reason, not ritual; informed debate, not dogma. Where superstitions are associated with prejudice, the results are horrific: In Africa homosexuals are killed as a danger to society, albinos are hunted for body parts used in witchcraft, women are killed on suspicion of sorcery; in Asia, women are denied their most basic rights, children are sacrificed to uncover hidden treasures, and lives are ruined because of assumptions about rebirth. Superstition is also the basis of one of the most pernicious systems of social division and discrimination in human history — the caste system — which, with its graded system of inequality and its 250 million untouchable victims in 13 countries, poses the greatest danger ever to human solidarity. Robert Ingersoll was right when he said that superstition is the child of ignorance and

TALK BACK 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

the mother of misery. Blind beliefs demean and dehumanise entire societies, and prevent us from exercising our true human and moral potential. We know from history and human experience that reason is the antidote to the misery of superstition, and that it can also vanquish bigotry, dogma and prejudice. It also makes us reasonable and hence more peaceful. The way to proceed on this path was spelt out in 1787 by the American statesman Jefferson, a contemporary of Goya: Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. This is not happening in today’s India. Even in this century of space flights and satellite communications, many, including several practising scientists, hold a schizophrenic allegiance to geocentric astrology and flat earth geomancy. Social progress means that people should align their beliefs and behaviour to new knowledge and understanding of nature and society. By this measure, we are experiencing a serious regress. It is not enough that India’s Constitution enjoins all citizens in its Article 51 (a) (h) to promote the scientific temper as a Fundamental Duty. Public officials who swear to uphold the Constitution are routinely in breach of this exhortation, space scientists perform religious rituals before launching satellites — is it science or Sanskrit that keeps a satellite in orbit? Blind belief has so dulled our sense of reasoning that we no longer apply common sense in the conduct of our daily lives. We are becoming a laughing stock of the world. A spirited and passionate defence of reason and the scientific method is therefore needed today in our public life. Is it not time to stop our daily national humiliation of delusion and unpunished deception of the ignorant and the innocent? Is it not time to prove ourselves as deserving of the fruits of modern knowledge? Is it not time to free ourselves from the tyranny of ignorance? Teacher, Politician, Scientist, Engineer, Farmer, Student, Parent, Housewife, Citizen! Listen to MN Roy’s poetic wisdom when he called Reason the rhythm of the cosmos! Heed the admonition of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius who asked in Meditations, in AD 180: Hast thou reason? Why then dost not thou use it? (Babu Gogineni is an international humanist and human rights activist).

Thanks for the laugh

Earth hour is a farce

So, I read your centre-spread — History as our youth know it — and I found it to be completely hilarious. Though I was not expecting to be April fooled, I did go on a complete laugh riot. The funniest bit to it was about the Renaissance and about the Enlightenment. I showed it to everyone around and had a good laugh. Please have more such centre-spreads in the future. Good luck with the future editions!

Although I support the thought behind 'Earth Hour', I don't understand why a country like India should seriously follow it. Yes, it's true that the carbon footprint of the country will grow enormously in the next few years, but we cannot forget the fact that the country already struggles from a severe power crisis. Several areas in the country don't even get adequate electricity and expecting people to switch off the lights for an hour to support 'Earth Hour' is quite pointless. Ishaaq B Tolichowki

Malvika A Begumpet

Campus

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

Chaitanya Bharathi Institution of Technology (CBIT)

et up in the year 1979, Chaitanya Bharathi Institution of Technology (CBIT) is among the best engineering colleges in the country today. It was ranked 43 by Outlook India in the list of the top engineering colleges of 2011. The USP of the college is its star-studded alumni who contribute generously to their almamater. CBIT has two basketball courts, an indoor stadium equipped for sports like Badminton and Tennis. With a seating capacity of 300, its canteen is huge! But to see the campus at its best, go to their annual festival, Carpe Diem. Their vast expanse of open space, venues for live music, thoughtfully-laid out academic blocks makes it one of best places to go to college.

E N V Y W O R T H Y

Hyderabad Central University (HCU)

evoted to postgraduate and research studies, HCU boasts of 46 different departments and centres organised in 10 schools of study. At 2600 acres, University of Hyderabad is comparable to any IIT. Its lush landscape comprises of natural lakes and rock formations. With banks, ATMs, health-care centres, its a universe in itself. Established in 1974, it lists out world-class faculty who have been recipients of national and international awards. The entire campus is wi-fi enabled and also has one of the largest libraries in the country with over 3.56 lakh books and research material available.

For those who think Hyderabad's college scene is still wanting, take a look of some of the best college campuses in the city Sana Mirza sana.m@postnoon.com

NALSAR Law University

stablished in 1998, this Justice City boasts of a 50 acre site next to the Shameerpet Lake, a safe 28kms away from the city. Constantly fighting National Law School (Bangalore) for the top spot, the architecture at NALSAR campus combines creativity with practical design, making its infrastructure state of the art. The grey and white buildings, bricked hostel roofs surrounded by prim-manicured lawns are a sight to behold. And now, their student council has secured funds to upgrade sporting facilities in preparation for its debut inter-college sports fest in 2013. Also, its library is one of the best in the city. Making use of their expansive grounds, there are regular dance and yoga classes; film, book and theatre clubs which meet regularly. NALSAR offers more than education and offers the best experiences that one can have in college.

Osmania University

ne of the earliest centres of learning, Osmania University was established and named after the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. Flanked by greenery, it is a vast pastoral plaza spread across a 2.5 lakh sq ft Arts College building, which forms the nucleus of the 1500 acre campus. The Arts college building, surrounded by landscaped gardens, is the definition of architectural uniqueness. This awe-inspiring, sculptured granite structure is an ode to Osman Shahi architecture which combined the archetypal characteristics of Hindu temples with Arabic motifs. Even as its racked by political protests, the university campus still retains its serenity.

Indian School of Business (ISB)

estled among clusters of large trees, away from the hustle-bustle of the city, the Indian School of Business shares its boundary walls with IT majors such as Infosys Technologies, Microsoft and Wipro. A highlight of the campus architecture is the large rock formations which have been retained, spreading across an expansive 260 acres with truly world-class, state-of-the-art amenities and also a large artificial lake. With an internationally top-ranked research centre, ISB holds a massive collection of printed as well as electronic resources. With studio apartments for the married junta, play areas for kids, a recreation center which helps students stay in shape, a swimming pool, gym, basketball court, a football/cricket ground, can you ask for more?

H‑Factor

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

Holistic view of mind, body and soul

A matter of lifestyle A recent High Court ruling has highlighted the issue of how denying sex is slowly becoming a common ground for divorces. Lifestyle factors are believed to be a major cause

Fertility issues after cancer treatment

Dr P Raghu Ram and Dr S Vyjayanthi

ptions for preserving fertility following treatment are limited as damage to the ovaries has already occurred. For those women whose cycle returns, it may be possible to have pregnancies after breast cancer treatment. However, for some this may not be possible. Egg donation: It may be possible to get pregnant by using eggs donated by other fertile women. This procedure involves taking hormone replacement therapy (not fertility drugs) to prepare the womb, prior to replacing embryos.

Fertility issues after treatment

Anishaa Kumar anishaa.k@postnoon.com

n March 2011, the Delhi High Court declared that depriving one’s partner of sex amounts to cruelty and is a strong ground for seeking divorce. The case saw a husband demand a divorce on the grounds that his wife deprived him of sex. Justice Kailash Gambhir who preceded over the case has stated “sex is the foundation of marriage and marriage without sex is an anathema.” Modern lifestyle and our fast paced lives are often considered as a cause for many problems related to physical intimacy. According to Dr Narayan Reddy, consultant sexologist, “For sex to be pleasurable three factors are important — a relaxed mind, a healthy body and a conducive environment.”

Healthy mind In today’s fast paced world a relaxed mind is often difficult to attain. Explains Dr Narayan,

“Our mind is never relaxed, the stress of everyday life and commuting long distances to reach our work place keep us preoccupied.”

Healthy Body Eat well is a paradigm which many doctors and elders advice us. A healthy body is also essential but again when it comes to the way our lifestyle is we tend to skip meals, are on crash diets and tend to eat at odd hours. Dr Narayan says, “The problem is that we don’t eat a balanced diet. Even a lot of the food available nowadays is chemically modified. The fruits are chemically ripened hence lacking the essential nutrients. There is also a lot of adulteration of food.” Takeaway and eating out are common. Drinking, smoking and atmospheric pollution are other problems that may have a negative effect.

Conducive environment The third important factor is a conducive environment. Pollution, smaller and cramped apartments and lack of exercise can also have a negative

impact. According to Dr Narayan, “The ambience is equally important. These days we live in apartments where there is no ventilation and fresh air. They do not exercise which again deprives them of the necessary vitamin D. Cleanliness is also an issue.” Relationships in today’s world are believed to be very delicate. Dr Narayan mentions that people are these days obsessed with texting, e-mails and social networking. There is very little personal interaction as people prefer to be online rather than actually interacting with others.

Solution in sight? Dr Narayan mentions that it is up to us to solve the issue. He says, “We need to choose what kind of lifestyle we want. People nowadays, especially those who work in the IT sector chose wealth over health. They work long and odd hours because of the high salaries they get paid. They fail to see the larger good.” Experts believe that we need to be able to balance both our personal and professional lives in such a way that each

does not effect the other.

Psychologist speak Dr Sucharita, a psychologist and counselor mentions, “People do not directly come and say that such a problem exists. It is true that factors such as physical intimacy, affection, love and care are important in any relationship.” She mentions that it is not only lifestyle factors but a combination of many, “The problem is that both men and women have two different sets of needs. Women may consider controlling nature and temper of their other half as a reason to stay way from a physical relationship. Usually men come and say that the problem occurs, but there are stray cases wherein the woman says so. She adds. Talking about lifestyle factors and their effects, Dr Sucharita explains, “Lifestyle factors could have a major effect. Problems such as working at odd and different hours can contribute to the issue. Absence of sexual knowledge is also a problem. Even other factors like personality also effect the sexual relation between the couple.”

It is difficult to predict precisely how fertility will be affected to each patient by cancer treatment. Generally speaking, a woman should assume that she could still get pregnant unless one has not had a period for at least a year (over 40 yrs) or two years (under 40 yrs) after completing breast cancer treatment. If periods haven’t started, one may still be producing eggs and could still become pregnant. To check if a woman’s ovaries are working, the specialist will not only look at whether periods have started again but also monitor whether one has any menopausal symptoms. A series of blood tests to monitor the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) may be taken. An ultrasound scan of the ovaries may also be helpful but this needs to be performed in a specialist centre. It may not be possible to find out straightaway after treatment has finished if a woman is still fertile. For example, one may have to wait three to six months after chemotherapy before blood levels can be tested.

(This column will continue next week. Dr Vyjayanthi is the HOD and consultant fertility specialist at KIMS Fertility Centre. Dr Raghu Ram is director and consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon at KIMSUshalakshmi Centre for Breast Diseases)

H‑Factor

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

Holistic view of mind, body and soul

Researchers say ‘superbugs’ can be defeated by ‘superdrugs’ A new study found that augmenting existing antibiotics with chemical compounds can increase the antibiotic’s effectiveness six times and defeat strains that have become resistant to treatment Dr Marta Martins from the UCD School of Public Health said, according to Zenopa: “There are very few new antibacterial drugs coming onto the market so it is vital that we find ways to extend the use of existing antibiotics as much as possible.” In recent years, a number of bacteria including those that cause gonorrhea and staph infections are growing increasingly resistant to even the most powerful antibiotics. The study could be a huge find in that the new compounds could not be resisted by bacteria given their chemical structure. “We know that bacteria adapt and adjust quickly and mutate quickly,” Martins said, according to US News and World Report. “Our thinking is to use something different—we use compounds that are not antibiotics so we can avoid the development of new resistances.” GLOBAL POST

Alexander Besant

esearchers believe they may have found a way of defeating antibiotic resistant “superbugs” with aptly named “superdrugs.” The study at University College Dublin found that fortifying existing antibiotics with “adjuvant compounds,” certain chemicals that can be added to the drug, can augment the antibiotic’s effectiveness six times, according to US News and World Report. The team studied a variety of bacteria that are often associated with hospital — acquired infections and have strains that are resistant to antibiotics, including Enterobacter and Staphylococcus. According to Science Codex, the antibiotics that were laced with the compounds had six times more effectiveness than those without. Researchers said the finding was important given the dearth of new antibiotics on the market.

PREGNANCY MATTERS

Know your baby’s growth n

hile everyone’s talking about all the changes you’ll be experiencing as your pregnancy progresses, you know little about your baby’s development. But as you take each tiny step towards motherhood, your baby too grows and develops within you. Read on to know a bit more to know how and when your baby grows into that beautiful little bundle of joy you’re about to deliver.

First Trimester (week 1 to week 12) n

At 4 weeks: Your baby’s brain and spinal cord have begun to form. The

heart begins to form. Arm and leg buds appear. Your baby is now an embryo and one-twenty-fifth inch long. At 8 weeks: All major organs and external body structures have begun to form. Your baby’s heart beats with a regular rhythm. The arms and legs grow longer, and fingers and toes have begun to form. The sex organs begin to form. The eyes have moved forward on the face and eyelids have formed. The umbilical cord is clearly visible. At the end of 8 weeks, your baby is a foetus and looks more like a human. Your baby is nearly 1 inch long and weighs less than 1/8 of an ounce. At 12 weeks: The nerves and muscles begin to work together. Your baby can make a fist. The external sex organs show if your baby is a boy or girl. A woman who has an ultrasound in the second trimester or later might be able to find out the baby’s sex (although this is illegal in India). Eyelids close to protect the developing eyes. They will not open again until the 28th week. Head growth has slowed,

and your baby is much longer. Now, at about 3 inches long, your baby weighs almost an ounce.

Second Trimester (week 13-week 28) n

At 16 weeks: Muscle tissue and bone continue to form, creating a more complete skeleton. Skin begins to form. You can nearly see through it. Meconium (mih-KOHnee-uhm) develops in your baby’s intestinal tract. This will be your baby’s first bowel movement. Your baby makes sucking motions with the mouth (sucking reflex). Your baby reaches a length of about 4 to 5 inches and weighs almost 3 ounces. At 20 weeks: Your baby is more active. You might feel slight fluttering. Your baby is covered by fine, downy hair called lanugo (luh-NOOgoh) and a waxy coating called vernix. This protects the forming skin underneath. Eyebrows, eyelashes, fingernails, and toenails have formed. Your baby can even scratch itself. Your baby can hear and swallow. Now halfway through your pregnancy, your baby is about 6

inches long and weighs about 9 ounces. At 24 weeks: Bone marrow begins to make blood cells. Taste buds form on your baby’s tongue. Footprints and fingerprints have formed. Real hair begins to grow on your baby’s head. The lungs are formed, but do not work. The hand and startle reflex develop. Your baby sleeps and wakes regularly. If your baby is a boy, his testicles begin to move from the abdomen into the scrotum. If your baby is a girl, her uterus and ovaries are in place, and a lifetime supply of eggs have formed in the ovaries. Your baby stores fat and has gained quite a bit of weight. Now at about 12 inches long, your baby weighs about 1½ pounds.

Third Trimester (week 29-week 40) n

At 32 weeks: Your baby’s bones are fully formed, but still soft. Your baby’s kicks and jabs are forceful. The eyes can open and close and sense changes in light. Lungs are not fully formed, but practice “breathing” movements occur. Your

baby’s body begins to store vital minerals, such as iron and calcium. Lanugo begins to fall off. Your baby is gaining weight quickly, about one-half pound a week. Now, your baby is about 15 to 17 inches long and weighs about 4 to 4½ pounds n At 36 weeks: The protective waxy coating called vernix gets thicker. Body fat increases. Your baby is getting bigger and bigger and has less space to move around. Movements are less forceful, but you will feel stretches and wiggles. Your baby is about 16 to 19 inches long and weighs about 6 to 6½ pounds. n Weeks 37-40: By the end of 37 weeks, your baby is considered full term. Your baby’s organs are ready to function on their own. As you near your due date, your baby may turn into a head-down position for birth. Most babies “present” head down. At birth, your baby may weigh somewhere between 6 pounds 2 ounces and 9 pounds 2 ounces and be 19 to 21 inches long. Most full-term babies fall within these ranges. But healthy babies come in many different sizes. SOURCE: WWW.MEDICINENET.COM

Spotlight

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

SRINIVAS SETTY

When ‘fools’ rushed in On the occasion of April Fool’s Day, Dramanon, a Hyderabad-based theatre group put up a play at the NIFT campus in Madhapur. The play aptly titled Fools by Neil Simon was directed by RK Shenoy. Audience at the play claimed it was a laugh riot.

A date with history,Vir Das style

Amala Akkineni(R)& mum

Nishanthi

Majula Reddy & Kumudini

Ace standup comedian Vir Das performed at Taj Krishna on Sunday. The event was titled History of IndiaViritten. Needless to say the evening was a fun-filled one.

Sadhana & Neha

Prerna & Ankit

Magic Screen

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

RACHA SET TO RELEASE ON APRIL 5

am Charan, Tamannaah starrer Racha is all set to hit the screens on April 5. The film unit recently wrapped shooting a couple of songs in Hyderabad and Pollachi to meet the official deadline. Producer NV Prasad had earlier stated that Ram Charan decided to wrap up the film, despite suffering from muscle tear, as they had told all the distributors that the film will release in the first week of April. Couple of days ago,

T-TOWN TWEETIES

Ram Charan posted on Twitter, “im back in hyderabad.racha completes shoot this morning.i enjoyed working on cherry cherry song the most though dilaka is my fav to hear. (sic)” Sampath Nandi has directed the film with Parthiban, Dev Gill and Ajmal playing important roles in the film which is also being released in Tamil and Malayalam. Mani Sharma has composed the music. Ram Charan is confident that the film will impress his fans as it’s a complete mass entertainer with spectacular action sequences.

@richyricha Always sad leaving the comfort of the place u grew up in, but happy going back 2 the ppl that make me stay in India n let me do what I love!

@sneha_ullal #lld teaser crosses 1 lakh viewers on you tube in 5 days..feeling the love..thanku isnt enuf for you guys :)

Eega will be a very unique film T Trisha wraps up shooting for Dhammu

risha has finally wrapped shooting for her upcoming Telugu film Dhammu. She’s playing the lead role in the film where she’s paired up alongside NTR. An item number featuring NTR, Trisha, Karthika, Maryam Zakaria and Rachana Maurya was recently shot in Hyderabad with which the entire film’s shooting came to an end. For the past four months, Trisha kept juggling between shooting for Dhammu and another Tamil film titled Samaran. A birdie tells us that Trisha looks ravishing in the film and has put her heart and soul for this project. Since it’s the first time she has paired up with NTR, we hear that she is all the more excited about the film. Directed by Boyapati Srinu, the film marks the return of NTR to a full fledged mass entertainer. M M Keeravani has composed the music and the film is slated for release on April 27.

he buzz surrounding S S Rajamouli’s upcoming film Eega grew manifold ever since the first trailer was unveiled at the film’s audio launch recently. Several filmmakers have already praised Rajamouli for raising the standard of Telugu cinema, but one filmmaker in particular feels that it’s going to be a pathbreaking film. We are talking about RGV, whose tweets are more than enough to set tongues wagging. After watching the trailer, RGV stated, “Eega’s trailer is superb. I have no doubts that it will be the most pathbreaking VFX film to come out of India. In sheer conceptual originality Eega looks like it’s miles ahead of Rajamouli’s earlier blockbuster Magadheera. Idea of making a film on a common fly as the protagonist is a true curtain raiser for indian cinema to venture into hitherto unflied territories.” The film has Nani, Sudeep and Samantha in lead roles and it boasts of extravagant special effects. Sai Korrapati has produced the Telugu version and Prasad V Potluri has produced the Tamil version which has been titled as Naan Ee. M M Keeravani has composed the music.

@RGVzoomin Idea of mkng a film on a common fly as the protagonist is a true curtain riser fr indian cinema to venture into hitherto unflied territories

@sundeep kishan Loved 3... was always a dhanush fan but this time@shrutihaasan is the surprise package... terrific performance, esp in the school episode :)

@tashu_02 I guess I over stressed myself this week with my gym schedule, so got lil swelling n pain on my left foot... hav been put to rest now...

@pnavdeep26 A hindi promotional song for a Hollywood movie in India! wow... #avengers !!

@_Hansika 13 more days for ORU KAL ORU KANNADI #OKOK …… WOHOOOOOOAAAAA ( n this one is no april fool ;p )

@me_sushanth Wow! A year already! “@YUVSTRONG12: My thoughts on the first Anniversary of 2011 World Cup win, what a night it was.”

Magic Screen

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

Sandip: Satyajit Ray was a ruthless director

B-TOWN TWEETIES

@MadhuriDixit More updates by the team to the website! Let me know what u think. They have underlined the features which are updated. #fb

@NeilNMukesh Post me a picture that u have taken ! Not like last time where u guys pulled out snaps from the archive.

@realprietyzinta Why do Men Cheat & Why do Women Cheat ???? Let’s have it from the respective sexes ! Under 18 pls stay away from this chat ;-)))) hahahaha

@SrBachchan

wo decades after the legendary Satyajit Ray’s death, his son says the skill of being a “ruthless director” that he has inherited from his father is a prime reason for his success as a filmmaker. “I have learnt several things from my father and the crew members of his team, which have helped me. But one thing which has helped me is that he used to say that a director has to be ruthless and he should never have any fancy for any scene or shot which was done meticulously,” Sandip Ray said in an exclusive interview. “He used to say that a director has to be flexible and should make fatless movies. I still remember his words that a director cannot bore the audience,” he added. According to Sandip, Satyajit Ray’s ability to buck the trend, coupled with a strong subject matter and simple story telling helped him to churn out classics which are considered benchmarks for world class movies. Satyajit Ray, India’s first and only Oscar-winning director, with his timeless classic like the Apu Triology, Jalsaghar, Sonar Kella, Charulata, and Shatranj Ke Khiladi captured the attention of movie buffs both nationally and internationally. Born in May 1921, he passed away in April 1992. Baptised in the art of film making as assistant director to his father, Sandip made his debut film Fatikchand in 1983. As Ray became ill after a heart attack, Sandip became the director of photography in the master’s last

He used to say that a director has to be flexible and should make fatless movies. Sandip three films – Ganashatru, Shakha Proshakha and Agantuk. In 1991, Sandip directed the third part of the Goopy Bagha Trilogy Goopy Bagha Phire Elo with music scored by Ray and story by the father-son duo. Sandip agrees that his father’s status of a legendary director made things difficult for him initially. “Yes, it is true that initially it used to disturb me a bit, I used to be extra cautious. There is an extra pressure when you are son of such a great filmmaker. But later on I stopped thinking about it and, yes, I do feel happy that I have been able to create a place for myself,” he said. With movies like Nishijapon and Uttoran, Sandip has been able to create a genre of his own. He cemented his presence in the industry with blockbuster hits like Bombaiyer Bombete and Baksho Rahashya based on Ray’s immortal detective series Feluda. Armed with his father’s teachings and having given movies like Royal Bengal Rohosso, Gorosthaney Sabdhan, Tintorettor Jishu and Hitlist, Sandip has evolved as a leading filmmaker of India. He is now planning a movie on

scientist professor Shanku, another immortal literary character of Ray, and a film by compiling horror stories. “I have been thinking about it for a long time, but earlier professor Shanku was an expensive matter on silver screen due to its graphics and other special effects. But now with the advancement of technology it is possible.” Sandip said movies on the Feluda series will be in cold storage for some time as Sabyasachi Chakraborty, who has been playing the lead role of the detective, is ageing. “We have to find actors for portraying Feluda and Jatayu for Feluda movies. We don’t know when we will get them,” he said. When asked about casting more or less the same actors like Paran Bandopadhaya, Tota Roy Choudhury, Parambrata Chatterjee in most of his films, Sandip said: “Yes, there is a comfort zone with these actors. But at the same time these actors are so versatile that it is really hard to find their replacement.” Sandip, however, still bears the pain of his father receiving the prestigious Oscar award for lifetime achievement at a very late stage of his life. “I personally feel that he received the Oscar at a very late age. He could have got an Oscar much earlier. He wanted very badly to collect the Oscar himself, but he couldn’t due to his illness,” he said. Ray received Oscar for his lifetime achievement just days before his death.

T 700 - Rochelle, told me to ‘tell your butterflies to BACK OF !!’ I did, my dear... and they came right BACK..said, ‘didn’t you ask for it’ ?

@udaychopra I’m off for a bit everyone...need to find Balance apparently, but I’ll be back soon!!! Till then, my advice, don’t let the “maybe” stop you

@RahulBose1 I see my klout rating has fallen 4 points. cruel world. one’s hair isn’t the only thing that loses heft in one’s old age. one’s words too...

@AnupamPkher With so many scams coming out I would still like to have an optimistic view that it is a cleansing process. Aakhir Kitna Khayenge Doston?:)

@bomanirani Wife says don’t tweet, need to talk. I said I’m tweeting about ‘munnabhai’. so she says, ‘then its ok’, will talk later.’

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Magic Screen

The glamour behind the glitz

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

LET THERE BE SLIME

ost Will Smith warned celebs at Nickelodeon’s 25th annual Kids’ Choice Awards Saturday after he kicked off the show by rappelling to the stage and deactivating a booby trap: “No one is safe from the slime.” And he meant you Justin Bieber, Halle Berry, Chris Colfer and Taylor Lautner! The first to be wearing the green was Oscar winner Halle Berry, who didn’t even make it to the stage, but rather got the goo in her audience seat! Taylor Lautner made slime look hot after attempting a push-up contest with Smith.But the best slime of the evening had to be Justin Bieber! The singer joined Smith on stage only to receive a blastful of green to close the show—barely missing First Lady Michelle Obama.

MYSTERY MAN IN HOUSTON’S DEATH

website reported that a witness came forward and told officials that Dutch national Raffles Van Excel, who was part of Whitney’s most recent entourage, was allegedly one of Houston’s cocaine suppliers and cleaned out her room at the Beverly Hilton hotel before the cops showed up. Although it was originally reported there was no cocaine found in the room by officials, TMZ said official police documents now say that, “white, powdery remnants” were recovered, but the quantity was not specified.

BLACK DIAMONDS FOR FERGIE I

n Las Vegas singer Fergie bounced from the VIP table she shared with husband Josh Duhamel and Ne-Yo to the adjacent one where Michael Jordan was partying. This was a special celebration though – Fergie turned 37 on Tuesday and, in addition to the party for her, Duhamel knew just what to do. “I got some black diamonds from my man. Earrings,” she said at 1 OAK in Las Vegas, adding she didn’t even have to ask. “He’s really that good. He knows me.” As for the glamorous scene, Fergie said she’s actually “loving the normalcy of my life.” Last fall, TheBlack Eyed Peas took a self-imposed hiatus, allowing Fergie to focus more on her nonmusic ventures including her shoe line and fragrance, which she classifies as “normal chaos, not tour chaos.” And that chaos also includes mundane household duties. “There is so much to do in my house, in every little corner. It’s just like anybody, it’s like one step at a time,” she said. “I try to decorate one space and a pipe breaks or whatever – you know how it is.”

Chai Time

KAKURO

How to play Kakuro Kakuro is a popular game similar to sudoku in some ways. But is also suitably different. The key question: ‘How do you play kakuro?’, well here are the rules of kakuro. The answer: The kakuro grid, unlike in sudoku, can be of any size. It has rows and columns, and dark cells like in a crossword. And, just like in a crossword, some of the dark cells will contain numbers. Some cells will contain two numbers. However, in a crossword the numbers reference clues. In a kakuro, the numbers are all you get! They denote the total of the digits in the row or column referenced by the number. Within each collection of cells — called a run — any of the numbers 1 to 9 may be used but, like sudoku, each number may only be used once. Let’s have an example to explain this concept more clearly: In the image above, which shows a section of a kakuro puzzle, you will see the numbers ‘26’ and ‘14’ in the top row. Look at the 14. This means that the total of the three cells underneath must sum to 14. Therefore 9, 4, 1 could be the answer, or perhaps 7, 4, 3 and so on... So, how do you work out the actual combination? Well, this is done through elimination and cross-referencing. For instance, as you work out the answers for other kakuro clues, this will naturally limit the valid combinations, and hence the answer for this particular run. Note the second cell in row two — it contains two numbers, 30 and 11. The 30 refers to the vertical run underneath the number 30 and the 11 refers to the two cells to the right, horizontally, of the number 11.

SCRIBBLING PAD

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

Take a shot at the brain game while sipping your cuppa

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Tap-on-the-shoulder alternative 5 Be loose-lipped 9 Metal to be recycled 14 Superman's lady friend, Lois 15 Composer Schifrin 16 Brownish-gray colour 17 Plant used in cosmetics 18 Supports 19 Get in the game 20 Bat man? 23 Complete 24 Reduce, as prices 27 With the greatest of ___ 29 Andrew Lloyd Webber title villain 31 Domineering 34 Drill for penetrating rock 36 ___ Khan (Islamic leader) 37 Engrossed 38 Big blunder 39 Polygraph flunker 40 ‘From ___ Zinc’ (multivitamin ad phrase) 41 Feel in the gut 42 Horse-donkey hybrid 43 Spectral 45 Inexperienced person 47 Slow critter 48 Acupuncture item 52 Monster maker of literature 56 Canine's kin 59 Not fooled by 60 Like many layer cakes 61 Love to extremes 62 Littler than little 63 Spell caster 64 Half-hearted 65 Letters from Greece 66 Black-___ Susan DOWN 1 Come in second, at the track 2 Stylist's spot 3 One end of a pig

4 Most in need of magnification 5 Grass units 6 Place to find some wild animals 7 Alan of ‘M*A*S*H’ 8 Popular pear 9 Outstanding 10 Land promised to Abraham 11 Groove 12 Copy 13 ___ diem 21 Mess-hall carrier 22 Wedding attendant 25 Coffee-spill result 26 Wrestler Hulk 28 Ivory's partner, in song 29 Monopolise the mirror 30 ‘Quite contrary’ lass 31 Boast about one's

accomplishments 32 ‘Gosh darn!’ and worse 33 Flatware item 35 ‘Walk’ or ‘lead’ finisher 38 ‘Twilight’ heroine 39 Kind of membership 41 How 007 doesn't like his martinis 42 Makes a quick retreat 44 Jungle expedition 46 Gets under the skin of 49 Decompose 50 Feudal figure 51 Drew to a close 53 Informal letter 54 Make baby

SUDOKU

booties 55 Explosive Italian landmark 56 Grappling site 57 ‘___ to Billy Joe’ 58 Cut (off), as a branch PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

THOUGHT OF THE DAY The biggest liar in the world is the golfer who claims he plays the game for exercise. – Tommy Bolt

Chai Time STAR POWER

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

Your tomorrow today̶Star Power and Tarot THIRUVAIKUMAR

As per Hindu panchang

FOR 3-4-2012

thiruvaikumar@yahoo.co.in 040-27177230 / 9177596118

TAURUS

GEMINI

Suddenly you will become a centre of attraction for everyone. Your good ac‑ tions and mercy for the deserving will continue to increase. Also, your anger will reduce which is a positive point.

If expenses are not monitored and kept under control it's sure that you will land in ﬁnancial crisis. Work burden at wor‑ kplace will start reducing. Those in tri‑ als at getting a job abroad will succeed.

Businessmen will see a boom period. All they expected will get fulﬁlled. Worries over children will be over as they start acting with responsibility. Keep a harmonial situation at home.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Never hesitate to get into action fearing failure. Just keep moving so that success comes to you on its own. Though em‑ ployees are entrusted with additional re‑ sponsibilities, compensation brings joy.

Children will be happy as you will take care of their needs. Though you have tensions inside, you never express it out. However, tensions have reduced consid‑ erably now than what were there earlier.

Never take decisions on the advise of others, you need to think about the pros and cons and take a proper deci‑ sion and implement it; you will most certainly be successful.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

Your planning to go abroad will materi‑ alise without obstacles. Be prepared to proceed. Tensions for employees at work place will reduce. Expenses which were very high will slowly reduce.

Unexpected fortune likely. Expected favours from govt will come through. Your luck and attraction does the magic. A close friendship with opposite sex might turn into love; be happy.

Bonding between son and father will strengthen. Those who got frustrated without getting proper opportunities, luck is about to knock at the door; capi‑ talise on opportunities that come now.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Some have bright chances to buy a house. There will not be any obstacles and everything will go smoothly till the registration is over. Employees will be favoured with a promotion.

Good news expected from abroad is about to arrive. Stay cheerful. Your talk will attract others. Businessmen need not worry about slack in business. Tim‑ es are to change and proﬁts will go up.

Though travel to get work done increa‑ ses, you never give up. Children will progress towards a better phase. They will also make you proud and happy. Artists will get name, fame and money.

SUMAA TEKUR

FOR 3-4-2012

tarotreadhyd@gmail.com

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

The Chariot – Travel is indicated. You may be going someplace to check out a new job or to move in order to manage your ﬁnances better.

Nine of Pentacles – Youʼre happiest when surrounded by your favourite things – books, music, theatre, etc. Donʼt alienate yourself from society in the quest for joy.

Eight of Swords – Bonds are being sev‑ ered. This is unlikely to affect very strong relationships though. Someone is going to rock your boat. Be prepared.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Ace of Pentacles – Your strength is your focus and intent to get a job done. Your coworkers may be quite jealous of this ability of yours. But your bosses love you.

Nine of Swords – Pay attention to your dreams. Something is bothering you, and the answer to that lies in your dreams. You may be restless and anxious.

Three of Cups – Celebration time! Good news is on the way. You hear that you got the project, or youʼre appreciat‑ ed for all your hard work with a raise.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

The Empress – Love is in the air. You che‑ rish the wine and dine routine. You and your partner should enroll in a dance cla‑ ss or something that keeps you together.

The Moon – Mood swings are possible. Donʼt let this affect your relationships, especially with close family members. Guard against mak‑ ing hasty decisions.

Ten of Wands – If yo‑ uʼre a manager at work or home, learn to delegate responsi‑ bilities. Even that is a lot of work. You can‑ not do it all by your‑ self.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Judgement – Donʼt get impatient if you havenʼt been able to achieve your short‑ term goals. Re‑jig your plans and work them out as per the new plan.

Five of Cups – Some form of loss is indi‑ cated. You probably did not account for this loss when you were planning. It can‑ not be avoided either.

Knight of Pentacles – Youʼre focused, dete‑ rmined and moving ahead in the right path. There are times when you wish you had good company. Itʼs hard to come by.

For Better or for Worse Stone soup

SOLUTIONS

Boggle OBOE DRUM GUITAR TRUMPET TROMBONE

Number game

Suduko

Scrabble

Ink pen

COMICS

Fred Basset

ARIES

TAROT READ

Vol: 1, No 260 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad – 500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon.com and for subscription, please call 040-4067 2222, Fax: 040-4067 2211

Playing Field

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

The games people play

Will Powers his way to victory in Alabama BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA: Australian Will Power shrugged off his qualifying disappointment to win Sunday’s IndyCar race at Barber Motorsports Park, capturing the title in Alabama for the second straight year. Last year Power led all 90 laps from the pole. This time around he started ninth on the grid, after his qualifying lap was disallowed amid a caution period. The Australian worked his way up to second, seized the lead after his final pit stop, then held off New Zealand’s Scott Dixon over the final 16 laps to win by 3.3709 seconds. “That was an awesome race,” Power said. “We slowly passed one by one. It was a very good team effort, absolute team effort. The strategy was perfect. The stops were perfect. “We were quick when we needed to be, put ourselves in a position to win, which I did not think was possible this morning.” Dixon nabbed his second runner-up finish in as many races. He was second to Brazil’s Helio Castroneves in the March 25 season-opener at St. Petersburg, Florida. Castroneves was third, ahead of Graham Rahal with France’s Simon Pagenaud fifth.

(L-R) Helio Castroneves of Brazil, Will Power of Australia and Scott Dixon of New Zealand celebrate finishing respectively third, first and second during the IndyCar Series Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park. AFP/ROBERT LABERGE “It was a tough race, and huge congratulations to Team Penske and obviously Will, coming from so deep in the field to come back and get on top,” said Dixon, who had surrendered the lead when he pitted for the last time on lap 66. “It shows they have a strong team.” Formula One veteran Rubens Barrichello, making his

Top finishers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Will Power (AUS) Scott Dixon (NZL) Helio Castroneves (BRA) Graham Rahal (USA) Simon Pagenaud (FRA) James Hinchcliffe (CAN) Mike Conway (GBR) Rubens Barrichello (BRA) Sebastien Bourdais (FRA) Dario Franchitti (GBR)

second IndyCar start, and France’s Sebastien Bourdais made statements with top-10 finishes, Barrichello eighth and Bourdais ninth in a Lotus. “It’s hard to be happy with a top 10, but starting so far back (14th) and at some points in the race even further back, I think it was a positive that I was able to work my way back through the field,” Barrichello said.

Hirvonen stripped of Rally win FARO, PORTUGAL: Mikko Hirvonen was stripped of his Rally of Portugal win Sunday when the clutch on his factory Citroen was deemed illegal, leaving Ford’s Mads Ostberg to celebrate his maiden triumph. Hirvonen, the runner-up in the 2011 world championship, had been celebrating his first win as a Citroen driver, and 15th overall in his career, after finishing 1min 51.8sec ahead of Ostberg. The win had also put the Finn on top of the overall championship standings. But stewards later deemed the car’s clutch to have breached technical regulations and excluded Hirvonen from the race classification. A Citroen spokesman said that the team recognised the infringement but that the punishment was “disproportionate” and, as a result, they would appeal. The decision also meant that world champion Sebastien Loeb, Hirvonen’s teammate at Citroen, retains the overall lead in the championship despite the Frenchman having failed to finish the race. Loeb has a four-point lead over Petter Solberg and 16-point advantage over Hirvonen.

Scramble to rescue crew of stricken yacht LOS ANGELES: The US Coast Guard scrambled Sunday to help a yacht hit by a “monstrous foaming swell” in the Pacific that injured four crew members, including two Britons and an Australian, officials said. The 68-foot (21-meter) Geraldton Western Australia was caught in severe weather some 400 miles (640 kilometers) off the California coast that swept away its steering wheel and some communications equipment, race organizers said. The injured crew members sustained suspected broken ribs and were being treated by medically-trained colleagues on the craft, one of 10 similar boats taking part in the Clipper Round the World yacht race. A long-range HC-130 Hercules aircraft was able to drop medical supplies late Saturday, but an attempt to lower rescuers was thwarted because of the

Geraldton Western Australia crew in Qingdao ahead of Race 9 start to Oakland, San Francisco Bay. ONEDITION weather, and the aircraft had to return to shore, a Coast Guard statement said. On Sunday, a Coast Guard cutter was dispatched with a helipad and chopper to link up with the

stricken yacht and possibly airlift one or more of the injured, race organizers said. The yacht, which the Coast Guard says has 13 people on board, is sailing under secondary

steering toward San Francisco. A container ship was also diverted to reach them if necessary. In comments posted on the race’s website, South African skipper Juan Coetzer said the boat was hit by a massive wave at dawn Saturday. “We were racing along in 40-60 knot gusts. The sea was alive with rage. We were making good speed... Then at our watch change, just before the sun came up, a monstrous foaming swell broke over our stern,” he said. “Mark Burkes was on the helm at the time. The water had so much force in it that it pushed Mark into the helm, snapping the pedestal clean off. We had no steering and crew were falling all over the boat.” The injured Britons were Jane Hitchens, 50, from Kent with suspected broken ribs, and 47-yearold Burkes from Worcestershire with a back injury — although this

was less serious than initially thought. Queensland, Australia farmer Max Wilson, 62, has two suspected cracked or broken ribs, while Serbian-Croat Nik Brbora, a 28year-old software engineer who lives in London, has a possible pelvic sprain, organizers said. “The rest of the crew are uninjured but shaken by the incident. All crew next of kin have been informed,” they said in a statement. The yacht was on the latest leg of the round-the-world race, sailing from Qingdao, China to San Francisco. The next leg should take race participants to New York, via the Panama Canal, the Coast Guard said. Six of the 10 boats competing have now arrived in San Francisco, while three others were expected to arrive within 24 hours, said race organizers, as the stricken yacht limped toward land.

Playing Field

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

The games people play

M ANIL KUMAR

Schools cash in on talent G. Aparna Sai feedback@postnoon.com

ll work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. This age old saying with a little modification, holds good in most Indian households; more play and little study makes Jack a dull boy. In our developing nation, it is not an unknown fact that studies hold the utmost priority in a student’s life. With pressure pouring in from all quarters, children are left with no option but to succumb to the growing demands and watch their other dreams being laid to rest. Unfortunately, it is not just parental pressure but reality is that most schools trend this path too; laying emphasis only on academics while a trivial amount of time is dedicated to co-curricular and extra-curricular activities; encouraging only those whose exam papers have as countable number of red marks while the others are made to believe that they are lagging behind. But as they say, everything changes with time, and so has this notion. Thrashing the age old traditional methods of teaching, are a few educational institutions. Instead of treading the usual path by making academics the only priority, sports is also being given an equal amount of weightage. In this technology-driven age where a student’s ability, intelligence and IQ is judged on the number of A’s they receive on their report cards, there are few schools and colleges which prefer to think otherwise. On many instances, monetary support as well

as academic flexibility is provided to students who perform well in sports and other activities. One such educational institution is the Jain Heritage a Cambridge School (JHCS), Shamirpet. Belonging to the Jain Group of Institutions, this school happens to be a residential one as well as the first sports integrated international school in the city of pearls. In their bid to encourage students to nurture their interests in sports, JHCS have begun by taking the right steps; they have a Snap Basketball court, two Volleyball courts, a Tennis court and two astro-turf cricket nets (pitches). At present, JHCS is set to launch a Tennis Excellence Program which aims at combining both tennis and academics. “The tennis excellence program is an unique attempt to combine academics and meticulous tennis training for aspirants in a world-class infrastructure setting,” said Mr. Chandrashekar, COO of Jain Group of Schools. The program aims at giving about 20 deserving tennis players scholarships. Alongside their academics and training, these players will also be given the All India Tennis Association (AITA) card as well as they would be sent to participate in tournaments at no extra cost. JHCS now visualises to take similar strides in different sports and encourage the deserving. With the initial steps being taken, it remains to be seen if there would be other schools which would follow suit soon.

The basketball and tennis courts at the Jain Heritage a Cambridge School, Shamirpet

A token of appreciation G. Aparna Sai feedback@postnoon.com

certificate, a memento and a few good words is what usually sums up as a token of aprreciation and encouragement when it is about felicitating young players who have performed well but this

does not seem to be the same in a few instances like in the case of the state’s numero uno men’s table tennis player, Vighnay Reddy. A fourth year student of VNR Vignan Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology (VNRVJIET), Vighnay Reddy has certainly carved a niche for him-

self in the table tennis fraternity. Starting off in this game as a little boy, Vighnay steadily climbed the ladder of success. His highest ranking at the national level was when he was ranked number 10 in the country in the youth category. Appreciating his efforts, the management of VNRVJIET has

been regularly awarding this young lad with cash prizes. This year it is expected that Vighnay Reddy would be presented with a cash prize of around than Rs. 20,000. Encouragement of this kind from schools and colleges would help the players perform better as appreciation is always appreciated.

Vighnay Reddy

Playing Field

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

The games people play

Hunter claims Houston Open HOUSTON: Hunter Mahan fired a final-round 71 on Sunday to win the US PGA Tour’s $6 million Houston Open by one stroke over Sweden’s Carl Pettersson. Mahan, who won the elite World Golf Championships Match Play Championship in February, became the first two-time winner on the US tour this year. The victory will boost the 29-yearold to fourth in the world rankings, sending him into the Masters, the first

AUGUSTA:

major tournament of the season that starts Thursday at Augusta National, as the highest-ranked American. “It feels great,” Mahan said. “I’m playing good. I’m glad I’m going to Augusta, it’s really a special place and I’m looking forward to going there.” Mahan’s one-under 71 at Redstone gave him a four-round total of 16-under 272. Pettersson also posted a 71 for 273. South African Louis Oosthuizen, who led by two strokes after the third

round, had two double-bogeys in a three-over 75 that left him in third place on 274. Pettersson, who closed his round with eight straight pars, notched his second runner-up finish of the year, but couldn’t get the victory he needed to secure a berth in the Masters. Three-time major champion Ernie Els also needed a victory to earn an automatic invitation to Augusta. Instead he was poised to miss the Masters for the first time since 1993 after finishing on 10-under. AFP

Confident Tiger ready to roar

Tiger Woods arrived at the Masters confident and fit on Sunday, playing a practice round over Augusta National’s front nine in advance of Thursday’s start to the first major of the year. Woods, a four-time Masters champion and 14-time major winner, snapped a US PGA win drought of 2 1/2 years one week ago with a victory at Bay Hill. Now he hopes to end a major title drought dating to the 2008 US Open. “Physically I’m fine,” Woods told the Masters website. “I feel great, no aches and pains.” Woods, who also played Augusta National’s front nine the week before winning at Bay Hill, has won at least once in a season before each of his prior Masters’ triumphs. But Woods has not won a Masters title since 2005.

“The whole idea is to get your game together and have it going the way you want at the time you want,” Woods said. “There are four times a year you want to be playing your best and this is one of them.” Woods, chasing the all-time record 18 majors won by Jack

Nicklaus, has shared fourth each of the past two years at the Masters, coming back in 2010 after a layoff over his infamous sex scandal. Alongside caddie Joe LaCava, Woods played on Sunday with pal Mark O’Meara and Vern Cooley, a surgeon who had operated on Woods’ leg, in a relaxed

morning round under sunny skies amid towering pine trees. Woods, 36, practiced putting at locations where he expects pins to be placed during the tournament and worked on chipping from areas just off the green, seeing how he could make the ball spin and stop on the famed undu-

lating greens at Augusta. Oddsmakers liked what they saw from Woods at Bay Hill, edging Woods into a favored role just ahead of reigning US Open champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, the prodigy who led after each of the first three rounds last year. AFP

Yoo clinches LPGA Kraft Nabisco title RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIFORNIA: Sun Young Yoo birdied the first playoff hole to win the LPGA Kraft Nabisco Championship on Sunday after I.K. Kim missed a one-foot putt for the win on the final hole of regulation. Yoo was steady down the stretch in the first women’s major championship of 2012, but it was only Kim’s heartbreaking miss that made her playoff triumph possible. “She’s a great putter,” Yoo said of Kim. “She usually doesn’t miss that kind of putt, but ... in sports, you never know what’s going to happen.” Both South Koreans carded final-round 69s to finish 72 holes tied on nine-under 279. Kim could have sealed a victory at 10-under with her tap-in for par at the par-five 18th, but it circled the rim of the cup then popped out. It was her only bogey in a round that included three birdies and drew a gasp from the gallery. She put her hands to her face in dismay, then walked eyes down to the scorers’ tent. “I played straight, and it actually just broke to the right, even that short putt,” Kim said. “”So it was unfortunate on 18, but ... I feel good about my game. It’s getting better.” Kim had drained a 15-foot birdie putt at 16 and made a 20-foot birdie at 17 to break out of a three-way tie for the lead. She and Yoo returned for the playoff to 18, where Yoo’s birdie proved enough over a demoralized Kim. AFP

Playing Field

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

The games people play

Barcelona, Blues eye semi spot

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (R) is congratuled by Andres Iniesta (L) after scoring a penalty against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. AFP/JOSEP LAGO

PARIS: Holders Barcelona and 2008 finalists Chelsea will look to set up a Champions League semifinal meeting this week when they face AC Milan and Benfica respectively in their quarter-final second-leg matches. Barcelona go into their second leg at Camp Nou locked at 0-0 with Milan as they bid to become the first side to retain the trophy since it evolved from the European Cup into its present form for the 1992-93 season. Chelsea have a 1-0 lead over their Portuguese opponents, who will be seeking to improve on a disappointing display in the first leg. The other two quarter-finals should see nine-time winners Real Madrid and four-time champions Bayern Munich progress, as they host APOEL and Marseille having won 3-0 and 2-0 away respectively last week. Barcelona will be looking to dominate Milan in the same manner they did at San Siro, where they were left frustrated both by the pitch and some outstanding defending by the Italian side.

The Catalan giants will be boosted by the return of Cesc Fabregas, who sat out the first leg and the league win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday because of a lower back injury. “We’ve dealt with it and today (Saturday) he was better,” said Barca coach Pep Guardiola. “So even though we were forced to leave him out against Bilbao, he will be there on Tuesday.” Barcelona’s Pedro Rodriguez said that he and his team-mates needed to be especially vigilant against a Milan side that forced a 2-2 draw in injury time of their group-stage game at Camp Nou earlier this season. Chelsea have been like a club reborn since Roberto Di Matteo replaced Andre Villas-Boas, winning six of their eight games under the Italian’s stewardship, and enter the Benfica clash with their confidence sky-high. However, Di Matteo has fitness concerns over Didier Drogba and David Luiz ahead of the match. “David has a problem with his ankle at the moment. We will have to assess how he is.”

Chelsea’s Spanish striker Fernando Torres celebrates a goal he scored against Aston Villa at Villa Park in Birmingham, West Midlands, England on Saturday. AFP/IAN KINGTON

Bastian urges Bayern to finish off Marseille MUNICH: Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is backing Bayern Munich to finish off Olympique Marseille in Tuesday’s quarterfinal, second-leg to reach the last four of the Champions League. Schweinsteiger is suspended for the return match at Munich’s Allianz Arena after picking up his third yellow card during last Wednesday’s 2-0 win in France which was secured by goals from Arjen Robben and Mario Gomez. Schweinsteiger says Munich are flying high after winning their last seven games and must finish off the French. “At the moment, there’s total desire in the team, and all credit for that,” he said after Bayern’s 1-0 win at Nuremberg on Saturday that left them just three points

Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben (L) and Munich's defender Holger Badstuber (R) celebrate after beating 1. FC Nuremberg in Nuremberg, southern Germany, on Saturday.

behind leaders Dortmund in the German league. “We have to make the most of our good position in the Champions League on Tuesday thanks to victory in Marseille.” Munich hosts the Champions League final on May 19 and Bayern’s fans are dreaming of winning the European title on home soil, but, providing they see off Marseille, Real Madrid are their likely semi-final opponents. While Marseille are competing at this stage for the first time in 19 years, four-time European champions Bayern are contesting their fourth quarter-final in six years and it showed in the first leg. “You could say experience was the difference,” said Marseille midfielder Alou Diarra, whose first-half booking means he will

also miss the return leg. The Ligue 1 outfit have failed to win any of their last nine games and confidence is low. Without a domestic fixture last weekend, Didier Deschamps’ men will have had six days to recover before the sequel in Munich and nobody in the camp is throwing in the towel. “We have nothing left to lose,” Diarra added. “It’s not mission impossible. We scored three in Dortmund in the group stage. “Bayern drop very few points at home so it will take a big performance, but we know we have the ability to cause them problems.” Bayern’s former Marseille midfielder Franck Ribery says Munich must keep their discipline to see off his ex-club. AFP

Playing Field

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012

The games people play

Joker bags 3rd Miami title Novak is the third man to achieve the feat after Agassi and Sampras MIAMI: World number one Novak Djokovic defeated Andy Murray 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) on Sunday to win his second straight ATP Miami Masters title and third overall. Djokovic, who won here for the first time in 2007, became just the third man to win the title three or more times, along with Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras. For his third straight match, Djokovic cruised through the first set before finding himself in a tense tussle in the second. However, even though the second set went with serve until the tie-breaker, it was Murray who was under pressure most, fighting off break points in three of his service games. “I thought I played a great match from start to end,” said Djokovic, who didn’t drop a set in the tournament. “There was a couple of service games I had a chance to break him in the second set. He’s such a quality player, you never know. That’s why he’s right at the top — he always comes back, even if you feel you have control of the match,” Djokovic said. “I’m really happy to close it out in straight sets.” Djokovic, 24, captured his 30th ATP title, and his second this year after his triumph at the Australian Open. It marked his 11th victory in the ATP’s elite Masters 1000 series. Murray had beaten Djokovic in the semi-finals at Dubai in February, and the Serb was then upset by American John Isner in the semi-finals of the Indian Wells Masters last week. Djokovic said that made this win, which made him the first man since Roger Federer in 2006 to successfully defend the Miami crown, all the sweeter.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the winner’s trophy after beating Andy Murray in the men’s singles final at the Sony Ericsson Open. MICHAEL REGAN/GETTY IMAGES/AFP

Spurs back to winning ways E

mmanuel Adebayor scored twice as Tottenham Hotspur won for the first time in six Premier League matches with a 3-1 victory over Swansea that revived their push for Champions League football. London: Sunday’s success at their White Hart Lane home saw Tottenham draw level on points with third-placed north London rivals Arsenal. And it also meant Spurs, currently occupying the fourth and final Champions League place on offer to English clubs, went five points clear of nearest pursuers Chelsea and Newcastle. Rafael van der Vaart stylishly sidefooted in Spurs’ opener in the 19th minute before Gylfi Sigurdsson equalised in the 69th minute. But two late headers from Adebayor, on loan from Manchester City, sealed a much needed win for Spurs who’ve faltered in the Premier League ever since manager Harry Redknapp

Tottenham Hotspur’s Emmanuel Adebayor scores their third goal against Swansea City. was installed as the favourite for the vacant England job following Fabio Capello’s resignation in February. Dashing Wales winger Gareth Bale, who caused Swansea prob-

lems throughout, nearly set up an opening goal for Spurs in the 12th minute but Adebayor could not convert his cross. Then, in an open match, Neil Taylor went close for the visitors three minutes later but Spurs keeper Brad Friedel saved with his legs. However, in the 19th minute the hosts took the lead when Luka Modric released Bale down the left and Ashley Williams cleared his cross straight into the path of Van der Vaart, who steered the ball past fellow Dutchman Michel Vorm. Swansea goalkeeper Vorm then made an excellent diving save to deny Younes Kaboul. After-half time, 40-year-old Friedel made a stunning save to tip Sigurdsson’s 25-yard shot wide. But Icelandic midfielder Sigurdsson, on loan from German club Hoffenheim, beat Friedel with a volley into the ground that looped over the American shotstopper from 18 yards out.

Pendleton admits Oz affair upset team LONDON: Reigning Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton has revealed how her relationship with an Australian member of the British team’s coaching staff caused bitterness among her fellow cyclists. Pendleton has since become engaged to Scott Gardner, an Australian sports scientist who worked for British Cycling in the build-up to the Beijing Olympics, where the 31-year-old racer won gold in the sprint. Pendleton told the Sunday Times she tried to keep her relationship with Gardner secret until after the 2008 Games.