Postnoon E-Paper for 08 August 2012 by Scribble Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012 HYDERABAD

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WEATHER: A CHANCE OF SHOWERS; 26°C

THE CHAMPIONS ON TWO WHEELS: TEAM GB’S HOY, TROTT STUN WORLD

Britain's Laura Trott capped a gruelling women's omnium campaign to be crowned Olympic champion, while the Scottish cyclist Sir Chris Hoy surpassed Sir Steve Redgrave’s record.

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HYDERABAD’S FIRST COMPACT AFTERNOON NEWSPAPER

MLAs DRIVEN OUT BY HIGH RENTS MLAs who enjoyed rent-friendly quarters are fleeing their ‘homes’ as a sudden four-fold rise in rent came into effect from July.

N SHIVA KUMAR

VICTIMS OF PROGRESS

The UN has declared August 9 as the International Day of the World's Indigenous People to strengthen international co-operation to solve problems faced by them. Unfortunately, the reality is that they are still being sidelined and exploited across the world. In the march towards progress, tribal communities are being crushed and driven out of their homes by giant conglomerates. On this day, we take a look at some of the most threatened tribal communities on Earth.

P16&17

REPORT ON P5 DELAYS LEAVE STUDENTS IN A FIX

While engineering students in other states have already begun with their classes, those in AP are still awaiting counselling dates, thanks to the fee structure confusion.

JISM 3 IN PIPELINE, THE THIRD INSTALLMENT IS LIKELY TO FEATURE NATHALIA KAUR

Actress-filmmaker Pooja Bhatt, who is elated over the success of her recently released movie Jism 2, has plans to take the franchise ahead with the third and fourth installments. She is considering having Nathalia Kaur in Jism 3.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

city events

EYENA: A PAINTING EXHIBITION

If you are a lover of art, then head to Kalakrithi. An exhibition of paintings and drawings by Priyanka Aelay tiled Eyena is being held at Kalakriti Art Gallery, Rd No 10, Banjara Hills. The painting exhibition is on till August 14 from 11am to 7pm everyday.

Weather for Hyderabad

Evening

overnight

26°C

21°C

A mix of cloudy and clear

Morning

Afternoon

25°C

30°C

A mix of cloud and sun

A mix of cloudy and sun

New Delhi Mumbai Max 33 Max 30 Min 26 Min 26 Scattered thunderstorms

Scattered thunderstorms

Chennai Max 34 Min 27

Bangalore Max 27 Min 20

A mix of cloud and sun

AROUND THE CITY: YOUR GUIDE TO THE TWIN CITIES Uday Shankar will be held . The exhibition will be on till August 15. Where: Iconart Gallery, Banjara Hills, Rd No 12 When: Ongoing, 11am onwards Contact: 98499 6879

EXHIBITION New collection Zooni unveils festive hues — a fusion of colour, drama and style! at Origins. It is a collection that is a mix of pret-aporter, primo and atelier, and is full of opulent fabrics, exquisite workmanship and flowy silhouettes. Where: Origins, Rd No 4, Banjara Hills When: August 8 Contact: (040) 2335 9221

Elegance Artist Snehlatha Prasad, is presenting her interpretation of the Radha and Krishna myth through her canvas at a painting exhibition. The exhibition was inaugurated on August 6. Where: Muse Art Gallery, Tank Bund When: Ongoing, 11am onwards Contact: (040) 2752 2999

DINING Smooth operators Tease Lounge at Vivanta by Taj presents Smooth Operators Night every Friday with DJ Mohit. Where: Tease Bar, Vivanta by Taj, Begumpet When: Every Friday, 7.30pm onwards Contact: (040) 6725 2626

PARALLEL WORLDS: School children cross a bridge in one of the bylanes of the City on Tuesday. 7.30pm onwards Contact: (040) 6666 3939

SHOWS

Mongolian food festival Take a trip to Mongolia as you are introduced to their food and culture at Syn-Asian Bar and Grill, Taj Deccan. The food fest offers you the chance to sample a variety of Mongolian delicacies at its Mongolian food festival. Where: Syn, Taj Deccan, Banjara Hills, Rd No 1 When: Ongoing,

Unnikrishnan: Live A live concert of P Unnikrishnan, a renowned classical exponent and a National Award winning singer will be held at Brahmakumari’s Global Peace Auditorium on August 11 at

Commissioner & Spl Officer

Helpline GAS BOOKING IVRS NO HP 9666023456 Indane 9848824365 BSNL Complaints HMWS & SB Complaints

198 155313

POLICE CONTROL ROOM Hyderabad 27852435 Traffic Control Room 27852482 DCP Traffic 23234065, 23243499F Pollution Control Board 23887500 ELECTRICITY General Complaints Breakdown Section

The Waterfall The Waterfall is a film based on the Israeli-Palestenian conflict. It is said to be a different take on the issue and will be screened on August 8. Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills, Rd No 1 When: August 8, 7.30pm onwards Contact: 9642731329

155333 23431178 23431179

MUNICIPAL CORPORATION

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

6.30 pm. Where: Brahmakumari Global Peace Auditorium, Gachibowli When: August 11, 6.30pm onwards Contact: 98499 6879, www.meraevents.com Theatre festival The seventh edition of the multi-lingual theatre festival — Abhinaya National Theatre Festival will be held from August 16 to August 19. Where: Ravindra Bharathi, Saifabad When: August 16 onwards 6.30pm onwards Contact: (040) 2323 1245 Monsoon mania Ramoji Film City celebrates the onset of monsoon with eight weeks of activities and entertainment from

WATER SUPPLY Complaint Cell Sewerage Complaint Hyd. Water Supply HOSPITAL General Hospital, Sec-bad Niloufer Hospital, Red Hills NIMS, Director, Punjagutta Osmania General Hospital Railway Hospital, Lalaguda Apollo, Jubilee Hills Care Hospital, Banjara Hills Care Hospital, Nampally Care Hospital, Musheerabad Care Hospital, Sec-bad Kamineni Hospital, LB Nagar

155313 23307328 23313163

27505566 23314095 23390933 24600146 27001134 23607777 30418888 30417777 30419000 30416666 39879999

BLOOD BANKS Blood Bank,Narayanguda Chiranjeevi Blood Bank Blood Bank Mediton Goal Red Cross, Vidyanagar ADRM Blood Bank Mythri Charitable Trust NTR Memorial Trust Care Banjara Hills

July 1 to August 31. Where: Ramoji Film City, Hayathnagar When: Ongoing, 9am onwards Contact: (040) 2341 2262 Interactive workshops Oakridge International School launches Weekend Voyager. This is an exciting weekend activity for children. . Where: Oakridge International School, Gachibowli and Bachupally When: Ongoing, 9am-12pm Contact: 1800 200 8171

Embarking routes A group exhibition of various kinds of art by the final year students of MFA program 2012 is being held. Where: Shrishti Art Gallery, Jubilee Hills, Rd No 15 When: Ongoing, 11am onwards Contact: (040) 2354 0023

ART The lotus pond An exhibition of paintings by artist

27567892 23559555 23226624 27633087 27035588 27550238 30799999 30418296 30417445

AMBULANCES Apollo 23548888, 23607777 Kamineni 24022222 Medwin 23202902, 23204616 Smile Line Dental Hospital 23747979 Red Cross 27627973 Niloufer Hospital 23314095 Gandhi 23320332 AIRLINES

M ANIL KUMAR

Eclectic reflections Alankritha Art Gallery presents Eclectic Reflections, an exhibition of paintings by eight talented artists. The exhibition will be on from August 11. Where: Alankritha Art Gallery, Jubilee Hills, Kavuri hills When: August 11 onwards, 11am onwards Contact: (040) 2311 3709

Airport Director 27903785, 27906001 For Air India Flight Information Toll free (from any network) for IC Flights 18001801407 And for All Flights: 1800227722 Air India has revised its flight timings. For more information call (Toll free) 18001801407, 1800227722 from BSNL/MTNL 04023430334 from other lines and mobile Website; www.airindia.in TOURISM OFFICES AP Tourism, Hyd 23262152/53/54 Sec-bad 27893100 Dept of Tourism 23453110 India Tourism 23261360 AP Tourism information Centre (24x7) 23450444, 23455999 UK VISA OFFICE VFS India Pvt Ltd Building, 8-2-542/A, Sunil Chamber, Road No. 7

Beside Meridian School, Banjara Hills34. Working hours are from 8 AM to 1 PM And 2 PM to 3PM. MUSEUMS Salar Jung Museum AP State Museum Nizams Museum

24523211 232431300/7641 24521029

Readers’ views

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

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

City

KTR RAPS POLICY TOWARDS FEE REFUND SCHEME

TRS leader Tarakarama Rao (KTR) on Tuesday condemned the hostile attitude of the State government with regard to the fee reimbursement scheme. He lambasted the government for stating that it would reimburse only up to `31,000 and the rest should be borne by the students.

CRIME

LOAN CHECKLIST

A Cash Collection Syndicate? Frequent arrests of staffers of the City’s pivotal detective branch — the CCS — has raised many doubts and queries about the department’s efficacy. Mohd SUBHAN mohd.s@postnoon.com

SI Lalitha breaks down after arrest

Lalitha, SI of CCS, broke down when she was placed under arrest yesterday after being caught taking an alleged bribe of `15,000 in a dowry case involving one Durga Prasad. Her daughter’s marriage is only four days away and this has come as a bolt from the blue. The arrested ofﬁcer is unsure of the fate of the marriage. She has only a few years before she retires.

requent arrests of the Crime Control Station (CCS) staff by the AntiCorruption Bureau have raised a query on the efficacy of this pivotal detective branch of the City police. The latest arrest of a woman SI, P Lalitha, while accepting a bribe in a dowry case has stirred a loud whisper in the police circles that a chain of hierarchy remains unaffected while the face at the front is caught. The rot is more in the counselling centre of the dowry harassment case. Additional deputy commissioner Zaffer Javed is the in-

charge of the counseling wing of CCS. In the recent past, three bribery cases have been detected in CCS while the number of undetected cases is anybody's

guess, point out veteran policemen who keep their fingers clean. Two women sub-inspectors — Anuradha and Sabira Begum

and another, SI Vinod Kumar were held for bribery by the ACB. Lalitha's is the fourth instance in the recent past. Meanwhile, it is learnt that a report is being prepared on the DCP P J Victor, the boss of CCS.

Credit score scrutiny must Md INKESHAF AHMED ahmed.m@postnoon.com

he CIBIL (Credit Information Bureau India Limited) urged consumers to get their credit scores before approaching banks and financial institutions for loans. It also said that a study conducted had found that borrowers with a credit score of 750 and above have a higher chance of getting home loan. This was revealed by MD of CIBIL Arun Thukral, on Tuesday. The MD also revealed that inquiries seeking home loans had doubled since 2007 and added that the development is an indication of a huge demand for home loan sector. According to the data available, about 75 per cent of new accounts opened in 2011 had sanctioned amounts between `5 lakh and `50 lakh.

city WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

DERELICT DANGERS

LAST YEAR... HERE

Walking the tightrope

Is this fair?

orporal punishment is an issue troubling our education system for many years. Last year, we carried a report about the growing number of incidents in which school children were beaten up with pipes and even a phone charger for matters as simple as using an iPod charger. Till date such problems continue.

Traders in Subhash Road are aware of the lurking dangers the old buildings pose. Yet, with no other alternative they choose to continue where they are.

AUGUST 8, 2011

NUMEROLOGY

2,471

is the number of applications received by Osmania University from foreign students this year. Last year, the intake was 3,698.

Even as people were congratulating me for the match, I could not understand that the match was over. Mentally, I was still ready to play the game. Saina Nehwal, shuttler See page 6

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

Want to approach the CCS? Keep some cash ready. Police ofﬁcials from the City police’s central crime station are soon turning out to be notorious for accepting bribes to do the smallest of tasks.

If there’s no alternative, don’t issue notices. While the GHMC is doing its work by issuing notices to people living in old buildings, little is actually being done to provide them with a solution.

Price hike pinches MLAs and MLCs the hardest. Quite used to enjoying subsidised facilities, most MLAs and MLCs are ﬁnding it hard to digest the hike in rent for their quarters.

A few rotten apples bring bad name to the lot. News of Africans on student visa being arrested for various criminal activities has put the whole community in poor light.

Students in a ﬁx as colleges, government slug it out. Already weeks behind the regular academic schedule, engineering aspirants have a long wait ahead.

Md NIZAMUDDIN nizamuddin.a@postnoon.com

ikram Choubey had to shoulder the responsibility of his family at a very young age after his father’s death. With no alternative source of income, the Choubey family was completely dependent on him and their ancestral home that provided them bread and shelter. The house located in Subhash Road, Secunderabad, is one of the structures listed as dilapidated by the GHMC. The building houses a shop on the ground floor, while Vikram and his family live on the first floor. Although Vikram is aware that his house figures in the list, he has little choice. Also being the sole breadwinner of the family, he has no time to think about the house and is at his wit’s end. “If you know of any solution, let me know. I will try and work on

it,” he says. Vikram is not the only one in the area who is aware of the looming danger of living in a derelict structure. Heeralal, who has been running his family business for more than 40 years, faces a similar situation. The complex where he operates from happens to be the oldest structure in the area and houses several shops that have been operating for more than 60 years now. However, with no alternative source of income and fear of poverty is holding Heeralal back when it comes to dismantling the structure and constructing a new one. “We have to start dismantling the structure from the rear, but with the lack of money I am not able to continue with this project,” says Heeralal. Another worry that is plaguing Heeralal is that when he builds the new structure it will have to be as per the GHMC norms. According to

Mehboob points out to neighbouring structures where people continue to live despite the lurking danger. this master plan, the GHMC hopes to have a wider road in the area, which inevitably means Heeralal will have to forego a portion of the building. Until now several buildings on Subhash Road have received notices from the GHMC, but lack of alternatives is holding back the tenants and owners. Traders say that during Chandrababu Naidu’s reign as chief minister, he had reportedly said, “One should be able to see Ramgopalpet Police Station’s clock tower from Secunderabad Railway Station.” The idea was not accepted by traders.

For Mehboob, a tailor in the area, the fact that his building poses no immediate danger is consolation enough. He had received a notice over eight years ago, following which he had the first floor demolished as it was in a very bad shape. “As there is no risk to life from the structure below I’ve kept it as it is. I am not using it for business or residential purpose but simply as a godown. Hence, there is no threat to anybody’s life,” he says. Trying to vindicate his stance, he points out to the neighbouring structures where people continue to live despite the lurking danger. According to the officials, the drive to identify and demolish old buildings is on but slowly. “We have demolished some of the buildings on priority basis. The drive will continue till the objective is achieved,” says, Ramchander, assistant city planner, Circle 18.

NEWS BRIEFS Mounting debt pushes merchant to suicide

Harassed by husband, Gang of 20 fleeces bank woman commits suicide in Ranigunj

Cops lathi-charge students’ T-Bill march

nother budding businessman, S Mohan, 32, hanged himself to death at his home in Mettuguda last night. He was a cloth merchant, who is said to have taken loan from private lenders at a high interest rate. Lately, his business was going through a bad patch and lenders closed in. The Chikalguda police are investigating.

27-year-old woman has allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself in her house at Nizampet yesterday. She was married to one Krishan ﬁve years ago and is said to have been constantly harassed by him and her husband also accused her of inﬁdelity. The Kukatpally police have booked a case against her husband for abetting suicide.

gang of 20 people is alleged to have ﬂeeced the HDFC Ranigunj branch in Secunderabad of `54 lakh, according to a complaint that was lodged by the bank with the Mahankali police station. According to reports, the gang presented fake documents to take a loan and the police suspect the involvement of some insiders as well.

everal students suffered minor injuries when the Osmania University police lathi-charged them after they insisted on carrying out a protest march. The 'Chalo Secretariat,' march was organised to demand that the government introduces a Bill for the formation of a separate Telangana State in the Monsoon Session of the Parliament.

city WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

High rents drive out MLAs Politicians who used to enjoy rent-friendly accommodation at MLA quarters across the City are now planning to leave as a sudden four-fold rise in rent came into effect from July. N SHIVA KUMAR

INKESHAF AHMED ahmed.m@postnoon.com

Fact sheet n Old MLA Quarters (MS Block), Hyderguda — 105 Quarters

his time, leaders got a taste of inflation. A quick four-fold rent hike announced by the government for the MLA quarters is driving out many MLAs to tenant-friendly private accommodations in the City. The popular MLA Quarters in Hyderguda, Adarshnagar and Erramanzil will soon go abegging, a curious about-turn in the situation where some MLAs were holding more than one flat because of the low rents. Such properties will bring in at least `15,000 a month in rent outside. The State government, at one go, hiked the rent from `5,000 to `25,000 a month. The revised monthly rent rate has come into effect from last month. This has jolted many MLAs and MLCs and Postnoon learns that scores of them are planning to shift to private accommodation (which the grapevine indicates they own). “These quarters, though spacious by private standards, are old and shoddy. They should not cost us more than `5,000. The present rise is unjustifiable,” TDP MLA Suddala Devaiah told Postnoon. Anglo-Indian MLA Christine Lazarus termed the hike as unscientific. “The

n New MLA Quarters Adarshnagar — 106 n Erramanzil Colony — 41 n Punjagutta — 20

What happened? hiked rent of `25,000 is very high for these quarters. By spending the same amount, MLAs can afford to stay at upmarket areas like Jubilee Hills and Banjara Hills. I think the State should roll back the revision,” she said. Christine believe a rise of `10,000 from `5,000 would have been tolerable but the four-fold hike is difficult to bear. She said that the decision of the State gov-

At one go, the government has axed the misuse of MLA quarters. Many quarters have been used by veteran MLAs to accommodate their minions and supporters while they all have own houses or live in ‘friendly homes’. An MLA who opts for the quarters gets paid `5,000 as monthly rent. If not, they get `25,000. “Now, they can’t have their cake and eat it too,” remarked an ofﬁcial in the secretariat.

ernment might force MLAs and MLCs to leave their quarters and stay outside. There are quarters for elected representatives at four different locations in the City, including Hyderguda (Old MLA quarters), Erramanzil, Adarshnagar (New MLA quarters) and Punjagutta. Most of the flats are single bedroom units with a hall, kitchen and bath. It is enough for

a single person or a couple, but not sufficient for a couple with two children. Legislators are upset that the quarters’ age and condition were not taken into consideration by those who raised the rent. “Most of these quarters are very old and have leaky roofs. Damp baths and pests are not uncommon,” said an MLA who lives in the quarters at Adarshnagar. The hike has shocked freshers more. Newly elected MLCs and MLAs are crestfallen. “I actually wanted to apply for a quarter. But the hike in rents forced me to change my decision,” newly elected MLC Farooq Hussain said. When contacted, officials of AP Legislature said that the hike was effected to meet the growing expenses of the State. “Many factors have resulted in the revision of charges. Inflation, rising prices of all commodities are some of the reasons for the hike,” one official of the estates department said.

Kiran ‘takes revenge’ on detractors The recast list of districts in-charge consists of mostly loyalists and few detractors. The CM’s critics cry foul. POSTNOON NEWS feedback@postnoon.com

he appointment of cabinet ministers as in-charge of various districts by the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Monday has opened up Pandora’s box. The list clearly has the ‘Kiran stamp’ on it. Most of those in the list are said to be those owing allegiance to him. Those openly criticising him have been left out, detractors point out. For instance, seniors like K Jana Reddy, Dr DL Ravindra Reddy, deputy CM Damodar Raja Narasimha, Danam Nagender and PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana have not been given any posts. While the deputy CM and PCC president reportedly requested the CM not to give them any responsibility of the districts as they are already bur-

dened with a lot of work, the reasons for ignoring other senior ministers has led to a new controversy. “The chief minister seems to be taking revenge with his fresh appointments. Ignoring ministers like DL Ravindra Reddy is a clear sign of his

Another minister reasoned that the CM’s move can be seen as an attempt to consolidate his position in the State. vendetta politics. He gave posts to all his loyalists,” one minister told Postnoon on the condition of anonymity. Another minister reasoned that the CM’s fresh move can be seen as an attempt to consolidate his position in the State. “He launched his pet pro-

gramme, Indiramma Baata, last month and is also visiting many districts as part of the programme. He needs somebody who can make these programmes a grand success. Who else can he rely on but his loyalists to do the job?” the

minister said. Seniors also pointed out that while executing these appointments, the CM did not care about allegations surrounding some ministers like K Parthasarathi. “Parthasarathi was awarded a jail term for committing a crime

recently. He did not lose his posts despite demands from opposition parties as he had the blessings of the CM. The fresh appointment further consolidated the minister’s position. But it was not the case with former excise minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana Rao, who was sent to jail by the CBI. The CM did not show any mercy towards him,” one senior Congress party leader from Telangana told Postnoon. On the other hand, ministers like D Manikya Vara Prasad and Galla Aruna Kumari, who were divested of their responsibilities in the new appointments, were reportedly disappointed with the chief minister’s decision. These leaders seem to be planning to raise the issue with the party high command to highlight how the CM has gone out in the open to promote his loyalists while ignoring senior leaders.

city WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

EDUCATION

Foreign students flock to OU African students, for most part, are happy with Indian education, especially at OU, where they say they are treated well and face no discrimination. Moreover, the education is cheaper. DEEPAK DESHPANDE

RAHUL RAMAKRISHNA rahul.r@postnoon.com

student who had come to apply for a Master’s course in science, said, “I had done a Bachelor’s course here. Initially, I had problems communicating with the faculty but I taught myself English to overcome them.” The communication problem has given an impetus to an enterprising branch of business: spo-

t is a matter of pride for Osmania University to be the second most preferred educational institution in the country for foreign students, though this image has taken a dent with the recent arrest of three foreign nationals for possession of narcotics and credit card fraud. The University’s total intake for 2011-12 was 3,698 foreigners. This year, the University has received 2,471 applications so far and the number is set to beat the previous year’s record.

WHY INDIA, WHY OU?

African students were anguished when a few of them were caught for drug peddling, especially because the majority are serious students. Adam Matigo, a Nigerian, says, “It is easy for students to lose focus and slip into bad activities, given the amount of freedom we enjoy here, but that is a rarity. The facilities we receive can be rated world class and we do not want to waste our opportunities.” As to why OU is such a

Once a foreign student gets admission to the University, it is the OU police’s responsibility to keep track of them. favourite, students say the faculty and facilities are top class. Also, as compared to education in Europe or the US, it is cheaper and of a better standard, they added. Henry Mugabe, another student, says, “We get special treatment and are treated very well. For instance, when all the exams were cancelled due to the agitations in the University last year, we were allowed to finish them at a different venue so that we would not get affected in

any way,” he says. On their part, lecturers, who have no problem with foreign students, point out one gap — lack of proficiency in English. “When we accept students, we expect them to have a certain amount of grasp over the English language. During class, we are stuck with communication problems, when we should be concentrating on enhancing their skill sets in the subject,” said a professor of engineering. Jason Nyawela, a Sudanese

ken English classes. Such classes are now doing brisk business across the City. Joint director of the University’s foreign relations office (UFRO), GB Reddy, said, “When the academic year begins, we initiate students into induction programmes where they are sensitised and taught English along with the law of the land. While it is sad that a law student was caught on the wrong side of the law, these have been only a

few stray cases. We have started a sensitisation program to make them aware of our strict stand on illegal activities.” The issue of screening a student’s background, both social and economic, is an additional burden. While the UFRO washes its hands off this responsibility, the process of screening does take place. The applicants are screened by the Foreign Regional Registration Office. While students from Pakistan and Bangladesh are checked by the Cyberabad Police, the FRRO handles the rest. Screening includes verification of passport, visa and academic documents. Bhavana Saxena, the FRR officer, was not available for comment. Once the student gets admission, it is the OU police’s responsibility to keep track of them. This procedure involves paper work like Residential Permits (RP), visa extensions, report of absence from address et al. On condition of anonymity, an inspector from OU police station admitted, “We cannot keep track of the 4,000-odd foreigners studying here. We maintain profile records and most of them stay away from trouble,” he says.

SPORTS

Hero’s welcome for a heroine

Bronze medallist Saina Nehwal fielded questions with the same flair she shows on the badminton court. SYED SHOAIB shoaib.s@postnoon.com

irmness in the soft tone, galnext-door smile, honesty and humility in words, skin coloured jacket, striped T-shirt with jeans, a couple of chains round the neck — as myriad images of a simple girl get thrown at you, you’re trapped in a maze of what it takes to become an Olympic medallist. Mind you, in a country where only one woman has done it before and none in badminton till date. At her first press conference after the bronze medal-winning feat at the 2012 Olympics, 22year-old Saina Nehwal said on Tuesday, “When I was nine, I dreamt of an Olympic medal.” Her coach, Pullela Gopichand, charmed journalists at Gopichand Academy by saying how he wanted to have this maiden meet only in Hyderabad.

SHUTTLE VIEWS

If you carefully go through the conversation Saina had with the press, there are definite porous views. Phases where her coach said she wanted to quit playing (after a loss in Denmark) and a juncture in which she says she promised her father, Dr Harvir Singh Nehwal, to come back with a medal. Her mother, Usha, says she was sure as early as when Saina was 13 that she would be triumphant at the Olympics. In the same tone, she speaks of skills to learn from Yihan Wang (China), whom Saina lost to in the semi-finals on Friday. Shuttle views of a racquet sport! Saina scrolled through promising names in Indian badminton, spoke about the importance of luck, pointed out how in the last four years she went easy on endorsements and how the next four years will be easier on her. Recalling how Wang Xin

pulled out in the bronze medal play-off due to injury, Saina said, “Even as people were congratulating me, I could not understand that the match was over. Mentally, I was ready to play.” While the Piscean spoke about gold in the 2016 Rio Summer Games, her coach sounded more like a visionary — “By 2020, she would have competed in eight All England, about six World Championships, two Olympics, two Commonwealth and as many Asian Games.” The coach added that his protégé is still young. The youngster, who will dot dozens of advertisements soon, showed no signs of jet lag. After the felicitation, Saina went out as buoyantly. Little does she know the national impact she has made already. And Saina or Sania (Mirza), the difference, for the proud Indian, is just in the interchanged IN that triggers India!

city WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012 WORK SHOP

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AMENITIES

More jails to get phones for inmates HYDERABAD: After the introduction of a telephone facility at the Cherlapally Central Prison evoked a good response among inmates, the Andhra Pradesh Department of Prisons has decided to extend the service to other central jails in the State. The move is aimed at bringing down the smuggling of cellphones into jails. The new facility will enable prisoners to communicate with their family through the legal route, for which, they will have to pay `200 per month. “Following requests from prisoners, we are exploring the possibility of starting the phone facility at Chanchalguda Central Prison here and also at Rajahmundry in East Godavari district,” directorgeneral (prisons and correctional services) TP Das said. The facility also reduces the number of visits paid by the pris-

SAREES

oners’ relatives. According to Das, frequent interaction with their family members will provide the prisoners the much needed psychological relief and contribute to their mental stability. “We are studying the costs

Frequent interaction with their family members will provide the prisoners the much needed psychological relief. and installation of the software that will record the conversation of prisoners ,” Das said. This was likely to be started in about three months at Chanchalguda and Rajahmundry jails. PTI

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city WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

EDUCATION

Delays leave students in a fix While engineering students in other states have already begun with their classes, those in Andhra Pradesh are still awaiting counselling dates, thanks to the fee structure confusion in the State.

SUDESHNA KOKA Sudeshna.k@postnoon.com

fter the confusion regarding the physics exam, in which around three lakh students failed, and then followed by a reexam, intermediate students felt that their problems had ended. However, the bigger problem has begun now as the counselling for Eamcet is constantly getting postponed. The counselling was scheduled to start on August 10 but the dates have been changed again as the special committee has to decide a uniform fee structure for all the engineering colleges. This is affecting the student community in a big way. Around 2.2 lakh students have been waiting for the last five months. The new fee confusion is only increasing their anxiety. “If the counselling is over and we know which college we will be studying in then there is no tension. But now, we are wasting our time. This is very stressful. With so many engineering colleges in the City, I am assured that I will get admission but which college will it be matters a lot,” said Akhil K. Few students are upset not only about the delay of admis-

Fact file sions but also about the fees. “I come from a middle class family and now the government is not ready to reimburse around `20,000. I am worried as to how I will be able to pay so much money,” said Adithya Bharatwaj, a mechanical engineering aspirant. According to the last meeting, the government has agreed to reimburse only `30,000 while the engineering fee is `50,000. Most students in Andhra

Students awaiting counselling :

2.2 lakh

Original date for counselling : August 10 Tentative dates:

Last week of August

Class to star on :

October 1st week

No of working days lost: 108

Pradesh were not eligible to give other states’ and national-level engineering college entrance exams as they could not clear their physics exam. “We are banking only on EAMCET as we could not give other exams. Now if we don’t get admission in a good college there is nothing we can do. Other courses like B.Com have started their course. So we no choice but to take whichever

stream we get and in any college,” said Nikhil Ra.o This year, the admission process is delayed by three weeks. According to the State government officials, the admissions might start only in the last week of August. Classes might start only in the first week of October. Parents are worried about academics and the disturbance in curriculum. “Usually, by now the counselling is over. Once the field is decided we can send our children to the required extra classes before the college starts. Now it’s an absolute waste of time. Secondly, it looks like it will take another two months for colleges to start, and that means their academic schedule will get disturbed,” fumes Bhaskar Rao, a parent. Students were worried that they would have to face a situation like during their first year when they had lost classes due to the Telangana agitation. This year too they will have to attend classes during holidays and on Sundays. “We have to pay for the government’s poor management and scheduling skills. I am sure that to make up for the required working days we will have to attend classes during vacations and Sundays,” complains Vikyath Arya.

INITIATIVE

AIESEC interns in awe of the City AIESEC interns in the City have as per their own declaration, “fallen in love” with the City. They are in the City to conduct workshops that spread awareness about HIV/Aids.

SUVARCHALA MANDALI feedback@postnoon.com

IESEC is a platform for opportunities. Internship being our core work, we believe in offering the AIESEC experience, be it to our members or our interns. Project Genesis, an HIV/Aids awareness project that was started six years ago, is back again this year with 30 internationals giving workshops in various schools to spread awareness about one of the most dreaded diseases — AIDS. It has only been a month and the interns have fallen in love with the City’s culture, food and respect our people for their hospitality. Echa, an intern from Indonesia finds the internship

The AIESEC interns at an event in the City

challenging! She says that Hyderabad is “filled with loads of people” who are very helpful and approachable. “I find the Hyderabadi haleem and chicken biryani delicious,” she said.

Anna from China loves butter naan and pau bhaji. She states that the most difficult task was to communicate, as most of the autodrivers talk in Hindi and it is also a problem when it comes to

arguing with them for the auto fare. She also says, “People here are leaders and are responsible. They are always ready to help anyone in need. This gives me a feeling of belonging,” she said. Anika from Germany initially found it very difficult to adjust to the monsoons, but then states that her experiences as an intern have been very precious. “There is so much to learn here, and everything around me teaches so much. The fact that there are so many cultures and people in one City is so awesome. The aim of the project is very good, and it also surprises me that AIESECers have taken an initiative for such a cause!” “When I initially came from my country, I was very nervous, but now, after 23

workshops, it has helped build my confidence and taught me teamwork” says Abdullah from Kazakhstan. Gladys from China says, “Children here are curious and love listening,” she said. Last year, AIESEC reached out to 15,000 young individuals. This year we aim at reaching out to over 20,000. The international members felt that the experience was fantastic. They feel that by doing these workshops they have become articulate and confident. Through this initiative they have not only influenced many individuals but have bought about a change in their lives too. This is what AIESEC aims to provide. The writer is a member of AIESEC.

city WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

ENVIRONMENT

12 ways to fight the drought Climate change is making it increasingly important to protect local agriculture across the globe.

rought has menaced many parts of the world. Major parts of Andhra Pradesh and India confront a debilitating drought. Here is the Worldwatch

Institute's project on how to fight drought Climate change is making it increasingly important to protect local agriculture across the Globe. Larger parts of India too

face drought and Kharif crop is hit. The situation calls for strict water audit. Even today though water crisis has hit many urban centres, no local authority is understanding the gravity of

the situation. Rain water harvesting, prudent use of water and prevent wastage will have to gain priority in urban and semi-urban areas. The Nourishing the Planet

(www.NourishingthePlanet.org) project highlights 12 agricultural innovations that can help global agriculture more drought resilient, as well as sustainable.

should also be the method to water lawn and kitchen garden. The present practice of using hosepipe uses excess water. Planning water-efficient gardens or farms using specific crops and locations can significantly reduce water scarcity problems.

occasionally increases output by 10 per cent, often with unanticipated impacts on crop physiology and resistance.

fuels will increase the amount of food available for consumption, both at home and abroad.

nies, by virtue of their constitution are often legally bound to maximise economic returns for investors, raising concerns over scientific independence and integrity. Increased government funding and support for agricultural research, development, and training programs can help address issues such as hunger, malnutrition, and poverty without being compromised by corporate objectives.

AGROFORESTRY: Planting trees in and around farms reduces soil erosion by providing a natural barrier against strong winds and rainfall. Tree roots also stabilise and nourish soils. Encourage farmers to grow trees as windbreaks or as part of combined forage and livestock production, among other uses.

SOIL MANAGEMENT: Alternating crop species leads to soil amendments, allows soil periods of rest, restores nutrients, and also controls pests. Soil amendments help soils retain moisture near the surface by providing a direct source of water and nutrients to plant roots, even in times of drought.

INCREASING DIVERSITY: Mono-cropping often exposes crops to pests and diseases associated with overcrowding, and can increase market dependence on a few varieties. Fruits and vegetables as intercrop is an ideal method.

IMPROVING FOOD PRODUCTION: Improved animal husbandry practices can increase milk and meat quantities without the need to increase herd sizes or associated environmental degradation. In India, farmers are improving the quality of their feed by using grass, sorghum, stover, and brans to produce more milk from fewer animals. This also reduces pressure on global corn supplies.

DIVERSIFYING LIVESTOCK BREEDS: Most commercial farming operations rely on a narrow range of commercial breeds selected for their high productivity and low input needs. Selective breeding, however, has also made these breeds vulnerable to diseases and changing environments. Protecting ethnic breed is imperative.

MEATLESS MONDAYS: Choosing not to eat meat at least one day a week will reduce the environmental impacts associated with livestock as well as increase food availability in domestic and global markets.

SMARTER IRRIGATION SYSTEMS: Drip irrigation can be profitably practiced. This

INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEMS: Farming systems, such as permaculture improve soil fertility and agricultural productivity by using natural resources as sustainably and efficiently as possible. Research and implementation of permaculture techniques, like recycling wastewater or planting groups of plants that utilise the same resources in related ways are to be adopted widely.

SUPPORTING SMALLSCALE FARMERS: Smallscale producers are affected more acutely by natural disasters and fluctuating commodity prices, even though they are more likely to be involved in food production. Government extension and support services should be adjusted to alleviate this deficit. Small and marginal farmers are to be extended subsidy in farming, seeds.

AGROECOLOGICAL AND ORGANIC FARMING: Organic and agroecological farming methods are designed to build soil quality and promote plant and animal health in harmony with local ecosystems. Research shows that they can increase sustainable yield goals by 50 per cent or more with relatively few external inputs. In contrast, genetic engineering

RE-EVALUATING ETHANOL SUBSIDIES: Reduce mechanised farming as much as possible to bring down cost. Encouraging clean energy alternatives to crop-based bio-

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D): The research and development of farming has to take a determined step and help agriculture with innovative measures. The initiative has to be taken by the government as private compa-

Compiled by PK Surendran

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

Business

AIRTEL NET PROFIT DROPS 37%

Bharti Airtel's net profit fell for the tenth quarter in a row, declining 37 per cent to `762.2 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2012. total revenues were, however, up by 14 per cent to `19,350 crore in the quarter against `16,975 crore in Q1 FY'12.

ECONOMY RATING

All not well for retail

ITALY CUTS SPENDING

Fitch predicts a ‘sustained deterioration in discretionary spending ability’.

ndia’s consumer spending is at its weakest in seven years, global ratings agency Fitch said on Tuesday, as it cut the outlook for India’s vast retail sector from stable to negative. The announcement was a new blow to the UPA government, underscoring the challenges new finance minister P Chidambaram faces in reviving an economy growing at its slowest pace in nearly a decade. Analysts had been betting on strong retail and financial services sector performances to help power Asia’s third-largest economy as India’s 1.2 billion people move towards more Western-style consumer spending patterns. But the slowing economy, due to high borrowing costs and a weak global outlook, have brought “a sustained deterioration in the discretionary spending ability”, Fitch said, in an outlook covering the second half of 2012. India’s once-booming economy grew by just 5.3 per cent between January and March -its slowest annual quarterly

ONLINE GAMING

Amazon in Zynga turf SAN FRANCISCO: Online retail colossus Amazon on Tuesday launched its first online social game in a challenge to Zynga. The “Living Classics” title was tailored for play at leading social network Facebook, where Zynga rose to stardom. “Living Classics” challenges players to reunite a family of animated foxes ranging about settings from literary works such as Alice in Wonderland, King Arthur, and The Wizard of Oz. “Players help to reunite the foxes by exploring illustrated scenes and spotting moving objects,” the blog said. Facebook friends are encouraged to collaborate to succeed and share in rewards. The game was available at facebook.com/LivingClassics. AFP

expansion in nine years. The Fitch assessment comes two months after it downgraded its overall credit outlook for India to negative from stable saying the nation’s prized investment grade rating was at risk from flagging growth and spiralling deficits. Fitch on Tuesday warned spending was unlikely to pick up unless consumer price inflation, now running at over 10 per cent, comes down significantly and consumers receive a “significant raise in real wages”. Allowing supermarkets

such as US giant Wal-Mart to enter India’s retail sector could provide retailers easier access to foreign investment and have a “positive impact” on their finances, the agency said. India’s government has allowed foreign brands such as Adidas to open 100-percent owned shops. But it has continued to block the entry of supermarkets amid parliamentary opposition and protests from small shopkeepers, who dominate the retail landscape and fear such a move will cause widespread loss of jobs.

The retail sector is India’s second-largest employer after agriculture. Foreign supermarket groups such as Wal-Mart currently operate as wholesalers in India but have been prevented from selling directly to the public. Analysts say the government, under Chidambaram, may move to fully open up the retail sector to foreign supermarkets -- allowing them to sell directly to consumers -- as it seeks to push ahead with longstalled reforms. Trade Minister Anand Sharma said last month the government was committed to fully opening its retail sector to foreign investors but did not say when the decision might come. A study, meanwhile, by Indian industry body FICCI held out hope for the longer term, forecasting the retail sector will become a $1.3-trillion market by 2020, up from about $500 billion now. Turnover of so-called modern or chain stores will increase to $220 billion from $27 billion now, the report forecast. AFP

TECH WARS YouTube dropped from iPhone-iPad operating system SAN FRANCISCO: Applications to let users watch YouTube videos will not be pre-installed on the next generation of iPhones, iPads and iPod devices, in another sign of mounting rivalry between Apple and Google. People will still be able to watch YouTube videos on Apple’s globally popular products by linking to the service through a Web browser,

Google is expected to design a YouTube app for Apple’s online App Store. but will not have the viewer software architecture pre-loaded in the unit. Google is expected to design a feature-rich

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YouTube application for Apple’s online App Store as an alternative. “We are working with Apple to ensure we have the best possible YouTube experience for iOS users,” a YouTube spokesman said. The change came as competition between Apple and YouTube parent Google intensified and relations between the companies grow ever colder. AFP

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DOLLAR`55.15 POUND `86.10

Italian lawmakers gave ﬁnal approval Tuesday to 26 billion euros in spending cutbacks over three years that will see a 10-per cent cut in the ranks of public sector workers. Italian lawmakers voted by 371 to 86 with 22 abstentions to approve the cutbacks, which the government of PM Mario Monti set out on July 5. The approval had been widely expected. Much of the savings will be found in the health and public administration budgets, with regional hospitals set to lose 7,000 beds in the coming months. There will be a reduction of 20 percent in the number of public sector managers and a 10-percent cut in the ranks of ordinary public sector workers in order to generate the savings of 4.5 billion euros this year, 10.5 billion in 2013 and 11 billion 2014. Federal transfers to regions will also be cut, as will spending in ministries, including cutbacks on cars and limiting reimbursements on meals. The cutbacks will allow Italy to avoid another hike in the VAT sales tax, from 21 to 23 per cent, in October that many saw as counterproductive as it would further dampen domestic demand while the economy is contracting.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

nation

KF CANCELS 31 FLIGHTS AS EMPLOYEES STRIKE Kingfisher Airlines today cancelled over 30 flights from Delhi and Mumbai due to a strike by a section of its employees protesting non-payment of salary.

MONSOON SESSION

DESHMUKH STILL CRITICAL

Assam riots rock House

MPs from Telangana demand discussion on separate statehood. Mayawati raises desecration of statues of Dalit icons in Uttar Pradesh. NEW DELHI: Both houses of Parliament were adjourned Wednesday after members raised an uproar over the Assam violence, the Telangana statehood issue and the desecration of a statue of BR Ambedkar on the first day of the Monsoon session. In the Lok Sabha, the opposition NDA moved an adjournment motion on the ethnic violence in Assam that has claimed over 70 lives. Soon after the Lok Sabha met at 11am, Speaker Meira Kumar took up the day's agenda, but the Opposition members were on their feet demanding an immediate discussion on the violence in Assam. The lone Bodoland Peoples

MAN-MADE DISASTER

Gas leak in Mathura, hundreds evacuated LUCKNOW: Five people were taken ill and hundreds evacuated on Wednesday morning following leakage of ammonia gas from an ice manufacturing factory in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district, police said. The incident took place at around 8.30am when a cylinder containing ammonia gas started leaking. As the gas spread, labourers started vomiting and fled from the factory. Soon they developed rashes on their bodies and began fainting following which panic-stricken residents of Gopalnagar, where the ice factory is located, also left their houses. Police too asked them to leave their houses. A sharp odour, an official told IANS, was emanating from the factory and was spreading to nearby areas. Fire tenders have been rushed to the spot and were sprinkling water to contain the gas leak, district officials said. The authorities have also alerted National Disaster Response force officials about the incident. IANS

Front MP, SK Bwiswmuthiary, raised the issue and was supported by the BJP. The members trooped to near the speaker's podium holding placards. The

Telangana MPs were also on their feet demanding the statehood issue be taken up. Meira Kumar said she had accepted the adjournment

motion. She then adjourned the house amid the din. In the Rajya Sabha, soon after the obituary references were over, BSP leader Mayawati stood up to raise the issue of a statue of Dalit icon BR Ambedkar being vandalised in Uttar Pradesh. "This is an insult to Baba Saheb," Mayawati said. Members from other opposition parties were also on their feet raising issues, including the Assam violence. The BJP had given a notice for adjourning the question hour to discuss the violence in Assam. Chairman Hamid Ansari asked the members to raise the issue in zero hour. However, as the din continued, the upper house was adjourned till 12 noon. IANS

Union science and technology minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, admitted to Global Hospital here, continues to be critical, a hospital official said on Wednesday. The minister’s family members would give an update on his health through the social media Facebook and Twitter, the official added. “Deshmukh’s condition continues to be critical like it was yesterday (Tuesday). While his family has refused permission to us to issue a medical bulletin, they have said that the health condition would be announced through social media in due course of time,” the official told IANS. Deshmukh, 67, is on ventilator and his condition continues to be critical, the official added.

NEWS BRIEFS 22 killed as bus falls into gorge in Meghalaya SHILLONG: At least 22 people were killed and several others critically injured when a Tripura-bound bus fell into a deep gorge in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia hills district in the wee hours today. The bus was on its way to Agartala from Guwahati when it fell into the 80-feet deep gorge. “We have been able to retrieve 22 bodies even as six critically injured persons have been hospitalised”, the police said.

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AMU suspends 21 engineering students for admission fraud ALIGARH: Aligarh Muslim University has suspended 21 students for allegedly using fraudulent means to secure admission into engineering courses. A committee probe revealed that the 21 students committed forgery, cheating, misrepresented and concealed facts and produced forged documents and committed different acts of indiscipline and misconduct.

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Seven UP rivers in spate LUCKNOW: Seven rivers in Uttar Pradesh are in spate as rains continued in most parts of the state. The Burrhi Rapti river in Kakrahi, Sharda river in Palia Kalan, Ghaghra river in Elgin Bridge, Ayodhya and Turtipar, Rapti river in Balrampur were flowing above the danger mark while the Ganga river was flowing at the danger mark in Varanasi, the Central Water Commission said. UP’s irrigation minister Shivpal Yadav blamed release of water from Nepal dams for the floods.

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nation WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012 HOUSE TALK

Do lions and tigers have Aids? Nah!

ONE... TWO... THREE...

NEW DELHI: Is there any evidence of HIV/AIDS in lions and tigers, asked an MP in August 2010. Two years later, the environment ministry has come out with its verdict: "No evidence." The question was posed by Tufani Saroj, a Samajwadi Party member of the Lok Sabha from Machhlishahr in Uttar Pradesh. Then environment minister Jairam Ramesh had promised to get an answer to the query. According to a senior environment ministry official, the matter was referred to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The Dehradun-based WII is engaged in research related to conservation and management of wildlife, biodiversity and ecodevelopment. "After two years we have received the reply from experts A soldier watches candidates perform pull-ups during a fitness test at an Army recruitment rally at Khasa, some 15 km from Amritsar. The Army held a AFP/NARINDER NANU recruitment rally as part of an ongoing recruitment drive.

TAXMAN OR TAXWOMAN?

BAD NEWS

The glass ceiling has finally been broken The acting chairperson of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) is now a woman, Praveen Mahajan. The question was posed by Tufani Saroj, a Samajwadi Party member of the Lok Sabha from Machhlishahr in Uttar Pradesh. saying there is no evidence of HIV/AIDS in lions and tigers," the official told IANS. Not everyone in the ministry was amused by the question. One official said it was an irrelevant subject that ended up consuming public money on getting an answer to the question. The written reply will be provided to Saroj in the monsoon session of parliament starting Wednesday. Saroj, when contacted by IANS, refused to comment. As per the 2010 census, there are just 1,706 tigers left in India. IANS

NEW DELHI: Taxman may not be a proper term to use any more, given the gender of the current chairs of the direct and indirect tax administrations: It is women who now oversee how the government fills its coffers â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a target of $215 billion this fiscal. In India, women chief executives in the banking industry is no big deal. A recent survey revealed that nine of the top 10 listed banking companies in India had at least one women board member and three had women as chief executives. North Block, which houses the finance ministry, was very different where the first woman to be named finance secretary was Sushma Nath in 2011. But the glass ceiling has been broken! The acting chairperson of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) is now a woman officer of the 1976 batch of Indian Revenue Service (IRS) Praveen Mahajan.

Good news

survey revealed that nine of the top 10 listed banking companies in India had at least one women board member and three had women as chief executives. She is also the first from her gender in that post. In fact, what comes as an even bigger surprise is all her colleagues on the board may soon be women. Mahajan took charge August 1 after Satish Kumar Goel retired. The story in the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is no different. Poonam Kishore Saxena has been given additional charge of chairperson of this body following the retirement of Laxman Das last month. A 1974-batch officer of the Indian Revenue Service, Saxena is set to be formally

Balanced views

n India, women chief executives in the banking industry is no big deal. Women can do well in finance, as they can take more balanced views, said Neeru Ahuja, partner, Deloitte Haskins and Sells. appointed chief of CBDT soon as her name has already been forwarded to the cabinet, sources in the finance ministry said. Saxena is also the fourth woman officer to be appointed CBDT chief. The first chair was was Shobha Majumdar during 2004-05. The other two were M.M. Kherawala in 2006 and Indira Bhargawa 2007. But a majority of members in the CBDT will still be men. "Women are doing very well in finance because they can take more balanced views," said Neeru Ahuja, partner, Deloitte Haskins and Sells.

Production of tea hit as investment dries up AGARTALA: Tea production in the organised sector is declining in India due to ageing bushes and little investment and the country may have lost 50 million kg of tea in the past 10 years. At the same time it is rising in small holdings which account for nearly 28 per cent of the total tea cultivation area and 26 per cent of the country's total production. "India lost production of 50 million kg of tea during the past 10 years in the organised sectors. Old bushes and scarce investment are the key reasons for reduction in production in the organised big holdings," Tea Board of India executive director Rakesh Saini told IANS.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

World

EGYPT LAUNCHES SINAI AIR STRIKES Egyptian military attack helicopters have fired missiles on suspected Islamic militants in Sinai after attacks on security checkpoints, according to residents and officials. An army source said 20 “terrorists” had been killed in the assault.

GURDWARA SHOOTING

THE STARK CONTRAST

For US Sikhs, it’s a case of mistaken identity For Sikhs, who wear turbans and beards as core attributes of their religion, the mix of Islamophobia and ignorance spells danger. DAMASCUS: New York: The sight of a bearded man in a turban can provoke violent antiMuslim hatred in America — and never mind whether the man under the turban is actually Muslim. For Sikhs, who wear turbans and beards as core attributes of their religion, the mix of Islamophobia and ignorance spells danger. They say they’ve long had to cope with confused Muslimhaters, but that Sunday’s massacre of six people by a white supremacist in a Sikh temple in Wisconsin was a shattering blow. “The biggest shock is that it happened in a gurdwara (temple). This is a completely different level. That’s the biggest shock,” said Amanjot Sidhu, 24, who is training to become a dentist in New York. Sidhu was accompanying her father, Balwinder Sidhu, to a cavernous gurdwara in New York’s Sikh immigrant area of Richmond Hill in the borough of Queens. Women in bright pastel robes chanted in the main hall, while in the canteen, crews of volunteers served mouth-watering traditional food and sweetened, spicy tea to worshippers resting on carpets. But talk quickly turned to Sunday’s bloodbath and how, despite coming from an entirely different culture, Sikhs encounter the same kind of big-

A woman of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin mourns while attending a candle light vigil held at the Oak Creek Community Center on the National Night Out event on Tuesday Oak Creek, Wisconsin. AFP

otry that US Muslims commonly suffer from. “People don’t understand who we are. It’s a misidentity. They think we’re Muslim or the Taliban. We’re not,” said Balwinder Sidhu, 57, a retired taxi driver. “It has a lot to do with ignorance. Basically people say because there are turbans it must be Islamic,” his daughter added. “But all it takes is two seconds on the Internet.” There’s the Internet, but one could also do worse than peruse posters drawn by children at the Queens temple, formally called the Sikh Cultural Society. One poster showed draw-

ings of the “Five Ks,” the articles that baptized Sikhs are meant to wear at all times, such as the Kara, a bracelet that “indicates courage,” or the Kesh, the uncut hair wrapped inside the turban. “The uncut long hair gives Sikhs a distinctive appearance in society and makes Sikhs stand out from the crowd,” explains the handwritten text. Unfortunately, standing out from the crowd became a problem after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the subsequent US invasion of Afghanistan and the ongoing war against the turban-wearing Taliban. “A lot of people see us and think we look like Arabs or

Muslims,” said Singhara Singh, who like many first generation Sikhs in New York is a taxi driver. “Sometimes there are crazy people.” He remembers Sikhs being targeted all the way back in 1979, during the US embassy hostage crisis in Iran, a country where religious clerics sport similar turbans and beards. “People would get in the cab, then get out when they saw what he looked like.” Sikhs in America have long been incorrectly linked to Middle East turmoil, despite the fact that the religion originated in South Asia’s Punjab region. Although Sikhs have a long warrior tradition, their gurdwaras are highly accessible places, where a warm welcome — with offer of a meal — is considered obligatory. That openness may have helped the shooter in Wisconsin. “No one was paying attention. There was no security and no one was checked at the door,” Amanjot Sidhu, the dental student, said. At a barbershop near the temple, there was sympathy from non-Sikhs for their neighbors. “After 9/11, there were 10 or 15 who were assaulted. We had people come in here having haircuts and taking off their turbans because they were afraid,” said Alex Kimygarov, who immigrated from Uzbekistan when it was still part of the Soviet Union. AFP

NEWS BRIEFS Iranian woman held for smuggling by US freed

Mentally ill black American executed

Arizona mass shooter pleads guilty

China hit by third typhoon in a week

MUSCAT: An Iranian woman, jailed by the United States for attempting to export military equipment to Tehran, has been freed and arrived in Oman on Tuesday. A foreign ministry spokesman thanked the US government for releasing Shahrazad Mir Gholikhan “on humanitarian grounds and following efforts made by Oman”.

TEXAS: Authorities in Texas executed an African American man on Tuesday despite protests from human rights groups that said he was mentally disabled. Marvin Wilson, 54, who was condemned to death for a killing a police informant in 1992, was declared dead by lethal injection at 6.27 pm (2327 GMT), sources said.

TUSCAN: The disturbed gunman Jared Lee Loughner pleaded guilty Tuesday to carrying out a deadly Arizona mass shooting in January 2011, an attack where he failed to assassinate US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Six people were killed in the shooting and 13 were injured, including the congresswoman.

SHANGHAI: China’s third typhoon in a week ploughed into its eastern coast on Wednesday, halting transport in the ﬁnancial capital of Shanghai and toppling houses in some rural areas. Typhoon Haikui made landfall early on Wednesday in Zhejiang, south of Shanghai, after authorities moved more than one million people.

North Korea’s young ﬁrst lady has been pictured sporting what appears to be a Christian Dior handbag, in stark contrast to widespread shortages elsewhere in the impoverished nation. Ri Sol-Ju, the wife of leader Kim Jong-Un, was pictured accompanying him on a “ﬁeld guidance trip” to an army unit. It was unclear whether the bag was genuine or an imitation. A newspaper said Wednesday it would cost 1.8 million won ($1,594) in Seoul.

NUMEROLOGY

$7.5

million

is the fine that security agency Academi, formerly known as Blackwater, will pay to avoid US prosecution for smuggling arms, Justice Department said in a statement on Tuesday.

AMNESTY REPORT New satellite images show an increased use of heavy weapons in and around Syria’s city of Aleppo, raising urgent concerns over the welfare of residents, Amnesty International has said. The rights group says the photos reveal more than 600 craters, which were probably caused by artillery shells. Both government troops and rebels may be held criminally responsible for failing to protect civilians, it warns. Meanwhile, Iran has reiterated support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

I am thrilled that the classical pieces that inspired me while I wrote the ‘Fifty Shades’ trilogy are being brought together in one collection for all lovers of the books to enjoy. EL James Authoress

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

Comment Back of every creation, supporting it like an arch, is faith. Enthusiasm is nothing: it comes and goes. But if one believes, then miracles occur.

GURDWARA SHOOTING

rançois Hollande was so unfazed by his soaking from a deluge of rain during his inauguration parade last May that even the previously critical Economist magazine called him “waterproof.” That was before lightning delayed the French president’s much-anticipated initial meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel by striking his plane in the air. And that was only his first day on the job. It’s not going to get much easier. France’s first Socialist leader since François Mitterrand left office in 1995 aims to guide his country through the euro crisis by balancing his election promise to restrain Europe’s austerity drive with the government’s overriding goal of reviving the economy. Although some analysts say the math is impossible, the French — who have so far praised his initial pragmatism and resoluteness — appear to be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Hollande will be helped by the very good fortune of a new Socialist government brought to power after the party’s victory in June parliamentary elections gave it a historic concentration of power. It is busy drafting a raft of legislation for passing in the fall, including a plan for a 75 percent tax on income above $1.2 million.The modest-seeming, affable new leader has tried to set a serious tone by styling himself as “Mr. Normal” to his predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy’s “blingbling” presidency. Relentless economic gloom, rising unemployment and mounting debt — already at 90 percent of GDP — have forced him to moderate his promise that “austerity will not be viewed as an inevitability” in Europe. GLOBAL POST

RACISM IS NO MATCH FOR OUR CASTE SYSTEM FUSILLADE

Henry Miller Author

Waterproof Hollande

HIGH-FLYING THOUGHTS

Whose grand idea was the Har Hath Main Phone project? The UPA plans to introduce a new scheme to provide 6 million below poverty line (BPL) households with a mobile connection and free local talk time of 200 minutes. It’s hard to match DMK or AIDMK in freebies. But will it turn the tide for the UPA in 2014?

Arun Koshy Philip

rom prime minister to panwallah, all were ‘shocked’ at the gory incident in which a white supremacist gunned down six people at a Wisconsin gurdwara. The widespread anger was reflected in Hyderabad too where ‘peaceful’ protestors scuffled with policemen at the US Consulate (as if the US State Department provided the gunman weapons and ammunition). While we are outraged at the racial discrimination faced by people of Indian origin across the world, there is hardly any enthusiasm in fighting the caste system that continues to rob hundreds of millions in this country of their life, liberty and dignity — ironically, guaranteed as Fundamental Rights by the Constitution. Hundreds of young men and women fall victim to ‘honour killings’ every year (thousands go unreported or are hushed up by the well-connected families) because they dare to defy primitive caste kangaroo courts called khasi and choose their life partner. It was barely three months ago that an Uttar Pradesh DIG, Satish Kumar

Mathur, was caught on camera asking a villager to kill the latter’s daughter if she was found to have eloped. And these are the men in uniform the judiciary expects to protect inter-caste and inter-faith couples from persecution and harm. Then comes the inhuman practice of condemning hundreds of thousands of Dalits to the dignity-stripping job of manual scavenging. According to a 2011 ministry of social justice report, only 1,18,474 out of about 7.7 lakh (official figures) manual scavengers were given alternative professions under government schemes. Apart from social stigma, meagre wages, they fall victim to most virulent diseases and at times meet their ends in the ‘line of duty’. Across the country millions are discriminated against in social life due to their caste. Entire communities are forced to live outside villages but are expected to serve the upper castes at their beck and call without questioning. Those who resist are suppressed with most brutal measures including murder and gang-rape of women of their families. Even if the victim/s mange to file a police complaint overcoming their fear, little chance do they have against the money, influence and top lawyers that their oppressors have. Eventually,

destruction of lives and families is reduced to just another number in the ever-growing statistics. In the land of modern social reformer ‘Periyar’ EV Ramasamy, two-tumbler system is still widely practiced. There are villages divided by ‘caste walls’ topped by barbed wire and lower caste people are not allowed to use public facilities and denied entry to temples. Politicians support caste divisions to preserve their vote banks and fatten their wallets. Dalit ‘icon’ Mayawati’s opulent lifestyle and splurge of thousands of crores on statues and parks while people starved and farmers committed suicide would be a good example.

If the situation of Dalits can be termed bad, it is worse for the tribals. They are the first casualties when ‘development for greater common good’ takes place. Projects such as dams, power plants and Special Economic Zones that bring prosperity to the country are their worst enemies. Dispossessed and driven out of their ancestral lands, they end up in shanty towns and are brutally exploited in every possible manner by the rest. Considering the colossal extent of our failure to function as a civilised society, we are standing on wafer-thin ground when we point fingers at ‘racism’. The writer works for Postnoon

EDITORIALS Let’s wait and watch A 24-hour injury, eh?

ehran will host a conference for countries which it says have realistic opinions about solving the chaos in Syria. Lebanon has declined the invitation, but six other Arab countries, along with Pakistan, Venezuela, India and Kazakhstan, as well as Russia and China, which have vetoed any UN security council action on the crisis, have accepted invitation. Iran has also come in full support of the Assad regime. Is it just the issue of Iranian pilgrims held hostage that is behind Iran’s sudden interest in the state of affairs in the Middle East, or is there more that meets the eye? Iran says it won’t allow the axis of resistance, of which Syria is a crucial member, to fail come what may. The other members of the axis of resistance are Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Palestinian group Hamas, united by their hatred for Israel. Another event that assumes signiﬁcance is the summit of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference in Mecca, where a showdown is expected between Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah. Let’s wait and watch.

READERS’ VIEWS

ardly 24 hours since his exclusions from the Games for not putting in a boniface effort, Algeria’s Taruffi Makhloufi, who was later reinstated, went on to win the gold in the men’s 1500m. How can this be? In the 800m race, Makhloufi jogged perhaps 150m and then wandered off the field for which he was disqualified. The decision was revoked after a doctor’s certificate confirmed he had a knee problem and so on medical grounds was not wrong. Did the Chinese miss something?

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

cinema

HIGH PRAISE US President Barack Obama thinks Anne Hathaway "was the best thing" in The Dark Knight Rises. He spoke about the film during a fundraiser campaign at producer Harvey Weinstein's Connecticut home, reports contactmusic.com. "I got a chance to see 'Batman', and she (Anne Hathway) was the best thing in it. That's just my personal opinion," said Obama.

COURTING THE MICROPHONE

Voices that enchant

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

A slew of actresses in Bollywood are turning singers for their films. We find out if the trend is here to stay.

HEMANTH KUMAR hemanth.k@postnoon.com

The Bourne Legacy

he new age starlets in Bollywood are leaving no stone unturned to grab eyeballs. Till a few years ago, actresses making cameo appearances in big budget films, sporting a bikini and item numbers were making headlines. Although these things are still in vogue, the latest trend seems to be actresses turning singers for their films. Actors like Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Neha Dhupia, Chitrangda Singh, Shruti Haasan and few others had sung songs in recent times and the trend seems to be picking up. “In the early years of cinema, actors had to sing. So perhaps it’s all come back a full circle,” Chinmayi, a leading singer, says. Playback singing in Hindi cinema became a norm from the late 40s onwards and

before that actresses like Suraiya and Noor Jehan were among the leading singers of their time. Later, actresses were relegated to mostly acting and dancing, although there were some exceptions in the 80s and 90s like Sridevi and Rekha.

The narrative architect behind the Bourne film series, Tony Gilroy, takes the helm in the next chapter of the hugely popular espionage franchise that has earned almost $1 billion at the global box office: The Bourne Legacy. The writer/director expands the Bourne universe created by Robert Ludlum with an original story that introduces us to a new hero (Jeremy Renner) whose lifeor-death stakes have been triggered by the events of the first three films. Renner joins fellow series newcomers Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Stacy Keach and Oscar Isaac. Since then, actresses like Madhuri Dixit, Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor have lent their voice in Devdas, Barsaat and Dev respectively. In fact, Priyanka Chopra, who is a trained western classical singer, is all set to launch a music album of her own through Universal Music and Desi Hits in North America. Recently, she revealed that she’ll be singing a song in the remake of Zanjeer, in which she’s paired up with Ram Charan Tej. Earlier this year, Katrina Kaif recorded for an album named Rhymeskool for kids and she even sang these songs in front of AR Rahman, which sparked rumours that she’ll be singing soon for an untitled Yash Raj Film. Is this trend here to stay? “I think it's a healthy sign as long as they sing well. It may have started as a marketing idea and with music being increasingly used as a marketing tool to draw people

A UNIQUE RECORD KJ Yesudas holds the record for singing more than 50,000 songs till date in 22 Indian languages. He’s the only playback singer to win seven National Award for singing and twenty four Kerala State Film Awards. The veteran singer also holds the record of being the only singer to be accorded the title Ashtana Gayakan (Official Singer) of Kerala State. A record which is unlikely to be broken anytime soon.

In the early years of Indian cinema, actors had to sing. Perhaps, the trend is now back in vogue making it a full circle.

into the theatres, it makes sense. Actresses already have a fan base and by making them sing, you are immediately assured of tapping into that segment. It's good for the movie. There's of course the danger that it could backfire if people don't like the song,” Mahesh Shankar, a music director, says and adds, “Now, we are back to trying to make our actresses sing. Who knows, it may result in actresses taking vocal classes along with acting and dance classes. Either way, I think it enhances everyone's creative output. By the way, if people think that actors or actresses can't sing, it really makes the composer's life that much more difficult — to create a song that will sound good no matter who sings it.” With more actresses joining this bandwagon, the question is will this trend become a norm, just like the good old days? Only time will tell.

ALL IN THE FAMILY Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle has perhaps sung more songs than an entire generation of singers put together. Lata Mangeshkar held the Guinness world record for singing more than 25,000 songs between 1948 and 1991. From 1991 onwards, this record has been accorded to Asha Bhosle as the Most Recorded Artist in music history. Who said sibling rivalry doesn’t fetch results?

DID YOU KNOW...

100cr mark was first crossed by the film Ghajini in 2008. The film starred Aamir Khan and Asin and was produced under the Reliance Entertainment banner. Considered a turning point in Bollywood, multiple films have breached that mark since then.

ICONIC QUOTES

There’s a storm coming, Mr. Wayne. You and your friends better batten down the hatches, because when it hits, you’re all gonna wonder how you ever thought you could live so large and leave so little for the rest of us.

If we’re going to Virginia why don’t we drop by Fort Knox? I could ﬂy a helicopter through the lobby and set it down right inside the vault. And it would be a hell of a lot easier than breaking into the CIA.

Selina Kyle, Franz Krieger The Dark Knight Mission Rises Impossible

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

spotlight

ALL SET FOR TODAY

Don't miss the Wonderful Wednesday at Cinnamon Fusion on Wednesday night. Guest artiste Swati is all set to perform some cool tracks. Great food, live music, so go ahead, take a mid-week musical break!

TO A YEAR OF SUCCESS

On a Happy note

18 DEEPAK DESHPANDE

Fashion designer Archana Patel, celebrated her birthday with friends and family at N Grill on Tuesday. 7

1 Sridevi 2 Dan 3 Shalini

Badruka 4 Rajni 5 Alekya Reddy, Tarak 6 Sudeepthi, Poornima 7 Swathi Sanghi 8 Suriti 9 Hitesh, Sheetal

10 Rehan, Anni 11 Namitha

12 Archana 13 Ashwin, Trushna 14 Rajeev, Manisha 15 Bharat,

Sudeepthi

DEEPAK DESHPANDE

SHARING THE DAIS

Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy listens intently to AK Khan, Managing Director and Vice Chairman of RTC at an Iftaar party that was held at Khaja Mansion on Tuesday.

DROPS OF FREEDOM

Gemini edibles private limited launched a 1 litre pet bottle and a 15 litre jar of Freedom Reﬁned Sunﬂower Oil. The launch was attended by actress Richa Pallod.

DEEPAK DESHPANDE

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

health

INFANTS OF OBESE MOTHERS SLOW DEVELOPERS Pregnant women who are overweight affect how their children grow up and develop, at least initially. Contrary to expectations, babies of overweight/obese mothers gained less weight and grew less in length than babies of normal-weight women from just after birth to three months.

CONTRACEPTION

Use it and forget about it If popping the pill every day is a chore you often forget or those condom tears worry you, then you could consider using an IUCD. Even medical practitioners love them.

RANJANI RAJENDRA

ranjani.r@postnoon.com

A woman, who wants to space her children

n Has borne a child / children. n Has only one sexual partner (Low Risk of STD) n Is Breast feeding n Has just had an abortion (with no evidence / risk of STD)

Source: www.smbcorpn.com

ANEWS PP-LYBRIEFS YOURSELF

hen Radhika and Jatin got married the couple had many dreams together. But children weren’t part of their immediate plan. Out came the latex and the pills, but despite their best efforts Radhika got pregnant within a few months. The reason – she’d forgotten the pill a couple of times in the month. Although an almost foolproof contraception method, the pill needs to be taken daily to prevent a

HOUSECALL

miCoach

Cytomegalovirus

Carry you personal coach with you wherever you go. This app uses GPS and real-time voice coaching to help you through easy workout zones as you run. You can choose from a training plan that can help you build speed and endurance. Track and share your achievements also. This app is available for iPhone users.

Cytomegalovirus is a kind of herpes virus. It's often carried in the air in tiny ﬂuid droplets when someone coughs or sneezes. The cytomegalovirus virus can also be transmitted during sexual intercourse, organ transplants and blood transfusions. In most cases the Cytomegalovirus does not cause problems and may not even be noticed. But in serious cases can cause problems.

pregnancy. Considering today’s crazy schedules and lifestyles, remembering to pop the pill might just slip your mind and that is where intrauterine contraceptive devices step in. An intrauterine device is a small T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent a pregnancy. Usually inserted by a doctor, the procedure takes less than 15 minutes and is good to last at least three years or more depending on the type chosen. The device has

DID YOU KNOW Stretching before running lowers endurance The importance of warm-up has been stressed upon time and again. Recent studies suggest that stretching before a run may not be beneﬁcial. A study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that it made a runner’s body less efﬁcient.

a string attached to facilitate proper placement and removal. “The reason most medical practitioners prefer using an intrauterine device is because not only is it safe, it is also convenient. For those who have unpredictable schedules, using and intrauterine device makes sense as once it is put in, you can forget about it. There are no pill time tables to follow etc,” says Dr Divya T Sudarshan, a gynaecologist and obstetrician practising at Happy Women Clinic. “The only drawbacks,” says Dr Divya, “are that for the first few cycles after insertion women may experience heavier bleeding, but it soon sets right. Also for women, who are prone to infections or have multiple sexual partners, risk getting STDs or infections.” In fact, once a patient is comfortable using an IUD, they prefer sticking to them rather than getting a surgery (tubectomy) done. IUDs are also cost effective, with each device costing as less as `600 and the procedure itself costing around `1,000. There are other more advanced IUDs used to treat women with perimenopausal problems that cost a bit more. Earlier there were worries that IUDs could tear the uterine wall. “It is very rare that a device wanders into the peritonial cavity causing any damage. It is a one in 10,000 chance. They are extremely safe,” says Dr Divya.

PIONEERS Ib-al-Nafis Ib-al-Nafis was an Arab physician who was famous for being the first to describe the pulmonary circulation of the blood. Apart from medicine, Ibn alNafis was also well read in various subjects such as law, literature and theology. He was credited to being an expert physician. At the Al-Mansouri Hospital in Egypt he became chief of physicians and the Sultan’s personal physician.

health WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

FOOD FOR HEALTH

ALZHEIMER’S

Ginger could help control diabetes Does butter flavouring cause Alzheimer’s?

igh exposure to artificial butter flavouring, known as diacetyl, was linked to increased chance of Alzheimer’s disease, says a new study. HealthDay News said the findings were published in a recent issue of the journal Chemical Research in Toxicology. Diacetyl (DA) gives a buttery taste to margarines, snack foods, candy and microwave popcorn. According to International Science Times, it is also found naturally in beer and chardonnay wine.

Researchers studied workers who were exposed to large doses of diacetyl and found it could cause amyloid protein to clump.

A new report could help people with high blood sugar levels. It reveals that the potential power of ginger to control blood glucose by using muscle cells. SYDNEY: Ginger could help manage high levels of blood sugar which create complications for long-term diabetic patients. A new report reveals the potential power of ginger to control blood glucose by using muscle cells. Ginger extracts were able to increase the uptake of glucose into muscle cells independently of insulin, says Basil Roufogalis, professor of pharmaceutical chemistry, University of Syndey, who led the study. “This assists in the management of high levels of blood sugar that create complications for long-term diabetic patients,

and may allow cells to operate independently of insulin,” says Roufogalis, the journal Planta Medica reports. “The components responsible for the increase in glucose were gingerols — the major phenolic components of the ginger rhizome. Under normal conditions, blood glucose level is

strictly maintained within a narrow range, and skeletal muscle is a major site of glucose clearance in the body,” says Roufogalis, according to a Sydney statement. The pharmacy researchers extracted whole ginger rhizomes obtained from Buderim Ginger and showed that one fraction of the extract was the most effective in reproducing the increase in glucose uptake by the whole extract in muscle cells grown in culture. Analysis by colleagues Colin Duke and Van Tran from Sydney’s Faculty of Pharmacy showed this fraction was rich in gingerols. IANS

Foods to control diabetes n Cinnamon n Chromium n Vinegar n Coffee n Dairy n Leafy Greens n Magnesium n Bran n Brown Rice n Berries

Source: fyiliving.com

However, the study concluded that the average popcorn-loving moviegoer does not need to worry. Researchers studied factory workers who were exposed to large doses of diacetyl and found it could cause “amyloid protein to clump in the brain — a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease” and it also caused a toxic effect on nerve cells, the International Science Times reported. “In light of the chronic exposure of industry workers to DA, this study raises the troubling possibility of long-term neurological toxicity mediated by DA,” the researchers wrote. IANS

research

Lying less can actually make you healthy, study finds ALEXANDER BESANT

esearchers at the University of Notre Dame found that those people who lied often had worse mental health issues, including stress and anxiety, than those who did not lie. According to CBS News, the study looked at 110 people - the majority college students - over 10 weeks.

Half the subjects were told to stop lying for the 10 weeks, while the others received no instructions. Both groups came in each week to ﬁll out questionnaires about their health and relationships and take a lie detector test to determine how many lies they had told in the last seven days. According to USA Today, those people who did not lie

Researchers found that those people who lied often had worse mental health issues, including stress and anxiety.

that week had fewer physical and mental health complaints than those who had lied. Those held true whether the person had told major lies or small ones. “In a given week, if they told fewer lies, they also reported their health was better,” said lead researcher Anita Kelly, a psychology professor at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana,

reported WebMd. “The connection between lying less and improved health, following the people over 10 weeks, was ampliﬁed by being in the no-lie group. The connection was even stronger.” The ﬁndings were presented last week at the American Psychological Association’s annual convention.They have yet to be published. IANS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

Entertainment ANOTHER ACTION ENTERTAINER

he principal shooting of Naga Chaitanya, Sunil’s upcomingfilm began on Monday in Hyderabad. The film is the official remake of Lingusamy’s Vettai in which Arya and Madhavan played the lead roles as siblings. Naga Chaitanya is reprising Arya’s role and Sunil is playing the role of a cop which was originally played by Madhavan. Hansika and Andrea Jeremiah are on board this action entertainer. Kishore Kumar, who had earlier made Koncham Ishtam Koncham Kashtam, is directing this remake and Bellamkonda Suresh is producing it. On Monday, the film’s shooting began in the Aluminium Factory in Gachibowli with canning action episodes under the aegis of action choreographer RamLaxman. Buzz is that the film is going to hit the screens in January, 2013.

CINE BYTES

Vettai’s remake goes on floors

Another socio-fantasy soon in offing

llari Naresh, Richa Panai starrer socio-fantasy film has been named as Yamudiki Mogudu. Sayaji Shinde and Ramya Krishna are playing important roles in this film directed by Sattibabu. Interestingly, this film has the hero falling in love with Yama’s daughter, which is a first in Telugu cinema.

Balakrishna’s son to turn actor soon

he stage is all set for Balakrishna’s son Mokshagna’s entry into ﬁlms. Balakrishna and Mokshagna hogged the limelight at the audio launch of Srimannarayana and for the ﬁrst time that Balakrishna introduced his son to the media. Recently, Balakrishna revealed that his son will make his acting debut only after completing his studies.

Nani, Amala Paul head to Chalakudy

he ﬁrst schedule of Nani, Amala Paul starrer Jenda Pai Kapiraju has begun in Chalakudy, near Cochin. A song is being shot on the lead actors now. Samuthirakani is directing this bilingual ﬁlm which has Jayam Ravi, Amala Paul playing the lead roles in the Tamil version. GV Prakash is composing the music.

Entertainment WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

ANOTHER IMPORT FOR THE BHATT CAMP

ctress-filmmaker Pooja Bhatt, who is elated over the success of her recently released movie Jism 2, has plans to take the franchise ahead with the third and fourth installment. She is considering having Nathalia Kaur in Jism 3. Ram Gopal Varma launched the Brazilian model-turned-actress in Bollywood with item number Dan Dan in his film Departmen'. “For Jism 3, we are considering Nathalia as my father (Mahesh Bhatt) suggested me to do so. He has a knack of choosing the right kind of new talent. We are thinking of her but nothing is finalised yet,” Pooja said. PTI

Jism 3 in pipeline, likely to feature

NATHALIA KAUR

For Jism 3, we are considering Nathalia as my father suggested me to do so. He has a knack of choosing the right kind of new talent. Pooja Bhatt Daughter of Mahesh Bhatt

CINE BYTES Rains not a problem for Taalash’s crew

Salman playing it safe

Mom-in-law upset with Farah Khan

ctors Kareena Kapoor and Aamir Khan were shooting a music video over the weekend at Famous Studios and an unfortunate incident occured — their outﬁts got spoilt by the rains. Manisha Jaisingh and Nandita Mathani stepped in and opened their showrooms at 1 am and then they were able to resume shooting.

uperstar Salman Khan is playing safe — he has decided against travelling to small towns for promotions. "It's not about crowd control. There are women and kids and in their excitement, the men try to take advantage of the fact that there are women in the crowd.”

irector-turned-actress Farah Khan has revealed that her mother-in-law is a bit upset with her. "Shirish, as usual, has not reacted at all. But my mother-in-law was very excited, so she came to watch the shoot one day but unfortunately that day Boman was shooting the semi-nude scene. She has not spoken to me since then.”

Entertainment WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

FUNNY MAN BACK IN ACTION

CINE BYTES

H E N O C

S JAME

XT? NE

F O I N O D N I O PB N

The Gatsby moved to 2013

n a surprise move, Warner Bros. has pushed back Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby from December 25 to summer 2013. "Based on what we've seen, Baz Luhrmann's incredible work is all we anticipated and so much more. We think movieogers of all ages are going to embrace it, and it makes sense to ensure this unique ﬁlm reaches the largest audience possible," said Warner Bros.

Pay hike up for Jennifer Lawrence

fter taking on Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in the film The Dictator, funnyman Sacha Baron Cohen will spoof the world's most famous secret agent, James Bond, in his potential new comedy movie. Cohen has teamed up with Phil Johnston in selling an untitled pitch to Paramount Pictures. The script centers on a Bondesque agent who is forced to go in the run with his long-lost brother, who is said to be a “moronic soccer hooligan.” Paramount has yet to confirm the news, but insiders reveal that Cohen's script has been obtained for the high six- to low seven-figure range, reported Aceshowbiz. The Hugo actor is set to pen the script, which is not exactly about 007 though it bears resemblance to the iconic Ian Fleming-created spy. Cohen has also been attached to an untitled Freddie Mercury biopic, in which he is set to play the late Queen frontman. He will next be seen starring in Tom Hooper’s Les Miserables as villainous Monsieur Thenardier. PTI

ctress Jennifer Lawrence will be seeing more zeroes on her next paycheck. The Hunger Games star is reportedly getting an extremely large raise for Catching Fire. Lawrence, who received $500,000 for the first flick is in the final stages of negotiating a deal to earn somewhere near— wait for it—$10 million for the second installment.

Miley Cyrus goes blonde

iley Cyrus is about to ﬁnd out if blondes really DO have more fun.The 19-year-old star has been experimenting with her locks lately— and this weekend, she took them to a new blonde extreme! Cyrus took to her Twitter to show off her platinum tresses as celebrity hairstylist Chris McMillan chopped and coloured her hair. No word on if she switched up her style for a role or if she just wanted a more summer-y look, but we really like it.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

Chai Time

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong. ARTHUR C CLARKE

KAKURO

QUICK CROSSWORD

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

ACROSS

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

SCRIBBLING PAD

1 ‘The Thief of Bagdad’ extras 6 Explode 11 Twin-___ engine 14 Ambulance worker 15 ‘Pineapple Island’ 16 Fish tale, essentially 17 They’re often used at parties 19 Lyric poem 20 Type of time-out 21 Admission requirements, perhaps 22 Launching-pad force 24 ‘High Hopes’ philosophy 27 Follow, as advice 28 Withdraw (with ‘out’) 29 Things producing effects 33 Dots on a state map 36 Genesis grandchild 37 ‘In ___ of flowers ...’ 38 Agcy that polices polluters 39 Slightly inclined 40 Bert Bobbsey’s twin sister 41 ___ the Great (detective of kids’ books) 43 Artist’s inspiration 44 Tillers of the soil 46 Next-to-the-highest angels 48 Gehrig the baseball legend 49 Eastern royal 50 Easily startled 55 Bra insert 57 Global finance org 58 1986 General Electric acquisition 59 ‘Mind Medicine’ author Geller 60 Endangered Asian cat 64 Adult elver 65 Atlantic, for one 66 Full of a certain grain 67 ‘Now I ___ me down to sleep ...’ 68 Comic-Con habitues, stereotypically 69 Canary’s call

DOWN

1 Essential ___ acids 2 News summary 3 Far from bungling 4 Apparel for a young diner 5 Saves every penny 6 Cinderella’s slipper material 7 Tree for a yellow ribbon 8 Withdrawn Canadian currency bill 9 To the greatest distance 10 Carrie of ‘Star Wars’ 11 High spot for happiness 12 Lends a hand to 13 Wrestling contest 18 Abridge, eg 23 Unlike a figment of your imagination 25 Suffix with ‘restrict’ 26 Unified views? 30 Barbershop emblem 31 What a handkerchief may wipe away 32 Tans 33 Apartment number, maybe 34 Brightly colored fish 35 Pond plant 36 Case for needles and pins 39 Atmosphere, as in a restaurant 42 Big Band and Gaslight 44 Cruel practical joke 45 Away for the day 47 A capella groups sing in it 48 ‘You put the ___ in the coconut ...’ 51 Hot spots for pots 52 About to blow 53 Landslide detritus 54 ‘I ___ thought about it’ 55 Add ___ to the fire 56 ‘These ___ few of my favorite things’ 61 ‘ ___ the ramparts ...’ 62 A big spender may flash one 63 ‘Shake!’ offering

Chai Time WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012 Thiruvaikumar

STAR POWER for 9-8-2012

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

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Need to adopt a slow-and-steady policy as planetary positions are not favourable. Though good income is not ruled out, money will not stay with you due to high expenses. Problems of children will haunt you. Avoid undertaking fresh efforts.

Delays likely to turn successful in new efforts. A satisfactory financial position likely. Some are forced to sell ancestral property. Children's health may be a cause for concern. Working women will be favoured with transfer of their choice.

Financial position will remain very strong. New efforts will bring desired and expected results. Those unmarried are likely to get married soon. Friends and relatives will extend support. Transfer as per choice on the cards for govt servants.

QUICK CROSSWORD FRED BASSET

Unexpected journey likely. Expenses towards happy events at home are inevitable and higher expenses will upset you. Couples need to take care of their health. Businessmen might face revolt from partners; solve the problem without any delay.

Money might not come from expected sources. Benefits from ancestral property also will be far below expectations. New efforts might face initial hurdles but success is yours ultimately. Some govt officials will be sent on punishment transfer.

Newlyweds will hear the good news of arrival of their offspring. A strong financial position likely. Journeys undertaken will be beneficial. Govt officials are likely to be transferred. Be careful in vehicle and house-related issues.

Children's growth will make you cheerful. Unexpected journeys are to be undertaken. Misunderstanding with father likely; try and avoid such a situation. Employees might be frustrated for not being suitably rewarded for their efforts.

Financial position is not too satisfactory. Be careful in your food habits and avoid outside foods. Some employees are more interested in changing their job due to problems faced in the present one. Eye and dental problems likely.

Misunderstanding with blood relatives likely. Those working in the army and police might face sudden transfer and uncomfortable atmosphere. VIP officials are advised to avoid taking hasty decision in important issues.

TAROT READ

Sumaa Tekur

tarotreadhyd@gmail.com

ARIES:

GEMINI:

Measure your words carefully, for words could hurt more than any physical harm. You may come across as rash and immature if you speak your mind.

LEO:

The Sun – There should always be room for new learning and engagement with your subject, no matter which stage in the career you’re in. Pick up new skills.

LIBRA:

STONE SOUP

King of Wands – You’re likely to be swamped with work. The only way to deal with this is to not panic and prioritise in the right way. Know what should get done first.

SAGITTARIUS:

Three of Pentacles – You risk getting into a hot debate with someone at the work place. This may not go very well in your favour. Stop being so righteous.

TAURUS:

The Hanged Man – Bosses will be in the mood to sack someone in the team who is not performing. If the pressure, is too much, go ahead and do what’s best.

CANCER:

Six of Swords – Those going abroad must be careful and alert of racism. Deal with these in the most practical manner. Remember that you’re in another country.

VIRGO:

Eight of Swords – Refrain from making scathing comments about someone else’s lifestyle. Don’t get personal about anyone’s choices. You’re not in his/ her place.

SCORPIO:

The Lovers – You are learning something new about a person. With this knowledge, you can enter the next stage of maturity. You can deal with problems better.

CAPRICORN:

King of Swords – You will make progress in a project that has been on hold for some time now. Roadblocks are opening up and everything moves ahead.

SOLUTIONS

PISCES:

You have to take people along, although it proves to be more difficult than you imagined. Be a team player and be understanding of your team.

NUMBER GAME

Swords – Avoid conflict although you cannot avoid being at the wrong place at the wrong time. You have to keep cool and manage your temper.

SCRABBLE

AQUARIUS: Seven of

INK PEN

Be careful while driving as there are chances of getting hurt. Act wisely, avoid problems because of bad planetary positions. Some might be forced to resign and search for a new job. Be patient and take decisions after safe guarding basic interests.

for 9-8-2012

Ace of Pentacles – Don’t feel pressured to do as someone in your family says – no matter how much you love this person. Your life is your own. Make your decisions.

FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE

Administrative abilities will improve. Good turning points likely in new efforts. Elderly persons and VIPs will extend help and support. If expenses are planned and monitored well, savings is possible. Lawyers and commission agents will prosper.

SUDUKO

Financial position will improve for better. Promotion or expected transfer on cards. Success is yours in all new and sincere efforts. Realtors will reap gains. Court verdicts will go in your favour. Businessmen, be wary of partners.

Boggle SISTER COUSIN AUNT MOM DAD Vol: 2, No 22 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

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

MEDAL TALLY

China USA Great Britain South Korea Russia France Italy Germany Kazakhstan Netherlands Australia Iran Hungary North Korea Cuba Belarus New Z’land South Africa Ukraine Japan Romania Denmark Brazil Poland Jamaica Croatia Ethiopia Spain Canada Sweden Czech Kenya Slovenia Dominica Georgia Switzerland Lithuania Algeria Grenada Venezuela Mexico Colombia Egypt Slovakia Armenia Azerbaijan Belgium India Estonia Indonesia Mongolia Norway Serbia Tunisia Cyprus Finland Guatemala Malaysia Thailand Taipei Greece Moldova Qatar Singapore Argentina Hong Kong S’di Arabia Kuwait Morocco T and T Turkey Uzbekistan

G 34 30 22 12 10 8 7 6 6 5 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

S 21 19 13 5 18 9 6 14 0 3 12 3 2 0 3 2 1 1 0 13 5 4 1 1 1 1 0 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

B 18 21 13 6 20 11 4 7 1 6 9 1 3 1 1 3 5 0 6 14 2 2 5 5 1 0 2 1 7 3 1 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

T 73 70 48 23 48 28 17 27 7 14 25 8 9 5 7 8 9 4 9 29 9 8 8 8 4 3 4 6 11 7 5 5 4 2 3 2 2 1 1 1 5 4 2 4 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Iran claim a double

Behdad Salimi and Sajjad Anoushiravani claimed the gold and silver medals respectively in the over-105kg weightlifting competition. BARNABY CHESTERMAN Agence France-Presse LONDON: Twice world champion Behdad Salimi led an Iranian one-two in the men’s over-105kg Olympic weightlifting competition at the ExCel Arena here on Tuesday. Compatriot Sajjad Anoushiravani took the silver medal ahead of Russia’s European champion Ruslan Albegov. Salimi’s winning total of 455kg was 6kg more than Anoushiravani managed with Albegov just 1kg below that. Both the medallists smashed their international competition personal bests. It completed a great day for Iran who also enjoyed success in Grec-Roman wrestling and the discus. “I’m very happy, I worked very hard for this and had a very hard schedule,” said Salimi. “It’s also been a good day for Iran because we got two gold and two silver medals.” Salimi’s total was well

Iran’s Behdad Salimikordasiabi competes to win the gold medal in the men’s +105kg group A weightlifting event of the London 2012 Games at The Excel Centre in London on Tuesday. AFP/YURI CORTEZ

below his winning marker in last year’s World Championships but he had secured the gold medal with his first clean and jerk lift of 247kg. “The moment I lifted 247kg I realised I’d won because the Russian then tried to lift 247kg and failed,” he said. “I’m very happy because even though two world titles is good, the Olympics is completely different, it’s the icing on the cake.”

PERFECT SYNC

Matthais crashes out

atthias Steiner crashed out of the +105kg weightlifting competition after dropping the bar on his shoulder in the snatch. Attempting 196kg on his second lift, he buckled under the weight and dropped the bar on his shoulder before collapsing on his side with the bar resting on his thigh.

Matthias Steiner is trapped by the bar as he fails an attempt in the +105kg event.

Penalty, collapse mar British triathlon win Alistair won gold as his brother Jonny recovered from a penalty to take bronze and then dramatically collapsed.

Russia’s llya Zakharov competes to win the gold in the men’s 3m springboard final during the diving event at the London 2012 Games on Tuesday in London. AFP/FABRICE COFFRINI

LONDON: Britain’s Alistair Brownlee won gold with the fastest Olympic triathlon yet Tuesday as his brother Jonny recovered from a time penalty to take bronze — and then dramatically collapsed minutes later. The elder Brownlee completed the 1.5km swim, 43km bike-ride and 10km run at London’s scenic Hyde Park in 1hr 45min 25sec, the quickest since triathlon’s Olympic debut in 2000, and 11 seconds ahead of Spain’s Javier Gomez. But his jubilation at walking across the line, draped in a Union Flag to thunderous applause, turned to worry when Jonny, crossing 31 seconds behind, collapsed and started vomiting after his extreme exertions. After an hour’s delay for medical treatment, the three medallists

emerged for the victory ceremony but the younger brother was too weak to stand as he gave media interviews. It underlines the intensity of triathlon — and reprises similar scenes in 2010 when Alistair Brownlee, who was leading a race on the same course, was taken ill 400 metres from the finish and staggered across the line in ninth. “After the finish I collapsed. I crossed the line and I felt awful, but that’s part of racing. But I got into the tent afterwards and I got worse and worse and I overheated,” Jonny Brownlee said. “Then I collapsed and I was sick and I got taken to the medical tent. But that’s part of triathlon, it’s a hard sport. It was Alistair’s turn to collapse here two years ago, and now it’s my turn.” AFP

28-29

Feng claims top slot China’s Feng Zhe took the top honours in the men’s parallel bars final event which was held on Tuesday to succeed his countryman Li Xiaopeng as the Olympic champion. LONDON: China’s Feng Zhe took the honours in the men’s parallel bars final on Tuesday to succeed his countryman Li Xiaopeng as Olympic champion. Germany’s Marcel Nguyen came second, adding another silver medal to the one he won in the individual all-around final earlier in the competition, while Hamilton Sabot of France finished third. Feng, parallel bars world champion in 2010, now has two gold medals at the London Games, having already played a part in China’s victory in the men’s team final. His score of 15.966 saw him finish 0.166 points above Nguyen, with Sabot posting a score of 15.566 to succeed compatriot Benoit Caranobe — the allaround bronze-medallist in 2008 — as an Olympic medal winner. Japan’s Kazuhito Tanake finished in fourth place, with his brother, Yusuke, seventh. After his team-mate Zhang Chenglong had fallen from the apparatus in the opening routine, Feng followed Sabot onto the bars and smoothly established a score that would not be beaten. Nguyen was the fourth gymnast to perform, meaning that he, Sabot and Feng had to anxiously sit through the displays of their five fellow finalists

China’s gymnast Feng Zhe performs during the men’s parallel bars final of the artistic gymnastics event of the London Olympic Games on Tuesday at the North Greenwich Arena in London. AFP/EMMANUEL DUNAND

before their medals could be confirmed. Meanwhile, China’s Deng Linlin upset team-mate Sui Lu to claim the gold medal in the women’s balance beam final on the last day of the Olympic artistic gymnastics tournament on Tuesday. Sui won the silver medal, with Alexandra Raisman of the United States snatching the bronze medal from Romanian three-time Olympic champion Catalina Ponor following a judges’ inquiry. The reigning world beam champion, Sui opened the final with a strong score of 15.500 but Deng bettered her mark by 0.100 points to leave her compatriot in tears on the sidelines at the North Greenwich Arena. Ponor, initially finished in third with a score of 15.066, despite wobbling twice during her difficult routine and slightly miscuing her landing. In the Men’s Horizontal Bar event, Epke Zonderland of Netherlands won the gold while Germany’s Fabian Hambuchen and China’s Kai Zou claimed the silver and bronze medals respectively. Meanwhile, in the women’s floor execution, Alexandra Raisman of the United States claimed the gold medal on Tuesday.while Romania’s Catalina Ponor took the silver and Aliya Mustafina of Russia came third. AFP

GOLDEN MOMENT

Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin on Valegro celebrates after competing in the team Dressage Grand Prix event at the Equestrian venue in Greenwich Park, London, on Tuesday. The Britain team went AFP PHOTO / JOHN MACDOUGALL on to win the gold medal

Trott claims Omnium gold for GB LONDON: Britain’s Laura Trott capped a gruelling women’s omnium campaign to be crowned Olympic champion in the inaugural edition of the event at the velodrome Tuesday. Trott finished just one point ahead of American Sarah Hammer, who took the silver, with Australian Annette Edmondson taking the bronze. Trott, the world champion in the six-discipline event, thus takes her second gold medal of the Games having helped Britain’s three-woman pursuit team win gold over 3 km last week. Trott’s gold was Britain’s sixth medal at the Velodrome. The competition ended later with the women’s sprint final which was won by Anna Meares and men’s keirin which saw Chris Hoy claim the gold medal.

NEWS BRIEFS Ghasem takes gold Iran’s Ghasem Gholamreza Rezaei won the Greco-Roman wrestling 96kg gold, beating Russia’s Rustam Totrov. Armenia’s Artur Aleksanyan and Sweden’s Jimmy Lidberg took the bronze. In the 66kg event South Korea’s Kim Hyeon-Woo won the gold, Hungary’s Tamas Lorincz took the silver and France’s Steeve Guenot and Georgian Manuchar Tskhadaia took the bronze.

Marina wins surfing Spain’s Marina Alabau Neira won the women’s windsurfing gold medal ahead of Finland’s Tuuli Petaja and Poland’s Zoﬁa NocetiKlepacka. Alabau Neira, who topped the standings after the ﬁrst 10 races of the regatta, capped her performance with a victory in the medal race. In the men’s event, Dorian Van Rijsselberge of Netherlands won the gold.

Russia top sync swim Russia won the duets synchronised swimming gold for the fourth consecutive Olympic Games on Tuesday while Spain snatched silver from China. Having claimed ﬁrst position in the technical routine on Sunday, the Russian pair of Natalia Ishchenko and Svetlana Romashina scored 98.900pts for Tuesday’s free routine to earn 197.100pts in total.

Norway in semis Norway, Spain, Montenegro and South Korea won their respective quarterﬁnal ties in the handball event of the London 2012 Olympic Games competition held on Tuesday. The following are the results of the handball matches: Montenegro 23 bt France 22, Russia 23 lost to South Korea 24, Spain 25 bt Croatia 22 and Brazil 19 lost to Norway 21

Australia hails Pearson Sally Pearson’s victory in the 100m hurdles elevated her among “Australia’s Olympic greats”, media said, as the country ﬁnally found something to cheer about. With Australia on course for one of its worst Games in years, recriminations over the poor performance have begun in earnest, but gold by Pearson and cycle queen Anna Meares restored some pride.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

Pearson gives Oz timely gold boost It was a welcome tonic for the Australian team as the sporting powerhouse had been languishing on the medals table, but is now up to 11th with four golds, still shy of their Beijing effort.

Australia’s Sally Pearson (R) winning the women’s 100m hurdles final in AFP/ ERIC FEFERBERG the Olympic Games on Wednesday in London.

LONDON: Australian Sally Pearson held her nerve to win the women’s 100m hurdles with a powerful dipping finish on Tuesday and give her country a welcome boost in the medals table. The reigning world champion clocked an Olympic record

of 12.35sec, edging Beijing Olympic gold medallist Dawn Harper of the United States, who timed a personal best of 12.37sec. American Kellie Wells claimed bronze in 12.48sec. “I don’t even know how to describe it because it’s like a dream right now,” said Pearson, who has been based in Britain

for the last six weeks to escape the pressure in Australia. “I am feeling relief, that’s the first thing and now I am just in shock. It’s a matter of going through the emotions and realising what I have just done tonight. “I really wanted this tonight, I’ve worked so hard for the last two years. My goals were last year to win the world champs and this year to win the Olympic Games and I’ve done that and I couldn’t be happier.” This was Australia’s first track and field gold here, coming a day after Mitchell Watt claimed a silver in the men’s long jump, with Steve Hooker still to go in the men’s pole vault. Disappointing showings in cycling and swimming have hit their tally in London, with Anna Meares’ sprint title on Tuesday their only win in the Velodrome. Pearson, 25, got off to a cracking start just after the heavens opened as the hurdlers were being introduced at the Olympic Stadium. LP/ AFP

Harting takes gold in discus Vikas Gowda of India finished 8th in a field of 12 with the best throw of 64.79 metres. PIRATE IRWIN Agence France-Presse LONDON: Robert Harting showed great mental strength to put to one side his personal demons and win the men’s discus Olympic title on Tuesday with a throw of 68.27 metres. The 27-year-old edged out Ehsan Hadadi, who won Iran’s first ever Olympic medal in athlet-

ics with a throw of 68.18m and had led until the penultimate round. Before the Games, Harting told German magazine Der Spiegel he was a troubled man and felt he had “snipers aiming at me” because of the pressure he was under to deliver gold. But he looked carefree after securing victory, tearing off his vest and clearing several of the barriers that had been set up for the women’s 100 hurdles.

Gold saves On Monday, Makhloufi was told his Olympics were over after he was informed of his disqualification for not doing enough in his 800m heat. LUKE PHILLIPS Agence France-Presse LONDON: Algeria’s Taoufik Makhloufi swept to victory in the Olympic 1500m here on Tuesday just 24 hours after he was controversially disqualified from the Games before being reinstated. After being disqualified, he was swiftly reinstated, after the emergence of medical evidence which allowed him to run in the 1500m, and he took full advantage of his reprieve to produce a decisive kick on the last lap to win in 3min 34.08sec. American Leonel Manzano claimed silver in 3:34.79, with Morocco’s Abdalaati Iguider taking bronze in 3:35.13. Defending champion Asbel

Olympics organisers later revoked the disqualification, citing medical evidence, clearing the way for him to run the 1500m. Kiprop and world silver medallist Silas Kiplagat, both of Kenya, finished well off the pace in 12th and seventh respectively. It was a remarkable result for the 24-year-old Makhloufi, who has shown incredible progress this year to drop from 1:46.32 to 1:43.88 in the 800m and slice more than two seconds off his best for the 1500m. Having qualified for the 1500m final, the Algerian ran in heat five of the first round of the

30-31

Russia’s Ukhov wins men’s high jump The long-haired Ukhov, who stands at six feet four inches (1.92m), last month cleared 2.39m to win the Russian championships, the highest jump in 2012. JOHN WEAVER Agence France-Presse

Taoufik blues 800m on Monday morning but failed to finish. “I’m very, very happy with to win,” said Makhloufi, with his left knee strapped following what he said had been a ligament injury. It’s not easy to win with big athletes in athletics, Kiprop and Kenyan athletes. It’s not easy.” Makhloufi said he had not felt any pressure during Monday’s deliberations over his fate following the 800m heat. “It was normal. I wasn’t worried about anything. I continued my recovery with massage.” Athletics’ world governing body, the IAAF, released a statement: “The referee considered that he had not provided a bona fide effort and decided to exclude him from participation in all further events in the competition”. The Algerian was patient through the first three laps content to be strung along on the coattails of Nixon Chepseba of Kenya. With 300 metres to go, however, the Algerian came up with a huge kick to immediately open up a sizeable gap between him and the chasing pack.

Ban didn’t affect me, says 1500m winner Algeria’s Taoufik Makhloufi said being disqualified from the London Olympics for not trying did not affect his focus after he came back to win the 1500m title just a day later on Tuesday. Makhloufi was kicked out on Monday for not trying in the 800m, but reinstated when he appealed on medical grounds, citing a knee injury. On Tuesday, he beat a strong field for the 1500m gold medal. The 24-year-old said he was still undergoing treatment for the knee problem, adding that it had been corroborated by independent medical tests. “I was suffering from a knee injury,” explained Makhloufi. “I was told that racing and competing might be dangerous.”

not been stopped. When the journalists started to trespass on the track (after his winning jump), I decided not to jump further.” The 26-year-old’s previous major victories have all come indoors, at the 2010 world indoor championships as well as at the 2009 and 2011 European indoors. One of Ukhov’s previous claims to fame was a huge YouTube hit of him performing in a competition while drunk. The winning jump for the Russian, who holds the national sports title of an “honoured master of sport” was the best in an Olympic Games final since 1996, when American Charles Austin reached 2.39m. Kynard, a student at Kansas State University, said, “It was the most humbling and greatest defeat I have ever had. Actually, I won’t say defeat, it was the greatest loss I have ever had.”

LONDON: Russia’s Ivan Ukhov won the Olympic men’s high jump gold on Tuesday, making light of the drizzly conditions to notch the second highest jump in the world this year of 2.38 metres. America’s Erik Kynard took silver with 2.33m, with the bronze medal split three ways between Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar, Derek Drouin of Canada and Great Britain’s Robbie Grabarz. “I am very happy with the gold medal. I had a long way to go, that’s it,” he said, adding the damp conditions had not put him off. “I don’t like the rain. I was preparing for wet weather, mentally. The rain did not distract me, and it wasn’t a rainstorm. I could have set another Olympic record tonight if I had

Bolt all set to become legend The 25-year-old is focussed on defending his 200 metres title despite the threat of ‘friend’ Blake. PIRATE IRWIN Agence France-Presse LONDON: Barring catastrophe in the semi-finals Usain Bolt will face fellow Jamaican Yohan Blake in Thursday’s 200 metres final where victory would see him attain legendary status in his own eyes. Meanwhile, Kenyan David Rudisha looks set to dominate the 800 metres in the same manner that Bolt has the sprints and the 23-year-old world record holder can confirm

that by taking the Olympic title. Rudisha said after his easy semi-final win that his mind was not focussed on anything but the title. “I don’t mind about it (breaking the world record) but my target is winning the gold here and if the record comes that will be another great achievement.” The triple jump could be a duel between two Americans, world champion Christian Taylor and Will Claye, who is looking to turn his bronze from the long jump into gold in this event.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2012

sports

SINGAPORE BANS SEVEN BODYBUILDERS FOR DOPING

SINGAPORE: Seven Singapore bodybuilders have been slapped with two-year bans after testing positive for prohibited drugs in a local competition, the city-state's sports authority said. Singapore's sporting scene is relatively scandal-free with few known cases of doping or corruption.

TORONTO MASTERS

Djokovic hoping for post-Olympic pop He's unsure how well he will play at the Toronto Masters after drawing a blank in the Games recently. SCOTT WILLIAMS Agence France-Presse TORONTO: Novak Djokovic began the postOlympic switch from Wimbledon grass to North American hardcourt on Tuesday. The world number two, who left the London Games without a medal, will have had a day to acclimate before starting his title defence in the second round against Austra-

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Elite field to lock horns All 100 of the top ranked players in the world will tee it up. GREG HEAKES Agence France-Presse SOUTH CAROLINA: The strongest field ever put together for a tournament will tackle one of the most challenging golf courses in the United States when the 94th PGA Championship begins this week. For the first time the top 100 will play in the same event since the world ranking system came into effect in 1986, when they come together at Kiawah Island Golf Resort for the final major championship of the season. With the last 16 majors having been won by 16 different players and this field being what it is, Tiger Woods warned Tuesday not to be surprised if another first-time major winner emerges from the pack. "Golf is getting deep," said Woods, who is chasing his 15th major title. "There are so many guys with a chance to win. That is how the sport is. The margins are getting smaller. "There may be 16 different winners but you look at the cuts. The cuts are getting lower. The scores between the leader and the guy who is 70th, sometimes it is 10 shots or less which is amazing.

Woods seeks win Tiger Woods (below) has won more tournaments than any other golfer on the PGA Tour this year with three, but the 14-time championship winner is still chasing his first major title of 2012. The 36-yearold American needs a major victory before people will say he is truly back to his top form. "I've played in three major championships this year and I didn't win any of them," Woods said on Tuesday, adding, "So that is the goal.”

‘Games inspire me’ Luke Donald says it has been "very inspiring" to watch British athletes win gold at the London Olympics as he's hoping some of that success rubs off on him at the PGA Championship. "The fact you have one event every four years to work hard, to see some of those guys that perform and win gold... There is a lot of raw emotion there," England's Donald said on Tuesday.

"If you have got margins that are that small, you're going to get guys who win once here and there." The tournament begins Thursday and a lot is going to depend on the weather at Kiawah Island's The Ocean Course, which at 7,900 yards was recently rated by Golf Digest to be the most difficult course in America. The wind usually blows in off the Atlantic Ocean but thunderstorms and heat might play an ever big role this week in how low scores go. "It doesn't look like we are going to get dry weather this week," Woods said during Tuesday's practice day. "The fairways are perfect. The greens are perfect. It is going to be a touch on the long side because it is just not rolling out. "If the PGA decides to play it all the way back it is just going to be a big ballpark." Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy, Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson are other players to watch out for this week. World number one Donald of England said there is so much more parity on the PGA Tour now. "There isn't one guy that is really distancing himself from the rest," Donald said.

lian Bernard Tomic after receiving a first round bye. The pair has played twice on the ATP, at Wimbledon and Rome, with the Serb winning both meetings. "The transition from grass court to hard court is going to be very difficult because we have very little time, only a few days," Djokovic said. "But we were aware of that fact at the start of the season. Now we will try to do it in

Results 2nd round Juan Monaco (ARG x7) bt Vasek Pospisil (CAN) 7-5, 6-4 Mardy Fish (USA x11) bt Matthew Ebden (AUS) 6-2, 6-0 1st round Sam Querrey (USA) bt Juergen Melzer (AUT) 6-3, 6-2 Tommy Haas (GER) bt David Nalbandian (ARG) 62, 6-7 (11/13), 6-3

the most efficient, best possible way. How it's going to go, I'm not sure. I cannot predict anything else in my opening match. "But it will obviously take a little bit of time to do that." Tomic ended a recent loss streak with his first round win in Canada and Djokovic admitted that his opponent — also from a Balkan background — will be a tough ask as a starter.