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Wahlberg takes children to
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KFA’S CEO DEPOSES BEFORE DGCA Beleaguered Kingfisher Airline's top brass briefed aviation regulator DGCA about their plans to end the largescale disruption of flights and their financial troubles even as over 30 flights of the carrier were cancelled. Kingfisher CEO Sanjay Aggarwal said, "We will answer whatever the regulator asks." Hyderabad’s first compact afternoon newspaper
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The raging political unrest in Maldives has forced tourists and honeymooning couples to look elsewhere for a holiday destination. P7
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MANAPPURAM GUARD OPENS FIRE People were sent into a frenzy of fear and ran helter-skelter when a private security guard, Anand Singh, employed at Manappuram Gold Loan office in Mettuguda, opened fire into the air after a quarrel with the manager this morning.
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EMRAAN, VIDYA TEAM UP AGAIN Now this one’s an ‘ooh la la’ pairing! Bollywood’s serial kisser Emraan Hashmi and The Dirty Picture star Vidya Balan have been cast opposite each other for comic-thriller Ghanchakkar. The two hope to rock it.
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Demonstrating a zeal for sparring, the South Zone police have created a flutter among the Shylock majors in the City. All eyes are now on the cops. Will they succeed?
Page Two
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
Spirit of Twin Cities
INNOCENCE LOST
A zoo story
N SHIVA KUMAR
Zoo story is a theatre presentation which details how the life of one person changes after another person enters his life. The play is being presented by Sifar at Lamakaan in Hindi. Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills When: February 21, 8pm Contact: 9642731329
Conversations in time Kalakriti Art Gallery plays host to Ashok Mullick’s collection of paintings on canvas titled Conversations in time. Where: Kalakriti Art Gallery, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing, 11am Contact: (040) 66564466
Group exhibition Muse Art Gallery will play host to a group exhibition titled ‘An Artful Art’. It is a contemporary painting exhibition by a group of 26 artists. Where: Muse Art Gallery, Tank Bund When: Ongoing, 11am Contact: 93964 44424
Lunch specials Nautanki Galli offers its expansive lunch buffet. Head to Nautanki Galli for an interesting lunch option. Where: Nautanki Galli, Madhapur When: Every day, 12.30pm onwards Contact: 78930 10000
Martini ‘n music Enjoy winter evenings with martinis and crooner Kelly. A perfect mix for a perfect evening! Where: Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills When: Every Evening Contact: (040) 6666 232
Acting workshop Samhaara- an acting and dancing workshop is being held. The workshop focusses on learning the basics of stage acting, character analysis, stage and rehearsal terms, movement, stage geography, stage behaviour and improvisation. Where: The Actor’s studio, Madhapur When: Ongoing, 7pm to 9pm Contact: 98854 04784
City in pictures A pictorial essay depicting the city of Hyderabad between the years of 1975 and 2011 is on display at Salarjung Museum. Where: Salarjung Museum When: Ongoing, 10am Contact: (040) 2457 6443
Life Portrait Soni- A portrait from life is a live portrait workshop being held at Iconart Art Gallery. It features life portrait and life sculpture demonstrations. The event is on till March 10. Where: Iconart Art Gallery, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing, 11am Contact: 9849968797
My Hero Chinese film Hero will be shown at
A suitable lunch Syn presents three fabulous lunch offers to suit your needs. There is a lunch for those in a hurry, a lunch for the calorie conscious and a lunch for those who are planning a reunion with pals. Where: Taj Deccan, Banjara Hills When: Everyday, 12pm onwards Contact: (040) 6666 3939 the University of Hyderabad,. The film deals with the story of Jing Ke’s assassination attempt on the King of Qin in 227 BC. The film was released in the year 2009. Where: University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli When: February 21, 5pm Contact: (040) 2313 2425
Cognac and Cigar The Seasons Bar opens up yet again as a Cigar and Cognac lounge with a wide selection of cognac, rare whiskies, single malts and cigars. Where: Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing, 7pm Contact: (040) 6666 2323
Dance Fiesta Soorya festival is an exotic feast of
CINEMAS
International Pizza Festival. Get a taste of a variety of Pizzas from around the world. Where: News Cafe, Inorbit Mall, Hitech City When: Ongoing, 12.30pm Contact: (040) 6460 3341
Kerala’s various dance forms. Over 40 artists from all over the country are participating in the event.The event is on till March 3. Where: NSKK High School, Ferozeguda When: Ongoing Contact: 90104 03034
Karaoke nights It’s Karaoke nights with KJ Zaid at Bottles and Chimney. All those who love to sing this is the place to be. Where: Bottles and Chimney, Begumpet When: Tuesday, 8pm Contact: (040) 27766464
International pizza festival Pizza lovers this is the news for you! News Cafe is host to the
Crafts Mela Head to People’s plaza where AP handicrafts development corporation is hosting a 10-days crafts bazaar. Where: Peoples Plaza, Necklace Road When: Ongoing, 11am
Big Cinemas, Ameerpet, 30581470; Cinemax, Banjara Hills, 44565555; Cine Planet, Kompally, 61606060; Inox, Banjara Hills, 447677770, Prasads, Tank Bund Rd, 23448888; PVR, Punjagutta, 08800900009; Talkie Town, Miyapur, 40214175; Tivoli, Secunderabad 27844973
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities
Small fry netted, cops hunt whales After arresting about 100 small-time moneylenders across the City, the men in khaki set their sights on the big league — at least a dozen Shylocks with political patronage Mohd Subhan mohd.s@postnoon.com
CRIME
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he South Zone police have entered the toughest part of their drive against private financiers. After booking nearly a 100 small Shylocks, they’ve now begun to chase the big fish. There are at least a dozen big ones who are under political patronage and netting them is an uphill task. “We have begun our drive against the big ones,” said deputy commissioner of police (South Zone), MK Sinha. The special drive began after hundreds of complaints of private financiers and chit funds received at the governmental level and police. So far, 95 cases have been registered against
them and arrested 110. Hundreds of the financiers who live on other people’s sweat
flourish in the City. Their areas of operations are Dabeerpura, Yakutpura, Sultanshahi, Mogh-
Total arrests of private financiers
110 Cases registered
95 Big ones
12 alpura, Tallabkatta, Bhavani Nagar, Reinbazar and nearby. Police said each one lend money to small time traders and vendors and collect nearly double by evening. The chit funds readily lend `60,000 immediately for a loan of `1 lakh. Sinha’s list of big fish contains the names of Salaam Bin Yousuf alias Salaam Pahelwan, Mohammed, Imran, Irfan Amodi, Chotu Pahelwan. They are not just financers but running other businesses in the City. Police said the several cases of the goons of financiers appropriating property of defaulters had come to light. There has been suicide too after the hapless family tried to end the misery by taking their own life. Police do not deny the utility side of the financiers. “Small vendors take money and return high interest by evening. Though it is exploitive, they get ready money,” pointed out a retired accountant of a financier in the Old City.
Man found dead in lover’s home
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ogender, a 26-year-old paramour of a woman 10 years his senior was found dead in suspicious circumstances in her home in Tukkuguda area last night. The body bore wound marks. Pahadishareef inspector Goverdhan said Yogender was living with Laxmi, 35, a divorcee for some years now. Of late, they had developed differences and used to quarrel, neighbours informed the police. Laxmi has been arrested.
Sai Reddy’s remand extended
T
he special court for the CBI cases extended the judicial remand of Vijaya Sai Reddy, vice-chairman of Jagathi Publications and auditor of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who was arrested in the disproportionate assets case of Jagan, till March 5.
Woman in Jubilee Hills robbed
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woman was standing outside her home abutting Jubilee Hills Road number 1 on Monday when two men on bike roared by, snatched her 11 tola gold necklace, and disappeared. The victim Sunitha Mohan said it all happened in a moment and she has only a hazy idea of the men. Police have registered a case.
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` 349/Mayor Md Majid Husain joins officials in surprise inspection on lifting and transfer of garbage bins late on Monday night.
5 with fake passports arrested Postnoon news
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n yet another instance of gullible Indian job seekers getting a raw deal at the hands of Saudi employers, five men who landed in the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport early this morning with fake passports landed in the Customs custody. The RGI inspector R Sanjay Kumar identified them as Afzal Ahmed, 36 from Lucknow, Himanshu Singh, 25 of New Delhi, Sameer, 24 of Kerala, Abdul Javeed, 32 from Mathura, and Tanseer, 23 of Kerala.
Inspector said that Himanshu, Javeed, Sameer and Tanseer went to KSA for job in 2007 where their employer had taken their passports and didn’t return them after the employment period was over. Desperate, they approached an agent and with his help purchased fake passports in return of a big sum. Afzal Ahmed went to Saudi on Umra visa and stayed over there as a tailor. The arrested men said thousands of workers face such ill-treatment in Saudi Arabia. Inspector said each paid the agent amounts ranging from 2500 Rials to 9500 Rials (1 Rial = `13).
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Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities
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OTHER NEWS Missing devotees return to safety
Residents rue mounting waste pile
SRISAILAM: As many as 18 devotees of Lord Shiva, who went missing in the Nallamala forest, finally walked out safely. The devotees caused tense moments to their relatives and authorities as nobody could trace their whereabouts for more than 36 hours. The devotees, belonging to Narayanapuram in Kurnool, embarked on a pilgrimage to Gundla Brahmeswaram on Shivaratri. They have to trek a distance of 40 km to reach the temple. But, they lost the route and went missing. However, forest officials and chenchus went in search of them. Finally, they emerged out of the dense forest safely.
In the absence of penal provision and supervision, hospitals also dump their perilous waste in GHMC garbage bins, endangering public health
Two people killed in road accident KADAPA: Two persons were killed in a road accident on Tuesday at Sugumanchipalle in Kondapur mandal of Kadapa district. According to the police, a lorry and an auto-rickshaw rammed into each other killing two persons on the spot. The injured were admitted to hospital.
Thousands take holy dip in the sea Sudeshna Koka sudeshna.k@postnoon.com
W
est Marredpally, which was once known to one of the best residential areas in the Twin Cities, has now become a terrible place to live in. With the new mayor being elected, West Marredpally residents hoped that their garbage woes would come to an end but ironically the uncollected garbage in West Marredpally is only increasing by the day. Two garbage bins located next to the community park and opposite Kotwal School are not cleaned for days together and they overflow to all sides. The famous Secunderabad Nursing Nome is right next to the garbage pile. Residents complain that the hospital waste is also being dumped in the open garbage bin and this could pose as a threat to the
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residents and visitors of the park. “The condition of our area has now become pathetic. The garbage bin is always over flowing. I was in for a shock when we came to know the hospital waste was being dumped in the GHMC bin. We have stopped going to the park only because we fear that we might get infected by some disease,” says Sarah Swaroop, media professional. Kothwal School is located opposite these garbage bins and students are facing several problems nauseating smell and mosquitoes. School authorities have complained to the GHMC officials many times but no efforts have been made to clean the area and re locate these garbage bins. “We have complained to the corporator, commissioner and society presidents but no action has been taken on this. We have
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also seen the hospital wastes being dumped in the bin. We are fogging spray not just for mosquito but we also spray pesticides for rats,” said Syed Shakeel, senior administration manager, Kothwal School These two small garbage bins have now turned into a mini landfill. The Nehru Nagar Park is one of the most popular parks in the area. In the mornings and evenings nearly 100 people visit the park. The rotting garbage is a major threat to their health. Ironically, the GHMC’s Aasar Day Care Centre, soon to be officially inaugurated, is also located in the park arena. Senior citizens complained that spending time here will do more harm than good. . “There is no point in complaining. Some of us went personally to meet the GHMC officials but instead of listening to us they are cross-questioning us.
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They said that they would relocate the bins provided we give them another place,” said Venu gopal, a retired Vijaya Bank manager. The corporator of the area is aware of the problem but is helpless as nothing new can be done about the garbage crisis. “Yes I am aware of this issue but we cannot do anything. For more than 1000 residents there have only two bins, so the chance of overflowing is expected. Despite this vans go once a day to collect the wastes. Of late, each day one function is taking place in the community hall and their waste is also being dumped here,” said Saritha Yadav, corporator, West Marredpally On one hand GHMC is making tall claims about the new Ramky project will make energy out of City wastes but the same authority fails to clean two bins which are causing inconvenience to several residents.
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VISAKHAPATNAM: Thousands of devotees of Lord Shiva thronged the Ramakrishna Beach on Tuesday to take a holy dip in the sea. People believe that a day long fast, staying awake throughout the night and taking a holy dip in the sea bestows the best in life on them.Rajya Sabha member T Subbarami Reddy performed abhishekam on the occasion.
Accident in ‘Prabha’ procession GUNTUR: Several people were injured at Yalamanda village in Chialakaluripet mandal when a high mast ‘Prabha’ contacted live electrical wires. The accident occurred when the ‘Prabha’ was being taken in a procession between Kotappakonda and Sathenapalli. The condition of a boy who was injured in the accident is critical. Locals brought a power sprayer to bring down the fire caused due to the electrical short circuit.
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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 With the House being adjourned every day under minor pretexts, politcos take to airing their views at the media point
POLITICS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities
Political oracles get into lecture mode A SUDHEER REDDY
U Srinivas srinivas.u@postnoon.com
T
he media point in the Assembly has become the best lectern for politicos to indulge in verbosity. The yak which is blurted out into the video cameras go live into the TVs, giving them utmost satisfaction. In the process, they end up forecasting the political future, mostly of their opponents. With the Assembly being adjourned frequently without transacting any business, the leaders are flocking to the media point and at times there is a scramble to grab the mics. The Media point was setup to see that the TV channels and reporters are prevented from loitering in the lobbies. But now politicians have to wait in a line to get an opportunity to air their views at the media point. As they are unable to transacting any business on the floor of the House, they are making use of the live telecast at the media point and talk to the people. Talking to Postnoon, G Mallesh,floor leader of the Communist Party of India (CPI),
said that even otherwise there was no opportunity for the Communists in the House. It comes rarely and it’s given depending on the number of MLAs of that particular party. So, media point is the only way left,
he says as they can give their views live instantly. BJP leader G Kishan Reddy said that the opportunity on the floor of the House was very limited and they would come to the media point when they did not
Common platform for Telangana champions suggested POLITICS Postnoon News feedback@postnoon.com
T
DP leader E Dayakar Rao called upon the TRS, BJP and other parties supporting the Telangana cause to come under one banner and contest the elections under Joint Action Committee. As no business was transacted and the House adjourned, TDP leaders spoke at media point. The TDP leaders suggested that all the like-minded parties must boycott the elections, so that the Centre would come down and do something on Telangana issue. He said that Chandrababu Naidu, the TDP president, had already given a letter to Pranab Mukerjee supporting the cause
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of Telangana. He charged the TRS leaders T Harish Rao and KT Rama Rao with indulging in “dramatics” from time to time in the name of Chandrababu. He
wanted the TRS, BJP and former TDP leader Nagam to come for discussions with Kodandaram, Gaddar and other JAC leaders before finalising candidates. The TRS has won several times. Let them not contest this time. The Centre will definitely come forth, he said. All leaders, who resigned so far, had done it for political mileage and not for the Telangana cause, he alleged. The Congress and the Speaker together were not running the House and they were adjourning it in the garb of adjournment motions, he alleged. The students were cheated by not lifting the cases on them and the employees were not compensated after the general strike. “This is the commitment of the Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy,” he quipped. It is time that the people teach them a lesson.
get a chance in the Assembly. On the other hand, Congress leader and minister Danam Nagendar said that the Speaker Nadendla Manohar was trying to run the House, but the opposition was not co-operating. The
adjournment motions were being moved every day. Since the government doesn’t budge, and the Opposition doesn’t relent, the Speaker is forced to adjourn the House frequently. MIM leader Syed Pasha Quadri said that they came very rarely to the media point. But they were getting locked in the crossfire between the Congress and the Opposition. The TRS and the TDP must think about the plight of other members, he said. There are other issues for the people apart from Telangana, he said. The speaker must also think about the rights of other parties, he stated. TDP leader Devineni Umamaheswara Rao said that the Speaker was conveniently blaming the TDP and TRS for adjourning the House. “Why doesn’t he give an opportunity for the adjournment motions and run the House,” he asked. MLA Shoba Nagi Reddy said that the media point was useful for her to convey her message, even though the Speaker did not give her an opportunity. Now that the by-elections are round the corner, the leaders are making political speeches and using this as a platform even to promote their parties.
TRS wants Telugu expats in gulf to be rescued Postnoon News feedback@postnoon.com
T
RS leader K Taraka Rama Rao on Tuesday demanded that the Government must set up a fund of `500 crore to bail out Telugu employees who are languishing in Dubai. Talking to media, He demanded that the employees and workmen from Andhra Pradesh, who were struggling at Dubai, must be rescued by the government and for that an NRI cell must be setup, he suggested. The government had agreed to just give about `1 crore for this purpose, he said. Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy is not bothered about the people of the State who are suffering in Dubai, he charged. The government could not sanction just `15 lakh for bailing out some of the people
from the jails in Dubai, he said. If the government did not concede the demand, the TRS would launch a dharna, he said. He wanted the government to think twice before the gulf trouble engulfed the State.
Hyper Local
Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
6
CLASSIFIEDS FABRICATION
Raise a toast to oratorical skills People shy of climbing a podium could shed their inhibitions by practicing the art of public speaking in a free and friendly atmosphere, a report
COMMUNITY Anubha K Singh
their communication and leadership skills. Looking to network with many people and learn from their experiences. I am new to this Club but it reminds me of my school days when I used to participate in my cocurricular activities. For me it’s like a breeze of fresh air that keeps me active and innovative” said, Gopal K, a software engineer by profession and a member of club.
anubha.k@postnoon.com
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Mentally ill woman kills children
I
n a bizarre incident, a mentally deranged woman killed her son and daughter by slitting their throats in Anantapur on Monday. The incident has occurred in Bollapalli village under Gummagadda mandal of the district. The woman also tried to kill herself after killing her children. She is in a critical condition.
S
ometime during March 2005, a group of men met in one of the coffee houses in the City. Over coffee they talked of floating a club where one could improve or practice the art of public speaking in a benign environment. Going a step further, later they fashioned such a club after the Toastmasters International. With only a few hands on deck and a crew possessing a zeal to succeed, the group set sail, slowly but surely, at a steady pace. Today, Hyderabad Toastmasters is an organisation which gives its members the opportunity to develop and improve their public speaking abilities through local club meetings. Vaishnav Raj was forced to study Mass Communications because his father wanted him to be a journalist but it was not his forte. He was one among those reserved students who loves to stay out from the crowd. He never participated in group discussions, debate sessions or public gatherings but one day he landed in the Toastmasters Club with a friend and the world for him was changed.
How Does It Work?
“I was looking for a way to communicate better. As a student of Mass Communication, I specifically wanted to learn how to interact with different people and get away with stage fear. I attended one of the meetings of the members and decided to join the club and since then I have become very comfort-
THE FACES OF HYDERABAD Balamma, Fruit vendor, Nagole
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s the sun bears down on her, Balamma relentlessly pushes her cart on the streets selling fruits. It is hard not to look at her and feel pity. But this fiery 63-year-old doesn’t want pity. All she wants is enough money that will sustain her and her husband. It has been four years since she has taken up this profession of selling fruits on a pushcart. So what pushed this aged woman into this tiring work? The measly pension she is entitled to from the government has never
Aishwarya Yerra A city is defined by the people who live and work in it. Here we take a look at the human threads that make up our urban tapestry
reached her hands in the past five years so she had no other option but to take up this backbreaking work. Her husband is too old to earn and she is solely responsible to earn a living for them. Everyday she covers three areas to sell her wares. She started selling fruits because she stays next to a fruit market. She says she will never depend on anybody and will continue to work till she has the energy. On the days she is sick, she stays at home but otherwise Balamma can be seen working hard.
able in front of a crowd, and have learned to use body language and avoid filler words. Toastmasters gave me the confidence to stand up and speak.” There are many Vaishnavs from the City who feel the same. “I saw many like minded people in this forum with one motto — improve SRINIVAS SETTY
A Toastmasters meeting is a learn-by-doing workshop in which participants hone their speaking and leadership skills in a no-pressure atmosphere. A typical group has 20 to 40 members who meet every fortnight. There is no instructor in the meeting. Instead, members evaluate each others’ presentations. This feedback process is a key part of the programme’s success. Meeting participants also give impromptu talks on assigned topics, conduct meetings and develop skills related to timekeeping, grammar and parliamentary procedure. Nominal fee is another attraction, members say. They are not asked to shell out large sums.
Vatti inspects treasure hunt site
M
inister for Archaeology & Museums Vatti Vasant Kumar inspected the excavation work in Vidyaranya school at Saifabad on Monday. The excavation for unearthing a reported hidden treasure in the school premises has been going on for the past three days. The minister said that no clue about the “treasure trove” was found by the personnel engaged in excavation. He said he had directed the officials of his department to continue the work without causing any inconvenience to anybody. It may be mentioned here that the reports about a hidden treasure in Vidyaranya school caused a sensation all over the State. The Archaeology department began the excavation at the school that is being run by the descendants of Maharaja of Wanaparthy.
Hyper Local
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities
7
Tourists give Maldives a miss The raging political unrest in Maldives has forced tourists and honeymooning couples to look elsewhere for a holiday destination TOURISM
The international airport and luxury resorts are located on separate islands and there is no unrest there
Anubha Singh anubha.k@postnoon.com
P
olitical violence in Maldives has taken a toll on the number of tourists planning to visit the Indian Ocean archipelago. As tourists are waiting to see how the situation unfolds, travel agencies’ business to the paradise isles has dipped significantly. Political instability and unrest in the Maldives have raised fears for the islands tourism industry which caters to tourists and honeymooning couples every year. Even the travel agencies in Hyderabad are facing the heat. “There have been a lot of queries and concerns among tourists travelling to the Maldives. There is no unrest in the tourist spots, but no new booking is happening at this stage,” said P Ramesh, chief executive officer, Model Travels. “As compared to other seasons there has been a drop of nearly 40 to 50 per cent in bookings this season and ultimately, it’s affecting the business. On an average we get six to seven
Varsha Bhargavi, general manager, Concept Voyages
bookings to Maldives,” he adds. Travel operators are feeling the pinch even more, as this is the perfect season and time for Indians to holiday in Maldives or any other beach destination. “Till now we have had six cancellations and there have been no enquiry calls for the last one week for Maldives. We get more bookings from couples and this season they are opting for Mauritus and Malaysia over Maldives. Although the actual travel destinations are
safe there is an apprehension due to the conflict that has taken place there,” said Vaishanavi K, travel executive, Gold Travels Group. However, many travel agencies are still getting bookings for Maldives. “We have recently booked tickets for one couple who returned yesterday and they did not face any problem. We are getting calls for Maldives and we try our best to explain to them that there is no unrest at the
islands or tourist resorts. The international airport and luxury resorts are located on separate islands and there is no unrest there. Most of the resorts in the Maldives are self-contained and are usually populated by the tourists and resort staff. The safety of tourists is our prime concern and we assure them safety and security,” said Varsha Bhargavi, general manager, Concept Voyages. “The state tourism department had recent-
ly sent an advisory stating that there is no unrest in the islands and resorts in Maldives and travellers can head to the beautiful place to enjoy their vacations,” she adds. Regardless of how concentrated the unrest may be, many nations urged travelers heading to the Maldives to check with their travel agents or government departments for the latest advisories. The Maldives, a nation of 1,190 low-lying islands of which only 200 are inhabited, is a popular high-end holiday spot. It gets a million visitors every year, most seeking a beach or scuba diving holiday getaway at resorts that charge up to $1,000 a night.
Lucid painter
An artist for over 20-odd years, Ashoke Mullick’s paintings have an earthy and rooted feel. Most of his paintings are the amalgamation of nostalgia and imagination. We talk to this popular artist about his dramatised style of painting and more.
ART Shiba Minai shiba.m@postnoon.com
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shoke Mullick's childhood was spent watching his artist dad – paint! He realised he too had an inclination towards painting and his keen observational abilities helped. He says, “I grew up in Bowbazar in central Calcutta. I absorbed a lot from the sights and sounds of the city, the market and also the red light area close to my house. All these things gave me a perspective of life and today a lot of my childhood is a part of my creations.” Ashoke likes using a lot of rich colours; he seems to like variety in his colour palette. To that he says, “I like to use bright colours like red, blue, yellow and a lot of combination. I feel it’s the nostalgia and imagination
that distorts with colours.” He adds, “My paintings always have cultural depth to them and the usage of colours are the result of creativity, from the roots of underlying reality.” He does not stick to a particular kind of theme; he paints a variety of images
right from a couple in love, to a fisherman, a lonely women, a nude man, angelic prostitutes (as he likes to call them), a bride with her groom and so on. We ask, if there is a message in his paintings, and he replies, “My paintings do not
have to be interpreted in depth, I try to paint in a simple style that everyone can understand. I also try to portray all kinds and classes of the society, which I think is a message in itself.” He draws inspiration from artists like Yamin Roy, Manoj Bihari, Nandlan Ghosh and MF Hussain. He says, “I was honoured when MF Hussain liked my work and bought a painting of mine from one of my exhibitions in Jahangir Art Gallery in Mumbai.” Apart from exhibiting in various art galleries across the world, Mullick has participated in several art camps and workshops held at Max Mueller Bhavan in Kolkata, Kalakriti Art Gallery in Hyderabad, 100 years of Cellular Jail in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Khulana Art College in Khulana Bangladesh, Koh-Samui in Thailand besides many more. Mullick’s works are a part of several individual and institutional collections in India and abroad.
Focus
The story behind the news
BOSTON: Zimbabwe’s diamonds, already dripping in blood, may become bloodier. There is mounting evidence that Robert Mugabe is stashing the gem profits to finance violence in upcoming elections, according to a new report by Global Witness. Diamond mine officials loyal to Mugabe are secretly caching millions earned by the country’s diamond mines in tax-free havens such as Mauritius, Hong Kong and the British Virgin Islands, according to investigations by the activist group. Zimbabwe’s lucrative alluvial diamond fields in the eastern Marange Valley, are now under the control of Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party, with mine executives including retired and current police and military officers. This raises fears that some of the money will be used to finance violence and intimidation in the impending election campaign. “If the next election is accompanied by violence there is a real risk that any bloodshed will be funded by diamond revenue,” said Nick Donovan, a senior researcher for Global Witness. “Zimbabwe desperately needs diamond revenues for health and education services, not AK 47s and flash cars for the elite,” said Donovan. “Zimbabwe must ensure that diamond mining companies are not used as an off-budget cash cow by ZANU PF loyalists in the military and police.” Zimbabwe’s 2008 elections were marked by widespread violence by Mugabe’s police, army and militias, according to Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and several other independent rights groups. Mugabe has called for elections in 2012 to end the troubled three-year coalition with former opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Since the Marange diamond fields were first discovered in 2003 the gemstones scooped up have sold for more than a billion dollars. The diamonds remaining are worth more billions, according to mining experts. Mugabe did not leave that wealth alone. His government cancelled the mining lease of a British company and in 2008 the army violently seized control of the diamond fields, using helicopter gunships and troops against Zimbabwean civilian miners. Some 200 people were killed and many others wounded and tortured when the army sealed off the diamond fields, according to human rights groups. The diamond concessions have been allocated to companies controlled by Mugabe loyalists, including army and police officers, both retired and active. Violence and slave-like working conditions continue at the diamond mines, according to human rights groups. Despite the evidence that
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
Mugabe regime stashes gem earnings to fund poll violence, alleges report
Zimbabwe’s bloody diamonds
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Zimbabwe’s diamonds are mined with violence and are funding the abuses of the Mugabe regime, the international diamond regulation body, the Kimberley Process, has approved their sale to international market. Last year Global Witness pulled out of the Kimberley Process charging that the body should not have given its seal of approval to Zimbabwe’s diamonds. Where have Zimbabwe’s diamond profits gone? Finance Minister Tendai Biti reports that this year the government treasury will earn $600 million from the diamonds, a figure far below what experts say it should be. Diamond profits are being channelled to companies in Mauritius, Hong Kong and the British Virgin Islands, according to investigations by Global Witness. Those tax-free centres allow companies to hide corruption, tax avoidance and wild spending in Zimbabwe outside the national budget. Global Witness continues to urge the world diamond industry to stop trading in diamonds that are funding human rights abuses. Global Witness recommends that the Zimbabwean government should pass legislation that bans serving members in Zimbabwe’s security sector from exerting any control over mining companies — including being the beneficial owners of subsidiaries of companies operating in the country’s sector.
Kimberley Process certification scheme
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n July 19, 2000, the World Diamond Congress adopted at Antwerp a resolution to strengthen the diamond industry’s ability to block sales of conflict diamonds. The resolution called for an international certification system on the export and import of diamonds, legislation in all countries to accept only officially sealed packages of diamonds, for countries to impose criminal charges on anyone trafficking in conflict diamonds, and instituted a ban on any individual found trading in conflict diamonds from the diamond bourses of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses. The Kimberley Process was led by the diamondproducing African countries themselves. Also in tourist states like Dubai, before gemstone could be allowed through their airport to other countries, the Kimberley Certification must be presented by the gem’s owner. Source: Diamond Facts.org
India‑View
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
India unveiled
FIERY PROTEST
Case against Rahul for poll code violation KANPUR/NEW DELHI: Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi on Monday took Kanpur by storm, but faced a case for violating the model code of conduct. Denying the charge, the Congress accused the district administration of trying to stop his programme at the Mayawati government’s behest. Gandhi faced the charge after choosing to undertake a longer road-show than what the district administration had permitted him. “Mr Rahul Gandhi clearly violated the permission that was granted by the administration for his road-show. Hence a case has been registered against him under sections of the IPC for disobeying prohibitory orders, causing danger and obstruction to the city roads and creating nuisance,” district magistrate Hari Om said. IANS
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Dad kills girl for refusing caste alliance SATARA (MAHARASHTRA):
Tibetans in exile shout anti-Chinese government slogans as they burn a Chinese flag at a protest in PTI New Delhi on Monday.
A farmer in Maharashtra’s Satara killed his 25-year-old daughter after she refused to marry within her caste and insisted on an alliance with a man from a lower caste, police said on Monday. In a fit of rage, Shankar B Shinde, 65, battered Asha’s head with an iron rod while she slept in their home in Aundh town early Sunday, said police inspector Rashid B Syed. Though Asha’s mother, elder brother and his wife were also present in the home, nobody went to her rescue as Shinde hit her head repeatedly, leaving her in a pool of blood. Several hours later, the guiltridden Shinde walked to the Aundh police station and surrendered before police inspector Chandrakant Shirke. IANS
Nitish joins anti-NCTC bandwagon PATNA/BHUBANESWAR/CHE NNAI: The clamour against the proposed anti-terror hub continued on Monday with Bihar Chief
Minister Nitish Kumar writing to Prime Minister Manmonhan Singh expressing his opposition while his Orissa and Tamil Nadu counterparts Naveen Patnaik and Jayalalithaa sent second letters seeking dialogue between the two sides. In his letter, Nitish Kumar said the creation of National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) was highly flawed as it had been created within the Intelligence Bureau, which has no accountability to parliament. “Where is the need to create new centres like NCTC with provi-
Cops get nod to grill ship guards for 3 days KOLLAM (KERALA): The two crew members of an Italian ship who allegedly shot dead two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast can be questioned by police for three days, a Kerala court said on Monday, while sending them to 14 days custody. The first three days would be
in police custody, ruled Karunagapally First Class Judicial Magistrate KP Joy. Kerala director General of Police Jacob Punnoose said that the two accused have been remanded for 14 days’ and the first three days would be see their questioning by the police. IANS
sions which arbitrarily trample upon existing constitutional safeguards to protect the highly delicate balance of power between the Centre and States” he asked. “Won’t you agree with the suggestion that the Indian government must re-examine the whole issue and ensure that the order is suitably modified to take care of states’ genuine concerns,” Nitish said. In his letter, Patnaik contended that he had no intention of politicising the campaign against terror and his opposition to the manner
Seychelles seeks Indian help against pirates NEW DELHI: With its $1-billion economy losing about 4 percent of GDP to piracy, Seychelles has sought India’s help in putting an end to this threat to trade in the Indian Ocean, particularly in prosecuting the sea brigands. Seychelles foreign minister Jean-Paul Adam, who was in India on a three-day visit last week, said that he had asked his Indian counterpart, SM Krishna, to assist in the trial of pirates and help increase convictions. “In Seychelles, we have estimated that piracy has cost us four percent of the GDP in terms of growth and this is a terrible cost to our economy... there is a huge opportunity cost,” Adam said when asked about the impact of piracy on his country’s economy. IANS
in which the anti-terror intelligence hub was being set up. He urged the prime minister to initiate dialogue with states on the anti-terror intelligence hub. Jayalalithaa also urged Manmohan Singh to withdraw the home ministry’s order on the setting up of anti-terror hub and start consultation process with the states. In her letter to the prime minister, she said: “I also request you to start the consultation process with the States immediately keeping in view the fact that matters of public order and police are
in the State List of the Constitution of India.” Apart from the three, the move to set up NCTC has also been opposed by chief ministers of West Bengal, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Tripura. Following the opposition from chief ministers, the Congress-led central government has said that the NCTC proposal did not talk about making amendments in any existing law but would derive powers from the anti-terror legislations passed by Parliament. IANS
FASHION IN FAMILY
Actor Govinda and daughter Narmada (right) with designer Reynu Taandon at a fashion event in New Delhi.
PTI
Around the World
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
Beyond Borders
Syria: The two faces of a divided country Stephen Starr
The Syrian DAMASCUS: regime claims armed gangs are responsible for the current unrest rocking the country. Protesters say security and military forces have killed thousands calling for freedom and regime change. The international community looks on. On the ground, meanwhile, deep divisions are emerging over who is right and wrong, and where Syria will go from here. “I live in Berzah, I saw what happened this morning,” said Sari, referring to the security crackdown on the Damascus suburb in the early hours of Feb. 14. “They [the security] knew exactly who they wanted. They entered the houses of the people who have committed crimes.” Sari is from the Circassian community, which numbers more than 40,000 in Syria. Like many others from minorities in Syria,
Red Cross seeks way to deliver aid in Syria DAMASCUS: The Red Cross said it was in talks with the Syrian authorities and rebels to halt the violence so that it can deliver aid, amid calls to allow women and children out of the besieged city of Homs. President Assad, on Monday accused foreigners of funding and arming “terrorist groups” with the aim of destabilising the country, as warships docked at the port of Tartus. AFP
Strauss-Kahn to be quizzed LILLE: French police will question disgraced former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn on Tuesday about his alleged involvement in an illegal prostitution ring. He has been summoned for questioning at 9 am in connection with a police probe into the organisation of sex parties in restaurants and swingers’ clubs in Paris, Washington, Madrid, Vienna and Ghent, Belgium. He could face charges if magistrates deem he was aware that the women who took part were prostitutes and the funds to pay them were fraudulently obtained, as is being alleged against other suspects. AFP
Cut off by shelling, activists in Homs have reverted to using carrier pigeons to communicate with one another. AFP Sari backs the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. “From my balcony I see what is happening. The protesters shoot at the security forces and they shoot back,” he said. Sari, in his 20s, worked as an editor at an English-language newspaper until late last year when it closed due to falling advertising revenue. “The opposition and demonstrators want the president out but what is their plan then? They go on tele-
vision and scream about the situation inside Syria while they sit in Cairo or London. I am here — I see what goes on and I know the truth.” Sari recalls how the members of the Syrian opposition have called for Farouk Sharaa, Syria’s vice president, to temporarily take over the presidency and lead a transitional government but believes that because he worked with the last president, Hafez al-Assad, he is not an ideal
candidate. “He is worse than Bashar!” he said. “Last week I was watching Al Arabiya and the presenter became almost hysterical talking about the shells falling on the city. They had a live video stream of the city showing — there was nothing on the screen,” Sari said. Neighbourhoods in the central city of Homs have been subjected to almost two weeks of shelling by regime forces. Activists say more than 300 people, have been killed since the offensive against areas hosting members of the so-called Free Syrian Army began on February 3. “We have not arrived at the point of civil war yet and I don’t think we will,” he said. The opposition is too weak and divided.” Across town in an upmarket cafe, Saleem,views both the regime and Syria’s future in an altogether different light.“Do you think it is OK for a regime that kills its own people to stay in power?” he asked. A temporary law, which banned imports that were taxed by 5 percent or more “showed all us businessmen how silly and backward the regime is,” he said. The law, introduced last September, was cancelled after a public uproar. “Bashar had a chance at the beginning of the revolt to begin real change; there was a window of opportunity, but he blew his chance,” Saleem said. s Syria enters its 12th month of revolt, all out violence risks engulfing the protest movement. Saleem is not optimistic. “There is no solution. We are on the road to civil war.” GLOBAL POST
Iran boosts nuclear site defences TEHRAN: Iran deployed warplanes and missiles on Monday in an “exercise” to protect nuclear sites threatened by possible Israeli attacks and warned it could cut oil exports to more EU nations unless sanctions were lifted.The EU said it could cope with any halt in Iranian supplies. Tehran’s stance marked a hardening of its defiance in an international standoff over its nuclear programme — and suggested it was readying for any eventual confrontation. The moves came the same day as officials from the UN nuclear watchdog agency arrived in Tehran for a second
Ahmad Qalebani, deputy oil minister for Iran round of talks they said were focused on “the possible military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear programme.” Iran, while holding out hope of reviving collapsed negotiations with world powers, has underlined
it will not give up its nuclear ambitions, which it insists are purely peaceful. Much of the West and Israel, though, fear Iran’s activities include research for atomic weapons. The United States and Europe have ramped up economic sanctions against Iran’s vital oil sector, while Israel has fuelled speculation it could be on the brink of carrying out air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran’s military said on Monday that it has launched four days of manoeuvres in the south aimed at boosting antiair defences to protect nuclear sites. AFP
GLOBE AT A GLANCE 40 dead and 30 fugitive after Mexico prison riot MONTERREY: Members of Mexico’s Zetas drug gang killed 44 rivals from the Gulf cartel in a prison riot before staging a mass escape, possibly with help from authorities, Mexican officials said on Monday. Some Prisoners bludgeoned and stabbed other inmates to death in one of Mexico’s deadliest prison riots Sunday in the Apodaca prison, an overcrowded facility 30 kilometers north of Monterrey.
Yemen heads to polls after 33 years SANAA: Yemeni voters head for the polls Tuesday, ending President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s 33-year rule and thus making Yemen the first Arab state where a revolt has led to a settlement. The referendum where Saleh’s deputy is standing as the sole consensus candidate, is being boycotted by two major opposition groups.
A group of girls wear outfits made of recycled materials during the ‘’First Central American Meeting of Recyclers’’ in Managua. AFP
Flash floods displace 25,000 in the Philippines MANILA: Nearly 25,000 people in Southern Philippines have been displaced by flash floods triggered by heavy rains, the authorities said on Monday. Lambayong township of Sultan Kudarat province and villages in the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte were affected by the flooding due to rains since Sunday, Xinhua reported.
Islamic militants kill 30 in northern Nigeria ABUJA: Militants of a radical Islamic sect attacked a market in a northern Nigerian city with gunfire and a series of explosions, leaving at least 30 people dead, in what is believed to be a revenge attack.The market in Maiduguri city came under attack this afternoon and at least eight militants were also killed in the ensuing gunbattle with security forces.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton poses after signing the US-Mexico Agreement for Transboundary Hydrocarbon Reservoirs. AFP
18,393.21 103.00
5,597.20 32.90
10g= `28,500
1kg= `56,600
`49.11
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DOLLAR
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Matters of saving and spending
`77.84
POUND TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012 11
NRIs seek stability in real estate bought this apartment. He had simply done it for investment five years previously. ecently an acquaintance – a To date, I have not met a sinfund manager by profession gle non-resident Indian (NRI) – relocated to India to setwho is not keen to buy real estate up a domestic private equity (PE) in India. Home ownership in this fund here. He had invested in a country is one of the most satisfyMumbai residential property ing means available to them to strategically located close to the stay connected to their motherprimary business district and an land. Very often, such investinternational school for his kid. This investment, done a few years ments in their country of origin help them to maintain their relaback, helped him crystallize his tionships back home while they plans for relocation to India and make their fortunes abroad. start his venture without spendA few weeks back, I met ing time in finding the another NRI businessman – earliright location, house er based out of Madrid and now and school. relocating to NCR on the heels of What I found the Euro crisis – who was seeking most interesting to build a local business base was that he had here. Achieving this while resetnot even considtling family on all fronts has not ered eventually been an easy task for him. He is relocating to on the lookout for the ‘best’ locaIndia when tion for a residential property in he NCR and naturally finds the cost of properties in the prime areas staggering and beyond belief. He had not considered investing in a property earlier. Completely out of synch with the market dynamics back home, he blithely assumed that his foreign-earned savings would make finding a Om Ahuja, CEO, Residential luxurious home a services, Jones Lang LaSalle India Om Ahuja
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breeze. He was ill prepared for the astronomical ticket sizes that now prevail.
Own a home here Over the past few years, we have noted that NRIs are investing into residential real estate specifically in large Indian cities to build a backup base in the country. This particularly applies to NRIs with professional/entrepreneurial ambitions who intend to set up businesses in these cities in the future. Post the 2008-2009 global financial crisis (GFC), India has stood out as a showcase example of financial stability, specifically in terms of its conservative banking sector. More than anything else in the past, the GFC caused NRIs to seriously contemplate owning homes in India as their rattled confidence in all things foreign gave way to a yearning for familiarity and stability on both on the personal and professional fronts. No one can exactly predict the fate of any currency, or the stability of any economy. Economies are notoriously ‘subject to market risk’ – for instance, no one had expected that west Asia would see political uncertainty a few years back. However, when it comes to personal and career stability, there must be no margin for error. The trends suggest that more NRIs are taking important decisions with regard to owning real estate in India.
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NRIs have no restrictions limiting them with regards to how many commercial or residential properties they can own in India. However, there are restrictions on the repatriation of sale proceeds, which is limited to two units. Effectively, this means that NRI face no restriction while investing into commercial or residential real estate in India. However, when a NRI decides to sell and take the money back to the country of residence, he can do so with the sale proceeds of only two units. NRIs can invest into real estate by remitting funds to India through normal banking channels, or by invest through funds in a Non-resident external (NRE)/ Foreign currency non resident (FCNR)/ Non- resident ordinary rupee (NRO) accounts maintained in India. They cannot make payment via travellers’ cheque or foreign currency notes. They are also restricted from making any payments outside India or settling payments through exchange of funds outside the country. NRIs can avail home loan from Indian institution approved by the National Housing Bank (NHB), and loan repayment can
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be done either through inward remittances, debit to a NRE/FCNR/NRO account, via rental income earned in India or by borrowing from close relatives residing in India. NRIs can also avail of home loans from the employer in India, provided specific terms and conditions listed by RBI are met. NRIs can mortgage residential property in India with an Indian financial institution without any approval from RBI. They can also mortgage it with a foreign financial institution with prior approval from RBI. NRIs can rent out their residential property without the approval of the RBI in India. Rent received can be credited to NRO/NRE account or remitted abroad. Authorised dealers have been empowered to allow repatriation of current income like rent, dividend, pension, interest, etc. of NRIs/ a person of Indian origin (PIOs) who do not maintain an NRO account in India, based on appropriate certification by a chartered accountant confirming that the funds proposed are eligible for remittance and that applicable taxes have been paid or provided for.
More Kingfisher flights cancelled, ICICI Bank adds new mobile banking services airline CEO to meet DGCA MUMBAI: ICICI Bank has announced the launch of services to transact over mobile phones. The bank is providing a wide range of financial and non-financial services, which can be conducted through mobile devices. ICICI Bank customers can now sms IMPS to 9222208888 - from their mobile phones to transfer funds instantly and round the clock. This is facilitated by using the Interbank Mobile Payment Service (IMPS). It has enabled its customers to recharge any prepaid mobile phone in three steps,
just by sending a sms MTOPUP to 9222208888. Customers can also avail these services of instant fund transfer and prepaid recharge by dialing *525# from their mobile numbers registered with the bank. This option of *525# is currently available for the customers on select operator networks only. As extension of the *525# service, customers can now pay their ICICI Life Insurance premiums by dialing *525*11#. The communication technology used for mobile payments ensures that no data is stored in customer’s phone and data transfers are adequately encrypted to prevent risks of misusages. These services can be accessed from all kind of handsets- basic phones as well as smart phones.
NEW DELHI: At least 30 flights of Kingfisher Airlines were cancelled this morning as the top brass of the cash-strapped carrier was set to appear before aviation regulator DGCA to explain reasons for large-scale disruptions in schedules. While 13 flights were cancelled from Mumbai, 8 were cancelled from Kolkata and four from Delhi leaving many passengers stranded. The major air route of Mumbai-Delhi was the worst-hit with maximum cancellations and clubbing of flights. Kingfisher CEO Sanjay Aggarwal and other officials are set to met DGCA chief E K Bharat Bhushan today and give a revival plan of their disrupted flight schedule. The carrier faced fresh problems yesterday with 34 pilots quitting and a large number of staff being put on notice. The resignation of the pilots
have taken the total number of those who have quit to about 80 since last October, industry sources said. Kingfisher has been suffering from a severe cash crunch that has culminated into the Income Tax authorities freezing its bank accounts last week on grounds of non-payment of tax dues. Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh had yesterday ruled out any bailout of the airline. “As far as Kingfisher or any
other private airline is concerned, they have to present their business plan to the banks and if they (banks) are satisfied with that, and if it is within RBI guidelines, then they will lend money,” he had said. The carrier on Tuesday cancelled 30 flights including those to Bangkok, Singapore, Kathmandu and Dhaka, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at various airports across the country. PTI
Comment
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
Fair, free and forthright
Editorials TREASURE HUNT OR wild goose chase?
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s it a treasure trove hunt or a wild goose chase? The Archaeological Survey of India, after a protracted battle with numerous authorities, began excavation on the sprawling premises of Vidayaranya School, opposite the State Secretariat. The ‘epicentre’, as marked by the ASI, falls in the shadow of Birla Temple that stands tall atop Naubath Pahad in Saifabad, the heart of the City. Since ASI has the mandate, it digs. Engineers from NMDC too grew curious on what the ASI is trying to unearth. Tourism minister Vatti Vasanatha Kumar went and took a peek not only into the hole being drilled, but into the drudgery of dredging too. This reminds us of the discovery of a bunker, annexed to a huge multipillared shelter, underneath 15 feet at Chelapura, behind the State High Court, exactly 20 years ago in 1992. The excavation then too was with a suspicion of extracting the hidden treasure. The ASI said Hyderabad would have many a tunnel and multipillared structures underneath the Earth’s crust. Taking dig at the ASI are the school management, teachers and parents.
WHY WE LOVE... Ricky Ponting
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efore the Boxing Day Test, many called Ricky Ponting a spent man. But he emerged one of the top scorers in the India-Australia Test series. Ponting at 37 may have crossed an average cricketer’s retirement age. But Ponting’s no average cricketer. He is one of the world’s best. Winning the World Cup twice for his country… Australia's leading run-scorer in Test and ODI cricket… few can boast of feats like these. There may be some who want him to quit. But Punter’s declared to the world he’s going nowhere. He epitomises William Ernest Henley’s lines: “I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”
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Wanted: A school to teach civic sense Hard talk PK Surendran
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bright third-grader was asked by teacher in social science class to define public road. The boy replied, “A road is where you dig to lay cables, deposit wastes and urinate.” For all we know it could be a made-up story, but if it’s true, the boy ought to be awarded 100/100, for he hits the bull’s eye. Utter disregard for environment, blaring stereos in the dead of night, taking out noisy procession at the slightest pretext, spitting everywhere, throwing plastic at will are only some of the art we have been practicing with perfection all these years. No wonder, countries warn their citizens against visiting India without precautions. They warn against stray dogs, terrorists’ strikes, unsafe drinking water, going without a guide, etc. Commenting on the traffic (non)sense in Hyderabad, a German visiting the city blogged later, “Oh, God!” The pithy comment spoke a volume. I’ve lived and worked in eight cities spread across six states and I can say all of them fail miserably on civic sense. On this count perhaps we could say with conviction, “We’re Indians, it’s our national identity.” Wonder how we teach irrelevant lessons in schools and homes while spare no time to teach our kids civic sense and responsible living in a city. This is all the more important now as the 21st century is billed to see 60 per cent of the global population living in urban centres. The results of the lack of civic sense are dreadful: dirtied surroundings, communicable diseases, reckless driving, jaywalking, clogged roads, pathetic living and violence.
What is civic sense?
diversity has added to the woe. And, above all is the most obnoxious national trait of spitting in the open — chewing paan or without paan. This seems a peculiar Indian character, which once prompted Gandhiji to comment in disgust, “If we must spit, let us all spit and drown the British!” If any city needs a civic-sense drive urgently, it is Hyderabad, though other cities do not crown with glory. It would do us a world of good if the government insisted on including a full class on learning to live in a city or civic-living sense. Alternatively, it could encourage NGOs to come up with schemes where they would impart this education to the young and award a certificate, which should be valid for most jobs.
Civic sense is care for social living. Simply put, it is to live and let live. It’s not just keeping the streets clean. It has to do with lawabiding, respect for fellow men and maintaining decorum in public places. It’s also a collective wisdom and alert. A friend who returned from UK tells how his bag he had kept on a bench and went adrift looking for something created a panic among passers-by
Tailend: Here’s news that we can use: Bangalore Sept 8: A first of its kind, the Bangalore University will soon start a course in Civic Sense. The proposal, which was submitted to the Academic Council, was approved, however, with certain conditions. Details of the syllabus will be announced soon.
Mamata should quit
Events page
The arrest of three accused in Kolkata rape case and the subsequent pulling up of the cops shows that Mamata Banerjee is not fit to be the chief minister. She had termed the case as “cooked up” and her minister had questioned the morality of the accused. Now after blaming Maoists for the Gyaneswari train accident for almost one year, she has said CPM sabotaged the train. She also has problems with NCTC, set up to counter terrorist attacks. One can’t help but wonder if the firebrand Trinamul leader is mentally stable. Sanjay Roy Banjara Hills
The events column in your paper is a good initiative. However, please keep in mind that events that are over is also being published. This Saturday, there was an event dated February 16, when on Saturday it was February 18. Please make sure not to repeat these mistakes. Apart from this, I would like to say that your Saturday and Sunday edition, is really neat and is a nice improvement on the week's paper. Also, it was great to see a kids page on Friday. I would also like to suggest, if you could allow readers to write in to make your paper's email address more visible and viable. Praneeth Sharma Kukatpally
who shouted around whose bag it was. In our setup, we would rather see the bag making a vanishing act in a jiffy. Separatism, vandalism, intolerance, racism, road rage and blaring stereo in the dead of night are all examples of lack of civic sense. People are becoming less and less tolerant of each other, of other's cultures, backgrounds, and other similar traits. Amazing
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
Italian guards’ arrest
Eye-opener story
For once, India has showed some maturity and spine by arresting the Italian marines who shot and killed two Indian fishermen mistaking them for pirates. The government resisted pressure from the Italian authorities and firmly asserted that the law of the land will take its own course. The arrested guards were given consular access and are being treated with respect — something that rarely happens to accused in domestic cases. The government should not give in to diplomatic pressure and ensure that the guards face a free-and-fair trial for the crime they committed. K Radhakrishnan Secunderabad
The organ donation article published recently in your paper was an eye-opener. My friend's father needed a kidney donor, and it was extremely difficult to get one. I think that there should be more public initiatives taken by hospitals, and NGOs to spread the need for donation. With a population like ours, I don't see how this will be an issue at all. Good job by you guys in bringing this discussion up. Hemaltha R Padmarao Nagar
H‑Factor
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
Holistic view of mind, body and soul
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Mirror Mirror on
THE WALL Do you cringe at the sight of your reflection and long to improve tiny little details? Are botox, cosmetic surgeries and fillers your best friends? It’s time you sought help for body dysmorphia
Asthmatic women risk unborn child’s health
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Comedian Joan Rivers Actor Sarah Michelle Gellar
Ranjani Rajendra ranjani.r@postnoon.com
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hat do you see every time you look into the mirror? Does that little laugh line catch your attention, or that little bit of flab that’s otherwise barely noticeable leave you feeling insecure? Do you long to pay your cosmetic surgeon a visit for a quick fix solution to those niggling flaws in your physical appearance? Chances are you’re suffering from body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a condition in which a person is always preoccupied with minor or imaginary physical flaws like skin problems, weight issues, thinning hair, size of your breasts, complexion, minor acne scars etc. “Most of us are not happy with our physical appearance and that is natural. But for some people it is an obsessive thing. They are forever trying to find flaws in their appearance and look for ways to rectify them. As cosmetic surgeons we’ve to watch out for these signs. Usually these people benefit from clinical counselling sessions,” says Dr Bharatendra Swain, senior consultant plastic surgeon, Apollo Hospital. He goes on to add, “It is necessary for us to match needs with reality. Cosmetic surgery is a medical discipline and not commercial. Hence, it is important that we discern who genuinely requires a cosmetic procedure and who is suffering from BDD.” According to experts, when a person suffering from BDD undergoes a cosmetic procedure, chances are that they will remain dissatisfied with the results. More often than not, they will either be unhappy with the current cosmetic procedure or they will soon begin focussing on other body parts of physical aspects that need improvement. Take the case of Jocelyn Wildenstein, a wealthy socialite, is reported to have spent approximately $4 million on cosmetic surgery. What started off with just one procedure soon snowballed into numerous corrective surgeries. The end result; Jocelyn’s face now resembles a cat — she is often referred to as the cat lady now. Popular celebs like Michael Jackson and Joan Rivers are also famous for having had numerous cosmetic surgeries in a bid to look more attractive. Michael Jackson had famously had several procedures to lighten his skin tone and a bunch of nose jobs because he was reportedly tormented by his appearance. “Body dysmorphia is a serious illness. Patients will obsess over their physical aspects and clamour for improvement. Some will repeatedly get cosmetic surgeries done in a bid to look perfect. Usually counselling sessions can help them. These patients need to be convinced that there is nothing wrong with their physical appearance. Sometimes, as a result of their insecurities they could end up being depressed so treating their depression and prescribing anti-depressants and anti-psychotics could help too,” says Dr Minhaj Naseerabadi, a psychiatrist.
Comedian Joan Rivers is famous for the numerous cosmetic surgeries she’s had done
SYDNEY: Many pregnant asthmatic women, who may be remiss in using the right medication, may end up risking the health of their unborn child, a study reveals. If asthma is not correctly managed during pregnancy it can result in premature births, low birth weights and even stillbirths, said postdoctoral researcher Annette Osei-Kumah from University of Adelaide. Asthma is often worse during pregnancy due to different factors released from the placenta which cause inflammation in the mother’s lung, said Osei-Kumah. Previous studies reveal that during pregnancy, one-third of women report their asthma is worse, one-third maintain their asthma remains the same and another third report an improvement, said a university statement. However, most women underestimate the effect of asthma during their pregnancy, said OseiKumah. “Most women who said their asthma didn’t change actually recorded poorer lung function when tested, and 55 per cent experienced at least one asthma attack during pregnancy,” she said. There are sex-specific effects as well. Uncontrolled asthma invariably leads to low birth weights in female babies. Male babies, on the other hand, continue to grow normally but if a mother has an asthma attack during pregnancy they are less likely to survive. Most women who are asthmatic stop using their medications during pregnancy due to fear of side-effects, but their concerns are unfounded, added Osei-Kumah. IANS
H‑Factor
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
Holistic view of mind, body and soul
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According to brain scans conducted while babies were asleep suggests that autism develops over time since infancy
Autism begins to show up in 6-month-old babies
WASHINGTON: Autism first begins to show up as a significant difference in the brains of six-month-old babies and develops as they age, as compared to babies who are free of the disorder. The study, conducted by scientists from Washington (St Louis) and North Carolina (Chapel Hill) Universities, involved infants at high risk for autism because they had an older sibling with the diagnosis. The new research, which relied on brain scans acquired at night while infants were
asleep, suggests that autism doesn’t appear abruptly, but instead develops over time during infancy, the American Journal of Psychiatry reports. “We were surprised that there were so many differences so early in infancy,” says coauthor Kelly N Botteron, who is leading the study at Washington, according to a Washington University statement. “As this study moves for-
ward, we may want to scan babies at even younger ages so that we can try to see how early this pattern is emerging,” adds Botteron. The new findings involved brain scans from 92 infants who had completed diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), a type of MRI scan, at six months and behavioral assessments at 24 months
of age. Most also had additional scans at 12 months or 24 months or both. By 24 months, 28 of the infants (30 per cent) met the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorders. Scans of
the infants with autism revealed changes in the pathways that connect brain regions to one another. In particular, the researchers found changes in multiple fibre pathways in the brain’s white matter. IANS
FITNESS TIPS
Too lazy to go to the gym? W
e all have a deep desire to stay fit but many of us just can’t get to visiting a gym because of the travel involved and also cost. Picking up expensive equipment to exercise at home is also not a really practical option. Here are some great tips to exercise at home without any equipment.
Walking Walking is a simple and easy way to stay fit. There can be nothing better than a nice walk with a cool pleasant breeze. It can be both relaxing as well as help you stay fit. If the weather doesn’t really inspire you to get out you can always walk within the
house. Walk around the house and do all activities that you can while walking.
Jumping This might seem a bit odd but it’s a fun and very easy way. As kids we loved to jump around the house much to our parents’ chagrin. Jumping is a great form of cardio and also a warmup exercise.
Dancing Put on your dancing shoes. Dance is great for your heart. It helps you stay fit as well as help brighten your day. Dancing to your favourite tunes can also help cheer you up on a dull day.
Step exercises Use the steps at home for step exercises which are a great way to tone the muscles of the leg.
Light weight lifting By weight lifting we don’t mean the heavy weights in the gym. Make use of whatever is available at home starting from something light and gradually moving on to something slightly heavy. For example you could use a can, a jug, water bottles etc.
Squats Squats are considered a great form of exercise for the buttocks and thighs. A simple way of doing squats could be by just sitting on your chair and then
standing up and then sitting again. This can be done repeatedly.
Push-ups, crunches, leg lifts Push-ups can be done standing next
to a wall. This helps improve your arm strength and also muscles in the chest area. For strengthening leg muscles and abdominal muscles crunches and leg lifts can also be done while at home. Source: www.fitwatch.com
Telly Tales
Small screen, big idea
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
All of us dream of working from home. But getting work is easier said than done. We find out a few to-dos that can help
I heart homework from them. I have also had to explain to my friends and family that I may be at home, but am not readily available to chat with them or go out”.
Indira Atluri indira.a@postnoon.com
“Structure your own life” Kanchuki Sarma is the owner of Gypsy Feet Travels, a company she started after a stint with Microsoft. Ask her on how she manages the work from home and she tells us, “I realise that I need to be more disciplined now that I am on my own. A regular job gives you everything you need, but forces you to be something. But on your own, you got to structure your own life.” She adds, “I try my best to manage distractions by isolating myself
“No preconceived norms of discipline” Black Jack aka Jack Jigg is a graphic designer, poet, DJ and a bike-enthusiast. He has a different take on the rules of working from home, “There is no need to conform to any preconceived norms on WFH. People usually drop out of the system because they do not want to conform to the 9-5 time warp. In my case, discipline is what I set for myself
for the day or the next few days. At the end of it, if you know your deadlines, and deliver things in time, nothing else matters.”
into social networking during the work hours. There is a lot of temptation, but I try not to succumb to it.
“No afternoon naps please”
“Find your own comfort zone”
Suma Tekur, a freelance writer shares her inputs of working from home. “I do not take afternoon naps, and I make it point to break my day’s activities. Discipline is knowing that you have a responsibility and fulfilling it. Thankfully, I don’t have to struggle to be responsible. I make sure to socialise and meet friends at least three times a week, and I am not too much
Madhurima Chatterjee works from home for a multinational company in Hyderabad. She tells us her simple formula, “Just stop worrying about simple things not getting done. It is not the end of the world if you have not been able to do your laundry or if you desk is dirty. I am the sort that is fine with cluttered desks — find your own comfort zone, and stick by it — simple.”
Our five-step guide to working from home
1
First things first — tell your family and friends you are not available during the day. And set your status mode on messengers as ‘busy’ to emphasise you are serious about it!
2
Assign a specific place for your work. To move around the house with the laptop is like going on vacation every day — one place for all work-related tasks is a great idea, believe us.
3
Set for yourself, your work hours and relaxing hours. Much as it feels difficult in the beginning, stick by them. Before you realise, you will be following them without much struggle.
4
Do your early morning jog before sitting to work. The endorphins that are released due to physical activity aid concentration & help you perform better.
Read
Buy
Hannibal and Me What History’s Greatest Military Strategist Can Teach Us About Success and Failure
The official outfitter of Chelsea FC Dolce & Gabbana has now come up with a new fragrance, The One For Men Sport. According to experts, it has a clean, bright fragrance with top notes of rosemary, middle notes of sequoia and a musky base. Time to smell sporty. Price: £44 for 50ml
By Andreas Kluthz The book not only tells us about one of the greatest Roman’s wisdom; it also gives us an insight into how thin the line is that separates success and wisdom.
Imbibe The balloons only have one life and the only way of finding out whether they work is to attempt to fly around the world. Richard Branson
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In the case of children, teach them to understand the meaning of a closed home-office door. If you instill these values from the day one, there is no room for regret later.
Drink Distilled water from a reservoir nearly 10,000 feet above sea level in the Himalaya mountains of Nepal, Stoli’s Pristine vodka is truly exotic. This heavenly spirit contained in hand-blown Czech bottles and delivered in a numbered oak case is priced at $3,000. If you miss out on acquiring one of the 300 that’s on offer, fret not: Stolichnaya will reveal the next release in the new series later this year.
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Employee comes first Manager HR Yogita Vohra
S
cience has proven that employee engagement positively impact business outcomes such as employee productivity, quality, customer satisfaction and profitability. In a developing company, employee engagement is an integral part of its growth. For quite some time now employee engagement has been a topic of discussion in corporate circles. And it's a topic that employers and employees alike think they understand, yet can't articulate very easily. A question that keeps arising in my mind is what could be the key drivers of employee engagement in an organisation. Can’t beat the fact that one of the key drivers would be employee development. Employee engagement is a big deal. There is clear and mounting evidence that high levels of employee engagement keenly correlates to individual, group and corporate performance in areas such as retention, turnover, productivity, customer service and loyalty. Companies big or small, have started responding to this employee engagement challenge now, by adopting flat organisation structures, providing trainings for firstline managers and with better internal communications. Changes won't happen overnight, but with such significant upside to the bottom line — they might happen more quickly than you think. The writer is an HR Manager at BEAM Fiber
Travel One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico, has opened the first international outpost of the PGA Tour Academy. Guests will get a unique opportunity to hone their golf skills using the latest training equipment. It boasts of club fitting, fitness, and mental conditioning, and high-speed camera and video analysis to help improve players’ swings and putting. For those who want to unwind the PG Wodehouse way, this is the place.
F‑Folio
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
Because you are what you wear
LADYLIKE FASHION RULES LONDON RAMPS C onfident, sexy women with an eye for chic but comfortable clothes were the target audience of catwalk shows by British designers Vivienne Westwood and Paul Smith at London Fashion Week on Sunday. Presenting her Red Label under giant crystal chandeliers, marble pillars and gilded mirrors in an east London hall, Westwood simplified her signature draped dresses to create feminine and eminently wearable dresses in purples and greys. In a nod to her punk roots, Westwood also threw in a few leather jackets with wide lapels, a pair of ripped jeans and messy up-does akin to quiffs. Across town, Paul Smith showcased similarly classy but understated designs, this time with mannish trouser suits worn by models wearing oversized glasses and their hair in thrown-together low ponytails. He used blocks of colour to vamp up otherwise simple outfits, from a blue woollen skirt with darker panelled sides worn with a jersey with a green body and blue arms, to trousers with one colour at the front, another at the back.
The highlight of London Fashion Week has been a special collection by Stella McCartney, worn by a flash mob of dancers at a black-tie dinner on Saturday. Alexander McQueen’s McQ line also makes its eagerlyawaited debut on Monday. AFP
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Spotlight
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
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Spin delight
Pooja, Pavan, Rachna&Vandana DJ Sarah Robertson made her debut in India with the Mischief Nights that was held at the Aros Lounge. SRINIVAS SETTY
DEEPAK DESHPANDE
Superhit formula
Sandy, Alina, Amar & Afsha
Fatima
Partying is a great way to usher in the week and that is what the youngsters did at Kismet.
Esha
NIGHT FEVER
Poorvi
Mounica
Anne & Jiggu
Sweety & Aman
Pari
Judi
Sonal & Tasin
Abhishek & Shimami
Deepu Naidu
Nirota
Participants in a flash mob organised at City Center Mall on Monday by 93.5 Red FM.
Magic Screen
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
The glamour behind the glitz
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T-TOWN TWEETIES
@actor_nithiin Good morning all... after a loong time woke up soo early... have a gr8 day :-)
@Amala_ams
Eega music launch postponed
Watching #LoveFailure. Yayieee Ppl r pouring in their love from all over :) @directormbalaji such a cute movie Bajali... Goosebumps.
S
S Rajamouli has postponed the audio launch of his upcoming film Eega to the third week of March. Earlier, he had announced that the audio will be launched in February; however, with post production taking up a lot of his time, he has decided to launch the audio on March 22. Nani, Samantha and Sudeep are playing lead roles in this film and Sai Korrapati has produced it. MM Keeravani has composed the music for Eega. The distribution rights of the film are being sold for a bomb in almost all the areas and the producers are expecting to hit gold in Karnataka since Sudeep is a big star there. Eega will be simultaneously released in Telugu and Tamil in April.
@RanaDaggubati #NaaIshtam almost complete. Finished dub! Film is on the final edit. Picture and sound will be locked by the first week of March.
@Actor_Siddharth
UKUP to be made in Kannada
Tonight is finally a rest & relaxation night... dinner at home. Love failure and poolarangadu exchanging notes :)
@shrutihaasan Omg I love 300. I could watch this film at least 300 times. Do I adore Leonidas ;) some not so fun sub text to this film but what a spectacle .
@RGVzoomin
Three cheers for ISHA CHAWLA
U
u Kodathara Ulikki Padathara, starring Manchu Manoj, Balakrishna and Deeksha Seth, might soon be made in Kannada if all goes well. Sekhar Raja is directing this big-budget venture, which has been making waves in the industry. Lakshmi Manchu is producing the film. The film is simultaneously being made in Telugu and Tamil. Recently, Lakshmi Manchu met Kannada star Puneet Rajkumar for a remake of the film in Kannada. “Yes, I have approached Puneet Rajkumar, but I want to show him the movie first. So far, we have completed 80 per cent of the film,” Lakshmi Manchu confirmed the
When I was a kid I was a mean little devil but I was smart enough to hide that fact from my innocent parents.
I
news to Postnoon. Panchi Bora, Simer Motiani, Sonu Sood, Pra bhu and Rishi are playing important roles in this film. Bobo Sashi is the music composer.
sha Chawla is all smiles post the success of Poola Rangadu. The film has turned out to be a big hit at the box-office and all eyes are now on Isha. She is currently playing a lead role opposite Balakrishna in a film titled Srimannarayana. After making her debut last year in Prema Kavali, she had to wait for almost a year for her second venture, Poola Rangadu; however, 2012 seems quite promising for her as she has two more films apart from Srimannarayana. She'll reprise Kangana Ranaut's role in the Telugu version of Tanu Weds Manu and she's paired opposite Darshan in a Kannada film titled Viraat.
@Isumanth Back from a near perfect family trip to beautiful Badami, KA, where @iamnagarjuna was shooting for “Shirdi Sai”.
@vennelakishore No matter how strong of a person you are, there is always one person who can make you go weak.
Magic Screen
The glamour behind the glitz
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
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‘The phone hasn’t stopped ringing’ Balaji Mohan is living a dream right now. His debut film Love Failure has struck a chord with the audience from Hyderabad to Madurai. We find out more about this 24-year-old director who has become the talk of the town Hemanth Kumar hemanth.k@postnoon.com
B
alaji Mohan is perhaps one of the youngest directors to make a big splash in film industry. At the age of 24, he’s living a dream of becoming a filmmaker and what’s even more exciting is the taste of success right for his debut film Love Failure (Kadhalil Sodhapuvadu Yeppadi in Tamil). “The phone hasn’t stopped ringing for the past few days,” Balaji confesses. And why not? It’s not every day where a debutant director gets compliments from almost everyone for bringing alive a part of their lives on screen. “I think that’s one of the reasons for the film’s success. It’s a universal subject and people could relate themselves to the script. We didn’t change anything to suit the audience’s taste in Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu,” he says. Born and brought up in Trichy, Balaji Mohan joined SSN College of Engineering in Chennai. During this time, his parents bought a handycam for him and he ended up making his first short film Velicham (light), which received a good response from people. “The initial idea was to complete engineering and then pursue my passion. But after Velicham, I didn’t want to wait for too long. So, I had to convince my parents to trust me since I had made up my mind to drop out of college. It was a risk, but my parents had faith in me and supported me a lot,” Balaji recalls. He joined LV Prasad Academy to learn editing and sound design, which opened up a lot of doors for him. He was one of six finalists in the Gateway to Hollywood contest, which was aired on Sony TV and then made his award-winning short film Kadhalil Sodhapuvadu Yeppadi for a TV show named Naalaya Iyakunar. “Nirav Shah saw my short film and connected me to Shashikanth and Siddharth.
The entire process of writing the script and finalising all other details took about one year,” Balaji said. So how did he manage to expand the script? “I decided to concentrate majorly on the couple and then weave small stories around them with other characters. Each one of them has a back-story and then there’s the parents’ angle and how people deal with relationships,” he reveals. Anyone who has seen the film would have noticed Balaji’s attention to detail, which makes the script all the more interesting. Was it inspired from real events? “Oh no. I didn’t adapt anyone’s life but yes, I did a lot of research and wrote the script based on what I had heard from my friends and what I have seen in my life,” he smiles. And not surprisingly he’s a big fan of Woody Allen’s films. “It feels good when people say that they found a lot of influence of Woody Allen in my film. I have learnt a lot from him.” He’s all praises for Nirav Shah, Siddharth, Thaman and the rest of the team. The film was shot in 36 days, which makes you think how exactly did they manage it. “Love Failure was a simple film to shoot. A lot of planning went into it and there were no surprises on the set. I didn’t have to make any change. Nirav Shah was extremely quick while shooting the film,” he says. We ask him what’s the best advice he has got from people he had interacted with. “Madan, a film critic, once told me that my strength lies in keeping things simple and I think that’s what I tried to do in Love Failure,” he replies. So what’s next? “I am completely blank right now. I haven’t thought about what I am going to do next. For now, I think I am going to take a breather,” so saying, he signs off.
Magic Screen Kangna walks ramp for JJ Valaya
T
he famous grand bazaar of Istanbul with sights of Turkish harmony played a perfect backdrop as veteran designer JJ Valaya presented his collection seeking inspiration from Turkey’s Ottoman Empire, while actress Kangna Ranaut walked as a showstopper here in the grand finale of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week on Sunday night. Among the human montages stood a magnificent structure reflecting the architecture of the multicultural city of Istanbul. Kangna was seen wearing a white long dress along with a long embroidered jacket, accompanied by heavy jewellery. “It wasn’t difficult to put an attire together for Kangna as her sense of style is very different. She has a style of her own and her outfit was reminiscent of the era we were very inspired by,” Valaya said. IANS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
The glamour behind the glitz
Hope Karan and I work together soon: Shahid
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B-TOWN TWEETIES
@NeilNMukesh Ok friends. Back to reading. Have an entire script to learn! Sometimes it feels like homework. Only this time its super fun.
T
he first Dharma Productions project that came Shahid Kapoor’s way was the 2005-movie Kaal, but he couldn’t do that. Seven years later he got another offer to work with the filmmaker, and once again he had to let go the opportunity due to date problems. Now he hopes it doesn’t take them another seven years to come together. “In fact, this is the first thing I told Karan. Long back we were supposed to work together and it was seven years before we got another opportunity... I hope it doesn’t take us another seven years to work again,” the 30year-old actor said. Shahid was expected to feature in director Punit Malhotra’s next film to be produced by Karan, but the dates clashed with Maneesh Sharma’s movie. “I was really keen to do Punit’s film and I was really looking forward to work with Karan,” he said. IANS
@bipsluvurself After Delhi #Jodi Breakers r coming to Bangalore on the 22nd feb and Hyderabad on the 24th feb:)
@imarshadwarsi Got a busy day today but last night had a super fun time at WTF, I love the energy vibe n buzz in that place.
@FarOutAkhtar Thank you all for the messages regarding ZNMD at Filmfare. Hope all of you are well and have multiple reasons to smile.
Emraan, Vidya team up again
N
ow this one’s an ‘ooh la la’ pairing! Bollywood’s serial kisser Emraan Hashmi and The Dirty Picture star Vidya Balan have been cast opposite each other for comicthriller Ghanchakkar. The two hope to rock it. A UTV Motion Pictures’ project, the quirky film is expected to go on floors in August and will be directed by Rajkumar Gupta, who worked with Vidya in No One Killed Jessica. Gupta, who claims Ghanchakkar is one of his “best projects till date”, says a lot of thought went behind casting the two actors in the movie. Ghanchakkar tells the story of Sanju (Emraan), an ex-conman who is laid back and has a taste for finer things in life. The problem is his ambitious wife (played by Vidya). Vidya and Emraan are excited about being paired again after The Dirty Picture. IANS
@SrBachchan T 660 - Coming on to slumber time, to dream, to wish, to just contemplate on what transpired throughout the day... are dreams indicators ??
@udaychopra My new pick up line...what u think? Yay or nay? I’m actually really great looking, just pretending to be ugly.
@AnupamPkher Panelists on TV who are advocating for the collapse of a pvt Airline make me wonder how many free rides they must have on tat Airline. :)
@deespeak Thank Goodness I can hear birds chirping :) I am told in many parts of Mumbai all one just about hears is crows! #urbanlife
Magic Screen
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Magic Screen
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
The glamour behind the glitz
Jason Priestley: 90210 was just small part of my life
J
ason Priestley has said that Beverly Hills 90210 was just a small part of his career. The former ‘90s heartthrob, who played Brandon Walsh in the teen US drama for almost 10 years, added that he has no idea why people make such a big deal out of the show, ignoring his other professional achievements. Priestley said, “That was one nine-year chunk of my life and of my career — I had a pretty successful career before and after that. It was one stop along the way. “It was the
The Descendants wins WGA movie award
T
he Descendants and Midnight in Paris have been honoured with awards from the Writers Guild of America. Midnight in Paris screenwriter Woody Allen triumphed over films including Bridesmaids and Young Adult to take the Original Screenplay award, while The Descendants won the accolade for Adapted Screenplay at the Sunday night’s ceremonies, held simultaneously in New York and Los Angeles. Both movies are also nominated for screenwriting prizes at next week’s Academy Awards. The Help screenwriter and director Tate Taylor was given the Paul Selvin Award for special achievement, while Eric Roth was honoured with the Laurel Award for Screen, a lifetime achievement award.
predecessor for a lot of these younger-skewed shows that are on TV now. And we got lambasted by every critic. It was a critical disaster, but for some reason it resonated with a lot of people. The thing with playing an iconic character like Brandon Walsh is if people always remember me for that, that’s fine. It’s nothing I can get upset about.” He also revealed that he doesn’t spend much time with his former 90210 cast mates, saying: “I’m still friends with Luke [Perry] and Ian [Ziering] and Brian [Austin Green], but that’s about it. We were just a group of people that worked together.
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Magic Screen
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
The glamour behind the glitz
M
ark Wahlberg has revealed that he is taking his children to see him get his tattoos removed. The Contraband star, who has four children with model Rhea Durham, said that he never wants his own kids to
Wahlberg takes children to see tattoo removal
Pattinson becomes firsttime home-owner R
obert Pattinson has conquered his longtime fear of becoming a home-owner after reportedly purchasing a luxury mansion in Los Angeles. The Twilight star has spent $4 million (£2.5 million) on a lavish home in the Los Feliz area of the city. Pattinson is said to have
recently moved into the threebedroom Spanish-style property, previously owned by actor Noah Wyle, after buying it back in September. The 25-year-old Brit previously revealed his first attempt to buy a house fell through after he “freaked out” at the idea of settling down.
get tattoos. “[All the tattoos] have meaning to me, but it’s both personal and professional,” Wahlberg said of his decision to get his body art removed. “I don’t want my kids getting tattoos,” he continued. “And I wanted them to be
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[removed] by the time I did The Fighter because putting make-up on and covering them up has always been a pain in the butt. “I’ve taken my two older kids to the procedure so they see how painful it is and what I have to go through.”
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
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
Take a shot at the brain game while sipping your cuppa
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QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Cheddar type 6 Autumn bloomers 10 Billower on a pole 14 Bellhop, often 15 Polo's destination 16 Brook 17 On the up-and-up 19 "Nay!" sayer 20 CD-___ (computer insert) 21 Word said with a salute 22 Made a small dent in 24 Part of epic films 27 Bundle of energy 30 1936 Olympian Jesse 31 Beefeaters 32 Time out of mind 33 Always, in a poem 36 It blew its top in 1992 37 Acquire intelligence 38 "Major" animal 39 Casting item 40 Malarial fever 42 Damascus denizen 44 Personnel director, at times 45 Car wheel securer 46 Basis of democracy 50 Track and Field Hall of Fame inductee Ashford 51 Charlemagne was its first ruler (Abbr.) 52 "Be on the lookout" letters 55 Unload 56 Golfer who won nine majors in his career 60 Woody's singing son 61 Egg, to a biologist 62 Word with "glasses" or "buff" 63 Put away for the future 64 In the ___ breath (almost simultaneously) 65 "Beau ___" DOWN 1 A feature of Old Glory 2 Boxcar Willie dressed as one 3 Basic building block 4 Gun, as an engine
5 Take for granted 6 Native New Zealander 7 "Miracle on Ice" chant 8 One-time shuttle destination 9 Tack components 10 100-centime units 11 Jargon of a particular field 12 Change, as a hemline 13 Travel like a flying squirrel 18 Plains bovine 23 Common contraction 24 Baby carrier? 25 With a reddish-brown tinge 26 Vacationing 27 Like Easter eggs 28 Abominable snowman 29 What the "poor dog'' had
33 "___ go bragh!" 34 Twin in Genesis 35 Unleash a diatribe 37 Bird-feeder treat 38 Basic desire 40 Having no perceptible weight 41 Yanks, in Mexico 42 Display bad etiquette at the dinner table 43 Christmas warmer 44 Ichabod's was Sleepy 46 Badlands formations 47 Ward off 48 Bill Cosby pitched it 49 What cats
SUDOKU
and rats do 52 "For" votes 53 Sassy-mouthed 54 Hillside, in Aberdeen 57 Actress Gardner 58 Cuban alcoholic export 59 "Congo" villain PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
THOUGHT OF THE DAY Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. – Anonymous
Chai Time STAR POWER
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
Your tomorrow today̶Star Power and Tarot THIRUVAIKUMAR
As per Hindu panchang
FOR 22-2-2012
thiruvaikumar@yahoo.co.in 040-27177230 / 9177596118
TAURUS
GEMINI
You will complete your work with per‑ fection. You will struggle hard to achi‑ eve success. Financial position will look up rapidly. Purchase of essential house‑ hold items make your spouse happy.
Income will be more than the expected. All wishes will get fulfilled. Business‑ men will get good opportunities, which will bring fortune. They will also initi‑ ate steps to expand the business.
All wishes will be fulfilled. Your appearance will become very attractive. You will not like to interfere in personal affairs of friends and relatives. Businessmen will be actively involved in expanding their business.
CANCER
LEO
VIRGO
Your self‑confidence level will be at a high, which make you complete work confidently and with determination. You will not mind failures and disappointments and continue to work hard. Subordinates will be happy.
Your skills will be exposed and decisions will be taken with your self‑confidence. Avoid believing friends and partners blind‑ ly. You will involve in social activities. Your value and respect will increase at work.
Jobs held up since long will resume and end positively. You will attain success in even work beyond your calibre. Sudden fortune opportunities are not ruled out. Financial position will look up gradually.
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
You will be stubborn in your efforts and attain success. Businessmen will grow gradually. Even those who were against you, will now want to be your friends. Take important decisions on your own.
All your new efforts will be successful. You will involve in religious activities. Some have bright chances to go on a pil‑ grimage. Some will plan to join a new venture with friends as partners.
Financial position looks sound. You will be entrusted with certain social respon‑ sibilities. Elders will appreciate your approach. Businessmen will manage the competitions very well and work hard.
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
Businessmen will get a lot of fortune opportunities. They will implement new efforts with courage and taste success. Court verdicts will go in your favour. Turn to friends and partners for support.
Businessmen will make surprise chan‑ ges in their for achieving good growth. They will understand the secrets of competitors and act accordingly with shrewdness. Your prestige is set to rise.
A very good news is about to arrive. A ha‑ ppy time ahead. You will face obstacles with an iron hand and march forward with courage. Your skills will improve. Avoid enmity with friends and relatives.
SUMAA TEKUR
FOR 22-2-2012
tarotreadhyd@gmail.com
ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
The Devil – Youʼre tempted to have that entire chocolate mousse without shar‑ ing it with anyone. Are you then pre‑ pared to spend extra time at the gym?
Three of Swords – Grief, disappoint‑ ment and heart‑ break are indicated. But then there is no escape from this. Go through it and come out stronger.
The Hermit – You are in search of some answers and need to be left alone with your doubts and questions. Tell loved ones that you need some space.
CANCER
LEO
VIRGO
Eight of Cups – You have all it takes to make you happy. Yet, youʼre feeling lonely and in need of some‑ one to share your life with. Stay busy. The feeling will pass.
The Empress – Love is in the air. You and your significant oth‑ er find new passion in your relationship. The flush or first love is making you ecstatic from within.
The Fool – Youʼre pl‑ unging into an unfa‑ miliar project with b‑ oth feet without kno‑ wing whatʼs in store for you. These new experiences will make you stronger.
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
Seven of Wands – Secrecy is involved. Someone is not tel‑ ling you the whole truth and youʼre beg‑ inning to suspect a larger conspiracy. Do‑ nʼt act on it yet. Wait.
Strength – You have tremendous will power to keep at a problem till you find a suitable solution. This quality makes you a winner. This strength is very rare.
Ten of Pentacles – Finances are in great shape. You may get a raise and will be rec‑ ommended for a higher pay structure with more perks.
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
Seven of Cups – Material possessions are in your focus today. You need to take stock and decide how much you really want to own and how much you need.
The Moon – Youʼre feeling moody. Itʼs probably because the party is over and everyoneʼs left leaving you to resume your daily life. Keep busy and itʼll be fine.
Two of Swords – You tend to take the posi‑ tion of extremes in resolving a situation or making a judg‑ ment about a person. Remember that there can be a middle path.
For Better or for Worse Stone soup
SOLUTIONS
Boggle SWAN DUCK GOOSE PELICAN
Number game
Suduko
Scrabble
Ink pen
COMICS
Fred Basset
ARIES
TAROT READ
27
Vol: 1, No 219 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad – 500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon.com and for subscription, please call 040-4067 2222, Fax: 040-4067 2211
Chai Time 1400 Naadi Aadajanme 1430 Pavitra 1500 Movie 1800 Kodala Kodala Koduku Pellama 1830 Vasantha Kokila 1900 Chinnari Pelli Kuturu 1930 Anna Chellelu 2000 Missamma 2030 Edureetha 2100 Bhale Chancele 2200 CID 2300 Challenge 0730 Maa Gramadevatalu 0800 Ayurvedam 0830 Chaganti Sanatana Dharmam 0900 Bhale Chansule
1400 Kannavaari Kalalu 1430 Maavichiguru 1500 Sumangali 1530 Movie 1800 Jai Shri Krishna 1830 Shraavani Subramaniam 1900 Mandhara 1930 Auto Bharthi 2000 Swathi 2030 Mogali Rekulu 2100 Aparanji 2130 Devatha 2200 Mamathala Kovela 2230 Heartlo Battery 2300 Gemini Vaarthalu 0800 Gemini Talkies 0830 Movie 1130 Aha Emi Ruchi 1200 Jeevitha Chakram 1230 Maa Inti Aada Paduchu 1300 Chittemmaa 1330 Gorintaku
1400 [V] Vignettes 1430 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 1500 [V] Humse Hai Life 1530 [V] Trailers 1600 [V] Steal Ur Girlfriend 1700 [V] Zabardast Hits 1800 [V] Fresh Songs 1830 [V] Humse Hai Life 1900 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 1930 [V] Humse Hai Life 2000 [V] Dare 2 Date 2100 [V] Vignettes 2130 [V] Trailers 2200 Love Kiya To Darna Kya 2300 [V] Humse Hai Life 2330 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 2355 [V] Fresh Songs 0700 [V] Trailers 0730 [V] Zabardast Hits 0800 [V] Mind Blasting Mornings 1100 [V] Fresh Songs 1200 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance
‘[V] Humse Hai Life’ at 1930 Hrs on CHANNEL [V]
1300 News Now At1 1330 News Now 1800 6 Pm 1830 Live Report 1900 Primetime 1930 The Game 2000 News Now At 8 2030 Live Report 2100 The Newshour 2200 The Newshour - Plus 2230 E Now 2300 News Now At 11 0800 The Morning News 0900 News Now 1200 Live Report 1230 News Now
‘The Game’ at 1930 Hrs only on TIMES NOW
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
Telly sitcoms, news and movie listings
1400 Abhishekam 1430 Aadade Aadharam 1500 Antahpuram 1530 Aakasa Ganga 1600 Prema Mandiram 1630 Jagadeeswari 1700 Super 1800 Devimahathyam 1830 Puttadi Bomma 1900 Kumkuma Rekha 1930 Manasu Mamata 2000 Chandra Mukhi 2030 Bharyamani 2100 Etv News 2130 Ali 369 2245 Movie 0800 Subhamastu 0830 Jeevanajyothi 0900 Movie 1130 Abhiruchi 1230 Star Mahila
1400 Nagani 1430 Movie 1800 Meera 1830 Kalavari Kodallu 1900 Chinna Kodalu 1930 Pasupukunkuma 2000 Muddu Bidda 2030 Radha Kalyanam 2100 Kanyadanam 2130 Comedy Club 2230 Shree 2300 Bindass 2330 Latest Songs 0800 Gopuram 0830 Bhakti Samacharam 0900 Sri Raghavendra Vybhavam 0930 Mahadevi 1000 Bindass 1030 Baghyalakshmi Bumper Offer 1130 Jeevana Vignanam 1200 Mee Inti Vanta
‘Business Tonight’ at 2100 Hrs only on ET NOW 1400 The F And O Show 1430 Closing Trades 1530 Tomorrow's Trades 1600 Business Day 1730 Markets Tomorrow 1800 Rush Hour 1830 Brand Equity Special 1900 Global Business Report 1930 Business Express 2000 Business First 2030 Markets Tomorrow 2100 Business Tonight 2200 Top 10 At10 2230 Leaders Of Tomorrow 2300 Starting Up 0900 First Trades 1000 Hot Stocks 1100 Buy Now Sell Now - The Stock Game 1130 Buy Now Sell Now 1200 Market Sense 1300 Business Day 1330 Markets Now
1445 Whacked Out Sports 1515 Wipeout 1605 Guinness World Records Smashed 1700 Supernatural 1800 Chuck 1900 Wipeout 2000 Supernatural 2100 Minute To Win It 2200 Fear Factor 2300 Guinness World Records Smashed 0900 Sky Teleshopping 0930 Whacked Out Sports 1000 The Millionaire Matchmaker 1100 Minute To Win It 1200 Got To Dance 1250 Save The Last Dance
‘Supernatural’ at 2000 Hrs on AXN
1400 Haar Jeet 1500 Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo 1600 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 1630 Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo 1700 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 1800 Sawaare Sabke Sapne – Preeto 1830 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 1900 Haar Jeet 1930 Gyaan Guru 2000 Dwarkadheesh - Bhagwan Shri Krishn 2030 Sawaare Sabke Sapne – Preeto 2100 Beendh Banuga Ghodi Chadhunga 2130 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 2200 Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo 2230 Haar Jeet 2300 Gyaan Guru 2330 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb
‘Hawan’ at 1900 Hrs on COLORS
‘Hitler Didi’ at 2000 Hrs on ZEE TV 1400 Hitler Didi 1430 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 1530 Yahaaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 1600 Pavitra Rishta 1630 Shobha Somnath Ki 1730 Ram Milaye Jodi 1800 Hitler Didi 1830 Punarvivah 1900 Afsar Bitiya 1930 Choti Bahu 2 2000 Hitler Didi 2030 Yahaaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 2100 Pavitra Rishta 2130 Ram Milaye Jodi 2200 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 2230 Punarvivah 2300 Afsar Bitiya
1400 Saas Bina Sasuraal 1500 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 1530 Kyaa Hua Tera Vaada 1600 Crime Patrol - Dastak 1800 Saas Bina Sasuraal 1830 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 1900 Crime Patrol - Dastak 2000 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 2030 Dekha Ek Khwaab 2100 Saas Bina Sasuraal 2130 Parvarrish 2200 Kyaa Hua Tera Vaada 2230 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 2300 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 2330 Crime Patrol - Dastak 0900 Parvarrish 0930 Dekha Ek Khwaab 1000 CID 1200 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 1230 Dekha Ek Khwaab 1300 Kyaa Hua Tera Vaada
‘Bade Achhe Lagte Hai’ at 2230 Hrs on SONY
‘Maryaada ... Lekin Kab Tak?’ at 2300 Hrs on STAR PLUS 1400 Sajda Tere Pyaar Mein 1430 Mann Ki Awaaz… Pratigya 1500 Navya 1530 Diya Aur Bati Hum 1600 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behnaa Hai 1630 Sasuraal Genda Phool 1700 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 1730 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 1800 Navya 1830 Ruk Jana Nahin 1900 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 1930 Sasuraal Genda Phool 2000 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 2030 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behnaa Hai 2100 Diya Aur Bati Hum 2130 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 2200 Sajda Tere Pyaar Mein 2230 Mann Ki Awaaz… Pratigya 2300 Maryaada ... Lekin Kab Tak?
MOVIES OF THE DAY AND OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
1409 Rise 1545 Kangaroo Jack 1730 Cobra 1905 Lara Croft - Tomb Raider 2100 License To Wed 2245 The Midnight Meat Train 0751 Nikita1 0841 Friends 0931 Red Planet 1132 Cobra 1303 Galaxy Quest
1300 Inception 1605 Bangkok Dangerous 1810 Invictus 2100 The King Of Fighters 2300 Transporter 3 0735 United 0935 Chasing Liberty 1155 The King Of Fighters 1350 The Talented Mr. Ripley
1400 Outsourced 1430 Scrubs 1500 Rizzoli And Isles 1600 Rookie Blue 1700 Outsourced 1730 Scrubs 1800 E News 1900 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 2000 May Wife And Kids 2030 America's Funniest Home Videos 2100 Rizzoli And Isles 2200 Rookie Blue 2300 My Wife And Kids 2330 Scrubs 0800 Rizzoli And Isles 0900 Rookie Blue 1000 Outsourced 1030 America's Funniest Home Videos 1100 Rizzoli And Isles 1200 Rookie Blue
‘One Man Army’ at 2200 Hrs on DISCOVERY 1400 Dino World 1600 One Man Army 1700 Discovery Showcase 1800 Wild Discovery 1900 Man Woman Wild 2000 Culinary Asia 2100 Man Vs Wild 2200 One Man Army 2300 The Survivors 1000 Man Vs Wild 1100 Wildest India 1200 Masters Of Survival 1300 Wild Discovery
‘Haar Jeet’ at 1900 Hrs on IMAGINE
1400 Parichay 1430 Balika Vadhu 1500 Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha 1530 Uttaran 1600 Phulwa 1630 Parichay 1700 Ring Ka King 1730 Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha 1800 Uttaran 1830 Balika Vadhu 1900 Hawan 1930 Sasural Simar Ka 2000 Balika Vadhu 2030 Veer Shivaji 2100 Phulwa 2130 Parichay 2200 Uttaran 2230 Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha 2300 Na Aana Is Des Laado 2330 Balika Vadhu
28
‘Rizzoli And Isles’ at 2100 Hrs on ZEE CAFE
Veer Shivaji Storyline - Bahirji dresses like a sipahi and saves Shivaji. Bahirji will be able to make it inside temple safely without Inaayat noticing them. ‘Veer Shivaji’ at 2030 Hrs on COLORS
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Storyline - Akshara notices that Rashmi is worried and confronts her. Will Akshara be able to understand Rashmi’s cause of worry ? ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’ at 2130 Hrs on STAR PLUS ‘The King Of Fighters’ at 2100 Hrs on HBO
‘Desperate Housewives’ at 1900 Hrs on STAR WORLD 1400 Supernatural 1500 Pan Am 1600 The Big Bang Theory 1630 The Simpsons 1700 The Shield 1800 Supernatural 1900 Desperate Housewives 2000 Two And A Half Men 2030 The Simpsons 2100 Supernatural 2200 The Shield 2300 The Big Bang Theory 2330 Two And A Half Men 0800 Las Vegas 0900 Pan Am 1000 The Shield 1100 Desperate Housewives 1200 Two And A Half Men 1230 The Simpsons 1300 The Big Bang Theory 1330 Friends
1400 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 1500 Lapataganj 1530 F.I.R 1600 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 1630 I Luv My India 1700 Gutur Gu 1730 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 1900 R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya 1930 Lapataganj 2000 I Luv My India 2030 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 2100 Chidiyaghar 2130 R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya 2200 Lapataganj 2230 F.I.R 2300 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 2330 Chidiyaghar 0900 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 0945 Gutur Gu 1030 I Luv My India 1100 F.I.R 1130 Chidiyaghar 1200 Lapataganj 1230 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah
‘Chidiyaghar’ at 2100 Hrs on SAB TV
1430 Storm Chasers 1530 Discovery Science Classics 1630 Toughest Military Jobs 1730 Weapon Masters 1830 Best Of Discovery Science 1930 Machines 2000 Oddities 2030 Sports Science 2130 Mythbusters 2230 Future Weapons 2330 Some Assembly Required 1030 Toughest Military Jobs 1130 Storm Chasers 1230 Best Of Discovery Science 1330 Machines
‘Style Strip’ at 2000 Hrs on ZOOM 1400 Movie 1730 Star Bonanza 1800 Letz Go! 1900 Planet Bollywood News 1930 Link'D 2000 Style Strip 2030 Letz Go! 2100 Zabar 10 2130 Link'D 2200 B - Tonite 2230 Let's Design 4 2300 Bollywood Bonanza 0700 Fresh Mornings 0800 Red Carpet 0805 Fresh Mornings 1100 Zoom Box 1200 Garma Garam 1300 Planet Bollywood News 1330 Page 3
‘Oddities’ at 2200 Hrs on DISCOVERY SCIENCE
‘Frasier’ at 1930 Hrs on BIG CBS PRIME 1400 Frasier 1430 Jerry Springer 1530 Big Wheels 1600 Galileo Extreme 1700 Survivor 1800 Entertainment Tonight 1830 Galileo Extreme 1930 Frasier 2000 Entertainment Tonight 2030 Galileo Extreme 2100 Hawaii 5.0 2200 Jerry Springer 2300 Survivor 0700 Big Wheels 0730 Aspire 0800 Galileo Extreme 0900 Survivor 1000 Bellator 1100 Jerry Springer 1200 Big Wheels 1230 Entertainment Tonight 1300 Galileo Extreme
Playing Field
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
The games people play
29
From benchwarmer to
SHOWSTOPPER Lin-sanity persists despite the end of Knicks winning streak Cain Nunns
TAIPEI (TAIWAN): It’s eight in the morning, and the bar’s already overcrowded. But still hipsters, businessmen, students and office workers roll in. There’s a line around the block. Nearly half of those waiting are wearing New York Knicks jerseys, and nearly everyone sports the Knicks’ orange and blue in one form or another. One guy has the #17 scrawled across both cheeks. That’s why they’ve all come, to cheer on #17 Jeremy Lin, the Taiwanese-American Harvard graduate, whose improbable rise from bench warmer to starting point guard of the New York Knicks has resonated with a global audience and galvanised Asian communities around the world. On Friday night, the Knicks took on the woeful New Orleans’ Hornets, and the exuberant fans were dizzy with expectation. Nowhere compares to Taiwan for the sheer scope of “Linsanity” right now. This diplomatically and politically isolated island 180 kilometers (112 miles) off China’s southern coast has struggled to cement a place on the world stage. It matter not that the 6 ft 3 Lin was born in California — his parents migrated to the States from Taiwan in the ‘70s — or that the 23-year-old struggles to speak Mandarin, or that he has made only a handful of visits back “home”. Lin’s story resonates with the Taiwanese: they see themselves, both individually and collectively, in him.
The underdog, the hardworking kid who struggled to get attention, the immigrant who went largely unnoticed despite his contributions — these archetypes are reflected by Taiwan’s remarkable economic transformation in the ‘80s, and later, its transition to democracy in the late ‘90s. Inside the bar, Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” makes an already excited crowd a little more frenzied. He references Brooklyn, Tribeca, De Niro and Sinatra, before saying: “And since I’ve made it here I can make it anywhere. Yeah, they love me everywhere.” The crowd roars. The young man next to me, wearing a Lin jersey, says something about living in New York for a while, but his voice fades as the feed from Madison Square Garden comes in on the bars’ flat-screen TVs. All eyes are glued to the TVs as the next chapter of sports biggest story begins, Knicks vs. Hornets. Or, more specifically, all eyes are glued to Jeremy Lin. Like Lin, who was ignored by over 300 Division One colleges despite leading his high school to a state title in hoop-strong California, Taiwan has gone largely overlooked as its diplomatic space shrinks and China’s rise continues unabated. “Nobody really cares about us. We are a peaceful democracy and one of the world’s largest economies, but we aren’t represented as we should be,” said James Huang, a Taipei office worker. “Even though he’s [Lin’s] not really Taiwanese, we can relate to him and his story.”
This photo taken on May 28, 2011 shows Jeremy Lin giving out shirts after playing in a friendly match at the Pinghu middle school where his grandmother has donated to the school fund.
Relating is one thing, but the media firestorm sweeping the island is unprecedented. Lin’s on a 24-hour news cycle. Free trade agreement talks with Singapore, a controversy involving a celebrity beating a taxi driver into a coma, Foxconn’s labor problems, the technological patent wars between Taiwanese and Western smartphone makers and another alleged betting scam in Taiwan’s scandal-plagued pro baseball league — all these stories have been relegated to the backpages in favor of Lin and the Knicks’ seven-game winning streak. The ever-present press corps forced his 85-year-old grandmother to leave Taipei for the relative quiet of the family home in central Taiwan’s Chunghua County in central Taiwan. Unfazed, reporters still stalk the hardscrabble farming community for her, Lin’s uncle or any neighbor who has an anecdote to share. Taiwanese politicians have been quick to associate themselves with Lin, tracing his work ethic back to the country where his parents were born, often referring to him as Taiwan jiguan, or the pride of Taiwan. Justin Kuan, general manager of NBA Taiwan, called him “God’s gift to the NBA”. A travel agency in Taipei, offering two-day trips to New York and tickets to a game at the Garden, received over 70,000 responses in two days. New gambling options centered on Lin are being set up by the government body that regulates sports betting. Love hotels offer Lin-inspired promotions. One particularly creepy one offers discounts for 17 people in a room. President Ma Ying-jeou’s administration is hoping to bring him on as a cultural ambassador, and a slew of multimillion dollar endorsement deals from banks to motorcycles to computers are on the table. Other companies are blatantly infringing on his likeness without offering deals. A sizeable cottage industry churning out knock-offs has sprung up and one prominent analyst predicted that Lin-related economic activity would total about $150 million in 2012. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” said media analyst Chang
Lin #17 of the New York Knicks and his teammate Amare Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks celebrate during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden. Guo-hou, decked out in Knicks’ orange and blue. “A lot of people are going to make a lot of money and like everything that explodes in Taiwan, media will probably go too far and some feelings will be hurt,” he said. On the other side of the Taiwan Strait, some feelings have been hurt already. An official in China’s eastern Fujian province claimed Lin’s family was from there, making him “Chinese” — as opposed to “Taiwanese” — and therefore eligible for China’s national team. The reaction in Taiwan, which split with the mainland following a bitter civil war in 1949, was indignant, prompting media to badger Lin’s relatives about their Taiwan credentials. “His parents are eighth generation Taiwanese and China still tries to steal him. But then again,
they tend to think that the entire Chinese race belongs to them,” said Chang. Back at the bar, as the game drew to a close, the Knicks’ winning streak was about to come to an end. Lin was erratic from the start, turning the ball over five times in the first quarter. Perhaps the pressures of going from a relative unknown to the biggest trending topic on Twitter and the most searched term on China’s Baidu within a few weeks have taken their toll. Still, there’s no need to call for the carriage to turn in to a pumpkin in this “Linderella” story just yet. Despite a careerhigh nine turnovers, Lin still chipped in 25 points and five assists toward a losing effort. And on the way out the door, Taiwanese fans are still in celebration mode.
Playing Field
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
The games people play
30
Chisora, Haye could face prison term BERLIN: British boxers David Haye and Dereck Chisora could both face possible prison sentences in Germany following their Munich brawl, prosecutors here confirmed Monday. Haye and Chisora clashed during the press conference after Chisora’s defeat to defending WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko on Saturday night in the Bavarian capital. In front of stunned reporters and the assembled media, Chisora confronted Haye, who was working at the fight as a pundit, and the pair had to be separated after trading blows which saw both of their trainers get involved. Haye is suspected of grievous bodily harm and if found guilty, faces up to 10 years in prison. Haye, who lost his World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight title on points to Vitali’s brother Wladimir in July last year, proved hard to track down but he finally issued a statement later on Monday through his promoters in London. “I realise I am no angel and don’t mind a bit of professional trash-talk to help raise
CHISORA IS SUSPECTED OF MALICIOUS INJURY, WHICH CARRIES A JAIL SENTENCE OF UP TO FIVE YEARS, AND THREATENING BEHAVIOUR, WHICH IS PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OR IMPRISONMENT OF UP TO ONE YEAR
boxing’s profile — but, during my 21 years in the sport, I have never been involved in, or even witnessed, such a serious fracas,” said Haye, who threw the first punch as Chisora approached him. “If requested, I shall happily assist the boxing authorities with any investigation they wish to launch and, ultimately, hope that all lessons learned from this incident will be implemented.” Chisora is suspected of malicious injury, which carries a jail sentence of up to five years, and threatening behaviour, which is punishable by a fine or imprisonment of up to one year.
Struggling Knicks caught in Net NEW YORK: Jeremy Lin flirted with a triple double but the New York Knicks struggled to find the right chemistry with the return of Carmelo Anthony from injury, losing 100-92 to the New Jersey Nets on Monday. “I need to come out with more energy and the team needs to come out with more energy. That is why we lost,” said Lin. It marked just the second loss since Lin’s amazing run began February 4 against the same Nets when he blitzed New Jersey’s defence for 25 points. The Knicks have eight wins and two losses since the legend of Lin was born with that 99-92 win over the Nets. Lin finished with a team-high 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds as all five Knicks starters reached double figures in scoring in Monday’s loss.
Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks dives for a ball in his match against New Jersey Nets at Madison Square Garden on Monday.
However, the Zimbabwe-born boxer also issued a statement to the Press Association in London saying he “wholeheartedly apologised” for his actions before and after the bout. A masked Chisora had slapped Klitschko in the weigh-in and then spat water in the face of Wladimir. “I feel I must wholeheartedly apologise for my part in the regrettable scenes both before and after what was to be the biggest night of my career. “Whilst my behaviour was inexcusable, there were many things that went on behind the scenes that ultimately caused my frustrations to boil over, however this is of course no excuse. “I cannot go into the specific details at the moment as quite rightly the British Boxing Board of Control will be investigating this matter and also the altercation that took place between David Haye and myself where I was struck by a bottle. “Despite all of this, the bottom line is, I have let my family, my team and worst of all the sport I love down.” AFP
MEMPHIS TENNIS
Dodig, Young advance MEMPHIS: Croatia’s Ivan Dodig and American Donald Young both had solid starts at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships by winning their first round matches on Monday. Dodig hammered 19 aces as he rallied to beat eighth-seeded Bernard Tomic of Australia 5-7, 64, 7-6 (10-8) at the $1.1 million men’s and women’s event at the Racquet Club of Memphis. Young needed two hours and 23 minutes to defeat Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 7-6 (8/6). The 22-year-old Young won despite finishing with just one ace and seven double faults. Dimitrov had six aces and won 67 percent of his first serve points but committed six double faults in a sloppily played match.
Playing Field
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
The games people play
TÊTE-À-TÊTE
Ponting’s not hanging up his boots
Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan (R) speaks to India's Gautam Gambhir (left) as umpire Billy Bowden looks on during the one day AFP/GREG WOOD international cricket match in Brisbane on Tuesday. Batting first, Sri Lanka set a target of 290 for India. HARARE: The Zimbabwean is one of the world's few sightless sports analysts, plying his remarkable expertise by training his acute hearing on the stump microphones despite being born with a blindness that was meant to kill him. "I was born with tumors on both my retinas, so I was only meant to be alive for three to maximum five months -- but I'm 35, not out now, so still playing a good innings," he said. Alongside daily radio work, sports bulletins and a newspaper column which he writes on his voice-enabled cellphone, Du Plessis also sits in the broadcasters' commentary booth where he provides colour to the anchor's match breakdown. "Robin Jackman will say something like 'driven through the covers, that will be four, good shot'," he explained, smoothly gearing into cricket jargon with radioesque poise. "And then it will be my job to say 'well, that is arguably
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Though blind he’s spot on Commentator Dean du Plessis gauges the field action with his ears: a bowler's grunt, the drag of feet along the pitch, but he is rarely wrong Jacques Kallis' most favourite shot, outside the offstump, a little bit of width, which allowed him to free his arms." Du Plessis says he gets no preferential treatment but is wholly dependent on the stump microphones which identify each player's unique characteristics. These range from England Test skipper Andrew Strauss's "yeah, come on, come on, come on" when wanting to make a run for it, to former Australian spinner Shane Warne's huge grunt, and South African Graeme Smith on a hook or pull shot. "If I turn my microphones down, I really will be blind," he said. AFP
SYDNEY: World Cup-winning skipper Ricky Ponting said Tuesday he intended to continue playing Test cricket for Australia despite being told he had no future in the national one-day team. Ponting said he had been informed by selectors that he did not fit into their future plans for the one-day team, but despite speculation about his future, stressed that he would not be retiring from the five-day game. "I will continue playing Test cricket and I'll continue playing for Tasmania as well," Ponting told a news conference at the Sydney Cricket Ground. "I think I proved to everyone and myself that I am still capable of dominating Test cricket as I did in the last Test series against India." Ponting's ODI sacking comes less than a month after his commanding role in Australia's 4-0 clean sweep of the home Test series against India, when he scored 544 runs at 108.80 with two centuries and three 50s. His dumping also came just a day after he led Australia to a crushing 110run ODI win over India in Brisbane as stand-in captain for the injured Michael Clarke. Punter said even though he was no longer being considered for one-day selection, he would look to extend his 162-Test career in the West Indies in April.
Playing Field
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012
The games people play
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Yaya expects a tough fight from Porto MANCHESTER: Yaya Toure has warned his Manchester City team-mates that they still have work to do to reach the Europa League’s last 16 stage. The Premier League leaders start Wednesday’s last 32 second leg tie with holders Porto firm favourites to progress after securing a 2-1 advantage in Portugal. But Toure does not expect Porto to relinquish their Europa League crown without a fight at the Etihad Stadium. City’s Ivory Coast international said that Roberto Mancini’s men will have to play as well as they did in the first leg if they are progress. “We’ll have to play well again because the second game will be the same, very hard, although we’ll have the advantage of playing in front of our fans,” said the former Barcelona midfielder. “It’s not finished yet. Porto have fantastic players and it will be difficult, but we have to keep going and go through in this competition.” Argentina international striker Sergio Aguero could start for City after coming off the substitutes
bench to hit a dramatic late winner in the first leg at the Estadio do Dragao. Mancini’s side had trailed to a Silvestre Varela goal before Alvaro Pereira scored an own goal to level the tie. City are refreshed ahead of the deciding leg after a rare weekend without a game as they were knocked out of the FA Cup at the third round stage. Meanwhile, Porto arrive in Manchester on the back of a 31 domestic away win at Vitoria Setubal which moved them to within two points of leaders Benfica. Porto midfielder Lucho Gonzalez feels confident he and his team-mates have what it takes to overturn the deficit. “Obviously, it’s not positive when you lose at home in a two-legged tie, but we have what it takes to travel to Manchester and beat them,” said Lucho, who rejoined Porto from Marseille last month. “All of City’s players have loads of quality, so that means you have to remain focused for the entire game — otherwise they’ll make you pay for your mistakes.” AFP
‘I will stay on at Man Utd’ MANCHESTER: Alex Ferguson believes that he will stay on at Manchester United even after he steps down as manager, he said in an interview to be broadcast on Monday. “I will remain active. I think there will be a role for me at United after I finish,” he told the BBC in an interview, extracts of which were published on the corporation’s web site. Ferguson, now 70, began his managerial career at Old Trafford in 1986 and has won an array of honours, including 12 Premier League titles, two European cups and five FA cups. He had been due to retire at the end of the 2001-2002 season but changed his mind. He said in the interview that he could feasibly continue for two or three more seasons, depending on his health.One possible role he could fulfil at the current Premier League champions after stepping down is as a club ambassador, he added. AFP