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Hyderabad’s first compact afternoon newspaper
JUNE 9, 2012 HYDERABAD
32 PAGES
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ON SATURDAY
PAGE TWO SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
ROAD TO ENLIGHTENMENT
Hyderabad Library services
SRINIVAS SETTY
Library and librarian services offered to members and groups (institutions) at `3,650 per year (per member). It covers study, career, competition, business of research. Welcome to APSET enroled. Where: Hyderabad library services, Sagar View Complex When: June 9 to July 8, Contact: (040) 2322 2247, 94412 37751
Atif Aslam live Talented Pakistani singer Atif Aslam will perform live at Hitex Exhibition Centre on June 8. Where: Hitex Grounds, Madhapur When: June 8, 5.30am onwards Contact: (040) 2311 2121
Abstract landscapes A painting exhibition by artist Bhaskar Rao B titled A leaflet and a drop will be on display at Iconart Gallery. A preview for the exhibition was held on June 6 and will be on display till June 20. Where: Iconart Gallery, Banjara Hills, Rd No 12 When: Ongoing, 11am onwards Contact: 98499 68797
Mehraj live Catch Mehraj performing live at Hard Rock Cafe on June 9. The band is popular for it’s experimental music. Where: Hard Rock Cafe, Banjara Hills, Rd No 1 When: June 9, 9pm onwards Contact: (040) 6463 6375
Graffiti workshop Love graffiti? Then this workshop is for you. learn to draw different fonts and give them a 3D effect. Also learn to use spray cans for making graffiti on walls. Where: Treasure House, Jubilee Hills, Rd No 63 When: Ongoing, 10 am onwards Contact: (040) 2355 0118
The master of arts
YVES V will perform live at Cuba Libre. The opening acts for the event will be by DJ Mahesh and MidNight Traffic. Where: Cuba Libre, Banjara Hills, When: June 9. 8.30pm onwards Contact: (040) 6776 7114
An exhibition and sale of original lithographic prints by artists like Rabindranath Tagore, Eshwar Das Gupta, Somnat Hore, KG Subramanyam and K Laxma Goud called The Master of Arts is on. Where: Arts Heaven Art Gallery, Lakdikapul When: Ongoing, 11am onwards Contact: 99495 71031
Solo show
Madhubani workshop
YVES V live
Artist Srikanth Babu will display his paintings which consists of buddhist motifs and religious themes. Where: Beyond Coffee, Jubilee Hills, Rd No 36 When: Ongoing, 7am-11pm Contact: (040) 2354 5359
CINEMAS
The YMCA Secunderabad is hosting a madhubani painting workshop. The workshop is being felicitated by an artist from Madhubani. A part of the fees earned through the workshop will be used to train underprivileged women in madhubhani painting. Where: YMCA Secunderabad,
West Marredpally When: June 18-June 29 Contact: 98490 07736, 99595 57183
Theatre workshop Samahaara is hosting special four week summer acting workshops. The workshops will be held for a duration of four weeks in three different parts of the City. Where: Vidyaranya School, The Terrace, The Actor’s Studio When: Ongoing Contact: 83411 20303
Italian lunch The Square at Novotel is host to an exciting summer brunch. Great food, beverages and games for your family. Where: Via Milano, Jubilee Hills, Rd No 36 When: June 3, 12pm onwards Contact: (040) 6455 5544
Budding entrepreneurs A unique management and entrepreneurial workshop for students of age group 11-17, at ISB Hyderabad from June 4 to June 9. Where: ISB, Gachibowli When: June 4-June 9, 9am onwards
Contact: 98665 61690
Buy art Iconart Art Gallery as a part of its Buy Art initiative is hosting an exhibition featuring abstract art, sculptures and paintings. Where: Iconart Gallery, Banjara Hills, Rd No 12 When: Ongoing, 11.30am onwards Contact: 98499 68797
Brunch sparkles Choose from grills, pastas, Oriental, Continental or Indian and follow it up with a delicious selection of desserts at The Arena’s brunch. Where: The Arena, Taj Deccan, Rd No 1 When: Every Sunday Contact: (040) 6652 3939
Mexican brunch La Cantina, at Novotel presents Sunday brunch, an interesting mexican spread, every Sunday. Where: La Cantina, Novotel, Madhapur When: Every Sunday, 12pm onwards Contact: (040) 6682 4422
Big Cinemas, Ameerpet, 30581470; Cinemax, Banjara Hills, 44565555; Cine Planet , Kompally, 61606060; INOX, Banjara Hills, 44767777, Prasads, Tank Bund Rd, 23448888; PVR, Punjagutta, 8800900009; Talkie Town, Miyapur, 40214175; Tivoli, Secunderabad 27844973
RAMPANT RUSSIANS ROLL FOUR PAST CLUMSY CZECHS T
he Russians — made up of a large part of the talented side that reached the semi-finals in 2008 — put four past the Czech Republic in a 4-1 hammering, including a double from impressive young attacking midfielder Alan Zagoev. In the earlier game, Greece held Poland to a 1-1 draw, after both teams had a player sent off. PG 28&29 WWW.POSTNOON.COM
WEATHER: CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS; 33°C
Hyderabad’s first compact afternoon newspaper
JUNE 9, 2012 HYDERABAD
SWORD & DAGGER
BUSTED!
Police recently arrested two youth in the Old City and seized several weapons.
REPORT ON PG 3
BACK TO SCHOOL W
hich cartoon character looks good on the schoolbag and whose lunch box is bigger? These are the worries that children normally think about when school reopens for a new term. PG 14&15
32 PAGES
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CITY SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
11-year-old boy killed
Case against Vijayamma
Cops nab 9 sex workers
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11 year old boy was killed in a road accident on Friday near Pahadishareef. Habeeb Farooq, a class IV student, was going home on his bicycle after going to the local grocery store when a speeding lorry hit him. As a result, Farooq received grievous head injuries and died on the spot. The locals caught the driver and handed him over to the police.
he Warangal police recently booked a case against the YSRC working president Vijayamma and Jagan’s sister Sahrmila, who participated in a road show in Parakal on Friday. The case was booked on the grounds that the election campaign was conducted without any police permission, which is against the election commission’s policies.
n a special drive, the Afzalgunj police arrested nine sex workers from the Imlibun bus station. According to the police, they had been receiving several complaints from commuters about the prostitutes soliciting clients at the bus station and by the roadside thereby, creating a nuisance for the public. The police has booked a case against them and sent them to a rescue home.
Working to be free N SHIVA KUMAR
Child labour is probably the worst form of exploitation that children are subjected to. But resilient as they are and with a little help from kindred spirits, these children are working towards shrugging off their traumatic pasts and securing a better future
SUDESHNA KOKA
sudeshna.k@postnoon.com
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harmila’s smile grows wider when she shows her board exam score card. She has passed with 83 per cent. This would not have been possible if the 15-year-old would not have had the courage to run away from her marriage. Sharmila, who hails from Vizag was forced to marry a man 10 years her senior at the age of 12. However, what she truly wanted to do was study further and become a software engineer. It was this passion for a better future that drove her to run away from home and come to the City, hoping that some hostel would give her shelter. When she was wandering on the streets in the City, members of Cap NGO found her and handed her over to Divya Disha, an NGO, where she was educated and helped to overcome her emotional and sexual trauma. But child marriage is not the only problems our kids face today. Despite several laws to protect the rights of children, there are still who are exploited in many ways. When Postnoon visited and interacted with children at the shelter home, it emerged that eight of the 10 children stating there are victims of domestic abuse. They are either abandoned by their parents or sold by them to people who bring them to the City and force them to work, sometimes in deplorable conditions. Take for instance the case of 15-year-old Deepti, from Tuni district. After her mother’s death, her debt-ridden father handed her over to a strange man, who brought her to the City and forced her to work for a family. “I was staying with a family of four and was expected to do most of the household chores. Many a times I did not have the strength to work and that is when they would hit and abuse
me. If I didn’t work they would hit me so much that I couldn’t even walk.” According to records, as many as 4 lakh children, mostly girls, were found in AP, toiling for nearly 14 to 16 hours each day in cotton seed production. The number of children being forced to work in India seems to be on the rise, despite laws against it. It’s estimated that the State alone had over 9 lakh child
labourers as of 2007. Often children who are forced into child labour come from families where either the parents are constantly fighting, the children have been abandoned, or are very poor and are not aware of child rights.
For instance, Usha, a very creative child and a self-taught dancer was cruelly abandoned by her brother and father a few years ago. “When I was nine, we shifted from Anantapur in search of employment. But one day my parents fought and my mother left us. We tried searching for her but failed. Then one evening, my father and brother left me and went to another City. I was all alone and that is when a woman I knew took me to her place. I thought she would take care of me but to my surprise, she made me work in a shop. I had no choice but to work there all day long,” she recalls. For the last 60 years, not enough emphasis has been laid on the need for education. For most people the need of the hour was employment and it made more sense for them to send their children to work in a bid to earn more money. So today, expecting someone to send their children to school, when they themselves have never been educated, is a challenge. Often these children, don’t
even make the right use of the money they earn. Take for instance Rohit, who spent most of his meagre earnings on buying beedi and ganja. Born into a family of labourers, education was out of the question and he was sent to work at a street food stall from the age of seven. Not only did he earn a measly `5 for a hard day’s work, he was also abused by his employer. “I would use my earnings to buy some beedi and ganja. It helped me forget the abuse at work. However, the abuse at work got to me and
I would buy beedi and ganja. After work, my friends and I would smoke up. However, the abuse at work kept increasing and one evening I ran away from home. Rohit, a rescued child
one evening I ran away from home. As luck would have it, the police caught me and sent me to a shelter for children. I stayed there for some time, but my urge to smoke got the better of me and I ran away from there. However, this time I made money by collecting bottles at the railway station. This did not bring in as much money and my friends refused to help me buy ganja. Frustrated, I went back to the shelter and have now decided to study and earn a better living,” he says. They say memories from the past sometimes haunt one for a lifetime. But for these children, erasing their past is the only way forward. Fortunately for many of them, it is their past that has them given them the strength to move forward in life. Shiva, a native of Srikakulam, a former child labourer and victim of abuse, swears that he will not return home till he becomes a police officer. “My family was in debt, we had no money to eat and my mother died. When my elder sister got married, my father had to take more debts. To repay these loans, my father came to the City along with my brother and me. However, once here, my brother was kidnapped and my father unable to bear the trauma lost his sanity and had to be sent to the mental hospital. My aunt adopted me, but it was no respite. She would hit me and make me do all sorts of work. When I expressed my desire to study like my cousins she thrashed me real hard,” he says, showing his scars. It is this past that drives him to become a cop and help others like him. Every child has his or her own reason to stay at the shelter, but they are driven by a common passion, which is to study and become notable and respectable. With more NGOs and civil society working towards the betterment of these children, elimination of child labour is not a distant dream. (Names of all children have been changed to protect identities of minors)
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CITY SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
Two arrested for smuggling
Mohd Subhan
mohd.s@postnoon.com
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he City police recently arrested two youth at Old City and seized several weapons, including swords and dagger, from their possession. According to South Zone DCP Akun Sabharwal, the Kamatipura inspector GV Ramana Reddy and his team nabbed the duo when they were trying to sell the weapons to a rowdy gang for an exorbitant amount. The accused have been identified as Mohd Riyaz Hussain, 24, a mechanic at Moinpura and Mohd Abdullah, 28, businessman from Qazipura. According to the police, the two recently went to Nanded in Maharashtra and bought 12 swords and 12 daggers from a Gurudwara and smuggled them into the City. They had a tie-up with the said rowdy gang, which was going to purchase these weapons from the duo. Incidentally, Hussain and Abdullah were travelling on a two-wheeler when they were stopped by the Kamatipura police during a checking drive. The cops found two daggers on their person and apprehended them. Following their confession the police raided their house and seized the remaining weapons. “We are going to look into this matter further. Of the 12 daggers we have seized, two were made in the US, one in China
and the remaining were made in Amritsar,” said Sabharwal. The police are trying to find out which gang had promised to buy the weapons from accused and for what purpose. They are also on alert for any violence that may take place as a result of the arrest. In a separate case the taskforce recently nabbed a youth named Mohd Younus, 26, of Santosh Nagar of Malakpet, and seized three sophisticated US made daggers that he had allegedly bought in Kuwait. “Since there is no proper checking carried out at the entry points of the State, it is easy for people smuggle weapons. But we are now an alert and going to foil the plans of these criminal masterminds,” assured Sabharwal.
`1.72cr cash seized `
1.72 crore cash being transported in a vehicle was caught by the police at the Yemmiganur check post in Kurnool
district on Friday. Persons traveling in the vehicle, however, claimed that the vehicle and money belonged to
ICICI Bank. Doubting that it could be money meant for distribution to the voters, police have seized it and are checking with bank authorities. NSS
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NATION SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
Woman raped inside taxi
‘Party decides on Prez issue’
Soldier rapes, kills minor
KOLKATA: A 26-year-old woman was
KOLKATA: With his candidature for
KANPUR: A soldier raped a high
raped inside a taxi in the city, police said Friday, adding that the attacker has been arrested. “The woman, a housewife, had lodged a complaint that she was raped inside a moving car late Thursday night. Acting on her complaint, we arrested the accused, Mumtaz Khan, who has confessed to have committed the crime,”cops said.
the President's post gaining momentum, Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said no one can become president "on his own wish" and the Congress would decide on the issue. "It is decided by the party. Party nominates. No one can become president on his own wish," the Finance Minister told reporters at his residence here.
school student in an Uttar Pradesh village and shot her dead, police said Friday. Arvind Yadav assaulted the victim in Jahangeerpur in Ramabai Nagar district Thursday, leaving her unconscious in a field. When she regained consciousness and went home, the assailant barged into her house and shot her from point blank range.
Army saves 400 trapped in Leh landslide JAMMU: Some 400 civilians, including children, trapped at Khardung La pass on Srinagar-Leh National Highway in Jammu and Kashmir have been rescued, an official said. According to a defence spokesman, multiple land and snow slides occurred Friday
Anonymous calls for protest
night along a 10 km stretch at Khardung La pass. The Khardung La pass, one of the highest motorable passes in the world, is at a height of 17,800 feet in the cold desert area of Ladakh. The 434-km long highway was opened for traffic April 25, after remaining closed for five months due
to heavy snow. Some 150 vehicles carrying 400 people, including children and women, got trapped. They were rescued in a joint operation launched by the army and the police, the official said. They were administered oxygen at the medical aid post and lodged in army camps.
GOTCHA!
Murdered terror suspect’s lawyer seeks CBI probe NEW DELHI: A lawyer representing suspected Indian Mujahideen operative Qateel Mohammed Jaffer Siddiqui, who was found murdered inside his cell in Pune’s Yerawada Central Jail, said Friday that he would approach the apex court for a CBI probe into the death. Siddiqui, an accused in the Jama Masjid shootout case of 2010, was Friday found strangled with a thin rope inside his cell in the high-security jail in Pune. He was arrested by Delhi Police in November 2011 and was in transit remand in Pune. He was arrested for making an attempt to plant a bomb at the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati temple in Pune on the day of the German Bakery blast on Feb 13, 2010. Siddiqui’s coun-
SIDDIQUI, AN ACCUSED IN THE JAMA MASJID SHOOTOUT CASE OF
2010, WAS FRIDAY
FOUND STRANGLED WITH A THIN ROPE INSIDE HIS CELL IN THE HIGH-SECURITY JAIL IN PUNE.
NEW DELHI: Global hacking movement Anonymous has called for protesters to take to the streets in 16 cities around India on Saturday over what it considers growing government censorship of the Internet. The call for demonstrations by the Indian arm of the group follows a March 29 court order issued in the southern city of Chennai demanding 15 Indian Internet providers block access to filesharing websites such as Pirate Bay. The order has resulted in access being denied to a host of websites that carry pirated films and music among other legal content, including www.isohunt.com and www.pastebin.com. On Wednesday, the Anonymous forum fired an opening shot by attacking the website of state-run telecom provider
MTNL, pasting the logo of the group -- the mask of 17th century revolutionary Guy Fawkes -- on www.mtnl.net.in. In an open letter the same day, the group accused the government of trying to create a “Great Indian Firewall” to establish control on the web and issuing a “declaration of war from yourself... to us.” Internet users and supporters have been asked to join peaceful rallies in cities including the capital New Delhi and the tech hub of Bangalore, with detailed instructions issued online to participants. Tech website www.pluggd.in reported the demonstrators have been asked to wear Guy Fawkes’ masks, download a recorded message to play to police, and are to chant “United as one! Divided as zero! We are Anonymous! We are legion!”
Bollywood actress Chitrangada Singh poses on the green carpet for the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards ‘Rocks’ event, in AFP Singapore on June 8, 2012.
sel M.S. Khan told IANS that the terror accused was found murdered on the same day when a charge sheet was filed against him in the Jama Masjid shootout case in a Delhi court Friday. Khan said the murder of a terror accused in prison is impossible as such accused are kept in fool-proof security. He said there was “some conspiracy” in his client’s murder. “I will approach the apex court for seeking direction for a CBI investigation in the matter,” said Khan. He said he does not agree with the order of the Maharashtra government which has called for a CID probe into the murder. He said he will also try for handing over of Siddiqui’s body to his family. Preliminary investigations suggest a gang war among members of rival mafias in the prison, which could have led to Siddiqui’s killing.
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WORLD SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
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MIAMI: A man assigned the old phone number of a Florida neighbourhood watch volunteer charged with murder for shooting dead an unarmed black teenager is seeking compensation, after a rash of threatening calls. Junior Alexander Guy, 49 was besieged by callers angry at George AFP Zimmerman.
Double-arm transplant
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52-year-old Mexican man who lost his arms in a 2011 electrical accident became the first patient in Latin America to receive a doublearm transplant. Surgeons at Salvador Zubiran National Institute of Medical Science performed the operation on Gabriel Granados.
ussia has called on Israel to abandon plans to build new apartments on the West Bank, warning that it could hurt the peace process in the Middle East. Israel said it would build over 800 additional housing units in West Bank settlements and relocate some of the settlers from Ulpana within the occupied Palestinian territory.
Stench of death hits monitors in Syria UNITED NATIONS: UN observers who went to the Syria massacre village of AlKubeir saw blood on the walls and were hit by a “stench of burnt flesh” but could not confirm how many died, a spokesman said on Friday. While the government has denied responsibility, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said the observers saw armored vehicle tracks around the village and homes that were damaged by rockets, grenades and various weapons. “Inside some of the houses, blood was visible across the walls and floors. Fire was still burning outside houses and there was a strong stench of burnt flesh,” the spokesman said in a grim account of the visit. At least 55 people were killed on Wednesday in an assault on Al-Kubeir in Hama province, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. UN officials have made it clear they believe government forces and allies were behind the attack on a mainly Sunni Muslim village surrounded by an Allawite population loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. More than 20 unarmed UN observers were allowed into Al-Kubeir on Friday after they were shot at and
Smoke is seen billowing from the flashpoint Syrian city of Homs which activists said was being attacked by regime forces AFP prevented from entering the village on Thursday, Nesirky said in a statement The village was empty when they went in there and so monitors were unable to talk to any witnesses of the
attack, which has led to calls for tougher action against President Bashar al-Assad. Nesirky said people from a nearby village came “and spoke of what they had heard and the relatives they had
7 UN peacekeepers killed in Ivory Coast ABIDJAN: Seven UN peacekeepers from Niger were killed in an ambush in western Ivory Coast Friday, in the deadliest attack on the force since its deployment in 2004, a UN spokesman said. The UN Security Council swiftly “condemned in the strongest terms” the deadly ambush. AFP
lost. “The circumstances surrounding this attack are still unclear. The names, details and number of those killed are still not confirmed. The observers are still working to ascertain the facts,” he said. Nesirky said that Syrian army checkpoints had “stopped” and “in some cases turned back” the observers who made “multiple attempts” to get into AlKubeir on Thursday. “Some of the patrols were being stopped by civilians in AFP the area,” he added.
US arrests 190 in child porn crackdown
Jindal calls Obama most liberal and incompetent
LOS ANGELES: Police have arrested 190 people and rescued 18 chil-
WASHINGTON: Louisiana’s Indian American governor Bobby Jindal, frequently mentioned as a potential vice presidential candidate, has called President Barack Obama “the most liberal, most incompetent president in the White House since Jimmy Carter,”. “The Obama administration is at the nexus of liberalism and incompetence and together that’s a deadly combination,” said Republican Jindal in a scathing critique of Obama at the Chicago Conservative Political Action Conference Friday. Jindal, who has not yet campaigned with likely Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, said the private sector is like a foreign country to Obama and his administration was “lurching” America toward European-style socialism. Responding to Obama’s statement that the private sector was doing fine, he added: “Mr President, I’ve got a message for you: The private sector is not doing well when 23 million Americans are IANS unemployed and underemployed in this great country,”.
dren in a major US crackdown on child pornography, including some detained in Europe and elsewhere, judicial authorities said Friday. Most of the arrests in Operation Orion through the month of May took place in the United States, but suspects were also picked up in Argentina, Britain, the Philippines and Spain. “Many of the child exploitation cases under Operation Orion began with a child or teen chatting with someone he or she met online,” said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton. “Let this operation be a warning to anyone who would think they can use the Internet to exploit children: we are out there looking for you, we will find you, and you will be prosecuted,” he added in a statement. Operation Orion targeted individuals “who possessed, received, transported, distributed, advertised or produced images or videos of child pornography,”. AFP
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DAYS TO GO
Innocent victim
Russia urges Israel
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COMMENT SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
It's fun to stay at the YMCA
The musical drift
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t feels good to see that one of the world's oldest youth organisations is being celebrated. It has helped many pass their free time productively. It has brought to the fore shining stars like Mir Qazim Ali and honed many more. It has also been a blessing in disguise for many troubled youths. Jenifer Peter By email
s times have changed, everything in the country too has changed. And that includes music in Bollywood. Previously songs were used to strengthen the narrative of the film but that is not the case anymore. In such a scenario Sneha Khandalkar is like a shining line. Mujib Khan Krishna Nagar
EDITORIALS Readers’ views We invite you to write to us comments, suggestions, viewpoint or just about anything to feedback@postnoon.com or #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500 033 or even by way of a call on 4067 2222.
Water scarcity is manmade
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here never was a drinking water shortage in Hyderabad a couple of decades back. Disbursing of water on alternate days and then sever scarcity later on have been the recent changes. Waiting for the monsoon is no solution, rainwater harvesting and conservation are. Vimala Kumari Somajiguda
EDITORIALS WE MUST TAKE OVER anti-Internet protests Anonymous, a hacker-activist network, has called for protests in 16 cities across India against the alarming rise of government censorship of the Internet. The development is a fallout of the court order issued in Chennai ordering 15 Indian Internet providers to block file-sharing websites such as Pirate Bay. The queer thing about the whole affair is that we Indians have not been raising our voices against the government’s subtle attempts to curb freedom of expression on the Internet. Though the constitution promises absolute freedom of expression, the circumstances that exist in the country have become such that anyone and everyone is offended by something or the other. Instead of breeding tolerance to listen to an opponent’s contention, authorities have been trying to hush up anything that may be sensitive to any party or section of the society, though the contention may have elements of truth in it. Internet has over the years become platform where we may write about, discuss or expose various issues — good or bad — and reach out to millions across the world. So when we see there is a ploy to slowly seal our mouths, it is we who must do something about it. Anonymous fighting for our cause is commendable, but we must take it from here.
WHY WE LOVE... Bhupathi-Sania The last time Mahesh Bhupathi won a Grand Slam was in 2009 in mixed doubles with Sania Mirza. The Hyderabadi girl has shown immense grit and determination amid growing criticism that she was past her best days. The duo’s latest win at the Roland Garros proves that no one should be written off and anything is possible.
Life by a mango tree Soul Curry SUMAA TEKUR
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here’s something deeply spiritual and invigorating about a mango tree. There’s a huge mango tree right outside my window. When I feel low on inspiration, all I need to do is to stand by the window, and the view of the massive tree, with its branches stretching out to the neighbour’s house, fills me with creativity, pride and new ideas. The tree attracts birds of all kinds. They build nests on its branches and some other birds that are passing by stop to rest on the tree. The lush mango leaves provide shade for most part of two adjoining properties. Throughout summer, this
tree has been the focus of many conversations between neighbours. There is always a difference of opinion on which is the best variety — Alphonso, Badami, Raspuri, etc. There never can be a consensus on this because not just do individual tastes differ, the tastes also change from season to season. The fruits on the mango tree outside my window are almost ripe and ready to be plucked. There is a process, wherein the president of the building association has to supervise the plucking of mangoes. The collected fruits will then be distributed equally amongst all neighbours. The sight of the mangoes dangling from the branches is pretty and I don’t mind if we left them there. This is also because I’m in no hurry to get a taste of the juicy fruit. Only a few days back, I was gifted a carton-full of mangoes from a neighbour. There was much excitement about where to store
the mangoes — which ones will go inside the fridge and which ones will stay outside to ripen some more. Then, lists were drawn up over how many mangoes were to be used to make mango chutney, how many raw mangoes would be used to make mango rice and how many would be enjoyed as a juicy fruit. Friends who visited me said my house smelled of mangoes. I’ve been inspired to cook with mango. Over the last week, I made mango thokku, mango rice, mango salad and made mango juice that makes for an excellent (and very filling) evening snack. Yet, I’m not bored. There are few people who don’t love a sweet, ripe mango. Every summer, mango lovers fall in love, all over again, with the fruit. Apart from being the ‘king of fruits’, the mango is also a deeply spiritual fruit. Hindu believers string mango leaves along the top of the front door
of the house. Mango leaves also have the significance of being the seat of the deity. Therefore, during special puja rituals by Hindus, the leaves play an important role. Mango — both the fruit and tree — is also a writer’s delight. There are numerous literary references to the mango tree or the mango fruit. Writers use these generously as metaphors to depict not just sex but life itself. I can see why. Whether it’s a bright sunny morning or a moonlit evening, the mango tree has an aura of dark romance to it. To be able to soak in this energy is a privilege. To discover the secrets the tree hides within it is a mysterious journey. To enjoy the fruit for the pleasure of its sweetness is relaxation. To watch the life of a mango tree, and to see it give life to creatures around it, including humans, is a boon. The writer is a Bangalorebased commentator.
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COMMENT SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
The sacred space Quirky-side-Up ARPITA BHAWAL
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ave you ever had a moment when you felt constricted by someone else’s presence? Experienced a pang of helplessness when you found your regular seat taken on the bus to work? Did you end up frowning after a perfect night’s sleep when you couldn’t find your slippers next to your bed? If you have felt invaded by a situation that has allowed someone else or something else to take up the space (or even disappear from it) which you considered ‘your own’, whether it was on a bus, in an office, or even in your own home, then you know exactly what I mean. On a lighter note, for some of you who follow my Quirky column, you may have noticed another person represented it last weekend. Oh yes, I did consider that as an invasion of space, but as Postnoon says, ‘it was an honest mistake’ and not meant to dislodge me. When did this whole ‘space’ thing start? When we were born on Earth, and claimed our space that continued to grow with us over time! That space transformed and extended like a living creature, from a spot to a circle, including every single area
Urban sketches VISWAPRASAD RAJU
or thing that we touch. Just take a look around your own home right now. The place on your dresser where you put your perfume bottle, the nook behind the cistern where you shove-in the morning newspaper, the second shelf in the kitchen where the coffee jar is kept, the potted Tulsi plant in the right corner of the balcony… everything has been assigned its own space — by you. It is as if we look for the right kind of spaces to associate our things with and they get fixed there for, if we can help it, eternity. Sometimes, we even match people to certain spaces who don’t necessarily belong to
FOR SOME OF YOU WHO FOLLOW MY QUIRKY COLUMN, YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED ANOTHER PERSON REPRESENTED IT LAST WEEKEND. OH YES, I DID CONSIDER THAT AS AN INVASION OF SPACE, BUT AS POSTNOON SAYS, ‘IT WAS AN HONEST MISTAKE’ AND NOT MEANT TO DISLODGE ME.
us, like the night watchman. When I don’t find the night watchman on his seat next to the elevator of the apartment building where I live, I begin to wonder if he is off duty! But more than such instances which reinforce the sanctity of space in our lives, what we take for granted in our personal lives in terms of space, becomes the deal-breaker. Once during a short vacation with a school friend whom I was meeting after twenty-odd years, I had this painful revelation. It was great fun at first — the gossip, the empathy, the reminiscences and the common interest in great food. But after a day
together in Bangalore, it became obvious that we were in each other’s way! Boxed in the same hotel room, the thrill of rediscovering friendship quickly took on a new flavour. We were too anxious to be relaxed. Why has she kept the towel here? This place is for the bathrobe. Why is she washing her feet in the washbasin before her prayers? That is for washing your face and mouth. Why is she keeping her handbag on the luggage rack? That is for, obviously, our luggage! It would have been so much easier to just book separate rooms — and it would have given us both enough space to be ourselves and happy. The next time you think that you can share a hotel room, cab, towel, or a glass of water (because you don’t mind drinking from someone else’s and you are too lazy to get up and get one), think again. In fact, it may serve you well to remember that space is not just the physical dimension — it is also not about being ‘accommodative’ or ‘inclusive’ as management schools would love to tell you. It is about the psychological and personal areas of a person’s life, habits and way of existence over which you have no right of control. We must acknowledge that as individuals, the spaces we dwell in become a part of us. It defines us, and for that reason alone, we must keep it sacred. The writer is a communication specialist.
Global edits
City lights
The Independent (UK)
Why a civilian should police the police
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hat the Police Federation regards the nomination of Tom Winsor to be the next Chief Inspector of Constabulary as a "declaration of war", or at very least a provocation, will have come as no surprise to the Home Secretary. But that does not mean that Theresa May made her choice in order to pick a fight – more accurately, another fight – with the police. It might be that Mr Winsor is the best person for the job. The Police Federation appears to have two main objections. The first is that Mr Winsor has never served as a police officer. The second is that he compiled a report on policing that the Federation did not like. Both might be seen by those who depend on the police for their own safety and that of their property – which is most of us – as positive recommendations. Two of the five current inspectors do not have a police background, so not to have pounded the beat is already no bar to appointment. And while a tendency to introspection and resistance to
change is hardly unique to the police, it does seem particularly ingrained here. An outside eye has merit. The fact that the Police Federation was so upset by his report suggests that it touched some nerves. Assuming he is confirmed in the post, Mr Winsor would be wise to tread carefully at the start – but not so carefully that the desire to bring change that he shares with the Home Secretary is dulled. The relatively small proportion of police who are on the streets at any one time, poor standards of physical fitness, outmoded shift patterns and the piling up of expensive overtime are all issues that should have been addressed even before the economic climate made costcutting urgent. A refrain heard from the Police Federation yesterday was that no government would dream of recruiting a non-military person to oversee the armed forces. In fact, the appointment of Bernard Gray, a former businessman and journalist, to be the civil servant in charge of weapons procurement was a move in that very direction. Given the Ministry of Defence's record of multibillion cost overruns, putting a civilian in charge of more aspects of the military might be no bad thing.
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BUSINESS SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
Celkon launches Androids
First Mac to be auctioned
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here's no screen, it was built in 1976, and the clunky design does not exactly recall today's iPads, but the first Apple computer is expected to fetch up to $180,000 in New York. Sotheby's is auctioning the rare piece of computer history, which actually still works, on June 15. The computer was designed and built by Steve Wozniak and marketed by Steve Jobs.
Ming bowl sells at $2.5 mn
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elkon, a City-based mobile handset company, has launched two dual sim Android phones, A 95 and A 97 with 1GHz processor. The company has competitively priced A 95 at `5,299 and A 97 at `8,499 making high speed smart phones more affordable. The company is aiming to cloak `1,000 crore turnover in the current fiscal.
eople of the art world are stunned after a little Chinese bowl was sold for 1.6 million pounds (around $2.5 million) during a British auction. It had been originally bought for just 65 pounds ($100)! The seemingly unremarkable 10" bowl was identified as rare Ming dynasty porcelain from the 15th century, Daily Express reported.
Green is a way of life
For Abhinav Gangumalla and Santosh Banpur, going green is not just a business model, it is something they truly believe in
DEEPAK DESHPANDE
K PRUDHVI RAJU
prudhvi.k@postnoon.com
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typical store in the upmarket Banjara Hills area is bound to boast of fabulous interiors, be centrally air conditioned and have its owners lounging around as they watch their business mint money. But not in the case of the Hyerabad Goes Green store, which has no air conditioning or fancy frills that most other shops boast of. But what it does have are two very dedicated young entrepreneurs working steadily away at their laptops and a business idea that is not just different but unique too. Interestingly enough for Abhinav Gangumalla and Santosh Banpur, both first generation entrepreneurs, ‘green’ is not just another buzzword to flaunt with their brand in a bid to reap profits. For them, it is a way of life itself and is often reflected in their actions and store design. The company which launched in September 2010 was an attempt to make the City cleaner, greener and better. Talking about how the business idea came about, Abhinav says, “Santosh and I have known each other since our intermediate days when we were studying at Little Flower Junior College. After passing out in 2002, we went our separate ways as he got admission at IIT Mumbai and I went to GITAM in Visakhapatnam. However, as fate would have it, we met again when I moved to Mumbai to do my Masters. Eventually, the two of us got good jobs and returned to the City after a gap of eight years. But we found that we didn’t enjoy the City anymore, it had changed. The weather was different and the traffic chaotic. We also noticed that there was no proper waste management in colonies either.” It was this stark difference in the City they’d once loved that prompted them to start a company with a difference. “We started off with an online store that sold composters with an investment
Santosh Banpur (L) and Abhinav Gangumalla (R), Founders, Hyderabad Goes Green of `2 lakh in late 2010. In the meantime, another friend Mana Chatterjee decided to join us as a partner and apart from funding the company, she also brought along her expertise and values to our company,” says Santosh. One of the major challenges the company faces today is to sensitise people towards the prevailing problems. Often people don’t do things until they feel the pinch; eg earlier nobody cared much for rainwater harvesting. But today with the underground water levels depleting at an alarming rate and the acute water shortage in the City that is forcing people to depend on water tankers, has brought home the jarring reality of our blatant exploitation of natural resources, explains Santosh. According to Abhinav, this indiscriminate exploitation of our resources is only going to work against us. He says, “All change is not progress. We’ve got to remember that we are living in a world with finite resources. If we continue exploiting them there will come a time when we
won’t be able to sustain ourselves any further. Industrialisation should be done in an ethical way with due respect being paid to our natural resources.” “The company has a three point agenda; wherein we try to educate, convince and facilitate the people of the City. Take for instance the use of plastic bags. We first educate people that these are harmful for the environment and then try to con-
vince them to pay an extra `10 for a cloth bag. We then facilitate this by providing them a cloth bag,” says Abhinav. Busting the myth that ecofriendly products are more expensive, he says, “Sometimes green is cheaper. Instead of looking at the one time price that people pay for eco-friendly products they should look at the long term results. For instance, when we buy a plastic bag, we don’t pay for the proper effluent treat-
Products: Composting, organic food, personal hygiene, aroma therapy, jute bags, herbal gardening products
Services: Workshops for corporates on eco-friendly and green initiatives. Rainwater harvesting, campaigns on using natural colours for Holi and Ganesh Chaturthi Total investments: Expected breakeven: Margins: Projects in the pipeline: Number of employees:
`20 lakh 2015 Around 20 per cent Mumbai, Vizag and Ahmedabad 4
ment or preventing waste from being dumped into our water bodies. The plastic bag may be cheaper, but its usage is at the cost of nature for which we will eventually pay a heavy price.” “Also it is more affordable to buy eco-friendly products. Every time you go to a store and buy a plastic bag you spend `4. So if you go to the store 50 times a year you spend around `200. But if you buy a cloth bag for `10 or `30, you save nearly `170. Solar products, rainwater harvesting are all cheaper if you consider the product life cycle cost. Once these products gain more popularity with people, companies may also produce them at cheaper prices,” adds Abhinav. Impressive as their motives might seem, Santosh admits that it was something his lecturer at IIT once said that keeps them going. “During the induction my lecturer Kapil had said, ‘Success is measured not by what you gained but by what you left to the world after you pass away.’ This is what inspires us and urges us forward,” he says.
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MOTORING SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
Internet prompting car sales
Toyota Altis Aero launched
Audi launches S4 saloon
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survey by Internet search giant Google revealed that one out of every two buyers have conducted researches online before approaching the car dealer. More than half of those who did online research said that the information available on the Internet prompted them to change the choice of car brands before buying.
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oyota has launched a limited edition version of the Corolla Altis called the Corolla Altis Aero.This limited edition version is available only on the petrol J variant and has been launched to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Corolla in India. Limited edition Altis Aero is priced at `11.47 lakh.
ased on the A4, the S4 gets visual tweaks to distinguish it from its A4 sibling. These include platinum-grey inserts for the front grille, which houses a prominent S4 badge, aluminumfinish wing mirrors, unique 18-inch alloy wheels and special V6 T badges. The Sporty Audi S4 saloon packs 333bhp and is priced at `45.3 lakh.
Bids placed for Saab
group of Chinese and Japanese investors have submitted an offer to take over bankrupt Swedish carmaker Saab, a spokesman said Thursday. "We submitted a definitive offer on April 7" before the deadline for bids expired, said Mikaael Oestlund of the National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB (NEVS). NEVS, a Swedish-registered company founded by a Hong Kong-based company specialised in alternative energy and a Japanese investment fund, declined to disclose the
amount of the offer. The court-appointed administrators for Saab, which filed for bankruptcy in December, refused to confirm an offer had been made or when they might announce a possible candidate to rescue the iconic Swedish brand. According to Swedish media they could make an announcement as soon as the end of the month. Chinese carmaker Youngman is also known to be interested in buying Saab. Swedish media have reported that Youngman placed a preliminary bid in
late January or early February of about two billion kronor (220 million euros, $280 million). Youngman has long been interested in Saab and tried to snap it up before it declared bankruptcy but those efforts were thwarted by the Saab's former owner, General Motors, which balked at transferring the necessary technology licences. Reports have also surfaced that Indian commercial utility vehicles manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra has placed a bid AFP as well.
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TECHNOLOGY SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
APP OF THE WEEK
www.armorgames.com his website has a huge collection of arcade and adventure games. The racing games are boring though, but the others cover up for it. Paladog is one game you must try on this site! It is crazy!
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Official UEFA EURO 2012 app
VIDEOGAME REVIEW THE GOOD
DIRT SHOWDOWN REVIEW
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he official UEFA EURO 2012 app gives you access to the final tournament of the 14th UEFA European Football Championship. It will be held in Poland and Ukraine from 8 June to 1 July 2012.
n Sharp presentation and smooth visuals
THE B AD
n Single-player campaign lacks a proper career to nurture or narrative to follow.
Gamer’s paradise E3 is an acronym for Electronic Entertainment Expo and for avid gamers it is the epicentre of gaming. Here’s a peek at why it is so and a roundup of this year’s expo SIDDHARTH TSS
feedback@postnoon.com
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3 is an exposition which is held in the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) during late May or early June every year since its inception in 1995. For a gamer E3 is an all-access pass to
heaven, as all the gaming companies team up to show off their wares amidst the glitz and glamour. On the other hand E3 to a gaming company is an open market where they can showcase the latest development in their products, games and technologies. This year, this expo like every other, played host to many video game giants such as Sony, Capcom, Konami, EA and Nintendo. Gaming giants and critics have flocked to the LACC,
as this year had some of the most awaited games of the decade being unveiled including trailers of their upcoming works and also had many queries answered especially the one concerning Sony's game Last of Us and Ellen Page's affiliation to the game. This year has also seen many rivals teaming up to give the audience the best of both worlds like the combination of Capcom and Namco to produce Street Fighter X Tekken.
Here's a look at all the games that stole the show at the 2012 edition of E3s Mass Effect 3 his Third Person shooter set in a background of an intergalactic war is the third installment of the Mass Effect franchise. The storyline of the game is more interactive than its predecessors. The plot revolves around the controversial protagonist Commander Shepard. The action sequences and moves have been synchronised better. On the plus side even the gameplay has been made even more ‘earth like’.
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Call of Duty Black Ops II f you have the urge to use heavy artillery to blow up hordes of the walking dead, then this is the game for you. Treyarch and Activision have confirmed that the zombie mode will be coming back. The protagonist Alex Mason too returns this time as part of the cold war section of the army. The gameplay is set in 2025 where robotics, cyberwarfare and other forms of modern technology take their place in the battle field.
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Street Fighter X Tekken his game rounds up the best fighters from both the worlds into an epic showdown. The plot of this game revolves around a mysterious object named pandora which releases a fluid like energy which brings more power into a combatant when a conflict takes place.
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Battlefield 3 first person shooter which is set in locations all over the world ranging from USA to Iraq. The plot is centered around a five-man squad of soldiers led by Sgt Blackburn in search of a militia group to stop them fromsetting of IEDs around the world.
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New Super Mario Bros. 2 his side-scrolling platformer game developed by Nintendo has been a childhood favourite of many. This tale as usual follows the Mario the plumber and his two player counterparts Luigi. The emphasis of this game has been shifted towards collecting gold coins laid throughout the levels. One aspect which is recurrent is the raccoon ears and tail from Super Mario Bros. 3 which give the mushroom chomping plumber the ability to fly.
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ANIMAL KINGDOM SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
PET NEWS Great white sharks
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Skinny dinosaurs
reat white sharks off the coast of Australia consist of two genetically distinct populations,according to a new study. The genetic make-up of white sharks west of Bass Strait was different from those on the eastern seaboard of Australia.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Know your dog
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new method for measuring the weight and size of dinosaurs has found that these animals weighed less than previously estimated. A huge Brachiosaur, once thought to weigh 176,370 pounds, is now believed to have weighed 50,706 pounds.
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he Elkhound is a robust and athletic breed. It barks loudly when it sees its prey. Stoneage fossils confirm its antiquity while hunting as a gun dog, it does not chase but follows its prey like a hound. It has been used as a retriever and guard dog.
CATS AND DOGS The Animal Care Clinic 040-2335 2474 Pet’s World Dog Clinic 98856 46259 Blue Cross of Hyderabad 040-3298 9858, 23544355/ 5523 Vet-N-Pet 040-6553 9535, 93463 05890 Bluplus Pet Clinic 040-2712 1739, 2716 2636 Sri Sai Pet Clinic
040-2779 7458, 9848645350 Claws & Paws 98662 82772 All Creatures Animals Clinic 040-2773 0885 BIRDS Govt Veterinary Hospital 040-2331 9656, 2753 5755 Bird Watcher’s Society 040-2355 6166 Friends of Birds9391048315 SNAKES Friends of Snakes 8374233366
Keeping Daisy healthy We get very conscious when it comes to our health or anything relating to our family members well-being. It's time we extended that concern to our pets as well. Encourage spaying ANUBHA K SINGH
anubha.k@postnoon.com
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concept that is gaining popularity among the pet owners in city is spaying. Not only the pet owners but many vets in the city also support the neutering of female dogs. These days people are more particular about the health of their pets. Spaying not only prevent the dogs from bringing more puppies into world but the doctors believe the earlier it is done it will prevent the dog from the uterine infections and breast cancer. Spaying in female dogs reduces the risk of spreading uterine infections like pyometra and metritis. “It is a very common practice among the pet owners in the city now. On an average I deal with five to six cases of spaying or neutering in my hospital. Most of the pet owners come in order to prevent their dog from breeding or if they are not ready to bear the breeding cost they prefer spaying. Breeding is a costly affair you have to buy special food for the mum, medical check-ups before, during and after breeding too, caring for the puppies while they’re being weaned etc,” said Dr.Ratan Kumar, a veterinary at the Government Veterinary Hospital, Mangalhat. “I have a golden retriever and was planning to take my dog for breeding in fact I had talks with two of my friends who had male dogs but before breeding I wanted to be sure that breeding should not effect my dog’s health and then I started my research on when and how to breed dogs. I soon learnt about spaying but was still not sure about it. I had a talk with my vet and all thanks to him he gave me a complete idea about the benefits of spaying. I opted to spay my dog and she is as healthy, as she was before the treatment,” said Mukesh Kumar, a businessman by profession. Mukesh has now started making people aware about the
What you need to know n Spaying is usually done at the age of 4-6 months. n It’s a surgical procedure and performed under general anesthesia. n Complications are rare and recovery is normally complete within ten days. n There are birth control pills and medications for dogs but that might have serious side effects on your dog’s health. n This early spaying does not affect the growth rate, or physical or behavioral
development in dog. n Dogs spayed at a younger age often have faster recoveries than those spayed when they are older
benefits of spaying through his small camps in government hospitals. Through their camps they recommend pet owners to spay or neuter their dog because of health benefits and to reduce the population of dogs. “There is too much of a pet overpopulation in city. The fact is that too many puppies are produced every year and they are left on roads as there are not enough potential owners. The only solution for this is that we should breed fewer dogs,” said Dr K Jalaluddin, a vet at the Malakpet Government Veterinary hospital. Of late pet owners in the city have opted to spay their dogs and the main reason is that there is no homes for the
puppies. These days people bring imported breeds from other countries and places which eventually had diminished the demand of local breeds or say the common breeds. Many people come to me with a reason that they can’t afford breeding of their dog and the cost of breeding is beyond their limits. There is a myth that spaying might affect your dog’s health but the fact is that this treatment makes your dog a better behaved, healthier pet and will save you money in the long run, but then that doesn't mean every pet owner in city should opt for it totally depends on your choice if you can afford breeding,” said Jalaluddin.
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BOOKS SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
SHORT READS Title: : The Fire Author: James Patterson Publisher: Little, Brown & Co Whit and Wisty Allgood have sacrificed everything to lead the resistance against the totalitarian regime that governs their world. Wisty knows that the time has finally come for her to face The One. But her fight and her fire only channel more power to this invincible being.
Title: 77 Shadow Street Author: Dean Koontz Publisher: Random House The Pendleton stands on the summit of Shadow Hill at the highest point of an old heartland city. But now inexplicable shadows caper across walls, security cameras relay impossible images, phantom voices mutter in strange tongues, elevators plunge into unknown depths.
Title: The Next Always Author: Nora Roberts Publisher: Berkley Nora Roberts talks of the historic hotel in Boonsboro, Maryland that has endured war and peace, the changing of hands, and even rumoured hauntings. Now it’s getting a major face lift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother.
Title: The Night Strangers Author: Chris Bohjalian Publisher: Crown A home's new owners are Chip and Emily Linton and their twin ten-year-old daughters.Together they hope to rebuild their lives there. Unlike the Miracle on the Hudson, however, most of the passengers aboard Flight 1611, Chip’s charge, die on impact or drown.
Was Columbus an actual hero? The stakes are huge. On one side, a grand scheme is unfolding; and on the other, it is a chance for redemption Arun Koshy Philip arun.k@postnoon.com
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The cost of life Kishwar Desai minces no words and brings to the fore the twisted medical tourism industry in India
RANJANI RAJENDRA
ranjani.r@postnoon.com
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hich couple doesn’t dream of the ideal family, replete with a bunch of happy, gurgly babies, the pitter-patter of little feet and eventually a bunch of rambunctious kids? But what happens when this dream comes crashing down because one of the partners cannot have a baby for a medical reason? There’s heartbreak, dejection and often rifts so serious that nothing can heal a relationship. This is exactly where India’s designer baby boom steps in, in Kishwar Desai’s latest novel Origins of Love. The novel throws light on the booming surrogacy industry in India and all the underhanded business that goes on in India’s many fertility and ART clinics. With the ART Bill still in limbo, there are several loopholes for medical practitioners to exploit and that is exactly what they do in this book. Despite the desperate childless couples heading to clinics in the country, these clinics seem to have one aim — exploit the clients and the surro-
Name Origins of Love Author Kishwar Desai Pages 470 Publisher Simon &Schuster gates. At the heart of all this money-making business lies a little baby, a product of IVF, abandoned with an ailment that leaves absolutely no hope for her future. But the Pandeys, the couple who run the IVF clinic where this baby, Amelia, was born, have no idea how such an error
could have occurred. Until their friend Simran, an activist of sorts, steps in and offers to investigate. Her investigation takes her to London, to try and trace the source of this whole problem, all the time posing as a woman desperate to have a baby, no matter what or who it takes. But what lurks beneath is chilling — so chilling it makes you wonder what the cost of a human life really is. The plot is interesting and Kishwar Desai successfully weaves in several stories together to form one electrifying novel. There are couples desperate to have babies, there’s a doctor couple promising to make this dream come true, there’s the tout who arranges for the surrogates and then there’s another doctor who is bent on running the ART clinic like a profitable business, all the time conducting his own little secret experiments on embryonic cells. The outcome of it all has the reader gripped. What really works for Desai’s novel is the fact that it minces no words and brings to fore the booming but somewhat twisted medical tourism in India. Read it, for a glimpse into what really goes on in those little clinics that line nondescript streets, promising to make your baby dreams come true.
hristopher Columbus is known to us in history books as navigator and explorer. However, the admiration is not common to all. For the Europeans, he was the beacon that led them to the hitherto unexplored 'New World'; opened the doors for colonisation and riches and the spread of Christianity. On the contrary, for the nations that were colonised, he represented the beginning of a dark era; civilisations wiped out, treasures looted, millions enslaved and families ripped apart. The book talks about a completely different side to the explorer — a man whose mysteries exceeded his fame. In the Caribbean, where marauding pirates and mighty navies fought pitched battles, lies a secret that has been sealed by Columbus and disclosure of which may alter the history of the world. Once a feared and respected journalist, Tom Sagan lost everything he held dear after a story he wrote was found to be false. Divorced, estranged from his only daughter and leading a seemingly pointless life, he is about to take his life when there is a knock at the door. A zealous billionaire, a Jamaican plantermafiosi, secret societies and international conspiracies, the plot has a right blend of all to keep you glued in anticipation. The main characters are in a race to accomplish their missions, engaged in calculated moves that would put professional chess players to shame. Priorities change, loyalties switch, trust is earned and betrayed as the players — each with immense resourcefulness — are thrust into a sequence of actions which they falsely assume they can control. The stakes are huge. On one side, a grand scheme
is unfolding; and on the other, it is a chance for redemption. Blended perfectly into the plot is each man's personal quests. A father seeks to mend family ties that were broken and abandoned; another searches for his identity and acceptance,
Name The Columbus Affair Author Steve Berry Pages 426 Publisher Hachette India and the third tries to put into place dominoes whose collapse would create the pattern he wants. The history of Columbus is fascinating, and much of his life both before and after 1492 will seem new and surprising to the reader. Berry is a master at blending fact and fiction. The narrative is interesting and the pace of the story is set at a level where one can absorb every detail before moving forward. The twists are kept realistic and there are no larger than life heroics that defy logic. A gripping story is told in a simple manner.
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BOOKS SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
The door to elsewhere Daughter of Smoke and Bone is a sweeping, masterful blend of fantasy and romance designed to enthrall FIXZOR
PADMINI C
padmini.c@postnoon.com
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eventeen-year-old Karou is for all outwardly appearances just an art student with a penchant for drawing fantastic creatures that seem to have emerged straight out of a story book. But the blue-haired, polyglot, master in martial arts, strange tattoos et all, orphan is a mystery to everyone who knows her. Her friends have come to accept her mysterious absences, when Karou disappears because she has to “run errands.” And she is too, only, it is for a monstrous creature called Brimstone who lives in Elsewhere — a different world which can be accessed through innumerable portals — across the world. And the errands happen to be anything from smuggling elephant tusks to buying teeth from grave robbers. Even as she is plagued by the notions that she isn't “whole” and a burning curiosity to know how she came to be in the keep-
Sudeshna Koka
ing of Brimstone and the other inhuman creatures called chimera, who have raised her, Karou has managed to keep her two lives in balance. Until the doors to Elsewhere have been closed and she is face-to-face with the enemy. An enemy that feels like a friend and more. An enemy who makes her feel “whole.” Slowly, each of the mys-
teries surrounding her life begin to unveil – with consequences both rewarding and devastating. Forced into a tug-of-war between angels and demons, compelled to choose between a dangerous alliance and a heartbreaking betrayal, what will Karou do? You'll have to find out in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Liani Taylor's first book in
the trilogy, Daughter of Smoke and Bone is enchanting. As is the mark of good fantasy fiction, it’s much too easy to follow Karou into her world, the streets of Prague untouched by time, its “medieval cobbles once trod by golems and mystics. And houses embellished with Rococo plasterwork and capped in roofs of red.” Her characters are imag-
Fighting back
sudeshna.k@postnoon.com
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an a woman's humiliation change the destiny of a nation? It did in the Mahabharata. And it does, once again, in the lawless Bihar of the 1990s. The Edge of Desire is a very feministic book by Tuhin A Sinha, who talks about the life of an ex-journalist Shruti Ranjan, who finds her boyfriend in bed with her best friend. Hurt at being deceived, she moves back to her hometown with her parents. Giving into parental pressure, she agrees
for an arranged marriage with Rohit Verma, the deputy commissioner of Kishanganj, Bihar. Little did she know that this marriage would change the course of her life giving it a completely new direction. While she is just trying to find her bearings with marriage, a horrific incident puts all stops to her dreams. She is brutally raped by a local goon, Salim Yada. She decides to fight back but her attempts at getting justice are crushed by a corrupt and complicit state government. That’s when the charismatic Sharad Malviya, a lead-
ing member of the opposition party, offers her an unlikely solution: his party’s ticket to contest the Lok Sabha elections. While fighting for personal justice, she becomes a deputy minister working for women welfare. Soon she becomes the CM and handles bigger issues like Naxalism, terrorism and the country’s security issues. She goes through several role reversals. However, in this battle she loses her family. Her husband, Rohit, who was once her support system, abandons her — leaving her to fight alone. The novel is a great blend
Name The Edge of Desire Author Tuhin A Sinha Pages 329 Publisher Hachette India
Name Daughter of Smoke and Bone Author Laini Taylor Pages 432 Publisher Hachette ined in rich detail, her turn of phrase beautifully eloquent, it’s a book that's finished before you realise it. A tale of breathtakingly beautiful angels and awe-inspiring beasts, star-crossed lovers and infallible heroes, is it any wonder, we can't wait for Days of Blood and Starlight? of politics and human emotions. Each character is brilliantly carved and this comes only with intricate research. This is where Tuhin scores over others. His writing is clean and well-plotted. The Edge of Desire shows the different challenges a women faces in our country. It demonstrates the pain, sadness, anger, frustration, betrayal a women goes through due to constant commodification and discrimination. However, the author who constantly keeps drawing reference to mythological characters also shows that a woman can fight and stand against all odd. And indeed when a woman stands up for herself, she realises the immense strength and hidden power she possesses.
WHAT’S SELLING Walden’s best in fiction
Walden’s best in non-fiction
New York Times’ best in fiction
New York Times’ best in non- fiction
n Calico Joe by John Grisham
n Breakout Nations by Ruchir Sharma
n Stolen Prey by John Sandford
n The Amateur by Edward Klein
n Sins Of The Father by Jeffrey Archer
n Thinking fast and slow by Daniel Kahneman
n It Worked for me by Colin Powell with Tony Koltz
n The Innocent by David Baldacci
n MBA at 16 by Subroto Bagchi
n 11th Hour by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
n EM and the big HOOM by Jerry Pinto
n The Magic by Rhonda Byrne
n Fifty Shades Of Grey by EL James
n Tainted Throne Empire of Moghul by Alex Rutherford
n Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris n Calico Joe by John Grisham n The Innocent by David Baldacci
n The Passage of Power by Robert A. Caro n Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard n My Cross to bear by Gregg Allman with Alan Light
16
WOMEN SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
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Mad about theatre
Witty, strong-headed and extremely confident, 23-year-old Firdous Abdul Majeed opens up about her love for theatre and the art of living N SHIVA KUMAR
All About Eve
INDIRA ATLURI
W
e love men, but can do away with some.
SANA MIRZA
LAZY LETCH
sana.m@postnoon.com
He is the superstar of the office, or so he thinks. Like our good old heroes of Tollywood, his age froze at his will, making him a man of all seasons. This eternally ‘young’ dude loves ‘his’ women and will do all it takes to display his machismo. From staring emptily at women, to getting up, close and personal, he doesn’t leave a chance to touch a lady, even if it is just a strand of her hair or brush his hand against hers. Sexual gratification has never been easier.
I
t doesn’t matter where you come from or what your professional background is, what matters is your ability to tell a story either through a strong script or through your characters. Now, in order to bring to life the essence of the story and the vision of the writer, one needs proper guidance. You may assume that only an older person, not necessarily an experienced one, may well suit the role of a director. But, and there’s always a ‘but’, we are glad to believe otherwise. Firdous Abdul Majeed, is one such exception. Just 23, she has quite an imposing personality. Born and brought up in Jeddah, she moved to Hyderabad after her seventh grade. She finished school at Nasr and went on to get a degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from St. Mary’s College. She describes herself as a dramatic person and that the art of theatrics comes naturally to her. “I started toying with the idea of drama and theatre when in college and I began pursuing it step by step. It’s been about four and a half years since I started my own ‘little theatre production firm’ called D-Fir dramatics (pronounced as D for Dramatics),” she explains. Contrary to popular assumption that people are involved in theatre because they love the spotlight, Firdous got drawn to theatre because of the stage.“I fell in love with the power of the stage and how it could be used to tell real stories to people. The medium of interaction and the chemistry between the storyteller and the audience is just simply addictive,” she says. An important script for her is one which is relevant to the audience and about situations that she feels strongly about. “My relationships have taught me that every script we work on changes a little bit of how we perceive our lives.
The men we meet
‘RA ONES’
OF THE ROAD
His car is all decked up, like he is on a mission to find a suitable bride car for his beloved machine. As he drives along, he is carrying not just himself but his compressed ego. Akon and Snoop Dogg make some noise inside, making him feel all macho and majestic. Well, until a woman overtakes his car. Suddenly, his ego ground, crushed and pulped he is in tatters. And the only way he can satisfy his badly wounded ego is to overtake her. At the risk of pedestrians and other motorists on the road, he finally manages to accomplish his goal, thereby reviving his dying pride. Ah, and the ego is restored.
GYM JIMS The CV First Job: Launched an estore Motto: Be grateful for what you have. Inspiration: To have a beginner’s mind and be consistent to reach your goal. Last movie seen: Moneyball Last book you read: 5 people you meet in heaven.
These scripts are mirrors of how we actually are and what the truth is – it’s just cushioned because of the distance of the stage – but it’s a polite way of showing people the mirror,” she remarks. If only art could pay, all of us would have retired by now but sadly it doesn’t and so Firdous has a full-time job. She has been a part of the advertising industry for the past two years now and is also assisting a friend with his company by managing the content and planning their marketing strategies for them. That really is just a typical day for her.
Apart from a regular day’s chaos, she loves travelling alone and doing yoga. “I think it’s the most peaceful way of connecting with your body and mind. There is so much noise around us that we forget how important it is to tune in and relax and most importantly breathe. Yoga, for me, is a way to create a healthier environment inside so I am equipped with dealing with noise outside,” she explains. Her future plan is to retire at 40 and travel across India to mobilise funds to help Indian women who suffer from various human right injustice.
Muscle tearing out of the flesh, sweat dripping all over the t-shirt, the gym Jim is all manliness personified. Unfortunately, there are 30 such Jims at any given point of the day. And with a dainty woman trying her hands at lifting the oh-so-heavy barbells, every man wants to be her man – assist her in lifting them – doesn’t matter if they are just a kilogramme. Course, in the meantime, check out her vital stats and look for the remotest of indications of approval of his machismo. A coy smile, a thank you, a hug – just about anything! I am sure you will know these men, when you come across them.
17
SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012 1
2
1. Venkatesh & Karthi 2. VV Vinayak 3. Pranita Subhash
A dream launch The audio launch of Shaguni was held at Prasad Labs. The film stars Karthi and Pranita. 3
Design elegance
Designer Harish Akkishetty was seen at the launch of Stylista 2012 by IIFT at Firangi Pani, on Friday. DEEPAK DESHPANDE
Appreciating art
Harish Akkishetty & Shiv
Actor Nara Rohit was spotted at an art exhibition by Madhu Smitha on Friday. DEEPAK DESHPANDE
DEEPAK DESHPANDE
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RELATIONSHIPS SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
I AM ALL EARS
I
am 25. I have been in a relationship for the past three years. She comes from a very rich family and is very stingy with money. She expects me to buy her stuff and pay her bills everywhere. I hail from a middle class family and though I am a gentleman, I am a bit worried about her behaviour. How do I tell her?
Dear worried kid, This girlfriend of yours probably is saving for her dowry or belongs to the old school of thought where the man foots the bill. What were you doing all these years? When you realised she was only saving her father’s hard earned money and caring nothing about yours, you should have got the cue. Still, nothing is lost, you can always tell her that from now you can go dutch wherever you go, as you need to save for the future. If she gets the hint well and good.
S
ex sells, or at least that is what advertisers hope. A recent study from the University of Georgia looked at sexual ads appearing in magazines over 30 years and found that the numbers are up.The study showed sex is primarily used to sell low-risk products purchased on impulse. Products not using sex in their ads were charitable organisations and computer companies.This upward trend in erotic ads is a reflection of society.
Accounting in love FLEME VARKEY
fleme.v@postnoon.com
Love and trust may just take the backseat when money matters enter the fray. What role does money play in a couple’s lives?
A
definition of an ideal relationship would have key words like love, trust, understanding, respect and what not. But did you know that ‘money’ figures in this as well? Neha Singh, a chartered accountant in Mumbai, found out the hard way. She was in a relationship with a college friend of hers, Neha comes from an affluent family, and does not need to think twice before buying anything expensive. Initially, her friend used to ask her for money for minor things and used to return it as well. She never once doubted that there could be something amiss for he was a very loving and caring person. But a disclosure by another friend of hers, left her shocked. In a span of two years he had taken `4 lakh from her and she never realised. She then realised how important it money is in a relationship.
It’s hard to argue that financial compatibility/ stability does not play an important part in relationships. Larry Burkett, a noted American financial author once said,“Money is either the best or the worst area of communication in our marriages.” Anjali Menon’s experience somewhat justifies what Burkett says. Anjali earns more than her husband Atul but it has never been a problem between them. Apart from snide remarks from close relatives, nothing has been a deterrent to them. The couple have been married for six years now. She says,“Atul and I have our own financial goals. The bills, the groceries, school fees and the necessities of everyday life is taken care by him and my salary goes into investments, loan payments and savings. There has been no bickering over financial matters. It’s best if such details are discussed before marriage so that you don’t get any nasty financial surprises later on.” While dating usually the deciding factor in most relationships is who foots the first bill. Natasha D’Souza, a Bengalurubased computer engineer, says, “I am very particular about money matters. According to me, as long as I am meeting a person as a friend, I prefer to pay my share of the bill, but if I am to date that the person, I will decide only after seeing if
he foots the bill first. After that we can go dutch. I know it’s strange, but for me it means that the person is willing to share burdens equally if not pitch in more than his share.” Rahul Thakur, a Kolkatabased software engineer says, “My previous girlfriend was very rich, she could spend loads on her cosmetics, phones and movie tickets but when it came to footing bills at expensive restaurants or purchases she expected me to do so. I even confronted her with this and her reply was ‘you need to learn to be a gentleman’. I don’t mind spending for her, but always, is not possible specially when she knows it’s causing a hole in my pocket.” With his present girlfriend, Rahul has made it clear, that they would go dutch and his friend is only too happy with the arrangement. If your relationship with money is poles apart from that of your romantic partner, this could lead to clashes down the road when it’s time to share bank accounts and credit cards. So it’s always better to get the money aspect out of the way before embarking on any commitment of sorts.
Have a clear strategy Debts you had prior to marriage are yours alone —unless you actively merge them. n Be pragmatic about the assets you bring into a marriage. n Discuss bank accounts n Plan an emergency fund n For the unmarried: Have the money talk n
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CINEMA SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
T-TOWN TWEETIES @sayalibhagat
@ramsayz
Dis morning I woke up to a book dat has really enlightened me "Secret",it talks about how your thoughts become things..
Really happy with the response & tweets I've been getting...now I shall play d waiting game ☺....Love u all for ur support...☺
@Alwayscharan
@actor_Nikhil
Hello every1, kya bhat hai??
Lol 4 ppl worried that il go chubby with food...wait till i put up a pic this month end...
@taapsee
@snehaullalheart
@pnavdeep26
@tashu_02
Endukante premantha is 1 movie I really wanna watch. Let d reviews b, still il watch it for d lovely buzz it created b4 d release.
watching this to refresh memory http://t.co/8KrMEANu via @youtube
Just watched endukante premanta..... like it. ..
Whatever happens in your life, whatever your pain, there will always be sunshine after the rain. Trust GOD!
A soulless movie
Bad direction and writing play spoilsport for the film, despite spirited performances from its lead actors. HEMANTH KUMAR
hemanth.k@postnoon.com
E
ndhukante Premanta starts on an unusual note for a Telugu film and it’s quite clear that this isn’t a typical Karunakaran’s film. Of course, the lead actors still go to some of the most exotic locales in Europe and almost every frame looks visually stunning, but unlike most other Karunakaran’s film, this film lacks soul. Sravanthi (Tamannaah) is the daughter of India’s Ambassador to France. She
Movie: Endhukante Premanta Cast: Ram, Tamannaah Directed by: A Karunankaran Rating:
lives in Paris but hates the fact that she has to lead a caged life because of security concerns. When Ram lands in France on a business trip, he realises that he has been conned by his father so that he can learn how to take himself more seriously. One day he meets Sravanthi, who’s about to commit suicide. The rest of the
story is about why Sravanthi forces Ram to take her back to India and the story takes a whole new turn when Ram comes to know who actually Sravanthi is. Ram and Tamannaah come up with spirited performances in their respective roles. It’s their sheer chemistry which holds the film together for most part of the film but Karunakaran leaves too many threads open. After a point of time, the film tilts more towards the action than romance and the heart touching moments which were crucial for the film are few and far between. This could have been a much better film, if only bad direction and writing didn’t play spoilsport.
Vishwaroopam’s first look
K
amal Haasan unveiled the first look of his upcoming film Vishwaroopam at the IIFA, Singapore.Interacting with the media, he said, “Vishwaroopam is something that has been on my mind for nearly seven years. I hope it stays in my audiences’ mind for at least half that time.” He plays a Kathak dancer in the film and for that he underwent rigorous training under renowned Kathak dancer Birju Maharaj. The film boasts of mind blowing action sequences and most part of the action sequences were shot in US and Chennai. “Action sequences are easier to do than learn the intricacies of Kathak,” Kamal Haasan remarked. Vishwaroopam was simultaneously shot in Tamil and Hindi. Kamal Haasan and Prasad V Potluri have jointly produced the film and it stars Kamal Haasan, Rahul Bose, Pooja Kumar and Andrea Jeremiah in lead roles. Shankar Ehsaan Loy have composed the music and it’ll hit the screens later this year.
Samantha opts out of Kadal
S
amantha has reportedly opted out of Mani Ratnam’s upcoming film Kadal. The reason behind her decision is not clear yet and this sudden turn of events has indeed come as a surprise for many. Already, Mani Ratnam had shot most part of the film in a fishing village near Tuticorin. When Samantha was chosen for the film earlier this year, she was on cloud nine that she had bagged a lead role in a Mani Ratnam’s film. Now, Mani Ratnam is busy looking for a replacement. The film marks the debut of Gautham, son of Karthik, and it has Lakshmi Manchu and Arvind Swamy in key roles. AR Rahman is composing the music and Rajiv Menon is the cinematographer. Although Samantha has opted out of project, she’s still among the most sought after actresses in the Telugu and Tamil film industry.
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CINEMA SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
B-TOWN TWEETIES @sonamakapoor
@AnupamPkher
@udaychopra
@bipsluvurself
I wanna thank all the sonaholics for making me trend for my birthday!! I'm so so so touched!! Love u..
Heart never forgets. It sometimes pretends to do so. Do you people agree?:)
I love yoghurt‌there I said it!
Ready fr IIFA rocks in a Shivan &Narresh outfit! Looking fwd to an eve of fashion n music! http://pic. twitter.com/RT3sVcnb
@SrBachchan
@TheShilpaShetty
@MallikaLA
@priyankachopra
Novak beats Federer, could not watch final moment, switching to Euro, missed Greece equalizing .. miseries of channel surfing !!.
To all my tweetos a heartfelt Thankuuu to all fr all the beautiful Bday wishes..soo touchedâ˜ş a biiig hugg to all of ya.
Kettlebell training with ma FAV Sports Physio Heath Matthews http://pic.twitter.com/OIWIX nEh.
Wearing a gown ESP designed by @ManishMalhotra1 for the 60s vibe.. Will post pics!
A THRILLING CHASE
Dibakar Banerjee does it again. After an excellent trio of critically acclaimed movies LSD, Khosla ka Ghosla and Oye Lucky Lucky Oye, he does wonders with this one
Movie: Shanghai Cast: Abhay Deol, Kalki Koechlin, Emraan Hashmi, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Farooq Sheikh, Tillotama Shome Directed by: Dibakar Banerjee Rating:
Siddharth TSS feedback@postnoon.com
S
hanghai is a complete political thriller filled to the brim with espionage, deceit and lies right upto the climax. It boasts of an impressive star cast, a bold storyline and innovative screenplay. The plot
shows us how four lives are intertwined due to an assassination attempt on a prominent social worker played by Prosenjit Chatterjee. The attempt at first seems
like a case of drunk driving but further ahead, the movie delves into the cobwebs of politics and the exposes a corrupt totalitarian government. Thus begins the search for the truth behind the
hit and run which seems to be a wild goose chase as every political and police low life is turned into a scapegoat by politicians and high ranking officials to hide their sins.
Grander but blander R
idley Scott, director of Alien and Blade Runner, returns to the genre he helped define. With Prometheus, he creates a groundbreaking mythology, in which a team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a thrilling journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race. If Alien had some mystifying creatures then Scott's gorgeous new thriller has more moments of palpable paranoia and repulsion triggered by slithery creatures. Archaeologists Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and her partner Charlie Holloway (Logan
Movie: Prometheus Cast: Noomi Rapace, Elizabeth Shaw, Michael Fassbender, David Guy Pearce, Peter Weyland, Idris Elba, Janek, Logan Marshall Green, Charlize Theron, Directed by: Ridley Scott Marshall-Green) receive corporate sponsorship for an exploratory mission to the galaxy. The expedition was commissioned by ghostly corporate CEO Peter Weyland (Guy Pearce) and is directed by steely Miss Vickers (Charlize
Theron). Most of the scientific calculations are conducted by the ultra-precise and brilliant David, the android (Michael Fassbender). It will not come as a surprise to anyone that everything is not exactly sweetness and
light on the planet where the Prometheans land in search of those creative aliens. All kinds of awful, increasingly grotesque and horrific stuff starts to happen. Theron it seems has gotten into the groove of doing icy roles, but the real showstopper is Fassbender. Making up for the expected nature of some of the film's plot twists is Arthur Max's spooky, Dariusz Wolski's fluid cinematography, as well as Scott's moment-to-moment storytelling skill. Though the thrills here are less visceral than Alien and the world imagined less mind-altering than Blade Runner, those gifts continue to impress. Moreover a first attempt in 3D Scott delivers as promised.
Abhay Deol like always has been Mr. Dependable in this film too, his performance and his command over the screen is powerful in the role of TA Krishnan. Kalki seemed to have put her best foot forward with this role. Last but not the least Emraan Hashmi graces the screen with his impeccable timing of emotions and acting skills. The music of the film in no way seems tedious or pointless as they grace the screen by promoting its message with a beat but with a subtle touch to the lyrics. The movie ends perfectly with the right quantity of everything, with nothing over or under done.
High on adventure
W
e go back to where we last left off, rejoining Alex the Lion (Ben Stiller), Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock), Melman the Giraffe (David Schwimmer) and Gloria the Hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith) who are still in Africa, but getting homesick and yearn for their lives back in New York. Thinking that a travelling circus is the answer to their problems they mingle in. It's a zoo animal meets circus animal rivalry formed. There are colours galore with gags running wild, and plenty of humour to tickle your funny bone.
Movie: Madagacar 3 - Europe's most wanted Director: Eric Darnell
CINEMA SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
21
CINEMA SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
22
23
THE SATURDAY QUIZ SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
FAMOUS SPOUSES
maximum number of languages? 11. Which was the first movie sequel ever made? 12. Which country has the longest national anthem? 13. Which is the world’s most expensive chocolate? 14. Which is the largest coffee shop chain in the world?
15. Britain celebrated Queen Elizabeth’s 60th year as a monarch. When was the last diamond jubilee celebrated ? 16. Former Liberian President Charles Taylor was sentenced to 50 years imprisonment for committing atrocities in which country?
IDENTIFY THESE TYPES OF PRINT
IDENTIFY THE BETTER HALVES
1
He shares his debut with the crooner Himesh Reshammiya. He is known for doing bold scenes and has earned the tag of serial kisser. He is married to Parveen Shahani and is a relative of Mahesh Bhatt. Who is he ?
Answers
6. Which is the cleanest river in the world? 7. Which is the smallest bone in the human body? 8. Which is the largest peninsula in the world? 9. Which country has the largest rail network? 10.Which is the book which has been published in the
1. Amazon 2.Dara Torres 3.Sputnik 1 4. Melbourne Cricket Ground 5. The cure for insomnia 6. River Thames 7.Stapes or Stirrup 8.Arabian Peninsula 9. United States 10 Bible 11."Fall of a Nation" (1916), a follow-up to "Birth of a Nation" (1915) 12.Greece 13. Amedei Porcelana 14. Starbucks 15. 1897 16.Sierra Leone
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
NAME THEM WHOSE SAID THESE WORDS?
1 2 3 4 5 6
Try not to become a man of success but a man of value. To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first.
2
Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man.
Married to Miroslava Vavrinec, this sportsman is one of the top tennis players. He also holds the record of winning the most number of grand slams. He has two kids and he belongs to Switzerland. Who is he ?
Winners are not different people. They are people who do things differently.
3
He started off as amodel, then moved to movies. His dashing looks don’t quite compliment his acting skills though. He is married to the beautiful model Mehr Jessia and runs a production company. Recently he acted as a villain in a Shah Rukh Khan production. He was also seen in Farhan Akhtar’s debut movie. Who is he ?
The Rainbow Nation starts here. Reconciliation starts here. A good compromise, a good piece of legislation, is like a good sentence; or a good piece of music. Everybody can recognise it. They say, 'Huh. It works. It makes sense.'
3. Arjun Rampal
Answers: 1Emraan Hashmi 2. Roger Fedrer
7
Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.
Which is the longest canal in India? Which is the city with the highest crime rate in India?
When did the first electric train in India run?
1.Chikan 2.Handblock print 3. Kalamkari 4. Warli
Which king introduced the first Indian rupee?
Answer:
Who is the first Indian to win an Oscar?
Answer:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1.Albert Einstein 2.William Shakespeare 3.Swami Vivekananda 4.Shiv Khera 5.Nelson Mandela 6. Barack Obama 7.Oprah Winfrey
KNOW YOUR COUNTRY
PICTURE PUZZLE 18
In which language was the first Indian film made ?
with Santosh Ghule
Which state in India has the largest fleet of buses?
His father is overseeing the boy. Spot him.
WHO AM I? I was born in Haryana and brought up in Delhi. I graduated from IHM Pusa in 1984. One of my cookery shows is the longest running shows of its kind in Asia. I recently lauched my own channel in January 2011 dedicated to my profession. Who am I ?
Answer: Sanjeev Kapoor
1. Where was the world’s largest tortoise found? 2. Who is the oldest Olympic swimming medalist? 3. What is the name of the world’s first artificial satellite? 4. Which is the biggest cricket stadium in the world? 5. Which is the longest movie ever made?
17: On the banks of the river is the form of a woman. Answer for
1.Indira Canal 2. Delhi 3.Bhanu Athaiya 4. Sher Shah Suri 5. 1925 6. Marathi 7. Andhra Pradesh
Answers
24
CHAI TIME SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
SOLUTION ON PAGE 32
SUDOKU
KAKURO
How to play Kakuro
SCRIBBLING PAD
Kakuro is a popular game similar to sudoku in some ways. But is also suitably different. The key question: ‘How do you play kakuro?’, well here are the rules of kakuro. The answer: The kakuro grid, unlike in sudoku, can be of any size. It has rows and columns, and dark cells like in a crossword. And, just like in a crossword, some of the dark cells will contain numbers. Some cells will contain two numbers. However, in a crossword the numbers reference clues. In a kakuro, the numbers are all you get! They denote the total of the digits in the row or column referenced by the number. Within each collection of cells — called a run — any of the numbers 1 to 9 may be used but, like sudoku, each number may only be used once. Let’s have an example to explain this concept more clearly: In the image above, which shows a section of a kakuro puzzle, you will see the numbers ‘26’ and ‘14’ in the top row. Look at the 14. This means that the total of the three cells underneath must sum to 14. Therefore 9, 4, 1 could be the answer, or perhaps 7, 4, 3 and so on... So, how do you work out the actual combination? Well, this is done through elimination and cross-referencing. For instance, as you work out the answers for other kakuro clues, this will naturally limit the valid combinations, and hence the answer for this particular run. Note the second cell in row two — it contains two numbers, 30 and 11. The 30 refers to the vertical run underneath the number 30 and the 11 refers to the two cells to the right, horizontally, of the number 11.
Generally speaking, there is more wit than talent in the world. Society swarms with witty people who lack talent. – Antoine Rivarol
QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Book of memories 6 B-52 initials 10 Kiln 14 Five-in-a-row game 15 Agra wrap 16 Aptly named citrus fruit 17 Beaus 19 Like dimes 20 Rank below lieutenant junior grade 21 Destroy en masse 23 Sounds of disapproval 25 Agcy known to shoot for the stars 26 Alcohol chaser? 29 Congers 31 Immature insects 35 ‘... and neither ___’ 36 Automatic learning method 38 Chicken Little's fallen sky 39 Figures in some Renaissance paintings 43 Shout of approval 44 September's number 45 ‘Gloria in excelsis ___’ 46 ‘The only thing we have to fear is fear ___’ 48 Replica 50 Nine-digit ID 51 Surprise police tactic 53 Charged atoms 55 Like candlelit dinners 59 Grassy expanse 63 What lurks in the hearts of men 64 One at the wedding 66 Farmer's place, perhaps 67 Bone below a humerus 68 One year's record 69 Withdrawn Canadian bills 70 Large-pawed, short-tailed cat 71 ‘Designing Women’ actress Annie DOWN 1 Cherbourg cleric 2 Ex-boxer Spinks 3 Chestnut mounts 4 Out of shape
5 ‘The Murders in the Rue ___’ 6 Employ 7 Kind of bag, bank or bar 8 ‘All the world's a stage’ monologue setting 9 Financial 10 Walk farther than, in a procession 11 Turkish chief 12 Buttonhole, essentially 13 Feature of a fork 18 Type of hospital worker 22 ‘I, Robot’ author Asimov 24 ‘McSorley's Bar’ painter 26 Common sonnet line quintet 27 Quick on the uptake 28 ‘Golden touch’ king 30 Not at all flighty
32 Cancels, as a check 57 1,760 yards 33 Southeastern French 58 Didi of ‘Grease’ and city ‘Grease 2’ 34 Conclude with 60 Half a quart 37 Yawner's feeling 61 ‘Fall’ attachment 40 Mr Green Jeans 62 90-degree building wore these extensions 41 ‘The Dark Knight’ 65 Tussaud's medium director Christopher 42 Throw off the PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER throne 47 Like a bad night's sleep 49 Snare 52 Something remarkable 54 Musical repetition mark 55 Change the wallpaper 56 ‘Sweeney Todd’ hot spot
25
CHAI TIME SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
Aries
Taurus
Gemini
Cancer
Leo
Virgo
Justice
The Fool
Four of Wands
The Hanged Man
The Chariot
Queen of Pentacles
W
ork – Keep the communication lines clear and open at the work place. Report to your boss of all happenings, however minute. Romance – You cannot treat a relationship using a formula. It is not a robot-like existence that will work. Feel, emote and give in. Health – It might be a good idea to ape the lifestyle of someone whom you adore. If it a fit body you crave, follow the lifestyle of someone with a fit body. Money –When you hand over money, make sure you have a record of it. Keep all receipts and acknowledgements safely. Tarot message – Do not judge someone if you do not know what all they have been through in life.
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ork – Don’t compare your salary or work responsibilities with others because that is always likely to make you unsatisfied. Be content with what you have. Romance – There are many feelings deep down within you that need an outlet. You need to share your thoughts with your close friends/ partner. Health – Try going organic and eating healthy. Change your diet to a healthier one and see the difference on your body. Money – See if you can pool resources for a project instead of putting in all the finances yourself. You divide the risk this way. Tarot message – Your mindset will determine what kind of life you will lead. You can feel free even in a dungeon if your mind thinks it.
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ork – You feel like a dwarf when you look at the other achievements of those around you. But don’t let it bother you and your aim to be better in what you do. Romance – Time to woo your loved ones with something they like. It need not always be diamonds or fine dining or exotic vacations. It can be simpler things, too. Health – Get a thorough test done if you are unsure about a health problem that is eating into your energy and time. Money –If you live in a rented place, there’s a chance that your landlord will trouble you. You may be asked to make adjustments. Tarot message – Your reputation is everything to you. You want to protect it.
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ork – Work – You might do well by bonding with your boss. Over dinner or a game of golf, maybe? Don’t isolate yourself at the work place. Romance – There are many colours in a relationship and you should experience them all. Do not hesitate to try new things. Health – An old photo album, rich with memories, will make you want to go back to the past, and to simpler times, if only temporarily. Money –Your bank balance needs to match up to your lifestyle. If it doesn’t, then you need to cut a few corners in your showy lifestyle. Tarot message – The ladder to success is before you. You can choose to take it depending on how you perceive success.
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ork – If there is a manuscript you have worked out but don’t have the confidence to show anyone, this is a good time to conquer that fear. Romance – Go on an adventurous trip with your loved one. You will both feel energised and recharged, both professionally and romantically. Health – Keep your appointment with the physiotherapist and do not take it lightly, although the benefits may not be visible to you just yet. Money – Be diplomatic while dealing with money. You may get into a difficult situation of lending/borrowing money. Tarot message – Create work-life balance as best as possible. You are not getting back this time. You need to enjoy all facets of this time in your life.
SUMAA TEKUR tarotreadhyd@gmail.com
Libra
Scorpio
Page of Cups
The Wheel of Fortune
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ork – Your writing and communication skills will be put to the test. Make sure you have a way of expressing ideas without hurting anyone else. Romance – There is confusion over a potential romantic partner. If you’re not sure, don’t jump into a commitment. Wait it out. Health – Negative thoughts can be very harmful to your mental as well as physical health. Try to stay cheerful and be as positive as possible. Money – Choose an investment option that secures you. Seek advice from a good finance person and manage your finance portfolio in a professional manner. Tarot message – Planning and preparation are everything. Despite that, life may not go as planned.
ork – You are stretching yourself too much and need a break. Your stress is showing on the quality of work as well. Take time out. Romance – Catch a movie or go out to dinner on a week night. Break the routine and bring the passion back into your life. Health – Be careful of the foods you’re eating and where you drink water from. The season change might affect your health. Money – Stay in charge of your money and make sure you have enough funds locked away in a safe place for a rainy day. Tarot message – Write down your thoughts if you cannot share them with anyone. Make sure your emotions have an outlet from your system.
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Sagittarius Seven of Pentacles
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ork –Before you blame someone else for something that’s going wrong at the work place, you need to look within yourself. Romance – Change the scene with your partner. Go to a restaurant and spend time talking about your day instead of doing it at home while doing laundry. Health – There are options before you in how to treat a chronic health issue. Don’t be overwhelmed by the pain. Think in a practical way. Money –When the markets are looking down, there are ways to reduce the losses. Don’t lose the rupees while counting the paisa. Tarot message – Treat yourself to some metime. This is needed every now and then to connect with your inner self.
Capricorn
Date 10-6-2012
Aquarius
Five of Swords
The Hermit
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ork – There are many things you may not know about your own field of expertise. Obtain new knowledge. Don’t be content in the false impression that you know it all. Romance – Nursing a broken heart is never easy. Take time off to do things that you enjoy. Be kind to yourself. Health – Clear your doubts by taking a second opinion from another doctor. It is not necessary that good doctors all work only in big hospitals. Money – There is a structure to managing money. A finance advisor should be able to help you. Tarot message – Finding yourself in the spiritual growth is an important part of your journey. Don’t stop looking and you will make headway.
ork – There is a need to upgrade your skills if you are ambitious and want to climb greater heights in your career. Pick up a few new skills. Romance – Self-help books tell you how to attract new love into your life. If you’re single, you know why, and it may be deliberate, too. Health – Trying to treat one health problem might unleash a whole can of worms with problems inter-connected. One thing at a time. Money – A partnership is a good idea instead of trying to do something on your own. Your investments will be thought through. Tarot message – There is no need to explain your actions to anyone else but ask yourself if you are uncomfortable with some of your decisions.
ork – A situation may catapult on you at a time when you least expect it to. Keep calm and show that you can work with a cool head in the most trying circumstances. Romance – A holiday to an exotic location can bring your partner and you closer together. You discover wonderful new things about each other. Health – Mental stress and anxiety is taking a toll on you. How about hiring an assistant to take care of planning your schedule? Money –You will have to use your disposable income in a way that your investments and EMIs are not affected. Don’t try to stretch yourself too much. Tarot message – Clear your thoughts and approach situations on a fresh slate.
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Pisces Two of Swords
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ork – There are many things you need to operate. You will be expected to take on new jobs in unfamiliar areas, too. Romance – The image of yourself you project will be important in also enhancing your self esteem. Don’t be harsh on yourself. Health – Apply yourself to the healing process even if it isn’t a very serious issue that bothers your day-to-day functioning. Money – Avoid lending or borrowing money. You cannot afford to do that in these difficult times. If you have borrowed money, aim at returning it quickly. Tarot message – Synchronicity plays a very crucial role in life. Some people call it a type of karma. What you’re going through now is difficult but needed for your growth.
Vol: 1, No 328 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
2012 LONDON OLYMPICS
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DID YOU KNOW...? n The great boxers of Ancient Greece were famed for their defensive boxing style – known as atravmatistos or uninjured fighting. n The two boxers in an Olympic bout are allocated a corner, red or blue, and must wear clothing of the same colour.
LEGENDS OF THE SPORT Muhammad Ali (born January 17, 1942) Before boxer Muhammad Ali became one of the most famous people in the world, he was Cassius Clay, an 18-year-old competing in the Light Heavyweight event at the Rome 1960 Games. He won all four of his fights easily and overcame three-time European champion Zbigniew Pietrzykowski in the final to take the gold medal.
Teofilo Stevenson (born March 29, 1952) is one of only three men to win three Olympic Games Boxing gold medals, with his all-action style helping him triumph in the Heavyweight division at consecutive Games. Stevenson headed into the 1972 Games with a reputation as a dangerous fighter. After a memorable quarters victory over competition Duane Bobick, he progressed to win gold.
PUNCH DRUNK LOVE
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DAYS TO GO
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n An Olympic Boxing glove weighs 284 grams (10 ounces). During the Games, competitors will get through 432 pairs of gloves.
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TALLY 2008
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CHINA RUSSIA ITALY
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MEDAL EVENTS
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2 2 1
1 0 1
1 1 1
August 9 Women’s Fly (51kg) Women’s Light (60kg) Women’s Middle (75kg) August 11Men’s Light Fly (49kg) Men’s Bantam (56kg) Men’s Light Welter (64kg) Men’s Middle (75kg) Men’s Heavy (91kg) August 12Men’s Fly (52kg) Men’s Light (60kg) Men’s Welter (69kg) Men’s Light Heavy (81kg) Men’s Super Heavy (+91kg)
BOXING: The ever-popular men’s Boxing events are joined on the Olympic programme by women’s events for the first time. Boxing featured at the original Olympic Games in the 7th century BC, when opponents fought with strips of leather wrapped around their fists. The sport’s regulations were codified in 1867 as the Marquess of Queensberry Rules.
FIELD
INDIA’S HOPE
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BOXING
36 34 33 32 31
AT
GAMES
Since the first Olympic Boxing competition in St Louis 1904, many of the
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OF PLAY
The boxing ring is 6.1m x 6.1m inside the ropes, which are 1.32m high.
Hook: a short, sideways-thrown punch delivered with a bent elbow Jab: an arm’s-length, straight-thrown punch Standing eight count: a precautionary count during which the referee allows a boxer time to recover from a heavy blow or series of blows. Throw in the towel: the traditional way for a boxer’s assistant to concede defeat for the boxer before the end of the contest. sport’s biggest names have come to prominence at the Games: Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali;
THE VENUE
Vijender Singh Vijender Singh is a boxer from Haryana. At the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, he won the bronze medal after losing the semifinal bout against Kazakhstan’s Bakhtiyar Artayev. At the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, he defeated Carlos Góngora of Ecuador 9–4 in the quarterfinals which guaranteed him a bronze medal—the first ever Olympic medal for an Indian boxer.
THE LINGO
E
xCeL is the largest competition venue at the London 2012 Games. Experienced at staging major events, it is made up of different five arenas, each of which will host a different sport at London 2012. ExCeL opened in 2000
1960), George Foreman (1968) and Oscar de la Hoya (1992) have all won Olympic gold in the past.
THE
BASICS
The Olympic Boxing competition will feature 10 men’s weight categories. Men’s bouts take place over three rounds of three minutes each; women’s bouts are four rounds of two minutes each. Boxers score points for every punch they land successfully on their opponent’s head or upper body. If a boxer is knocked to the ground and fails to get up within a count of 10 from the referee, the bout is over. Competition format Both the men’s and women’s Boxing events are run in a single elimination format. The draws for the men’s
weight categories contain either 16, 26 or 28 boxers, depending on the category. The women start with a draw of 16 or at the quarters stage. The winners of the semis in each category compete for the gold. The losers of the semis are awarded a bronze.
OFFICIALS
A referee is in the ring. The wellbeing of the boxer is the primary concern of the referee, who also ensures that all hits are legal, provides the count when a boxer is down, and has the power to stop the fight at any time. Five judges sit at the side of the Boxing ring. They watch the bout and individually award points for what they judge to be successful hits.
EXCEL as an international conference and exhibition centre in London’s Docklands, and was expanded in 2010. Experienced at staging major events, it is ideally placed to host the biggest cluster of Olympic and Paralympic events outside of the Olympic Park.
No construction was required to create ExCeL’s five arenas for London
2012. Several test events were held at the venue in 2011 to ensure the venue was ready to stage the Games. After the Games, ExCeL will revert to its role as one of Europe’s largest and most versatile exhibition spaces.
SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
COOK’S DREAM ENDS LONDON:
European Taekwondo champion Aaron Cook’s hopes of going to the London Olympics are over after the British Olympic Association (BOA) ratified GB Taekwondo’s controversial decision to omit him on Friday. In a statement, the BOA said their Olympic Qualification Standards (OQS) panel — including Team GB chief Andy Hunt and former England rugby coach Clive Woodward — had reached a “unanimous” decision to leave out Cook and take Lutalo Muhammad to represent Great Britain in the Men’s under-80 kg weight category instead. GB Taekwondo’s repeated failure to nominate Cook — the world number one in his weight class and who won a second successive European title last month — has been one of the more baffling controversies in the run-up to the London Olympics. Muhammad will have to drop down a weight category to compete in his place, but GB Taekwondo had always insisted that they had sound reasons for their decision. The BOA statement said: “British Taekwondo did in fact follow its approved selection procedures and did comply with the directives given to it by an earlier Appeal Panel and the OQS Panel.
DAYS TO GO
Athletes pledge to fight doping
BEIJING: China’s Olympic athletes
“The decision to ratify the nomination was taken following an extensive review of the selection process followed by British Taekwondo.” The BOA did however criticise GB Taekwondo for the way in which their selection process was handled. “There are two world-class athletes directly impacted by this nomination, and our panel would have preferred to see the selection process managed in a manner that would have been of much greater service to both athletes,” said Hunt. “With two exceptionally talented athletes in consideration for one place, there is no doubt this was a difficult decision for the British
It is an absolute disgrace that a British world number one has not been selected for the London Olympics Statement released by Aaron Cook’s management Taekwondo Selection Committee, which makes following the approved selection procedures all the more important.” Cook, 21, believes his decision to drop out of GB Taekwondo’s elite training programme and go it alone has counted against him.
His management company later issued a statement calling the decision a “disgrace”. “Aaron is naturally incredibly disappointed with the BOA decision,” said the statement. “It is an absolute disgrace that a British world number one has not been selected for the London Olympics by either his governing body or Olympic Association. “We urge the World Taekwondo Federation to consider the ramifications of this flawed decision for their great sport. “Aaron will be considering whether he wishes to pursue a legal route to contest this decision over the weekend.”
Savage into Oz reserves SYDNEY: Dumped rower Pippa Savage has been selected as a nontravelling reserve to the Australian team for next month’s London Olympics, Rowing Australia said on Friday. Savage was last month axed from the Olympic women’s quad team due to “incompatibility issues” among the crew as tensions escalated on the water in a Swiss lead-up event to London. Rowing Australia (RA) said Friday’s decision fol-
lowed lengthy discussions and at Savage’s request it did not require the original appeal against her removal from the women’s quadruple scull to be heard. “I’m pleased with the outcome,” Savage said in a statement. “My goal to get to a second Olympic Games is still a possibility. I’ll continue to train hard.” RA chief executive Andrew Dee said the agreement was acceptable to both parties. “The matter of Pippa’s selection is now settled,” Dee said. “She has accepted a position as a non-travelling reserve.”
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and coaches must vow to reject performance enhancing substances and pass an exam on doping if they want to participate in the London Games, state press said Friday. Athletes have began gathering at Beijing’s national sports training centre where they must take an oath before the nation’s flag and vow to remain clean at the London Olympics, the China Daily reported on its website. “Athletes and coaches are qualified to join the national team when they have passed the exam, vowed to abide by anti-doping, and signed the commitment letter," Shen Chunde, a top track and field official, said. Chinese athletes have remained relatively free from doping scandals since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In the run-up to London, many Chinese athletes are swearing off meat out of fears that domestic pork, beef and lamb could contain substances like clenbuterol which has been used to raise Chinese livestock, state media said earlier this year.
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Becks in GB prov squad LONDON: David Beckham’s dream of Olympic participation was given a boost after he was included in Britain’s 35-man provisional squad. The announcement of Stuart Pearce’s final 18-man squad will be made on July 6 and Beckham, if confirmed, would appear as one of three permitted overage players. Giggs, Bellamy, Rio Ferdinand and Lampard have also been mentioned as candidates.
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SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
BEAUTY
&
Germany's Flick apologises for 'helmets' faux pas
THE BEST
England players make sombre Auschwitz trip
Germany's assistant coach Hansi Flick on Friday apologised for the faux pas he made after suggesting the Germans should "wear steel helmets and stand tall" against Portugal in their Euro 2012 match. Flick made the remark in Poland, when asked how Germany should defend their goal from Portugal's dead-ball specialist Cristiano Ronaldo.
England's footballers paid a sombre visit to the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau on Friday in a show of respect to the estimated 1.3 million people killed at the site. Manager Roy Hodgson and Football Association chairman David Bernstein led a group of players to the camp roughly 64 kilometres from England's Krakow training base.
In group of death Ronaldo holds key LVIV, UKRAINE: Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo said his side could spring a surprise at Euro 2012 and “has the advantage of not being favourite” as they prepare to tackle Germany on Saturday. “I am not nervous. we feel fine — though maybe the tension will rise by tomorrow being the day of the match. yet now I am not nervous — the team is in good shape and well prepared,” he insisted. Earlier, coach Paulo Bento had refused to answer questions about the effect of media criticism following some poor warmup form — including last week’s loss at home to Turkey. Ronaldo, who first sprang to international prominence in the Euro 2004 run to the final where Greece beat Portugal in the final, dismissed the broadsides.
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Feminists flash breasts against Euro WARSAW: Ukraine’s mediasavvy feminist group Femen went topless on Friday in Warsaw to denounce a potential spike in prostitution during the Euro 2012 football championships. Just ahead of kick off, the four women suddenly appeared amid a crowd of thousands of fans and proceeded to press up against an entrance to Warsaw’s new national stadium. The message “Fuck Euro” was scrawled in large lettering across their bare breasts, followed by “2012” on their stomachs. It was repeated on their backs. They also screamed their message non-stop at the top of their lungs and used extinguishers to spray the crowd with foam. An army of onlookers and photographers immediately swarmed the women before police loaded them into a van. “Politicians spent money to build stadiums but they did nothing to resolve other problems, including that of prostitution in the two countries” cohosting the tournament, Poland and Ukraine, one of the Femen AFP women told reporters.
Germany vs Portugal 12.15am (Sunday) Neo Sports “I am very saddened by the criticism — but no, we are well prepared,” said Ronaldo, who was on the losing side twice against the Germans in major finals the third-place play-off in the 2006 World Cup and the Euro 2008 quarter-finals. “We are in a very tough group” which also includes Holland and Denmark “along with very technically gifted teams. But we must play without pressure and take pleasure in it. “Portugal’s advantage is that we are not one of the favourites, hence there is less pressure.” AFP
Olsen jealous of favourites Dutch Benoit Noel
KHARKIV, UKRAINE: Denmark’s veteran coach Morten Olsen admitted on Friday he was jealous of his side’s opening Euro 2012 opponents Netherland and cast his side as Group B underdogs. The 62-year-old — the only man to have been capped and
coached a national side over 100 times — said he wasn’t being overly pessimistic just realistic as his side is in the ‘Group of Death’ which also includes three-time champions Germany and Portugal, who the Danes edged in their qualifying group. “I am a little jealous when I see the Dutch,” said Olsen, who has been in charge since 2000
Netherland vs Denmark 9.30pm (Saturday) Neo Sports and has guided the Danes to four major finals. “They are clearly the favourites. It is not me being pes-
simistic but realism. “That is not to say that I do not have great hopes for my team. We qualified in impressive fashion after all. But if we look at the talent of the Dutch, it is not lying to say they are the favourites. And it is not me bluffing. This will still be the case for us against Germany and AFP Portugal.”
SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
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Red pace too hot for hapless Czechs
Barnaby Chesterman
WROCLAW, POLAND: A vibrant Russia took command of Group A on the opening day of the European Championships with a 4-1 win over the Czech Republic here on Friday. Alan Dzagoev notched a brace with Roman Shirokov and Roman Pavlyuchenko grabbing one each as Russia went two points clear at the top of the group following the earlier 1-1 draw between co-hosts Poland and Greece. It was a statement of intent from a team many are starting to regard as more than just outsiders for overall victory. For the Czechs though, Vaclav Pilar’s strike was scant consolation from a poor showing. Russia seemed disjointed at the beginning and it was the Czechs who bossed the opening exchanges as Dick Advocaat’s team struggled to find their rhythm. But once they did, they carved Michal Bilek’s team open in ruthless fashion. A clever backheel from Arshavin set Yuri Zhirkov free at the byline and his cross found Aleksandr Kerzhakov, but he couldn’t direct his sidefooted finish on target. Yet within 60 seconds Russia were in front. Dzagoev capitaised on two
Czechs bumping into each other in midfield to surge forwards and release Konstantin Zyryanov down the right. He picked out Kerzhakov at the back post and when his header came back off the upright it was Dzagoev who arrived on the scene in the right place and at the right time to drill home. Dzagoev then wasted a great chance as he took a wild swing with a wood from the green when played in on the right by Kerzhakov. But on 23 minutes it was two as Arshavin played an incisive ball into the box and although it was an inch too far in front of Kerzhakov, Shirokov sneaked in around the back to dink the ball over Petr Cech. The Czechs produced little in terms of clear-cut chances but Jan Rezek flicked a header into Vyacheslav Malafeev’s arms before sending a weak shot straight at the goalkeeper. Another sweeping Russian move with Shirokov breaking from deep ended with Kerzhakov blazing high over the bar. The second period began with a strangely muted atmosphere but seven minutes in it was livened up as Jaroslav Plasil sliced open the Russian defence and Pilar skipped around Malafeev before sliding AFP the ball home.
GNIEWINO: Spain are certainly missing their top scorer David Villa as they look to defend their Euro title — but they retain plenty of firepower with the likes of Fernando Torres having seemingly rediscovered his form of late and Alvaro Negredo and Fernando Llorente staking their claims for glory. Llorente is out in particular to show that there is not ‘only one Fernando’ who has hit all the headlines and the back of the net after his 29 goals in 48 games last season for Bilbao — including a superlative effort which helped knock Manchester United out of the Europa League.
EURO 2012 STANDINGS GROUP A Russia Greece Poland Czech
P 1 1 1 1
W 1 0 0 0
D 0 1 1 0
L 0 0 0 1
F 4 1 1 1
A 1 1 1 4
Pt 3 1 1 0
(played, won, drawn, lost, for, against, points)
TOP GOAL SCORERS 2 goals: Dzagoev (RUS) 1 goal: Lewandowski (POL), Pavlyuchenko (RUS), Pilar (CZE), Salpingidis (GRE), Shirokov (RUS)
Their passing game was too good: Bilek
Robert shines in drawn clash Jonathan Fowler
WARSAW: Poland striker
Poland’s Robert Lewandowski (L) scores past Greek goalkeeper Kostas Chalkias during their Euro 2012 match on Friday. AFP/ARIS MESSINIS
Torres, Llorente stake claim for glory
Robert Lewandowski has set out his stall as a player to watch at Euro 2012, but his goal against Greece in the tournament opener can’t hide the fact that by drawing 1-1, the co-hosts now have their work cut out to progress. The 23-year-old Borussia Dortmund star sent Poland fans wild in the sold-out, 56,000capacity National Stadium in Warsaw as the tournament kicked off, hounding the Greek defence.
His 17th-minute header looked to have set the tone for home fans hankering after Polish football’s glory days of the 1970s and 1980s, and his performance won him the man of the match award. “This young player here is one of the players to watch at the tournament,” said Peter Schmeichel. “He was absolutely the best player on the pitch.” Poles will be hoping Lewandowski can shine again in Tuesday’s crunch match with Russia, who thrashed the Czech Republic 4-1 in the other Group A match on Friday. AFP
WROCLAW, POLAND: Czech coach Michal Bilek admitted Russia’s passing game had been too much for his side as they went down 4-1 to the Group A favourites in their European Championships opener on Friday. Despite a bright opening the Czechs soon fell two goals behind and although they briefly rallied early in the second period, they were well beaten by the final whistle. “I think we started well in the first 15 minutes, our passing was good and we created some chances but didn’t finish them off,” said Bilek. “But then we lost the ball in our opponents’ half, they broke quickly and that was our mistake,” he added.
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SPORTS SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012
NEON ARGON RADON HELIUM HYDROGEN
Scrabble
Suduko
Boggle Number game
SOLUTIONS
Ferrari in top gear MONTREAL: Ferrari pair Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa said they were happy with the improved performance of their cars after some positive times during Friday’s practice sessions for the Canadian Grand Prix. Despite fears that Ferrari would struggle to match the pace of rival teams, a new and improved exhaust system helped Spaniard Alonso and Brazilian Massa to finish the day second and third fastest
respectively, around a tenth of a second slower than pace-setter Briton Lewis Hamilton of McLaren.
Green balm to relieve pain Allan Kelly
PARIS: Sweep away the clay, bring on the grass summed up Roger Federer’s emotions after his French Open defeat to Novak Djokovic on Friday. The Swiss star lost in straight sets 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 to the top seed from Serbia in a semi-final encounter that left him on a record 16 Grand Slam titles, the last coming over two years ago at the 2010 Australian Open. It was a poor performance from Federer, by his own superlative standards, and it brought down the curtain on a claycourt season that, for him, was a damp squib
after a promising few months. “That’s how it goes sometimes. I’ve got to change things around now for grass anyway,” he said. I’m looking forward to that. It’s been a difficult clay court season. I wasn’t in the best shape physically, to be quite honest. It gives me a little bit of a lift, coming into the grass court season.”
McIlroy leads at St Jude MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE: Reigning US Open champ Rory McIlroy fired a fiveunder 65 to seize a onestroke lead at the $5.6 million St Jude Classic on Friday, snapping a string of three consecutive missed cuts. McIlroy birdied three of his last four holes to equal his lowest PGA Tour round of the year. He also had an
eagle, five birdies and two bogeys. “It’s nice to see my name on that part of the leaderboard,” McIlroy said. “It’s not nice when you’re struggling to make the cut on a Friday afternoon. It was great. It’s nice to be through to the weekend obviously. It’s obviously even nicer to be leading and have a great chance.” AFP
Baseball Premier League 1st Match BVM Group Pirates (7 runs) bt CEA Giants (6 runs) 2nd Match CEA Giants (10 runs) drew with Mylan Yankees (10 runs)
3rd Match Abijit Dogers (7 runs) bt CEA Giants (3 runs) 4th Match Karvy Braves (2 runs) bt Abhijit Pro-fit Smashers (0)
The two drivers said they were impressed with the new exhaust system but refused to get carried away. Double world champion Alonso said: “I am pleased with the way things went. This morning, we concentrated mainly on evaluating some new updates. “The first indications seem to be positive, but it is much too soon to draw any conclusions as Friday times should never be AFP taken at face value.”