Pedalling into a greener future In a sterling initiative, the Hyderabad Bicycle Club has launched the City's maiden Bike Station where you can hire a bicycle and get around without tearing your hair out in frustration at traffic jams. REPORT ON PG 2 Hyderabad’s first compact afternoon newspaper
WWW.POSTNOON.COM
Peace, love & harmony The spirit of Christmas was alive and well in the City, as people from all religions came together to celebrate a day that has become the epitome of secular harmony and peaceful integration. We hope you had a great day, if not... there’s always tonight
PIC: N SHIVA KUMAR
HYPERCOVERAGE: PG 4, 5, 8
WEATHER: A MIX OF CLOUDY AND CLEAR SKIES; 19°C
FLASH
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011 HYDERABAD
32 PAGES
`2
PREZ IN CITY FOR A 10-DAY STAY President of India Pratibha Patil arrived in Hyderabad today for her annual winter retreat at Rastrapathi Nilayam in Bollarum.
Page Two
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
Spirit of Twin Cities
2
Beat that traffic, get on a bicycle Anubha K Singh anubha@postnoon.com
Are you tired of traffic snarls in the City? Do you want to experience something new and adventurous? How many times have you wished that you had a bicycle? Well now your wish has come true, just drop in to the new Bike Station at Begumpet. The first Bike Station in the city is now located at Shri Shakti College in Begumpet. DV Manohar, president of the Hyderabad Bicycling Club (HBC) said, “I am happy with the kind of response we are getting. Our target is to launch 12 similar stations across the City within one year. “Each Bike Station will have 10 bicycles and all that one needs to do is just produce ID proof and HBC membership card to hire one.” Rita CH, an MNC Employee says, "Think of the City with Bike Stations at short distances, where you could hire a
bicycle, finish of your work in the vicinity and return them. It's a good initiative which will not only reduce traffic snarls, but also reduce the pollution levels.” However, the cycles are for recreational purpose only and will have to be returned in a couple of hours. Seeing the response the organisers may later increase the rental period. To avail the bicycles all you have to do is spend a couple of minutes online to register on the HBC official website. Any member of the club is entitled to use the bicycles. If you are not an Internet user just drop into the college, fill out the forms and get a membership card. "It’s a welcome move by the Hyderabad Bicycling Club at least for Hyderabadi’s who suffer continuous traffic jams every day, especially during peak hours and on weekends. I am looking forward to a ride and give myself a bit of exercise too," said Sougat Roy, an MNC employee.
Around the city: Your guide to the Twin Cities
Christmas brunch
Any celebration is incomplete without good food. Ista’s Collage is offering a scrumptious Christmas brunch. The brunch will include authentic delicacies in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian categories. Where: Ista, Gachibowli When: December 25, noon - 3pm Contact: (040) 44508888
THE HYDERABADI HALF NELSON
Contact: 9247175135
Voice is my strength A lecture demonstration by Mimicry Srinivas is being Organized by Vooyala Communications Tyagaraya Ganasabha. for the 50th Birthday of Mimicry Srinivas — The one and only Sound Illusionist from India. Where: Tyagaraya Ganasabha, Chikkadapally
Poolside brunch
When: December 25
Christmas isthe day of celebration and a time to feast with family and friends over a lavish spread. Aqua will feature a special festive Sunday brunch by the poolside. Where: The Park, Somajiguda When: December 25, noon Contact: (040) 23456789
Sunday spa Ohri's 1857 offers a Spa Brunch on every Sundays, with good live music by Blues band, foot & hand massage and unlimited food and drink. Where: Ohri’s 1857, Necklace Road When: December 25, noon - 4 pm Contact: (040) 64543333
Movie time
Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) will be screened at My Cafe Latte. The movie deals with World War I Christmas truce of December 1914, through the eyes of Scottish, French and German soldiers Where: My Cafe Latte, Madhapur When: December 25, 7 to 9pm Contact: (040) 23456789
As you like it
A hindi play Ji Jaisi Aapki Marzi will be presented as a part of the Udaan Theatre Festival. It is a monologue of four womentalking of their life in a male-dominated society. Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills When: December 25, 7.30pm Contact: 9703178886
CINEMAS
Bollywood sunday Devi Singh (AP) defeated Ramchandra (Delhi) at Hind Kesari at LB Stadium on Saturday PIC: N SHIVA KUMAR
Different strokes An exhibition presenting paintings and drawings by various artists will be held at Gallery Space from December 24. Where: Gallery Space, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing, 11am to 7pm Contact: (040) 65541836
Interactive art
An interactive exhibition Via presence by B2FAYS is being presented by Alliance française Hyderabad along with Kalakriti Art gallery. Where: Kalakriti, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing, 11am to 7pm Contact: (040) 66564467
Synchronicity An exhibition of paintings and sculptures by Seema Kohli’s titled
Synchronicity will be on at Shrishti Art Gallery. Where: Shrishti, Jubilee Hills When: Ongoing, 11am to 7pm Contact: (040) 23607151
Martini ‘n music Enjoy the winter evenings with grey goose martinis with crooner Kelly dishing out your favourite numbers. Where: Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills When: Every Evening Contact: (040) 66662323
Visual art An exhibition cum sale of paintings by Hari Srinivas. The Exhibition is on display till 30 January 2012. Where: :VSL Visual Art Gallery, Plot no 100, AP Text Book Colony, Gun Rock Enclave
When: Ongoing
Head to 10D for Bollywood nights with DJ’S Rahul and Preet. Where: 10 Downing Street, Begumpet
When: December 25, 8pm Contact: (040) 66662001
Christmas treat It’s Christmas time, Novotel Hyderabad’s Le Café celebrates the festive season with a gingerbread house. You can view this marvel and buy various Christmas goodies such as cookies and moulded chocolate that are available on site.Come and relish the festive season. Where: Novotel, Hi Tech City When: Ongoing, 11am to 11pm Contact: (040) 66824422
Turkey feast Sweet Nirvana is offering a Christmas Roast Turkey Buffet Lunch. Where: Sweet Nirvana, Madhapur
When: December 25, noon to 4pm Contact: (040) 42414343
Big Cinemas, Ameerpet, 30581470; Cinemax, Banjara Hills, 44565555; Cine Planet , Kompally, 61606060; INOX, Banjara Hills, 447677770, Prasads, Tank Bund Rd, 23448888; PVR, Punjagutta, 08800900009; Talkie Town, Miyapur, 40214175; Tivoli, Secunderabad 27844973
Hyper Local
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities
3
Blast you UPA, TDP cries foul on quota HYDERABAD: The TDP is shocked at the Congress-led UPA government’s proposal to include 4.5 percent reservation for minority communities in the OBC quota. Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Dadi Veerabhadra Rao and TDP politburo member Yanamala Rama Krishnudu have, in a statement, called the move atrocious. “It’s surprising that the Congress-led UPA government has reduced
the quota of BCs to accommodate minorities at a time when the TDP, BC associations and other organizations were demanding that their quota be increased from 27 percent to 52 percent on the basis of 2011 census. It was unjust that the Union government reduced their quota from 27 percent to 22.5 percent, they added. The TDP leaders stated that the Congress was doing great injustice to the BCs, who form a
majority of the population and the economically backward, whenever it came to power either in the State or at the Centre. They said that their party’s demand for providing separate budgetary allocations for the BCs on the lines of the SC and ST subplan was also being ignored by the Congress government. They have demanded that the reservations for the BCs should be increased to 52 percent and a separate provision was made to
the Muslim minorities. Meanwhile, BC Mitrulu, a federation of various BC Caste associations, has blasted the quota proposal that eats into the 27 percent OBC reservations. State convener K Kondala Rao, said that the sudden move by the Congress government at the Centre on the eve of elections in five States, was done to lure the Muslim votes. He said that the Centre’s decision was unconstitutional, illegal and works
against the interests of OBCs constituting the highest population in the country. Kondala Rao demanded that various political parties to declare their stand on the decision of the Central Cabinet. He also warned that they would declare the political leaders as enemies of the interests of nonminority OBCs, if they failed to support their justified demands. The Weavers United Front too opposed the move. AGENCY
A
NEW DAWN BREAKS OVER TWIN CITIES This image was captured early morning from the summit of Jubilee Hills. It gives a hazy view of the Golconda Fort and the seven mosques
PIC: SRINIVAS SETTY
Guessing game continues Inkeshaf Ahmed ahmed.m@postnoon.com
HYDERABAD: With just four days left for the crucial mayoral elections in GHMC, the party choosing the probables, AIMIM, is struggling to keep its cards close to its chest. The trick the MIM camp adopts to throw you off scent is to float around half a dozen probable names. But Postnoon found out that corporators Zulfeqar Ali and Jaffer Hussain have emerged as the most probable contenders. The reason is that these corporators have the support of other members in GHMC and party MLAs. Zulfeqar Ali, has the advantage of having experience since he was the mayor 20 years ago. On the other hand, deputy mayor Jaffer Hussain has discharged yeoman’s
services for the party and public as the first deputy mayor of the corporation. Both these candidates are said to be very close to party president Asaduddin Owaisi and have a good name in the party circles. Zulfeqar Ali told Postnoon the party president will decide and hardly revealed anything more. But both the leaders seem optimistic about their chances to become the first mayor of GHMC from their party.
Congress party is in dilemma Meanwhile, the ruling alliance of MIM, the Congress party is still in a dilemma over the selection of party candidate for deputy mayor's post. GHMC political circles are rife with the news that state cabinet ministers belonging to Hyderabad — Danam Nagender and Mukesh
Goud — have locked horns to ensure that their respective supporter be elected for the deputy mayor post. The names of Kukatpally corporator G Vengal Rao, Hafeezpet corporator Jagadeeswar Goud, Congress party floor leader K Venkatesh and Khairatabad corporator Sharif are doing the rounds for the deputy mayor's position. The nomination, elections and declaration of results would be done on December 30 itself.
Electors Corporators MPs MP (RS) MLAs MLCs
150 05 11 25 25
Early morning mishap claims four lives in Medak D. Sree Charan
F
our persons died and nearly 25 suffered severe injuries after a van in which they were travelling fell into a roadside pit at Kulcharam in Medak district early this morning. The deceased are Md Chand Pasha(30), Moulani Bee(60), Abeda (30) and Sabina Beegum(30), all residents of Narsapur village. According to Medak inspector K Rama Krishna, nearly 30 people from Narsapur village on Friday went to attend the wedding of Shabana Begum and Sheik Mastan. After the marriage proceedings were over, they went to
Yellareddy to attend the 'valima' on Saturday night. After the 'valima' they began return journey in a DCM. Around 1.30 am on Sunday early morning, while nearing Kulcharam the driver lost control of the vehicle and it tumbled into a 10 feet pit. The driver escaped with minor injuries and fled from the spot. The injured persons alerted the 108 service and Medak police reached the spot first and shifted them to a hospital. Six of the injured were shifted to Gandhi hospital for better treatment. Medak police registered a case and are investigating.
‘Twas a night when Hyderabadis across the city descended on the city’s churches to bring in Christmas Day. Dressed to the nines, the crowd cut across boundaries of race, colour and creed. All that mattered was a sense of belonging on one of the year’s holiest nights.
Helpline GAS BOOKING IVRS NO: HP 9666023456 Indane 9848824365 BSNL Complaints HMWS & SB Complaints
198 155313
POLICE CONTROL ROOM: Hyderabad 27852435 Traffic Control Room 27852482 DCP Traffic 23234065, 23243499F Pollution Control Board 23887500 ELECTRICITY: General Complaints Breakdown Section
155333 23431178 23431179 Street Light 155304 MUNICIPAL CORPORATION:
Commissioner & Spl Officer 23262266 24166666R ENC 23225267 Engineering 23220418 MCH Tankbund 23225397 Emergency MCH Circle I&II 24525842 MCH Circle III 24736912 MCH Circle IV 23326975 MCH Circle V 23326976 MCH Circle VI MCH Complaints 1100 Head Office 23225397 IVRS CUM MANUAL ENQUIRY PHONE NUMBERS (TRAIN & RESERVATION) RAILWAYS Rail Nilayam 27833150 Railway Information 131 Reservations 135 Recorded Information 1345 Enquiry (IVRS) 1331, 1332, 1333
4
PICS: A SUDHEER REDDY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
Holy night
WATER SUPPLY: Complaint Cell Sewerage Complaint Hyd. Water Supply HOSPITAL: General Hospital, Sec-bad Niloufer Hospital, Red Hills NIMS, Director, Punjagutta Osmania General Hospital Railway Hospital, Lalaguda Apollo, Jubilee Hills Care Hospital, Banjara Hills Care Hospital, Nampally Care Hospitals, Musheerabad Care Hospital, Sec-bad Kamineni Hospital,
LB Nagar 155313 23307328 23313163 27505566 23314095 23390933 24600146 27001134 23607777 30418888 30417777 30419000 30416666
BLOOD BANKS: Blood Bank,Narayaguda Chiranjeevi Blood Bank Blood Bank Mediton Goal Red Cross, Vidyanagar ADRM Blood Bank Mythri Charitable Trust NTR Memorial Trust Care Banjara Hills
39879999 27567892 23559555 23226624 27633087 27035588 27550238 30799999 30418296 30417445
AMBULANCES Apollo 23548888, 23607777 Kamineni 24022222 Medwin 23202902, 23204616 Smile Line Dental Hospital 23747979 Red Cross 27627973 Niloufer Hospital 23314095 Gandhi 23320332
AIRLINES Airport Director 27903785, 27906001 For Air India Flight Information Toll free (from any network) for IC Flights 18001801407 And for All Flights: 1800227722 Air India has revised its flight timings. For more information call (Toll free) 18001801407, 1800227722 from BSNL/MTNL 04023430334 from other lines and mobile Website; www.airindia.in TOURISM OFFICES AP Tourism, Hyd 23262152/53/54 Sec’bad 27893100 Dept of Tourism 23453110 India Tourism 23261360 AP Tourism information Centre (24x7) 23450444, 23455999 UK Visa Office
VFS India Pvt Ltd Building, 8-2-542/A, Sunil Chamber, Road No. 7 Beside Meridian School, Banjara Hills34. Working hours are from 8 AM to 1 PM And 2 PM to 3PM. MUSEUMS Salar Jung Museum AP State Museum Nizams Museum
24523211 232431300/7641 24521029
Readers’ views We invite you to write to us comments, suggestions, viewpoint or just about anything to feedback@postnoon.com or #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500 033 or even by way of a call on 4067 2222
5
At Secunderabad Club, revellers brought in Christmas by tripping the light fantastic to some groovy tunes. Whether you were young or gold, it didn’t matter, as everyone hit the dance floor with equal zest.
PICS: A SUDHEER REDDY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
Hyderabad’s first afternoon newspaper
e b i r c ! s b Su DAY TO
Special Offer
1 Year
` 299/6 Months
` 149/-
040 - 4067 2222
subscription-cir@postnoon.com
Hyper Local CLASSIFIEDS FABRICATION
Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
Tool to turn society around Osama Salman
PICS: SRINIVAS SETTY
salman.o@postnoon.com
A
PACKERS & MOVERS
6
ccording to a recent study conducted by the government of Andhra Pradesh 37,000 children in the State don’t go to school. Alarmingly, this year the literacy rate in the State was lower than the national average — a fact we definitely cannot be proud of. However, government officials insist that the introduction of Right to Education (RTE) Act in April 2010, has slowly yet steadily improved the condition. According to statistics nearly 30 per cent of the kids in the City don’t go to school, however, child labour had decreased substantially. But if you look deep enough, you’ll realise that children are still forced to work due to parental pressure and the added responsibility of supporting the family. But the introduction of the Right to Education Act promises to change things. “The Act aims to provide free and compulsory education to all. Ever since it was implemented, there have been more enrolments in schools,”
says Chandana Khan, principal secretary to government, primary education department and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. “The government is reaching out to people to spread awareness about the importance of education and how their lives can transform due to it. Our officers constantly interact for community mobilisation and highlight the importance of edu-
cating their children,” she said. Dr PV Ramesh, principal secretary to government, Health, Medical and Family Welfare Department says that implementing the RTE is the fundamental responsibility of the government. “Investments have been made to improve the quality of education. But there’s a lot more that still needs to be done,” he said.
Agrees MS Chandra, founder, Centre for Action Research and People’s Development, “The government was supposed to implement schemes in schools and failing to do so has made children, especially girls drop out of school, thus worsening the situation.” “The Supreme Court has issued guidelines to the government here to make toilets in all schools by the end of November and that hasn’t happened so far. This is the main reason why the dropout rate of girls has increased from last year’s 63 per cent to 64 per cent this year. Corporal punishment too is a reason for the RTE going bust,” continued Chandra. Educating the children will only improve the living conditions not just for the family, but the community as well. “Their parents didn’t get the opportunities their children now have and they belong to a brave new world where education is a priority. They should not be deprived of the basic right to education,” concluded Chandana Khan.
Crime in the guise of beggary D. Sree Charan sreecharan@postnoon.com
A
HOUSE FOR RENT 9 Bedrooms, 3 Storey, 7000 Sq. Ft, Rd. No 2, Sagar Society,Banjara Hills. Contact:Suresh 9912552738
Traffic police teams with the leaders as they seek cooperation from them in getting away from the junction when a VIP passes through that point
ccording to the government statistics there are about 48,000 beggars in the greater Hyderabad including 10,000 children. In a recent survey conducted by the Andhra Pradesh Balala Hakkula Sangham along with other NGOs, it is revealed that 70 per cent of the children begging in the city are girls aged below 14 years. Nearly 40 per cent of the beggars in the city have come from other states and 50 per cent are from neighbouring districts, only 10 per cent of them belong to Hyderabad. Of the 48,000, 28,800 have turned beggars because they are either physically handicapped or have attained an elderly age. And the remaining beggars are members of organised begging rackets in the city.
Organised begging in city According to reliable sources, there are six organised begging gangs in the city. Each gang its own jurisdiction, customs and ways of begging. These gangs are maintained by 20 ring leaders, who are helped directly or indirectly by some auto drivers in the city by providing them with shelter or transport facilities. These ring leaders also maintain contacts with the other leaders of begging rackets in other states. “Their co-ordination is such that if a leader in Hyderabad finds a miss-
ing child, then he immediately takes him to the other state and hands him over to the leader and in return brings a child belonging to that place. This is done mainly to escape from the police. Some gang members even roam in crowded temples like Tirupathi and Srisailam in search of missing children. They also keep in touch with the lower lever traffic police and keep them happy by giving them their share of Rs1,200 per month. Traffic police teams with the leaders as they seek co-operation from them in getting away from the junction when a VIP passes through that point,” said Andhra Pradesh Bala Sangam, president, Achyuth Rao. Ring leaders increase their gang’s strength by identifying those in need of financial assistance and hire them as beggars. These beggars earn Rs150 to Rs200 per day and at the end of the day they should deposit the amounts with their caretakers. They are given Rs75–100 depending on their average earnings. However, the beggars can retain their presents like clothes, food and other gifts distributed by general public. Ever wondered why those kids who are carried by the women don’t cry and always look sleepy. It is because of a medicine called ‘nalla mandu’ an extract of gasala flower given to them by the gang members. This is given to children in large doses so as to control their hunger and to stop them for crying frequently.
Further gang members keep a check on their recruits’ earnings and movements (to prevent them from running away) by appointing agents who under the guise of salesmen selling mosquito bats, car cleaning napkins and toys near traffic signals keep a tab on them. However, not everyone selling wares at traffic signals are gang members. They are provided shelter by their leaders. Some areas where they are densely populated are Mekalabanda in Secunderabad, Dhoolpet, Borabanda, Mehbub-kiMehindi in Old City and some parts in Uppal. There is a peculiar way they choose an area for their residence. They normally prefer an area that is huge to accommodate a series of huts and specifically look for open
areas those with a narrow entrance. This is mainly done to restrict outsiders and police raids, as they also organise prostitution in their dwellings. Apart from the begging, they are also involved in several other criminal activities, mainly prostitution and burglaries. They send young girls with customers who mostly take them to Yadagirigutta and exploit them sexually. “Almost 35 per cent of beggars are addicted to drugs, smoking and other vices and 10 per cent of the child beggars are involved in crimes like thefts. Nearly 48 per cent of the girls are sent to red light areas in other states after attaining certain age. General perception is that they are sent to Mumbai.
India‑View
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
India unveiled
Dam, N-plant top PM agenda With Kerala looking over their shoulders, Manmohan Singh and Jayalalithaa have begun discussions on solving the knotty problem of Mullaperiyar Dam and Koodankulam project NEW DELHI: A list of vexed issues awaits the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Chennai as his two- day visit to the State begins today. The Mullaperiyar Dam row, the stalled Koodankulam project, financial assistance and additional power to the state are some of the knotty problems Singh and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa will have to sort out. DMK president M Karunanidhi told reporters Saturday that he will be meeting Manmohan Singh Monday and discuss the Mullaperiyar issue. He said he will discuss the attacks on Tamils in Kerala and the raising of storage levels in the Dam to 142 ft. Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been at loggerheads over the dam — located in Kerala, but
under the control of Tamil Nadu and serving the state. Tamil Nadu is stongly objecting to Kerala’s demand of a new
dam and reduction in storage level to 120 ft till a new dam is built. Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa is also likely to meet the prime minister Sunday though it has not been confirmed one. This is the first time Manmohan Singh is visiting Tamil Nadu after the AIADMK came to power in May. He came here in January to inaugurate the Indian Science Congress. Jayalalithaa is sore at the central government for not heeding her requests for financial assistance, additional power and kerosene allocation to the state. Then there is the matter of the Koodankulam project. India’s nuclear power plant operator Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) is building two 1,000mw atomic
power reactors at Koodankulam in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district, around 650km from Chennai, at an outlay of Rs13,171 crore. The first unit was slated to be commissioned in December. However villagers, citing fears for their lives and safety, started their agitation in August and brought all the project-related activities to a standstill. Tamil Nadu cabinet has passed a resolution urging the central government to stop all works at the project site till the fears are allayed. (Agencies) Manmohan Singh’s comments during his recent Russian visit that the first reactor at Kundankulam would be operationalised in two weekstime did not go down well with Jayalalithaa.
HC: Keep out officer who Congress forced to firefight allowed arms in ‘93 blasts MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court has set aside an order of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which had reinstated Customs Inspector SM Padwal after giving a finding that his removal from service was not proper. Padwal was removed after a departmental probe, which held that he was guilty of accepting a bribe of Rs4.5 lakh from 1993 bomb blast accused Mohammed Dossa and Uttam Potdar for giving safe passage to arms which landed in Dighy coast in nearby Raigad district prior to serial explosions in Mumbai. The CAT had ruled that Padwal’s removal from service was not proper. Being aggrieved, the Union Government filed an
appeal in the High Court, which last week quashed the CAT’s order. Justice D G Deshmukh and Justice Anoop Mohata found the officer’s removal from service “fit and proper”. After the 1993 serial blasts in which several persons were killed, the role of the officer was unearthed following confessions given by Dossa and Potdar during the trial. Padwal contended that the confessions of the two accused, recorded under TADA(P) Act, were used against him in the departmental inquiry and this was not proper. He said the confessions could only be used in that case under TADA(P) Act and not against him in the departmental inquiry. PTI
Sunil Gatade
NEW DELHI: The baggage of a rash of scams and the civil society campaign besmirched the image of the Congress and the government at the Centre that both of them were forced to do firefighting during most of 2011
that saw the government unable to push reforms. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s health — she was out of the country for almost two months for treatment of an unstated ailment — was a cause of concern but by the year-end she showed signs of fighting back politically. A four-member committee of senior leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, was put in charge of the affairs of the party in the president’s absence. By the end of the year, Rahul Gandhi was in-charge of the Congress election campaign in Uttar Pradesh where the party hopes to put on a good show and turn the tide in the new year after a year of bad tidings. PTI
7
MEA files detail Morarji ‘mole’ charge NEW DELHI: The Indian establishment had prior information that US journalist Seymour Hersh, who alleged that former Prime Minister Morarji Desai was a CIA mole, had actually contacted some Indian officials before making such serious charges in his book. However, the then Foreign Minister PV Narasimha Rao told Parliament in 1983 that Hersh had never contacted any Indian official before making the serious allegations against Desai in his book The Price of Power: Kissinger in the Nixon White House, according to recently declassified MEA files. The documents also show that Indian diplomats had even pointed out to Hersh that he had made an error by describing Desai as a member of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s Cabinet in 1971. In his book, the Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist had alleged that Desai was the “most important” informer of CIA and was paid USD 20,000 yearly by the agency to pass information during the IndoPak war in 1971. “Hersh has, however, been in touch with the embassy since it is a common practice for embassies in the United States to keep in contact with prominent journalists. In such informal contacts, the substance of the said allegations was mentioned to some of our officers who pointed out that during the period (1971), Shri Morarji Desai was not even in the Cabinet,” says a note on the controversy in the MEA files. It was part of a “note for supplementaries” as a homework for a parliamentary discussion on the issue, which was to be held on August 18, 1983. This paragraph is marked “for the FM’s information only” which Narasimha Rao reportedly did not reveal to the House. PTI
Sikhs to have separate marriage law soon NEW DELHI: Sikhs are likely to have a separate marriage law soon with the Ministry of Home Affairs planning to move the Union Cabinet in this regard. Ahead of the Punjab Assembly polls, the Centre has decided to accede to the long-standing demand of the Sikh community for enacting a separate Anand Marriage Act, giving legal sanctity to the marriages under Sikh religion, official sources said. So far, Sikh marriages are solemnised under Hindu Marriage Act after the annulment of the Sikh Marriage Act in 1955.
Prior to Independence, marriages among Sikhs were held under the Anand Marriage Act in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib and the practice continued till 1955 when the Sikh Marriage Act was replaced and included in the Hindu Marriage Act, clubbing four communities together — Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain. The sources said after the Cabinet clears the proposal, a bill in this effect will be tabled in Parliament and once it gets approval, Sikhs can marry under the new law. However, it is not clear
whether the bill would be tabled in the current session of Parliament, they said. Several political, religious groups and individuals, including former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Congress leader R S Jaura, have appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram for enactment of a separate law for solemnising Sikh marriages. Earlier, a Parliamentary Standing Committee had unanimously approved the creation of the marriage law for Sikhs. PTI
Christmas around the world
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
8
A man has his picture taken in front of the Bishop's House lit with Christmas decorations in Washington, DC. The display of thousands of lights adorned the Tudor-style mini castle and grounds occupied by the leader of the DC-based United House of Prayer for All People AFP/JEWEL SAMAD
Across the world, bells were ringing
An Egyptian-Armenian mother holds her child, who wears a Santa Claus hat, during Christmas eve mass at St Therese Christian Armenian church in Cairo. AFP/FILIPPO MONTEFORTE
(ABOVE) Pakistani Christians attend Christmas prayers at the St Peter's church in the Pakistani city of Karachi. The newly built St Peter's Church which accommodates up to 5,000 worshipers at a time is Pakistan's biggest church and opened to the public on its first mass held at midnight on Christmas Day. The church is built in the heart of Azam Basti, a shanty settlement where approximately 8,000 Christians families live. AFP/ASIF HASSAN (LEFT) Pope Benedict XVI lights a candle in his private window, at the end of the unveiling ceremony of the crib in St Peter's Square at the Vatican, on December 24. Pope Benedict XVI celebrated late Christmas night holy mass at St Peter's Basilica to mark the nativity of Jesus Christ. AFP/ANDREAS SOLARO (RIGHT) People stand around the Christmas tree on Orchard street in Singapore's famous shopping district. AFP/SIMIN WANG
INDIA VS AUSTRALIA
10
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
In Australia: Highest scores: Australia 674 (1947-48) India 705 for 7 (2003-04)
BIGGEST WINS: Australia INNINGS AND 226 RUNS (1947-48), Australia 337 RUNS (2007-08); India INNINGS AND 2 RUNS (1977-78), India 222 RUNS (1977-78)
HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL SCORE
BEST BOWLING (INNINGS)
HIGHEST PARTNERSHIP
Ricky Ponting (AUS)
S Tendulkar (IND)
Mike Whitney (Aus)
Kapil Dev (IND)
Steve Waugh-Ricky Ponting (AUS)
Sachin Tendulkar-VVS Laxman (IND)
257
241 no
7-27
8-106
235 5th wkt
353 4th wkt
(2003-04)
(2003-04)
(1991-92)
(1985-86)
(1999 - 2000)
(2003 - 2004)
India will play Australia as they bid to win their first series Down Under starting on Monday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and do away with the ‘poor travellers’ tag. The Indians, ranked second in Test cricket, two places above Australia, have failed to win a series Down Under in nine previous tours over 64 years; but there is no better time than now to rewrite history as they take on a home team in the throes of a painful transition. This is India’s first away Test series since losing all four matches in England in July/August that cost India are bidding to win their first-ever MS Dhoni's men their number one ranking. series Down Under. India have toured Australia 9 times. On the last tour in 20072008 they lost 2-1. In 36 Tests in Australia, the home team have won 22 with India winning 5 and 9 drawn.
TEST OF NUMBERS MCG head-to-head record
Played 10 Aus won 7 Indian cricketing superstar Sachin Tendulkar is favoured to bring up his 100th international century in the first Test against Australia in Melbourne, according to one Australian bookmaker.
Online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au has installed the Boxing Day Test as the most likely venue for the historic milestone at odds of 9/4.
Poised on 99 international centuries across Test and one-day matches, Tendulkar retired on 92 in the tourists' final day of a two-day tour match against the Chairman's XI in Canberra last week.
Ind won 2
ALL EYES ON SACHIN
Drawn 1
"He is in good form with a 90odd against the Chairman's XI already under his belt since arriving in Australia and he's a very good chance to achieve the phenomenal milestone during the Boxing Day Test," the firm's Ben Hawes said.
"And if not, he can take some respite in the fact that the next game is at the SCG where he has pummelled Australia on several occasions."
The Sydney Cricket Ground is the second chance favourite with punters, with odds at 3/1, followed by the third Test at Perth at 5/1 and the fourth Test at Adelaide 7/1.
INDIA VS AUSTRALIA SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
11
Australia will hope to grass India’s plans to make hay Twelfth Man Babu Kalyanpur
I
ndia’s fortunes against Australia Down Under may literally rest on a blade of grass. Earlier in the summer, the New Zealanders were treated to grassy pitches which swung, swerved and bounced. Hobart turned out to be an Australian horror story. Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide will able much easier to bat on. But there will be a temptation to leave just that little bit of grass if things are not going so well for the home team in the Test series. India will be tested, no doubt. Weaknesses against moving ball and the short-pitched stuff were exposed in England. Australian critics have already begun highlighting this point. And that India do not play well abroad. India must keep focus and remember that this Australian side is but a pale shadow of the champion team a few years ago. Admittedly, Michael Clarke has bought enthusiasm into the Aussies since taking over the helm from the rudderless Ricky Ponting. There is much hope that the Australians will slowly climb up the ladder again. The selectors have also shown guts and brought in a new breed of players who are not haunted by the recent Ashes nightmares. The bowling from both teams will prove vital. Australia’s James Pattinson and Peter Siddle exploited the conditions well against the Kiwis and will do so again. Unlike the Kiwis, India boasts of batsmen who have tons of runs against their name. However, India’s bowling has been suspect of late. There is this inability to strike at crucial junctures and constant trouble in cleaning up the tail. Then tendency to bang in short repeatedly on helpful pitches has become an annoying habit. The Australian wickets will have some life, particularly in the morning sessions. Brain must take over from brawn, as pitching the ball up will always pay under all conditions.
Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke (R) laughs as coach Mickey Arthur looks on during training in Melbourne. Australia named Dan Christian and Ben Hilfenhaus in their squad and dropped batsmen Phillip Hughes and Usman Khawaja as Australia prepares to take on India in the first Test match starting on Monday in Melbourne
The Australians are vulnerable. There are two new openers at the top and the tail is long. Star players Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey are not at their best. Only Clarke will be starting the series with some confidence. Ponting’s wooden-footed approach at the start of his innings must be exploited, as he is the champion player. With the leaner and meaner Zaheer Khan back as the front man with hopefully Ishant Sharma behind him, India should not hope for the best, but go for the kill. And the Australians may well underestimate Umesh Yadav which could be to his advantage. Thankfully, India’s star batsmen are getting into the groove. Long layoffs and injuries have kept them a bit out of tune. The worry will be Gautam Gambhir. He seems to be getting starts but not capitalising fully. Hopefully an in-form Virendra Sehwag will spur him on. The wickets will suit Sehwag and all he
Mahendra Singh Dhoni finally has his best side for the Melbourne Test after quite a while so there is no room for complaint. Letting winning situations slip away, as it happened in Chennai recently, won’t do
needs to do is evade the short stuff on the body which has been promised for him. If the openers do their bit, then VVS Laxman will be inking in another great Australian summer. Laxman simply loves the Australians. A last hurrah will seal it up. Rahul Dravid has found his touch again and those clean strokes are on show again. Sachin Tendulkar stuttered a bit against the West Indians but the end of the series began to find his feet again. The 100th hundred may well be his sooner than later. Mahendra Singh Dhoni finally has his best side for the Melbourne Test after quite a while so there is no room for complaint. Letting winning situations slip away, as it happened in Chennai recently, won’t do. Only winning will count. Forget the verbal barrage and body assault. Just answer the aggression in kind. Then the grass will definitely be greener on India’s side.
Playing Field
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
The games people play
Teams gear up WE COULDN'T BE MORE PREPARED: HADDIN
B
rad Haddin has said Australia have mentally recovered from the defeat to New Zealand, and are prepared to face India, reported Espncricinfo. "I think we're in a very good space," he said on the eve of the Boxing Day Test. "We've had a week to prepare. We couldn't be more prepared and more looking forward to the game. Boxing Day is a great occasion to walk out on the MCG. As a sportsman it's a highlight to come out in front of sometimes 60-70 thousand. We've had a very good couple of days at our batting camp and we're ready for this." Haddin has had an ordinary year with the bat, with two half-centuries in 14 innings, although both of them set up wins for the side. At the batting camp in the lead-up to the match, he said, he worked more on the mental side of things. "From my point of
view it's not the swinging ball," he said. "It's just making sure my mindset is just playing at the tempo I play at, don't try to take the game forward too quick and just react to the game." Similarly the three senior batsmen in the line-up, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey, have been under pressure, especially with a total experience of five Tests among the top three. "I think it's important that we all stand up," Haddin said. "After our series
against New Zealand we are very much looking forward to this. You talk about our inexperienced top three, I think we've got a very in-form top three, which is good, and if we're going to do any good in this series it's going to be from one to seven with the bat. We've all got to perform. We've got to make sure we've got our game heads on and ready to go." One of those top three is debutant Ed Cowan, Australia's 10th new Test cap this year. "He's very excited like we all are," Haddin said.
Ricky sends SOS to Sheffield coach to iron out flaws
H
is career at the crossroads after a prolonged slump in form, embattled Ricky Ponting has revealed that he had sought help from his first Sheffield Shield coach Greg Shipperd in an effort to regain his mojo back. Ponting was Tasmania's youngest Shield player when he made his debut 19 years ago, just after his 17th birthday, under Shipperd who had also coached IPL side Delhi Daredevils. Ponting said this week's much talked about batting camp in Melbourne had been good for the entire team and he had asked Shipperd for advice. "I got Greg Shipperd, my first state coach, to come down and feed me some balls on the machine, so that he could have a bit of a look at what I was doing. He knows my game very well, and I knew the areas I needed to work on and the things I needed to fix," Ponting said. "But just to have a different set of eyes and a different set of ears outside of the usual guys was helpful. Just to get here and have another three days of training under our belt has been great." PTI
12
Lankans may expect less tricky batting conditions
S
outh Africa will remain favourites but Sri Lanka can expect less treacherous batting conditions in the second Test starting at Kingsmead on Monday. Sri Lanka were swept aside by an innings and 81 runs before tea on the third day in the first Test at Centurion, where their batsmen were unable to combat the home side's fast bowlers on a pitch with uneven bounce and extravagant sideways movement. Shaun Pollock, a former South African captain and a resident of this Indian Ocean city, was among critics who felt the pitch at Centurion was loaded unfairly in favour of the bowlers and it seems likely that the surface at Kingsmead will offer a more even contest. Pollock said he could understand South Africa's eagerness to win a home series, but with tours to New Zealand, England and Australia coming up in 2012, he added: "I'm more concerned with us honing the skills we will surely need over the next year." Pollock said pitches like that at Centurion did not benefit the South African team in the long term. "I don't believe these conditions help with the development of our cricketers ... as a South African supporter I feel we can compete with the best teams in the world on quality surfaces." The Kingsmead pitch is still likely to help the fast bowlers, because it offers pace and bounce, but the bowlers will probably have to work harder for their wickets. Sri Lanka were outclassed in the first Test but will be hoping to end what has been a winless year in Test cricket on a positive note. With batsmen of the calibre of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and captain Tillekeratne Dilshan, they have the potential to post a competitive total. Sri Lanka's bowling, though, lacks penetration following the retirement of off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and it is doubtful whether the call-up of fast bowling reserves in the form of Dhammika Prasad and Kanishka Alvitigala will make a significant difference. The Lankans can take heart from recent history, however, because South Africa have lost their three most recent Tests at Kingsmead — against Australia, England and AFP India.
Playing Field
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
The games people play
13
Suarez, Kean in spotlight LIVERPOOL: Kenny Dalglish has leapt to the defence of Blackburn manager Steve Kean as Liverpool’s Luis Suarez prepares for his first Anfield game since receiving an eight-match ban from the Football Association. Suarez, who is set to appeal the suspension for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, is still eligible to play as his ban has yet to come into force. The Uruguay striker featured in the goalless stalemate with Wigan on Wednesday — the day after the suspension was announced — and is again set to play against Blackburn, the Premier League’s bottom club, on Monday. But there will be just as much attention on beleaguered Kean as there will be on Suarez after a dreadful run of form which has
left Blackburn fans calling ever louder for the manager to be sacked. Earlier in the season Kean said he was willing to meet disgruntled fans to outline his plans for the future. But the Scot now believes his
safety could be at risk if such a meeting took place. Liverpool manager Dalglish, who masterminded Blackburn’s Premier League title success in 1995, admits the situation at his former club is ‘sad’ but believes Kean needs support — not
abuse. “They are under a lot of pressure and the frustration is understandable in many ways,” said Dalglish. “But I don’t think it is helpful and I think it is sad really that it has come to that, but that is the way it is. “I think it is unfortunate that as a manager you know that results are going to count and if you don’t get them then you are running the risk of getting your P45 (sacked). “Results aren’t purely down to what the manager does, he needs support from the players, owners and certainly the crowd.” Having dropped points at lowly Wigan in midweek, Dalglish is demanding his side return to winning ways as Liverpool seek to keep their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League alive. AFP
Cech warns mates against complacency We still have Chelsea, United, Tottenham and Liverpool to come to the Etihad Stadium, but we need to win away games as well, and we have only one point from our last two. Robert Mancini Man City coach
LONDON: Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has warned his team-mates against complacency as they prepare to face a shellshocked Fulham side in a Boxing Day derby on Monday. The Blues could not have picked a better time to face the Cottagers, who are reeling after suffering their heaviest ever home defeat last week, a 5-0 thrashing by Manchester United. Yet Cech has urged his team-mates to disregard Fulham’s recent problems as Andre Villas-Boas’s men look to
pick up three points in order to stay in touch with the league leaders. “We can’t look too much at the table, we need to keep going step by step, try to win our games and try to catch up as many points as we can,” Cech said. “We depend on everybody else, so it’s up to them how they are going to do but we just need to keep winning our games. Fulham will be a difficult game because they lost 5-0 at home in their last game.” AFP
Giggs leads Man Utd resurgence LONDON: Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to the “incredible” contribution of Ryan Giggs as Manchester United look to keep the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City on Monday. After a series of flat performances following their 6-1 mauling by City in October, United have recently recovered some of their former swagger, scoring 11 goals in three consecutive victories. That run of results included a 5-0 demolition of Fulham at Craven Cottage last week, a match where the 38-year-old Giggs extended his remarkable feat of scoring a goal in every Premier League season. Ferguson singled out Giggs for praise as United look to maintain their momentum with what should be a relatively straightforward assignment against struggling Wigan on Boxing Day. “He was unbelievable on Wednesday,” Ferguson said of Giggs’ display against Fulham. “He controlled the midfield. I saw Danny Murphy bellowing to the forwards to come back because he was finding it hard. We know he is incredible. It is an established fact.” AFP
Giants down Jets, keep playoff hopes up V
ictor Cruz set two franchise receiving records, and Ahmad Bradshaw ran for two touchdowns as the Giants kept their playoff hopes alive by winning the New York-area bragging rights with a 29-14 victory over the Jets on Saturday. After a week of trash talk about who ruled the city, neither team did much to boast about. But the Giants (8-7) did more than the Jets (8-7) and can win the NFC East with a victory next week against Dallas. The Jets’ playoff hopes took a
serious hit, and they will need to win at Miami next week and get help from several other teams. Cruz, who had three catches for 164 yards, broke Amani Toomer’s single-season mark for yards receiving — and the team’s record for longest touchdown reception, a 99-yarder that gave the Giants the lead for good in the second quarter.
PATRIOTS 27, DOLPHINS 24 Tom Brady ran for two touchdowns and threw for another and New England rallied to clinch a
playoff bye. The Patriots trailed 17-0 at halftime then scored on their first five possessions in the second half. The Dolphins helped when Matt Moore lost a fumble at his 38-yard line then threw an interception that Devin McCourty picked off at the Patriots 2.
Other scores: RAIDERS 16, CHIEFS 13; BENGALS 23, CARDINALS 16; VIKINGS 33, REDSKINS 26; PANTHERS 48, BUCCANEERS 16; STEELERS 27, RAMS 0.
Comment
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
Fair, free and forthright
Editorials LOOK TO MUMBAI, not Bangalore
A
widely heard complaint about Hyderabad is that it “goes to sleep early”. We hear people who do nightshifts complain how hard it is to find a decent place to eat after 11 pm. There are places which serve late into the night, but with shutters down, giving eating out late in the night a “dark shade”. Authorities counter those asking for a ‘longer’ night with the argument that the crime rate would climb. But this only speaks of the inability of our police force to curb crime. Take for example Bangalore and Mumbai: despite an early closure time for shops, at 11pm, Bangalore reports the highest incidence of crime, while Mumbai comes second though bars, eateries and restaurants remain open late into the night. It is high time we took cue from Mumbai and do away with the unreasonable argument that later closing hours leads to crime.
WHY WE LOVE... Prince Philip
P
rince Philip is recuperating after undergoing a heart surgery. We wish him good health, for he is one of the many who made racism a hot topic. With his innumerable gaffes, he reminded the world the importance of tackling this social menace. There is even a book which lists the royal faux pas — Duke of Hazard: The Wit and Wisdom of Prince Philip. Once he saw a poorly wired fuse box. “It looks as though it was put in by an Indian,” he remarked. Long live the Prince: you are our beacon in the fight against racism.
14
Strolling through a winter Wonderland The Wanderer Jayaraj Manepalli
T
he sound of the bells breaking the silence of the frosty winter air, the melodious music of the Brass ensembles performing Christmas carols in a star-studded winter sky, the wafting aroma of various types of gingerbread, delicious cakes, cookies, and the hot mulled wine, is a perfect setting for strolling across the winter wonderland. Welcome to the Weihnachtsmarkt or Christkindlmarkt, popularly called the Christmas Market. What started in Germany as a medieval practice of traders setting up small huts to sell their products—handicrafts, food and mulled wine during the winter has, over the years, become an important part of the German culture and history. Today, the Christmas markets are world-famous, luring many visitors and giving up a much needed, year-end boost to the local economy. The markets are not only confined to the German-speaking countries like Austria and Switzerland, but the practice has spread to many European countries, North America and even to Japan. The stalls set up by the local handicraft artisans are quite popular. “Some artisans work all the year to sell their products at these markets,” says Andrea Matzinger, a resident of Vienna who is a great fan of the Christmas markets. She especially likes the hand-painted glass bulbs, an important part of the Christmas tree decoration as well as the colourful beads and necklaces, which are a favourite of numerous visitors. Many people buy their Christmas gifts at the markets. Famous decorative handicrafts include replicas of illuminated town halls from various cities, tiny Ferris-wheels set in the backdrop of snow-clad mountains with a tiny train going through the snow. The markets are illuminated with colourful lights, the trees are decorated with lights of various shapes and the musicians, dressed up
Political farce
Say no to liquor shops
It is nothing but ridiculous when leaders resort to theatrics to gather attention. TDP leaders M Narasimhulu’s and Errabilli Dayakar’s stunt before the Assembly threatening to commit suicide and inviting TRS leader K Chandrasekhar Rao to join them only help to make them appear frivolous. After all KCR did fast and force the Central government to form the Srikrishna Commission that studied the pros and cons of a separate state formation. The rest just talked. People are tired of this brouhaha. Ram Narayan Himayatnagar
What is the government doing when wine sellers are making absurd demands? While there was a time when the very need of a wine store in an educated community was being debated, today, we seem to be bowing to irrational demands of a few people who, for their monetary gains, are not concerned of the ill-effects liquor has on homes. Please do not encourage this societal menace, and certainly do not extend their timings.
Shyama Rao Motinagar
in red and white, perform around the huge Christmas tree, which is another attraction. The cities have many Christmas markets— both large and small. The towns all across the country usually have one central market, cozy and charming. A major attraction that draws many visitors is the hot mulled wine—called the Glühwein. Prepared usually with red wine, it is mixed with cinnamon sticks, vanilla pods, cloves, citrus fruit and sugar. Served in customised mugs with motifs of that particular market, the mulled wine seems to be the perfect drink to beat the cold winter. “The best way to catch up with your friends and colleagues after a
TALK BACK Readers’ views We invite you to write to us comments, suggestions, viewpoint or just about anything to feedback@postnoon.com or #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500 033 or even by way of a call on 4067 2222
long day, is to enjoy a sip of the Glühwein with them at the Christmas market,” opines Paul Japek, an Engineer. Another important drink is the Punsch-a mixture of strong tea, alcohol, sugar, lemon and spices. There are both alcoholic and nonalcoholic versions and come in a wide variety of flavours. Perhaps this is a major Indian contribution to the Christmas markets--the drink originated in India and the word comes from the Hindi word Paanch, as five different ingredients are used in its preparation. Thus, a visit to this winter wonderland is not only an unforgettable experience, but also makes one yearn for the next.
Billboard scourge When will we come to accept that billboards are a nuisance in more than one way? Whether they are pleasant or not, they certainly are a distraction to motorists and at times block their view at turnings. Not only do they cause accidents, they are an eyesore too. The GHMC has not been very strict on this problem, which has encouraged popping up of banners and billboards anywhere and anytime. It’s time the GHMC pulled up their socks and did something about this. Perhaps the Election Commission could take action against political parties for their ‘contribution’. Suman Singh Hyderabad
&
CORRECTIONS CLARIFICATIONS
nIn our Seekers of Redemption feature on Pg 12, Dale Steyn’s picture was used in an info piece on Shaun Marsh. The error is regretted and the person responsible has been told that wishful thinking has no place in the paper. nIn our Afford a home and happiness feature on page 18 we mentioned that the price of Rajiv Swagruha flats ranged from `6.5 laks to `3.5 lakhs. The latter figure should have read `35 lakhs. The error is regretted.
It is Postnoon’s policy to correct errors swiftly and fairly
Sunday Soup
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
Of business & politics
Patriot Mukesh
Recall value lion-dollar question. Nakagawa wasn’t sure if the lack of recalls in India was due to the typical Indian complacency which was ‘taken for granted’ or really the machines sold here were immaculate in their manufacturing. But, as the clock made two full circles, TKM took everyone, especially its Managing Director, by surprise by recalling 41,000 Toyota In the US and a Etios and Liva modfew other counels to replace the A Saye Sekhar tries, several faulty petrol inlet. vehicles were Toyota is close to recalled. Very fortuthe Indian hearts, nately, India operations were not thanks to its numerous variants of impacted. Of course, we have received coupes beginning with Qualis, Innova, some enquiries or questioning from Fortuner, Corolla, Camry, and the ariscustomers on one issue or the other. tocratic Prado Land Cruiser. But we sincerely replied that their When recalls happened in different vehicles are okay,” Hiroshi Nakagawa, countries, several buyers were appreManaging Director of Toyota Kirloskar hensive about the quality of Indian verMotor Pvt Ltd (TKM) told us. sions too. Some owners had a doubt if Nakagawa was in the City in con- everything was fine with their vehicles. nection with a campaign on road safeNow, the recall perched Toyota on a ty at Oakridge Public School early this par with Maruti, Honda and the likes week. Whether he had an inkling of the in Indian auto market. After all, impeding recall in India remains a mil- nobody is indispensable.
“
Sunday Soup
Omnipresent Botsa
A
leading south Indian English newspaper shares a few things in common with the Congress party. It used to give cars as a perk to its senior staffers, but invariably without a power steering. The words transmitted through the deed were that the staffers are ‘powerless’, literally and figuratively too, and that they could never arrogate the shapeless and odourless power to themselves. The Congress party shares not only its vintage with the newspaper but a few other traits too. Just to prove a point to its r e g i o n a l satraps that they cannot stay away from the party harness, co-ordinators are appointed to supervise, aid, and advise; if not to cause conflicts. Constitution of a coordination committee by the Congress to ensure sync (read rift) between the party and the administration, with Ghulam Nabi Azad as its head, is a step in that direction. This time, it’s seen more as a gesture to comfort a sulking Chirnajeevi, who lent the ‘ventilator support’ to resuscitate the Kiran Kumar Reddy regime. But in the Congress’ reality show, Botsa had the last laugh. For, he adroitly hit upon a hat-trick of being a minister, the president of the APCC and also member of the coordination committee — all at a time. He attained the status of being all-pervasive and omnipresent.
Floor leader C
an the eccentric minister Shanker Rao ever become a floor leader anywhere? Yes, no, don’t know/can’t say. But he chose to become one literally the other day. He called for a review meeting with senior bureaucrats of his department at his new HBlock office in the State secretariat. He found his new chamber was unfurnished. Shanker Rao doesn’t throw in the towel so easily. The officials were in for a surprise when they were made to sit in rows on white sheets of cloth spread on the tiled-floor and the minister himself squatted on the floor. The pyrrhic victory of Kiran Kumar Reddy in the recent no-confidence motion made the Chief Minister himself wary of his future, but his detractors are sharpening their saws. Shanker Rao endeared himself to the Congress high command with his missile missive to the State High Court against YS Jaganmohan Redy. Later, his noholds-barred war against his own colleagues, the latest being the demand to sack Home Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy from the Cabinet, distanced him from the Chief Minister.
15
T
here is no dearth of patriotism among our industrialists and business leaders. They became global citizens, by all means, expanding their businesses across the earth. If Tata buys Corus Steels, or LN Mittal makes it big in steel, or Padmasree Warrior becomes top honcho in Cisco or when our very own Dr Reddy’s Labs or GVK spreads their footprint in several countries, we celebrate those occasions as our own triumphs amid trials and tribulations. But the business heads are always sceptical of the populist policies of politicians. A couple of days ago, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed his anguish over the corporate criticism of the Government policies. The government is actually sandwiched between the corporate compulsions, communist convulsions, and right wing retailing. Amidst 2G, Anna Hazare, Lokpal, falling rupee, spiralling inflation and
upcoming elections in five states, Manmohan Singh, who is leading the reformist government with multitudes of contradictions, has been looking for some solace. And, the much needed succour came from none other than the country’s richest business honcho who presides over an immutable business empire, Reliance Industries Ltd. Mukesh Ambani cleared his throat and asserted, "Sir, I don't share the gloom and pessimism on India. I plan to invest Rs70,000 crore in India over the next two years. To me, India remains the best investment destination." This brought a glee in the face of the head of the government. He was quoted as saying, "Very good! I hope others also follow your example." The prime minister’s response naturally evoked not only applause but enthusiasm among business tycoons of India Inc, — Ratan Tata, Suni Mittal and the likes — to vow their commitment to the nation. So one more round of investment bounty is in the offing in India, whatever happens to the drying up gas reserves off the Kakinada coast.
Turning pages
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
Explore a world without borders
18
A sword’s story
The first in the Templar series, The Sword of the Templars is a thriller, a one-time read which reveals to us that all treasures are not gold and gems. Rajesh Ravindran Rajesh.r@postnoon.com
E
ver met a soldier who is a polyglot, a polymath, and a cynic who believes war is all a bit of silliness? Meet John ‘Doc’ Holliday, the protagonist in The Sword of the Templars, the first of the Templar series by Paul Christopher. Holliday, who has seen action in many countries, is leading a calmer life teaching recruits at the US States Military Academy, West Point, when his uncle Henry passes away. He inherits, jointly with his cousin Peggy Blackstock, his uncle’s house and all of its mysteries including a sword wrapped in Adolf Hitler’s battle standard hidden in the house, hidden by his uncle. Holliday recognises the sword to be from the time of Crusades owned by a knight of the Order of the
Templars. The mystery deepens when someone burns down the house, apparently to steal the sword and leaves no clues. Holliday and Peggy then set out after the perpetrators to unravel the secret of the sword and their uncle’s connection with it.
The cousins’ start in Canada making their way all the way to Ireland, Paris, Germany, and then Jerusalem in the search for truth. During their trip they encounter and escape attempts on their lives by members of various murderous secret societies and finally unravel the mystery of the sword and the code it withholds to the treasure of the Templars. Apart from the book’s attempt to ‘thrill’ us, it has interesting trivia about the places Holliday and Peggy visit. It gives us a different insight into the Crusades and the Knights Templars — Holliday describes some of them as mercenaries —“killers, plain and simple”. Though the book seems a drag at a few places, it’s strictly a one-time read trying to get across the message that all treasures are not gold and gems.
The Sword of the Templars Paul Christopher Pages: 233 Publisher: Signet Novel
When you pick up a Wilbur Smith novel, you will get exactly what you bargained for – action and adventure, sex and violence, on an exciting journey across some parts of Africa. His latest thriller Those in Peril is just that, with nothing more and nothing less
Those in doubt, refrain pable of any diplomatic intervention. Meanwhile, everyday there is more evidence of the horrific torture to which Cayla is being subjected. Pushed for choices, her mother Hazel, calls upon the dashing chief of security Hector Cross to help her rescue her daughter. Now racing against time, how Hazel and Hector take matters into their own hands and rescue Cayla from the clutches of the terrorists forms the crux of the story. Those in Peril is fast-paced with high-octane action sequences, plenty of twists and turns. But that’s
Postnoon Team feedback@postnoon.com
ineteen year old Cayla Bannock is the heir-in-waiting to the Bannock N Oil Corporation, one of the world's
Wilbur Smith Macmillan 386 pages
leading oil producers. While cruising the Indian Ocean, her yacht is hijacked by a Somalian pirate outfit that calls themselves ‘Flowers of Islam’. After much suspense, the pirates demand an unbelievable twenty-billion-dollar ransom for her release. Due to the US’ “no negotiations with terrorists policy,” the government is inca-
expected from Wilbur Smith. That said, don’t expect too much from this book. The climax is predictable and the dialogue is largely corny. The characters challenge all bounds of reason. But most disturbing are the graphic sex scenes during the course of the book, so be warned, its not for the faint hearted. Also, be prepared for a whole lot of cliches about the Sharia law. In fact it raised some flak from the readers who considered it thinly veiled racism towards the Somalians. For first-time readers of Smith, Those in Peril will fail to impress. And, for long-time readers and fans, Those in Peril will not make it to the favourites list.
At your nearest bookstore... BOOK: Through My Eyes: A Quarterback's Journey Author: Zondervan ISBN: 0310723450 Publisher: Zondervan im Tebow grew up playing every sport imaginable, but football was his true passion. Even from an early age, Tim has always had the drive to be the best player and person that he could be. Through his hard work, he established himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of college football and as a top prospect in the NFL. A journey of a quarterback and behind the scenes details of his life on and off the football field. His faith on Christianity, family values and the reason for the athlete he is today.
T
BOOK: DC Dead (Stone Barrington) Author: Stuart Woods ISBN: 0399157662 Publisher: Putnam Adult fter a shocking loss, Stone Barrington is at loose ends, unsure if he wants to stay in New York and continue his work as a partner at Woodman & Weld. It comes as a welcome relief when he's summoned to Washington, DC, by President Will Lee. The president has a special operation that calls for Stone's unique skill set, and it's a mission that will reunite him with his former partner in crime and in bed, Holly Barker.
A
BOOK: American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History Author: Chris Kyle, Scott McEwen , Jim DeFelice ISBN: 0062082353 Publisher: William Morrow e is the deadliest American sniper ever. From 1999 to 2009, US Navy SEAL Chris Kyle recorded the most career sniper kills in United States military history. Iraqi insurgents feared Kyle so much they named him al-Shaitan (the devil) and placed a bounty on his head. Gripping and unforgettable, Kyle’s masterful account of his extraordinary battlefield experiences ranks as one of the great war memoirs ever.
H
BOOK: Weight Watchers One Pot Cookbook Author: Weight Watchers ISBN: 1118038126 Publisher: Wiley ith every day so busy, wouldn't you just love to throw everything in one pot and have dinner ready? With Weight Watchers One Pot Cookbook, you'll find 300 super-tasty and healthy one-dish recipes that the whole family will love. These no-fuss recipes are more than just easy — they are healthy and nutritious, as they come from the culinary experts at Weight Watchers. You'll find over 300 delicious one-pot recipes that include casseroles, pastas, soups and stews, light stir-fries here.
W
BOOK: Spirit Bound Author: Christine Feehan ISBN: 051514956X Publisher: Jove ethally sexy undercover agent Stefan Prakenskii knows a thousand ways to kill a man-and twice as many ways to pleasure a woman. So he's looking forward to his new mission: arrive in the coastal town of Sea Haven and insinuate himself in the life of Judith Henderson, an ethereal beauty with ties to the crime lord he's determined to trap. New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan has over 40 novels published, including four series. Her debut novel received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards.
L
H‑Factor
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
Holistic view of mind, body and soul
19
DON’T TURN
BLIND TO SNIFFLES People who love to turn to grandma’s home remedy for a common cold or cough might want to do a rethink. You could be inviting trouble by putting yourself at risk of pneumonia Ranjani Rajendra ranjani.r@postnoon.com
W
ho would have thought that a simple cold or cough could ever blow into a potentially fatal condition — and all because you’ve chosen to dismiss them with self-medication and staying away from your doctor? And in a country like ours where selfmedication and sharing of prescriptions are the norm, people might want to learn a lesson from George Michael. The Careless Whispers singer, who recently recovered from a severe bout of pneumonia, learnt things the hard way. The singer, who was touring Austria for his shows, fell ill in November and was rushed to a hospital where he was diagnosed with streptococcal pneumonia. So severely was he affected that it took doctors nearly three weeks to stabilise his condition. In fact, the singer was said to have been on the brink of death. At a press conference he held recently, the singer said, “I would say it was touch and go to be honest — we played it down because we real-
ly didn’t want to worry the fans. I spent the last 10 days since I woke up thanking people for saving my life — which is something I never want to do again.” Despite the severity of his condition, George Michael managed to pull through but according to his doctors the recovery process will take several months. While he may have been fortunate enough to have got the best possible treatment, not everyone is so lucky. After all half the people don’t realise the gravity of the situation till
it’s too late. And it’s people who are immuno suppressed like children, the elderly, people with HIV, diabetics and cancer patients who are at a greater risk of getting pneumonia — especially if they’ve been ignoring those sniffles for too long. “Pneumonia is a bacterial infection of the lungs. It can sometimes also occur due to viruses and this specially occurs in people who are immuno suppressed,” says Dr Pradyut Waghray, senior consultant chest specialist, adding, “If
you’ve had a cough that’s been lingering for more than five days it’s best to consult a doctor to rule out pneumonia.” Signs to watch out for would be sputum that is yellow or green coloured, high fever, chills, rigors, chest pain on deep breathing and breathlessness. Some common and potentially life threatening complications that a bout of pneumonia can throw up are collection of fluid in the lungs and sepsis (an infection of the blood if the bacteria enters the blood stream). People who smoke, have allergies and are prone to respiratory ailments like bronchitis and asthma are at greater risk. “People who are prone to such ailments or are above 65 years of age could consider taking the pneumococcal vaccine (usually administered once in five years) to guard against pneumonia,” says Dr VK Bhargava, senior physician at Apollo Hospital. “They should, however, avoid exposure to cold as it is a major trigger for all their problems. Also it is extremely essential to avoid self-medication and seek
medical help instead,” he adds. “While treatment for pneumonia lasts for two weeks, most people tend to stop medication once they notice clinical improvement. However, this means the pneumonia can recur and this time with complications. It is important that the entire course of treatment be completed,” explains Dr Waghray.
Body & Soul
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
20
Prunes are the way to go! Shiba Minai shiba.m@postnoon.com
W
hy are prunes becoming such a rage? Geeta explains, “Prunes, as we already know, are considered super-fruits because they have unique phytochemicals not found in other fruits and that translates to key health benefits. Prunes are a source of important vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre. These form a web of vital functions that help support and promote good heart, bone and digestive health, and support the immune system among other healthful attributes that can help regulate, support and promote optimal health overall.” She goes on to add, “Prunes are one of the best natural constipation remedies. A serving of four to five prunes packs three full grams of fibre. About half of that is insoluble, which helps speed food through the digestive tract. The other half is slow-moving soluble fibre, good for enhancing satiety, lowering cholesterol and regulating blood-sugar levels.” Why have prunes been so
popular in the west and not in India? Geeta clarifies, “Prunes are not grown in India and were not available for sale due to import restrictions till a few years back. Initially prunes were only available in modern retail stores. The awareness of the nutritional benefits of prunes among consumers in India is low. In the West, research has shown that prunes are an energy-packed super snack offering a host of health benefits when consumed daily.” She adds, “However, I have seen a seachange in trends and this seems to be very popular, especially in the metros.” What kind of people must consume prunes, and is it good for any particular ailment? Geeta says, “Prunes are good for everyone from young children to the elderly. Pregnant women need fluids to carry nutrients through the body and to wash away waste products. Nursing mothers also need fluids to aid in producing milk. Nutrient-rich natural prunes serve as an ideal source for fluids — there’s nothing artificial and
A super-fruit that is extremely popular in the West, prunes have now begun to become popular in India. Prunes are sweet and juicy. They have very high sugar content that enables them to be dried without fermenting. Postnoon talks to Geeta Amarnani, a well known nutritionist and food consultant of India, about this rising trend
no added sugar.” She adds, “Prunes can actually help in reversing bone loss in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteoarthritis. It also helps in preventing bone loss in men. Prunes may play a role in preventing and treating Type 2 Diabetes. Fibre normalises blood-sugar levels, slowing the body’s consumption of glucose or sugar. Also, prunes have a low glycaemic index of 29 so it can be easily included by diabetics in their daily meals.” For all of you who don’t want to pile on extra calories, Geeta adds, “Prunes help to fight cellulite as they are rich source of fibre and low in fat. They help to maintain weight and also bring about weight loss by replacing highfat snacks.” What has she done to propagate awareness? Geeta says, “I myself take 3-4 prunes every day to
include enough antioxidants in my diet. I promote prunes through my clinic by including it in diet plans of my patients and also sometimes give them small samples so that they can include it in their diet. Also, by giving talks on the nutritional benefits of prunes, I can tell people about the various research studies regarding their health benefits of prunes. I always carry prunes in my bag and also encourage my family members, patients and my colleagues to do so.” Lastly, are they any dishes that can be made with prunes? Geeta gladly answers this question, “Prunes are often eaten right from the package as a convenient, portable, nutritious snack. They can also be added to breakfast cereals to replace sugar and included in just about any dish. They make great additions to cakes and muffins. Research has also shown that prune purée could function as a fat substitute in baking and as a moisture and taste enhancer in meat applications from hamburgers and beyond.”
Potpourri
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
21
PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A POOR MAN
They believe in their art, yet struggle to make a living from their chosen profession. Their’s is a life fraught with obstacles and disillusionment, yet they persevere. We set out to meet some of the City’s struggling artists, and found a community sticking to their ideals against all odds
Shiba Minai shiba.m@postnoon.com
T
he alarm buzzes; Anjaneylu Rao wakes up, makes his own tea, gets ready and reaches the school by 8.45am. He holds his brush and enhances the creativity of 6-year olds for an hour and 7year olds for the next hour. As the day progresses, so does his students’ age. By 2pm, his last hour, with 11-year olds would release him, to go back to the world, that is his — being an artist who can paint. Anjaneylu, is not the only artist in the city who is torn apart between his commitments and passion. He is a passionate artist who has been trying to pursue his creative dreams for the last six years. He stays in Vizag
with a meager salary of five thousand that does not even measure up to pay his bills. But as he says, “I know one day my talent will be recognised. Painting is as important as breathing for me. I can’t imagine myself doing anything else, but paint.” He continues, in a sad tone that has no signs of regret, “Although I always wanted to paint and wanted the world to recognise it, I am yet to achieve that. In the meantime, I still get to paint and hone the artist in my students.” What are the real challenges faced by artists who are struggling to make a mark in the world of art? Jay Prakash, a full-time artist of Hyderabad, for the last 10 years says, “My father was also an artist so it seemed
like art was in my genes. When I started, I realised that it was a tough fight, so I started on ordinary canvas, with ordinary material.” He continues, “Those days my paintings were bought for very low prices, but after a long struggle, my paintings are seen in most of the exhibitions. Although the cost of paintings vary between 20,000 to 40,000 for each painting, it still does not mean I have a regular income.” He adds, “Thankfully I am not married yet, so I have no responsibilities. Neither do I see myself getting married in the near future, as I am not stable yet.” Is there not some kind of support group or organisation that helps budding artists? Anand Baigwath says, “Not really. The only advantage is that none of the art galleries of Hyderabad refuse to exhibit our paintings, like in Mumbai where only very wellknown artists can showcase their talent!” He continues, “We never get any bank loans and nei-
ther does anyone want to help us financially because of the nature of our job. There is no stability in the way we earn. On lucky days, 2-3 paintings get sold and sometimes I don’t have a single sale.” Anand is married, we ask how he manages, to which he replies, “This is my only source of income. Until a few months back my wife had a job, but now with a kid she is at home. Sometime the pressure is too much to even be able to paint or produce new
and good work.” He adds, “I feel I am slightly lucky as my themes are usually nature based, and most art-lovers are fond of scenic images. But that still leaves me at the mercy of fate and chance.” When there is pressure, it effects work. What keeps artists going? Jay Prakash replies, “Personally, even when I am tensed, frustrated or low, I paint my mood on the canvas. I think it helps in bringing out a different genre of paintings from me.” To that Anand adds, “Of course we have our low times, but the fact that someday we will be recognised, keeps us truly motivated. Sometimes I also remind myself of a genuine compliment, which makes me smile and acts as my stress buster. What is most important is the support extended by the family. It’s tougher on the family as they have to fight a constant battle, only, to live my dream.”
Relationships
Exploring complexities
Shiba Minai shiba.m@postnoon.com
Y
ou hear a lot of cheers, hoots, screams and whistles. You are surrounded by constant cricket commentary in high decibels, thanks to the theatre system or the enhanced speakers for ‘better cricket viewing quality’. Not to forget the ‘cheers’ or the howls added by your husband/boyfriend. Is this the phenomena you are dreading? Are you worried how the cricket season is going to hamper your ‘time together’ and how it is going to be the biggest obstacle in the functionality of your relationship? If all of this is true, then welcome to the club of cricket widows. You can be rest assured that you are not alone! How does this impact one’s relationship with their spouse, Celina Menon, an IT professional says, “My husband has been a cricket fan for the longest time ever. Me and my son have to forget that my husband exists as long as the cricket season is on.” She adds, “The sad part is its not like he will watch cricket the usual ‘TV’ hours. He will wake up as early as 2am, take his shower so he does not miss the match in the morning and uses every minute till he goes to work. Which means I will be woken up to give him his ironed shirt, or find his socks or find his keys etc. As if that is not enough torture, we have a home theatre system, which can blast the neighbourhood. It’s obvious I can’t sleep because of all the noise I am surrounded with. His life is convenient, as he is off to sleep as soon as he is back from office. Even I work, so that leaves me all by myself to manage all the household work after coming back from work. And guess what, I will be disturbed by 3am again the next morning,” she continues, “For the next three months, either I go stay with my parents or may be run away.” She laughs! Harini Vadlamani, an IT professional shares her experience, “My husband worships cricket. Every time there is a cricket season, he either exhausts a major chunk of leaves in travelling to watch cricket, and even if he stays back in the city, it’s a living hell for me!” She goes onto narrate her misery, “If it requires him to wake up as early as 3am he will, if he has to stay awake till 2am he will. Just imagine, your woken either by cricket commentary or his sudden ouuttttttt! Now because he has woken that early, when he returns from work, he is exhausted, will not even spend time with either me, his parents or the kid.” She adds, “That’s not all; since we don’t have a full-time servant, me and my husband, usually split our household chores, like he gets the daily grocery, pays bills and gets the clothes ironed at the dhobi. But once he is inflicted with his disease of cricket, it is the end of our otherwise harmonious life.” Is there a solution to this kind of cricket frenzy? Family counsellor Farhana Shaik says, “Like I have always said, anything of too much is too bad! Yes, we are a cricket crazy country, but it’s important that we learnt that cricket should be categorised as a ‘hobby.’ The best way is, to plan your week in advance, and chalk out how much time you would spend at work, your hobby, your family and your ‘me time’. She continues to caution, “Women must also understand that men must be given a certain levy, and spend time with what they love most. However, between the partners it must be clearly communicated and demarcated, as to how much is too much for each of them. Its important that both the partners stretch a little and come to a common consensus without feeling the pinch of compromising.” So, my dear cricket fans, whilst you enjoy your cricket, it definitely must not be at the cost of your loved ones or creating a havoc in your lives. Please ensure you strike a balance — happy cricketing!
Tomorrow India takes on Australia in the series of the year. All across the nation wives and husbands are gearing up to tackle their cricket-loving spouses and their timetable-shattering passion. For the next two months, you’re on your own
Are you ready to be a cricket widow?
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
22
Magic Screen
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
The glamour behind the glitz
Mumbai celebrates C Rafi’s elebrating singing legend Mohammad Rafi’s 87th birth anniversary Saturday, fans in Mumbai will participate in 10 public shows across the city. Different groups of Rafi fans are celebrating the day in their own way. “With his vocals transcending all human barriers and frontiers, Rafi-ians, as we like to call ourselves, based in Mumbai have formed the Rafi Foundation since 2007 and strive to bring Rafi sahab’s music on a common platform,” said Binu Nair, the founder of the foundation. Nair said that a group of fans has already offered flowers at the Mohammad Rafi Chowk in Bandra in northwest Mumbai. “We will go to his residence where his three daughters and a son live and cut a cake in his honour,” he said. “We have also organised a musical evening in his honour where nearly 3,000 fans will enjoy the evening amidst Rafi songs played by a 60-piece orchestra,” he added. Nair said at least 10 public shows have been organised in Rafi’s fond memory across Mumbai. “We have lost count of the private gatherings at residences of Rafi
Abhishek goes back to school!
A
bhishek Bachchan, busy in the promotions of his forthcoming film Players, went down memory lane when he visited one of his old schools in Mumbai, and met his first drama teacher. “It’s been a very long day. Started at 7am by visiting one of my old schools in Mumbai (Jamnabai Narsee) as chief guest for their sports day. Sports day for the especially abled. Amazing to see the kids compete and excel. Then went around the school after god knows how many years,” Abhishek posted on micro-blogging site Twitter Friday night. “So many memories! Was there when I was seven or eight. High point was meeting my first ever drama teacher. Amazing what a memory teachers have. She still remembers me as a student,” added the 35-year-old, who became father of a baby girl last month.
87th birth anniversary
fans in his memory,” he said. Another big celebration is slated at Rang Sharda auditorium in Bandra organised by Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leader Ashish Shelar. “We have been remembering Rafi sahab on his birth and death anniversaries and have been organising musical evenings since many years now. This is a small way to acknowledge his legendary contribution in the field of Indian music,” Shelar said. Rafi gave Indian cinema 40 golden years of haunting melodies like Chaudhvin ka chand, Teri aankhon ke siva and Tum jo mil gaye ho. Born in Punjab, he began his tryst with music by chanting the notes that a fakir (Muslim seer) sang in his village. The family later moved to Lahore. Rafi trained under Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan, Pandit Jiwanlal Matto and Firoze Nizami. He sang with KL Saigal at a concert for the first time at the age of 13. That was the turning point in his life. He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1967. He died of a heart attack in Mumbai July 31, 1981, at the age of 56.
Bips’ ‘Bobby Doll’! A
ll girls like Barbie dolls, but Bipasha Basu has a ‘Bobby Doll’! The actress has revealed she calls her Players co-star Bobby Deol by that name, while he has forever called her Bipshaw. “For all those who don’t know I call Bobby, ‘Bobby Doll’! Like a term of endearment! And he calls me ‘Bipshaw’ for years!” Bipasha posted on Twitter. Bipasha, who is otherwise lovingly called Bips, says she has another nickname too. “Another nickname that I have is given by @juniorbachchan is ‘Bippy’! @sikandarbk calls me Bippy too!,” she added.
23
B-TOWN TWEETIES
@shahidkapoor Hey guys, Download the Pioneer Mixtrax software and be a DJ in your car mixtraxglobal.com/en/index.html. Enjoy!
@rampalarjun Merry Xmas, be free, be alive, be in love, be yourself, because everyone is beautiful. Love u all.
@priyankachopra Merry Xmas guys...may we all be blessed with peace and contentment..n the happiness to live and love..and be loved..Thank u all for lovin me
@kjohar25 Merry christmas and happy holidays to all of you!!! Its the season to forgive...to forget...to skip regret...to live and let....
@imarshadwarsi From a mere Christmas lunch it's become a Christmas Lunch prepared by a chef @mariagorettiz from an institute affiliated with Gordan Ransey
@arbaazSkhan Merry Xmas to all. Wish you all Good health and happiness.
@reddysameera So glad I could be in Mumbai today! Full on festive spirit in the air! And it's truly a merry Christmas! Have a great one you guys! Hugs :)
@RGVzoomin "@Bboyzclub: Everybody wants THE TRUTH but nobody wants to be HONEST."
Magic Screen
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
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
24
Magic Screen
The glamour behind the glitz
Move over Sheila, Chikni chameli is here
K
atrina Kaif can move, and how! The Britain-born actress might have taken time in perfecting her Hindi accent, but Bollywood’s latka-jhatkas is something she has mastered, and proves with her latest item song Chikni chameli. Industry members are smitten with the song. They feel it will definitely be a USP of Karan Johar’s remake of his father’s
Cricketers to watch Don 2
T
he Indian cricket team is biting its nails in Melbourne over the Boxing Day cricket Test match, which starts Monday. Nothing like a Bollywood film like Don 2: The King Is Back to brighten up that tense evening on the weekend before the big match. A special screening of the film has been arranged for Sunday evening in Melbourne by filmmakers Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, to help the team relax. “Farhan spoke to Sachin Tendulkar’s wife Anjali and I spoke to (Virender) Sehwag. We’ve organised a show for the team. The Indian cricket team will be seeing the film at the Hyotts Directors Lounge at Melbourne Central Hyotts Directors Lounge along with the managers and other people.
classic Agneepath, and overshadow Munni, Sheila, Shalu and Jalebi bai item numbers. Composed by national awardwinning duo Ajay-Atul, the spicy song, sung by Shreya Ghoshal, is the Hindi version of their own Marathi hit Kombadi palali. The lyrics of the number, penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya, are as cheesy as they could get, but the rhythm is extremely peppy and catchy. And Katrina’s vigourous moves and sensual expressions, choreographed by Ganesh Acharya, go in total sync. The 26year-old had set a benchmark with Sheila ki jawaani last year, but with this song, she has surpassed it with her killer desi look. Agneepath director Karan Malhotra is all smiles.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
25
Magic Screen
I
De Niro and wife welcome baby girl
R
obert De Niro and his wife, Grace Hightower De Niro, have welcomed a daughter, his rep said to a popular magazine. Helen Grace, born via surrogate, weighed in at 7lbs, 2oz. She is the second child for the couple, who first met back in 1987 in London and are already parents to son Elliot, 13. The Academy Award winning actor, 68, also has four other children; daughter Drena, 40, and son Raphael, 35, with former wife Diahnne Abbott, as well as 16-year-old twin sons Julian and Aaron, born via surrogate with ex-girlfriend Toukie Smith.
Mel’s ex’s sweet revenge
M
el Gibson is now legally single after his divorce was finalised Friday in a Los Angeles courtroom, but bachelorhood came at a heavy price. Robyn, his ex-wife of nearly 30 years and the mother of their seven children, is walking away with half his fortune, once estimated to be as high as $850 million (according to the Los Angeles Business Journal in 2006) in what is considered the biggest divorce payout in Hollywood history.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
The glamour behind the glitz
t might be more expensive, but sometimes it really pays to buy a name-brand. French luxury brand Louis Vuitton has filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros. over the use of a Louis Vuitton knockoff bag in The Hangover: Part II. According to the suit, filed in the US District Court in New York on Thursday, an airport scene in the film makes use of a counterfeit bag made by a company named Diophy, which is currently being sued by Louis Vuitton for trademark infringement. During the scene, Zach Galifianakis’ character, Alan, warns the character Stu (played by Ed Helms), “Careful, that is ... that is a Louis Vuitton.” The French company objects to both the movies use of its trademark, and the characterization of the bag as a real Louis Vuitton. According to the suit, Warner Bros. is “explicitly misleading the public about the source of the Diophy Bag” and
LOUIS VUITTON ENRAGED OVER WARNER’S
undermining the company’s enforcement efforts against counterfeits of its product. According to the suit (which can be read here), Louis Vuitton objected to Warner’s after the film’s opening, but the company still released the film on DVD with the offending footage included. Citing a previous lawsuit over the film — during which Warner’s said it was considering altering a scene that featured a tattoo that might have violated a copyright — Louis Vuitton argues that altering the airport scene to eliminate the company’s trademarked design would have been an easy fix. In the suit, the French company is asking that the court permanently enjoin Warner’s from using its marks in any way, and
order the company to surrender all copies of the film containing the marks. It is also asking for triple damages on all profits that Warner Bros. may have amassed from using Vuitton’s marks, plus attorneys’ fees and court costs. This is far from the only lawsuit that The Hangover Part II — a huge hit that has amassed a worldwide take of more than $500 million — has sparked. In addition to the tattoo lawsuit, which was settled in June, the company was sued in October by an aspiring actor who claims that the plot was stolen from his life experiences.
Etta James hospitalised E tta James’ longtime manager says the terminally ill blues singer has been hospitalised after experiencing difficulty breathing. Lupe De Leon says James’ family is with her at a Southern California hospital where she was taken earlier this week. De Leon, who has been James’ manager for 30 years, says the singer is “in pretty bad shape” but it remains unknown
26
whether she will be able to be released. He says James was taken to the
hospital on Wednesday evening and is on a breathing apparatus. James’ doctor recently announced that the At Last singer has been diagnosed with terminal leukemia. The Grammy-winner and Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame member is also suffering from dementia. She has been receiving mostly athome care. A judge on Monday set aside $350,000 for James’ treatment.
Magic Screen Leila Macor
S
teven Spielberg’s new film War Horse is almost deliberately old-fashioned, pitting noble beast against the horrors of war, with sweeping, emotional set pieces — and dividing critics as Hollywood’s awards season looms. The movie, which got a Golden Globe nomination this month ahead of its Christmas Day release in the United States, is even made on good old celluloid in a snub to the digital revolution. “I think that movies like that don’t get made much any more, you know the kind of epic sweeping historical drama that were used to be made quite a bit 30, 40 years ago,” producer Kathleen Kennedy told AFP. “It’s what makes the movie a little old-fashioned but at the same time mod-
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
The glamour behind the glitz
ern,” she added. The movie tells the story of Joey, a horse raised in a bucolic English countryside who is torn away from his home — and stable lad Albert — and sent to France to the battlefields of World War I. To a soundtrack heavy on violins, the moviegoer is swept into the epic struggle Albert has in finding his equine partner amid the blood, mud and misery of the Great War. “World War I was the last hurrah for the horse (in) warfare,” three-times Oscar winner Spielberg — who also has his 3D Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn out for the holidays — told industry daily
Variety. “It was a time when the technological revolution, mainly in the implementation of new technologies to kill more efficiently and more cruelly, were supplanting the usefulness of the horse, which had brought terror into the hearts of standing armies for centuries,” Spielberg said. “And after World War I, that was over and the horse went back to a more bucolic and sane way of life. So it’s really more of a story about courage and connections and less of a story about combat.” War Horse, which is on the shortlist for the best dramatic film Golden Globe, is based on a 1982 children’s book of the same name by British writer Michael Morpurgo, and the play adapted for the stage by Nick Stafford. Almost two years ago, Kennedy was on vacation in London and went see the stage version of the story with her daugh-
SPIELBERG SEEKS ‘OLD-FASHIONED’ SPECTACLE IN WAR
ters. “When I got home I talked to Steven (Spielberg) about it and told him what the play was about and he said ‘Wow, that sounds like a story, it would make a wonderful movie’,” she told AFP. The most difficult thing, said the producer — who worked with Spielberg on classic movies including ET, Indiana Jones and Schindler’s List,” was the use of “so many animals,” she said. “Whenever you are using animals in a movie you have to take extraordinary care, I mean, you do that to the people as well, but when you have innocent animals, it requires that everybody involved being specially careful.” Joey, the real hero of the movie, was played by around a dozen horses from all from around the world, notably Spain. Stable boy Albert is played by 21-year-old British actor Jeremy Irvine, who had previously only worked in TV. “Steven felt that he wanted to
27
make a discovery, he wanted to bring a young actor to the role who hadn’t necessarily done a lot of things in the movies,” said Kennedy. Most critics so far have been broadly positive, although some have questioned Spielberg’s approach, like the Guardian’s newspaper critic Andrew Pulver, who said the director “can’t seem to snap out of a now-habitual mode of vitality-erasing, dewyeyed affectation.” Todd McCarthy of the Hollywood Reporter said the film “possesses a simplicity that is both its greatest strength and an ultimate liability. “Whatever its missteps, this is a film that kids, middle-aged adults and grandparents can all see — together or separately — and get something out of in their own ways,” he wrote. “There are precious few films that fit this description today, and hats off to Spielberg for making one.” AFP
Magic Screen
A
bhimanyu Singh is slowly emerging as one of the most sought actors to play villainous roles. After impressing the critics and audience alike in RGV’s Rakhta Charithra, he was last seen in Bezawada. Now, we hear that he’s going to play the villain’s role in Pawan Kalyan’s upcoming film Gabbar Singh. The film is the official remake of Salman Khan’s Dabangg and Abhimanyu Singh is going to reprise Sonu Sood’s role in the Telugu version. Initially, Sonu Sood was approached to play this role; however, he politely turned it down since he was already doing the same role in the Tamil version of the film. Gabbar Singh is going to be Abhimanyu Singh’s first big ticket film in Telugu. Harish Shankar is directing the film and Shruti Haasan is playing the lead role opposite Pawan Kalyan.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
The glamour behind the glitz
Abhimanyu Ravi Teja’s Nippu heats Singh in up Sankranthi BO race Gabbar Singh
“I want to be known as a good actress,” says SURABHI
28
T-TOWN TWEETIES
@shrutihaasan Had a lovely christmas eve with friends,and now begins my epic new years plans :):) yay so excited to begin the new year
@Alwayscharan Merry christmas !! Hav a grt day..
R
avi Teja’s upcoming film Nippu is all set for release on January 13. Directed by Gunasekhar, the film has Ravi Teja, Deeksha Seth and Rajendra Prasad in lead roles. Recently, the film was shot in Turkey and with this the entire film’s shooting has been completed. Few days ago, except for Mahesh Babu’s Businessman, there was still some confusion about the release dates of other films to be released on
Sankranthi. Now, Businessman, Bodyguard, Nippu and Poola Rangadu are going to release on consecutive days. With Mahesh Babu, Venkatesh and Ravi Teja in fray, the audience will surely be spoilt for choice this Sankranthi. What remains to be seen is how many theatres each of these films get since the producers of all these films are trying their best to get the maximum possible screens for their films.
@devakatta Almost all the toon movies releasing on christmas eve end up grossing over $250 mln irrespective of d reviews !
@themohanbabu Merry Christmas to all my friends. Happiness and peace to you and your families
@_Hansika Merry Christmas -lets forgive n forget .bygones are bygones,our future is bright n our 2012 will be shinning :) happy holidays people xoxo
@sneha_ullal My doggies shud be arrested for being so damn cute..uffffff..
“I
am tired of people thinking that I am apt only for glamorous roles,” says Surabhi Prabhu, who is making her debut in a film titled Ila Aithe Ela? Veteran director PC Reddy chose Surabhi after an audition in Mumbai. The film narrates the story of a married woman whose marital life is in jeopardy after she commits infidelity. “The film had quite a few bold scenes. But it doesn’t look vulgar at all. I can be elegant even while doing bold or intimate scenes,” she says. Born and brought up in Udaipur, she eventually moved to Mumbai where she began modeling for number of brands like Onida, Pepe Jeans, Provogue, Cygnus Diamonds, Kiah Diamonds and Reliance. “I want to work with only sensible filmmakers who know the art of film making. I have had a stint in theatre before I made my debut in films and I know that I can pull off any role if I am convinced. More than a glam doll, I want to be known as a good actress,” she signs off.
@me_sushanth We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Xmas, we wish you a merry Xmas and a Haaappy new yeaaaaaar! miss this song from school :)
@shazahn-
padamsee Merrrrryyyy Cwistmassssss!!!!!!
Chai Time 1200 Movie - Athadu 1530 Movie - Vikramarkudu 1900 Movie - Badrinath 2330 Comedy Junction 0800 Ayurvedam 0900 Challenge 1100 CID 1200 Maa Voori Vanta
‘Badrinath’ at 1900 Hrs on MAA TV
1230 Movie - Manmadhudu 1530 Movie - Chintakayala Ravi 1800 Movie - Komaram Puli 2130 Business Man Audio Release 0800 Gemini Talkies 0830 Movie - Yuva 1130 Aha Emi Ruchi 1200 Comedy Kick
‘Komaram Puli’ at 1800 Hrs on GEMINI TV
1400 [V] Steal UR Girlfriend 1500 [V] Spot 1530 [V] Trailers 1555 [V] Fresh Songs 1600 Gladrags Megamodel Manhunt 2011 1700 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 1900 [V] Steal UR Girlfriend 2000 [V] Vignettes 2100 Love 2 Hate U 2155 [V] Fresh Songs 2200 [V] Trailers 2230 [V] Behind The Sins 2300 [V] Steal UR Girlfriend 2355 [V] Fresh Songs 0700 [V] Trailers 0730 [V] Zabardast Hits 0800 [V] Mind Blasting Mornings 1100 [V] Fresh Songs 1200 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 1230 [V] Humse Hai Life
‘[V] Steal Ur Girlfriend’ at 1900 Hrs on CHANNEL [V]
1300 Movie - Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas 1500 Big Wheels 1530 Galileo Extreme 1600 How To Be A Gentleman 1630 Aspire 1700 Survivor 1800 The Defenders 1900 Lucha Libre 2000 Movie - Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas 2200 Christmas Special 2300 Aspire 2330 Big Wheels
‘D S H T G S C’ at 2000 Hrs only on BIG CBS PRIME
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
Telly sitcoms, news and movie listings
1300 Movie - Mastari Kapuram 1600 Movie - Ong Bak - Enter The New Dragon 1800 Movie - Kondapalli Raja 2100 Etv News 2130 Paripoorna Mahila 2230 Movie - Pandanti Jeevitham
‘Ong Bak’ at 1600 Hrs on ETV
1300 Movie - Ye Maya Chesave 1730 Luckku Kickku 1800 Comedy Club 1900 Movie - Ala Modalaindi 2230 Magadheera 2330 Latest Songs 0800 Gopuram 0900 Sri Raghavendra Vybhavam 1030 Gadasariatta Sogasarikodalu
1400 Top Chef - Just Desserts 1600 Live To Dance 1800 The X Factor 2000 Live To Dance 2200 Falling Skies 2355 Sony Lifestyle TV Magazine 0700 Infomercial 0725 Sky Teleshopping 0840 Infomercial 0905 Sky Teleshopping 0930 Whacked Out Sports 0955 Infomercial 1000 Whacked Out Sports 1025 Infomercial 1030 Falling Skies 1215 The X Factor
‘Falling Skies’ at 2200 Hrs on AXN
‘Raja Babu’ at 2000 Hrs on IMAGINE 1430 Nachle Ve With Saroj Khan 1730 Beendh Banunga Ghodi Chadhunga 1800 Nachle Ve With Saroj Khan 2000 Movie - Raja Babu 2330 Baba Aiso Var Dhoondo 0800 Teleshopping 0900 Box Office India 0930 Mahima Shani Dev Ki 1030 Haar Jeet 1100 Nachle Ve With Saroj Khan 1200 Baba Aiso Var Dhoondo 1230 Dwarkadheesh - Bhagwan Shri Krishna 1300 Saware Sabke Sapne Preeto 1330 Beendh Banunga Ghodi Chadhunga
1230 Movie - Ghost Rider 1430 Movie - Jurassic Park 1630 Movie - Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani 1930 Colors Golden Petal Awards - Red Carpet 2000 Colors Golden Petal Awards 2300 Bigg Boss - Undekha Action 0800 Veer Shivaji 0830 Sasural Simar Ka 0900 Parichay - Nayee Zindagi Kay Sapno Ka 0930 Bigg Boss 1000 Havan 1100 Balika Vadhu - Kacchi Umar Ke Pakke Rishte 1200 Bigg Boss - Aapka Farman
‘Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani!’ at 1630 Hrs on COLORS
‘Sholay’ at 1230 Hrs on ZEE TV 1230 Movie - Sholay 1700 Dance India Dance 1900 Apka Sapna Hamara Apna 1930 Shobha Somnath Ki 2030 Dance India Dance 2330 Jalsa - Music For Soul 0800 Teleshopping 0900 Bhagonwali 0930 Afsar Bitiya 1000 Choti Bahu 1030 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 1100 Ram Milaayi Jodi 1130 Hitler Didi 1200 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 1230 Afsar Bitiya 1300 Choti Bahu 1330 Pavitra Rishta
1200 CID 2000 Adaalat 2100 Comedy Circus Ka Naya Daur - Grand Finale 2330 Comedy Circus Ka Naya Daur 0700 Telebrands 0730 WWS Sky Shop 0900 Adaalat 1000 Crime Patrol - Dastak 1130 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 1230 Comedy Circus Ka Naya Daur
‘CID’ at 1200 Hrs on SONY
29
‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ at 1300 Hrs on STAR PLUS 1300 Movie - Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 1600 Survivor India - Pehli Jhalak 1700 Ruk Jana Nahi - Ab Tak Ka Safar 1800 Movie - Singham 2100 Masterchef India 2200 Masterchef India Zaykebaazon Ka Safar 0800 Superstar Preview 0830 Ruk Jana Nahi 0900 Diya Aur Baati Hum 0930 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hain 1030 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?
MOVIES OF THE DAY AND OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
‘Ala Modalaindi’ at 1900 Hrs on ZEE TELUGU
‘Et Insight’ at 2100 Hrs only on ET NOW 1400 Bollywood This Week 1430 Et Insight 1500 The Market Makers 1530 Tee Time With Shaili Chopra 1600 Technoholik 1630 Your Trades 1700 Zigwheels 1730 Market Summit 2011 1830 The Market Makers 1900 Investor's Guide 1930 Starting Up 2000 Zigwheels 2030 Talking Technicals 2100 Et Insight 2130 Your Trades 2200 Tee Time With Shaili Chopra 2230 Brand Equity 2300 The Market Makers 0900 First Trades 1000 Hot Stocks 1100 Buy Now Sell Now - The Stock Game 1130 Buy Now Sell Now 1200 Market Sense 1300 Business Day 1330 Markets Now
1453 Inkheart 1702 The Lord Of The Rings - The Return Of The King 2100 Kung Fu Panda 2254 Batman Forever 0800 Friends 0830 Good Morning, Miami 0900 The Invasion 1055 Kung Fu Panda 1240 Outsourced
1405 Legend Of The Fist - The Return Of Chen Zhen 1630 Red 1900 Four Christmases 2100 The Back-Up Plan 2320 The King Of Fighters 0800 Four Christmases 0945 The King Of Fighters 1140 Platoon
1400 Cougar Town 1500 The Big Bang Theory 1600 Californication 1700 Scrubs 1800 Body Of Proof 2000 The Big Bang Theory 2100 Private Practice 2200 Californication 2300 Scrubs 0800 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 0900 Parenthood 1000 Scrubs 1030 Just For Laughs 1100 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 1200 Parenthood 1300 Slot 1330 America's Funniest Home Videos
‘Daag’ at 2000 Hrs on SAB TV 1430 R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya 1700 Gutur Gu 1730 FIR 2000 Movie - Daag 2300 F.I.R. 0800 Teleshopping 0900 Lapataganj 1200 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah
‘Californication’ at 2200 Hrs on ZEE CAFE
Colors Golden Petal Awards
Dance India Dance
Storyline - Tonight Colors presents to you for the first time ever The Colors Golden Petal Awards to recognize outstanding talent from their shows and their contribution to Colors sucess.
Storyline - More than 2000 young dancers of the city and nearby places thronged the audition venue to impress Mentors, Remo D Souza and Terence Lewis.
‘Colors Golden Petal Awards’ at 2000 Hrs on COLORS
‘Combat Hospital’ at 2200 Hrs on STAR WORLD 1400 Friends 1700 The Simpsons 1830 How I Met Your Mother 1930 Two And A Half Men 2000 The Dewarists 2100 Love2 Hate U 2200 Combat Hospital 2300 Dexter 0700 Masterchef Usa 0800 Las Vegas 0900 Masterchef Usa 1000 The Sheild 1100 Love2 Hate U 1200 Two And A Half Men 1230 The Simpsons 1300 The Big Bang Theory 1330 Friends
‘Dance India Dance’ at 2030 Hrs on ZEE TV
1200 Swords - Life On The Line 1300 Killing For A Living 1400 Curiosity 1500 Man Vs. Wild 1600 Dual Survival 1700 Powering The Future 1800 Animals - The Inside Story 1900 Sturgis - Motorcycle Mania 2000 The Supernaturalist 2100 Man Vs. Wild 2200 Gold Rush - Alaska 2300 Curiosity 0800 Blue Planet 0900 Factory Made 0930 Destroyed In Seconds 1000 Rampage! 1100 How Do They Do It? 1130 Feast India 1200 Gold Rush - Alaska 1300 Life
‘Gold Rush - Alaska’ at 2200 Hrs on DISCOVERY CHANNEL
‘The Back-Up Plan’ at 2100 Hrs on HBO
‘Whats Your Raashee’ at 1400 Hrs on ZOOM 1400 Movie - Whats Your Raashee 1830 Letz Go! 1900 Planet Bollywood News 1930 Business Of Bollywood 2000 Bollywood Big Story 2030 Just For Love 2300 Bollywood Bonanza 0700 Fresh Mornings 0800 Red Carpet 0805 20 - 20 Songs 0825 Fresh Mornings 0900 Zoom Barabar Jhoom Top 20 1000 Fresh Mornings 1100 Zoom Box 1200 Garma Garam 1300 Planet Bollywood News 1330 Business Of Bollywood
1330 What's That About? 1430 Mummy Autopsy 1530 Bone Detectives 1630 I, Videogame 1730 G.I. Factory 1830 Best Of Discovery Science 1930 Investigation X 2030 Treasure Quest 2130 How It's Made 2200 The New Inventors 2230 Weaponology 2330 The New Inventors 0700 How It's Made 0730 Investigation X 0830 Against The Elements 0930 Weaponology 1030 Treasure Quest 1130 How It's Made 1200 The New Inventors 1330 Catalyst 10
‘The New Inventors’ at 2200 Hrs on DISCOVERY SCIENCE
‘The Foodie’ at 1830 Hrs only on TIMES NOW 1300 News Now At 1 1330 Total Recall 1400 News Now 1430 Enow Spice 1500 News Now 1530 Times Now Sport Weekend 1600 News Now 1630 Times Drive 1700 News Now 1730 Amazing Indians 1800 Versus 1900 News Now 2000 Total Recall 2100 9 PM 2130 Total Recall 2200 News Now 2230 Times Now Sport Weekend 2300 News Now Overnight 0800 The Morning News 0900 News Now 1200 Live Report 1230 News Now 1300 News Now At 1
Chai Time
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
Take a shot at the brain game while sipping your cuppa
30
SUNDAY CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Entertainer Abdul 6 - Khan 11 Ancient calculators 16 “Grand Canyon Suite” composer 21 Strong-arm 22 Whales like Shamu 23 Ponytail sites 24 Make void 25 Prickly pear 26 Go-between 27 Broadside (hyph.) 28 Has status 29 Plausible 31 Just fine (hyph.) 33 Math course 35 “The Greatest” 36 Adventurer, often 37 McNally’s partner 39 Entertainer Della 41 Oval 43 Wall paintings 46 Travel book 48 Actor Howard 49 Time to be in 52 Ugh! 54 Fence crossover 56 Advise against 60 Stockpiled 62 Interstate 64 Elegant wrap 66 Worst possible score 67 Checkbook amt. 68 Ash or maple 70 Huh? 72 Quick drives 74 A real swine 75 Cuba, to Castro 77 Safecracker 79 Piggy-bank feature 81 Spectacles part 83 “Bye Bye Bye” band 85 Massage deeply 87 Uh-huh 89 Earliest 90 Pronounce 92 Vaccines 94 Mumble 96 Costello or Gehrig 97 Gridiron pass 101 Today’s paper 103 Musical symbol 105 Snitch 109 Intimidated 111 Frat letters 113 Bagpiper’s wear 115 Prefix for “trillion” 116 Fictional collie 117 Michener bestseller 119 Bellow 121 Informal refusals 123 Encyclopedia bk. 124 Resort near Venice 126 Sand formations 128 Where Anna taught 130 Tell in advance 132 Twice as tricky 134 Hot coffee hazard 136 Short slant 138 Purple flowers 139 Labor org. 141 Grinding material 143 Import taxes 145 Teased 149 Garden starters 151 Crow’s-nest locale 152 Dwarf buffalo
156 - Palmas 157 Tie-dyed garments 159 Harem head 161 Boat passengers 163 Muscat citizen 165 Pang 167 Inbox filler (hyph.) 169 Storage bins 170 Old Portuguese colony in India 171 “The Sons of - Elder” (Wayne film) 172 Waned 173 Salsa singer Cruz 174 Teen lingo 175 Political position 176 Outlaw pursuers 177 Peevish DOWN 1 Bit of salt 2 Love in a gondola 3 Kind of berth 4 Starts 5 That’s - - know! 6 Eucalyptus diners 7 Imperativeness 8 Before yr. 1 9 Actress Turner 10 Fur-trading name 11 Hercules out-wrestled him
12 Minds a kid (hyph.) 13 GI address 14 Bronze coin 15 Grenoble’s river 16 Used mouthwash 17 Single-strand molecule 18 Pub sign (2 wds.) 19 Coal and gas 20 Borden cow 30 Suds source 32 Barbecue extra 34 Genre 38 Active sort 40 Touches up 42 Don Juan’s mother 44 Take a break 45 Flat-bottomed boat 47 Marry in haste 49 Log home 50 Amherst sch. 51 Come back to win 53 Derisive snorts 55 Inventor Howe 57 Cheyenne abode 58 Ambler and Sevareid 59 Thesaurus name 61 Forest browser 63 Actress Tyne 65 Register 69 They’re often inflated 71 Be on your -!
73 Lampoon 76 Goose genus 78 Singer Campbell 80 Bath powder 82 Mukluk wearer 84 Gem measure 86 Worry 88 Green superhero 91 Wobbled, as a rocket 93 Out of town 95 Bronco “brake” 97 Sprawls out 98 Be of benefit 99 Lingerie buy 100 Luxury car 102 Drags into court 104 Move up and down 106 Denims 107 “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” singer 108 Quits marching 110 Waltz or polka 112 Lost traction 114 Frugal 118 Stitched edges 120 Cafe au 122 Bond servant 125 Monsieur’s egg 127 Stays abed (2 wds.) 129 Polite address 131 Argue
133 White-water sport 135 Had a nightmare 137 Meat juices 140 Barely visible 142 Fabric meas. 144 Tristan’s love 145 Clumps of dirt 146 Patna porter 147 Honshu volcano 148 Office furniture
150 Wool givers 153 Simon and Young 154 Planet’s course 155 Ore analysis 158 Petty quarrel 160 Lectern 162 Checkbook no. 164 A Bobbsey twin 166 - - premium 168 Exercise targets
PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
Chai Time STAR POWER
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
Your tomorrow today̶Star Power and Tarot
Date 26-12-2011
THIRUVAIKUMAR
As per Hindu panchang
thiruvaikumar@yahoo.co.in 040-27177230 / 9949870449
TAURUS
GEMINI
You will spend happy time with family, which will cheer everyone. You will ge‑ nerously help those who seek help and get praises from all. Day to under‑ take self‑analysis; take corrective steps.
Avoid getting into disputes as it might lead to humiliation. Postpone taking im‑ portant decisions and journey to an un‑ known place. Health problem likely; ta‑ ke care. Keep away from bad company.
Unexpected financial gains on the cards. Businessmen need to be cau‑ tious with partners. You will look cheerful today and spend happier moments with family members.
CANCER
LEO
VIRGO
Enemies might come closer to you but avoid sharing secrets with them. Be careful while driving and also at work‑ place as chances of getting hurt. A good day to repay your debts.
Take good care of your siblings and fulfill their wishes. A good day to plan your future plans and take a decision. Self‑confidence and skills are set to increase. Hard work will be recognised.
Avoid keeping unwanted apprehensions in mind. Be careful while driving and during travel. Tensions possible but keep patience and resolve them peace‑ fully. Yoga and meditation will help.
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
Hurdles will be blown over with your hard work. Your self‑confidence and courage are set to increase. You will be ambitious and plan effectively to achi‑ eve growth. Decide on new projects.
Avoid getting irritated. Businessmen ne‑ ed to be extra alert while doing transac‑ tions as there are chances of incurring loss. Neighbours will be cordial and you will spend happy time with family.
You may be over sensitive today. Keep your emotions under control to avoid getting upset on your own. Financial gains are likely. You like to remain in the company of like‑minded persons.
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
Avoid undertaking journies. Chances th‑ at enemies are trying to defame you but remain calm and avoid getting emotio‑ nal; your wise actions will make them inactive. Some bad news may upset you.
Surprise financial gain in the offing. Be cordial with blood relatives and friends. You will receive good support from all people. Health is fine and chances of receiving a good news are high.
Your advises and decisions will gain importance today. Employees will be favoured with promotion. You will be appreciated for the praiseworthy achi‑ evements. Father's health needs care.
SUMAA TEKUR
tarotreadhyd@gmail.com
ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
King of Wands – Sp‑ end time with family. You need to renew your ties with close friends and family. They provide the mu‑ ch needed support and encouragement.
The Tower – Remind yourself of all your priorities and which parts of your life need attention. Changing or realign‑ ing your priorities may be required.
The Sun – Some nav‑ igation of a difficult problem may require your immediate attention and time. These are the chal‑ lenges that keep you engaged in your job.
CANCER
LEO
VIRGO
Ten of Pentacles – Finances are well taken care of and youʼve done amaz‑ ingly well with org‑ anising your money and putting away cash for a rainy day.
Three of Wands – Your ideas may seem a bit far‑fetched to your coworkers. But you can convince them that whacky ideas do work, at times.
Judgement – An international trip is possible in the next few weeks. Donʼt get your hopes up too high. It may be a short trip with little down time.
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
Page of Pentacles – This is an ideal time to launch new pro‑ jects and start off on ideas youʼve always wanted to. An entre‑ preneurship project works wonders.
Two of Wands – Yo‑ uʼre exhausted with the daily drill and wa‑ nt something to spice up your daily routine. Only you can help yourself find innova‑ tive ways to do that.
Ace of Wands – A plan may need to be abandoned midway if itʼs going in the wrong direction. Donʼt hesitate to do that if it means you can start afresh.
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
The Hermit – If you go with the attitude that you will never find what youʼre look‑ ing for, you never will! A positive outlook takes you halfway to your destination.
Five of Pentacles – You may have to get to the bottom of a pr‑ oblem before you thi‑ nk of solutions. Ther‑ eʼs much you cannot see at this point. Ope‑ n your eyes and ears.
The World – Thereʼs going to be a bit of havoc in the next few days. Prepare for uncertainty although little is likely to be in your control.
For Better or for Worse Stone soup
The police chase t was 2.00am and a California Ibehind Highway Patrol officer was sitting a billboard, eating a donut and watching his radar gun. Suddenly WHOOOOOM! A car speeds past him topping out at 104 miles per hour. The cop jumps in his car and chases after the reckless driver.
Ink pen
COMICS
Fred Basset
ARIES
TAROT READ
31
He sees the speeding car weaving all over the road, and when the cop put on his siren, the driver panicked and drove into the oncoming traffic lane. He zoomed past cars and trucks, all frantically skidding and honking their horns. Somehow the cop was able to keep pace with the guy, and
the driver did a 180 and drove in the opposite direction. The cop did a UTurn and followed the car, and watched the guy break through a guard rail, over a cliff and land safely on the road below, only to have the car engine start smoking and die. The cop scrambled down the cliff to find the driver staggering out of his car, obviously drunk. “Are you drunk or something?” he screamed at the driver. ”Of course,” replied the guy, “You think I’d ride this scary roller-coaster sober?”
Vol: 1, No. 162 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No. 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad–500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad–500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon.com and for subscription, please call 040-40672222, Fax: 040-40672211
Spotlight
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011
32
PICS: N SHIVA KUMAR
Oliver Sean and his band performed at Aqua at the Park on Christmas eve. The crowd shook a leg to his special theme song, Hyderabad
Hamsa Nandini
THE GLOWING QUEENS The Miss Dabur Gulabari Miss Rose Glow 2011 Grand Finale was held at the ITC Grand Kakatiya. (L to R) Dabur Gulabari Miss Rose Glow 2011, Rithu Varma (1st Runner Up), Nansi (Winner), and Tejasvi (2nd Runner Up)
Ankita