Postnoon E-Paper for 22 December 2012 by Scribble Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

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DECEMBER 22, 2012 HYDERABAD

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ON SATURDAY FATE OF FOUR SCHOOLS HANGS

ith work on the Metro Rail project in full swing, officials are gearing up to demolish four schools in the Chaderghat area to make way for the project. Over a thousand students studying in these schools are left in the lurch, since no alternative arrangements are being made. PG 4

NRA URGES ARMED COPS IN SCHOOLS

SA’s most powerful progun lobbying group demanded that armed police be deployed in every PG 7 school.

OF THE TITANS

Postnoon readers will recall our report on December 14 about the ego clash of two IPS officers during the security arrangements at Mecca Masjid. Here is the result: The deputy commissioner of police Akun Sabharwal, who was one of the parties in the clash, has been unceremoniously shifted to a sedentary post. REPORT ON PG 5

PAGE TWO SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

X’mas, New Year treat Barbeque Nation is converted into a Christmas village to resemble the birthplace of Jesus. An exotic variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes will be served. Where: Barbeque Nation, Banjara Hills & Jubilee Hills When: December 21-January 1 Contact: (040) 6456 6693 (040) 6429 2237

Musical night A night of ghazals by singer Hariharan. Where: Chowmahalla Palace, Khilwath Road Moti Gali, Charminar When: December 23 7pm onwards Contact: 93965 55888

Pochampally IKAT mela Pochampally Handloom Park is organising IKAT Mela, exhibiting handloom products like hand made bed & home linen, dress materials, home textiles, stoles, scarves, sarees, and dupattas. among others. Where: The National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) Exhibition Center Radhika Theater Road, Kamalanagar, Kushaiguda When: December 21 to 31 from 10am to 9:30pm Contact: 95429 76567

Christmas brunch There is a Christmas Day Turkey Brunch at Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. Europeaninspired Ginger Bread House started from December 15. Where: Okra, Hyderabad Marriott Hotel and Convention Center When: December 25, 12.30pm to 4pm

Bulls art exhibition A group exhibition by Avijit Roy, HR Das, Laxman Aelay, Nagesh Goud and Sreekanth Kurva on the animal bull and its characteristics. The preview is on December 22 from 6pm. Where: Aalankritha Art Gallery When: Up to January 2 11am to 7pm Contact: www.alankritha.in

7pm to 9pm Contact: (040) 2324 9045

Christmas Eve buffet Traditional turkey buffet and unlimited beverages will be served at Deccan Pavilion. There will also be live entertainment. Where: Deccan Pavilion, Begumpet When: December 24 Contact: (040) 2340 0132

Chai-Pakora Run To spread the word about India Bike Week being held in Goa on February 2-3, 2013, a chai-pakora run will be organised in Hyderabad. Where: Secunderabad Parade Ground, War Memorial on Lamba Theatre Road Opp. cricket ground When: December 23 6am onwards Contact: indiabikeweek. in/calendar

Photo competition

Alexander Jaya Prakash Reddy is performing a 100 minute solo. He plays a retired army officer who wants to help people with their problems by starting a helpline. It is scripted by writer Pusala. Where: Ravindra Bharathi, Public Gardens, Nampally, H-01, Abids When: January 6,

CINEMAS

Christmas celebrations at Devnar school for the blind at Begumpet on Friday.

Alliance Francaise, Hyderabad, is conducting a photo competition. The theme is Professions of the world. The winning entries will be sent to Paris. Where: http://hyderabad. afindia.org When: December 3 to January 6

A-Bong Live A-Bong is a group of music enthu-

siast Bengalis from Hyderabad. Where: La Makaan, Lane Adjacent To C-Bay , Banjara Hills When: January 6 5pm onwards Contact: 93965 55888

Christmas carols Christmas carols will be sung by Global Edge school till the end of December at The Lobby. Where: Novotel & HICC Complex, PO Bag No 1101, Cyberabad Post Office, Near Hitec City When: December 3-31 Contact: (040) 6682 4422

Art exhibition Artist M Narayan’s work is on display. Narayan graduated from the Ken School of Art. He has participated in over 30 solo exhibitions and is known for his rural depictions. Where: Shrishti Art Gallery, Road no. 15, Jubilee Hills When: Up to January 2 Contact: (040) 2354 0023

Inertia Photography Photography exhibition on India by Lona Lohan. Where: Rajiv Gandhi Airport, Shamshabad When: Up to December 31 11am to 7pm

N SHIVA KUMAR

Contact: (040) 6625 0000

Christmas hampers Taj Krishna is giving out Luxury Santa Hampers and Deluxe Santa Hampers, which include Remy Martin Xo, Lagavulin 16, luxury Canali tie, Rose petal jam with cane sugar, Kalmata Olives, assorted Christmas chocolate and plum cakes to name a few. Where: Taj Krishna When: Ongoing Contact: (040) 6666 2323

Math genius award Nischal Foundation & Nischal’s Smart Learning Solutions is presenting Nischal Math Genius Award2012. A free math test was held in 200 schools in the City and one lakh students participated. 10 toppers will be presented with the awards. Where: Ravindra Bharathi When: December 22

Painting exhibition Memories Of Another Day is an exhibition of paintings by artist Konda Srinivas. He works with acrylic and oils on canvas, specialising in semi-abstract landscapes. Where: Icon Art Gallery, Banjara Hills When: Up to December 25 from 11:30am Contact: (040) 3241 1554

Big Cinemas, Ameerpet, 30581470; Cinemax, Banjara Hills, 44565555; Cine Planet , Kompally, 61606060; INOX, Banjara Hills, 447677770, Prasads, Tank Bund Rd, 23448888; PVR, Punjagutta, 08800900009; Talkie Town, Miyapur, 40214175; Tivoli, Secunderabad 27844973

CITY SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

Fate of 4 schools hangs

The schools, where over 1,000 students study, have to be vacated to give way to the metro project. No alternate premises has been allotted to them. N SHIVA KUMAR

RAHUL RAMAKRISHNA

rahul.r@postnoon.com

he fate of the four schools slated for demolition in Chaderghat to make way for the Hyderabad Metro Rail project is yet to be determined. According to officials from the Rajiv Vidya Mission and the collectorate office, no deadline is conveyed to the schools as yet. Residents and teachers’ union leaders allege that the entire planning and coordination of this project is being done secretively. On November 23, notices were issued to the headmasters of four schools — Government City Model Primary School, Government City Model High School, Government Girls Primary School, Kattelaguda, and Government Girls High School, Chaderghat (Old) — asking them to vacate the premises and find an alternate arrangement for the children studying there. M Ravinder, president of the Andhra Pradesh Teacher’s Front, said, “The demolition and road widening took six months of planning between the HMRL (Hyderabad metro rail), Rajiv

Vidya Mission and the district collectorate. No alternative arrangements were made and suddenly notices were served to vacate the premises. When the metro’s plan is being diverted around religious structures in the city, why can’t they do the same for a school where over a 1,000 children study?” He challenged the optimism

of the officials involved in looking out for another building within the area that can house over 1,000 students even after the school’s academic term comes to an end. He further alleged that the responsibility of looking for an alternative arrangement was dumped on the headmaster of City Model High School. It

was only when the local corporator moved the State Human Rights Commission, which subsequently took up this issue with the district collector, that the project was stalled. Ravinder says, “Initially, the local leaders too had no idea until the notices dropped on their heads. What was most insulting was that the officials from the Rajiv Vidya

Mission dumped the responsibility of finding an alternative premises for the school building with the headmasters of the schools.” The headmaster of Government City Model High School, however, says a date has been fixed until which no demolition is going to take place. “As the students are going through their academic term, no plans for demolition have been made until April 23. After April 23 only will the government take any decision on this. No plans of separate arrangements have been made, nor have I been informed about this so far,” said Radhakrishna. Surprisingly, the district collector Syed Murtuza Ali Rizvi and the project director of Rajiv Vidya Mission said no deadline has been fixed. “No deadline has been fixed nor will any decision be taken until the term end,” said P Saseendra, project director. “There are several aspects to this problem as nobody would wish to demolish a school that teaches over a 1,000 children. The decision is to be taken between the education department and RVM, and then finally sent for approval to the cabinet. But I agree that it is the responsibility of the district educational officer (DEO) to make alternate arrangements and not the school headmasters.”

Penalty for misuse of stations A spot fine of `500 is being slapped on people who litter the railway station, put up posters unlawfully, spit indiscriminately or misuse the premises in varied ways. Anubha K Singh anubha.k@postnoon.com

t is a common sight to see people violating the rules of this public transport system. People use drinking water taps for bathing or washing, spit anywhere, litter as they please and even cook their meals on the platform. Secunderabad railway station is no exception to this common sight. The railway ministry has empowered station masters and ticket collectors to collect the amounts from those who misuse the railway property. Bringing animals and urinating except in the comfort stations provided for it will all be within the purview of penalty, officials said. It is not just the misuse of the premises. Unlawful posters or scribbling in train compart-

THE RAILWAY MINISTRY HAS EMPOWERED STATION MASTERS AND TICKET COLLECTORS TO FINE THOSE WHO MISUSE THE RAILWAY PROPERTY OR DIRTY THE PREMISES. ments will also be treated as an offence liable for penalty, according to Railways Act. As per the rule, even the hawkers and vendors need to make arrangements to keep waste baskets or containers for collecting litter and ensure its proper disposal. “We try our best to keep the station clean, but there has been little support from the travelling public. I am sure this

rule will at least bring some change in the mindset of people. We are going to put up display boards and launch cleanli-

ness campaigns very soon, appealing to the passengers to keep the platforms, tracks and trains clean,” said Shakeel

Ahmed, public relations officer, South Central Railway. “This rule was implemented only after the failure of several awareness campaigns to keep the platform clean by the railway department. Not only campaigns, but hoardings were also placed to keep the station clean, but it was of no help. I am sure the fear of paying `500 will stop many from polluting the city,” he said. The Indian railways rules and penalties for activities affecting cleanliness, notified through an extraordinary gazette on November 26, have come into force with immediate effect. It is, however, not clear what the railway authorities would do with the banners and pasting bills about union leaders and union activities, which is wanton misuse of premises.

CITY SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012 N SHIVA KUMAR

25 totals of gold seized

aroornagar police have arrested two people in connection with thefts in the city. Ram Babu, 25, is a resident of Singareni colony in Saidabad and Ramchander, 21, a resident of Hayath Nagar. The police seized 25 tolas of gold ornaments from them. They are involved in six burglaries in Cyberabad limits, the police said.

Demanding justice!

oining the nation-wide chorus of protests demanding immediate punishment to the gang that raped a 23-year-old medical student in a Delhi bus, a massive gathering of youth at Necklace Road today staged a dharna, calling for immediate trial of the accused. The brutality of the crime has shocked the nation and protests are being staged across the country.

CM flies to Delhi

n a sudden development, Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy was summoned to Delhi today to meet the party high command, probably to discuss the all-party meet scheduled for December 28. The issue of Dharmana Prasada Rao is also likely to be discussed, sources said. All his official programmes have been cancelled in view of the meeting.

A just police officer ousted Mohd SUBHAN

mohd.s@postnoon.com

ostnoon readers will recall our report on December 14 about the ego clash between two IPS officers during the security arrangements in Mecca Masjid. Here is the result: The district commissioner of police Akun Sabharwal (pictured), who was one of the parties in the clash, has been unceremoniously shifted to a sedentary position. Akun Sabharwal being the DCP of south zone thought it fit to assert his authority defying the orders of additional police commissioner of traffic CV Anand. Anand had asked the police to remove barricades around the mosque to lessen public woes, but Sabharwal, in view of the security, ordered the barricades back. This served as a flashing point for political complaints piling against the police officer.

SOURCES SAID AKUN PLAYED FAIR, AND WAS UNWILLING TO BOOK PEOPLE LEFT, RIGHT AND CENTRE JUST TO PLEASE THE POLITICAL BOSSES. AND HIS OWN BOSSES FAILED TO PROTECT HIM.

Sabharwal will now head the National Police Academy, it is learnt. And a new DCP in his place would be appointed soon. Sabharwal stirred the hornet’s nest during the Charminar temple tussle. Many a times, police are made to do unpleasant things by politicians and officials. Sources said Akun played fair, and he was unwilling to book people left, right, and centre just to please the political bosses. And his own bosses failed to protect him. Recently, after some political leaders met the chief minister and complained about the DCP, the chief minister is said to have expressed his anger at the officer. The seasoned and the wise in the IPS cadres had counselled the doctor- turnedpolice officer Sabharwal to go slow if he wanted to survive, but the young officer, who felt what is right should be done, did not pay heed. Meanwhile, many people from both Hindu and Muslim communities are said to be sad at the happening. They wanted the DCP to continue as he had earned a name of being a fair officer, who would not bend backwards to please anyone.

A son rises in AP

If Chandrababu Naidu comes back to power, he plans to introduce his son into active politics. Lokesh is being trained by his father.

Inkeshaf Ahmed

he former ‘CEO’ of Andhra Pradesh, N Chandrababu Naidu is all set to do a Mulayam Singh Yadav in AP. If his dream of a grand comeback comes true, he would be anointing his son as the heir apparent of the Telugu Desam Party. It is

no longer a rumour, for Lokesh (pictured) has tweeted recently that he is into full-time politics. As an indication of this, Lokesh has begun taking pot-shots at rival parties such as YSRC, TRS, Congress and their leaders. He has also begun to lampoon Botsa Satyanarayana, Jagan Mohan Reddy and Kiran Kumar Reddy. Besides, Lokesh is also billed to take on more responsibilities from his father, and as a prelude to this, a well-equipped office for him is under construction in NTR Bhavan, the party headquarters. In fact, Naidu’s padayatra was also part of Lokesh’s education in understanding people’s problems and public behaviour. Once he concludes his padayatra, Naidu is reportedly going to sit with his son to make him understand the dynamics of politics. “Our party president is thinking of relieving himself off many party responsibilities. He thinks Lokesh will take care,” a senior party leader told Postnoon on Friday. Whether the Nandamuri family

LOKESH WILL TAKE ON MORE RESPONSIBILITIES FROM NAIDU. ONCE HE CONCLUDES HIS PADAYATRA, NAIDU IS REPORTEDLY GOING TO SIT WITH HIS SON TO MAKE HIM UNDERSTAND POLITICS. will allow Naidu a smooth transfer of power to his son is yet to be seen. But it is said that Naidu has been keeping the family under reasonable unity of late. Speaking to Postnoon, party’s senior leader, Kodela Siva Prasad Rao, said that Lokesh would come into politics and serve the party. He also revealed that he would be groomed and trained in politics by none other than his father. Naidu is also planning to hand over the responsibilities of the NTR Memorial Trust to his son, so that he learns the ropes.

Akun Sabharwal, known among people to be a fair and just officer, has been pusted from the post of DCP, and will now head the National Police Academy.

NATION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

Cop crushed to death

police constable was crushed to death by a vehicle when he tried to stop it at a check-post in Rajasthan's Dausa district. The constable, Yogendra Gujar, gave a signal to stop the the vehicle at a check-post in Mahwa area last night, but its occupants ran over him, breaking the barricade, police said. When cops chased them, the accused fired in the air.

Fog disrupts UP rail traffic

MLA, aide under arrest

ore than 84 trains were delayed due to the thick fog that enveloped the Uttar Pradesh capital and most parts of the state early Saturday, officials here said. A Railway spokesperson said the thick fog, which started Friday and became denser Saturday, threw the train schedule haywire and more than 84 trains were running late by several hours.

Cops teargas Delhi protesters

ongress MLA from Vijay Raghogarh Sanjay Pathak and a former councillor were booked here for allegedly kidnapping a newly elected Mandi member, police said today. According to complainant, Ayodhya Prasad, his son Rajju Nishad, elected as a Mandi member was abducted yesterday by Pathak and Councillor Jai Narayan Nishad.

Sena admits mistake NAGPUR: Shiv Sena today admitted that not doing due diligence of the draft of the no trust motion it wanted to bring against the Democratic Front (DF) government in the winter session of state legislature resulted into it getting junked. "The (no trust) motion was drafted in a hurry and submitted in Mumbai itself. Shiv Sena leaders did talk to Leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse and the Group Leader of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Bala Nandgaonkar. There was no rift among the Opposition ranks", Shiv Sena leader Vinod

Ghosalkar told reporters tonight. He denied reports that preoccupation of senior party leaders with the demand to set up memorial of late Bal Thackeray at Shivaji Park in Mumbai nixed the no trust motion. "It's not true that there was any mis-communication between Sena legislators and leadership," he said while addressing the customary press conference post conclusion of winter session of the state legislature today. Shiv Sena had filed a notice to no trust motion against state government for the alleged multi-crore irrigation scam, "neglect

towards farmers, and the deteriorating law and order situation", ahead of the start of the session. However, the party failed to win the support of other parties. While the BJP did not agree to extend its support, the MNS questioned the timing. The motion lapsed as it could not be brought up in time as per norms. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Eknath Khadse said the SIT probe into irrigation "scam" and suspension of two senior IAS officers of Vidarbha were their "achievements" during the winter session. PTI

TO SUBSCRIBE, CALL US ON 80082 00713 NEW DELHI: Police fired teargas shells and used water cannons as several hundreds of young students today marched towards Rashtrapati Bhavan for the second day demanding justice for the 23year-old gangrape victim. A boy and a girl and a traffic policeman were injured as the police directed water jets and opened a volley of teargas shells that pushed them back a little even as some of the protesters braved the chill and water bottles and shoes at the policemen.

Window panes of a police van were smashed. One of the girls broke the glass window of a bus with her hands. The police action came as 'negotiations' failed at the Raisina Hill leading to Rashtrapati Bhawan failed and the protesters, comprising largely young women and men, tried to breach the barricades to push towards the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The protest spot resembled a battle zone with empty shells and wet roads. The area has been cordoned off and police reinforcements

5 Guj cops held by CBI AHMEDABAD: CBI today arrested five Gujarat policemen in connection with the alleged fake encounter of Sadiq Jamal in 2003. The policemen, who were produced before a special CBI court, were immediately sent to judicial custody. The CBI today also filed the charge sheet against eight accused in the case, including Dy SP Tarun Barot, for the charges under sections 120b (criminal conspiracy), 114 (abetment), 345 (illegal confinement), 365 (abduction) and 302 (murder) of IPC.

have been rushed to the Hill that divides the North and South Block, which houses the Prime Minister's Office. Girl protesters alleged that policemen hit them with lathis and declared they will launch a sit-in in the area. Protests refused to disperse from the place. As protests continued for the sixth day, former Army Chief V K Singh joined the demonstrators the at India Gate blaming "systemic collapse" for brutal rape of a young girl last Sunday PTI in a moving bus.

AAP will try for Anna patch-up

JALANDHAR: Aam Aadmi Party will try to resolve its differences with Anna Hazare as the party came out of the anticorruption movement led by him, AAP's national observer Dharam Singh Dabas said here today. "Our party had been a part of Anna's movement but was in a different form then. Anna's movement was the progenitor of the Aam Aadmi Party," he said. Dabas said: "Anna is demanding Janlokpal and we too are asking for the same. We are fighting for the same cause. There might be some differences in the means to achieve it.”

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WORLD SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

Gay conversion ban on hold LOS ANGELES: A US court put on hold Friday a new Californian law banning a form of therapy designed to change the sexual orientation of minors, pending a further appeal. The law barring doctors from performing so-called “reparative therapy” was signed by California governor Jerry Brown in October, and was due to go into force on Jan 4.

Egyptians go to vote today, constitution may get nod CAIRO: Egyptians vote on Saturday in the final round of a referendum on an Islamist-backed constitution that has fuelled weeks of sometimes bloody protests in the divided country but is likely to be approved. Polling stations open at 8 am (0600 GMT) in the remaining 17 provinces that did not vote in last Saturday’s first round of the referendum. Hundreds of Egyptians clashed on Friday in the country’s second largest city Alexandria in the latest violence between Islamists who back the charter and opponents. AFP

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Irish minister found dead

Racism in Church of England

DUBLIN: The Irish political world was

LONDON: Queen Elizabeth II’s chap-

in shock Saturday after a member of Prime Minister Enda Kenny’s government was found dead in circumstances that police said were not suspicious. Shane McEntee, 56 — a junior minister at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine — died on Friday near his home in Meath, northeast Ireland.

lain Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, tipped to become one of Britain’s first women bishops, said Saturday that the Church of England is struggling with “institutional racism”. Jamaican-born Hudson-Wilkin, a chaplain to the monarch, told The Times newspaper that she had been a victim of racism in her ministry.

NRA urges armed guards in every school The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. Wayne LaPierre, The National Rifle Association

A security official reaches for a sign a Code Pink protester held up in protest as National Rifle Association (NRA) Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre spoke on December 21, 2012, in Washington, DC. AFP

WASHINGTON: The United States’ most powerful pro-gun lobbying group demanded Friday that armed police be deployed to every school in the country following a mass shooting that left 20 young children dead. The National Rifle Association, which supports a broad interpretation of US citizens’ constitutional right to bear arms, had been under pressure to respond in the wake of last week’s massacre in a Connecticut elementary school. Even as the NRA leaders made their combative and determined appearance, another four people

died in Pennsylvania in America’s latest shooting spree, including the alleged shooter. And a string of celebrities including Jeremy Renner, Gwyneth Paltrow and Beyonce launched a video to back a campaign to clamp down on gun sales following the Newtown school massacre. But the pro-gun lobbyists ceded no ground to those calling for tougher gun laws. “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun,” declared NRA vicepresident Wayne LaPierre, in his first public comments since the

shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. “I call on Congress today to act immediately to appropriate whatever is necessary to put armed police officers in every single school in this nation,” he said, in a lengthy statement. He took no questions from reporters. LaPierre said the NRA was ready to help train security teams for schools and work with teachers and parents to improve security measures, and accused the media and the political class of demonizing gun owners. Last Friday, a troubled 20-yearold man burst into the Sandy Hook school and gunned down 20 six- and seven-year-old children and six staff members trying to protect them, before taking his own life. He also fatally shot his mother. Then as LaPierre and his allies were on stage in Washington, police in Pennsylvania shot dead a man who had shot dead three people and wounded “several” state AFP troopers.

Obama for scaled-back ‘fiscal cliff’ package WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama told lawmakers Friday to go home and drink some Christmas eggnog before coming back to Washington to pass a scaled-down tax package to avert a year-end fiscal crisis. Obama said he still wanted a comprehensive and large deficitcutting bill to put the US economy on the path to long-term prosperity, but that effort stalled when talks broke down between the White House and House Republicans this week. So to avoid automatic and massive spending cuts and tax hikes due to kick in on all Americans on January 1, Obama called for a stop-gap bill to protect middle-class tax payers and to avert what has been dubbed the “fiscal cliff.” “There is absolutely no reason, none, not to protect these Americans from a tax hike. At the very least, let’s agree right now on what we already agree on. Let’s get that done,” the president said. Obama said he met Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid and spoke to Republican House speaker John Boehner on the phone to discuss a fall-back plan, though stressed he still believed a big compromise was possible. He called on Congress to produce a package next week that at a minimum prevents a tax hike on the middle class, would extend unemployment insurance and which lays the groundwork for further deficit reduction next year.

Bill to ban US adoption

British PM under Abe envoy on fire over ‘pleb’ spat way to China

MOSCOW: Russia’s lower house of parlia-

LONDON: Britain’s Prime Minister David

TOKYO: Japan’s incoming prime minister will

ment has given final approval to a contentious bill that retaliates against a new US human rights measure by barring Americans from adopting the country’s children. Washington swiftly slammed the move saying Russian children would be harmed by the measure. The State Duma passed the bill without debate in a quick 420-7 vote on Friday as protesters picketed the building demanding the measure be voted down. But the vote took place in a largely ceremonial third and final reading of the legislation, and its outcome was never in doubt.

Cameron was under fire Saturday from friends of a minister who quit over claims he called police officers ‘plebs’, saying the PM left Andrew Mitchell ‘swinging in the wind’. Mitchell was forced to step down as the government’s chief whip in October after officers claimed he swore at them and called them “plebs” when they stopped him from cycling out of the main gates of Downing Street a month earlier. The politician — who as chief whip was responsible for enforcing discipline in Cameron’s Conservative Party — has admitted swearing but has always denied he used the word “plebs”.

send a special envoy to China on a fence-mending mission, a report said Saturday, after he announced plans to dispatch an emissary on a similar trip to South Korea. Ties between Japan and China have become increasingly strained over a disputed island chain — the Tokyo-controlled Senkakus, which Beijing calls the Diaoyus — with neither side willing to budge after months of bitter wrangling. Shinzo Abe will send a senior official from his Liberal Democratic Party next month to deliver a letter to Chinese authorities, the business daily Nikkei reported.

AFP

COMMENT SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

Thanks for yearenders

Where is justice?

am a huge fan of your yearenders which is sort of a rewind of the whole year in various subjects and news. Now that we have survived the Mayan doomsday, I feel good to look back before the new year is here, for a better perspective.

here seems to be no justice, or Karma. Why else would Modi win once again in Gujarat? Everyone knows what a sham are the rosy claims of the saffron leader, and now he wants to be PM. I hope he fails miserably in his endeavour.

Rahul R via email

Varun Kumar S via email

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

Honourable man indeed!

our reference to Asaduddin Owaisi as ‘honourable man’ is objectionable. I know him as a ruthless community leader trying to divide the society on communal lines. Instead of leaving the temple issue to the court he wanted to take law into his hands. Honourable indeed! David Williams via email

EDITORIALS SO, WHAT IS THE US answer to the NRA? Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice-president of the National Rifle Association, is a true business. How else could he have seen such a brilliant opportunity even as it’s been only a week since the school shooting tragedy at Newtown? He has proposed in his speech that the only way to stop incidents like these is to put a guard in every school. Wow! The man has nailed it: not only has he come up with so feasible a solution, here’s a situation for more sale of guns and ammo. Two birds in one shot! And, of course, the media, the lawmakers and the President and most importantly those who saw and suffered from close proximity of the tragedy were utterly, grossly wrong. Stricter gun laws are not the solution. It never was and never would be. But more guns are. Change means exactly that, for the NRA, and not what the majority of the Americans want. Tom Mauser, who lost his son Daniel in the Columbine massacre, said to the Guardian that he was disappointed but not surprised by LaPierre's comments. "He conceded nothing and completely ignored the desire of a lot of Americans for change – for the NRA change means just more guns." The US may be the greatest nation in the world, but it is dunces like Wayne LaPierre that keep it from attaining true greatness, dunces and luddites who are scared of change, argue against it citing tradition, even if that tradition is blotting out the future, and are greedy to keep making money via a lucrative system, though it poses a fatal threat. This is Barack Obama’s moment to show that he is not just a nice guy who talks. He must act. This will be a test of character for the US. If they shun those who want to stop change that is the need of the moment, they will have lived up to the ideals on which their nation was built.

THE TREE OF LIFE Soul Curry SUMAA TEKUR

harmingly decorated Christmas trees of all sizes are popping up on the timeline of social networking sites that I subscribe to. The cheer is in the air. Christians and non-Christians alike are putting up Christmas trees at home. It’s such a universal symbol of life and hope. The tree, any tree and not just the Christmas tree, teaches us many things. It tells us that it’s important to be flexible with our choices and decisions in life where key friendships and relationships are concerned. Just like the flexibility of the branches and leaves of the tree, we should compromise and adjust our lives to make room for important people. But our

principles and values are like the roots, which are firm and strong. If we compromise on those, we stand to lose. When life’s winds blow at us, we will most likely bend than break. The initial years of education and nourishment, both for the body and mind, will ensure that our roots are strong. The tree also teaches us to adapt to our surroundings well and be part of nature. Our lives are full of worries — of everyday needs, desires and concerns. But a tree always takes pleasure in being a part of its environment. It enhances the surroundings and also takes what it can from whatever’s around it. It gives in the form of shade, beauty, fruit, shelter, etc. It’s a part of nature without making a fuss. Our lives would be so much more enriching if we could connect with our environment and grow with nature in the most steady and natural way without worrying or clamouring for more.

The tree is a metaphor for eternal life and an analogy of the family tree. The roots are our ancestors. As the tree grows and many branches stretch out, the family grows. People who come into our lives can also be classified based on the different parts of the tree. There are some people who are like the leaves and branches. They are seasonal. When the wind blows, they move in the direction of the wind. They’re unstable. When the season changes, they wither and die. Many of the people who come into our lives fall in this category, including our hundreds of friends on Facebook and any other networking site. They’re there because they want to know something from you or they want to tell you something. But they’re not the allweather friends. Some people are like the branches of a tree. Some are very tricky because they give the perception of being strong

but when you step on them, they break. Depending on such type of friends can be harmful. These are the kind of people who will promise much but give little when push comes to shove. Few people in our lives are like the roots of a tree. Each of us is lucky to have a few friends like these but we should identify them and treasure them well. They are there with us through thick and thin. They’re not with us for a purpose. When in need, they’re always around to help without asking for anything in return. They anchor us and make us feel special. They’re not keen on showing off the friendship. In our lives, there are many leaves, some branches but very few roots. The tree is a reminder of all the things that need reminding. What better time to revisit the people in our lives than at the end of another year. Who are the roots in your life? Maybe you should thank them.

COMMENT SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

Austerity begins at home Congress Tales RAPHAELLE PICARD

hey shower and shave in the morning at the gym. Dinners often are warmed up out of a can. And at night, they bunk down in the same cramped offices where, during the day, they conduct the nation's business. For about 50 members of the US Congress, the office doubles as home — at least while they're in the capital. With Washington embroiled in a raging debate over taxes and spending as lawmakers and the White House try to avoid plunging over the "fiscal cliff", these members of Congress are living proof that austerity can begin at home. They reside in their offices because they cannot bear to do anything as wasteful as rent a small apartment or stay in a hotel. The trend began in the mid1990s when a handful of Republican lawmakers figured out that they could save thousands of dollars on rent each year by bedding down in their workspaces. The move is not motivated by want: baseline pay for a member of Congress is $174,000 per year. Some lawmakers say that living in their offices helps them

Urban sketches VISWAPRASAD RAJU

keep their priorities straight. "It provides me with a reminder every morning when I wake up in my office that my home is not here — it is back in the district," Tim Walberg, a Republican congressman from Michigan, told AFP. "I represent a district that has sent me here to represent them here — not to become comfortable in Washington. "Often people think that once a person comes to Congress, they forget about what the real

world is like back home," Walberg said, adding that it was good for constituents to see that he hadn't become part of Washington. Not much work gets done in Congress on Mondays and Fridays so most lawmakers return to their comfortable, conventional houses in their congressional districts during the long, four-day weekend. But the other three nights of the week, when they are back in Washington, these congressman

Merry X'mas

call their Capitol Hill offices home. "Monastical existence" For the past four years, Walberg at bedtime has laid his weary body on an inflatable air mattress that he stows in a closet when the new workday dawns. It is a monastical existence, interspersed with lots of time doing "the people's business," he said. It is much the same for Joe Walsh, a Republican representative from Illinois who lost his recent re-election bid after serving just one term in Congress. "I didn't want to live in DC, I am not a creature of DC," he told AFP, referring to the District of Columbia, the other name by which Washington is known. "I belong to Illinois. Sleeping in my office reminds me that the job shouldn't be comfy," Walsh said. Paul Gosar, a Republican lawmaker who used to be a dentist from a part of Arizona near the Grand Canyon, told AFP that the non-existent commute makes up for the faintly musty sleeping arrangement. "Here it seems that people spend hours in their car just driving from their rented place in the town," said Gosar, who sometimes sleeps on a couch and whose clothes are crammed into an wardrobe. While colleagues are stuck in commuter traffic, Gosar said he "could be here coming up with ideas and solutions for

FOR ABOUT 50 MEMBERS OF THE US CONGRESS, THE OFFICE DOUBLES AS HOME — AT LEAST WHILE THEY'RE IN THE CAPITAL. THESE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE LIVING PROOF THAT AUSTERITY CAN BEGIN AT HOME. this country." For this congressman, the decision was a no-brainer. A studio apartment in the neighbourhood cost about $20,000 per year — a big expense for someone with three children in school and two mortgages. He has built a small kitchen in a small windowless room on the opposite side of the corridor, outfitted with a plug-in cooker and a supply of peanut butter and energy drinks. Like all his fellow congressional campers, Gosar showers at the Capitol gym, a facility set up exclusively for lawmakers in a building a five-minute stroll away from his office. Washing up at the gym "forces me to do weight training every night and then I return to the office to read and prepare the next day's work," he said. Walberg said that having home just footsteps away made him a more effective lawmaker.

Global edits The Independent (UK)

The looking-glass world of the National Rifle Association

ass school shootings such as that which claimed 27 lives in Connecticut last week are apparently caused by violent video games, by gruesome films, perhaps more than anything by the moral laxity of a media that gives them so much attention, but absolutely not by the ubiquitous availability of firearms. In fact, it turns out that Washington's efforts to create gun-free school zones actually incite maniacs to target children and the real answer is armed guards at all educational institutions. Welcome to the looking-glass world of the National Rifle Association. In the lobby group's first statement since the tragedy, NRA executive director Wayne LaPierre talked of "evil monsters" plotting the next massacre "at this very moment" and warned of a "national nightmare of violence and victimisation" if Americans were not free to stock up on guns. The only consolation in the face of such absurdity is that, if the NRA carries on like this, it will make its critics' arguments for them. As Mr LaPierre himself said, albeit in a rather different

IN FACT, IT TURNS OUT THAT WASHINGTON'S EFFORTS TO CREATE GUN-FREE SCHOOL

ZONES ACTUALLY INCITE MANIACS TO TARGET CHILDREN AND THE REAL ANSWER IS ARMED GUARDS AT ALL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. context: "How have our nation's priorities gotten so far out of order?" How, indeed.

BUSINESS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

Samsung injunctions against Apple

Belize reaches debt deal

elize has reached a deal in principle with creditors to restructure about half of its unpaid debt after "long and arduous" talks, allowing the country to avoid default, officials said Friday. Prime Minister Dean Barrow told a press conference that he would release details about the restructuring of the $544 million bond in the coming days.

Judge clears BP settlement

he European Commission said Friday that South Korea's Samsung Electronics was abusing its dominant market position in certain technologies when it took out injunctions against fierce rival Apple. As the two giants fight it out in the smartphone and tablet computer market, the Commission said that in this instance, Samsung appeared to be at fault as the injunctions would prevent Apple from access to core shared patents.

ritish oil giant BP won US court approval Friday of a $7.8 billion settlement with people and businesses who lost money and property due to the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Although the deal addresses the bulk of private claims and the oil spill that resulted from its explosion, it does not affect an anticipated tens of billions of dollars in fines and claims.

A royal treat at your doorstep Making a mark on the biryani scene is no mean task. Offering people in the City what it is most famous for, three friends got together to offer quality, yet affordable, biryani that you can relish in the comfort of your own home. PRUDHVI RAJU K

prudhvi.k@postnoon.com

hree friends, their love for Hyderabadi biryani and an idea — these are all the makings of a successful business. With 14 outlets in the City, Just Biryani, as the name suggests, offers the delectable dish at your doorstep. With the aim of offering quality biryani at affordable prices, Prasad Yalamanchili, Veer Reddy and Chetan Reddy started the business in June this year. In a short time, the business is estimated to make around `50 lakh in revenues by the end of the current fiscal. “I studied in the US and worked for companies like Accenture, New York Life for five years to save enough money to set up a business of my own. Prasad and I were colleagues in the US and we got together to establish Compest Solutions, an IT company,” says Chetan. But Chetan and Prasad wanted to branch out into other sectors. This is when they partnered with Veer and Just Biryani was born. The trio did not want to spend on branding and marketing so they targeted walk-ins at grocery stores like Heritage by setting up food kiosks. “This will bring fixed sales every month without promotion. We want the product to speak for itself rather than spending on marketing. Our brand has been built solely through word-of-mouth publicity,” Chetan added. All three partners invested a total of `60 lakh for setting up these kiosks. They now want to streamline operations and learn from their mistakes while they are still small. The plan, however, is to increase the number of kiosks across the City over time to increase visibility and availability. The whole supply chain process has been kept simple and transparent by integrating technology. For example, orders over

Chetan Reddy, Veer Reddy and Prasad Yalamanchili, founders, Just Biryani

JUST BIRYANI BROKE EVEN IN NOVEMBER, SIX MONTHS AFTER IT WAS LAUNCHED, AND EVERY MONTH THEIR SALE IS GROWING BY 25 PER CENT. telephone are received at a centralised call centre, which is then passed to the respective driver in the location and also to the nearest kiosk. The customer gets two messages with the delivery person’s contact number and bill amount. “The entire process can be tracked on a realtime basis, both on our phones and our monitors,” says Veer. While this may streamline

the process, there is also the additional need for training employees. “Due to integration of high-end technology, we have to train our employees and make sure they are agile at all times. The most challenging task is to get the right estimate of food orders to keep stock fresh and minimise wastage. We have also incorporated process-driven cooking, which keeps the taste and quality constant rather than depending on cooks,” says Veer. Biryani was the meal of the kings, and offering this ‘royal’ treat at low rates is no mean task. “A good quality biryani with aged basmati rice, saffron and ghee costs more than `100. Many restaurants cut corners in hopes of making a decent margin due to the heavy costs involved in the process.

S BALAKRISHNA

Founded: June 2012 Initial investments: `60 lakh Estimated revenues this fiscal: Around `50 lakh Estimated revenues 2013-2014: Around `2 crore from Hyderabad Break-even: November 2012 Orders per month: 9,000 to 12,000 However, we are looking at only 20-25 per cent margins in a biryani without compromising

on quality. This can be attained by sourcing ingredients directly — by excluding the middleman and storing it in warehouses instead. We target volumes to increase our profits, rather than working on high margins,” explains Prasad. Just Biryani broke even in November, a mere six months after it was launched, and every month their sale is growing by 25 per cent. They receive over 2,000 home delivery orders and 7,000-10,000 orders are placed at the counters every month. The partners are now looking to start operations in Bangalore early next year and in Chennai by the end of 2013. New outlets of Just Biryani kiosks in Himayath Nagar and Secunderabad are also on the cards.

FOCUS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

Great Firewall ‘upgrade’ hits China Internet users Kelly Olsen feedback@postnoon.com

BEIJING: Chinese authorities who have long sought to limit access to information have reinforced the so-called Great Firewall of China, Internet firms say, frustrating businesses and raising activist concerns. The Great Firewall — the country’s system of online limits and restrictions — has stepped up its targeting of virtual private networks, or VPNs, commonly used to bypass controls on websites the government considers a threat. By using proxy servers located overseas and data encryption, VPNs let users reach sites blocked due to their content or sensitivity, among them Facebook and Twitter, and are also vital to firms by enabling secure communication. At the same time they have compounded authorities’ difficulties in seeking to shape public opinion and limit independent social organisation in the

country’s online community of 500 million, the world’s largest. Now web users are complaining of VPNs being inaccessible or quickly going down once accessed, while speeds have slowed to a crawl. “For us it’s catastrophic,” said one Western businessman in China, on condition of anonymity. “We are used to working between different offices and subsidiaries using Google Drive, which lets us save, share and work simultaneously on common documents. Well, we can’t do that here.” Some foreign-based VPN providers blame the problem on system interference due to a strengthening of controls. In a message to its users, VPN provider Astrill identified a technology update to the Great Firewall (GFW), saying the system now has the “ability to learn, discover and block VPN protocols automatically”. “This GFW update is one of the worst so far and it has affect-

ed not just all VPN providers but as well as many companies which use VPN protocols to connect different branches of their network,” it said. Witopia, another provider, referred in a tweet to “rolling countrywide protocol blocks”. The GFW has been built up over time since soon after the Internet began to develop in China, and uses a range of technologies to block access to particular sites’ IP addresses from Chinese computers.

POSTS ON CONTENTIOUS ISSUES ARE RAPIDLY DELETED, AND SOMETIMES THOSE USING BANNED TERMS — WHICH CAN AT TIMES EVEN INCLUDE SENIOR LEADERS’ OWN NAMES — ARE BLOCKED ENTIRELY.

“It’s about preventing Chinese citizens from circumventing their grip on information and communication,” the founder of the website GreatFire.org, which tracks online censorship in China, said in an email. In addition an army of censors keeps a close eye on China’s weibos, Twitter-like microblogs inside the firewall that have been used to organise protests and challenge official accounts of events such as a deadly 2011 rail crash that sparked fierce criticism of the government. Posts on contentious issues are rapidly deleted, and sometimes those using banned terms — which can at times even include senior leaders’ own names — are blocked entirely. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology did not immediately reply to a request for comment, but the governmet has previously said controls are designed to limit access to pornographic and violent content and protect children.

But on Friday the state-run Global Times — which earlier this month quoted officials saying foreign-run VPNs were illegal — defended restrictions on the Internet in an editorial headlined: “Freedom not at odds with online regulation”. “Problems caused by the Internet have been accumulating," said the Times, which boasts its own Facebook and Twitter accounts. “It is time to regulate the Internet.” The paper has previously quoted Fang Binxing, credited with designing the Great Firewall of China, as saying he knew of no upgrades to the system. But the GreatFire.org founder, who uses the pseudonym Martin Johnson for security reasons, said it was plausible that the authorities could have tweaked the system to affect VPNs. “The GFW cannot know what the content of encrypted traffic is, but they can see that it’s encrypted traffic,” he said. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

TECHNOLOGY SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK www.zergnet.com his enthusiasts' site is dedicated largely to science fiction and fantasy fans, but has tremendous appeal for people of all tastes. The Top 10 life-changing movies, the best movies that could become real is bound to interest you.

MOBILE GAME REVIEW

APP OF THE WEEK thomascook.in

PUNCH QUEST

homas Cook (India) Ltd, an integrated travel & travel related financial services company, launched the thomascook.in. App for Windows 8, a unique app offers a host of travel and foreign exchange services on the go.

Punch Quest is free for the holidays! Merry Fistmas! Punch Quest is an arcade-style fighting game, entirely controlled by taps with your left and right thumbs. Jab, uppercut, slam, and otherwise pummel your way through dungeons full of monsters and fragile pottery.

Now trending: Startup Village Will Startup Village help Kochi steal the tag ‘India’s silicon valley’ from Bangalore?

NT BALANARAYAN

balanarayan.nt@postnoon.com

tartup culture in India has been concentrated in Bangalore and Hyderabad for a long time, but that is set to change soon. Startup Village in Kerala is trying to defy the trend, by offering super fast Internet, great mentors and infrastructure that most upstarts in India could only dream of. The biggest draw of the accelerator is the 1Gbps Internet connection, which is also the fastest in the country. Sijo Kuruvilla George, who is the CEO of Startup Village and cofounder of MobMe said that the super-fast Internet did bring them into the spotlight at a national level. “It has definitely attracted a lot of mindshare both nationally and internationally and it is definitely a very strong influencer, if not the only factor that would attract a startup. We believe that world-class infrastructure is one of the key elements of attracting top talent. We have seen interest from startups from other parts of the country. It is still too early to substantiate with numbers or to identity a definite trend on startups shifting base. However, I’m positive that this will happen in due course as and when the ecosystem matures.” The team behind the idea faced a lot of technical challenges to make this a reality. Sijo says, “Technical challenges aside, we needed specific devices to power a 1G connectivity and these devices are costly. We have setup a mini data center at Startup Village, in technical partnership with Aride Ocean, which has 1Gbps enabled, for our launch. Aride also hosts servers for speedtest.net as well.” If a bunch of enthusiasts can set up such a connection with help from the government, why can’t it be done in other cities? Does it have something to with the location? Sijo said that such 1G connection can be set up in any part of the country, provided the ISPs are ready to foot the bill. “Yes, prevailing technologies make it possible to power 1G con-

nectivity in any Indian city. The model is very much scalable and is only limited by cost considerations,” he said. The Internet speed may have brought them into the spotlight, but the real challenge lies ahead. They plan to help 1,000 startups over the next ten years — a very steep challenge. “We have so far received more than 420 applications within the first 6 months. We plan to have a lot more programmes that will systematically build the ecosystem and reach our goal of 1,000 startups. Startup School (http://startupschool.in/) is one such initiative that we are launching in January,” Sijo said. They also have a great list of mentors. “Just this week, we had Phani (from RedBus), Raghava (TED speaker) and Sanjay Swamy (from Angel Prime) visiting us. We also had a webinar and pitch session in partnership with IAN as well. On December 28, Kris will be spending half a day at Startup Village interact-

ing with the startups. The IT Secretary of the State, PH Kurian IAS will also be present on 28th,” he added. Sijo said that they did receive

a lot of support from the government, something most startups and incubators in other states don’t get. “Central government, through DST, supports with

grants and tax incentives. NSTEDB under DST provided the initial capital grant of `2.5 crore to kick-start the initiative. There is also service tax exemption for the companies operating out of DST approved incubators. The Government of Kerala supported the initiative by leasing the space to startups at a heavily subsidised rate of `2/sq feet and so we have 15,000 sq ft space. It also come out with a landmark educational policy that supports student entrepreneurship. Under the programme, students pursuing entrepreneurship will be eligible for up to 20 per cent relaxation on attendance and 4 per cent grace marks,” Sijo said. Though primarily an incubator, they have left their doors open for existing companies who want to utilise the infrastructure. “We are primarily a technology business incubator, but we have also set up innovation zones within our premises to aid the pursuit novel or research based ideas,” he added.

MOTORING SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

Aria Pure LX launched

Aston Martin celebrates 100 years

013 sees Aston Martin celebrate its centenary with a year-long calendar of exceptional events. The British luxury sports car maker will mark its first 100 years with a series of UK and international celebrations highlighting the unique success of the brand worldwide. Boasting the strongest product line-up in its 99 years to date, Aston Martin has recently introduced its new ultimate GT — the exceptional Vanquish— and timeless new DB9.

ata Motors has announced the launch of new Aria Pure LX, a new variant with a range of features, at `9.95 lakh ex-showroom in Hyderabad. The seven-seater vehicle boasts of pillar-mounted AC vents. Another feature, the driver info system, keeps the driver informed about the car’s performance. It is also equipped with a neat instrument cluster on the dashboard.

Renault prices to go up

rench auto major Renault plans to increase prices of its automobiles in India by up to 1.5 per cent with effect from January 1, 2013. “We have to follow suit with the rest of the industry as input costs have gone up tremendously... we are forced to pass on some of the burden to our customers as high input cost, coupled with high inflation are affected,” a Renault official said.

WHO OWNS THEM?

We know them by name, we know a bit about their history, but with the passing of time, some of these super brands in the auto world have been acquired — and though they retain everything that make them — they are run by some other firms. Care for a quiz on cars? 1. MINI

2. ROLLS ROYCE AND B ENTLEY

hat was envisioned as an economy car in Britain has, over the years, become a British icon. It was so successful — the space-saving front-wheel drive layout, providing 80 per cent of the area of the car’s floorpan for passengers and luggage — that it inspired a whole crop of carmakers. Called Britain’s answer to the Beetle, it was voted the most influential car of the 20th century behind Ford Model T. It no longer can be called British, but retains the classic transverse four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive configuration and iconic ‘bulldog’ stance. Know who keeps the bulldog?

he Rolls is more than a hundred years old, 108 years old to be precise. Yet time has failed to dent the fame and good name that go along with the Rolls. Synonymous with luxury and engineering perfection, the car no longer is British. Who is it owned by? Also, the takeover resulted in forming of the brand Bentley(above); who runs that?

4. JAGUAR

3. PORSCHE

aguar Cars Ltd started as the Swallow Sidecar Company by Sir William Lyons in 1922, making motorcycle sidecars before developing passenger cars. The renaming to Jaguar was part of the owners’ wish to avoid a controversy that may arise from the SS initials in those volatile times. It merged with the British Motor Corporation in 1968, and was taken over by Leyland, then in 1990 by Ford. What company owns it now?

he company was founded in Stuttgart as Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche GmbH in 1931 by Ferdinand Porsche, an Austrian engineer born in Maffersdorf, during the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Though they first did motor vehicle development work and consulting, the company manufactured “the people’s car” as part of an assignment they got from the German government. Now it’s owned by the firm that bears the name of the people’s car. Any clue?

5. HUMMER

ummer was a brand of trucks and SUVs, first marketed in 1992 when AM General, an American heavy vehicle manufacturer, began selling a civilian version of the M998 Humvee, or HMMWV, which expands to High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle. Which company bought it in 1998 and now has dismantled the whole brand because the Hummer was becoming unviable due to the economic slump?

ANS 1 BMW 2 BMW OWNS ROLLS, VOLKSWAGEN BENTLEY 3 VOLKSWAGEN

4 TATA 5 GENERAL MOTORS

BOOKS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

SHORT READS Title: Grace: A Memoir Author: Grace Coddington Publisher: Random House Grace Coddington spent over forty years as the creative director of Vogue, and in Grace: A Memoir, she speaks of her life, both professional and personal, with her characteristic charm and warmth. Seen as the polar opposite of Anna Wintour, Grace lays bare the softer side of the fashion world.

Title: Struck By Lightning Author: Chris Colfer Publisher: Little, Brown Best known for his role as Kurt in Glee, Chris Colfer has now turned to writing. His novel, Struck By Lightning, is the story of Carson Phillips, an outcast in high school who spends his time blackmailing popular students to contribute to his literary journal.

Title: Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk Author: Ben Fountain Publisher: Ecco A novel about soldiers and the military that isn't all grimy battle fields and acts of glory, this novel is spot-on about experiences of soldiers and the lives they lead after they come home from war. Comic and tragic at turns, the book walks the fine balance between reality and the glorification of war.

Title: Open Heart Author: Elie Wiesel Publisher: Knopf Journalist and humanitarian Elie Wiesel was 82 when he had to undergo an emergency heart surgery. The Holocaust survivor looks back on his life, trying to make sense of all the tragedy and joy he had lived through. Wiesel opens his heart in the novel, and leaves the world a message of hope.

Memoirs of a war

Kevin Powers’ compelling novel The Yellow Birds is a moving portrayal of a soldier who returns home only to find himself all the more disillusioned about life. Hemanth Kumar

more such descriptions about death and life. It’s depressing and gives an insight into the torture one experiences during war. A must-read.

hemanth.k@postnoon.com

ohn Bartle, a private in the US army in Iraq, knows that his death is certain the day he steps into the battlefield. This fear of death drives him crazy most of the times and in those brief moments of solace which he spends with his friend Murph, he understands how meaningless his life is in the larger picture. He grows disillusioned about life and this uncertainty consumes him inch by inch as the war goes on. And then, it’s regret which makes him all the more restless every single moment of his life, even when he returns home. Kevin Powers’s debut novel is about a soldier whose memories from the war continue to haunt him like a ghost. It’s like a shadow which grows longer as the days go by and he finds it extremely impossible to run away from what he had experienced in Iraq after killing scores of people, some of whom might have been even innocent. While there have been many works of literature and films which have glorified the ‘war’ which the US has waged for the greater good of mankind, Kevin Powers displays a surprising restraint in

These are hardly secrets: they are open secrets. Everyone knows them, some act on them and but only a few get it right. Rajesh Ravindran rajesh.r@postnoon.com

n a world where there’s no certainty about anything, it’s amazing how entrepreneurs strike gold. There is an immense appeal to the word and everyone wants to be an entrepreneur today. Its appeal may be compared to the routine rags-to-riches story: the hard beginnings, no

his writing and takes us through the thoughts of a wounded soul. One which shows absolutely no signs of recovering. Kevin Powers conjures a vivid picture of the battlefield and the prose is so elegantly

written that one can almost smell the dust rising in the plains of Nineveh and the city of Al Tafar, which have been battered by incessant war between the US troops and the insurgents.

In one scene, when a reporter asks John and Murph about what’s it like to face death every single moment of their lives, Murph says it feels like that split second just before a car crash. The book is filled with

10 open secrets for success or scarce capital, one’s belief in something new and novel which no one else shares... the odds are plenty. That’s perhaps why every entrepreneur’s story has aspects of those of Aladdin’s and Sinbad’s where luck favours the brave. From the outside, entrepreneurs are no way different from those around them. But it’s a fact that they are wired differently inside which is the whole point. They see opportunities that don’t catch the eyes of all and sundry, and they are willing to explore them and take chances in investing their time and money. Keith Cameron Smith’s The

10 Secrets of Entrepreneurs: How to stop being an employee says it all. It is about the special aspects that separate entrepreneurs from the ordinary. It expounds on the virtues that help some people make and build wealth from something new. To be honest, these are lessons we gather from our pro-

Name 10 secrets of Entrepreneurs Author Keith Cameron Smith Pages 116 Publisher Hachette India

Name The Yellow Birds Author Kevin Powers Pages 226 Publisher Hachette

fessional and personal lives every day. It’s just that Smith has taken the trouble to list them drawing inspiration and examples from his own life and others who have made it. Smith may want to rethink the advice about hanging out with millionaires and the good it would do you. Imagine hanging out with John McAfee. These are hardly secrets: they are open secrets. Everyone knows them, some act on them and but only a few get them right. But is there any secret — one wonders? At least that’s what Kungfu Panda seems to tell us. After all that hi-fi martial artistry, they get a scroll that had no secret for them. May be there’s no secret at all, but do what you have to do.

BOOKS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

AFTER THE END

Congratulations, you survived the apocalypse! If you're wondering how to cope in this 'post-apocalyptic' world, don't worry. Better minds have thought up every possible scenario, so just add these books to your survival pack and get going. about perseverance and hope in the face of calamity.

WORLD WAR Z BROOKS

seem dated to some, but it provides a very different kind of pleasure from the usual postapocalyptic fiction. Alas, Babylon might start off with some conspiracy theories, but the book is less about the hard struggle of survival and more about human relationships. There is no good versus evil battle here; it's all about ordinary people trying to live a normal life in abnormal situations.

M AX

So the apocalypse has come and gone, and now you're stuck with a bunch of flesh-eating zombies. Well, at least you'll get a good story out of it. That's what Max Brooks thought while writing World War Z, a novel which comprises a series of first-person narratives on surviving the zombie wars. The book is much more than a campy zombie novel though, and is a sharp social commentary on nations and their reactions to the war. The chill factor is increased by the fact that there aren't any blood-and-guts attacks explicitly mentioned, only hinted at in the accounts.

A C ANTICLE FOR LEIBOWITZ BY WALTER M M ILLER J R two polar opposites — Randall Flagg for the evil side and Mother Abigail for the good — against each other to decide the fate of the surviving humans. Pick either the '70s version or the longer '90s one — you'll still be hooked.

ALAS, B ABYLON FRANK

PAT

If you want a more comforting read, this would be it. Nuclear war has wiped out most of humankind and leaves a small community cut off from the rest of the world. The book might

JYOTSNA NAMBIAR

jyotsna.n@postnoon.com

THE ROAD BY CORMAC MCC ARTHY

onsidered a definitive book of the post-apocalyptic genre, The Road follows a

father and his ten-year-old son as they head south to the sea to escape the nuclear winter. Stark and dreary, the book paints a bleak world, where cannibalism is the order of the day. The Man and the Boy (who are never named) trudge through nameless, featureless surroundings, trying to cling to the old ways. A chilling read, The Road still is

THE STAND BY STEPHEN KING Of The Stand, Stephen King had to say, “...The Stand was particularly fulfilling, because there I got a chance to scrub the whole human race, and man, it was fun!” Now with enthusiasm like that, you can't go wrong, can you? The book starts off with wiping out 99.4% of the population with a killer flu, then pits

This is a post post-apocalyptic book. The events of the novel occur years after the end of days, in a world where a new order has been established. A shopping list is hailed as a religious relic, written by Saint Leibowitz himself. The book is split in three sections, each set around six hundred years apart. This is not an easy novel, as it examines Catholicism, morality and the cyclic nature of the rise and fall of civilisations. Highly allegorical in tone, the book is not your usual doom-and-gloom post-apocalyptic novel, but one richer due to the religious and philosophical musings.

WHAT’S SELLING Walden's best in fiction

Walden's best in non-fiction

New York Times’ best in fiction

New York Times’ best in non-fiction

n The Racketeer by John Grisham

n India Grows At Night by Gurcharan Das

n Killing Kennedy by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

n Forgotten by David Baldacci

n Turning Points by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

n Threat Vector by Tom Clancy with Mark Greaney n Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

n Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

n Red Sorghum by Mo Yan n Angel of the Dark by Tilly Bagshawe n Winter of the World by Ken Follet

n Land of the Seven Rivers by Sanjeev Sanyal n Jugaad Innovation by Radjou, Prabhu, Ahuja n Breakout Nations by Ruchir Sharma

n The Racketeer by John Grisham

n Thomas Jefferson by Jon Meacham

n Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich

n No Easy Day by Mark Owen with Kevin Maurer

n The Forgotten by David Baldacci

n America Again by Stephen Colbert

WOMEN SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

WEBSITES OF THE WEEK Girls In Tech: http://www.girlsintech.org/ Girl geeks of the world, unite! Here's a site for the technophiles among you. The site focuses on women's innovations.

Stuff Your Rucksack: A resource for female entrepreneurs by female entrepreneurs through education and networking opportunities.

Polyvore: www.polyvore.com Talk about being a trendsetter. At Polyvore, you can track, learn and even create new trends in fashion! Pick items from different sites and create your own look.

UBER-COOL YOGI

GIRISH MASON

SUNORY DUTT

feedback@postnoon.com

amita Rathor, founder and teacher at Yogarpanam, a centre that provides individualised yoga lessons, reflects: “I can’t really remember when I started teaching yoga. But I do remember my teacher Sri Desikachar (son of Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya) and his daughter Mekhala asking me to share all that I was taught. I never for a long time differentiated between teaching and learning. For me the two have only a very thin line between them.” She elucidates, “I practice what I have learnt. My yoga practice started in the tradition of Sri Krishnamacharya. He said, ‘Teach not what is inside you, not as it applies to you, but as it applies to the other’. This has had a very strong impact on my own practice. For me it’s a complete and holistic approach towards yoga. Each person is configured differently, so it’s obvious that he or she requires a different yoga practice. How can you have 10 people in the same room and give them the same thing to do? This is the foundation of Krishnamacharya’s teachings. Eventually yoga is a practice to be done with your own self.” With students from all over the globe, and ranging from the age of eight to 80, Samita fondly recalls the ones who with the help of yoga have overcome their dependence on medications, dealt with conception issues, and been able to manage severe cases of anxiety and panic attacks with utmost ease as compared to before. “However success stories are never to be credited to the teacher. It is always a joint effort between the teacher and student,” Samita says in all humility. A counselling psychologist and clinical hypnotherapist, and a former student of the Dalai Lama, Samita believes that diet and counselling are a vital part of a yoga practice, sometimes even more that an asana regime: “Yoga is so wonderful that it contains psychology, hypnotherapy and more. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is the grandfather of all Western psychology texts put

Learning lessons All About Eve

Yoga practitioner and noted cartoonist Samita Rathor is one among a few who thinks with her head and heart.

together. But I don’t believe in forcing my ideas. The student should be comfortable and ready to accept it.” Samita is also one of a small group of professional female cartoonists whose works have appeared in leading news dailies and other publications. Most recently, a compilation of her cartoons will grace the Civil Society’s calendar for 2013. She says of this medium, “What appeals to me is to be able to translate my thoughts into this art form and send out a thoughtprovoking message.” Then there’s her Pablo Dog Adoption Foundation on

FLEME VARKEY

Facebook where dog adoption cases can be shared and dog lovers worldwide can network to

I never for a long time differentiated between teaching and learning. For me the two have a very thin line. -Samita Rathor

find homes for abandoned dogs. The focus is primarily on getting Indian dogs adopted. If you’re trying to figure out the commonality between her diverse vocations and interests, Samita reveals it’s “Love, of course. All are fun and totally me. One supports the other. Compassion, love, honesty and humility’s what my yoga practice has taught me. Though it may not be easy all the time and I’m after all human, I try as much as possible to be in the moment deep inside and celebrate life.” More on Samita at www.yogarpanam.blogspot.in/.

he past week has been a particularly stressful one and a sad one at that. Newspapers had a lot of death and violence to report. Starting with the Newtown, shooting and killing of those innocent kindergarten children. Innocent lives were snuffed out by a ‘mentally unstable’ boy. While we were just coming out of the shock of the brutality of the situation. Six men in India took into their hands to be the moral police. The twenty-three year-old medical student who is battling for life in the hospital was victimised for no fault of hers. It seems the men in the capital have taken it upon themselves to let the tag ‘Rape Capital’ stick on. No amount of persuasion, no amount of explanation, no amount of protests against such barbarous acts have been able to change these vile creatures. The men in that moving bus decided to teach her a lesson for being out late in the night and that too accompanied by a male. What hypocrisy! They mutilated and brutalised every inch of her body and person and then on being caught are saying they deserve the death sentence. Easy way of getting out isn’t it? The misery will be over in a few seconds, while the girl they brutalised will have to live that trauma every second of her life. Not only did they defile her person but they left no part of her body unharmed, leaving her on death’s door. Asking women to stand up for themselves, advising that they move out in groups, accompanied by a male is all small talk. Nothing can stop a man when he becomes a lustful beast. First every boy, every man, every girl and every woman should be taught that women, girls are not to be trifled with. They are not sex objects and they too have a right to live. The moment a father, a mother, a wife, a sister or a brother learns to beat up a man for even attempting to defile a woman’s honour, then will be the time that woman can call this a life.

SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

Christmas cheer

Hyderabad’s belles turned out in their festive best for Nikitha Reddy’s Christmas celebrations at Taj Banjara. 1

Dabangg style

S BALAKRISHNA

Anoop and Koyal organised a movie preview of Salman Khan-starrer Dabangg 2 at PVR on Friday night. 4

1 Shalini, Sonal 2 Prarna, Alka 3 Sonia 4 Koyal, Anoop 5 Komal

1 Sonal Doshi

5 Shubi

2 Nikitha, Gayatri,

6 Rishika 7 Menaka

Saritha, Depenthi 3 Sheetal 4 Trishna

6 Shipra, Vickey 7 Sharun

8 Payal 9 Sumitha

S BALAKRISHNA

Sweet treats

Actress Suhani launched a special Christmas range of Belgique Chocolates on Friday. For the first time, Belgique Chocolates offers sugar-free chocolates for the healthconscious. The Christmas treats will be packaged in designer chocolate boxes.

Start the clock The 48-hour film project is back in Hyderabad. The theme of the contest this year is ‘Don’t drink and drive’. A session by Kurt Inderbitzin of Annapurna International School of Film Media was held at Annapurna Studios on Friday.

SRINIVAS SETTY

RELATIONSHIPS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

I AM ALL EARS

have been dating a guy for six months now. Though we keep having tiffs. Of late, he has begun talking to his ex and sometimes he een says how beautiful she is and how she used to take care of him. I find this highly irritating and though I don’t want to sound jealous.I am. Please help.

Dear jealous kid, First of all, if your boyfriend is so hung up on his ex, why don’t you suggest him to go back to her. It will be a fine sight when he comes grovelling back to you and you can say ‘ I told you so’ in the end. But on the other hand, probably it’s just mindless chit-chat they are sharing as they have shared some secrets in the past together. Reading too much into it will further jeopardise your relationship. Ignore him and then watch the fun.

eing a good partner may make you a better parent, according to a new study. The same set of skills that we tap to be caring toward our partners is what we use to nurture our children, researchers found. The study sought to examine how caregiving plays out in families — "how one relationship affects another relationship," says Abigail Millings of the University of Bristol.

Four-legged family members There are those whose babies just happen to be covered in fur and walk on four legs. Postnoon looks into the relationship these pet persons share with their furry children. AMY ROSE THOMAS

amyrose.t@postnoon.com

he passion some of us share with our furry friends is legendary. This article is for all those who share a special bond with their pets and also for those for who have a friend or a relative who talks about their animals for hours on end but never got their obsession, which pretty much includes everyone. There are dog persons, cat persons, bird persons and piglet persons out there who would proudly declare that they love their pets

Become a pet person HSPCA is organising an adoption drive on December 23 at the Zoroastrian Club, Secunderabad. Swing by between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm to give a stray cat or dog a loving home. Bring your photo ID with address proof for the adoption process.

more than friends and relatives. “I am not mincing my words when I say this. I am obsessed with my dogs. They are the most adorable things in my life. Most people don’t get my obsession. My kids for instance, complain that I couldn’t stop talking about my dogs. I cannot disagree. But, I am sure all those who had owned a dog in their life would agree. They give you unconditional love; never talk back like how your kids do, they are great listeners and above all they take it as their duty not to let you be depressed and bored. I prefer my dogs to my kids any day,” housewife Anjali Nair says. Another pet owner, Sruthi Madhav couldn’t agree more with Anjali. She says, “I've always been an animal person. I like cats and dogs. While I grew up with my dog Dollar, I decided to adopt a kitten recently. Because I'm working now, it's difficult to manage a dog as they can't survive without attention; however, cats are a tad more independent. Though cats aren't usually as affectionate as a dog, my Whiskey is different. He's independent all right, but loves my company. When I am out of the house, I actually miss him and can't wait to go home. My life has changed for the better

FIONA APPLE POSTPONED HER SOUTH AMERICAN TOUR SO THAT SHE COULD STAY HOME WITH HER DYING POOCH — JANET, A PITBULL AND A RESCUE. thanks to my cat, I just have my fingers crossed as I hope and pray that he never runs away. How will I ever deal with something like that?” Celebrities are far behind when it comes to their petobsession. Jennifer Aniston who got her dog Norman's name tattooed on her foot after his death in 2011, and Adam Sandler, who made his bulldog Meatball the best man at his

wedding and then held a 100-person memorial at his home when the pooch passed in 2004 are only a few who have publicly declared their love for their pets. Latest one to join this club is singer, Fiona Apple, who postponed her

South American tour so that she can stay home with her dying pooch, Janet, a Pitbull and a rescue. Fiona wrote a moving eulogy in which she stated that Janet is the one who taught her what love is. She had posted a fourpage, hand-written letter to her fans explaining the reason why she had to stay at home with her dying pet. Dr Lakshmi of Animal Care clinic is not new to the cases of pet obsession. She shares two of them that amused her. “Once I came across a couple who were on the brink of divorce because of their dog. Husband complained that wife loved the dog more than him and that he felt like he was competing with the dog for his wife’s attention. In another incident, I saw a very old lady who could hardly walk enter my hospital. She was holding her dog in one hand and a fanta bottle in the other. After we found a seat for her, she asked for a dog bowl. She poured the fanta in the bowl and gave it to the dog. She reasoned that her dog drank nothing but Fanta,” Dr Lakshmi says. Your four-legged, furry friends deserve all the love and affection you shower on them, but when this love stands between you and your family, it is time to take a step back.

CINEMA SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

SVSC to be screened at Times Square V

enkatesh, Mahesh Babu starrer Seethamma Vaakitlo Sirimalle Chettu is going to be the first Telugu film to be screened at AMC theatre at Times Square, New York. The film is being distributed in US by Anil Sunkara’s 14 Reels Entertainment and Ficus group.

Samantha and Anjali have played the lead roles. The film’s shooting is almost complete and the post production is in full swing. Srikanth Addala has directed the film and Dil Raju is producing it. Mickey J Meyer has composed the music and the film will release on January 11.

I don’t care about gossip anymore K

ajal Aggarwal is one of the top stars in the Telugu film industry and it’s been a long and arduous journey for her. Responding to a question on rumours about her personal life, Kajal said, “Initially, I used to get very upset about gossips on my personal life. At one point of time, I was shocked to read that I was in a live in relationship with Ram. None of that was true and I was surprised that people were writing such silly stuff about me. I don’t care about gossip anymore.” Currently, Kajal is shooting in Hyderabad for NTR’s upcoming film titled Baadshah.

Sarocharu misses HEMANTH KUMAR

hemanth.k@postnoon.com

arocharu starring Ravi Teja, Kajal Aggarwal and Richa Gangopadhyay fails to leave a good impression because it’s so lethargic and clichéd that it drains you completely in the end. The biggest problem of this film, which has been directed by Parasuram, is the non synchronisation of the story and its casting. Karthik (Ravi Teja) doesn’t believe in love and when he meets Sandhya (Kajal Aggarwal), a charming girl who believes that any guy would fall for her, he gives the shock of her life by being completely indifferent to her advances. The rest of the story is about how Sandhya reacts when Karthik tells her about his past Ravi Teja, who had been

the mark

A clichéd film about relationships and how the lack of trust can ruin them completely. doing mass entertainers so far, shifts gears in Sarocharu. It’s a welcome move indeed that he opted for something this sombre, which is a far cry from his usual

Movie: Sarocharu Cast: Ravi Teja, Kajal Aggarwal, Richa Gangopadhyay, Nara Rohit Directed by: Parasuram Rating: antics on screen. Yet, the sincerity that he tries to invest in his character doesn’t gel well with the actual content of the film. His reluctance to fall in love while being wooed by the hottest girl he has ever come across seems more like indifference, which is a pity. There are plenty of dialogues for him in the film,

yet the emotional intensity doesn’t really oscillate as much as it should have. Kajal, on the other hand, continues her bubbly girl act where she is more than happy to share a ride with a man she knows so little about. Richa Gangopadhyay looks lost throughout the film, despite her limited screen time. Nara Rohit, who makes a cameo, is a saving grace in the end. Parasuram, who had earlier made Solo, banks heavily on a couple of twists in the film. While both these twists do have an element of surprise, it’s just enough to make the film more interesting with the star cast. Vijay K s cinematography is good. Despite a run time of around 140 minutes, Sarocharu drags a lot, especially in the first half. This could have been a much better film.

CINEMA SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

Movie: Dabangg 2 Cast: Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Prakash Raj, Arbaaz Khan, Vinod Khanna Directed by: Arbaaz Khan

‘I’d love to be part of dark comedies’

t the mos d n a d e not end 2 has released. s a h d l r e wo bangg h a t D , y l l a — n r Fi the yea f o m l i f awaited

g g n a b a D e l b u o D D

abangg was a movie that enjoyed tremendous fan following with Salman Khan’s avatar in the movie — Chulbul Pandey becoming a nation-wide phenomenon. His dialogues, his mannerisms were aped by every kid and youngster and songs of the movie, thanks to the sensuous Malaika Arora Khan became the toast of every party in town. Coming back to Dabbang 2, when the promos of the film were released, mixed reactions began to cover the Internet. The action sequence seemed same and songs not that catchy. So will Dabangg 2 be a dud? Will Arbaaz

Khan’s directorial venture meet the dust? It’s time to find out. Chulbul Pandey is transferred and promoted to Lucknow. He is happily married with Rajjo and has a child. Lucknow witnesses a lot of criminal activities daily and kidnapping, rape and murders are done in broad daylight. The main antagonist/villain is a politician and a strong contender for the upcoming elections. Chulbul Pandey sabotages his political image by revealing his immoral activities to the public, media and police force and he is imprisoned. Chulbul Pandey has to battle the evil goon turned politician Baccha bhaiyya and his vengeful brothers. He also tries to strengthen his ties with his father and brother, mean-

while remaining as Dabangg as ever. Dabangg 2 has more comedy, more action, more drama, more Salman mania than Dabangg. The film is superb with one liners and perfect dialogues. But most of the times it seems like the movie is capitalising on the past success. Salman has reprised the role of Chulbul Pandey and he is the reason why people will be going to theatres to watch the film. He has not disappointed his fans at all. The film has the masala to work big time with the masses. This one will rewrite the rules of the game and the festive occasion [Christmas and New Year] will aid its potential. Sure shot Blockbuster! One won’t be surprised if it sets the cash registers ringing.

Rahul wouldn’t want to be in an erotic film: P O O J A B H AT T

ctor-filmmaker Pooja Bhatt says there was no question of her brother’s presence in the cast of erotic genre film Jism 2, because he prefers action roles over anything else. “He (Rahul) sees himself as more of a Sunny Deol kind of a person. He is more of an action hero in that capacity,” Pooja said. “There were a lot of rumours that Rahul is in Jism 2, but there was no chance that he would have been in Jism 2 because it is not in his temperament. He is not the kind of guy who would want to be in an erotic film. He is a different kind of a guy,” she added. Rahul, a fitness trainer, last appeared in TV reality show Bigg Boss 4. IANS

ersatile actor Paresh Rawal, known for being part of clean comedy films, also enjoys the dark, sex comedies genre, which is fast becoming popular in Bollywood. He says he would love to be part of such films. “I would love to be part of dark comedies. I love them! They are no-nonsense, no spoonfeeding, and the norms and cliches are left behind. It is something new. I would love to work in such films,” says Paresh. In the recent past, comedies like Delhi Belly, Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum and Phas Gaye Re Obama,

found wide appreciation from the audience. Asked if he has been offered any such film, he said: “I do get such offers, but I am looking for a good script. Sometimes I feel bad I lost out on a film like Phas Gaya Re Obama. I could not do because I was not happy with my part. I knew it was a good film, but I never visualised that the film will be made like this. I enjoyed watching that film.” Paresh has done various films, but he took comedy in Hindi films to a new level with films like Hera Pheri, Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? and Oye Lucky! IANS Lucky Oye!.

CINEMA SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

Aguilera to be honoured at People's Choice Awards

inger Christina Aguilera will receive a special prize at the People’s Choice Awards this year in honour of her music career. The 32-year-old is set to be handed the People's Voice award at the event on January 9 in recognition of her 13 years in the industry, reports contactmusic.com. Aguilera is also up for the favourite celebrity judge honour for her appearances on The Voice. IANS

KATHERINE HEIGL

talks excitement over adoption of daughter Adelaide

arlier this year, Katherine Heigl and husband Josh Kelley adopted their second daughter, Adelaide on Thursday night and the actress explained it came as a happy surprise. “This was fascinating because we started the adoption process again and we thought we were going to adopt internationally. It’s a pretty long process. It can take years,” Katherine said on Thursday’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno of their initial plans to find a sibling for Naleigh, now 4. “And then we started exploring because we had heard that Korea had gotten very hard to adopt from, and China had a very, very long waiting list and I was like, any day now,” she continued. “And so we started exploring the idea of domestic adoption – just exploring — and then my lawyer called and said, ‘There’s a birth mother and she’s due in four weeks and she’s all yours if you want her.’” Katherine said the immediacy of their adoption news came as a surprise to her husband. “He thought it was going to be a few years, and that we were going to end up with more of like a 9-month-old or 10-month-old, and he looked at me and said, ‘You’re telling me in a month we’re going to have a newborn?’ And I said, ‘Yes. It’s perfect timing, don’t you think? Look we’re both here, we’re not working. This is great. We can spend time with her.’ And it has been beautifully serendipitous and graceful, because we’ve gotten to spend all this wonderful time with her.”

Don't cross Madonna, she don't play no games

uring a soundcheck for her concert in Santiago, Chile, Madge yelled at some fans who were in the crowd watching because they were smoking cigarettes, which is apparently a big no-no for the 54year-old singer. "There are people smoking right now,” she said, "No smoking!" "If you're going to smoke cigarettes, I'm not doing a show," she added, "You don't care about me? I don't care about you. All right? Are we going to play that game? I'm not kidding. I can't sing if you smoke.

CHAI TIME SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

SUDOKU

Winter, which, being full of care, makes summer's welcome thrice more wish'd, more rare.

Play & Win

voucher from VENKEY’S VEG Restaurant, Nampally

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 voucher from VENKEY’S VEG Restaurant, Nampally number 11.

Play & Win

Please send in your filled-in entries to Postnoon, #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033. The winners will be announced on this page in Sunday’s edition.

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Leaning Tower city 5 Workbench clamps 10 Tip in Tijuana? 14 Middle Eastern gulf 15 Enough and then some 16 Bug-eyed with excitement 17 Where you may find a fork 18 Chinese restaurant appetiser 20 Jessica of TV and film 21 Furtive 22 Beast of Borden? 23 Marquetry feature 25 Hawaiian food source 27 Nun’s title 29 ‘Triangle’ resident? 33 Formed a curve 34 Feeder snack for 63-Across 35 Starch used as a food thickener 36 ‘The Iron Horse’ Gehrig 37 Like ‘Hee Haw’ humor 38 Hoppin’ mad feeling 39 Scissors sound effect 41 Kisses companions 42 ‘King of the Hill’ town 44 Amaze 46 Got in the game 47 Not even one 48 Move up the ladder

49 Committee head 52 ‘Now I get it!’ 53 ‘Fall’ attachment 56 Street urchin 59 ‘Dynamic’ start 60 Open a bit 61 White table wine 62 Investor’s hope 63 Audubon painting subject 64 Fish-eating wader 65 Canoeing challenge DOWN 1 Attachment to ‘chute’ or ‘mount’ 2 Teen ___ (heartthrob) 3 2003 horse film 4 Moderately slow,

in music 5 College in Pough-keepsie 6 Hint at 7 Nimble 8 Connecticut Bulldog 9 1/100 of a yen 10 Fraught with danger 11 Some are inflated 12 Recital highlights 13 Stare at lasciviously 19 Disinfectant victim 24 Took by the hand 25 People between 12 and 20 26 Very SoHo

27 Mexican eatery staple 28 They make wrinkles disappear 29 Any Scottish borough

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

KAKURO

How to play kakuro

– William Shakespeare

30 Thing requested in the Lord’s Prayer 31 What doublechecked totals need to do 32 ‘... with ___ in sight’ 34 Steep in brine 37 ‘Double’ facial feature 40 Small, slender dagger 42 Ryan’s ‘Love Story’ co-star 43 Go on a tear 45 ‘Cheers’ stoolie? 46 It goes around annually 48 Onion cousin 49 ‘Hermit’ crustacean 50 Visitor to Mecca 51 Thickening agent in foods 52 Worship from ___ 54 Very dry, as a desert 55 ‘They’re gr-rreat!’ tiger 57 Take advantage of 58 Cloud near the ground

CHAI TIME SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Six of Wands

Knight of Pentacles

Temperance

Three of Swords

King of Cups

Nine of Cups

ork – Make yourself comfortable at the work place. Keep plants in your office or listen to calming music to ease work stress. Romance – If you’re single, don’t rush in impulsively at a new relationship without fully checking out a potential partner. Health – Moderation is the key. Eat healthy but don’t overdo it to the extent that you find it difficult to maintain the tempo. Money – You need to negotiate for better deals. Plan well and ensure you get the best discounts available. Not asking means you don’t get them. Tarot message – Balance and harmony are needed at the point. Extremes of any kind will throw you off balance and make you irritable.

ork – You have a philosophical view of why we work and what its purpose is in our lives. You’d rather do things that make you happy, like reading or listening to music. Romance – You’re feeling romantic and are in the mood to send flowers to your lover even though there’s no occasion. Health – Take time off and get a body massage or a pampering session at the spa. You need some rejuvenation and new energy. Money – The money you’re making is giving you positive energy. You feel like waking up and going to work every morning. Tarot message – You turn on your intuition and, for a change, are in doubt about what you need.

ork –You’ve been waiting for a long time for the perfect job to come your way. It’s almost here. Don’t be too arrogant about your experience or knowledge. There’s more to learn. Romance – You know when to get closer to your partner and when to back off. You and your partner develop an easy understanding of each other. Health – Smokers need to quit immediately to reduce the risk of major health issues. Diet plans need reworking. Consult an expert. Money – A bonus or an extra payment for a job makes you confident about your finances. You’re okay with EMI payments for some more time. Tarot message – Realise what’s in your control and what isn’t. You need to be more open to change.

ork – You’re responsible, hardworking, reliable and valuable to your company. But you’re also extremely dull. Face it. Improve your image. Romance – Singles will come across a partner who’s perfect in every way if one went by the definition in the books. Those committed need to work harder on their romance. Health – Your stomach, neck, muscles and joints need attention. They may give you minor health problems. Money – You make a killing in the stock market, or a windfall comes your way at the most unexpected time. Tarot message – You may be taking on more than you can manage. It’s in your nature to take on additional responsibility. It may be difficult to manage.

ork – You need to work harder to justify your position at work. Your colleagues may be eyeing your work. Romance – A heartbreak or a divorce may be inevitable. But you need to see the bright side. You don’t want to stay on in an unhappy relationship. Health – Keep a watch out for lifestyle related diseases like heart trouble and also obesity. Excessive use of the computer is causing trouble. Money – Review your investments and look at how much money you need to invest where. Money may be lying around without any benefit. Tarot message – This is a difficult time when you feel everything’s going out of control. But it’s a period of learning you cannot avoid.

SUMAA TEKUR tarotreadhyd@gmail.com

Libra

Scorpio

Four of Pentacles

Ace of Cups

ork – Your mind is brimming with new ideas. The task will be to sit your boss down, get her/his full attention and get your ideas passed. Romance – Time is ripe for romance. You will be wined and dined. There will be surprises in store. In short, great time for love. Health – You have been managing to stick to the fitness routine and the results are showing on your body and also your mental outlook. Money – Work is directly related to how much money you make. Entrepreneurship is a strong possibility. Tarot message – Fertile time for the imagination. Make use of this time and enjoy the creativity that flows through you.

ork – You’ve gotten into a comfortable routine and have garnered the confidence to know that you can handle any crisis in your office. Romance – You may need to make extra effort to convince your partner that you feel the love. Maybe you’re coming across as cold and insensitive. Health – The stability and comfort of routine is making you happy. The familiarity of situations around you is important. Money – Finances are stable. Just keep an eye on your bank account and ensure that money transactions from one account to the other are smooth and timely. Tarot message – This is an important phase when you understand the importance of tradition and old world charm.

Sagittarius Seven of Wands

ork –You dream of striking out on your own one day and that dream is about to come true shortly. Be prepared by keeping an open mind. Romance – Singles: if you’re feeling stifled in your current relationship, it’s time you looked at options. Health – No matter how difficult it is, you need to maintain your exercise regimen. It’s easy to sign up at the gym. But going everyday is the tough part. Money – You start to get avenues to make some extra money by way of freelance opportunities or by convincing your boss for a raise. Tarot message – You have it in you to stand up to all opposition. You plan your moves carefully and it pays off.

Capricorn

Date 23-12-2012

Aquarius

Six of Pentacles

Four of Cups

ork – A job offer will make you reconsider a decision. You may have decided to stick on to something. But another offer will make you think again. Romance – There are many fish in the sea. If you find that a relationship is not working out, no need to push yourself to make it work. Health – Get a second opinion if your doctor’s treatment is not really working out for you. Medical treatment also uses a lot of intuition. Money – You come across options to make some extra money and you feel more confident about your finances. Tarot message – You don’t need to feel stuck to a situation. There are many options available. Keep your eyes and ears open.

ork – An elderly person comes to your rescue at work and helps you find shortcuts to your daily routine. Romance – Singles look for financial stability in a partner. A date may not turn out to your expectation. There are many fish in the sea. Health – Health is doing great. There’s no need to worry about it. If you worry, it can make you feel more restless and edgy. Money – Learning a new skill will be directly related to earning more money. You’ll have options to earn extra and feel more confident about your finances. Tarot message – There is a sharp learning curve to navigate in the immediate future. Be prepared for hard work and some tough decisions.

ork – You’re on a roll! All your ideas are being accepted. What’s more, they work beautifully, too. You’re the centre of attention in the office. Romance – The love of your life enters your life. If you’re committed, you develop a new level of understanding with your partner. Health – You may be getting a little overweight. But it’s nothing to worry about. You’re doing absolutely fine, health wise. Money – You make decisions based on gut feel and this is bringing in the profits. It’s like music between the head and heart. Tarot message – This is the wish card, and is one of those times when you make a connection between the spiritual and material.

Pisces Ten of Cups

ork – Group effort will make the most impossible tasks possible. Now the only trouble will be to manage your boss who thinks it’s fine to give you more work. Romance – Those married are thinking of a baby. Singles will be looking for long-term relationships and not just a one-off fling. Health – Health is closely related to happiness and this is coming from your friends and family who look after you and your likes and dislikes. Money – Creative plans work well and even bring in some extra cash. You make money from freelance projects. Tarot message – You realise the importance of having a strong foundation in family and the need for stable relationships.

Vol: 2, No 156 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad – 500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon.com and for subscription, please call 040-40672222, Fax: 040-40672211

THE SATURDAY QUIZ SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

found in which part of the human body? 12.A bronze statue of Paddington bear is situated in which London station? 13.What type of jump is made by jumping from a tall structure wearing a strong rubber cable, usually fastened around the ankles?

DO YOU KNOW YOUR PETERS?

1 2

What kinds of clauses were added by Marks & Spencer (M&S), the British retail company to the agreements in India?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Bird, Deuce, Double Drop Base, Battery, Bunting

Where did the American Depositary Shares (ADS) of Infosys, India’s second-largest IT services provider started trading on December 12, 2012?

Auction, Bid, Chicane

Best-ball Foursome, Bogey, Bunker

French scientists claimed that they developed a new system which enables humans to get 360 degree vision. The headset in the system is said to capture the images from different directions and thereafter transform these into the matter. What is the name of this new system?

Advantage, Back-stick, Bully Bow, Bucket, Cow

Breast Stroke, Crawl.

Scientists from NASA spotted the longest extra-terrestrial river system ever on Saturn’s moon Titan which appears to be a miniature version of one of the Earth’s rivers. Which river on Earth does Titan looks like?

Jockey, Punt, Steeplechase Anti Loop, Backspin, Chop Ace, Base-line, Blocking

Half-Nelson, Head Lock, Heave

Answers

with Santosh Ghule How many pencils are lined up here?

It is illusion playing a trick on you and not a blooming flower.

Answer for 45:

3.Peter Andre 4.Peter Gallagher

Agumbe is a village located in the Shimoga district in the state of Karnataka. Lying in the Thirthahalli taluk and the Malnad region.Early in the 1980's, John Devraj, a sculptor, musician, art director and town planner, visited Agumbe. But for what purpose?

Answers: 1Peter Facinelli 2.Peter Wentz

PICTURE PUZZLE 46

WHO AM I? I am the wife of a superstar and an actress myself. My son and daughter-in-law are also actors. I am also an MP in the Indian Parliament and I recently spoke against the incident that happened to the 23-yr-old girl in Delhi?

Answer : Jaya Bachchan

1 Marks & Spencers 2. New York Stock Exchange 3. FlyVIZ 4. Nile River

KNOW YOUR COUNTRY The serial was based on a novel of the same name, written by the Montreal-based author Bhagwan S Gidwani. The novel was a bestseller, having sold about 200,000 copies, translated into many languages and reprinted in 44 editions. Apart from being the author, Gidwani also wrote the screenplay and script for the 60 episodes.

Name the sports that go by these terms

Answers:

CURRENT AFFAIRS

TEST YOURSELF

1.Badminton 2 Baseball 3.Bridge 4Golf 5.Hockey 6.Rowing 7.Swimming 8Steeplechase 9. Table Tennis 10. Volleyball 11Wrestling

IN THE NEWS

which year of university? 8. The line ‘It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done’ is from which novel by Charles Dickens? 9. What nationality was painter Frida Kahlo? 10. ‘Verdant’ relates to which colour? 11. The sartorius muscle is

Answers

mythical, multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld? 5. Who played Rosemary Shanahan in the 2001 film Shallow Hal? 6. In the James Bond film Goldfinger, who is Goldfinger’s bodyguard? 7. A sophomore is a student in

1.Take That 2.Tyke 3.Chess 4.Cerberus 5.Gwyneth Paltrow 6.Oddjob 7.Second Year 8.A tale of two cities 9.Frida Khalo 10 Green.11. Thigh 12. Paddington 13. Bungee Jump

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE 1. Which British band released the album Beautiful World? 2. In the Tom & Jerry’ cartoons, what is the name of Spike’s son? 3. Zugzwang, Skewer, Royal Fork and Indian Defence are all terms associated with which board game? 4. What is the name of the

1 The Sword of Tipu Sultan 2. To create the fictional town of Malgudi for the shooting of the tv serial Malgudi Days.

Answers

CINEMA SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

Hong Kong police probe Jackie Chan's arms use P

olice in Hong Kong are investigating movie star Jackie Chan after he said in an interview that he used pistols and grenades to defend himself from the triads, organised crime groups, media reports said on Thursday. Chan claimed that he found himself surrounded by 20 killers armed with knives and brandished two handguns and six grenades, the South China Morning Post said. The martial arts star, who is known for his controversial statements to media outlets in China and Hong Kong, said actors in the former British colony were often the target of extortion rackets, justifying the use of firearms for self-defence. Chan, however, praised certain types of robberies in the same interview, saying that "If you can take gold from HSBC (the largest bank in Hong Kong) without hurting anybody, you are a genius and it's marvellous". Possessing an unlicensed firearm in IANS Hong Kong is punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Affleck drops out of Kristen Stewart film Halle Berry, Chaka Khan honoured

ctress Halle Berry and musician Chaka Khan will be honoured at the 2013 BET Honors. The network announced on Thursday that basketball star Lisa Leslie, music executive Clarence Avant and religious leader TD Jakes will also be celebrated at the January 12 event in Washington at the Warner Theatre. The special airs on February 11. BET Honors highlights African Americans performing at top levels in the areas of music, literature, entertainment, education and more.

ooks like we won’t be seeing any steamy love scenes between Ben Affleck and Kristen Stewart after all. Weeks after the exTwilight star signed on to star in Warner Bros.’s Focus — the story of an experienced con artist who teaches a young female protegee the tricks of the trade — her co-star Ben Affleck has dropped out of the film. Affleck’s rep confirms to EW that scheduling conflicts were the culprit. Between his next directing projects (including the thriller Tell No One and an adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s Live By Night) and awards season promotion for Argo, the Oscar winner simply couldn’t find time to focus on the grifter comedy. Focus is currently scheduled to begin filming in April.

SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

$10k added to prize money

Raghunath scripts 3-1 win

Bhupathi-Nestor top pair

MUMBAI: The organisers of the Mumbai

DOHA: VR Raghunath yet again scored a

CHENNAI: India’s doubles star Mahesh

Marathon have raised the prize money of the next edition by USD 10,000 and for first time the winner will get a trophy. The 10th edition of the Mumbai Marathon will be held on January 20, 2013. “To commemorate the 10th year of Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, a special trophy has been instituted for the overall men’s and women’s winners,” the organisers, Procam International, told reporters here on Friday.

brace as defending champions India fought hard to post a 3-1 win over a fighting Japan in the Asian Champions Trophy hockey match here today. Vice-captain Raghunath struck in the 22 minute but only to see Japan equalise in the 50th minute though a stroke. Raghu again brought India on top in the 59th minute. Gurwinder Chandi posted a goal in between in the 51st minute. India had defeated China 4-0 on Friday.

Bhupathi and his new partner Daniel Nestor will be the top seeded pair at the ATP Chennai Open, starting December 31. Bhupathi has teamed up with the Canadian world number five for the 2013 season after playing with compatriot Rohan Bopanna in the 2012 season. Together Bhupathi and Bopanna compiled an impressive 34-22 match record and 2-3 in finals.

Kohinoor Wish looks good HYDERABAD: Anant Vatsalya trained Kohinoor Wish, 3rd

in race No 53, will be fancied in The Mysore Race Club Cup the main attraction of Sunday afternoon races in a card of seven race here at Malakpet. 1st Race: The Flirting Vision Plate (about) 1200 Metres, Cat-II. 1-45 P.M., Terms for Maiden horses 2 year olds only. 1 Fair And Square 55 (Satheesh) Deep Shanker 4 2 Jamie 55 (S’narayan) Khurshad Alam9 3 Staying The Best 55 (Prasad R) N Rawal 1 4 Symbol Of Victory 55 (A Sharma) C Henrique 7 5 Zorro The Legend 55 (Sequeria) M Mark 6 6 Beau Ideal 53.5 (D’Silva) Christopher 3 7 Kohinoor Punch 53.5 (Vatsalya) Ajit Kumar 8 8 Star Wings 53.5 (N Rao) G Sai Vamshi 2 9 Trustful 53.5 (Satheesh) K Anil 5 Selections: 1 Fair And Sqaure 2 Jamie 3 Staying The Best 2nd Race:The Mysore Race Club Cup (about) 1400 Metres, Cat-I. ‘Sweepstakes) 2-15 P.M 1 Kohinoor Wish 62 (Vatsalya) N Rawal 2 2 Proof 55 (Sequeria) K Anil 12 3 Vijays Conquer 52.5 (LaxmanS) Deep Shanker 9 4 Guiding Light 50.5 (N Rao) G Sai Vamshi 1 5 Plenipotent 50.5 (Deshmukh) AMTogrolu 5 6 Genius Empress 49 (Fayaz) C Henrique 6 7 Melody Queen 49 (Prasad R) Ajit Kumar 7 8 Elzaam 49 (Laxman S) Harinder Singh 8 9 Royal Shaan 49 (Kassam) Nitin Singh 3 10 Hard Kingdom 49 (S’narayan) K Alam 11 11 GreekFire 49 (Silvester) P Venkat 10 12 Alberton Star 49 (Prasad R) K Singh 13 13 Bloody Mary 49 (D’Silva) AK Pawar 4 Selections: 1 Kohinoor Wish 2 Plenipotent 3 Hard Kingdom 3rd Race:The Grand Parade Plate (about) 1200 Metres, CatIII, A handicap for horses, 3 year olds andupward, rated upto 50. 2-45 P.M. 1 Excluisve 60 (D’Silva) Christopher 6 2 Pacific Star 60 (Srinivas R) AMTogrolu 1 3 Molla 58 (A Sharma) C Henrique 10 4 Stolen Date 56 (Netto) A Imran Khan 2

5 Kohinoor Revanta 54 (A Sharma) Ajit Kumar 5 6 Sabareen Princess 53 (Netto) Deep Shanker 7 7 Groud Crew 53 (Satheesh) B Dileep 4 8 Allianz Arena 52 (S’narayan) K Alam 9 9 Silver Arnage 51 (Kassam) Nitin Singh 8 10 Sushen 50.5 (Hassan) R Vaibhav 3 Selections: 1 Molla 2 Allainz Arena 3 Pacific Star

4th Race:The Dynamic Dancer Plate (about) 1400 Metres,CatIII., A handicap forhorses, 3 year olds and upward, rated upto 50., 3-15 P.M. 1 Custodian 60 (Sathessh) K Anil 4 2 Montego Bay 58 (Prasad R) NRawal 10 3 Sitting Pretty 58 (S’narayan) A Imran Khan 6 4 Arudra 57.5 (Silvester) M Mark 1 5 Asta La Vista Babe 57.5 (Sequeria) K Alam 3 6 Skander 55 (LaxmanS) D Shanker 5 7 Noble Honour 54.5 (S’narayan) G Sai Vamshi 11 8 Bold Reason 54 (Prasad R) B Dileep 8 9 Joel 53.5 (LaxmanS) Harinder Singh 9 10 Symbol Of Beauty 53.5 (A Sharma) C Henrique 2 11 Perfect 52.5 (D’Silva) AK Pawar 7 Selections: 1 Noble Honour 2 Montego bay 3 Sitting Pretty 5th Race:The malakpet Cup (about) 1400 Metres,Cat-II., Ahandicap for horses 3 year olds and upward, rated upto 75. 3-45 P.M. 1 Cristiano 60 (S Abbas) A Imran Khan 7 2 Dazzling Prince 57.5 (Hassan) P A Culhane 2 3 Precisely That 57.5 (Srinivas R) A M Togrolu 3 4 Kohinoor Fighter 55 (Vatsalya) Ajit kumar 6 5 Audacious 54.5 (Netto) Harinder Singh 1 6 Ocean Side 53.5 (D’Silva) Christopher 8 7 Jaden Gil 52 (S’narayan) K Alam 5 8 Any Given Time 51 (Hassan) R Vaibhav 9 9 Shades Of Victory 51 (A Sharma) Nitin Singh 4 10 Brianna 50.5 (A Sharma) G Sai Vamshi 10 Selections: 1 Precisely That 2 Cristiano 3 Brianna 6th Race:The Nelston Plate (about) 1100 Metres,Cat-III., A handicap for horses, 4 year olds and upward, rated upto 50.

4-15 P.M. 1 Ann Arbor 61.5 (D’Silva) Kuldeep Singh7 2 Confidential 61.5 (Kassam) B Shinde 5 3 Ice Rain 59.5 (Satheesh) Deep Shanker11 4 Mr.Khaoshteep 59.5 (Hassan) M Mark 2 5 Chemeli 57.5 (N Rao) Ajit Kumar 3 6 Star Experience 56 (Kassam) Ch K Chary 6 7 Amrapal 52.5 (Netto) G Sai Vamshi 4 8 A Horizontal Urge 50.5 (A sharma) JWDL 1 9 The Best Man 50.5 (Satheesh) Nitin Singh 10 10 Mukhtar 49.5 (H,ibulla) AK Pawar 8 11 Inspiring Tunes 49 (Silvester) N Rawal 9 JWDL Denotes Jockey Will Be Declare later. Selections: 1 Confidential 2 Ice Rain 3 Mr.Khoashteep

7th Race:The Singh Plate ((Div-I) (about 1400 Metres,Cat-III., A handicap for horses, 3 year olds and upward, rated upto 25. 4-45 P.M. 1 Architect 60.6 (Srinagesh) Nitin Singh 8 2 Foudre Rouge 60.5 (Prasad R) N Rawal 10 3 In Reality 60.5 (Netto) NRajesh 12 4 Khalis Gold 60.5 (Hassan) M Mark 13 5 Vijetha 60.5 (S Abbas) A Imran Khan 1 6 Sugar Deal 59.5 (Hassan) R Vaibhav 2 7 Kohinoor Adhira 58.5 (Vatsalya) Christopher 4 8 India One 56 (H,ibulla) AK Pawar 6 9 Prayer Call 55.5 (KV Srinivas) A Ramana 9 10 The Parliament 55 (Silvester) K Singh 3 11 Star Sensation 54 (Prasad R) BDileep 7 12 Juliet 53 (Satheesh) K Anil 14 13 Chitrangada 52.5 (A Sharma) C Henrique 11 14 Nano Tribute 51.5 (Vatsalya) Ajit Kumar 5 Selections:1 Foudre Rouge 2 Vijetha 3 Prayer Call Days Best: Noble Honour Jackpot Race Nos: 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 1stTreble Race Nos: 2, 3 and 4 2ndTreble Race Nos: 5, 6 and 7 Tanala Pool will operate on all races where there are five or more starters. False rails are up.

Force India eye 5th spot

Decathlon, Golden Arrow put up impressive runs

LONDON: Encouraged by the

Decathlon, Golden Arrow, Wow O Wow, Ashok Chakra and Ice Barrier caught the eye with impressive runs when horses were exercised at the Malakpet racecourse in the City today. SAND

TRACK

800

METRES

Cannon Aim (N Rawal) 59, 600/44 Urged. Flowers Of Music (rb) 1-2.5, 600/46 Easy. Over Shadow (Imran Khan) 1-1, 600/46 Easy. Strategic Command (app) 54, 600/41 Moved well. Blazing Asian (Kiran Naidu) 59, 600/44 Moved freely. Splendid Act (rb) Amazing Power (M.Mark) 58, 600/44 They moved together. So Be It (Anil) 1-3, 600/46 Easy. Surya Lakshmi (Ramana) 53, 600/40 Impressed. Cold Smile (Deep Shanker) 57, 600/44

Moved well. Light Blue Sky (K Naidu) 58, 600/43 Moved well.

SAND

TRACK

1000

METRES

Shimmering Ice (Anil) Sweet Candy (app) 1-13, 800/56, 600/41 They moved together. Windsor Manor (M.Mark) 1-10, 800/54, 600/40 Impressed. Ashok Chakra (Joshi) 1-9.5, 800/56, 600/41.5 Caught the eye. Paying Guest (app) Hamilton (Anil) 1-12, 800/57, 600/44 They finished together. Rise of Emerald (Chary) 1-15.5, 800/1-0, 600/46 Easy. Decathlon (Joshi) 1-9.5,

800/54, 600/42 Plesed, Combined Force (P Venakt) 1-13, 800/57, 600/44 Moved on the bit. Draton (Imran Khan) 1-17, 800/1-1.5,600/ 46 Easy. Major Luck (Ramana) 113.5, 800/58, 600/43.5 Moved freely. Ice Barrier (Anil) Rich And Famous (app) 1-10, 800/56, 600/42 Former finished in front.

SAND

TRACK

1200

METRES

Wow O Wow (P Venkat) Golden Arrow (Joshi) 1-28, 1000/1-10, 800/54.5, 600/41 Latter started 4 lengths behind and finished together. The Leader (Kiran

Naidu) 1-32, 1000/1-17, 800/1-2, 600/47 easy. Young Soldier (Joshi) 1-30, 1000/1-11, 800/56.5, 600/43 Moved well.

SAND

TRACK

1400

METRES

SAND

TRACK

1600

METRES

Vijay Keerti (Togrolu) 1-46, 1200/1-29.5,1000/1-13, 800/58, 600/43 Moved on the bit. Devils Advocate (rb) 1-47, 1200/1-32, 1000/1-16, 800/1-1, 600/46 Easy.

Wunderbar (Nitin Singh) 2-5, 1400/1-47.5, 1200/1-30, 1000/1-14, 800/58, 600/42.5 Moved well.

brilliant results in the secondhalf of 2012 , Sahara Force India is confident of getting a top-5 finish in the 2013 season. Force India finished seventh in the constructors’ championship behind Sauber although it scored more points than the 2011 season. Nico Hulkenberg, who will race for Sauber next year, raced extremely well for the side and was even in running for a podium finish at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix. Deputy Team principal Bob Fernley says that they can carry forward the momentum in the next season. “Look at the stats. Since the summer break, Force India’s the fifth best perform,” he said.

SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

‘Ronaldo must come home’ LONDON: Manchester United

defender Patrice Evra has told Cristiano Ronaldo (right) to come home to Old Trafford if he doesn't feel loved at Real Madrid. Ronaldo quit United in 2009 to achieve his boyhood dream of playing for Real, but the Portugal forward has never been treated with the same respect in Spain that he enjoyed in the Premier League. While United fans worshipped Ronaldo, in Madrid he has complained of feeling "sad" at the lack of appreciation for his devastating displays, which helped Real end Barcelona's reign as Spanish champions last season. Ronaldo, who has scored 170 times in 169 appearances for the Spanish giants, is also believed to be unhappy that Real's hierarchy haven't given him improved contracts in the same way Barcelona have rewarded their superstar Lionel Messi. And, with Ronaldo due to return to United for the first

Ferguson cheers return of Ronaldo, Real Graham Chase

MANCHESTER, UK:

time when the clubs clash in the last 16 of the Champions League later this season, French left-back Evra believes his old team-mate should consider rejoining Alex

Ferguson's team. "I have been in touch with him many times," Evra told MUTV. "He still loves Manchester United and misses AFP Manchester United.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson on Friday said he was sure that Cristiano Ronaldo will receive an impressive reception when he returns to Old Trafford for the first time with Real Madrid. United were on Thursday drawn to play the Spanish champions in one of the ties of the last 16 of the Champions League, with the match given added interest because of Ronaldo's status as a former club favourite. The 27-year-old Portugal captain left United for the Santiago Bernabeu in an £80-million deal in 2009.

Juventus go 10 points clear ROME: Juventus needed two goals in stoppage time to seal a come-from-behind 3-1 win at Cagliari on Friday and move 10 points clear at the top of Serie A. Cagliari, just a point above the relegation zone, went ahead after 16 minutes through a Mauricio Pinilla penalty awarded after Arturo Vidal had chopped down Marco Sau in the box. In a contentious game, Cagliari played the last 30 minutes a man short after the sending off of Davide Astori, who had already been booked, for a foul on Sebastian Giovinco. Alessandro Matri (right), playing against his old club, levelled for Juventus 10 minutes later

Present standings

Maradona interested in Iraq job BUENOS AIRES: Argentina legend Diego Maradona (above) is in talks to become the Iraqi national team's new coach for its World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign, his agent has revealed. "We have received the offer. We contacted Maradona and he gave us his approval. We will meet the executive committee of the Iraqi football federation on Friday to discuss financial terms," said Hernan Toffoni, from the World Eleven agency. Toffoni told reporters in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires on Thursday that a decision would be taken "in a few hours."

Fergie sets New Year's Day goal

(played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points).

Graham Chase

Juventus Inter Milan Lazio Fiorentina Napoli Roma AC Milan Catania Parma Udinese

MANCHESTER, UK:

18 17 17 17 17 17 17 18 17 17

14 11 10 9 10 9 8 7 6 5

2 1 3 5 3 2 3 4 5 8

2 5 4 3 4 6 6 7 6 4

39 11 44 29 18 34 25 18 33 33 19 32 31 17 31 38 27 29 32 22 27 26 27 25 23 23 23 25 25 23

Note: Sampdoria (one point), Torino (one point), Atalanta (two points), Napoli (two points) and Siena (six points) all docked points for involvement in the "Calcioscommesse" illegal betting scandal.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson (below) believes that his team's trip to Swansea City in the Premier League on Sunday is the start of a pivotal run of matches. United go into the weekend six points clear of second-place Manchester City, who host bottom club Reading on Saturday.

and added another in the second minute of injury time. Mirko Vucinic put away the third in the fifth minute of time added on.

"I have waited for this moment for a long time. My morale had gone down because I wasn't scoring but I always believed in AFP myself," said Matri.

Benitez steels Chelsea for Xmas crunch Ian Winrow

LONDON: Rafael Benitez (left) admits Chelsea are entering a crucial stage in their season as his side attempt to revive their fast fading Premier League title ambitions. Benitez's side enter the Christmas programme in third place but that standing could be transformed by the time they face Aston Villa on Sunday. By then, with Chelsea playing after their main rivals, they could be down to eighth and trail leaders Manchester United by 15 points if results go against them.

And the Blues' cause won't be helped by the continuing absence of injured skipper John Terry, who could miss all four festive games. Last weekend's trip to the Club World Cup, where they lost 1-0 to Corinthians in the final, means Chelsea have played one game fewer than every other club in the top half of the table. But having recorded just one win in eight league matches during a dismal two-month run, it is clear their campaign has lost momentum and they must embark on a winning streak if they are to stay in touch with the leaders.

The prospect of facing Villa seems more challenging than it would have done a week previously with Paul Lambert's side coming to Stamford Bridge on the back of an impressive 3-1 win at Liverpool and a six-game unbeaten run. Benitez is aware of their threat, but insists his concerns lie only with his own side. "Villa are doing well and it seems they are comfortable with the system, three at the back with wing backs, and they have good options in counter-attack because Christian Benteke is a good reference point," Benitez said.

SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012

New Zealand crashing to an eight-wicket defeat with 47 balls left in the first Twenty20 international at Kingsmead on Friday. Fast bowler Rory Kleinveldt took two early wickets to start a slide from which New Zealand never recovered. They were bowled out for 86 after winning the toss. Kleinveldt took the key wickets of Rob Nicol and captain Brendon McCullum and finished with three for 18 to capture the man-of-the-match award. South Africa romped home in 12.1 overs with new captain Faf du Plessis making 38 not out, while Quinton de Kock, making his debut four days after his 20th birthday, slammed a quick 28 not out.

South African batsman Francois du Plessis (R) congratulates teammate Rory Kleinveldt on taking a New Zealand wicket at the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on Friday. AFP

Bullsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Deng powers win NEW YORK: Britain's Luol Deng (left) scored 29 points and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds while Italy's Marco Belinelli added 22 points to spark the Chicago Bulls to a 110-106 NBA vic-

tory Friday over New York. France's Joakim Noah had 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Bulls while Kirk Hinrich added 16 points, nine rebounds AFP and eight assists.

Scoreboard (brief)

New Zealand C Munro c and b Morris 23 D Bracewell not out 21 Extras (lb1, w2) 3 Total (182 overs) 86 Bowling: McLaren 4-0-27-1, Steyn 3-0-13-2 (1w), Kleinveldt 32-1-18-3, Morris 34-0-19-2 (1w), Peterson 4-0-8-2 South Africa H Davids b Hira 20 F du Plessis not out 38 Q de Kock not out 28 Extras (w1) 1 Total (2 wkts, 121 overs) 87 Bowling: McClenaghan 3-1-201, Bracewell 2-0-21-0 (1w), Hira 3-0-15-1, Anderson 1-0-11-0, N McCullum 2-0-7-0.

SOLUTIONS

Boggle Number game

DURBAN: South Africa sent

It was a disappointing start for New Zealand, who arrived as underdogs but were expected to put up a reasonable fight in the Twenty20 internationals. They were missing several key players, including former captain Ross Taylor, who was unavailable for the tour, and suffered another blow when experienced batsman Martin Guptill could not play at Kingsmead because of a stomach ailment. Fast bowler Trent Boult was also unavailable because of a similar complaint. On a pitch with pace and bounce, the tourists lost three wickets inside the first five overs. Nicol charged Kleinveldt and was caught behind, while McCullum top-edged a hook and was caught at fine leg. In between Peter Fulton drove Dale Steyn to mid-on.

Scrabble

COLIN BRYDEN

LONDON: County side Nottinghamshire have defied the wishes of some England internationals by banning them from playing in the IPL, the club said on Friday. The IPL season begins on April 3 and Notts players Alex Hales, Michael Lumb and Samit Patel are reported to have attracted interest from teams competing in the lucrative competition. Notts are due to start their County Championship campaign just seven days later and the club's director of cricket, Mick Newell, says the players must make themselves available for AFP domestic duty.

HARP LUTE CELLO VIOLIN GUITAR

Suduko

Kiwis trounced by SAfrica

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