Postnoon E-Paper for 16 February 2012 by Scribble Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

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With its subtle humour and delightful wit, The Simpsons has made an unforgettable imprint on global pop culture, making members of this family influential TV icons. As the series prepares to air its 500th episode on Sunday, we take a look at the cartoon sitcom. P16&17

Twitter has admitted copying entire address books from smartphones and storing the data on its servers, often without customers' knowledge. Access to the address book is enabled when users click on the ‘Find Friends’ feature on smartphone apps. Hyderabad’s first compact afternoon newspaper

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MILAN BLAST GUNNERS AC Milan all but booked their place in the Champions League quarterfinals with a swashbuckling performance to thump hapless Arsenal 40 at the San Siro on Wednesday. P32

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JEN ADDRESSES PREGNANCY RUMOURS N SHIVA KUMAR

When it comes to all the baby rumours, Jennifer Aniston is setting the record straight. Again.

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STARRY SKIES As a period drama that takes us back to the swingin’ sixties, Pan Am shows promise.

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HEADING DOWN THE ROAD TO RUIN The plight of patients visiting Niloufer Hospital is exacerbated by the woeful state of the road that leads to it.

THE FIGHT FOR FREE TIBET The self-immolation of an 18-year-old nun in Sichuan on Monday puts the spotlight back on the intensifying fight for Free Tibet. P8

Page Two

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

Spirit of Twin Cities

CAMEL WALK

Gnarl live

N SHIVA KUMAR

Head to Hard Rock Cafe to catch city band Gnarl performing live, a mix of heavy rock guitars and power house drumming Where: Hard Rock Cafe, Banjara Hills When: February 16, 9pm Contact: (040) 44767900

The Indian Mosaic An exhibition of paintings titled ‘The Indian Mosaic’ will be on display at Iconart Gallery. Where: Iconart, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing, 6.30pm Contact: 98499 68797

Goodbye! Lenin Goodbye! Lenin is a German tragicomedy film. The film deals with how a young man has to convince his mother (who has just come out of coma) that her beloved Germany is not the same any more. Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills When: February 16, 6pm Contact: 9642731329

Cognac and Cigar The Seasons Bar opens up again as a Cigar and Cognac lounge with a wide selection of cognac, rare whiskies, single malts and cigars. Where: Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing, 7pm Contact: (040) 6666 2323

Dance Fiesta Soorya festival, an exotic feast of Kerela’s various dance forms will begin from February 16. 40 artists from all over the country will participate in the event. Where: NSKK High School, Ferozeguda When: February 16 onwards, 6pm Contact: 9010403034

Group exhibition Muse Art Gallery will play host to a group exhibition titled ‘An Artful

CINEMAS

Art’. It is a contemporary painting exhibition by a group of 26 artists. Where: Muse Art Gallery, Tank Bund When: Ongong, 11am Contact: 93964 44424

A suitable lunch Syn presents three lunch offers to suit your needs. There is a lunch for those in a hurry, a lunch for the calorie conscious and a lunch for those who are planning a reunion with pals. Where: Taj Deccan, Banjara Hills When: Everyday, 12pm onwards Contact: (040) 6666 3939

Eat in the dark Have you ever wondered how it feels to eat in the dark? Come and experience this. Pay `499 to enjoy a 4-course meal worth `1,000 at Dialogue in the Dark. Where: Dialogue in the Dark, Inorbit Mall, Hitech City When: Ongoing, 12.30pm Contact: (040) 6460 3341

City in pictures A pictorial essay depicting the city of Hyderabad between the years of 1975 and 2011 is on display at Salarjung Museum. Where: Salarjung Museum When: Ongoing, 10am Contact: (040) 2457 6443

International pizza festival Pizza lovers this is the news for you! News Cafe is host to the International Pizza Festival. Where: News Cafe, Inorbit Mall, Hitech City When: Ongoing, 12.30pm Contact: (040) 6460 3341

Nizami celebration

Martini ‘n music Enjoy winter evenings with martinis and crooner Kelly. A perfect mix for a perfect evening! Where: Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills When: Every Evening Contact: (040) 6666 232

The sculptures are by artist Tapas Biswas. Where: Kalakriti, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing, 12.30pm Contact: (040) 6656 4466

Aladdin and his lamp Alladin and the lamp of magic, a live musical play is being staged at Rabindra Bharthi. Where: Ravindra Bharthi, Saifabad When: Ongoing, 4pm Contact: (040) 2323 3672

Bronze sculptures Recent bronze sculptures will be on display at Kalakriti Art Gallery.

Head to Jewel of Nizam at Masab tank for a Nizami treat. As it get’s set to celebrate it’s first anniversary, sample on various cuisines from around the country. Where: Jewel of Nizam, Masab Tank When: Ongoing, 11.30 am Contact: (040) 6611 0130

Visual hip-hop Renowned visual DJ Tashi is Asia's biggest name in visual disc jockeying. Catch him live at Bottles and Chimney. Where: Bottles and Chimney, Begumpet When: February 16, 8pm Contact: (040) 2776 6464

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

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Campaign ends on a tragic note he rationalists’ novel campaign against black magic where busts of 150 renowned scientists were carried in the City in a procession ended in an accident today where an auto driver in the procession sustained serious eye injuries after his auto was hit by a car near the Pacific hospital junction in Jubilee Hills today. The driver, Sayedalu, was crossing the junction without looking sideways a car crossing from the Jubilee Hills club side hit the auto. Splinters of the broken windshield fell in to his eyes. The procession was to converge before the Speaker’s residence when the accident occurred. Black magic has been playing havoc and the show was a part of public awareness campaign.

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Beware of the con cops CRIME

Postnoon News

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

Mohd Subhan mohd.s@postnoon.com

he recent arrest of three Iranians settled in the City for impersonating police and vigilance to rob people has brought to light a well-knit network of some 15 such Iranian gangs. North Zone police said the arrest of Ghulam Hussain, Osman, and Sallu from Langer House, Mahankali revealed they are not alone. The trio explained the modus operandi. They would first observe rich merchants or people coming from districts who are likely to carry cash. In two’s and three’s they would mark them and would tackle them at the right opportunity. This meant that they have an ‘intelligence network’ which shows poorly on police who let the gangs go lightly once caught. Some of the gangs would straightaway pose as Vigilance officers and demand to know what was in the suitcase or in backpack. They would shed the niceties once the quarry objects. Out will come the knife or an illegal firearm. The man or men would rather give the money and valuables than get-

ting hurt, explained R Nursing Rao, Sub Inspector of Afzalgunj police station. Sometimes, said Rao, these gangs would flash a fake identity card proclaiming them as police SIs or head constables and start demanding money. “They resort to all sort of conning. Most of them are young and have no regular job and they indulge in this sort of thing.” Just two days ago it was the same Iranian gang that robbed a groundnut dealer Syed Aziz at Gowliguda Chaman of `5.50 lakh. The duo is not traced yet. Their favourite areas of operation are bus stands and railway stations. They are active in Secunderabad, Mahankali, Bowenpally and surroundings. They have a colony at Bhewandi

and settlements in Guntakkal, Gulbarga and Bidar. But they are mostly found not far away from railway stations.

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Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

N SHIVA KUMAR

KCR begins Chandi Yagam, turns 58 tomorrow

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resident of Telangana Rashtra Samithi K Chandrasekhara Rao took up Chandi Yagam once again. He turns 58 on Friday. The intention for the Yagam is said to be peace and prosperity of Telangana region. The Yagam was launched at Telangana Bhavan amidst chanting of Vedic hymns. KCR, his wife, his daughter Kavita, and other family members participated in the function. The Yagam would be concluded on Friday, marking his birthday. He performed a similar puja in 2009 also.

It’s an excruciating trek for Niloufer patients

N SHIVA KUMAR

CIVIC Osama Salman salman.o@postnoon.com

he GHMC finally woke up to the woes of the people thronging the Niloufer Hospital in AC Guards, by starting to re-carpet the tiny stretch of road that is in front of the hospital’s Women and Children, and Emergency wings. However, since a week, the repair work has dismantled and blocked the only road that connects to the hospital. There are two accesses to Niloufer Hospital, one from Red Hills and the other from AC Guards. The access from Red Hills is completely blocked and is posing to be a menace to the hundreds of patients who come here. The diversion that they are forced to take to reach the hospital can waste valuable time, especially during an emergency. “The road is extremely important due to its connectivity to the hospital, and repairing it will take a long time. During an emergency, we have to take a diversion wading through the traffic and pedestrians. It takes a very long time to reach the hospital now,” said an ambulance driver at Niloufer Hospital, who wished to maintain anonymity.

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Fateeha Bi, a patient at the hospital, said that when she came here in an auto-rickshaw, she had a tough time negotiating with the driver. “I am having a baby and the road is too bumpy for me to walk. I had to convince the auto driver to take the diversion and had to pay him `20 extra. We are poor and it matters to us,” she said. Earlier, the barely 200-metrelong road was a perfect example of Hyderabadi roads -- potholed and uneven! It only got worse over time, and the innumerable

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speed-breakers only added to the misery of motorists. But now, the blockade is proving to be a bigger menace especially for residents. Shahid Khan, who resides in the apartments opposite the hospital, said, “The road wasn’t great earlier. But with a part of it blocked, it is even worse now. My car’s suspension is getting spoilt. A road that took 5 minutes to navigate before, is now taking 10 minutes. The road should be re-carpeted ,” he said. Shahid also pointed that the access from Red Hills is blocked

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with barricades, which, in turn, is blocked by auto-rickshaws waiting for customers. “This is creating traffic jams,” he added. On the other hand, motorists are happy that the road is being repaired. “It was about time the GHMC started work on this road. It has been practically unusable for years,” said Sharma, a regular user. Whether for good, or otherwise, the road needs to be repaired urgently, especially for thousands of patients who flock Niloufer Hospital every day.

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They walk in only to walk out U Srinivas srinivas.u@postnoon.com

ll the political parties in the Assembly session want business conducted. But nobody is ready to keep quiet and each wants to contribute to the decibel level, which is high these days. On day 3, the situation remained same. Each party follows its agenda and at the end the Speaker bangs the gong to signal adjournment. Chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy and PCC Chief Botsa Satyanarayana say the government is ready to discuss any issue but the ruckus should be avoided. To begin with, the TRS said its leader Harish Rao will not stall the House but let the Telangana resolution be taken up which others did not agree for. He wants to know how they could expect co-operation of TRS when Governor ESL Narasimhan had given a report to the Centre against Telangana. Then there is the TDP chasing the government on the liquor scam. PCC chief Botsa Satyanarayana says the Congress is clean and not involved in the liquor scam, but does the TDP care? Caught between the Congress and Opposition parties, MIM leader Ahmed Pasha Quadri regrets that neither party bothers about the plight of other parties who are unwittingly get caught in the crossfire. Speaker N Manohar is at his wit’s end. He says he is trying his best to transact business but members are working cross-purposes. Amid this confusion,YSRC is daring the Speaker to take action against Congress members for defying the whip during no-confidence motion. Fed up, the Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy hit out at the TDP for its double standard. The party, he said, was not cooperating with the Speaker on one hand and was blaming him for not taking up the business at the same breath.

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

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FM likely to play growth tune with tax-free budget BUDGET U Srinivas srinivas.u@postnoon.com

inance minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, on Friday, will present a taxfree, welfare-cum-development-oriented budget for 2012-13, it is expected. Sources say that this budget will pave the way for a buoyant economic activity in the next financial year. While only soft copies of the budget speech are proposed to be supplied, hard copies are being made ready at the request of some members. The sources said the government is likely to peg the size of the budget to around `1,50,000 crore. The State is projected to have a revenue surplus, while the finance department has received proposals for around

`1,60,000 crore from various departments as part of the online submission of demands this year. As per the revised estimates for 2010-11, the State is likely to have a revenue surplus of `540 crore against the budgeted `3,548 crore. The fiscal deficit is estimated at `13,670 crore, about 2.6 per cent of GSDP. While the finance minister is gearing up to present yet another tax-free budget, there are apprehensions that the taxes would be imposed only during the financial year through GOs without mentioning the same in the budget. Perhaps, the new imposts may come forth in May or June. The finance minister told Postnoon that the general strike impacted the tax collection, though temporarily. “We will be able to reach the targets,” he said confidently. The commercial tax depart-

ment is with Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and sources in the government said that the CM was not for increasing tax on consumers and hence the finance minister had little chance for hiking the taxes. There will be no fresh taxes, especially in view of the the byelections and election to local

bodies. The irrigation department which received `15,010 crore under the plan budget last year has requested for an allocation of `35,000 crore in 2012-2013 to accelerate Jalayagnam projects. The government is also likely to enhance the budgetary allocation for Jalayagnam, as it wants to deomonstrate its commitment to farmers and to nurse the agriculture constituency in the next elections. The panchayat raj department wanted a substantial increase in its allocations to meet the expenditure on rural development activities. Same is the case with education and municipal administration departments. The government is said to be working on ensuring the fiscal deficit is below the five per cent limit prescribed by the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act.

HC rejects assets probe against Babu Postnoon News feedback@postnoon.com

t was festive time at the Telugu Desam Legislature Party office on the Assembly premises today as the case of disproportionate assets against the TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu was dismissed by the High Court. YSR Congress MLA and wife of late YSR filed a petition seeking a CBI probe against Naidu and others in the High Court. Naidu and 13 others were relieved from the enquiry of CBI, SEBI and ED. Some of the MLAs offered sweets to the TDP chief and congratulated him for getting relieved. The MLAs Keshav and others said that finally truth had prevailed. TDP leader Motkupalli Narsimhlu said that the petition was filed by YS Vijayalakshmi with political vendetta. Chandrababu never did anything against the public interest, he said. On the other hand, the MLAs belonging to YS Jagan Mohan Reddy camp looked dejected as they lost the case and they avoided the media in the Assembly premises.

Speaker biased, says CPI

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PI MLAs Kunanmneni Sambasiva Rao and B Chandravathi on Thursday charged Speaker Nadendla Manohar with acting like a Congressman and alleged that he was not acting independently in running the house. Pointing out that for the last three days the House did not transact any business, they found fault with the Speaker for blaming the Opposition. They said that the Speaker was acting as per the diktat of the Congress and chief minister, while the TRS and the TDP were also dancing to the tunes of the ruling party. They said that this was the first time that APCC chief Botsa Satyanaryana and the chief minister were at loggerheads. They said that the chief minister was using the ACB report to keep Botsa under

check. They also found fault with the Speaker for not acting on the Congress MLAs supporting YSR Congress and for defying the whip. Why the PRP MLAs were being given a special treatment after merging with the Congress, they asked. The CM was protecting some ministers in the liquor scam while exposing some others including Botsa, they said. Blaming the Opposition, the Speaker and the chief minister were seeing to it that the House did not transact any business, they charged. The House could not transact any business, with the Speaker adjourning the House twice for half-an-hour each. The TDP demanded discussion on liquor syndicate, while the TRS sought a separate Telangana resolution again for the third day in a row. They did not heed the request of the Speaker to allow the business of the House to be conducted, forcing Manohar to adjourn the House.

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Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

‘SMART’ CRIMES: APPS PIRACY THRIVING IN CITY With no pro-active initiative, Cyber police unable to curb mobile applications piracy

CRIME Anubha Singh anubha.k@postnoon.com

N Revant makes demands

DP MLA Revanth Reddy on Wednesday demanded that PCC chief Botsa Satyanarayana and Excise Minister Mopidevi Venkataramana Rao, who had links with liquor syndicate, should be removed from their posts by the Congress high command and CM respectively. He demanded that Botsa Satyanarayana, who admitted that he owned 31 liquor shops, should be removed from PCC chief post by the party leadership.

ot long ago Cyber crime was synonymous with computer manipulation but now smart phones have taken over as the ‘smart tool’ to perpetuate cyber crimes. In terms of smart phones, unlocking (under certain condition), unblocking and installing pirated apps etc. come under cybercrime. Unlocking a phone is not illegal, but unlocking a phone which is under contract is a breach of contract and is subject to legal action. With cyber criminals exploring the smart phones market, the business of installing top paid apps for free on mobiles is flourishing in the market. Huge billboards around the City lure customers by offering top paid apps which they will install on their smart phones for free. Apps piracy also comes under software piracy and it is illegal as per Indian Cyber Laws. There’s been a rapidly growing trend in mobile app piracy, owing to the easy access that is currently present for piracy. Step into the famous Jagdish Market or any other mobile market in city and you can witness hoardings or billboards in front of these shops that promise unlocking and jail-breaking(making mobile phones usable to

cracked versions of Apps) is done here. Shockingly the shopkeepers also download many high paid Apps for free with unlocking or jail breaking. “These days the market is flilled with smart phones and unlocking your phone is crucial if you want to have the ultimate smart phone experience. You’ll be able to install applications and themes for free, you gain access to new and free downloads and softwares, you will be able to use any cell carrier net-

work or GSM Sim cards in the world,” said Md. Ahmed, owner of Hyderabad Electronics, Jagdish Market. “On average we get 10 to 15 customers per day. Nothing is illegal these days; without unlocking and jail breaking you can’t use your phone then what’s the fun in purchasing it. Many people download these softwares and do it at home” he adds. In case of an iPhone, the phone is first jail-broken which helps in

THE FACES OF HYDERABAD M Yohann, Knife Sharpner

ohann travels on his cycle, circling the City lanes offering his services to sharpen knives in households and eateries. His cycle doubles as the apparatus that he uses to sharpen blades. He charges a meagre `5 per knife. So what exactly lured him to this profession? He says that this is their family profession and he did not have a choice and he’s been doing this for

Aishwarya Yerra A city is defined by the people who live and work in it. Here we take a look at the human threads that make up our urban tapestry

the last 10 years. He sharpens up to 500 knives everyday. But it’s risky — the fumes and sparks emitted during the process can’t be escaped even though he wears protective glasses. But he says it is part of his work. Though he has no formal training, observing his father and uncle was enough. Although his wife isn’t happy with the income he brings home, he says this is the best he can do.

AISHWARYA YERRA

installing the pirated softwares, while on android phones, the .apk files can be installed directly. Top paid apps like productivity tools, games, camera tools, or photoshops which are available on all the mobile platforms can be easily downloaded and installed for free in these shops. Software piracy was very common in computers but is now getting even more common and easier on the smart phones and tablets. However, the cyber crime officials have different take on the issue “Unless we get an official complaint from the concerned company, be it Apple or Google we can’t take any action. Even though we are aware the Apps piracy is high in Hyderabad market we are helpless on this account. If any particular company comes to us and say that unlocking is done in an illegal manner in the market or software is misused then we can take stringent action against the culprit,” said Ram Mohan, SI, Cyber Crime, Hyderabad. Recently in the US, a Boston University student was slapped with a fine of $6,59,115 for downloading and sharing songs. They are very particular about the piracy Act and take measures in catching the culprits and taking stringent actions against them. But it’s a far cry here where we have many open markets where there are big shops to do this illegal activity which are making hay while the sun shines.

Errabelli asks guv to withdraw forces

DP MLA Errabelli Dayakar Rao on Wednesday demanded that Governor ESL Narasimhantake initiative for withdrawal of police and paramilitary forces from the Telangana region, if he thought all the people of the State were equal to him like his children as claimed by him. Speaking at the Assembly media point, Dayakar Rao has alleged that Governor was deceiving the people of Telangana as he was sending wrong reports to the Centre on the situation in the region for Telangana statehood. “Did the Governor not know supreme sacrifices of over 700 Telangana youth for the cause of Telangana,” he demanded.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

Gnarly and loving it Tonight, home-grown band Gnarl is all set to unveil brand-new tracks from their soon-to-be released second album. We catch a sneak peek

EVENT Padmini C padmini.c@postnoon.com

“W

e associate Gnarl with mysticism and old worldliness. It also depicts the different facets of our personality and our lyrics, which are deeper than they first seem,” observes vocalist and lead guitarist of the band Tamar Chatterjee contemplatively. But a question or two later, he laughingly admits, “I am the lyricist,

Ram is the brooder and Taj gets all the groupies.” Founded in 2003, Gnarl came into the lime-light two years later when they cut a self-titled music album with Sony Music. Their videos When and Path, were among the first videos to be aired on VH1. Seven years later, the band consisting of trio — Tamar, drummer Taj Khan and bass guitarist Ram Reddy — is finally going to launch its yet-to-benamed second album later this year. “It’sbeen a long time since the last one. So a lot of thought has

gone into each of the tracks. We have certainly mellowed down and I guess it shows. We even have a couple of acoustics in there,” observes Tamar, before adding, “We are going to play some of the new tracks for the first time in Hyderabad.” Gnarl has the added distinction of being a band that’s earned itself the reputation of being composition driven, a far cry from the run-of-the-mill cover bands. Their music, the band says, is replete with metaphors based on diverse themes that deal with personal strife, socio-

economic issues and the eternal triumph of good over evil and their lyrics are potent and thought provoking. And they couldn’t be happier performing on home ground. “Everybody is always thinking Delhi, Mumbai or some other city is so much better. But having played everywhere, I feel there’s no big difference between

Band: Where: When: Time:

Gnarl Hard Rock Cafe February 16, 2012 8:30 pm – 11:00 pm

Hyderabad and any other place. In fact, we have always had a great time playing here and we can’t wait to play here tomorrow,” signs off Tamar.

Budding entrepreneurs on a roll Paul C Oommen

Motley crew, heady cocktail EVENT What kind of music has Thurisaz been influenced by? We started playing in the nineties so we have been influenced by bands like Amorphis, My Dying Bride, Dimmu Borgir, Cradle Of Filth, Children Of Bodom. Influences of Meshuggah, Tool, Opeth, Devin Townsend, Porcupine Tree can be found in our collections. And in each of those bands there are elements we admire. What does “Thurisaz” mean? It’s one of the old German Futhark-runes. One of the

meanings is “the gathering of different opinions” that is what our band stands for — a mixture of different styles blended together. How would you define your music? In the past we have been compared with all kind of metal genres you could think of — doom, death, black, dark, atmospheric — but in the end we have always tried to make our own style of music. Your second album Circadian Rhythm was applauded by the critics. What are the expectations from The Cimmerian Years?

With Circadian Rhythm we got the opportunity to go on tour a few times. We hope that The Cimmerian Years will lead to opportunities in Europe and other parts of the world. Tell us more about the songs featuring Paul Kuhr and Thomas AG. We were looking for a death metal growl with a lot of power for No Regrets’ Paul’s voice fit the bill perfectly. Thomas’s growl is also very different from growls in the other songs; his voice has a dark aura. Tell us about your India tour. We are very excited about our

first India tour. Since we signed up with Unseen Underground from India we have been planning for an India tour and now the time has come to explore India and meet our Indian fans. We are performing in BITS-Pilani Hyderabad campus on February 18. Chennai people can catch us on Chennai Live FM radio on February 20. Check our Facebook page for more details www.facebook.com/ pages/Thurisaz India’s metal scene is growing fast. So, any advice to the metal heads here? Stay true to yourself and keep supporting metal!

ust when the semester had begun to get slow and as usual the classes became monotonous and boring, the much awaited Entrepreneurship Week was organised at Vasavi College of Engineering. Popularly known as “E Week”, it’s an opportunity not worth missing. If you’ve always had a dormant business acumen then this is the perfect platform to display your skills. Designed to build public awareness and support for entrepreneurship, E Week India focusses on today’s biggest opportunities and encourages participants to reflect on their roles as leaders and innovators. During E Week, participants on and off campuses across the country will engage in thousands of events. These include competitions, expositions, educational movie screenings, leadership and motivation talks with successful entrepreneurs, panel discussions, business and tech bazaars, awareness campaigns and more. Some of the events at Vasavi include Reinvent and Resell, Adventure and Survivor among others based on applying marketing strategies. Nearly 500 registrations have been recorded so far. and many more are events.

Focus

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

The story behind the news

The fight for Free Tibet The self-immolation of an 18year-old nun in Sichuan on Monday puts the spotlight back on the intensifying fight for Free Tibet

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s this article is being written, the Tibetan Parliament in Exile and the Kashag have convened a top-level meeting to discuss the situation in Tibet. Needless to say, the situation is critical. The self-immolation of Tenzin Choedon, an 18-year-old nun in Sichuan province as a protest against Beijing's treatment of Tibetan people, has jolted the world to the intensifying

agitation. Cheodon is the second teenager to set herself ablaze in the last week. Reports indicate that as many as 18 monks, nuns and ordinary Tibetans have set themselves on fire over the past year in a desperate bid to register their protests. The Central Tibetan Administration and the Chinese anticipate that the upcoming Tibetan New Year, Losar, on February 22 might see Tibetans taking to the streets. In fact, the Prime Minister of CTA Lobsang

Sangay grimly commented in an AP interview,“They have sealed off Tibet. Chinese security personnel are cracking down on Tibetans on one pretext or another, and the world will not know whether they were arrested, whether they were tortured, whether they were killed.” The world waits with bated breath at how the Free Tibet movement will progress, if the Chinese continue to maintain their rigid stance on the issue.

A BRIEF HISTORY 1. Tibet emerged from an obscure history to flourish in the 7th century AD as an independent kingdom with its capital at Lhasa. 2. In the 13th century, Tibet fell under Mongol influence only to be replaced by the Ch'ing dynasty in 1720. 3. In 1906–1907, Britain recognised China's suzerainty over Tibet. However, the Tibetans were able to expel the Chinese in Tibet and reassert their independence in 1912. 4. By a Tibetan–Chinese agreement (May, 1951), Tibet became a ‘national autonomous region’ of China under the traditional rule of the Dalai Lama, but under the actual control of a Chinese Communist commission. 5. After 1959, a full-scale revolt broke out prompted in part by fear for the personal safety of the Dalai Lama. The Chinese suppressed the rebellion, but the Dalai Lama was able to escape to India. 6. In 1965 the Tibetan Autonomous Region was formally established.

Reactions

“S

elf-immolation is a last-ditch attempt, an 'extremely violent form of non-violent' protest for Tibetan monks and nuns who were the first to be affected by the Chinese crackdown. The reason these incidents are happening is because there is no space for negotiations. Talks with the Chinese usually run into dead ends while the clampdown on Tibetans continues. So until that changes and there is open dialogue, these tragedies will continue to happen. Both the Dalai Lama and Lobsang Sangay are asking for Genuine Autonomy. Instead of being an irritant, China should use Tibet to build a bridge with the rest of the world. There is no doubt the most rational way forward is to embrace the Middleway.”

Dr MN Rajesh Tibetologist and Assistant Professor, Dept of History, UoH

“I

t's a direct reaction to the cultural genocide happening in Tibet. They are now a minority in their own nation. They don't even have basic human rights. There is growing economical stratification and cultural genocide. Chinese intervention in religious matters of the Tibetans is the final straw. China should show maturity in negotiations or the situation is going to get worse.”

Arnav Anjaria former member, Students for a Free Tibet, Hyderabad

“Y

ou can’t have hunger strikes, you can’t have demonstrations, you can’t write petitions. Given such repressive policies and actions, Tibetans are pushed to the brink of desperation.” – Lobsang Sangay

India‑View

Poll panel accepts Khurshid’s apology NEW DELHI: The Election Com-

the EC in the particular case of violation of model code of conduct by him by offering quota to backward Muslims amid campaigning for the UP Assembly polls. The commission took note of the fact that Khurshid regretted his statement that he made after the commission censured him. “The commission considers that the communication received from Khurshid establishes a complete and positive reversal of approach, in which he has also committed himself to the EC’s efforts towards conduct of free and fair election,” said a release by the EC. IANS

mission on Wednesday accepted Union law and justice minister Salman Khurshid’s apology after it complained about his defiance of its earlier order censuring him for offering quota to backward Muslims and decided to take no further action in the matter. “Based on the minister’s clear change of position as conveyed directly to the commission, it has been decided not to take any further action in the matter,” said an official release of the EC. The commission noted that Khurshid had underlined his respect for the decision taken by

FLOWER POWER

BSP MLA’s nephew shoots at friend MATHURA: A BSP

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during an election meeting in Kutia, Uttar PTI Pradesh on Wednesday.

legislator’s nephew on Wednesday allegedly shot at his friend here for refusing to accompany him in campaigning, police said. The bullet fired by MLA Rajkumar Ravat’s nephew Manish grazed Pavan Gupta’s head, grievously injuring him, they said. Gupta’s relatives took him to a district hospital, where his condition is stated to be serious, they said. Ravat will be contesting elections from Govardhan area of the district. PTI

Poll panel keeps Goa carnival off limits for babus, politicians PANAJI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has finally given a nod for carnival celebrations in Goa, albeit with code of conduct specific restrictions, election officials said Wednesday. The poll panel had granted the permission for hosting of carnival parades in four of Goa’s major towns which include Panaji, Mapusa, Margao, and Vasco, they said. The first carnival parade is due to kick off on February 17 from Panaji. “Officials and politicians are out of bounds from carnival parades,” a poll official quoting a communique from the ECI, which was received by the local polls officials on Wednesday.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

India unveiled

“The organising committees also should not have members of political parties or election candidates or government officials,” the official further said, adding that political parties or politicians or candidates were barred from sponsoring these floats. The delay in the poll panel ruling on the organising of carnival celebrations had worried local revelers, who had feared that the March 3 polls would lead to the celebrations being cancelled this year round. Carnival processions are symbolic of Goa’s colonial Portuguese legacy and are held here every year before the holy season of Lent. IANS

DNA report puts ball in Tiwari’s court NEW DELHI: A report of the Hyderabad-based Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics on Wednesday revealed that Rohit Shekhar, who claims to be the biological son of veteran Congress leader ND Tiwari, was not fathered by the man whom his mother married. Shekhar, his mother Ujjawala Sharma and her legal husband BP Sharma’s DNA report was placed before Justice Reva Khetrapal in a sealed cover. The DNA report said that BP Sharma is not the biological father of Shekhar. IANS

Venom drug is the new rave party fad NEW DELHI: It wasn’t just heart-shaped chocolates and bright red roses that saw a spurt in sales this Valentine’s Day. A deadly drug prepared from cobra venom gave a new high at parties in the Capital and surrounding areas, anti-narcotics officials say. “The sale of drugs (like K-72 and K-76) which have cobra venom is increasing at rave parties and in discos. These drugs enhance sensation and boost energy so that revellers can dance for longer hours,” a senior officer of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) said on the condition of anonymity. “The sales increase a week

before Valentine’s Day in Delhi and the NCR and are consumed at hushed-up parties,” he added. Delhi Police on Monday night in a raid at Anand Vihar InterState bus terminus in East Delhi seized half-a-litre of venom. IANS

Around the World

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

Beyond Borders

Assad calls for Constitutional referendum on February 26 ‘Plan is mocking the revolution’ WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday dismissed Syria’s call for a referendum on a new constitution, which critics see as a move designed to ease global outrage over the government’s bloody crackdown. “It’s actually quite laughable — it makes a mockery of the Syrian revolution,” White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters aboard Air Force One. “Promises of reforms have usually been followed by an increase in brutality and have never been delivered upon by this regime.” Syrian President Bashar al-Assad called the referendum a day after his country flatly rejected UN allegations of crimes against humanity. The proposed charter drops Article 8 which declared the ruling Baath Party as the “leader of the state and society.” AFP

DAMASCUS: Syria’s president, who is fighting an Arab Springinspired revolt, called on Wednesday a Constitutional referendum that would effectively end nearly 50 years of singleparty rule, state media said. A day after rejecting UN allegations of crimes against humanity, Bashar al-Assad called the referendum for February 26, in a move aimed at placating growing global outrage over the bloodshed. In April, Assad scrapped emergency rule in force since 1963, when the Baathists took power in a coup d’etat. But he has repeatedly promised reforms that have failed to materialise since the uprising erupted.The embattled president, who succeeded his late father Hafez in 2000, has said the Constitution would usher in a “new era” for Syria, SANA news agency said. “When the new constitution is approved, Syria will have passed the most important stage” of reforms, bringing a “brilli-

Tuesday’s Bangkok bombings who managed to board a flight for Malaysia was Wednesday detained after his arrival in Kuala Lumpur, media reports said. Another Iranian who lost both his legs in one of the blasts has been arrested along with a compatriot while a fourth suspect, a woman who rented the house where the Iranians lived, is still at large, Xinhua reported.

BRUSSELS: The European Union (EU)

Syrians rally in support of President Bashar al-Assad in central Damascus on Wednesday. AFP ant future for next generations,” Assad was quoted as saying. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said “we certainly believe a new constitution to end one-party rule in Syria is a step forward. It is welcome and we hope it will be adopted.” The opposition Syrian National Council is likely to

COMAYAGUA: A fire gutted an overcrowded jail in Honduras, killing more than 350 people, officials said on Wednesday, as rescue teams found the charred bodies of inmates trapped in their cells by the blaze. Survivors have described heart-wrenching scenes of prisoners pleading for help as they were engulfed by smoke and flames, some unable to

flee because they were still shackled to the bars of their cells in the world’s worst prison fire in a decade. Those who were able “tried to save themselves by hurling themselves into the shower, sinks” and any other source of water they could find, one survivor said after the inferno in the prison. Some inmates escaped by jumping from the prison

US President Obama greets guests as he arrives at Los Angeles Airport. AFP idents at that level have a much higher change of re-election than those struggling to reach the plateau. A CNN/ORC poll had Obama at an identical 50 per cent approval rating. Yet despite

has received a letter from Iran asking it to restart the nuclear talks.”We received the letter today and we’re studying it, we’re consulting with our E3+3 partners,” Xinhua quoted Maja Kocijancic, the spokeswoman of EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton as saying.

reject the constitution, as its main guiding principles is “to overthrow the regime using all legal means.” Regardless, the proposed charter rules out most of the opposition as it bans religious parties and dual nationals, preventing the SNC and most of its leadership from running for office. AFP

rooftop, and there were reports that others fled the facility and were on the loose. Those who died were killed mostly by smoke inhalation. “More than 350 dead, it is an approximation. It could be a bit higher, but we are checking so we can give an official and precise toll,” Security Minister Pompeyo Bonilla said. AFP

Obama launches cross-country campaign President Barack WASHINGTON: Obama launched his latest cross-country trawl for campaign cash on Wednesday at an auspicious moment — as his approval rating hit the crucial 50 per cent barrier in two new polls. There were also signs that strengthening jobs growth and a quickening recovery were improving his standing in several key states the president will need to capture if he is to win re-election in November. While the news is not all good for Obama — his economic management still gets low marks from voters — the poll and other recent surveys suggest prospective Republican challengers are less popular than the president. A New York Times/CBS News poll pegged Obama’s job rating at exactly 50 per cent — a key point, as history shows pres-

BANGKOK: An Iranian suspect in

EU gets letter from Iran for N-talks

More than 350 prisoners killed in Honduras fire

View of a burnt cell at the prison compound in Honduras. AFP

GLOBE AT A GLANCE Bangkok blast suspect detained in Malaysia

upbeat news, the White House has warned that one good set of economic indicators is not conclusive, and there is concern that the economy could slow or the jobless rate could rise as the election draws closer. Outside shocks like a worsening European debt crisis or a military confrontation with Iran, have the potential to darken Obama’s prospects. Mitt Romney comes the closest of Obama’s possible general election foes to beating him, trailing the president by 48 to 42 per cent. Obama meanwhile leads surging Republican candidate Rick Santorum by 49 per cent to 41 per cent. However, there were warning signs for Obama. Fifty per cent of those asked said that they still disapproved of his management of the economy, compared to 44 per cent who approved. AFP

Libyans attend celebrations to mark the first anniversary of the uprising in the eastern city of Benghazi on Wednesday. AFP

Musharraf knew Osama hideout: Ex-ISI chief WASHINGTON: Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf knew where Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was hiding and said nothing, a former head of Pakistani spy agency ISI has said. Gen Ziauddin Khawaja also known as Ziauddin Butt was director-general of the InterServices Intelligence (ISI) from 1997 to 1999.

Putin supporters plan car rally on Saturday MOSCOW: Supporters of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin are planning to organise a car rally in Central Moscow on Saturday, its organisers said. Up to 1,500 people are expected to participate in the demonstration planned for Saturday evening, a group called Network of Putin Supporters announced on Wednesday in a statement.

People light candles on the 67nd anniversary of the bombing of Dresden on Monday in Dresden, Eastern German. AFP

18,104.10 98.3

5,500.20 31.75

10g= `28,400

1kg= `56,600

`49.47

BSE

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Business

Matters of saving and spending

POUND THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012 11

Tata Motors bullish on SUV market in India K Prudhvi Raju Prudhvi.k@postnoon.com

HYDERABAD: There is an upward trend in the sale of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) as people are buying and experimenting with the 4X4s. The sales are driven both by replacement market and new market. Almost 60 per cent sales are coming from the people who are replacing their old car or an SUV and the rest 40 per cent sales are generated from the first-time buyers, according to Ashesh Dhar, head of utility vehicles product group of Tata Motors. Tata sports utility vehicles (SUV) will have a growth rate of 35 per cent this fiscal against the industry growth rate of 12 per cent. This growth is being achieved even during market recession and with high interest rates, he said. Tata Sumo is expected to cross 30,000 units in sale this year, compared to 18,000 units last year. The increment in sale of Tata Sumo would constitute seven per cent of the total SUV market, said Ashesh. The company is confident that there is still market for Tata Sumo BS3 in various parts of the country even with the launch of new Tata Sumo BS4. Tata Motors will achieve 15 per cent market share in the SUVs segment during this fiscal in Andhra Pradesh and also across India. The SUV range contributes 10 per cent of the total number of units rolled

out from the Tata motors stable, which will reach 12 per cent this fiscal. It also has plans to bring Safari Storm into showrooms before the end of the calendar year, he said. Tata Motors is confident that a decrease in interest rates will increase the SUV sales. The total number of Tata SUV units that will be sold this financial year is around 57,000 and the company has already achieved a sale of 42,000 which is a 35 per cent growth, he said. Tata Safari has a sale of 1,500-1,700 units a month; Sumo has a sale of 3,000 units and the Venture is close to 1,000 vehicles a month. The sales of Sumo are coming from semi-urban and rural areas. However, Tata sees that there is a huge potential in cities with BS4 launch. The SUV industry is expected to grow at

`77.50

N SHIVA KUMAR

12-15 per cent, he said. Tata Motors launched Tata Sumo gold, a SUV with CR4 turbo engine on Wednesday in the City. The 2956cc engine will give a mileage of 14.7 kmpl. It has four variants - GX, EX, LX and CX - along with a warranty of 3 years or 1,00,000 km, whichever is earlier. The Tata Sumo gold range will be available from ` 5.38 lakh onwards (ex-showroom, Hyderabad). The government’s proposal to hike diesel prices concerns Tata Motors, and, for that matter, any automobile company, as it concerns everyone in the industry.

Ashesh Dhar, Head of utility vehicles product group of Tata Motors

Sensex down MUMBAI: The BSE benchmark

Deputy Chief Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha presented the prizes to Ranjit Datta, DGM of SBH, P and SB department, head office, and Swarnalatha Ramakrishnan, AGM, Exhibition Grounds branch. Officials of Exhibition Society were also present.

SBH bags two prizes S

tate Bank of Hyderabad has won two prizes at 72nd All India industrial exhibition. The bank has bagged first prize in

Best publicity category and also first prize in best services rendered through the bank stalls category.

index Sensex declined by 59 points in early trade on Thursday as funds and retail investors booked profits after recent gains amid weakening trend on other Asian bourses. The 30-share index, which had gained nearly 454 points in the previous three sessions, declined by 59 points, or 0.32 per cent, to 18,143.41 with consumer durables, oil and gas and realty stocks coming under pressure. In a similar fashion, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty shed 22.20 points, or 0.40 per cent, to 5,509.75. Brokers said profit booking by participants after recent rally amid weakening trend in other Asian markets tracking overnight losses on the US markets on renewed concerns over Greece’s debt crisis, mainly influenced the trading sentiment. In the Asian region, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell by 0.74 per cent, while Japan’s Nikkei Index shed 0.26 per cent in morning trade. PTI

Karachi Bakery part of all parties in City Postnoon News

arachi Bakery has become an integral part of any celebration in the City, be it a sweet for a wedding or a cake for a child’s birthday party. It continued to be a specialist in delighting the hearts and making people enjoy with a wide variety of mouthwatering confectionaries for almost six decades. The delicacies made with pure vegetarian ingredients include heart-

shaped cakes, chocolates, chocolate or strawberry cakes, kiwi and fruit cakes. Fruit and Cashew flavour biscuits continue to be the best sellers in all its outlets in the City. The bakery continues to innovate new recipes adding new flavours. Karachi Bakery has opened four outlets at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport to reach out to the national and international travellers. The flagship stores are at Moazzam Jahi Market and Banjara Hills.

Comment

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

Fair, free and forthright

Editorials MALNUTRITION TO stunt a generation

survey by an international agency has stated that at least 500 million children, primarily in South Asia, could grow up physically and mentally stunted in the next 15 years due to malnutrition. Ironically, a buoyant Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was on Wednesday congratulating the country for the recordbreaking bumper harvest of 250 million tonnes. Thanks to sub-standard storage and transport facilities, about one-third of the produce rots away before it can be channeled to the needy. An inefficient public distribution system (PDS) and the related red tape tangle cuts off another chunk of the population from affordable food grains. Unless this problem is addressed effectively, we might soon have on our hands an entire generation with underdeveloped physical and mental capabilities. Right to food is essentially a part of the right to life — a fundamental right. The government must act decisively before the sheen of the green revolution is nullified by the hollow eyes of the starving millions.

WHY WE LOVE The Falklands

ever has such a small rock given so much stress to so few. As Argentina wrings its hands at the so-called ‘militarisation’ of the Falklands. The fact that April 2 marks the 30th anniversary of the Falklands war is not lost on the UK. Britain must push for a referendum on sovereignty now, while the islanders still love the Queen.

New finds endanger our last frontier Urban Jetsam Dean Williams

“... but for my own sake I do not regret this journey, which has shown that Englishmen can endure hardships, help one another, and meet death with as great a fortitude as ever in the past. We took risks, we knew we took them; things have come out against us, and therefore we have no cause for complaint, but bow to the will of providence, determined still to do our best to the last... Had we lived, I should have had a tale to tell of the hardihood, endurance, and courage of my companions which would have stirred the heart of every Englishman. These rough notes and our dead bodies must tell the tale, but surely, surely, a great rich country like ours will see that those who are dependent on us are properly provided for.” Last message in the journals of Robert F Scott

ntarctica has spurred the imagination of generations, its icy wastes and frozen silence broken only by the call of Emperor Penguins and the ethereal sound of whales drifting through the Southern ocean. Explorers have long been lured by its crevasses and mountains, looking for a Shangri-la carved from the very bosom of the Earth. But while earlier explorers sought knowledge and were led by a quest to test their mettle against the elements, these days, men set their sights on the continent for very different reasons. A few weeks ago a Russian team of scientists drilled a hole 2.3 miles down through the Antarctic ice into Lake Vostok, claimed to be an undiscovered Eden of life that could well fill the gaps in our knowledge of evolution. The sample they collected should have been a scientist’s delight, but when it was handed to Putin as a gift, the politicisation of Antarctica went into overdrive. Science is a facade, there is so much more to Russia’s expedition than just a philanthropic quest to learn about who we are and from whence we came. It has long been speculated that Antarctica could be home to millions of gal-

System makeover

V-Day tally

It is not right to blame doctors who go on strikes every now and then holding to ransom a population already down. The very system is to blame for the state of affairs. Management of private colleges demand astronomical amounts as capitation fees, while severe limitations of government colleges make aspiring students and parents still look towards private colleges to fill the void. Having made heavy ‘investments’ and many a sacrifice en route to becoming a doctor, ‘recovering’ all that is paramount for the doctor, service only comes later. So, set the system right. Nisar Ahmed Khan Gachibowli

This is with regards to your story V-D Tally. It's heartening to know that the Bajrang Dal activists who forcibly got clueless couples married on Valentine’s Day ended up in jail. It's laughable that they said celebrating Valentine’s Day is not in our culture. What I'd like to ask them is if getting people forcibly married against their will is a part of our culture? A day that's meant to celebrate love should become a regrettable day for some couples is tragic. They should be severely punished for their actions. Please follow up on the story and let us know what happens to those Bajrang Dal activists please." Pooja Mishra, Kachiguda

lons of oil, not to mention untapped acres of natural gas, but thanks to the Antarctic Treaty, the rape of our last untouched wilderness has been put on hold. For how long, however, is anyone’s guess. Article 1 of the charter states: “The area [Antarctica] is to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose.” So, as long as no one decides to go postal and nuke any oil deposits there are ways around the charter. Most of the 49 Treaty members have scientific bases on the continent. Their research has yielded invaluable insights into the history of our planet, and its ecological development. But wonders like Lake Vostok, buried for thousands of years under the ice, and probably possessing an ecosystem unlike anything we have ever seen, are far too valuable to be prodded and probed. Antarctica has remained a wonder simply because we have not meddled with it.

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

When Scott, Amundsen and Shackleton visited they were overwhelmed by the beauty of the land; a beauty so consuming it was vicious. Scott’s quest to be the first at the South Pole was unsuccessful, but on his illfated journey he left behind journals that chart this most magnificent of places as only a man who knows the end is nigh can. There is a cross on the Observation Hill memorial to the Scott party. On it are inscribed a few words from Tennyson: "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield." We have striven, sought and found, and now we must never yield our last continent to the plundering forces that have destroyed so much. Antarctica is ours, it belongs to the human race, not to Big Oil and grubby governments, and whatever lies beneath the ice should remain there. Antarctica may hold many secrets and will always throw up confounding mysteries like the Piri Reis Map, but that doesn’t mean we barge in, bulldozers and drills in tow. Sometimes the beauty of a mystery is just that... the mystery.

Informative pages

Get ready to sweat

Today's health articles on Hyper local as well as on the health page were really good and informative. Despite being well educated and living in the modern society, people still have this regressive thought process of having a boy. Nowadays it does not make any difference in the society and killing your wife for such reasons are a sign of how low can you go. I feel such people have no right to get married and if they do such a sinful act, they should be punished. Hope this article helps those close-minded people in understanding and accepting the reality. Sanjana Reddy LB Nagar

The 'Powerless Summer' story is an interesting story and a disturbing reminder of tough times that are waiting for us. While blaming the government for its inaction on the power front we should blame ourselves for wasting millions of units every day. Also think of the massive waste of electricity in decorations, hoardings, billboards and other forms of advertisements. When we leave lights and fans on in offices and homes, we are sealing a 'sweaty' fate for ourselves. Sindhu Sadnath Banjara Hills

H‑Factor

Holistic view of mind, body and soul

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

Just like real teeth Anishaa Kumar feedback@postnoon.com

“O

uch! Oh no, my tooth has come out.” As kids we loved the story of how the tooth fairy would come and take away the tooth that we carefully hid under our pillows and in return would leave that oh so desired `1 coin. But with time the missing teeth or a gap between teeth becomes a cause of concern. Wearing dentures is not an option for many simply because they are so cumbersome — they either float up when you drink water or you’re forced to remove them each night. This is where dental implants step in as a boon.

What is an implant? According to Dr Hajera Sultana, dental surgeon, “Dental implants are artificial replicas of the roots of the teeth. It is a means to replace a lost tooth.” Dental implants are growing in popularity due to their various advantages. Dr Suhas Mathur, conservative dentist and endodontist explains, “Implants provide for better looking aesthetics (ie they look like your natural teeth), are said to provide for better chewing effectiveness than many other replacement options, and are a great permanent solution”. Dr Hajera adds that in certain situations, if there is the absence of a tooth, the tooth next to it has the tendency to tilt into that area. If one has an implant, this will not occur. Getting an implant also helps maintain the structure of the jaw as they fit in the same place as your normal teeth.

Materials used Dr Suhas says, “Dental implants are basically made of titanium metal and replace the tooth’s root. A ceramic (implants are made of a special kind of ceramic) tooth is later placed on top of the implant.” Dr Hajera explains that our bones do not easily accept foreign bodies and may thus cause an infection. Hence tita-

nium is used because it is bio compatible. A dental implant can be done for three cases — a single tooth, multiple teeth or in some cases the complete upper or lower jaw.

The procedure “Once a tooth has been removed a bone graft is placed. After the graft settles down the implant is done. Implants are basically of two kinds — delayed loading and immediate loading,” explains Dr Hajera. Immediate loading: Once the implant has been placed, the gum is left to heal. This takes usually around three days. Once the gum is healed, the required crown is placed. Delayed loading: Once the implant has been placed, a temporary crown is placed. After a few weeks, a permanent crown is placed. Immediate loading costs more than `50,000 for the entire process of one tooth implant, she adds. Getting an implant done depends on various factors such as the age of the patient, medical condition and oral hygiene. If a person does not have good oral hygiene then there is a possibility of infection. Diabetics are also easily susceptible to infections while cancer patients may have weaker bones.

Post-treatment “The only discomfort or pain is for some time after the implant. After that it is like a normal tooth. One should continue to follow the same precautions for teeth care,” explains Dr Hajera. As the usage is the same it is important to continue stressing on good dental hygiene. Talking about the popularity of implants, Dr Hajera says that many people now come to get implants done as they are more conscious and more aware of implants.

We live in a vanity-obsessed society, where all of us are vying for a perfect set of teeth, perfect hair and perfect skin. So when it comes to gaps between teeth and missing teeth, it ain’t a pretty picture. In such a scenario dental implants are slowly gaining popularity

MOTHER KNOWS BEST

Acne... no problem

clear, glowing complexion is every girl’s dream. But a face marred by acne is the last thing you would want to be dealing with. Don’t stress, here are some home remedies to treat acne.

It is important to cleanse your face everyday. Dirt and pollution tend to affect the skin hence it is important to cleanse your face once you return home.

It is important to wash your face everyday. Washing your face need not mean using soap or face wash. Cold water is great for treating skin acne.

We have always been told that neem is of great medicinal value. Applying a neem face pack is said to be beneficial. It’s simple just apply the pack for 15 minutes and then rinse with cold water.

Like neem, even sandalwood paste has great medicinal value. It’s simple apply sandlewood paste over the acne spot and leave it overnight. This helps reduce skin irritation. In the morning wash your face with face wash and then apply a moisturiser.

Wash your face at night before going to bed. It is best to avoid new products in the night (products you have not used earlier). Rose water is suggested to cleanse an oily skin while for dry skin you can use a cream which isn’t sticky.

6 Why Implants? Mimics the natural tooth Helps maintain structure Provides stability Prevents bone loss Better chewing effectiveness than other replacement options

Drinking a lot of water is great for acne as it helps remove toxins from the body. In the same way, include more green vegetables in your diet as they are easily digestible which in turn help to flush out toxins.

Some of the natural ingredients to help remove acne scars include rubbing the scar with ice, cucumbers or olive oil.

Apply the juice from a freshly squeezes lemon and apply this to your face. After 15 minutes you can wash it off. This is not only effective for acne scars but also helps to lighten your skin tone. Similarly mix a small amount of baking soda with water to make a paste. Dampen the scarred area and apply the paste. After 10-15 minutes you can wash it off.

Sources: www.boldsky.com/ www.home-remedies-for-you.com

H‑Factor

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

Holistic view of mind, body and soul

Does air pollution erode mental sharpness? WASHINGTON: Older women might wonder why they are unable to recall names or places or where they keep their things. Chronic exposure to particulate air pollution might be to blame, says a new finding. Such women, exposed to higher levels of ambient particulate matter over long term, experienced more decline in their cognitive functioning (process by which one becomes aware of, perceives or comprehends ideas) over a four-year period. Higher levels of long-term exposure to both coarse and fine particulate matter, usually suspended in air, were linked with significantly faster cognitive decline. Fine particulate matter are small particles, 30 times thinner than human hair, while coarse particulate matter are four or five times the size size of fine particles. Exposure to particulate matter is also tied with cardiovascular risk, which itself may play a role in causing or accelerating cognitive decline, the journal Archives of Internal Medicine reports. Jennifer Weuve, assistant professor of internal medicine at Rush University Institute of Healthy Aging and the principal study investigator, with colleagues evaluated air pollution, both coarse and fine, bearing on cognitive decline in older women. The study involved 19,409

women aged 70 to 81 years over a 14year period. “Our study explored chronic exposure to particulate air pollution in relation to decline in cognitive functioning among older women,” said Weuve. “Very little is known about the role of particulate matter exposure and its association with cognitive decline,” said Weuve, according to a Rush statement. “Unlike other factors that may be involved in dementia such as diet and physical activity, air pollution is something we can intervene on as a society at large through policy, regulation and technology,” said Weuve. This is the first study to examine change in cognitive function over a period of time and whether exposure to the size of particulate matter is important.

Learn to place your faith in your doctor

Dr Divya T Sudarshan

I was due two days ago and my doctor wants me to have a surgery. But i would like to wait it out for a couple of weeks for natural birth. Is it safe? Dear Madam in waiting, I am always amazed at the lack of trust in one’s doctor. Is it because too much has been said about merce-

nary medicos waiting to operate and build their mansions? I don’t know, but rants apart if you had asked your doctor as to why she wanted to operate, she may have told you one of the following — the water is too little, the baby is not in position yet, the baby is too large for your pelvis. And there are more chances of sudden still births in post dated babies. Going to history, most of our mothers delivered in an era when there was no ultrasound, and the only way dates were calculated were by the fuzzy family memory in relation to festivals or full moons or holidays. So even the midwives and doctors were happier waiting for the patient to go into labour instead of risking preterm deliveries and neonatal illnesses. But today we can predict almost the moment of conception and regular ultra sound follow ups help us date the pregnancy very accurately. Thus the option of delivering at the safest time.

Playing the devil’s advocate, what happens if we wait? Well, think of the pregnancy as a coconut, there is an optimum time when the water, the kernel, everything is right. After that the kernel becomes hard and the water reduces. Approximately 20 per cent of post-term foetuses have foetal dysmaturity (postmaturity) syndrome, which describes infants

with characteristics of chronic intrauterine growth restriction from uteroplacental insufficiency. These pregnancies are at an increased risk of umbilical cord compression from oligohydramnios, nonreassuring foetal graphs in assessment, intrauterine passage of meconium (baby passes motion inside a sign of distress), and short-term neonatal complications (such as hypoglycemia

[low sugar], seizures, and respiratory distress). Post-term pregnancy is also an independent risk factor for neonatal ncephalopathy, increased risk of death in the first year of life. Some of the foetal risks such as presence of meconium and stillbirth have been described as being greater at 41 weeks of gestation and even at 40 weeks of gestation as compared with 39 weeks’ gestation, neonatal morbidity appears to be the lowest at around 38 weeks and increase thereafter. Thus, term as we see it is completion of 37 weeks when the foetus is mature and safe and the 2 weeks for delivery will be the safest from then which is 39 weeks. My suggestion is ask your doubts to your doctor, listen to her and trust her judgement. (The writer is a gynaecologist and obstetrician practising at Happy Women Clinic. You can write in to her at happywomenclinic@gmail.com)

Telly Tales

Small screen, big idea

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

STAR OF THE WEEK – GAYATRI BHARGAVI

ayatri Bhargavi of Mandhara has been anchoring various shows on Gemini TV for almost seven years now. Today we learn more about her

Padmini C padmini.c@postnoon.com

ll things considered, it’s been a dry spell on television particularly for us sit-com junkies. Old favourites like Big Bang Theory, Grey’s Anatomy, How I Met Your Mother and Bones are back with their latest seasons of course. But let’s admit, none of them are exactly holding our attention. While BBT still evokes a few laughs, plotwise it’s at a standstill. Too many people in Grey’s Anatomy are happy, which means that nothing significant is happening. How I Met Your Mother and Bones are so hopeless, they make you wonder how they even got their contracts renewed. Vampire Diaries and Supernatural are still riveting but the episodes are simply too few and far in between. Which means that we are desperate for some fresh blood, so to speak. Pan Am, the period drama on ABC, might just be it. Set in New York in the 1960s, the series takes us back to a time when air travel still retained its glamour and exclusivity, air hostesses and cabin crew their larger-than-life lifestyles and awe-inspiring attires. The pilot episode establishes the main characters and the themes run through the series. It explores the travails of four stewardesses of Pan Am’s newest flight. Maggie (Christina Ricci) the rebellious Marx-loving chief trolley; Laura

Starry Skies As a period drama that takes us back to the swingin’ sixties, Pan Am shows promise

(Margot Robbie), the latest face of Pan Am who runs away from her wedding because she “wants to see the world”; Kate (Kelli Garner), Laura’s jealous older sister with a dangerous secret; and Colette (Karine Vanasse) the French beauty and more often than not, the ‘other woman’. Last but not the least is of course, Dean (Mike Vogel) the handsome newly-promoted pilot of the flight who is also newly jilted by his lady love Bridget (Annabelle Wallis) who has just gone AWOL. Due to its retro setting and characterisation, Pan Am was endlessly compared to ABC’s hit show Mad Men (winner of the best drama Emmy four times in a row now) and needless to say, found wanting. But it has survived the comparison, and if it’s pilot is anything to go by, shows some amount of promise. While it lacks the gravitas of Mad Men, Pan Am succeeds in depicting its own brand of new-age feminism with each of the woman characters treading away from convention and aiming to fly high. The backdrop of cold-war, spy action and mystery adds the much-needed depth to prevent this series from becoming a soap opera on steroids. That said, the constant back-and-forthing between the flashbacks of each character and their present, while helping the plot, might eventually get tiresome. However, for now, Pan Am should safely make its way to your watching list. Pan Am episodes are available online

l How did you get into anchoring? Seven years ago, I had done a short film for the Andhra Pradesh government and it was directed by K Raghavendra Rao. It got me noticed and one fine day, I got a call from Gemini TV to host a show. l How was your first day on the job? I went for the shoot straightaway from college and I didn’t even have time to dress up properly. I was stunned to find that I had to interview Mahesh Babu and Aarti Agarwal, who had come to Gemini TV studio to promote Bobby. For a moment, I had goosebumps but it was fantastic to talk to Mahesh Babu. l What’s your claim to fame? I don’t know if I am that famous, but shows like Aata Kavala Paata Kavala and Adhirindhi on Gemini TV did give me a lot of mileage in my career. l Do you have any memorable experiences to share? There are so many. I enjoy everything I do and my journey has been wonderful so far. Recently, we had a 10-day shoot with Jagapathi Babu for a show called Gurthukosthunnayi. He’s a gem of a person and it was great fun interacting with him. l Have you been part of any films? I played small roles in Teen Maar, Baladoor and in an upcoming Ravi Babu film. I am still learning how to act and I would love to do more substantial roles. l Current shows on TV? I am part of a serial named Mandhara, which is aired on Gemini TV and you’ll see me soon on Sakshi Family, a new show on Sakshi TV dedicated to women. l Most embarrassing moment? Once, I ended up addressing Srihari as Hari Krishna because I was told that the latter was going to be the only celebrity on a talk show. The moment I realised my mistake, I apologised to Srihari on live TV. He was sportive enough to forgive me. l Does anchoring ever get boring? No way. I love my job and it’s like an addiction. But there are times when my mind goes blank when I am anchoring for events because there’s so much of chaos. by Hemanth Kumar

Edutainment for a target audience Reality Bites Shiba Minai

ne day, feeling bored as I was, I took to surfing channels and for some reason I happened to stop to watch Balika

Vadhu on Colors, I have never been a fan of the ‘rural family stories’ but sometimes I stop to mock at it and remind myself why I don’t like them. But this time it was different, Anandi, the lead character of this soap was running into a dark abandoned and dilapidated house to meet a woman who is shown to be chanting. Anandi, the young

Panchayat head of the village, decides not to pay heed to the warnings of the villagers and risks meeting this woman herself. The woman is a mentally unstable person who needs medical attention. This is where the thought struck me that this soap has a larger audience in the rural areas and promoting the idea of having a young leader, a woman

as the village head, busting superstitions and myths, etc is surely inspiring progress. I began to follow this and saw them promoting vaccination, a fair system of punishment, education for women and campaigning against child marriage but it also has its share of Indian masala. Later, I scoured the Internet for surveys related to such seri-

als and to my surprise I did find some interesting ones. Some of the results stated that this daily dose of ‘edutainment’ inspired villagers to lead a more civilised life. All in all, I must say that this serial must not be taken off air and kudos to the makers of the show and the channel for encouraging such educative concepts.

F‑Folio

Because you are what you wear

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

Fashion fuses with social causes From business opportunities to introducing new faces, from focusing on social causes to collaborating with Japanese designers, the autumn-winter edition of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week 2012, which started on Wednesday, will be a mélange of activities

“W

IFW has always been known for creating landmarks in the fashion world and this season won’t be any different. Apart from giving the best of fun and entertainment to the patrons, business will also grow in leaps and bounds. We have added buyers from different regions to explore Indian talent this edition,” Sunil Sethi, Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) president, said. For the first time, FDCI has invited three designers from Japan to showcase their collections at a segment called Tokyo Fashion Week, which is being supported by the Japan’s ministry of economic trade and industry. “Through Tokyo fashion week, Indian designers will get a chance to interact with Japanese delegates. Also, this will be an opportunity for Indian designers to show their best design aesthetics as some of them will be selected to participate at the Japan Fashion Week,” Sethi added. The event will also highlight some social causes like human trafficking and Fashion for Freedom. Bollywood actors Gulshan

s many as 138 designers will showcase their collection; some of the established names are Anju Modi, Meera and Muzaffar Ali, Manish Malhotra, Rahul Mishra, Rocky S, Rohit Bal, Tarun Tahiliani, Wendell Rodericks, James Ferreira and Gauri and Nainika. Payal Jain and Sanchita Ajjampur are the Fiama Di Wills designers this time. Designer duo ShantanuNikhil will open the edition, while JJ Valaya will be doing the finale.

Grover, Mahima Chaudhary and Monica Dogra will join FDCI and Peta India chief functionary Poorva Joshipura to announce a new partnership between FDCI and Peta India during WIFW. “We will have many celebrities who will be a part of these activities. These celebrities are not only restricted to Bollywood but from different walks of life including artists and sports personalities,” Sethi said. “Human trafficking show is a part of CSR activity (Corporate Social Responsibility) of FDCI. Wherein the Peta activity is our step to create awareness amongst the masses. Not only buyers from Japan, Europe, Middle-East and the US, but also from Pakistan will participate in the five-day fashion extravaganza. “This year we have a list of outstanding designers with representation across geographies who will display their creative excellence on the runway,” said Sethi. The list also includes 14 new entrants. “The aspiring designers are talented and we are giving them an opportunity to explore their creativity. All the 14 emerging designers will get a chance to showcase their best creative side in front of buyers from different parts of the world,” he added. IANS

Spotlight

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

A SUDHEER REDDY

Eric, Cristina and Domsa

ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS

DANCE Youngsters at the Rain pub made the most of the night and the music when they took to the dance floor.

Sonam, Mega & Divya

Charmaine & Dawood A SUDHEER REDDY

Moin & Sonia

Prince & Nikki

Gopi & Ranuka

Nimit & Kate

THE WINNING SCORE Geet

Swaroop & Himanshi

Vikas & Kavitha

Sonam & Arivind

Dj Kanna aka kan-i posing with the best Hip-Hop DJ in India award at Bottles and Chimney on Wednesday. He won the award second time in a row in Mumbai.

Magic Screen

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

Nenu Naa Rakshasi might have bombed at the box-office, but Rana Daggubati is clear about what kind of films he wants to be part of. The actor tells us more about his upcoming films

TAKING A DIFFERENT ROUTE TO

STARDOM Hemanth Kumar hemanth.k@postnoon.com

ana Daggubati is tired of clarifying rumours about his alleged affairs ever since he made his Bollywood debut in Dum Maro Dum. “Of late, I have stopped responding to such rumours. If someone asks me to clarify, I tell them to go check my tweets,” Rana chuckles. After wrapping up shooting for a major chunk of two of his upcoming films, the actor is back in town to dub for Naa Ishtam. His vocal chords have taken a beating, but that doesn't stop him from being buoyant when he

talks about his films. Recently, he was voted as one of most desirable men in India and he has come a long way to deserve the tag. “What I liked even more was that I was termed as the most promising new entrant. I was a fat kid in school and then my job description didn't expect me to be fit. Being in the list makes me feel that I am going in the right direction,” Rana confesses. It took him more than a year to shed his weight and then build his muscles. “My body just couldn't take the shock for a long time because I was doing heavy cardio, martial arts and all those things that I wasn't used to,” he says.

Unlike most of his contemporaries, Rana has been choosing unusual subjects. After playing a CM in Sekhar Kammula's Leader and an assassin’s role in Puri Jagannadh's Nenu Naa Rakshasi, he's finally doing a commercial film. His upcoming film, Naa Ishtam, directed by Prakash Tholeti, is being touted as a quirky love story. “I play a character named Ganesh who's extremely selfish and arrogant. The beauty of the film is that everyone’s character is so well-etched that the audience will end up rooting for everyone because no one is wrong,” Rana says. Considering that he has never

danced on-screen before, we ask him what the experience was like.“You can't expect a CM to dance. Can you?” he grins, adding, “Prem Rakshit, the choreographer, was actually quite surprised on the first day. He had gotten so used to most of the fabulous dancers like Allu Arjun, NTR and Charan that he didn't know what to do with me. He spent a whole day trying to figure out what would suit me and then I used to rehearse a lot.” Apart from Naa Ishtam, he'll soon be seen in RGV's Department in which he's playing a police officer. What was the toughest part of acting in the film?

“Sometimes I had a problem getting into the character because I was shooting simultaneously for Department and Naa Ishtam. My body language is completely different in both the films,” he says. 2012 looks extremely packed with plenty of action for the actor. He has already begun shooting for Krish's Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum and after that he'll move on to a bilingual film to be directed by Selvaraghavan. “I'll continue acting in films that haven't been made before and genres that no one has touched in the past. I am still trying to strike a balance,” he adds to sign off.

Magic Screen

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

T-TOWN TWEETIES

@Actor_Siddharth Thaman has upped his game to the next level. His background score in #LoveFailure & #KSY is fantastic! We're all so proud of him! Cheers:)

aapsee has been shooting nonstop for her upcoming Telugu film Daruvu and she’ll soon join Meher Ramesh’s Shadow. Apart from these two films, she’s also playing the lead role in Kumar Nagendra’s Gundello Godaari. While she’s quite busy with these three Telugu films, she was completely caught off-guard when rumours began spreading that she’s playing one of the lead roles in Venkat Prabhu’s upcoming bilingual film with Suriya. “This is news for me too. Nothing as such is materialising at my end so far and if anything is finalised I’ll be the first one to declare it. No discussions and no confirmations are on,”she told Postnoon. After wrapping up the shoot for Daruvu in Bangkok recently, Taapsee will begin shooting for Shadow in Hyderabad in March and then in April, the unit will fly to Australia for a long schedule. Venkatesh, Srikanth, Taapsee and Madhurima Banerjee are playing lead roles in Shadow.

@shrutihaasan Off to zzzzz land. sigh the simple pleasures in life. Crisp new sheets and drifting off into my dream land :)

@RanaDaggubati

EE S P TAA

hruti Haas an finally got her apology from a leading Tamil weekly, which had published an article about an alleged affair between her and Dhanush. The article created a furore last month and she went a step ahead and slapped a legal notice on the magazine. Responding to the apology tendered by the magazine yesterday, Shruti Haasan tweeted, “Today is an important day for me the weekly magazine that carried a completely fabricated story on me has made an apology(I appreciate it). Ultimately the truth does prevail.this whole mesh of so called sources and stories may finally untangle at least in my world :)(sic).” Although, she doesn't respond to gossip, this incident is proof enough that she'll take anyone head on if the issue spirals out of control.

SHRUTI HAASAN

GETS HER APOLOGY

Yuvan composes music for Siddharth

E E B Y S U B A S IS

Doing some late night dubb!! Prakash and I are having a blast in the studio dubbing for comedy scenes:-)) love my job.

@tashu_02 Packing time... leaving for Mumbai tommorow morning....finally will c my house after 5 months... :-)

@RGVzoomin “@pranavreddy4RGV: Lying never kills the truth . It just postpones the truth.”

@LakshmiManchu “@Followkhiren: The best revenge is to MOVE ON ...& get over it, don't give someone the satisfaction of watching you suffer.” @taapsee

uvan Shankar Raja and Siddharth have been friends for years now and a couple of years ago, they had collaborated for Anand Ranga’s Oy! Although the two haven’t worked together since then, Siddharth managed to convince his good friend to compose a small track for his upcoming film Love Failure. Yuvan has composed music for the Etaki Entertainment logo, the banner under which Siddharth had produced Love Failure. Confirming the news, Siddharth tweeted, “Special thanks to my brother Yuvan Shankar Raja for composing the music for my Etaki Entertainment logo in #KSY & #Love Failure... Lovely:) (sic).” Thaman has composed the music for the film, which has Siddharth and Amala Paul in lead roles. Balaji Mohan has directed it. Siddharth and Sashikanth have produced the film and Bellamkonda Suresh is distributing the film in Andhra Pradesh. The film is slated for release this Friday.

@trishtrashers Heard VTV was declared d best romantic film in a couple of TV channels this Valentines.Sooo happy:):):) Thank U Gautam..

@PriyaWajAnand Gooooood Mornin All! I hope you have an awesome day cause I know I will! :)

Magic Screen

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

Cinema, theatre can promote Urdu: Ali Zafar

Ekta all about hard work: Jeetendra

esteryear star Jeetendra is proud of his daughter Ekta Kapoor, one of the most successful producers in the film industry, and says she personifies passion and hard work. He says now he wants her to settle down. “Ekta is a product of passion and hard work. She has tremendous amount of capacity to work hard, which I don’t see in others,” Jeetendra said. “I come from a middle-class family. I had to work hard, but Ekta didn’t have to struggle. But she still struggled because she

had the passion. She could have taken life lightly, but she didn’t choose that path. I feel if you have talent, then nobody can stop you,” added the 69year-old. He was speaking on the sidelines of the Chaar Din Ki Chandni music launch. Like every other father, Jeetendra too wants his daughter to settle down. “Everybody pray with me for that. Once Ekta gets mentally free, she can think about it (marriage), which every dad wishes for,” said Jeetendra. IANS

akistani actor Ali Zafar, busy promoting his upcoming film London, Paris, New York, says cinema can help to promote Urdu, which he feels is on the decline in theatre and movies. “I feel the use of pure Urdu has declined. It is important to keep it alive as it is a beautiful language. It should be used in mainstream theatre and Bollywood. It's important for the new generation to learn Urdu,” the 31-year-old said at a promotional event of the movie. Ali made the remarks while speaking about Urdu poet Akhlaq Mohammed Khan, who wrote under the pen name Shahryar and who died on Monday after battling lung cancer. “Someone once asked me, ‘who do you like spending time with and who impresses you the most?’ I said, ‘writers’. The might of the pen is the greatest. “So I felt sad after hearing the news of his demise,” said Ali, who has also composed music for LPNY. IANS

ESHA DEOL thanks all for blessings on engagement A ctress Esha Deol, who got engaged to her long-time beau Bharat Takhtani here last week, has thanked everyone for their wishes and blessings on the new phase of her life. “Bharat and I thank u

all for ur good wishes and blessings! Love you all very much! Mwah!” Esha posted on her Twitter page. The duo exchanged rings in a private, traditional ceremony at Esha's Juhu residence on Sunday. Their wedding date is yet to be decided. IANS

B-TOWN TWEETIES

@bipsluvurself Me, @ActorMadhavan n @OmiOneKenobe had a great press interaction in Nagpur today! Ahmedabad Tom!

@NeilNMukesh A winning horse doesn’t know what is WIN?It only runs bcoz of pain given by his rider So whenever U r in pain Think that God wants U to WIN!!

@SrBachchan T 655 - To all those that communicate with me here, and wanting personal response .. it is inconsiderate to ask me in this condition ...

@udaychopra You are here, life exists, and identity, the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?-Dead Poets Society.

@Riteishd Just back from Delhi- had a great evening at the celebrations of 50years of INDOTIBETAN BORDER POLICEdanced to the songs of #TNLHG.

@deespeak Exactly a year ago on this date we had commenced shooting Love BreakUps Zindagi! So nostalgic right now :) #bornfree #lbz

@sonamakapoor Just saw this new fansite by @SonamKFanClub!! Its faaab!! Thank u guys!!

@priyankachopra Hey world... good morning... feels good to be back on set... ESP barfii... such a special film... too much fun with @basuanurag.

Magic Screen

rib c s b u

! y a Tod

6 Months

` 199/-

1 Year

` 349/-

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

Magic Screen

The glamour behind the glitz

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

Extremely manipulative and incredibly chaotic Hemanth Kumar hemanth.k@postnoon.com

tephen Daldry’s earlier films like The Reader and The Hours had protagonists grappling with some ghosts from the past and how they get over the guilt of having betrayed their loved ones. His latest film Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is no different. However, the problem is that one cannot sympathise with the lead character who goes on an incredible quest across New York to feel close to his father. Based on a novel of the same name by Jonathan Safran Foer, the film has Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Thomas Horn and Max von Sydow in lead roles. We are told that Oskar Schell (Thomas Horn) has been dis-

tancing himself from his mother after the death of his father Thomas Schell (Tom Hanks) in the 9/11 attacks. One day, Oskar comes across a key inside a cover addressed for a certain gentleman named Black and Oskar believes that his father had left the key behind for him. This leads him on an extra-ordinary quest to meet all the people named Black in New York city and find the lock that fits the key. An old man (Maxvon Sydow), who lives with Oskar’s grandmother, offers to help the latter in the quest. Oskar Schell is a disturbed kid who’s way too smart for his age. He doesn’t use the public transport because he believes it isn’t safe anymore after 9/11 and suffers from claustrophobia. Oskar also grapples with the

ROAD TO OSCARS

guilt of not being brave enough to hear the last words of his father, moments before the latter’s death. Despite Thomas Horn’s good performance as Oskar, the characterisation doesn’t leave a scope to empathise with his journey. He’s too pesky and Stephen Daldry leaves no stone unturned to remind us about what Oskar had lost during 9/11 attacks. Even the ending seems to be forced to bring a feel-good factor to this story. It’s a big surprise to find actors like Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock in such a pretentious film. The film is exactly what the name suggests. It’s extremely loud and incredible close of testing the viewer’s moral strength to feel guilty about 9/11 over and over again.

Magic Screen

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

Shakira nearly attacked by a sea lion JEN ADDRESSES PREGNANCY RUMOURS W

hen it comes to all the baby rumours, Jennifer Aniston is setting the record straight. Again. But at least she’s having a little fun with it this time around. In the new issue of GQ, the actress playfully addresses the tabloids’ endless obsession with her womb.

“It’s just a weird time, I think,” Aniston says regarding the constant pregnancy speculation. “The tabloids, instead of being about alien babies and stuff, it’s my triplets, quadruplets...[But] I’m not having triplets. Not having twins. Nor am I having one baby... You heard it here. I’m not knocked up now.”

Adele is ‘done with being a bitter witch’ A

dele swept Sunday’s Grammy Awards with six gramophones, but her big win isn’t inspiring her to rush back into the studio. “I am f–––––– off for four or five years,” she told a magazine. “If I am constantly working, my relationships fail. So at least now I can have enough time to write a happy record and be in love and be happy... I won’t come out with new music until it’s better than 21.” The current love Adele, 23, refers to is former investment banker Simon Konecki, 37. “I’m never writing a breakup record again, by the way,” she tells the magazine. “I’m done with being a bitter witch.”

hakira is nursing a few scrapes and hailing her brother as a hero after he saved her from a wild sea lion attack in Cape Town, South Africa. The singer and her sibling spied some of the aquatic mammals on a tour on Sunday afternoon and decided to get a bit closer to take pictures. “Suddenly, one of them jumped out of the water so fast and impetuously that it got about one foot away from me, looked me in the eye, roared in fury and tried to bite me,” she wrote on Facebook. “I was paralysed by fear and couldn’t move, I just kept eye contact with it while my brother ‘Super Tony’ jumped over me and literally saved my life, taking me away from the beast.” Shakira believes the sea lion was confused by the shiny reflection of the Blackberry she used to take pictures. “It probably thought I was teasing it with food and then taking it away from it,” she said, adding that she and Tony suffered minor scratches on nearby rocks as they tried to escape.

Chai Time

KAKURO

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

SCRIBBLING PAD

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

Take a shot at the brain game while sipping your cuppa

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 One side of a debate 5 ___-Saxon 10 Unlocked? 14 Daydreamers gather it 15 Starchy tuber foodstuff 16 Get an ___ effort 17 Teen 19 Big Island port 20 "The best is ___ to come!" 21 Is shown on TV 22 Polar feature 24 Biblical beasts of burden 25 French Sudan, now 26 Rents from a renter 29 Ann or Andy 32 "Paper Moon" co-stars 33 Nursery rhyme king 34 Society page word 35 Is unwell 36 Word hidden four times in this puzzle 37 Identical 38 Khmer Rouge leader Pot 39 Putrefies 41 Russian writer Dostoevsky 43 Seize quickly and easily 45 Ex payment 46 Senator Christopher from Connecticut 47 Penniless 48 Nike logo 50 Gaelic 51 401(k) relative 54 Bellybutton accumulation 55 Envoy's superior 58 "Rule, Britannia" composer 59 Everybody's opposite 60 Basketball-shoe part 61 Stock-market pessimist 62 Co. divisions 63 Earnest request DOWN 1 "And ___ we go!"

2 Lymph, for one 3 Whistle-blower's sound 4 Requiring medical attention 5 Shortstop's statistics 6 Mother-of-pearl materials 7 Daly's onetime co-star 8 Cariou of Broadway 9 Most favorable 10 Looked upon 11 Enthusiast 12 Hit by the Kinks 13 Deliver by parachute 18 Supporter of the arts? 23 Batting practice backstop 24 Prelude to bad news 26 Bars that gradually get smaller 27 Workers' group 28 Deadly nightshade

29 Joey in Milne stories 30 Defective car 31 Distrustful 33 Successors of LPs 36 Grabbed a bite 37 Not all 39 Country mail rtes. 40 One with lots of experience 41 Heeds a dentist's advice 42 "Omigosh!" 44 Bottom-ofthe-page text 45 Out-and-out 47 Form of jazz 48 Thick slice, as of cement 49 Tapping target 51 Object of

SUDOKU

worship 52 Actor's meat and potatoes 53 Type of rug 56 A real Stooge 57 Venomous reptile PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

THOUGHT OF THE DAY Laughing at our mistakes can lengthen our own life. Laughing at someone else’s can shorten it. – Cullen Hightower

Chai Time STAR POWER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

Your tomorrow today̶Star Power and Tarot

Date 17-2-2012

THIRUVAIKUMAR

As per Hindu panchang

thiruvaikumar@yahoo.co.in 040-27177230 / 9177596118

TAURUS

GEMINI

You will be bold enough to achieve all work undertaken. Unexpected ﬁnancial gains likely. Marriage talks will pro‑ gress favourably. Some have bright chance to go for a pilgrimage.

Work dragging since long will end fast and positively. Those who seek new job will get a good opportunity soon. Govt work will end quickly. Bright chances for some to buy house or plot.

New efforts will be successful. Children will behave as per your wish and make you happy. Vehicle might give trouble, which has to be repaired immediately. Postpon‑ ement will make you spend more.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Enemies will become inactive. Financial deﬁcit will be over. Expected loan for con‑ struction of house will get sanctioned. Avoid talking to children in an irritating manner. Litigations in property will be resolved.

Good news in the ofﬁng from distance friends or relatives. You will achieve suc‑ cess in all the works undertaken. Mar‑ riage of daughter will be settled with a good match. Son will get a job in an MNC.

Financial ﬂow will increase. Share in ancestral property will come. You will clear a portion of your debts. Mother's health will become alright. Be careful as you might be blamed unnecessarily.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

Works will get completed as per your plans. Financial ﬂow will be satisfactory. Debt problems will be under control. You will sell existing plot for expected price. You will help friends and relatives.

Problems will disappear and you will feel relaxed. You will fulﬁll wishes of your chil‑ dren. Those trying for a job will get favo‑ urable news. Court verdicts will go in your favour. Beneﬁts through travel likely.

You will take bold decisions, which will yield desired results. You will act wisely rather than act emotional. Couples will be more affectionate towards each other. Kids will understand your importance.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

You will act very smart and shrewd to get work done with perfection. Expected good news will come. Purchase of house‑ hold items likely. Expected helps through spouse will come. Maintain accounts.

Planned work will get completed smoothly without trouble. Financially a sound position is seen. Children will accept your advice and study well. Govt work will get delayed.

Opposition will be sidelined. Fortune gains likely. Happy events will take place at home. Your stock is set to pile up. Your friendship circle will expand. New assets to be purchased. Avoid giving guarantee.

SUMAA TEKUR

tarotreadhyd@gmail.com

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

Ten of Wands – Lea‑ rn to prioritise work. Donʼt get overwhel‑ med by the number of things you have to ﬁnish today. Spend more time planning and less panicking.

Two of Wands – Des‑ pite all your efforts you might ﬁnd that things are moving as quickly as youʼd like them to. Be patient. Donʼt be in a hurry and make mistakes.

Queen of Wands – Youʼre in a position of power and you get innovative ideas to work things out to your satisfaction. Listen to your heart and go with the ﬂow.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Ace of Swords – Yo‑ uʼre thinking only in terms of extremes, and due to this, may be missing out on some very good opportuni‑ ties. There are other middle options, too.

The Sun – Youʼre cheerful, bright and chirpy. Your health reﬂects this state of mind. Your happi‑ ness is infectious. You feel great about yourself today.

Knight of Cups – Em‑ otions tend to take charge of you today. Mood swings will be aplenty. Rein in your emotions before they mess up a situation for you.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

The Magician – Today is all about synchronicity at its best. Chance meetin‑ gs, being at the right time and the right place, will all put you in the spotlight.

Two of Pentacles – W‑ ork‑life balance is be‑ coming more difﬁcult than you imagined. Y‑ ou need to plan better. Itʼs nothing you canʼt handle. Be open to trying out new ideas.

King of Pentacles – Youʼre on the thresh‑ old of taking up a very senior position. Things just fall in your lap and you will have no choice but to pick it up.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Five of Cups – Some form of loss is indi‑ cated. You lose the love or trust of a dear friend. But the impor‑ tant learning is to let go and move on.

Page of Pentacles – So‑ me news regarding a ﬁnancial transaction w‑ ill come your way. You will be prepared to ma‑ ke a big investment. C‑ heck out all the details before jumping in.

Knight of Swords – You need to stop get‑ ting emotional and making decisions ba‑ sed on how you feel. Use your intellect to move forward. Be as detached as you can.

For Better or for Worse Stone soup

SOLUTIONS

Boggle RAT MOUSE HAMSTER GERBIL BEAVER

Number game

Suduko

Scrabble

Ink pen

COMICS

Fred Basset

ARIES

TAROT READ

Vol: 1, No 214 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

Chai Time 1400 Naadi Aadajanme 1430 Pavitra 1500 Movie 1800 Sri Shanidevuni Mahimalu 1830 Vasantha Kokila 1900 Chinnari Pelli Kuturu 1930 Anna Chellelu 2000 Missamma 2030 Edureetha 2100 Challenge 2200 CID 2300 Challenge 0700 Silver Screen 0730 Maa Shakti 0800 Ayurvedam 0830 Chaganti Nava Vidha Bhakti 0900 Money Money 1000 Chinnari Pelli Kuturu

1400 Kannavaari Kalalu 1430 Maavichiguru 1500 Sumangali 1530 Movie 1800 Jai Shri Krishna 1830 Shraavani Subramaniam 1900 Mandhara 1930 Auto Bharthi 2000 No. 23, Mahalakshmi Nivasam 2030 Mogali Rekulu 2100 Aparanji 2130 Devatha 2200 Mamathala Kovela 2230 Anveshana 2300 Gemini Vaarthalu 0800 Gemini Talkies 0830 Movie 1130 Aha Emi Ruchi 1200 Jeevitha Chakram 1230 Maa Inti Aada Paduchu 1300 Chittemmaa 1330 Gorintaku

1400 [V] Vignettes 1430 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 1500 [V] Humse Hai Life 1530 [V] Trailers 1600 [V] Dare 2 Date 1700 [V] Zabardast Hits 1800 [V] Fresh Songs 1830 [V] Humse Hai Life 1900 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 1930 [V] Humse Hai Life 2000 [V] Steal Ur Girlfriend 2100 [V] Vignettes 2130 [V] Trailers 2200 [V] Dare 2 Date 2300 [V] Humse Hai Life 2330 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 0700 [V] Trailers 0730 [V] Zabardast Hits 0800 [V] Mind Blasting Mornings 1100 [V] Fresh Songs 1200 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance

‘[V] Humse Hai Life’ at 1930 Hrs on CHANNEL [V]

1300 News Now at 1 1330 News Now 1800 6 PM 1830 Live Report 1900 Primetime 1930 The Game 2000 News Now at 8 2030 Live Report 2100 The Newshour 2200 The Newshour - Plus 2230 E Now 2300 News Now at 11 0800 The Morning News 0900 News Now 1200 Live Report 1230 News Now

‘The Newshour’ at 2100 Hrs only on TIMES NOW

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

Telly sitcoms, news and movie listings

1400 Abhishekam 1430 Aadade Aadharam 1500 Antahpuram 1530 Aakasa Ganga 1600 Prema Mandiram 1630 Jagadeeswari 1700 Genes 1800 Devimahathyam 1830 Puttadi Bomma 1900 Kumkuma Rekha 1930 Manasu Mamata 2000 Chandra Mukhi 2030 Bharyamani 2100 Etv News 2130 Super 2245 Movie 0800 Jeevana Jyothi 0830 Tollywood Time 0900 Movie 1130 Abhiruchi 1230 Star Mahila

1400 Ardhangi 1430 Movie 1800 Veera Naari Jhansi Laxmi Bhai 1830 Kalavari Kodallu 1900 Chinna Kodalu 1930 Pasupukunkuma 2000 Muddu Bidda 2030 Radha Kalyanam 2100 Kanyadanam 2130 Luckku Kickku 2230 Shree 2300 Bindas 0800 Gopuram 0830 Bhakti Samacharam 0900 Sri Raghavendra Vybhavam 0930 Ayurveda Jeevana Vignanam 1000 Bindass 1030 Gadasariatta Sogasarikodalu

‘Global Business Report’ at 1900 Hrs only on ET NOW 1400 The F And O Show 1430 Closing Trades 1530 Tomorrow's Trades 1600 Business Day 1730 Markets Tomorrow 1800 Rush Hour 1830 Starting Up 1900 Global Business Report 1930 Business Express 2000 Business First 2030 Markets Tomorrow 2100 Business Tonight 2200 Top 10 At 10 2230 Brand Equity 2300 Investor's Guide 0900 First Trades 1000 Hot Stocks 1100 Buy Now Sell Now - The Stock Game 1130 Buy Now Sell Now 1200 Market Sense 1300 Business Day 1330 Markets Now

‘One Man Army’ at 2200 Hrs on DISCOVERY 1400 Rampage 1600 One Man Army 1700 Discovery Showcase 1800 Wild Discovery 1900 Man Woman Wild 2000 Wildest India 2100 Breaking Point 2200 One Man Army 2300 The Survivors 1000 Equator 1100 Stephen Hawkings Special 1200 Get Out Alive 1300 Wild Discovery

1440 Whacked Out Sports 1510 Wipeout 1605 Breaking The Magician's Code - Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed 1700 Supernatural 1800 Chuck 1900 Wipeout 2000 Supernatural 2100 Minute To Win It 2200 Fear Factor 2300 Guinness World Records Smashed 0700 Infomercial/30 Min 0730 Sky Teleshopping 0830 Infomercial/30 Min 0900 Sky Teleshopping 0930 Whacked Out Sports 1000 The Millionaire Matchmaker 1100 Minute To Win It

‘Wipeout’ at 2100 Hrs on AXN

‘Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo’ at 2200 Hrs on IMAGINE 1400 Haar Jeet 1500 Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo 1600 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 1630 Dwarkadheesh - Bhagwan Shri Krishn 1700 Sawaare Sabke Sapne – Preeto 1730 Haar Jeet 1800 Beendh Banuga Ghodi Chadhunga 1830 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 1900 Haar Jeet 1930 Gyaan Guru 2000 Dwarkadheesh - Bhagwan Shri Krishn 2030 Sawaare Sabke Sapne – Preeto 2100 Beendh Banuga Ghodi Chadhunga 2130 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 2200 Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo 2230 Haar Jeet

1400 Parichay 1430 Balika Vadhu 1500 Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha 1530 Uttaran 1600 Phulwa 1630 Parichay 1700 Sasural Simar Ka 1730 Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha 1800 Uttaran 1830 Balika Vadhu 1900 Hawan 1930 Sasural Simar Ka 2000 Balika Vadhu 2030 Veer Shivaji 2100 Phulwa 2130 Parichay 2200 Uttaran 2230 Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha 2300 Na Aana Is Des Laado 2330 Balika Vadhu

‘Phulwa’ at 2100 Hrs on COLORS

‘Afsar Bitiya’ at 1900 Hrs on ZEE TV 1400 Hitler Didi 1500 Afsar Bitiya 1530 Yahaaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 1600 Pavitra Rishta 1630 Dance India Dance 1700 Dance India Dance Lime Light 1800 Hitler Didi 1830 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 1900 Afsar Bitiya 1930 Choti Bahu 2 2000 Hitler Didi 2030 Yahaaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 2100 Pavitra Rishta 2130 Ram Milayi Jodi 2200 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 2230 Bhagonwali 2300 Afsar Bitiya

1400 Saas Bina Sasuraal 1430 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 1500 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 1530 Kyaa Hua Tera Vaada 1600 Crime Patrol - Dastak 1800 Saas Bina Sasuraal 1830 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 1900 Crime Patrol - Dastak 2000 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 2030 Dekha Ek Khwaab 2100 Saas Bina Sasuraal 2130 Parvarrish - Kuchh Khatti Kuchh Meethi 2200 Kyaa Hua Tera Vaada 2230 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 2300 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 2330 Crime Patrol - Dastak 0900 Parvarrish - Kuchh Khatti Kuchh Meethi 0930 Dekha Ek Khwaab 1000 CID

‘Parvarrish’ at 2130 Hrs on SONY

‘E H M M B H’ at 2030 Hrs on STAR PLUS 1400 Sajda Tere Pyaar Mein 1500 Navya 1530 Diya Aur Bati Hum 1600 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behnaa Hai 1630 Sasuraal Genda Phool 1700 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 1730 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 1800 Navya 1830 Ruk Jana Nahin 1900 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 1930 Sasuraal Genda Phool 2000 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 2030 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behnaa Hai 2100 Diya Aur Bati Hum 2130 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 2200 Sajda Tere Pyaar Mein 2230 Mann Ki Awaaz… Pratigya 2300 Maryaada ... Lekin Kab Tak?

MOVIES OF THE DAY AND OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

1449 Space Jam 1625 The Matrix Reloaded 1855 10,000 BC 2100 Romeo Must Die 2310 Blade 0740 Nikita1 0830 Friends 0930 You've Got Mail 1150 Blade II 1350 Million Dollar Baby

1350 The Bourne Identity 1625 Lucky Numbers 1845 She's The Man 2100 Cellular 2300 Crank 2 - High Voltage 0910 Lottery Ticket 1115 Cellular 1315 Crank 2 - High Voltage

1400 Outsourced 1430 Scrubs 1500 Rizzoli And Isles 1600 Rookie Blue 1700 Outsourced 1730 Scrubs 1800 E News 1900 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 2000 Outsourced 2030 America's Funniest Home Videos 2100 Rizzoli And Isles 2200 Rookie Blue 2300 Outsourced 2330 Scrubs 0800 Rizzoli And Isles 0900 Rookie Blue 1000 Outsourced 1030 America's Funniest Home Videos 1100 Rizzoli And Isles 1200 Rookie Blue 1330 America's Funniest Home Videos

‘Scrubs’ at 2330 Hrs on ZEE CAFE

Supernatural

Balika Vadhu

Storyline - Molly and her husband are driving along a long deserted highway at night when they come upon a farmer. The next thing Molly knows both the husband and the farmer have disappeared.

Storyline - Jagya will call Anandi but she will disconnect the call. Gauri instigating Jagya against Anandi and on the other side Bhairon will ask Anandi to leave for Mumbai.

‘Supernatural’ at 2100 Hrs on STAR WORLD

‘The Big Bang Theory’ at 2300 Hrs on STAR WORLD 1400 Supernatural 1500 Charlie’s Angels 1600 The Big Bang Theory 1630 The Simpsons 1700 The Shield 1800 Supernatural 1900 Desperate Housewives 2000 Two And A Half Men 2030 The Simpsons 2100 Supernatural 2200 The Shield 2300 The Big Bang Theory 2330 Two And A Half Men 0700 The Shield 0800 Las Vegas 0900 Achievers' Club 1000 The Shield 1100 Desperate Housewives 1200 Two And A Half Men 1230 The Simpsons 1300 The Big Bang Theory 1330 Friends

‘Balika Vadhu’ at 2000 Hrs on COLORS

1400 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 1430 R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya 1500 Lapataganj 1530 F.I.R 1600 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 1630 Chidiyaghar 1700 Gutur Gu 1730 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 1900 R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya 1930 Lapataganj 2000 Chintu Chinki Aur Ek Badmash Family 2030 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 2100 Chidiyaghar 2130 R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya 2200 Lapataganj 2230 F.I.R 2300 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 2330 Chidiyaghar 0900 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

‘Chintu Chinki Aur Ek Badmash Family’ at 2000 Hrs on SAB

‘Cellular’ at 2100 Hrs on HBO

‘Plan’ at 1400 Hrs on ZOOM 1400 Movie - Plan 1730 Star Bonanza 1800 Letz Go! 1900 Planet Bollywood News 1930 Link'D 2000 Tentalize 2030 Letz Go! 2100 Style Strip 2130 Link'D 2200 B - Tonite 2230 Link'D 2300 Bollywood Bonanza 0700 Fresh Mornings 0800 Red Carpet 0805 Fresh Mornings 1100 Zoom Box 1200 Garma Garam 1230 Telly Talk 1300 Planet Bollywood News 1330 Letz Go!

1430 Food Detectives 1500 Deconstructed 1530 Discovery Science Classics 1630 Rising - Rebuilding Ground Zero 1730 Showdown - Aircombat 1830 Best Of Discovery Science 1930 Paleoworld 2000 Megascience 2030 Sports Science 2130 Extreme Engineering 2230 Surviving The Cut 2330 Some Assembly Required 1030 Rising - Rebuilding Ground Zero 1130 Food Detectives 1200 Deconstructed 1230 Best Of Discovery Science 1330 Paleoworld

‘Extreme Engineering’ at 2130 Hrs on DISCOVERY SCIENCE

‘Dead Zone’ at 2300 Hrs on BIG CBS PRIME 1400 Frasier 1430 Jerry Springer 1530 Big Wheels 1600 Galileo Extreme 1700 Survivor 1800 Entertainment Tonight 1830 Galileo Extreme 1930 Frasier 2000 Entertainment Tonight 2030 Galileo Extreme 2100 Hawaii 5.0 2200 Jerry Springer 2300 Survivor 0700 Big Wheels 0730 Aspire 0800 Galileo Extreme 0900 Survivor 1000 Bellator 1100 Jerry Springer 1200 Big Wheels 1230 Entertainment Tonight 1300 Galileo Extreme

Playing Field

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

The games people play

Toovey grateful for 2nd chance LEEDS: Newly-installed Manly Sea Eagles

Luke for a 2011 repeat LOS ANGELES: Luke Donald opens his US PGA Tour season at the Northern Trust Open on Thursday hoping he can replicate — or even improve on — the form that catapulted him to No. 1 in the world in 2011. The 34-year-old Englishman’s remarkable consistency saw him become the first player to top both the US and European tour money lists in the same year. “I’m looking forward to — hoping to do — something very similar to last year and even build on it,” said Donald, who would still like to add that first major title his resume lacks. “I’m very excited about

my game.” Donald is among 11 of the world’s top 20 gathered for the $6.6 million tournament at Riviera Country Club, a par-71 course nestled in the hills west of downtown Los Angeles and long associated with golf and Hollywood royalty. Nicknamed “Hogan’s Alley” after the two Los Angeles Opens and the 1948 US Open won here by Ben Hogan, the course exerts strong appeal to today’s pros. “I’ve played Riviera a lot over the years and it’s one of those classic old golf courses that I could never tire of playing,” said South African Ernie

Els. “Riviera is a real ball striker’s golf course.” “Always excited to be here at Riviera,” Donald agreed. “I think it’s one of the great classic courses that we play all year.” Donald finished second at Riviera in 2010, his third straight top-10 finish in the event. But he missed the cut here last year as his first US tournament of 2011 gave no hint of the stellar season to come. “Maybe I was just a little bit tournament rusty,” said Donald, who jump-started his season the following week with his victory at the World Golf Championships Match Play Championship.

Donald will play the first two rounds alongside Australian Adam Scott, ranked eighth in the world, and American Nick Watney. Scott will be teeing it up for the first time in 2012. During his extended break, the longest of his pro career between tournaments, he had his troublesome tonsils removed and reconnected with family and friends. “It has a long time,” he said. “But it doesn’t feel that long ago that I was playing in Australia to be perfectly honest. “It goes by pretty quick when you’re having fun. But I think I needed it.”

coach Geoff Toovey insists their World Club challenge clash with Leeds at the Super League champions’ Headingley ground on Friday is just another game for him. Toovey took over the reigning NRL title-holders in the Australian off-season after Des Hasler was dismissed following his announcement he would be joining the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2013. Hasler has since joined the Bulldogs a year early with former assistant Toovey leading Manly out in Leeds in a re-match of the 2009 final the Sea Eagles won 28-20. Nine of this year’s 20-man squad were members of the side that beat the Rhinos three years ago and Toovey is adamant they are more than ready to claim their second World Club Challenge title. “The game is not important for me but it’s definitely important for the players,” said Toovey, who played more than 200 games in an 11-year career with Manly. “It’s a great reward to take on the Super League champions. The players have come to challenge Leeds and represent the NRL while Leeds carry that burden of representing the Super League. “We are very focused, the crowd will be against us obviously and the ground and the conditions we are not used to, but there’s no excuses, the best team will win the game.” Manly have, historically, been the team fans of other Australia clubs love to hate and Toovey was well aware his side had not exactly carried the good wishes of the entire NRL community with them to England. “We’d like to think that everyone is going to be behind us in Australia but obviously that’s not going to be the case. “Manly has always had the reputation of ‘which is your favourite team? Your home team and anyone who is playing Manly’ but our supporter base is expanding. “So I think those days of the Manly haters are coming to an end and I just love the style of rugby league we are playing and I think that is attracting more supporters every year.” Leeds, seeking a record-equalling third World Club Challenge win, have plenty of players with experience of playing in the one-off clash between England and Australia’s top clubs.

Pin-up boy Tom says he’s focused LONDON: Teenage diving sensation Tom Daley, one of Britain’s best London Olympic prospects, found himself at the centre of a row Wednesday over fears media work could harm his chances of winning a medal. Daley has become a ‘poster boy’ for the Games, which take place in just over five months’ time. But British Diving’s performance director, Alexei Evangulov, warned the 17-year-old must match the preparations of his Chinese rivals, who he said “train three times harder”, if he was to be on the podium. However, Daley said: “Leading

into competition, I am on complete media lock-down. “I only have a media day that is organised through British Swimming, so literally I am not allowed to talk to anyone in the lead-in to big competitions. “So it is definitely very controlled, now.” Although he has some say in Daley’s life away from the pool, Evangulov was concerned by his media commitments: “I can’t stop it. If I had power over this, I would restrict it. “Sometimes it hinders our preparations but I can’t do anything about it,” the Russian

BRITISH DIVING’S PERFORMANCE DIRECTOR, ALEXEI EVANGULOV, WARNED THE 17-YEAR-OLD MUST MATCH PREPARATIONS OF THE CHINESE, WHO “TRAIN THREE TIMES HARDER”.

added. “If you look at the Chinese, they work three times harder. That’s the only secret. Just work hard. “I know how the Chinese are training and they work much

harder. If you compare them to Thomas, he has many commitments in his media activities. “The Chinese have restricted their divers and I support them on this. I would recommend Tom to make not so many commitments to the media.” Daley shot to fame aged 15 in 2009 when he became Britain’s first diving world champion but both Evangulov and Daley’s camp said China’s Qui Bo, the 2011 world champion in a 10-metre platform competition where the Briton finished fifth, was the man to beat in London. AFP

Playing Field

Kim to miss Indian Wells

The games people play

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

PARIS: Kim Clijsters will miss the WTA Indian Wells tournament after failing to recover from an ankle injury, the Belgian announced on Wednesday, although she will return for the March 19-April 1 Miami event. Former world number one Clijsters, the 2003 and 2005 champion at Indian Wells, hurt her left ankle during the Australian Open where she reached the semifinals. “I’m very disappointed that due to my ankle injury I’m not

able to take part in this year’s BNP Paribas Open,” Clijsters said in a statement on her official website. “Indian Wells has always been quite a special tourmanent for me. In 2003 and 2005 I won the event after a period of recovery from an injury. “I really have the most fond memories of Indian Wells and always enjoyed the support I got there from the audience. I wish the tournament the very best.” This year’s Indian Wells event gets underway on March 5.

Roger sweeps away Mahut ROTTERDAM: Roger Federer picked up where he left off seven years ago at the Rotterdam Open, as the 2005 champion won 13 of the last 14 points in a 6-4, 6-4 sweep of Nicolas Mahut on Wednesday. The world number three and top seed then got an unexpected bonus as his scheduled second round opponent Mikhail Youzhny of Russia withdrew with a foot problem sending the Swiss straight into the quarter-finals on Friday and a date with Jarkko Nieminen. After losing in the Australian Open semi-finals last month against Rafael Nadal, and a Davis Cup rubber at the weekend against American John Isner, Federer was thrilled with his 67-minute victory with one break per set of number 83 Mahut. “Any win is a good win. Frankly I’m glad to be in the quarter-finals,” said the 16-time Grand Slam winner. “It’s always tough to make the change from clay but after losing my last two singles matches a win is great. “I had to get used to the conditions quickly. It was a good start, I came through well, Nicolas is a tough player,” he said after his third defeat of the Frenchman without a loss. The other two leading seeds joined Federer in advancing. Tomas Berdych overpowered his Czech Davis Cup teammate Lukas Rosol 6-4, 6-2 to start his campaign with a win. Third seed Juan Del Potro made a

winning debut as he played the event for the first time and put out 2008 champion Michael Llodra 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 6-4. Both Berdych and Rosol won singles ties at the weekend as they helped their country into the Davis quarter-finals and a date with Serbia. But Berdych, seeded second, showed his clear superiority in the clash between countrymen. “I’m satisfied,” the number seven said after advancing in an hour and a quarter with 10 aces and three breaks of serve as the pair met for the first time. “It was indoors but still a tough transition from Davis Cup. “Our court was much faster with lower bounce. I didn’t really have much time to train, but I coped with it pretty well. I was able to find my rhythm quite fast and was able to play my game.” Llodra, ranked 47th, was fighting jetleg after flying in from France’s 4-1 Davis Cup victory at the weekend over Canada in Vancouver, nine time zones away. Del Potro admitted he had trouble closing out victory. “I was nervous in the last game,” said the South American, who returned to the top 10 after reaching the Australian Open quarter-finals where he lost to Federer. “I’m really pleased to have won in my first match here.” In other first round results, Marcos Baghdatis beat German Matthias Bachinger 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 while Russian Alex Bogomolov advanced as Sergiy Stakhovsky quit injured trailing 63, 0-1.

Playing Field

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

The games people play

There’s no stoppin’ Lin NEW YORK: Jeremy Lin, a bench-warmer two weeks ago, now has basketball fans worldwide in a state of “Lin-sanity” and a spot on the Sports Illustrated magazine cover after a fairy-tale NBA run to stardom. The first US-born NBA player of Taiwanese and Chinese heritage has left his coach awestruck and his New York Knicks teammates merely stunned, while spectators and legends alike sing the praises of the 23-yearold point guard. Lin was already making history even before sinking a gamewinning three-pointer with half-a-second remaining to lift the Knicks over host Toronto on Tuesday, giving the New York squad their sixth victory in a row. “Just watching him, you are in awe,” said Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni. “He knew that shot was going in.” Lin, a Harvard University economics graduate who was untaken in last year’s NBA draft, was cut by Golden State and Houston before grabbing a spot on the Knicks bench. With Amare Stoudemire absent following the death of his brother in a car crash and Carmelo Anthony sidelined by a groin injury, the Knicks turned to Lin on

FROM BENCH-WARMER TO COVERBOY

Jeremy Lin #17 of the New York Knicks drives past Marcus Thornton #23 of the Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday in New York City. Jeremy Lin who has caught the world’s fancy with his sublime performance will be on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s February 20 edition. AFP an emergency basis and he responded in amazing fashion. “He’s the greatest story in sports right now,” Knicks teammate Jared Jeffries said of Lin. “He was five or six days from being cut

and now he is a catalyst for a team that’s playing as good as anybody in the NBA.” The Knicks would have had to pay Lin for a full season or release him within a few days. Now they

have their first player to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated since 1999. “He continues to impress every night. Every game he plays better,” Jeffries said. “He does more and more to help us win bas-

ketball games. You can’t ask any more of a kid coming into this situation. “Right now his confidence is at an all-time high and our confidence in him is just as high.” Lin produced the best fivegame starting debuts in modern NBA history, his averages of 23.3 points and 7.4 assists surpassing such legends as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal, who tweeted his Lin love on Wednesday. “Linderrella story of the year,” O’Neal said on Twitter. “jeremy lin has lingle handedly played lensational lincredible I’m linpressed all he does is Lin Lin Lin.” Lin has become a huge NBA moneymaker in just over a week. The stock price of Knicks owners Madison Square Garden group has risen. Lin jerseys are being sold as fast as they can be manufactured at the NBA Store in New York. Viewership ratings for Knicks games have skyrocketed, especially over the Internet and in Asia. Resale prices for Knicks tickets in an upcoming homestand have leaped 60 percent, with courtside seats costing thousands of dollars more thanks to “Lin-flation.” There was concern that Stoudemire’s return on Tuesday might diminish Lin, but that was not a problem for the forward, who enjoyed a similar tandem while in Phoenix with All-Star guard Steve Nash. AFP

Mayweather draws flak for race quip NEW YORK: Film director and passionate New York Knicks supporter Spike Lee has fired back at Floyd Mayweather’s comments that all the hype around Jeremy Lin is about his race and not his basketball skills. Lee also spoke Wednesday on MSNBC about the global “Lin-sanity” phenomenon that surrounds the first US-born player of Taiwanese and Chinese heritage, who has the most points of any NBA player in his first five starts since 1976. “Don’t try to explain it, dissect it,” Lee said. “We’re just in the middle of it and enjoy it. Especially if

you are a Knick fan. “It’s a great American story. A great American story.” Lin, a 23-year-old point guard who was an economics major at Harvard, went undrafted by the NBA, was cut last December by Golden State and Houston, and was seeing little playing time for the Knicks. But when Carmelo Anthony was sidelined with a groin strain and Amare Stoudemire was absent for a week after the death of his brother in a car crash, Lin received his chance and made the most of it. After an already astonishing

JEREMY LIN IS A GOOD PLAYER BUT ALL THE HYPE IS BECAUSE HE’S ASIAN. BLACK PLAYERS DO WHAT HE DOES EVERY NIGHT AND DON’T GET THE SAME PRAISE, SAID FLOYD MAYWEATHER.

run of leading the Knicks to five wins in a row with precision passing and dramatic drives to the hoop, Lin hit the winning threepointer with half-a-second

remaining on Tuesday to defeat Toronto. “Floyd Mayweather I Hope You Watched Jeremy Hit The Gamewinning 3 Pointer With .5 Seconds Left.Our Guy Can BALL PLAIN AND SIMPLE.RECOGNIZE.” Lee posted on his Twitter account. Mayweather had said the hype around Lin was all because of his Asian heritage. “Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he’s Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don’t get the same praise,” Mayweather said in a Twitter posting on Monday. After criticism was heaped

upon him from other Twitter users, Mayweather said his comments were meant as support for black athletes. “Other countries get to support/cheer their athletes and everything is fine. As soon as I support Black American athletes, I get criticized,” Mayweather posted on Twitter. “Wow what a country.” He later added, “I’m speaking my mind on behalf of other NBA players. They are programmed to be politically correct and will be penalized if they speak up.” Lin’s parents moved to the United States from Taiwan in the 1970s while one of his grandmothers remained in China. AFP

Playing Field

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

The games people play

Mancini disagrees with Tevez PORTO: Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini hit back at rebel striker Carlos Tevez’s claims that he was ‘treated like a dog’ on Wednesday, claiming he probably over-indulged the Argentine. “I totally disagree with Carlos, what he said,

AC Milan’s Prince Kevin Boateng scores against Arsenal.

AFP

Milan blast Gunners MILAN: AC Milan all but booked their place in the Champions League quarterfinals with a swashbuckling performance to thump hapless Arsenal 4-0 at the San Siro on Wednesday. A Kevin-Prince Boateng blockbuster, a Robinho brace and a penalty from Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave the Italians their first win in seven Champions League clashes against English opposition while also ending a run of three straight home defeats against Premier League teams. It means the second round, second leg at the Emirates in three weeks’ time should be little more than a formality for Massimiliano Allegri’s players. Not even the introduction of Thierry Henry in his final appearance before returning to New York Red Bulls could inspire a surprisingly out of sorts Gunners formation. And Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger didn’t mince his words following Arsenal’s worst ever defeat in Europe. “We were never in the game, we were very poor both offensively and defensively,” he said. Robinho

“It was shocking to see how we were beaten everywhere, it was the worst performance in Europe by far. There was not one moment during the 90 when we were really in the game.” Despite their advantage, Allegri remained cautious over his side’s chances. “We’ve not given a signal to other teams, we’ve got a good advantage over Arsenal and we have the possibility to get to the quarter-finals,” he said. “We did well tonight but we must still wait 90 minutes, it won’t be easy because they’ll have nothing to lose and will play a completely different match.” Any suggestions that Milan might have had an inferiority complex following their terrible run against the English were shattered in a first half in which the hosts were composed and clinical on the counter while the visitors were unsettled and error-prone. A lovely move from Milan saw Luca Antonini chip the ball to Ibrahimovic who teed up Urby Emanuelson but the Dutch midfielder, on as an early substitute for Clarence Seedorf, couldn’t match the neat build-up play with a comparable finish. The hosts went ahead on the quarter hour mark when Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny scuffed a clearance straight to Antonio Nocerino who fed Boateng to crash a volley in off the underside of the bar. Nocerino thrashed a volley over with Ibrahimovic screaming for a pass while the largely anonym o u s Robin V a n P e r s i e’s free-kick was headed tamely by L a u r e n t Koscielny into goalkeeper Christian Abbiati’s arms. AFP

because I never treated him badly. Maybe the opposite, I treated him too well, always,” Mancini said. Tevez has claimed an angry Mancini swore at him during the Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich in September, where the forward’s refusal

to warm-up incensed his Italian boss. The striker hasn’t played for City since that September 27 match in Germany but returned to Eastlands on Tuesday in a bid to revive a career that has effectively been suspended for more than three months.