Postnoon E-Paper for 13 January 2013 by Scribble Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

JENNIFER LAWRENCE DATING COOPER?

DEMI LOVATO LIVING AT SOBER HOUSE IN LA

urther fueling today’s word that Jennifer Lawrence and longtime boyfriend Nicholas Hoult have split up, the star and her recently single co-star Bradley Cooper were seen having a quiet dinner at a Hollywood hotspot.

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JANUARY 13, 2013 HYDERABAD

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GOOD DOCTORS, BAD QUESTIONS REPORT ON PG 5

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ON SUNDAY

Doctors still check the marital status of a female patient before suggesting tests meant for sexually-active women. While most in the health industry agree that this needs to change, some say the patients are offended if questioned.

THE GREATEST STORY EVER WRITTEN

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he rise and rise of Rajinikanth in filmdom is a story that generations of cinephiles will continue to talk about in future. For the first time, a biography of the superstar — Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography, has been written. We get talking to Nama Ramachandran, the author of Rajinikanth’s biography to know more about the book.

CITY SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

FESTIVE TIME

Hyderabad Lit festival As part of the Bonjour India festival, a celebration of Indo-French cultural exchange, there will be a literature festival, with panel discussion by French author Kenizé Mourad and the Hindu correspondent in France Vaiju Naravane. Where: Maulana Azad University, Gachibowli When: January 18-20 Contact: (040) 2770 0734

Code Red Countdown Code Red Countdown is an art collection revolving around ecology, by New York based artist Asher Jay. The theme is endangered wildlife. Where: Lalitha Kala Thoranam, Public gardens, Hyderabad. When: January 27 6pm to 9:30pm Contact: 93965 55888

Visual Poetry Drawing and paintings by Siddhartha, Kappari Kishan & Shivanand Basavanthappa Where: Shrishti Art Gallery, Jubilee Hills When: Up to January 15 Contact: (040) 2354 0023

Foie Gras & Asparagus Taj Falaknuma Palace is offering foie gras & asparagus on the menu. Pan seared foie gras with mandarin oranges, dill brioche drizzled with truffle oil and pate de foie gras with asparagus cream mousse are some of the items on the menu. Where: Celeste, Taj Falaknuma Palace When: Up to January 20 Contact: (040) 6629 8525

Makar Sankranti There’s an exquisite signature thali with sweets made of rice, jaggery, green gram and sesame on the occasion of Sankranti. Where: Dakshin, Begumpet When: January 14-15 Contact: (040) 2340 0132

Punjabi Food Festival There will be a bonfire and Punjabi delicacies like Murgh Tikka Anari, Gosht Ka Saag, Sarson Da Saag, Makki Da Roti and Doodhi Halwa will be served. Where: The Square, Hitec City When: Up to January 20 Contact: (040) 6682 4422

Gloria Jean’s coffee Gloria Jean’s, an international coffee chain, has introduced two new flavours for this season: Creamy Christmas Chocolate and Snowy Christmas Chiller. Customers get a

CINEMAS

Gangireddu, the decorated bull, considered sacred, during Sankranti celebrations at Jubilee Hills. chance to win exotic holidays in India and Thailand. Where: Lifestyle, first floor, Begumpet and Unit No.G 49 A, Inorbit Mall, When: Up to January 15 Contact: (040) 4221 9376

The Monsoon Oracle The Monsoon Oracle is a factual film based on ritualistic practices that take places in the country. It revolves around the rituals performed, predicting the arrival of monsoon. Where: NIFT, Madhapur When: January 25, Contact: (040) 2311 4537

Tribute to Khanna There will be dance performances on Rajesh Khanna’s songs to pay tribute to the superstar. The dance will be choreographed by Mahesh L Munde, who has choreographed national and international performances. Where: Lalitha Kala Thoranam, Public gardens, Hyderabad When: January 27 6pm to 9:30pm Contact: 93965 55888

Numaish Numaish is the 73rd All India Industrial Exhibition is an ongoing event in the City. Where: Exhibition Ground, Mukarramjahi Road, Nampally When: Up to February 15, 4pm to 11pm Contact: (040) 2460 3015

The Republic Ride The biggest corporate cycling event at Hyderabad is being organized by The Atlanta Foundation on republic day. The aim is to promote educational programs for underprivileged children. Where: Gachibowli Stadium When: January 26, 6:15am onwards Contact: atlantafoundation.org

Dream Kitchen TTK Prestige has come up with its annual New Year’s promotion the “Super Saver Offer” with various deals and discounts on the entire range of Prestige products. Where: Prestige outlets When: Up to January 31 Contact: (040) 2330 6825

Chai wallah art show There is an exhibition of paintings

M .ANIL KUMAR

by Vijay Gille at the gallery on Chai wallah and other stories. Where: Iconart Gallery, Banjara Hills When: Up to January 12 11:30am to 7pm Contact: www.iconart.in

Shoppers Stop sale Sale up to 51 per cent off on international and Indian brands across categories at Shoppers Stop, HomeStop and Mothercare outlets with Shoppers Stop Where: Shoppers Stop outlets, When: from January 12 Contact: www.shoppersstop.com

Business Lunch A three course menu with Italian cuisine prepared by chef Matteo Gradi at Park Hyatt Where: Tre-Forni Bar & Restaurant When: Weekdays only 12pm to 3:30pm Contact: (040) 4949 1234

Big Hyper Sale HyperCITY, is having its Hyper Sale at all its stores across India. Customers can get discounts and deals across categories, including fresh produce, home & furniture, electronics, toys and apparels. Where: Inorbit mall, Madhapur. When: Up to January 31

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 SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

PUC operators fleece customers RAHUL RAMAKRISHNA

rahul.r@postnoon.com

he RTA has received quite a lot of flak over its way of functioning. So much so that despite severe criticism from the media and civil societies, the department continues to neglect issues deeply rooted within its functioning. One such issue was highlighted by Postnoon, about a naive youth working in Pollution Under Check (PUC) units. Now, an RTI

reply shows that these units, in addition to being out of touch with technology and environmental regulations, over charges its customers. According to an RTI reply received by S Mahendar Reddy, an RTI activist, 156 petrol PUC units and 154 diesel PUC units operate within the City limits. “Apart from the doubtful ways in which these units function, what they charge is double or sometimes triple the amount for one pollution check,” he said. Technically, `15 is to be charged for petrol two wheelers, and `25 for petrol three and four wheelers.

Diesel vehicles under any category are to be charged `30. However, PUCs operating in the City charge `40 for two wheelers and `80 for four wheelers. “There was no announcement or amendment made to increase the price. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that these unit operators have hiked these prices on record. And the fact that a polluting vehicle and a non-polluting vehicle get the same pollution level readings, in addition to these hiked charges, shows that the RTA is not doing its homework,” said Rahul Buddala, an RTI activist.

While the RTA maintains that the responsibility of these units has been outsourced to a private agency, which in turn employs gullible youth to operate these units, they acknowledge the fact that inspection of these units is to be done. A senior official from the Khairatabad RTA office said, “We will look into this matter after receiving a formal complaint. Checking on these units is yet to be done but it will happen soon.” Joint Commissioner, RTA, for Hyderabad, Panduranga Rao, was unavailable for comment.

Vivekananda’s birth anniversary in City POSTNOON NEWS

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yderabad Bangalee Samity organised a quiz competition for schools in the twin Cities on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The competition was conducted by K-Circle, who are professionals in quiz competitions. Geetanjali Devashray of Secunderabad was the winner, with Geetanjali Secondary School, Begumpet, coming a close second. Harish Chandhar and KVN Karthik participated from Geetanjali Devashray and Yash Baldeva and Siddharth V Rao contested from

Some activists said that the unit operators also ought to suggest necessary remedies for curbing pollution levels. “In fact, it is also their responsibility to check for vehicular problems and rectify minor defects of the vehicle so as to comply with the provisions made under sub-rule (2) of Rule 115 of the Central Motor Vehicular Act,” said Buddala. But you will stunned by the ignorance of operators. Mahesh, an operator on the Jubilee-KBR park road said, “I am only a Class X graduate and have been taught to only operate the unit.”

Woman gang-raped in Amberpet

woman was allegedly gang-raped by two men on Saturday night at Durga Nagar in Amberpet.Only when the victim’s husband came home after his night duty on Sunday morning did the incident came to light. The victim was then shifted to a hospital for treatment. Amberpet police are investigating the case, but the victim has not lodged a complaint yet. The woman was alone at home and had gone to attend nature’s call when the two youths, who had consumed alcohol, allegedly raped her. Tension prevailed in the area following the incident.

Geetanjali Secondary school. Pallavi Model school came third. The programme was sponsored by Celebrity Club. Hyderabad Bangalee Samity had organised a cultural programme on this occasion with a speech by Nrupender Rao, CMD of Penner Group, on Swami Vivekananda. Songs dedicated to him were also sung. The celebrations will culminate with a programme on January 27 at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, with a cultural programme by Prabudda Raha and group from Kolkata, and a speech by Swami Sarvagananda, a renowned speaker from Ramakrishna Mission.

Visa denied for British journalist

he award-winning British journalist Yvonne Ridley, who was scheduled to address a conference on Saturday in Hyderabad was denied visa by authorities. Ridley was to address various sessions at the 3-day Spring of Islam conference being organised by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. However, through her video conferences. she was able to address three sessions on girls, women and journalists. The Hyderabad president of the organisation said she was given necessary clearances by the external affairs ministry, but was denied visa in the last minute because of the tense situation here.

Jail birds run petrol bunk! An experimental fuel bunk, operated by convicts, will be opened adjacent to Chanchalguda jail. It will operate round-the-clock. Mohd Subhan mohd.s@postnoon.com

enitence will turn a new chapter soon when a petrol bunk being opened adjacent to the Chanchalguda jail will be exclusively operated by convicts. Prison authorities will operate the bunk in collaboration with the Indian Oil Corporation, officials told Postnoon. The plot is being marked and a plan is being drawn up for the first all-prisoners fuel bunk in the State. Ten prisoners, convicted for murder, are being drafted for the open jail policy. The idea, said officials, is to turn outlaws into productive, law-abiding citizens for the remainder of their lives. “It is on the supposition that the convicts undergoing the sentence

are contrite now and want to prove useful to the society,” said a prison official. The proposal is to launch a petrol-diesel bunk, followed by a gas station. People will have full trust in this bunk and there would be no

attempt to adulterate fuel, authorities hope. This will be a 24x7 bunk. If it proves successful, it would be replicated in Charlapally Open Jail and Warangal Central Jail. The wages of the workers would be paid to the prison department. In this instance, `1.6 lakh may be paid. The prisoner-workers would get a portion of the wages. It is learnt that the prison department has further plans for the convicted prisoners. Open jail policy is aimed at making prisoners productive and benevolent citizens, besides meeting part of the heavy expenses involved in maintaining the inmates across the State. Convicts with proven good conduct only will be chosen for the works, it is said.

Cheating case against man

he Tukaramgate police has registered a cheating case against a railway employee, 42-yearold S Kumar, on the complaint of a divorcee, Swarna Lata. The complainant, 35, a resident of Budhanagar, had met Kumar on a train. They became close friends and Kumar proposed marriage. They then went to Delhi, Madurai and Kerala, and had sexual intercourse during these trips. On returning to the City, he left her and refused to marry her. She then approached the Secunderabad court and filed a petition against him. The police are now investigating the matter.

CITY SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

Exodus from Secretariat The Sankranti holiday, coupled with the weekend, has given most employees a reason to stay away from work. What now worries officials is the backlog that awaits them on their return.

M ANIL KUMAR

Cops may add MLA’s son to rowdy list

Md INKESHAF AHMED

ahmed.m@postnoon.com

he governmental machinery has come to a virtual halt, like a vehicle that ran out of fuel. The extended holidays from Saturday to Monday owing to Sankranti on Monday afforded a short vacation to government employees, leaving the seat of governance looking like a deserted ship on Saturday. An added issue that adversely hit governmental work is the uncertainty over Telangana. The Centre’s announcement that it would unfold a solution to Telangana by January 28 has made the Telangana employees take it slow. Earlier, employees used to have solidarity among themselves and the unions played a patriarchal role, making it possible to share the burden of work. But it did not happen this time as employees and their unions adopted a ‘wait and watch’ approach. Little wonder the corridors of power were seen devoid of any visitors and ministers. Most ministers have left for their native place as Sankranti is the biggest festival after Dusshera in AP. “Sankranti festival is a vacation to celebrate for majority of the employees of the Secretariat. Every year around this time, most of the employees take leave from their work and go to their native places to celebrate the festival,” said the

AP Secretariat TNGO’s Employees’ Union convenor B Sravan Kumar. As ministers were absent, officials too were found scarce. “It was an exodus,” remarked an attender at the finance minister’s office. What now worries the employee unions is the piling up backlog. If the Telangana state is formed, much of it could be solved; if it is not, the work will overwhelm the staff for they will have to work overtime to

clear the arrears. A mid-level official at the revenue office was of the view that allowing Secretariat staff three continuous days of leave is the fault of the officers. “Why can’t anybody understand the budget is coming up, hundred problems are staring the State in the face? The energy crisis is looming large. It would have a prudent policy. While Monday is a holiday, allowing everybody three days at a stretch is not advisable,” she opined.

harmavaram DSP Nawaz Khan in Anantapur district has said that the police would open rowdysheets against all those involved in the conspiracy to kill Congress leader Kamireddypalli Sudhakar Reddy, including TDP MLA Paritala Sunita’s son, Sriram. The case took a serious turn when the police officer said that they were suspecting the involvement of Kadiri TDP MLA Venkata Prasad, as he had given shelter to Nagoor Hussain, the prime accused in the case. DSP Khan said that soon after filing chargesheets against all the 15 accused, rowdy sheets would be opened against all of them. He added that a gun, ammunition and hunting sickles were seized from the six accused so far arrested. It may be recalled that police caught three persons carrying weapons and during interrogation, they admitted that they were trying to kill Sudhakar Reddy. The court has granted anticipatory bail to Paritala Sriram, who, on Friday, appeared before the Dharmavaram police. The police arrested six more persons and produced them before the Dharmavaram court’s junior civil judge Ramachandrudu on Friday evening. The arrested include Arava Chalapati of Dharmavaram, Prakash of Durga Nagar, Nagesh Naidu of Battalapalli Mandal, Srinivasulu of Ramagiri, Shiva Sankar of Kuntimaddi NSS and Chalapati of Ramagiri.

Run for the planet in February The 5-km dash is aimed at promoting the use of eco-friendly materials and increasing the City’s green cover. M ANIL KUMAR

Rahul Ramakrishna rahul.r@postnoon.com

o green this February. Harithon 2013 is a ‘green run’ organised by Planet 3 Protection Alliance, in association with APPCB, TNR Estates Pvt Ltd, FAPCCI and NAIP. The event is aimed at promoting the use of green material like cloth bags, and helping people increase the green cover in the City. The five-km run, slated for February 17, will be flagged off from People’s Plaza on Necklace Road. This flagship programme is supported by vari-

THE 5-KM ‘HARITHON’ WILL BE FLAGGED OFF FROM PEOPLE’S PLAZA ON NECKLACE ROAD ON FEBRUARY 17. REGISTRATION IS OPEN TO ALL CITIZENS.

ous government agencies like the Hyderabad traffic police, HMDA, FICCI, APPCB, NGC and more. In addition to this, a green exhibition is also planned, to showcase various eco-friendly goods and environment friendly practices to be used for ecological conservation. Jute bags, khadi garments, potted vegetables, millets, rainwater harvesting, composting, vermicompost are some of the ideas and goods that will be made available at the exhibition. Speaking at the press meet, the heads of the various organisations emphasised the need for extending the green cover in the City and the necessity of soliciting the youth to participate in the run and make it a success. Various prizes have been listed, in addition to a free sapling given to each participant. MV Rajeshwar, secretarygeneral of FAPCCI, said, “There is a very big need for replanta-

tion and Harithon is aimed at creating interest in children and youth about this need.” Ketan Ravindra of Water Health India said, “The proceeds from this run will be used in setting up water resources in rural areas.”

Others also spoke about mobilising the youth to help the cause and give it a greater boost. K Hari Kumar, ex-officio member of ItsAp, said, “The run is aimed at mobilising the young IT crowd to educate them about the

importance of ecology and the immense business potential and tactics it holds to keep the City green and clean.” Registrations can be done online at www.p3pa.org.in at a cost of `200.

CITY SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

RANJANI RAJENDRA

ranjani.r@postnoon.com

nly yesterday, a group of 25 men showed up at Cubbon Park in Bangalore wearing skirts. Their message — a woman’s clothes should not lead to rape or sexual harassment of any kind. All across the country, heated debates are raging on about women’s rights, their security and often how women are objectified by the media leading to warped perceptions. Bust the stereotypes, they say. But come to think of it, it is funny how we still continue to associate a whole lot of stereotypes with women ourselves.

For instance, a woman cannot be aggressive because by some weird notion born out of god knows where, she is supposed to be gentle and caring. So what if she is mocked at and constantly challenged? For several men, even today, it is alright to date a woman, bed her, yet marry somebody of his parents’ choice. After all, every Indian man wants to marry a ‘good’ girl who is ‘pure’ (read virgin). And so steeped is this notion that a woman is sexually active only after marriage that even the medical fraternity

adheres to it. How often has a woman been asked ‘Are you married?’ before being sent for tests that are normally prescribed only for women who are sexually active? Doctors commonly check for a woman’s marital status before suggesting tests like trans-vaginal scans and pap smear tests. The assumption being that women are not generally sexually active before marriage. However, given today’s lifestyle, several women are sexually active regardless of their marital status and it then comes as a surprise that many doctors still prefer taking what is perceived as the ‘moral’ way out. “In our defence, the hymen is very important in Indian culture and a lot of people would still like to believe that most women are virgins at the time of marriage. However, things no longer work this way. Besides, a lot of patients prefer avoiding such questions and when asked if they are sexually active, they say they are not — this despite the fact that they would have popped a morning-after pill. Most women still prefer it if their gynaecologists and lab technicians at diagnostic centres are women,” says Dr Divya T Sudarshan, gynaecologist and obstetrician at Happy Women Clinic. Dr Praveen Kumar

DIAL M FOR MEDICINE, MARRIAGE

Doctors still check marital status before suggesting tests meant for sexually active women. While most agree that this needs to change, some say the patients are offended if questioned. Chintapanti, psychiatrist and director, Tranquil Minds Clinic, agrees that the notion is slowly changing. “Doctors are gradually changing their approach. However, it might be harder for old timers to do so. It would be best if this change in lifestyle is introduced at the medical school level itself, so that doctors are trained to associate diagnoses and tests with sexual activity rather than marital status. The assumption that a woman is sexually active only after marriage has a moral connotation and there is no room for morality in a doctor’s practice. It has to be separated from medicine,” he says, adding, “Good practitioners do ask the right questions and when the doctor doesn’t sound moralistic and the patient is assured of confidentiality, they too have no qualms about being honest.” “I agree that we need to change with the times. These days, women are sexually active even before marriage and it doesn’t then make sense to ask them only about their marital status when making diagnoses or suggesting medical tests. That said, I personally make it a point to ask my patients whether they are married or unmarried, following which I do ask them if they are sexually active. Incidentally, many of these women get offended when I do so. Their claim is that if they aren’t married, how can they be sexually active,” says Dr Divya. Often, it is claimed that doctors ask too many insensitive questions to victims of rape. Dr Praveen says, “Often, doctors at these centres are not trained on how to handle rape victims. They sometimes probe

and almost make the patient relive the incident. At the end of the day, the victim is not just another case but a human being and needs to be handled with sensitivity. Sentences like ‘This might hurt, please bear with me’ can help ease the patient’s tension too.” However, Dr Divya reasons that while as women they do feel torn and sympathetic, they have no choice. “It is

IT THEN COMES AS A SURPRISE THAT MANY DOCTORS STILL PREFER TAKING WHAT IS PERCEIVED AS THE ‘MORAL’ WAY OUT.

heart-wrenching to see rape victims being brought in for medical exams. However, since we are the ones certifying whether the woman was raped or not and if she was, then by whom, we do need to do a lot of groundwork and get all the facts in place,” says Dr Divya, who worked with a government hospital before setting up her own practice and had herself seen several cases of rape back then.

WORLD SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

Man held for molestation

Woman panch shot at in Kashmir, critical

COIMBATORE: A 24-year-old youth

SRINAGAR: A day after gunning down a sarpanch in Jammu

was arrested on charges of attempting to molest a minor girl in nearby Tirupur, police said today. He saw the eightyear-old girl, who had come to Tirupur along with her parents from Delhi, playing on the verandah of the lodge they were staying in and took her to a lonely place and tried to sexually abuse her, police said.

and Kashmir’s Baramulla district, separatist militants struck again on Saturday, shooting and critically injuring a woman panch in the same district, police said. After their election in 2011, thousands of panches and sarpanches have been demanding security cover in the wake of killings of three of them in Baramulla district. While the state government maintains it is committed to protect the elected village representatives, it says providing individual security to all of them was not possible.

Bus rape a wake up call, admits Dikshit NEW DELHI: Admitting that the protests after the gangrape incident were a “wake up” call, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has taken on the Delhi Police for lack of faith the people have in it due to its “insensitive” approach. She also suggested that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s address to the nation on the December 16 incident could have come a little earlier. Dikshit acknowledged that people “shy away” from helping others who are in distress because they feel that they will be “harassed” by the police, and asked the force to change its attitude and style of functioning. She felt that the force personnel should behave as “gentleman” police at the need of hour. “It worries me. Yes. It worries me that police force is not as sensitive or responsive as it ought to be or well behaved as it ought to be… The systems need to be changed and judicial system needs to be changed and bureaucratic system needs to be changed but it has to be thought out. But please remember it is not going to happen tomorrow,” she at television channel. “Fault lies with police. I don’t know. I have not minced my words (in saying) where the failure of this has come (from). In fact, I have not overtly but covertly criticised this. It is not my job to appoint a Police Commissioner or take him away. It is the job of the Union home ministry and I am sure they will do something,” she said. Dikshit said such mass protests were a challenge to politicians, bureaucracy,

It worries me that police force is not as sensitive or responsive as it ought to be or well behaved as it ought to be… The systems need to be changed and judicial system needs to be changed and bureaucratic system needs to be changed. Bihar to set up helpline PATNA: In the backdrop of the Delhi gangrape incident, Bihar government is setting up a dedicated helpline to serve women in distress. With an aim to ensure quick response, the Social Welfare Department has set up helplines in 35 districts of the state which would be functional round-the-clock. The Social Welfare department is also working on a toll-free number to help affected women. judiciary, police and to everybody, while “fully sympathising” with the anger and anguish of the people. Calling the gangrape as “horrendous”, she said the Supreme Court’s observation that women in Delhi are not PTI safe was “telling” and says it all.

Rail bridge damaged in barge collision

RAMESWARAM: A century-old railway bridge near Pamban coast was damaged and rail link to Rameswaram was disrupted as a barge towing a naval ship, which had ran aground, drifted and collided with it today, officials said. The accident occurred after authorities failed to pull the barge and the ship into deep waters, port officials said. The new ship bound for Karwar in Karnataka ran aground on January 10 as it was being towed

from Kolkata when strong winds swept them (ship and barge) close to the shores near the Pamban bridge connecting the island with mainland. Railway officials said part of the railway line on the British era bridge was damaged, forcing them to terminate trains from Chennai and other places to Rameshwaram at Mandapam, 15 km from here. The damage to the railway line was being assessed and it would take “some time” before PTI it was repaired, they said.

Man dies in fire ERODE: A 70-year-old deaf and dumb man was charred to death and seven huts were completely destroyed in a fire here, police said today. The fire broke out from one of the huts in Amaravathynagar a suburb, and soon spread to other thatched sheds, police said. Ramasamy, 70, could not move out of the hut in time and died of burns and smoke inhalation.

‘Will not accept IT, environment deal’ NEW DELHI: India will not accept any agreement on IT and environmental goods which is being proposed by a group of developed nations at WTO, as it would adversely impact the domestic industry, a top official said. Rich nations, including the United States, wants India and other emerging economies to be part of the four major sectoral pacts - trade facilitation (TF), information technology (IT), environmental goods and international services agreement. “On IT and environmental goods agreement, India has clearly showed its reluctance. We are against this approach. On TF, we have not said no, but we are viewing the situations and on international services agreement, we will continue to

observe it from a distance and later on take a view,” the official said. On these four matters, developed countries wants to go plurilaterally. In other words, the trade benefits arising out of such an agreement will be shared only by signatories. The plurilateral agreement on these issues that the US and Europe seem to be eager to ink would exclude the interests of developing and the least developed countries, the official added. The official also said that the developed economies instead of focusing on the issues of Doha Round, they want to sign agreements which would benefit more to them instead of developing and least developed nations. PTI

WORLD SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

Reddit co-founder commits suicide

WASHINGTON: Aaron Swartz,

an Internet genius who helped deliver new Web content to users by co-developing Reddit and RSS before becoming a digital activist, has committed suicide. He was 26. Ellen Borakove, spokeswoman for New York's chief medical examiner, told AFP that Swartz had hanged himself and was pronounced dead late Friday in the city's Brooklyn borough. At the time of his death, Swartz, who had gone on to press for free public access to Web content, was just weeks away from being put on trial on accusations of stealing millions of scientific and literary journal

Paris braces for anti-gay protest PARIS: Tens of thousands are set to march in Paris on Sunday to denounce government plans to legalise same-sex marriage and adoption which have angered many Catholics and Muslims, France's two main faiths.

CLASSIFIEDS HOME APPLIANCES

AARON WAS WEEKS AWAY FROM BEING TRIED FOR ACCUSATIONS OF STEALING MILLIONS OF SCIENTIFIC AND LITERARY JOURNAL ARTICLES FROM THE SUBSCRIPTION-ONLY JSTOR SERVICE. articles from the subscriptiononly JSTOR service. He faced decades in prison and $1 million in fines if convicted. Following the activist's 2011 arrest in Boston, his anti-censorship group Demand Progress said the

British army makes Falkland plans

Israel evicts Palestines from sites for settlement

ritish defence officials have prepared plans for dealing with aggressive action by Argentina towards the disputed Falkland Islands, the Sunday Telegraph reported. Military chiefs have drawn up proposals for the deployment of extra troops, another warship and additional RAF Typhoon jets ahead of the March vote on the islands' future, according to the report. A senior defence source told the paper: "Britain needs to be in a situation to respond very quickly to a whole series of threats -- that is why we have contingency plans. Our posture has not changed but neither are we complacent."

ZAIM: Israeli police early Sunday evicted Palestinian protesters from a hilltop camp they set up in a West Bank area slated for Jewish settlement, police and witnesses said. "Israel forces have entered the camp," one of the protest organisers, Abir Copty confirmed to AFP. About 200 Palestinian activists set up the camp, named Bab al-Shams (Gate of the Sun in Arabic), on Friday in the controversial E1 area between Israeli annexed east Jerusalem and the settlement of Maaleh Adumim. The protesters had defied Israeli orders to leave until police backed by bulldozers moved in at around 0030 GMT.

Mallory Hagan is Miss America

Obama inauguration seats draw big money To advertise on this page, contact: 9866074747 For Secunderabad 9290204030 For H y d e r a b a d - 9866663212

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WASHINGTON: The Obama administration on Saturday ruled out calls for minting a $1 trillion platinum coin to avert a crisis over the US debt ceiling amid partisan bickering. The US Treasury officially killed the idea, leaving Congress with the responsibility to increase the government's borrowing limit. "Neither the Treasury Department nor the Federal Reserve believes that the law can or should be used to facilitate the production of platinum coins for the purpose of avoiding an increase in the debt limit," Treasury spokesman Anthony Coley said in a statement. The notion had already been put forward during the

prosecution "makes no sense." "It's like trying to put someone in jail for allegedly checking too many books out of the library," the group's executive director David Segar said then. The hacktivist's family and friends placed some of the blame for his suicide on prosecutors and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where Swartz made the JSTOR download using a laptop he placed in a utility closet. "Aaron's death is not simply a personal tragedy. It is the product of a criminal justice system rife with intimidation and prosecutorial overreach," they said in a public AFP statement.

$1trillion coin wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be happening

A line of teddy bears with US President Barack Obama sashes sit on a shelf at the opening of the Official Inaugural Store in Washington. AFP

2011 debt ceiling debacle, and was revived this year amid fears Congress will not clinch a deal and thus risk causing the United States to default on its bills and financial obligations.

iss New York Mallory Hytes Hagan, a 23-yearold native of Brooklyn, was crowned Miss America late Saturday, beating rivals from all 50 US states. Hagan appeared to have won over the jury when asked if armed guards should be place in schools in the wake of last month's deadly shooting spree in Newtown, Connecticut. Violence should not be fought with violence, she replied. Twenty elementary school students and six teachers were killed in Newtown when a gunman opened fire inside a local school. As Miss America, Hagan will receive a $50,000 scholarship and will spend a year speaking and raising money for the Children's Miracle Network, the pageant's official charity.

Tibetan immolation in Western China

Tibetan has died after setting himself on fire to protest at China's rule of the Himalayan region in the first self-immolation this year, a rights group and overseas media said. The man burned himself to death on Saturday, said Londonbased pressure group Free Tibet and US-based Radio Free Asia (RFA), in what is thought to be the first such act since December 9. The incident happened in Xiahe in western China's Gansu province, known as Sangchu in Tibetan. The body of the man, named Tsebe or Tseba, was carried back to his home village following a protest.

COMMENT SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

Where is Peta?

A life-long romance

he picture that came along with the catchline, Forced to tag alone, makes me want to beat up that boy on the bike. If he can’t find time to walk his dog, why must he own one. This is just so cruel. Where are those Peta folks, I wonder?

ou cannot ignore classics, and there will be always lovers of classics and those who prefer them despite the flood of piffle like Fifty Shades of Grey. Serious readers know that Grey is a one-night stand and a classic a life-long romance.

Sunny Cherian Via email

Anupriya Mehra Via email

EDITORIALS A SECOND CHANCE for all A teacher was fired in the US after she blogged about her stint as a call girl. She confesses that she was hard pressed for cash when she was studying in Mexico and one day standing in a grocery store with her credit card’s limit crossed, she decided to make the plunge. She admits she never liked it, but circumstances pushed her into it. She recalls how hard it was to lead a normal life when she was in it… under the constant glare of prejudice, she felt stifled and forlorn. Then she got a job as a teacher. She started to forget her past and live a new life. Her students adored her and her colleagues were full of praise for her and her work. Then as part of a programme that encouraged those in the sex trade to come out, she blogged about her experience. The school authorities found out and a huge outcry ensued, all of which resulted in her firing. It’s just plain nonsense to say that these have strayed from a life of decency and morality, because flesh trade exists because the need exists. Now that they have ‘strayed’, and when there are attempts —as should be the case — to help them quit and make a comeback, will instances like these be of any help? Would not it derail the whole effort of some good people to help the so-called sinners? Have not the school authority that’s part of the society grossly wronged her by snatching away her chance at a good life? Who is to blame now if she goes to back to her old one? Let’s be done with this hypocrisy. Let’s give everyone a chance and those who have strayed a second chance, which is justly and rightly theirs. We are no better than anyone among us, for we all have failings and have erred in one way or other bigtime or not, and so we are not any better to judge another.

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 040-4067 2222.

Vigilante groups needed

espite the huge hue and cry over the death of the Delhi bus rape victim, there continues to be instances of rape and eve-teasing. I think the only solution is to form vigilante groups and punish offenders then and there. Barbarians deserve barbarity. Anupriya Mehra Via email

The dirty picture of an item From the hip SYED SHOAIB

idilite might not mind. Fevicol Se has glued Kareena Kapoor to the Rs7-crore-per-song league, a television channel beamed, last week. In this i, me, myself age of iphone, ipad and ipod, it’s not surprising that item girls are coming out in multiple units of tens. They instantly connect the voyeuristic i in the audience to the woman of fantasy through the gyrating figure on the larger-than-life screen. As the country is warming up to heated debates of what leads to increasing violence — physical and mental — against women, hot items from Hindi and regional languages are a pertinent phenomena to reflect on. In Thane sisters Sheila and Munni changed names to Seema and Sheetal after being harassed incessantly in December 2010 because of the dance-floor scorchers Sheila ki jawani and Munni badanam hui. This could be a rare incident, but Farhan Akhtar wrote in his India Today column, “There is definitely something wrong in a society where men feel they can get away with sexually harassing or raping a woman. As a filmmaker, I must also look inward to see if the industry that I belong to could be partially responsible in propagating this kind of mindset. And I must say, sadly so, the answer is yes.” Yet, in response to an FIR lodged against singer Honey Singh for provocative songs against women, Shivam Garg posted on Twitter, “looks like the Indian system is confused between the Rapers and Rappers.” Inkaar star Chitangada Singh, who performed a sexy number in the fateful Joker, ascribes rape to unemployment or some kind of pressure. “There shouldn’t be objectification of women but you cannot object to

item songs,” she quips. Similar is the tone of Sarika who recreates an item number Dama dam mast qalandar in the upcoming David. She defends the need for contemporary Bollywood films to have item numbers. “Item girls are there because they are entertaining,” she says. Rakhi Sawant, who calls herself the original item girl, croons, “Aaj-kal ek item girl akeli poori film ka credit le jati hai. Aur hero-heroine bechare, kitna bhi kuch kar lein, dekhtey hi reh jatey hain.” In keeping with the trend of justifying one’s act, actor Sameera Reddy, who was an item in Chakravyuh, says these numbers have prestige in a way, a strong capacity to push a film.

Push it does a film, but sadly only a few scholars who study the impact of mass media, particularly in a developing country, will tell you about the dependency model and indirect effects on the psychology of a vulnerable persona. From Cuckoo who passed on the mantle to Helen, the trend of an unconventional face creating novelty to the film has degenerated in time with vulgar lyrics, un-aesthetic clothing, sexual overtones and the lack of a timeless feel to it, belittling the female body. Items, like on a provision store shelf, come and go. Even a film like The Dirty Picture, could have got a gaping audience simply for its repeated undrapes, and behind it was lost the sad story of an actor consid-

ered an extra, pretty much like the items. This concept of treating a woman dirt-cheap, by using a scintillating model and whipping boys around her, perpetrates a behaviour that impressionable minds easily accept as a role model to follow. Hence, follows case of eve-teasing with these hummable tunes, violence in physical relationships or just the trend of being trapped in the `superior sex’ syndrome. It’s easier to drive home in an i10 than convince the creative prude that item is a single entry with collective effects. Sensitive filmmakers like Gaurie Shinde, Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar have recently shown us how a movie need not bomb without an item. Item yeh aam hui!

BUSINESS SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

Biz sales growth down: RBI

ndian companies recorded a decelerating sales growth rate in the first half of current fiscal, while it was ‘other income’ helping them post a decent growth in net profits, the RBI says. According to the analysis, the sales of non-financial private sector companies grew by 12.3 per cent in the first half of 2012-13, down from 17.3 per cent in the preceding six-month period.

‘Water returns’ to deter wastage

eeking to curb the unbridled use of water and check pollution, the government is considering to introduce a system under which the big industries will have to file ‘water returns’ on the lines of income tax returns. Besides, the government is also mulling introduction of differential rate of pricing of water by different types of industrial users. The annual water returns on similar lines of tax returns would include key parameters like utilisation per unit produce, effluent discharge details, rain water harvested, water reuse details and fresh water consumption

Board boost for 19 PSUs

he government is looking to fill board level positions in at least 19 public sector companies, including the top posts for six entities such as Scooters India, Nalco and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd. he Public Enterprises Selection Board is in the process of screening applications for these positions, a number of which have already fallen vacant.

4 MYTHS OF

CREDIT REPAIR Disputing a credit report is easy. However, getting results from credit bureaus is amazingly difficult, complex and often frustrating with heavy follow-up — which requires expertise.

Satya Vishnubhotla feedback@postnoon.com

oday it is impossible to get a credit card or a loan without a good credit score and track record. Banks and financial institutions are relying more on the credit report of an individual before sanctioning a credit limit. Good income earning potential, valuable assets and ability to repay a debt are of no use if the applicant’s financial history shows a lack of discipline to repay the debt. With a strong desire to improve the credit score and damaged credit track record many often fall prey to dubious credit advisory schemes which are designed by fraudsters. They come with attractive offers that many gullible people find hard to resist. Generally it is advised to look out for the following things before taking credit advisory services from an organisation: n Since how long the organisation is in existence n Whether the team is professionally qualified to render this service n Go through their website and know more n It is better if you walk-in to their office before enrolling n Beware over promises n Avoid freelancing consultants n Ask for case studies of past customers It is always better to know what could be done before asking for what we want from a credit advisory firm. The following are the most common myths about repairing damaged credit report:

IT YOURSELF:

It is natural that we google before thinking of any personal service and often think of reading books like “XYZ for Dummies”! The fact is disputing a credit report is easy. Getting results from credit bureaus is amazingly difficult, complex and often frustrating with heavy follow-up. The success would be rare or delayed if disputed without expert knowledge of credit information laws in India. It is possible, but you have to be willing to invest the time and energy to learn, assume the risks of inexperience and realise that it will probably take longer and will be less effective than a professional.

CREDIT

REPAIR A MAGIC POTION :

Once we enrol with a credit advisory service we assume that the work is done instantly. If anyone promises you instant relief, they are colouring the fact. Firstly, it is difficult to fully restore your credit without paying your outstanding debts. Secondly, repairing damaged credit track record is not an instant overnight process. Even though we make all outstanding payments to the lenders and obtain no dues certificate it takes a minimum of 45 days to get the same updated in CIBIL records. Every procedure takes its minimum stipulated time and there is no getting around it.

HIRING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE TO IMPROVE OUR BAD CREDIT RECORD IS ACCEPTABLE, BUT THINKING THAT THEY CAN REPAIR ANYTHING IS INCORRECT. EVEN EXPERTS HAVE LIMITATIONS AS THEY NEED TO ACT WITHIN THE CREDIT INFORMATION LAWS FRAMED IN INDIA.

REPAIR

ANYTHING :

Approaching a professional service firm to improve our bad credit track record is acceptable, but thinking that they can repair anything is incorrect. Remember even experts have limitations as they need to act within the credit information laws framed in India. Doubt if anyone promises the following: n Will remove a credit account (credit card/loan) completely from the report n Will improve credit score instantly in few days n Will remove past delays or cheque bounces in credit report n Have tie-up with Credit bureaus (like CIBIL) to remove negative entries in credit report n Will syndicate loan sanction even the credit report looks bad

PILL

FOR I NSTANT CREDIT HEALTH :

We come across some people giving free advice on how to improve credit health instantly, such as ‘just change your PAN card’. Remember, according to the Income Tax, 1961 and relevant rules a person should not possess more than one Permanent Account Number (PAN). It is considered illegal to have more than one PAN number and the person holding the same would be liable for penalty under Indian tax laws. Also, credit bureaus (like CIBIL) can track any duplicate information in the name of one individual and report the same in their credit report. The author is an employee of iCrediZen Inc., a company providing solutions for CIBIL issues and Credit card problems.

INTERVIEW SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

THE GREATEST STORY EVER WRITTEN

The rise and rise of Rajinikanth in filmdom is a story that generations of cinephiles will continue to talk about in future. For the first time, a biography of the superstar — Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography, has been written. We get talking to Nama Ramachandran, the author of Rajinikanth’s biography to know more about the book and what he found out about the man.

HEMANTH KUMAR

hemanth.k@postnoon.com 1) Tell us about yourself: Rajinikanth : The Definitive Biography, published by Penguin, is my second book. In the past, I had written another book named Lights, Camera, Masala: Making Movies in Mumbai. I am a film critic for South Asian cinema at Sight & Sound; Senior South Asia Correspondent at Variety; and in charge of the UK and Ireland desks at Cineuropa. Bombay’s Most Wanted, the film based on Naman’s first screenplay, is currently receiving festival play. I have also contributed the Indian and Pakistani cinema entries in The Rough Guide To Film (Rough Guides) and the Indian cinema pieces in Movies: From The Silent Classics Of The Silver Screen To The Digital And 3-D Era (Universal). I had graduated with an MSc in Media Management from the University of Stirling, UK in addition to a Masters in Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, India. Apart from this, I am a voting member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and a trustee of the Satyajit Ray Foundation, UK. I have also worked for several film festivals across the globe on programming, including London, Rotterdam and Los Angeles. 2) There have been three books on Rajinikanth, although none of them can be called a biography. What was your motivation to write an extensive biography about his life and his career? It’s precisely because of lack of any credible information on such

take the route which his contemporaries like Amitabh Bachchan, Mammooty or Mohanlal have taken. Do you still believe that he has a chance? It is my fond hope that Rajinikanth wins a national award. However he said to his mentor K. Balachander when asked a couple of years ago that he would only act in commercial films. So that reduces his chances somewhat. Having said that, if Amitabh Bachchan could win a national award for the very commercial Agneepath, why not Rajinikanth for a terrific performance in an out and out commercial entertainer? After all, performance transcends genres. 8) These days, a lot of people have been writing about cinema, directors and actors. Were you toying with the idea that you should contribute to literature on cinema or was it the curiosity to know more about Rajinikanth that led you to embark on this journey? It’s a combination of both. My desire to contribute to the ongoing discourse on cinema led to my first book Lights, Camera, Masala, which was a fun look at Bollywood. This book is in a more serious vein and dovetailed nicely with my insatiable curiosity about cinema and about Rajinikanth in particular.

a towering personality of the Indian film industry that I decided to write a definitive biography. It was a story that needed to be told, told well and told authoritatively and that’s why I took up the task. 3) In an earlier interview, you said that you have been following Rajinikanth’s filmography since the early 80s. Since then he has changed as an actor in terms of the roles he has played. Now that you have spoken to a lot of his close associates, would you say that he has changed a lot in real life too? There’s a notion that Rajinikanth finds it hard to forget his past, when he was struggling a lot, which keeps him grounded all the time. What is your say on this? I’ve actually been following his career since the mid 70s since the time I was a small boy. He changed from an actor to a performer to an entertainer. Though there may have been cosmetic changes in his life and he is wealthy beyond measure now, I think he remains the same, simple, rooted person he always was. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he has never forgotten where he came from. Also, the spirituality that was inculcated in him at an early age at the Ramakrishna Math in Bangalore has now flowered and he finds solace in it. 4) The timing of your book’s release is quite interesting. His films now release once in 2 or 3 years and at this rate, he’ll probably sober down a lot more because of his health condition. Did you think about this while writing the biography that the time is ripe? To be honest I didn’t think about the timing at all. I just thought when I got the idea that there is no time like the present and went

ahead and did it. 5) It’s interesting that you mention the aspect of contextualising Rajinikanth’s story. He was the epitome of stardom from mid 80s to late 90s. We’ll probably never see another Superstar like him. But what makes his charisma still click despite scores of new age heroes hogging the limelight these days? Is he going to remain a symbol of a glorious past that we will never let go off for a long time? It was important to contextualise Rajinikanth in the times that he

came from and lived through because those helped shape him. I think his charisma continues to work because he endears himself to people with his extreme simplicity and lack of guile and artifice. Also the masses consider him one of their own — he is not an unapproachable ivory tower superstar. And yes, he is the last superstar. We’ll never see another like him. Generations after him have tried to manufacture superstardom for themselves but they don’t realise that genuine superstardom comes from love of the people and that’s an emotion you cannot buy. 6) What was the most surprising revelation about him that you found out after talking to his close associates and directors? The most surprising revelation was the extent to which he gives to charity. He gives away around 50% of his wealth. The best part is that he keeps his acts of charity very quiet and lets the deeds speak for themselves. 7) In another interview, you stated that you would like to see Rajinikanth winning a national award. Post Dalapathy, he has hardly ever acted in a film which you would call artistic. And Rajinikanth being Rajinikanth will probably not

9) I hear that Rajinikanth was quite thrilled with your book. Did he tell you anything that you might have missed writing? Is it true that he didn’t want to give an interview when he gave his consent to you to write the book? Rajinikanth was delighted with the book and couldn’t stop praising it. He told me that he’ll write his autobiography only when he reaches the same level of honesty that Gandhiji reached with My Experiments With Truth. As soon as he said that I opened the first page of the book and showed him that exact same quote and he was flabbergasted to see how deep I had gone into his mind. I couldn’t meet him initially as he was barred from meeting people because he was ill. But he gave me written permission to go ahead and write the book. I managed to meet him later in London. 10) What’s next on the line for you? Which other actor or filmmaker interests you as much as Thalaivar did? Honestly, Thalaivar is a tough act to follow. I’ve had a gruelling two years on this project and want to give my brain a rest before even thinking about anything else. But I can tell you that whatever it is, it will be related to cinema, because I don’t know anything else.

WELLNESS

No SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

smokescreens If you're really serious about kicking your cigarette habit this year, this one is for you. Postnoon brings you the best tips to kick that butt and start a smoke-free life. Postnoon News

REASONS TO QUIT

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DON'T

B DO

Write it down: Make a list of what you like about smoking. Now, make a list on how your life will be better if you quit. Make a list of people who won't have to deal with your second-hand smoke. When you see your reasons written down, you're more likely to focus on your goals. Tell people: Set a quit date. Tell people about it. Draw up a contract and get someone close (who wants you to quit) to sign it. Hang it up at work. Next time you want a smoke, people will dissuade you if they know you want to quit. Know your triggers: Cravings usually hit at specific times â&#x20AC;&#x201D; after meals, after a drink, and so on. Find a replacement for smoking. Eat fruit or nuts, or pop in a piece of chocolate or mint. Go for a walk. Drinks lots of water and keep your mind distracted. Throw it out: Ditch your cigarettes, lighters, ashtrays and matches. Don't hang out in the smoking zone. Change your habits to remove all reminders of your smoking habits. Cheer up: Turns out people are most successful in their bid to quit when they are not under stress. You will also experience withdrawal symptoms, which will make you grouchy and irritable. Find ways to keep cheerful so you don't equate happiness with smoking.

uy a pack of cigarettes: If you're trying to wean yourself off, don't buy a pack. Keep one or two on you. When you reach for a cigarette and don't find one, you'll automatically cut down. Just don't borrow any from fellow smokers. Give up: So you succumbed. You smoked a couple of cigarettes. But don't think you have failed. Don't let that one hurdle trip you up completely. Take a deep breath, throw that pack out and start again. Learn from your experience and don't slip again. Drink too much coffee: A common mistake people make is drinking too much caffeine right after they quit. Alcohol and sugar also cause a spike in the craving for a cigarette. Instead, try herbal tea, fruit juices and coconut water to keep yourself hydrated. Worry about the future: Don't think about how long you'll be able to keep from smoking. Focus on every day, ensure that you don't cheat and repeat until your routine no longer includes a cigarette. You're more likely to fail if you set impossible targets. Let yourself go: A lot of people tend to gain weight while trying to quit smoking, or replace the addiction with another. Make sure you eat healthy, get outside, meet people and exercise. Not only will exercise curb your cravings, you'll also feel better about yourself.

You know it's bad for your heart, it increases your chances of cancer and harms your children. But if you're still not convinced that you should give up the addiction, here are a few reasons why you should. Worth every penny: Quitting will help you save thousands of rupees every year, money that you're literally burning up. With higher taxes on cigarettes, the habit will become too expensive to fund. Spice up your sex life: Smoking can affect circulation. With reduced blood flow to the genitals, arousal (in both men and women) can be more difficult. Go easy on the deo: Smokers smell unpleasant all the time and if you want to attract that hot girl or guy, you don't want to smell like a factory on fire, do you? Plus your teeth will be pearly white again! Be the rebel: If you think you're being all cool and rebellious by smoking, you're not. You're simply being conned into supporting the biggest corporate of them all, Big Tobacco. Take the high road: If you find your kids smoking, there's no way to be all judgemental and tell them to quit if you're still smoking. Set the right example and be a better parent.

ART AND CULTURE SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

Kate painting gets mixed views

he first official painting of the Duchess of Cambridge has been unveiled to mixed reviews from critics. Paul Emsley’s work took several months using a technique of building thin layers of oil and glazes on canvas. The artist had two sittings with the duchess and also worked from a series of photographs he took.The portrait is now on display at London’s National Portrait Gallery, which commissioned the work.

Dzine simply nails it

or 43-year-old Chicago artist Carlos Rolon (who goes by a moniker from his graffiti days, Dzine), ultra-ornate falsies have become something of a calling card — avatars for his smart, Popsavvy blend of street and gallery cultures. Dzine elevated the custom craft of bedazzled nails, lowrider bicycles, and trophies to fine art.

Turner Prize heads to Glasgow

he Turner Prize is heading to Glasgow, dubbed a “centre of excellence” for visual art, the first time the award will be presented in Scotland. The Tramway was chosen to host the exhibition and awards ceremony in 2015, beating three rival venues to the honour. It beat competition from the Nottingham Contemporary, the New Art Gallery in Walsall and Manchester’s Whitworth Art Gallery.

Art connoisseur’s delight Krishnakriti Festival that concluded this week witnessed art personalities from different genres coming down and showcasing their talent. It is a unique experience to be interacting with these personalities and through the years, I believe that I have learnt a lot from them.

AMY ROSE THOMAS

amyrose.t@postnoon.com

ike every other year, Krishnakriti Festival that was organised this week made all the right noises in the City. This was a treat for the art-savvy and they were in full attendance for the five-day long event. The highlight of the ninth edition of the festival was a panel discussion on the subject “Indian Cinema Bole Tho?” that had prominent members of the Hindi cinema fraternity like Mahesh Bhatt, MK Raghavendra, Meenakshi Shedde and Elahe Hiptoolah. A documentary screened by SG Vasudev, a talk by eminent art historian Jagdish Mittal on Deccani paintings and a performance by Vidya Shah were other events that made a mark among Hyderabadis. The festival concluded with a bang with exhibition of the works of photographer Parthiv Shah and a talk by Pranab Ranjan Ray which were organised on January 11. For Srinivas Murthy, one of the attendees at the festival, the panel discussion on “Indian Cinema Bole Tho?” was the most entertaining. “My favourite among the events at the fest was the discussion on the place of Bollywood in relation to world cinema. Elahe Hiptoolah since she is a

Prshant Lahoti Owner, Kalakriti art gallery

city girl could relate with Hyderabadis and her point of view was much cherished during the discussion. As in the case of panel discussion, there should have been more of this local flavour in other events

which was missing in the festival. Another favourite of mine was the performance by Vidya Sharma whose rendition of the songs performed during the gramophone era was spellbinding to say the least. Parthiv

Art from a floating world Made of shadows, dreams and substance, the Ukiyo-e form of printed art had many admirers.

he Ukiyo-e (pronounced ookee-oh-ay) was a popular form of printed art in Japan during the Edo period, inexpensive and usually depicting scenes from everyday life. Ukiyo translates as “the floating world” — an ironic wordplay on the Buddhist name for the earthly plane, “the sorrowful world”. Ukiyo was the name given to the lifestyle in Japan’s urban cen-

ters of this period — the fashions, the entertainments, and the pleasures of the flesh. Ukiyoe is the art documenting this era and is especially known for its exceptional woodblock prints. After Japan opened trade with the West after 1867, these prints became very well-known and influential in Europea, especially in France. Japonisme influenced such artists as Henri de

Toulouse-Lautrec, Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh, Whistler and the graphic artists known as Les Nabis. The founder of the Ukiyoe school was the 17th-century artist Hishikawa Moronobu. Among the many famous artists who followed were Ando Hiroshige, Hokusai Katsukika, Kitagawa Utamaro and Toshusai Sharaku. The earliest Ukiyo-e prints date from about 1600.

Shah in his exhibition on the next day of the festival put this portrayal of women of the era on canvas. All in all, the festival was a delight to the art lovers in the city. It brought together various genres including music, art

ART FOR DUMMIES

and cinema together,” Srinivas Murthy says. Kalakriti owner Prshant Lahoti says that the exposure he receives each year while interacting with the participating artistes who come down for the festival is an incomparable experience. “Each year we bring personalities well-known in their genres for festival. And this year was no different with a lot of art-savvy people coming down. The festival was different from other years for we didn’t organise an art camp before. It is a unique experience to be interacting with these personalities and through the years, I believe that I have learnt a lot from them,” he says. The Kalakriti Award for Achievement and Excellence was presented to former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman amid much fanfare during the fest. Talks by Jagannath Panda and RM Palaniappan, and works of artist Bari Kumar were the other notable events featured at the festival.

These early works were monochromatic, with the design laid out in bold black lines. Beginning in the seventeenth century, artists began to add colour by hand, including red, blue, yellow, and orange. They also began to experiment with light-catching textures. With the advent of multicolour printing around the mid-eighteenth century, single prints were built up in layers of aligned blocks, each carrying different colours and pieces of design. Erotic works and images of actors and beautiful women were common subjects in early Ukiyo-e. Also popular were themes from Japanese myth, legend, literature, and history.

ENVIRONMENT SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

Magnetic ropes in Venus

Volcano eruptions to increase

The European Space Agency's Venus Express spacecraft spotted these enormous magnetic entities — called flux ropes — stretching for hundreds of miles in the Venus’ upper atmosphere, above the poles. Flux ropes have been seen before around other planets, including Earth. They transport superheated plasma gas from one side of the "rope" to the other.

Another nasty side-effect of unrestrained climate change: more volcano eruptions. A new study from Germany's GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel finds that global warming could exacerbate Earth's igneous activity. By sifting through layers of volcanic ash at the bottom of Central American seabeds, the scientists reconstructed the timeline of eruptions.

From N fragrant to foul

ow the government is vowing to get tough, with activists hoping mandatory restrictions on shipping emissions will be among a raft of measures announced next week aimed at making the city more environmentally friendly.

Hong Kong's name may mean ‘fragrant harbour’, but cargo ships burning dirty fuel in what is one of the world's busiest ports add to a foul layer of pollution that kills more than 3,000 people a year. Beh Li Yi

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Biofuels cause pollution Green schemes to fight climate change by producing more bio-fuels could actually worsen a little-known type of air pollution and cause almost 1,400 premature deaths a year in Europe by 2020. The report said trees grown to produce wood fuel — seen as a cleaner alternative to oil and coal — released a chemical into the air that could also reduce farmers' crop yields.

A total of 410,560 vessels arrived and left the port in 2011, with cargo ships vying for space in the crowded waters alongside public ferries, tourist junks and luxury yachts. This level of activity means shipping is a key polluter in a city where, according

to the University of Hong Kong, air pollution kills about 3,200 people every year. Simon Ng of the Civic Exchange thinktank blamed the pollution, which often shrouds the city's dramatic skyline in thick smog, for driving away talent. “Just imagine a small power plant right next to your doorstep, producing a lot of pollution every day, almost 24 hours a day, what would you do?” he said. “Ships are now producing a lot more pollutants than we had anticipated, and it is becoming a major problem that we need to address.” Rising emissions from ships, which burn heavily polluting bunker fuel, will have seen shipping overtake the power industry as the biggest source of the colourless toxic gas sulphur dioxide last year, Ng predicted. Nearly 400 Hong Kong people died last year from breathing in pollution from bunker fuel alone, he added, citing a study on marine pollution by his think-tank. Activists say Hong Kong lags behind the rest of the world on environmental issues ranging from recycling to cycle lanes. And when it comes to shipping, while vessels calling in northern Europe and North America are mostly restricted to fuels with 1 per cent or less sulphur content, Hong Kong allows 3.5 per cent. Last year however, it did introduce a voluntary scheme in which ships using 0.5 per cent or less are given a 50 per cent discount in port dues. Christine Loh, an environmental crusader who has become the government's environment undersecretary, said the scheme was just a “small start”. “We want to regulate. We want it to become mandatory and we want to take the scheme across the border to our neighbours in Guangdong,” she told an air quality conference last month. “We would like, within the next few years, to collaborate and work very closely with the Guangdong province so

the whole of the water of the (Pearl River Delta) could be turned into a low emission zone.” The Environmental Protection Department said it was working with the mainland Chinese authorities to look into a switch to cleaner fuel for vessels berthed in the delta, which includes Macau and industrial hubs like Shenzhen. But the Hong Kong Shipowners Association said the reduction in port dues was only enough to cover 30-40 per cent of the yearly costs of using cleaner fuel, which amounted to about $2 million per company.

“Asking carriers to spend money that they don't have on switching fuel is quite a difficult thing,” the association's managing director Arthur Bowring said. The industry was operating in a “terrible” environment amid an unpredictable trade volume due to the global financial crisis, he added. But he said liners were prepared to work with the government and noted that about 18 companies had taken part in a two-year unsubsidised, industry-led initiative to use cleaner fuel that expired at the end of last year. The city's chief executive Leung Chunying has pledged to make pollution one of his top priorities during his fiveyear term. But when the Beijingbacked leader takes up the issue in his first annual policy address next week, the question will be not just whether the field is level but also whether he is willing to set the bar high enough. AFP

FOOD SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

Drop in global food prices

Experience the Waterside Cafe

Tesco looking to enter India

lobal food prices fell by 7 per cent in 2012 from the level the previous year, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization said on Thursday, assuaging worries a few months ago that the world could be heading for a food crisis. The FAO also added that prices had fallen in December for the third month in a row. The Rome-based FAO's Food Price Index averaged 212 points in 2012, a drop of 7 per cent.

he British grocery major Tesco is perhaps the first global giant which may come up with plans to set up outlets in India after both the Houses of Parliament passed the bill to allow FDI in retail sector. Tesco executives were in India twice recently and met Tata's top brass to discuss the possibility of a tie-up. The UK retailer has already zeroed in on Mumbai and Bengaluru as locations.

ow much extravagance can you squeeze into one weekend? Find out when you come over for the fun dip, drink and dine experience. Relax in the pool, sip your favourite cocktail and savour the lavish buffet spread at Waterside Cafe. Wrap up your delightful day with an Irani afternoon tea at the Chai Shop, Taj Banjara. Price per person: `1,250 (AI). From January 19- 20.

Howzzat for a change

Central Canteen would be deemed by most pure vegetarian restaurants as a kick to the knee, and to other college canteens as a blow below the belt. S BALAKRISHNA

Dining fine!

oing to a fancy restaurant every time you crave something sinful is quite a task isn’t it? Of course, that definite hole in your pocket after the indulgence must also pose as a big deterrent. In this new series, Postnoon brings you fine dining recipes from five-star kitchens that you can easily prepare at home sans all the guilt.

Grilled fish with creamy spinach and orange cilantro dressing

RAJESH RAVINDRAN

rajesh.r@postnoon.com

Ingredients

t’s a bit bigger than most canteens on college campuses, the Central Canteen. Climb up the flight of stairs and enter the eatery on the JBEIT campus to find round tables that have wooden and plastic chairs around them occupied by students, some eating, some chatting, some writing assignments, some even snoozing. So what? So what? The menu is hot by the sheer number of dishes they serve. Given the scope of a college canteen, the vegetarian menu is vast, very very vast that you are truly spoilt for choices. There are at least more than 10 varieties of dosa: palak dosa, coconut dosa, paneer dosa… The same applies to rice: palak rice, coconut rice, special veg fried rice, pulav… this is could take long so let’s sum up — there are at least more than 30 varieties of rice. Though predominantly vegetarian, at the Central Canteen you will get dishes made with egg. You also get cocktail rice which is a combination of rice and noodles. Do you dare ask “So what?” yet? Well, here’s the winner. At Central Canteen not only do you get such numerous options, all the dishes are affordable to the letter. Most of the rice dishes are priced in the range of `30 to `50. The special thali that comes with soup and snacks like gobi manchurian apart from the usual rice, dal, sambhar, curd, pulav and sweet like double ka meetha is priced just `50. They have some snappy desserts too, the carrot halwa with ice cream, called Blow Hot, Blow Cold. The ways of the Central Canteen would be deemed by most pure vegetarian restaurants as a kick

FROM THE MASTERS-I

Fish steak [basa] 200 g Spinach 50g Olive Oil 50ml Onion 5g Garlic 5g Cream 20ml Orange reduction 30ml Mustard ½ t spoon Cilantro 5g Lemon 1no Pepper 3g Fried spaghetti 1no Salt to taste

Method Marinate fish with salt, pepper, olive oil, lemon juice. Let it rest for a while and grill it. Now heat oil in a pan, add onion, garlic, and spinach. Add your cream and season it with salt and pepper cook it for a while.

Dressing Mix mustard orange reduction, olive oil and

blend it. Add the chopped cilantro to it, season it with salt and pepper.

Plating Place creamy spinach mixture in the centre of the plate. Top it up with Grilled fish steak Pour the orange cilantro dressing on top of it. Garnish with lemon wedges and fried spaghetti. Serve hot.

Raspberry Baked yogurt to the knee and to the other canteens as a blow below the belt. Because if the food is good, the price will be burn a hole in your pocket, and if the food’s bad, we all know what would the food be like. Patron flow from nearby campuses, too, where some of which even lack a canteen and are situated about 4km, or 5km away. “It’s not surprising because it’s

good food and the prices are very affordable,” said Abhishai. “Students from nearby colleges like Global come here have lunch and go back.” What’s his and his friend Ephriam’s favourite? “The rice dishes, of course,” said the latter, who had vegetable special fried rice for lunch and looked yet to recover from the pleasant lull you are in after eating rice.

Ingredients Milk made Fresh cream Hung curd Raspberry

200ml 200ml 200g 50g

Method Mix all the ingredients in a mixing bowl gently. Do not over mix. Pour this mixture in a round mould. Bake it in a double boiler for 10 minutes at 180 degree Celsius. Let it cool and then refrigerate. Serve chilled.

oday’s recipe of grilled fish with creamy spinach and orange cilantro dressing and raspberry baked yogurt has been given by Taj Deccan’s executive chef Sajesh Nair.

FOOD SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

Ande tamatar ka kut A saucy tomato gravy topped with eggs. Noor’s Kitchen NOOR JAFRI

THE TASTE OF THE NORTH It’s called the Asli Punjab da food festival and boy does it live up to its name.

Ingredients

Procedure

1. Red ripped big sized tomatoes - 800 gms 2. Eggs - 4 boiled and halved. 3. Garlic - 1 whole pod 4. Bay leaf - 2 to 3 5. Cinnamon stick - 1 to 2 small pieces 5. Red chilli powder - 1 tsp 6. Roasted dhania powder - 1 tsp 7. Roasted zeera powder - 1/2 a tsp 8. Whole red chillies 2-3 9. Rye or zeera & curry leaves (whole) For tempering - 1/2 a tsp 10. Oil - 2 tbsp 11. Salt to taste 12. Sugar - a pinch. 13. Chopped coriander for garnishing. (optional)

1. Wash and clean the tomatoes, make small cuts and put it for boil. 2. Add bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, garlic pod to the tomatoes and cover it. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, till they are soft and tender. 3. After boiling squeeze out the cooked tomatoes through the strainer and add chilli powder, salt and boil it, till it is thick like sauce. 4. Add roasted dhania and zeera powder mix it well, after a while add a pinch of sugar. 5. Pour it in the serving dish, and temper the dish with zeera, red chillies and curry leaves. 6. After tempering, top it up with boiled eggs.

CHEF’S NOTE: It's a very famous Hyderabadi cuisine, which goes as an accompaniment, with biryanis. Can also be served with plain or zeera rice. It's a subtle and mild preparation, with

rich tasty tomato flavour and energy packed eggs.

Contact Us @ - Noor Kitchen, Banjara Hills. Mobile - 9441282318, Residence - 23356947 Like Us @ -http://www.face-book.com/Noorkitchen

FLEME VARKEY

fleme.v@postnoon.com

he cardboard cut out of a turbaned sikh greets you at the entrance, surrounded by two drummers. Enter the rooms of The Square and you will find turbaned and colourfully dressed waiters going about their jobs while tiny placards displaying the Punjabi culture hang from the ceilings. The organisers have tried their best to accommodate glimpses of Punjab here and there and that was what immediately drew my attention. Getting down to the food, now, where do I begin? It was simply huge and lavish. For those who think that Punjabi food means only non-vegetarian dishes, well, here’s an eye-opener — No, it’s not. There are ample vegetarian dishes to eat from. After a personal tour of the lavish buffet by guest chef Sweety

Singh, we sat down to have our meal. During the tour Chef explained that most of the masalas were homemade and that the pickles were by made by him, even some of the ingredients for the dishes were brought specially from Punjab and Amritsar and that’s how authentic it can get. The tantalising aroma of the food cooked in desi ghee (fitness freaks please turn your heads) wafted from the courtyard where the non-vegetarian items were being cooked. And till the food came to our table, there was a little tornado in my stomach. The first bite into the succulent chicken kebabs along with a sip of the jeera lassi eased my condition. A coat of masalas just accurate, not too spicy, not too bland and simply delicious. Here Chef Sweety begins to explain that most people complain of Punjabi food of being spicy, he begs to differ. “It’s only as spicy as you want it to be.” Say Punjab and makki ki roti, sarson da saag, pindi chole and parantha come immediately to mind and here too, the next items on our table were these delicacies.

Place: The Square, Novotel Timings : It is a dinner only affair. Friday- Sunday Rs 2,000 per person, inclusive of liquor and taxes Monday- Thursday- buffet Rs1,300 per person (AI) Dates: January 12January 20

Chef Sweety Singh

The kebabs however do deserve a little more description, the spongy Lahori paneer tikka, the tangy bharwa kumbh (mushroom) and the simply delicious Macchi seekh all found their way into our plates more than once. Another unique feature at the festival is gobi meat (lamb) a surprising combination of meat and cauliflower. It’s a must-have certainly. Other meat-based items were lamb biryani, machi tariwala and accompanying breads like naan, roti, parantha. Now to begin with the vegetarian dishes. This I must say holds more attraction for me than the non-vegetarian items. Wadiyan a preparation made from gramflour is something what Punjabi cuisine boasts of. On the menu were aloo wadiyan, wadi ki pakode, dhaba paneer, muttar ke kofte, kadi pakode, Rai ti Mili subzi, maa di dal and kachri karela. Here’s what we found best — pindi chole, maa ki daal, the kofte, the aloo wadiyan and the bitter gourd dish. Having had Punjabi homemade food before, I must say Chef Sweety Singh definitely knows his food

and the culture. None of the dishes were wanting anything, the masalas, the temperature, the flavour was just right. The enormous spread does not end here, the desserts for instance were simply out of this world. Gajjar ka halwa, rasmalai, qubbani ka meetha, gulab jamun, til ke ladoo, rabi and jalebis were the notable ones and there’s lots more. Chef Sweety has whipped up a storm for the visitors and he promises that the menu will be changing everyday till the end of the festival, but the essential dishes like makki ka roti and the meat preparations will be there. Guests will be treated to different flavours of lassi each day as well. For chef Sweety, cooking at food festivals has been a passion for eighteen years. He’s, mind you, a globe-trotting chef who has done festivals in Beijing, Zurich and almost all over India. Quiz him on what he likes best, he comes up with a diplomatic answer — “I have no favourites, it would be wrong. Each dish is my favourite.” So who cooks at home, pat comes the answer, “ My wife, she is a better cook than me.”

HISTORY SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

Jan 14

1875: Theologian, musician, philosopher and Nobel Prize-winning physician Albert Schweitzer is born on this day in UpperAlsace, Germany.

Jan 16

Jan 18

Jan 14

1985: Martina Navratilova wins her 100th tournament. She joined Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert Lloyd as the only professional tennis players to win 100 tournaments.

Jan 15

1559: Elizabeth I is crowned queen of England. Sometimes called the ‘Virgin Queen’, she was the last monarch of the Tudor dynasty.

Jan 17

1950: Eleven men steal over $2 million from the Brinks Armored Car depot in Boston. They weren’t caught until January 1956, days before the statute of limitations expired.

1991: The White House announces the start of Operation Desert Storm. The operation was designed to drive Iraqi forces out of Kuwait.

1778: English explorer Captain James Cook becomes the first European to discover the Hawaiian Islands.

Jan 18

1912: British explorer Robert Falcon Scott arrives at the South Pole only to find that Roald Amundsen had preceded them by over a month.

Jan 19

1966: Indira Gandhi becomes prime minister, after Lal Bahadur Shastri’s death. She was India’s first female head of government.

Jan 20

1885: The roller coaster was patented by LA Thompson. Initially made of wood, roller coasters now run on steel tracks.

Jan 20

1996: Yasser Arafat is elected president of the Palestinian National Council with 88.1 per cent of the popular vote.

SPOTLIGHT SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013 1

S BALAKRISHNA

A GROOVY NIGHT Weekend is the time when party peeps step out in their most glamorous outfits and this Saturday was no different. They were seen having a blast at Kismet last night. 1 Vaishali

5 Siyana

2 Pankuri 3 Alisha

6 Arunima 7 Sherin

4 Bhavna

8 Bhavya

Focus on health Celebrating cinema

The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace launched its Balance Gear Lending Programme on Saturday that will help guests at the hotel to stay healthy and fit.

Four hundred students of Abhyasa International performed a 75minute opera titled 100 Years of Indian Cinema at Shilpakala Vedika. Akkineni Nageshwar Rao was the chief guest at the event.

CINEMA SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

SVSC storms box office in US AUTONAGAR SURYA

PUSHED TO SUMMER

he theatrical release of Naga Chaitanya, Samantha starrer Autonagar Surya has been pushed further. The film was being planned for release in December; however, two songs are yet to be shot and there's a lot of post production that needs to be done. Deva Katta is directing the film and K Atchi Reddy is producing it. "For those curious about ‘autonagar surya’, we are sorting things out towards a summer release. highly confident it’ll impress you all. (sic),” Deva Katta posted on Twitter. The film is set in the backdrop of automotive industry and Naga Chaitanya is playing the role of an angry young man named Surya who stands up against the atrocities in the society. Anup Rubens has scored the music.

ONGOLE GITHA'S

enkatesh, Mahesh Babu starrer Seethamma Vaakitlo Sirimalle Chettu is poised to be one of the biggest hits ever at the box office in USA. The film grossed nearly $304,000 from its early screenings and sources say that the film is expected to break the $1 million mark within by this weekend. Mahesh Babu is already the biggest crowd puller among Telugu film actors and since Seethamma

AUDIO POSTPONED

Vaakitlo Sirimalle Chettu was touted to be a film for the entire family, almost all the locations in the US where the film was screened was chock-o-block with families. The crowd was so big in some areas that the distributors were forced to add special screenings. Srikanth Addala had directed the film and Dil Raju is producing it. Talking about the film, Dil Raju said, "I was really worried how the fans of both Venkatesh and

Mahesh Babu will receive the film, but I am extremely delighted when several people told me that they saw only their characters. Owing to the huge response we have got for the film, we are planning to add special shows for women over the next three days.”Venkatesh, Mahesh Babu, Samantha, Anjali and Prakash Raj had played the lead roles. Mickey J Meyer has scored the music and KV Guhan is the cinematographer.

he audio launch of Ram, Kriti Kharbanda starrer Ongole Githa has been postponed by a few more days. The music was supposed to be launched on January 12 in Hyderabad. Confirming the delay, Ram tweeted, “Ongole Githa audio release is not today ppl..will let you know soon.. :) (sic).” A song is being shot on the film's lead pair in Ramoji Film City and it's expected to be wrapped up by January 17. Bhaskar is directing the film and BVSN Prasad is producing it. GV Prakash has composed the music and the film is likely to hit the screens in the last week of the month.

CINEMA SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

Ayushmann to take styling tips from Sonam

ideo jockey-turned-actor Ayushmann Khurrana, who is all set to start shooting for Yash Raj Films’ (YRF) next with actress Sonam Kapoor, says he will take styling tips from the Bollywood fashionista. “Sonam is quite a style icon and I must say she is awesome. While shooting the film, I will take some styling lessons from her,” said Ayushmann. The actor, who made a dream debut in Bollywood with blockbuster Vicky Donor, has recently signed a three-film deal with YRF. For the first film, which is yet to be titled, the actor is paired opposite Sonam. Directed by Nupur Asthana, it is a romantic comedy about two lovers in a time of recession. Ayushmann will begin the movie’s shooting with Sonam and veteran actor Rishi Kapoor in February. He will be in the capital for a month. His other new film, Rohan Sippy’s Nautanki Saala, will release April 12.

‘Many take from Mumbai, but don’t give back’ N

ational award-winning filmmaker Shyam Benegal feels that people living in Mumbai nowadays take from the city, without giving anything back to it in return. “The city came up the way it did because people who took from the city gave back to it. Now, Mumbai is ‘Allah miyan ki gaai’ (God’s cow), people keep drawing milk from the cow without feeding it,” said Benegal at the fourth Kolkata Apeejay Literary Festival here Friday. “If you look at 19th century Mumbai and now, they are two different cities,” he added. According to Benegal, earlier in Mumbai, one did not identify people based on religion or caste. “It used to be the characteristic of the city of Mumbai

that you didn’t identify people in that fashion — based on religion or caste. But all that has changed now,” he remarked. Elaborating on the changes the city has gone through, the filmmaker added: “When I had come to Mumbai nobody really worried about these things. Your worth was only measured by the work IANS you did.”

I’ll work till people want me to: Shah Rukh B

ollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who has successfully achieved what he dreamed of, says he will work till people want to see him on screen. “I feel I was in the industry at the right time and I am very proud and thrilled that lot of things are changing with the films,” Shah Rukh, 47, said during a press conference. “When I came (to Mumbai), that time it was only about romantic films. Now things are changing and the journey has been great. I will keep working till people want to see me,” he added. In a career spanning two

decades, the actor has achieved whatever he dreamed of. He says an individual should keep dreaming, but at the same time shouldn’t move away from reality. “Every day, a new dream is born. It is nice to keep on dreaming. I dream to make different films, I want to see my kids healthy. But I feel you have to be rooted in reality before dreaming. Believe in reality at the first place and get your education first,” he said. “Right now, I am in a position where I can afford to do anything but when I just started off that time, my dream was to have a house, car and everything,” he IANS added.

CINEMA SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

Kai Po Che! songs to be released on Jan 14

he first song of Abhishek Kapoor’s Kai Po Che!, which has been shot mostly in Gujarat, will be released in Ahmedabad on the occasion of Makar Sankranti on January 14. “The entire team of Kai Po Che! is traveling to Ahmedabad on the occasion of Makar Sankranti and we are releasing our first song titled Manjha there,” said Shikha Kapur, executive director (marketing), studios, DisneyUTV. Only the song’s audio will be released for now.

John sports beard for

Madras Cafe

ctor-turned-producer John Abraham sports a beard these days. The new look is for his next production Madras Cafe, in which he also plays the lead. “This look that I have is for my next production after Vicky Donor. It is called Madras Cafe. It is being directed by Shoojit Sircar and produced

by us. We are very excited! People like it, so I am sporting it,” the 40-year-old said here Friday at a press conference. Madras Cafe also stars Nargis Fakhri and John plays an Indian intelligence agent in the film. Asked about his views on the recent killing of two Indian soldiers, John said: “I cannot comment on that, except saying it is

a sad thing. People are dying for us and we have people in our own country who are fighting wars on religion. The worst thing is that we are fighting political battles only on religion while there our jawans (soldiers) are dying. So it is really sad, shameful and I hope every citizen really stands up against this,” he added. IANS

There is a reason why this location and festival were chosen for the song’s launch. “Makar Sankranti sees the entire Gujarat state celebrate and bond over kite flying and the song Manjha just goes with the occasion of bonding, celebration and undying friendship,” said Kapur. The film, based on Chetan Bhagat’s bestselling novel The Three Mistakes Of My Life, features Sushant Singh Rajput, Amit Sadh and Rajkumar Yadav. IANS

Mumbai University felicitates Big B

egastar Amitabh Bachchan has been felicitated with a special honour by the University of Mumbai for his achievements in the Hindi film industry. “The University of Mumbai felicitates me, they give me huge amount of blessings and gratitude,” Amitabh wrote on his blog srbachchan.tumblr.com. The 70-year-old is also surprised to hear that a part of the Commerce syllabus has been dedicated to him. However, he says it makes him feel embarrassed. “The Commerce department tells me that I form a portion of their syl-

labus, teaching my phenomena to the students. They find it interesting enough for it to be a tool as a case study,” he said. “I have never felt so embarrassed before... I shall acknowledge your affection, but to attribute all else to me and to give me that additional value is not something that I would endorse or accept,” he added. Big B has been a part of showbiz for over four decades, throughout which he has entertained the masses through films. He entered the TV space in 2000 with the debut season of Kaun Banega Crorepati. IANS

CINEMA SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

I am powerful: Beyonce Knowles S

Michael J Fox: I can play any role as long as they have Parkinson’s

ichael J Fox has quipped that he can continue to do a great job as an actor as long as he plays a character who has Parkinson’s disease. The actor joked about his illness as he was interviewed on The Late Show with David Letterman on Thursday, about his yet-to-be-titled NBC sitcom. In the show, he will play a newscaster getting back to work after being sidelined for a few years with Parkinson’s disease. The Canadian said that cameos he made on programmes such as Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Good Wife inspired him to get back on the small screen.

inger Beyonce Knowles says she is a “powerful” lady. The 31-year-old has finally fulfilled her life-long ambition to become a symbol of success and empowerment for ladies across the globe, but still finds it difficult to comprehend how much influence she has. “When I was writing the Destiny's Child songs, it was a big thing to be that young and taking control,” showbizspy.com quoted Knowles as saying. “And the label at the time didn’t know that we were going to be that successful, so they gave us all control. And I got used to it. It is my goal in life to be that example. I now know that, yes, I am powerful. I’m more powerful than my mind can even digest and understand,” she added. IANS

Kerr too busy for more kids

odel Miranda Kerr says she and husband Orlando Bloom don’t have time to have another child. The couple already has a twoyear-old son, Flynn. Kerr admits their hectic schedules have prevented them from even thinking of expanding their family, reports femalefirst.co.uk. “We are really enjoying our time with Flynn at the moment. He’s such a ball of love and he’s so wonderful. And we are both so busy that I think it’s nice to have that time together and not rush any other babies for now,” she said.IANS

Is Jennifer Lawrence dating Bradley Cooper?

re we looking at the silver lining of a breakup here? Further fueling today’s word that Jennifer Lawrence and longtime boyfriend Nicholas Hoult have split up, the Silver Linings Playbook star and her recently single co-star Bradley Cooper were seen having a quiet dinner Thursday at Hollywood hotspot Katsuya. And, they left separately. But, remember, Lawrence, 22, and Cooper, 38, had every reason to be on a dressed-up non-date together — they both had Oscar nominations and Critics’ Choice Movie Award wins for acting in a comedy to celebrate.

CHAI TIME SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

SUNDAY CROSSWORD

ACROSS

Winners!

Play & Win voucher from VENKEY’S VEG Restaurant, Nampally

104 Afrikaners 105 — Dawn Chong 106 WSW opposite 107 Water conduits 109 Escapade 110 Helsinki citizens 112 Sheer fabric 115 Halt 116 Natural magnet 120 Mademoiselle's eye 121 Bwana's trek 123 After seconds 125 Fidel's brother 126 Little chirper 127 Father of Horus 128 Reflections 129 Aleutian island 130 Folk wisdom 131 Kitchen whistler 132 Solar eclipse sight 133 History question

DOWN 1 Wrap (2 wds) 2 — dixit 3 Went to the bottom 4 Miner's stake 5 Socializes 6 Charm 7 Hindu's true self 8 Fritz's refusal 9 Quaint lodging 10 Sideways 11 Wilderness access 12 Package tour feature 13 Bleacher shouts 14 Lemon cooler 15 ‘Arabian Nights’ hero 16 Eavesdropped 17 First cosmonaut Yuri — 18 College credit 19 Grab a snack 20 Turnstile

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30 More than wants 32 Vegas rival 34 MacDonald's refrain 36 Gave medicine 37 Jots down 38 — Williams of tennis 39 Talisman 40 Flaw 42 Actress — Christie 43 Gold-rush starters 45 Venus — — 46 PC messages 47 Appetizer tray item 49 Gridiron div 50 Answer back 51 Excursions 52 Grifter's game 54 Showed fright 55 Outlaw 56 Ancient Egyptian god of pleasure 59 Watery 60 Harley, to some 61 Where Tripoli is 63 Fish from a boat 64 Bad, for Yves 65 Lasso 67 Drama awards

VOUCHER LUCKY WINNERS FOR THIS WEEK:

68 Pampering 70 — Kringle 72 Wine datum 73 Shaggy flower 74 Couples

75 Fragrant fir 76 Apollo's priestess 77 Fingers and toes 78 Ornithology buffs 79 Dumpster 80 ‘Da Doo Ron Ron’ singer — Cassidy 81 Golden-haired 82 LBJ part 83 Pooh's donkey friend 85 Pothole filler 86 Make lace like granny 87 ‘Star Wars’ director 90 Cousteau's domain 91 Mannerism 92 Corral 94 Travel documents 95 Wildly excited 96 Laments loudly 98 Christopher Robin's dad (3 wds) 100 Jungle snakes 101 Ms Redgrave 103 Funny feeling 104 Cook in liquid 105 Broken in, as a horse 108 Reassuring phrase (2 wds) 109 Sword of Damocles, so to speak 110 Skip 111 Malt-shop freebie 112 Cereal holder 113 Prefix for ‘dynamic’ 114 Row of seats 115 Dessert trolley 116 Fibber 117 Solemn promise 118 Microwave, slangily 119 High spirits 122 Tailor's concern 124 Insurance gp

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

1 Kind of jockey 5 Stinker 11 Plunge about 17 — -ho 21 Outback mineral 22 Plan 23 Band crew member 24 Dwarf buffalo 25 Annapolis inst 26 Fingering 27 Parthenon goddess 28 Key point 29 Lost Homo erectus fossil (2 wds) 31 Great Lakes tribe 33 Whisper, as a secret 35 Honeydew 36 Live 37 Zenith opposite 38 Long-faced 41 Poetic adverb 42 Teams up with 43 Drowse off 44 Comforter stuffing 48 Makes changes to 50 Rene — of ‘Ransom’ 51 Protrude 52 The film world 53 Elizabethan collars 54 1902 erupter 55 Recurring problem 57 In a snit 58 Util bill 59 Very quick 60 Surfer's cry (2 wds) 61 53, to Pompey 62 IBM competitor 63 Bridal veil material 64 Nesmith, Tork, et al 65 Brooklets 66 Counselor 68 Vacuum part 69 Non-earthlings 70 Put the — on 71 Strong connection 72 Comic-strip prince 73 Alps, for short 74 Farm wagon 75 Kind of harm 78 Apron front 79 Travel choice 80 Appropriate 84 A moon of Uranus 85 Falsetto singer (2 wds) 87 Capital of Tibet 88 Drain cleaner 89 Falls behind 90 ‘The War of the Worlds’ invader 91 Thigh muscles 92 Ride for a kid 93 Biol or astron 94 Green 95 Brownish seaweed 96 Martial art using bamboo poles 97 Bright star 99 Omelet ingredient 100 Beach Boys' — Wilson 101 Hot dog seller 102 Flat-topped hills 103 Suffix for ‘forfeit’

1. R Babua 2. Mythili S 3. M Ehsanuddin 4. Kalpan J 5. R Bhaskara Rao

CHAI TIME SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

STAR POWER

THIRUVAIKUMAR

thiruvaikumar@yahoo. co. in 040-27177230 / 9949870449

As per Hindu panchang

Date 14-1-2013

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Marriage talks will be fruitful. Held-up work will get completed surprisingly at a quicker pace. Thoughts will travel on a new path and you will be a creator of new ideas. Keep a close watch on the friends’ circle of your son.

Held-up work will get completed with ease and speed. Good financial inflow seen. Court verdicts will be go in favour. You will receive a powerful post. Son's negligent attitude will change. You will be given great importance in functions.

Your administrative ability will be appreciated by all as your efforts will yield good results. Enemies too will become your followers. Persons of high esteem and position will befriend you. You will spend for good events at home.

You will achieve a lot after a struggle. Those trying for a job will be successful. Blood relatives will support your growth. Pregnant women need to avoid travel. Some will plan to change their residence. Good news through spouse likely.

You will plan to buy a new asset and make an advance part-payment for it. Help from various sources will enable you settle old debts. Court verdicts will go in your favour. Try and control unwanted expenditure. Keep up the good work you are doing.

House construction plan will get approved. Court verdicts will be in favour. Good turning points likely with the help of friends staying abroad. Your influence will increase in the midst of in-laws. Newlyweds will be blessed with a child.

Challenges are like eating cakes for you. You will act wisely to manage and conquer them. You will complete construction of your house. You have to put in hard efforts for son's higher studies. Sudden expenses might disturb you.

Sudden fortune will surprise you and bring cheer. Confusion in the family will come to an end. Delayed govt work will now take place with minor efforts. Forgotten due will be received to your surprise. Be careful while driving.

Certain work that deviated from your plan will now move in the right direction and get completed without further hurdles. A satisfactory financial situation is seen. You will complete a chore that will bear fruit for your son's future. You will clear all debts.

Good financial flow expected. You will purchase jewels. Some have a bright chance to buy a vehicle. You will be successful in clearing a portion of debt for which a higher rate of interest is being paid. Tension over ancestral property likely.

TAROT READ Date 14-1-2013 ARIES:

The Wheel of Fortune – What goes around comes around. It’s as simple or as complicated as that. Bad times will not stay bad forever.

GEMINI:

SUMAA TEKUR

TAURUS:

The Emperor – Control is giving you confidence to try new ideas. You have it in you to transform a project with intuition and creativity.

LEO: The High Priest –

VIRGO: The High Pri-

– You’re into mash creativity. You’re thinking of creative ideas to pour life into a boring piece of information. Nothing is weird.

SAGITTARIUS:

The Star – You may not be seeing it yet, but for every door closed there is a window of opportunity. Don’t be dejected.

CANCER:

Ten of Pentacles – A windfall may be in the offing. It comes at a time when it’s least expected. But your finances are in control anyway.

LIBRA: Ace of Wands

Self-confidence level will be at its high. Asset for which you have paid advance will now get completed and registration too will be over. Sister's marriage will be performed. You will look brisk and active. Happy events to take place at home.

tarotreadhyd@gmail. com

Nine of Pentacles – You like your own company and prefer to spend time with yourself in the comfort zone of your surroundings.

You have answers that you need within you. Pick up the key and move on. Don’t hesitate to trust your instincts on anything.

Expected help will come and let you relax. Powerful govt officials' friendship likely. Couple may face ego clashes; try and avoid this to be happy. Sudden travel will be frequent. Minor accidents and blames likely, be alert and prevent occurrence.

AQUARIUS:

Page of Wands – Some good news is about to come your way soon. You will be forced to think of a plan to make this work in your favour. It’ll work out well.

estess – You may not be noticing it yet. You’re seeing things others would ignore. It may be a coincidence or rarer thing.

PISCES:

Eight of Swords – You might be anxious about something. You’re restless and sleepless nights are not helping you think clearly. Meditate.

SCORPIO: Six of

Cups – Someone from your past might come back into your life. The meeting is thick with synchronicity.

CAPRICORN:

Five of Pentacles – You may be facing some loss or disappointment. Accept it full, and know that you could not have avoided it.

Parental excuses These are actual excuse notes from parents excusing their children from missing school (includes original spelling). ~ My son is under a doctor's care and should not take P.E. today. Please execute him. ~ Please excuse Lisa for being absent. She was sick and I had her shot. ~ Dear School: Please ekscuse John being absent on Jan. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and also 33. ~ Please excuse Roland from P.E. for a few days. Yesterday he fell out of a tree and misplaced his hip.

STRIP TEASE AGNES

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE

NON SEQUITUR

POOCH CAFE

Vol: 2, No 178 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad – 500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon. com and for subscription, please call 040-4067 2222, Fax: 040-4067 2211

CINEMA SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

DEMI LOVATO LIVING AT SOBER HOUSE IN LA

emi Lovato has had her fair share of obstacles to overcome in the last few years, but these days, she’s committed to staying healthy. So committed, in fact, that she’s been renting a room in a sober facility in Los Angeles to avoid falling back into old habits, sources confirm to Us Weekly. Insiders say the 20-year-old X Factor judge has struggled to keep her demons at bay ever since she checked into rehab in 2010 for “physical and emotional issues,” which included a “lifelong” eating disorder, depression, and self-mutilation. Some of her problems have been resolved since she left the programme in January 2011, but Lovato is the first to admit her recovery is ongoing. “I cannot tell you that I have not thrown up since treatment,” the Skyscraper singer told MTV’s SuChin Pak last year during her documentary special, Stay Strong: Demi Lovato. “I cannot tell you that I have not cut myself since treatment. I’m not perfect. This is a daily battle that I will face the rest of my life.”

Jurassic Park 4 to arrive June ‘14

Britney Spears and Jason Trawick split I

t’s official: Britney Spears and Jason Trawick have called it quits. “Britney Spears and Jason Trawick have mutually agreed to end their one-year engagement,” her rep Jeff Raymond tells PEOPLE exclusively. “As two mature adults, they came to the difficult decision to go their separate ways while continuing to remain friends.” Spears and Trawick confirmed their parting in a statement her rep released to PEOPLE. “Jason and I have decided to call off our engagement,” Spears says in the statement. “I’ll always adore him and we will remain great friends.” Adds Trawick: “As this chapter ends for us a new one begins. I love and cherish her and her boys and we will be close forever.” The former The X Factor judge, 31, and Trawick began dating in 2009 and got engaged on Trawick’s 40th birthday in December, 2011.

urassic Park 4 will arrive in theatres on June 13, 2014, Universal announced on Friday. Steven Spielberg won’t be directing this time around, but he is going to produce the project. Though Universal has not picked a director yet, it plans to shoot the movie in 3D. The studio and Spielberg have converted the original film to 3D, and plan to release that version on April 5.

SPORTS SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

Magic stop losing streak

Force India driver perplexed

‘HIL will be a game changer’

LOS ANGELES: Arron Afflalo scored 30

LONDON: Force India driver Paul di

NEW DELHI: Legendary Dutch midfield-

points and JJ Redick added 21, including the go-ahead three-pointer with 42 seconds left, to lift Orlando to a 104-101 NBA victory Saturday over the Los Angeles Clippers. “Our team deserved this one, we cut down the turnovers and played for 48 minutes,” said Orlando coach Jacque Vaughn, whose team snapped a 10-game losing streak. “Today we put it together and things went our way,” he added.

Resta has admitted he is surprised that he is still waiting to learn the identity of his teammate for the 2013 season. The Silverstone-based team are due to unveil their new car on February 1 but despite the new season looming, they still have a seat available. Reserve Jules Bianchi, former driver Adrian Sutil and ex-Sauber driver Kamui Kobayashi have all been linked with the role.

er Teun De Nooijer feels that the Hockey India League will be a "game changer" for sport in India as it can help the eight-time gold medal winners regain their past glory. "The league is really important for India. It would be a Game-Changer for the country. It will change the Indian hockey for good. It will also act as a game changer as the game is popular in India," De Nooijer told PTI in an exclusive interview.

Deluge swamps hopefuls TUCUMAN, ARGENTINA:

Legendary Ourasi dead at 32 RENNES, FRANCE: Legendary French trotter Ourasi (above), who was voted trotter of the 20th century, died on Saturday aged 32 at the stud farm where he had resided since retiring in 1990. Ourasi, who won four Prix d’Amerique’s (1986-88 and 1990), had fallen ill three weeks ago at his Haras de Gruchy home in Normandy and was put down. “It is a very sad day, he died at 1100 this morning (1000GMT) and was buried soon afterwards,” the director of the stud Pierre Lamy told AFP. “He had eaten nothing for four days, and was not lying down for fear that he wouldn’t be able to get up again. It has been several days that he has visibly declined. The decision (to put him down) was not an AFP easy one,” he added.

Torrential rain brought chaos to the Dakar Rally on Saturday after rivers overflowed and tracks were blocked on the eighth stage between Salta and Tucuman. “The stewards are currently meeting to decide on the next step,” David Castera, the race director, told AFP. The race had been stopped at the 88km mark when a riverbed on the course swelled with water. At that time, 2011 champion Nasser al-Attiyah, who started the day in second place in the overall standings, was 13sec ahead of America’s Robby Gordon with overall leader Stephane Peterhansel, the defending champion, three minutes behind. But as the storms worsened, al-Attiyah got stuck and then watched several of his rivals disappear into the distance. Guerlain Chicherit reached the finish in the fastest time with Peterhansel over 12 minutes behind while al-Attiyah was left sweating on his fate as the stewards conferred. “Everything was going smoothly for us, we were putting the pedal on the metal, and everything was fine,” said alAttiyah. “When we got to the river, there were three metres of water, there was no way we could cross that. So we called the organisers, who told us the stage had been neutralised at CP2.”

Tough competition marks chess tourney

Peterhansel, who was fifth fastest at the end of the stage, said that if the stage was neutralised at the check point, he would not be too concerned as he had lost nine minutes in the early exchanges. “One of the riverbeds was quite full when we went by and apparently they wanted to neutralise the stage at CP2. This wouldn’t be bad news for me, as it would neutralise our navigational mistake and we’d only concede the time lost head-tohead on the course,” said the 10time winner.

Casteu takes Dakar lead as Pain hurts

rench motorcyclist David Casteu took the overall lead in the rain-hit Dakar Rally on Saturday after longtime leader Olivier Pain endured a miserable eighth stage from Salta to Tucuman. Joan Barreda Bort claimed the 183km timed run in 2hr 7min 26sec, ahead of America's Johnny Campbell, who was 7min 4sec behind,

AFP

MOIN UD DOWLA TROPHY

and Sai Arun lead the junior category with three points each after the third round in the 80th Brilliant Trophy Chess tournament held here on Saturday. There were as many as six players sharing the top spot in the open category. V Varun, JK Raju, GV Srinivasarao, M Chakravarthy Reddy, K Vijaykanth and MY Raju lead the fray with three points each after their third-round matches.

he Hyderabad Cricket Association A–1 and A–2 Divisions One-day Knockout tournament will commence from January 16. A copy of the fixtures is up on www.hycricket.org.

Naughty Gal puts up splendid show HYDERABAD: Naughty Gal and Ruffiano pleased when horses exercised Sunday morning at the Malakpet racecourse here.

HYDERABAD: A Prateek, M Aishwarya, M Phani

One-dayers from 16 T

with Slovakia's Ivan Jakes in third, 7min 57sec off the pace. Torrential rain led to large parts of the stage, which had been set for 492km, being cancelled. Casteu, on a Yamaha, has a 9min 26sec overall lead over defending champion Cyril Despres and an 11min 16sec advantage over Portugal's Ruben Faria.

SAND

TRACK 800 METRES Amazing Weapon (rb) 1-0, 600/45 Easy. Ice Barrier (Anil) 1-2.5, 600/47 Moved freely. Sheridan (Tograllu) Marquise (rb) 55, 600/41 Former finished in front. Strategic Command (app) Catherine (Joshi) 59, 600/44 Former finished in front. Fortunate (N Rawal) 56.5, 600/42 Pleased.

Sharmada Balu of Karnataka, who defeated Nupur Kaur of Maharashtra 6-1, 6-2 to win the women’s singles title, in action at the Secunderabad Club on Saturday in the Bheema Cements Secunderabad Club Open singles finals. N SHIVA KUMAR

SAND TRACK 1000 METRES Komo Komo Komo (rb) 1-15, 800/58, 600/44 Moved freely. Naughty Gal (Deep Shanker) 1-11.5, 800/58, 600/44 Moved well. Ruffiano (Anil) 1-10, 800/55, 600/ 42 Pleased.

SPORTS SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

Top 10 ‘big ask’ for Tomic: Fedex

Tomic wins 1st ATP title Bernard Tomic clinched his first ATP Tour title with a fighting win over South African Kevin Anderson in the final of the Sydney International on Saturday. Robert Smith

SYDNEY: Bernard Tomic clinched his first ATP Tour title with a fighting win over South African Kevin Anderson in the final of the Sydney International on Saturday. Tomic claimed his eighth straight win of the year in downing the 36th-ranked Anderson 6-3, 6-7 (2/7), 6-3 in one hour and 55 minutes, setting himself up for the Australian Open, which begins Monday, and saying he felt “unstoppable”. Tomic is the first Australian winner of the Sydney tournament since Lleyton Hewitt in 2005 and the first 20-year-old event winner since Roger Federer in 2002. “I couldn’t ask for anything more. It’s an amazing feeling,” Tomic said. “Now that I know what it feels like to win a tournament, and it’s the best feeling

Bernard Tomic from Australia kisses the court after defeating Kevin Anderson of South Africa in the men’s final at the Sydney International tennis tournament on Saturday. AFP PHOTO / GREG WOOD in the world. “I’m so happy I won. I can’t stop here now. Now I’ve got to look to the next tournament and keep playing the tennis I’ve been playing.” He will head the Australian Open

in Melbourne with his ranking down to 43 and with a chance of facing the 17-time Grand Slam champion and second seed Federer in the third round. Tomic begins with a match

against Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer on Tuesday. “I’ve got a good opponent in the first round and I’m playing great tennis. I feel unstoppable. I feel like I’m playing great tennis,” he said. “When you know that no one can beat you, not even the No.1, you’ve got a good feeling. “It’s amazing stepping on court. You’re so confident. That’s going to be taken down to Melbourne and I’m going to use that for every match I play there.” Tomic began confidently, breaking Anderson’s opening service game and holding a break point in the sixth game before wrapping up the set in 28 minutes. But he encountered stiffer opposition from Anderson in the second set, fighting off a break point on serve in the eighth game before taking it to a tiebreaker, which the South African dominated to make it AFP one set all.

MELBOURNE: Roger Federer has warned rising star Bernard Tomic that cracking the world’s top 10 will be no easy task after the young Australian won his first ATP Tour title. Tomic, who claimed his eighth straight win of the year in downing the 36th-ranked Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-7 (2/7), 6-3 at the Sydney International final on Saturday, believes he can achieve top 10 status by year’s end. But 17-time Grand Slam champion Federer is not so sure. “I think we should go step by step, see how it goes,” said the Swiss great. Let’s speak in a year’s time. Everybody wants to jump from, what’s his ranking, 60, to 10 in a year. It’s hard to do. Ten is a big ask. Don’t forget how tough the top 10 players are right now.” Tomic heads to Melbourne for the Australian Open with his ranking down from 64 to 43 and with a chance of facing Federer AFP in the third round.

Andy happy with monkey off back Martin Parry

MELBOURNE: Andy Murray said on Saturday winning the US Open has taken a massive Grand Slam monkey off his back and allowed him to relax more than ever coming into the opening major of the year in Melbourne. The Scot said the breakthrough at Flushing Meadows in 2012 eased the pressure and set him up perfectly to build on the best year of his career.

Del Potro falters at the last hurdle MELBOURNE: Lleyton Hewitt showed vintage form as he humbled Juan Martin Del Potro 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday to win the Kooyong Classic, giving him a boost ahead of his first match at the Australian Open. The former number one and two-time Grand Slam winner a decade ago completed victories over three top-15 opponents at the eight-man special event at the Kooyong Stadium — the former home of the Open. Hewitt’s current game belies his 82nd place ranking, with the 31-year-old veteran hopeful of doing major damage as he begins play on Monday against Serb eighth seed Janko Tipsarevic at Melbourne Park. “Janko is a tough first round -- but there are not too many easy first rounds out there,” said Hewitt. “He’s a

quality player who has improved a lot in the past two years. “It’s nice to know I’ve done all the right preparation, I can just go out there and play,” said the battler who a year ago had the foot surgery that finally cured a lingering problem that had forced him to play in pain. Hewitt earned his comprehensive win over number seven Argentine Del Potro in 66 minutes to duplicate his Kooyong title from 2011. The Australian raced through the opening set in 27 minutes, reaching a 3-1 lead after just 16 minutes. He finished off the set on a first set point as Del Potro fired a forehand long. Del Potro made a stab at a rally in the second set, breaking Hewitt for 3-4 at one point and levelling at 4-all AFP soon after.

“Not just Grand Slams. You know, I kind of maybe always felt like I was having to prove something every time I went on the court because I hadn’t won a Slam,” he said ahead of next week’s Australian Open. “You know, even when you win a Masters Series, people still asked me always about the Slams. So it’s nice just to kind of not have to worry about that anymore. “I think it will help me throughout the rest of the year, as well, on the tour because I just won’t be worrying and thinking about the

Slams all the time, I can focus on all of the events that I’m entered in.” Murray started his season in perfect style, winning the Brisbane International and enters the Australian Open determined to better than the runner-up spots he earned in ‘10 and ‘11. The Olympic champion starts the tournament as one of the favourites, alongside holder Novak Djokovic, with their task made easier by Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal AFP through illness.

I’ll knock off Janko: Hewitt

Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt hits a shot during a training session ahead of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Sunday. AFP/PAUL CROCK

MELBOURNE: A fired-up Lleyton Hewitt Sunday warned his Australian Open first round opponent Janko Tipsarevic that he plans to “knock him off ” after showing vintage form to win the Kooyong Classic.

Veteran Hewitt, 31, is bursting with confidence after demolishing Juan Martin Del Potro in the final of the warm-up tournament 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday, his third victory over top-15 opposition in the past week.

World number nine Tipsarevic is next in the Australian’s line of fire, at a Grand Slam he is playing for a record 17th consecutive time, three more than closest challenger Roger Federer. And Hewitt has no fear of the Serb, who won the ATP Chennai Open in his preparation for Melbourne. “I don’t care. I’ll knock him off, try to take his spot in the draw,” said Hewitt, who made the fourth round of the Open last year. I look forward to the challenge. The last couple matches I’ve hit the ball as well as I can remember. I feel confident with where my game is at the moment. There’s still a couple things I got to try to take care of when I’m on the match court. “But all in all, when my moving comes together and I’m serving well, my returns and obviously passing shots and counterpunching has been pretty good AFP anyways.”

SPORTS SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

Lance to lose more if admits doping Chantal Valery

WASHINGTON: Lance Armstrong could lose much more than his already ravaged reputation if he confesses to doping this week during a television interview with Oprah Winfrey — he could end up in jail. The disgraced Texan’s decision to talk to the famed US talk show host has divided opinion, as some say he needs to do something radical to rehabilitate his public profile, while others say speaking out will only make matters once. The crux of the matter is whether Armstrong, having been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles, will finally admit that he was a drugs cheat. Such a confession would overturn more than a decade of strenuous denials. “If I were his lawyer, I’d be telling him not to do it. I think he’s crazy," said Peter Keane, law professor at Golden Gate University in San Francisco, of the cyclist’s decision to give the interview, which will be aired on Thursday. “He’s in considerable jeopardy of some sort of criminal prosecution... for which he could go to prison," Keane said. The threats to Armstrong’s liberty stem from the fallen icon’s role in the US Postal Service team, where he spent his most successful years in the saddle. Having been paid by the government, the former team leader could face criminal charges for making fraudulent statements to his bosses. He could also be accused of perjury over disclosures made under oath to a US federal jury in 2005. If convicted, each false statement could lead to five years in jail. Armstrong has always maintained that he did not use banned substances during his stellar career, but in August last year he chose not to contest charges put forward by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) that he was a serial drugs cheat.

Henley, Langley in lead

PGA Tour rookies Russell Henley and Scott Langley continued to set the pace sharing a three-shot lead after three rounds of the US PGA Tour Sony Open. HONOLULU: PGA Tour rookies Russell Henley and Scott Langley continued to set the pace on Saturday, sharing a three-shot lead after three rounds of the US PGA Tour Sony Open. Overnight leader Henley carded had three birdies without a bogey in his three-under par 67 while Langley — the first-round leader — carded a five-under par 65 to grab his share of the lead on 17-under par 193. They dueled for the lead during that round and happened to finish the day sharing a 54-hole scoring record for the tournament, improving on the 194 set by John Huston in 1998 and which was equaled by Brad Faxon in 2001. Henley and Langley, who tied for low amateur honors at the

2010 US Open at Pebble Beach, will play together for the fourth straight day on Sunday. South Africa’s Tim Clark, aiming to rebound this season after a 2012 campaign in which he was hampered by injury, carded his second straight 66 for a 14under total of 196. Charles Howell, a two-time runner-up at this tournament carded a 67 on the par-70 Waialae Country Club course and was tied with Australian Scott Gardiner (65) on 13-under 197. Langley, who started the third round two strokes behind Henley, pulled even with his fifth birdie of the day at the 10th. He finished with seven birdies and two bogeys, twice pulling ahead of Henley who seized his share of the lead with a birdie at the par-five 18th. AFP

Russell Henley hits a tee shot on the 17th hole during the third round of the Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club on Saturday in Honolulu, CHRISTIAN PETERSEN/GETTY IMAGES/AFP Hawaii.

Proteas’ pace does Kiwis in

A photo taken on Saturday shows the scoreboard on the second day of the second Test between South Africa and New Zealand at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth. AFP/ANESH DEBIKY PORT ELIZABETH: Dale Steyn and Rory Kleinveldt ripped out New Zealand’s top order batsmen as South Africa took control on the second day of the second and final Test at St George’s Park on Saturday. New Zealand were reeling at 47 for six at the close, a massive 478 behind South Africa’s first innings total of 525 for eight (decl), needing another 279 to avoid the follow on. There were three centurions in the South

African innings, with Faf du Plessis (137) and Dean Elgar (103 not out) joining Hashim Amla, who added only four to his overnight score before being dismissed for 110. Steyn, bowling his fastest spell of the summer, had Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson caught in the slips in his first three overs. Then the strongly-built Kleinveldt, who replaced the injured Vernon Philander, produced a snorter of a delivery to have Dean Brownlie caught behind off his gloves. Kleinveldt followed up with a full ball which trapped Daniel Flynn leg before wicket. New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum survived the pace bowling onslaught, only to succumb to the second ball of spin. He played a loose drive against left-arm Brief Scores spinner Robin South Africa 525/8 dec. Peterson to be caught (H. Amla 110, F. du at slip for 13, eked Plessis137, D. Elgar 103 out over 98 minutes n.o., Bracewell 3/94, and 61 balls. Munro 2/40) vs New New Zealand’s Zealand 47/6 (B. woes continued when McCullum 13, B. debutant Colin Watling 15 n.o., Steyn Munro was out first 2/14, Kleinveldt 2/18, ball, caught at short Peterson 2/2) leg off Peterson. AFP

Jamieson poised for Durban double DURBAN: Scott Jamieson is poised to win two European Tour events in this Indian Ocean city within two months after taking a five-shot lead Saturday three rounds into the Volvo Golf Champions. Jamieson fired a four-underpar 68 for a total of 201 at Durban Country Club to move clear of Thai Thongchai Jaidee, Julien Quesne of France and South African Louis Oosthuizen. The Scot won the first event of the 2013 European Tour — the inaugural Nelson Mandela Championship — last month at another Durban course after the tournament was cut to two rounds by torrential rain. Glasgow-born Jamieson singled out the eighth and 11th as crucial holes during his round in the two-million-euro opening tournament this year on the European circuit. AFP

ICC gives support to cricket-starved Pakistan

Saeed dominates PCB annual awards

China women win Olympic re-match in S Korea

LAHORE: Cricket’s governing body will continue to

KARACHI: Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal dominated the

support Pakistan in its efforts to bring back the international game, but much depends on the security situation, an official said Saturday. International cricket has been suspended in Pakistan since terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009, leaving eight people dead and seven visiting players wounded. It led foreign teams to shun tours to Pakistan due to security fears. David Richardson, chief executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC) said Pakistan will continue to be supported. “The ICC views Pakistan as a very important part of international cricket," Richardson told a media briefing in Lahore. “It’s our role to support Pakistan in its efforts to make sure that international cricket returns to the country."

first ever annual awards held by the Pakistan cricket board, scooping up three awards, while T20 captain Mohammad Hafeez won the PCB cricketer of the year award. Saeed, who had a successful tour of India recently, won the PCB best bowler awards for all three formats of the game but missed out on the prestigious cricketer of the year award. Opener Nasir Jamshed followed with two awards, including the PCB T20 and ODI batsman of the year, while Azhar Ali was declared Test batsman of the year. The left-handed opener recently had a triumphant tour of India scoring back to back hundreds in the one-day series. This is the first time the PCB has organized annual awards and chairman Zaka Ashraf said they would now be a permanent feature.

SEOUL: In a rematch of their controversial London Olympic badminton encounter, China’s Yu Yang and Wang Xiaoli beat South Korea’s Jung Kyung-Eun and Kim Ha-Na Saturday to reach the Korea Open women’s doubles final. The top-seeded Chinese duo overpowered the South Koreans 21-16, 21-11 for a comfortable straight sets win. The pairings were among eight women’s doubles players who were disqualified from the Olympics for trying to lose round-robin matches to secure a more favourable draw in the quarterfinals. They were booed off court after the Chinese pair, top seeds at the Games, lost to the South Koreans in straight sets, but there was no repeat when they met again in South Korea. In Sunday’s final, Yu and Yang will face compatriots Ma Jin and Tang Jinhua.

SPORTS SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2013

Ferguson is bemused LONDON: Man United manag-

er Alex Ferguson says he is puzzled by Liverpool striker Luis Suarez’s (left) flair for attracting controversy, ahead of the meeting between the sides in the Premier League on Sunday. Regularly criticised for diving, Suarez hit the headlines again last weekend when he handled the ball prior to scoring Liverpool’s winning goal in their 2-1 victory at non-league Mansfield Town in the FA Cup. The Uruguayan has bad blood with Ferguson’s side, having been banned for eight games for racially abusing

Results on Saturday

Aston Villa 0 Vs Southampton 1 (Lambert 34-pen) Everton 0 Vs Swansea 0 Fulham 1 (Karagounis 22) Vs Wigan 1 (Di Santo 71) Norwich 0 Vs Newcastle 0 QPR 0 Vs Tottenham 0 Reading 3 Vs W Brom 2 Stoke 0 Chelsea 4 (Walters 45-og, 62-og, Lampard 65pen, Hazard 73) Sunderland 3 Vs West Ham 0

United full-back Patrice Evra in 2011, and he is sure to receive a hostile reception at Old Trafford. “I didn’t see the Mansfield game, so it’s difficult to say if it was deliberate or not,” said Ferguson. “But I think the lad is laden with controversy. I don’t know if he enjoys it or not.” Liverpool manager Rodgers was quick to defend Suarez over the Mansfield incident and Ferguson admitted he would have done the same in similar circumstances. “You’re going to support your own player,” he said.

STOKE, UK: Stoke manager Tony Pulis backed Jon Walters (below) to cope with the embarrassment of scoring two own goals and missing a penalty in his side’s 4-0 defeat against Chelsea on Saturday. Walters endured one of worst individual displays in Premier League history as he headed past his own goalkeeper in the 45th and 62nd minutes at the Britannia Stadium to gift Chelsea a two-goal lead. And to compound Walters’ misery, the Republic of Ireland striker failed to convert a penalty in the closing minutes after being brought down by John Terry. Walters saw his spotkick cannon over off the crossbar, but Pulis is convinced his burly targetman will be able to shrug off the humiliation. “Jon is alright, we look after people at the club,” Pulis said. “It was not our day, it was Chelsea’s. “We all have bad days. He had a bad day,” he said.

under more pressure on Saturday when misfiring Real Madrid were held to a 0-0 draw at relegationthreatened Osasuna, a result which left the champions 15 points behind leaders Barcelona. Madrid, devoid of any creativity, missed the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, who had scored five of his side’s eight goals in the last two games, and their desperate state was highlighted when substitute Kaka (right) was sent-off in the second half. Real Madrid are on 37 points in third place, four behind Atletico Madrid and they could trail Barcelona by 18 points on Sunday if the runaway leaders defeat fifthplace Malaga. “I liked my team’s attitude, Raul

Arsenal v Manchester City (1600GMT), Manchester United v Liverpool (1330GMT)

Justin Davis

MILAN: Inter Milan outclassed

Pressure on Mourinho as Real draw Osasuna blank MADRID: Jose Mourinho was

Sunday fixtures

Inter Milan outclass Pescara

‘Walters will bounce back’

Dermot Ledwith

“That’s not surprising from Brendan Rogers. I’ve done it myself. It’s part of your loyalty and protection of the player.” For all his sympathy over Rodgers’ handling of Suarez, Ferguson says the Liverpool coach will be a fortunate man if he is given time to rebuild the club by owner John Henry. AFP

Albiol and Fabio Coentrao have come in and played well and the others have done a job. It’s not easy to create here, we did enough to score but we didn’t make many chances,” said Mourinho. The Portuguese coach was questioned about captain Iker Casillas, who he recently controversially dropped, but refused to say if the goalkeeper would be in the team on Tuesday against Valencia in the Spanish Cup. “Casillas has done well in the last two games and we have been good defensively but it’s too early to say whether he’ll be playing against Valencia,” said Mourinho. Ronaldo missed his first game after 60 consecutive league appearances with a one-match suspension while Sergio Ramos was also absent at the start of a five-game ban.

league new boys Pescara 2-0 at the San Siro on Saturday to move two places up to third and close the gap to leaders Juventus to six points. Juventus are away to Parma on Sunday but will be expected to pick up three points against a side they beat 2-0 at home on the opening day of the season in August. Lazio remain second, five points shy of Juventus, ahead of the visit of Atalanta on Sunday. Napoli sit fourth at seven points adrift ahead of their hosting of Palermo. Earlier on Saturday, Bologna picked up only their sixth win of the season when they dominated Chievo 4-0 at home, with a brace coming from striker Alberto Gilardino, to move up two places to 13th. Inter, meanwhile, put the distraction of the Wesley Sneijder transfer saga and several absences due to injury behind them in a workmanlike performance in their first home game of the year. Romanian Christian Chivu (pic), making a rare appearance in a makeshift three-man defence with midfielder Esteban Cambiasso and Matias Silvestre, got the ball rolling for the opener when surged forward to feed Antonio Cassano. The pacy number 10 found Palacio, who controlled, turned and beat Pescara keeper Mattia Perin with a low right-foot drive.