WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 HYDERABAD
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On this day in 1768 an Englishman Philip Astley staged the first modern circus in London. Circuses have been part of most our childhoods, from exotic animals in the ring to death-defying stunts it packs some kind of thrill for all its audiences. Today we take a look back at the evolution of the circus.
ENTER THE CIRCUS TENT
After being taken into custody from Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad on Tuesday evening, the 42-year-old legislator was taken to Nirmal in Adilabad, about 200 km from Hyderabad, amidst heavy security.
HOT! HOT! C onsumer Electronics Show 2013 is in full swing in Las Vegas and here are some of the most interesting products demoed and announcements made on the first day of the event.
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HOW THE GOVERNMENT
shut the gates
Akbar
REPORT ON P7
on
HOT!
AKBARUDDIN OWAISI REMANDED TO 14-DAY JUDICIAL CUSTODY
REPORT ON P7
HYDERABAD’S FIRST COMPACT AFTERNOON NEWSPAPER
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
city events
THE REPUBLIC RIDE
The biggest corporate cycling event at Hyderabad is being organized by The Atlanta Foundation on republic day. The aim is to promote educational programs for underprivileged children. It is on January 26 from 6:15am onwards at Gachibowli Stadium.
Weather for Hyderabad
Evening
Overnight
Morning
Afternoon
24°C
17°C
22°C
30°C
A mix of clear and cloudy skies.
A mix of clear and cloudy skies.
A mix of cloud and sun.
Sunny with cloudy periods.
New Delhi Mumbai Max 15 Max 31 Min 5 Min 19 Clear skies.
Chennai Max 30 Min 22
Mostly sunny.
Clear skies.
Bangalore Max 29 Min 17 Mostly sunny.
AROUND THE CITY: YOUR GUIDE TO THE TWIN CITIES tomers a chance to win exotic holidays in India and Thailand. Where: Lifestyle, first floor, Begumpet and Unit No.G 49 A, Inorbit Mall, When: Up to January 15 Contact: (040) 4221 9376
ART Paintings exhibition Drawing and paintings by Siddhartha, Kappari Kishan & Shivanand Basavanthappa. Where: Shrishti Art Gallery, Jubilee Hills When: Up to January 15 Contact: (040) 2354 0023
SHOWS Bonjour India festival The Bonjour India festival, a celebration of Indo-French cultural exchange, is being held for the second time in India. The cultural calender for the same has been published by Alliance Française of Hyderabad. Where: Contact office for venues and dates When: January-March 9am to 6pm Contact: (040) 2770 0734
Chai wallah art show There is an exhibition of paintings by Vijay Gille at the gallery on Chai wallah and other stories. Where: Iconart Gallery, Banjara Hills When: Up to January 12 11:30am to 7pm Contact: www.iconart.in Code Red Countdown Code Red Countdown is an art collection revolving around ecology, by New York based artist Asher Jay. The theme is endangered wildlife. Where: Lalitha Kala Thoranam, Public gardens When: January 27 6pm to 9:30pm Contact: 93965 55888
The Monsoon Oracle The Monsoon Oracle is a factual film based on ritualistic practices that take places in the country. It revolves around the rituals performed, predicting the arrival of monsoon. Where: NIFT, Madhapur When: January 25, Contact: (040) 2311 4537
DINING Makar Sankranti There’s an exquisite signature thali with sweets made of rice, jaggery, green gram and sesame on the occasion of Sankranti. Where: Dakshin, Begumpet When: January 14-15 Contact: (040) 2340 0132
ON A ROLL: A child practices roller skating at Lal Bahadur Stadium. SRINIVAS SETTY
Punjabi Food Festival There will be a bonfire and Punjabi delicacies like Murgh Tikka Anari, Gosht Ka Saag, Sarson Da Saag, Makki Da Roti and Doodhi Halwa will be served. Where: The Square, Hitec City When: Up to January 20 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
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MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
23262266 24166666R ENC 23225267 Engineering 23220418 MCH Tankbund 23225397 Emergency MCH Circle I&II 24525842 MCH Circle III 24736912 MCH Circle IV 23326975 MCH Circle V 23326976 MCH Circle VI MCH Complaints 1100 Head Office 23225397 IVRS CUM MANUAL ENQUIRY PHONE NUMBERS (TRAIN & RESERVATION) RAILWAYS Rail Nilayam 27833169, 27824216 Railway Information 131 Reservations 135 Recorded Information 1345 Enquiry (IVRS) 1331, 1332, 1333
Contact: (040) 6682 4422 Gloria Jean’s coffee Gloria Jean’s, an international coffee chain, has introduced two new flavours for this season: Creamy Christmas Chocolate and Snowy Christmas Chiller. Gloria Jean’s Coffees will also give all its cus-
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
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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
Krishnakriti festival Krishnakriti Art & Culture festival 2013 is starting on January 7. The inauguration and talk on the first two days will be held at Kalakriti. The time and agenda for the rest of the dates are available with Kalakriti. Where: Kalakriti Art Gallery When: January 7-11 7pm onwards Contact: (040) 6656 4466
MISCELLANEOUS Numaish Numaish is the 73rd All India Industrial Exhibition is an ongoing event in the City. Where: Exhibition Ground, Mukarramjahi Road, Nampally, When: Up to February 15, 4pm to 11pm Contact: (040) 2460 3015 Lecture The ICFAI foundation for higher education is organising a lecture on Reverse Innovation. The speaker is Dr Vijay Govindarajan, a professor at Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. The event will be presided by Dr CH Hanumantha Rao, the chancellor. Where: Auditorium, IFHE Campus, Donthanapally When: January 9 Contact: 9866875649 Cotton & Silk Mela Lepakshi Handicrafts Emporium is organizing a cotton and silk mela, an exclusive handloom exhibition cum sale. Where: TTD Kalyanmandapam, Himayath Nagar, Liberty X roads When: Up to January 10 11am to 9pm Contact: (040) 2323 5028
Tribute to Rajesh Khanna There will be dance performances on Rajesh Khanna’s songs to pay tribute to the superstar. The dance will be choreographed by Mahesh L Munde, who has choreographed national and international performances. Where: Lalitha Kala Thoranam, Public gardens,
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
Hyderabad When: January 27 6pm to 9:30pm Contact: 93965 55888
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, JANUARY 9, 2013
City
TODAY’S QUESTION
YESTERDAY’S QUESTION
DO YOU SUPPORT GOVT’S ACTION AGAINST OWAISI?
SHOULD PARLIAMENT HOLD A SPECIAL SESSION TO DISCUSS WOMEN’S SAFETY BILL? 67%
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OLD CITY TENSION
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Alert police avert trouble
Attempts were made last night to engineer trouble but heavy police bandobast frustrated the designs. City situation is normal but tense. Mohd SUBHAN mohd.s@postnoon.com
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eavy police patrolling and alertness averted a possible communal flare-up in Old City last night. Police were quick to diffuse tension as some mischievous elements tried to trigger trouble by attacking a place of worship and damaged a car in two incidents. The first incident was reported from Arunjyoti Colony under the Chandrayangutta police station limits where some antisocial elements made an attempt to damage a place of worship. They set fire to parts of the place but police reached quickly and
M ANIL KUMAR
Police are taking no chances as they have deployed RAF and policemen in mufti to communally sensitive areas. with the help of locals put out the fire. In another incident, one car was attacked and damaged. Police said the car was parked at Haribowli Bela under the Moghalpura police station limits. At night some bike-borne men passed through the area and attacked the car belonging to another community. But before it
developed into a major trouble, police, again, diffused the tension. The police believe that these are deliberate attempts by those who wanted unrest in Old City and they have an idea who they could be. Two incidents of violence have been registered and Moghalpura police are investigating. Meanwhile, police are taking no chances as they have deployed RAF and policemen in plainclothes in scores of communally sensitive areas and places of worship. It is learnt that the City police chief had expected a bandh today to protest the arrest of Akbaruddin Owaisi but business was as usual everywhere, except certain pockets.
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city WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 LAST YEAR... HERE
ILLEGAL PARKING
Business booms at court
Liquor dealers in a fix
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ast year we had reported how the war between the government and the liquor barons took a new turn, with the CM planning an all-party meet on a new excise policy. Inside sources had said that the government will first study the policy of other states and then involve all the parties in a discussion. The consumption of liquor had gone up 18 times in the last 20 years.
JANUARY 9, 2013
NUMEROLOGY
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Owaisi has been remanded to 14 day judicial custody for the alleged hate speech he made. The investigating officer recorded his statement at the police station.
How can the prime minister say useless information is being sought by the public? The study should be conducted on the transparency and awareness levels. P Ramakrishna, RTI activist See page 5
THINGS WE 5LEARNT TODAY The column that teaches everyone something new about the way the City functions.
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The RTI act appears to be losing its meaning. The department of planning and technology is wants to curb the number of RTI applications. Even the PM said the act was frivolous.
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Micro-blogging sites an integral part of news delivery. YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and numerous blogs picked up the news of Owaisi’s arrest and many users asked relevant questions pertaining to the issue.
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It is important to teach sons to treat women as equals. Sunory Dutt says teaching her sons to respect women is not optional, but mandatory.
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Yet again development work suffers due to petty politics. MIM’s resistance to allow BJP to represent the Langar House has resulted in developmental work in the ward coming to a standstill.
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Political suspects cannot give excuses to escape law. Though Owaisi claimed he was sick, the government’s move to put him through a medical test, which found him to be fit, jolted the party.
Ranga Reddy’s district court has a special attraction: An illegal business that evades the eyes of the judicial system on its very premises. S BALAKRISHNA
RAHUL RAMAKRISHNA rahul.r@postnoon.com
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parking contractor, in charge of vehicle parking at the Ranga Reddy district court’s premises thrives on the roaring business he makes by collecting nearly double the amount of parking fee for vehicles. This issue came to light when It’s Time to Make a Difference’s (an RTI activism group) activist Mahendar Reddy filed an RTI seeking tender details and regulations of the vehicle parking contractor. What surfaced shed light on a business that makes parking contracts seem like a lucrative career option. All the vehicles that enter the court premises, regardless of the purpose of work, are made to pay a compulsory parking fee at abnormal rates, that too. According to the RR district court’s tender details, the fee collected by the contractor was fixed at one rupee for cycles, three for two wheelers and five for four wheelers. But in reality, the contractor charges more than double the amount regulated — five for two wheelers and 10 for four wheelers. On any given day, there are about 2,000 to 3,000 visitors in the court’s premises. Barring the advocates, presiding officers and staff who are immune from payment, the contractor easily makes about `12,000 a day, which means, the final tender price of `5,80,000 that the contractor (DS Reddy Parking Contractor) paid on April 2012 when the contract was finalised has been more than recovered. The contract stands till March 2013. Postnoon’s enquiries found out that the district bar association was well aware of the contractor’s activities and yet chose to look the other way.
Details specified in the tender regulations of the district court’s parking policy n The contractor is responsible for any loss of the vehicles from the stand and shall make good the loss of the same by himself to the owners or persons concerned. n Parking rates for the vehicles: `1 for cycles, `3 two wheelers and `5 for four wheelers. n Permission will be cancelled in case a board displaying the amounts to be collected is not displayed or not found on the premises.
“The funds being collected are being used for the development of infrastructure and the welfare of the parking staff. Besides, since this is a district court, there are separate rules for the workers here,” said a member of the RR district court
bar association. How much of these “funds” were actually being used by the bar association or the contractor for welfare or development remains a mystery. However, in reply to Mahendar Reddy’s RTI, there
were no government orders enclosed that formed separate rules for the district court’s contractor. Neither does the court premises have any board showing the details of the parking rates or the parking contractor’s details.
NEWS BRIEFS ECM firm on 7 hours uninterrupted supply
Special trains for Tirupati from Mysore
Speeding vehicle hits cop, dies
Woman sets herself on fire, dies at Osmania
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espite the annual shortfall of 7,000 MW in the State, the Energy Conservation Mission has decided to stay firm on pumping 7 hours of uninterrupted power supply to agricultural sector. By making energy conservation compulsory, the move is aimed to save 1,500 crore units of power and effectively retain `7,500 crore for the Discoms.
or the pilgrims of Tirupati from South Karnataka, the South Central Railway will be operating 48 special trains between ReniguntaMysore. The services will start from January 19. These trains will stop at Tirupati, Pakala, Chittoor, Katpadi, Gudiyalam, Ambur, Jolarpettai, Bangarpet, Banglore Cantonment, Bangalore City, Kengeri and Mandya.
n assisitant sub-inspector of police G Veeraiah, 55, who was on duty at Nacharam police station died in a road mishap. The victim was returning home on his motor cycle after his duty when a speeding vehicle hit him at Uppal area. He was severely injured and died on the spot. Police are on the look out for the vehicle.
ne Mohd Hussain, 38, a resident of Jawahar Nagar, Yousufguda died in a train accident on Tuesday night. The tragedy incident occurred between Borabanda and Hitec city railway stations. He was crossing the railway tracks when a speeding train hit him and he died on the spot. Railway police said crossing the live tracks is illegal.
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city WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
POLITICS
Moves on to silence pesky RTI
Centre is reportedly keen on curbing RTI activism to save itself from uncomfortable questions. RAHUL RAMAKRISHNA rahul.r@postnoon.com
Some think that even though the study might be biased, it will help the government uncover unsavoury facts about itself.
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he PMO and the department of planning and technology, which have a history of opposing the RTI Act of 2005, are learnt to be labouring to curb the growing number of RTI applications. Not known to the masses as yet, the Central government, aided by its faithful ally PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers), is planning to take up a ground report on the use of RTI Act and how it has been more abused than misused. RTI fora are apprehensive about the move. This move comes against the backdrop of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s sceptical remarks about the efficacy of RTI. Terming it frivolous and put to vexatious uses, the PM and the DoPT have issued a bid document that says, “This study has been taken up to calculate the cost to government in providing information under RTI.” “Which means, this garb of undertaking a study is just to cook up statistics about the amount of money or time being spent by the government on RTIs and they will use this study in the future to create an amend-
ment to the Act,” said Rakesh Reddy Dubbudu, an RTI activist. This has certainly ruffled the feathers of the RTI activist community, which has already begun preparing a counter study helped by the NCRI in reply to the government’s moves. Panasa Ramakrishna, a leading RTI activist in the City, said, “How can the Prime Minister say that useless information is being sought by the public? If anything, the study should be conducted on the transparency and awareness levels of public information officers or commissioners, who are still unaware about the RTI Act of 2005. In fact, the government is making money by collecting fees for providing information, in the form of paper and CDs, at a high cost, all of which is a blatant violation of the Act. Why then are they bothered about the expenditure, when they are making so much money
EDUCATION
New PGDBM batch at NMIMS starts
through RTIs?” Some think that even though the study might be biased and out of touch with reality, it will nonetheless help the government uncover unsavoury facts about itself and the Act. TV Bhaskar, magazine editor and RTI activist from Guntur, said, “Retrieving a file takes half an hour but these officers delay giving us information for six months or sometimes years. This study will in fact show the naked truth about the functioning and the huge revenue the government is making through RTIs, even if the study is being made to suit their own hidden motives.”
This is not the first time that an attempt is being made to amend the RTI Act. Earlier, PwC had conducted a study on similar grounds in 2007, which was countered by RTI activists who did an in-depth study, funded by Google and NCRI, which showed that the awareness levels about RTI was abysmal. “PwC is far removed from the ground realities in the coun-
try and so the government is putting it to use. If any amendments are to be made, they should be made in Section 4-1(b), which talks about how RTI has helped departments to use it. There is no demand for this study, which is being made to generate a rule that will ultimately say, ‘What is the motive behind your RTI?’ Which, as we all know, will make it impossible to leave the decision of accepting our RTIs with the information officers,” said Dubbudu. Jannat Hussain, information commission chief was unavailable for comment.
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he sixth batch of the 20-month Post-graduate Diploma in Business Management programme for working executives commenced at NMIMS Hyderabad campus on January 5. Director of NMIMS, Hyderabad, Dr B Karunakar welcomed the students of the new batch and highlighted how the programme would benefit them in their professional career growth. He spoke of looking at each problem as an opportunity and not vice versa. And in doing so, he explained how one can lead in life instead of just following the herd. The chief guest, K Panduranga Rao, group head (HR & admin), IVRCL ITC Ltd, delivered an inspiring speech on how to develop and succeed as a manager in today’s globalised and competitive world. The day came to an end with the vote of thanks extended by Prof Dr RJR Swamy, HOD (academics).
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city WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
POLITICS
Petty politics punishes ward As MIM can’t deny the BJP its place in the GHMC, the ruling party is seen playing mind games with the saffron party and the ward suffers for no fault of its own. S BALAKRISHNA
Md NIZAMUDDIN nizamuddin.a@postnoon.com
Langar House ward is lagging behind in developmental work, with the new BJP corporator yet to take oath of office.
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he ruling MIM’s apparent resistance to allow the BJP to represent the Langar House ward after the High Court disqualified the sitting MIM candidate has delayed many developmental projects of this area. “Why do they punish us?” asked a resident in consternation. Uday Kumar of BJP who was the runner-up at the last civic elections was declared winner in the event of the court disqualifying the sitting corporator Ravi Yadav, but the administration has not indicated when he would be given the oath of office. All efforts of the BJP in this regard were of no avail as the mayor has not yet convened a general body meeting despite demands by all parties. While some point out that the
absence of a corporator is no obstacle to developmental works, many others say it does impede the work. “Apart from laying of road near the statue in Bapu Nagar, nothing has been done in the recent months,” pointed out K Prithivi, a B-Tech student. According to him, the
GHMC should have given the new corporator oath soon after the court ruling came. The delay has been prompting people to spread various rumours. “Any kind of work in the area under a corporator needs an approval from the corporator who represents the area. In his or
POLITICS
Naidu breaks YSR record
her absence, work suffers though there is no obstacle for the administration to carry out developmental works,” Ashok Reddy, a local civic activist said. Langar House ward is lagging behind in many civic amenity works. As a large part of the area is in a newer locality, both political parties are fighting it hard to gain it. According to observers, losing this ward means losing many privileges. BJP floor leader Bangari Prakash said that the MIM will ultimately give up, as the Supreme Court did not accept
their case. “Even though the MIM approached the Supreme Court, their case was not accepted. The delay for giving oath is uncalled for,” said Bangari Prakash. While there was an attempt to take oath in a review meeting by Uday Kumar, the commissioner M T Krishna Babu maintained that this should be done in a general body meeting. Some of the Congress leaders believe that the MIM is playing mind games with the BJP. “MIM tried to approach the Supreme Court though lawyers advised against it as the Supreme Court never accepts issues of local bodies,” a Congress corporator pointed out. With the general body meeting likely to be postponed till the first week of February, Uday Kumar spends anxious moments. Meanwhile, supporters of BJP are upbeat about his getting sworn in as corporator.
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TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu’s marathon padayatra achieves a milestone by completing 100 days today.
INKESHAF AHMED ahmed.m@postnoon.com
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aidu’s padayatra, launched on October 2, completed 100 days. Naidu has covered a total of 702 villages in 10 districts of the State, consisting of 42 assembly seats. Marking the 100th day completion of the padayatra, the activists and cadres of Telugu Desam Party held grand celebra-
tions of the feat at Madiripuram Village of Paleru assembly constituency in Khammam district. The party activists constructed a 100 feet pylon to commemorate the mega achievement of the party president. TDP senior leader Kodela Sivaprasad Rao said, “What he has achieved is no meanial task. It’s a great achievement. It helped boost the morale of entire party and strengthened the party. It also helped Naidu to personally take stock of the problems being faced by the people. The padayatra will play a crucial role in helping the party return to power.” Another senior party leader and former minister Kadiyam Srihari believed his attempt was so successful that all other parties have begun aping him.
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/095 Rs.1 9/: e c i 4 r Pr Rs.5 Cove r Price: : 50% g e f n f i O l Sav Tota
STATE GENERAL BODY MEET TODAY
Marking the completion of 100 day of the padayatra, which broke the record of former CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy by walking 1586.7 km so far, the party is holding its general body meeting to chalk out an action plan for undertaking various agitation programmes. Chandrababu Naidu will preside over the meeting.
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classifieds WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
HATE SPEECH CASE
OWAISI IN 14-DAY REMAND
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IM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi was remanded in judicial custody for 14 days today. After being taken into custody from Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad on Tuesday evening, the 42-year-old legislator was taken to Nirmal town in Adilabad, about 200 km from Hyderabad amidst heavy security around 9.45pm, police said. “His statement was recorded by the investigating officer at the police station,” Adilabad SP Sarvashresta Tripathi said. He has been lodged in the district jail and allotted prisoner no. 7546. Akbar has been charged under seven sections of the IPC.
Cops trick belligerent crowd In a smooth move, the police managed to mislead the protesting supporters of the MIM leader and get him to Adilabad without any untoward incident occurring. M ANIL KUMAR
Mohd SUBHAN mohd.s@postnoon.com
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esterday, the fire-breathing MIM leaders and cadres experienced the power of the law and the government. From the start, the government move to put hate-speech suspect and MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi to medical tests jolted the party leadership. For the first time, the MIM realised they must pay a price for challenging the government and the chief minister. After seven hours of medical tests on Owaisi who pleaded he was sick, the government medical panel found him fit to
CLASSIFIEDS HOME APPLIANCES
face inquiry. But, by this time, a massive crowd of apparent supporters of the party had laid siege to Gandhi Hospital. Police had instructions to use tact rather than force. Senior officers put their heads together and when they were ready to register his arrest, they came out and told the waiting crowd that he was being taken to the magistrate, Marredpally, for recording his statements. The unsuspecting crowd that had been showing signs of belligerence immediately got their vehicles, ready to follow the leader. As soon as Akbar’s vehicle, followed by escort police vans, left, the crowd fol-
Social media pinned Akbar down Opinion on Owaisi’s arrest is divided even among his party workers in Old City. Some hail him as a champion, some feel he has disgraced his party. N SHIVA KUMAR
TEAM POSTNOON feedback@postnoon.com
His (Akbaruddin’s) one eye is in Hyderabad and the other in New Delhi. Nothing wrong with that, as every party has a right to grow, you know.
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lowed in their vehicles. Meanwhile, some police vehicles played buffer between Akbar’s vehicle and those of the crowd. This delayed and confused those following. At Secuderabad, some police vehicles took to the route to the magistrate at Marredpally to fool the crowd, while the real vehicle carrying Akbar suddenly turned and sped on to Adilabad. Before the crowd had realised they lost his track, the police carrying the suspect was several kilometres ahead, speeding on toward Adilabad. Only the MLAs were later allowed to follow their leader to Adilabad.
he arrest, after high drama, of hate-speech suspect and MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi on Tuesday was a victory of the social media. It was alert netizens who picked up every thread of the case and put it on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and numerous blogs. Some went hysterical, much like Owaisi, but many sagacious elements asked relevant questions; was a minority assault less lethal than one by a majority? Crime is crime no matter who commits it, wrote bloggers across the globe. But Postnoon picked up some asyet-unknown theatrics that happened since cases were filed against Akbar. His own party workers in the Old City are divided — one camp holds him irresponsible and the other hails him as a messiah of Muslims. It is pertinent that a group of senior citizens from Old City belonging to different communities had approached the commissioner of police a month ago, demanding the arrest of both VHP president Pravin Togadia and the Owaisis, terming them two sides of the same coin. It is also learnt the intelligence
Senior MIM corporator wing had reported to the government how the MIM chief had been hurling threats at the government and CM in his speeches at the party headquarters, Darussalam. But the government does not have the recorded version of his speeches. That was the reason no action was taken against Asaduddin. Was there a method in the runup to the arrest? TRS leader K Chandrasekhara Rao is on record, accusing the YSRC and the MIM conspiring to defeat the formation of Telangana while pledging each other support. The silence of the YSRC on the issue indicates to the possibility of KCR’s allegations.
“His one eye is in Hyderabad and the other in New Delhi,” said a senior party corporator. “Nothing wrong with that, as every party has a right to grow,” he reasoned, but what he disapproved of was the ‘impatience and impertinence’ showed by the younger brother. Was the big brother cut up with the younger? Leaders say in private that Asaduddin was not amused by his brother’s antics that has brought a bad name for the party. The ambition of MIM to play a big role in Delhi in the coming years has suffered a serious setback. Party observers point to the absence of Asaduddin at the airport
to receive his brother as evidence of friction between the two. When he came to Akbar’s home the day after the latter’s arrival, Asaduddin appeared much perturbed, and he vent his ire on the sizeable media corps that had been keeping vigil. On the other hand, followers close to Akbaruddin find fault with his big brother, who could not manage to keep the affair under control. With the party receiving tons of negative mileage, there seems to be no consolation for the party chief as he was pursing strategy rather than sabre rattling, especially when the party is cross with the Congress and the CM.
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city WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
TEACH THEM RIGHT SUNORY DUTT feedback@postnoon.com
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ike everyone deeply disturbed by the horrendous gang rape of the student in Delhi, I too followed the news on her case hoping justice will be meted out at the earliest. But while experiencing a whole gamut of emotions through it all, perhaps the greatest was fear. As a mother of two young impressionable kids aged six and 10 I couldn’t fathom how I’d explain this horrendous act to them if they asked, “Mom, what’s rape?” Any parent would want to first talk about the birds and the bees in due course before exposing their kids to the harsh reality of ruthless humans as predators and beasts. You’d want them to enjoy their innocent Utopias for as long as possible. I didn’t participate in any protest or candle in the wind rallies in town because, ironically enough, I don’t feel safe staying out alone after dark in this city. But what I did instead, and will continue to do and hope every parent follows suit, is teach my kids and teach them well that there’s a code of conduct we all have to live by based on respect. Where all are equal, and some not more equal than the others. There have been battle cries on how mothers need to teach their sons to respect women. Why not the fathers? Take a wild guess – between a young boy who sees his father violate the women in his life and treat them as mere commodities, and another who observes his father give his wife, mother, sisters and daughters the love, understanding and respect they deserve, which one’s going to turn out to be the better man? Respect for women is not optional. It's mandatory and should come with a sense of pride. Because by doing that, not only has a man internalised am imperative strength of character, but also self-respect. And it’s not something that can be taught overnight or comes bound in a manual. It’s the result of a nurturing environment where children are taught by example. So when a parent differentiates between a daughter and a son, and gives the latter preferential treatment and privileges, what sort of subliminal message on male superiority and devaluation of the female are
O BABY IT’S A WILD WORLD
Respect for women is not optional. And it’s not something that can be taught overnight or comes bound in a manual. It’s the result of a nurturing environment where children are taught by example. So teach your children right from the beginning the code of conduct we all have to live by.
you giving the boy? Both rewards and retribution are handed out in equal measure to my son and daughter. Not because gender equality is the current mantra, but because I’ve seen my parents lead by example. My brother and I had the same parental controls, curfews, peer pressure interventions, tough love when necessary, and family support. Overindulgence to the extent of blurring boundaries and creating self-centred individuals was never an option. Growing up in a home where both parents value each other and interact on the same footing, the concept of gender equality is a given. When children see that politeness is not a sign of weakness, rather a strength of character, they’re bound to internalise it. They learn what they see in their family, community and society at large. When a child is exposed to domestic violence, verbal abuse and constantly witnesses the subjugation of womenfolk, he is bound to develop a potential heart of darkness, completely desensitised to basic human goodness. Where does the concept of self-esteem, a law-abiding mindset and respect arise in such a depressing scenario? Young India, currently enamoured by the chimera of the objectified Sheilas, Munnis and Chikni Chamelis can’t ignore the elephant in the room much longer – it’s an age-old truth that women have the prerogative of selecting their partners, and those who don’t make the cut need to learn to deal with rejection positively. While it’s up to the adults to provide the proper guidance, we’ve seen over the past few weeks a lot of frightfully ignorant ones (think politicians, pseudo god-men, women sans solidarity to their own kind) who could do with a whole lot of help themselves. Perhaps a role reversal of the youngsters teaching them a thing or two might help. Or considering their sexist mindsets, maybe not. The tentacles of this regressive thinking run deep in our society. It’s up to us to be the change. It's going to be a steep slope ahead for justice for women, but succeed we will if we all begin from our homes.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
focus
TOP SPEED
These dogs can pull a single person on a scooter at speeds reaching 12 to 25 miles (20 to 40 kilometers) per hour — and the pros can get going even faster, up to 30 miles (50 kilometers) an hour.
CALIFORNIA
9
Urban sled needs no snow It's a Saturday tradition. Each week, owners of huskies, Alaskan Malamutes and Samoyeds get up early with their pups to take them to Fairview Park to kick up some dirt on the trails.
BY LEILA MACOR COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA: California's lack of snow is no problem for Obi, a sled dog a thousand miles from the North Pole, pulling an "urban sled" to the delight of his devoted human owner, Rancy Reyes. Reyes mushes on a twowheeled cart through Fairview Park in Costa Mesa, south of Los Angeles, pulled by Obi and his team of seven other huskies. And Reyes is not the only one. Along the trail other urban mushers trek across the sunny park on scooters or even bicycles — pulled by their trusty arctic canines. It's a Saturday tradition. Each week, owners of huskies, Alaskan Malamutes and Samoyeds get up early with their pups to take them to Fairview Park to kick up some dirt on the trails. These pet owners got
involved in "urban sledding" as a way to pamper their pets by helping them live out their birthright. "Huskies have so much energy," Reyes explained, "what they were bred to do is to run and pull." Reyes started mushing when he adopted Niko, a clumsy and hyperactive six-monthold husky who needed more exercise. To help him use up some of that energy, "I bought a scooter, I hooked up Niko to it and we ran along the trails and he loved it. He just loves to run," Reyes said. Soon after, Reyes began training other people and their pets in urban mushing. "This is a treat," said Kathy Tamanaha, who has owned a Samoyed for two years. "These are sled dogs. It's in their breeding. They're totally meant to pull," she said. During water breaks the "parents" talk about scooter models and the tireless
energy of their pups. A handmade mushing cart can cost up to $2,000, said Henning Bartel, 45, a structural engineer who so far has made 50 of the specialty vehicles. "We had four huskies and we needed a way to exercise them," he told AFP, recounting his beginnings in this unusual pastime. The dogs can pull a single
person on a scooter at speeds reaching 12 to 25 miles (20 to 40 kilometers) per hour — and the pros can get going even faster, up to 30 miles (50 kilometers) an hour. They're slowed down a bit more pulling a larger sled, but in either case, training is crucial — and not only physically. The dogs are "connected by a line. I have no reins like for
horses, so there's no way to make them go left or right," said Reyes. The dogs follow "voice commands. Which means they have to focus, to pay attention to you. So it also exercises their minds," he said. Most crucially, the lead dog has to obey the commands — in this case, the friendly Obi. Reyes explained that the dog best suited to leading is not necessarily the "alpha male" of the group but, on the contrary, the one who is typically the most docile among humans. "Not all dogs want to be in front. Not all listen to you," the 52-year-old Filipino-American explained. "Obi is the team leader here because he so desperately wants to please me." Of course, to pull a simpler scooter, all the dog needs to know is how to run. But whether on a sled, a scooter or a bicycle, "we're happy because our dog is happy," said Tamanaha, caressing her gorgeous, and exhausted, white Samoyed. AFP
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
Business
STATOIL PLANS $10 bn INVESTMENT
Norwegian oil and gas group Statoil and its partners presented plans Tuesday to develop a Norwegian Sea gas field and build a pipeline at a cost of 57 billion kroner (8.0 billion euros, $10 billion).
Bharathi Cement’s new office
REAL ESTATE
The stark realty
Bharathi Cement has opened its new branch office in Karimnagar. Bharathi Cement’s director (marketing) M Ravinder Reddy inaugurated the office. Karimnagar Additional
T
he real estate prices in the state are set to increase with government proposal to increase the land values up to 400 per cent from April. Real estate in the City is gaining momentum recently after almost five years of downturn. The proposed hike will be a definite blow to the industry. “The government proposal to increase land values will indirectly increase the spending on both stamp duty and registration. Although the market prices of the land may be higher to an extent but the difference will not be as much as 400 per cent in certain areas. The government plans to raise its income levels should not be at the cost of real-estate industry and buyers,” said R Chalapathi Rao, vice-president, AP Real Estate Developers Association (APREDA). As of now, the registration costs include stamp duty (five per cent), 23 per cent transfer duty and 0.5 per cent registration fee and thus in all 7.5 per cent in urban areas and 8.5 per cent in the rural areas. “The developers are
paying about 16.5 per cent of the land value as Non-Agricultural Land Assessment (NALA) Tax (9 per cent) and registration costs (7.5-8.5 per cent) to the government. For
Apart from the realtor costs, the customer will also have to bear the burden of paying more in registration charges while getting it registered. instance, if there is 50 per cent hike in the given land value which is of `1 crore now, the realtor has to pay extra `3.75 lakh in addition to `7.5 lakh (existing registration costs), which will take the overall costs up to `11.25 lakh. NALA Tax, which is `9 lakh now, will increase by `4.5 lakh. On the whole, 50 per cent hike in `1 c r o r e
worth of land will increase the costs to the realtor by `8.25 lakh. “The realtor has no other option than to pass this burden to the customer. Sadly, these costs will be doubled when it comes to the customer. As realtors, we are paying, these costs on the overall land irrespective of its usage. Almost 50 per cent of the land goes for roads and other amenities in a gated community. In reality, only half of the land will be used for construction of actual property. Hence, the costs that will be passed on the customer is about 33 per cent on the value of the constructed land,” Rao said. He added, “Apart from the realtor costs, the customer will also have burden of paying his own registration charges while getting it registered from the realtor. Generally, the registration costs are 7.5 per cent – 8.5 per cent of the composite value of land and constructed area. For instance, a 50 per cent hike in composite value will increase in registration costs by another 3.75 per cent. “In addition, the customer has to pay service tax (3.09 per cent) and VAT (1.25 per cent) on the increased composite value. Overall, the cost of acquisition of flat will go up by 5.92 per cent if there is 50 per cent hike in composite value of the land along with constructed area.”
BSE 6,013.60 `54.95 5,209.05 DOLLAR`55.14 17,179.95DOLLAR NSEPOUND `86.60 `88.08 POUND BSE NSE GOLD`31,200 10g SILVER `58,600 1kg
24C
for
for
GOLD `29,500 10g SILVER `53,000 1kg for
for
SP P Janardhan Reddy was the chief guest. Bharathi Brand cement will be manufactured from the Vicat Sagar Greenfield Plant located in Gulbarga district of Karnataka.
FOR REPRESENTATIONAL PURPOSE ONLY
The government proposal to hike land values has shocked the industry which is gaining momentum after five years. PRUDHVI RAJU K prudhvi.k@postnoon.com
10
98.90
33.65
Since our country is a union of states, we abide by its federal character and, therefore, are bound by the consensus on the issue, ANAND SHARMA, COMMERCE MINISTER
19,799.72 57.20
ANAND SHARMA, 11.90 COMMERCE MINISTER
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
nation
JUVENILE LAW: HC NOTICE TO CENTRE Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Central government on a PIL seeking to quash a provision in juvenile law sparing minor convicts from life term and death penalty.
SECURITY
TWO SHOT DEAD
India summons Pak envoy over cross-border attack
The way they treated the dead bodies of Indian soldiers is inhuman, says Antony. BJP asks the Centre to take the incident as a warning. NEW DELHI: An outraged India today summoned the Pakistan High Commissioner here to protest the “highly provocative” attack in its territory in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistani troops, describing as “extremely distressing” and “inhuman” the mutilation of bodies of its two soldiers. As the Government closely monitored the situation after the attack, Pakistan High Commissioner Salman Bashir was summoned to the Foreign office here. Defence minister AK Antony said the Indian government will convey to Pakistan its protest against the attack yesterday in the Mendhar sector in Poonch district. “Pakistan Army’s action is highly provocative. The way they treated the dead bodies of Indian soldiers is inhuman. We will convey our protest to Pakistan government and our DGMO will talk to his counterpart. We are closely following the situation,” Antony told reporters. External affairs minister Salman Khurshid said the way the bodies of the two Indian soldiers were treated was “extremely extremely distress-
will take up the matter seriously with Pakistan government”. Khurshid warned that the Pakistan action could be “counter-productive” in efforts by the two neighbouring countries to improve bilateral rela-
tions. Condemning the brutal killing of the two Indian soldiers, BJP said this is a “warning” to India and asked the Government to place all the facts before the international community so that Islamabad can be named and shamed before the world at large. Pakistani regular soldiers crossed into Indian territory in Poonch sector and ambushed an Indian patrol killing two soldiers, one of whom was decapitated. Army’s Additional Director General (Public Information) Major General S L Narasimhan yesterday confirmed that one of the two bodies was mutilated. Other sources said the heads of both the soldiers — Lance Naiks, Hemraj and Sudhakar Singh — have been chopped off and one was taken away by Pakistani intruders. The attack took place along the LoC in Poonch district when Pakistanis came about 100 metres into Indian territory and assaulted the patrol party. Besides killing two, they also injured two other soldiers and took away their weapons and other belongings.
Indian soldiers patrol near the Line of Control (LoC).
ing” and “ghastly” and that this will be taken up seriously with Pakistan. “It is an extremely sensitive matter. It is a matter of great concern. We will do whatever we can do,” he said, adding “We
AFP
NEWS BRIEFS Moderate quake rocks North East
Farooq Abdullah to take part in Energy Summit
Man accused of murder arrested in Ganjam
Lankan refugees held for bid to go to Australia
An earthquake of moderate intensity shook Assam, Meghalaya and Manipur at 7.15 AM today. The earthquake measured 5.9 on the Richter Scale and lasted for a couple of seconds, Meteorological sources said. The epicentre of the quake was located on the Indo-Myanmar border. There were no reports of any damage so far.
Union New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah is among the leaders and government officials from key renewable energy markets scheduled to attend the sixth World Future Energy Summit (WFES), to be held in Abu Dhabi from January 15–17. WFES is a leading platform for renewable energy innovation and investment
A man accused of murder and several other offences has been arrested by the police from Ankushapur near here in Odisha’s Ganjam district, police said today. Several other cases, including bombing and dacoity, in different police stations in the district were also pending against him, police said.
A group of 51 Sri Lankan refugees were arrested today from Thekkadi near Theni bordering Kerala for attempting to travel illegally to Australia. Two persons, who acted as agents to ferry them clandestinely to Australia from Kochi, were also arrested. According to “Q” branch police, the Lankans had paid `3 lakh each to the agents.
Pick
at the
Two petrol pump employees were killed while another was seriously injured when six robbers opened fire at them in Varsola village near Gurdaspur after they refused to hand over cash, police said today. Police have launched a hunt for the six assailants after registering an FIR. SHO Gulzar Singh said the six robbers arrived at the petrol pump at 7.30 PM last night and started making inquiries about the owner. The robbers opened fire at the workers after they refused to hand over cash.
PARRIKAR SLAMS PRESS Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has criticised the media for giving undue publicity to Congress leaders in the state who filed “bogus” complaints against his ministers. “The bogus people have filed bogus complaint (against the ministers). But the biggest tragedy is that anyone makes any allegations and they are printed by the press...,” Parrikar said. Congress spokesman Sudip Tamankar had filed a complaint with the CBI alleging involvement of two BJP ministers — Laxmikant Parsekar and Dayanand Mandrekar — in the drug peddlers-politician nexus case.
This (attack) is inhuman. Extremely myopic, shortsighted. We need answers from the Pakistani side. We may have to go beyond the procedures.
airport,
Salman Khurshid External affairs minister
-
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
World BENGHAZI ATTACK
Clinton to testify WASHINGTON: The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will testify before key Congressional committees on January 22, on the deadly militant attack on a US Consulate in Benghazi, in which the US Ambassador to Libya and three other American were killed. Clinton’s testimony before the House and Senate foreign relations committees had to be postponed due to her illness. Clinton fell ill – owing to a severe stomach infection – early December. She has now fully recovered and on Monday she resumed her full schedule at the State Department. While there has been no official word on her Benghazi testimony, Senator Bob Croker, member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told a news channel that this could be on January 22. “I had some very good conversations with her chief of staff and, certainly, it’s up to Senator (Robert) Menendez, the (new) chairman of the (Senate Foreign Relations) committee, to set these. But my sense is, that her hearing probably will take place the morning of the 22nd. They feel she’s healthy enough to come in that day.” PTI
ONE MORE GOES FROM BRITISH CABINET In a fresh setback to the Britain’s new coalition government, former Tory Party treasurer Lord Marland stepped down as country’s trade minister, becoming the second British minister to quit this week.
CHINA, JAPAN IN RACE FOR...
Drone Supremacy
12
THE DUCHESS TURNS 31
Drones have taken centre stage in an escalating arms race between China and Japan as they struggle to assert their dominance over disputed islands in the East China Sea.
C
hina is rapidly expanding its nascent drone programme, while Japan has begun preparations to purchase an advanced model from the US, a Guardian report found. Both sides claim the drones will be used for surveillance, but experts warn the possibility of future drone skirmishes in the region’s airspace is “very high”. Tensions over the islands – called the Diaoyu by China and the Senkaku by Japan – have ratcheted up in past weeks. Chinese surveillance planes flew near the islands four times in the second half of
December, according to Chinese state media, but were chased away each time by Japanese F-15 fighter jets. Neither side has shown any signs of backing down. Japan’s new conservative administration of Shinzo Abe has placed a priority on coun-
$2.1
billion
is the amount that Japan intends to spend on on missiles, fighter jets and helicopters, an official said Wednesday, as Tokyo looks to boost defence capabilities with concerns
tering the perceived Chinese threat to the Senkakus since it won a landslide victory in last month’s general election. Soon after becoming prime minister, Abe ordered a review of Japan’s 2011-16 mid-term defence programme, apparently to speed up the acquisition of between one and three US drones. Under Abe, Japan is expected to increase defence spending for the first time in 11 years in 2013. The extra cash will be used to increase the number of military personnel and upgrade equipment. The country’s deputy foreign minister, Akitaka Saiki, summoned the Chinese ambassador to Japan on Tuesday to discuss recent “incursions” of Chinese ships into the disputed territory. China appears unbowed. “Japan has continued to ignore our warnings that their vessels and aircraft have infringed our sovereignty,” top-level marine surveillance official Sun Shuxian said in an interview posted to the State Oceanic Administration’s website, according to Reuters.
LIKE IT NOR NOT...
‘US Congress less popular than lice’
WASHINGTON: The little loved US Congress, fresh off its fiscal cliff budget crisis, is now less popular than cockroaches and lice, a survey released Tuesday found. The Public Policy Polling survey of 830 Americans from
January 3-6 revealed that Congress had hit new lows in the eyes of the same US voters who sent representatives to work there. The legislative body proved less popular than traffic jams, Donald Trump, France, lice, Genghis Khan, cockroaches
and used car dealers, the poll found. Just nine percent of those surveyed had a favorable opinion of Congress. “We all know Congress is unpopular,” said Dean Debnam, president of Public Policy Polling.
NEWS BRIEFS Japan opposition urges PM to stay with apology
Briton to be sentenced in weapons-to-Iran plot
UN seeks backing for drones in DR Congo
China sends ship to save 27 stranded in rough sea
WASHINGTON: A Japanese opposition lawmaker urged Prime Minister Shinzo Abe not to alter a two-decade apology to World War II sex slaves, saying a revision would be “counterproductive.” Abe, an outspoken conservative, called before taking office for a review of the landmark apology issued in 1993.
EL PASO: A British businessman who pleaded guilty to trying to buy missile parts and resell them to Iran is expected to learn his punishment. Christopher Tappin is scheduled to appear before U.S. District Judge David Briones in El Paso, Texas, on today. The 65-year-old pleaded guilty in November in a deal that calls for 33-month prison term.
UNITED NATIONS: UN leaders asked the UN Security Council to back the use of surveillance drones for the first time in Democratic Republic of Congo. The introduction of unmanned aerial vehicles would be a major revolution in UN peacekeeping operations. But Rwanda has opposed using drones in DR Congo, sources said.
BEIJING: High waves caused by strong winds have stranded 24 tourists and three crew members on board a fishing boat near Xisha Islands in one of the Chinese controlled islands of South China Sea. China Yuzheng-306 ship has departed from the Qingland port, Wenchang city, for the rescue of the stranded people.
Prince William’s wife Catherine marks her 31st birthday on Wednesday, but her well-documented pregnancy is likely to make it a low-key celebration. St James’s Palace said the Duchess of Cambridge would mark the occasion “privately”, and she is understood to be with her husband at their home in north Wales. Kate was treated last month for a severe form of pregnancy sickness known as hyperemesis gravidarum.
NUMEROLOGY
2012
was the hottest year in US history. The average temperature for 2012 was 55.3°F, 3.2°F above the 20th century average, and 1.0°F above 1998, the previous warmest year.
BAHRAIN SLAMMED The United Nations and the European Union slammed a decision by Bahrain’s highest appeals court to uphold lengthy prison terms against opposition activists. UN leader Ban Ki-moon “deeply regrets” the decision and called on Bahrain to carry out promised reforms, his spokesman said. The European Union said the activists should receive amnesties. “The secretary general deeply regrets the decision of Bahrain’s Court of Cassation on January 7 to uphold the harsh sentences, including life imprisonment” against the activists.
I do not know what the judges of the Supreme Court are waiting for. Right now in Venezuela, without any doubt whatsoever, a constitutional conflict has arisen. Henrique Capriles Opposition leader
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
Technology CES 2013 Consumer Electronics Show 2013 is in full swing in Las Vegas and here are some of the most interesting products demoed and announcements made on the first day of the event. NVIDIA PROJECT SHIELD
N
vidia, is renown for their graphic cards and mobile chipsets but they caught everyone unaware by showcasing a handheld gaming device running on Android and powered by their latest Tegra 4 processor. The device looks like an Xbox 360 controller with a 720p display attached on top. Gamers will also be able to stream games from their computers to the device, which in turn can be connected to TVs via an HDMI out. According to the company the device can output visual even at 4K resolution. Those who tried out the device said that it was snappy and everything else Nvidia claimed it would be, but all of them questioned the rational of launching such a device at a time when Sony's PlayStation Vita and Nintendo 3Ds had failed to gain traction.
HOT HOT HOT I
A CHEAPER IPHONE? SAMSUNG 4K TV
T
his ultra HD TV stands out among the others that were presented at CES because of its unique design. It comes with its own thin-frame stand with a support at the back and the speakers are fit into this frame. The 85 inch display itself is gorgeous, but the price (yet unannounced) will definitely make it unaffordable for most people. Like most high-end TVs being demoed at CES, this one is also a connected TV, in the sense, users can install apps and access Internet using it. It also supports gestures.
ULTRABOOKS 2.0
Reports echoing online Tuesday fueled speculation that Apple is tailoring a low-price version of the iPhone for China and other emerging markets. DigiTimes.com, which specialises in news about the supply side of the technology industry, cited unnamed sources as saying an iPhone model made with less expensive parts would be rolled out in the second half of this year. The rumor was later endorsed by the Wall Street Journal, which based its report on people briefed on the matter. The low-priced iPhone will have a big screen along the lines of those popular with consumers today, according to DigiTimes.
SAMSUNG ON A ROLL
ntel is not done pimping ultrabooks and the company said that a new generation of will soon hit the market with a new power efficient chip. They also claimed that the price of ultrabooks will reduce by another $100 to $600 and added that the battery life will increase to 13 hours, which if true, will make it one of the most power efficient device in the market right now. Additionally most ultrabooks will now come with a touchscreen so users can take advantage of the touch-centric Windows 8 OS. The price drop will have a significant impact in the market as ultrabooks will invade the tablet market.
S
SONY XPERIA Z, ZL
ony showcased its Xperia ZL 'phablet' that sports a 5 inch 1080p screen with much fanfare at the event. It sports an allglass back much like iPhone 4 and Nexus 4. Sony also demoed a slightly smaller device Xperia Z that has the same internals as ZL, a slightly smaller screen and is thinner overall. Both the devices are running on Android 4.1 and a 4.2 upgrade will soon be pushed out according to the company. Sony claimed that Xperia Z can be submerged in a metre of water for up to a minute without any damage. Waterproof devices are the norm in Japan and the company is slowly taking pushing feature to other markets as well.
South Korea's Samsung Electronics said it expected to post a record operating profit of 8.8 trillion won ($8.3 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2012. The predicted operating profit for October-December represents an 89 percent rise from a year earlier, and would beat the record of 8.1 trillion won set in the previous quarter. Samsung, the world's largest technology firm by revenue, was giving earnings guidance before announcing official results later this month. Fourth-quarter sales were estimated at 56 trillion.
Huawei in the fray Chinese tech giant Huawei moved further into the high end of the smartphone market, unveiling two devices for Asian consumers aimed at rivaling the top global sellers. At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Huawei unveiled its new Ascend Mate -- claimed to have the world's biggest screen for such a device, a 6.1 inch display -as well as an Intel processor and improved battery life. The company also showed its new flagship Ascend D2, touring its power-saving and easy sharing capacity. The devices are set to be released in China, with the D2 slated for Japan later. But Huawei is also edging into the US.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
Comment No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.
DIVIDE AND RULE
OWAISI DOESN’T HOLD MONOPOLY OF HATE FUSILLADE
Heraclitus Greek philosopher
Brand them ‘R’ on the forehead MEITIM CONNOLLY feedback@postnoon.com
T
he horror of the Delhi bus rape impeded any ideas on the just punishment: only after considered thought have the following ideas come to me, keeping in mind the our prisons are already full and the taxpayer can hardly be further burdened. The Chinese wallpapers were very successful in deterring criminals. Post pictures of rapists on public walls all over the state so that locals know who they are. Capital punishment is based on thousand-yearold ideas of eye for an eye. But the nation has to evolve in a global way and there are many nations working for the abolition of death penalty. The most economic punishment is to brand all convicted rapists with an ‘R’ on the forehead and the back of the hands. This should be strongly done that no surgeon can or will remove it for a price. The man can be set free and everyone will see what he is — and his family will also suffer shame that they did not teach him to treat women decently. He should also report to the local police station every week so that he cannot migrate to new pastures. A letter in the Hindu suggested withdrawing a rapist’s right to vote and ration card. This is fair; women who are victims of rapists suffer long-term repercussions. The stigma they suffer should be transferred to the rapists. Second-time offenders should be castrated. The R branding will ensure that the rapist remain in isolation during which he would regret and repent his bestiality. Meitim Connolly is a Postnoon reader
HIGH-FLYING THOUGHTS
Once in a while, you must watch Animal Planet, Your Holiness Asaram Bapu. You will know how elephants are taken down by packs of being much smaller in size. So think before you speak, else you may have to eat it.
Arun Koshy Philip
M
IM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi is in the eye of a storm kicked up by his controversial speech. His vitriolic words have drawn condemnation from across the political spectrum — and increased his following among the hawks in his party. However, in the frenzy to nail the MIM’s floor leader, we are ignoring the impunity hate mongers enjoy in this country. Likes of Praveen Togadia, the Thackeray cousins, leaders of numerous regional political and religious outfits and caste party satraps make equally venomous comments and get away with it. Recently, Union minister Salman Khurshid had publicly threatened Aam Admi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal with violence if the latter ever dared to enter his constituency — and was promptly executed by his supporters. We haven’t seen Khurshid being arrested. Politicians across party lines continue to make derogatory remarks against rape victims. Why don’t we see those powerful Sections of Indian Penal Code invoked against them?
Ignoramuses like Asaram Bapu continue to walk free. Leaders of caste kangaroo courts that make a mockery of the law of the land with their ‘verdicts’ of violent retribution and honour killings are free men. They continue to be key elements in the scheme of political parties. Barely a week back, killers of Indira Gandhi, executed for the severest acts of treason and terrorism, were honoured by the highest religious body of Sikhs as martyrs. We don’t see Akal Takht leaders handcuffed and bundled into police vehicles. There are several political leaders in Tamil Nadu who openly endorse the LTTE — still listed as a terrorist organisation by the country. Those who engineered the attacks on Sri Lankan pilgrims in the state are still roaming the streets, continuing their propaganda of hate and division. Separatist leaders of Kashmir, who unleash antiIndia tirades and continually support merger with Pakistan, continue to be free. As a matter of fact, government of India allows them to visit Pakistan and meet antiIndia leaders. Clerics who issue those outrageous fatwas that infringe on Constitution-guaranteed liberties are never touched. Our holy cow approach to
dealing with such people owing to their caste, region and religion has allowed them to become extra-constitutional authorities that act above the law. This, however, is not surprising in a country where scientists who make inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) prostrate before ‘human gods’. What the MIM does in its strongholds in Hyderabad is no different from what Shiv Sena and MNS does in the MumbaiThane belt. The stranglehold it keeps on the community and its political power projection ensures that there is no dearth of fodder for Sangh Parivar organisations in Old City. There is nothing unique
about Akbaruddin Owaisi, and there is definitely nothing new about the toxicity in his speeches. Hate speech cases are nothing new to people like him and his equally competent counterparts in the saffron fold. It is universal knowledge that all of them will go scot-free after the initial hype, a few court hearings and prolonged legal battles. Lawyers will take care of business in the court while their clients continue to ply their trade in public fora. Unless there are convictions, jail sentences and punishments like debarring them from any kid of political activity and public office, there is no hope of defanging these merchants of hate.
EDITORIALS Pak must explain this barbarity It’s bad time for Shane
I
t has been happening ad nauseam. Whenever there have been attempts to normalise Indo-Pak relationship, out come some thugs from Pakistan’s side and do outrageous things. This has happened now too where supposedly Pakistani soldiers beheaded an Indian jawan. While Kayani’s boys must bear the responsibility what is not clear is how a trained army man can do this to his adversary because military rules do not condone disrespect to the dead, be it is one’s own or a foe. It now has to be suspected that either the Pak army is infiltrated heavily by terrorists or some terrorist elements are behind this heinous crime. India has every right to seek explanations. If India chickens out again it would prove expensive. We already suffered loss of face when Pak terrorists attacked Parliament and we did not retaliate. There is no point in sufferings insults the biblical way in the modern world. While an eye for an eye should not be the ruling dictum of a civilised nation, turning the other cheek if slapped would be misconstrued as a weakness.
READERS’ VIEWS
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his is indeed very unworthy of one of the game’s greatest. But Shane Warne seems to make news even after leaving the big stage. He seems to have his skills sharp and intact, but what’s lacking is the gentlemany ways that’s part of cricket. It’s not been many days after being banned for his ugly spat with Marlon Samuels during an Australian Twenty20 match, he’s been pulled up for speeding. Simmer down, Warne, or people may call you ‘Shame Warne’.
We invite you to write to us comments, suggestions, viewpoint or just about anything to feedback@postnoon.com or #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500 033 or even by way of a call on 4067 2222. Editor: Dean Williams
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
Cinema
WARNER BROS. HIRES MORE
Warner Bros. is keen on ramping up its animated features division. The studio is forming a creative consortium “that’s aimed at delivering one ‘high-end’ film per year.” Said consortium includes John Requa and Glen Ficarra , Nicholas Stoller, Phil Lord and Chris Miller, and Jared Stern. Apparently the filmmakers will work both individually and collectively.
BOOKS AND FILMS
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
Decoding Vishal Bhardwaj From Makdee to 7 Khoon Maaf, Vishal Bhardwaj has continued to intrigue us with his quirky characters, plots set in the hinterland and above all, a penchant to tell multi-layered and complex stories about relationships. HEMANTH KUMAR hemanth.k@postnoon.com
T
here’s a scene in Omkara where Ajay Devgn, who plays Omi, is all set to announce his successor. Langda Tyagi, played by Saif Ali Khan, is confident that he will be the chosen one, but Omi chooses Keshu (Vivek Oberoi) instead. At that precise moment, Langda Tyagi’s hopes of becoming the most feared and respected person in the area crashes like a pack of cards and he’s engulfed with so much rage that he destroys lives of nearly everyone in his family. Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, Omkara was one such film in his filmography
Promised Land Corporate salesman Steve Butler arrives in a rural town with his sales partner, Sue Thomason. With the town having been hit hard by the economic decline of recent years, the two outsiders see the local citizens as likely to accept their company's offer, for drilling rights to their properties, as much-needed relief. What seems like an easy job for the duo becomes complicated by the objection of a respected schoolteacher with support from a grassroots campaign led by another man (Krasinski) who counters Steve both personally and professionally.
DID YOU KNOW...
which was hailed as a modern classic. Characters like Langda Tyagi and the consequences they face because of jealousy, anger and lack of morality have appeared regularly in Bhardwaj’s films. With quirky characters and compelling stories, he was among the first few directors in contemporary Hindi cinema who broke the mould created by the likes of Karan Johar who added way too much sugar into our films. From the days of Makdee to his recent film 7 Khoon Maaf, Bhardwaj has experimented so much with his storytelling and characters, that quite a few critics have called him the Quentin Tarantino of India.
ADAPTATIONS
Out of six films which Bhardwaj has directed so far, four of them have been adapted from various books. While his critically acclaimed films like Maqbool and Omkara were adaptations of Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Othello, two others films The Blue Umbrella and 7 Khoon Maaf were adapted from Ruskin Bond’s The Blue Umbrella and
Susanna's Seven Husbands respectively. Maqbool and Omkara will probably remain the best adaptations of Shakespeare’s works for a long time, thanks to the outstanding performances of actors like Irrfan Khan, Tabu, Saif Ali Khan and Ajay Devgn in these films. Although 7 Khoon Maaf received mixed reviews, it’s probably one of the most audacious films which Priyanka Chopra has done in her entire career.
THEMES
Greed and jealousy have often been the recurring themes in his films since Maqbool. In Maqbool, Irrfan Khan, who plays the title role, kills his mentor Abba Ji in cold blood and takes over as the don. In Omkara, Langda Tyagi tilts the moral compass of his brothers with his evil machinations and in Kaminey, Shahid Kapoor, who plays Charlie, is engulfed with greed to become rich quickly. Even in The Blue Umbrella, a children’s film, Nandakishore Khatri, a role played by Pankaj Kapoor, is greedy about Binya’s blue umbrella which leads Binya to
suspect that he stole the umbrella from her.
PORTRAYAL OF WOMEN
From Nimmi to Susanna AnnaMarie Johannes, the women in Bhardwaj’s films have been a far cry from the stereotypes in Bollywood. In Maqbool, Nimmi (Tabu) coaxes her lover to kill Abba Ji and Dolly (Kareena Kapoor) plays a tormented wife, in Omkara, who desperately tries to convince her husband Omi (Ajay Devgan) that she has not committed infidelity. Perhaps, the best character created by him is Krishna Verma (Vidya Balan) in Ishqiya, a film which he had written and produced, who doesn’t hold herself back from using her sexuality to manipulate Khalujan (Naseeruddin Shah) and Babban (Arshad Warsi). Vishal Bhardwaj’s latest film Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola starring Imran Khan, Anushka Sharma and Pankaj Kapur is all set to release in theatres this weekend and it promises to be yet another roller coaster ride.
Jack Reacher from Lee Child's book series is described as 6'5" tall and weighing between 210 and 250 pounds (Tom Cruise is 5'7" tall). Brad Pitt, Hugh Jackman, Vince Vaughn, Jamie Foxx and Will Smith were considered for the role of Jack Reacher before Tom Cruise was cast.
TRENDING...
Smile for the camera, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart! The couple stopped by Mestizo mexican restaurant while spending time with friends in London and stopped to take a snapshot with some of the employees. The photo ended up on the restaurant's Facebook page. "With customers@mestizo," they wrote, being very modest as to who the customers were.
Could 2013 be the year Lindsay Lohan steers clear of trouble with the law? Attorney Mark Jay Heller, the Liz and Dick actress's lawyer, predicts there will be no case against Lohan in connection with an alleged assault in a Manhattan nightclub in November, the Associated Press reports. The actress was not required to attend Monday's scheduled hearing.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
spotlight 1
MUSIC MANIA
Penn Masala, the world’s first Hindi cappella group, formed in 1996 at the University of Pennsylvania, will be performing live at Hard Rock Cafe tonight.
THE WORLD OF BOLLYWOOD
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1 Vanaja 2 Elahe Hiptoolah 3 Priyanka Aeley, Lakshman Aeley 4 Amita Desai 5 Chandana 6 Mahesh Bhatt 7 Deepa Nath, 8 Lindsay Hart 9 Praveen, Shalo 10 Chris Higgins, Chris Charlie
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HINDI CINEMA
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IN FOCUS
A panel discussion on Indian Cinema Bole Tho? was organised at Middle Lawns, Taj Banjara on Tuesday. Mahesh Bhatt, MK Raghavendra, Meenakshi Shedde, Ramesh Prasad and Elahe Hiptoolah took part in the discussion.
FUN NIGHT
Members of Pink Ladies Club were in full attendance at the party organised by Manisha Kapoor at Taj Krishna on Tuesday night.
S BALAKRISHNA
LADIES’
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
health
THE HERBAL WAY TO BOOSTING SEX LIFE
A study involving over 100 men has found individuals with erectile dysfunction improved their sexual performance after taking tablets made from ginseng, a plant used by the Chinese as an aphrodisiac. The study found men with ED improved their performance in the bedroom after taking the tablets for just a few weeks.
SHED THE PHOBIA
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Kid you not Who would think that those cherubic little children could terrify somebody? But pedophobia, or fear of children as it is known, is known to plague quite a few. We find out why. RANJANI RAJENDRA
ranjani.r@postnoon.com
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anisha and Karan had been married four years and were extremely happy with each other. The college sweethearts agreed on most things and shared similar interests. Lately, though there was one aspect about their relationship that had begun to bother Manisha. Although the two were extremely happy with each other, the couple had no children and Manisha thought it was about time they did plan a family. However, Karan was dead
In case of pedophobia, the individual might have had a bad experience with another child during his/her childhood. against the idea. He had a deeprooted dislike for children and in general could not stand being around them. In fact, on several occasions when he was at public gatherings that also comprised of children he would always be on an edge. While Manisha knew of her husband’s dislike towards chil-
dren she thought things would change when they would have their own child. However, Karan wouldn’t even hear of it. This dislike for children or a fear of them is a rather common occurrence in most adults — known as Pedophobia. Like most phobias, Pedophobia is an irrational fear or dislike towards a specific object/ group of people (in this case infants and children). According to experts the exact cause of pedophobia is not known. “However, it definitely has something to do with that individual’s past personal experience and is now affecting their psyche,” explains Dr Minhaj Nasirabadi, consultant psychiatrist at Apollo Hospital. In case of pedophobia, the individual might have had a terrible experience as a child with another child that might have caused this deep-rooted fear towards all children. Or experts
ANEWS PP-LYBRIEFS YOURSELF
also suggest that as an adult, the individual might be worried about the embarrassing situation children could possibly get them into. An individual with pedophobia might find it hard to be in the presence of children. They might suffer from palpitations, panic or become extremely nauseous when there are children around them. In some extreme cases they might also be nauseous because of their dislike for
children. Since this unnatural anxiety around children can affect a person’s day-to-day activity it is best if it is treated. “We help the patient identify the cause of their anxiety. Once the cause has been identified we work towards systematic desensitisation to help the patient relax around children. We work towards helping them live an anxiety-free life,” says Dr Minhaj.
HOUSECALL
DID YOU KNOW?
PIONEERS
Nexercise
Ménière's disease
Bone Count
Dr Mark Humayun
Nexercise lets you have free daily workout and fitness GPS tracker for weight loss motivation, cardio, and strength training. You can lose belly fat while earning points and rewards. You can play with friends, earn rewards, get support, defeat challenges, and track your progress on this mobile interactive game.
In Ménière's disease, the amount of fluid in the inner ear increases intermittently. This disturbs the hearing and balance mechanisms, usually affecting only one ear. The cause is unknown. Ménière's disease gives rise to three main symptoms vertigo, tinnitus and, in time, increasing deafness. Attacks are sudden and may last minutes or several hours and cause severe dizziness and loss of balance. People also experience nausea.
An adult has fewer bones than a baby. We start off life with 350 bones, but because bones fuse together during growth, we end up with only 206 as adults. The reason they have more bones is because there are many places where the bones haven’t fused together yet. During the process of growing and ageing some bones fuse.
Dr Mark Humayun, a professor of ophthalmology at the Keck School of Medicine and associate director of research at the Doheny Eye Institute at the Univ of Southern California, has pioneered new ways of helping the blind to see. He is doing this by melding high-tech materials and technology with advanced surgical methods to restore sight to those who until now had little hope of ever seeing again.
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health WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
ALZHEIMER’S
STUDY
Blood pressure drugs may lower Alzheimer’s risk Researchers found beta blockers, prescribed since the 1960s to lower blood pressure, may protect against changes in the brain, which could be signs of dementia. LONDON: Common blood pressure drugs may cut the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study. US researchers found beta blockers — prescribed since the 1960s to lower blood pressure — may protect against changes in the brain which could be signs of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Having high blood pressure — hypertension — in middle age puts patients more at risk of developing these conditions, as well as heart and circulatory disorders, the Daily Mail reported. In a study, researchers examined the brains of 774 elderly Japanese-American men after death. They had all taken part in the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study. Of the men, 610 had high blood pressure or were being treated for high blood pressure. Among the 350 who had been treated, 15 per cent had received beta blockers alone, 18 per cent had been given beta blockers plus another high blood pressure medication and the rest had received other blood pressure drugs. The study found that all types of high blood pressure treatments were clearly better at protecting the brain than no treatment, according to preliminary data presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting in San Diego. But men who had been given beta blockers as their only blood pressure medication had fewer brain abnormalities compared with those who had not been treated for hypertension,
or those who had received other high blood pressure drugs. The brains of men who had received beta blockers along with other high blood pressure medication showed an intermediate reduction in brain abnormalities. These included two distinct types of brain lesion — those indicating Alzheimer’s disease, and lesions called microinfarcts, usually attributed to tiny, unrecognised strokes. And whether they had taken beta blockers alone or in combi-
nation with another blood pressure medication, those treated had significantly less shrinkage in their brains. “These results are exciting, especially since beta blockers are a common treatment for high blood pressure,” study author Dr Lon White, of the Pacific Health Research and Education Institute in Honolulu, said. “Hypertension is a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s and other causes of dementia, and keeping high blood pressure in check could be important for
preventing these diseases,” Dr Simon Ridley, of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said. “This study suggests a link between the use of beta blockers and fewer signs of dementia, but as the results of this study have yet to be published in full, it’s not clear what caused this link,” Ridley added. “It’s important to note that this study only looked at Japanese-American men, and these results may not be applicable to the wider population,” Ridley said. PTI
SYDNEY: Mental rigidity prevents compulsive hoarders from discarding unwanted possessions, even though the idea of clogging one’s home with such stuff is baffling to most, says an Australian research. Such hoarders have bankrupted themselves with self-storage bills or saddled with thousands of unwanted newspaper clippings. Many have driven their exasperated spouses to divorce. Curtin University psychologists who probed their decision-making capabilities discovered that they score significantly lower on mental flexibility than non-hoarders, the journal Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy reports. “People who hoard appear to have some difficulties with sustaining attention and in certain aspects of decision-making,” says Clare Rees, associate professor of clinical psychology at Curtin and study co-author, according to a Curtin statement. For instance, faced with an old jacket that no longer fits, a compulsive hoarder might struggle to decide whether to take it to the shop, get it tailored, give it to a friend, sell it online, keep it until they lose weight, or just chuck it away. “What tends to happen is that they then feel overwhelmed and it simply gets thrown back into a box in the corner for another five years,” Rees adds. She and her colleagues gave volunteers a task called the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, which tests subjects’ organisational skills by requiring them to arrange differently patterned cards into categories. Compulsive hoarders had trouble adapting their scheme as things got more complex, and also struggled to maintain their focus on the task. IANS
RESEARCH
CARRY BABIES UPRIGHT
LONDON: Babies carried upright by their parents grow into more selfassured and poised kids compared to those who are just made to sit in prams, says a Pulitzer Prize-winning scientist. “We are struck by how emotionally secure, self-confident, curious and autonomous the members of those small-scale societies are, not only as adults but already as chil-
Mental rigidity spurs compulsive hoarding
dren,” said Jared Diamond in his new book The World Until Yesterday. Diamond, who spent 50 years working with traditional societies in New Guinea, notes that basic parenting methods which have been discarded by the West but are being followed in more traditional societies, could benefit children. “That’s surely the result of how they are raised as children. I think
that we can foster those admirable qualities in our own children, by emulating some hunter-gatherer child-rearing practices,” he adds. Indigenous people living in the African rain-forest, for example, use a variety of behaviours which evolved over hundreds of thousands of years but which have been discarded in the modern world, Diamond says. IANS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
Entertainment
SVSC GETS A CLEAN U CERTIFICATE
Venkatesh, Mahesh Babu starrer Seethamma Vaakitlo Sirimalle Chettu has been given a clean U certificate by censor board. Srikanth Addala has directed this film which will release on January 11
READY TO SAIL JABARDASTH’S
shooting wrapped up
T
he principal shooting of Siddharth’s upcoming film Jabardasth has been wrapped up. Siddharth, Samantha and Nithya Menen have played the lead roles in this romantic entertainer. Nandini Reddy has directed the film and Bellamkonda Suresh has produced it. Recently, a song sung by Nithya Menen was shot on Samantha in Langkawi, Malaysia and with this the entire film’s shooting has come to an end. The film’s audio is expected to be launched later this month. SS Thaman has scored the music.
CINE BYTES
A
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Allu Arjun is all praise for Kecha
llu Arjun is all praises for Kecha Khamphakdee, the action choreographer who’s supervising the action sequences in the former’s upcoming film Iddarammayilatho. “Filming a fight seq with a Thai choreographer (Kecha). Amazed by his skill set, team, low-cost technique & above all his passion (sic),” Allu Arjun posted on Facebook. Amala Paul and Catherine Tresa are playing the lead roles.
Vishwaroopam postponed to Jan 25?
V
ishwaroopam is likely to be postponed to January 25, as per the latest rumours. The rift between Kamal Haasan and TN theatre owners association over the film’s DTH premiere has kept the film in the news for quite some time now and the buzz is that a solution is being worked out. Kamal Haasan has also written, directed and produced the film.
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Entertainment WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 CINE BYTES Emraan mobbed while shooting for film
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ctor Emraan Hashmi was mobbed while shooting for Ghanchakkar on the Eastern Express Highway. Director Rajkumar Gupta says the crew has now shifted to night schedules. “We are shifting to night schedules to avoid confusion and traffic snarls. So from now on, we are going to shoot at night,” Gupta said. IANS
Sunny begins rehearsing for Ragini MMS 2
S
unny Leone has started rehearsing for Ragini MMS 2 . “Ragini MMS 2 workshops were 360 degrees different model of working. I was nervous because I was going through several emotions when going through the scenes. It has different layers of emotions,” Sunny said. I IANS
New hands to take over Vishesh Films
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ishesh Films which has completed 25 years in the industry will soon be handled by youngsters. “This has been a very special year for Vishesh Films. I am extremely proud that my son Vishesh Bhatt is debuting as a director with Murder 3 and soon my daughter Sakshi Bhatt will take my chair as a producer,” Mukesh Bhatt said.IANS
FROM THE BIG SCREEN
Small screen not attracting stars Will Bollywood biggies ever seriously take up acting in TV series?
W
ith desi channels adapting international shows like Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and Got Talent, fans in India are quite used to stars such as Amitabh Bachchan or Madhuri Dixit popping up on TV screens as hosts or judges. But Hindi film stars have generally steered clear of the small screen. Quite unlike their Hollywood counterparts, who have taken to the small screen in a pretty big way and happily feature in sitcoms too. Julia Roberts, who will be seen in TV series The Normal Heart, is the most recent case in point. But Indian TV screens have mostly been devoid of such participation from known cinestars. There have been some exceptions of course. In 1998, Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah played the lead roles in the successful serials Kakaji Kahin and Mirza Ghalib, respectively, for Doordarshan. Hema Malini did the successful dance-based show Nupur in the 1990s. But after that there was a lull. Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who took a big leap from TV to films, raised hopes of a turnaround in that trend when he expressed a desire to return to his roots. “I had a discussion with late Mukul Anandji and since then we have been thinking that all the big stars of Bollywood should come together and make a TV series. “It will be interesting if Bollywood people would come together and make a 10-part or 12-part series, just like Buniyaad and Hum Log... I am open to doing it if there is a good story to entertain the audience,” he said recently. Apart from Shah Rukh, actors who
have made a transition from TV soaps to films include Irrfan, Vidya Balan and R Madhavan. Salman Khan feels that television is too much of hard work. “Reality shows are about one season, but when you do a serial you are stuck in it for 10 -15 years,” Salman said. Aruna Irani, who has also been quite active on the small screen, says, “Silver screen is silver screen. TV serials are considered a step down as compared to films. People have always considered it less than a movie.” Another hurdle is that money and fame are shortlived on TV, says film critic Vikas Mohan. “There is more money and fame on silver screen. With television, fame is limited till the show is on air. Once the show is over, no one remembers the artists. So, (film) artists prefer to keep themselves connected only to the big screen,” he said. IANS
Entertainment WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
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Entertainment WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
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Entertainment WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
NEW ROLE
Brad Pitt to play Pontius Pilate in Warner Bros project?
CINE BYTES
BAFTA announces Rising Star Awards shortlist
B
ritish Academy Film and Television Awards says 23year-old British actress Juno Temple is one of five young stars shortlisted for the BAFTA Rising Star award. Other actors in the running include Swedish actress Alicia Vikander, British-born Andrea Riseborough, Elizabeth Olsen of the United States, and India’s Suraj Sharma. The list was announced on Monday.
B
rad Pitt could play Pontius Pilate on the big screen, it has been reported.The World War Z actor is said to be interested in portraying the biblical figure in a new Warner Bros project, according to Deadline. Pontius Pilate appears in the New Testament as the judge at Jesus's trial, ultimately sending him to his death.Vera Blasi, who wrote the Penelope Cruzstarring romantic comedy Woman on Top, has penned the script, which reportedly features other key biblical figures such as Mary Magdalene and John the Baptist. Gran Via's Mark Johnson (The Notebook, Breaking Bad, The Chronicles of Narnia) will produce the movie.In addition to World War Z, Pitt will be seen in The Counselor and Twelve Years a Slave this year.
Gordon-Levitt to go for Sin City 2
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oseph Gordon-Levitt, recently eyed for the Godzilla remake and Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, has said no to both in favour of Robert Rodriguez's Sin City sequel A Dame to Kill For. He's taking the role of Johnny, a part first offered to Johnny Depp. After seeing GordonLevitt in Lincoln, Looper, The Dark Knight Rises in 2012 alone, it seemed reasonable to expect at least two out of three movies here.
Fishburne gets restraining order against stalker
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aurence Fishburne didn't take well to being accused of squatting in his own home. The Matrix star obtained a restraining order last week against a man who, according to Fishburne's court filing, showed up at his house and claimed to be its rightful owner— and then left a handwritten letter in the mailbox ordering Fishburne and his family to "evacuate Asap.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
Chai Time
Play & Win
Please send in your filled-in entries to Postnoon, #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033. The winners will be announced on this page in Sunday’s edition.
KAKURO How to play kakuro Kakuro is a popular game similar to sudoku in some ways. But is also suitably different. The key question: ‘How do you play kakuro?’, well here are the rules of kakuro. The answer: The kakuro grid, unlike in sudoku, can be of any size. It has rows and columns, and dark cells like in a crossword. And, just like in a crossword, some of the dark cells will contain numbers. Some cells will contain two numbers. However, in a crossword the numbers reference clues. In a kakuro, the numbers are all you get! They denote the total of the digits in the row or column refer-
QUICK CROSSWORD enced 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.
Play & Win
voucher from VENKEY’S VEG Restaurant, Nampally
ACROSS
SCRIBBLING PAD
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SUDOKU
PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
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Play & Win voucher from VENKEY’S VEG Restaurant, Nampally
1 Walk hard 6 Canines 10 Bluish, in color names 14 More red, as a tomato 15 Be adjacent to 16 “Sister Act” roles 17 Motel convenience 19 Decimal points 20 Like the best flushes 21 Faith, hope or charity 23 “Hail!” to Caesar 25 Small bits 28 South American monkey 30 “Caught you!” 31 Desert caravan stops 32 Courage and fortitude 35 Flamboyant style 37 It increases sudsing power 42 Rapunzel’s ladder 43 More than suggestive 45 Involuntary muscle movement 49 Shortest month (Abbr.) 51 Hilum 52 Partitioned section 56 Isle of ___ (part of Cambridgeshire, England) 57 Melanin-deficient individual 58 In legend, he sold his soul to the devil 60 Property attachment
61 Freshen a carpet, in a way 66 Real-estate measure 67 Unload, on Wall Street 68 Destiny or fate, to a Buddhist 69 No ___ for the weary 70 One who’s looked up to 71 Laundry challenge
DOWN
1 ___ Lanka 2 Square one of a child’s game? 3 Gilbert and Sullivan offering 4 Office note 5 Seeks help from on high 6 Flower named for a Swedish botanist 7 “Madama Butterfly” sash 8 Rev, like an engine 9 Canyon of the comics 10 McArdle of Broadway 11 They’re found in citations 12 Render out of pitch 13 Appraise 18 Word with “nanny” or “web” 22 He has pressing problems 23 24-hr. financial aid 24 Hotel room asset 26 Mathematical propo-
sition 27 Football game division 29 Cousin in ‘The Addams Family’ 33 Former finance giant ___ Brothers 34 Important period in history 36 Avoided a hunger strike 38 Use a sieve 39 Negative responses 40 It’s used to avoid listing 41 100 dinars, in Iran 44 Have a bawl 45 Arranged like a ladder 46 Shout before “Open up!” 47 Yellowish-brown shades 48 Small piano 50 Occur by chance 53 Martini’s partner in vermouth 54 1960s-70s war site, for short 55 Some tummy operations 59 Blind segment 62 Film about a talking teddy bear 63 “Don’t Bring Me Down” band, for short 64 “___ my brother’s keeper?” 65 Twin of Bert Bobbsey
Chai Time WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013 Thiruvaikumar
STAR POWER for 10-1-2013
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As per Hindu panchang thiruvaikumar@yahoo. co. in, 040-27177230 / 9177596118
ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
CANCER
LEO
VIRGO
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
Troubles will disappear. Businessmen will focus and get good deals. New efforts undertaken will bear fruits as expected. With your hard work you will earn attractive income. Long overdues will come by and make you happy.
STRIP TEASE AGNES
Expected helps from the relevant sources will come by. Income will increase. You will make friendship with new persons and with help of them improve your growth prospects. Tensions at home will vanish.
You will implement new and innovative efforts with your friends without neglecting their ideas. Your confidence will swing up and down but get encouraged by your colleagues and get charged. Harmony will rein among blood relatives.
Unexpected fortune likely. You will make friendship with those who are very efficient. Financial deficit will not be there. Bank balance to increase because of selling some immovable properties. A good news to be received from distance.
You will fulfill your commitments without fail, come what may. You will not allow others to talk about you in a degrading manner. You will be successful in executing your works with a carefully planned strategy.
You will achieve success after putting up a hard struggle. Important decisions to be taken in consultation with your friends and well wishers only. You will be given importance and in the forefront on all the occasions.
Your works will get completed one by one. You will be maintaining good cordiality with friends and relatives. Financial position will improve. Money which were given as loans to friends long back will be returned.
A favourable day indeed. Your value and respect will increase. Businessmen will get good deals and will earn good name and profits. Unwanted apprehensions will disappear. A marriage to take place soon in the family.
Opposition will disappear. Expectations will get fulfilled. Setbacks faced in the business will vanish. Your hard work will not go waste. You will be accorded a VIP status in the society. Happy journey will be undertaken.
TAROT READ
Sumaa Tekur
tarotreadhyd@gmail. com
ARIES:
GEMINI:
King of Cups – You’re in a position of power but one cannot say the same when it comes to your emotions. Make the effort to get in touch with your soft side.
LEO:
King of Swords – You’re approaching all problems with your intellect alone. This may or may not be a good thing. Judge every situation separately.
LIBRA:
PEARLS BEFORE SWINE
Four of Wands – Everything is going according to plan. It will also bring you a lot of success. Partnerships and team work will do you a world of good.
SAGITTARIUS:
Page of Wands – You’re feeling young, vulnerable and in a great mood to throw caution to the wind and plunge into something new and unfamiliar.
TAURUS:
Eight of Cups – Though you have all you need to make you happy, you feel something is missing. There is an emotional disconnect that needs managing.
CANCER:
New beginnings are indicated. It could be a new job, a new house or a new relationship. It will make you feel like you’re on the right road.
VIRGO:
Ten of Wands – You’re taking on more than you can handle and then blaming yourself for shoddy work. Understand your limitations and prioritise yourself better.
SCORPIO:
Four of Pentacles – Financial stability is extremely important to you. Make sure you have specific goals in mind and you have a plan to reach those.
CAPRICORN:
Eight of Swords – You are anxious about the results of a project. You’re looking for acceptance. Don’t get overly anxious. You will get what you need.
PREVIOUS SOLUTIONS
PISCES:
Five of Pentacles – Some form of loss is indicated. You’re disappointed with the results of something. Don’t blame yourself or those around you. Move on.
NUMBER GAME
There is hope. And you need to cling to this silver lining, or you run the risk of getting overly depressed. This is a learning phase.
SCRABBLE
AQUARIUS: The Star –
POOCH CAFE
You have to be very patient. Some opportunities may slip from your hands, but need not worry.You have to be in the forefront to get things done ; don't entrust your works to others. Hurdles possible during travel. Health is fine.
for 10-1-2013
The Empress – Love is in the air. You are being wooed by a member of the opposite sex. There is a lot of chemistry and this is an interesting phase!
NON SEQUITUR
Your thoughts to do charity will increase. You will involve in social activities with generous heart. You will earn name and fame with your own individual efforts but maintain friendship with a good spirit. Likely to make more investment.
SUDUKO
You will adjust with people very well and get your works done with that advantage. You will extend possible help to your colleagues and to friends. Good opportunities will come through VIPs in the society. Marriage is on the cards.
Boggle OHIO IDAHO MAINE OREGON MONTANA ARIZONA Vol: 2, No 174 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad – 500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon. com and for subscription, please call 040-4067 2222, Fax: 040-4067 2211
28
Entertainment WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
NOT READY TO BURY THE HATCHET?
CINE BYTES
Mariah talks about Idol feud
David Ellis dies at 60
D
irector David R. Ellis — who helmed mass entertainment like Snakes on a Plane, Cellular, and The Final Destination — died, EW has confirmed. He was 60 years old. No cause of death has been released. Ellis got his start as an actor and stuntman, transitioning into directing the second units on action-based productions like Waterworld, The Perfect Storm, The Matrix Reloaded, and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.
McFarlane to announce Oscar noms
I
n another break with tradition, Oscar host Seth MacFarlane will wake up early on Thursday to help announce the Academy Award nominations. Usually, it’s the job of an actor and the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, but this year MacFarlane will join the mix, alongside actress Emma Stone.
Argo wins Online Film Critics Society award
B
L
ambs and Barbz, remain calm, but Mariah Carey is once again talking about her infamous feud with Nicki Minaj. Although the American Idol judges have now made up, Carey recently recalled a tumultuous time between herself and Minaj in an interview with Barbara
en Affleck's Argo has been named 2012's best film by the Online Film Critics Society, which announced its awards on Monday. The film was also honoured for Chris Terrio's screenplay. Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master, also won a pair of awards, one for director Anderson and one for supporting actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. Daniel Day-Lewis was named best actor for Lincoln, Jessica Chastain won an award for Zero Dark Thirty. Walters. "It felt like an unsafe work environment," Carey recalls, referencing the time in October when she claims Minaj said she would "shoot that b****" if she had a gun. Minaj denied saying this. "Anytime anybody's reeling threats at somebody, you know, it's not appropriate. I'm a professional. I'm
not used to that type of environment." Carey says hiring more security following Minaj's threats felt like "the appropriate thing to do." "Sitting there on the road with two babies, I'm not going to take any chances," she adds, referring to her and Nick Cannon's 1-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe.
Still, Carey is optimistic about Idol's future, even though she and Minaj will both be on the judges' panel. "For all the drama, I hope it helps the show," Carey said. "I think it's a classic, classy show and it didn't need this." "For me, ultimately, this is about the kids, the contestants," Carey says.
sports
29
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
HYDERABAD TRACK WORK
Dusty Lady impresses Kohinoor Wish, Silver Crown, Vijays Splendour, Dusty Lady, Cold Smile and Paying Guest impressed when the horses were excercised here. Sand Track 800 Metres: Vijays Winner (Tograllu) 58, 600/42 Moved well. Star Experience (rb) 1-0, 600/45 Easy. Staying The Best (N.Rawal) Star Prospect (Sai Kumar) 57, 600/41 Former finished a length in front. Gold Medal (app) 1-1, 600/46 Easy. Rich And Famous (Anil) 55.5, 600/41 Moved attractively. Dusty Lady (rb) 57, 600/43 Pleased. Home Town Hero (N.Rawal) Bold Attack (Sai Kumar) 58, 600/44 They finished together. Kohinoor Supreme (rb) 1-1, 600/46 Easy. Sheridan (rb) 1-3.5, 600/47.5 Moved freely. Kallu Mama (Joshi) 54, 600/40 Pleased. Garibaldi (rb) Graceland (Christopehr) 58, 600/44 They finished together. Fortunate (app) 56.5, 600/42 Moved well. Ruffiano (app) 59.5, 600/44 Easy. Staminoizd (app) 56, 600/42.5 Moved well. Magical Spell (Joshi) 1-3, 600/48 Easy. Advisor (Deep Shanker) Flip Side (app) 1-0, 600/44.5 They moved freely. Paying Guest (app) Cold Smile (Deep Shanker) 53, 600/40 An impressive display. Squanderers Square (N.Rawal) 57.5, 600/43 Urged. Dancing In The Rain (Imran Khan) 1-3, 600/48 Moved freely. Sand Track 1000 Metres: Silver Crown (K Alam) 1-12, 800/55, 600/41 Impressed. Dauntless (rb) 1-13, 800/57, 600/43 Moved well. Saravagnya (rb) 1-16, 800/1-0, 600/45 Easy. Enigma (rb) Zorro The Legend (rb) 1-13,
800/59, 600/45 They were pushed and former finished a length in front. Aphrodisiac (rb) 1-12, 800/56, 600/42 Moved well. 2y.Black Cash/Czarina (rb) 1-12.5, 800/54, 600/40.5 Caught the eye. Sand Track 1200 Metres: Vijays Splendour (Trainer) August Kranti (Deep Shanker) 1-30, 1000/1-13, 800/56.5, 600/42 They finished together. Kohinoor Wish (Ravinder Singh) 1-24.5, 1000/1-8, 800/54, 600/40.5 An eye catching display. Outer Winter Race Grass 800 Metres: Any Given Day (rb) Macintoch (rb) 1-1, 600/45 They moved freely. Royal Glory (N.Rawal) Deccan Queen (Sai Kumar) 57, 600/43 Former finished in front. Outer Winter Race Grass 1000 Metres: Sanjaa (rb) Mr.Khoashteep (app) 1-8, 800/52, 600/39 They finished together. Proud Image (rb) Cascadig Glory (Sai Vamshi) 1-11, 800/55, 600/42.5 They finished together. Handsome Hunk (Ravinder Singh) 1-4, 800/49, 600/38 Maintains form. Cannon Aim (Sai Kumar) Dandelion (N.Rawal) 1-11, 800/53.5, 600/38.5 They finished together. Smart Striker (rb) Sharp Speed (app) 1-14.5, 800/58.5, 600/44 They moved freely. Outer Winter Race Grass 1200 Metres: Pavan (app) Alastor (rb) 1-22,
1000/1-6.5, 800/51.5, 600/38.5 They moved together. Mystic Deer (Alikhan) Bel Ami (K.Alam) 1-31, 1000/1-15, 800/57.5, 600/42 They moved freely. Gate Practice 1200 Metres: Smashing Beauty (Ravinder Singh) Wow O Wow (Joshi) The Challenge (app) Spanish Conquest (P.Venkat) Kohinoor King (Ajit Kumar) 1-16.5, 1000/1-2.5, 800/51, 600/39 They jumped out well and finished in the same order. Airborne Magic (C.Henrique) Chitrangada (app) Elenor (Sreekant) Incredible India (Kiran Naidu) Energetic Lass (Nitin Singh) Tamanna (Tograllu) 1-16, 1000/1-0, 800/50, 600/38 They jumped out well. So Be It (app) Deal Maker (Anil) 1-25, 1000/1-9, 800/54, 600/42 They jumped out well. Vijays Victory (Harinder Singh) Black Bolt (Deep Shanker) 1-20, 1000/16, 800/52, 600/39 They took a level jump. Original Gladiator (app) Aventus (K.Alam) Amber Sultan (Alikhan) 1-27, 1000/110.5, 800/56, 600/42 Aventus slowly off. Corvette (rb) Ein Ein Ein (Anil) Cannon Nine (N.Rawal) Bacardi Time (app) 1-19, 1000/1-5, 800/52, 600/40 Cannon Nine slowly off. Oscar Royal (app) Policy Maker (Deep Shanker) Whats Up (Harinder Singh) 1-19, 800/1-4, 800/52, 600/39 They took a good jump. Onti Onti Onti (Sai Vamshi) Turf Attack (Tograllu) 1-21.5, 1000/1-8, 800/53.5, 600/41.5 Turf Attack planted and did not raise the gallop.
THE NAWAB MOIN UD DOWLA TROPHY
SOUTH ZONE U-14 Suraj Teja named captain HYDERABAD: Suraj Teja has been named as the captain of the under-14 team which would represent Hyderabad in the South Zone inter state under-14 tournament to be held here from January 10 to 23. Squad: Surya Teja (Captain) (CAL), Junaid Ali (Bhavans), Aniketh Reddy (CAL), Ankith
Singh (Gowtham), Vamshi Srivatsava (All Saints), Varun Goud (Gowtham), Revanth (Gowtham), Prathyush (St Joseph), Sohail (St Andrews), K. Ashish (Gowtham ), E. Sanketh (St Andrews), Vijay Kumar (St Peters), Alankrith Agarwal (St Andrews), Ajay Dev Goud (Gowtham), Sagar Chourasia (Gowtham).
DAKAR RALLY
Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah competes during Stage 4 of the Dakar 2013 AFP/FRANCK FIFE between Nazca and Arequipa, Peru, on Tuesday.
Al-Attiyah wins again
AREQUIPA, PERU: Qatari ace Nasser al-Attiyah won his second successive stage in this year’s Dakar Rally as he triumphed in the fourth stage to give himself a great chance of adding to his triumph in the 2011 edition. The 42-year-old driver closed the gap on the overall leader, France’s Mini-driving 10-time champion Stephane Peterhansel. Guerlain Chicherit took second in the stage, 36sec behind, while Peterhansel, who has won the race six times on a motorbike and four times in the car discipline, came in over a minute behind the Qatari and saw his lead clipped to 5min 16sec. However, it was not all good news for the Red Bull team as the 2010 winner Carlos Sainz dropped out of contention with a second successive poor day, the winner of the first two stages suffer-
ing more problems with his car. The Spaniard is now over three hours off the pace while another of the contenders American Robby Gordon, who was disqualified last year for his car not conforming to race regulations, also fell out of contention. He attempted an ambitious manoeuvre and ended up with his car on its roof, losing more than two hours in the process. Al-Attiyah, though, was all smiles when he emerged from his car. “In the dunes at the start, it was very difficult to open the way, but in the end we are here without any problem at all and a good time as well so we are happy,” said Al-Attiyah, who last year showed his all round sporting skills by winning Olympic bronze in the shooting competition.” AFP
Bolt, Fraser-Pryce earn top awards
Chandril Sood and Laksit Sood of UP in action during their Moin-ud-dowla tennis tournament doubles match against Shaika Abdhullah and Tushar Mandlekar held at the Secunderabad Club on Tuesday. The boys from SRINIVAS SETTY UP defeated their opponents 7-5, 6-2.
KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Sprinting hero Usain Bolt and back-to-back Olympic 100 metre champ Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce collected the top awards Tuesday at the Jamaican Athletics Administrative Association (JAA) awards. “It is always nice to be recognized, but none more special than the ones at home,” Bolt said at the 2012 Golden Cleats Awards luncheon at the Terra Nova Hotel.
Bolt, who achieved his legendary status by defending his three gold medals, 100m, 200m, 4x100m at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, said he would like to break more world records this year. “I have gotten every title there is to get, but it would be nice to retain my title (200m at this summer’s World Championships), so for me it’s all about running fast and trying to do great things this year,” Bolt said. AFP
sports
30
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
DOPING TROUBLE
Lance to address scandal
Lance will discuss the scandal that brought down his career during an interview with Oprah. GREG HEAKES Agence France-Presse LOS ANGELES: The disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong will discuss the doping scandal that dramatically brought down his cycling career during an interview with Oprah Winfrey next week, it was announced Tuesday. The famed talk show host said that a 90-minute special show would address “years of accusations of cheating, and charges of lying about the use of performance-enhancing drugs” throughout Armstrong’s “storied cycling career.” The interview will be Armstrong’s first since being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles last year and will air on the Oprah Winfrey Network. It will also be streamed live on her website, a publicity statement said. Last week The New York Times reported that Armstrong, 41, was considering publicly admitting that he used banned performance-enhancing drugs,
in an apparent bid to return to competitive sport in marathons and triathlons. “Looking forward to this conversation with @lancearmstrong,” Winfrey posted on her Twitter site Tuesday. Armstrong re-tweeted the comment 15 minutes later. In the interview, to be shown in a primetime slot next Thursday, January 17, Winfrey will speak with Armstrong at his home in Austin, Texas. Armstrong has vehemently denied doping. It is not known if he will admit to doping on Winfrey’s show. The show used words like “no-holds-barred interview” but also “alleged doping scandal,” “accusations of cheating” and “charges of lying” in its publicity statement. The announcement came on the same day that “60 Minutes” said US Anti-Doping Agency chief executive Travis Tygart told them in an interview to be aired Wednesday that Armstrong attempted to donate around $250,000 to the agency.
Armstrong tried to donate to USADA LOS ANGELES: Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong attempted to donate around $250,000 to the US AntiDoping Agency (USADA), the head of the agency says in a “60 Minutes” episode which airs on US television Wednesday. USADA chief executive Travis Tygart said he was bowled over by the “totally inappropriate” offer from one of Armstrong’s representatives in 2004 which he immediately turned down. “I was stunned,” Tygart said in the interview. “It was a clear conflict of interest for USADA. We had no hesitation in rejecting that offer.” Asked if the offer was in the range of $250,000, Tygart told the interviewer, “It was in that ballpark.” AFP
TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
Johnson captures weather-hit event
MAUI, HAWAII: America’s Dustin Johnson captured the PGA Tour’s season-opener on Tuesday, firing a five-under 68 to win the weather-shortened Hyundai Tournament of Champions. Johnson swept the 54-hole event by four strokes, finishing at 16-under 203 for his seventh PGA Tour title. “It gives me a lot of confidence going into this year,” Johnson said. “I played really good golf the last two days. I stayed aggressive and hit a couple of bad drives but other than that I played really good.” The tournament was originally supposed to conclude Monday, but high winds prevented any rounds from being completed from Friday through Sunday on the par-73 Plantation Course at Kapalua. Extreme conditions then forced organisers to shorten the tournament to 54 holes, with 36 holes taking place on an extended Monday. Johnson headed into the final round with a three-shot
Dustin Johnson poses with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions Cup after winning in the final round at the Plantation Course on Tuesday. CHRISTIAN PETERSEN/GETTY IMAGES/AFP
lead over defending champion Steve Stricker. He maintained his lead during the first Tuesday finish on the Tour in six years. Stricker had to battle through a nerve problem in his upper thigh, but shot a 69 and finished alone in second place at 12-under. “He came back strong, I knew it was going to be tough today but I gave him a bit of a run for a while,” Stricker said of Johnson. Brandt Snedeker (69) placed third at 10-under. Bubba Watson (71) and Keegan Bradley (70) tied for fourth at nine-under. Johnson, who has now won the last three 54-hole events on the PGA Tour, had to hold off challenges from both Stricker and Snedeker. “It means a lot today, especially for my confidence, and just for all the things I’ve been working on and all the hard work I’ve put in,” Johnson said. “It definitely got close out there. I was always able to bounce back and do what I needed to do to stay out front.” AFP
Armstrong has vehemently denied doping. It is not known if he will admit to doping on the show. The show used words like “no-holdsbarred interview”.
Tygart said he was bowled over by the “totally inappropriate” donation offer from one of Armstrong’s representatives in 2004, which he immediately refused. “I was stunned,” Tygart said in the interview. “It was a clear conflict of interest for USADA. We had no hesitation in rejecting that offer.” Asked if the offer was in the range of $250,000, Tygart said: “It was in that ballpark.” Tygart declined to comment Tuesday on Armstrong’s decision to go on Winfrey’s show. Tygart, who described Armstrong’s heavy-handed tactics as being similar to the “Mafia”, denounced a $100,000 donation Armstrong made previously to the International Cycling Union (UCI). But Armstrong’s lawyer, Tim Herman, told USA Today on Tuesday that there was never a donation attempt from the cyclist. “No truth to that story,” Herman told the newspaper.
SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL Injured Simon pulls out
SYDNEY: French second seed Gilles Simon withdrew from the Sydney International on Wednesday with a recurring neck problem but said he still hoped to play in next week’s Australian Open. The world number 16 became the third French seed to pull out of the Sydney tournament following the earlier withdrawals of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (hamstring) and
Richard Gasquet (personal reasons). Simon, who won in Sydney two years ago, said he suffered the latest setback with his troublesome neck playing doubles with compatriot Edouard Roger-Vasselin on Tuesday. “I made a bad move yesterday playing in the doubles during the tie-break and it’s not the first time it’s happened to me,” Simon said. AFP
EUROPEAN TOUR Grace faces stiff competition DAVID LEGGE Agence France-Presse JOHANNESBURG: Branden Grace faces stiff competition when he defends the Volvo Golf Champions title as the 2013 European Tour tees off Thursday. There are seven Major winners in the elite 36-strong field, including South Africans Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Louis Oosthuizen, Irishmen Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington, Scot Paul Lawrie and Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal. Italians Matteo Manassero and Francesco
Molinari, Swedes Peter Hanson and Henrik Stenson and Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts add to the international flavour for the tournament at Durban Country Club.
sports
31
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
BIG BASH LEAGUE
INJURED
Warne sorry for bust-up Shane Warne apologised for the foul-mouthed confrontation that earned him a ban and a fine. SYDNEY: Australian bowling great Shane Warne apologised on Tuesday for the foul-mouthed Twenty20 confrontation that earned him a ban and a fine, and said he hoped he had not tarnished his legacy in the sport. Warne admitted he had gone too far in his on-field row with West Indian batsman Marlon Samuels in Australia’s Big Bash League but defended his right to show “emotion and passion”. “I’m very passionate when I play the game. I overstepped the line and hence I’m missing a game,” Warne, 43, told Australian broadcaster Fox Sports. “I thought it was a pretty harsh penalty but I was more disappointed in my own actions, especially as a captain. It was emotion and passion. We sometimes like to see that in sportsmen and not robots. I apologise to the fans and I apologise to everyone. Sitting and doing detention, it’s not easy to watch the boys.” Melbourne Stars captain Warne, furious after Samuels impeded batsman David
Shane Warne’s on-field spat with Marlon Samules earned him a ban and fine.
Hussey, later confronted the West Indian with an obscenity and in the following over, hurled the ball at his chest. Samuels, playing for city rivals the Melbourne Renegades, reacted by tossing his bat towards Australia’s record Test wicket-taker and the two squared up before being separated by the umpires. Warne was banned for one match and fined Aus$4,500 (US$4,700) over
the row. But he expressed hope that “one little incident” wouldn’t besmirch his reputation among cricket fans. “I’d like to think of the 25 years I’ve been playing firstclass cricket rather than just one game,” he said. “I’d like to think there’s a lot of positive and good things I’ve done for Australian cricket and all that sort of stuff over the years.” AFP
NO MORE SAHARA
Sahara moves court against MCA NEW DELHI: Sahara has moved Bombay High Court against Maharashtra Cricket Association for “wrongful termination of agreements” regarding various rights in respect of Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium in Pune and it had got an interim relief against MCA’s move to cover the name of the stadium. Sahara claimed it had fulfilled its part of obligations on the agreements signed with MCA regarding the construction, naming and building of a club adjacent to the stadium. MCA terminated the agreement on the ground of default in payments and covered the name of the stadium with black cloth, which led to the company filing a petition at the High Court. MCA had invited proposals for acquiring, naming and for certain ancillary rights in respect of the stadium which was being constructed alongside Pune Exp-
ressway, including the right to construct and own a club on a contiguous piece of land adjacent to the Stadium. After Sahara expressed its interest to acquire the said rights in respect of the Stadium and Club, a non-binding Term Sheet and Master Agreement were executed between the parties. A naming rights agreement was also executed under which MCA granted to Sahara an exclusive right to name the Stadium which was consequently named Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium. PTI
Philander out of second Test
More Trouble for Shane LONDON: Fresh from his ban for an ugly spat with Marlon Samuels during an Australian T20 match, Shane Warne found himself in trouble on the other side of the world Tuesday with a speeding fine. Warne, 43, was fined £500 ($803, 614 euros) after admitting driving at more than 100 miles (160 kilometres) per hour on a south of Scotland motorway where the maximum speed is 70mph. He escaped a driving ban, but had five penalty points put on his licence at a court in the town of Dumfries, south of Glasgow. Warne was represented by lawyer Graham Walker, who entered a plea of guilty on behalf of the leg-spinner, widely regarded as one of cricket’s greatest players of all-time. In remarks quoted by the BBC, Walker described the incident on the A74(M) motorway north of Gretna in September as an “error of judgement”. AFP
PORT ELIZABETH: Match-winning opening bowler Vernon Philander was on Tuesday ruled out of the second and final Test against New Zealand, the Proteas’ management said on Tuesday. Philander, who will be replaced by Rory Kleinveldt for the match starting in Port Elizabeth on Friday, felt a recurrence of a left hamstring injury during the closing stages of the first Test in Cape Town last week. Philander was named man of the match after taking five wickets for seven runs as New Zealand collapsed to 45 all out in the first innings. South Africa won the match by an innings and 27 runs. Team manager and doctor Mohammed Moosajee said: “Vernon’s hamstring strain will require a seven to 10 day recovery period at the very least. “Although he is responding to treatment received over the past few days, we feel it’s unlikely that he’ll recover in time.” Moosajee said the fact that South Africa will play three Test matches against Pakistan, starting on February 1, was a factor in reaching an early decision. “With the Pakistan series less than a month away, it’s not worth the risk of aggravating the injury,” he said. AFP
BILATERAL SERIES
PCB positive of series PCB is positive about playing a series with India this year despite reports that BCCI has refused to send its team to Pak. KARACHI: Pakistan remains optimistic about playing a full series with India later this year despite reports that the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) has refused to send its team to Pakistan due to security concerns and also has ruled out the possibility of playing at any neutral venue. The PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf, who returned home with the national team on Monday, said that there was still lot of time left before the proposed series in August. “It is a wrong impression that India has ruled out playing Pakistan. No decisive talks were held with them in New Delhi. I discussed certain options with them and we are hopeful that in time India will also come to Pakistan,” Ashraf said. He said that in coming months discussions would con-
tinue with the BCCI and the recent ODI series in India was a major breakthrough as bilateral ties have now been resumed. “This series was very important for both countries and it is a way forward. I remain optimistic about future ties and matches,” Ashraf said. Ashraf said that there was a proposal to even allow Pakistan to host its series in India this year. “We did make such a proposal in our meetings with them but nothing is final as yet,” he said. He also made it clear that the response of the people of both countries towards the series indicated just how much they had missed Indo-Pak bilateral cricket contests. A PCB official said that the BCCI officials have refused to make any commitments at such during the recent meetings in New Delhi. PTI
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013
sports
LAMBERT SEEKS HOME COMFORTS AFTER SHOCK
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert says his side must make the most of home advantage if they are to stand any chance of turning around their League Cup semi-final with Bradford City. The Premier League side sank to a 3-1 defeat at Bradford on Tuesday.
FIFPro XI
32
Spanish XI stuns the world Barcelona and Real Madrid supplied 10 of the players voted into FIFA's all-star team by over 55,000 professional footballers around the world.
LONDON: With Spanish clubs having supplied all 11 members of the FIFPro World XI for 2012, La Liga's claim to be considered the world's best league appears stronger than ever. Barcelona and Real Madrid may have missed out in last season's Champions League, losing to Chelsea and Bayern Munich respectively, but they still supplied 10 of the players voted into FIFA's all-star team by over 55,000 professional footballers around the world. Atletico Madrid's Colombian striker Radamel Falcao completed the line-up, meaning that for the first time in the eight-year history of the selection, all 11 players were drawn from teams playing in the same country. In recent years, coinciding with Spain's dominance of both club and international football, the make-up of the FIFPro World XI has crystallised around a small coterie of players. Serial Ballon d'Or-winner Lionel Messi has been a mainstay of the side since 2007, Iker Casillas and Xavi since 2008, and Andres Iniesta and Cristiano Ronaldo have been included in the team for the past four years. In fact, so enduring is the appeal of the players at Spain's top two clubs that there were only two changes to the 11 voted into the FIFPro World XI in 2011. England has at least mustered representation in recent
THE BEST OF THE BEST? Iker Casillas, Real Madrid Dani Alves, Barcelona
Gerard Pique, Barcelona
Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid
Marcelo, Real Madrid Xavi, Barcelona
Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid Andres Iniesta, Barcelona
Lionel Messi, Barcelona
Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid Radamel Falcao, Atletico Madrid
FOOTBALL AGAINST RACISM
BOATENG FALLOUT
Bulgaria, Hungary face ‘closed doors’ Both countries will play their next World Cup qualifying matches behind closed doors. ZURICH: Bulgaria and Hungary will each play their next World Cup qualifying matches on March 22 behind closed doors after racist incidents, among other infractions, marred previous encounters, FIFA said Tuesday. World football's governing body said that during the Hungary-Israel game in August, "a group of supporters had chanted anti-Semitic chants, and displayed other offensive symbols", which the Hungarian fed-
eration acknowledged and regretted. "After taking into account the full circumstances of the case, and in particular due to the gravity of the incidents," FIFA's disciplinary committee ruled that Hungary's match against Romania on March 22 would now "be played without spectators". The committee also decided to impose a fine of 40,000 Swiss francs (33,000 euros) on the Hungarian federation (MLSZ).
years, which is more than can be said for the German Bundesliga and France's Ligue 1, while the leading lights from Italy's Serie A have been ignored since 2010. Amid criticism that the FIFPro selection amounts to nothing more than a glorified popularity contest, dissenting voices have emerged. Germany captain Lothar Matthaus, present at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Zurich, claims "people were shaking their heads" when the line-up was announced, while Chelsea leftback Ashley Cole jokingly tweeted: "#iwantspanishpassport." Xabi Alonso won the league with Madrid and scored twice against France in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals, but his performances in Poland and Ukraine were eclipsed by those of Italy's Andrea Pirlo. The elegant Juventus midfielder narrowly missed out to Iniesta in the voting for the player of the tournament and UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh described his displays as "magnificent". His Italy and Juve teammates Gianluigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini also enjoyed excellent years. In attack, Manchester United striker Robin van Persie, Zlatan Ibrahimovic of PSG and Didier Drogba all presented strong cases for inclusion as well, albeit not with a Spanish accent.
The MLSZ called FIFA's decision "harsh" and announced that they intended to lodge an appeal. "It is both harsh and unfair that the Hungarian international team will be punished in the most crucial match in the most illustrious international tournament due to an incident which happened in a friendly match," the federation said in a statement. Bulgaria's March 22 qualifier against Malta will also be
behind closed doors after Denmark's Patrick Mtiliga was subjected to racist abuse by a group of Bulgarian fans in a match between the two countries in October. "The offensive, denigratory and discriminatory actions of a small group of Bulgarian supporters was shameful and a clear breach of the FIFA disciplinary code," FIFA said, adding that two fireworks thrown onto the pitch were "also not tolerated".
Pro Patria sanctioned The behaviour of Pro Patria fans was ‘of an extreme seriousness’ ROME: The fourth division club whose fans caused Kevin-Prince Boateng to lead a walk-off of his AC Milan teammates in a friendly because of racist chants will play their next match behind closed doors, it was announced on Tuesday. Boateng, a Germanborn Ghanaian international, has been hailed worldwide for his stance against racist fans of Pro Patria.