Postnoon E-Paper for 24 March 2012 by Scribble Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

BOWLED OVER BY THE GAME

TRACKING LIFE AT THE TRAIN STATION

o enamoured was he by cricket that Phani Kishore Gutala chucked in his thriving advertising career to give cricket a shot.

here’s never a dull moment around a train station. Even while the city sleeps, it is wide awake. Our lensman captures a few candid shots of everyday life at Secunderabad station.

A STUDENT FOREVER

he renamed herself from Sultana to Shahin, after the Urdu poet Iqbal’s favourite bird. She wrote three outstanding books, mentored hundreds of students, and inspired thousands more. This is Shahin Moidu’s story…

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MARCH 24, 2012 HYDERABAD

ALEX CHERRY

WEATHER: CLEAR SKIES; 30°C

Hyderabad’s first compact afternoon newspaper

Did greed kill young Bujji? The death on Tuesday of Bujji, a young maid of Kishanbagh, initially attributed to black magic, is turning out to be a different story. REPORT ON PG 4

32 PAGES

ON SATURDAY

PAGE TWO SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

ONE FOR THE CAMERA!

Spanish food festival

SRINIVAS SETTY

The Square plays host to a Spanish food festival. Taste a variety of delicacies such as tapas, chorizos and tortillas. The event is on till April 1. Where: The Square, Novotel, Madhapur When: March 24 onwards, 6.30pm Contact: (040) 6682 4422

Ghazal nights Make your Saturday evening a soulful experience with a ghazal evening by Pandit Vithal Rao and Vijaya Lakshmi. Where: Ravindra Bharathi, Saifabad When: March 24, 7pm onwards Contact: (040) 2323 1245

Miniature traditions Miniature Traditions — An Artistic Endeavor, will be held at Alankritha Art Gallery. It’s an exhibition of miniature paintings by Mahaveer Swami. Where: Alankritha Art Gallery, Kavuri Hills, Madhapur When: March 24 - April 4, 11 am onwards Contact: (040) 2311 3709

Ugadi weekend Truffles Cafe celebrates Ugadi Weekend Specials with a variety of special mains, Ugadi special beverages, mocktails and much more. Where: Truffles Cafe, Rd No10, Jubilee Hills When: Ongoing, 8am-11pm Contact: (040) 2355 0105

Kebab and grill festival Relish a feast of Kebabs and Grills as chefs from the Indian and continental kitchens take the challenge to serve you a myriad of Indian kebabs and western grills Where: Okra, Marriott Hotel and convention centre, Tank Bund When: Ongoing, 7pm Contact: (040) 2752 2568

The refund Lamakaan plays host to the play titled “The refund.” The play takes a dig at the education system and how they tend to stress more on rote learning than in actually preparing them for the real world. Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills, Rd No1 When: March 24-25, 7.30pm onwards Contact: 96427 31329

Sale time Good Earth plays host to an end of season sale. The sale is on a variety of products such as home textiles, crockery, decor, silver plated acces-

CINEMAS

sories etc. Where: Good Earth, Banjara Hills, Rd No 12 When: March 21 to March 25 Contact: (040) 2333 8000

Where: The Promenade, Ameerpet When: Ongoing Contact: (040) 6678 8888

Unique buffet

Splash lounge is the perfect leisure destination for you to unwind. During the evenings, there is also great music, martinis and aperitifs. Where: The Westin, Mindspace, Madhapur When: Monday - Friday, 5pm - 10.30pm Weekends, 8am - 10.30pm Contact: (040) 6767 6828

Yellow Chilli is offering a lunch buffet which is truly different. The Buffet which costs `199 (Monday to-Friday) and `249 (Saturday and Sunday). The dinner buffet costs `299 and `349. Where: Yellow Chilli, Banjara Hills, Rd No 12 When: Ongoing Contact: (040) 2338 3838

Acting workshop Samahaara — an acting and dancing workshop is being held to help you hone your acting skills. The workshop focusses on a variety of theatre related topics such as understanding the basics of stage acting and character analysis, stage geography etc. Where: The Actor’s studio, Madhapur When: Ongoing, 7pm to 9pm Contact: 98854 04784

Wraps and rolls Rolls — boring did you say? Head to Promenade at Ameerpet for a wide variety of rolls that will suit everyone’s taste, from the vegetarians to the non-vegetarians.

Go Splash

Cotton and silk mela Bring out your shopping bags. Lepakshi Cotton and Silk Mela is on at Satya Sai Nigamagamam. Choose from a variety of cotton and silk sarees and dress materials. Where: Satya Sai Nigamagamam, Srinagar Colony. When: March 18 to March 25 Contact: (040) 2323 5028

Tradition and innovation An exhibition showcases 58 designs which are a combination of tradition and innovation. Where: Salarjung Museum, Afzal Gunj When: Ongoing, 10am onwards

Contact: (040) 2452 3211

Asian barbeque The Square, Novotel, Madhapur plays host to an Asian barbeque. Sample grilled specialities from around the world — from Lebanese to Japanese. Where: The Square, Novotel, Madhapur When: Every Saturday, 7pm onwards Contact: (040) 6682 4422

Saturday night Catch bands like The Fatman Trio, the Upper Basement, Flour Clover and others perform live along with Carnatic rock band Agam at the Xtreme Sports bar, Where: Xtreme Sports Bar, Karkhana When: March 24, 4.30pm onwards Contact: 96188 88337

Film parade Films lovers head to St Ann’s women’s college. The films, 4 minutes, Satin Rouge (Red Satin) and Aung San Suu Kyui (Lady of no fear) will be showcased. Where: Xtreme Sports Bar, Karkhana When: March 24, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm Contact: (040) 2351 7919

Big Cinemas, Ameerpet, 30581470; Cinemax, Banjara Hills, 44565555; Cine Planet , Kompally, 61606060; INOX, Banjara Hills, 44767777, Prasads, Tank Bund Rd, 23448888; PVR, Punjagutta, 8800900009; Talkie Town, Miyapur, 40214175; Tivoli, Secunderabad 27844973

CITY SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

CM to attend Bankers meet

3 vans, shop gutted in fire

Travel agent dupes 20, held

he 177th State level bankers’ committee meeting will be held today at Jubilee hall. Chief Minister Kiran kumar Reddy will be the chief guest. The CM is billed to urge bankers to raise lending to farmers. He will also review the repayment of loans from the farming community. after the bankers reported a discouraging scene of repayment in the farm sector

hree vans were gutted in a huge fire mishap at a scrap godown late last night in the City outskirts. The shop owned by Mohd Shabir was locked for the night. It was some passers- bys who spotted the fire and informed the police and fire brigade. By the time help came, the shop, a pile of scrap and three vans parked nearby were turned to ashes..

GI airport police arrested Mohd Abdul Bari for allegedly duping 20 people with fake job visas. He is charged with providing fake visas and sending them to Oman. Bari hails from Warangal. He is said to have taken `40,000 from each. When the group landed in Muscat, authorities sent them back to the City. Bari’s associate, managed to escape.

Triangular war formations emerge in AP Congress politics The forthcoming analysis of the byelection debacle will prove a trial of strength among the three main factions in the Congress. Who will win? U SRINIVAS

srinivas.u@postnoon.com

espite the ‘bright’ predictions on Ugadi that the ‘raja’ and ‘mantris’ will have an easy year, the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy is in a dire straight.

The party discussions on the bypoll debacle (which is yet to be officially convened) will be crucial for the CM. Ghulam Nabi Azad, in-charge AP Congress affairs has not helped the situation simmer down. His reported comments to those Congress leaders who met him that the chief minister must own up the responsibility for the election defeat is ominous. As of today, three groups have emerged. One belongs to the CM,

another to Botsa Satyanarayana and the third is under Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Raja Narsimha. Botsa, who is also the PCCI chief is learnt to be preparing to dump the entire blame on the CM’s foyer. The meeting is likely in April first week. Postnoon gathered that the meeting may put pressure on the party high command for a change of guard before the general elections. One tactic thought of is a resignation drama where many

ministers belonging to the detractors’ camp will send in notices of quitting like D L Ravindra did. The meeting may also be used as a forum to put pressure on the CM to rein in the ACB hounds who have made the Botsa camp astir with anxiety. The very fact that the party is yet to decide a date to discuss the defeat shows the volatility of the Congress politics in the State. But it all depends on Delhi durbar and it’s here Kiran has some hope.

CITY SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

Did greed kill young Bujji? The death on Tuesday of Bujji, a young maid of Kishanbagh, initially attributed to black magic is turning out to be a different story

TASSIA

MOHD SUBHAN

mohd.s@postnoon.com

new twist to the tragic death of a woman, namely Bujji, 22, at her residence at Kishanbagh in Mahmudnagar four days ago, is emerging with forensic experts blaming a cardiac arrest for her death. It was initially alleged that she died after an Amil (sorcerer) treated her. She did not have any injury marks but her mouth had traces of foams. Her viscera report is yet to come. Bujji died on March 20 and her death was directly attributed by her family members to the ‘unscientific treatment’ by Amil. Postnoon gathered that all indications point to a different cause. Police investigation and neighbours’ views suggest a familial conspiracy to wrest a substantial amount she had earned through her hard work as a maid and interest earned by lending money privately. Her close friend Sameena told Postnoon that Bujji had some `3-4 lakh in her possession. Five years ago the family had forced her to marry a man in the locality against her will. But when he tried to eat up her earnings, she went back to her parents. It is said that Bujji’s mother, Lakshmi suffered from mental imbalance and she was ‘cured’ by an Amil by name Khaja Habeebuddin, who lived in Jeedcharla, and his two associates. The Amil had thus frequented the house and knew the goings-on. Versions by the police and neighbours and relatives say that the Amil had observed that more than the mother, the daughter ought to be treated as an evil spirit had taken hold of her. Her brother, his father-inlaw and other family members DEEPAK DESHPANDE

seized this point and pressed Bujji to undergo treatment which she refused. One of her neighbours, Fatima Appa, told Postnoon that Bujji was a victim of conspiracy by her family. “Bujji was hardworking and intelligent. She would neither commit suicide nor would fall in others’ machinations, I know for sure.” Fathima said when she rushed to Bujji’s house on hearing the news of her death, she saw foam coming out of her mouth which

is almost a sure indication of poisoning or stomach churning. She said that her family members fed media with reports of the Amil’s involvement. “We are not sure, but the Amil may be a part of the conspiracy.” Another neighbour Zubaida said nobody could believe such a bright girl would die so soon without sufficient cause. “We did not hear any noise from her home. If she was sick it would have been evident.” Zubaida said she frequented

Bujji’s home and most neighbours knew her well and had a good opinion of the hardworking girl. If she made money it was by sheer dint of hard work, many neighbours said. She said it was Bujji’s elder brother Raju who hired Amil for treatment. Forensic expert, Dr Sudha, told this paper the viscera report will solve any suspicion of poisoning. But the immediate cause, she said, of death was “cardiac arrest.” Investigating officer of

After a brief hiatus, the government finally gave out the Nandi Awards for excellence in cinema for the years 2009 and 2010

A glitzy affair

Hemanth Kumar hemanth.k@postnoon.com

he prestigious Nandi Awards ceremony, initiated by AP government, was held at Lalitha Kala Thoranam yesterday evening and it was an evening worth remembering. For the past two years, the State government had postponed the

event due to political unrest, although the awards committee had announced the list of winners every year. Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, who was the chief guest of the awards ceremony, gave away the awards for excellence in cinema for the years 2009 and 2010. Except for a handful of filmmakers and actors, majority of the winners including Dasari Narayana Rao, Balakrishna, Genelia, Nithya Menen, Srikanth, Tarakarathna, Manchu Manoj, Vedhicka, Kamal Kamaraju, Raja and directors Nandini

Bahadurpura, inspector G Bheeksham Reddy, said so far in this case we don’t have any clue. Her family has gone to their native place Mahboobnagar district and more will be known after interrogating them. But none of the police officers explain why the family members were not interrogated or the Amil taken into custody yet. However, ACP Charminar M Ram Mohan Rao is sure that the mystery behind the case would be solved in a few days.

Reddy, Chandra Siddhartha, Chaitanya Dantuluri, Suman Pathuri graced the event. The State government presented the prestigious Ragupathi Venakaiah Award, NTR National Award and Nagi ReddyChakrapani Award to the respective winners. Talking at the event, the CM said, “It’s difficult to catch the pulse of the audience. In fact, I feel that the film audience and voters are alike. It’s tough to say which party or which film will be a hit.”

For more pictures turn to pg19

FOCUS SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

Syria’s very own Turkey shoot MIDDLE MAN

Michel Sailhan

Battlefield Damascus A year after the start of a popular uprising against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, fear is everywhere in Damascus. Deadly car bombings have rocked the capital and clashes are on the rise.

hafiza, like most people in and around the Syrian capital, lives in fear that security forces will raid her home and arrest her sons. The deadly uprising that has gripped Syria for over a year has largely spared Damascus but in past weeks the bloodshed has also made its entry into Damascus. “Damascus, here we come” was the rallying cry on Friday for anti-regime demonstrations across the country on the day of weekly Muslim prayers, as posted by activists on their Facebook page, The Syrian Revolution 2011. “My nerves are shattered. Every day people say the security forces are coming to carry out a raid,” said Hafiza, a cleaner who lives just outside Damascus. Last Sunday, security forces and troops stormed the district of Artuz, southwest of Damascus, Hafiza said. “There were tanks and artillery. A tank was posted on every street. They arrested 600 men, even 14-year-olds,” she said, voicing fear they would come one day for her own sons, aged 18 and 23. Ammar, a writer who lives in the Barzeh area of northern Damascus, is also terrified by the unrest that has reached the city. “Nowadays as soon as it gets dark I head home. My wife and I watch films every night to shut out the violence,” he said. “But at midnight, gunfire breaks out and there are explosions until dawn.” He said protesters fill the streets of the old part of Barzeh every night to demonstrate against the regime. A year after the start of a popular uprising against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, fear is everywhere in Damascus. Deadly car bombings have rocked

Nowadays as soon as it gets dark I head home. My wife and I watch films every night to shut out the violence. But at midnight, gunfire breaks out and there are explosions until dawn. Ammar, writer the capital and clashes are on the rise. Each day pro-democracy activists report anti-regime protests in the centre of Damascus, where demonstrators take to the streets despite the deployment of hundreds of security forces. YouTube videos show youths chanting anti-regime slogans in districts like Midan, Kfar Soussa, Barzeh, Bab Srijeh, Mazzeh, Doummar and Qdsaya, and calling for the arming of the rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA). For the first time, several hours of deadly clashes erupted last Monday in the upscale and heavily guarded neighbourhood of Mazzeh, barely one kilometre (less than a mile) from the presidential palace. Officials said three army deserters were killed in the fighting, while 18 soldiers were wounded.

9,000

The number of people have been killed in the crackdown on dissent since March 2011

The rebels appear determined to bring the conflict to the capital. On Thursday, an FSA spokesman said the group had set up a military council to coordinate hit-and-run strikes around Damascus. “I, Colonel Khaled Mohammed alHammud, announce the creation of the military council for Damascus and the region that will be in charge of FSA operations in this area,” the officer who deserted from the army said in an online video. He invited other “noble officers still in the ranks of Bashar’s army” to join the rebel force. Some like Hussam, a merchant who sells curtains, fear that Damascus will be the scene of “the final battle” between the regime and the armed opposition. Hussam was badly shaken last week when two killer blasts ripped through Damascus killing at least 27 people, wounding dozens and causing massive damage to residential buildings and cars. “I can still hear the sound of the blast,” said Hussam. He had just driven his children to school in the Qasaa neighbourhood last Saturday when the explosions hit, lifting his car and slamming it down three metres (10 feet) away. “It was really frightening,” said Hussam. His brother, who lives in the upmarket neighbourhood of Abu Rummaneh, said the security forces have set up “several road blocks around government buildings.” “I have never seen anything like it. “Restaurants and shops are not busy like they were a few months ago. People stay home at night,” he said. Syrian authorities say they are battling “armed terrorist gangs” — not opposition activists — to restore order in the country.

urkey may have acted too fast when it took its tough stance against Damascus, expecting a rapid fall for the regime, some observers have argued ahead of a ‘Friends of Syria’ conference in Istanbul. Now, a number of commentators in Turkey are suggesting it might be time to think again. “Turkey had better revise its policy toward its southern neighbour, ahead of the second gathering of the Friends of Syria group on April 1 in Istanbul, by placing diplomatic efforts in front of all other options,” wrote Serkan Demirtas in the Hurriyet Daily News. Those other options circulating in Ankara as well as Western and Arab capitals, run from humanitarian corridors, to a buffer zone in Syria to accommodate refugees, or even direct assistance to rebels. Many rebel leaders, including ex-general Riad al-Asaad, are already in Turkey. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the stakes sharply on March 6 when he called on Damascus to allow for the “immediate” opening of humanitarian corridors. While his words matched international calls from western powers, the demand lacked substance. The creation of a buffer zone is another issue that Ankara has not been clear on, since it implies sending troops to secure the area. Critics however say the buffer zone would be an “interventionist policy” that could prove Ankara too reckless, and too adventurous. As for the rebels, Ankara is silent about plans to arm or train them for counter-attacks on Syria’s security forces. The regime in Damascus has already denounced “incursions” into its territory from refugee camps in Turkey. On Wednesday, AFP journalists witnessed smugglers carry a cargo of shotguns and buckshot into Syria, but the load contained no major weapons of war. Erdogan embraced the Syrian political opposition after having failed to get President Bashar al-Assad to introduce reforms. “The day will come when you will also have to go,” he told Assad in late November. But according to columnist Semih Idiz, the Syrian president has “outfoxed Ankara”.

NATIO SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

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PM off to Nuclear Security Summit NEW DELHI:

COMPUTERS

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today left for a fourday visit to South Korea where he is expected to unveil steps conceived by India to tackle challenges of nuclear terrorism before 57 world leaders at the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul. Singh said he would also underline India’s continuing support to a world free from nuclear weapons. The aim of the summit is to focus attention of countries with considerable nuclear capabilities on the threat posed by nuclear terrorism. PTI

Life for dowry murder

Happy New Year

hree members of a family in Ghazipur were sentenced to life imprisonment by a local court here for murdering a woman for dowry. Sessions Judge Anupati Ram Yadav also imposed a penalty of `15,000 each. Chanda was set ablaze by husband Ritesh and her fatherin-law and mother-in-law.

evotees usher in the new year of Hinduism in Shimla on Friday with lit earthen lamps. The name Yugadi or Ugadi is derived from the name ‘Yuga Adi’, which means 'the beginning of a new age'. It falls on the different day every year because the Hindu calendar is a lunisolar calendar.

Now MLA abducted B hubaneswar: Maoists abducted a legislator of Odisha's ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) early today (Saturday), police said. About 100–150 armed rebels abducted Jhina Hikaka, 37, from a hilly area between Koraput and Laxmipur, about 500km from the state capital Bhubaneswar, police official Suryamani Pradhan told IANS. The rebels have however left unhurt two other persons — the driver of the vehicle and a body guard who were accompanying the lawmaker. He said further details will be known after the duo is questioned. The abduction comes at a time when the rebels have held hostage two Italians for over a week now. The government is holding talks with them through their media-

Peoples hold placards as they appeal safe release of two Italian tourists, abducted by Maoists, in Bhubaneswar on Friday. tors for the Italians' release. Citing a leaflet the rebels have left at the vehicle, the police officer said it mentioned about the 13 demands the extremists have set for the release of the Italians and demanded those should

be fulfilled at the earliest. The Italians Bosusco Paolo, 54, and Claudio Colangelo, 61 were abducted from the border of Ganjam and communally-sensitive Kandhamal district on March 14. The 13 demands the

rebels have set for their release include a ban on the visit of tourists to tribal areas; halt on anti-Maoist operations, and release of several prisoners. Two Maoists named mediators social activist Dandapani Mohanty and tribal expert BD Sharma and three senior officials representing the government were holding dialogue since Thursday to secure their release. The talks were to continue on Saturday. It is not yet known if the latest kidnapping will jeopardise the talk process. The rebels have committed the latest crime even though they have declared a unilateral ceasefire before the start of negotiation. The rebels had earlier shot dead a police sub-inspector in the district of Malkangiri, a Maoists stronghold, late on Thursday even as the IANS talks were on.

Panchayat bans alcohol Anup Sharma

KINAN (ASSAM): At a time when Assam's excise revenues are shooting up, indicating a huge increase in the sale of liquor all over the state, a gram panchayat in the remote Assam-Meghalaya border has become a trendsetter by banning consumption of liquor of any sort in about 70 villages under its jurisdiction. The prohibition of liquor, whether country made or IMFL, is a Herculean task in villages where there is 100 per cent tribal population and rice beer is a tradition to welcome people with. "The socio-economic condition of the villagers had forced us to take such a stern decision. Most of the villagers are poor and it is very difficult for them to make ends meet," Weneed R Marak, a member of Kinan Gaon Gram Panchayat, told. Kinan village is located only about 70km from Assam's seat of power, Dispur, but due to poor road conditions it takes almost five hours to reach the village. The people of most of the villages under the panchayat still have to walk for at least 10km to reach Boko, a small township in South Kamrup from where they can board a bus and other vehicles to the other parts of

the state. "The people are poor and they earn their livelihood by farming in the family land, and sometimes by working as daily labourers in Guwahati and adjoining areas. There are hardly a few people in the villages who have a government or a private job," said Marak, adding that alcohol has taken a

heavy toll in the villages. "They (members of the panchayat) called a meeting of the panchayat about two months back and unanimously decided to ban consumption of liquor — be it country made or IMFL. The panchayat has also decided to impose a fine of `500 if someone is found drinking in the village," Benedict Areng, a

resident of Kinan, told IANS. "The situation has improved in almost all the villages as the panchayat has also unofficially appointed some people to monitor the situation. If someone is found drinking alcohol of any sort, it is immediately conveyed to the panchayat and the individual or the family is fined," said Benedict. A fine of `500 is a big amount for the villagers and no one dares violate the law. Besides, the rules and disciplines are followed strictly in most of the societies in this part of the country, like the Garos. "We have kept certain relaxations too. Like rice beer is a tradition with the Garo community and it is also used in traditional rituals. So, there is no harm in using the rice beer in rituals. However, the panchayat must be informed in advance," said Marak, who is also headman of Kinan village. "There are 80 villages under the panchayat and almost all are following the instructions. There are a few cases of violations and we have taken action against violators. The penalty or fine is just a way to reform the person and not a way to tax the family. So, in some cases of violations we have collected fine as per the capacity of the family or the individual," said Marak.

WORLD SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012 AFP

Gaza gets 450k litres fuel

France defends operation

FB blasts snooping bosses

ome 450,000 litres of fuel were delivered to the crisis-hit Gaza Strip early on Friday through Israel’s Kerem Shalom border crossing, Israeli and Palestinian sources said. An Israeli military official confirmed that the Kerem Shalom terminal had opened at 7:30am (0530 GMT), to allow 4,50,000 litres of fuel to be transferred into the Hamas-run territory.

rench officials rejected charges that intelligence failures let a young man kill seven people, as the crack police unit that finally killed the gunman faced criticism of their operation. Several security experts in Israel were scathing of the French police’s handling of the siege, with one specialist calling it a disgrace.

acebook on Friday blasted employers that want to peer at what workers have posted on their personal accounts at the world’s leading social network. Facebook chief privacy officer Erin Egan urged members of the online community not to share passwords with current or potential employers and warned companies to resist pressing for access.

As bombings rise First Lady’s freedom is axed by EU AFP/RICARDO GARCIA VILANOVA

DAMASCUS:

Syrian forces bombed towns and clashed with rebels in several regions as activists said thousands staged anti-regime protests and the European Union slapped sanctions on the country’s First Lady. In Geneva on Friday, the UN Human Rights Council ordered a probe into violations in Syria to be extended, asking investigators to map out abuses since a deadly crackdown on protests in the country erupted in March 2011. UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan was to travel this weekend to Moscow and Beijing, the two countries that have blocked Security Council action against Syria over the crackdown. But he had no immediate plans to return to Damascus. Adding to pressure on the regime, the EU on Friday agreed to sanction President Bashar alAssad’s glamorous British-born wife Asma, along with his mother, sister and sister-in-law. Diplomats in Brussels said EU foreign ministers had agreed an assets freeze and travel ban on the four women and eight other members of Assad’s entourage. Asma Assad, whose parents live in Britain where she grew up, cannot be barred entry to the country, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said. “But given that we are imposing an asset freeze on all of these individuals and a travel ban on other members of the same family and the regime, we are not expecting Mrs. Assad to try to travel to

Free Syrian Army members gather inside their quarters in Binnish, Syria, in northern Idlib province, on Thursday. People in this town have been expecting the worst, as nearby villages are besieged by tanks, then attacked and captured. the United Kingdom at the moment.” Assad himself was targeted last May 10, along with his younger brother Maher and four cousins. Washington welcomed the EU’s decision. “We are gratified that the EU has taken yet another step in tightening the noose on the Assad regime,” US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said. US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano

announced that Syrians in the United States would be allowed to stay beyond their visas and avoid the risk of returning to their violence-torn country. “Conditions in Syria have worsened to the point where Syrian nationals already in the United States would face serious threats to their personal safety if they were to return to their home country,” Napolitano said. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators turned out on Friday in the hot spots of antiregime revolt across Syria, the

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. At least 33 people were killed in violence nationwide, the Britain-based group said: 17 civilians, 13 soldiers and three army deserters. Nine civilians died in districts in Homs hit by gunfire and rockets, it reported. At least three deserters and a civilians were reported killed in fighting between regime forces and army deserters in Aazaz in the northern province of Aleppo near the Turkish border, the

Observatory and activists said. “Troops are bombing and helicopters flying overhead,” activist Mohammed Halabi told AFP in Beirut by telephone from the province. The fighting had been going on since midday on Thursday, he said. Aazaz, strategically positioned on the road to neighbouring Turkey, is a supply route for Free Syrian Army rebels. Fierce clashes also erupted mid-afternoon between soldiers and deserters in the villages of Haritan and Anadan, between Aleppo and Aazaz, Halabi said. The Observatory said two civilians were killed in Anadan. Troops shelled the two villages after deserters attacked a convoy of tanks headed for Aazaz, the activist said. The state news agency SANA reported “several terrorists” killed in the Sermin region of Idlib and said a bomb under a bridge had killed an army engineer in the Aleppo region. Videos posted online by activists showed protests in the southern province of Daraa, birthplace of the revolt that monitors say has cost more than 9,100 lives. UN human rights expert Yakin Erturk, meanwhile, told reporters in New York on Friday that at least four Syrian brigadier generals had defected in recent weeks. The Security Council on Wednesday adopted a statement urging Assad and his foes to implement “fully and immediately” Annan’s peace AFP plan.

N Korea, Iran prime concerns

The 3 candidates for World Bank post

Obama lends emotional support

SEOUL: World leaders including US President Barack Obama on Monday will launch a summit on the threat from nuclear-armed terrorists, but the atomic ambitions of North Korea and Iran are set to feature heavily. North Korea’s upcoming rocket launch has overshadowed the run-up to the two-day meeting in Seoul, which seeks agreement on locking down fissile material that could be used to build thousands of terrorist bombs. Obama will hold talks on the launch plan and other issues with leaders of China, Russia and S Korea during his visit. Leaders or senior officials from 53 nations will attend the Nuclear Security Summit, with Interpol, the International Atomic Energy Agency AFP (IAEA)and the UN also taking part.

WASHINGTON: This year, for the first time two chal-

WASHINGTON: “If I had a son, he’d look like

lengers are vying with the US nominee to replace the outgoing Bank president, former US diplomat Robert Zoellick. They are: 1. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: nominated by her own country Nigeria as well as South Africa and Angola, the 57-year-old economist and finance minister has already spent more than two decades in numerous positions at the World Bank. 2. Jose Antonio Ocampo, 59, is a US-trained economist who has served in the Colombian government as well as the United Nations. 3. Jim Yong Kim: the US nominee, 52, was born in South Korea but grew up in rural Iowa. He studied medicine and anthropology at Harvard and taught medicine in AFP several universities.

Trayvon,” US President Barack Obama said on Friday, stepping into an emotional storm over the killing of an unarmed black teenager by a volunteer guard. Weighing his words carefully, the country’s first African American president pleaded for national “soul searching” after 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot dead in a Florida gated community by a white Hispanic neighbourhood watch guard. “Obviously, this is a tragedy. I can only imagine what these parents are going through. And when I think about this boy, I think about my own kids,” Obama, the father of two young girls, told reporters in the AFP White House Rose Garden.

COMMENT SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

Good job folks

Chaos on city roads

read your paper quite regularly and find that it is a perfect blend of information and local gupshup. I read your paper mostly towards my evening tea break at work and I find that the topics of science and technology that are covered are rather well done.

alking through the streets of Hyderabad, you realise slowly the strata of the city is changing. We see it every day; Hyderabad is expanding its boundaries limitlessly and so are the standards of living, but conditions on the road are pathetic. Chetan Singh Ramanthapur

Vatsal Chintalapati Mehdipatnam

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 33 or through a call on 4067 2222.

Catch the attention

friend of mine recommended reading Postnoon as it gives good movie reviews, so as suggested I read today’s E-paper. I skimmed through the online version. As a first-time reader, in my opinion, some of them need a catchier title. Roshni Donny Ameerpet

EDITORIALS AFTER TRAYVON life must change The US may have elected its first black president, and may be well on the way to electing him again, but racism has far from burrowed its way underground to hibernate. The shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin this week in Florida was all too reminiscent of the Rodney King catastrophe. But while in the latter case Los Angeles erupted in violence, the scene in Florida has been angry but controlled. Last night President Obama stated that if he had a son, he would look like Trayvon; words that he hoped would connect with the grieving family and a community that for far too long has been subjected to the whims of an overwhelmingly white police force. Black American has been racially profiled long before the word Arab or Muslim even became part of America’s mainstream vocabulary, and violence against youth from the community has continued to mar a society increasingly losing touch with reality in its quest to be uberconservative, verging on theocracy. America must take stock of its own failings as a country before it points fingers at the rest of the world.

WHY WE LOVE... Borat We can’t get enough of Sacha Baron Cohen, and it seems neither can the sporting authorities in Kuwait. When the Kazakh shooting team stepped up on the podium yesterday to receive their medal, the anthem that blared was hilarious spoof from Cohen’s film, Borat. Needless to say there were many apologies and the blame promptly dumped on the Internet. To make matters worse, the Kuwaitis also got the Serbian national anthem wrong. Tsk, tsk

Refresh and start-over Soul Curry SUMAA TEKUR

t’s time to renew, refresh and start over. The rituals connected to Ugadi help believers connect the mind and body to the soul, and also to the environment. Though we may not know how these rituals started, the legends and stories surrounding them increase their allure. Here are some Ugadi rituals and their significance.

CLEAN HOUSE AND MANGO LEAVES :

The house is cleaned thoroughly so as to invite only positive energy and to throw out the negative and unwanted. De-cluttering the house is also an important step to ensure peace of mind. Too much clutter bl-

ocks energies from flowing freely. Another important ritual is to tie a string of mango leaves at the front door. This ritual relates to the legend that Subramanya or Kumara Swami and Ganesha, the two sons of Lord Shiva and Parvathi were very fond of mangoes. Therefore, believers were exhorted to tie green mango leaves at the doorway to attract a good crop and general well-being of all family members.

UGADI PACCHADI:

Preparing and eating the Ugadi pacchadi signifies the complete essence of this festival. Ugadi pacchadi is made of six flavours (shadruchi sammelan), each signifying a unique meaning for man’s experiences in life. The ingredients of the pacchadi, though of different tastes and characters, when mixed in definite proportions, make a perfect whole. It is symbolic of the ups and downs that man goes through in life and how it needs

to be understood. If understood well, man’s life can become complete, beautiful and meaningful on earth. Pacchadi consists of jaggery, which is sweet and, therefore, representing happiness. There is salt, which indicates flavour and taste. Neem flowers are bitter and their role in the pacchadi is to serve as a reminder that life will also have some bitterness and we should be prepared for some sad endings. Tamarind juice, which is tangy, represents surprise and that we should expect the unexpected. Raw mango pieces are sour and represent new challenges, uphill tasks and difficulties. Green chilli pieces or chilly powder is hot/ spicy and therefore represents anger and unpleasant moments, which we cannot avoid. The pacchadi is a complete whole and tells us that life is a blend of all these different emotions. We need to take these in our stride and face them with equanimity. The ritual is to con-

sume a spoonful of pacchadi on an empty stomach to ensure a balanced life all year through.

PEEP INTO THE FUTURE :

At the start of the new year, we’re curious to know how we will do. In the Hindu tradition, there is room to appease this curiosity through a ritual known as the Panchanga Sravanam. This is usually chanted by Veda pundits. The panchaanga contains astronomical data relating to the position of the Sun, Moon, planets, stars and details of eclipses, etc. A siddhanti (pundit) usually read the highlights of these important events during the year (April to March). Listening to the yearly forecast as it is read out by the pundit is an important ritual because it is said to make listeners instinctively prepared for what is to come during the year. Happy Ugadi! (The writer is a Bangalorebased commentator.)

COMMENT SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

OK, so it ain’t gr8, but at least it’s long Urban Jetsam DEAN WILLIAMS

n March 23, 1839, the Boston Morning Post recorded the use of a rather strange abbreviation — ‘OK’. It was the shortened version of an even stranger spelling, ‘oll korrect’. It meant exactly what it sounded like, but it gave birth to the eternal union of two letters that would become the bane and joy of writers all across the world. Whether you spell it ‘OK’, or the less-preferred ‘okay’, one thing remains constant, the bastardisation of the English language was in full swing from the 19th century. Abbreviations are cunning and at times devious; they lull us into a false sense of security that life truly is that simple. Ask people the full form of Unicef and their face will declare open season on Botox... a vacant stare replacing any tic that may have let on the fact that they are indeed human. We have also come to abbreviate our lives thanks to social

Urban sketches VISWAPRASAD RAJU

networking and that most grim of language killers, the mobile phone. We’re usually gr8, when in sooth we’re really not, we’re merely OK. When we make that once-in-a-year call to our parents they invariably ask us how we’re doing, our usual answer is a stammered shortening of a hem and a haw, belying the fact that we just amputated our best friend’s leg while playing beer pong with a chainsaw. We don’t even realise that LMFAO is a physically impossi-

bility, but LMFTO is highly probable if you’ve just had a run in with a sales rep from Poly Implant Prothese, or its rather naughty abbreviation, PIP. We can’t even exclaim our surprise anymore without the ubiquitous OMG! Even the gorgeously adaptable F-word has taken a battering. WTF! Simply should have no chance of competing with its elongated superior, but not only does it do so, it beats it about the head with an Urban Dictionary so heavy it

could bring down a PMS-ing elephant at 20 paces. But still we abbreviate everything. We shorten entire life experiences down to a few illchosen letters jostling for space and often tripping over pesky periods that roll around at their feet. It’s not so much that we want to mind our Ps & Qs and not upset our BFFs while they spout horse manure at us, but it’s just that we’ve given into the inevitable wave of succulent shortness; the abbreviation that

can be rolled about in one’s mouth, lightly tasted, rarely swallowed, and almost always spat out at the end of each ditheringly stupid sentence. Boston has a lot to answer for... they showed scant respect for tea, are prone to superstition, and hate cyclists... and it’s easy to pin this craze for the abb on their flailing donkeys, but that would be stretching it a bit. Long after you’ve got that MA, PhD, BCTYU (that one’s made up, but would you ever bother to ask?) and you’ve spent most of your life ROFL at inane jokes told by people you barely know; long after you’ve ceased to be bothered about what the AM in 2AM stand for; hell, long after LSD use at the LSE caused an LFC, you’ll still be abbreviating your successes and your failures. No doubt, you’ll complain how it all went South after you looked to the SSE for linguistic succour, but don’t fret, because on your deathbed, when they ask you what life was like; you’ll frown, squint slightly, turn to them and say: “It was OK”. And you know what the saddest bit is? It always is. The writer is the Editor of Postnoon

Beat the Heat Hilfiger caves in

on factory labour The Rights Wing KEVIN GRANT

t's the power of television. Before ABC even aired its report on Tommy Hilfiger's continuing operations at a Bangladeshi factory where 29 workers died in a fire last year after being trapped without fire escapes or sprinklers, Hilfiger has struck a deal. Hilfiger parent company PVH Corp. issued a press release on Wednesday committing $1 million to a two-year programme "facilitating the creation of factory health and safety committees; reviewing existing building regulations and enforcement; developing a worker complaint process and mechanism for workers to report health and safety risks." PVH (formerly Phillips-Van Heusen) is publicly traded with a $6 billion market capitalisation and owns brands like Calvin Klein, Nautica,

Kenneth Cole and Timberland. Labour rights groups in Bangladesh had contacted ABC in February after reaching an impasse with PVH as they tried to improve working conditions. "Just in recent weeks, three workers were killed at two separate factories producing clothing for Tommy Hilfiger," said Scott Nova, executive director of the Worker Rights Consortium, one of several labour groups that has been pushing for higher safety standards in Bangladesh. "They say they're trying to improve conditions. They say they care about the rights of workers. They say they're committed to preventing fires and other tragedies in places like Bangladesh. But when it comes to putting their money where their mouth is, they don't do it." PVH is now putting up the money and working to restore its image while continuing its operations in Bangladesh. Advocacy groups claim they have encountered resistance both from corporations operating in Bangladesh and the Bangladeshi government itself.

BUSINESS SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

Facebook buys IBM patents

Harvard meet

nternational leaders from business, non-profit, media and entertainment sectors will meet over the weekend to discuss where India stands and where it is headed over the next decade. The discussions are part of the 9th Harvard India Conference with the theme of India: The Next Frontier, co-hosted by Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School.

Nooyi makes $17 mn

acebook confirmed Friday that it has added a trove of IBM patents to its arsenal on an increasingly lawsuit-strewn technology battlefield. Reports that Facebook bought 750 software and networking patents from IBM surfaced less than two weeks after struggling Internet pioneer Yahoo! accused the thriving young firm of infringing its patents.

epsiCo’s Indian-born chairman and chief executive Indra Nooyi received $17.1 million in compensation in 2011, a 5.8 per cent increase from her 2010 package, according to a regulatory filing. The increase was driven largely by changes in the value of her retirement benefits at PepsiCo, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

Bowled over by the game N SHIVA KUMAR

So enamoured was he by the gentleman’s game that he chucked his thriving advertising career to give cricket a shot

Kishore Gutala, co-founder, Leverage Appliances

PRUDHVI RAJU K

prudhvi.k@postnoon.com

ny successful business needs passion, trust and risk. Phani Kishore Gutala got in to the business with a passion towards cricket, trust towards the partner and above all risking his promising advertising career. It was this zeal that helped shape Leverage Appliances, and also an indigenous cricket bowling machine, which has taken 30 per cent of the world market share in five years time. “I was playing cricket with my partner, Parthasarathi, at a mall in Mumbai with an imported bowling

machine. We wanted to try different bowling styles, but the operator said that it wasn’t possible as the machine had limitations. It was then that we decided to create a machine that can work seamlessly with no limitations,” says Kishore, co-founder, Leverage Appliances. The move came at a price – Phani had to give up his lucrative advertising career. He however, had no qualms. “I joined Parthasarathi (my maternal uncle) to start the new venture. Initially, we didn’t know the investments needed to create a bowling machine. It took two years of research and development to create a prototype. We invested `2 crore with the help of family and bank loans,” he says. Kishore is confident about the strength of

Leverage Appliances. He says, “Many of us believe that Indians cannot produce great products. Our challenge is to break that stereotype and expand in to both Indian and international markets. When we told people our machine was better than others, nobody believed us.” However, there were a few who were willing to back this duo. He says, “VVS Lakshman has given us immense support by being the first international player to test this new machine. He did not know who we were or what our product was like, but he still tested the machine. It meant risking his career — if the machine didn’t throw properly, he had to sacrifice his career. His acknowledgement that the machine was better than all imported ones was a big boost for us. Rahul Dravid helped us by introducing us to international players. Sachin Tendulkar even had Leverage install the bowling machine at his house and uses it to practice along with his son.” The machine is offered at `79,000 compared to `3.5 lakh for an imported machine with similar specifications. “We didn’t limit ourselves by manufacturing a single machine like our foreign counterparts. We further developed 12 machines offering various features like increasing the bounce and pace,” he says. The top line of the company is increasing significantly. It began with a `1 crore in 2008-09 and has gone on to achieve 200 per cent growth and reached `3 crore in 2009-10. In the last fiscal it recorded `5 crore and is aiming at `8-10 crore this year. The company has other new projects in its kitty. Leverage is devel-

oping a transparent indoor cricket stadium for the first time in the world. “The idea is to create natural turf (grass), natural light and wind that give feel similar to an outdoor cricket stadium. It can also simulate the weather conditions of different countries like Australia, West Indies and England. This will help the player experience and get accustomed to the weather conditions of different countries that he is going to tour. He can further practice according to

the preferred country timings and can even escape the jetlag,” Kishore explains. “We are aiming to make Leverage one of the most reputed brands in the country with revenue of `500 crore by 2015. The company is already enjoying 70 per cent market share in bowling machines in India and is planning to expand to other areas like manufacturing shoes according to the foot pressure and also a machine to check ball chucking by bowlers,” he

adds. However, it’s not all about work for this entrepreneur. In his free time, Kishore likes to play cricket and table tennis, and spend time with friends. He also loves reading books and travelling. His favourite novel is The Day of the Jackal (1971). He says, “The Day of the Jackal is still fresh in my mind and I want to drive an Alfa Romeo like the protagonist in the novel. I currently own a Hyundai Elantra and Mahindra Xylo.”

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MOTORING SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

Volkswagen to enter UP?

No future for electric cars?

Rio takes the cake

erman auto major Volkswagen will finalise by the end of this year its plans to introduce the small car UP! In India that will be priced below the current entry-level hatchback Polo.The company will consider introducing the small car with a different version for the Indian market that will be tweaked according to the conditions in New Delhi.

lectric car owners who prided themselves on being green now find themselves in a bind as Japan’s government manoeuvres to restart dozens of nuclear power plants idled after last year’s meltdowns. The tsunami-triggered meltdowns have spurred a national debate over how to supply Japan’s electricity in the future.

ia’s next-generation Rio topped Consumer Reports’ list of subcompact cars, beating out more popular rivals in the US market, including the Ford Fiesta. Consumer Reports praised the Rio’s “nimble” handling, simple climate and radio controls and smooth transmission.Nissan Motor Co. received poor marks for the overhaul of its Versa sedan.

Engines reloaded Famed BMW tuner, Richard Hamann, founder of Hamann Motorsports, died of lung cancer last year in March. On his death anniversary, we take a look at his company and its Indian counterpart Red Rooster Performance Osama Salman salman.o@postnoon.com

Swift’s performance after and before the enhancements

Torque ( Nm)

Power (HP) at wheels

Original stats After RRP HyperDrive Percentage Increase

70.6 198 180.4 %

52.1 134.5 158 %

amann Motorsport GmbH is a German car tuning company that specialises in Audi, Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Mini, Ferrari, Fiat, Jaguar, Land Rover, Maserati, Mercedes, Rolls Royce, Porsche and Lamborghini cars. Hamann Motorsport was founded by Richard Hamann in 1986. It creates one-of-a-kind cars. First car from the Hamann Motorsport was the BMW M3 (E30), each producing 348 PS from a 2.3L R4 engine (with turbocharger). The car accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 273 kmph. Closer home, Red Rooster Racing, India’s leading professional motorsports company, has found a great fan-following among the speed crazy youth with RR Performance (RRP) — the performance enhancing company which specialises in engine tuning. Having visited the yet-to-be-opened Xenex Automotive workshop in Madhapur, who are also the fitment partner for Red Rooster Performance, we noticed a Maruti Suzuki Swift petrol version completely tuned with RRP HyperDrive. Curiously, we asked what went into the car and this is what they told us.

And well, the improvements were extraordinary.

PRETTY

WHAT IS RRP HYPERDRIVE ABOUT? Extreme power requires extraordinary modifications in the car. These involve adding forged pistons and conrods, and performance fuel injectors, all brought together by a set of components built to withstand the stresses and challenges that such power can create.

COMPONENTS USED FOR A RRP H YPER D RIVE KIT IN SWIFT n n n n n n n n n n n n n

COOL STATS , EH ?!

And just so you know, this will set you back Rs 4.5 lakh. Without a doubt, it’s well worth it.

Turbocharger by Garrett Intercooler by Garrett ECU by Haltech Pistons by JE Pistons Connecting Rods by PAR Injectors by BOSCH Fuel Pressure Regulator by Turbosmart Stage 2 Clutch by Exedy Blow off valve by Turbosmart Cold Air Intake System by BMC Free flow exhaust by RRP Plumbing for the turbo NGK Spark Plugs

Extreme conditions demand the strength and toughness that only forged pistons can offer. Compared to cast pistons, forgings are tougher and more durable, and will stand up to the abuse that motorsport applications require. Performance fuel injectors allow injecting more fuel optimally without exceeding its ‘duty cycle’. RRP HyperDrive increases the boost of the turbo, thereby substantially increasing both horsepower and torque. The modifications required to make your car an RRP HyperDrive special are done under specific, routine procedures and design initiatives, developed after significant testing and experience.

SRINIVAS SETTY

HAVE

A LOOK AT ANOTHER LEADING ENGINE TUNING COMPANY

Brabus Tuning

rabus’s primary focus is to achieve maximum engine performance through the increase of both horsepower and torque. If a customer orders a car from Brabus, the company buys the particular car from Mercedes and then modifies it in-house according to the customer’s request. Brabus is known for providing very expensive tuning and custom solutions, making an “if you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it” scenario. Brabus offers cosmetic changes such as low profile spoilers, bodykits, carbon fiber splitters, and multi-piece alloy wheels. More serious upgrades include racing LSDs, open racing exhaust systems, twelve-piston disc brakes, and engine remapping. However, most customers pay for complete engine overhauls for which Brabus has become famous. The company typically orders crate engines from AMG and completely redesigns them. The companies also provides improvements to the interior from custom upholstery, gauges, shiftknobs, pedals, and trim to various electronics such as wider LCD screens for the Maybach.

GET YOUR GEAR READY

ith the aim of promoting racing in India, Toyota launched the Etios Motor Racing (EMR) in Auto Expo 2012 in New Delhi. The company says that anybody above the legal driving age can apply and if selected among the top 25, you will be part of India’s first one-make racing. Having received over 3,000 applications from all age groups— mostly young, the Radha Krishna Toyota showroom in Sanath Nagar received over 250 applications, signifying the deep interest in racing in the city. The Toyota Racing Development (TRD) and its team will train the final 25 in the later part of 2013. The search for the best driver runs across 14 cities, 25 showrooms in India. In 2013, the 25 selected racers will race in the specially modified Toyota Etios car made especially for the race. And only the one that holds grit shall emerge as a winner. Siddhartha Verma, 21, an engineering student, and the first to apply to EMR from the city, says that as soon as he got to know about the lookout for racers, he applied. “Last year I was placed fourth in the GoKarting race organised at the Shamshabad Airport. That is when I realised that I can turn my passion into a career. I want to be a racer,” he affirmed. Having dreamt of being a racer ever since he was seven, Sai Kumar, wants to see that turn to reality. “I had a passion for racing and when you have an opportunity to realise it, you want to grab that opportunity. And I did the same,” he said. If you are like Siddhartha or Sai, or better than them, the hunt is on. Log onto www.toyotaetiosmotorracing.in and fill the form. You might just be India’s answer to Sebastian Vettel.

TECHNOLOGY SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK www.cafemom.com hether mum is raising an athlete or fighting pottytraining battles, CafeMom.com is the mother of all websites for mums.

VIDEOGAME REVIEW THE GOOD ARMORED CORE V

APP OF THE WEEK Storify

t’s an app that lets you create a ‘social’ story by streamlining content from other social networks. You can grab pictures from Instagram, videos from YouTubes, and mix ‘em all together to tell a coherent story.

Get rich with Diablo III

n Well matched fights are fun. n Designing a garage full of battle-ready mechs is absorbing.

THE B AD

n Bland artistic design

GADGETS

Workers in China and Vietnam are already doing it. But with the upcoming release of Diablo III, the digital free market will grow

Genius SW-G2.1 3000

enius knows that a power-packed speaker system is always something worth looking into. The Genius SW-G2.1 3000 Gaming Speakers offers 70 watts RMS of juice, throwing in the GX series’ loudest subwoofer at the same time with 6.5” of tub-thumpin’ goodness, delivering 40 watts of bass and a separate control box for easy adjustment of volume and bass rounds off the list included hardware as well as their capabilities.

JEB BOONE

feedback@postnoon.com

houting in strange, digital languages at baleful, hyper-intelligent dragons is fun. So is clawing for a tactical edge in real-time, chess-like strategic melees. But it doesn’t make you money. It is the one thing that has always eluded the underpaid nerds around the world, who suffer stoically at tedious jobs while dreaming of their computers at home — how to make a living on their obsession with gaming. In parts of Asia, though, creative businessmen have begun to figure it out. In China and Vietnam, for instance, companies known as “gold farms” to Western gamers are employing real-life labourers in ever-growing numbers. They sit at com-

puters and mine for digital gold in popular multiplayer online role-playing games like World of Warcraft (or WoW to those in the know), which the companies then sell to, mainly, Western players. These transactions are done over Paypal and once a player has handed over the real money, someone approaches the character in-game and hands over the fake gold. While paying actual dollars for digital currency may seem absurd, many serious gamers find paying for gold to be much less costly than spending the substantial number of hours it requires to accumulate the digital currency in the way the game’s developers intended, like, say, by vanquishing an endless parade of foes. For countries like Vietnam, these digital economies are yielding substantial real-world rewards. According to a World Bank report released in April, selling digital goods for real dollars is proving so lucrative in

some developing countries that it could pay for much-needed infrastructure projects. The third-party gaming services industry, as it is known, accounts for $3 billion in revenue worldwide, most of which remained inside the countries where the services were rendered. It seems that World of Warcraft gold you just paid $20 for is fair trade. So enjoy guiltfree gaming. For their blockbuster 2012 release of the third installment of the wildly popular Diablo series, Blizzard will include a venue for selling in-game weapons and gear for real money, a move that could significantly expand the market for digital gold farmers in the developing world, and even in the West. The gaming community is abuzz with fantasies of moving out of their cubicles to sell digital demon-slaying equipment full-time from wherever they please. In exchange, Blizzard will take a “nominal” commission

for the sale of these items. Not everyone, of course, has embraced the change. While the scope and profitability of the Diablo III marketplace is as yet unknown, some gamers, a wily and rarely satisfied bunch, worry that the priorities of developers will shift from creating an engaging, entertaining experience into creating profitable game scenarios — all the while collecting money from your average Vietnamese loot farmer. While it remains to be seen if Diablo III’s economy will yield the same demand for digital goods as World of Warcraft and thus further expand the thirdparty gaming services industry in the developing world, incorporating real dollars into digital ones will almost certainly change the face of gaming. So be on the lookout this holiday season for sales on demon-slaying rune swords and enchanted plate mail. It might be the perfect gift for the gamer in GLOBAL POST your life.

InPulse Smart Watch

eet the inPulse, lovingly called, the Smarwatch. Not as big as you might think, this nifty little device lets you get select e-mails, text messages, calendar alerts, SMS feeds and caller ID information from your phones, right into your watch. Gone are the days you need to dig into your phone, you simply have to check your wrist to be updated to your digital life.

ANIMAL KINGDOM SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

PET NEWS Survivor cat

Standing tall

ugar the cat turned in, one of her nine lives this week, miraculously surviving a 19-story drop from an apartment building. After the 200-foot fall, Sugar had no injuries except for some slight bruising on the lungs.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Know your dog

hen Beyoncé was born she was abnormally small and wasn’t breathing. Today, thanks to the Grace Foundation, Beyoncé is alive and is in line for a chance to win the world’s smallest puppy title.

he Boxer is a happy, high-spirited, curious and energetic dog. Highly intelligent, eager and quick to learn,it is a good dog for competitive obedience. Loyal and affectionate, Boxers get along so well with children.

CATS AND DOGS The Animal Care Clinic 040-2335 2474 Pet’s World Dog Clinic 98856 46259 Blue Cross of Hyderabad 040-3298 9858, 23544355/ 5523 Vet-N-Pet 040-6553 9535, 93463 05890 Bluplus Pet Clinic 040-2712 1739, 2716 2636 Sri Sai Pet Clinic

040-2779 7458, 9848645350 Claws & Paws 98662 82772 All Creatures Animals Clinic 040-2773 0885 BIRDS Govt Veterinary Hospital 040-2331 9656, 2753 5755 Bird Watcher’s Society 040-2355 6166 Friends of Birds9391048315 SNAKES Friends of Snakes 8374233366

The Big Blue too MICHAEL REGAN/GETTY IMAGES/AFP

Jacques Mayol’s passion for the sea, captured in The Big Blue, led him to explore theories on man’s ties with dolphins and whether humans may have a dormant aquatic organ

Emmanuel Barranguet

he son of Jacques Mayol, the French diver who inspired the cult film The Big Blue, has turned his father’s Mediterranean island house into a celebration of his ecological vision and passion for nature. Jean-Jacques Mayol has transformed Villa Glaucos, which is perched at the top of a cliff on Elba Island off the coast of Tuscany, into a retreat for free-diving courses aimed at yoga lovers who hope to swim wild with dolphins. “The whole world knew Jacques as a great diving champion, but he dedicated his life to the relationship between man and nature,” said Jean-Jacques, who runs the Team Mayol courses from the “dream house” his

father built. “In his relationship with the dolphin world he was searching for similarities between humans and aquatic animals,” said the Swedish-American, who follows his father in using meditation and yoga to improve his free-diving. Jacques’ passion for the sea, captured in The Big Blue, led him to explore theories on man’s ties with dolphins and whether humans may have a dormant aquatic organ — ideas he developed in his 1979 book, The Dolphin Within Man. Tests carried out during one of his most famous dives in 1976, when he broke through the 100m barrier, showed that his heart beat had decreased from 60 to 27 beats per minute, a phenomenon usually seen in whales, seals, and dolphins.

When you see how man and his greed destroy nature... Jacques tried to inspire, he didn’t want to preach. He was like a dolphin: if you can be inspired by dolphins, it’s possible to create a better world Jean-Jacques Mayol The research showed that “man’s physiology changes when he goes into the deep. Jacques was convinced that while dolphins remembered their common origins with man, man has forgotten them,” JeanJacques said.

The 56-year-old came to Italy from Florida to pay homage to a father whose battle to promote environmentalism preceded contemporary understanding of the issues of climate change, and “to continue his work and spread his philosophy.” “When you see how man and his greed destroy nature... Jacques tried to inspire, he didn’t want to preach. He was like a dolphin: if you can be inspired by dolphins, it’s possible to create a better world,” he said. “Man must consider everything to live in harmony,” he added. Tanned, smiling and energetic, Jean-Jacques said he plans to convert the villa into “a so-called museum”, which would house “photos of Jacques, personal objects and videos” so that “we can show the public the man

behind the diver.” “We have received a lot of requests from the fan community over the last 10 years and we want to revive Jacques’ work. Sadly, much of the focus has been on his death, and his philosophy has been for the most part forgotten,” he said. Jacques Mayol committed suicide in the villa on December 22, 2001 and his ashes were scattered along the Tuscan coast. Humans “have lost touch with nature. He knew how to find it again through his dives. We too have to rediscover the planet,” Jean-Jacques said. Looking wistfully out across the vast expanse of sea from the house’s large terra cotta terrace, he said: “each of us has Jacques’ philosophy somewhere hidden deep down inside us, we just have to listen to it.”

BOOKS SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

SHORT READS Title: Fifty shades darker Author: EL James Publisher: The Writer's Coffee Shop Daunted by the dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career. But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought.

Title: The Night Circus Author: Erin Morgenstern Publisher: Random House In 1886, a mysterious travelling circus becomes an international sensation. Open only at night, constructed entirely in black and white, Le Cirque des Rêves delights all who wander its circular paths and warm themselves at its bonfire. A fabulous, fin-de-siècle feast for the senses.

Title: Bel-Ami(film tie-in) Author: Guy de Maupassant Publisher: Penguin Classics Written when Maupassant was at the height of his powers, Bel-Ami is a novel of great frankness and cynicism, but it is also infused with the sheer joy of life depicting the scenes and characters of Paris in the belle epoque with wit, sensitivity and humanity.

Title: We are all made of glue Author: Marina Lewycka Publisher: Fig Tree Georgie Sinclair's life is coming unstuck. Her husband's left her. And now her elderly neighbour Mrs Shapiro has decided they are related. As Georgie tries her best to put Mrs Shapiro's life back together somehow she must stop her own from falling apart...

A fresh kind of Hel For all his admirable efforts, Winslow lacks the eroticism and lethal flourish that made Trevanian’s book timeless HENRIK SAHLSTROM

Andrew Josef feedback@postnoon.com

n 1979, Trevanian published Shibumi, a classic tale of an assassin: masterful in the stealthy, if brutal ways of the Orient; brimming with amorality; and a man who had achieved the pinnacle of his dark art. Shibumi is a classic, and when, 32 years later, Don Winslow decided to resurrect Trevanian’s hero, Nicholai Hel, he knew the task would be gargantuan. Satori is the prequel to Shibumi, and catches up with a young Hel in 1951. In Satori, Hel -- just released from American captivity in Japan — is not yet the clinical killer he becomes in Shibumi, but his mind is beginning to grasp the intricacies of cold-blooded murder. Offered his freedom by the Americans in exchange for a suicidal hit in the heart of Mao’s China, Hel embarks on a conspiratorial journey that takes him from the arms of the gorgeous Solange, into the grey squalor of Red China, through the cloying jungles of Laos, and into the intrigue-laden humidity of Saigon. Hel’s mission to assassinate the Soviet envoy to China, swiftly turns into a game of cat-and-

mouse between the Soviets, Chinese, Americans, French, Viet Minh, and a rather nasty group of Coriscans. A master of hoda korosu, Hel’s ability to dispatch his adversaries, all the while focusing on the endgame, sheds light on the eventual Shibumi he achieves in Trevanian’s masterpiece, and in that Winslow’s endeavour succeeds, to an extent. But Satori only truly steps

outside the behemothic shadow of Shibumi in Saigon, the priceless whore of the Orient. It is a Saigon before the debacle of Dien Bien Phu, before the gross American misadventure. It is a Saigon, of culture, debauch and an Opium-induced dreamscape… it is the Saigon of Graham Greene. But for all his admirable efforts, Winslow lacks the eroticism and lethal flourish that made Trevanian’s book timeless.

Winslow’s Hel is plagued by humanity, Trevanian’s is not. And it is this rather banal streak that can sometimes find Hel a bit more like Dirk Pitt and less like Lustbader’s Nicholas Linnear (Hel’s most reflective fictional mirror). If you’ve not read Shibumi then Satori is a gripping yarn. But if you happened to cherish Trevanian’s book, then Winslow’s effort falls far short.

In search of a killer

Name In the Shadow of Gotham Author Stefanie Pintoff Pages 430 Publisher Penguin

For a first-time author, Stefanie Pintoff does a great job. The novel is rich in terms of historical profiling but lacks emotional connect of any sort Ranjani Rajendra Ranjani.r@postnoon.com

t’s the winter of 1905 and all is well in sleepy little Dobson in New York –— until a blood curdling scream jolts the little town of affluent families out of their afternoon stupor. A young woman has been so brutally murdered, even the homicide detective finds it hard to face the crime scene — the victim’s bedroom. The Wingate family is shocked beyond their wits that

such a heinous crime could ever take place in their home and with one of their own. This is where Simon Ziele, the homicide detective steps in to investigate. Evidence after evidence continues to stump him as to why anyone would want to murder the otherwise quiet mathematics student. Even as Ziele is trying to work out the clues, he is contacted by a criminologist from Columbia University, Alistair Sinclair, who claims he may have an idea of who the killer is.

Sinclair arrives in Dobson and reveals to Ziele that the crime bears an uncanny resemblance to the work of one of his deranged subjects. How Ziele works with Sinclair to discover if the deranged subject is the actual murderer or someone is mimicking his style forms the crux of this murder mystery. Stefanie Pintoff does a great job of elucidating minor details that make the book an interesting read. But if you’re expecting

Name Satori Author Don Winslow Pages 537pp Publisher Hachette India

In the Shadow of Gotham to be a fast paced, slick murder mystery, you’re wrong. Instead, it is a

methodical search for a killer before he strikes again, minus all the action you’d probably expect. Nevertheless, the book is engaging and keeps you guessing right till the end. Pick it up if you’re in the mood to rack your brains trying to figure out the killer — it’s worth the try.

BOOKS SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

Extensions of Tagore’s life These three books chronicle in every sense Rabindranath Tagore’s contributions to the world of art. Today Postnoon looks at his incredible journey as a poet, musical genius, playwright, educator and artist

s the first non-European and the only Indian to have ever received the Nobel Prize in Literature, Rabindranath Tagore has been a subject of great fascination for writers and biographers alike. Many of them in particular talk of Tagore the author, analysing his works, understanding his genius and of course of the Geetanjali. So it’s refreshing that this pictorial biography is one that chronicles his life and works in the context of the period in which he lived and more importantly, give us insights into the lesser known aspects of Tagore. It’s public knowledge that ‘Rabi’ was born into the Jorasanko family, but did you know that Tagore was the youngest of 13 surviving children and that he was mostly raised by servants? It is just one of the many, many facts, anecdotes and accounts of the author’s life that’s revealed through this beautiful coffee-table edition. His “interpretations of life, quest for love, faith and devotion in his deep-rooted anguish, his unfulfilled dreams and expectations” are depicted beautifully. But most importantly, this book is a treasure trove of rare pictures and correspondences that you would be lucky to find even in Shantiniketan. From his childhood in Jorasanko to translating his own poems to Home and the World, Geetanjali and the Nobel Prize, his journeys across the world, the Indian National Movement to his last flourishes, there’s little about the man you can’t find here. It’s obvious that this came from Nityapriya Ghosh – a prolific writer who has written and edited several books on Tagore.

Name Rabindranath Tagore — A pictorial biography Author Nityapriya Ghosh Publisher Niyogi Books

agore’s Paintings-Versification in Lines describes the journey of an artist. The author Sovon Som has done intense research to come up with this interesting coffee-table book on Tagore. Most of us know of Rabindranath Tagore the poet but few knew of Tagore as an artist. Even Tagore shares the readers mystification. Dark, lingering and haunting landscapes of another primordial and marvellous world, constituted Tagore’s works. With the passage of time, critics and art lovers have been discovering an alter-ego to Tagore. The reader is greeted first with an introduction to Gurudev, a glimpse into his early life. Through the book we learn more about Tagore’s perception of art. He expressed through his paintings those impulses and realisations which he could not convey in his writings. Modernism till the mid-nineteenth century was still seen as a European prerogative, so Tagore paintings generated a considerable amount of interest. A German paper wrote about Tagore’s paintings which were on exhibition at Charlottenburg in 1930. “The poet calls his paintings ‘Verses in Line’. He also announces that for him the rhythmic form is the important one. Looked at from these points of view, the spectator experiences a feeling of contact in these paintings which are most interesting in that they venture along the road of modern European aspirations...” For those interested in learning more about the life of this multi-faceted genius, this book would be a boon. Students of literature will find the book extremely helpful for research purposes. The author’s detailed analysis and recollections of Tagore’s thoughts in the book, make for an interesting reading.

Name Tagore’s paintings — versification in line Author Sovon Som Publisher Niyogi Books

agore’s Mystique of Dance by Utpal K Banerjee takes you through the life of Rabindranath Tagore and how he derived inspiration from diverse sources in the realm of visual, literary and performing arts. Tagore’s dance has been celebrated for decades and performers usually describe it as a kind of mood dancing. He was exposed to a plethora of cultural experiences and this has very often reflected in his work. In Tagore’s dance, one can see a culmination of dances from AsiaPacific and from the subcontinent. The author’s expertise on Indian culture has resulted in a perfect balance narrative and explanation, thus allowing a larger audience, especially the non-Bengalis, to enjoy the benefit of this book. The book contains Tagore’s paintings and music, and both arts have been used well to explain the mystery behind Tagore’s dance. The author, it seems has gone through the VisvaBharati archives to come up with a clear and vivid account of Tagore’s lifelong experiments with music, performance and dance, and shown how dance was central to his educational and aesthetic ideals. However, for academic or scholarly readers, the main drawback is the lack of annotation or references, and it even lacks a bibliography. For the sheer visual appeal, this is a great coffee-table book.

Name Tagore’s Mystique of Dance Author Utpal K Bannerjee Publisher Niyogi Books

WHAT’S SELLING Walden’s best in fiction

Walden’s best in non-fiction

New York Times fiction bestsellers

n Tea for two and a piece of cake by Preeti Shenoy

n Confessions Of A Serial Dieter by Kalli Purie

n The Thief by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott

n Aleph by Paulo Coelho

n Most And More by Voice Ra

n Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

n Switched by Amanda Hocking

n Art of StressFree Living by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

n A Rising Thunder by David Weber

n The Litigators by John Grisham n Time Of My Life by Cecelia Ahern

n Jewel In The Lotus by Sri M n Bounce by Matthew Syed

n Fair Game by Patricia Briggs n Kill Shot by Vince Flynn

New York Times non-fiction bestsellers n American Sniper by Chris Kyle, Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice n The Power of habit by Charles Duhigg n Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson n Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard n Quiet by Susan Cain

WOMEN SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

WEBSITES OF THE WEEK Girls Inc: A website designed to inspire girls to be “strong, smart, and bold.” Features include articles about health and lifestyle issues, reading lists, relaxation techniques, a news section, a do-it-yourself section and a lot more.

DivineCaroline: A curated blog platform for women, DivineCaroline hosts entertaining and thoughtful content about work, travel, style and relationships.

Braincake: Aimed at middle school girls, this website promotes math and science by creating an online community where girls can interact with their peers about current science topics, solve science mysteries, and discuss careers with young women scientists and engineers.

A student forever She renamed herself from Sultana to Shahin, after the Urdu poet Iqbal’s favourite bird. She wrote three outstanding books, mentored hundreds of students, and inspired thousands more. This is Shahin Moidu’s story… DEEPAK DESHPANDE

OSAMA SALMAN

salman.o@postnoon.com

eople like Shahin Moidu are rare. She does not have a formal education. Yet she started Hyderabad’s third preschool Shahiniketan and the city’s first crash-course in teaching and a summer school back in 1974. But, amazingly, she would rather people remember her not as a teacher, but as a person. Coming from a broken home, Shahin could only study till Class IV. Yet she hoped to become a teacher inspired by her uncle who was a lecturer at Nizam’s College. “Many students would come to my uncle’s home,” she reminisces about the days at her uncle’s house where she grew up. “He made learning fun. I wanted to be a teacher since then. It is because of my uncle I am what I am today.” “My uncle would tell us, ‘When you educate a man, you educate an individual. But when you educate a woman, you educate a nation’,” she remembers fondly. So how did Shahiniketan happen? “When my husband, an army man, passed away, I was a penniless widow,” she recounts. “The army pension took a long time to come. So I enrolled for a teacher’s training course in Purani Haveli and after four months, the director, Dr Vakaria, offered me a job there. But travelling from Banjara Hills to Purani Haveli wasn’t practical. That is when and how Shahiniketan took shape.” Shahin has mentored several successful educationalists including Anjum Babukhan, founder of one of Hyderabad’s top school, Glendale Academy. Yet she says humbly that they are her mentors. “While training to being a teacher, I was always marked

him and scold him. But this time, I spoke to him well and he was quite surprised. He asked me, ‘Maa, are you all right?’” Shahin has never been attracted to money. She sold her preschool for a nominal amount and started Shahin Education Trust to fund higher education for girls. “I have made 27 girls stand on their feet,” she says proudly. Shahin loves reading and writing and has written three books: Story of my life, Woman of courage and Memorable years at Shahiniketan. What led her to it? “My first book, Story of My Life was based on a belief; The fire that melts the butter should make the steel stronger. Many girls complain that their parents did not give them education. But I managed to complete my graduation,” she said. Shahin says she is a satisfied woman. “I have done everything I wanted to: I opened a preschool... I wrote books,” she says. “God has given me everything.” I am a satisfied woman as God has given me everything,” she said. The difficulties that she faced in life haven’t left her bitter, but have made her victorious. Truly inspiring.

THE CV First Job: Supervisor of Padmashree awardee Wahabuddin Ahmed’s institutions Last book read: Who Will Cry When I Die by Robin Sharma ‘average’, ‘fair’, etc, by Dr Vakaria,” says Shahin. “I failed to understand why, as I was working really hard.” But when Shahin invited Dr Vakaria to Shahiniketan for an annual day function, she got, maybe, her biggest compliment. “He told me then that he found potential in me and wanted to encourage me further,” says she. “He was my mentor, but that day, he told me that I had become his mentor. It was very

touching. Everybody whom I have taught have taught me much more in return. They are my mentors now.” Shahin recalls an incident where she was invited by Anjum Babukhan to a workshop for parents. “We were taught we mustn’t be harsh with children,” she says. “I learnt a lot from that workshop. That same day, my son called from the US, after three months. Usually, I would taunt

Last movie seen: Buddha Hoga Tera Baap Inspiration: Prophet Mohammed Motto: Do something worthwhile before you die Signature:

Woman on board PADMINI C

padmini.c@postnoon.com

here’s a debate raging in boardrooms across EU. The European Commission has recently ruled that if companies don’t put more women on their boards, it will. Meaning, that it will introduce mandatory quotas so as to ensure that by 2020, at least 40 per cent of those in any given boardroom are women. Needless to say it’s a decision that has ruffled more than a few feathers. In fact, it became a talking point at a house party that I went to recently. The men were predictable in their objections. It was not a question of capability but of commitment, they argued. The senior manager of an MNC observing our discussion even candidly admitted that he worries about hiring a woman at a senior level because work will never be a woman’s first priority. Naturally,the statement drew flak from the women. They insisted it was an unfair generalisation and a blanket statement, already proved wrong by the likes of Indra Nooyi, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chanda Kochhar etcetera. But interestingly, the women in the group didn’t endorse the quota either. But for different reasons. The same as mine. As a woman, I constantly assert that I am in every way equal to a man.Quotas in any shape or form, defeat the idea. They mean that I’m asking for special treatment. That I need a helping hand. Since I argue for meritocracy, I even detest reservations in the educational sector or in the Parliament. But having said that, I can see why they may be needed. But in a boardroom? These tokens will, if anything, create animosity and resentment among the genders. The man will always harbour the feeling that he worked his way to his seat while the woman stooped to conquer it. That is not the growth we want or the development we seek. We will find our place in the boardroom. But not because we are women. But for the same reason as the rest of the people in that room —because we earned the right to be there.

SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

SRINIVAS SETTY

Prince for a day Sanny Anand and Kashish celebrated their son Ayaanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birthday at the Family World Club in Begumpet.

Recognising hard work B

Saroja Devi and Sarada received the NTR National Film Award for the year 2009 and 2010 respectively at the Nandi Awards function which was held at the Lalitha Kala Thoranam at Public Gardens on Friday. The whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s who of Tollwood were present.

Zoya & Prerna

Swetha & Ria

Sanny Anand, Ayaan and Kashish

Celebrating Ugadi with fervour Radio Mirchi in association with Inorbit mall organised Ugadi Vantala Pandaga on Friday.

Indo-American Chamber of Commerce celebrated Ugadi at Rock Heights, Madhapur on Friday.

Good luck charm Actor Shraddha Das picked the winner of the 1kg gold draw at Bajaj Electronics on Friday.

RELATIONSHIPS SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

TOO SHY FOR COMFORT

I AM ALL EARS

am a 26-year-old boy, my girlfriend and I stay in two different states. Of late I have not been able to give my girlfriend time, and she has taken offence to that because I find now that she has become very close to her ex-boyfriend. What should I do? Karthik M

hyness may be the result of deficits in two areas of the brain, new research published in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience,finds. Extremely shy or inhibited individuals are typically slow to acclimate to new people.The study, recently found that individuals who identified themselves as inhibited may experience habituation failure — or the inability to adapt to new stimuli.

Dear troubled kid, What I will say is that you have landed yourself in a great deal of trouble. Unless you have a really solid reason for being so cut-off, you will have a lot of explaining to do and maybe no more STD phone calls. Well, her ex boyfriend is one lucky guy, he gets to fool around even after they are no longer together. So I say kid, pack up your bags, head to wherever she is and do your explaining.

NO TIME FOR LOVE EIRIAN

Together yet apart, this seems to be the constant woe of women who are married to men clocking long hours at work. But even a day in each other’s company can do wonders ANUBHA K SINGH

anubha.k@postnoon.com

f love is the tie that binds couples together, time is often the wrench that pries them apart. A married couple might spend a lot of time together, if they are in the same profession. But if they are in different professions, especially with husband an IT professional, then the equation changes a lot. The stressful working environment and long hours in the field allows for very less time for the couple to stay together. And who would know this better than me. I am married to Nitin, an IT professional. We often find ourselves struggling to spend time with each other. I am busy working in the day and so is Nitin. While I can go home hours earlier than him, he prefers to keep me waiting in the office with the bribe that he will pick me up. But you know what? Spending that hour going home together from office every night, is well worth the wait. And the the joy I derive from calling him up and asking where he is, is immeasurable. Adding to these long hours is that he has a fiveday week and I have six. We only get a day with each other. I still remember that time when Nitin got an onsite opportunity and I needed to stay back because of lack of leaves. Different time zones left a very narrow window for us to even speak over the phone. At work he had to find ways to balance his work as well his marriage. We used to communicate through emails, video chat or an SMS, but it was frustrating as we couldn’t spend time together. It was just after three months of our marriage and for any couple the first year of marriage is very important to understand each other. He was working hard on

his project, but wasn’t happy as he wanted to be with me. We counted days to meet each other again. Anu Singh, another newlywed who shares the same sentiment as me, says, “My husband is at work in South Africa most of the time. It was just a month into our marriage and he had to go for 25 days to South Africa. His office didn’t allow me to accompany him and that was the toughest period for me. As I was in a new place, I didn’t have a job and stayed all alone at home. On a regular day, he works nearly 16 to 17 hours and we rarely get time to see each other. By the time he comes back home, he is exhausted and tired. Sometimes we don't even get to see each other for more than a week.” But it’s not so bad for us. All said and done, Nitin and I com-

pensate for each others weaknesses and finish each others thoughts. To keep the romance alive, we spend quality time on weekends, just the two of us. We love and care for each other, which binds us closer than any spoken or written words. We both know that success in professional life is required but not at the cost of our marriage. To balance, we focus more on the little time that we spend together. Activities like cooking, playing board games etc have always helped us spend quality time. The best thing we do is to get involved in an activity which interests both of us, though in Nitin’s case, he has to bear the frustration of watching my favourite daily soaps on TV. But it still helps as he gets something to discuss with me!

CINEMA SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

T-TOWN TWEETIES @pnavdeep26 That awkward phase when m ready to go to shoot but my staff hasn't arrived yet! lmao! yawnnnnnn!

@sneha_ullal

@shrutihaasan

Just remember, no matter how hard something is at the moment, it will all be worth it at the end.@mbhandarkar268.

@me_sushanth

If you never make mistakes you never learn and if you don’t learn you don't live the life you are destined to.

“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

@geneliad

@themohanbabu

@shraddhadas43

@Vennelakishore

Thank u andhra pradesh 4 believing in me — my 2nd Nandi (State) award.

What a wonderful way to start this year. First Ari and Vivi (DanaLakshmi and DanyaLakshmi). Second, Mr. Nookayya running successfully.

Back to mumbai again! Going to start my yoga,kickboxin schedule from today, will practise on my own... aiming for super toned abs dis time!

Receiving my first ever award, the Nandi award today for playing bala character in inkosari... Thx director...

Naa Ishtam fails in the second half Naa Ishtam has an interesting premise, but it loses the edge as the story unfolds HEMANTH KUMAR

Movie: Naa Ishtam Cast: Rana, Genelia Director: Prakash Tholeti Rating:

hemanth.k@postnoon.com

ana, Genelia starrer Naa Ishtam has an interesting premise where an extremely selfish guy ends up falling in love with a girl who’s searching for her lover. Directed by Prakash Tholeti, the film is a simple love story whose strength is the characterisation of the protagonists and dialogues. Ganesh (Rana) is an extremely selfish guy who wants to earn money by hook or by crook. One day, he comes across Krishnaveni (Genelia) who

ALSO IN THEATRES

Youthful entertainer E

e Rojullo, a small budget film, has made quite a splash despite featuring newcomers Srinivas and Reshma. Directed by Maruthi, the film is about Sri, who vows to never fall in love after a bad break-up but ends up meeting Shreya, who in turn hates guys. Although they can’t stand each other initially, they end up falling in love and their lives take an unexpected turn. The dialogues and performances of the lead characters in the film are being highly appreciated. JB has composed the music and the entire film has been shot with a Canon 5D camera by lensman Prabhakar Reddy.

lands in Malaysia searching for her lover Kishore. He ignores her at first but decides to save her after she lands in trouble. How he ends up falling in love with Krishnaveni forms the rest of the story. The film marks a new beginning for Rana. He has worked hard in terms of his dialogue delivery, dances and fights; however, it’s Genelia who delivers a credible performance as Krishnaveni. Prakash Tholeti makes his mark when it comes to the dialogues, although there’s

nothing new in terms of the story. Sample this – ‘Love marriage ante mana lover ni maname pellichesukovadam. Arranged marriage ante vere vaalla lover ni manam chesukovadam.’(Love Marriage means marrying the girl whom you love. Arranged marriage means marrying someone else’s lover). On the other hand, the film falters completely in the second half. There are severalloose ends in the film which are never addressed. Despite the presence of Brahmanandam and Ali, there’s hardly any comedy in the film. There’s an attempt to justify Rana’s characterisation at every step, but in the process the film loses its edge and ends up being quite boring.

An ambitious effort A

new film titled Action, starring Allari Naresh, Vaibhav Reddy, Raju Sundaram and Shaam was launched yesterday in Chennai. Anil Sunkara, one of the producers of Dookudu, is turning director with this film. Interestingly, the film is going to be shot in 3D and a special team from USA is going to join the crew to work on the film. The film also stars Kamna Jethmalani, Vimala Raman and Sneha Ullal. The film’s storyline has not been revealed for the time being; however, it’s likely to be a big budget film as it’s the second Telugu film after Kalyan Ram’s Om which was also shot in 3D. More details about the film will be revealed soon.

CINEMA SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

B-TOWN TWEETIES @imarshadwarsi

@rampalarjun

@NeilNMukesh

@Riteishd

Good morning... I hate these 7am shifts... The good part is its a superb film n we have@bomanirani on the set.

Last night in Phuket before I face reality again, will keep u all posted about this experience in amazing Thailand, after I return. Love.

So just when u think u have a holiday the day turns out super busy ! awesome work day. Met a fab director and excited to be doing his film!

Wishing @RanaDaggubati & my Mrs @geneliad all d success for their new telugu release #NaaIshtam.

@FarOutAkhtar

@SrBachchan

@iamsrk

@priyankachopra

Umpteen tweets coming in re DCH on TV... 11 years since its release. Feels like yesterday. Really... Kabhi na beete chamkeele din. Gd nite

T 692 — And the young lady arrived this morning all grown up and mature, Navya Naveli... the house full of laughter and chatter... love it

A boy is Truth with dirt on its face,Beauty with its finger cut,Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair & hope of future with a frog in its pocket.

Wanna wish my friend and beautiful bday girl Kangana ranaut a super happy bday!!! More power to u babe!!!super party!!

I hardly went to college: Minissha

ctress Minissha Lamba, who started her acting career with Yahaan in 2005, says she hardly attended classes during her college days. "I hardly went to college because I was too lazy. It was a girl's college, there were no boys, so there was no motivation. Also because I was too busy doing summer jobs and then modeling assignments and from there I went into acting," said Minissha who studied at Miranda House. "And I am lucky that my family was always there to support me. There were no objections from their side," she added. The 27-year-old actress was last seen in Hum Tum Shabana with Tusshar Kapoor and Shreyas Talpade. In 2012, she will be back on the silver screen with Shirish Kunder's Joker and Anand Kumar's Zilla Ghaziabad. Acting happened accidentally, she said and added: "I was doing my graduation from Miranda House. I wanted to do mass communication after college and become a journalist. Acting was not part of the plan. It just happened accidentally. But I am fortunate it happened.” IANS

Not exactly thrilling As most movies, whose promising trailers entice you to watch it, fall flat on the face, Agent Vinod too suffers the same fate Osama Salman salman.o@postnoon.com

ndian intelligence wing, RAW’s agent, Saif Ali Khan stars as Agent Vinod aka Freddie Khambata, on a mission to retrieve a bomb that, if denoted, will start off a nuclear war between the India and Pakistan. The movie starts with Agent Vinod captured in Pakistan’s ‘Desert of the Death’ where he makes a slick escape. Something under the guise of number 224 is threatening to destroy India. As it turns out, it is the historical book Rubaiyat that is a detonator and somebody by the name of Colonel

will do anything to go ahead with his plan. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, Agent Vinod mostly revolves around the lead pair Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor, but fails to impress even with the great chemistry they share in the movie, no thanks to the enormous loopholes in the story that fail to come together as the story progresses. Yes, it’s shot stylishly with brilliant cinematography, but fails miserably probably because Raghavan was trying too hard to be ‘Hollywood-ish’. Quite frankly, Saif is too old for a role that would have been

Movie: Agent Vinod Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Ram Kapoor, Adil Hussain Directed by: Sriram Raghavan Rating: better suited for somebody younger. But he does carry the role with class and acting that in, most parts, is really good. Thankfully Kareena doesn’t have a ‘blink-and-you’ll-miss’ role, but

her acting is at best average. For a running time of nearly two hours and 15 minutes, the first-half ’s scenes end quite abruptly as Agent Vinod is globetrotting through 10 cities. The secondhalf is where it really crumbles. Any intelligent viewer will know who the real villain is. But in all honesty, few scenes are memorable such as where old Hindi songs pop up every now and then. Then there is the opening scene which gets you excited about the movie. And it isn’t exactly unwatchable either. Alas! If only the director concentrated on the story more…

CINEMA SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

D I S P L A YA

D S RATE ` 150 sq. cm

For Further Details Please Contact Abhinay 9989399972 Nandlal 9951467988 Ravi Chander 8106039919

CINEMA SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

Jennifer Lawrence

is scared of spiders

ctress Jennifer Lawrence was terrified of spiders and asked someone to remove them when she was about to climb a tree in The Hunger Games. The Oscar-nominated actress is so terrified of the eight-legged creatures that she had to make sure any trees she was climbing were cleared of them. But Jennifer thinks she may have just been lied to many times when she asked if it was done, reports femalefirst.co.uk. “The worst part about tree-climbing is the spiders. My biggest fear. I mean, we had bears, we had wolves, snakes, poison ivy, everything. Nothing got to me as much as spiders. And like daddy long legs— it doesn’t matter how harmless they are, I’m terrified,” the actor told Buzzinefilm.com.

Julia’s kids prefer books to movies

ctress Julia Roberts says she has little time to watch movies when she’s at home because her children prefer reading books to spending two hours in front of a screen. The star values family time with her husband Danny Moder and their children and hates the idea of just sitting and watching a film, reports femalefirst.co.uk. “We’re more book people. The kids have a lot of fairytale books and some of the old ones have such great illustrations and with proper parental editing when reading before bed, they’re quite lovely,” said Roberts. “Those nice, cosy, very short hours before bed, we just really spend together as a family, sharing the day and reading books and, before you know it, it is time for bed. “It’s nice that reading opens up other options; stories and poetry and talking, sharing ideas,” she added. IANS

CINEMA SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

A long way to the end As adaptations go, The Hunger Games leaves a lot to be desired. But does OK as a one-time watch Padmini C padmini.c@postnoon.com

n the last couple of years, Suzanne Collin’s The Hunger Games trilogy made the rounds among young adults everywhere. The appeal was obvious. While still in the fantasy fiction genre, it did away with vampires/werewolves and explored an dystopian adventure instead. Even then, it was clear it made for a perfect screen play. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, North America is now Panem, a territory divided into twelve districts, ruled by a tyrannical government from a metropolis called the Capitol. Each year, the government holds a contest called the Hunger Games as a reminder and punishment for a populist uprising which happened a few years ago. The rules are simple. Each of the twelve districts must elect one girl and one boy between the ages of 12 to 18 called tributes, to participate. The twenty-four tributes will enter an arena to fight each other to the death. The last tribute standing wins. Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), from District 12, volunteers for the 74th annual Hunger Games in place of her younger sister. Also selected from the same district is Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) whom Katniss knows as the boy who once saved her and thereby her family from starving. In the cut-throat arena, this emotional connect

Movie: Cast:

The Hunger Games Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Stanley Tucci Director: Gary Ross Rating: and their romantic feelings, make them an instant hit. So much so that their rising popularity becomes a threat to the Capitol. So, through fire bombs, deadly tracker jackers, genetically altered beasts, dehydration, exhaustion not to mention the rival tributes, they must fight to survive. Can, and then how, will the “star-crossed lovers” Peeta and Katniss beat the game, when only one can win makes for the crux of the story. As performances go, Jennifer does an impressive act. As do Stanley Tucci as Caesar and Woody Harrelson (as the disreputable mentor Haymitch Abernathy) Josh Hutcherson as Peter, however, is a disappointment. On to the technicalities, well, the movie is 124 minutes long. So yes, some sharp editing would have helped. And director Gary Ross (of Seabiscuit fame) his case little with shaky camera movements and even shakier grip on his snail-paced plot. For those who haven’t read the books, The Hunger Games is worth a watch. For those who have. be advised to have zero expectations a lot of patience.

Whitney Houston died of...

he question of how Whitney Houston died has been answered. Accidental drowning combined with effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use have been revealed as the official causes of the pop icon’s death on Feb 11 at the rather young age of 48. There was cocaine in her system when she was found submerged in water in the bathtub in her fourth-floor room at the Beverly Hilton, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner. And cocaine wasn’t all the coroner found. Traces of marijuana, the antianxiety drug Xanax, the muscle relaxer Flexeril and the antihistamine Benadryl also turned up in her system, but they did not contribute to her death. Last month Houston’s death was ruled out as an accident and that authorities were not finding any evidence of criminal activity with regard to her pill intake. The coroner also noted today that neither foul play nor trauma factored into her demise. A final report is expected to be ready for release within two weeks. “We are saddened to learn of the toxicology results, although we are glad to now have closure,” Patricia Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law, said in a statement released to E! News.

Madonna all for LGBT rights M

adonna has vowed to fight for the rights of the gay community in St. Petersburg, Russia during her concert stop in the city this August. “I will come to St. Petersburg to speak up for the gay community and to give strength and inspiration to anyone who is or feels oppressed,” wrote the singer on her Facebook page yesterday. The pop star was responding to a controversy over a new law in the Russian metropolis by St. Petersburg Governor Georgy Poltavchenko, that bans homosexual “propaganda” for fear it could influence minors by giving “the false perception that traditional and nontraditional relationships are socially equal.” Poltavchenko is a political ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I’m a freedom fighter,” the statement begins. “My show/My

songs/My work/My art/Is all about freedom of expression, freedom to choose to speak to act, always with humanity and compassion...I don’t run away from adversity. I will speak during my show about this ridiculous atrocity.”

CHAI TIME SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

SOLUTION ON PAGE 32

SUDOKU

KAKURO

How to play Kakuro

SCRIBBLING PAD

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

Destiny is not a matter of change, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved. – William Jennings Bryan

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Emerald ___ (Ireland’s nickname) 5 Panama waterway 10 Type of bowling or tennis 14 Had markers out 15 Whac-___ (carnival game) 16 Twice-heard sound 17 Its business is always picking up 18 Delaware city 20 Feed for a fee, as cattle 22 Traveler’s fill-up 23 Light on one’s feet 24 ‘The Honey-mooners’ role or town in Massachusetts 26 Expresses a viewpoint 27 Mister, in Rome 29 All-comers tournament 30 One way to earn an Emmy 31 Fifty-fifty chance 34 Turf roamers 38 Bit of baby babble 39 Texas city 41 Aussiehopper 42 ‘Black Beauty’ author Sewell 44 It goes with sugar on top? 45 Old horror-flick star Chaney 46 ‘Enterprise’ journey 48 It’s vital to life 50 Children’s zoo patron 53 Massachusetts city 55 Skylit courts 56 Good Samaritan’s offering 57 ‘You ___ to know better!’ 60 South Carolina city 63 Ending with ‘song’ or ‘hip’ 64 Linoleum square 65 Paris subway 66 Traditional folk tales 67 Greatnumber 68 Speaks to a Quaker? 69 Airs the final episode of

DOWN 1 Very small bit 2 Ill-gotten gains 3 Kentucky city 4 ‘The Wizard of Menlo Park’ 5 Raven’s cry 6 Chihuahua chum 7 Hurler Ryan 8 Charitable contributions 9 Accessory with a muumuu 10 Ankle-to-waist wear 11 Be a part of, as a film 12 The ___ enchilada 13 Ninth day before the ides 19 Neck back 21 Pledge of fidelity 25 Highway cop 26 Takes the anti side 27 Tale on a grand scale 28 Software graphic 29 Go ___ winner (retire

on top) 56 Aboard an ocean 32 Wallow in disapliner pointment 58 Border collie’s con33 Reverse of NNW cern 35 Virginia city 59 Uno + dos 36 Factory whistle time 61 Ambulance letters 37 Percussion instru62 Alternative to ready? ment 40 Kin of ‘swell!’ 43 Not au naturel PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER 47 Bona fide 49 Dishevel, as hair 50 International agreements 51 Code of conduct 52 Happy-golucky song part 53 Itty-___ (wee) 54 Dump emanations

CHAI TIME SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

Aries Three of Wands

Six of Cups

ork – Your memory plays a crucial role in how a certain job turns out. You will have to rely heavily on what you remember for a project to take off. Romance – You are likely to bump into an old flame. Old memories are stirred, and you want to be left alone with your thoughts. Health – A recurring health problem, like a migraine or a sore throat, is back to slow you down. Take rest and drink lots of healthy fluids. Money – Smart investments you made at the beginning of your career or your first job may need reviewing. They may no longer be serving your purpose. Tarot message – You need to stay stable in the ebb and flow of life. Don’t get perturbed by events or people.

ork – Team work is important. It will help you see your job in new light. Lend a patient ear to your coworkers and consider their ideas, too. Romance – Put your best foot forward at a party. You’re likely to meet someone interesting. The attraction is immediate. Health – You feel energetic. Your blood pressure is in control and your diet also is showing the expected results. Money – You start making profits from a creative venture, which you didn’t expect will be so successful. Your investments have been wise. Tarot message – Dream. Plan. Then make it happen. You’ve been on a lucky phase where things click and everything goes right.

Gemini

Taurus

Three of Pentacles

ork – You may be up for a promotion or a well-deserved salary hike. You are well appreciated by colleagues and seniors. Romance – You reach a new level of intimacy with your loved one. You want to take your relationship to the next level. Health – A medical test may be needed to get rid of a niggling health problem. Do not put it off. You’re only postponing the problem. Money – You get what you deserve. Your hard work and effort are ultimately paying off. You feel like you made the right decisions. Tarot message – You have laid a solid foundation – with good training and hard work – for a life that’s above average.

Cancer

Leo

Temperance

ork – You will be expected to maintain a steady flow and attain stability in your work. Be patient but don’t stop working. Romance – You have to wait for the right partner to come your way. If you’re committed, you need time to settle down in this relationship. Health – The wait for your medical test results is eating you up from within. Keep busy and take your mind away from it. Money – You might need to negotiate for a better deal. You have waited long enough and may need to act now. Act smart, not aggressive. Tarot message – You need to attain harmony with the different aspects of your life. You’re tilted too much in favour of just one or two aspects.

King of Wands

Nine of Cups

ork – Though this is a creative time, you’re shattered by the lack of control to make stronger decisions. You’re following orders and you’re unhappy. Romance – You discover a deep love for your spouse. It’s often about knowing when to be with each other and when to give space. Health – Some minor ailments need attention and by ignoring them you’re only postponing the problem. Take care of yourself better. Money – Finances are in great shape. You get paid for what you love doing and one couldn’t ask for more. Tarot message – Your karmic journey has brought you at a strange crossroads when you need to make important decisions, even at the cost you being unhappy.

SUMAA TEKUR tarotreadhyd@gmail.com

Libra Five of Pentacles

Judgement

ork – These are testing times. Your seniors will be watching your moves closely. Your past efforts will pay off now (if you’ve actually worked hard, that is). Romance – You and your partner need to sit down and realign your priorities and commitments with each other. Keep cool! Health – Seek expert medical advice and make the necessary changes in your daily routine so you can keep away any potential complications. Money – You get the opportunity to make some extra money on the side. Plan your time well before you commit to anything. Tarot message – Put to use all the practical lessons that have been handed to you. Wake up and realise your potential.

ork – Your colleagues or business partners may not fully agree with you on certain points in an important contract. Don’t lose heart. Romance – The time is not great. You have to work harder on your relationship to keep it afloat. You’re attracted to having short-term flings. Health – Worry and anxiety are causing problems and this is showing on your physical health. Don’t let the tension get to you. Money – You may have forgotten about some important investments you made a few years ago. Review your investment portfolio again. Tarot message – You need inspiration and guidance to start over. You’re tired and frustrated. Renew and refresh your life.

Sagittarius

Scorpio

Five of Cups

ork –There are going to be delays and obstacles to your work. Be patient and make room for ups and downs. Romance – A heartbreak or a divorce has left you feeling down and out. It’s not the end of the world. Get up and move on. Health – You harbor resentments, guilt feelings and anger for a very long time. These negative feelings have an impact on your body. Money – You wish you had someone reliable to handle your money and financial problems. Outsourcing to an outsider is not good, though. Tarot message – You’re feeling stuck and unable to express yourself well. There’s a void and emptiness that’s eating you up from within. Talk it out.

ork – Your hard work and effort don’t go unnoticed. You’re in line for a promotion. Some prestigious projects will come your way. Romance – You need to pay more attention to your significant other. He/she may be feeling left out and needs more of your time. Health – Get an instructor at the gym so that your diet and exercise routine are more streamlined. All your work should be results oriented. Money – Finances are in good shape. You have set realistic goals and are working towards them wonderfully well. Keep at it. Tarot message – There’s a spring in your step today and you wonder where you got this renewed energy from. Make use of this energy to reach goals faster.

ork – A dream project that had been delayed moves ahead in a steady, although unexpected, manner. Your dream is fulfilled and you get more out of it than you expected. Romance – A chance encounter brings to your life the person of your dreams. There is sexual passion. You also experience strange synchronicity. Health – You’re experiencing great health. Your inner contentment infuses energy to your physical body and you feel positive about everything. Money – Some kind of financial gain is indicated in the most unexpected and strange ways. Don’t look out for it. It will come when it has to. Tarot message – The power of your will is at work now. You make a wish and trust that you will get it.

Date 25-3-2012

Capricorn Knight of Pentacles

Virgo

Aquarius Six of Pentacles

ork – The difficult times – with tough bosses, uncooperative colleagues and heavy work load – are almost over. Be prepared for better days at work. Romance – Singles are likely to meet someone through a support group or someone who works in the field of health. You’re opposites and you’re attracted to each other. Health – The ailments you’ve had before are making a comeback. Try a different treatment this time. Money – You get rid of your debts or are able to repay a large chunk of your loan amount. You feel more in control of your finances. Tarot message – Be honest with yourself and your abilities and expectations. This will help break out of the negative cycle.

Pisces Three of Swords

ork – Your expectations were too high. You were unable to meet them not because you were not capable but because luck wasn’t on your side. Romance – Things haven’t worked out. Cut your losses and move on. Don’t fret over the small things while separating. Health – You’re feeling depressed and it’s showing on your physical health. Talk it out with a friend or even with a professional. Money – If your money’s not growing, take it out and put it elsewhere. Hire a good financial consultant and study your options. Tarot message – This is a time of spiritual growth. You need to go through this time to be able to manage better in the future.

Vol: 1, No 251 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad – 500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon.com and for subscription, please call 040-4067 2222, Fax: 040-4067 2211

THE SATURDAY QUIZ SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

FAMOUS SPOUSES

8. Who unknowingly discovered static electricity? 9. Which US president was the first to visit the People's Republic of China? 10. What's the name of Germany's lower house of parliament? 11. What is the capital of

Mozambique? 12. Eating of fish contaminated by which metal caused the Minamata disease in Japan in 1953? 13. Who invented the refrigerator? 14. What is the currency of Norway?

IDENTIFY THESE SPORTSTARS

Answers

who was ever considered pharaoh of Egypt? 5. What was the first capital of New Zealand? 6. Which is the only continent without an active volcano? 7. Which is the only country to have participated in all World Cup finals tournament?

1 1945 2. Azerbaijan 3 The letter J 4. Harshepsa 3 Kararareka (now Russell) in the Bay of Islands, which was briefly the capital in 1840 6. Australia 7. Brazil 8. The Greeks. 9. Richard Nixon 10. Bundestag 11. Maputo 12 Mercury 13. J Harrison and A Cattling 14. Krone

1. When was the Arab League founded? 2. Which country is called the Land of Fire? 3. Which is the only English alphabet that does not appear in the names of compounds in the periodic table? 4. Who was the only woman

SPORTS TALK TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS

IDENTIFY THESE FAMOUS BETTER HALVES

She played a CIA agent Sydney Bristow in the thriller drama series Alias and is married to actor and director Ben Affleck. Who is she?

1 2

Dav Whatmore was appointed as the principal coach for which team?

She likes to keep a low profile even though she is the wife of the king Khan of Bollywood. Termed as the First Lady of Bollywood, she is media-shy but is cited as one of the most stylish women in the industry. Can you guess who she is?

Indian Tennis pair of Mahesh Bhupati and Rohan Bopanna won the doubles title of Dubai Open on 3 March 2012. It was Bhupati’s ..............career title.

Former captain of the Indian cricket team, he was the ninth Nawab of Pataudi until 1971. He was married to Sharmila Tagore and is the father of two of the well-known actors in Bollywood. Do you think you know who we are talking about?

3 4 5 6

Who won Dubai Open Singles Title? The phrase 16-yard hit is associated with which sport?

With which sport is the term double fault associated?

1. Jennifer Garner 2.Gauri Khan 3. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi

Answers

In order to win a Grand Slam in tennis, a player must win which tournaments?

KNOW YOUR COUNTRY

The Western Ghats in Maharashtra is known as?

Spot the old lady in the picture?

WHO AM I? My creator is Mark Twain. I call my father Pap. In my village all the children adored me because of my cool life as a destitute vagabond and their mothers always dreaded to see me in any of their company. I hate to be civilised and my aunt wanted to do just that. Who am I?

Answer : Huckleberry Finn

To whom did Jawaharlal Nehru dedicate his book ‘The Discovery of India’?

with Santosh Ghule

Answer for

PICTURE PUZZLE 7

6 : The left side of the woman’s face formed the musician

How many languages feature on the language panel of contemporary Reserve Bank of India currency notes?

Answers

Kumble 3. MC Mary Kom 4. Ronaldo

Which temple is believed to have been first built in gold, then silver, then wood and finally stone?

Answers 1.Anna Kournikova 2. Anil

1.Pakistan 2. Fiftieth 3. Rafael Nadal 4. Hockey 5. Football 6. Australian Open, Wimbledon Open, French Open and US Open )

What was the name of India’s first unmanned lunar spacecraft launched in October 2008?

1. Chandrayan I 2. Somnath 3. 15 4. Prisoners of Ahmed Nagar Jail 5. Sahyadris

Answers

SPORTS SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

Fire hits Lotus at Sepang

Tseng seizes PGA lead

ire gutted the Lotus hospitality suite at the Malaysian GP and caused smoke and soot damage to Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean's race gear. No one was hurt in the overnight blaze, believed to have been started by a faulty fridge, which forced the abandonment of the two-storey temporary suite being used for this weekend's GP at Sepang.

Takahashi can topple Chan

orld No. 1 Yani Tseng fired a four-under par 68 to seize a two-stroke lead after the second round of the LPGA Kia Classic. Tseng, a favorite in next week's first major event of the year at Rancho Mirage, sank an 18-foot birdie putt on the 18th green to finish 36 holes on nine-under par 135, two strokes ahead of South Korean Se Ri Pak.

apan’s Daisuke Takahashi has what it takes to regain his world crown from Canada’s rival Patrick Chan, Japan's figure skating chief Nobuhiko Yoshioka said. Takahashi, the first Japanese man to win an Olympic figure skating medal (bronze) at the 2010 Vancouver Games, launches his bid to reclaim his title at the world championships starting in France on Monday.

F1 Special: Sepang FACTFILE n Fédération Internationale

de l’Automobile (FIA) approved races held here since the 1960s. n The 1st Formula One race

held was in the year 1999. n The weather can vary from

immense heat to tropical storm. n In 2001, a heavy rainstrom

struck during the race but did not interrupt the event. n The Malaysian GP which

was held at the end of the F1 calander,was scheduled to be somewhere in the begining since 2001. n In 2007, shortly before the

commencement of the event, Bernie Ecclestone was heard calling the track as shabby and a bit tired. n The circuit was expected to

be the second after Singapore, to host the race at night but for now the plans have been stalled. n The 2012 Malaysian GP will

be held on 25th at 0800 hrs GMT (1.30 pm IST).

M ALAYSIAN GP LAST SEASON n Pole position: Sebastian

Vettel (1:34.870). n Podium: Sebastian Vettel

(1:37:39.832). n Fastest lap: Mark Webber

MOST WINS DRIVER :

Jenson Button Brawn-Mercedes

Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari

Michael Schumacher

McLaren-Mercedes

Giancarlo Fisichella Renault

Fernando Alonso Renault MOST WINS TEAM :

Michael Schumacher Ferrari

Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes

Ralf Schumacher

Ferrari (5)

Williams-BMW NUMBER OF LAPS :

1999 2000 2001

Red Bull-Renault

Fernando Alonso

2002 2003 2004

Sebastian Vettel

2005 2006 2007

2011

YEAR DRIVER TEAM

2008 2009 2010

(1:40.571).

LENGTH OF RACE :

Michael Schumacher Ferrari

Eddie Irvine Ferrari

310.408 km

SPORTS SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

South Africa in cruise mode WELLINGTON: A dominant South Africa built up a comfortable lead of 222-2 at tea on the second day of the rain-disrupted third Test as the New Zealand bowlers struggled in blustery conditions on Saturday. Alviro Petersen moved to 86 not out with JP Duminy on 66 in an unbroken 116-run stand for the third wicket. Saturday’s morning session was again washed out and further rain was forecast for later in the day as the tourists targeted a large total with the aim of bowling New Zealand out twice in the abbreviated Test. Only 42 overs were possible on the first day because of rain in the morning and bad light in the afternoon. Although the conditions in Wellington favour the quick bowlers, New Zealand have been unable to capitalise on the few chances offered by the sturdy Petersen and Duminy. The only bad news for South Africa was the likelihood they have lost key batsman Hashim Amla for the rest of the match after undergoing emergency surgery on his groin area. Amla was hit on the first

SOUTH AFRICA 1ST INNINGS G. Smith c van Wyk b Bracewell 5 A. Petersen not out 86 H. Amla c van Wyk b Gillespie63 JP Duminy not out 66 Extras (w 2) 2 Total (2 wickets; 72 overs) 222 To bat: AB de Villiers, J.Rudolph, M. Boucher, D. Steyn, V. Philander, M. Morkel, M. de Lange Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Smith), 2106 (Amla) Bowling: Martin 15-3-49-0, Bracewell 17-3-46-1 (1w), Gillespie 16-4-53-1 (1w), Vettori 20-6-49-0, Brownlie 2-0-20-0, Williamson 1-0-5-0

Alviro Petersen (L) and Jean-Paul Duminy of South Africa walk from the field due to bad light on the second day of the third test match against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday. AFP/MARTY MELVILLE day by an inside edge from a Chris Martin delivery. He was able to bat on and

progressed from 33 to 63 before he was dismissed and then rushed to hospital.

“Hashim underwent emergency exploratory surgery resulting from blunt trauma sustained to his groin region,” team manager Mohammed Moosajee said. “He spent the night in hospital and was discharged this morning. The surgeon is satisfied with the outcome and expects Hashim to make a full recovery.” “However, it is unlikely that he will be able to take further part in the current Test AFP match,” he added.

Goliath Pollard tramples Oz GROS ISLET: Kieron Pollard smashed a blistering century as West Indies defeated Australia by 42 runs in the fourth one-day international on Friday to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The 24-year-old Pollard hit eight sixes and five fours in his 70-ball 102 as the West Indies made 294 for seven off 50 overs, their highest score at the picturesque Beausejour Stadium. In reply, Australia, who were dismissed for 252, never recovered from losing five wickets in making 112 by the 21st over despite skipper Shane Watson (28), Peter Forrest (24), George Bailey (25) and Mike Hussey (26) all getting decent starts. A sixth-wicket partnership of

67 between David Hussey and Matthew Wade kept Australia in the game. But when Wade holed out with an ugly slog off Pollard’s medium pace from the last ball of the 34th over, after making a solid 16 to provide David Hussey with valuable support, the game was virtually up for Australia. Hussey was then cleanbowled by Kemar Roach for 57 off 54 balls, an innings which featured seven fours. His dismissal in the 39th over, with the score on 196 for seven, came just two balls after Brett Lee had been hurt when a wild Roach full toss clattered into his left hand. But Lee valiantly hit back by

WEST INDIES (294/7) BEAT AUSTRALIA (252) BY 42 RUNS. making a career-best 59 . “Today was just what we’ve been looking for, when we were sitting down as a batting group and planning,” said West Indies skipper Darren Sammy, whose side can claim a first series win over Australia in 17 years if they take Sunday’s last match. Watson admitted his batsmen had let his side down. “Unfortunately at the top of the order me and David Warner haven’t been able to bat on deep into the innings -- I think that would have made chasing a bit AFP easier,” he said.

West Indies’ Kieron Pollard raises his bat after scoring a century during the 4th ODI against Australia on Friday. AFP PHOTO/JIM WATSON

Afridi loses cool; lashes out at fans KARACHI: Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi lashed out at fans at Karachi airport after his three-year-old daughter was hurt in a crush of autograph hunters, eye-witnesses and television reports said Friday. The 32-year-old former captain lost his temper and hit fans who had descended on the airport to greet members of the Asia Cup winning national side, apparently after his daughter Ajwa was hurt. “Afridi’s reaction was natural as dozens of fans circled him and hurt his daughter. I still love him and he is just like my brother,” fan Gul Rehman, who was hit several times by the allrounder, later told media. Television footage showed Afridi, wearing an orange t-shirt and jeans, striking Rehman and other fans. Afridi later said he did not want to hurt anyone but lost his temper. “There was no security for players and it’s usual that fans come and seek autographs but this time they were out of control and hurt my daughter on which I lost my temper,” Afridi told reporters. Afridi and teammates Younis Khan, Saeed Ajmal, Asad Shafiq and Mohammad Hafeez returned home late Friday after Pakistan’s two-run win against Bangladesh on Thursday which earned Pakistan its second Asia Cup title. Afridi was declared man-ofthe-match for his fiery 32 in Pakistan’s 236 and took one wicket in Bangladesh’s innings. Captain Misbah-ul Haq and other players were due to return AFP Lahore early Saturday.

SPORTS SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

Venus upsets Kvitova, in R3 MIAMI: Venus Williams, in only her second WTA match after a long illness layoff, upset world number three Petra Kvitova on Friday to reach the third round of the WTA and ATP Miami hardcourt tournament. World number two Rafael Nadal cruised in his opener and women’s top seed Victoria Azarenka stretched her win streak to 24 matches at the $9.6 million event, but seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Williams stole the show. “It’s definitely a big step forward,” Williams said after her 64, 4-6, 6-0 win. “To win these matches definitely a lot of it is mental, to get out there and believe you’re going to win and execute. “How I’m going to do, I never really know, so it’s great to have a win like this. It’s definitely satisfying.” Williams withdrew from last year’s US Open with the autoimmune disorder Sjogren’s syndrome, an illness that saps energy and causes joint pain. Her first tournament match since then was a first-round triumph on Wednesday. That put Williams up against

Czech third seed Kvitova, who fought to reach a third set only to be overpowered by Williams after two hours and 18 minutes. “I was just trying to win the match. I didn’t even think about that it was six-love until like long after the match was over,” Williams said. Kvitova was impressed with how well Williams played after seven months away in booking a third-round match-up with Canadian wildcard Aleksandra Wozniak, who defeated Romania’s Monica Niculescu 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. “She played very well after a long time. She looks very ready, very fit,” Kvitova said. “The third set was really cruel for me. I knew what I had to do, but if I don’t return very well it’s tough to play against her.” Williams said she was playing with new enthusiasm. “I’m pretty pumped out there. Like literally I have nothing to lose,” she said. “Every shot is a victory and a blessing so I’m just going for it. Hopefully I have a new lease on life. I just want to feel good enough to play.” Spanish second seed Nadal

began his quest for a first-ever Miami title by ousting Colombia’s Santiago Giraldo 6-2, 6-0 in 69 minutes, saying it was not as easy a victory as he made it seem. “I played a very solid match with no mistakes,” Nadal said. “No match is easy, even if the score was very easy because 6-2, 6-0 is a big difference in the score but not in the tennis. You have to fight every point. You have to find solutions every moment.” Nadal next has a third-round date with Czech Radek Stepanek, who ousted Germany’s Tommy Haas 7-6 (7/4), 6-1. Women’s world number one Azarenka eliminated Dutch player Michaella Krajicek 6-3, 7-5. Azarenka broke as Krajicek served for the second set, then held and broke again to close out the match after one hour and 42 minutes. Azarenka, from Belarus, stretched her season-long win streak to 24 matches. She has the best start to a WTA season since Martina Hingis won 37 in a row in 1997. AFP

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero during his match against Chelsea. AFP/ANDREW YATES.

City look to turn tables LONDON: Manchester City will look to return to the top of the Premier League and pile the pressure on title rivals Manchester United when they travel to Stoke on Saturday. Victory at the Britannia Stadium would put City two points in front of current leaders and reigning champions United, who are not in action again until they host Fulham at Old Trafford on Monday. However, for many fans attention will turn to the Reebok Stadium. Normally, a match between the relegation threatened Lancashire duo of Bolton

VICTORY AT THE BRITANNIA STADIUM WOULD PUT CITY TWO POINTS IN FRONT OF CURRENT LEADERS UNITED WHO ARE TO TAKE ON FULHAM AT OLD TRAFFORD ON MONDAY.

Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic congratulates Venus Williams after their match during day five of the Sony Ericsson Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Centre on Friday in Key Biscayne, Florida. AFP/MATTHEW STOCKMAN

Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers would only be of local interest. But this will be Bolton’s first match since Fabrice Muamba collapsed with a cardiac arrest during last week’s subsequently abandoned FA Cup quarter-final at Tottenham. Bolton postponed Tuesday’s scheduled league match against Aston Villa but, with medical bulletins on 23year-old midfielder Muamba

increasingly encouraging, they have decided to go ahead with Saturday’s fixture. Legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly was quoted as saying “football is not a matter of life or death, it’s more important than that”. But Bolton boss Owen Coyle, unsurprisingly, disagrees. “Football is not more important than what has happened,” said Coyle. “Nobody is more passionate about football than me. Is the game important? Yes in the context of the Premier League, and we will do our best. “But football is not the be all and end all. What happened to Fabrice on Saturday puts everything in perspective and our first thoughts will be with him,” Coyle added. Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Chelsea at Eastlands on Wednesday witnessed the return of controversial striker Carlos Tevez after three months of self-imposed exile in his native Argentina following a falling-out with manager Roberto Mancini. There are many -- including former City favourite Rodney Marsh -- who fear Tevez’s return for the final nine league games of the season could destabilise the club’s bid for a first English title since 1968. But, with Tevez coming off the bench to lay on the winner for Samir Nasri against Chelsea, it appears the forward is well and truly back in the fold.

SPORTS SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

Blues, Spurs set for Champions’ Derby

Chelsea’s Fernando Torres with coach Roberto di Matteo during their match against Manchester City. AFP/GLYN KIRK poor run of form, having taken just nine points from a possible 27 since being within touching distance of then-leaders Manchester City on January 11. But they also know an away win on a ground where Tottenham have not tasted victory since 1990 would put Chelsea at a severe disadvantage in the chase for the final Champions League qualification place. Chelsea lost 2-1 at Manchester City on Wednesday despite having taken the lead but Gary Cahill, the Blues’ goal-scorer, was confident of derby success. “Arsenal are having decent form and Spurs have been hit the last few games,” Cahill said. “It is hard to keep that momentum going throughout the season.

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nham Hotspur meet at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in a match that will go a long way towards determining which of the London rivals participates in next season’s Champions League. Tottenham possess a fivepoint advantage over their hosts but have just been demoted to fourth place in the Premier League table by Arsenal, who were 10 points adrift of their local rivals just a few weeks ago. Chelsea, in fifth, are the only English club still in this season’s Champions League but will travel to Portugal to face Benfica in the quarter-finals on Tuesday having won just two domestic league fixtures since January 14. Tottenham are in a similarly

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LONDON: Chelsea and Totte-

“Spurs have been absolutely fantastic but it is tough to keep it going every single game, week in, week out,” the defender added. “You will always have a blip in the season and maybe theirs has come now. “We are at home, where we have some confidence now, and we are looking to get the positive result we need.” Roberto di Matteo, Chelsea’s caretaker manager, will hope to have captain John Terry available after the centre-back missed the City defeat because of a knee injury. Spurs have also been beaten at City as well as United, Arsenal, and Everton. They did record wins over Wigan and Newcastle, the latter by five goals, but Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw at home to Stoke, which required a stoppage-time equaliser from Rafael van der Vaart, was another missed opportunity. Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has been busy insisting his installation as the favourite for the vacant England job had nothing to do with his side’s loss of form. And he was saying the same thing after the Stoke game about the effect of the abandonment of the previous Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final with Bolton Wanderers, which was called off when Fabrice Muamba, the Bolton midfielder, suffered a cardia arrest on the pitch. Brad Friedel, Tottenham’s experienced United States international goalkeeper, was adamant the squad were not wilting under the pressure of expectation. “We want to play well, we want to win but we all saw here last Saturday what pressure was,” he said. “I’ve got three kids and raising them is far more pressure than a football match. “I don’t think it’s about holding your nerve, it’s about going out and enjoying yourself and expressing yourself because those are the type of players we have. It’s continuing what we’ve been doing all season long. Sometimes you can play very poorly and win a game and then nobody says anything. “But we’ve been playing really good football without getting the results we want. I’m not concerned at all and we will go into the Chelsea game confident, AFP expecting a good result.”

Arsenal’s Dutch striker Robin van Persie during his English Premier League football match against Everton at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north-west England. AFP/PAUL ELLIS

Gunners eye another win

LONDON: Arsenal will

attempt to justify their newfound status as the favourites to finish third in the Premier League by winning at home to Aston Villa on Saturday. Wednesday’s 1-0 win at Everton enabled Arsene Wenger’s side, who were 10 points adrift a few weeks ago, to climb above local rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who were held to a home draw by Stoke. Tottenham will go back ahead if they win at Chelsea for the first time since 1990 in Saturday’s early kick-off but a home victory at the Emirates Stadium, against opponents in 15th place and boasting just seven league victories all season, will restore Arsenal as the capital’s leading club. The Everton success was Arsenal’s sixth in a row in the Premier League and was also their first clean sheet in that competition since early February. Wenger had often bemoaned a lengthy injury list

for earlier erratic form, which famously saw the Gunners thrashed 8-2 at Manchester United in August. Some had accused the Frenchman of being too ready with his excuses but the return of key defenders certainly appears to be the basis for Arsenal’s current hot streak. Thomas Vermaelen, who scored the only goal at Everton, had been sorely missed and a back four featuring fit-again full-backs Bacary Sagna and Kieran Gibbs has shown itself to be among the tightest in the Premier League in recent weeks. Laurent Koscielny has established himself as another important cog in Arsenal’s defence and now the France international has urged his team-mates to maintain their momentum. “Wednesday night was good but the most important thing is the next game against Aston Villa,” he said.