Postnoon E-Paper for 11 February 2012 by Scribble Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

We’ve put on some new clothes, and dolled up, just for you. The spanking new Postnoon weekend edition brings to you a wealth of content packaged to make your reading experience a thoroughly enjoyable one.

WE’VE GOT A BRAND NEW LOOK

Editor’s note on Pg 9 WWW.POSTNOON.COM

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012 HYDERABAD

32 PAGES

ON SATURDAY

DA DE R K SC N EN ES DS S

ign a f ra Blac Po ora atal mp k m stn nt p an a cu oon in ath tly t gic ltu in the thr ea re ve C ou rs ste stig ity gh ep ate an th ed s d e in a m Sta blo or te. od bid .

PENNY MATHEWS

REPORT ON PG 4 & 9

FL ASH CITY BOY, STUDYING IN LSBM STABBED IN LONDON

ity boy, Praveen Reddy, studying in London School of Business Management, was stabbed by unidentified assailants late on Friday. His parents are trying for a visa to go there. Further details are awaited.

REMOVE POLITICAL STOOGES FROM RTI, SAY PROTESTERS

sizeable number of RTI activists under the banner of United Forum for RTI today staged a dharna demanding four of the eight newly named commissioners for Information Commission be dropped as they are political appointments. Forum leaders said they had met the chief minister and governor but neither committed to reviewing the list. The Forum vowed to step up the stir.

A peek into Laad Bazaar Pg 16&17

PAGE TWO SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU KID

Musical tribute A musical tribute to Late Ghazal Maestro Jagjit Singh will be held.Head to Lamakaan for an memorable and soulful music. Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills When: February 11, 7.30pm Contact: 9642731329

International pizza festival Pizza lovers this is the news for you! News Cafe is host to the International Pizza Festival. Where: News Cafe, Inorbit Mall, Hitech City When: Ongoing, 12.30pm Contact: (040) 64603341

A suitable lunch Syn presents three lunch offers to suit your needs. There is a lunch for those in a hurry, a lunch for the calorie conscious and a lunch for those who are planning a reunion with pals. Where: Taj Deccan, Banjara Hills When: Everyday, 12pm onwards Contact: (040) 66663939

Numaish A childhood favourite of every Hyderabadi, The All India Industrial Exhibition is on. Where: Exhibition Grounds, Nampally When: Ongoing

Martini ‘n music Enjoy winter evenings with martinis and crooner Kelly. Where: Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills When: Every Evening Contact: (040) 66662323

Lunch specials Nautanki Galli offers its expansive lunch buffet. Where: Nautanki Galli, Madhapur When: Everyday, 12:30 pm onwards Contact: 7893010000

Anniversary celebrations Bottles and Chimney is celebrating it’s 9th Anniversary. The celebrations are on from February 9 to February 14. Where: Bottles and Chimney When: Ongoing Contact: (040) 77664646

Cognac and Cigar The Seasons Bar opens up again as a Cigar and Cognac lounge with a wide selection of cognac, rare whiskies, single malts and cigars. Where: Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing, 7pm Contact: (040) 66662323

Get my food-Pronto!

CINEMAS

Students strike a pose at the Charminar during an excursion. For those looking for great food but don’t have the time for a leisurely meal head to Prego at the Westin for a quick 45-min Where: Prego, Westin, Madhapur When: Ongoing, 7pm onwards Contact: (040) 64566692

Cultures of resistance Alliance Francaise along with Documentary Circle of Hyderabad & Goethe Zentrum will be screening the documentary movie Cultures of Resistance. The film deals with artists, musicians, and dancers throughout the world who

are working for peace and justice. Where: Alliance Francaise, Marredpally When: February 11, 5.30pm Contact: (040) 27700736

Love Ballet Rabindranath Tagore’s Chitrangada is the story of a warrior princess who falls in love with Arjuna, the Pandava. The love ballet enacted by 25 talented artistes is being presented by Nishumbita. Where: Ravindra Bharti, Saifabad When: February 11, 7.30pm Contact: 9849256440

A SUDHEER REDDY

Eat in the dark Have you ever wondered how it feels to eat in the dark? Come and experience this. Pay `499 to enjoy a 4-course meal worth `1,000 at Dialogue in the Dark. Where: Dialogue in the Dark, Inorbit Mall, Hitech City When: Ongoing, 12.30pm Contact: (040) 64603341

Get set for valentines DJ Kanna is set to play the best music and is sure to steal your hearts this valentines. Get set for the romantic groove. Where: Kismet, The Park, Somajigua When: February 11, 8pm Contact: (040) 23456789

Go Global Get a taste of food from around the world, from Europe and the Mediterranean to North Africa, America, the Caribbean and Asia! All this and much more at the Square. Where: Novotel Airport, Shamshabad When: February 11, 6.30pm Contact: (040) 6625 0000

Valentines groove A valentines special workshop is being held. The workshop on salsa and theme dancing is being held by Promod Sanghi. Where: Park hotel Somajiguda When: Ongoing Contact:: (040) 23456789

Heydey A one day music festival featuring performances by two Rock bands and 2 top DJ’s ranked in Top 100 list will be held at Rock Heights. Where: Rock heights, Madhapur When: February 11, 8.30pm Contact: 9908572850

Big Cinemas, Ameerpet, 30581470; Cinemax, Banjara Hills, 44565555; Cine Planet , Kompally, 61606060; INOX, Banjara Hills, 447677770, Prasads, Tank Bund Rd, 23448888; PVR, Punjagutta, 08800900009; Talkie Town, Miyapur, 40214175; Tivoli, Secunderabad 27844973

CITY SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

High-security number plate

3 killed in accident

Emergency services hit

CM pays a surprise visit

aced with the dark prospects of its MD landing in dungeon, the AP transport department has begun to move fast on implementing the high-security tamperproof number plates for vehicles. The Court has set a cut-off date of April 30, 2012. Transport minister Botsa Satyanarayana said the APSRTC is entrusted with the task. The new plate will have a uniform serial with a unique hologram so that those stolen or used in terrorist acts could be traced easily.

hree people were killed when a speeding car overturned at Mirza Guda near Chevella in Ranga Reddy district on Saturday morning. The accident occurred when the driver lost control of the Ford Ikon he was driving and it overturned. The Chevella police said that two victims were identified as Ramulu and Santosh Kumar, both students of Vidya Vikas Engineering College, and the third was Sai Kumar an intermediate student.

ix people died in Gandhi Hospital in the City on Saturday due to suspension of emergency services by junior doctors. Over 4,000 junior doctors have struck work across the State and are pressing for their demands to be met, including enhancement of stipend. The Cabinet sub-committee which met on Friday night said that the demands of the junior doctors were unjust and that the government could not consider any hike in stipend. TDP is planning to file a public interest litigation (PIL) on the issue.

hief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, who went to Tirupati on a day’s visit, made a surprise stop at the government maternity home. The Chief Minister was accompanied by ministers Galla Aruna Kumari, C Ramachandraiah, Tirupati MLA Chiranjeevi, MP Chintha Mohan. The Chief Minister will review the political situation with district leaders of Kadapa on the three Assembly constituencies.

Mayor vs Commissioner Md INKESHAF AHMED

ahmed.m@postnoon.com

he spectre of a curious clash of law and popular vision is looming over the GHMC, and the subject of battle is the citizenry of Hyderabad. The Corporation whose treasury has several holes is in the process of raising the only easy way to replenish revenue — property tax. This will ensure the cor-

poration is able to pull through difficult times. But in steps the Mayor who must bat for populace. Mohd Majid Hussain announced that there would be no property tax hike for now. But the GHMC commissioner MT Krishna Babu says he is bound by the law to raise the tax. According to section 212 of GHMC Act-1955 the property tax must be revised every five years and the rise has to be a minimum of five per cent. “As officials, it is our duty to implement the Act. And, we are bound by it.” Now, the GHMC is eager to increase the property tax because it will net a substantial amount.

Property tax revenue Year 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 (RBE) 2012-13 (BE)

Amount (in Lakhs) `32227.53 `36954.72 `47769.98 `56881.00 `59400.00 `72000.00

The GHMC was formed in April 2007 from its former avtar MCH. The new areas under its ambit will have a million properties that will have to pay corporation taxes. This issue looks like it may snowball into a big controversy especially at a time when scores of

residents are flooding the corporation with complaints pertaining to irrational imposition of property tax citing GO No 88. As many as eight corporators of the LB Nagar circle have already warned that they will go to any extent to protect the interests of their residents. Meanwhile, the Opposition parties are understandably watching the ongoing tussle from the gallery so that they can add fuel to fan the fire. Residents and prominent people of the City have joined the chorus of protests. Their argument goes that the corporation lacks a rational approach in levying prop-

erty tax. The leader of Progressive Organisation of Women (PoW), Sandhya wanted the corporation to drop revising the property tax and improve its income by rectifying gaps in the existing system. A resident, G Vasanth Kumar Goud, said that the corporation should take the views of residents into consideration before taking any decision. KS Stevenson, a professor of Mass Communication and Journalism, OU said the service delivery mechanism of the corporation is very poor viz-a-viz Health and sanitation. “It should improve its services before resorting to any revision of property tax,” he says.

CITY SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

Something wicked this way comes

This is supposedly the century of science and not superstition. Yet, the demons of Salem continue to haunt us. Postnoon investigates PADMINI C

padmini.c@postnoon.com

n a village near Suryapet, Nalgonda, a man parades around the village with his mother’s head attached to his bicycle. Her crime? She happened to be visiting around the same time her grandson happened to fall deathly ill. The village, which had earlier driven her away on the same charge, immediately concluded that it was her “witchcraft” that caused the boy’s affliction, not the water contamination prevalent in the village. In a nearby village called Noonthankal, lived Bonagiri Somaamma, popularly known around town as the progressive mid-wife who helped locals in delivering their babies. But she outgrew her station it was decided, when she began giving out loans for an interest. Witnesses watched as three debtors hacked her to death. She was a practitioner of witchcraft, they said. And that was that. After thirty years, two elderly men apprehensively return to their village, not far from Ramoji Film City. They had left their village in a rush when they were thrown out by the locals on suspicions of witchcraft, but not before their teeth were bashed into their mouths (so that they can’t chant any evil incantations). When the villagers spotted them now, they tied them to a pole and burnt them alive. The women in the village admitted to the crime but maintained that it was in self-defence as the men had returned to harm the locals with their occult practices.

STATUS QUO

“Andhra Pradesh is a hotbed of banamati (black-magic), chetabadi and chillangi. Telgangana, Srikakulam, Vijayanagaram, Nalgonda and Mehboobnagar are particularly dangerous. Witchcraft is basically a magical conception of the universe, that by thought or deed you change the way the universe functions. The person accused of witchcraft has to be eliminated because they are a threat,” says rationalist and humanist Babu Goggineni, former executive director of IHEU. “The reasons for believing in black-magic are obvious. There is no basic scientific education among people in these villages,

rampant casteism, no fear of law; fuelled by mass-hysteria, a lot of personal, political scores are settled in the guise,” Babu Goggineni adds.

INHERITANCE

OF I GNORANCE

Activists desolately rue that the educated and the intelligentsia are increasingly deserting their villages to move to cities, leaving a lacuna that is exploited by witchcraft doctors and perpetrators of crime. The lack of even basic scientific education is the root cause of the evil, they say. “Courses dispelling myths and superstition should be introduced in high-school curriculum. Children who are educated will educate their parents. That’s the only way to fight this,” says anti-superstition activist Chandraiah.

GOVERNMENT SILENCE

The rising number of cases relating to witchcraft in the State tell their own story. But the government has taken no discernible actions to address the

issue despite cases of torture, child-sacrifice, kidnapping, discrimination, murder and even displacement of whole villages routinely make headlines. Veeraswamy, director of NGO Spoorthi, works towards empowerment and education in Suryapet. He says, “The official numbers are misleading because most of these cases are not reported. Personally, I have known of over 100 of these incidents in the past six years. The government knows, the ministers know, everyone knows. No one cares enough to do anything about it. The police arrive after the crime is committed and book the offenders under some petty sections. So there is no real fear of repercussions.”

THE LIMITATIONS

LAW

Unlike other states such as Jharkhand, Odisha and Bihar, AP has no anti-witchcraft legislation. Cops say that they generally look to The Drugs and Magic Remedies Act (1954) or

sections pertaining to Cheating/Fraud in the IPC to deal with these crimes. But, joint commissioner of police, administration, Mahesh Bhagwat says, “The lack of laws are not the problem, the lack of information is. There is need for a mechanism at the grassroots where information is passed on by the revenue officers or other government officials to the authorities so that there can be preventive action taken.”

WORKING

ON A

SOLUTION

The activists are all unanimous, their two-fold demand is simple — one, the government should work towards creating awareness, improving health and sanitary conditions, and promoting scientific education in these regions. Two, the laws should be made more stringent. Those committing the offences should be punished severely and more importantly, those accusing others of practicing witchcraft should also be held liable.

What is witchcraft?

itchcraft involves a belief system that professes that a person or a thing can be used to harm or influence nature through occult. History shows that Europe during the 1300s till the end of the 1600s saw a witchcraft craze that saw tens of thousands of women accused of being ‘witches’ being executed. But even today, accusations of witchcraft is a cause for the displacement or deaths of thousands of people across the world.

Indian states notorious for black magic crimes Jharkhand

50 – 60 women killed every year

Andhra Pradesh

Approximately 30 women killed every year

Haryana 25 - 30 women killed every year

Odisha

24 - 28 women killed every year. Approx 150 – 200 women are killed in India every year on accusations of being ‘witches’. 2,500 women have been killed in the past 15 years. The number of men killed is unrecorded but is estimated to be twice as many as this. Source: National Crime Bureau statistics HERMIN ABRAMOVITCH

FOCUS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

500 Million 88%

total users

of all people are aware of Facebook

Gender

Obsessed with Facebook

41%

46% 54%

Men Women

30%

Income

4% 7% 76k – 100k 12% 51k – 75k 30% 26k – 50k 34% 0 – 25k 13%

AS OF 2011, THERE ARE 500,000,000 ACTIVE FACEBOOK USERS.

APROX 1 IN EVERY 13 PEOPLE ON EARTH.

HALF OF THEM ARE LOGGED IN ON ANY GIVEN DAY.

48% OF 18 TO 34 YEAR OLDS

CHECK FACEBOOK RIGHT WHEN THEY WAKE UP...

150k or more

100k – 150k

ABOUT 28% CHECK THEIR FACEBOOK

ON THEIR SMART PHONES

40%

follow a brand

Age 55+ 7% 45 to 54 12% 35 to 44 18% 26 to 34 23% 18 to 25 29% 13 to 17 11%

THE 35+ DEMOGRAPHIC

NOW REPRESENTS MORE THAN 30% OF

THE ENTIRE USERBASE.

51%

Education Other

BEFORE GETTING OUT OF BED.

of brand followers will purchase that specific brand

29%

College Grad 22% In College 28% High School 21%

70%

are located outside the US

12%

THE 18-24 (COLLEGE) DEMOGRAPHIC

GREW THE FASTEST AT 74% IN ONE YEAR.

of logins update their status every day

The $100bn revolution

The Facebook’s share offer will create billionaires. We deconstruct a modern business marvel and find out how it stacks up against its rivals 106 Million 87%

total users

of all people are aware of Twitter

Gender

48% 52%

Men Women

27%

37%

Income

4% 7% 76k – 100k 15% 51k – 75k 23% 26k – 50k 34% 0 – 25k 17% 150k or more

100k – 150k

25%

follow a brand

Age 55+ 9% 45 to 54 17% 35 to 44 27% 26 to 34 30% 18 to 25 13% 13 to 17 4%

67%

Education

of brand followers will purchase that specific brand

17% College Grad 28% In College 48% High School 7% Other

60%

are located outside the US

52%

of logins update their status every day

SOURCE: ALEXA, FAST COMPANY, CNBC, ZDNET, UNLINESCHOOLS.ORG, CNN

NATION SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

CLASSIFIEDS FABRICATION

J&K minister resigns

ammu and Kashmir education minister Peerzada Sayed, whose son was involved in using unfair means for his Class X examinations, has resigned. According to family sources, Sayed sent the resignation letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and not to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Officials of the school board allegedly helped his son pass the secondary school exam.

Falak: Brain arrested

Reds hit the road

he Delhi police has arrested Rajkumar, the key accused in baby Falak case. He was arrested while trying to flee from the Capital. The police has also arrested a woman, who is key member in the human trafficking racket which victimised the 14-year-old girl who brought Falak to AIIMS. Falak is still battling for her life with the doctors terming her condition a critical.

eft Front chairman Biman Bose, right, and other CPM leaders collect money from the people for the their party fund in Kolkata on Friday. After being in power for more than three decades it was always the funds that sought the Bengal Marxists but with new CM Mamata Banerjee wooing the industrialists, the Reds are not taking chances.

Heavyweights slug it out in second leg of UP polls LUCKNOW: Polling began today on

Civilian killed in J&K firing SRINAGAR: A 22year-old civilian was killed allegedly in firing by security forces in a remote village of Baramulla district in north Kashmir, leading to protests in the area, official sources said. A defence spokesman said troops of 32 Rashtriya Rifles and police had launched a joint operation following information about presence of militants in the area. “At about 9pm, some firing was reported and it is believed that a civilian has been killed in the firing. Due to darkness there are problems in ascertaining the details.”

a slow note or the second phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections for 59 seats in 10 districts that will decide the fate of two state party presidents, 31 MLAs and 24 former ministers. More than 1.92 crore voters are expected to cast their votes to seal the fate of 1,098 candidates in the polling to be held in Sant Kabir Nagar, Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Azamgarh, Mau, Ballia and Ghazipur, Chief Electoral Officer Umesh Sinha said. Stakes are high for ruling BSP, Congress, SP and the BJP in the noholds-barred fight for the 403 Assembly seats in the seven-phase polls. The voters will exercise their franchise at 20,425 polling booths at 12,995 polling centres. While 3,265 polling booths have been identified as sensitive and 9,971 as hyper sensitive for which adequate force has been deployed, he said. A total of 1,098 candidates are in fray, including 1,021 men and 76 women. The second phase would seal the fate of many senior leaders, including speaker Sukhdeo Rajbhar, Revenue Minister Phagu Chauhan, state presidents of BSP and BJP, deputy leader of SP Ambika Chaudhary, 31 MLAs and 24 former ministers. Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rajbhar

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reacts during an election campaign rally in Nanda Khera in Raebareli on Friday. PTI/ATUL YADAV is in fray as BSP candidate from newly-created Deedarganj seat in Azamgarh district, whereas deputy leader of SP in Assembly Ambika Chaudhary is seeking re-run from Phephna in Ballia.Prestige of state presidents of BSP and BJP is also at the stake in this phase. While BSP state president and cabinet minister Swami Prasad Maurya is contesting from Padrauna seat in Kushinagar, BJP state presi-

HONOUR FOR CHAMP

dent Surya Pratap Shahi is trying his luck from newly-created Pathardeva seat in Deoria district. Former BJP state president Ramapati Ram Tripathi is in the fray from Siswan seat in Maharajganj district, whereas revenue minister Phagu Chauhan is contesting from Ghosi seat in Mau district. Former forest minister Fateh Bahadur Singh, who was sacked and denied ticket by Chief Minister Ma-

yawati, is contesting from Kampiarganj candidate on NCP ticket. Naresh Yadav, son of MP Governor Ram Naresh Yadav, has been pitched against BJP candidate Yogendra Yadav, nephew of MP Ramakant Yadav as Congress nominee for Phoolpur seat in Azamgarh district. Aman Tripathi, son of SP MLA Amarmani Tripathi, facing jail term in poetess Madhumita murder case, is in the fray for Nautanwa seat in Maharajganj district. Independent MLA Mukhtar Ansari, facing several criminal charges, is contesting from two seats Mau and Ghosi and is the candidate of his brother Afzal Ansari’s party Kaumi Ekta Dal. For the BSP, which had secured 29 seats out of 59 in the 2007 polls, it would be a do-or-die situation as betterment of performance by rivals would botch political prospects of the party, which was mired in controversies due to corruption cases. The SP is also under pressure to perform in the area to increase its tally from 20 seats in the 2007 Assembly polls. BJP’s performance has not been upto the mark in last elections. In 2007, BJP had succeeded in getting victory on six seats only. Congress, which secured only two seats in the last elections, is also making desperate efforts to improve PTI its tally in the region.

`5 lakh loo war booty! NEW DELHI: She was a run-

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee presents ‘Banga Saman’ to footballer Baichung Bhutia during inauguration of ‘Utar Banga Utsav’ in Siliguri on Friday. PTI/ASHOK BHAUMIK

away bride, but she won an award of `5 lakh for revolting against the lack of toilet at her in-laws’ place. Sulabh International, an India-based NGO for environmental sanitation, announced the cash award for newly-wed Anita Bai of a Madhya Pradesh tribal village, describing her as a “revolutionary of a different kind”. Anita Bai, according to Sulabh, ran away from her inlaws’ place on the first night of her wedding to press the issue of lack of toilet there. Acknowledging her tough stand for insisting on cleanliness and hygiene, Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh International said Anita Bai would be given `5 lakh Sanitation Award.

ANITA BAI, FROM BETUL DISTRICT, RETURNED TO HER FATHER’S PLACE, DESPITE REPEATED ASSURANCES BY HER INLAWS AND HUSBAND TO PROVIDE A TOILET. According to Pathak, Anita acted “as an inspiration for others to follow” in the country, where more than half of its population still defecate in the open. “By revolting on the issue of non-availability of toilet, this rural woman has created a revolutionary action in India where more than 660 million people still defecate in the open, causing serious diseases,” said

Pathak. Anita Bai, who hails from Chichouli village in Betul district, returned to her father’s place, despite repeated assurances by her in-laws and husband to provide a toilet. “She came back to her inlaws’ place only when her husband managed to construct a toilet within a week with the help of a Gram Panchayat grant,” said Pathak. Pathak said this case would give a “fillip to his ongoing Sulabh movement in the country”, and that Anita Bai will be honoured in an award ceremony in New Delhi in April. According to Pathak, lack of proper sanitation conditions in most of rural areas in India was still a grave problem, particularIANS ly for women.

WORLD SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

‘UK has sent an armed sub’

Romney promises unity

NEW YORK: Argentina’s foreign minister has accused the UK of sending a nucleararmed submarine to the South Atlantic, after making an official complaint to the UN over the Falklands dispute. Hector Timerman demanded that the British confirm the locationin the region. But UK officials said the accusations of militarisation were “absurd”. UN chief Ban Ki-moon earlier called on both sides to avoid an “escalation” in tensions.

WASHINGTON: White House hopeful Mitt Romney cast himself as a dedicated conservative on Friday, insisting he’s the man who can unite Republicans and defeat President Barack Obama in the “battle for the soul of America. ”Romney and his main rivals for the nomination, Newt Gingrich and religious conservative Rick Santorum, all made the pilgrimage to the Conservative Political Action Conference to court the Republican base and lay out their plan to oust Obama.

‘CIA Tango down’: Hackers US: Hackers have claimed responsibility for making the CIA website inaccessible on Friday, the latest attack on a US federal agency. A Twitter post on a feed used by hackers’ collective Anonymous said “CIA Tango down”, a phrase used by the US Special Forces after killing an enemy. Anonymous said in another tweet that just because it reported a hack, that did not mean it carried out the attack.This is not first time the website has been disabled.

28 killed in Aleppo as Syrian tanks advance on Homs DAMASCUS: Twin car bombs targeting security posts in Syria’s second city of Aleppo killed at least 28 people on Friday, State media said, as rebels accused the regime of launching the attacks as a diversion. The explosions came as tankbacked troops advanced on pockets of resistance in the battered and besieged protest hub of Homs, and as heavy security deployments nationwide thwarted planned protests against regime ally Russia. The powerful blasts ripped through the northern commercial hub, also wounding 235 people, said State television, which broadcast gruesome footage. Mangled bodies were shown in pools of blood outside rows of shattered buildings and piles of rubble strewn across a broad avenue. State television called the bombings, the first in Aleppo

This criminal regime is... carrying out bomb attacks in Aleppo to steer attention away from what it is doing in Homs, Zabadani and elsewhere. Colonel Maher Nouaimi Spokesman, Free Syrian Army

Damaged police vehicles and helmets scattered on the ground amid blood and debris at the scene of one of the blasts that rocked Syria’s second largest city of Aleppo on Friday. AFP since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime erupted almost a year ago, the work of “armed terrorist gangs." It said a “suicide bomber in a car packed with explosives” had attacked a police station, flattening a nearby food distribution centre. The second targeted an intelligence base. The rebel Free Syrian Army blamed the government itself for the attacks. “This criminal regime is... carrying out bomb attacks in

Aleppo to steer attention away from what it is doing in Homs, Zabadani and elsewhere,” its spokesman, Colonel Maher Nouaimi, said in a telephone interview. “The number of casualties from the two car bombs in Aleppo has risen to 28 dead and 235 wounded," said the health ministry. Among the dead were soldiers and civilians, including children. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that at least 30 people were killed in the

Aleppo blasts. Several people interviewed on television denounced Turkey and Qatar for not standing by the regime as it seeks to put down the revolt. “Is this the freedom they want?" asked one angry looking man, holding up a severed arm and referring to those leading the protest movement. Syria blamed the blasts on “terrorists” backed by Arab and Western nations, in a letter sent to the UN secretary general, the UN Security Council, the Arab

‘Friends of Syria’ EU diplomat calls for to be launched ‘one voice’ on Syria LONDON: The Arab League is likely to launch a

BRUSSELS: The world must stand united in demand-

“Friends of Syria” coalition and appoint a special envoy to the strife-torn country at a meeting this weekend, a Western diplomat said on Friday. The diplomat also said that Iranians were “on the ground", giving technical help to Syrian intelligence services, and warned that President Bashar al-Assad’s regime had yet to use “many levels of violence.” Syrian opposition leaders said that they expected Gulf states to follow Libya in granting them diplomatic recognition at the expense of the Damascus regime. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the diplomat said that at an Arab League meeting due on Sunday “It looks like they’re preparing to appoint a special envoy.

ing a halt to violence in Syria and for President Bashar al-Assad to step down, the European Union’s top diplomat Catherine Ashton said on Friday. “I am appalled by the reports of the brutal attacks by the Syrian armed forces in Homs,” she said, referring to the assault unleashed by regime forces on Syria’s protest hub that activists say has killed more than 450 people since Saturday. “I condemn in the strongest terms these acts,” Ashton said in a statement. “The international community must speak with one voice, demanding an end to the bloodshed and urging Assad to step aside and allow a democratic transition," she stressed.

League and other organisations. “Certain countries in the region are behind a propaganda campaign against Syria and are harbouring armed terrorists for so-called humanitarian reasons," it wrote. Aleppo has been largely spared the unrest that rocked the country since mid-March and killed more than 6,000 people, say rights groups. In central Syria, tanks stormed the Inshaat district in Homs overnight, Rami Abdel Rahman from the Observatory said. Inshaat is next to Baba Amr district, which has been subjected to a withering assault by regime forces since Saturday. In addition to the victims of the attacks in Aleppo, the Observatory said another 44 people were killed across Syria on Friday. “Demonstrations broke out in various parts of the country, but they were small in numbers because of the heavy deployment of army and security forces as well as the cold weather," said Abdel Rahman. Saudi King Abdullah said world confidence in the United Nations had been “shaken” after Russia and China vetoed the resoulution. In Geneva, the UN rights office said Syrian officials responsible for carrying out these crimes should face prosecution by the International Criminal Court.

Images of Syria posted on FB WASHINGTON: US ambassador to Syria, Robert Ford, has posted declassified photographs on his Facebook site that the State Department said on Friday shows an army attacking a civilian area in the city of Homs. An apparent satellite image shows columns of smoke rising as well as a line of vehicles, though it is not possible to tell if they are armored military vehicles, as the photograph claims they are.State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the “declassified US national imagery” shows the destruction of Homs, which activists have said is being shelled relentlessly by the Syrian army.

COMMENT SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

NCC story

Lovely cover page

his is with regards to your story titled The genesis of leadership, dated February 8. My child is currently deciding whether to join NCC or not and so the story couldn't have come at a more appropriate time. As a former NCC Cadet myself, I know the pure, unadulterated fun you can have, not to mention the value addition it will have to your personality. Vijay S Gachibowli

have read your paper a few times before and I try to get my hands on it. I like the articles that are there in the paper. I happened to pick it up today and I really liked the cover page. It made me get to the story directly and it’s surprising to read that this is actually happening. The story was also interesting to read and a few other articles like F folio was a fun read. Ashwin Sriram Secunderabad

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.

Don’t condemn drug trials

rial for new drug (We are not a nation of human guinea pigs, February 8) is generally conducted on subjects who have already received the standard treatment available in the market without result. If a new drug increases life by 4-5 months, a patient would like to take up the trial. It’s easy to use words like Guinea Pig without knowing the ground fact of the research. Ramkumar PT Hyderabad

RENATE KALLOCH

EDITORIALS GEN SINGH SHOULD exit gracefully The controversy over the date of birth of the Army Chief has been laid to rest (at least legally) when the Supreme Court refused to admit General VK Singh’s plea to get it corrected to his version. The court pointed out that twice, in 1998 and 2004, he had accepted the government’s version for career-related reasons. The whole issue has been dragged through mud by politicians and bureaucrats alike and aspersions have been cast on the integrity of a decorated soldier. General Singh has been heading the force at a time when it is rocked by scandal after scandal and court martial and expulsion of high-ranking officers — Sukna land scam, Adarsh building scam, ration scam... the list goes on. Now that the judiciary has accepted the government’s stand as correct, the only dignified step remaining for the army chief is to step down without a huff.

WHY WE LOVE... Digvijay Singh Even in the middle of pitched campaigns for the Assembly elections there are some politicos who will bring the house down — and Diggy is one. Union minister Salman Khurshid, who is the minority face of the Congress was working hard at consolidating vote banks by announcing sub quotas and topping it up with Sonia Gandhi’s tears and anguish over Batla House ‘encounter’ pictures. Hardly had the news channels aired the story, Digvijay came out with a statement that such a thing never happened. This is not the first time the fire brand leader, also considered a loose cannon by many, has left the party red-faced. More than anyone else, it’s the BJP who should be thanking him for handing out ammo to them.

The Quest for Love From the hip SYED SHOAIB

sn’t it an idea that we fall in love with? And when we come across someone who tantalises our eyes, we attribute all those characters to their physical form and get attached to that idea: A figment of our imagination that we begin to live with, dream and aspire for and build an existence around. Though we may all disdainfully scorn the idea of the filmi type of romantic love, (ever wondered why most films with the love theme are a guaranteed success?), we are all out to find that singular, ever-elusive goal; and each of ours seems to be buried deep in the hearts or minds or where ever else it is that people go looking for! The

odds that we really do find a perfect match to all our software and hardware requirements are so marginal. Hmm… It may not be all so grey. This wonderful creation of Almighty, the human being, has so many hidden attributes besides the physical form. All that energy with little else that is in the spirit cannot be contained. Not even by the limitations of its very nature. Against all odds, it will venture ahead, undaunted it will challenge destiny or hesitant, it will take risks anyway. As marginal as the chances may be, one will still set out to find love. As numerous as the disappointments maybe, he will settle down, thinking it the right thing to do at that moment; Continuing to hope still. I’m not sure if we ever truly achieve it and have it all. But along the way we do steal glimpses of this magical enchantress: In the pride of a par-

CELEBRATIONS ARE AFTER ALL SPONTA-

NEOUS PUBLIC EXPRESSIONS OF JOY, A CONNECT WITH ONE’S FELLOW BEINGS WHO ALSO FEEL THE SAME WAY

ent, in the eyes of an admirer, in the trust of a child… Is it not enough to keep going, keep hoping? For as they say: Love never grows old nor gets outdated. Something as ubiquitous as this, perhaps, needs to be celebrated. Celebrations are after all spontaneous public expressions of joy, a connect with one’s fellow beings who also feel the same way, a kind of declaration, seeking acceptability in the society for assurance that it is not a maverick syndrome, ra-

ther a common and shared experience. Should this kind of universal quest not be celebrated? What if the celebration made its appearance in the last few years and has a modern garb to it like saying it with flowers, chocolates and what have you? Who says it is limited only to love between the opposite sexes? So what if the colour symbolising the celebration is red? Can we not grab the occasion to bring down our inhibitions and tell one’s parent, child, spouse, teacher, student or even the neighbour that we love them. It is perhaps only a narrowed definition of love that constrains us to look on its celebration as something that is limited to young lovers stealing time and glances in parks. Love neither has age nor boundaries and it is LOVE that makes the world go round... merrily. This universal truth is what should be accepted across the board.

COMMENT SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

Shalt thou not suffer a witch to live? By invitation BABU GOGINENI

he vicious grip of superstition over people, and the general indifference in society to the plight of its victims, is both infuriating and baffling. Thoughts, wishes, incantations or magical spells cannot affect the physical universe in any way, and yet, the belief that everyday objects are dangerous or could attain special powers through magical rituals wreak real havoc in people’s lives. The absurdity of the belief notwithstanding, for the sorcerer and for those believing in the occult, witchcraft is real as are its social consequences. Perpetrators of delusion and deception, sorcerers are both offenders and victims. They terrorise people with claims of magical powers; and they are very often victims of mob justice when people ignorantly attribute their woes to suspected spells cast by the sorcerers. The intelligentsia hardly help, obsessed as they are themselves with new- age rituals and

Urban sketches VISWAPRASAD RAJU

the occult. In India and in Nepal, a lemon, a few chillies, some turmeric powder and a dead chicken placed outside one’s home can lead a household to panic since this indicates that someone has cast an evil spell. The search for the offender who has planted these ‘lethal’ objects will end in the eventual identification of one who will be lynched by the mob. Very often, the ‘accused’ sorcerers abandon their homes and flee, or sadly kill themselves to ‘escape’ the physical punishment, humiliation, torture, ritual abuse, plucking of teeth as well as death that surely awaits them. Over 2,500 women were killed in India in the last 10 years after being branded as witches, as per the National Crime Bureau statistics. The number of men thus killed is still unknown. Associated with witchcraft is the sacrifice of children for obtaining hidden treasures, but no reliable statistics are available. Other underdeveloped and developing countries too have a similar gruesome record: Bolivia, Guatemala and Haiti are hotbeds of sorcery and voodoo and extreme violence against

OVER 2,500 WOMEN HAVE BEEN KILLED IN

INDIA IN THE LAST 10 YEARS AFTER BEING BRANDED AS WITCHES, AS PER THE NATIONAL CRIME BUREAU.THE NUMBER OF MEN KILLED IS STILL UNKNOWN. witches. In 1998, about one hundred alleged sorcerers were killed in just the one district of Banyuwangi District, East Java, Indonesia. In 2007, in Papua New Guinea, 200 were killed in one year in one single district. Almost all the victims of such violence are women, just as they were in medieval Europe when over 50,000 witches were drowned, hanged or burnt at the stake by the church. A leaked home affairs ministry report in Tanzania says 5,000 persons were killed between 1994 and 1998, while in the next three years around 17,220 women suffered serious physical abuse on suspicion of practising sorcery. A BBC jour-

nalist helplessly recorded the burning alive of a witch in Kenya, where there have also been instances of old people being accused of witchcraft just so that relatives could get rid of them. Ghana has officially sponsored witch camps where thousands of women accused of witchcraft are incarcerated and also administered potent and poisonous potions to get rid of their evil powers. Some die because of the potions. I saw posters in Nigeria announcing services by witches claiming to turn your enemies into dogs! Indeed, in Angola a goat was arrested by the police because people claimed that a criminal transformed himself into a goat to escape. The heart rending fact from the Democratic Republic of Congo is that nearly 50,000 children are homeless because their parents expelled them after being told by Church leaders that there were signs of the devil in their children and that even exorcism would not help. Hundreds of albinos in East Africa are hunted and killed for their body parts which are considered good luck. It was the horrific killing in the UK of eightyear-old Victoria Climbié from

Ivory Coast by her own family on suspicion that she was possessed by evil spirits that highlighted to the world the problem of witchcraft and sorcery even in the developed world. Indeed, it is a most distressing situation; a UN report in 2009 indicated that the internal displacement of people who flee because of witchcraft or allegations of sorcery amounts to tens of millions all over the world. How should the problem be tackled? The American and European experience where the machinery of the State was put to the service of educating people about the absurdity of these beliefs and their deadly consequences and the weaning away of the people from the lure of the magical conception of the universe is to be implemented worldwide. For India, it should be considered a national emergency and the services of school teachers, science popularisers, scientists and opinion makers should be used to usher India into the modern age. This is, especially important because we also know that in periods of uncertainty and economic distress, the incidents will rapidly go up, worldwide.

Heritage Our new look’s inspired by you Editor’s Note DEAN WILLIAMS

edesigning a newspaper is like redecorating your home: You want the new look to represent the new you, but you also want it to contain some of the core values that got you there in the first place. We at Postnoon believe that the time had come to speed up our evolutionary process; to take that next step in becoming a paper that grows with its readers, rather than trailing in their wake. The weekend is a time when you sit

POSTNOON’S NEW WEEKEND DESIGN DELIVERS A PRODUCT THAT YOU WANT, RATHER THAN ONE WE THINK YOU NEED.

back, enjoy the simple pleasures of life and pick up a newspaper that reflects the new, modern you. Postnoon aims to be that newspaper, and our new weekend design delivers a product that you WANT, rather than one WE think you need. Art director Madhava B Kulkarni and the team spent weeks poring over typefaces and colours that represent the City and its denizens. Each aspect of the new design has been created keeping you in mind, from the new fonts, Glasgow and Chunkyfive, to hues that highlight rather than dominate. Our new approach will also inculcate a new phase in visual storytelling, branching out from the traditional sterotypes that should never be set in stone. We don’t believe those who say you, the digital generation, don’t read. We know you do, it’s just that you’re more discerning. And Postnoon will endeavour to give you not only something substantial to read, but content that will entertain, educate, and above all, energise you to live your life.

BUSINESS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

French award for TCS

ata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced that the Greater Paris Investment Agency (GPIA) had conferred on it the ‘Prix spécial de l'innovation de Paris-Ile de France Capitale Economique 2011’ (Special Innovation prize 2011 of Paris). Valérie Pécresse, Republic of France’s cabinet minister for budget, presented the award at an exclusive ceremony on Thursday.

Talk to your Xylo

Spilling the coffee beans

ZIM & ZOU

A SAYE SEKHAR

saye@postnoon.com

ntrepreneurial bug did not bite him, but it befell him. He doesn’t make those flashy smiles and tall claims like those flamboyant youngsters who tasted success by a dint of luck. He stayed focussed to translate the hard work of his elder brother, who met with an accident a couple of year ago and is convalescing, and eagerly awaiting return to work. At 21, Mohammed Atif Hyder, the business he chose is a heady brew. Atif joined a team of six entrepreneurs, who are connected through one another, and his blueprint on the drawing board became a jazzy hangout for the bubbly. TestoRossa, a truly Italian coffee shop, is delivered to Hyderabadis by a team of six enthusiasts, of whom Atif is a stakeholder, leading the strategy, market feedback and dealing with the Austrian super franchisees for securing the recipe, and base material. Atif ’s friend Arjun conceptualised the project. TestoRossa’s first outlet came up in Banjara Hills and another in Jubilee Hills. Now it is raring to go national. Not a gadget geek like many of his peers, Atif says he is a car fanatic. He, for now, drives a two-door Fiat 500 and wishes to zoom past the starry edifices in the upmarket blacktop streets of the City in his dream car, a Ferrari. He loves Porsches too. The fragrance of Givenchy, French perfume, intersperses with that of Arabica coffee beans and Italian espresso at Café TestoRossa wafts through the nostrils, as Atif walks around the restaurant. He charms the glint of Movado, though he sports a Kenneth Cole (wrist watch) as a style statement. The Todd’s are his sole-mates, typifying Atif as an esquire persona. Gitanjali, St Mary’s and cricket was the path he took and he used to wield the willow until he suffered an injury and had to retire hurt from South Zone cricket league. Had he not become an entre preneur, he would have found his fortunes in IPL.

MOCA policy in two weeks

ahindra & Mahindra Ltd unveiled the new Xylo in Hyderabad. The new avatar of Xylo has five variants. The all-new Xylo boasts of voice command technology for vehicle commands, enabling customers to control over 30 feature — actions merely by talking to it. The new Xylo, will start at `7.37 lakh (D2, BS4 ex-showroom Hyderabad) and is available in six colour options.

Why a coffee shop? Because, the coffee culture is growing with youngsters in the City. Association with a brand like TestoRossa would be advantageous when the competition is cutthroat, especially when the big names like Starbucks are likely to open their outlets in India. Entry into Hyderabad provided TestoRossa the necessary experience, as there are 150-200 footfalls in each of the outlets. In fact, he spends the most on food. While each showroom had cost the company `50 to 75 lakh, their next coffee shop will come up in Secunderabad. “We have separate gaming areas, pool tables, play stations, and board games, and private dining areas.” On the expansion plans, Atif says it would be Delhi, Bangalore and maybe in Chandigarh. “Before entering Mumbai, we want to make it really big.” The estimated breakeven time is 20 months. Atif says the company is looking at sub-franchise model by getting people to invest there. “We have the master franchise of the company.” The company is targeting a business of `3 to 4 crore. He loves to let his hair down playing cricket, and watching soccer. He signs off chuckling, “I am a big big Mahesh Babu fan.”

nstitute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) is likely to submit its draft report on corporate governance to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MOCA) in two weeks. "The draft report on ‘National Corporate Governance Policy' is likely to be submitted in the next two weeks," ICSI president Nesar Ahmad said. He, however, declined to reveal what the report says. The government is working on a framework for a National Corporate Governance Policy.

Paperless insurance soon Postnoon News

HYDERABAD: India is moving towards a paperless insurance industry. “IRDA is working on the repositories and contractual liabilities to suit the requirements of a paperless insurance industry,” said J Hari Narayan, chair man, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA). He spoke at a CII-sponsored session on addressing distribution challenges in the insurance sector here on Friday. Narayan pointed out that India followed rule-based regulations as opposed to principle-based regulations, which suited more to the Indian context. “However, we are also trying to implement the best practices of

both the approaches into the Indian system,” he said. He felt that low-cost broking intermediaries must cater to the insurance requirements, especially in the tier-II & tier-III cities. “Insurance depends on trust and competence”, he said. Ashvin Parekh of Ernst & Young Ltd, said that the regulator might usher in changes with appropriate phase-ins on the life insurance front, regulatory guidelines should allow room for innovations, differentiated approach for licensing of intermediaries; and awareness creation initiatives. Presenting the recommendations on the non-Life Insurance front, Parekh said that the regulator may explore creating of class 1 (retail) agent and class 2 (all products) agents for general insurance.

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MOTORING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

Daimler posts record profits

erman car and truck maker Daimler has said it achieved record sales and profits in 2011. The company, which owns Mercedes-Benz, reported a 29% rise in net profits to 6.029bn euros. Underlying profit, rose 20% to 8.755bn euros, on revenues up 9% to 106.5bn euros. Vehicle sales rose 11% to 2.11 million, with Daimler saying that Mercedes had “never performed better than in 2011”.

Jaguar to partner Chery

Fiat delays launch of B-SUV

aguar Land Rover plans to partner with Chery Automobile to build vehicles in China, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said. The companies have applied for regulatory clearance to establish the joint venture, the people said, declining to be identified because the deal has not been finalised. The partnership may be officially announced as early as April at the Beijing auto show, they added.

iat-Chrysler will delay the launch of a new Jeep compact SUV planned for production in Italy. The new Jeep, which is code-named B-SUV, had been due to go into production in 2013 in Fiat’s Mirafiori plant in Turin. Fiat now says production will begin in the second quarter of 2014. A sister model for Fiat brand will begin production at the factory earlier in December 2013. This will replace the Fiat Sedici currently built by Suzuki in Hungary.

Three men on one mission Top Gear is one of the most controversial TV shows, and one of the most popular. In spite of offending everyone from Albania to India, its hosts continue to pull audiences from across the world. Here’s why...

Courting controversy

Osama Salman

ontroversy and Top Gear are synonymous and by now the show’s viewers will be well accustomed to that fact. In its stint in India, the show’s hosts did manage to ruffle quite a few feathers. How? Well, for starters it featured jokes about food and trains and a Jaguar fitted with a toilet seat on its boot. The BBC received 188 complaints about the show. One particular scene, which drew a lot of flak was when Jeremy Clarkson took off his trousers at a party to demonstrate how to use a trouser press. Apart from that, he also showed off the customised Jaguar, complete with a toilet roll on its aerial. Clarkson had said on the programme, “This is perfect for India because everyone who comes here gets the trots.” The comment was so ‘offensive’ that even the High Commission of India in London complained about it.

Richard Hammond: [Talking about the Ford GT’s poor fuel economy ] Actually, 17and-a-half gallon tank. 4... 4 miles to the gallon, how far does that mean you will be able to go before you ran out of petrol? Jeremy Clarkson: 75 miles. Richard Hammond: 75 miles? Jeremy Clarkson: Yeah. Richard Hammond: Well, how far then do you live, for instance, from the Top Gear office? Jeremy Clarkson: 76 miles.

MEET THE CAST JEREMY CLARKSON

RICHARD HAMMOND

JAMES MAY

eremy Clarkson definitely has a distinctive style of hosting the show. With his unique tongue-incheek humour, he has earned the reputation of being politically incorrect. But that doesn’t deter him from trashing cars that he doesn’t like, or praising cars that he does. Millions of people trust his judgement and watch the show only for laughs. The award-winning host is, without a doubt, the heart of the show. Cars owned n Mercedes-Benz SLK n Volvo XC90 n Mercedes-Benz 600 Grosser n Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder n Lotus Ellise 111S

ammond, 41, is a heart-throb. His exceptional style and wittiness, often to shut Clarkson up, is what is best about him. Since he is the youngest of the three hosts, he connects well with the younger viewers and has the right attitude. Having recovered from his highspeed crash, Hammond returned to a hero’s welcome in 2007. Also his verdict on cars is spot on. Cars owned n Porsche 911 n Vintage Dodge Charger n Vintage Mustang GT n Morgan Aeromax n Land Rover Defender n Opel Kadett (Oliver)

here is never a dull moment when James May is around. The 49year-old has earned the nickname ‘Captain Slow’, for his careful driving style, a love of small, underpowered cars and a habit of getting lost and distracted driving. However, in a July 2010 episode he drove a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, reaching a speed of 417.6kmph, surprising everybody. He is exceptionally good with cars, and he isn’t shy of showing it. Cars owned n Porsche Boxster n Fiat Panda n Bentley T2 n Dacia Sandero

Series 9, Episode 1 – Brain Injury and insensitivity Clarkson asked Hammond following his horrific 370kmph crash, “Are you now a mental?”, which was followed by James May offering Richard Hammond a tissue “in case he dribbled”. The BBC claimed the comments were meant as a joke, but also claimed they saw how the comments could cause offence to certain viewers. Series 15, Episode 7 – Stig shooting The show received over 7,000 complaints regarding the presenters’ American East Road Trip. The episode depicted the trio, Jeremy, James and Richard, carrying out a drive-by shooting of The Stig, using cardboard cut-outs. Ofcom claimed that the scene ‘idolised the use of guns’ and was ‘an outright attack on The Stig’. Series 16, Episode 2 – Mexico Reviewing the Mastretta, Hammond said, “Mexican cars are just going to be lazy, feckless, flatulent, overweight, leaning against a fence asleep looking at a cactus with a blanket with a hole in the middle on as a coat.” The presenters, known for their edgy jibes, then described Mexican food as ‘refried sick’. Clarkson said he was confident he would not receive any complaints about their comments because the Mexican ambassador would be asleep. Episode 4 – Albania The BBC received 600 complaints following the fourth episode of series 16, it was related to an incident in which the presenters ‘murdered’ a fat Albanian and attempted to find out which of three car boots he would fit into the best. The episode was also criticised for its stereotypical views on Albania, claiming it is a nest for Mafia car thieves.

FARHAN AHMED

SHAJI ALI

ABHISHEK SAMA

SUDHEER REDDY

IT professional The way the hosts put the lap times of all cars on one scale is amazing, which is one good part about Top Gear. I like how they test everything from Kias to Aston Martin. I think their humour makes the show a little more personal and entertaining, and interesting, of course.

Self-employed Every night before I go to sleep, I watch Top Gear religiously. Jeremy is fantastically funny. I remember this one episode where Bentley refused to give their car for the show. So they started comparing a rundown car to the Bentley. Sweet revenge!

Student Top Gear is awesome! My favourite host is Richard Hammond. What I love about the show is that they look at the overall driving experience and leave the rest of the boring specifications out. Plus, they really push the cars to the limit.

Student Whenever I watch Top Gear, I enjoy watching the hosts enjoy themselves. And what other car-show hosts drive a truck, an aeroplane and go on roadtrips? That is what is unique here. Their wisecracks are so funny. It’s a pity people find it offensive.

TECHNOLOGY SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

VIDEOGAME REVIEW THE GOOD

APP OF THE WEEK

www.healthy-india.org

GRAND SLAM TENNIS 2

Riptide GP

ealthy India endeavours to advance consciousness of disease prevention, encourage early detection and treatment of chronic diseases, and foster healthy living through information on a healthy lifestyle. This is one helpful website.

f you’d like to show off the amazing graphics or games available on that new tablet, be sure and get Riptide GP. This is the premiere racing game for Android — only it’s water-based. This jet-ski style high-paced game will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat.

GPS to the rescue

To many directionally-challenged people the Global Positioning System (GPS) is more than just a helpful tool. It is a saviour of sorts

n Only tennis game with all four Grand Slam venues. n Various control options that are all-easy to grasp. n Great roster of classic players.

THE B AD

n Only a few court locations. n Female roster lacks top stars.

Types of GPS Portable

ortable GPS units are small enough to be carried between the house and the car or between different cars but not small enough to fit in a pant or shirt pocket. They typically weigh about 10 ounces and are about 4 inches in width. The biggest brand by far is Garmin, which makes the Street Pilot Series of portable GPS units.

In-Dash

n automobile In-Dash unit is built into the dashboard of the car and so it’s not portable. New cars offer In-Dash GPS as an option but they are usually expensive for what you get in terms of functionality. The advantage is that they are integrated into the dashboard instead of being mounted on top of the dash and they aren’t easily lost like a portable unit. Pioneer is a good buy.

Camping and hiking

T OSAMA SALMAN

salman.o@postnoon.com

“W

e were travelling to Kuntala waterfalls in Adilabad. On the way, we realised that there were no signboards. We turned on our GPS and got directions for the waterfalls. And before you know it, we reached Kuntala waterfalls spot on,” recalls Rajesh Kandregula, an IT professional in the city. Rajesh has used the GPS on several other instances and swears by the technology. Having installed Google

Maps on her Nokia E72, Manisha Kunta, an IT professional in a leading BPO said that it was a blessing in disguise. “I travel a lot and in cities that I am not familiar with, I have to switch on my GPS. Although on roaming, it can cost a bomb. Having said that, there have been many occasions where a GPS has come in handy,” she says. “I was lost in the bylanes of Goa near Anjuna Beach and had to reach my hotel on Calangute Beach. I tried asking people for directions and no one seemed to direct me properly. I used Google Maps and voila, I was back at my hotel! I don’t think I will ever travel without a GPS,” she says stressing on how much the GPS helped her in a dire situation. Mansoor Ali Khan, a resident of Chennai, who travels to

How does G a GPS work?

the city often, says that a GPS navigator helps him get to his destination faster. “GPS shows a direct route to your destination. It keeps updating the maps and this, especially helps when I am on unfamiliar roads. Hyderabad has lots of one-way streets and a GPS helps me navigate through them and save time,” believes Mansoor. Venkat Naidu, deputy sales manager at KUN Exclusive, a BMW showroom in the city, says that the 7-series and 5-series are equipped with GPS as a standard accessory. However, the 3-series doesn’t. “But we will have GPS in the 3-series in a couple of months,” he assures. On the other hand, Abdul Rahman Mohammed says that a GPS isn’t all that handy, at least in Hyderabad. “I use

PS is a location system based on a constellation of about 24 satellites orbiting the earth at altitudes of 11,000 miles. GPS receivers take this information transmitted by GPS satellites, and use triangulation to calculate the user’s exact location. Essentially, the GPS receiver compares the time a signal was transmitted by a satellite with the time it was received. The time difference tells the GPS receiver how far

MapMyIndia to get directions to go to places that I don’t often go to. However, older areas in Hyderabad are difficult to navigate, especially through a GPS. There are hundreds of by-lanes and the GPS can’t detect them all. But for people who have the memory of a goldfish when it comes to recalling routes, GPS definitely helps,” says Rahman. Sanjay Sumani, accessories salesman at Saboo Maruti, points out that no Maruti cars come with GPS as a standard accessory. “But if you want to purchase one, you can get either a MapMyIndia or SatNav navigation system for `9,000 only,” he adds. So, whether it’s a voice-navigated or just one of the apps in your phone, a GPS is a fantastic thing to have.

away the satellite is. Now, with distance measurements from a few more satellites, the receiver can determine the user’s position and display it on the unit’s electronic map. GPS was originally developed by the United States Department of Defense (DOD), for its application as a military locating utility. However, over the past several years, the GPS has proven to be a useful tool in non-military mapping applications as well.

hese GPS units are designed to be lightweight and rugged for outdoor use for hiking, camping, and geocaching. Some of the more expensive units are also waterproof. They usually come preloaded with some maps but you will often have to load additional maps onto the device if you are heading off road.

Fitness and cycling

itness and cycling GPS devices are used for walking, jogging, running and cycling. Typically they fit on your wrist like a watch and can track speed, distance, pace and calories burned. Cycling GPS units often fit on the stem or handlebars of a bike.

Motorcycles

PS units designed for motorcycles are very similar to those used for cars except that they are often waterproof, vibration resistant, and designed to fit on a motorcycle console. Bluetooth handsfree technology is also popular for these devices.

Marine

arine GPS units typically have chart plotting functionality. They are loaded with a special marine database including marine navigational aids like buoys, sound signals, day beacons and tide data.

ANIMAL KINGDOM SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

PET NEWS Belle

n this day and age, if you want to be a dog hero, it’s not enough to learn how to use a home phone. You have to be able to dial from a cell phone. Belle, a 17-pound beagle from Orlando, Florida did just that to save her owner’s life. She hit 9 (speed dial for 911) on a cell phone.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Peta loses suit

Know your dog

federal judge on Wednesday quashed a lawsuit of animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals accusing Sea World of enslaving captive killer whales, ruling that orcas cannot avail the same constitutional rights as people.

he Akita is the largest of the Japanese Spitz-type breeds. It’s a powerful, solid, muscular, well-proportioned and distinctive looking dog with a flat, heavy head and strong, short muzzle. This breed has webbed feet and is a very strong swimmer.

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

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

That perfect pedigree

If you’re looking to buy a dog with a pedigree, remember, it’s a jungle out there. From puppy farms to cruel breeders, finding the right pooch requires research and knowledge JOHN VIAU

INDIRA ATLURI

indira.a@postnoon.com

ith an array of the so-called authentic breeders around, getting pedigree dogs in the city is quite difficult. So for all those who are stumped when choosing a dog, the Hyderabad Canine Club (HCC) has come to the rescue of those wishing for none but the best, and is acting as a warrant against unscrupulous breeders raking in the moolah. In an interview with Kiran Chitnis, the secretary of the HCC, we learn more about getting a dog with a proper pedigree. “The average man is not interested in the ears, the tails or the legs of a dog really. As long as they look good, that is all that matters. Unfortunately, there is more to buying a dog than its external features,” says Kiran. “Every breed has a specification and a qualified breeder is able to tell how the tail should be, what its gait should be like, and the shape of the teeth, to give a few examples. Unfortunately, there is no organised association that tells people what good dogs are like and how to get good dog trainers and breeders. So we, at HCC, came together to get the breeders and trainers to give a sample of the services they provide. This way, people are more aware of what they get,” he adds.

On how to spot a good breed

12 rules for dog owners

1 2

Feed your dog at regular times, avoiding titbits between meals. Provide suitable dishes for your dog’s food and water, and wash these separately from those of the rest of the family.

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Provide your dog with its own draught-proof bed. Keep your dog clean and properly groomed.

Train your dog well, so it is under control at all times. Make sure that your dog does not become a nuisance for the neighbours.

Never allow your dog to foul pavements, lawns, gardens or open spaces where children play. Keep your dog on a leash along or near roads or near farm livestock. Never take your dog (unless it is a guide dog) into food shops.

iran tells us, “When the pups are born, the breeder is supposed to take a certificate for each pup from the Kennel Club of India (KCI). Today, it has become a mandate to insert a microchip when the pup is born. The chip has a number that is there on the

certificate also.This way, an authenticity has been established. We, at the HCC, ensure that the breeders ask for only the number of certificates required for the litter and we also check on the number ourselves. And then the KCI sends the certificates to the breeder.”

Another important thing to keep in mind is that the KCI has also made controlled breeding a mandate. Which means that a dog can give a litter only for a particular number of times a year, or in its lifetime. This way, the health of the litter is not compromised.

Find good boarding kennels and book a place there early if you intend to take a holiday without your dog.

Get to know your local veterinary doctor and arrange regular health check-ups and vaccinations for your dog.

Ensure that your dog is never responsible for producing unwanted puppies. Seek veterinary advice if need be.

BOOKS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

SHORT READS Title: Bringing Up Bebe Author: Pamela Druckerman ISBN: 978-1594203336 Publisher: When American journalist Pamela Druckerman has a baby in Paris, she doesn't aspire to become a ‘French parent’. There's no role model, as there is in America, for the harried new mum. With a notebook stashed in her diaper bag, Druckerman sets out to learn the secrets to joining the society of reasonably relaxed parents.

Title: Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, death, and hope in a Mumbai undercity Author: Katherine Boo ISBN: 978-1400067558 Publisher: Random House From Pulitzer Prize-winner Katherine Boo, a landmark work of narrative nonfiction that tells the dramatic and sometimes heartbreaking story of families striving toward a better life in one of the twenty-first century’s great, unequal cities.

Title: Catch Me Author: Lisa Gardner ISBN: 978-0525952763 Publisher: Dutton Adult Detective DD Warren is hard to surprise. But a lone woman outside DD's latest crime scene shocks her with a remarkable proposition: Charlene Rosalind Carter Grant believes she will be murdered in four days. And she wants Boston's top detective to handle the death investigation.

Title: The Fear Index Author: Robert Harris ISBN: 978-0307957931 Publisher: Knopf Dr Alex Hoffmann’s name is carefully guarded from the general public, but within the secretive inner circles of the ultra rich he is a legend. One morning before dawn, a sinister intruder breaches the elaborate security of his lakeside mansion, and so begins a waking nightmare of paranoia and violence.

What lies beneath

Greig Beck is not a bad writer, far from it, the atmosphere he creates is freezing and at times claustrophobic, ideal for the picnicking spelunker, with a penchant for tight spots Dean Williams

dimensional, his non-humans are brilliant. It’s like he’s taken the imagination of Jules Verne, put it into a blender with a healthy dollop of Crichton, and folded in a teaspoon of Stephen King. The result? One heck of a ride.

reig Beck’s debut novel was written for the big screen. From the monsters that lurk under the Antarctic ice to the buffed special ops soldiers and suitably sexy female scientists, the novel teems with cliché, plot holes and a penchant for rollicking adventure and tales of derring-do that would see Indian Jones reduced to a quivering mess in the centre of an old Mayan temple. But for all that the novel is still a ripping good yarn, and the perfect read for that long-haul flight. Set in the frigid wasteland that is Antarctica Beneath the Dark Ice follows a team of HAWCs (yup that’s right, but that’s not all) led by one Alex Hunter (well he could hardly be called Harold Pennysmith), who, by the way, has superpowers (will the wonders never cease). Mr Hunter and his HAWCs along with the brilliant, and necessarily beautiful scientist Aimee Weir; another suitably diabolical, not to mention cowardly boffin Dr Adrian Silex; and few monster-fodder sidekicks are on a mission to find an earlier (now missing) party of scientists and Green Berets looking for the petroleum mother lode under

A somewhat-funny somewhat-vapid take on the eternal conflict between gods and asuras laden with cocky humour, action sequences and smoky seductresses Padmini C padmini.c@postnoon.com

he undeniable success of Amish Tripathi's Immortals of Meluha trilogy, not to mention the spate of recent bestseller material has established two things. One, IIM/IIT graduates have discovered a new

the frozen continent. On the way to find their lost colleagues they stumble upon a lost civilization and a subterranean ‘zoo’ full of rather peculiar nasties that have been left out of the evolutionary cycle for being far too grim to meet Darwin’s high standards. So far so formulaic. As they begin to get picked off like lice on a baby chimp they find them-

selves in a race through the treacherous labyrinth, fighting to reach the surface against a gigantic beast, some rather pesky worms, and even peskier Russian covert ops hell-bent on sending them to an early grave. Needless to say Alex Hunter shows his ‘super’ prowess on more than one occasion much to the blushing delight of the love-

ly Dr Weir. Beck is not a bad writer, far from it, the atmosphere he creates is freezing and at times claustrophobic, ideal for the picnicking spelunker. The pace never lets up as you’re hurled from one cavern to another with just the raspy breathing of a millenniums-old creature for company. Although his characters appear sorely one-

Mythology with a twist domain to conquer. Two, Indian mythology is back and here to stay. Except to base their stories on skeleton sketches of mythological stories and derive their characters from them, this group of storytellers is not bothered by verisimilitude or even the need for linguistic proficiency. Their aim is to sell. And in the process, entertain. Which they seem to do. Nilanjan Choudhury is the latest addition to this genre. His book Bali and the Ocean of Milk re-imagines the ‘Sagar Manthan' story, famous in Hindu mythology. It revolves around how the gods and the asuras are compelled to come together to churn

Name Bali and the Ocean of Milk Author Nilanjan P Choudhury Pages 320 Publisher HarperCollins out the nectar of immortality from the ocean, each for their own reasons and what happens after. The holy trinity ‘Sambha, Jai and Viru’ assist them in the process. To give him credit, Nilanjan is definitely a far better writer than the rest of his kind. His book claims to be a “wacky thriller littered with bad jokes

Name Beneath the Dark Ice Author Greig Beck Pages 410 Publisher Pan

and corpses” and it lives up to the claim. Unlike Tripathi's unintentional hilarity, Nilanjan's book at least is meant to be comic and in that it even succeeds. Be it Urvashi's demands for 'TLC' and a better sex-life, Indrah's use of hair colour Molten Midnight by So'Real or the idea of the sun-god Surya being afflicted with sunburn, there are moments when the readers will be left chuckling despite themselves. All in all, Bali is entertaining, evenly-paced but sadly loses momentum towards the end. If you are a purist who likes their mythology the old-fashioned way, this is not the book for you. But if you like to your mythical stories with a twist, you might just enjoy what Bali and the Ocean of Milk has to offer.

BOOKS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

A DOSE OF DEADLY HUMOUR What started off at the age of 11 as mere musings in a diary, translated to comic scripts in adulthood. Meet Sorabh Pant, one among India's top comedians

Shiba Minai

shiba.m@postnoon.com

rib-tickling comedian now turns author with his new book The Wednesday Soul: A novel on the Afterlife. We ask why this transition? He says, “I have always been a writer. I was a very keen observer as a kid and I used to pick up a lot of unusual things like a pigeon banging into a wall and some funny things. Writing just became my passion.” Sorabh has been a scriptwriter for a lot of comedy shows on Indian television and we ask how did that start, to which he

says, “When I was in college I looked quite funny with my long hair. I was given the job of pulling a practical joke on people by a paper, where I had to sell ice and write about it, and guess what, I even got paid for it!” He laughs and continues, “And thus started my career in comedy writing, as I would like to call it and then into television thanks to Vir Das, who pushed me to try a hand at comedy.” Sorabh's book The Wednesday Soul: A novel on the Afterlife, begins where most books end; to that he says, “It's is a product of a disturbed mind who wants atten-

Take a dig at afterlife nDivine Comedy by Donald Denoon nExperiencing the afterlife by Manuele Gragnolati nA Newcomer’s guide to afterlife by Daniel Quinn tion from people.” It was a joke, but he said it deadpan. Laughing, we continue to ask, why death? He replies, “A part of me has been philosophical in a way, although I don't even how it is pronounced (he attempts the word three to four times).”

He continues, “Death, fascinated me and every religion in the world seems to be revolving around death and it's one destination everyone will reach, sooner or later. I think I am a pontificate on death and I want my nonsense about it to reach out to everyone.” Sorabh’s witticism is quite evident as he continues to give us a gist of what the book contains, "Well, you will see Jesus as a rockstar, and will also see a lot of mythological characters in my book. It will be a joyride through heaven, hell or whatever you like to call it.”

Religion is a very touchy topic in our country, what with the number of religions being practiced here. Obviously, Sorabh could hurt people's sentiments at some point. The comedian defends himself by saying, "Actually, I have been extremely careful and have been mindful, to ensure that I do not hurt the sentiments of any community. “Although controversy is said to be good for writers and I would like to be living in London like Padma Laxmi and the likes, but that's not what I have in mind, just yet. My book is only meant for a fun read.”

WHAT’S SELLING Walden best in fiction

Walden best in non-fiction

New York Times best in fiction

New York Times best in non-fiction

n Secret of the Nagas by Amish Tripati

n Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

n Taken, by Robert Crais

n Ameritopia, by Mark R Levin

n Can Love Happen Twice by Ravinder Singh

n Great by Choice by Collins And Hansen

n Private: #1 Suspect, by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

n American Sniper by Chris Kyle

n Zero Day by David Baldacci

n Confessions of a Serial Dieter by Kalli Purie

n Death Comes To Pemberley, by PD James

n Revolution 2020 by Chetan Bhagat

n Most and More by Voice Ra

n Aleph by Paulo Coelho

n Art of Stress-Free Living by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

n The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, by Stieg Larsson n 11/22/63, by Stephen King

n Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice n Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson n Quiet by Susan Cain n Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

WOMEN SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

WEBSITES OF THE WEEK PopSugar: The parent site for all of the PopSugar network blogs that cover all manner of life, from work and fashion to kids to celebrities. PopSugar is one-stop shopping site for hip female-friendly content.

Rachael Ray: The queen of 30-minute meals offers her unique brand of getting things done with a smile, and her site offers advice and features culled from her daytime TV show as well as must-cook recipes.

Start Up Princess: A resource for female entrepreneurs by female entrepreneurs through education, encouragement and networking opportunities.

Growth the organic way Cherazad Pestonji took to fashion like a fish takes to water. She found success with Chermas, and now with Anahita she aims to raise the bar to unimaginable heights

All About Eve

SANA MIRZA

SHIBA MINAI

shiba.m@postnoon.com

herazad was all of 12 when she was convinced that whatever she would do in life would be something to do with fashion. She says she grew up with her parents discussing Chermas, “I remember as a kid no matter where the conversation began, it would either end up with Chermas. After finishing my ISC, I decided to give fashion designing a shot and I got through Nift.” Cherazad lets in that she was not very inclined towards the creative side of designing and therefore headed for a masters degree to UK in Clothing Technology, as it interested her. “When I went there, it was almost like a culture shock. I learnt the role of IT in fashion, global economics, basically a combination of business management with global sourcing. There was a lot of research and we learnt how to be completely independent,” she says. “I also learnt how to deal with buyers and met a variety of brands and designers,” she adds. By the time Cherazad returned from her PG course, Chermas had invested in a state of art manufacturing plant and it gave her the perfect launch pad. “When I returned the plant was a year old and it gave me a great scope to use and implement what I learnt. Just then we got our first customer, the Edinburgh Mills, from Scotland. They had over 80 stores in UK. This is when we started off and then we eventually moved to the US markets,” reveals the businesswoman. The enterprising businesswoman says her parents are her inspiration. “My dad taught us how to be dedicated and committed to our jobs. Also my mum, who did an incredible job in balancing work and home. I don’t think she ever missed a single PTA in school or any other important occasion for any of us,” she says with a hint

A little more thought

of pride in her voice. Cherazad has been an integral part of the large business that Chermas has made, she says, “We have worked with some of the large players in the industry like Disney, Macys, JC Penny, Walmart etc.” On their international associations and projects, she says, “We have always focused on product development, sourcing of raw material and the final stage of manufacturing and exporting of the product.” Back in Hyderabad, Chermas has not exactly ventured into a segment for the upmarket, to which Cherazad

THE CV Name: Cherazad Pestonji Birthday: 27 September Last book read: New book on Alexander McQueen

Last film seen: Bridesmaid Motto in Life: Honesty is the best policy

says, “We have always believed in value for money and continue to believe in the same. We have always believed in operating in a more personalised way. It has been like a family business.” But she is quick to add, “That definitely does not mean that it is any less than a corporate. We do not believe in growing the ‘inorganic’ way.” On one of her best achievements — Anahita, her latest venture with sister cum partner Maniza Pestonji, Cherazad says, “The launch and the success thereafter has been overwhelming and this is surely something I take pride in.”

alentine’s day is 3 days away and we hear the men scurrying, hunting for perfect gifts. Unplanned again? It is one of those days where every girl feels it is mandatory that if she is in a relationship, her significant other needs to go out of his way to make her feel special. We can't blame them now, can we? After brainwashing men for years with sappy movies and mushy novels, women now have a pre-conceived notion as to how exactly they would like to be treated on V-day. But then again making someone feel special is not rocket science. All they need is to put a little extra thought into the gifting since they seem to always fall behind when it comes to doing things for their women. While women love surprising their men with occasional gifts, dinners, lunches, massages etc, men on the other hand look at it as a Herculean task. It’s unfair and then you say we are never satisfied and content with what you do. That is because you barely touch the bar that is least expected of you. Know this and know it well. Women will do anything to please their men. This is what unconditional love is and not saying it repeatedly so that it sounds even more convincing in your head. Why is it that women need to tell their men specifically what they want. Why can’t men be a little bit more observant and crib less? Let’s admit it. We are not too demanding, at least the new-age woman isn’t. There is nothing wrong with having expectations. Apart from anniversaries and birthdays, Valentine’s day is the only other day that we expect our men to do something out of the ordinary. Don’t we women deserve a little appreciation for balancing it all out ever so perfectly? No, I don’t want you to tell me what an amazing person I am, I want you to shower me with gifts, love and excessive pampering.

SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012 A SUDHEER REDDY

SRINIVAS SETTY

A stylish affair

The brunch do at The Park by Nikita Reddy of Club Se La Vie saw the who’s who of the City turn up looking their best.

REMEMBER SHAKTI ENTHRALLS CITY Indira Atluri indira.a@postnoon.com

he Chowmahalla Palace was where all the music lovers of the City headed to on Friday evening, and for the right reasons. The lawns of the palace were filled with an enthusiastic lot waiting for a ‘passport’ to a musical world. Remember Shakti’s performance was more than one could ask for. Beginning with a jugalbandi of John Mclaughlin, Zakir Hussain, Selvaganesh and Mandolin Srinivas, the evening got better with each musical piece and Shankar Mahadevan’s entry into the coterie only added to the intensity of the evening. It was a thrilling experience to watch one of the final pieces by Zakir Hussain and Selvaganesh, who were seated opposite to each playing the tabla and the kanjira — their expressions were like a mode of communication as they moved their fingers dexterously over their instruments. What followed of course, was a mammoth reception by the audience. Truly, Remember Shakti’s visit to Hyderabad was a proof that the City endorses classical arts with great appreciation — it was an evening which every individual present, would mark the day as one of the finest in their musical sojourns.

Let the best couple win Actor Rana Daggubati and a radio station have come together to select the City’s Jodi No 1 on the occasion of Valentine’s Day.

Breakfast with Ronald A fast food giant recently launched its breakfast menu along with actor Aksha. They have on offer hash browns, sausages and pancakes.

RELATIONSHIPS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

I AM ALL EARS

am 24. I have been in a relationship for the past three years. My girlfriend has had to move to Bangalore for work. She has made quite a few friends at the office and since she is pretty she has many men talking to her. I think she is falling for one of her coworkers. She keeps telling me that she loves me too much but I am a bit disturbed. What should I do?

Dear disturbed kid, What do the men over there do that you don't? Probably they go around spewing poetry and talk about much more interesting stuff than you do. She is probably way better off with some bloke in a suit than with a fellow who needs to be reassured of being loved every time he picks up the phone. She is not some woman staying in purdah that you are getting so worked up. Probably you are right, better city means better prospects and so son, you better pick up your bag of woes and move on. The bird has fled the nest.

150

s the number, suggested by British anthropologist Robin Dunbar, of people with whom one can maintain stable social relationships. These are relationships in which an individual knows who each person is, and how each person relates to every other person. No precise value has been proposed for Dunbar's number. It has been proposed to lie between 100 and 230, with a commonly used value of 150. Source: The Tipping Point

LEONID AFREMOV

Listen with your heart Loud & Proud

SHWETA PAI

LAWS OF ATTRACTION If you wish to attract your dream lover into your life, you need to consciously change your thought pattern

Love, actually

MINI SINGH

n the 1960s, Aaron Beck and Albert Ellis changed the face of psychological theory and practice by pulling it out of the mysterious shadows of the subconscious and making it more practical and real. Counselling moved from Freud’s psychoanalysis to CognitiveBehavioural therapy that was a lot more effective and functional. Today, new-age gurus like Deepak Chopra, Louise Hay, Anthony Robbins, Esther Hicks and Rhonda Byrne are telling you that you can turn your life around and create your reality, one day at a time; simply by thinking right. Call it Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP), Neuroassociative Conditioning (NAC), the Law of Attraction, or simply Positive Affirmations; the basic idea of this school of thought is that a positive mental attitude supported by affirma-

tions will achieve success in anything. In The Secret, Rhonda Byrne states, “Thoughts become things... Remember that your thoughts are the primary cause of everything. So when you think a sustained thought it is immediately sent out into the Universe.” This is how the law of attraction works — thoughts emit specific frequencies and therefore attract similar energies, it is how our thoughts shape our experiences. “The law of attraction says like attracts like, and so as you think a thought, you are also attracting like thoughts to you,” says Byrne. “The law of attraction is the law of creation. Quantum physicists tell us that the entire Universe emerged from thought! You create your life through your thoughts and the law of attraction, and every single person does the same,”she says. So if you wish to attract your dream lover into your life, it follows that you need to consciously change your thought pattern. There are, however, some fundamental rules to be followed to achieve this:

Think about what you ‘do’ want, as opposed to what you don’t want: So many of us feel that we are worthy of more, better, brighter things in our lives. And yet they seem to elude us. You attract that which you think about the most. For instance, if you keep thinking, “All the men I date are jerks,” that is what you’ll get more of. And you don’t want that! Avoid negative terminology: When you think, “I do not want to date a loser this time,” or “My girlfriend is so great, I hope she never dumps me,” the law of attraction processes it as “I want to date a loser this time; I hope my girlfriend dumps me.” So you may want to replace these negative statements with positive affirmations. Also state your affirmations in the present tense. The affirmation should not be presented in the form of a wish or a future event. So to attract a warm, caring boyfriend, your affirmation would be, “My boyfriend is warm, caring and is genuinely interested in what I say.” Be clear and specific: Sometimes we are not particu-

larly clear about what we want. Simply thinking that you want your girlfriend to be ‘nice” is not very specific. Have you even thought about the other qualities you value in a mate? The more specific you are about what you want, the better it works for you. Keep it real: Your wish needs to be something real. If your wish is so fantastical that you yourself know that it is not possible, then the NLP or affirmations are not going to work. Power of repetition: You can write, say or simply think the affirmation again and again. The more you emit the frequency of your thought,the better your chances of attracting your dream mate. What do you think about yourself ?: Many of us grow up believing that we are not worthy of all the good things in our lives. Probably, we believe that love needs to be earned and we need to do something or be a certain way to get it. As long as you feel unworthy, even of the things you think you rightfully deserve, you are blocking the law of attraction.To attract love, begin by loving and accepting yourself.

did not realise that I was a lesbian until I turned 21 and it was only after I met my partner that I realised what was lacking in my life. But, for the fear of society and the thought that we might get shunned at college, we did not come out. All through our college life and for over four years at our workplace we were closeted. We stayed away from anything that would brand us gay. We laughed at gay jokes cracked by friends and silently felt something wither and die deep inside. This went on and on until we were forced to come out to our parents, and after that there was no stopping us. Once we were out, there was no going back. I was lucky that I had my partner for support and even though at that time I was not aware of any organisation that worked for LGBT rights, I managed fine. However, not everyone is that lucky. It is traumatic to lie every day of your life and hide things from your loved ones. This morning I woke up to an article on an e-zine about a homosexual youth who ended his life because his lover abandoned him. What struck me most about the story was that the entire village knew that the young boy was depressed after being jilted by his lover but it was only after the media reached the village did they open up and talk about it. It is really hard for someone gay to come out and accept their sexuality and it is harder when everyone around is ready to point fingers and laugh or pretend not to notice. Everyone has the right to lead their lives the way they want to. Today, it might be someone in a far off village who ended their life but it could be someone near us the next time, so it is time we opened our minds and show that we care. It doesn’t take too much effort, all we need to do is not just hear with our ears but listen with our hearts.

CINEMA SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

T-TOWN TWEETIES @ramsayz

@shrutihaasan

@shraddhadas43

@tashu_02

Glad u all liked d pics and my look!& YES!! It looks lavish coz #ENDHUKANTEPREMANTA is The Most Expensive film in my career! Spendin a BOMB!

What’s worse than people who don’t work? People who don’t do a thing who pretend to be busy..:D

Gonna start attending belly dancing classes from today, seems exciting! Another form of fun exercising apart from my usual kickboxin

How Beautifully God Keeps On Adding,One More Day In Our Life.!!Not Only Because U Need It....!Because Some One Else Need U Everyday.!!

@sundeepkishan

@prakashraaj

@LakshmiManchu

@vennelakishore

6 out of 7 reviews call Regina the find of the season.. Woooohoooooo Reggu,celebrations are on in Rishikesh :D pls watch the movie guys #SMS.

Mind blowing response to DHONI. I am moved by the warmth in every appreciation. Thank you all. THANK you my TEAM. Another journey begins...

Shooting for #UKUP.. Ballaya, the super duper rock star is shooting w us. His energy and love for cinema is contagious.wrapped at 5am

4 days...4 hrs of sleep...wanna personally thank redbull and irani chai in helping me balance my shootings in morning and postprod in evenin

Tamannaah has her plate full

amannaah is swamped with so much work these days that she doesn’t have time to consider new projects. In the past, there were rumours that she was approached for Sukumar’s upcoming film which has Mahesh Babu in the lead role. However, she has no dates to accommodate another film since she’s already busy acting in Endhukante Premanta, Rachcha and Rebel. When asked why she isn’t signing any Tamil or Hindi films, the actor said that her first priority is to do justice to the films she’s currently part of. Since she is flooded with a lot of work in the South, the actor has also made it clear that she doesn’t have any Bollywood dreams, as of now. Tamannaah had begun her acting career with a Hindi film titled Chaand Sa Roshan Chehra, which released back in 2005; however, she came to limelight only after acting in films like Happy Days and Kalloori.

Nag busy with shoot in Badami

agarjuna’s upcoming film Shirdi Sai is currently being shot near Badami, Karnataka. The actor began shooting for the film few days ago and producer A Mahesh Reddy said that this schedule will go on till the end of February. K Raghavendra Rao is directing the film and this is his third devotional movie with Nagarjuna after

Annamayya and Sri Ramadasu. MM Keeravani is composing the music. The film is said to be a biopic on Shirdi Sai Baba’s life. “I have read a lot about Shirdi Sai and when I heard stories about his greatness and the influence he had on the people, I knew that this role was going to be something special,” Nagarjuna told Postnoon.

A satire on the media?

uri Jagannadh has announced the title of his upcoming film with Pawan Kalyan. The film has been titled as Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu and early buzz is that it could be a satire on the media. The title is a wordplay on the actual words used by all TV reporters while covering a story. Kajal Aggarwal is playing the lead role and DVV Danayya is producing the film. Pawan Kalyan and Puri Jagannadh are teaming up after 11 years and given the title of their latest film, it might very well be a full-fledged entertainer.

CINEMA SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

B-TOWN TWEETIES @iamsrk

@RGVzoomin

@bipsluvurself

@AnupamPkher

Bad part at airport for 5 hours. Good part back home... Daughter has taekwondo match... nobody else home so she was nervous...now she has me.

“We know everythng happens for a reason.Bt snce we nevr cme 2 knw wht tht reason is wht’s the point in knwng tht evrythng happens fr a reason?”

Lots of love 2 al my Bangladeshi Fans as I could nt interact with them at al after my performance as I was running high fever! Next time:)

Thank You ALL for your heartfelt messages about my father.He was my best friend also. His last words to me this morning. LIVE LIFE.

@rampalarjun

@NeilNMukesh

@udaychopra

@priyankachopra

Early morning workout, now Delhi winter, nice way to cool down. On route to airport. Excited about Lap most probably will spin tonight.

Sum can mak u cry & give u tears Many cn mak u laugh & giv u smile Bt only very few cn giv u laughin tears & cryin smiles.

Radishes are uneducated but they have a good heart. Cucumbers on the other hand are so temperamental, guess its all the pretence of coolness.

In transit...looking forward to Brrrrrrlin! What a wonderful place... should b there in a few hours..greateful for courage... strength... love... life.

Esha Deol to get engaged to businessman beau

ollywood actress Esha Deol is set to exchange rings with her long-time boyfriend Mumbai-based businessman Bharat Takhtani on Sunday, two days before Valentine’s Day. “Yes, it is going to be a traditional ceremony at their Juhu residence on Sunday. It will be a family affair,” Esha’s manager said. The time of engagement is yet to be revealed, but the family is said to be excited. Last year, Hema relaunched her 29-year-old with Tell Me O Kkhuda, but it failed to resurrect her career as the movie IANS tanked at the box office.

One-sided love Ek Main aur Ekk tu may not impress everyone but it’s the freshest offering from Dharma productions yet Sana Mirza

ahul Kapoor (Imran Khan) is an architect working in Las Vegas. As unhappy as he is on the inside, fulfilling his parents (Boman Irani and Ratna Pathak Shah) unending wishes, he still seems content. Then all of a sudden he loses his job. Distraught, he decides to hide it from his parents till he finds another one. Enter Riana (Kareena Kapoor) who is his complete opposite. A fun-loving, witty hairstylist who feeds off optimism even though she is completely

Movie: Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu Cast: Imran Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Boman Irani, Ratna Pathak Shah, Ram Kapoor Directed by: Shakun Batra Rating:

broke. A chance coincidence and countless drinks later, the two end up marrying. The next day, the two, decide to get the marriage annulled. The 10 days that follow prior their

appearance in court, is what forms the next two hours of the movie. Debutant Shakun Batra gives us a fresh story leaving out the mush and trying to keep it real. The script misses out on establishing the realisation of love and underplays it. The cinematography works and lifts up the spirit in most of the scenes, so does the music. Kareena and Imran both deliver flawless performances. The small supporting cast has done a fabulous job too. To classify it as the perfect date movie on V-day plan may have consequences. Strictly a one time watch.

It’s an honour to work with Aamir in Dhoom 3: Abhishek

bhishek Bachchan, whose last flick Players failed to set the box-office afire, has teamed up with Aamir Khan in Dhoom 3 and says it’s an honour to work with the talented actor. “Very excited about starting Dhoom again and working with Aamir. Aamir has become a standard for us today. He is a senior. He is somebody whose work I have admired since the start of my career, even when I was in school,” the 36-year-old said while launching the new Omega watch. “(I have) Grown up watching his films, it’s a matter of great honour for me to be able to share screen space with him, very excited,” he added. Dhoom 3 will see Abhishek reprising his role of ACP Jai Dixit as seen in the first two franchises of the series Besides Dhoom 3, Abhishek is also working on Bol Bachchan IANS and Chakravyuha.

Ranbir invites Shahid for world tour T

hey get along well enough to be called friends after their bonding in Macau for the Zee Cine Awards — and now Ranbir Kapoor has made a special request to Shahid Kapoor to join him on a world tour in August. Shahid is trying his utmost to adjust his dates to accompany Ranbir. Confirming these developments, Ranbir’s father Rishi Kapoor, who would also be the

tour’s producer, said “Shahid and my son have become good friends. He is likely to join us. The rest of the details are still being finalised.” Shahid earlier had to opt out after his next film directed by Maneesh Sharma got delayed because of the director’s back problem. But then, something unforeseen happened and Ranbir’s bonding with Shahid got stronger in

Macau during their performance at the Awards. Regarding his own performance on stage with his son, Rishi said, “There’s a demand for it. But whether my injured knees allow me the pleasure of dancing with my son, remains to be seen.” Besides Ranbir, Shahid and Katrina Kaif, the world tour would also feature Priyanka Chopra and IANS Anushka Sharma.

CINEMA SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

ib r c s Sub

! y a Tod

6 Months

` 199/-

1 Year

` 349/-

CINEMA SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

A gem of a film

PHILIPPE FALARDEAU, THE FILM’S DIRECTOR, WON ‘BEST CANADIAN FIRST FEATURE’ AT THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FOR HIS FILM LA MOITIÉ GAUCHE DU FRIGO

(2000).

An exploration of how adults speak to children about issues they’d rather not confront themselves Postnoon News

onsieur Lazhar, the Canadian film in contention for Best Foreign Film, is about how a new teacher helps the class of children to comprehend their erstwhile teacher’s demise. The story is set in Montreal.

A group of grade six students is stunned to discover the tragic death of their class teacher. Monsieur Lazhar (Mohamed Fellag) is an Algerian immigrant who talks his way into the job of taking over the classroom where the teacher has died. He’s very happy to have the teaching position, but there’s an immediate

Macaulay Culkin’s Rep slams health speculation

acaulay Culkin is fit as a fiddle, his spokeswoman insists — despite what Entertainment Tonight suggests. The 31-year-old actor’s publicist has fired back at ETOnline, after the site published a photo of the star looking thin on the streets of New York on Wednesday. “Macaulay Culkin is in perfectly good health,” Culkin’s publicist told TheWrap in a statement. “For Entertainment Tonight — or any other media — to speculate otherwise is reckless.”

Work on Paradise Lost shut down

aradise Lost, Legendary Pictures’ big-budget, special effectsladen take on the John Milton classic poem, has been shut down. The movie was to have been directed by Alex Proyas and to have starred Bradley Cooper as Lucifer. The project couldn’t overcome two challenges; budget and special effects. The budget was more than $120 million and was responsible for one postponement already. Legendary has been looking to make more movies on its own and away from the slate-financing business that had been its bread and butter.

culture clash in Lazhar’s high expectations of the children. The kids are not afraid to speak their mind, which puzzles Lazhar. The growing relationship between Lazhar and two of his students, who are particularly troubled by their teacher’s death, forms the

ROAD TO OSCARS Name: Monsieur Lazhar Director: Philippe Falardeau Cast: Mohamed Fellag Category: Foreign

centre of the story. On the other hand, Lazhar is coping with an immeasurable loss in his own life and is fighting desperately to be permitted to stay in Canada. His story unfolds quietly in parallel to his experiences with the children, but what they have in common is grief. It is a film about how children cope in the world of adult experience and emotion. The children’s performances are heart-rending, and Mohamed Fellag puts in an understated performance that is profoundly affecting.

CINEMA SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

JEAN DUJARDIN auditions for an action movie villain A

fter winning a slew of awards, including a best actor Golden Globe for his part in The Artist, Jean Dujardin is ready for his next big American role. And according to his team in Hollywood — or at least in this Funny or Die video — they have the perfect character in mind for the French movie star, 39. Using fellow European natives Christoph Waltz and Javier Bardem as examples, Dujardin’s team points out his obvious next role will be a villain in an action film.

I have a talent crush on Gosling: Radcliffe

ctor Daniel Radcliffe says he has developed a fascination towards Ryan Gosling. “This year I have a talent crush on Ryan Gosling. I think he’s

fantastic and you know he’d be nice afterwards. He seems smart. If I was gay I would go for a smart man,” Gosling was quoted as saying. IANS

MILEY CYRUS OUT OF ADAM SANDLER’S

VAMPIRE HOTEL FLICK

iley Cyrus was planning on joining the vampire craze, but the former Disney darling has decided that Dracula isn’t for her right now. The actress-singer is no longer attached to Adam Sandler’s upcoming animated flick, Hotel Transylvania. Cyrus was to voice Mavis, the young daughter of the quintessential bloodsucker Dracula (Sandler). So why’d Miley ditch the project? Some are speculating that she’s more interested in partying than working. However, a source says that Cyrus simply decided to take some more time to figure out what her next move in the movies should be.

CHAI TIME SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 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.

Love rules the court, the camp, the grove, And men below, and saints above: For love is heaven, and heaven is love. – Sir Walter Scott

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 "Get Yer ___ Out!" (Stones album) 6 Moby Dick, for one 11 Tax computer? 14 "That's ___!" (parent's admonition) 15 Carbon monoxide creators 16 ___ polloi 17 Up-front money, as for a car 19 "Zone" or "table" lead-in 20 Ax kin 21 Part of a wash cycle 22 VIP on Oscar night 24 Clams and oysters, e.g. 26 Difficult journey 27 Number in the "Pledge of Allegiance" 28 Just adequate 32 1998 British Petroleum acquisition 35 "___ la Douce" 36 Racetrack tipster 37 Prima donna 38 Prickly shrub 39 Corporate symbol 40 A Baldwin brother 41 Billions and billions of years 42 Trifle 43 Shopkeeper 45 Espionage grp. 46 Designer Christian 47 Redd Foxx role 51 Gold measure 53 Like a new penny 55 "7 Faces of Dr. ___" (1964 movie) 56 Historical period 57 Bank freebie 60 Santa subordinate 61 Bake-off needs 62 Furious 63 "Knot" homophone 64 Ungainly 65 A bit teary-eyed

DOWN 1 The three words of a "Seinfeld" catchphrase 2 "+" pole

3 "You scared me!" 4 "Raggedy" doll 5 Surname of an HBO crime family 6 "The Shootist" was his last film 7 Joins in wordlessly 8 Suit to ___ 9 "Man of a Thousand Faces" Chaney 10 Compounds that contribute to beer's fruity flavor 11 It can be balanced 12 Cornmeal bread 13 White House intern, e.g. 18 Suffix with "million" 23 Entree for a carnivore 25 Flat Italian bread 26 Big man in Russia, once 28 Make a hard copy 29 Iowa university town 30 Racing sled

31 School on the Seven Dwarfs Thames 51 Having a sharp edge 32 "The Wedding 52 Woody's son Singer" star Sandler 53 Eject, as lava 33 1,760 yards 54 Hit the horn 34 Balance problem? 58 Magda and Zsa Zsa's 35 Blacksmith's material sister 38 Grizzly, for one 59 Hindu Mr. 42 "A Christmas Carol" character PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER 44 Ballpark purchase 45 "___ Get a Witness" (Marvin Gaye hit) 47 Spacek of the screen 48 Earthenware jars 49 "Nick of Time" singer Bonnie 50 One of the

CHAI TIME SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

Aries Six of Pentacles

ork – You do not need to feel overwhelmed by the job at hand. Your bosses are aware of how much you can deliver. They will also provide you with assistance. Romance – You’ve reached a comfortable understanding with your partner where you both know when to give space and when to be there for the other. Health – You will get whatever therapy you need at this point. It could be in the form of touch therapy or Reiki or something alternative. Money – Your finances improve through the intervention of a third party. Your debts are cleared. Tarot message – Keep an open mind and share with others – whether giving or taking. Don’t be rigid with yours-and-mine theory.

Taurus The Hermit

ork – You need to work out a solution on your own. Though you may work in a team, you will be expected to do your bit by yourself. Romance – Though you may be together with someone, during this time of your life you’re on your own personal inner journey. Explain this to your spouse. Health – You may be restless because you are anxious to find what you’re looking for. Pay attention to your dreams. They have the answers. Money – Finances are in good shape. You have whatever you need at this point. It’s another thing that money is not your top priority. Tarot message – This is a crucial time for your spiritual path. You begin to discover yourself.

Gemini

Cancer

Ace of Cups

King of Cups

ork – You want more flexibility and freedom in your work situation and are working to make this a reality. Plans will work out well. Romance – You reach new levels of understanding with your partner. You discover each other through sensual pleasures. You wine and dine. Health – Get a day at the spa, switch off your phone and indulge. Get massages, pamper yourself and come away feeling rejuvenated. Money – Review your finance portfolio. Don’t be lazy to move things around if you’re not getting the returns you hoped for. Tarot message – You get in touch with your inner self. After a long time, you have it in you to make decisions based on intuition.

ork – You think with your heart and sometimes in a very rigid corporate setup this may not work very well. Creative professionals do well. Romance – Singles are likely to meet someone interesting while travelling. Don’t close your mind to any possibility. You only lose by doing that. Health – You feel good from within and this shows on your health as well. Sip on cups of green tea and eat more salads to keep healthy. Money – You may get an opportunity to moonlight on a creative project. You begin to enjoy it so much that you plan to take it up seriously. Tarot message – Listen to your intuition and pay attention to your feelings.

Leo

Virgo

Ten of Wands

King of Swords

ork – You’re taking on more than you can handle and feeling the burden of it all. Do not hesitate to delegate. It does not mean you’re a bad employee. Romance – You and your partner need some time away to sort things out in your heads. Space will do you good. Health – Your own expectations are threatening to get you down. Step away from the situation, view the big picture. Don’t get depressed. Money – Managing your finances is important work. Take time out, no matter how difficult it is during the week, to do this. Tarot message – You are your own best friend. But you still live in society. Learn to open up and share more easily.

SUMAA TEKUR tarotreadhyd@gmail.com

Libra

Scorpio

Four of Pentacles

Four of Wands

ork – You get a job offer from a better company for more money and bigger responsibility. Be confident that you can handle it. Romance – If you’re seeing someone, the commitment deepens. You start living together, or you decide to tie the knot. Health – You make changes in your exercise routine. The change itself is refreshing. Your body responds to the new plan. Try new foods like salads and soups, too. Money – You change your tax advisor and plan your finances differently. It will have a positive impact on your portfolio. Tarot message – This is a good time. You need to lie low and continue working to make the most of this fortunate phase.

ork – Are you being too rigid about an idea suggested by a colleague? Learn to open up and follow adventurous new paths. Romance – You’re a traditionalist when it comes to courtship and marriage. You like to do things the conventional way. Find someone who thinks like you. Health – You need to get into a rhythm as far as your health is concerned. Control your weight and stop that junk food. Resist buying those packets at the supermarket. Money – The bank balance is looking excellent. You’ve saved for a rainy day and you’re feeling confident about your choices. Tarot message – You must try to achieve stability in your life. At the same time, don’t lose sight of unstructured fun.

Sagittarius Eight of Cups

ork – You’re sick of the nine-to-five routine and want to do something on your own. Experiment with ideas. Romance – If something is not working out as per plan, give it up and move on. Learn to let go. There are many fish in the sea. Health – It’s more mental stress that is getting to you. You’re worried that not everything is going to plan. You’re also anxious about the outcome of a project. Money – You’re worried that your savings may not be enough to manage your future. Plan better. Sit with pen and paper and review your monies. Tarot message – You find meaning in solitude. Long hours spent with yourself makes you look at life differently altogether.

Capricorn

ork – You have access to the best information and network of people. Use this to your advantage without being pompous or arrogant about it. Romance – You are approaching a relationship too much from the head. It’s hardly about how expensive the restaurant where you dined is. Health – Give free flow to your creativity and allow your heart to lead you. This will make you feel good about yourself. Money – Finances are in good shape. You may be too thrifty and feeling the need to cut corners wherever you deem fit. Loosen up. Tarot message – You’re all about the intellect. Your heart may be feeling left out at this point. Listen to your feelings, too.

Date 12-2-2012

Aquarius

Pisces

The Empress

Seven of Cups

The Moon

ork – Though you’re feeling extremely creative, your job might need you to be more practical and rational in your choices. Romance – You love the idea of falling in love. But what happens after that heady initial journey is damaging to your psyche. Tone down expectations. Health – Mental worry is so heightened that you wonder if everything you’re seeing is a mirage. You need to calm down and manage your thoughts. Money – Don’t trust anyone who praises an investment or land deal too much. Use your own judgement. Be careful while investing. Tarot message – There is a lot of confusion in your mind and this may have to do with the time, not so much you.

ork – Creativity is heightened at the work place. Colleagues come to you for new ideas. Think out of the box. Romance – This is the best time for romance. You enjoy a passionate relationship. The timing is just perfect. This was something you were waiting for. Health – Creative tasks energise you like no other. Get into painting, pottery, poetry, or just about anything that challenges your right brain. Money – If you have been eyeing a real estate property or something big, go after it. Don’t back out because it’s too big a deal. It’ll work out. Tarot message – Cultivate your dreams and don’t be afraid to go after them. This is a wonderful lovefilled phase in your life.

ork – Someone you work with isn’t telling you the whole truth about a situation. You don’t know the full story about a situation. So play your cards based on this knowledge. Romance – You and your significant other are connected through karma. The ups and downs you face now are because of your bond with each other. Health – You have good intuition. If something is not feeling right, trust that feeling and get help sooner rather than later. Money – Don’t cash in any investments you purchased on a whim, without fully checking out all the conditions. Tarot message – Feelings of anxiety haunt you. You haven’t been sleeping very well and need to reassure yourself that good times will come soon.

Vol: 1, No 209 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad–500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad–500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon.com and for subscription, please call 040-40672222, Fax: 040-40672211

THE SATURDAY QUIZ SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

FAMOUS SPOUSES

measuring blood pressure is called...? 9. The Constitution of India is divided into how many parts? 10. With which field is the Pullitzer prize associated? 11. Which river crosses the Equator twice? 12. Who is the longest serving woman chief minister of

India? 13. Who is the first Indian woman to receive the Oscar? 14. Who is the first Twitter user to cross 1 crore followers? 15. 'Ace', 'Double fault', 'Smash', Second service', and 'Game point' terms are related with which sport?

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR STARS?

IDENTIFY THESE FAMOUS BETTER HALVES

1 2

We all know her as the Pretty Woman. Her husband is cameraman Daniel Moder. Who is she?

Answers

5. Floodlights, stump vision, coloured clothes and white balls were first used in which World Cup? 6. What does Docomo stand for? 7. Name the tree that is seen on the reverse side of a `20 note? 8. The instrument used for

1.Finland 2. National Association of Securities' Dealers Automated Quotations 3. Arzoo! Inc. 4.Steve Wozniak 5.1991-92 World Cup in Australia vs New Zealand 6. Do Communications Over the Mobile Network 7. Palm tree 8. Sphygmomanometer 9. 22 parts 10. Journalism 11. Amazon 12. Shiela Dixit(1998 to present) 13. Bhanu Athiya (Costume design) 14. Lady Gaga 15.Tennis

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE 1. The telecom giant Nokia belongs to which nation? 2. Expand NASDAQ. 3. Following the huge success of Hotmail and its eventual sellout to Microsoft, what is the name of the new venture planned by Sabeer Bhatia? 4. Who is the co founder of Apple with Steve Jobs ?

MOVIE GURU IDENTIFY THE MOVIE FROM WHICH THESE DIALOGUES HAVE BEEN TAKEN

1 2 3

Bade bade desho mein aisi chhoti chhoti baatein hoti rehti hein

His wife is the US Secretary of State. But a roll in the hay with a certain Miss Monica Lewinsky almost got him the boot as well as international humiliation. Who is he?

Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost

Known as the dhak dhak girl, she broke many hearts when she got married to a US-based cardiologist. Who is she?

1. Julia Roberts 2. Bill Clinton 3. Madhuri Dixit

Jab gaaon main bachchha rota hain,to uski maa kahti hai ki beta soja soja warna crime master gogo aa jayega..

Answers

KNOW YOUR COUNTRY

Which Indian state is the largest producer in the world of the gold-coloured ‘Muga’ silk ?

Main tumhe bhool nahin sakta kyunki yeh ho nahin sakta, aur tum mujhe bhool nahi sakti kyunki ye main hone nahi doonga….

Which Indian town is also known as the little Japan?

Answers: 1. Christopher Reeves 2. Penelope Cruz 3. Kylie Minogue 4. Harrison Ford

The twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad are divided by a lake. The famous stone embankment across the lake is known by a pretty simple name. There are two theories associated with how it got its name. State both of them.

PICTURE PUZZLE with Santosh Ghule Find the mother and her unborn foetus in the picture Answer next week

WHO AM I? I was a young man from York when I started off, a life at sea is what I desired and so I became a merchant on a ship. A storm wrecked my ship and I was cast on an island for 28 years. There I learnt what it was to be human and how to use my environment to survive. Who am I?

Answer: Robinson Crusoe

Which actor-turned-politician was also a nominee for a Nobel prize?

Answers

1. Dilwale Dulhaniya le Jayenge (Shahrukh Khan) 2.Om Shanti Om( Sharukh Khan) 3. Namakhalal (Amitabh Bachchan) 4.Andaaz Apna Apna(Aamir Khan) 5. Dhadkan ( Suneil Shetty)

Which is the first state to be formed on the basis of language?

4 5

I can talk in English, I can walk in English, I can run in English… because English is a very phunny language

1. Assam 2. Andhra Pradesh 3. Jayalalithaa; She was nominated for the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize by the World Federation of Tamil Youth 4. Sivakasi 5. It's called Tank Bund because over the years the size of the 22 km² lake has reduced and people started referring to it as a really big 'tank. Also, there's an old M48 Patton Tank on display next on the Bund. The tank is one of 100s captured during the Battle of Assal Uttar in the Indo-Pak 1965 war.

Answers

SPORTS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

Wallace in for Sexton

Fergie for England: Kenny

Bahrain GP in doubt

reland called Paddy Wallace into their squad on Friday as injury cover for fly-half Jonathan Sexton just a day before Saturday's Six Nations international against France in Paris. Starting stand-off Sexton suffered what an Ireland team spokesman said was a ‘tweak’ in his thigh muscle during Friday's kicking session. After Sexton was examined by medical staff, officials decided to send for Wallace, who had been due to play for Ulster in the Celtic League.

enny Dalglish has indulged in some wishful Liverpool thinking before their visit to Old Trafford by advocating his old adversary Sir Alex Ferguson as the logical choice to succeed Fabio Capello as the England manager. The Liverpool manager is acutely aware of his fellow Scot's aversion to coming to England's rescue or to leaving his post at Manchester United. However, Dalglish believes the FA should make another inquiry into his rival's availability.

ernie Ecclestone's hopes of staging the Bahrain Grand Prix on April 22 are looking increasingly remote following an attack on a British man, Peter Morrissey, who is recovering in hospital after having two fingers severed by a sword. Morrissey, 51, reportedly lost his way while driving in the suburb of Karranah, in the north of the island, and was forced from his car before being attacked by masked youths. He also suffered broken ribs and bruises.

Pebble braces for Weekend Woods Greg Heakes

PEBBLE BEACH: Tiger Woods hopes to make a weekend charge at the leaders, having held steady with a pair of 68s through the first two rounds of the PGA Tour’s Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Former world number one Woods shot a two-under 68 on the par-70 Monterey Peninsula Country Club Course on Friday, leaving him at six-under 136 and six shots back of leader Charlie Wi. “I drove it good today, unfortunately I just didn’t make enough birdies,” Woods said. “The golf course got a little interesting coming in. The greens had a little movement to them, so I just had to hit the ball closer.” The 36-year-old Woods has been brandishing his driver all week, missing just four fairways in the first two rounds played at both Monterey Peninsula and Spyglass Hill courses. He now heads to the Pebble Beach Links where he has fond memories, including a dramatic rally from a seven-shot deficit in the final round in 2000. Later that year, Woods captured the US Open at Pebble Beach by a whopping 15 strokes. Woods said he slightly dislocated his right wrist on the eighth hole Friday but “popped it back in”. Woods was trying to hit a shot out of deep divot when he jammed it. It bothered him for one hole and that was all he said. “It was just a joint. No big deal,” said the 14-time major winner. “Once I popped it back in, it was good. “The problem was, I was in a divot on an uphill slope and it was a tough combo.” This is Woods’ first time playing Monterey which is considered the easiest of the three in the rotation. Woods is playing in this event for the first time in 10 years and Monterey was not in the mix back then.

Woods reacts to a missed putt on the 14th hole during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. EZRA SHAW/GETTY IMAGES/AFP

Woods got the toughest course, Spyglass, out of the way on the first day. After a perfect sunny, windless conditions on Thursday, an unexpected heavy mist and cooler temperatures moved in quickly in the afternoon on Friday. Like everyone else Woods was caught offguard by the storm. “My dad always said ‘you only get wet once.’” In keeping with the nature of the Pro-Am aspect of the event Woods even had to endure some trash talking from playing partner Tony Romo, who plays quarterback for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. After rolling in a 25-foot putt on No. 2, Romo had the gallery laughing after he turned to Woods and said “I got this hole Tiger." Woods began the second round at four-under and opened with a birdie for the second day in a row as he tackled the Monterey course. On his second hole his approach sailed straight at the pin but bounced once before stopping about 20 feet away before making par. Woods was unlucky on the par-three 155 yard third when his putt for birdie caught the lip and did a horseshoe around the cup before spitting back at him. He tapped in for par leaving him one under for the day. Woods made his first mistake of the round on No. 4 when his drive sailed into the right fairway bunker. It was just the third missed fairway of the tournament for Woods. He then three-putted for a bogey. Woods is still test-driving his re-shaped swing and is making his first appearance of the season on the PGA Tour. He finished tied for third two weeks ago at a tournament in Abu Dhabi. Woods made the turn Friday in two-under 32 after posting three birdies and one bogey. Woods picked up one more birdie on the back nine and closed with two pars on 17 and the par-four 18th holes.

Rory, Bjorn heat up the desert Josh Charles

DUBAI: World number two Rory McIlroy and red-hot Thomas Bjorn shared the lead at the halfway stage of the Dubai Desert Classic on Friday. At the $2.5 million European Tour event, the 2009 champion McIlroy posted an early bogeyfree round of seven-under par 65 to set the pace, and his tally of 13under par 131 was matched later in the day by the 2001 champion Bjorn (65).

Rory McIlroy reacts as he follows a AFP/KARIM SAHIB shot. Among those lurking behind the leading duo was German world number four Martin Kaymer (67) and English world number three Lee Westwood (65). Kaymer, who made the first hole-in-one of his life during the round, was tied for fourth place at 11-under par 133, while Westwood was another shot behind at 134. Overnight leader Rafael Cabrera-Bello came in with a 69 to be at a 12-under par 132 to be one off the lead. Tied alongside Kaymer were Frenchman Gregory Bourdy (67) and Scotland’s Scott Jamieson (68). The day’s best round was by 2007 champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden. An eight-under par 64 showed the Swede was reaping the reward for all the hard work put in after a knee surgery in December last year, and he surged to tied 11th place at 136. Scoring continued to be easy in exceptional weather conditions and the cut was applied at one-under par 143 and 79 players, including past champion Fred Couples and Mark O’Meara, made it to the weekend rounds.

SPORTS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

Sharapova’s Parisian nightmare Tom Williams

World number three Roger Federer waves to supporters after losing to John Isner during the Davis Cup World Group first round.

Roger and out! Federer stunned

AFP/SEBASTIEN FEVAL

The world number three, saw his 15-match winning streak in the Davis Cup ended by the giant American, John Isner Dave James

PARIS: Roger Federer slumped to his first Davis Cup defeat in nine years on Friday when he was shocked 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 62 by John Isner as the United States opened up a 2-0 lead over Switzerland. World number three Federer, playing a World Group first round tie for the first time in eight years, saw his 15-match winning streak in the competition ended by the giant Isner on the indoor clay courts at Fribourg. Isner secured victory with three return winners as the 32time Davis Cup champions moved closer to a quarter-final spot. Federer insisted that he and Stanislas Wawrinka, the

Olympic doubles champions, can still pull the tie around by winning Saturday’s doubles against Mike Bryan and Ryan Harrison. “I played a good match considering the altitude and the fact that it was my first match on clay since the French Open,”

It’s a tough loss, but we are not down and out yet. Stan [Stanislas Wawrinka] and I will pick ourselves up just like we did at the Olympics. Roger Federer

said Federer. “It’s a tough loss, but we are not down and out yet. Stan and I will pick ourselves up just like we did at the Olympics.” Isner described the win as the best of his career and gave credit to captain Jim Courier. “The way I played today is the way I need to play in all my matches. I owe it to Jim Courier — he was on at me to hit all my shots. It’s the win of my life,” said Isner, who unleashed 85 winners. Courier said Isner got his tactics just right against the 16time Grand Slam title winner whose last Davis Cup singles loss came in 2003 when he was defeated by Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt in Melbourne. “The mission was to go out there and not allow an artist a

canvas to work with,” said Courier. Earlier, Mardy Fish had defeated Wawrinka 6-2, 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 9-7 in the opening rubber. “There’s something special about the Davis Cup. You just never give up,” said Fish. Defending champions Spain, who are without Rafael Nadal, were comfortably placed at 2-0 ahead of Kazakhstan in Oviedo. Veteran Juan Carlos Ferrero clawed out a 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 4-6, 6-4 win over Mikhail Kukushkin before Nicolas Almagro defeated Andrey Golubev 6-3, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. World number one Novak Djokovic is also absent from 2010 champions Serbia’s tie in Nis against Sweden.

PARIS: Top seed Maria Sharapova crashed out of the WTA Paris Open in the quarterfinals on Friday after falling 6-4, 6-4 to German ninth seed Angelique Kerber. Sharapova had breezed past Kerber in straight sets en route to the Australian Open final last month but the 24-year-old exacted sweet revenge on the world number three at a disbelieving Pierre de Coubertin indoor arena. “It was a tough day because my opponent played really well,” admitted Sharapova. “I did have opportunities but I didn’t take them today. “I was up in both sets and I had breaks but she played extremely well — much better than I did, in any case. “I wasn’t as aggressive as I would have liked. She’s someone who also likes to go in and she has a good amount of power. She used that to her advantage more than I did.”

AFP/JACQUES DEMARTHON

Kerber, the world number 27, had never previously beaten a top-10 player. “It’s amazing,” she said. “It’s my first top-five win. I knew before the match that I had nothing to lose and my coach was telling me: ‘If you want to win this match, you’ll have to play your best tennis.’ “I tried to do that and I’m very happy that I beat her and I’m in the semis.” Second seed Marion Bartoli, the last Frenchwoman in the draw, came perilously close to following Sharapova out of the tournament before fighting back from 4-6, 1-4 down to defeat Italian seventh seed Roberta Vinci 4-6, 6-4, 76 (7/2). She will now face world number 51 Klara Zakopalova on Saturday, after the Czech came from behind to win 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 against Julia Goerges.

SPORTS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

Afghanistan’s cricket fans celebrate after Pakistan’s cricketer Mohammad Hafeez was dismissed during the first One Day International match between Pakistan and Afghanistan at the Sharjah Cricket AFP/LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI Stadium in Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates on Friday.

Cricket trumps politics Shahid Hashmi

SHARJAH: Afghanistan’s firstever One-Day International against Pakistan achieved what no other sport had managed — support from the once crickethating Taliban, an official said Saturday. “Friday’s match was a big milestone for Afghanistan, so much so that the Taliban sent a message of support, saying they are praying for the success of the team,” Omar Zakhilwal, president Afghanistan Cricket Board told reporters. Although Afghanistan lost by seven wickets in the first-ever one-dayer against Pakistan on Friday, they gave a good account of themselves, scoring 195 and then capturing three early wickets before succumbing. Cricket has become the top sport in the war-ravaged country in the last three years after it was introduced by youths who learnt the game in refugee

A young supporter of the Afghan team at the first ODI between Pakistan and Afghanistan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. AFP/LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI camps in Pakistan following the Soviet invasion of their country in 1979. Under the Taliban regime no outdoor sport was allowed and grounds were primarily used for executing political opponents who defied the hardliners.

But since the ouster of the Taliban, following the war on terror led by the United States in 2001, cricket has taken root with Afghanistan winning one-day status in 2009. Zakhilwal, also the finance minister in the Hamid Karzai-

led government, said cricket is uniting the nation. “Even president Karzai was watching the match and wished the team well,” said Zakhilwal. “Across the country 80-90 percent of the kids were watching the game as this was a big occasion for our cricket.” Zakhilwal said no other thing unites Afghanistan like cricket. “On streets you can see kids playing, there is no other sport which mobilises the people, neither politics nor any other event, neither the reconstruction, there is nothing which can match cricket. “This [cricket] becomes an example of progress in other areas as well. Even with little peace in our country we have achieved this much in cricket. We can achieve more — when there is a will, there is a way, with the support of the people.” Zakhilwal said his board will push other nations to play his

team. “We are pushing the top teams,” said Zakhilwal, praising Pakistan for giving them the opportunity. “It was great support from Pakistan. We are pushing India, Australia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and with this kind of performance and following I see no reason why they don’t play us.” Zakhilwal urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for more help. “They have done their part but they should help us get more chances against top teams,” said Zakhilwal, hoping countries would not shy away from facing his team. “My personal opinion is that top teams shy away from playing us because winning against Afghanistan is not huge but losing against them would be big for them. We now have two international stadiums — in Kabul and Jalalabad — and we are open to all teams.”

SPORTS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012

Fergie trumpets United’s ‘dignity’ Neil Johnston

MANCHESTER: Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted Manchester United will “keep their dignity” when they face Liverpool in a potentially fiery Premier League game at Old Trafford here today. The latest match between the bitter rivals is set to be the first time Liverpool striker Luis Suarez will come face-toface with Patrice Evra since the Uruguay international was hit with an eight-game

Harry Redknapp (C) prepares to address the media outside Southwark Crown Court in London.

AFP/CARL COURT

First in line, Harry takes his time England are looking for a new manager following Capello’s shock resignation and Redknapp is the leading contender to replace the Italian Julian Guyer

LONDON: Harry Redknapp may be the fans’ favourite to become the next England manager but the man himself was in no hurry to take on the job on Friday, saying he wanted to see out the season with Tottenham Hotspur. England are looking for a new manager following Fabio Capello’s shock resignation and Redknapp is the leading contender to replace the Italian. After Capello quit on Wednesday, four months before Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine, the Football Association installed Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce as care-

taker boss for this month’s friendly against the Netherlands at Wembley. England then don’t have a match to play until two weeks after the conclusion of the Premier League season and Redknapp could yet be in a position to manage his country at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. But the 64-year-old, with Spurs third in the table and pushing for a first English title since 1961, wants to stay at White Hart Lane until the season ends. “I’d be very surprised if I didn’t finish the season with Tottenham, that’s for sure," he told reporters at the club’s training ground. “I haven’t thought

about not being here at the end of the season and I’ve got no idea why I shouldn’t." Redknapp is in pole position to succeed Capello, who resigned in protest at the FA’s decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy. But the Englishman, who won the 2008 FA Cup with Portsmouth, insisted he did not expect the FA to come calling. “I don’t think you ever think you’re going to be in a position” where you will be appointed manager, he said. “Whilst it is flattering to be mentioned at the moment, I never think I should be doing this or that. If the opportunity comes, and I get asked [about England], I’ll have to consider it."

City calm under fire MANCHESTER: Roberto Mancini has denied suggestions his Manchester City players are buckling under the strain of leading the Premier League. City skipper Vincent Kompany (knee) and Samir Nasri (groin) are in contention for City’s game against Aston Villa after treatment, but Mario Balotelli is again missing as he completes a four-

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match ban. Midfielder Yaya Toure and defender Kolo Toure are still at the African Nations Cup. Villa start the weekend 13th in the table after one win in five games but the Birmingham club are eight points above the relegation zone. They have not won at Villa Park in six matches, a run including four defeats. Villa’s last home victory was against Norwich on November 5. DEMI ROGER DUDLEY JULIANNE

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Neil Johnston

ban for racially abusing the United defender in a game at Anfield in October. Ferguson, asked at a press conference in Manchester on Friday whether he was content with the way Liverpool had handled the matter, replied: “Well, they’ve said plenty haven’t they? Ferguson also played down the pre-match handshake between Evra and Suarez. “I’ve never really thought about it," Sir Alex Ferguson said.