age 40, PROSTATE After there’s every need CANCER, A for a man to get THREAT an annual health check-up to ensure that he does not have prostate cancer. P18
P16&17
WHEN IN ROME
Who says Rome was not built in a day? History shows Rome was founded on April 21 in the 8th century. We go back in history to get a glimpse of Ancient Rome and list its contribution to modern society.
GABRIELA BERTANTE THE ANGEL FROM BRAZIL P25
Hyderabad’s first compact afternoon newspaper
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012 HYDERABAD
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MANAMA IN LOCKDOWN AS F1 RACES INTO CONTROVERSY
HIS HOUSE
OF LIES REPORT ON PG 3
RTE LEAVES TUTORS HIGH AND DRY The much-hyped Right to Education Act is being looked at as a tool to bridge the divide between education systems and as a means for downtrodden students to get better education. However, there are several unseen hitches in the act which will cause severe inconvenience to P7 parents, students and teachers.
Violence marred Bahrain’s controversial Grand Prix race as a fire bomb exploded near Force India team members and protesters clashed with police in the lead-up to the Formula One practice runs set to begin on Friday.
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Page Two
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
Spirit of Twin Cities
MULTI-UTILITY VEHICLE
Silk expo The National Silk Expo 2012 is being held. Head to the expo for an exclusive collection of traditional and designer silk sarees and dress materials. Where: TTD Balaji Bhavan, Himayathnagar When: April17- April 23 11am onwards Contact: (040) 2322 0852
N SHIVA KUMAR
Cool cotton Cotton King has introduced a range of summer special formal and tshirts for men. The collection known as Coolsubz is an exclusive range of shirts which are an ideal way to beat the summer heat. Where: All Cotton King Outlets — Park Lane, Bowenpally, Himayatnagar, AS Rao Nagar When: Ongoing
Heritage week As a part of heritage week, an instrumental concert by Dr L Subrahmanyan and Kavitha Krishnamurthi will be held at Chowmahalla Palace. Where: Chowmahalla Palace, Charminar When: April 20, 7pm onwards Contact: (040) 2452 2032
The Artist French film The Artist will be screened at Alliance Francaise on April 20. Where: Alliance Francaise, Banjara Hills, Rd No3 When: April 20, 6.30pm onwards Contact: (040) 2355 4481
Play time Biryani aur Haleem, an adaptation of the French play The Pie and The Tart will be held on April 20. Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills, Rd No1 When: April 20, 8pm onwards Contact: 96427 31329
Kids carnival Love disney? Head to Landmark for the Disney quiz on April 20.Brush up your knowledge about disney characters and movies to win prizes. Where: Landmark, Banjara Hills When: April 20, 3.30pm onwards Contact: (040) 6463 1577
Bangla Ranna Bangla Ranna, a bengali food festival is being held at Aditya Park. Get a taste of the Bengal’s interesting cuisine along with mocktails and cocktails. Where: Aditya Park Hotel, Aditya Trade Centre,
CINEMAS
Ameerpet When: Ongoing, 6pm-11pm Contact: (040) 6678 8888
Every Rupee counts Syn at Taj Deccan is offering interesting meal options. The concept behind Calorie for a Rupee is to enjoy a great meal priced according to it’s calorie count. Where: Syn - Asian Bar and Grill, Taj Deccan, Banjara Hills, Rd No 1 When: Ongoing, 12 pm to 3.30pm Contact: (040) 6666 3939
Dance with me Love to dance? A contemporary dance workshop by French dancer, Solenn. will be held on April 22, 28 and 29 . Where: Alliance Francaise, Marredpally When: April22, 28, 29 Contact: (040) 2770 0734
IPL special Truffles Cafe is offering a great way to catch the live telecast of IPL 5. Where: Truffles Cafe, Jubilee Hills, Rd No 36 When: Ongoing, 8am onwards Contact: (040) 2355 0105
Go Splash Splash lounge is the perfect leisure destination for you to unwind. There is also great music,
martinis and aperitifs. Where: The Westin, Mindspace, Madhapur When: Monday - Friday, 5pm - 10.30pm Weekends, 8am - 10.30pm Contact: (040) 6767 6828
Mood for Mediterranean From April 13 to April 22, The Deccan Pavillion at ITC Kakatiya is offering a Mediterranean dishes. Lunch buffet is priced at `1,049, and dinner costs `1,149. Where: ITC Kakatiya, Begumpet When: Ongoing, 11am-7pm Contact: (040) 2340 0132
African barbeque fest Barbeque Nation offers you a chance to experience Africa right in Hyderabad, The African Barbeque Festival is that one place where you can enjoy various delicacies. Where: Barbeque Nation, Banjara Hills, Rd No1 When: Ongoing Contact: (040) 6456 6693
Goan food festival The Momo Cafe at Hyderabad Marriott and Convention Centre is hosting a Goan food festival. Where: Hyderabad Marriott and Convention Centre, Tank Bund
When: Ongoing, 12.30pm onwards Contact: (040) 2752 2999
Crepes and waffles Lover of waffles and crepes? Deli9 is offering a crepe and waffle festival. Taste a variety of waffles such as fruit waffle and the classic waffle or a variety of exotic crepes. The festival is on from April 7-April 21. Where: Delhi 9, Banjara Hills, Rd No 1 When: Ongoing, 8am to 8pm Contact: (040) 6550 666
Show and tell Books n more presents Show and Tell-activity to promote good expression and communication for 3-8 year olds.It aims to improve your child’s communication. Where: Books n more, Marredpally When: Ongoing,5pm to 6pm Contact: 98859 56728
IPL frenzy Mocha and Mocha Express is hosting IPL specials with live screening of the match and various pizzas paying ode to the IPL teams and their spirits. Where: Mocha — Banjara Hills Mocha Express — Inorbit Mall When: Ongoing, 4pm onwards Contact: (040) 23350144
Big Cinemas, Ameerpet: 30581470; Cinemax, Banjara Hills: 44565555; Cine Planet , Kompally: 61606060; INOX, Banjara Hills: 44767777; Prasads, Tank Bund Rd: 23448888; PVR, Punjagutta: 8800900009; Talkie Town, Miyapur: 40214175; Tivoli, Secunderabad: 27844973
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Hyper Local Overindulgence of only son by a rich business family leads him astray. S Ajay, 21, began thieving from his own home to find money to sustain his lavish style. Caught at last, he is now in prison.
Insider job busted
CRIME Mohd Subhan mohd.s@postnoon.com
T
hey were puzzled at the repeated thefts of gold and cash from their home. Michael Francis and his wife Julie, residing in the SD Road locality of Secunderabad, had a fair quantity of gold ornaments and cash always at home. Michael is a successful businessman. They had migrated from Tamil Nadu some 50 years ago. The thefts began in November with one piece of gold ornament or a costly mobile and it grew in quantity and value in the subsequent losses.
They naturally suspected servants or burglars but they were also puzzled that there appeared to be no evidence of anybody breaking in. Their only son Ajay who did not complete the graduation but was now roaming about with his friends kept a low profile when matter of lost articles came up. If anything, he only expressed his sympathy and surprise. The matter came to a head when a 20 tola gold ornament
was found stolen from the cupboard sometime last month. Now, Julie decided to take it to the cops. She went to the Mahankali police station and met ACT GP Vasu Sena and explained the mysterious disappearance of the valuables with no apparent intrusion. Inspector of Mahankali, S Rangarao, was assigned the case. He visited the Michaels and found everything intact and no sign of burglary. No finger prints
Girls elbow out boys in inter-first results
N SHIVA KUMAR
EDUCATION Sudeshna Koka sudeshna.k@postnoon.com
T
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities
his year too girls outsmarted boys in the first year intermediate examination results declared today. The upper hand of girls was seen in general a dip in the pass per cent with this year’s and vocational streams. The total number of candidates who results standing at 33.20 per cent comappeared in the general exams were pared to last year’s 39.97 per cent. The supplementary exams will be 8,50,433 and in vocational 82,310. Of this, 4,,57,146 candidates passed in gen- conducted from May 13. Candidates who want to opt for recounting have to eral and 27,330 in vocational. Nearly 1,89,479 students received A pay `100 per paper while the amount is grade in general and 8,421 in vocational. `600 for photo copy cum re-verification The total number of girls who appeared of answer sheets. They can go to any efor the exams were 3,98,697 in general of Seva or AP Online center. The last date which 2,32,510 passed. The total number for this is May 3. of boys were 4,51,736 of which 2,24,636 passed. In the vocational course a total Hyderabad performance number of 37,685 appeared and 14,718 In Hyderabad 31,114 boys appeared of of them passed, while 44,625 appeared which 14,844 passed and 29,286 girls for vocational of which 12,612 passed. appeared of which 18,460 passed. The This year more than 155 candidates total number of students who appeared were booked under exams in Hyderabad is 60,400 and malpractices. passed were 3,304. Highlight totalThis As compared to the last year there were several How they fare? three years the pass percentnew ways to view the exam 53.75% girls age was higher this year. The results which made it easy for 49.73% boys pass per cent this year for genstudents to access their results eral category is 53.57 per cent, online. Within an hour of decVocational compared to last year’s 52.21 laration of results, most stu33.20% girls per cent. However, in the vocadents got access to the server 28.26% boys tional category there has been and got their scores.
or use of any devices to open the cupboards and tables. The inspector suspected it to be an insider job and asked where their son was. They said he had gone to Mumbai in search of a job. The inspector kept a watch for the youth and when he came home he was taken to the police station. Confronted, Ajay sputtered out the truth that he had all along been stealing the valuables as he wanted money for his lavish lifestyle and to impress his friends. The parents were shocked. They told police that they never denied him anything including money as he was the only son. He was caught when someone from a jewellery shop in Secunderabad rang up the police station that a young man seemingly rich is trying to sell a large piece of jewellery and they have doubts. The police quickly reached the spot and collared him. The junior is now remanded to judicial custody.
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‘We want communal harmony’
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nited Muslim Forum lead by MR Ansari, general secretary, Moulana Sulema Sikander, Moulana Qusool Pasha Shatani along with others met DGP and represented for maintaining communal harmony. They agreed to extend their cooperation in all respects. It was also represented to take action on the incident of April 15. The DGP sought their cooperation particularly, and all sections of people for maintaining law and order and to maintain peace in the city. He also informed them about having a peace committee to discuss important issues. The DGP listened to the various grievances and assured speedy redressal of the same.
Hyper Local
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities
Theme parks to be set up
News Briefs NEWS BRIEFS Red sander smuggling in full swing
The GHMC has drawn a plan to set up theme parks, many with herbal plants
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GHMC Md Inkeshaf Ahmed ahmed.m@postnoon.com
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ere’s some good news, at last. If things go as planned, the City will get relief from the stink of garbage. Rather, aroma may waft into your home. The GHMC has drawn up a plan to set up 110 theme parks, many of them with herbal and medicinal plants. The plan at an estimated cost of `4.5 crore is being pushed to achieve at the earliest. If it is done it will add a value to the sprucing up of the City for the October world bio diversity meet. GHMC additional commissioner of parks and sports, Anuradha said, “We have received many requests from the residents to set up such parks.” Studies are being done on the type of herbal plants to be reared. They should have a utility values besides fresh air and charm to the ambience, she noted.
Estimated cost: `4.5 crores Ayurvedic authorities have been consulted to plant herbs of Ayurvedic value. The officials have planned to set up the first one in Alwal municipal area. Each herb and medicinal plant will have a specific area dedicated to it in the park. For this purpose, the park will be divided into 28 parts to accommodate equal number of medicinal plants.
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nidentified men bashed up a youth, by name, Saddam at Gazibanda last night. The 24-year-old Saddam was riding a bike when a gang of men stopped him and beat him up. They snatched two mobile phones and some cash. He suffered a fracture in the jaw. Shahalibanda police are investigating. Waylaying is said to be frequent in this stretch.
CM to tour Chittoor, Kadapa districts An interesting part of the whole scheme is that each dedicated space will be named after different stars of Hindu mythology like Ashwini, Kritika, Rohini, Rudra, Parvathi.
Up-market areas miss out Sadly, up-market areas like Jubilee Hills and Banjara Hills will miss these parks as per the plan chalked out by the officials. The contention of the officials of the corpora-
tion is that these up-market areas already have greenery. “These areas have ample greenery. We don’t think they require any more,” the additional commissioner said. Majority of these theme parks are being set up in erstwhile municipalities that were merged to form GHMC in 2007 four year ago. These municipalities include Uppal, Kukatpally, LB Nagar, Malkajgiri, Rajendranagar, Qutbullapur, Sherlingampally and Ramachandrapuram.
Vijay Sai meets Pawar; what’s cooking? filing a petition asking the High Court for quashing the bail of Vijay Sai Reddy. Jagan Mohan Reddy had met Pawar earlier in Delhi on the plea of solving farms issues. There had also been a buzz about Jagan’s possible joining hands with Pawar to form a group to get recognition for YSR Congress at the national level. While the CBI court was busy investigating various issues pertaining to Jagan Mohan’s companies, one of the Judges of the CBI Court, Nagamaruthi Sarma, has been transferred to a different court, it is reported. This has sparked a controversy where many see it as diluting the CBI case against the YSRC leader for political convenience.
Postnoon News feedback@postnoon.com
V
ijay Sai Reddy, the auditor for Jagan Mohan Reddy’s companies met Sharad Pawar, the Union Minister for Agriculture today, it is reported. Sharad Pawar is in Hyderabad and is staying at Hotel Taj Krishna. He has come to Hyderabad for an official visit; to inaugurate the fisheries department building at Attapur in RR district. The attraction of this building is that it is built in shape of a fish. The meeting of Reddy with Pawar assumes importance in the light of the CBI
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rrest and seizure of the red sander logs have become order of the day in Rayalaseema region. With the alleged support of ruling party MLAs smuggling activities of this precious species have been on the increase in the border districts of AP and Tamilnadu. Despite round-the-clock vigil on the highways and several checkposts, smuggling of red sander continues unabated in the State.
24-year-old beaten up and robbed
Total number of parks: 625 Theme parks planned: 110
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hief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy will tour Chittoor and YSR Kadapa districts on Saturday. He will reach Renigunta airport at 7.30 am. After meeting officials and non-officials, he will leave for Koduru by helicopter. He will participate in Prajapatham meeting, distribute assets and lay foundation stones. Later he will arrive in Mangampet and lay foundation stone for rehabilitation colony, distribute assets and address a meeting. He will then proceed to Pullampet. At 1.30 PM he will reach Rajampet and inaugurate developmental works, distribute assets and address a public meeting. He will then proceed to Vontimitta in the evening and interact with the public. He will then reach Kadapa and stay for the night.
Governor appoints VCs for more varsities
T
e governor ESL Narasimhan has appointed vice-chancellors for the Dravidian, Palamoor, Potti Sriramulu and Adikavi Nannayya Universities, on Thursday in his capacity as chancellor. The Vice-chancellors appointed are: K Ratnaiah (Dravidian University), K Bhagyanarayana (Palamoor University), E Shiva Reddy (Potti Sriramulu Telugu University) and George Victor (Adikavi Nannayya University).
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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
Hyper Local
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities
‘Kiran not in control’ POLITICS U Srinivas srinivas.u@postnoon.com
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JP National leader M Venkaiah Naidu said that the Congress strategy to deal with YSRC chief Jagan in the name of caste will boomerang. While talking to Postnoon, Venkaiah brought to fore the point that no importance was given to Sonia Gandhi’s caste. He added that while caste politics was not right, both Jagan and the Congress would lose in the long run. Talking about the bypolls, Venkaiah said that the BJP was very confident after their victory in the Mahbubnagar constituency. Candidates from the 18 constituencies, that will conduct byelections soon, are in touch with the party president Kishan Reddy and a final decision will be taken in a chintan baithak (meeting), he explained. The third front experiment always failed at the Centre and it would do no better in the Statre
also, he said. There may not be any alliance with any of the political parties, he added, saying that the BJP will contest alone at the Centre and also in AP. According to him, the ruling Congress party will lose hands down in the State in the upcoming bypolls as there is no unity, ability and stability in the party. The NDA government with 23 political parties continued without any problems under
Vajpayee. But the UPA under Sonia Gandhi is unable to function smoothly, he stated. Venkaiah was confident that the BJP will soon become an alternative to the Congress and TDP in the State. He however, said that the BJP might not be in a position to form the government on its own and that was when they would think about forming alliances. He went on to add that Andhra Pradesh was the best example of where the Congress had failed miserably. What is the chief Minister Kiran Kumar doing except reporting ot the high command from time to time he questioned? He said that the Chief Minister here has no grip over governance nor the commitment for development. The Congress has no time to think about the welfare of the public in general and they are bogged down with notices from the CBI, Supreme court, ACB. “Where is the timef or any governance? The CM and other ministers first need to clear their names in the numerous cases against them. Their future depends on the bypolls,” he said.
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All parties confident of Parakala victory Postnoon News feedback@postnoon.com
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arakala is all set to have a muti-cornered contest. The Congress, TDP, BJP, TRS, YSRC in the name of independent apart from Nalini (independent) the former police official will be contesting from Parakala — the lone seat from Telangana. The BJP, TRS and Konda Surekha are banking on the support of TJAC . Surekha, a staunch supporter of YSRC chief Jagan Mohan Reddy, is planning to contest as an independent. She had resigned from the Congress to support Jagan. Surekha said the YSRC had not been allotted a permanent symbol by the election commission and she would contest the bypoll on the Telangana plank. With TRS and BJP announcing their contest in Parakala, Surekha is of the opinion that as the votes get divided, she would scrape though. “It is for Telangana I have resigned and the TJAC comprising people of Telangana should sup-
port me,” she said. Surekha was the lone MLA from Telangana to have voted against the Kiran Kumar Reddy government on the no-confidence motion in the Assembly on December 5. She had earlier quit the Rosaiah cabinet earlier in the name of Telangana. TRS leader Sravan claimed that Mahabubnagar was different and this time they will win the Parakala seat as the TJAC too is supporting it. On the other hand, Nalini, who has resigned to her police job, wants to contest as an independent sought TJAC and TRS support. The BJP is all set to contest Parakala and this will again create problems for Surekha and the TRS. There is every chance that the votes will get split between the TRS, BJP and Surekaha making it easy for the Congress. The Congress will also give a tough fight in the process. This will be the only seat from the Telangana region going for the by-polls with multi-cornered contest.
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Hyper Local ‘By-polls will prove Jagan’s strength’
M
inister for Minor Irrigation TG Venkatesh on Thursday opined that the number of winning seats of Congress in the by-elections to 18 Assembly segments would depend on how much impact the Odarpu yatra of YS Jagan would have. Speaking at the Secretariat, Venkatesh stated that the Congress functionaries would work together for the victory of Congress in the by-elections. Prospect of winning seats of the Congress would be more based on local political equations. Making it clear that rumors of change of chief minister in the State was a cooked up story to fool some people on April 1, the minister reminded that after Sonia Gandhi became AICC president, the culture of frequent change of chief minister has gone in the party. Former chief minister K Rosaiah resigned to the post due to personal reasons. Moreover, no Congress leader was aspiring chief ministers post in the present situation, and no one wants removal of Kiran Kumar Reddy. After returning from a Delhi trip, Kiran Kumar Reddy appeared happy, he added. “In addition to clearing the arrears of welfare schemes of YS Rajasekhara Reddy, Kiran Kumar Reddy is also taking up new schemes. But due to lack of adequate publicity, an image was created that the CM was not working effectively”, he stated. AGENCY
RTI booklet released by Janam
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‘We feel safe but eve teasing fear exists’ Migrant women working in Hyderabad believe the City reasonably safe but uncouth behaviour of some still leaves many women sceptical about their safety M ANIL KUMAR
SAFETY Osama Salman salman.o@postnoon.com
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yderabad is home to thousands of migrants from different states. They get trained and secure well-paid jobs and add to the cultural tapestry of the historical city. While a major part of the migrants happen to be men, women are also not in small number. Migrant women, especially engaged in private enterprises face several problems, safety being a key issue. Bhavya G, an IT professional from Chennai, residing in Venkatgiri Colony, said that she feels unsafe after dark especially on the roads. “I am scared as someone or the other stares at me and I am followed almost everywhere I go. I try to keep calm, but it is hard to ignore it,” she said. Nonetheless, Bhavya says, once home, she doesn’t face any problem. “The fact that I am living alone is proof enough that life is reasonably safe in Hyderabad. I am probably a little more vigilant here than I would be in Chennai as that is my familiar city,” she says. Shweta Das, who hails from
Punjab is a student in NALSAR University. She said that recently when her friends and she were looking for a place to dine at 11.30pm, they decided to halt at Osmania University. “A group of men came along and started abusing us. I think they made out that we were not from the City. They were threatening us and we were forced to move. That was a scary experience,” she said. Having faced men staring and passing rude comments, Papari Valte, a student living in
Marredpally, take such uncivil behaviour in her stride but what scares her is sometimes some men ring her doorbell randomly and peek inside. Her living alone is probably misconceived by some unscrupulous male. This incident has happened many times. “Eve teasing is all too common here. As I am from the North East, I am called nasty racist names. It is demoralising. Compared to my hometown, Mizoram, where I can walk the streets freely without the fear of being unsafe, Hyderabad is a
dangerous place. I feel extremely unsafe here,” she said. On the other hand, Anushree Gupta from Jaipur residing in Shamirpet, said that Hyderabad is really safe city for women who have come from outside. “I like Hyderabad a lot. You can wear anything here and nobody looks at you indecently. It is easy to adjust and language isn’t a problem at all,” she opined. There are many like Anushree who say the City is safe during day though they will not vouch the same for about the night.
ICONIC CITY
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he popular Janam Magazine has come up with a special booklet on RTI. This booklet was released by Jannat Husain, Chief Information Commissioner, Andhra Pradesh, in the office of the AP Information Commission. The meeting was attended by RTI activists, officers and staff of Information Commission. Apart from Jannat Husain, others who spoke on the occasion include Kandregula Venkata Ramana, managing editor, Janam Magazine, Visakhapatnam, Mohana Krishnaiah, law secretary, APIC, Ramakrishna Raju, convenor, Samachara Hakku Prachara Ikya Vedika, Gowrishanker, chairman, confederation of consumer organisation and advocate, Gopal Rao, president, Praja Alochana Ikya Vedika, Prof Balakishan, Osmania University, Ramachandra Reddy, ex MP, Shivaparvathi, vice president, Consumer Forum. AGENCY
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities
Palace Heights, Abids
H
yderabad can be called the food capital of the South because of the diverse cuisines it offers. It is common knowledge that Hyderabad is home to the best Nawabi cuisine and also typical Andhra cuisine. But Palace Heights in Abids is one of the earliest places in the City to serve continental food. Located on one of the top floors of a multi-level building, Palace Heights offers
Aishwarya Yerra Hyderabad as a City has a lot to offer in terms of heritage and sights. We take a look at the various places that make this City so special
their diners a panoramic view of the City. A total family venue, Palace Heights has a very loyal customer base and diners have been coming here for ages. They swear by the steaks here especially the chicken sizzlers. Even their Indian cuisine is delicious. The prices maybe a bit on the higher side but then every penny is worth the absolutely yummy food served. And don’t be fooled by the ordinary looking exteriors because the food is extraordinary.
N SHIVA KUMAR
Hyper Local CLASSIFIEDS FABRICATION
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities
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RTE leaves tutors high and dry M ANIL KUMAR
Sudeshna Koka sudeshna.k@postnoon.com
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CERTIFICATION
EDUCATION
he much hyped Right to Education Act is being looked at as a tool to bridge the divide between education systems and as a means for downtrodden students to get better education. However, there are several unseen hitches in the act which will cause severe inconvenience to parents, students and teachers. One such rule in the Act is that teachers will not be allowed to give private tuitions, be it teachers from elementary or private elementary schools. The rule has the teaching community in the City fuming as it snatches away their chance at earning an extra income. “It’s a bad idea. I have more than 20 students who come to my place for extra help. A few of them are from my school while there are others from different schools as well. Often parents are unable to help their children in their studies for various reasons and send them to private tuitions. What is wrong if we help them and in turn earn some extra money?” questions Gauri Naidu, a teacher at Centenary Baptist Church High School. However, according to educationists teachers who want to earn extra money don’t do a good job of imparting knowledge at school. To stop them from doing this they have introduced this part of the act. “RTE is a brilliant educational move by
the government. It’s a great sign of progress but no tuition is a very bad idea. What does tuition have to do with RTE?” questions Vinod Kumar, whose sons go to a private tuition. Most working parents send their children to evening tuitions to get the extra help in academics. “My husband and I both work and we are not even from Hyderabad. My son finds it difficult to study Telugu and we aren’t able to guide him either. Tuitions are the only option, but this new rule is ridiculous. The
government should also think about us and not just the under privileged children,” says Poornima S, a software employee. Parents also worry this will affect a child’s ability to grasp. “I send my son to his own class teacher as he follows her style. Now with the new rule, it will be difficult for
A blend of tradition and modernisation M ANIL KUMAR
COMMUNITIES Anubha K Singh anubha.k@postnoon.com
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him to adjust to a new teacher,” said Harpreeth Kaur, a parent. Private coaching centers are equally unhappy. Most teachers who teach in private schools or government schools are the ones who teach here. “Now we need to restructure our teaching staff and our working style,” says Amit Patel, owner Kites’ Tuitions. With no more home tuitions and private tuition centers, it looks like it’s going to be a tough battle for parents.
yderabad city is a miniature India where hundreds of thousands find work and wellbeing. To a lot of linguistic minorities the City is generous and loving. The Maheshwari Samaj, an offshoot of the Marwari community, is one such samaj that has enriched the City’s tapestry with its colourful strains. Such is the charm of the erstwhile land of Nizams that few people ever want to go back to their native towns after tasting Hyderabadi tehzeeb. Incidentally, the Maheshwaris are originally from Khandela in Rajasthan are usually businessmen. For most Maheshwaris, Hyderabad is not their second home — it is their first home. They are into nearly third generation in the City. “We are residing here since the time of Nizams. Our forefathers had their kothi (ancestral bungalows) here which is now turned into apartments or flats due to modernisation and commercialisation,” said
lar cultural events and competitions for kids in our association,” said Nupur Maheshari, member of Akhil Bhartiya Marwari Samaj. They marry strictly within the community. In Maheshwari marriages, a unique ceremony is Mama Phere in which the maternal uncle takes the bride in his arms and makes a few rounds of the groom and the sacred fire.
Contribution to society
Shakuntala Nawander, president Andhra Pradeshik Maheshwari Mahila Sangathan. “We have 15 associations here consisting of members from all over the City. Aap aur Hum is the main Rajasthani sangathan under which all our associations come,” she says.
Traditions and Rituals But the community surely is in touch with their roots. Every year during summers most of the families travel to their native place in Rajasthan. As per the Maheshwari traditions it is mandatory for them
to visit their KulDevi (ancestral god or goddess) and perform pooja the for well being of their family which they follow wholeheartedly. As far as the religion is concerned, the Maheshwaris are believers of Lord Shiva. Wherever they may go or live Maheshwaris are known for following their traditions and rituals. Be it the Baaditeej or Gangaur pooja the colours of these festival can be seen in the twin cities too. “Festivals and celebrations of culture is a part of our existence. To keep our traditions and culture alive we organise regu-
The Maheshwaris have always been very traditional, averse to modern education. But Maheshwaris in Hyderabad seek value education without gender bias.There are more than 5,000 Maheshwari families in Hyderabad and most of them run their own business. Their kids however, have begun to branch out. These Maheshwari associations conduct many workshops and awareness campaigns in the City. They have special classes for girls where they train them in cooking, tailoring, personality development, painting and many other skills for an affordable `50 to `200 per month. All these associations take active part in planting trees, charity, free education to orphans and widow scholarship schemes.
Focus
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
Walden’s Hornbill
Amur Leopard
his is a critically endangered species. Rufous-headed Hornbills reproduce very slowly and thus are unable to survive high hunting pressures coupled with heavy logging of the rainforests in the Philippines. It is presumed extinct on Guimaras and now survives only on Negros and Panay. The total population has been estimated at less than 160, though recent work from the Central Panay Mountain Range suggests 600-700 pairs may remain there.
he Amur leopard is a subspecies native to southwestern Russia. Only 14–20 adults and 5–6 cubs were counted in a census in 2007. In regards to conservation Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance (ALTA) aims at retaining a leopard population of 35 adult females in Primorye and the Jilin-Heilongjiang region; and creating a second population of 20 adult females in the former range of SOURCE: ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON the leopards.
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SOURCE: BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL OF LONDON
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California Condor
alifornia Condor numbers dramatically declined in the 20th century due to poaching, lead poisoning, and habitat destruction. A conservation plan was put in place by the United States government that led to the capture of all 22 remaining wild condors in 1987. Numbers rose through captive breeding and, beginning in 1991, condors have been reintroduced into the wild. The California Condor is one of the world’s rarest bird species: as of December 2011, there are 390 condors known to be living, including 210 in the wild. SOURCE: CENTER FOR CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES
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8
Asiatic Cheetah
he last few Asiatic Cheetah are known to survive mostly in Iran. Although recently presumed to be extinct in India, it is also known as the Indian Cheetah. Subspecies of the Asiatic Cheetah found today only in Iran, with some occasional sightings in Balochistan, Pakistan. Latest research shows that only 70 to 100 Asiatic Cheetahs are estimated to remain. Iranian and Russian ecologists are planning a joint project intended to return to the wild Asiatic Cheetahs in the Central Asian region. SOURCE: ROYAL NATURAL HISTORY
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IN CHINA, A SPECIES HEADS INTO MEMORY The finless porpoise lives in China’s Yangtze River, and the deaths have raised concern the animal is headed for extinction. Here are a few more we need to care about. SHANGHAI: China says 16 endangered finless porpoise have been found dead since the beginning of the year, due in part to what experts suspect is water pollution and climate change, state media reported. The freshwater porpoise — which is known in Chinese as the ‘river pig’ — mainly lives in China’s Yangtze River and two lakes linked to the waterway, and the deaths have raised concern the rare animal is headed for extinction. Since March, authorities have discovered 10 dead porpoises in Dongting Lake in the central province of Hunan, the official Xinhua news agency said. Another six porpoise bodies have been found in Poyang Lake in the eastern province of Jiangxi since the
Iberian Lynx
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beginning of the year, it said. “The recent deaths brought the mortality rate of the finless porpoise (to) between 5 to 10 percent, which means the species will be functionally extinct in 15 years," Xinhua quoted experts as saying. Wang Kexiong, a researcher at China’s Institute of Hydrobiology, said water pollution, shipping, sand dredging and illegal fishing were all possible causes of the recent deaths. Many waterways in China have become heavily contaminated with toxic waste from factories and farms — pollution blamed on more than three decades of rapid economic growth and lax enforcement of environmental protection laws. Climate change, which has caused water levels to
drop and make it more difficult for the porpoises to find food, is another possible factor, the report said. Tests have shown that some of the porpoises are believed to have died of starvation, it said. In 2006, China was estimated to have only 1,200 finless porpoises left. That same year, the Baiji — a freshwater dolphin also native to the Yangtze River — was declared extinct. Earlier this year, a survey found just 65 “river pigs” in Dongting Lake and 300 to 400 in Poyang Lake, the report said. The finless porpoise has been classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, a global environment network which groups governments and NGOs.
berian lynx is a critically endangered species; it is the world’s most threatened species of cat, and the most threatened carnivore in Europe. Studies conducted in March 2005 have estimated the number of surviving Iberian lynx to be as few as 100, which is down from about 400 in 2000 and down from 4,000 in 1960. If the Iberian lynx were to become extinct, it would be the first big cat species to do so since Smilodon populator 10,000 years ago. The Iberian lynx and its habitat are fully protected, and they are no longer legally hunted. Its critical status is mainly due to habitat loss, poisoning, road casualties, feral dogs and poaching. SOURCE: BBC
Baiji
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aiji is a freshwater dolphin found only in the Yangtze River in China. Efforts were made to conserve the species, but a late 2006 expedition failed to find any Baiji in the river. Organizers declared the Baiji “functionally extinct", which would make it the first aquatic mammal species to become extinct since the 1950s. The last known living Baiji was Qi Qi, which died in 2002. SOURCE: BAIJI.ORG
Giant Panda
Saiga Antelope
iant panda is an endangered species, threatened by continued habitat loss and by a very low birthrate, both in the wild and in captivity. In 2012, Earthwatch Institute launched a programme called ‘On the Trail of Giant Panda’. This programme, based in the Wolong National Nature Reserve, allows volunteers to work up close with pandas cared for in captivity, and help them adapt to life in the wild, so that they may breed, and live longer and healthier lives.
aiga is a critically endangered antelope extinct in China and southwestern Mongolia. They were nearly completely exterminated in the 1920s, but recovered and by 1950 there were two million of them in the USSR. Today the population has shrunk by as much as 95%. There is an estimated total number of 50,000 saigas today. In Kazakhstan, the number of saiga was recently found to be increasing.
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SOURCE: EARTHWATCH
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17,473.00 30.71
5,321.50 10.90
BSE
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Business
10g= `28,949
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1kg= `56,860
SILVER
`51.99
DOLLAR
Matters of saving and spending
Take stock of risks Money Matters Nupur Pavan Bang
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rikanth kept mulling over his conversation with Prof. Nicky the entire week. He reached the conclusion that he falls in the category of people who not only have the appetite to take risk, but also have the ability to do so. Equipped with this self realisation, he walked over to Prof. Nicky, who was looking at a piece of paper very carefully. As Srikanth got closer, Prof. Nicky looked up from the piece of paper and gestured to him to look at the graph on the paper. Prof. Nicky: Hey come on Srikanth. Look at this! Srikanth: What is this Professor? Prof. Nicky: Remember that I was telling you that every asset class has its own risk profile? Srikanth: Yes I remember! Prof. Nicky: Ah good! So if somebody has the appetite and the ability to take risks, where does he invest his money? Srikanth: That’s what I came to ask you. I have realised that I fall in that category. Prof. Nicky: There are various asset classes like real estate, commodities etc. in which such people can invest. However, one of the most popular classes of risky assets is equities. Equities
AI expands upgrade offer A
ir India, the national carrier, will now be offering its Get Up Front offer — offering upgraded travel in executive class on its domestic network from 45 stations. Passengers flying in economy class can avail upgrade subject to availability of seats in executive class at the airport, on payment of `4000 for distance up to 750 km and `6000 for distance above 750 km. Passengers with frequent flyer tickets can also avail the upgrade facility. The scheme is valid till June 30. The new stations that have been added are: Chandigarh, Gwalior, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Khajuraho, Leh, Srinagar, Udaipur, Raipur Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Jamnagar, Pune, Nagpur, Rajkot, Coimbatore, Madurai, Vizag, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Mangalore, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Imphal, Ranchi and Silchar.
imply owning a share in the assets, liabilities and profits of a company. When a company grows, more money is required for it to expand. The original promoters may not have that money. Hence they approach the public to buy the shares of the company. That’s where the term “investing in shares” comes from! Thus equities have the benefit of being very liquid, that is, they can be bought and sold easily on the exchanges like the NSE and the BSE. The other aspect of equities which attracts investors to them is the potential to make huge returns. If you look at the graph, you can see that the benchmark NIFTY index has given close to 13.8% returns on an annual, compounded basis over the last ten years. In other
words, if you had invested `1000 in the stocks of Nifty in April 2002, you would have `4,645 now. This is a return of 365% over a 10-year period. This is more than what you would earn if you had invested in fixed deposits or other savings schemes like Kisan Vikas Patra or Post Office Saving schemes! Srikanth: Really? So why do the equities give a higher return? Prof. Nicky: They give a higher return because they need to compensate the investors for the higher risks associated with equities. It is like demanding a higher salary if your job is more stressful. Srikanth: Where is the risk? You just now said that an investor can earn as much as 365% over a 10 year period! Prof. Nicky: Now that is how a lot
of people tend to think and that is why they end up losing money. You would make so much money if you invested in April 2002, and if you remained invested till April 2012. But what if you invested in September 2007 and then had to sell around September 2008? Srikanth, looking more closely at the graph now, gave a gasp, “Oh My God! I would have lost more than 50% of my money in that case”! Prof. Nicky: Exactly. And that is the risk. You do not know where the market is going to go tomorrow. The share prices depend upon the performance of the company, the economic, political and technological factors, the future prospects of the company and many more! When there are so many uncertain elements in running the company, it is very difficult to know exactly how much return you will get after a given period. Historically, the equities have performed better than the other risk free investment tools like Government Bonds or saving schemes and Deposits. For those who can take this risk, it might be worth it! So go ahead boy, invest in equities, choose the companies wisely, and keep your fingers crossed! The author is a senior researcher at Centre for Investment, Indian School of Business
India asks G-20 for credible action WASHINGTON: India has called upon G-20 nations, the world's top economies, to work out a “credible and ambitious” action plan to put the global economy firmly on the path of recovery as also promote strong, sustainable and balanced growth. The proposed action plan to be adopted by the leaders of these countries at their summit in La Cabos, Mexico in June should pay greater attention to three important issues at this juncture, Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee said at a meeting of G-20 finance ministers here. These were developing a framework to assess the progress made on G20 commitments, mainstreaming jobs and employment issues into the framework exercise and stepping up efforts to support investment in the real sector, and especially in infrastructure, he said.
US warns India about investment, tax WASHINGTON: US treasury secretary Timothy Geithner told his Indian counterpart that US businesses have become worried about changes in India's tax regime for foreign companies. In a meeting ahead of the IMFG20 gathering in Washington, Geithner told Pranab Mukherjee that Washington is examining India's proposed tax provisions to determine how they will impact on the US-India bilateral income tax treaty "This route to reviving global growth has not received the attention that it merits," Mukherjee said speaking on "Global Economy and Framework" on the sidelines of the annual World Bank-IMF spring meetings. "To the extent that much of this investment, including in infrastructure, will occur in developing countries, it would also
`83.50
and overall economic relations. "The secretary encouraged Finance Minister Mukherjee to reassure foreign investors that India will continue to welcome foreign capital," a statement from the US Treasury said. India needs to advance economic reforms that will improve the trade and investment atmosphere, "and strengthen India's business climate through greater transparency and predictability," the statement added. help rebalance global demand, as also, redirect savings." Noting that the world has "witnessed a great amount of economic and political turmoil over the past year", Mukherjee said while near term economic data has unexpectedly encouraging, economic conditions overall remain weak, and unemployment at politically unacceptable levels.
POUND FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 201210 NUMEROLOGY
75
per cent
of the world's poor, living on less than $2 a day, have no bank account the World Bank said in a report.
THUS SPAKE “It's equally important that we have the adequate resources to help the low-income countries if they need it. I very much hope that the entire membership will respond and seize the moment," Christine Lagarde, chief of International Monetary Fund
BREATHER Shareholders of Olympus on Friday approved the firm's picks for a new board of directors, despite objections from some investors, as it looks to move on from a $1.7 billion cover-up scandal. "As a majority showed their support, the original proposal was approved," president Shuichi Takayama told shareholders, rejecting a proposal to elect the firm's whistleblowing ousted chief.
GOOD NEWS Microsoft posted quarterly net income of $5.11 billion on record-high revenue on the cusp of what executives billed as a huge "product launch wave" promising even better days ahead. "We're driving toward exciting launches across the entire company, while delivering strong financial results," chief executive Steve Ballmer said. The software titan's stock price quickly jumped more than three percent to $31.98 a share after the release of results that beat Wall Street predictions and boasted unprecedented third-quarter revenue of $17.41 billion. Microsoft's profit for the three months ending March 31 was slightly less than the $5.23 billion seen in the same period last year.
India‑View
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FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
India unveiled
Thugs and money will power over Delhi civics NEW DELHI: At least 49 newlyelected councillors in the recent Delhi civic polls face criminal charges which include murder, kidnapping and extortion, a report revealed on Thursday. Of the 272 newly-elected councillors, the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) — a non-profit, apolitical group working in the field of electoral reforms — has analysed affidavits of 236. Out of these, 49 have criminal cases pending against them. Apart from criminal charges, the councillors also boast of money power. Out of the 236 councillors, 120 or 51 per cent are crorepatis. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi, which was one of the largest civic bodies of the world, was recently trifurcated. Of the three newly created corporations, BJP swept East and North and emerged the single largest party
in the South in polls held April 15. “We have analysed affidavits of 236 councillors out of the 272, the rest 36 affidavits are yet to be received from the State Election Commission,” said Anil Bairwal, national co-ordinator of ADR. According to the figures, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes first in the list with 29 of its councillors facing criminal charges out of 121 elected, fol-
lowed by Indian National Congress with 14 councillors out of 66. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has two councillors out of 14 while Indian National Lok Dal has one councillor out of three. The analysis further says that out of the 49 newly-elected councillors with declared criminal cases, 12 face serious criminal cases like murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, robbery
and extortion. BJP has five, INC has four and BSP has one. Shoeb Danish of Congress from ward number 205, Zakir Nagar in west Delhi has four cases pending against him, including two charges related to atempt to murder. Meghraj Chandela, another elected councillor from ward number 107, Vishnu Garden in west Delhi, has two cases, which include a charge related to attempt to murder. “Satvinder Kaur Sirsa, representing BJP from ward number 103, Punjabi Bagh in west Delhi is the richest with assets worth `112 crore. She is followed by Naresh Balyan, an independent from ward number 126, Nawada in west Delhi with assets worth `57.23 crore and Manju Setia, Congress councillor from ward number 112 — Subhash Nagar in west Delhi with assets worth `32.79 crore,” the statement said. IANS
NATION AT A GLANCE Separatist guerrillas shoot cop in Srinagar SRINAGAR: A police officer was critically injured today (Friday) when separatist guerrillas shot at him near a police station in the Jammu and Kashmir summer capital, police said. “Separatist guerrillas fired from close range at Sukhpal Singh, assistant sub-inspector of police, near the Bagyaz police station in the city. He has been moved to hospital for treatment,” said a police officer.
Girl’s foetus found in Rajasthan town JAIPUR: The foetus of a girl was found abandoned on the edge of a sewer line in Rajasthan’s Dausa town on Thursday. Police said it was spotted by some passersby in Kotwali police station area of Dausa, about 150km from Jaipur. “Some passersby spotted her lying near a sewer line and informed police,” a police officer told.
Primary teachers fail Class V test, sacked
Monkeys frolic in water to beat the heat in Jaipur on Thursday. PTI
PATNA: The Bihar govern-
Mumbai train service getting back to normal
ment has sacked 151 primary school teachers after they failed to clear two consecutive eligibility tests, officials Thursday said. The education department has ordered that they be sacked after they failed two consecutive eligibility tests
conducted in 2010 and 2011 by the State Council for Educational Research and Training. “These teachers have been sacked,” said Asutosh, director, primary education, who had issued the order. They were tested for knowledge of English, Mathematics, Hindi
and General Knowledge for up to Class V. Education officials in various districts have been asked to comply with the order within 15 days. According to officials in the education department, however, there is a provision for such action in regulations for recruitment of fixed pay
teachers in state-run schools. A few years ago, the state government had sacked 15,000 teachers for having submitted fake degrees and certificates for recruitment in state-run schools. Bihar has been conducting such eligibility tests for school teachers since 2008. IANS
Australia lures Indian tourists Rekha Bhattacharjee
SYDNEY: Buoyed by the number of Indian tourists flocking to Australia, an influential tourism promotional body has asked the Australian government to invest $1 billion to attract more visitors from India and other Asian countries in the next decade. Besides India, the Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) has also urged the federal government to focus on Australia’s top visitor resource country China and other Asian countries. “The burgeoning middle class in Asia will continue to provide potential visitors and their increasing buying power makes them a key market for Australian goods and services, including food and wine, edu-
cation, health and technology,” says the forum’s ‘Australia in the Asian Century’ report. According to a TTF projection, the Asian middle class
could rise from 500 million people in 2009 to 3.2 billion in 2030. The TTF and other tourism promotion bodies down under have reasons to focus on China,
India and other Asian countries as there has been an increase of 40 per cent in the number of Asian visitors compared to 1999. The growth in export earnings from non-Asian source markets, on the other hand, went up by only two per cent over the same period. In the last three years, India has jumped from the 11th position to seventh as the source country of visitors to Australia. The increase looks even more impressive if analysed on per centage basis (315 per cent). While expressing optimism about the Asian market, the TTF has also cautioned Australian government not to be complacent as competitors like the US and Britain, are making aggressive inroads into Australia’s neighbourhood. IANS
MUMBAI: Central Railway Friday assured normalisation of crucial suburban services by evening, three days after a fire disrupted its network resulting in overcrowded trains that claimed three lives, an official said. By Thursday night, barring minor glitches, Central Railway claimed to have normalised up to 85 per cent of its suburban operations.
Two policemen killed as truck falls on them NANDED (MAHARASHTRA): In a freak accident, two policemen were crushed to death under a truck which fell on them at a firing range on the outskirts of the town here on Thursday, officials said. The victims were working under a newly-constructed concrete slab on the roof of the Nanded Firing Range, around 14km from here.
Women compete in a Tug of War during the 100 years celebrations of Suwari festival at Boko in Assam on Thursday.
Around the World
12
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
Beyond Borders
Cartagena has the last laugh Colombians are laughing on the outside at the US Secret Service prostitute scandal CARTAGENA: The American Secret Service really is the best in the world — they found all the prostitutes that the Colombians were hiding from a visiting Barack Obama. That’s just one of the jokes Colombians have been making about the scandal of Secret Service agents currently being investigated for allegedly cavorting with prostitutes in the city of Cartagena last week. The agents were there ahead of Obama’s arrival in the Summit of the Americas in the colonial port city on the Caribbean. Many here have giggled at each new development, reveling in the powerful “gringos” brought down a peg or two. Twitter groaned under the weight of jokes about sex summits, and the hashtag #serviciosexcreto was created. Under the title “Cartageneros can’t stop making jokes about the news,” the tabloid Al Dia reported that locals had labeled the expelled agents Obama’s “12 Apostles” — stretching the number of agents (11) in the Secret Service fiasco slightly to fit the joke. The article further said that the owner of a brothel, where witnesses say the agents picked up the prostitutes, had phoned the police after five journalists “who looked like ‘gringos’” wouldn’t stop banging on his establishment’s door.
Photo of the Hotel Caribe in Cartagena, Colombia where Secret Service members recalled from Colombia had stayed. AFP Such a scrum by the US media was guaranteed once the incident was widely reported to be called “the biggest scandal in the history of the Secret Service” by an expert on the agency. Organizers of the summit, which brought together around 30 heads of state from across the Americas, were dismayed as American reporters turned their back on weighty issues such as the drug war, relations with Cuba and poverty and inequality in Latin America, to go looking for interviews with the prostitutes in question. The scandal couldn’t have
come at a worse time for a country trying to present a new image to the world — something beyond drug-traffickers, endless guerrilla wars and hookers. President Juan Manual Santos had just graced the cover of Time magazine with a long story on the country’s comeback. “The inappropriate conduct of the Americans has overshadowed us a little,” Cartagena interior minister Nausicrate Perez told CNN. “But we are sure that we will transcend this, because Cartagena is much more. It is a beautiful, calm city, a historic city that showed the world its security
and tranquility.” The Summit of the Americas itself was to show off to the international community a new confident Colombia, rather than the basket case of old. Ahead of the summit, local authorities tried to clean up Cartagena’s charming chaos, hiding the homeless, stray dogs and street vendors. And the prostitutes. A sanitised Cartagena was presented to the region’s leaders. Much of the Colombian media happily went along with this plan. Television presenters congratulated the government on its successful managing of the summit. With the local media cooing over the presidents’ arrival to the “red carpet,” it felt closer to E! Television live coverage of the Oscars. But many Colombians feared that the prostitutes scandal, or “Hookergate” as it was predictably called, would compound the world’s unfair image of the country. That seemed confirmed Tuesday when Caracol radio ran an interview with a particularly sleazy US tour operator who organizes trips to Cartagena for Americans to sleep with Colombian prostitutes. In the interview, he said that the day after the scandal broke, he received 22 emails inquiring about traveling to Cartagena. GLOBALPOST
Virtual trial rooms thanks to robots TALLINN: Fashion fans have one more reason to swap brickand-mortar shops for online retailers: a company in techsavvy Estonia has come up with a way to let you try on new clothes on your own computer. The Fits.me company aims to end the guessing game about size and spare online shops heaps of returned goods thanks to shape-shifting robotic mannequins — which can grow from slim to muscular in moments — combined with a technology invented by Estonian universities. “When I wanted to buy clothes online a few years ago, it took time to figure out at Timberland my size is S, at Lacoste and Levi it’s M, but at Abercrombie and Fitch I am XXL,” said Heikki Haldre, its co-founder. “Our robots and the Virtual Fitting Room technology have solved the main problem that online clothing retailers face — the lack of a fitting room,” added the 36-year-old. The technology created by two Estonian universities allows
online shoppers to enter their body measurements to instantly see how snug an S size would be for them, or how loosely an XXL shirt would fit them. What makes this possible is the data from Fits.me, which tests garments on the variable robotic mannequins to map how a particular brand’s clothes would look on people of different dimensions. The robots can take on about 1,00,000 different body shapes,
though only about 2,000 are being used for commercial purposes. The technology has already attracted the world’s largest online fashion retailer Otto, men’s luxury brand Ermenegildo Zegna and US retailer Park & Bond, among others. Fits.me says its surveys have shown that retailers using the technology had registered an average 57-per cent increase in sales — and a 35 per cent drop in volumes of returned goods. “Customers are responding well to the tool and it seems to be helping convert new customers,” said Nadine Sharara, head of ecommerce at British retailer Thomas Pink, which has been using the technology since autumn 2011. Fits.me comes from the small but technologically advanced Estonia, which has been driving the e-revolution for years with inventions such as Skype. The company is made up of 32 humans and 14 robots, as Haldre puts it.
— ‘Ground-breaking business model’ — Fashion retail was undergoing a major change, he said. Research suggested that one in four clothes shops on the high street could face closure in less than eight years as sales moved online. “While in 2000 only two percent of clothes were bought online in developed countries, the share is now 10-13 per cent and it is expected to increase to 35 per cent by 2020,” he said, citing international surveys. “In 2012, about one in eight garments are sold via the Internet. Customers will return one in four, mainly because the size they received did not fit,” says Haldre. Fits.me launched the technology in early 2011 and industry watchers were quick to catch on. Vogue fashion magazine picked the company as one of the 100 most influential names in the digital fashion world in their 2012 Online Fashion 100 power list. AFP
Therapeutic channel for dogs
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ogTV will launch nationally in the coming months, said television executives on Wednesday. The on-demand channel, which costs $4.99 per month, offers an eight-hour block of programming, commercial and re-run free for a dog’s viewing pleasure, said Yahoo News. “DogTV provides television for dogs as a 24/7 digital TV channel with dog — friendly programming scientifically developed to provide the right company for dogs when left alone.,” says the website. The channel’s success in San
Diego, where it has over one million subscribers, convinced executives at the parent company PTV Media to take the channel nationally in the coming months. According to Bloomberg, the program is also available online in Canada and even has an iPad app. And with 46 million dogs in the US and nearly every home having at least one television, the market is rich with possible subscribers. However, shooting television for dogs is not a straightforward task with colour changes and point-of-view shots that make it fit for canine viewers. Even the tedious music is tailored to dog sensibilities. According to Reuters, the programming was created by a group of Israeli television entrepreneurs after hundreds of hours of research into the viewing habits and preferences of dogs. Yet, according to animal researchers, what dogs actually see or hear on television is still up for debate. The Associated Press interviewed Nick Dodman, director of the Animal Behaviour Clinic in Department of Clinical Sciences at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Massachusetts, who said that on analog televisions dogs can only see the flickering screen. Yet, technology such as high definition, may have changed how dogs see images on the screen and may even allow them to recognize their own breed.
Around the World Russia wary of US retaining Afghan troops BRUSSELS:
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has expressed concern over US plans to keep its military contingent in Afghanistan after the pullout of international troops in 2014. Lavrov also said Moscow was worried about the drug and terrorism situation in Afghanistan after the pullout. “We do not understand such plans to maintain a presence, we have questions and we would like to get answers,” Lavrov said following a foreign ministerial meeting of the Russia-Nato Council in Brussels. He said the international contingent stayed in Afghanistan under a UN Security Council mandate. “So long as the Afghan side is unable to provide security in the country, any artificial deadlines for troops’ withdrawal do not seem correct. But when the UN Security Council mandate expires, there will be no reason for a foreign presence in Afghanistan,” he said. The Russian minister expressed concern about the persisting threat of terrorism and drug trafficking from Afghanistan. “Despite all the international efforts, the threat of terrorism and trafficking from Afghanistan persists,” he said. IANS
Clooney to host dinner for Obama WASHINGTON:
George Clooney will host a $6 million fundraising dinner for Barack Obama at his Los Angeles home as the president fills his campaign coffers to battle Romney. The event, on May 10, will feature in the “Dinner with Barack” campaign which the president’s political braintrust dreamed up to drum up donations and grassroots support. Obama fans are invited to enter the contest and donate as little as $3 on a webpage titled “Obama, Clooney and You”.Lucky winners earn a spot at the dinner. “George Clooney is doing his part to help re-elect the president, but he knows that it’s grassroots supporters like you who will decide this election,” the website reads. AFP
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FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
Beyond Borders
Syria mission is critical, risky: Ban UNITED NATIONS: UN leader Ban Ki-moon on Thursday pressed the UN Security Council to quickly approve an expanded ceasefire monitor mission in Syria but acknowledged that it involved risks. The United States and its allies said however that Syria must allow freedom of movement in “hotspot” cities for monitors already in the country before the Security Council allows more to be sent. The UN secretary general said President Bashar al-Assad has not halted violence and was not keeping to a six-point peace plan agreed with UNArab League special envoy Kofi Annan. But Ban urged the council to take “early action” to send 300 unarmed observers to Syria. “This is not a decision without risk,” he acknowledged. “But I believe it can contribute to achieving a just peace and political settlement.” The UN leader told reporters there was “deeply troubling evidence” that the government was pursuing its deadly crackdown despite agreeing to halt violence. “The past few days, in particular, have brought reports of
MOSCOW: Newly elected members of Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition party are due to meet Friday to consider boycotting parliament because of a deepening row about the constitutional oath, a senior member said. It is the first sign of serious discord between Suu Kyi's NLD and the reformist regime since April 1 by-elections that gave the former political prisoner her first-ever seat in Parliament.
140 Russian parties apply for registration
An image grab taken from a video shows fire rising from reported shelling by Syrian government forces on the district of Khalidiya in the central city of Homs. AFP renewed and escalating violence, including the shelling of civilian areas, grave abuses by government forces and attacks by armed groups.” The United Nations and the Syrian government signed an accord allowing an advance party of UN observers to operate across the country. Syria however did not agree to let the monitors have their own helicopters and other aircraft. “For the mission to succeed, we require the Syrian government’s full cooperation, in ensuring the full freedom of movement and unfettered access and safety and security
of personnel,” Ban said. He also criticised the Syrian government over the lack of action to help those who have left their homes. “This is unacceptable. I call on the Syrian authorities to recognize the full urgency of the situation and permit UN agencies and international relief organizations to organize a major humanitarian field operation,” he declared. Meanwhile rebel Free Syrian Army called for outside military intervention against the Damascus regime even without UN Security Council approval, in a video posted online on Thursday. AFP
Levon Helm dies at 71
NEW YORK: Levon Helm, whose gruff vocals and razorsharp drumming underpinned the seminal late 1960s rock group The Band, died Thursday, his recording studio said. He was 71. “Levon Helm passed peacefully this afternoon,” said Barbara O’Brien, executive manager of Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, New York, in an email to AFP. “He was surrounded by family, friends and band mates and will be remembered by all he touched as a brilliant musician and a beautiful soul,” she said. Rolling Stone magazine, on its website, said Helm died of throat cancer in New York. It quoted Helm’s longtime guitarist Larry Campbell as saying he died “with dignity” with loved ones close by. Helm had undergone 28 treatments for throat cancer first diagnosed in the 1990s, Rolling Stone said, adding
GLOBE AT A GLANCE Suu Kyi MPs to consider Parliament boycott
AFP
MOSCOW: More than 140 political parties in Russia have lined up for registration, an official said. Russia currently has seven officially registered parties.”So far 143 political parties have sent their registration applications to the ministry of justice,” said Vladimir Pligin, chairman of the Committee for Constitutional Legislation.
A priest sweeps petals of cherry blossoms from an approach to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo for the spring festival. AFP
US senators want Kony bounty increased WASHINGTON: Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony has eluded justice for decades — now US lawmakers are hoping an expanded reward system could hasten his capture. A group of senators led by foreign relations committee chairman John Kerry introduced a legislation that expands the US rewards program used to help nab international criminals.
2 Tibetans die after immolating themselves BEIJING: Two more Tibetans died after setting themselves on fire in a restive southwestern region of China, a rights group said on Friday, the latest in a wave of such protests against Beijing's rule. A total of 34 Tibetans, many of them Buddhist monks and nuns, are now reported to have attempted to kill themselves in the same way since the start of 2011.
that his condition forced him to cancel a number of concerts. One of the very few drummers who also sang lead vocals, Helm is best known for such Band tracks as The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Rag Mama Rag, Up on Cripple Creek and The Weight.
The Arkansas native grew up watching such early rock’n’roll stars as Elvis Presley before taking up the drums and, in time, joining Ronnie Hawkins in 1960. There he met four Canadian musicians with whom he formed a group that came to be known as The Band. AFP
Indigenous Aymara rural workers are seen blocking the route that connects La Paz with Arica (Chile), near Curahuara. AFP
Comment
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
Fair, free and forthright
Editorials DIDI NEEDS A ‘ministry of truth’
S
oon Mamata Banerjee might run out of targets to blame for all and sundry that goes wrong in West Bengal and may soon begin blaming aliens for an inter-galactic conspiracy to defame her infallible government. Her latest directive to the people has been to avoid news channels that air unsavoury information on the failings of her administration and instead listen to music. Persecution of cartoonists; blocking newspapers and diktat prohibiting marrying CPM supporters’ children — one can’t help but wonder if the Trinamool supremo is running a democracy or dictatorship. The only way out for Mamata, who is the sole target for all forces evil, is to create a ‘ministry of truth’ like the one in George Orwell’s 1984. This ministry can be used to rewrite the history of the state, change syllabus, erase records of political blunders, tarnish opponents of all hues and, of course, project Mamata as god’s gift to West Bengal for its emancipation from the three-decade-long Marxist rule. One can only pray that the land of Tagore survive paribortan under the able guidance of Didi.
WHY WE LOVE... Levon Helm
T
he Band has always been among the greatest group of musicians ever to have played together. But times’ passage has claimed a few, most recently the drummer Levon Helm. Helm was a consummate musician and his voice unmistakeable, the music world will be poorer with his passing.
Battling corruption from the ground up! The Anonymous Alien
T
he longer corruption is around, the more some people and organisations learn to profit from the corrupt environment, and thus the more resistance there is to reversing that environment. In other words, the longer corruption is around, the harder it is to destroy. Still, in the last few years, there seems to be some momentum to taking down the people and organisations at the top of the corruption food chain — witness the 2G and cricket scandals — and that’s certainly encouraging. But maybe it’s time to also start looking further down the corruption food chain, near the bottom, and start climbing up. Here are some suggestions: 1) Rickshaws. The idea that you try to negotiate a reasonable fare with a rickshaw driver each time you want a ride, instead of just trusting an objective meter, is ridiculous. Anybody not familiar with distances and times in Hyderabad is taken for more than just a rickshaw ride every time they climb aboard. More than this, the whole process of having to negotiate every ride is a waste of time and emotionally draining — I myself barely use rickshaws in Hyderabad, whereas I used them frequently in Mumbai where meters are used. Let’s put an end to this. Let Hyderabad set reasonable rates for rickshaws, and enforce meter usage. A few undercover cops yanking the licenses of non-compliant rickshaw drivers will start to turn the tide on this quickly. Will the rickshaw drivers strike? Sure. Is that a reason not to put in and enforce the use of a standardised metering system like virtually every other modern city in the world? Nope. 2) Newspapers. You think you’re getting ‘news’ from newspapers in India, but frequently, you’re not. Content in many Indian newspapers — including some of the biggest and best known — can be bought without the newspapers letting readers know. This is insidious: The reader is left thinking what he is reading was fact-checked and is objective, a
Machine makes more
Missile not the need
The technological departments in the farms are something very good to see. I still remember the days when we couldn't get a good crop due to the lack of labour. But thanks to the technology now, looks like our farmer friends are having a much better and an easier time on the field. Let man (read labourers) fend for himself. We must look at the larger picture and not concentrate on things at the micro level. We need to try and produce more and more so that hunger becomes a thing of the past.
Most of the people around have somehow taken the launch of the Agni-V to be a very good one. Of course the people at the DRDO have done a good job in going about the project and making it a huge success, but somehow I feel that the government has forgotten that there are homeless people in India who don't even get three meals a day. So I believe that their first concentration should be to improve the conditions of the people in the country rather that creating missiles.
Dinesh Agarwal Abids
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Harish Rao Sainikpuri
LET HYDERABAD SET REASONABLE RATES FOR RICKSHAWS, AND ENFORCE METER USAGE. A FEW UNDERCOVER COPS YANKING THE LICENSES OF NON-COMPLIANT RICKSHAW DRIVERS WILL START TO TURN THE TIDE ON THIS QUICKLY. WILL THE RICKSHAW DRIVERS STRIKE? SURE. piece of news, per say, when in reality it’s an opinion or position of one individual, party or company. One simple law — that content that is paid to be placed in newspapers must be labelled as ‘the following is paid content’ — could put a serious dent in this practice. If you force the use of the same label when gifts are offered instead of cash, the law would go even further to eliminating this form of pseudo journalism. 3) Universities. I’ve written before about how India universities are turning out
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
students who don’t know if the earth goes around the sun, or vice versa. That’s heartbreaking. What’s even more depressing is that many Indians are paying far more than the 30,000–75,000 rupees per year that is the advertised tuition of many of these schools to get such a second-rate education. They are frequently paying 10–20 times the advertised rate, in under-the-table money to the admissions office to get accepted into the school. Again, a few undercover transactions with the school by police or the CBI, followed by lots of media coverage, could put a quick dent in this insidious practice. I realise there are many other places that one could start with in a bottom-up anti-corruption movement, and I’ll hit these in a future article. But these three — daily transport, daily news and standard education, impact virtually all of us every single day. EVERY SINGLE DAY. You have to start somewhere. So let’s get going. Oh yeah, and I didn’t pay anyone to place this article in this newspaper. A foreigner’s observations on living, working, surviving and thriving in India.
Students unaware
RTE is complicated
Right to Education is turning out to be more complicated than I had imagined, thanks to Postnoon's series of articles. By bringing up several points of view on this issue, your team has highlighted the pros and cons of the issue. Initially, I thought that the act would enable all kids below the age of 14 to get free education and that government would fund the basic education, but it looks like RTE might end up being yet another quota reserved for the poor. There are several loopholes in the act and I hope Kapil Sibal and his team take notice. Saraswati T Gachibowli
The right to education is one good thing the education system in India has ever done. I was so happy reading the article. The root cause for all the problems in the country is lack of education; we would not see poverty anymore in the country if everyone is educated. Bringing this act to practice is like our first step to development. According to me, every kid was born with equal rights so everyone should get equal education I am pro right to education.
Prahlad R Khairtabad
Rhythm Nation
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
Back in 1967, The Beatles formed their company, the Beatles & Co. capitalising on the musical hysteria that was the ‘Beatlemania’
The Fab Four T
he Beatles were definitely the most innovative, popular and successful music groups of the twentieth century. They set in motion a more creative paradigm of the modern rock era, transforming hairstyles, and fashion. They had a major influence of the mindset of the youth during that period regarding drugs and politics. The Beatles preferred to write their own songs and had music videos to accompany them; performing the first arena rock concerts; creating the first unified rock albums along with hit singles.They were definitely regarded as groundbreaking artists On the 52nd anniversary of the formation of their company, Beatles & Co., this is what some of their fans had to say about their music: Nirav Nathaniel, an employee with Dell says, “The first song of theirs that really made me a fan and drew me to listening to them more was I am the Walrus and the next was Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. They have songs for almost every mood there is. And the musical genius of Paul McCartney and John Lennon together was and will remain the greatest in history. When I heard Paul sing the song Yesterday for the very first time, I was floored like a little girl. Not just about their music, but they inspired so many bands in their time, Oasis being one of them. Their music is something that which will never fade away even with the generations that are to come.” Chetan Singh, a film editor says, “The band’s journey is a typical journey of a man, their songs started from the most general idea of teenage love, and their journey through life and experiences are seen in their songs. As they grew older, we see
a more mature band talking about the most eminent and basic issues of human existence and that’s why, the Beatles are the best!” Zaira Arslan, a student of Literature in Mumbai is of the opinion that, there is no music like the one that was made by
iTUNES Top 10 songs
1. Somebody That I Used to Know – Gotye (feat. Kimbra) 2.We Are Young – Fun (feat. Janelle Monáe)
3. What Makes You Beautiful – One Direction 4. Boyfriend – Justin Bieber 5. Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen 6. Wild Ones – Flo Rida (feat. Sia) 7.Glad You Came – The Wanted 8. Drive By – Train 9. So Good – B.o.B 10. Eyes Open – Taylor Swift
The Beatles. “What can you say about The Beatles that hasn’t already been said. They’re legends, really. It’s been more than 40 years since they disbanded, but even now every day their music attracts new fans. It’s gold. It’s the sort of stuff you’ll find meaning in irrespective of
what you’re looking for. It would be next to impossible to pick one favourite song, but if I had to, I think Hey Jude would win by a sliver.” Ather Mirza, an Electronics and Instrumentation Professor from Hyderabad is a huge fan of the Beatles. “I was quite young
Top 10 albums
1. We Are Young –fun. Featuring Janelle Monae 2. Somebody That I Used To Know – Gotye Featuring Kimbra
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3. Glad You Came – The Wanted 4. What Makes You Beautiful – One Direction 5. Boyfriend – Justin Bieber 6. Starships – Nicki Minaj 7. Wild Ones – Flo Rida Featuring Sia 8. (Stronger. What Doesn’t Kill you – Kelly Clarkson 9. Part Of Me – Katy Perry 10. Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
when they hit the scene. It was during my college years that I would get introduced to Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Even now when I listen to their songs, I reminisce about my college days. Their music is the sort that will never go out of date and is here to stay”
Bollywood Top 10 songs – Jannat 2 3. Mann Jaage
1. Rab Ka Shukrana – Jannat 2 2. Sang Hoon Tere
– Bittoo Boss 4. Jannatein Kahan – Jannat 2 5. Raabta (Night in a Motel) – Agent Vinod 6. Main Hoon Shab – Tezz 7. Mahe Jaan – Hate Story 8. Pani Da Rang – Vicky Donor 9. Jhallah Wallah – Ishaqzaade 10. Naina Re – Dangerous Ishq
H‑Factor
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
Holistic view of mind, body and soul
Men need to stay alert After age 40, there’s every need for a man to get an annual health check up to ensure there are no chances of him getting prostate cancer Ranjini Rajendra ranjini.r@postnoon.co
“H
e is touted to be one of the richest men in the world and also a great philanthropist. In fact, his success story is an inspiration for many a budding entrepreneurs. So when 81-year-old Warren Buffett was diagnosed with stage I prostate cancer, it took the world by shock. Fortunately, Buffett’s doctors have assured him that his ailment is not life threatening and radiation can effectively cure him of the cancer. But for a country like India, where most men prefer keeping such topics under wraps or are unaware of the signs related to it, there has been an increasing incidence of prostate cancer in the last few years. “Unfortunately, there have been no concerted efforts made to research the reason behind this rise in incidence of prostate cancer. Hence, it is hard to put a finger on the reasons responsible for this. Besides, the cancer registries in our country represent merely 5 to 6 per cent of all the cases, simply because not all cancer cases are recorded. Thus making it difficult for us to know how much of the Indian population is really battling cancer,” says Dr K Samasivaiah, consultant medical oncologist and clinical haematologist at KIMS.
What is prostate cancer? Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate gland, a part of the male reproductive gland. “The prostate gland depends on the male hormone testosterone for growth, functioning and existence. This gland is situated around the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body). Which is why when a person develops prostate cancer, one of the first signs he displays is difficulty in passing urine,” explains Dr Sambasivaiah. Prostate cancer usually occurs in elderly men, however, in India the incidence is seen in younger men, between the ages of 55 and 60. “Doctors usually advise men to get an annual blood test done after the age of 40 to track the prostate specific
antigen (PSA). This is produced only in the prostate gland and an annual blood test can help pick prostate cancer early. Most modern laboratories conduct this test,” he says.
Look out for “One of the first signs of prostate cancer is difficulty in passing urine. A patient may find that the pressure with which he passes urine may have been reduced to a mere trickle. Despite trying hard to pass urine, he may feel he has not emptied his bladder completely. Another sign to watch out for is lower back pain. This usually occurs in advanced cases, when cancer spreads to the lumbar spine. Often we find that patients miss the signs of prostate cancer and only dis-
cover it at this late stage. That too, after having visited their physicians and orthopaedics for back pain. Hence, a persistent pain in the lower back should be evaluated properly,” says Dr Sambasivaiah.
Treatment options There are three modalities of treating prostate cancer. “When the cancer is detected early, we advise conducting a surgery to remove the prostate gland. This is a curative surgery. In case, the cancer has been detected in the next stage, and has spread a little beyond the gland and surgery is not feasible then radiation is equally effective,” explains the doctor. In cases where the cancer has spread much beyond the gland to other organs, it is
termed at metastatic prostate cancer. In such cases, doctors advise removing the testes, to stop feeding the cancer with testosterone. “There are also treatments available where the patient can opt for monthly injections to block the testosterone, but these are expensive and are temporary,” he adds. In patients with prostate cancer, survival rates are as high as 95 per cent if it is detected early. Only when it progresses to the metastatic stage is cure not possible. At this stage treatment is meant to prolong life. So if you’re a man who’s crossed 40, we suggest getting that annual blood test. It takes only a few minutes, but can save you a whole lot of trouble.
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Depressed moms likely to wake babies
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new study concludes depressed mothers are more likely to wake up their sleeping infants than happy moms. The research from Penn State shows that depressed mothers were more likely to interfere with their children’s sleep, even though the infants didn’t need it, CBS News reported. Babies who woke up more at night were more likely to have depressed mothers, but the link was not as strong as the depressed moms who woke their children up. “Especially interesting about this was that when depressed mothers sought out their infants at night, their infants did not appear to be in need of parental help. They were either sound asleep or perhaps awake, but not distressed” said Douglas Teti, associate director of the Social Science Research Institute at Penn State. Teti’s said unhappy moms go to their babies for their own emotional security or “contact comfort,” The Globe and Mail reported. The study also cited preliminary data showing that moms with postpartum marital troubles are more likely to share a bed with their babies. GLOBAL POST
Caffeine may help overcome dry eyes affeine intake may help overcome dry eye syndrome (DES) — caused by the diminishing ability to produce tears with symptoms like grittiness, scratchy or smarting sensation and production of stringy discharge from the eyes. The disease, for many, could simply be annoying, but for others it could lead to the loss of vision. Researchers led by Reiko Arita, from the University of Tokyo’s School of Medicine, conducted tests on 78 participants, who produced significantly more tears after consuming caffeine than after taking a placebo, the journal Ophthalmology reported. The research was inspired by an earlier study that had shown a reduced risk for dry eye in caffeine users: 13 per cent had the syndrome compared to nearly 17 percent of non-users, according to a statement. The team knew that caffeine was likely to stimulate tear glands, as it was known to increase secretions, such as saliva and digestive juices. They also knew that people respond differently to caffeine, so they analysed study participants’ DNA samples for two genetic variations play important roles in caffeine metabolism, the university said. GLOBAL POST
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H‑Factor
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
Holistic view of mind, body and soul
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Why do we need to exercise? It is essential to incorporate some form of exercise or the other in our daily routine. While a lot is said about the subject, we take a look at what exactly it is and why it works for us DEEPAK DESHPANDE
Kuldep Sethi feedback@postnoon.com
I
Types of exercise
t is essential to incorporate some form of exercise or the other in our daily routine. While a lot is said about the subject, we take a look at what exactly it is and why it works for us. Exercise is also known as physical activity and includes anything that gets you moving, such as walking, dancing, or working in the yard. There are three broad intensities of exercise — Light exercise, Moderate exercise and Vigorous exercise.
There are three main types of exercise, each one has a different effect on your body: n Aerobic exercise such as swimming or running increases your cardiorespiratory fitness and endurance. n Flexibility exercises such as yoga and pilates improve the full range of motion of your muscles and joints. n Resistance exercise such as weight-lifting increases your muscle strength by requiring your muscles to lift, push or pull against something. So first chalk out your goals — whether it is getting fit, losing weight or fighting stress and then modify your exercise routine accordingly.
Why do we need to exercise? Have you ever heard the expression “use it or lose it”? It’s true! If you don't use your body, you will surely lose it. Your muscles will become flabby and weak. Your heart and lungs won't function efficiently. And your joints will be stiff and easily injured. Inactivity is as much of a health risk as smoking! So get a move on.
Exercise regularly and you will: n Increase your endurance n Have healthier muscles,
joints and bones n Increase your metabolism n Have more energy n Experience a sense of wellbeing and be better able to cope with stress
bicycling for no more than 200 minutes per week with no more than 60 minutes per session. For weight training a maximum of three times per week targeting the same muscle groups helps.
Strength Training Guidelines: n Be better able to get to sleep and stay asleep n Enhances Flexibility The National Physical Activity Guidelines for Australians recommends at a minimum 30 minutes of moderate physical activity. But even short periods of light exercise and daily activities are beneficial if you want to prevent obesity and diabetes. New research
shows that sitting around for long periods of time can increase your blood glucose levels – even if you fit a 30 minute session of exercise in — so stay active and complement your 30 minutes of exercise with regular light activity. If you can exercise at a moderate pace for 20 - 30 minutes at least five days a week, you may not shed pounds, but you will be doing your heart and your car-
diovascular system a lot of good.
How often should you exercise A "stop-start" routine is ineffective. It can cause injuries so being consistent is the key. As a beginner three days per week is realistic, safe and effective. If you’re experienced then do cardiovascular (aerobic) exercises such as walking, jogging and
The following guidelines are recommended. n Minimum of 8 - 10 exercises n Involve major muscle groups n Minimum of 2 times per week n Minimum of 1 set of 8 - 12 repetitions of each excercise n Resistance that results in "near fatigue
(The writer is a fitness expert and director of 360 Degrees Fitness, Hyderabad)
Magnetic rod reduces need for surgery for a curved spine PARIS: A new magnetic back-straightening rod holds promise for treating children born with curved spines without the need for six-monthly surgery, researchers in Hong Kong said on Thursday. At present, straightening rods fixed to the spine have to be lengthened on an operating table under general anaesthesia every six months to keep pace with the child’s growth. The researchers replaced these with a new type of magnetically — adjustable rod in five children aged five to 14 being treated for scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, at the Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital in Hong Kong.
During monthly clinic visits over two years, the rods were manipulated with an external, hand-held magnetic device placed over the implanted, internal magnet, said the study published in The Lancet medical journal. A rotating mechanism within the rod caused it to extend and thus lengthen the spine. “Our finding is that the rod can be remotely extended and the big advantage of this remote extension of the rod is that the patient does not need to undergo general anaesthaesia,” study member Kenneth Cheung of the University of Hong Kong told AFP.
“They basically come back to our clinic once every month and we spend 30 seconds just to extend the rod and the patient can go back to school.” About three percent of all people suffer from scoliosis, and some 0.1 per cent require straightening treatment, said Cheung. Traditionally, doctors used screws and rods to straighten the spine of scoliosis patients and keep it in place, but in small children this hampered their growth. The extendable rod has been in use for about five to 10 years, said Cheung. A large-scale trial is being planned to see whether the prototype treatment is effective. AFP
F‑Folio
Because you are what you wear
BHANUNI BY JYOTI SHARMA
J
yoti Sharma’s collection is an edgy and more experimental take on cocktail dressing. The highlight of the collection is the structured tailoring with embroidered motifs creating a three-dimensional effect on the surface. Though the embroidery, geometric panelling, abstract motifs are definitely not subtle, the dresses are not too difficult to wear and can be slipped on and worn with heels or even flat sandals. Jyoti’s collection is great for summer cocktails as it is not casual enough to wear during day time to office or for lunch and is also not as formal to wear to a dinner. The cocktail hour is a perfect time to try experimental yet comfortable easy garments.
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ROHIT GANDHI AND RAHUL KHANNA
he designer duo is famous for throwing some of the best cocktail soirees at their home and art gallery in New Delhi. Then it comes as no surprise that they design for the modern woman who enjoys a cocktail hour occasionally. Summer collection 2012 by Rohit and Rahul comprises of evening wear with predominantly a black palette and a few colours like white, red with metallic sequins. Keeping things light in a generally formal collection, they have played with sheer fabrics and added lapels to tops and skirts to add the element of playfulness when the fabric moves. Their client is definitely the attention grabbing, respect demanding, fun-loving girl.
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
GETTING READY FOR THE
20&21
Cocktail hour is that time before dinner where people gather to socialise and to relax. Ditch the predictable LBD and check out some options from the latest collections of the Spring Summer designer wear to make a good impression
COCKTAIL HOUR Surabhi Chauhan
feedback@postnoon.com
VINEET BAHL
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NAMRATA JOSHIPURA
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amrata is a woman who designs for women. Meaning, her understanding of a woman’s need in terms of fashion and garments is spot on. She knows how a woman would sometimes love to wear a simple shift dress and at times love to wear a gown with a very high-thigh slit. This collection is sexy and classic. Black dresses with subtle embroidery that would make the wearer shine in a crowded room. Designed for the urban, modern woman, this collection has plenty options for evening wear. Sequined shorts, classic trousers, long and short dresses, skirts, blouses, and even summer jackets. Her work requires her to shuffle between New Delhi and New York and this is clearly reflected in the colours and prints she chooses: grey, black, white with a hint of orange to add some warmth.
colour palette perfect for the Indian summer, designer Vineet Bahl’s collection is inspired by the Persian aesthetics. Block print geometric patterns in a palette of off-white, maroon, yellow, blue and classic black. The garments are very easy to wear and could be worn with the existing classic wardrobe pieces like blue jeans, white shirt, and black trousers. His garments will make for an interesting evening wear since the prints and motifs are new and will stand out, and the silhouettes are fresh and take the shape of the body as opposed to the other way around. Plus these garments can easily be carried from day wear to evening wear, with just a simple change of heels and accessories.
RAHUL MISHRA
R
ahul Mishra is a designer who studied textile and has a knack for modernising the Indian fabrics into contemporary silhouettes. A soft colour palette, this collection has easy to wear dresses tailored to look elegant and effortlessly glamorous. His intelligent tailoring doesn’t show too much skin yet does not make the woman feel uncomfortable or overtly covered in excessive fabric. Light summer dresses, shorts, separates with Indian motifs of leafs, paisley and flowers. The closing look on the runway was a sleeveless long black dress in sheer fabric worn over a short black slip with a highlighted collar in hot pink motifs. This look alone was the epitome of classy evening cocktail dress with the perfect amalgamation of Indian with western.
The writer is a fashion blogger (www.lovestruckcow.blogspot.com) who attempts to bridge the gap between creator and consumer. As a fashion writer, she hopes to promote Indian fashion among Indians and on a global level too.
Spotlight
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
22
Liquids, one of the most frequented pubs in the city had every reason to celebrate on Thursday as they hosted a party to mark their ninth anniversary. Youngsters were seen making most of the music as they took over the dance floor.
On cloud nine
Neha & Anand
Poonam
Isha
Vara & Poonam
DEEPAK DESHPANDE
Neha & Clara
Sarju, Vidya & Pooja
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Sharon
Priya
Magic Screen
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Magic Screen
The glamour behind the glitz
The angel from Brazil Postnoon gets talking to Gabriela Bertante, who is keeping her fingers crossed about her item number in Puri Jagannadh’s Devudu Chesina Manushulu.
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
25
T-TOWN TWEETIES
@actressanjjanaa Shooting is goin on in full swing, high pace, hoping I finish my work b4 time n get a day off atleast b4 im bac :-)
Hemanth Kumar hemanth.k@postnoon.com
F
our years ago, Gabriela Bertante was like any other teenager. She loved playing football and helping out her parents at their store in her hometown in Minas Gerais, Brazil. “After a point of time, I moved to Sao Paulo and began modelling there. I was 17 back then and it really was a big decision for me,” Gabriela Bertante says. She has a thick Portuguese accent which could have easily been indecipherable, but it isn’t. We ask her what was the first Indian film she had seen? “SRK’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. I can hum Haule Haule,” she recollects. So what’s the craziest thing she has done till date? “Moving to India,” she chuckles, adding, “I didn’t know anyone here. Imagine, I had to learn English and driving to survive here.” Its been two years since Gabriela Bertante came to India and she has already graced the cover pages of quite a lot of magazine. “You know, all my friends who moved to India used to fall sick almost immediately. I am lucky that I never fell sick and I love the street food in Mumbai,” she says. Later, she walked the ramp for Lakme Fashion Week and was featured in several magazines which caught the attention of MTV who cast her as a VJ in MTV Grind. How did films happen? “Initially, the agents with who I was in touch were not into casting for films. It’s only in the past 5-7 months that I began to consider offers in films,” she says. A chance meeting with Puri Jagannadh changed everything. “I had met Puri Jagannadh in Mumbai. I hadn’t seen his films but I knew he was big in the South. He suggested that we should do a test and I went to Hyderabad to meet him. That’s how I bagged an offer to dance for an item number in Devudu Chesina Manushulu,” she informs. Gabriela can’t stop raving about the film and Puri Jagannadh as well. “I met Puri Jagannadh’s family when I came to Hyderabad. He’s a very good person at heart. He’s like my family now,” she confesses and says that she would love to act in more films in future. Apart from Devudu Chesina Manushulu, she’ll also be seen in Ajith starrer Billa 2 in Tamil. “I loved working with Ajith in Billa 2. Honestly, I am more excited about my debut in Telugu.” Now that she’s doing quite well for herself in India, we ask her how her parents are reacting to the incredible progress she has made here. “Oh...they are extremely happy. My father is very proud and he told me that he has been collecting all the interviews and articles related to me and showing off to his friends,” Gabriela beams with pride. Of late, the number of Brazilian models wanting to work in India has been increasing. Bruna Abdullah, Nathalia Kaur and now Gabriela Bertante are some of the models who have been in limelight. What is it about Brazilians which Indian filmmakers can’t resist? “Some of the top models in the world are Brazilians. I believe we have something special in us which people find alluring. We don’t sit at home and we work quite hard. In a way, we deserve the success,” she signs off. We nod in agreement.
@LakshmiManchu And it’s a wrap... I love seeing the passion my team has for film making. Gives me such a high. An hr drive to the hotel now.
@sundeepkishan Woke up at 5.45am... still shooting & again shoot from 7am 2mro... this is what I call life... nachina pani cheyadam lo una sukham... Swargam :)
@tashu_02 A very gudmorning..yaa its an odd timing but its a new day n a new begining for me... going for Suprabhatam Seva of Lord Venkatesh... Govinda!
@Actor_Siddharth So it’s decided... no more foolish optimism for a while... we are the minnows this year. Silence from here on is a more dignified approach :(
@taapsee so its gonna b delhi daredevilzzzzzzzzzz once againnnnn!!!!!! Though I wish hyd, chennai n delhi all 3 make it to top 4 atleast.
@allarinaresh My nxt film would b releasing in mid may. Gonna be a hilarious mvi. Sure u guys will enjoy it. nd the 3d film would b releasing in August.
@RGVzoomin Fr the hair similarity of Amitji I in Department nd sarkar ofcourse there’s absolutley no similarity btwn the two characters.
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
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
Take a shot at the brain game while sipping your cuppa
26
QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Buddhist monk 5 Rolling Stones hit song 10 Ill-gotten gains 14 Mary Kay rival 15 Duke and earl, for two 16 Stair-climbing aid 17 Symbol of a small town 19 Last word in Gilligan's theme 20 Debate subject 21 Sand pile 22 Mythological river of the underworld 23 Dress code concern 25 Read carefully 27 Bulletin board affixer 29 Aligns in harmony 32 Bohemian 35 Short-straw drawers 39 Syndicate head 40 Brazilian getaway city 41 It gets a lift in the pit 42 Large Australian fowl 43 ‘Star Wars’ prologue word 44 Unlisted ones 45 Rugged rock 46 Cotton sheets 48 ___ no good (scheming) 50 Jenny's cry 54 Destroys sensitive documents, in a way 58 Civil rights pioneer Parks 60 Asian sashes 62 Like wet cement 63 ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ deputy 64 ‘Give it the old ___’ 66 Topmost position 67 Iris layers 68 Justice's garb 69 Come face-to-face with 70 Marsh growth 71 1974 Gould-Sutherland CIA spoof DOWN 1 Female monster 2 Cry from Captain Ahab 3 Like a good cake
4 Fixed payment 5 Bright, as a pupil 6 Uncool bookworm 7 Command to a horse 8 Ryan of ‘The Beverly Hillbillies’ 9 Fragrant compound 10 Excessively prim and proper 11 Cockney, eg 12 Easter flower 13 Show off one's biceps 18 ‘... ___, whatever will be, will be’ 24 Standing ovation, eg 26 Mir launcher 28 Ex-mayor of NYC 30 Unresponsive state 31 Like a bug in a rug? 32 ___ League (Middle Eastern group)
33 Capital in the Baltics 34 Mouthwatering 36 Word before ‘I told you so!’ 37 Colour of raw silk 38 Coarse metal files 41 Ascended 45 Convenience store locations, often 47 Little girl's play dishes 49 Ruffian 51 Magician's word 52 Higher ranking than 53 ___ away the hours 55 Prevent, in legalese 56 Kentucky
SUDOKU
event 57 Eyelid ailments 58 About 500 sheets of paper 59 ___-over (quick look) 61 Heap of waste coal 65 180 degrees from WNW PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
THOUGHT OF THE DAY In fact, to gull a fool seems to me an exploit worthy of a witty man. – Giacomo Casanova
Chai Time STAR POWER
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
Your tomorrow today̶Star Power and Tarot THIRUVAIKUMAR
As per Hindu panchang
FOR 21-4-2012
thiruvaikumar@yahoo.co.in 040-27177230 / 9177596118
TAURUS
GEMINI
Bank loan applied will get sanctioned. Never be negligent in govt‑related work. Maintain cool as you feel anger and tension. You will get a solution t clear debts. Court verdicts will go in favour.
Employees will be over burdened. Daug‑ hter is likely to get a job of her choice. You will successfully perform marriage of your sister. Politicians are advised to avoid unwanted discussions.
You might face obstruction in the way of construction of your house. Real‑ estate deals will go through profitably. Children's higher studies and marriage matters will go in the right direction.
CANCER
LEO
VIRGO
Employees will be entrusted with new responsibilities. Sudden expenses likely to make you upset. Avoid anger and unwanted arguments. Some old issues might surface again and scare you.
Women will take important decision regarding their future. Businessmen will add new customers and sell all their products with attractive offers. Artists will get good opportunities and advice.
You might not be able to sell old prop‑ erty for the expected price. You will be able to manage problems well. Help will come from expected sources. Some have chances of a good job.
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
Income from shares and commissions likely. Long‑time dream of purchase of a house can be realised. Son will join the university of his choice. Court mat‑ ters will be decided in your favour.
Financial position will improve. Busi‑ nessmen will identify the culprits who leak their business secrets and chuck them out. Employees to maintain cool, unmindful of the criticism.
VIP friends will help and extend their wholehearted support. Family will be in a peaceful atmosphere. Friends and rel‑ atives who severed relationship with you will come back to you on their own.
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
Comforts will improve. Those recently graduated will be favoured with a new job soon. Some are certain to change their residence. Be careful while driving as minor accident likely. Plan your work.
Be careful while involving in financial transactions. Written‑off dues will come to your surprise. Your stock is set to pile up. Politicians will lead meetings, agitations. Employees will have tension.
Businessmen will have a boom time and the profits are likely to soar. Spouse's health may be a cause for concern; take care and treat without delay. Employees will be active; complete work in time.
SUMAA TEKUR
FOR 21-4-2012
tarotreadhyd@gmail.com
ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
Eight of Cups – You have everything and your life is near per‑ fect. This is to the outside world. But only you know that youʼre missing some‑ thing.
Queen of Cups – You seem very vulnera‑ ble and those around you feel you might need to protect your‑ self better. What you feel is what you show on your face.
The World – The world is at your feet, and it may be quite literally, too. You may take a long dis‑ tance trip overseas and it all goes well.
CANCER
LEO
VIRGO
Four of Pentacles – The financial stability is making it seem worth it despite the lack of challenge you feel in your current position. Youʼll stick on despite the boredom.
The Lovers – Deci‑ sion time! Itʼs in your control whether you want to settle for less or wait for something perfect and run the risk of never being able to have it.
The Wheel of Fortune – Times are not going to be the same all the time. If theyʼre bad now, things will look up. This card urges you to keep your chin up.
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
The High Priest – Use your intuition to guide you into mak‑ ing decisions. It may be a difficult decision time. Listen to your heart and it sorts out many troubles.
Death – This is not physical death but an indication of changes that will make you look at life with a brand new perspec‑ tive. You see every‑ thing differently.
Two of Swords – You may be too rigid in your approach to life and learning. Your own attitude may be preventing you from exploring new avenues. Loosen up.
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
Five of Wands – Donʼt let your guard down at any point of time. Be watchful of what others are saying about you. That will impact your decisions and growth prospects.
Two of Wands – Patience is key to make things work and allow them to happen on their own time and course. Donʼt make impul‑ sive decisions.
Ten of Pentacles – Finances are well taken care of and youʼve done amazing‑ ly well with organis‑ ing your money and putting away cash for a rainy day.
For Better or for Worse Stone soup
SOLUTIONS
Boggle LIME LEMON ORANGE TANGERINE
Number game
Suduko
Scrabble
Ink pen
COMICS
Fred Basset
ARIES
TAROT READ
27
Vol: 1, No 278 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad – 500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon.com and for subscription, please call 040-4067 2222, Fax: 040-4067 2211
Magic Screen
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
The glamour behind the glitz
Shreyas Talpade set to venture into production
A
ctor Shreyas Talpade is all set to don the mantle of Bollywood producer tread-
ing in the footsteps of senior actors from the world of marquee. “I am planning on production, I am working on a couple of scripts. There have been couple of people who have wanted me to get into it. I want to be completely assured of how the film
would be made. So as long as that is not in place I will not talk about it. I would rather talk about it once the film is over and it is ready to release,” Shreyas said. “It is very superstitious kind of thing but I believe in it....I would talk about it when the film happens. I am
28
B-TOWN TWEETIES
@FarOutAkhtar Your will can make you accomplish things that you believe you won’t. Good morning.
thinking of production it might happen this year,” the 36-year-old said. PTI
@SrBachchan T 718 — Champion for Polio Award given today to me by Rotary International .. Such a humbling moment ! Speeches of praise. Thank you much.
@sonamakapoor Ansh’s murder has made me sick..those monsters should burn in hell. The apathy of Mumbaikars has made me ashamed.
@Riteishd Wishing my frannnnnnd @imarshadwarsi a happy janmadivas- radha raani aaj dil khol ke naachnaa-kal apni umar ke baare mein sochoge toh ro-oge.
Pakistan is like India: Kailash Kher K
ailash Kher got a chance to perform in Pakistan for the very first time and the singer-composer was overwhelmed by the response. Kher says Pakistan is much like India, where people are very warm and friendly. “Performing in the neighbouring country was an overwhelming experience. Me and my band crossed the Wagah border on foot. The custom officers and everyone there greeted us with open arms and were very warm,” Kher said. Kher performed with his band Kailasa in Karachi on Saturday. The audience cheered for my performance after every song,” said Kailash Kher.
@NeilNMukesh
B’wood for newbies says Mohanlal A
lot of southern Indian actors may be making their way to Bollywood but veteran actor Mohanlal is happy doing Hindi films only once in a while and says he agrees to only “irresistible” roles. The actor, who has dedicated over three decades to the Malayalam film industry, made his Bollywood debut with Ram Gopal Varma’s Company in 2002. He was later seen in Varma’s Aag and will now be seen in a cameo in Priyadarshan’s Tezz. Despite many offers, Mohanlal wanted to be selective and to choose good roles. “ Company was an irresistible role for me. A couple of (Bollywood) scripts came to me after that, but I didn’t find anything interesting. For an actor to get a good role is a blessing,” Mohanlal told reporters in an interaction. While many young southern actors like Rana Daggubati, Ram Charan Teja, Dhanush and Siddharth are making a mark in Bollywood, Mohanlal is content where he is. “I am not a new-
comer! I have been in this industry for so long. What should I prove? I am happy with my own language. Now if I get a very irresistible role I will try it. I don’t want to prove anything. “Others from the south who are settling in Bollywood are newcomers. They want to do Hindi films for various factors,” the 51-year-old said. He says he agreed to Tezz only for his filmmaker friend Priyad arshan, with whom he has done 42 films in the past. IANS
#shortcutRomeo is almost done with its principal shooting. Today being its last day of scenes.
@ajaydevgn Just finished a long schedule of #SOS. Waiting to get back home after 50 days in Patiala. Will miss Punjab and the food here!
@imarshadwarsi It’s a bit difficult to reply to each one of u so sending a BIG TIGHT HUG n a THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to all of you
@priyankachopra Hey guys! A really talented young singer Armaan Malik has sung an amazing cover to Just the way u r... show some love.
29
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
METRE
S
6 245
Chris Gayle (RR)
15 4S560
Ajinkya Rahane (RR)
40
HIGHEST SCORE
103
Ajinkya Kevin Rahane Pietersen (RR) (DD)
BEST BOWLER
5-16
Ravindra Jadeja (CSK)
Kings face a Royal Challenge Full credit to the bowlers and I hope we continue doing well in their department in the remaining matches. Our fielding was also superb. MS Dhoni CSK skipper
Ajinkya Rahane (RR) 304 runs
Morne Morkel (DD) 12 wickets
Gilly ruled out of today’s match
A
lready reeling under three defeats, Kings XI Punjab on Thursday suffered another blow after skipper Adam Gilchrist was ruled out of Friday`s match against Royal Challengers Bangalore due to a hamstring injury. "I will not be available for tomorrow’s match. There is a slight (hamstring) tear," the 40year-old Australian told reporters on the eve of tomorrow`s match. Gilchrist pulled a hamstring while running a single and was retired hurt during the match against Kolkata Knight Riders last night here, which the Punjab outfit lost by eight wickets. He said that he had undergone a scan today, which has revealed a hamstring tear.
P W L T PT NR RR 6 4 2 0 8 0.646 DD 4 3 1 0 6 1.099 KKR 6 3 3 0 6 0.438 PW 5 3 2 0 6 0.342 MI 5 3 2 0 6 -0.088 CSK 5 2 3 0 4 -0.108 KXIP 5 2 3 0 4 -0.633 RCB 5 2 3 0 4 -0.80 DC 3 0 3 0 0 -1.366 P-played; W-win; L-lost; T-tie; NR-net run rate; PT-points
G Aparna Sai feedback@postnoon.com
R
oyal Challengers Bangalore who are back to their winning ways, take on Kings XI Punjab in Mohali today. Having defeated Pune Warriors India in a thriller a few days ago, RCB will now look to carry this form into their next match. Batting first, the Pune Warriors exposed the mediocre bowling of the RCB bowlers and posted a formidable total of 182. But then Chris Gayle displayed his pinch hitter’s side when he smashed 81 of just 48 balls, an innings which saw him hit four fours and twice the number of sixes. His innings and some blistering batting from AB de Villiers saw the Challengers snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Yet RCB cannot take this victory for granted as this is just their second win from five matches.
Kings XI Punjab do not have a different tale to narrate. Winning only two of the five matches they played, the Kings are placed just a rung above the Challengers on the points table. Their dismal performance in their previous tie against the Kolkata Knight Riders saw them lose the match by eight wickets and 21 balls remaining. Though the side boasts of names like Adam Gilchrist, Shaun Marsh, Praveen Kumar and Dimitri Mascarenhas, to name a few, yet they have not lived up to the expectations. The same goes for the Bangalore team too. They have disappointed on more occasions than one. The side put up a superb batting display when they played Chennai Super Kings, posting a massive 205. But they failed to defend this score and succumbed to CSK’s batting powers. While it is a must win situation for both the teams, it remains to be seen as to who makes the best of the given opportunity and power their way up.
SCORECARD DECCAN CHARGERS V DELHI DAREDEVILS Deccan Chargers innings (20 overs) Sangakkara* c Nagar b Morkel 1 S Dhawan lbw b Nadeem 44 PA Patel† c Jayawardene b Nadeem 45 DT Christian c Nadeem b Yadav 19 JP Duminy c Sehwag b Nadeem 4 B Chipli not out 25 AA Jhunjhunwala c †Ojha b Morkel 4 A Mishra run out (Pietersen/†Ojha) 6 Ankit Sharma not out 1 Total (8 wickets; 20 overs) 157 Bowling O M R W Econ IK Pathan 4 0 27 0 6.75 KP Pietersen 2 0 16 0 8.00 M Morkel 4 0 23 3 5.75 AB Agarkar 3 0 42 0 14.00 UT Yadav 3 0 33 1 11.00 S Nadeem 4 0 16 3 4.00 Delhi Daredevils innings (target: 157 runs from 20 overs) NV Ojha† c Duminy b Pratap Singh 1 V Sehwag* c Christian b Steyn 7 KP Pietersen not out 103 Jayawardene c Sangakkara b Christian 6 LRPL Taylor run out (Dhawan) 13 IK Pathan c †Patel b Steyn 5 Y Nagar not out 23 Total (5 wickets; 19.1 overs) 162 Bowling O M R W Econ V Pratap Singh 4 0 31 1 7.75 DW Steyn 4 0 19 2 4.75 DT Christian 4 0 35 1 8.75 JP Duminy 3 0 33 0 11.00 A Mishra 2 0 26 0 13.00 Ankit Sharma 2.1 0 18 0 8.30
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS V PUNE WARRIORS INNINGS Super Kings innings (20 overs) F du Plessis c Mathews b Samuels 58 S Badrinath c Mathews b Samuels 57 SK Raina c Kartik b Nehra 0 MS Dhoni*† not out 28 DJ Bravo c Mathews b Nehra 12 RA Jadeja c Sharma b Samuels 7 Extras (lb 2, w 11) 13 Total (5 wickets; 20 overs) 164 Bowling O M R W Econ M Kartik 4 0 24 0 6.00 A Nehra 4 0 23 2 5.75 B Kumar 3 0 37 0 12.33 MN Samuels 4 0 39 3 9.75 R Sharma 4 0 28 0 7.00 AD Mathews 1 0 12 0 12.00 Pune Warriors innings innings (target: 164 runs from 20 overs) RV Uthappa† c Ashwin b Kulasekara 8 JD Ryder c Bravo b Kulasekara 9 SC Ganguly* c Kulasekara b Jakati 24 MK Pandey c Badrinath b Bravo 13 MN Samuels c Kulasekara b Ashwin 26 SPD Smith c du Plessis b Bollinger 23 AD Mathews b Bravo 27 B Kumar not out 2 M Kartik not out 4 Extras (w 5, nb 1) 6 Total (7 wickets; 20 overs 151 Bowling O M R W Econ DE Bollinger 3 0 30 1 10.00 Kulasekara 2 0 10 2 5.00 Ashwin 4 0 35 1 8.75 Bravo 4 0 28 2 7.00 SB Jakati 3 0 20 1 6.66 Jadeja 4 0 21 0 5.25
Daredevils won by 5 wickets
Chennai Super Kings won by 13 runs
KXI VS RCB AT 8 PM ON SET MAX
FIRED UP
Delhi Daredevils Shahbaz Nadeem celebrates getting out Deccan Chargers Shikhar Dhawan during their IPL match at the AFP/MANAN VATSYAYANA Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.
96 DAYS TO GO FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
30
Serena eyes singles gold KHARKIV: Serena Williams’ bid to win a first Olympic Games gold medal in singles has brought her to this European outpost of world tennis for her first Fed Cup assignment on foreign soil in 13 years. The 13-time Grand Slam champion already owns doubles gold achieved with sister Venus at the 2000 Sydney Games and 2008 in Beijing. A singles title has eluded her and left her with a sense of unfinished business since losing to eventual Olympic champion Elena Dementieva in the quarter-finals in Beijing. In normal circumstances, Williams would be an automatic selection for the London Olympics, but rules state that a player must make themselves available for at least two Fed Cup ties in a four-year spell to be eligible. Until this year, however, Williams hadn’t played Fed Cup since 1997. So, after making her comeback in February’s win over Belarus, the 31-year-old now finds herself spearheading the United States team in their World Group play-off against Ukraine on Saturday and Sunday. “I think it is more huge for the media for me to win singles
The 13-time Grand Slam champion already owns doubles gold achieved with sister Venus at Sydney and Beijing games.
(at the Olympics),” Williams told the USTA website. “For me, any medal is great. If I win singles, it would be awesome. If I win doubles, it would be awesome, or if I win mixed.” Williams, whose last Fed Cup tie outside the United States was in 1999 when she was just 17, has a perfect 9-0 singles record in the tournament, a mark boosted by winning both her matches in the win over Belarus. The United States can send six men and six women to the London Olympics, but just four on each team can be singles players. From those six, the U.S. can have a maximum of two men’s and women’s doubles teams and two mixed doubles teams. Serena could play all three events and despite her last mixed doubles title coming back in 1998, John Isner and Andy Roddick have both said they would be happy to partner her in the Olympic tennis event being played at Wimbledon. “I love John. He is a great player. You can’t break the guy,” she said. “Andy is probably my closest friend on the tour, and he is just a great person. The Bryans are awesome, too. They are No. 1, and you can’t beat playing with them.”
Cuba’s Robles to start training soon HAVANA: Cuba’s Olympic 110m hurdles champion Dayron Robles said Thursday that he is now injury-free and will start his build-up to the London Games on Friday in Ecuador. Robles, the world record holder, hurt his back in a training accident in Spain in March which ruled him out of the indoor world championships in Istanbul where he would have defended his title. “I am completely recovered from my injury and I am going to Guayaquil in Ecuador for two
weeks starting from Friday where I will be working on my technique,” the 25-year-old told AFP. “After my accident in Europe, I went back to Cuba to follow a short course of treatment and then worked under my coach Santiago Antunez but without overdoing it,” he added. Robles plans to race on May 1 in Martinique, then in Puerto Rico, on May 12, Havana on May 27, Eugene, Oregon, on June 2 and then New York on June 9 before he heads to Europe. AFP
Clos books Games berth DURBAN: South African swimming star Chad le Clos secured a place at a second 2012 Olympic Games event when he won the 200 metres butterfly Thursday at the national championships. The 20-year-old is considered the second best swimming medal prospect in the South African team after Cameron van der Burgh and last Monday he bettered the 400m individual medley qualifying standard when winning the final. Le Clos clocked one minute 56.17 seconds -- just inside the Olympic mark of 1:56.86 -- to achive butterfly glory from Sebastien Rousseau and Dylan Bosch at the Kings Park pool in this Indian Ocean city. “It is a huge honour to get another qualifying time but I am a little disappointed with my time,” admitted a swimmer with his sights set on also qualifying in the 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley. “I was hoping to at least match my semi-final time. However, I am halfway there now and I am just so happy with what I have achieved so far this week,” beamed Le Clos. The other male swimmer to better an Olympic qualifying time on the fourth day of the week-long championships was Gideon Louw, whose time of 48.74 enabled him to finish first in a 100m freestyle semifinal. United States-based Louw was the fastest qualifier for the final ahead of 2004 Athens Games 4x100m relay gold medalist Darian Townsend (49.10) and Graeme Moore (49.53). “It is great to have done this time,” said Louw. “You train for practically four years to get here and it is such a relief to have bettered the qualifying mark.” AFP
Playing Field
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
The games people play
Indian fencers make clean sweep I
ndia sweeped the men’s and women’s titles in the 2nd South Asian Fencing Championship. At the event that was held at the Kotla Vijay Bhaskar Reddy Indoor Stadium, Yousifguda, India men’s team stood first with 53 points, India B second with 21 points and Sri Lanka third six points. In the women’s section, India bagged the first place with 56 points, Sri Lanka became second with 15 points and India B stood third with 13 points.
RESULTS Foil women’s team First semi-final: India A beat India B 44-29. Second semi-final: Srilanka beat Nepal 45-12. Final: India beat Sri lanka 45-20.
Sabre men’s team First semi final: Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh 45-42. Second semi-final: India A beat India B 45-30 Final: Sri Lanka bt India 45-31
WORLD SPORT Miyazato takes lead Japan's Ai Miyazato shot a bogey-free 65 to grab a share of the lead at the LPGA's LOTTE Championship on Thursday while local favourite Michelle Wie failed to make the cut. Miyazato, a seven-time winner on the LPGA Tour, needed just 25 putts in Thursday's second round to reach an eightunder 136 total and is tied atop the leaderboard with Spain's Azahara Munoz, who shot an eight-under 64.
Golf
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Épée men’s team First semi-final: India A beat Afghanistan 44-32. Second semi-final: India B beat Nepal 45-22 Final: India A beat India B 45-29.
Sabre women’s team First semi-final: India A beat Sri Lanka 45-08. Second semi-final: India B beat Bangladesh 45-37. Final: India A beat India B 45-15
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You look at Ding Junhui. I'd be flabbergasted if he never wins a world title, because he's that good. John Higgins Snooker champ
Grieveing Novak wins Novak Djokovic buried his grief to advance to the quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters on Thursday, just hours after learning of the death in Serbia of his beloved grandfather. The world number one elected to take to the court against Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine after suffering the heart-breaking blow at training in the morning. His match, interrupted by the fourth rain shower of the day, eventually ended with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 win.
Tennis
Foil men’s team
SAI RAM REDDY
First semi-final: India A beat Bangladesh 45-18. Second semi-final: India B beat Afghanistan 45-20. Final: India A beat India B 45-29.
He missed the Ticket, but he is full of hope G Aparna Sai feedback@postnoon.com
T
ukaram Mehatra is a well known name in the fencing fraternity. Having represented India on numerous instances, the Foil event player is a force to reckon with. The 25 year-old fencer took to the sport at the tender age of 10 years. He was introduced to the game at the Hanuman Vyayamshala
and since then there has been no looking back. He went on to participate in not less than seven international tournaments and did make his country proud many a time; he was ranked 13th in the Asian Juniors Championship in 2004, won the individual bronze medal at the Thailand International Championship in 2010 and the silver in the Foil event (both individual and team) during the second South Asian Championship held recently in Hyderabad. Although he has carved a
niche for himself he has the same set of woes which many sports persons face in this country; the lack of sponsorships. “I do not have any sponsors as such. Earlier,
Dhan Kishan (Bhandari) sir (General Secretary of Fencing Association of Andhra Pradesh) helped me a lot. It is now that the government has chipped in too,” Tukaram said. The ace fencer, unfortunately failed to qualify for the Olympics, having lost to the Army. He rues the fact that compared to the common man, the army has better facilities and hence usually perform better. Yet there is hope in his eyes and says he would be able to fulfill his Olympic dream.
OT
points were scored by LeBron James, 11 rebounds and six assists and Dwyane Wade scored 18 points as the Miami Heat defeated the Chicago Bulls 83-72 at the AmericanAirlines Arena on Thursday. Mario Chalmers also had 16 points for the Heat who have won five consecutive games as they continue their homestand on Saturday.
Atletico Madrid advance Football Atlético Madrid moved a step
closer to a second Europa League final in three years after two goals from Radamel Falcao and further two from Miranda and Adrián López gave them a 4-2 win over Valencia in Thursday's semi-final first leg. The home side started brightly and Diego Alves saved from Diego and Adrián before the latter showed great persistence to set Falcao up to score with the easiest of headers on 18 minutes.
Playing Field
The games people play
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012
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F1 races into bloody controversy Security has been beefed up ahead of Sunday’s race, but the incident prompted F1 officials to reassure participants that, despite the violence, Bahrain was safe.
DUBAI: Violence marred Bahrain’s controversial Grand Prix race as a fire bomb exploded near Force India team members and protesters clashed with police in the lead-up to the Formula One practice runs set to begin on Friday. Security has been beefed up ahead of Sunday’s race, but the incident prompted F1 officials to reassure participants that, despite the violence, Bahrain was safe. Speaking to reporters at the Sakhir circuit, chairman of the Formula One Grand Prix Drivers Association, Pedro de la Rosa, said safety is “not a concern.” He added that he had full faith in the decision by the International Motoring Federation to hold the event despite mounting tensions in the kingdom. Four members of the Force India team were stuck in traffic when a fire bomb exploded as they returned from the Sakhir circuit to their hotel late on Wednesday, Bahrain International Circuit chairman Zayed Alzayani told Autosport magazine. The four mechanics apparently got caught up in a clash between protesters and police on the motorway from the capital Manama to Sakhir. Nobody was injured. A spokesman for the Force India team confirmed the incident and said one team member, not involved in the incident, and a contractor hired by the team, had chosen to return home as a result of the blast.
Journalists denied visas MANAMA: Bahrain has denied visas to foreign journalists and photographers to cover this Sunday’s controversial Grand Prix race. Meanwhile, cameramen already in Bahrain were required to keep fluorescent orange stickers on their cameras so that they would be easily recognisable to ensure they do not cover any off-track events, such as ongoing protests.
The hatred that is felt by the more extreme protesters for the Bahrain rulers will inevitably be transferred to F1. Is their cause just or reasonable? I don’t know. Damon Hill, former F1 world champion Alzayani played down the incident and said he would not request any tighter security as a result. “It was an isolated incident ... The protesters were not targeting the cars, they just happened to be there,” he said. Force India driver
German Nico Hulkenberg said it was “not right” that members of his team had been close to an exploding fire bomb, but added that he still felt safe. Mohammad Mascati, head of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights, told AFP that security forces fired tear gas and sound bombs to disperse dozens who protested in Manama on Thursday, adding that police set up checkpoints at the entrances to the capital. Bahrain’s main opposition group, Al-Wefaq, has called for a week of daily protests to coincide with the Grand Prix, using the sports event to focus media attention on their longstanding demands for greater equality and representation in the Sunniruled kingdom. “There is a desire to take advantage of the presence of [international] press, normally barred from entering the country,” said Bahraini rights activist Nabil Rajab. “The Formula One... is a symbol of the regime, it represents its repression,” said Rajab, noting that the Bahrain race was a personal project of the crown prince. The government on Thursday barred Al-Wefaq from holding a protest in central Manama, an interior ministry statement said. The announcement came in the wake of several demonstrations in Bahrain’s Shiite villages late on Wednesday, in which police and protesters clashed.