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

THREE DOWN, ONE TO GO...WILL THE CARNAGE NEVER END! India got another lesson in how to play Test cricket and win matches from the Aussies in Perth. And with MS Dhoni suspended for one match, thanks to a slow over rate, we go to Adelaide with another overseas whitewash hanging over our heads. While the BCCI seems to be focussing on the upcoming ODIs, it’s time the team stopped faffing and focussed on playing cricket. P30&31 Hyderabad’s first compact afternoon newspaper

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012 HYDERABAD

THE SORRY TALE OF A THIEF WHO TOOK ON PISTOL PATEL He may have turned to a life of petty crime and paid the price for it when he had two bullets pumped into him, but displaced farmer, Tirupataiah, has had it hard. His wife told us a tale of woe and alcoholism arising from a man out of his depth. P3

FLASH

KVP APPEARS BEFORE CBI KVP Ramachandra Rao, Congress MP and a close aide of late YS Rajasekhara Reddy, appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at Dilkusha Guest House on Monday. The CBI summoned Rao for questioning in the Emaar-APIIC township scam. He was advisor to the State government in the YSR regime.

FUN FIESTA AHEAD Dr Swaswathi Choudhary, Dean of Arts, and Head of Department of Political Science, at St Francis College for Women, talks about her students and the travails of building a politically conscious citizenry P15

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Page Two

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

Spirit of Twin Cities

Freedom through strings and smiles COMMUNITIES Sudeshna Koka sudeshna.k@postnoon.com

ankranti, Lohri or Pongalone festival that is celebrated all over India with many names and several connotation and denotations attached to it. The festival could represent the blending of old and new events through the colours of rangoli, letting go of the bad times by burning junk, flying kites and being liberated or celebrating the flavours of life through food. On the festival, the youth of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ) community were flying high and celebrating their freedom of expression through strings and smiles.

On Saturday in People’s Plaza amongst hundreds others, the LGBT group met and flew kites. Perhaps this was one of those rare times when the group came out in a public space and flew kites competing

with fellow Hyderabadis. “We have many social gatherings, this is the first time we are coming out in public. Out here with my friends I can be what I want to be. It brings a feeling that life can be so much better with-

out any described rules,” said Pavel Sagolsem, a HUC student. There are several groups in the city that work with stigma related issues of LGBT community but there are no groups that work on mass awareness and education. Hence these youth have formed a group which once registered would be called Wajood. This group has 5 board members and targets to have more than 200 members in the group. “We plan to have activities throughout the year. No one will like it if it’s ‘all work and no play’, hence we have these fun activities. There are many people in the closet whom we need to educate and inspire. Women support groups and men having sex with men (MSM) would also be a part of this group. More than any one the police needs to be

educated first. They are very apprehensive about us, they have a prejudice and this needs to be changed,” said Jayati Mathaur, board member and real estate professional. On talking about stereotyping gays and lesbians Ashwin K, whose family has accepted his orientation said, “It’s ok if the media stereotypes us, at least in that way we are getting some social space. We need some public space. In Hyderabad due to religious beliefs there is a taboo attached to the LGBT community and we want to change that.” Wajood has planned a year long list of events like fund raising activities, movie screenings and gender concept education. This group is working on creating awareness and a social space for the community in the society.

Around the city: Your guide to the Twin Cities

To witness strokes of various kinds head to Gallery Space. It’s an exhibition presenting paintings and drawings by various artists and will be held at Gallery Space from December 24. Where: Gallery Space, Banjara Hills

When: Ongoing, 11am to 7pm Contact: (040) 65541836

Where: Ohri’s, Necklace Road When: Ongoing, 12 noon to 3.30pm Contact: (040) 64543333

Go Vintage All those who love vintage should head to 10 Downing street for Vintage parties every Monday. Where: 10 Downing Street, Begumpet

Martini ‘n music Enjoy the winter evenings with grey goose martinis and crooner Kelly dishing out your favourite numbers. Where: Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills

When: Every Evening Contact: (040) 66662323

Cognac and Cigar The Seasons Bar opens up again as a Cigar and Cognac lounge with a wide selection of cognac, Rare whiskies, single malts and cigars. Where: Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills

When: Ongoing, 7pm Contact: (040) 66662323

Visual art An exhibition cum sale of paintings by Hari Srinivas. The Exhibition is on display till January 30 2012. Where: VSL Visual Art Gallery, Plot no 100, AP Text Book Colony, Gun Rock Enclave

When: Ongoing Contact: 9247175135

Buffet time Ohri’s Food Court Necklace Road is offering a special Monday buffet. Come in to avail an amazing 4+1 and 2+1 offer on it’s lunch buffet every Monday.

CINEMAS

When: Monday, 8pm Contact: (040) 66629323

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

When: Ongoing

Food Drama For the biggest buffet in town head to Nautanki Gali. Dinner Buffet @ Rs 388/Where: Nautanki Gali, Madhapur

When: Ongoing, 7.30-10.30pm Contact: 7893010000 Childhood memory Kites are a childhood memory of carefree life,of cheery sunny days .They have become a metaphor of soaring freedom, of flights sky-high, towering above the humdrum of life. Artkites are such an expression of festivity and creative vision . Where: Iconart, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing Contact: (040) 32411554

Controlled freedom Catch a preview of Controlled Freedom, an exhibition of por-

WEAVING A WEB

PIC: N SHIVA KUMAR

Different strokes

trait photography that showcases the works of two photographers with contrasting approaches to capturing people — Sucharitha Rao and Lakshmi Prabhala. Where: Alankritha Art Gallery, Kavuri Hills When: Ongoing, 6.30pm Contact: (040) 23113709

My name is Minnu It is the first solo Art show by actor Kamal Kamaraju on a series of paintings he has done on ‘Minnu’ in 2011. The show will also launch calendars with Kamal’s paintings and will be exclusively on sale at the Muse gallery. The proceeds from this show will be donated to CAP Foundation. Where: Marriott hotel & Convention Centre, Tank Bund When: Ongoing, 6pm Contact: (040) 27522999

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) 6460334

One love One Love is an International exhibition by artists from around the world who aim at promoting humanity and love. Where: State Gallery Of Fine Arts When: Ongoing, 11am Contact: (040) 32913922

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

Hyper Local

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

Pistol Patel’s quarry is a displaced farmer PIC: N SHIVA KUMAR

CRIME Md Inkeshaf Ahmed ahmed.m@postnoon.com

t’s the sad story of a farmer who was left to his fate by the government and the society. Tirupataiah, 40, who broke into the house of Sriramulu Patel in Patel Nagar last week and got shot in the bargain, tells Postnoon that he came with his family to Hyderabad in search of a livelihood. But Thirupataiah could not grapple with the pace and problems of a metro city. He did odd jobs as a hired hand for menial works, sewer cleaner, watchman and so on, but along the way he picked up the habit of drinking away whatever he earned, leaving his wife and three children to fend for themselves.

Tirupataiah is currently undergoing treatment at Gandhi Hospital His wife Venkatamma who also works earns a meagre `150 a day. For their daughter’s wedding she took a loan of `4 lakhs. Tirupataiah’s elder son Vishnu, 15, works to supplement the

family income while his youngest son Saidulu, 12, is studying in class VI. “Whatever he earns, he spends it on alcohol. This has been his routine for the last six

years,” said Venkatamma whose downcast face reflects the trouble and trauma of getting along with a hard life. He is a native of Raichede village in Uppunutala Mandal of Achampeta assembly constituency in Mahbubnagar. Tirupataiah has a two acre land in his native village. According to Venkatamma, Tirupataiah has two favorite spots: hooch seller Ellamaiah’s house and Shivajinagar where he boozes every day. But despite everything she finds it hard to believe that he would steal. “I don’t know why he entered that house. He never did it earlier,” she said with tears in her eyes. Her siblings had once beaten up Tirupataiah thinking that a thrashing would mend him but he continued his ways. He is now in Gandhi Hospital undergoing treatment for two bullet injuries.

CRIME REPORT Man charred to death in godown fire

ne person was burnt alive when an iron scrap godown caught fire on the City outskirts in the early hours of Monday. According to the police, a scrap godown caught fire killing a worker, Kiran, on the spot, while another person suffered severe burns at BN Reddy Colony in Cherlapally. The injured was shifted to a nearby hospital. The police are investigating the case and the reasons for the fire are yet to be established.

15 arrested for betting on cock fights

he Cyberabad police arrested 15 people on charges of betting and cock fight on Sankranti after they raided a farm house. All the accused hail from Kukatpally and Mehdipatnam areas. Meanwhile, leaders of several political parties, movie artistes and industrialists participated in cock fights organised in Godavari district. Several leaders from Telangana went to take part in Sankranti celebrations. TDP leader Talasani Srinivasa Yadav, who went to West Godavari to see a cock fight, said it should not be treated as an offence and that it was a once a year event enjoyed by many.

Hyper Local

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

The magic of fuel additives

Have a heart to go for MICS

PIC: N SHIVA KUMAR

ENVIRONMENT Osama Salman salman.o@postnoon.com

e have become oblivious to the rising pollution in the city and haven’t been doing enough to control it. The vehicular population too is rising steeply and contributing to air pollution. In this situation, there is a saviour that claims to instantly lower emission levels — within an hour. Public transport, particularly the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) buses, have the dubious distinction of causing more pollution than two and three wheeler vehicles. However, since last year, 10 Ashok Leyland APSRTC buses and one Tata bus, which have travelled over five lakh kilometres, have recorded lower emissions as well as an increased

mileage, thanks to ‘Magic Plus’. Made from herbal extracts, Magic Plus is a fuel additive that not only reduces pollution levels by 50 per cent, but also increases mileage up to 30 per cent, says K Subramanian, regional manager, Green Power, the company that is testing its product on buses. “Also, your engine noise reduces by 60 per cent. Results

on APSRTC buses are a proof. All you have to do is add the additive to the fuel tank,” he said. Subramanian showed Postnoon the test results of a bus bearing the registration AP 10Z 9967 from Musheerabad depot, which recorded its pollution level in April last year at 71.43. By the end of March it showed a reading of 41.22, after using the

THE FACES OF HYDERABAD DAPPULA YENKATAMMA, VENDOR, Gandhinagar PIC: N SHIVA KUMAR

additive. Another bus bearing (AP 11Z 316) recorded a 10.63 per cent increase in mileage from 5.08kmpl to 5.62kmpl during the same period. Five other buses from Cantonment depot and five from Depot-I, have successfully recorded lower pollution emissions as well as lower diesel consumption. “Five buses have saved 900 litres of diesel in a period of three months,” said Subramanian proudly. This product, says Subramanian, can save the APSRTC crores of rupees if used in all their 3,769 buses. “Not just Heavy Motor Vehicles, but even cars, bikes and autos can save fuel. More importantly, they can contribute to a greener environment,” he added. There is an urgent need for more eco-friendly products especially ones that help reduce pollution. It’s a wonder as to why this product has been tested on only 11 of the 3769 buses.

appula Yenkatamma sells boiled eggs, and masala chana in front of a wine shop in Gandhinagar. You probably would not expect to see a woman sit outside a liquor store. But for Yenkatamma it is more of a necessity since she has to look after five kids after the death of her daughter and A city is defined by niece. the people who live Her husband, and work in it. Here she says, is an we take a look at alcoholic who the human threads refuses to shoulder that make up our any responsibility. urban tapestry Despite being a senior citizen Yenkatamma receives no pension and makes a meagre `200 a day. Yenktamma said that she was confident the government would bail her out as she had a white card, but there’s nothing so far. She wants the local MLA to give her a home under the Indiramma scheme.

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PIC: N SHIVA KUMAR

Ranjani Rajendra ranjani.r@postnoon.com

magine a scenario where you have been asked to undergo a bypass surgery. Your first reaction: shock, apprehension and probably reluctance. The reason: the risk involved and residual scar that will haunt you for the rest of your life. But with the latest minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS), it is quite possible to undergo a bypass surgery with little or no scar. Made popular in hospitals abroad, this technique was recently introduced at the Hyderabad-based Star Hospitals. Unlike in a regular bypass surgery or sternotomy as it is scientifically known, which involves cutting open the breast bone, in MICS the incision is merely 4 cm. “This cuts down the risk of deep wound infections, scarring and speeds up recovery time,” says Dr Marc Ruel, of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, who was here to conduct the workshop on MICS at Star Hospitals. Dr Ruel, who began performing MICS in 2005, has operated upon over 300 patients so far. In this technique, there is no splitting of the breastbone. So there is a dramatic reduction in pain, risk of infection, bleeding, stay in ICU and hospital. This will also enable an improved post-operative lung function. In fact, according to experts, after an MICS, an executive could return to work in a week while a manual labourer would require two. “MICS can work wonderfully for most heart patients, but in case of an emergency or if the heart is too diseased, it’s better to opt for a regular bypass surgery. But MICS is the future of cardiac surgeries and patients stand to benefit from it as it doesn’t affect productivity,” says Dr Gopichand Mannam, chief cardiothoracic surgeon, Star Hospitals.

AIRLINES Airport Director 27903785, 27906001 For Air India Flight Information Toll free (from any network) for IC Flights 18001801407 And for All Flights: 1800227722 Air India has revised its flight timings. For more information call (Toll free) 18001801407, 1800227722 from BSNL/MTNL 04023430334 from other lines and mobile Website; www.airindia.in TOURISM OFFICES AP Tourism, Hyd 23262152/53/54 Sec’bad 27893100 Dept of Tourism 23453110 India Tourism 23261360 AP Tourism information Centre (24x7) 23450444, 23455999 UK Visa Office

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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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MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

Voices Usually the budget presented would be rosy and tax-free, but when it comes to reality there will be no proper spending. Finally, it has to get clearance from the chief minister. So budgetary allocation is different and spending in the field is different.

Just a jugglery of figures. Mere allocations don’t mean that they will reach the common man. A lot of political will and pursuance at the ground level is the need of hour.

The Congress always wanted the support of minorities so they must get the maximum allocations. Though the chief minister allocates, it doesn’t get spent.

The Telangana region has been neglected all the time and this time it must get more funds. Apart from carving out a separate Telangana, there is every need for allocation of funds for the region.

Dr K Laxman, National Secretary, BJP

Warla Ramaiah, TDP’s SC Cell

KR Amos, Senior leader and MLC

Harish Rao, TRS leader

Rosaiah funds Kiran goodwill BUDGET U Srinivas srinivas.u@postnoon.com

he State government is all set to present a tax-free Budget for 2012-13. It can be called an election budget. The proposals are being finalised, keeping all the future elections in mind. The local body elections and

the by-elections will arrest the government from any move to introduce any new taxes. “The common man will not be burdened,” minister for finance Anam Ramanarayana Reddy said. The minister said finance department was receiving proposals from other departments online for the first time making the work easy. He said the CM's dreams would be realised through the upcoming budget. Apart from irrigation and welfare schemes,

Hyderabad Literary Festival inaugurated CULTURE Indira Atluri Indiraa@postnoon.com

he three-day Hyderabad literary festival was inaugurated at Taramati Baradari on Monday. Hyderabad Literary Festival (HLF) was started as an annual event in 2010 with an objective of establishing Hyderabad as an important literary centre in the country. Pavan K Varma, in his inaugural

address, emphasised the fact that language was not just a means of communication, but a mirror to the cultural setup of a society. Noted film lyricist Gulzar, who spoke in Hindi, dealt with how native languages became an inspiration for his creativity, more than English language. The three-day festival this year will feature writers from across India, writing in various Indian languages and English. The Hyderabad Literary Festival is a onetime opportunity for lovers of literature to listen to and interact with some of the best writers in India. PIC: SRINIVAS SETTY

employment would take primacy. Last year’s budget outlay was `1,28,000 crore and as of now `75,000 crore has been spent. After YSR’s regime, Rosaiah did not spend much and officials said he saved a lot by arresting a majority of the spend. The 2012-2013 Budget will be presented online, making use of the state-of-art facilities avoiding use of paper and the age-old procedures. The government is adopting

online payment of bills to check irregularities. This year the budget might reach an all-time high – in excess of `1.50 lakh crore, according to unofficial estimates. The minister said the finance department gave clearance to 1,11,000 jobs to keep the CM’s promise to provide 1.16 lakh jobs to unemployed youth. With the Partnership Summit becoming a great success, the CM is now pulling his socks up for the next month’s Budget Session.

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From left: Professor Vijaya Kumar, head of OU’s international programme, Chandana Khan, secretary of AP tourism, Pawan K Varma and G Suryaprakash Rao of Muse India at the inaugural session.

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India‑View CLASSIFIEDS FABRICATION

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

India unveiled

Kite-chasing 11-year-old electrocuted

Lakhs witness ‘celestial light’ at Sabarimala SABARIMALA: A year after over 100 peo-

Boy averts major train mishap in Capital NEW DELHI: A young boy averted a major train mishap in the Capital on Sunday by alerting the authorities after noticing cracks in the railway tracks, an official said. The boy informed the authorities around 7.20am that there were cracks on the tracks in Mandawli area. They stopped all traffic and the services were resumed after the track was repaired PTI

ple died in a stampede after witnessing the ‘celestial light’ on Makar Sankranti day, the ritual of ‘Makarajyothi’ passed off peacefully at Kerala’s Sabarimala temple this time, with pilgrims witnessing the light thrice on Sunday evening. Around 6.35pm, the first light lit up the temple premises and nearby hillocks, which were crowded with pilgrims, who shouted “Swami Ayyappa” with joy. The light appeared again two more times and pilgrims were seen praying and looking up at it. This is the first season after the Travancore Devasom Board (TDB), the custodian of the Sabarimala temple, last year told the Kerala High Court that the celestial light is man-made. Despite this,pilgrims in huge numbers were eagerly waiting for the celestial light to appear on the horizon. “We are not worried about whether it is man-made or otherwise. We have come to this temple knowing its power and we are really happy we are here on this day,” said Shankar Reddy, a devotee who came from Andhra Pradesh. Several measures were taken by the administration taking into account the tragedy that took place at Pullumedu — a hillock near the famed temple — in which 102 pilgrims died in a stampede soon after devotees returned witnessing the celestial light last year. This season also had a fresh round of controversy after tribesmen under the aegis of Mala Araya Samajom claimed that it was their right to light the fire and they would march towards the place on the hillock. More than a hundred of the Samajom members tried to execute the march, but the police stopped them. Later, they held a prayer and told reporters that they would not relent till their demand was met. IANS

Folk artistes dance during the Kite festival on the occasion of Makar Sankranti in Jaipur on Saturday.

PTI

JAIPUR: An 11-year-old boy was electrocuted here on Sunday when he came in contact with a high-tension electricity wire while chasing kites, police said. The overhead wire was passing merely a meter away from the rooftop of his house in Jhotwara area here, police added. “The body, Rohit Choudhary, was chasing snapped kites on the rooftop of his house when he accidently came in contact with the overhead wire,” a police officer said. He was taken to Sawai Man Singh Hospital here by his family and neighbours but doctors declared him dead. Over 100 people landed up in various hospitals in the city due to accidents during kite flying during Makar Sakranti celebrations over the past two days. “Many fell off the roof while some others sustained injuries after snapped thread used in kite flying got stuck on their bodies while driving on two-wheelers,” a senior police officer said. IANS

Swamy likely to be quizzed by police today NEW DELHI: Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy is likely to be questioned by Delhi Police today in connection with a case of writing an “inflammatory article” in a newspaper. A senior police official said they will examine Swamy, who was granted interim protection

TEST OF METTLE

A participant with his buffalo’s run in Kambala (buffalo race), at Pilikula near Mangalore during the 17th National Youth Festival on Sunday. PTI

till January 30 by the Delhi High Court against his possible arrest. Swamy is in Ranchi and expected to reach the Capital today. However, he said that he was not aware of any intimation from police regarding his questioning. Delhi Police had on October

three registered a case of spreading enmity between communities against Swamy for his remarks suggesting revoking of voting rights of Muslims. Swamy in an article in a newspaper had suggested Indian Hindus collectively respond to terror acts. PTI

42 participants injured in jallikattu with riders MADURAI: Nineteen competitors and 23 bull tamers were injured in the popular Jallikattu event held at nearby Avanuyeapuram during Pongal festivities. They were injured when they tried to tame the charging bulls, police said, adding all the injured were treated as outpatients. Earlier, the event got off to a rousing start with the participation of 257 bulls from various parts of the state. Hundreds of people had gathered at the venue here to witness the traditional rural sport of Tamil Nadu, held as part of the Pongal festival annually. More than 500 policemen were deployed for the event, which was held as per

Supreme Court guidelines, issued in the wake of complaints from animal rights activists about cruelty to the animals, besides casualties among spectators. Organisers said the bulls were medically examined prior to the event as per the directive and a coir pith spread across the path the bulls took to minimise injury. To ensure spectators safety, eight-feet-high double barricades were erected. Only bulls registered for the event were admitted into the arena and bull tamers were given identity cards, police said. All proceedings at the event were videographed, officials said. PTI

India‑View

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

India unveiled

Ace photographer Homai Vyarawalla dies at 98

Homai VADODARA: Vyarawalla, one of India's first professional women photographers, died here on Sunday, days after being hospitalised due to a fall from her bed, close friends said. She was 98. Vyarawalla, who had slipped near her bed Thursday, suffered from a fractured hip. "It took some time for the neighbours to find out that she had a fall. They then took her to the hospital on Thursday," said Sabeena Gadihoke, an associate who called on Vyarawalla from time to time. However, according to doctors attending on her, it was not

the fracture that took her down but the severe breathing problems which she had developed. She was also suffering from lung congestion, which caused her difficulty in breathing. Vyarawalla who started by clicking photographs as a teenager, took a number of memorable photographs during her career and was well known for taking shots of India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru smoking a cigarette. Nehru was her favourite subject. The daughter of an actor in an Urdu-Parsi theatre company, Vyarawalla was born in Navsari in Gujarat in 1913. She studied at the then Bombay University and obtained an arts diploma from the Sir J.J. School of Arts. She started working soon after in the late 1930s, before moving to Delhi in 1942 where she photographed the first flag hoisting of independent India in 1947. Her tryst with Independence as India's lone lens-woman in the male-dominated media was on the night of August 14-15, 1947.

TOYING WITH TERROR

Aarti Chabria poses with a man wearing a mask representing former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden during the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon (SCMM) 2012 in Mumbai on January AFP

BSF chopper crashes in Raipur, 5 injured RAIPUR: Five occupants of a BSF helicopter were injured when it crashed at Raipur airport Sunday while on a test flight, police and airport officials said. “The helicopter crashed from a height of about 100 feet when it took off for a test flight. Five people — the pilot, co-pilot, one engineer and two technicians —

who were on the board sustained injuries," Mana airport in-charge Anil Roy told reporters. State police chief Anil M. Navaney, who rushed to the spot along with other officials, said that all the five injured were taken to a private hospital where a doctor said they were out of danger. IANS

REAL STEEL

Tanks on display during the Army Day parade at New Delhi on Sunday. PTI

Mayawati flays poll panel for ‘cover up’ LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh CM Mayawati, who turned 56 on Sunday, lashed out at the Election Commission for veiling her statues and that of the BSP's poll symbol the elephant, saying it was a reflection of the government's "casteist" mindset. Addressing an unusually lowkey birthday celebration at the BSP state headquarter here, she also proclaimed that she was all set to bounce back to power in the upcoming state polls. Maintaining that the celebration had deliberately been scaled down in view of the the model code of conduct, she said: "We believe in respecting the model code of conduct, but it was really lamentable that the chief election commissioner has very readily acted on the complaints made by the Congress and other

Opposition parties against us without even caring to pay any heed to our objections." The poll panel had ordered that Mayawati's statues and the BSP party symbol, the elephant, be covered till the staggered elections from February 8 to March 4 are over. She said the move showed the "casteist" mindset of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government. IANS

Behenji’s b’day party had an elephant in the room LUCKNOW: Even as her 56th birthday celebrations here Sunday remained a low-key affair with the usual fanfare missing, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati did not shy away from displaying her favourite solitaires and diamonds which have been a key part of her past functions. A thick diamond necklace with matching solitaire tops and a well studded ring made the set complete, even as the sparkling bluish stones kept playing hide and seek on account of the pink 'chunni' and high-neck brown longcoat that she wore on a bright

and sunny winter noon. Also what could not be missed was her pink silk brocade salwar-suit, again a regular fixture at her successive birthdays. The entire BSP office was well decorated and brightly lit up for the occasion. Not only were the 18-feet tall blue gates adorned with thick marigold garlands, a red carpet was laid down for the chief minister's motorcade. A replica of huge elephant tusks flanked the passage, while the hall inside was bedecked in gladioli, marigold and red roses. IANS

N-weapons not for war, says Army chief NEW DELHI: Amid reports of Pakistan and China augmenting their nuclear arsenals, Army Chief Gen. VK Singh on Sunday rejected the threat of a nuclear war, saying such weapons primarily have a “strategic significance”. “Nuclear weapons are not for war fighting. Let's be quite clear on it," Singh said on the sidelines of the Army Day parade when asked about the nuclear postures and arsenals of Pakistan and China. PTI

Cong-BJP in a spot over Ramdev attacker's photos NEW DELHI: A day after black ink was thrown at Ramdev's face, Congress and BJP today found themselves in a difficult situation with private TV channels airing pictures of his attacker Kamran Siddiqui purportedly in the company of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Rajnath Singh. Dikshit is yet to react to the picture while the former BJP chief said he does not know when it was taken. However, the Yoga guru was quick to blame the Congress, saying, "CM of Delhi is seen in a photo with him. And, news stories are circulating about this, some explanation they must give," Ramdev said.

Around the World

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

Beyond Borders

Stop the violence, killing your people: UN Chief DAMASCUS: UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Sunday urged Syria’s Bashar al-Assad to stop killing his own people, saying the path of repression was a “dead end,” as Damascus announced a general amnesty for crimes committed during the unrest. “Today, I say again to President Assad of Syria: stop the violence. Stop killing your people. The path of repression is a dead end,” Ban said in a keynote address at a conference in Beirut on democracy in the Arab world. “The winds of change will not cease to blow. The flame ignited in Tunisia will not be dimmed,” he added. Ban’s comments came as Assad announced a general amnesty for crimes committed during the popular unrest that on Sunday entered its eleventh month. “President Assad issued a decree stipulating a general amnesty for crimes committed during the events between

General Ban Ki-moon speaks during a press conference in Beirut. March 15, 2011 and January 15, 2012,” the official SANA news agency reported. It said the amnesty covered infringements of the law on peaceful demonstrations, the possession of unlawful weapons and army desertion. The opposition Muslim

AFP

Brotherhood dismissed the amnesty describing it as “neither serious nor credible.” “The regime is trying to make its unrealistic plans for reconciliation and national dialogue credible, and it is in this context that it is making such announcements, for propagan-

da purposes,” the group added. Releasing prisoners is one of the key conditions of an Arab League roadmap approved by Syria in November to end the country’s crisis, which the UN estimates has claimed more than 5,000 lives. Since November, the regime has made a series of announcements of plans to release in all around 4,000 prisoners “without blood on their hands.” Syria’s bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters has brought increased pressure from its former allies. The emir of Qatar said in an interview with US network CBS that he favoured dispatching Arab troops to Syria to “stop the killing,” a proposal described by former Arab League chief and Egyptian presidential hopeful Amr Mussa as “very important.” Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani’s interview with “60 Minutes” is the first public call by an Arab leader for an Arab military presence in Syria. AFP

Santorum : A roadblock for Romney? CHARLESTON: Republican

The Costa Concordia cruise ship lies on Sunday in the harbor of the Tuscan island of Giglio after it ran aground and keeled over off the Isola del Giglio. AFP

‘Cruise captain is responsible for accident’ GIGLIO ISLAND: Costa Crociere, the owner of the luxury liner that ran aground off the coast of Italy, killing at least five people, said on Sunday its captain had made “errors of judgment”. The admission came hours after rescue teams brought two passengers and an injured crew member off the Costa Concordia to safety, but recovered the bodies of two men who had failed to make it off the vessel. “It seems that the commander made errors of judgement that had serious consequences,” said a company statement, adding that his management of the emergency had not followed company procedures. Prosecutors arrested Captain Francesco Schetttino and first officer Ciro Ambrosio late on Saturday. AFP

frontrunner Mitt Romney hit a roadblock on Sunday in South Carolina as Christian conservative leaders coalesced behind Rick Santorum in the presidential nomination race. A group of 155 Christian evangelical leaders from around the country endorsed Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator, on Saturday after holding a vote on a Texas ranch to settle on a single candidate before the January 21 South Carolina primary. ‘It’s a big hit, let’s be honest,” Senator John McCain, who recently

endorsed Romney, admitted on CNN. “There’s a very strong evangelical movement in South Carolina, particularly inland.” The move by the Christian right has brought to the surface an undercurrent of alarm, if not outright hostility, among some evangelical Christians over the prospect of a Mormon being nominated to run against President Barack Obama in November. That hurdle to Romney’s nomination has come into sharper relief as the Republican race has moved out of the northern states into the Bible Belt, where

Mitt Romney holds a forum at American Legion Post 15 in South Carolina. AFP

religion and politics often make for a volatile mix. Santorum, who has been running in third or fourth place in the polls in South Carolina, predictably called the endorsement “a very big deal.” “We feel very, very good that with their support, we’re going to get a network of grassroots leaders here, lining up behind us and giving us that surge that we need coming down to this last week,” he said on Fox News on Sunday. Candidates passed over by the Christian right they believed the fight would be on the economy, more than religious issues, in a state with high unemployment that has struggled to emerge.“The one consensus was that nobody was for Mitt Romney,” Newt Gingrich, who is running a close second to Romney in the opinion polls, told NBC’s Meet the Press program, adding that he had strong support from conservatives. Gingrich, a former speaker of the House of Representatives who represented neighbouring Georgia in Congress, acknowledged that the bloated Republican field helps Romney. AFP

GLOBE AT A GLANCE Russia’s Mars spacecraft crashes in Pacific MOSCOW: Doomed Russian PhobosGrunt Mars probe spacecraft, which had been stuck in Earth orbit for two months, crashed down in the Pacific Ocean late on Sunday. Launched Nov 9, Phobos-Grunt was designed to bring back rock and soil samples from the Martian moon Phobos. However, it had been stuck in a so-called support orbit since its engines failed to put it on course for the Red Planet.

I am only answerable to parliament: Gilani ISLAMABAD: Declining to clarify his remarks about the country’s army and intelligence chiefs over submission of statements to the apex court in the memo scandal, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Sunday that he was answerable to the parliament only and not to any other individual.

Chilean President Sebastian Piñera and First Lady Cecilia Morel, posing for a picture during their visit to Antarctica. AFP

Facebook now offers ‘last words’ service LONDON: Facebook has launched a new application through which a user can post one last message on his “wall” after his death. But there is a catch - three trustees have to confirm the person is actually dead.The application called“If I Die”, however, has no option to automatically post a person’s “last words”. The site already offers a memorial service.

Cash-for-access scandal, Indian thrown out LONDON: In a major cash-for-access scandal, a 50-year-old Indian-origin Conservative Party activist and fund-raiser Rickie Sehgal, chairman of the British Asian Conservative Link was thrown out of the party after he was caught boasting in a video that he could provide PM David Cameron's personal mobile phone number or a dinner with him for 10,000 pounds.

Danish Queen Margrethe and Prince Consort Henrik arrive to the Gala Dinner in Christiansborg Castle. AFP

Around the World

Beyond Borders

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

EU governments remain divided over bailout fund

BRUSSELS: The mass debt

downgrade of eurozone nations has reignited a debate over boosting the bloc’s bailout fund, but governments are divided over raising their contributions, a senior EU official said on Sunday. “There is a debate. The question is still open and there is no consensus so far,” the official told on condition of anonymity. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country was spared by the Standard & Poor’s action, refuses to increase Berlin’s share in the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF). Germany, Europe’s top economy, is already the EFSF’s main guarantor, which began with 440 billion euros but has 250 billion euros left following rescues of Portugal and Ireland. The fund is now considered too small to come to the aid of Italy or Spain, the eurozone’s third and fourth economies, which are in trouble, while Greece is awaiting a second bailout. The S&P decisions to downgrade nine eurozone nations late Friday, notably stripping France and Austria of their stellar AAA

A Member of the Hungarian Parliament and the Hungarian rightwing ‘Jobbik’ party, Elod Novak, sets an European Union flag on fire during a demonstration. AFP ratings, could hit the EFSF’s own credit score.

“If nothing is down to compensate (for the French and

Austrian downgrades), the EFSF will lose its triple-A for longterm borrowings,” the EU official said. The US-based ratings agency had warned that any downgrade of one of the six AAA nations could lead to a similar cut for the EFSF. The downgrade left four AAA nations in the eurozone: Finland, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The EFSF is backed by guarantees from eurozone states, allowing the fund to borrow money from investors at cheap rates and then lend that money to nations that have been shut out of the private markets. A downgrade would likely raise the interest rate demanded by investors to buy EFSF bonds. Eurozone finance ministers, in a statement after the S&P announcement on Friday, pledged “their determination to explore the options for maintaining the EFSF’s AAA rating”. One option, according to the EU official, would ask the four countries that are still AAA to increase their guarantees in order to replace the two that lost their rating.The ESM’s firepower will be discussed at a March summit. AFP

Antarctica rocked by two quakes WASHINGTON: Two strong earthquakes, 40 minutes apart rocked the remote South Orkney Islands in Antarctica on Sunday, experts from the US Geological Survey said. The epicenter of the first, a magnitude 6.6 temblor, was at a depth of 10 kilometers (six miles), some 539 kilometers (334 miles) west of Coronation Island, the USGS said. No destructive tsunami was created, according to a US-based warning center. The first quake occurred at 1340 GMT. About 40 minutes later the region was struck by an aftershock measured at 6.2. A second 5.1-magnitude aftershock occurred at around 16.40 GMT, USGS said later. The South Orkney Islands form a remote archipelago in the Southern Ocean to the northeast of the Antarctic Peninsula. “There is the small possibility of a local or regional tsunami that could affect coasts located usually no more than a few hundreds kilometers from the earthquake epicenter,” the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. The tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, 2011 caused waves that hit an ice shelf in Antarctica 13,000 kilometers away, smashing parts of it into huge icebergs. AFP

Anti-online piracy legislation: Nigeria: Crucial talks begin Murdoch criticises Obama WASHINGTON: Global media tycoon Rupert Murdoch used his Twitter account over the weekend to attack US President Barack Obama over his administration’s opposition to parts of draft anti-online piracy legislation. “So Obama has thrown in his lot with Silicon Valley paymasters who threaten all software creators with piracy, plain thievery,” Murdoch wrote Saturday. The president and founder of the News Corporation media empire was referring to a White House statement released Saturday in which the administration says what it will and will not support in terms of how to combat online piracy. “While we believe that online piracy by foreign websites is a serious problem that requires a serious legislative response, we will not support legislation that reduces freedom of expression, increases cybersecurity risk, or undermines the dynamic, innovative global Internet,” the statement said.

“Any effort to combat online piracy must guard against the risk of online censorship of lawful activity and must not inhibit innovation by our dynamic businesses large and small.” The proposals have won the backing of Hollywood, the music industry, the Business Software Alliance, the National Association of Manufacturers and the US Chamber of Commerce.

But last month, the founders of Google, Twitter, Yahoo! and other Internet giants expressed concern over the two drafts, saying in a open letter that they would “give the US government the power to censor the Web using techniques similar to those used by China, Malaysia and Iran.” “We urge Congress to think hard before changing the regulation that underpins the Internet,” they said. “Let’s not deny the next generation of entrepreneurs and founders the same opportunities that we all had.” Signatories to the letter included Netscape co-founder Marc Andreessen, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Twitter co-founders Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone and Evan Williams, Flickr co-founder Caterina Fake, Yahoo! co-founders David Filo and Jerry Yang, LinkedIn Reid Hoffman, YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley, PayPal co-founder Elon Musk and eBay founder Pierre Omidyar AFP

Veiled women holding placards pray in a protest at Gani Fawehinmi Partk, Ojota district in Lagos . ABUJA: Nigerian labour leaders entered crucial talks with President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday aimed at ending a weekold strike and mass protests that have shut down Africa’s most populous nation. The country’s two main labour leaders and other union officials offered no comment as they arrived for talks. Talks on Saturday at the presidency failed to end the strike, which is over soaring fuel prices due to an end to government

AFP

subsidies. But the mediator in the crisis, Senate President David Mark, said earlier on Sunday that the government had reached a decision . Aides said Jonathan was expected to give an address later in the night, though this has not been officially confirmed. Unions launched the strike after a government ended fuel subsidies on January 1, which led petrol prices to more than double overnight. AFP

Spotlight

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

PICS:SRINIVAS SETTY AND N SHIVA KUMAR

UP AND AWAY

Necklace Road and the area near Shamshabad airport on Sunday were full of life with the kite festival in full swing

KALEIDOSCOPE

Shilparamam wore a colourful look on the occasion of Sankranti with Gangireddus enthralling the crowds and colourful rangolis on display

16,083.88 71.29

4,838.90 27.10

BSE

NSE

Business

10g= `27,800

GOLD

1kg= `52,300

SILVER

Matters of saving and spending

`51.61

DOLLAR

`79.00

POUND MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012 11

400pc rise in fake currency Neelabh Srivastava

NEW DELHI: As fake currency continues to be pumped illegally into the country, a latest government report states that there has been a 400 per cent increase in such counterfeit transactions in Indian’s financial channels. The report, compiled by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) under the Union Finance Ministry states that during 2010-11 financial year (till March 2011), the agency detected “4,23,539 incidents of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) with a face value of over Rs 35 crore.” Such reports, called Counterfeit Currency Transactions (CCRs) in financial terms and sent by public and private sector banks to the FIU under provisions of the Prevention of Money laundering Act (PMLA), were 1,27,781 incidents during the 2009-10 fiscal. The menace of fake currency being stealthily introduced in

country’s banking and other financial sectors are reported regularly and the extent of the evil again came to the fore recently when a Delhi Police Special cell team seized fake currency with a face value of Rs 2.24 crore and arrested two persons. The FIU report also revealed that the Rs 500 denomination notes bear the maximum brunt of counterfeiting in the country. “Rs 500 denomination notes constituted the bulk of CCRs at 60.74 per cent. There was (also) a rise in the number of Rs 1,000 denomination counterfeit notes reported in the year 2010-11,” the report said. The FIU, a central agency for receiving, analysing and disseminating data related to doubtful transactions, also reported that with 37,907 reports of suspect terror-financing and rationale-less transactions, country’s banks and financial institutions reported a 300 per cent escalation in detecting Suspicious Transaction

Reports (STRs). The STRs, which gave rise to a reasonable ground of suspicion that the transaction may involve the proceeds of crime or financing of activities related to terrorism or were made in circumstances of unusual complexity, increased three times in 2010-11 as compared to 10,067 in 2009-10 fiscal. The FIU report, submitted recently to the Finance Ministry, stated that “private Indian banks contributed majority of CCRs”. “The phenomenal increase in use of counterfeit currency and suspicious transactions underline the fact that fake notes and malafide movement of funds is on the rise in the country. “The FIU is continuously alerting agencies like the CBI, Enforcement Directorate, Customs, Narcotics Control Bureau and special police units to act on these instances under the stringent laws that they enact to

Govt owes ` 110 cr to Air India for VVIP flights Abhishek Shukla

NEW DELHI: Government owes over Rs 110 crore to the cashstrapped Air India for its special flights which ferry VVIPs including the President and the Prime Minister on their visits abroad which it is trying hard to realise. The national carrier, which is facing financial crunch, has pending bills of 12 special flights for the President, the VicePresident and the Prime Minister which amount to over Rs 110 crore, an RTI reply from the carrier said. It said during July last year, the total outstanding bills were Rs 291 crore. “Out of the above amount, recently the government has paid Rs 181.30 crore leaving a balance outstanding amount of Rs 110.60 crore,” the reply said. The records show that two bills of are pending with the Defence Ministry for the abroad travel of the President to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Damascus and Aleppo during November 20-30, 2010, which is Rs 14.5 crore and another to Paro via Bagdogra which is Rs 4.45 crore. The bill to Paro, Bhutan is nearly three years old, the reply dated December 28, 2011 said.

Five bills worth Rs 55.81 crore are pending with the Cabinet Secretariat for the travel of the Prime Minister to Huahin, Thailand during October 23-25, 2009, to Paro, Bhutan during April 27-30, to Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi during October 23-30, 2010, to Seoul during November 9-12, 2010 and to Brussels and Berlin during December 8-12, 2010. The External Affairs Ministry which is responsible for organising the tours of the VicePresident owes Rs 35.79 crore towards the Air India for five tours abroad. One outstanding bill for the travel of the vice-president to Male, Maldives is pending since November, 2008. The total bill for this trip was Rs 2.77 crore of which part payment was done

leaving an outstanding of Rs 39 lakh. The desperation of the Air India to recover the outstanding amount from the Government is visible from a communication exchanged between the Civil Aviation Ministry and Air India which has been accessed by PTI. In an email on July 8 last year the then Air India Executive Director S Venkat wrote to Civil Aviation Ministry, “As you are aware our request for the Rs 105 crore towards release of VVIP dues has been taken up by MoCA with the MoF and the file is presently pending with them for approval. “Since we have to pay the oil companies on ‘cash and carry’ basis and due to liquidity crisis, we are unable to meet the commitments on a daily basis to them unless these amounts are paid.”

instance of counterfeit currency detected by a bank, an STR includes details of all accounts, transactions, individuals and legal persons or entities related to a suspicious transaction.

curb terror financing and tax evasion within the country and in offshore deals,” a senior Finance Ministry official said. While a CCR is equivalent to details of an

RMW approves restructuring HYDERABAD: Reliance MediaWorks, film and entertainment services company, has approved the subsidiarisation of the company’s exhibition, film and media services businesses into separate 100 per cent subsidiaries of Reliance Mediaworks. The transfer of businesses will be subject to the shareholders approval. The company has announced the proposed subsidiarisation will better position the company to pursue strategic growth opportunities in its specific businesses and enable it to enhance its business revenues and profitability and also expand products and service offerings. The subsidiarisation step is a precursor to invite strategic and

private equity investors who have expressed a keen interest in investing in the specific businesses. The company expects 60 per cent of the financial revenues in the fiscal year 2013 will come from film and media services. The fixed asset base of RelianceMediaWorks has increase d by 329 per cent and revenues by 548 per cent in the last five years. Reliance group acquired controlling stake in the company in 2005, the facilities included a motion picture processing lab in Mumbai and 24 cinema screens located in Maharashtra. The company has made strategic investments and scaled business operations that include over 530 BigCinemas screens.

Sensex dips at opening MUMBAI: The BSE benchmark Sensex declined by nearly 65 points in early trade on Monday on funds’ selling triggered by a weakening trend on other Asian bourses after Standard and Poor’s cut the rating of nine European nations. The 30-share BSE index, which gained 117.11 points in the previous session, declined by 64.50 points, or 0.40 per cent, to 16,090.12 points. The wide-based National Stock Exchange Nifty index shed 19.45 points, or 0.40 per cent, to 4,846.55 points.

Profit-booking in metal, capital goods, auto and banking stocks dragged the Sensex down, brokers said. In the Asia region, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell by 1 per cent and Japan’s Nikkei Index by 1.53 per cent in early trade on Monday. The rupee declined by 22 paise to Rs 51.74 per US dollar in early trade on the Interbank Foreign Exchange on Monday due to appreciation of the US currency against the euro and other currencies overseas.

Comment

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

Fair, free and forthright

Editorials PAK DEMOCRACY, a test for India

nlike in the past, democracy in Pakistan faces an unusual challenge — the judiciary is siding with the Army. The civilian government, which fell foul with the military after the ‘memogate’, faces a crucial floor test in the Parliament. Prime Minister Gilani’s bravado on being answerable only to the Parliament doesn’t hold water in the country where the military has ruled more than the elected governments. The military, which lost its face after the US raid that killed Osama bin Laden near its top training institute, is looking to boost its image. That, is usually bad news for India as one of the timetested strategies for the same is stepping up aid to anti-India terrorist groups and facilitating infiltration. If the government is forced out by the combined army-judiciary arm twisting, India faces a bleak scenario where all recent diplomatic gains stand nullified.

Satyam Raju’s cup of woe runneth over MONEY TALK A Saye Sekhar

ichard Bach knows his stuff. The stars of the third India-Australia Test match at the Waca in Perth were undoubtedly the seagulls. And although none of them answered to the name Jonathan, or Livingstone for that matter, their presence on the field and, at times on the pitch itself, helped invigorate a Test that for Indian fans was frankly painful to watch. The Indians now head to Adelaide where they can be sure to meet more cricket-loving seagulls. At least that’s something to watch.

hen Ramalinga Raju got off the tiger, which he was riding, fully knowing that he was going to be eaten away, the whole world was flabbergasted, exactly three years ago. Raju himself announced, in a letter he addressed to the Directors of the Board which he used to proudly chair, on January 7, 2009 that “It was like riding a tiger, not knowing how to get off without being eaten.” After languishing for more than twoand-a-half years in Chanchalguda Central prison and Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, he came out on bail. He must have been the happiest when Mahindra & Mahindra emerged the winner of the bid to take over the reins of India’s fourth largest IT bellwether, Satyam Computer Services Ltd, he built by bits and bytes. Chairman Vineet Nayyar’s newspaper statement last year that Mahindra Satyam was contemplating suing Raju and Price Waterhouse, the auditors of the company then, Ramalinga Raju must have moaned in grief. For, by his own admission, he had said: “I am now prepared to subject myself to the laws of land and face consequences thereof.” His melancholy has a reason. Apart from regulators, law, investigators, analysts,and a host of other professionals, his acts were dissected and dished out to people by many c(r)ooks through different modes of media. People, who never read a

Easier said than done

Gym story excellent

Moving on is easier said than done for one who’s heart is broken. We wish that our lover may never leave our side, but none can say what the future has in store for us. It’s funny: you never think what brought together two souls, as you are cherishing every moment of being together, but when they leave you, all you do is mope. Reading about matters of the heart makes one wonder if it is better to go by the mind or the heart; to be clever or be romantic; to go by Wilde or go wild. Ray Ravine Secunderabad

It is a nice initiative on your part to bring to the forefront some of these places that remain unknown in the city. The Hanuman Vyayamshala is one such place lost among the mushrooming ‘modern’ gymnasiums and fitness centres. The76-year-old man exercising is an inspiration to one and all. However, all said and done, I feel that the paper lacks city news. Real-life stories could be a way to get more attention. Faces of Hyderabad is a nice addition to your paper. So keep it up.

WHY WE LOVE Seagulls

Nandini Vishveshwaran Punjagutta

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

statement of accounts nor understood what the top line and bottomline in a profit and loss account were, hankered to disseminate something or the other, including their half, or, in some cases, nil, knowledge on where has all the defalcated money gone. Now after a lapse of three years, Ramalinga Raju and Price Waterhouse are being sued by Mahindra Satyam, extending the scope of the saying, ‘Everything is fair in war and love’, even to business. But, it doesn’t make much difference to a man who built a mighty reputable global corporation before falling from grace. “The company filed a suit in the City Civil Court, Hyderabad, against the past Board of Directors, certain former employees and Price Waterhouse, the former statutory auditors, its affiliates and partners, seeking damages for inter-alia perpetrating fraud, breach of fiduciary responsibility, obligations and negligence in performance of duties,” Satyam, now Mahindra Satyam, said in a filing to the BSE. But Price Waterhouse, an arm of Price WaterHouse Coopers, popularly known as PWC — one of the ‘big four’ (KPMG, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, and PWC are the big four in the world which have multifarious functions), did not take it kindly. Pat came the reply. PW slapped a case against Mahindra Satyam. “PW India is outraged that Satyam is attempting to shift responsibility to the auditors for the consequences of a carefully and deliberately concealed fraud that was undertaken at the direction of its own senior management.” It also filed a case against Raju and his team. But there is something called double jeopardy in the Constitution of India. Are the luminaries aiding and advising the multinational corporations giving a quiet go-by to this? In India, protection against double jeopardy is a Fundamental Right guaranteed under Article 20 of the Constitution of India. Article

No signs of progress

Superb stuff

India's performance in Australia shows no sign of improvement. Leave alone winning test matches, we are hardly putting up a fight against the Australian side, which till recently was going through a terrible phase. None of our famed and fabled willow-wielders seem to find a footing. I must thank you people for the nice way the series was featured in your paper till now. But I feel maybe it's time to stop it. It's extremely disappointing to read about a losing side. Suman Ranganathan Malkajgiri

I like your newspaper a lot. I find it entertaining and informative. I don't know who came up with the idea of an afternoon newspaper, but its brilliant. But I find it difficult to buy one, as sometimes some news vendors don't stock it. I think you should increase the circulation so we are able to get it readily when we want it. What I like best is the way news is treated. I like the centrespread too, as its very informative on various subjects. Rajat Chowdhary Kukatpally

H‑Factor

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

Holistic view of mind, body and soul

Anishaa Kumar anishaa.k@postnoon.com

e have all complained of headaches at one time or the other. Headaches are of various kinds hence it is important to understand what the cause of your headache is. Simply explained a headache is a pain in any part of the head. They may be of different sensations such as throbbing, piercing or a dull distant ache. Headaches may occur on either side of the head or sometimes both. The duration of a headache also varies from type to type. Some of the common categories of headaches include:

1. Tension headaches

he most common headaches are tension headaches, explains Dr Amitav Ray, consultant neurologist, Apollo Hospital, “They are characterised by pain in the eyes and front of the face.” Tension headaches are characterised by dull pressure on the head, fatigue or even a feeling of lightness. In some cases it may result in a loss in appetite. A visit to a doctor is advised if the headache becomes very frequent and makes it difficult to do your day to day activities.

Understanding

YOUR PAIN

That headache has been bothering you for quite some time now. But you just can’t seem to figure out the cause for it. Read on to learn about the different types of headaches that can hound you

2. Migraines

“M

igraines are felt on only one side of the head. Many people experience different symptoms such as stars or lights in front of the eyes. It can also cause nausea and motions. They can occur at any time of the day,” explains Dr Amitav. One of the most common triggers of migraine is lack of sleep, he adds. A severe migraine if not treated may also cause paralysis. When a person is suffering from a migraine he is usually advised to drink water to avoid dehydration, rest in a room which is cool, dark and quiet. Depending on the intensity the doctor may prescribe certain medications also.

3. Sinusitis

inusitis is also a common cause of headache. “Sinuses drain mucous into the nose. When the mucous gets blocked it causes an infection known as sinusitis,” explains Dr EC Vinaya Kumar, head of department, ENT, Apollo Hospital. This results in a nose block, nasal discharge and sometimes a bad smell. Acute infection can also cause fever, he adds. “Sinus infections usually go down as the day progresses, the headaches

caused due to sinusitis is usually dull and not like a migraine,” he adds.

4. Cluster

luster headaches occur in clusters over a period of time and are similar to migraines.

5. Rebound

“R

ebound headaches are said to happen due to continuous abuse of pain medicine. Our body may stop responding to that medicine hence will not help reduce a headache,” mentions Dr Amitav. But what about medication that is being taken for a particular reason

you may ask say for example migraine? Dr Amitav explains, “Migraine medication is of two types namely preventive medication and medication taken to subside a migraine. Preventive medication has to be taken else it may cause a relapse.” It is important to take care and precaution when it comes to strong medication and must be taken only on the doctor’s advice.

Visit your doctor

“H

eadaches could also be due to a change in power so getting your eyes checked is advised. In case a person experiences

headaches early in the morning, a change in the intensity of his headache or a headache plus weakness on one side of the body they should visit a doctor immediately as it could be an infection or even perhaps a tumour,” advises Dr Amitav. Various kinds of infections could also cause headaches, adds Dr Vinaya.

Relax and Rejuvenate

fter a long day at work we may experience a headache, the best way to distress according to Dr Amitav is to play sports or any activity which relaxes you.

Hormone therapy helps cancer patients

Dr P Raghu Ram

What is Hormone therapy? As some breast cancer cells are stimulated to grow by the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, a test to discover whether breast cancer cells are sensitive to these hormones is routinely carried out after Surgery. This is known as Hormone Receptor Test. If the result is positive, then it means that Hormone therapy is suitable and would be potentially beneficial to the patient. Hormone therapy, also known as Endocrine therapy, treats the whole body and prevents hormones oestrogen and progesterone from stimulating the growth of breast cancer cells What is the relevance of Hormone receptor tests in Breast cancer? Some breast cancers are stimulated to grow by hormones oestrogen and progesterone. A test to discover whether breast cancer cells are sensitive to these hormones (hormone positive) should be routinely carried out after surgery. This test is known as Hormone receptor Test. A positive hormone receptor test means that breast cancer is sensitive to either oestrogen (oestrogen receptor positive or ER +ve) or progesterone (Progesterone receptor positive or PR + ve) or both. If breast cancer is hormone receptor positive, it may respond to hormone therapy. A negative hormone receptor test where cancer is oestrogen receptor negative (ER – ve) and progesterone receptor negative (PR – ve) means that breast cancer is unlikely to respond to hormone therapy and so there would be no benefit in taking hormonal drugs. Why is Hormone therapy used? If a patient has a hormone sensitive breast cancer, then she is offered hormone therapy as part of her treatment to help prevent breast cancer coming back. (The concluding part to this column will appear next week. The writer is the director and consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon at KIMS-Ushalakshmi Centre for Breast Diseases)

H‑Factor

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

Holistic view of mind, body and soul

HEALTH TIPS

Health facts about apples W

e have all heard the saying that an apple a day keeps a doctor a day but have we ever thought so why? Here are some health facts about apples.

Predators too prefer food with nutritional value

SYDNEY: Predators can also be quite finicky about food, preferring that which offers high nutritional value rather than calorie content. A new study has found that such insect predators, given a choice of food, will select a diet that maximises their chances of reproducing. “Contrary to standard dogma, predators do balance their diet and show nutritional wisdom,” said Stephen Simpson, professor of biology at the University of Sydney and study co-author. “Although we previously demonstrated this characteristic in spiders, predatory beetles, fish, mink and cats, this is the first study to show the adaptive reasons and benefits of diet selection,” Simpson added. The findings are based on a study of the ground beetle, Anchomenus dorsalis, a garden insect that feasts on slugs, aphids, moths, beetle larvae and ants, the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B reports. Researchers from the Universities of Sydney, Exeter and Oxford, Britain, Aarhus University, Denmark and Massey University in New Zealand collected

Bone Protection

According to French researchers, apples contain a flavanoi called phloridzin that could protect post-menopausal women from getting osteoporosis and also increases their bone density and makes bones stronger by an ingredient names Boron. l

female beetles from the wild and split them into two groups in the lab, according to a Sydney statement. Half the beetles were offered a choice of foods - some that were high in protein and some that were high in fat. The other half were not given a choice of foods: some of these beetles were only given high protein food, while the rest were just given high fat foods. The beetles that were given a choice of foods ate the proportions of protein and fat that were optimal for producing healthy eggs. These beetles produced more eggs than the other beetles in the study that had no choice of foods. The finding could have implications for predator killing and eating patterns in particular environments, with important consequences for food webs and ecological communities, said Simpson. Study co-author Kim Jensen of the University of Exeter, said: “At a time of year when many of us are focused on healthy eating, it is interesting to see that predators are also selective about what they eat.” IANS

Asthma

A study has shown that asthmatic children who consumed apple juice daily had less wheezing problems than others. Another study has stated that pregnant women who eat a lot of apples have a less chance of having Asthmatic children. l

Prevention of alzheimer

It has been concluded through a study conducted on mice at Cornwell University has that the quercetin in apples may protect brain cells from the kind of free radical damage that may lead to Alzheimer’s disease. l

Lowers levels of cholesterol

Apples contain pectin which can help reduce cholesterol. It is said that eating two apples a day reducing cholesterol by 16 percent. l

Prevention of cancer

According to a study on 10,000 people who at many apples, 50 per cent had a lower risk of developing lung cancer. Another study by the University has proven that rats who ate one apple per day reduced the risk of breast cancer by 44 per cent and lowered their risk of colon cancer by 43 per cent and liver cancer by 57 percent. l

Diabetes Management

Apples contain peuptin which provide galacturonic acid to the body that lowers the body's need for insulin and may help in the management of diabetes. l

Weight loss

A study by Brazilian researchers has proven that women who ate three apples or pears per day lost more weight while dieting than women who did not eat fruit while dieting. SOURCE: WWW.HEALTHDIARIES.COM

New device can scan brain diseases JERUSALEM: A device that can scan and provide a 3D image of the brain to help treat diseases like Alzheimer’s was developed by an Israeli firm. The non-invasive system, called the BNA, or Brain Network Activation, was developed by ElMindA, reports Xinhua. It helps doctors visualize the connectivity between nerve cells and synchronization that can even measure the severity of the patients condition from one day to another, the Israel21c news site said. BNA developers hope the system will become a regular way of diagnosing brain illnesses.

“Our vision is that every psychiatrist and neurologist in the world will routinely send every patient for BNA tests,” said Eli Zangvil, ElMindA’s strategic advisor for business development. “Our test would add information and aid in diagnostics in a way no

Researchers clarify link between salt, hypertension other existing technology can do,” he added. BNA could help doctors find out exactly at what stage a patient's illness is and prescribe exact medication. “To do that, we must collect a lot of data,” Zangvil said. “To say this person has a certain disease or condition, I have to be able to compare their pattern to a normal brain pattern of a person of the same age and gender,” he said. Researchers hope to gather the amount of data they need to obtain FDA approval in the US by the end of 2012, and start marketing it to hospitals by 2013. IANS

WASHINGTON: Excessive salt intake might not cause high blood pressure (BP) or hypertension by exerting pressure on the arteries, reveals a study. “The erroneous concept has prevailed for many years, even though scientific evidence has mounted against it,” said Irene Gavras, who led the study with Haralambos Gavras. Both are professors at the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM). The term volume-expanded hypertension implies that excess salt leads to the retention of extra fluid within the arterial system, causing an increase in blood

volume and added pressure on arterial walls, the Journal of Hypertension reported. However, research has shown that conditions characterised by the expansion of blood volume from other causes, such as the excessive elevation of blood sugar, do not cause a rise in BP because the extra fluid is accommodated by the expansion of capillaries and veins, a university statement said. “The body's circulatory system is a highly flexible vascular system with the capacity to open up new capillaries and distend veins in order to accommodate increased fluid volume,” said Gavras. IANS

Gen‑A In My Humble Opinion Coolest thing about college We think the coolest thing about college is the open-gate system. We can come in whenever we want to, and can go when we please. But we also have a minimum amount of attendance that is to be recorded if we wish to appear for the examinations, and in case we don’t clear that requirement, we’re taken to task!

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

FUN FIESTA AHEAD

Fashion trends in college When it comes to fashion, it’s a mixed bag. You’ll find anything and everything here; the good, the bad, the ugly and the extreme and we still manage to carry it off! But what’s trending currently in college is the jhola that is found in all sizes, shapes and colours. The other item on every Franciscian’s list is a pair of kolhapuri chappals.

Coolest hangout on campus This one has to be the Mass Communication block. Every time we have a free hour we end up there, make a lot of noise and get a earful from the lecturers passing by. Other than that, we have our canteen. But given that our canteen’s really tiny and can hardly accommodate gangs, we find refuge at the rocks and parking spaces around the college.

Coolest hangout outside campus We generally hang out at Lifestyle and window shop, or even shop when we have enough money. 10D is another place that a lot of girls from college frequent. Not to forget White House. We live off the Frankies and Gelatos as they’re easy on the pocket .

Songs playing on their iPods Anything but Kolaveri di! Among the Hindi tracks, Tu mera hero from Desi Boyz is a big hit. Apart from that, Peacock, Leaving on a jet plane and Rolling in the deep seem to be on everyone’s playlist now.

Things you wish you could change about your college The dress code is one thing we don’t like. It shouldn’t be restricted to only kurti’s and long tops. Also, we have a class called the human values class, which is compulsory for everyone to attend. Even if the intention behind these classes is right, we can’t be forced to learn human values, now, can we?

Maryam Sultana and Darshani Nene

Come Friday, and St Francis College for Women is going to be bustling with life and energy. Why you ask? Because Arthashastra, one of the most awaited inter-collegiate festivals will be back

feedback@postnoon.com

he fest, organised by the Commerce Organisation for Emerging Entrepreneurs club or the Cofee club, is popular among the youth, and the fact that it has been taking place every year over the past 10 years is proof enough. “This year, we’re looking at making the fest a combination of fun and education. The theme this time is going to be the youth. We’re going to celebrate them, and their spirit, in our own unique fashion!” says Vennela Gandikota, president of

extensive social media campaign, and also maintained a blog! Besides, roping in the sponsors proved to be a herculean task, but we sailed through it pretty smoothly too,” say the team members. A turnout of more than 10,000 students from the twin cities is expected and all precautions are being taken in terms of managing the crowds. Arthashastra is going to be held on the 20th of this month from 10am onwards at St Francis Degree College for Women. Also, students without an ID card will not be allowed entry. So those of you, who forget to take your ID cards, better be warned... you’ll be missing out on a lot of fun!

the Cofee club. There is going to be something for everyone — cultural events, food, music, dance as well as events ranging from Mr and Ms CEO, Biz-Whiz, Mock Stock Exchange to T-shirt designing, Junkyard, Ad Mad and Amazed. The Game-On Zone is going to be a first-time attempt for the fest, with largerthan-life games like Foosball, Snakes and Ladders and Angry Birds. Even though the team was overworked and stressed to the hilt, they tried to learn and enjoy as much as they could in the process. “It was so much fun! We went to over 150 colleges, put up posters at malls, carried out an

LECTURER TALKS How has your journey been from a student to the Head of Department of Political Science? Exciting; but I’m still a student of Political Science and I like to stay that way.

phase between political parties and students, and these dialogues will open up opportunities and I’m sure youngsters will provide for a healthy political future. What’s your greatest challenge as a lecturer of Political Science? In building up a politically conscious citizenship, that is my biggest challenge.

Have you seen a change in the attitude of students in general towards Political Science? Yes, from time to time. Now when the demand for Civil Services is high, there are more students opting for subjects like Political Science, History, etc.

Do you think youngsters should actively get involved in politics? They are in politics, but they’re not aware of it. They are participating unconsciously in everything that’s happening around them. But yes, conscious participation is necessary. I’m one for youngsters who are training into politics and administration. And I’ve been talking to university authorities that we should have an inter-

Do you think more people should get into teaching Political Science? Is there a dearth of good teachers of the subject? Yes, more people should get into teaching Political Science. And yes, there is a dearth of good teachers, perhaps because teaching profession doesn’t have the money and the glamour that other professions offer.

So are you a teacher by choice? You wouldn’t believe it, but my father wanted me to write the Civil Service Exam. I filled up the form, walked out of the house, saw a movie and came back. I rarely do such things but I did it, because I didn’t want to get into bureaucratic services. I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. I don’t know if I’ve achieved my level best as a teacher.

Your message to the students? Learn from the past, learn from your surroundings, and grow as independent individuals who think for the country. The country should come first. Only when you step out of this place do you realise how free you are here, no other country offers this kind of freedom, and we should take advantage of it. n

Dr Swaswathi Choudhary is the Dean of Arts, and Head of Department of Political Science, at St Francis College for Women.

GIVE US SOME LINEN PLEASE!

F‑Folio

Taniya Talukdar taniya.t@postnoon.com

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

Because you are what you wear

et’s lay down the facts first. Linen is enjoyed by men more than women. While men have quite a few options when it comes to linen, be it jackets, pants or shirts, women don’t have to have so much variety. In fact, the usage of linen is limited in a woman’s wardrobe. Ace designer, Wendell Rodricks says, “There are a lot of women, especially in the high-end clothing line, who have embraced linen. If linen has not reached the mediumor lower-range wardrobe, it is quite simply because of the price factor. It is four to eight times more expensive than cotton. Also, the creasing quality of linen, which is recognised as a sign of quality, is not appreciated by most Indians who have been brought up on a culture of smooth, starched cotton. Hence, linen will not find a place in all wardrobes in India. This is not unusual as even in the West, it is a premium fibre and found mainly on superior, highpriced racks.” The price factor definitely makes

For a long time now, linen has been an integral part of men’s wardrobe, whereas when it comes to women, it seems to have limited usage a difference when it comes to choosing linen, but other factors cannot be ignored either. Linen does crease easily and it is also not a friendly fabric to wear during monsoons as it takes time to dry. Though, during summers it is preferred because of its high absorbency. Linen makes for an aspiring fabric, which remains exclusive to high-end customers. It is one of the few fabrics that has inspired many a designer and has also led to the formation of the Linen Club. This is an exclusive club, which has leading designers of the country as its members. Rohit Bal, Narendra Kumar Ahmed and Michelle Salins are a few names associated with it. Designer Pria Kataria Puri gives us her take on the usage of linen, “It is true that linen is a very high maintenance fabric, and in Mumbai’s humidity it is difficult to keep looking fresh in it since it tends to crumple easily. The trend these days is to dress sharp and with linen you can’t really do so since it is more associated with beach holidays and gives a relaxed and laid-back look. It is not right for office wear and if we use lycra in it then it becomes synthetic and the whole idea of pure linen is lost. Personally, I find it uncomfortable to wear linen because of its unkempt look. It is definitely not something that we can experiment with.” Designer twins Riddhi and Siddhi Mapxencar think that women are very choosy when it

comes to linen. Riddhi says, “It is not that women don’t have many options in linen, it’s because not all women are used to wearing linen outfits. It’s also because linen doesn’t have sheen (being a matt fabric), and a majority of women prefer a fabric with sheen.” Siddhi goes on to add, “Few grades of linen are transparent too; so when going for a linen dress you need to line it up with mal or cotton. Linens are most comfortable without any linings so women mostly prefer linen on tops or shirts instead of bottoms unless it’s made of a thicker grade of linen. However, many women these days are opting for linen because of its comfort value. Linen tops, shirts, shirt dresses and jackets work best for the corporate woman. Linen pants or trousers are also a very good option for summers!” Well, we do see a difference in opinions when it comes to linen, but one thing is for sure, linen is a great fabric and women should experiment with it a little more often.

Magic Screen

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

T-TOWN TWEETIES

@Actor_Siddharth A compliment from someone you respect is what makes you understand what real pride feels like. Everything else just pales in comparison.

@shraddhadas43 Watching the movie ‘I Am’ today...nice one on social issues..

@sneha_ullal

Eega’s first look unveiled T he first look of SS Rajamouli’s upcoming film Eega was unveiled yesterday. The film starring Nani, Samantha and Sudeep dabbles with themes like reincarnation and revenge. The story revolves around a fly and

how it avenges its death in its previous birth. Since most of the story is about the fly and Sudeep, who plays the antagonist, the film’s first look has only highlighted these two characters. MM Keeravani has composed the music and the audio

is going to be launched in the last week of February. Senthil, the cinematographer of the film, has reportedly used two high speed cameras Phantom Camera and Weisscam, apart from a high speed Scorpio crane to shoot some key scenes in the

film. A little birdie tells us that more than 25 per cent of the budget is on the visual effects. Eega is a bilingual film which will simultaneously release in Telugu and in Tamil. The film’s Tamil version has been titled as Naan Ee.

Mahesh Babu is on cloud nine

@bsoumya26 Many of u out there are irritating the people who r handling the enquiry nos.of te short films contest. Those nos are not mine! I Hope it’s clear

@urstrulyMahesh Thank you to RR Venkat and the entire cast n crew of businessman.. the party 4me started sept.23rd of last year..It hasn't stopped since...it all feels like a dream.

ahesh Babu is on cloud nine after the release of his recent film The Businessman. The film got off to a flying start at the box office and the producers have claimed that the film collected a share of close to `13.78 crore on day one, which is the highest in Mahesh Babu’s career. Buoyed by the response for his film, Mahesh Babu tweeted, “The whole experience has been overwhelming. My eyes turn moist with every compliment received. Never felt this way before. Jagan garu gave me super stardom with Pokiri and with Businessman, he’s taken me to the next level as an actor. The party for me started on September 23rd of last year. It hasn't stopped since. It all feels like a dream. Thanks again for a memorable festival you all have given me.”

Cooking and Baking..will upload pics of what I made soon

@richyricha I tend to say what I feel cuz I feel what I say! Just assertive by nature *scratches head*

Baggage woes for Rana

ana Daggubati, who was enroute Mumbai recently, had to face some tense moments at the airport after Air India ended up losing his baggage. The airlines couldn’t find his lost baggage even after several hours and the actor was forced to fly to Chennai the following day with a new set of

luggage. Rana has wrapped up shooting for his upcoming Telugu film Naa Ishtam and will soon begin dubbing for the same film. Directed by Prakash Tholeti, the film also stars Genelia in a lead role. The film narrates the love story of a two persons who have different outlooks on life.

@RGVzoomin Once Game is over King, queen, minister Pawns all go into box and once Game of life is over rich, poor, wise idiots all go into grave.

@actressanjjanaa Blocked on stage as d chief guest:& non-stop slow motion speeches: &bachaooo !! Need to rush for ma best friend’s wedding! God b my saviour

Magic Screen Yesteryear films had the heroines giving coy looks and demurely dressed but today our lead heroines are a far cry from those in the past. Mouthing expletives, smoking cigarettes, guzzling alcohol and choosing sultry over sober, Bollywood divas have evolved and how! Let’s take a look

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

Bold is the new sober Isha Mukoo Isha.m@postnoon.com

ne doesn’t need to dig too deep to find recent examples of our bold and beautiful heroines going all out and raunchy if need be. Be it Rani Mukherjee mouthing abuses in No One Killed Jessica, Sonam Kapoor showing the middle finger in Players or the titillating advances of Vidya Balan in The Dirty Picture, the age-old avatar of the docile and demure heroine has taken a back seat. Author and film critic Anupama Chopra feels there has been a gradual change in our leading ladies shedding inhibitions and going bold. “I think this evolution has been taking place from the past one decade. Although Vidya did take it to another level with her transgressing the rules of boldness, her act has only given a new dimension to raunchiness. It has been a gradual process going on from some time, but recently the mantra has been to go bold,” she says. We do have a set of heroines who like to play it safe rather than experiment. Director Pradeep Sarkar feels movies are a reflection of the society. “There were some kinds of stories in which

actresses had to be bold in the previous times too, but now the frequency of such stories has increased. Producers and directors can make movies looking at the changing society. The roles are much more defined and chalked out carefully,” he says, adding, “ This whole spate of movies like Delhi Belly or Dev D has emerged considering the fact that there is a certain audience in the society who accepts and watches this section of cinema as well.” Other than The Dirty Picture, other movies that raised eyebrows include Delhi Belly, Dev D, Shaitaan and

Tanu weds Manu. In 1985 you had Ram Teri Ganga Maili, which took the whole nation by storm at that time. The movie had scenes that were way ahead of its time like the one with Mandakini bathing under a waterfall in a transparent sari, which left little to the imagination of the audience. Such moves at that time put the actresses in a bad light as it was considered to be the job of the vamp to do sexy and bold scenes and not that of the heroine. The good-girl image of the heroine has now changed in leaps and bounds along with the mindset of the society.

Komal Nahta, editor of Koimoi.com and Film Information, says, “In today’s world, girls are no less than boys in any case; they abuse, smoke and show bold gestures. So films also have started mirroring the same. Filmmakers showcase what they see in the society.” So does this reflection of the society in the movies make the Censor Board fume? He denies this saying, “The changing outlook has also made the Censor Board a notch liberal than what it was before.” Talking about the publicity of movies he says, “People no more come to watch the film just for the bold scenes. Even if there is no middle finger gesture by Sonam Kapoor, people will still come. The audiences have accepted it as a normal thing and have gone beyond being obsessed by such scenes.” With the widening thought process of the audience, our filmmakers have also taken to liberal ideas in their films. While some heroines like Kareena and Priyanka might be playing it safe by balancing their movies with the likes of Chameli, Saat Khoon Maaf, Ra.One and Anjana Anjani, there are also the lot like Vidya Balan and Rani Mukherjee who are willing to experiment and break the mould.

Magic Screen

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

Shah Rukh wants to work with Vidya

ollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan says he is looking forward to working with Vidya Balan. “She is a wonderful actor. I haven’t seen The Dirty Picture but I will see it tomorrow. I have seen Ishqiya on DVD and I just loved her performance. I have also seen Paa,” Shah Rukh told reporters. “Apart from being a marvelous actress, I think all these girls are such huge stars. I believe girls are very hard working compared to boys. I hope I get a chance to work with her,” he added. Vidya too seemed to be thrilled at the prospect. “Why not, I would love to work with him,” she replied when asked about working with Shah Rukh. Shah Rukh Khan is presently working on his next untitled film with Yash Raj Films, where he will share screen space with Katrina Kaif. Vidya is busy promoting her next film Kahaani. IANS

HRITHIK ROSHAN

T-TOWN TWEETIES

@rampalarjun Watch the charming @Riteishd and the reasoning Ram gopal Verma on #love2hateu @riteshd had everyone in splits

@sonakshisinha #DialogsYouRemember is trending. If anyone says it, i have one word for you KHAMOSH! :p

@reddysameera Performance today at the Nashik Festival! Fantastic weather! Unbelievable crowd! I love being on stage! It’s such good energy!

@imarshadwarsi Finally on board after the Kumb Mela I went through at the airport... Looking forward to Thailand...

@FarOutAkhtar

completes 12 years, thanks fans B

ollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan has thanked his fans as he completes 12 years in the Hindi film industry. “12 years. Really? Wow, thanks guys for the wishes! Now back to work!” Hrithik wrote on his Twitter page. The 38-year-old actor had a dream debut in 2000 with Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, which was directed by his father Rakesh Roshan, who also introduced another new face, Amisha Patel, with the love story. Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai rocked the box office, but Hrithik’s later releases could not ape the success of his debut movie, however, he kept growing as an actor with each film and earned praise for his performance. After an initial dull period, he struck gold with the science-fiction Koi... Mil Gaya, again directed by his dad. Post that he had hits like Krissh, Dhoom 2, Jodhaa Akbar and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. The actor, who is geared up for the release of Agneepath remake, said: “Need to make the next 12 years even better. Love always!” IANS

Despite all the shocking School Bus accidents, can still see children overcrowded into buses. Just wrong!

@udaychopra @Dimple_rockstar dude @NargisFakhri is no ones, she belongs to the world..of course I’m changing my name to “The World” but that’s just me!

y n n u S r e v o e s Suspen ’ 2 m is J ‘ in g Leone starrin en much hile there has be an di In on speculation ar Sunny st rn po an di Cana e film’s th 2, in Jism Leone starring cided de s ha t at Bh a producer Pooj will “I g. sin es gu to keep everyone Sunny Leone is er th announce whe en, not, but until th in the movie or Pooja told keep guessing,” Bhatt had offered h es ah M . rs reporte as nny while she w the movie to Su e reality show th id participating in nwhile, Pooja sa Bigg Boss 5. Mea that a saucy y she was happ

has been well y poster of Jism 2 glad that curiosit u, received. “I am re yo su as I . on so so has increased curiosity to the we will take this the heat die t le t crepeak. I will no m 2 is going to Jis e us ca be down e or m t doo and lo ate a lot more ja d. She also said de nasha,” Pooja ad lly different from ta Jism 2 will be to Jism ovie. “Jism and the previous m t no ld You shou r. 2 are different. nd with the othe ha e on re pa . com id sa e sh watch,” So just wait and sha Basu and pa Bi g rin ar st , Jism . released in 2003 John Abraham,

@iamsrk Sunday was lazy...till the number man landed for some crunching. Back to life & reality now. I need a CNCO..Chief number crunching officer.

@TheShilpaShetty Many excitin things happng,can’t wait 2 share them with u all, for starters a BIG welcome 2 @therajkundra (my husband)who’s just joined r world

Magic Screen

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

FX DEFENDS CHARLIE SHEEN GAMBLE F X president John Landgraf defended his decision to bet big on Charlie Sheen’s upcoming Anger Management, a project for which he’s given a series order without even having seen a script. “I walked into the pitch as sceptical

Madagascar 3 casts Jessica Chastain, Bryan Cranston

Collins blames ego for Hollywood break-ups A

adagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted has added Jessica Chastain and Bryan Cranston to its cast. DreamWorks announced that the pair will join series regulars Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith and David Schwimmer in the upcoming sequel. Chastain is voicing a jaguar named Gia, while Cranston will portray a Siberian tiger. Other newcomers include Martin Short as a sea lion called Stefano and Frances McDormand as animal control expert Captain Chantel DuBois, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted sees the zoo animals from the previous films attempt to return to New York from Africa by hitching a ride through Europe with a travelling circus. Sacha Baron Cohen’s King Julien from Madagascar and its sequel will return for another outing, as will the popular penguin characters, who also featured in the Penguins of Madagascar television spinoff. Victoria Beckham was previously reported to have turned down an offer to star in the film.

ctress Joan Collins, who has been divorced four times, says that Hollywood stars’ egoistic nature plays a major role in breaking their nuptial ties. The Dynasty icon was not surprised when Russell Brand and Katy Perry announced that they had ended their 14-month marriage because she thinks famous people in relationships with one another can find it difficult to manage egohassles. “It was written in the gods! I don’t know either of them. It was sad about Demi and Ashton, though. Two actors together can be difficult,” showbizspy.com quoted the 78-year-old as saying. “I was engaged to Warren Beatty, but I was more famous than him at the time. The ego can be in play with actors, particularly when you are young,” added the actress who is now married to Percy Gibson for almost 10 years. IANS

as you might imagine I would be,” Landgraf told reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena. “It was just a really excellent pitch. I think some of you saw Charlie last

weekend and I think you saw a very different Charlie Sheen. And I saw that guy in the room. I saw a really good pitch for a comedy series. Funny and

complicated and I think the character he ought to be playing at this point — somebody with a checkered past but pretty self aware.”

Magic Screen

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D S RATE ` 150 sq. cm

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MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

Magic Screen

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

P DIDDY ‘THROWS TANTRUM’ AT GOLDEN GLOBES PARTY

ean ‘P Diddy’ Combs allegedly “threw a tantrum” over the brand of vodka served at a pre-Golden Globes Party in Hollywood. Witnesses claim that the Diddy Dirty Money star was riled to hear that bar staff were

unable to serve his own Ciroc brand as the event was sponsored by rival drink Grey Goose. “He made quite a big deal about it, prompting the polite bartenders to finally ignore him and help other guests,” an anony-

VIOLA DAVIS: WHY I STAYED AT GEORGE CLOONEY’S VILLA

t’s a fantasy of countless women: Waking up in George Clooney’s Italian villa on Lake Como. But for The Help star Viola Davis, that dream was a reality. Only minus George, that is. “I begged him to let me stay at his villa in Lake Como for my honeymoon,” Davis, 46 – who married Julius Tennon in 2003 – tells Entertainment Weekly of her good friend and likely fellow Oscar contender. “I wasn’t there,” adds the actor, 50. “That was her request!” But Davis and her new husband didn’t seem to miss him. “We were the only ones in the villa,” she says. “It’s a 22-room villa!” With plenty of luxurious extras to boot – when asked if she used Clooney’s pizza oven, Davis joked: “I didn’t make the pizza. His staff made the pizza. And while he wasn’t physically present, Clooney was only too happy to play host. “I had just bought the place and she was getting married, which I tried to talk her out of,” he tells the magazine with a laugh. “But that didn’t work out.”

mous source told the New York Post. Combs was later spotted with Cameron Diaz at the CAA party at Soho House. Sources claim that the pair “got really cosy”, though they have previously rejected reports that they are romantically involved.

Golden Globes

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

ichel Hazanaviciusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Artist and Alexander Payneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Descendants led the winners 69th Golden Globe Awards, each winning a best picture prize and a best actor prize. The Artist topped the best picture - musical or comedy category, and also nabbed a best actor trophy for Jean Dujardin (also in musical or comedy) and a nod for best musical score. The Descendants won in the drama category, and took a best actor award for George Clooney, where he topped his BFF Brad Pitt. Other winners included Meryl Streep, who won her seventh Golden Globe for The Iron Lady, and Martin Scorsese, who won best director for Hugo. Beginners actor Christopher Plummer continued the road to winning his very first Oscar by taking best supporting actor at the Globes, as did Octavia Spencer, who won best supporting actress for The Help. Michelle Williams won best actress - musical or comedy for My Week With Marilyn, giving one of many prizes to a Weinstein Company-produced film. Iron Lady, Marilyn, and The Artist helped give Harvey and company a total of 6 prizes, including both best actress prizes. Other winners included A Separation (best foreign language film), The Artist (for best original score) and W.E. (for best original song.. notably another Weinstein pic).

The Artist, The Descendants lead the way! George Clooney, The Descendants

The Globe goes to... Best Motion Picture - Drama The Descendants Best Motion Picture - Comedy Or Musical The Artist Best Director - Motion Picture Martin Scorsese, Hugo Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama George Clooney, The Descendants

Steven Spielberg, Tintin 3D

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy Or Musical Jean Dujardin, The Artist

The Artist: Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical

Best Foreign Language Film A Separation Best Screenplay - Motion Picture Midnight in Paris Best Original Score - Motion Picture The Artist Best Animated Feature Film The Adventures of Tintin

Morgan Freeman

Cecil B. DeMille Award Morgan Freeman

Martin Scorsese, Hugo

Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady

Jean Djuardin, The Artist - AFP

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

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

Take a shot at the brain game while sipping your cuppa

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 NASA module 4 Like a gnat 9 Monastery VIP 14 They did "Don't Bring Me Down" 15 "Flashdance" singer Cara 16 Role in Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers" 17 Makeup remover 19 Rags-to-riches author Horatio 20 Sneak ___ (look surreptitiously) 21 Belch forth 23 Computer image 24 Consideration in purchasing a car 26 Up, on maps 28 Reordered manuscript sheets, e.g. 32 Recede to the sea 35 "Ah, whatever" follower 36 Topps rival, to baseball card collectors 38 Window-rattling 40 Crockett cap critters 43 Sports broadcaster 44 Islamic declaration 46 Entree eaten with a spoon 48 Airline website stat. 49 New additions to the family, sometimes 53 "Bennie and the Jets" singer John 54 Top-level worker? 58 Give a mighty heave 60 "Junk begets junk" computer acronym 63 Breast-feed 64 Not quite straight 66 Opaque drinking vessel 68 Illegal lending tactic 69 "... but to no ___" 70 ___ West (life preserver) 71 End, as a subscription 72 Southpaw 73 Needle's hole DOWN 1 Aptly named Renault vehicle 2 Descend a ladder and

wed 3 Burrowing creatures 4 Predicaments 5 Be at fault 6 Seize homophone 7 "Sack" attachment 8 Aden citizen 9 Pie ___ mode 10 Put down 11 High muck-a-muck 12 Breakfast-table spread 13 Small glacial lake 18 Salutation starter 22 Took all the marbles 25 Tale on a grand scale 27 U.K. military fliers 29 "A long time ___ in a galaxy far, far away ..." 30 Casper is a friendly one 31 Pt. of NYPD 32 North Pole helper 33 Constrictor snakes 34 Yellow flower

37 Biochemist's letters 39 Inhabitants 41 Degree of considerable degree 42 One with powers of foresight 45 Likely (to) 47 Incorrectly 50 Ship's visibility impairer 51 Like some instincts 52 Motown music category 55 Set up an innocent party 56 "How I Spent My Summer," often 57 Examine again, as a

SUDOKU

patient 58 Truck 59 "Major" animal 61 Collapse under pressure 62 Name of several Norwegian kings 65 Easter egg colorer 67 Baby fox PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

THOUGHT OF THE DAY When you choose your friends, don’t be short-changed by choosing personality over character. W Somerset Maugham

Chai Time STAR POWER

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

Your tomorrow today̶Star Power and Tarot

Date 17-1-2012

THIRUVAIKUMAR

As per Hindu panchang

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

TAURUS

GEMINI

Some have bright chances to buy a new house by selling their old house. Beneﬁts through spouse and in laws. Businessmen are advised to postpone decision to make any fresh investment.

Bright chances for some to buy a new house. Those in search of job will be suc‑ cessful. Court verdicts will go in your favour. Administrative abilities will get sharpened. Govt. works might be delayed.

Some of you may relocate. Today is a day for you to revisit the memorable events that may have taken place in your past. Those who have applied for a visa will be pleased. There will be happy occasions at home.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

You will remain very strict in getting works done. Though income is good expenses will be high. You have to face tensions to get work done for relatives. You may face some petty issues while buying assets.

VIPs will become friends. You may be entrusted with important responsibilities. Relatives will be supportive. Marriage talks will be smooth and ﬁnalised favourably. Some have bright chances to go abroad.

Children may cause you some tension. Relatives may irk you by asking for mone‑ tary help. Be careful while driving as small accidents likely. Spouse health will be a cause for concern. Take due care.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

Politicians will be in the limelight. You will plan to renovate your house. Think of different and new ways to resolve long pending issues. Share market deals might bring decent gains.

Your motherʼs health will improve. A sud‑ den journey is likely. Avoid being extrava‑ gant. Your friend circle will expand. Administartive capacities will improve. Siblings will support you.

Your growth will help facilitate a patch up with relatives. Old friends will help you in the hour of need. You will begin construction of your house. Movable assets will be added to your kitty.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Sudden official trips are likely and will be beneficial. With you tact you will successfully get work done. Marriage related discussions will be fruitful. Businessmen will earn good profits.

Financial situation will be comfort‑ able. Family members will be cheer‑ ful. Efforts to clear debts will be suc‑ cessful. Relatives staying abroad will extend help. Avoid blaming others.

Happy events will take place at home. Today a few close friends will reveal their true colours. Your experience will be apparent through your speech. Relatives will be helpful.

SUMAA TEKUR

tarotreadhyd@gmail.com

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

The Wheel of Fort‑ une – The only con‑ stant in life is change. If youʼve been having a rough time, be assured it wonʼt stay that way forever.

Queen of Wands – Youʼre in control of your emotions but may come across to those around you as cold and insensitive. Be careful of how you respond to people.

Ace of Wands – Youʼre at your cre‑ ative best. Ideas are ﬂowing in your head at great speed. Take notes lest you forget some brilliant ideas.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Knight of Cups – Youʼre feeling over‑ whelmed and emotion‑ al. But youʼre more in touch with your own emotions and may not care much for othersʼ.

King of Wands – You value commitment, dedication and time at work place. Those with these qualities immediately win your respect. Look at life differently.

The Tower – Expect changes to throw you off guard. Your planning may go kaput. But how you react to these will determine if you come out smiling.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

Six of Cups – You meet someone from your past, possibly an old lover, and old wounds are raked up. This may be a good time to let it go and heal.

Five of Pentacles – Some form of loss is indicated. It may be money, or even emo‑ tional loss. You may have expected some‑ one to help and they didnʼt.

Six of Swords – Overseas contacts are in focus today. Pay attention to collabo‑ rations that involve foreign travel and business links. This is an important time.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Ten of Cups – You miss being with the family. You want a family of your own and want quality time with them. Youʼre emotionally ready for this.

Ace of Swords – Avoid getting into extreme behavior. Those arou‑ nd you are watching your unpredictability, and that does not bode well for you. Stay focused and calm.

Nine of Cups – This is the wish card. Those looking for better career oppor‑ tunities are on the verge of getting them. Make a wish carefully.

For Better or for Worse Stone soup

SOLUTIONS

Boggle POP RAP JAZZ BLUES GOSPEL

Number game

Suduko

Scrabble

Ink pen

COMICS

Fred Basset

ARIES

TAROT READ

Vol: 1, No. 183 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No. 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad–500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad–500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon.com and for subscription, please call 040-40672222, Fax: 040-40672211

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 Bhale Chancele 2200 CID 2300 Challenge 0700 Silver Screen 0730 Just For Fun 0800 Ayurvedam 0830 Chaganti Nava Vidha Bhakti 0900 Challenge 1100 CID

1400 Kannavaari Kalalu 1430 Maavichiguru 1500 Jeevitha Chakram 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 1555 [V] Fresh Songs 1600 [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] Love Net 2100 [V] Behind The Sins 2130 [V] Trailers 2155 [V] Fresh Songs 2200 [V] My Big Decision 2300 [V] Humse Hai Life 2330 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 2355 [V] Fresh Songs 0700 [V] Trailers 0730 [V] Zabardast Hits 0800 [V] Mind Blasting Mornings 1100 [V] Fresh Songs

‘[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 Game’ at 1930 Hrs only on TIMES NOW

MONDAY, JANUARY16, 2012

Telly sitcoms, news and movie listings

1400 Abhishekam 1430 Aadade Aadharam 1500 Antahpuram 1530 Aakasa Ganga 1600 Prema Mandiram 1630 Jagadeeswari 1700 Adhire Adurs 1800 Devimahathyam 1830 Puttadi Bomma 1900 Kumkuma Rekha 1930 Manasu Mamata 2000 Chandra Mukhi 2030 Bharyamani 2100 Etv News 2130 Paduta Teeyaga 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 Chittam Chittam Prayaschittam 2230 Shree 2300 Bindas 2330 Latest Superhit Songs 0800 Gopuram 0830 Bhakti Samacharam 0900 Sri Raghavendra Vybhavam 0930 Ayurveda Jeevana Vignanam 1000 Zee 70 Mm A.C

‘Business Tonight’ at 2100 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 1900 Global Business Report 1930 Business Express 2000 Business First 2030 Markets Tomorrow 2100 Business Tonight 2200 Top 10 At 10 2230 Investor's Guide 2300 Zigwheels 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

‘My Naked Secret’ at 1400 Hrs on DISCOVERY 1400 My Naked Secret 1500 Human Body 1600 Swords 1700 Discovery Showcase 1800 Wild Discovery 1900 Man Woman Wild 2000 Curiosity 2100 Man Vs Wild 2200 Swords 2300 Desire & Pleasure Decoded 1000 Discovery Biggest Shows 1100 Swords 1200 I Should'nt Be Alive 1300 Wild Discovery

1415 CSI - Crime Scene Investigation 1505 E Buzz 1535 Whacked Out Sports 1605 Flipping Out 1700 The Voice 1800 Reaper 1900 Nz Smashes Guinness World Records 2000 Sports Crash 2100 Minute To Win It 2200 Wipeout 2 2300 Criss Angel Mindfreak 0900 Sky Teleshopping 0930 Criss Angel Mindfreak 1025 Infomercial/5 Min 1030 Flipping Out 1130 Sports Crash 1225 The Voice 1320 Minute To Win It

‘India's Minute To Win It’ at 2100 Hrs on AXN

‘Dharampatni’ at 2130 Hrs on IMAGINE 1400 Haar Jeet 1500 Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo 1600 Haar Jeet 1700 Dharampatni 1730 Sawaare Sabke Sapne – Preeto 1800 Beendh Banuga Ghodi Chadhunga 1830 Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo 1900 Haar Jeet 1930 Mahima Shani Dev Ki 2000 Dwarkadheesh - Bhagwan Shri Krishn 2030 Sawaare Sabke Sapne – Preeto 2100 Beendh Banuga Ghodi Chadhunga 2130 Dharampatni 2200 Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo 2230 Haar Jeet 2300 Dharampatni

1400 Parichay 1430 Balika Vadhu 1500 Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha 1530 Uttaran 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 - Nayee Zindagi Kay Sapno Ka 2200 Uttaran 2230 Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha 2300 Na Aana Is Des Laado 2330 Balika Vadhu

‘Sasural Simar Ka’ at 1930 Hrs on COLORS

‘Bhagonwali’ at 2230 Hrs on ZEE TV 1400 Hitler Didi 1430 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 1500 Afsar Bitiya 1530 Yahaaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 1600 Pavitra Rishta 1630 Shobha Somnath Ki 1730 Ram Milaye Jodi 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 Milaye Jodi 2200 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 2230 Bhagonwali

1400 Saas Bina Sasuraal 1430 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 1500 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 1600 CID 1800 Saas Bina Sasuraal 1830 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 1900 Crime Patrol - Dastak 2000 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 2045 Dekha Ek Khwaab 2130 Parvarrish - Kuchh Khatti Kuchh Meethi 2200 Saas Bina Sasuraal 2230 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 2300 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 0730 Sky Star Advertising 0900 Adaalat 1000 CID 1200 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 1245 Dekha Ek Khwaab 1330 Parvarrish - Kuchh Khatti Kuchh Meethi

‘Kuch Toh Log Kahenge’ at 2000 Hrs on SONY

‘Diya Aur Bati Hum’ at 2100 Hrs on STAR PLUS 1400 Sapnon Se Bharey Naina 1430 Mann Ki Awaaz… Pratigya 1500 Survivor India - Highlight 1530 Diya Aur Bati Hum 1600 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behnaa Hai 1630 Sasuraal Genda Phool 1700 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 1800 Survivor India - Highlight 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 Navya 2230 Mann Ki Awaaz… Pratigya 2300 Maryaada ... Lekin Kab Tak?

MOVIES OF THE DAY AND OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

1310 Cats & Dogs 1450 Tekken 1635 Lethal Weapon 3 1855 Wedding Crashers 2100 The Fugitive 2335 Torque 0750 Friends 0820 Good Morning, Miami 0850 Friends 0920 The New Adventures Of Old Christine 0950 Nikita 1040 Return To House On Haunted Hill

1415 Bangkok Dangerous 1620 Rocky IV 1820 The Spy Who Loved Me 2100 Ronin 2335 Final Destination 0855 Sabrina 1135 The Hunting Party

1400 Scrubs 1430 $H*! My Dad Says 1500 In Plain Sight 1600 Parenthood 1700 Scrubs 1730 $H*! My Dad Says 1800 E News 1900 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 2000 Scrubs 2030 America's Funniest Home Videos 2100 In Plain Sight 2200 Parenthood 2300 Scrubs 2330 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 0800 In Plain Sight 0900 Parenthood 1000 Scrubs 1030 America's Funniest Home Videos 1100 In Plain Sight 1200 Parenthood 1300 Slot 1330 America's Funniest Home Videos

‘Parenthood’ at 2200 Hrs on ZEE CAFE

Parichay – Yahaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli Nayee Zindagi Kay Sapno Ka Storyline - The gang members tell Indu about the incident who then gets very angry and wants to meet the same W girl and fix her. Abhimanyu is hit by the Prabal gang. ‘Yahaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli’ at 2030 Hrs on ZEE TV

‘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 Love2 Hate U 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 Glee 0800 Las Vegas 0900 Combat Hospital 1000 The Shield 1100 Love2 Hate U 1200 Two And A Half Men 1230 The Simpsons 1300 The Big Bang Theory 1330 Friends

Storyline - Richa apologising to Kunal for whatever she did the other night and Kunal accepts her apology. ‘Parichay – Nayee Zindagi Kay Sapno Ka’ at 2130 Hrs on COLORS

1400 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma 1430 R.K. Laxman Ki Duniya 1500 Lapataganj 1530 Fir 1600 Chidiya Ghar 1630 Gutar Gu 1700 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma 1830 R.K. Laxman Ki Duniya 1900 Chidiya Ghar 1930 Lapataganj 2000 Chintu Chinky Aur Ek Badi Si Love Story 2030 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma 2100 Chidiya Ghar 2130 R.K. Laxman Ki Duniya 2200 Lapataganj 2230 Fir 2300 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma 2330 Chidiya Ghar 0900 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma 0945 Ring Wrong Ring

‘Lapataganj’ at 2200 Hrs on SAB

‘Ronin’ at 2100 Hrs on HBO

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

1430 How It's Made 1500 The New Inventors 1530 Discovery Science Classics 1630 World's Strangest Ufo Stories 1730 Frontline Battle Machines With Mike Brewer 1830 Best Of Discovery Science 1930 Junkyard Wars 2030 The Indestructibles 2100 Deconstructed 2130 Storm Chasers 2230 Weapon Masters 2330 Industrial Revelations 1030 World's Strangest Ufo Stories 1130 How It's Made 1200 The New Inventors 1230 Best Of Discovery Science 1330 Junkyard Wars

‘Storm Chasers’ at 2130 Hrs on DISCOVERY SCIENCE

‘Jerry Springer’ at 2200 Hrs on BIG CBS PRIME 1430 Jerry Springer 1530 Aspire 1600 Survivor 1700 Bellator 1800 Galileo Extreme 1900 Defenders 2000 Entertainment Tonight 2030 Galileo Extreme 2100 Survivor 2200 Jerry Springer 2300 Defenders 0700 Big Wheels 0730 Aspire 0800 Galileo Extreme 0900 Survivor 1000 Bellator 1100 Jerry Springer 1200 Aspire 1230 Entertainment Tonight 1300 Galileo Extreme 1330 Defenders

Playing Field

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

The games people play

DEL POTRO SCRAPES THROUGH FIRST ROUND

Argentina’s MELBOURNE: world number 11 Juan Martin del Potro needed four sets and three hours to reach the second round on a hot opening day at the Australian Open on Monday. The former US Open champion dropped the opening set before carving out a 2-6, 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 victory over French world number 91 Adrian Mannarino in just under three hours on Hisense Arena. Del Potro, who has never lost an opening round match in seven visits to Melbourne, gradually gained ascendancy against the quick-footed French left-hander. The Argentine giant will now face Slovenia’s Blaz Kavcic in the second round after Kavcic’s straight-sets win over Britain’s James Ward. Del Potro, who was beaten as top seed by Marcos Baghdatis in the quarter-finals of last week’s Sydney International, reeled off 11 winners with his powerful forehand from the back court and clocked a fastest serve of 206 kilometres (128 miles) per hour. The French left-hander had come out of the blocks fast and broke del Potro’s opening two ser-

January 16 – January 29

Men’s singles (1st round) Kevin Anderson (RSA x30) bt Frederik Nielsen (DEN) 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 Blaz Kavcic (SLO) bt James Ward (GBR) 64, 6-3, 6-4 Juan Martin del Potro (ARG x11) bt Adrian Mannarino (FRA) 2-6, 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 Women’s singles (1st round) Victoria Azarenka (BLR x3) bt Heather Watson (GBR) 6-1, 6-0 Casey Dellacqua (AUS) bt Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) 6-3, 6-2 Eleni Daniilidou (GRE) bt Kimiko DateKrumm (JPN) 6-3, 6-2 Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) bt Arantxa Rus (NED) 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP x26) bt Eva Birnerova (CZE) 6-3, 6-3 Daniela Hantuchova (SVK x20) bt Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 Paula Ormaechea (ARG) bt Simona Halep (ROM) 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 Agnieszka Radwanska (POL x8) bt Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) 6-7 (10/12), 6-4, 6-2

vice games to go on and take the first set in 29 minutes. Mannarino served at a high level of 85 percent while the Argentinean failed to earn one break point in the opening set. But del Potro regained the momentum breaking Mannarino’s service twice to take control of the second set. He was briefly interrupted while serving for the set when a spectator sitting in the hot sun collapsed and needed medical treatment before play could continue. Del Potro got an early break in the third set and fought off a break point in the sixth game. But Mannarino broke back in the eighth game with a crosscourt forehand to level the set at 4-4. Del Potro’s big forehand forced Mannarino into the net for a second break and he served out for a 2-1 sets lead. Mannarino overhit a forehand on break point to put del Potro ahead in the opening game of the fourth set. And the Frenchman looked tired as del Potro broke again in the third game and cruised to victory in four sets.

Women’s draw is ‘too close to call’ John Weaver

MELBOURNE: Betting against one of the ‘Big Four’ lifting the Australian Open men’s crown would be foolhardy, but you’d need a crystal ball to predict the outcome of the women’s draw. Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have exerted a stranglehold over the men’s game, winning 30 grand slams between them with a hungry Andy Murray lurking just behind them in the rankings. In sharp contrast, the top three female players have a combined total of just one slam and last year there were four different champions in tennis’s blue riband events, as the women’s game waits for its next big thing. The women’s draw is one of the most open in years and adding to the sense of uncertainty in Melbourne are recent injuries to superstars Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams, who share 17 major titles but are both outside the top 10. Belgium’s Clijsters, the 11th seed, is defending champion at the year’s opening grand slam starting Monday, after beating Li Na in the 2011 Melbourne final, before the Chinese player went one step further at the French Open. Second seed Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic won on grass at Wimbledon and Australia’s Samantha Stosur took the US Open title, upsetting home favourite Williams in the September 11 final in New York. The name missing from the 2011 list of winners is top seed Caroline Wozniacki, yet to win her first grand slam, whose world number one ranking is under imminent threat from

rising star Kvitova. The two rivals have already clashed this year, with Kvitova of the Czech Republic winning in three sets at the mixedteams Hopman Cup in Perth, which does not carry ranking points. Wozniacki, who has a highprofile relationship with golf superstar Rory McIlroy, will be anxious to seal her maiden grand slam and silence critics who say she cannot be considered the world’s best without winning a major. “Obviously every time you go into a tournament you want to try to win it. Yeah, I want to try to win here. We’ll see if that will happen,” said the Dane. Kvitova, the breakout player of 2011 with six titles including Wimbledon and the WTA Championships, plus Fed Cup glory with the Czech Republic, said many players were in the mix. Regardless of her relatively lowly seeding of 12th, five-time Australian Open winner Williams, still the biggest draw in the women’s game, remains a major threat to the likes of Wozniacki and Kvitova.

JOKER HAS ACE UP HIS SLEEVE Robert Smith

MELBOURNE: Defending champion Novak Djokovic will be bidding for his third consecutive grand slam trophy when the Australian Open champion gets his title defence under way in Melbourne. Only four men on five occasions have won three or more consecutive grand slams in the open era — Rod Laver, Pete Sampras, Nadal and Federer twice. The Australian Open, starting on Monday, is the toughest

of the four grand slams to hold onto with only nine successful title defences in the open era compared with 17 at Wimbledon and 13 at Roland Garros. “I’m always trying to take the positive side and say, ‘OK, I’ve done it once, I can do it twice’,” Djokovic said of his chances. “I feel that I’m at the peak of my career. I feel that physically, mentally, game-wise, I’m right up there. “I can perform equally well on any surface, as I have

proven in 2011. “That’s my focus. That’s something that I’m thinking of. Just taking it slowly, step by step.” Last year’s Australian Open final triumph over Murray was the first of seven straight tournament wins in a 41-match winning streak that was finally ended by Federer in the semifinals of the French Open. Djokovic, 24, won a careerbest 10 titles in 11 finals last year. He defeated world Nadal six times and overall was 21-4 against top-10 opponents.

INDIA VS AUSTRALIA MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

PERTH: Speculation is mounting over the future of Indian batsman V.V.S. Laxman after another unimpressive showing at the crease in India's innings defeat to Australia at the WACA Ground. Indian newspapers reported he would retire at the end of the four-Test series, which concludes in Adelaide next week, and may even have played his last Test in Perth as he battles to keep his place in the side. The 37-year-old has been one of the chief offenders in India's poor batting performances in Australia, with just 102 runs at an average of 17 in the series so far with a single

half-century the highlight. In Perth the veteran of 133 Tests battled manfully in making 31 in the first innings, but fell for a duck in the second innings. His contribution is in stark contrast to his career average of 50.65 against Australia for the man who famously partnered with Rahul Dravid in an incredible 376-run stand in Kolkata in 2001 that enabled India to win after following-on. There were whispers among the Indian media straight after the Test that Laxman was set to retire, but Indian captain M.S. Dhoni played down the suggestion. "As of now, there's nothing I know officially," Dhoni said. "I don't know where this came from, until Laxman comes to me and

says something, I can't comment." The Indian Express Newspaper reported that Laxman was set to retire, quoting a source inside the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). "Laxman will retire at the end of the ongoing Test series in Australia," the article said. "He is 37 and India's next Test series is still at least six months away. Plus his form has dropped significantly, and his fitness, especially a troublesome back, is hampering him." Laxman has been prolific since making his Test debut in 1996 compiling 17 centuries and 56 half-centuries over 233 innings. He could be replaced in Adelaide by young batsman Rohit Sharma, who is yet to play Test cricket, but was 12th man in Perth.

End of the road for a stalwart?

Dhoni defends besieged Fletcher Scott Coghlan

PERTH: Suspended captain MS Dhoni [he has been suspended for one Test, after India’s slow over rate in Perth] has backed coach Duncan Fletcher as the right man to turn around the fortunes of the beleaguered Indian cricket team, despite a run of dismal overseas tours. Down 3-0 after successive innings defeats in Sydney and Perth, the Indians have already lost the series but have one final chance to redeem themselves in the fourth Test in Adelaide, starting on Tuesday. But another loss will condemn them to two clean sweep 4-0 defeats in a row on foreign soil after an embarrassing tour of England. Pressure is not only mounting on India's misfiring and ageing top order, but also on the feisty Fletcher, who has seen his team win just two of nine Tests during the early part of his twoyear tenure. Both wins were at home against the lowly West Indies and are not enough to gloss over seven straight overseas defeats, four by an innings, since Fletcher took over last year. India was the top-ranked

Test side in the world when Fletcher took the reins, but will drop to third when the official ICC rankings are next released. His first series at the helm saw the Indians lose all four Tests in England and Fletcher's record as a coach in Australia is even worse, with 12 losses from 13 Tests including his time at the helm of England. As Indian greats like Kapil Dev, Bishan Bedi and Sourav Ganguly lined up to lambast India's insipid performances, Dhoni said Fletcher was the right man for the job. "He’s a great guy to have," Dhoni said. "He’s one of the most experienced coaches around. It’s not like he has become the coach and we have lost two series and he’s to be blamed for all the defeats, it's up to the 11 players to go out and perform."

Sachin in ODI squad, Dravid on jet plane NEW DELHI: India picked Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday for the tri-series in Australia, ending the star batsman's self-imposed exile from one-day cricket outside the World Cup. Tendulkar, the world's leading one-day batsman who is chasing his 100th international century, was included in a 17-man squad for the tri-series against Australia and Sri Lanka, to be played from February 5 to March 8. The same squad, led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, will also feature in two Twenty20 internationals against hosts Australia in Sydney on February 1 and in

Melbourne on February 3. His inclusion means Tendulkar will have further opportunities to record a 100th ton if he is unable to achieve the landmark in the final Test against Australia in Adelaide later this month. The Indian cricket board announced the squad on the day Dhoni's men were thrashed by an innings and 37 runs in the Perth Test to give Australia a decisive 3-0 lead in the four-match series. It was India's seventh successive Test defeat abroad, following their 4-0 rout in England last year, in a dismal run that has taken the sheen off their limited-overs World

Indian squad

ahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Virender Sehwag (vicecapt), Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Manoj Tiwary, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Rahul Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Praveen Kumar, Vinay Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan, Parthiv Patel.

Cup victory last April. Tendulkar, who turns 39 in April, has played in just four of India's 47 one-day internationals outside the World Cup in the last two years, preferring to rest and concentrate on Test matches. His record 18,111 runs in 453 one-day matches with 48 centuries includes the first-ever double-century in one-day cricket, an unbeaten 200 against South Africa in Gwalior in February 2010. He was the star performer in India's World Cup victory, with 482 runs in nine matches, second only to Sri Lankan Tillakaratne Dilshan's 500 runs.

INDIA VS AUSTRALIA MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

AFP/Tony ASHBY

They came, they saw, they lost Twelfth Man Babu Kalyanpur

ndia’s darkest hour in Test cricket came on a sunny day at Perth in conditions which they failed to conquer. There was much talk that the pitch was grassy and would offer pace and bounce. On the contrary, there were no demons, just a good wicket which offered help if the basics were followed. Losing the match in two-anda-half days is mind-boggling and unacceptable. The reason was simple – abject batting. Any team which cannot get a total in excess of a 200 just deserves what it gets. One can understand Bangladesh or

The only bright point was Umesh Yadav, who picked up the first of hopefully many five-wicket hauls. He is a bowler who should be nurtured, as he has the pace to become a real quality performer Zimbabwe, but not India. To think that India were world champions at the same time last year makes it even more shocking. It just goes to prove that statistics don’t always reveal the truth. India’s repeated failures have been the direct consequence of not putting up a decent score in the first innings. This time round they could not even get past the score which a single Australian, David Warner, did. The first session of any Test in Australia is very important. Losing a wicket or two before lunch is acceptable but certainly

not four. The disciplined Australian attack stuck to line and length but the Indian batsmen did not know which balls to play and which to leave. By the end of the first day, Australia had closed in on India’s total of 161. The Test was already done and dusted by then. India’s bowlers lacked consistency and Warner just waded into the short and wide stuff to score a superb 180. To their credit, the Indian bowlers, after a lot of soul searching, got things right on the second day and picked up 10 wickets for

just 155 to restrict Australia to 369. So why couldn’t the bowlers do the same thing earlier when Australia came into bat on the first day? These are the inconsistencies which has brought Indian cricket to its knees. The only bright point was Umesh Yadav, who picked up the first of hopefully many five-wicket hauls. He is a bowler who should be nurtured, as he has the pace and movement to become a real quality performer. The player who had the critics baying for his blood came up with the goods when it mattered. Virat Kohli had gone through the horrors in the first two Tests and was within an ace of being sacked. Kohli not only displayed the technique needed at the highest level but also revealed the intelligence needed to read the situation. His back foot play was

impeccable. He is captaincy material and must be thought about from now. The Big Three were more like the Tiny Trio in this match with even Sachin Tendulkar not scoring much. And for some inexplicable reason, Rahul Dravid again got castled. The Australian bowlers deserve all the credit for giving the team a couple of days of extra rest. They were unrelenting, always on the spot and waiting for a mistake which happened all too frequently. They were also helped by Warner’s dashing performance. This unique player is a joy to watch. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy now in Australia’s hands, a whitewash is almost certain on the cards. Unless the Indians, by some strange miracle, see the light.

Playing Field

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

The games people play

Sorry Arsenal deafened by Swan song Steve Griffiths

LONDON: Arsenal lost ground in the race to secure a top-four finish as the Gunners slumped to a surprise 3-2 defeat against Swansea City, while Mark Hughes’ debut as QPR boss ended in a 1-0 loss at Newcastle United on Sunday. Arsene Wenger’s side needed a win at the Liberty Stadium to keep pace with fourth-placed Chelsea, but Danny Graham’s second-half winner condemned the north Londoners to their second successive league defeat. Fifth-placed Arsenal, beaten by Fulham in their last league outing, are now four points behind Chelsea and 10 behind Tottenham in third. Wenger left Thierry Henry on

the bench despite his match-winning cameo role against Leeds United at the start of his brief return on loan from New York Red Bulls. It did not look like Henry would be missed as Robin van Persie put Arsenal in front in the fifth minute. After a magnificent 2011, this was van Persie’s first goal of the new year and the Dutch forward took it in style, running onto Andrey Arshavin’s pass before clipping a cool strike past Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm at his near post. But Swansea have lost only once at home since winning promotion from the Championship and the Welsh club drew level in the 16th minute when Scott Sinclair converted a penalty after

Swansea City’s Nathan Dyer (L) gestures toward the bench after scoring while Arsenal’s Miquel (C) and Arshavin (R) look on

Book of Eli rules as Giants win

Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants reacts after defeating the Green Bay Packers to win their NFC Divisional playoff game WASHINGTON: Eli Manning threw for a career playoff high 330 yards and three touchdowns to power the New York Giants to a 37-20 upset of reign-

ing Super Bowl champion Green Bay in an NFL playoff shocker on Sunday. Hakeem Nicks caught seven passes for 165 yards and two

touchdowns and Giants defenders forced four turnovers as the host Packers, who went an NFLbest 15-1 this season and averaged 35 points a game, were ousted in sub-freezing cold. “It shows our hard work and determination,” Nicks said. “We’re peaking right when we need to. We’re stronger than we have been all season. We just want it.” The Ravens, who ousted visiting Houston 20-13, will visit New England in the American Conference final while the Giants will visit the San Francisco 49ers, who ousted New Orleans 36-32 on Saturday, in the National Conference final. “I think we’re a dangerous team,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. “There are always things for us to improve upon but I like where we are.”

Aaron Ramsey was harshly ruled to have tripped Nathan Dyer. Swansea took the lead in the 57th minute when Ramsey allowed Joe Allen to steal possession and slip a pass to Dyer, who punished Arsenal’s poor marking with a ferocious strike past Wojciech Szczesny. Henry made his return to the Premier League after a five-year absence in the the 63rd minute and the Gunners drew level thanks to Theo Walcott’s composed finish six minutes later. Less than 60 seconds later as Swansea striker Graham found space to drill a superb shot into the far corner of Szczesny’s goal . In the day’s early game, new QPR boss Hughes saw Leon Best give Newcastle victory at St James’ Park.