HALFWAY HOME
HOME-OWNERS WAIT FOR THAT LIQUID RELIEF
They wander the streets in search of work that will help them get back on their feet. The City’s homeless shelters provide a much-needed space for society’s lost souls to find some solace, before they begin their arduous journey again. P4
In Mehdipatnam, water scarcity is hitting residents hard, especially those looking to rent out their homes. A number of houses lie vacant, hoping to hear the charge of water through the pipes. P7 Hyderabad’s first compact afternoon newspaper
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012 HYDERABAD
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IT’S THE ARTIST The Artist ties with Hugo for most awards on Hollywood’s biggest night of the year
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
Spirit of Twin Cities
MAKE A SPLASH!
Pakistani food fest
M ANIL KUMAR
Bidri at Hyderabad Marriott hotel is host to a Pakistani food festivalTrain with chefs from Pakistan. Get a taste of various delicacies from Pakistan. Where: Hyderabad Marriott, Tank Bund When: Ongoing Contact: (040) 2752 2999
Get my food-Pronto In a hurry? Head to Prego at Westin. It offers quick 45-minute lunch stop overs. Where: The Westin, Madhapur When: Monday-Saturday, 12pm onwards Contact: (040) 6767 6767
Voice and Ventriloquy Gallery Space presents Voice and Ventriloquy- a solo show by Subroto Chowdhury . The exhibition is on till March 10. Where: Gallery Space, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing, 11am to 7pm Contact: (040) 6554 1836
Khao Galli Sample and expansive spread of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes at Khao Galli, Madhapur. Where: Khao Galli, Madhapur When: Ongoing, 8pm Contact: 99120 22261
Chowrasta
International pizza festival
Catch the painting exhibition Chowrasta featuring artistes such as Natraj S, Thirumala M Thirupathi, Srinivas Mouni and Subodh Singh. Where: Shrishti Art Gallery, Jubilee Hills When: Ongoing, 11am Contact: (040) 2354 0023
Pizza lovers this is the news for you! News Cafe is host to the International Pizza Festival. Sample pizza’s from around the world. Where: News Cafe, Inorbit Mall, Hitech City When: Ongoing, 12.30pm Contact: (040) 40101234
A suitable lunch Syn presents three offers to suit your needs. There is a lunch for those in a hurry, a lunch for those who are calorie conscious and a lunch for those who are planning a fun-filled and food-filled reunion with pals. Where: Taj Deccan, Banjara Hills When: Everyday, 12pm onwards Contact: (040) 6666 3939
Martini ‘n music Enjoy your evenings with martinis and crooner Kelly. This is what you call a perfect mix for a perfect evening! Where: Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills When: Every Evening Contact: (040) 6666 232
Movie time The Whistleblower directed by Larysa Kondracki will be screened
Go Splash
at Sri Sarathi Studio’s, Ameerpet. Where: Sri Sarathi Studios, Ameerpet When: February 27, 6.30pm Contact: (040) 2373 2050
Midnight Buffet Midnight hunger pangs? Head to Best Western for it’s midnight buffet where you can enjoy Hyderabadi dum biryani and live dosa with chicken curry every night. Where: Best Western Jubilee Hills When: Ongoing, 10.30pm-2.30am Contact: 80083 00373
Cognac and Cigar
When: Ongoing, 11am Contact: (040) 2752 2999
Acting workshop Samahaara- an acting and dancing workshop is being held. The workshop focusses on a variety of topics such as understanding the basics of stage acting, character analysis, stage and rehearsal terms, movement, stage geography. Where: The Actor’s studio, Madhapur When: Ongoing, 7pm to 9pm Contact: 98854 04784
Splash lounge is the perfect leisure destination for you to unwind at the poolside. During the evenings, the atmosphere gets romantic with great music, martinis and apertifs. Where: The Westin, Madhapur When: Monday-Friday, 5pm-10.30pm Weekends, 8am-10.30pm Contact: (040) 6767 6828
Reflections The first annual photo exhibition by Hyderabad Weekend Shoots (Team HWS) titled Reflections is on. Team HWS is an online photo sharing community that conducts photo walks. Where: State Gallery of Fine Arts, Kavuri Hills When: Ongoing, 10am Contact: (040) 23113308
Life Portrait
The Seasons Bar opens up again as a Cigar and Cognac lounge with a wide selection of cognac, rare whiskies, single malts and cigars. Where: Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing, 7pm Contact: (040) 6666 2323
Soni- A portrait from life is a live portrait workshop being held at Iconart Art Gallery. The workshop features life portrait and life sculpture demonstrations. Where: Iconart Art Gallery, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing, 11am Contact: 98499 68797
Art from the heart
Conversations in time
Muse Art Gallery presents a charity art show by Anjum Mohammadi (Karachi) for Soul. Where: Muse Gallery, Tank Bund
CINEMAS
Where: Kalakriti Art Gallery, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing, 11am Contact: (040) 66564466
Kalakriti Art Gallery plays host to Ashok Mullick’s collection of paintings on canvas titled Conversations in Time.
Big Cinemas, Ameerpet, 30581470; Cinemax, Banjara Hills, 44565555; Cine Planet, Kompally, 61606060; Inox, Banjara Hills, 447677770, Prasads, Tank Bund Rd, 23448888; PVR, Punjagutta, 08800900009; Talkie Town, Miyapur, 40214175; Tivoli, Secunderabad 27844973
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Hyper Local
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities
MLCs are yet to spend funds in full CIVIC
Details of funds allocated by MLCs in the City 1.K.R.Amos `1 crore released in 2010-11 `50 lakh released in 2011-12 Balance 2.N.Indrasain Reddy
`1 crore released in 2010-11 `50 lakh released in 2011-12
Balance 3.M.S.Prabhakar
`1 crore released in 2010-11 `50 lakh released in 2011-12
U Srinivas
Balance
srinivas.u@postnoon.com
4.K. Janardhan Reddy
S
ome members of Legislative Council, the Upper House of the State legislature, have not spent the fund given to them for developing constituencies of their choice. They failed to use the funds allocated to them from time to time. While some of them have spent about 80 per cent, some others did not cross even 30 per cent in spending. The Council, which was abolished by former Chief Minister NT Rama Rao, was later revived by another Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy. While the twin cities are reeling under problems of various kinds from time to time, the MLCs are thinking twice before making any allocation of funds for the development schemes. People
`1 crore released in 2010-11 `50 lakh released in 2011-12
Balance remaining 5.Ibrahim Abdullah Masqati
`1 crore released in 2010-11 `50 lakh released in 2011-12
Balance
- Allocated `55 lakhs - Allocation Nil - `94.98 lakhs - Allocation for works-`91.23 lakhs - Allocation for works-`50.55 lakhs - `8.32 lakhs - Allocation for works-`33.56 lakhs - Allocation for works-Nil - `116.44 lakhs - Allocation for works-`88.99 lakhs - Allocation for works-Nil - `111.01 lakhs - Allocation for works-`49.19 lakhs - Allocation for works`24.32 lakhs - `74.49 lakhs
6.Peer Shabbir Ahmed `1 crore released in 2010-11 `50 lakh released in 2011-12
Balance
- Allocation for works-`85.17 lakhs - Allocation for works-NIL - `114.83 lakhs
7. Syed Amin-ul-Hasan Jafri
would usually go to MLAs and ministers to get the funds allocated for the development works. A majority of them do not go to the MLCs. Some MLCs are not known to the people at all.
Some MLCs have not even allocated 30 per cent of their funds according to the statistics available with Postnoon. Even in the fund allocated, a large portion of it needs to be spent.
`1 crore released in 2010-11 `50 lakh released in 2011-12
Balance
- Allocation for works-`85.17 lakhs - Allocation for works-`60.29 lakhs - `4.54 lakhs
8. Syed Altaf Hyder Rizvi `1 crore released in 2010-11 `50 lakh released in 2011-12
Balance
- Allocation for works-`76.11 lakhs - Allocation for works-NIL - `123.89 lakhs
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Hyper Local
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities
4
Home for the homeless Not all is lost for the homeless as the night shelter near Bible House proves. It does its best to provide a home to those who need one
SOCIETY
Age wise details of the residents who have used this night shelter (From December 31, 2010 to December 31, 2011)
SRINIVAS SETTY
Osama Salman salman.o@postnoon.com
18-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 Total
T
he idea of homeless conjures images of people who have lost hopes of a better life, sleeping on the footpath, wrapping themselves with cardboard boxes, or finding shelter at bus stops. While this may be partially true, the people living in the night shelter near Bible House, Secunderabad, are happy with the facility provided to them. The night shelter on RP Road belonging to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) run with the help of Aman Vedika, an NGO, has bitter-sweet stories to tell. It has helped 60 homeless people find a roof to live under and people here wear a smile of relief as they have moved on from living on footpaths to a more permanent place. Not everyone living in this shelter are unemployed. In fact, a large number of them work on daily wages. The one thing common between all of them is that they can’t afford to live in a rented home. Inaugurated on December 31, 2010, this night shelter has a capacity to house 50 people comfortably. But as luck would have it, there are currently 60 people living here, and they are all welcome with an open heart
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 MUNICIPAL CORPORATION: Commissioner & Spl Officer 23262266
95 110 220 85 15 525
Qualifications of residents who have used the night shelter (From December 31, 2010 to December 31, 2011) Class I-Class VI Class VII-Class X Intermediate Degree Uneducated Total by the residents who have been here from the beginning. However, there are no women in this shelter. “We have divided the maintenance work amongst ourselves. There are groups for cooking and cleaning and we do our work religiously,” says Sayed Feroz, a resident since 14 months. The level of hygiene is proof, as most rooms in the shelter are spotlessly clean. The beds, mattresses, personal lockers, electricity and water have been provided free of cost, but the residents have to
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 27833169, 27824216 Railway Information 131 Reservations 135 Recorded Information 1345 Enquiry (IVRS) 1331, 1332, 1333
cook their own meals and get their own linen. Food is cooked only in the evening and residents have to buy it at `15. For a person who earns about `100 a day, this can be heavy on their pocket. The night shelter is also home to children and the aged. And while the latter are in no condition to earn money to pay for the food, the camaraderie between the residents’ makes them share food with them. What moved us the most, however, was that despite the lack of beds and space, the residents
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,Narayanaguda Chiranjeevi Blood Bank Blood Bank Mediton Goal Red Cross, Vidyanagar ADRM Blood Bank Mythri Charitable Trust NTR Memorial Trust Care Banjara Hills
“always accommodate anybody who walks in asking for shelter. We can relate to what they are going through as we have been through the same,” says resident V Gopal. When it opened, it had 50 beds, 25 mattresses, 40 towels, 40 bedsheets and one TV. The three rooms, three bathrooms, kitchen and a balcony space are not enough for the residents that it holds. In winters, people have slept under beds, near the kitchen, and even in the corridor. However, as summer is around the corner, they have even started sleeping in the balcony. “During the colder months of the year, for people who could not afford blankets, they covered themselves with mattresses to escape the chill,” said Sayed Feroz with a heavy heart. Recently, 36 lockers were provided by the Rotary Club, and people occasionally keep dropping off old clothes and utensils. But this isn’t enough. “This night shelter does not have filtered drinking water and the drainage in almost always
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
195 240 45 12 33 525
Requirements in the night shelter Personal lockers Camera Water filter Refrigerator Mats Bedsheets Towels Plate Stand Carrom boards Cricket kit
2 1 1 1 100 100 100 1 4 1
blocked in the bathrooms,” says Ramulu, in-charge of the shelter. He further adds that another problem that hits the night shelter hard is that often residents come in an inebriated condition disturbing others. “This is also the only shelter for the homeless on this side of town,” he points out. Even with all the problems, one thing that is evident is that none of the residents are permanent as Sayed Feroz tells us, “People come and people go, sir.”
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
Hyper Local
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities
Spirited TDP stalls House
M ANIL KUMAR
POLITICS
5
Pratyusha case: Bail for Sidhartha Postnoon News feedback@postnoon.com
U Srinivas
T
srinivas.u@postnoon.com
T
he liquor syndicates issue marred the proceedings of the Assembly on Monday as soon as it met. The TDP, lead by its president Nara Chandrababu Naidu, walked into the House with placards demanding the ouster of minister for excise Mopidevi Venkatramana. Before coming into the House, the TDP MLAs staged a dharna at the Gunpark opposite the Assembly building and demanded that the government must table the real report of the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) which has the names of ministers and MLAs in different districts. They alleged that `15,000 crore changed hands in the liquor scam and the same amount was supposed to come to the exchequer. As soon as the House assembled on Monday, the TDP members demanded the ouster of the excise minister
and rushed into the podium. They did not heed to the request of the Speaker that the Question Hour be taken up first and then the other business could be handled. As usual, the Speaker disallowed the adjournment motions given by the Opposition on liquor syndicates, Telangana and also NREGS. The TRS members did not come to the House and the request for the resolution on Telangana was placed by BJP in the House.
The Speaker, as usual, called the leaders of the Opposition parties to his chambers to consult them with the options left for the conduct of the business in the House. He told them that enough time and opportunity was given in the House on Friday for a detailed discussion and that the government also made it clear that since the matter was sub judice they could not prolong the subject any further. He also warned the members against carrying placards and
other publicity material into the House without the permission of the chair. He advised them not to carry such material into the House. Chandarababu Naidu, who also walked into the House from the Gunpark, said that they would not spare the government until the ministers responsible were thrown out. But some Congress members said that he could not do anything on the floor of the House and now he wanted to create pandemonium.
he Supreme Court on Monday stayed the State’s High Court’s verdict awarding a two-year jail term to G Sidhartha Reddy in the case of death of film actress Pratyusha. The apex court also sanctioned bail for him. Earlier, the State High Court reduced the quantum of punishment to the guilty, Siddhartha Reddy, from six years to two years on December 28 last year. Pratyusha, who fell in love with her classmate Siddhartha Reddy, had actually planned to marry him. However, the actress succumbed on February 23, a day after an suicide bid. The Metropolitan Sessions Judge sentenced Sidhartha Reddy to undergo a five-year jail term and `1,000 on charges of abetment to commit suicide. He was also given a year’s term in jail and another `1,000 fine for attempting to commit suicide. Siddhartha Reddy appealed to the High Court against the verdict of the lower court.
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Fresh notices on old buildings Postnoon News Feedback@postnoon.com
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any owners of dilapidated buildings are ignoring the notices issued by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). Saturday’s incident of a building collapse at Monda Market in Secunderabad once again made the corporation officials active. The officials are now planning to
serve fresh notices again on all these owners asking them to vacate the buildings and allow dismantling of these structures. “We have served notices to all the building owners, whose buildings are in dilapidated conditions. But many of them did not respond to our notices and simply ignore them. This stalled their demolition. We will again serve notices to these owners to go ahead with building demolition activity,” GHMC Chief City Planner GV Raghu told Postnoon.
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities
6
It is time for Holi fever As winter draws to a close and spring begins to blossom, it heralds the festival of colours — Holi. The City is gearing up for the festival and Postnoon checks out the hottest colours of the season N SHIVA KUMAR
FESTIVAL Anubha K Singh anubha.k@postnoon.com
T
he festival of colours is right round the corner. Step into the Begum Bazaar or the famous Gulzar Houz in Old City and one can see the preparations for the festival are in full swing. Holi, the festival of colours is also a symbolic fest which welcomes spring and bids farewell to winter. Holi marks the season of greenery, blossoming flowers in gardens and the sweet calls of cuckoos echoing in the neighbourhood. In the past, colours were extracted from flowers that blossom only during this season and the spray pistons (pitchkari) were made out of bamboo sticks. However, with the changing times, colours are being manufactured artificially. The added attraction to this year’s Holi colours is that they will smell good too. The new colour comes in a decanter and is made of colours mixed in rose water. They have to be sprayed like a perfume on the face or body. A bottle costs up to `40 during festival time. “I have been into making this coloured perfume from the past two years. We start preparing it 15 days prior to the festival. There is a lot of demand for them and they sell like hot cakes in Begum Bazaar and Gulzar Houz,” says Radhe Krishna, shop owner,
REAL ESTATE GACHIBOWLI TO VATTINAGULAPALLY ORR FACING HOUSING PLOTS FOR SALE. NEAR MICROSOFT, WIPRO, ICICI, INFOTECH, KOKAPET IT SEZ. CONTACT - 9989354333
Two day auto bandh
T
he Auto Drivers Unions’ JAC will observe ‘Auto Bandh’ from the midnight of February 27 to February 28. It will also organise a rally tomorrow from Sundaraiah Park to Indira Park, demanding that the State government resolve all their demands.
THE FACES OF HYDERABAD Annapurna, Mirchi bhajji vendor, Peddamma Temple
A
long queue of people impatiently wait, as Annapurna dips the long mirchi (green chilli) in the dough and drops it into the sizzling hot oil. Many men and women finishing their day’s work make it a point to make a stopover at Annapurna’s mirchi bhajji stall for a quick bite before they head home. Her delicious snacks are lip-smacking. Annapurna and her husband started their mirchi bhajji business three years back. Earlier, they were working as
Aishwarya Yerra A city is defined by the people who live and work in it. Here we take a look at the human threads that make up our urban tapestry
masons. Originally from Srikakulam, they shifted base to Hyderabad to earn a better living. But luck has always been elusive to this mother of two. Though she makes delicious bhajjis and has many takers, the profit margin of her business is not all that impressive. Ask her if she wants to once again switch professions and she says that she can’t rule out the option as she needs another job that will rake in more moolah. After all, she has to soon get her daughters married.
N SHIVA KUMAR
Begum Bazaar. Like every year, gulal or the pink colour has remained the most popular shade of Holi. The shopkeepers from Begum Bazaar are known for making colours made from cornflour. “Depending on the customer’s demand we sell these colours. Colours made from cornflour is not as harmful as compared to the colours made from chemicals. For children there is the colours are made with cornflour that is easy to wash off. But youngsters prefer 500 per cent as this colour does not leave the skin even after three washes,” said Raman Singh, a Holi colour vendor from Gulzar Houz. Other than colour, there are shops that exclusively sell flowers and garlands. The Holi Mala is sold only during the festival is a favourite. This garland is specially made of sugar syrup; flat dumpling-shaped goodies of different sizes and colours are linked together by a thread and cast in sugar syrup. This mala looks just like a flower garland. “It’s a tradition in North India to exchange these garlands with family elders. Even Children wear it and keep eating one bead at a time,” adds Radhe Krishna. With every passing year Hyderabadi’s have been celebrating Holi with increasing gusto. In all pockets of the City, residential societies organise their own festivities. From the narrow lanes of Old City to the plush corners of Banjara Hills, the bright colours of Holi can be visible everywhere.
SASP chief blasts TRS
T
he Samaikhya Andhra Samithi Party (SASP) president G Kumar Chowdary Yadav has alleged that the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) leaders were trying to get political mileage in every by-election in the name of a separate State issue and are deceiving the people of region. Launching the website www.samaikyandhrasamithi.or g on Sunday, G Kumar Chowdary Yadav criticised the BJP for organising ‘Telangana Poru Yatra’ to gain political ground in the region instead of addressing the people’s grievances. He demanded that the Congress immediately declare its stand on a united Andhra Pradesh.
Hyper Local
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities
7
Dry taps drive away the tenants A common sight in a Mehdipatnam neighbourhood is the sight of locked homes — hostile to hungry tenants and decorated for sale. Blame it on water, or the lack of it. Here, tenants lock up on their own! N SHIVA KUMAR
CIVIC Indira Atluri and Syed Shoaib
For any pipeline work, people first need to get permission from the GHMC. Only then will HMWS&SB step in to lay the line
feedback@postnoon.com
I
n the narrow lanes of a Mehdipatnam neighbourhood is a newly painted twostorey house. The ground floor is occupied by three men and the top floor — empty and locked. Syed Abu Baqhar, one of the three residents of the house tells us, “We have our business right opposite us and that is why we have taken the house on rent. There is not a trickle of water in the borewells, but we took it anyway as we needed shelter during the day. The owners were hesitant to give us the house as there was no water, but we managed to convince them.” This is just one of the stories about the neighbourhood and many such houses there have a story to tell. Talk to Quamer Parveen, another of the residents, and her angst is clear, “Ground water is not available anymore, and we get water only for an hour. We have filed umpteen complaints but all we get is acceptance numbers — one after another. We are told to pay around `60,000 to dig up roads to create a new line of water facility. It’s too high for us to pay, so we prefer to suffer, but there should be some solution.” Nagaveni, deputy municipal
commissioner of Circle 7 area says, “Many times, the Metro Water people dig up the roads without our permission, so we have to stop them. We cannot let people dig up roads and leave them open. To provide a platform to people, GHMC conducts regular circuit programmes where people can come and express
their problems.” There is a scary rise in commercialisation of private properties in many areas of the City due to water scarcity. A common sight in the area as in many others also is an increase in the number of flats up for sale. Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB),
the governing authority of water supply in the City is a long way from providing a solution to the residents of the neighbourhood. Nagender Kumar, the deputy general manager (operations and maintenance), says, “We are addressing all the complaints one by one. The registered complaints at the Metro Customer
Care are all looked into by the department. There are around 9,000 sanctioned water connections in Mehdipatnam. If there is a breakage in any of the water lines, and if we are intimated, we send water tankers for the line so people do not suffer.” Nagender justifies the taxes that people have to pay for digging the roads to lay new water connections, “People first need to get permission from the GHMC to dig the roads. We then come into the picture and lay the water line — this is the protocol that is usually followed.” There is no dearth in the rising number of complaints and of course, the assurance galore. But the mystery of the missing water continues, and till then for the likes of Isna Begum, another resident of the area, the only option is to lock homes and jet set on another complaint lodging spree.
Urbanisation depletes groundwater table Md Inkeshaf Ahmed ahmed.m@postnoon.com
G
roundwater levels at different places in the City and Ranga Reddy district are depleting at an alarming pace, even as the people are fearing frequent power cuts in the scorching summer. The inability of Hyderabad Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) is forcing thousands of residents to depend on the private water mafia to meet their daily needs. To add to the problem, this is posing a serious threat to the environment with water resources being exploited. Out of a total of 16 mandals of Hyderabad, nine have recorded significant levels of groundwater depletion in the last one year. Incidentally, all these mandals are part of GHMC with a popula-
Figures Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts Sl Village No
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Sanjeeva Reddy Nagar Humayunagar Kulsumpura Chandrayangutta Marredpally Nampally Gachibowli Juvenile Home Bahadurpura Malkajgiri
Mandal
Depth to water levels bgl.m. during
Ameerpet Asifnagar Asifnagar Bandlaguda Marredpally Nampally Serilingampalli Saidabad Bahadurpura Malkajgiri
tion of over 30 lakh. The most affected among these mandals are Marredpally, Nampally, Saidabad, Bandlaguda and Asifnagar.
January 2011,
January 2012,
18.15 1.80 4.50 6.85 15.45 5.60 2.90 3.00 3.60 10.60
19.10 2.80 6.65 9.60 24.55 10.80 3.65 5.95 3.95 18.70
Fluctuation (+Rise /- Fall) Jan 2011 to January2012
-0.95 -1.00 -2.15 -2.75 -9.10 -5.20 -0.75 -2.95 -0.35 ---
According to the latest official statistics collated by the groundwater department of Hyderabad, Marredpally recorded a level of 24.55 BGL
(Below Ground Level) metres, whereas Nampally mandal recorded a level of 10.80 BGL metres. In January 2011 last year, Marredpally had a level of 15.45 BGL meters and Nampally mandal 5.45 BGL meters. When it comes to Marredpally, there is a drop of 9.10 per cent, which is an indicator fall of water levels. Nampally mandal’s figure stood at 5.20 per cent . In Ranga Reddy district, all the 37 mandals are suffering from decline in groundwater levels. Among these mandals, those coming under the GHMC limits include Balanagar, Rajendranagar, Qutbullapur, Saroornagar, Serilingampally, Hayatnagar and Malkajgiri. According to the official statistics, the ground water levels have fallen by 8.10 per cent in Malkajgiri.
Uppal and Saroornagar mandals recorded 4.25 per cent fall in water levels. The groundwater levels which stood at 10.60 BGL metres in Malkajgiri last year fell to 18.70 BGL metre in January this year. Similarly, in Saroornagar the water levels fell to 11.70BGL metre from 7.50 BGL metre. Officials are blaming the increased activity in the real estate sector, a growing population and their requirements. These factors, they say, are naturally leading to depletion of groundwater levels. Deputy director of groundwater department in Ranga Reddy district K Dhananjaya said that construction of check dams, watershed programmes and rain harvesting pits and renovation and cleaning and dredging of existing tanks will enhance the groundwater table.
Focus
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
The story behind the news
8
A TALE OF TOY SOLDIERS Ten years after UN treaty against child soldiers, much work is needed to end practice SANDRA ARNDT
Jo Becker
W
hen Aruna was a young teenager in Sri Lanka, members of the rebel Tamil Tigers repeatedly came to her home, telling her parents that it was their duty to give a child “for the cause.” During the war, the Tamil Tigers routinely recruited children as young as 12 into their forces, sending them into frontline combat against government forces, and deploying girls like Aruna as suicide bombers. When Aruna’s parents refused to let them take their daughter, the Tamil Tigers burned down their house. The family fled the area, but the threats continued. Finally, Aruna agreed to join. She told me, “I was afraid if I didn’t go, they would take my younger sister.” Aruna was 15. Incredibly, until a decade ago, it was legal under international law to recruit children as young as Aruna and send them into combat. That changed 10 years ago on February 12, 2002, when a new United Nations treaty took effect, setting 18 as the minimum age for conscription or direct participation in armed conflict. Thousands of children are still participating in armed conflicts. As a human rights researcher, I’ve heard dozens of their stories in countries like Sri Lanka, Uganda, and Burma. But what is less-well-known is the remarkable progress made in ending the use of child soldiers. Two-thirds of the world’s countries have signed onto the UN treaty, prompting a seismic shift in how government and military leaders address the use of child soldiers. In 2001, the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers identified over 30 countries where children were participating in armed conflict. Today, children are fighting in about 15. In some countries, the use of child soldiers stopped with the end of conflict. The end of civil wars in countries like Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka allowed the demobilisation of tens of thousands of child soldiers. But in other cases, international muscle has made a difference. Every year the UN publishes a list of governments and armed groups that use child soldiers. The UN Security Council has threatened sanctions against those that refuse to end the practice. As a result, 17 governments and non-state armed groups in 10 countries have
signed agreements to stop recruiting children and to release children from their forces. Today, recruiting or using children under age 15 is considered a war crime, and individual commanders are being convicted and sent to prison. The Special Court for Sierra Leone convicted eight people for brutal crimes during Sierra Leone’s war. All were found guilty of using child soldiers and are serving prison sentences, ranging from 15 to 52 years. The United States is another illustration of how far we’ve come. In the late 1990s, the US was one of the few countries to oppose setting 18 as the minimum age for combat in international law. The US armed forces had long deployed 17-year-old
I was afraid if I didn’t go, they would take my younger sister Aruna
soldiers on the battlefield and did not want to change its practices. But growing attention to the widespread use of child soldiers persuaded the US to support strong international standards. Not only did the US ratify the treaty and raise its deployment age to 18, but Congress adopted
groundbreaking laws to cut off US military assistance to other governments that persisted in using child soldiers. The Obama administration is withholding $2.7 million in foreign military financing from the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo until it ends its recruitment and use of child soldiers. To be sure, we are a long way from eradicating the problem. Last year, children were recruited into forces in the conflicts sparked by the Arab Spring in Yemen and Libya. In Afghanistan, an alarming increase in suicide bombings by children has involved children as young as seven. Groups like the rebel FARC in Colombia and the Lord’s Resistance Army in central
Africa continue to use children with impunity and with little regard for international pressure. The experience of the last decade, however, shows that the governments and groups still using child soldiers are increasingly considered pariahs, and that strategic pressure and the new consensus of international law can protect children from war. The challenge now is to build on the momentum that exists, and to make better use of the existing tools — including sanctions, prosecutions, and UN negotiations — to persuade the remaining outliers that children have no place in war. Ten years after the child soldiers treaty took effect, there’s a lot to celebrate, but still a lot to be done.
India‑View
Yeddyurappa birthday ultimatum worries BJP
UP IN THE AIR
BANGALORE: With Karnataka
Actors Aimee Barua and Rimpi Das fly kites on the bank of the river Brahmaputra during a kite festival in Guwahati on Sunday. PTI
Kejriwal stands by his take despite MPs’ fire NEW DELHI: Political parties across the spectrum on Sunday slammed Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal for his “outrageous” remarks that “rapists, murderers and looters” were sitting in the Indian parliament. The Congress and the Bhartiya Janata Party flayed the social activist for the insulting remarks and the RJD threatened to bring a privilege notice against Kejriwal in the budget session starting from March 12. Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi said Kejriwal had insulted parliament and the people who elect MPs. “Parliament has a majority of those people, who are willing to do anything for the country. They reach there through hard work. Such statements not only insult the democracy and parliament,
but also insult the people of the country,” Alvi told reporters, a day after the Team Anna member was campaigning in Uttar Pradesh asking voters not to vote for candidates with criminal records. Alvi also criticised the media for highlighting the “outrageous remarks” at prime television slots.
Clarifying his controversial statement, Kejriwal said: “Onethird members of the existing parliament have criminal cases against them. Of these, 14 are those booked for murder, 20 have attempt to murder cases against them. “Eleven members have case of cheating and forgery against them while kidnapping cases have been lodged against 13. And cases of corruption have been lodged against several parliamentarians which included M Kanimozhi, A Raja, Suresh Kalmadi, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav. “Had Central Bureau of Investigation been an independent investigating agency, people like Chidambram would also have been facing cases.” IANS
Bengal official’s wings clipped after taking on forest minister KOLKATA: A day after he accused his minister of warning him to withdraw his order closing illegal saw mills, a top forest official in West Bengal had his wings clipped. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Mirza Asghar Sultan, who had made the allegations against forest minister Hiten Burman while speaking to a Bengali news channel, lost much of his powers with the government creating a new post PCCF-General and appointing Atanu Raha to it. Interestingly, Sultan had taken over as PCCF only on February 7 replacing Raha. “Raha has been reinstated as per the chief minister’s wish,” said Burman, who had earlier described the allegations leveled by Sultan as
“false”. Sultan had told the news channel that Barman had twice threatened him for an order he passed February 12 enforcing closure of illegal saw mills in the state. “He (Barman) called me up and asked why I passed the order without asking him, to which I replied it was my routine job. I have just sent a reminder to all the divisional forest officers (DFOs) as to why no action was taken against the illegal saw mills. There is no requirement for your permission as whatever I was doing is under law,” Sultan said to the channel on phone. “While I was sitting in his office, he (Barman) called up someone and said that this PCCF is not obeying me.
9
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
India unveiled
He needs to be taught a lesson. He thinks he is bigger than me. You collect people and take help from the police and teach him a lesson,” said Sultan about the minister. The officer was at the state secretariat Writers’ Buildings on Thursday to attend a meeting involving Barman and other top officials of the forest department. Burman said he has given a written complaint to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for initiating disciplinary proceedings against Sultan. “She has promised action,” he added. Banerjee had summoned Burman to the state secretariat Writers’ Buildings on Saturday in order to ascertain details of the case. PTI
BJP strongman BS Yeddyurappa remaining defiant after being rebuffed by BJP chief Nitin Gadkari in his bid to regain chief ministership, all eyes are on the former chief minister’s birthday bash today as he is expected to take a “drastic” decision whether to continue in the party or not. Yeddyurappa turns 69 today and has extended invitation to all his supporting legislators to attend a lunch hosted by him at his residence. He also will host a dinner party for mediapersons where he is expected to divulge his next step. Yeddyurappa will be visiting Siddaganga Mutt pontiff Shivakumar Swamy in Tumkur, attending a function orgainsed by Backward Class Forum near Railway Station and then hold a meeting with his supporters including legislators and MPs, sources close to him said. Some BJP leaders expect Yeddyurappa to bid adieu to the
BJP which he had built in the State over the years. Yet another section expects Yeddyurappa to wait for the outcome of the March 3 core Committee meeting convened by BJP President Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi. PTI
BSY should get key post, says Gowda GULBARGA: Karnataka Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda said former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa should be given an important position in BJP. “Yeddyurappa should be given an important position in the party as he is a senior leader,” he told reporters, adding it was for the central leadership to take a suitable call. Gowda dismissed reports of dissension in the party and said the March 3 core committee meeting at Delhi would address all issues. PTI
CHOSEN ONE
Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi with his party candidate during an election rally in Khurja on Sunday.
PTI
Punjab poll babus goof up: Village votes for wrong constituency HOSHIARPUR (PUNJAB): Electors in a village in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district have ended up casting their votes for the wrong constituency and its candidates in the January 30 Assembly polls. The revelation came in the enquiry by the district administration following directions from the poll panel which got a complaint about the mistake. Koundla, 20km from Hoshiapur town, was “mistakenly” clubbed by district election officials with the adjoining village and polling station of Bassi Chaura, official sources here said. After delimitation, Koundla fell in the area of the Hoshiarpur
seat while Bassi Chaura came under the Chhabewal seat. Earlier, both villages had a common polling station in Bassi Chaura. The result was that the 156 voters of Koundla village cast their votes for the Chhabewal assembly seat instead of the Hoshiarpur assembly seat. This came to light after ondustry and local government minister and the BJP candidate from the Hoshiarpur assembly seat, Tikshan Sud, complained to the Election Commision. He said that the voters of Koundla village were forced to vote for the Chhabewal seat instead of Hoshiarpur. Counting is on March 6. IANS
Around the World Gillard wins leadership ballot M E L B O U R N E : Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard emphatically won the Labor leadership ballot, handing her archrival Kevin Rudd a resounding defeat by 71 votes to 31. With the win in the 103-member caucus, the country’s first female prime minister ended Rudd’s hopes of returning aspremier any time before the General Elections next year, the Herald Sun reported. Announcing the result, returning officer Chris Hayes said: “Julia Gillard has won the ballot 71 votes to 31.” Hayes said Rudd had made it clear he would now unite behind Gillard. “He made it very clear to Caucus that depending onwhat the result was he was happy to support and work towards a unified Labor team.” PTI
10
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
Beyond Borders
Senegal counts votes
GLOBE AT A GLANCE 10 killed in Afghanistan airport suicide attack
DAKAR: Senegal began tallying results in a contentious election in which incumbent Abdoulaye Wade, who is seeking to extend his rule with a disputed third term, was greeted by jeers as he cast his ballot on Sunday. As night fell some votes were counted by candlelight or lamps, and people sat listening to results on their cellphone radios. In an election fraught with tension, none of the 13 opposition candidates emerged as a frontrunner before the poll. Wade has said that he is certain of a first-round win, which analysts say could spark more violence.Six people have already been killed in the unrest. The Nation’s reputation as a haven of stability has been tarnished by the pre-poll violence and the international community is closely scrutinising the polls. The US State Department’s Africa point man Johnnie Carson said the polls had been “orderly, peaceful and well managed”, and that it was critical for the country that they went well.
KABUL: At least 10 people were killed and a dozen injured Monday when a suicide bomber blew up his car packed with explosives near the airport in Afghanistan's Jalalabad city, police said. Five civilians, two soldiers and two local security guards were among the dead. Two American and six Afghan soldiers were among the injured. Several cars were damaged in the blast that occurred at around 7 am.
WikiLeaks publishes Stratfor emails LONDON: Whistleblowing website
Scrutinizers count ballots at a polling station in Dakar, Senegal on Sunday. AFP Wade lost his temper after voting as he was greeted by a cacophony of boos. The 2008 constitutional changes extending term lengths from five to seven years allow him to serve two more mandates, he says, an argument accepted by
the country’s highest court. The former French colony is one of the continent’s pioneer democracies, boasting an unbroken series of elections since independence in 1960. Unlike many of its troubled neighbours it has never suffered a coup. AFP
‘Arming rebels could help Al-Qaeda’
Syrian workers count ballots at the end of the voting day on the referendum for a new constitution in Damascus. AFP
WASHINGTON: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday warned against the United States arming rebels in Syria because such a move could inadvertently lead to support for Al-Qaeda and Hamas. Senior leaders of both groups which Washington classify as terrorist organisations have expressed their support for the loose-knit collection of Syrian rebels who have taken up arms against the regime.US officials, too, have expressed backing for those intent on toppling Assad, and senior lawmakers including Senator John McCain have said it’s time to consider arming the
rebel groups. “We really don’t know who it is that would be armed,” the top US diplomat said, as she noted that Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has expressed support for the rebels. “Are we supporting Al-Qaeda in Syria?” she said. “Hamas is now supporting the opposition. Are we supporting Hamas in Syria?” Clinton said she remains “incredibly sympathetic to the calls” about the crackdown that has killed more than 7,600. Clinton also appeared to signal to everyday Syrians that it was time to rise against the regime. AFP
Russian opposition uses internet to target Putin MOSCOW: Russia’s new Internet-savvy opposition is going online to protest and monitor the presidential elections on March 4, bringing its iPhones and Twitter into the fray against Vladimir Putin. As jokes and spoof videos about Putin, expected to win back the presidency in Sunday’s polls, spread like wildfire on social networking sites and YouTube, opposition activists are using the Internet to promote their cause. After a slow start, Internet use has sky-rocketed in Russia in recent years and last year the country overtook Germany as having Europe’s largest number
Supporters of Russia’s opposition protest in Saint Petersburg against Prime Minister Putin’s expected return. AFP
WikiLeaks on Monday began publishing more than five million confidential emails from US-based intelligence firm Stratfor, the group said. The messages will reveal Stratfor’s “web of informers, pay-off structure, payment-laundering techniques and psychological methods,” claimed a release.
of Internet users, a development the opposition have not hesitated to exploit. This week a Moscow-based programme developer, Alexei Chistyakov, 29, presented a new iPhone app to allow election monitors at polling stations to instantly report violations. Activist Ilya Yashin, of the Solidarity movement said he feels equally at home with the audience of his blogs as when yelling out speeches at rallies. Putin, who has slammed the Internet as “50% pornography”, has barely entered the Internet battle. But worryingly for him, that’s hardly representative of Russians today. AFP
Young boys play cricket even as the building where Osama bin Laden last lived is raised to the ground. AFP
Hindu girl kidnapped, forced to convert in Pak ISLAMABAD: A Hindu girl was kidnapped and allegedly forced to convert in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province today, prompting President Asif Ali Zardari to direct authorities to investigate the incident. Reports said the Hindu girl was kidnapped from Mirpur Mathelo in Ghotki district. The President had called for a report on the incident
Three killed in Canada train derailment MONTREAL: At least three people were killed and dozens injured after a passenger train derailed Sunday near Burlington in Ontario province, a report said. The accident occurred when two train came off the tracks between Niagara Falls, and Toronto, according to a Via Rail official. There were 77 people on board and at least three people were killed, police said.
Okinawa citizens protest against the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda in Japan’s southern island of Okinawa. AFP
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Asian mobile giants launch race BARCELONA: Asian telecommunications giants fired the first salvo in the battle for the smartphone market, premiering ultra fast and light phones hours before Monday’s world’s biggest mobile phone show opened. As the Mobile World Congress gathering tens of thousands of industry executives gets set to open its doors in Barcelona, China’s Huawei, South Korea’s LG and Taiwan’s HTC rolled out the world’s first quad core phones — with twice as fast processing power as the current generation of smartphones. Finnish giant Nokia, the former undisputed mobile phone maker, has meanwhile booked the early morning slot to showcase its new phones, which it is looking to help it reverse last year’s dismal result of over a billion euros in losses. The group has been struggling to secure a foothold in the fiercely competitive smartphone market, with its flagship line Lumia failing to correct falling sales in the smartphone
Man speaks on his moblie photo in front of a banner announcing the 2012 Mobile World Congress on February 25, 2012 in Barcelona. The 2012 Mobile World Congress will be held from February 27 to March 1, 2012 in Barcelona. AFP
business. In the fourth quarter, Nokia sold just 19.6 million smartphones, far behind market leader Apple, which reported 37 million units sold, and runner-up
SKS sells `354-cr loan to a bank Postnoon News
HYDERABAD: SKS microfinance has obtained a sanction for assignment of a rated pool of Rs354 crore from a major public sector bank (PSB), which is the largest rated pool assignment transaction in the Indian microfinance history. Simply put, the microfinance company sold its loan portfolio of `354 crore to a PSB. SKS has already drawn down the first tranche of `78.7 crore consisting of receivables from women borrowers from weaker sections, as defined by the Reserve Bank of India. Pool receivables are identified from 18 states (nonAndhra Pradesh), where the SKS microfinance operates. The pool is well diversified with a single branch accounting for less than one per cent of the pool, with the average loan amount being `10,717. The pool is rated as CARE A1+ (SO) (highest safety), which is considered to have a strong capacity for timely payment of shortterm debt obligations and carry the lowest credit risk. “Rated pool assignment is an excellent instrument of confluence which achieves the amalgamation
of the funding capabilities of the banking system and the credit delivery skills of microfinance companies. This sort of confluence may well be the real answer for financial inclusion. Our ability to consummate the largest rated pool assignment in the Indian microfinance history clearly demonstrates that funding concerns raised post the AP MFI Act are behind SKS Microfinance,” said S Dilli Raj(picture), chief financial officer, SKS Microfinance. Earlier this month, SKS completed another rated pool assignment transaction for `243 crore. The present transaction is SKS Microfinance’s eighth assignment/securitization transaction post the AP MFI Act.
Samsung, which announced 36.5 million smartphone sales in the three months ending December. But Nokia will find other keen competitors.
Sensex tumbles MUMBAI: The BSE benchmark index Sensex fell by over 200 points in the early trade on Monday, as participants engaged in profit-booking amid concerns over rising global crude prices. The 30-share barometer, which had lost over 500 points in the previous three sessions, moved further down by 200 points, to 17,712.27 points in the early trade. The wide-based Nifty of the National Stock Exchange declined by 27.35 points, or 0.50 per cent, to 5,401.95 points. Brokers said continued profit-booking, mainly in realty,banking, capital goods and auto stocks on concerns that rising crude prices in global markets could revive inflation worries dragged the index down.
Rupee down 4 paise The rupee declined marginally by 4 paise to `48.97 per dollar on the Interbank foreign exchange in early trade on Monday on fresh demand from importers for the American currency. Traders said apart from dollar’s gains against other currencies overseas, weak opening in the equity market and fresh demand for the dollar from importers, mainly put pressure on the rupee. The rupee had gained 26 paise to close at three-week high of `48.93/94 per dollar in the previous session on Friday.
China’s Huawei touted its new Ascend D as the “world’s fastest smartphone,” in its major push to shed its image of a lowend manufacturer and rebrand itself in the premium market. Huawei Device’s chief marketing officer Shao Yang told AFP while the regular mobile phone’s market had been fully exploited, there was a large market opportunity for the smartphone. “With the transformation of the smartphone market, we see an opportunity,” he said. World wide smartphone sales grew 53.5 percent in 2011, and made up 34 percent of all mobile handsets sold in the year, said Informa Telecoms and Media research agency. It estimated that over a billion people would own a smartphone by 2013, underlining the massive market potential. LG also sought to get a firmer grip on the smartphone market with a new quad core phone, the Optimus 4xHD. Daniel Hernandez, the group’s marketing director for Europe, said that “there is noth-
ing more powerful (than the model) on the market at the moment.” He added that the colours were more natural on the screen, thanks to the rapid processor. Taiwanese giant HTC meanwhile presented its new HTC One series, which its chief executive Peter Chou described as a “speed and performance beast.” Besides selling its quad core capabilities, Chou sought to differentiate it from competitors by highlighting the phone’s camera capabilities. “Our goal is to give you a camera that is so good that it has a power of a true digital camera on your phone,” said Chou, pointing out that the second most used function on a telephone, after making calls, is taking photos. The phone autofocuses in 0.2 seconds — “literally faster than a blink of an eye,” and offers continuous shooting. It also plugs into a television’s HDMI port, allowing the photos or videos to be viewed on a big screen.
NMDC to evaluate foreign mines Postnoon News
State-owned HYDERABAD: NMDC will soon appoint three different agencies to conduct due diligence for three overseas projects, where it is looking to acquire a stake, according to a top official of NMDC. Agencies will be appointed to conduct due diligence for Ridley iron ore deposit of Atlas Mining, Wonarah phosphate reserve of Minemakers Ltd in Australia and an iron ore project in Brazil. NMDC has already entered into an exclusive agreement with Minemakers to acquire 50 per cent stake in Wonarah deposits, which are considered as one of the largest under-developed phosphate reserves in Australia, with an estimated resource of 1.26 billion tonnes at 12 per cent phosphate. “The agencies will be submitting report in 45-60 days. Our future course of action will depend on their reports,” said N K Nanda(picture), chairman and managing director (in-charge), NMDC. As the agreement will end by February 28, NMDC may request the Australian company to extend the deadline, he said. The Ridley project, whollyowned by Atlas Mining, contains
970 MT of high grade iron ore reserves and can produce 330 MT of ore over 30 years. Nanda, who is set to leave for Perth to attend the Board meeting of Legacy Iron in which it recently acquired 50 per cent stake, said NMDC will be investing USD 15 million over a period of three years for the exploration activity that is going on at Legacy’s Mt Beven iron ore project. “So far indications are good with regard to the exploration at Mt Bevan. We would make major investment after the exploration is over,” he said. Replying to a query on the proposed doubling of the railway line between Kirandul to Jagdalpur, Nanda said the MoU with Indian Railways is likely to be signed in the first week of March.
Comment
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
Fair, free and forthright
Editorials HIGH PRICE FOR flouting safety rules
E
ven before dust settled from the tragedy at City’s Monda Market that killed four people, four children were crushed to death when a parapet of an under-construction building in Delhi collapsed on Sunday. There is hardly a day that passes without reports of lives being snuffed out by construction/demolition accidents. None of these are accidents in the true sense as they are creations of violations of safety rules. The sight of workers perched precariously on multistorey scaffoldings without any safety gear is a common sight at any urban centre. Officials are hand-in-glove with the builders and there are rarely any effective checks on the violations, let alone prosecution. The authorities need to realise that these deadly acts of commission and omission are not acceptable.
WHY WE LOVE Meryl Streep
F
ew actors can be nominated 17 times, win only twice, and still be so gracious that when they finally get up on to that stage to collect the golden baldie, they know where their priorities lie. When Meryl Streep won the Best Actress Oscar for her sterling performance as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady, she first thanked her husband, and then her make-up artist who has been by her side for over 30 years. There were no paeans to god and producers, there was no gushing about happiness, and there was certainly no thanking an Academy that has overlooked her talent for decades. Meryl’s was a graceful indictment of a fickle Academy who once again passed over the real talent on offer. But with Meryl they chose well.
12
Bank staff justified in their overhaul call Money Talk A Saye Sekhar
n Total business of Indian banking sector – `1
crore crore
n Total deposits – `55 lakh crore n Total credits (advances) – `45 lakh crore n Total gross non-performing assets (NPAs) –
`1.21 lakh crore (2.7 per cent of total advances) These figures are calculated on the basis of banking sector analysts up to March 31, 2011 provided by research agency, ICRA, and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), taking an error margin of 3 per cent into account. All the Central Trade Unions have jointly given a call for general strike tomorrow on February 28, 2012. Apart from wages, employment security, opposing Khandelwal Committee appointed to review the staff issues in the proposed Banking Law (amendment) Bill, and outsourcing of work, there are a few pertinent issues that are actually plaguing the banking sector among the demands raised by the staff unions. Ch Venkatchalam, general secretary of All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), listed out the issues that the staff is opposed to. While we empathise with the employees on their genuine staff-related issues, I culled out a few of these concerns which are very just and require immediate attention of the society at large. n Amending the Banking Regulations Act and Bank Nationalisation Act n Reducing government’s equity capital in government/nationalised banks n Availing of loan from the World Bank to contribute to the capital of banks n Merger of public sector banks n Allowing more foreign capital in Indian banks n Allowing more voting rights in banks for foreign capital n Encouraging private capital in PSU banks n Allowing corporate houses to start their own banks n Write off of bad loans of the corporate sector n Converting bad loans of defaulting companies as capital investments of banks in the
Interesting stories
Weekend look
I loved yesterday’s article of Sunada Pushkar Tharoor, it was interesting to read about one of the most talked about women, being written about other things apart from her controversy. Its nice to see that women are not just arm or eye candy but much more than that. Way to go PostNoon, I hope to see more of such stories. I also like that your paper explores angles to stories that are ignored by the morning papers. These make for interesting read when you are relaxed in the afternoon. I have a suggestion that you should publish readers’ stories too. Rajesh Nair East Maredpally
The new look of the weekend editions of Postnoon is very impressive. I liked the new layouts and it would be great if the rest of days have similar attention to detail in future. It’s good to see a city tabloid set great standards and impress the readers. However, I have one suggestion. If there could be some more content which directly affects the people like saving tax, battling with inflation and fuel hike that would be really great. Hope to see great work from your team in future as well. Santosh Reddy Mechal
same defaulting company “All these measures are against the interest of our banking sector and hence UFBU opposes the same,” said the AIBEA general secretary. I fully support his views in respect of some of these ominous proposals, particularly those concerning the corporate sector. The total deposits have gone up to `55 lakh crore in the banks, while `70,000 crore was added to the burgeoning bad debts in the last one year. What does the government want to do? For instance, take the case of Kingfisher Airlines? There has been a vehement opposition from different quarters in the country about the proposed bailout package to the bleeding airlines company promoted by Vijay Mallya. What will happen if the `10,000 crore advanced by the banks is converted into equity in his company? Will it be just and reasonable? If the SBI comes forth with another round of funding to the tune of `1,600 crore, the bank’s ‘stake’ might go up to `3,000 crore, making it 25 per cent stakeholder. Well, doesn’t that open the proverbial Pandora’s Box? Will banks eventually end up managing these units and drift away from their primary objective of offering banking and financial services? The NPAs of the State Bank of India (SBI), stood in excess of a whopping `40,000 crore at the end of the third quarter. The ICRA’s research report put out last year made some startling revelations. The percentage of NPAs may have dropped, but the absolute numbers would surely have gone up con-
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
sidering the growth in deposits too. The credit of entire financial sector — banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), and housing finance companies (HFCs) — stood at `49 lakh crores, as on March 31, 2011. This is 62 per cent of the GDP of 201011. While 86 per cent of the total credit was given out by the banks, 10 per cent was the share of NBFCs and four is of HFCs. Within the banking sector, 76 per cent was the share of public sector banks thanks to their wider reach and nationwide footprint. The gross NPAs in the banking sector are estimated at 2.3 per cent of nearly `45 lakh crore of total banking business. This works out to Rs. 1.21 lakh crore, which is one and a half times of the annual budget of Andhra Pradesh. The corporate loans, including the ones given to NBFCs, power sector, infrastructure, commercial real estate, come to a whopping `25 lakh crore. While housing loans accounted for `3.46 lakh crore (as on March 31, 2011), the credit card outstanding is just `18,100 crore. The credit extended to utilities, especially the power sector, is a cause for concern, for that accounts for a huge sum of `2,69,200 crore (seven per cent of the total banking credit). If the banks are doing well, it is surely not because of the credit offtake by corporates alone. The corporates must learn some financial discipline and translate their jugglery in books into solid reality to keep the banking activity afloat. And, the government must not pursue the abhorrent approach of tampering with the loan policy. The writer works for Postnoon
Violation of basic rules
Truly shocking
It’s quite tragic that four people lost their lives following the collapse of the old building in Monda Market. The incident could have been avoided completely had the contractor followed basic rules while demolishing the building. Hyderabad has several such old buildings which might crumble anytime soon. Unless GHMC acts fast and brings in a regulation for demolishing buildings, such incidents will keep occuring. The saddest part about the incident is that no one is going to take the moral responsibility and help the families of those who lost their lives. Q Sudhakar Krishnanagar
The drug menace in Hyderabad is not a new phenomenon. Internet pharmacies, transporting through couriers will pose a big challenge for our authorities to curb this menace due to the sheer volume of parcels being shipped everyday. Moreover, raids are usually held when there’s a tip off from an insider and there’s no way that our authorities can stop such acts from happening. I hope the city officials have a plan to actbefore it is too late. Sunil Prasad Madhapur
H‑Factor
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
Holistic view of mind, body and soul
Watch what you eat What you eat during pregnancy has a role to play in your baby’s future eating patterns. So keep a tab on that diet
Ranjani Rajendra ranjani.r@postnoon.com
Y
ou’ve tried everything, but getting your child to eat a wholesome, nutritious meal almost always is a challenging task. He’ll fuss and refuse to eat, while you cajole, coax, spank, try to distract, spin numerous tales and even promise him that he’ll become the next superhero if he eats food without a fuss. But no matter how hard you try you can’t seem to get more than a couple of morsels down his throat or end up running after him for the next few hours trying to get him to eat. A fussy eater is every mother’s nightmare. But there’s hope yet. According to a research carried out by Benoist Schaal of Bourgogne University in Dijon, varying one’s diet during pregnancy cuts down the risk of the child being a fussy eater. “During pregnancy the womb is relatively permeable and what the mother takes in goes in a certain dose to the foetus during a time when the brain is being formed, probably with long-term consequences,” the Daily Mail quoted him as
saying. During the research it was seen that babies reacted positively towards foods that their mothers had eaten during pregnancy. Reason enough for you to want to eat a variety of nutritious food, to ensure your baby is also positively inclined towards them after birth — and of course to make meal times an easier affair. Taking the notion further, paediatrician Dr Sharmila Asthana says, “Although it may not be scientifically proven yet, it has been noticed that often a pregnant woman craves for certain foods and this may have a lot to do with the unborn baby’s preferences.” A few things however, that need to be
kept in mind during pregnancy includes abstaining from stimulants — be it tea, coffee, cigarettes or alcohol. “These can pass on to the baby through the umbilical cord or in case of nursing mothers through the breast milk and affect the baby’s weight and health,” explains Dr Asthana. “It will also be wise to moderate diet during pregnancy to ensure that a variety of nutrients reach the baby, while taking care to cut down on the intake of certain foods like sugars. It has been seen that if the mother takes in too much sugar during pregnancy then it may lead to the birth of a bigger baby,” says Dr Rupa Reddy, a gynaecologist. So the next time you crave for something sweet, extra spicy or simply junk food, do keep your baby’s health in mind. Pick food that’s fresh and try including iron and protein rich foods. So the next time you go grocery shopping load up on a healthy dose of nuts, fruits, fresh vegetables and dairy products as well. As a treat for yourself an occasional bar of chocolate or your favourite savoury snack will do too — as long as it is occasional. After all, you have a healthy baby to think of and not to forget fuss-free meal times. So go ahead vary your diet and don’t just stick to boring dishes.
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Antibiotic resistance, the new threat
Dr P Raghu Ram
W
hen Lancet published an article on the new super bug New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM 1) tracing it to India, there was, rightly so, a huge uproar and protest from the Indian medical fraternity. To suggest that the ‘super bug’ originated in India and above all naming it after New Delhi is slanderous, to say the least. This having stated, it certainly is time for introspection – to look at some of the facts and realties relating to antibiotic abuse in India. It is now a well recognised fact that there is widespread antibiotic misuse/abuse in our country, which has serious effects on public health. For example, upper respiratory infection (URTI) accounts for the most common presenting diagnosis to a doctor. More often than not, URTI is caused by virus or fungus. However, the vast majority of these patients are wrongly prescribed antibiotics which will not act on these organisms. The fact remains that unless secondary bacterial infection sets in; there is absolutely no role for antibiotics. A majority of people not only self medicate but are also prescribed antibiotics carelessly by doctors ‘willy-nilly’ even for low grade Pyrexia (fever) regardless of whether it is physiological or pathogen induced. It is precisely this careless phenomenon from both patients and doctors that is leading to development of multidrug resistant bacteria rendering antibiotics useless. With this frightening trend, in the not too distant a future, antibiotics will not act on common bacterial infections for most people and many more ‘super bugs’ will develop that could potentially cause multi-antibiotic resistant life threatening infections. Isn’t it an irony that antibiotics are fast becoming ineffective by the very bacteria that they are meant to destroy? (This column will continue next week. The writer is the director and consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon at KIMS-Ushalakshmi Centre for Breast Diseases, Hyderabad)
H‑Factor
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
Holistic view of mind, body and soul
Exercise to stay alert TEL AVIV: Avoiding exercise could be bad for our mental health too, pushing us into the pit of depression and causing burnout at work. Sharon Toker, management expert at the Tel Aviv University, with Michal Biron from the University of Haifa, discovered that employees who did engage in physical activity were less likely to experience a deterioration of their mental health, including symptoms of burnout and depression. The best benefits were achieved among those exercising for four hours per week they were approximately half as likely to experience deterioration in their mental state as those who did no physical
LONDON: Exposure to higher levels of rosemary scent seems to perk up brain power, tests show. Mark Moss and Lorraine Oliver, from the Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre at Northumbria University, tested cognitive performance and mood in a group of subjects, exposed to Rosemary’s aroma, especially 1,8cineole, one of its main chemical components. Using blood samples to detect the amount of 1,8-cineole participants had absorbed, researchers applied speed and accuracy tests, and mood assessments, to judge the rosemary oil’s affects, the journal of Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology reports. Results indicate that con-
activity. Toker and Biron say that employers will benefit from encouraging fitness of their employees. If the fight against obesity is not enough of an incentive, inspiring workers to be physically active lessens high health costs, reduces absenteeism, and increases productivity in the workplace, the Journal of Applied Psychology reports. Though depression and burnout are connected, they are not the same, says Toker. Depression is a clinical mood disorder and burnout is defined by physical, cognitive, and emotional exhaustion, according to a Tel Aviv statement. But both contribute towards
a “spiral of loss” where the loss of one resource, such as a job, could have a domino effect and lead to the loss of other resources such as one’s home, marriage, or sense of self-worth. Originally designed to examine the relationship between depression and burnout, the study assessed the personal, occupational, and psychological states of 1,632 healthy Israeli workers in both the private and public sectors. Participants completed questionnaires when they came to medical clinics for routine check-ups and had three followup appointments over a period of nine years. The participants were divided into four groups: one that
did not engage in physical activity; a second that did 75 to 150 minutes of physical activity a week; a third that did 150 to 240 minutes a week; and a fourth that did more than 240 minutes a week. Depression and burnout rates were clearly the highest among the group that did not participate in physical activity. The more physical activity that participants engaged in, the less likely they were to experience elevated depression and burnout levels during the next three years. The optimal amount of physical activity was a minimum of 150 minutes per week, where its benefits really started to take effect. IANS
Rosemary scent perks up brain power centration of 1,8cineole in the blood is related to an individual’s cognitive performance — with higher concentrations resulting in improved performance, according to a Northumbria statement. “Only contentedness possessed a significant relationship with 1,8-cineole levels,
The Rosemary plant is said to improve memory and is used as a symbol of remembrance, especially in Australia and New Zealand Study
and interestingly to some of the cognitive performance outcomes, leading to the intriguing proposal that a positive mood can improve performance whereas an aroused mood cannot,” said Moss. Typically comprising 35-45 per cent by volume of rosemary essential oil, 1,8-cineole may possess direct pharmacological properties. The plant is said to improve memory and is used as a symbol of remembrance, especially in Australia and New Zealand to commemorate ANZAC Day.
14
SKIN DEEP
Dr K Sai Krishna, Dermatologist and Cosmetic Surgeon, Sri Sai Skin Clinics, Chaitanyapuri
Skin peels are safe
Anishaa Kumar
“P
eels are not a new discovery they have been around for a very long time. Even during the time of Cleopatra milk which contains Lactic acid was used to enhance one’s beauty,” mentions Dr K Sai Krishna. “Peels can be done for many reasons such as fine lines, opening pores, lightening of the skin, removing acne scars and also pigmentation. Peels are basically done using different kinds of acids with glycolic acid being the most common one. Depending on the problem the kind of acid and quantity varies. For Indian skins which are usually categorised under type three or type five skin types a medium quantity of the acid is used,” he says. Dr Krishna explains that peeling can be used to remove acne scars but it depends on the kind of acne. If the acne is too deep then peeling may not be enough a combination of other procedures such as lasers and roller-bars are used. Sometimes even fillers can be used. It all depends on the desired effect and the location of the acne. Peeling usually takes around 6-8 sessions. Initially the person’s skin is primed. After 10 days once the skin is ready, peeling is done. Usually there is a 15 day gap between each priming session hence the entire process may take around two-and-a-half months. Usually, once a person gets peeling done, it is advised that people take caution while one is under the sun as peeling is basically exfoliation so immediately after the process, the skin is delicate and more fresh. Hence caution such as a good sunscreen and a cap or mask should be used. Both peeling and laser are safe. Dr Krishna mentions that no single treatment is ultimate. A lot of processes come under consideration while choosing laser treatment or peeling such as cost, time at hand and the desired effect. He concludes saying, “Ultimately it is important that a person gets the procedure done from a qualified professional. Peeling is a safe and affordable procedure. Problems associated with peeling usually occur when it is done by someone who is not well trained.”
Campus Students Speak Best thing about college A lot of cultural activities take place. Sports are a rage here too. The best part is that we are encouraged to take up these activities, instead of being asked to study all the time
Fashion trends Since we have a uniform, there aren’t any fashion trends as such. But when we get the chance, we like sporting funky sneakers or pretty kurtas
Music playing on our iPods The Kolaveri rage is still on here. Besides that we’re hooked on to songs from Agneepath and Ekk Main Aur Ek Tu
Favourite hangout inside college The cafeteria! There is nothing like bonding over food
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
15
WHERE WEARING UNIFORMS IS FUN! Little Flower Degree College is one of the few colleges in India, which insists on uniforms for its students who don’t seem to mind it Darshani Nene feedback@postnoon.com
Favourite hangout outside college There aren’t many places outside college. But we like to spend time at Café Coffee Day and various other restaurants in the area
The one thing you’d like to change about college I know you thought we’ll say uniforms. But no! We wish we’d had an open-gate system. That would have been really nice. Also, we aren’t allowed cell phones in the college campus, which we wish we could change.
T
he minute you enter Little Flower College, you can whiff the difference. It’s because the students here wear uniforms! Gasp! Uniforms in college? Yes. You’ll have to see it to believe it. Wearing uniforms to college sounds silly. “I don’t think so. I mean yes, we do wish we didn’t have to wear uniforms, but it’s just so much more easier! I don’t have to wake up every morning and sift through my wardrobe to find what to wear. All I do is put on my uniform and run!” says Zoha, a BSc student. Kundan Singh, a BCom student adds, “Do you know how
much money we save? I know it sounds silly, but there are a lot of students who cannot afford to spend money on clothes which is why a uniform is a good idea. We get used to wearing formal attire, which comes in handy when we get a job.” Uniforms are said to promote unity and a sense of belonging. Apart from inculcating a sense of discipline, they set you apart from the rest. Psychological studies have also stated that wearing uniforms helps keep bullying
under check. But more than anything, uniforms bring everyone to the same level. Recently appointed as the principal of the college, Brother Jaico believes that when you’re in a uniform, you’re the same as anyone else. “It doesn’t matter how rich you are, or where you come from, because in the end, we are all equal. That was the whole idea behind having uniforms at the college level. Moreover, since our college is set inside the school and junior col-
Lecturer Speaks Br Jaico: Principal, Little Flower Degree College How long have you been teaching at Little Flower? I’ve been teaching Mathematics for 18 years now. This is my first year in the college as a principal but I also teach Math here. l What is the approach of the students towards the subject? Well, it depends on their interest and their intellectual level. Some students have a really good base due to great teaching at lower levels, while some students aren’t that strong in their basics. It also depends on their mental capability; some students are fast in grasping concepts while some are comparatively slow. l Has the performance of your students improved in the subject? Marks-wise, yes! But theoretically, their understanding of the concept isn’t that good as was the case before. The theoretical knowledge my previl
ous students had was more than the present batches. The present batches see subjects with respect to their usefulness. They find the practical useful and don’t pay much attention to the theory. They’re very much interested in the computer application of the subject. l Is there a dearth of good Math teachers? Yes, there is. We need a lot more good teachers for the subject who must understand the subject themselves before teaching it. l What’s the purpose behind having a uniform in a degree college? It ensures uniformity. All students from different backgrounds are brought to an equal level when they wear a uniform. They also look dignified and students are quite happy with it. They also get a chance to wear regular clothes, two days a week.
On the eve of exams, how’s the preparation? We’ve conducted the pre-finals and practical exams and the students are now coming to college to clarify their doubts. Special coaching is being given for IIT, EAMCET, AIEEE and CPT. With these corporate institutes, our college has been facing tough times, but things are definitely going to improve after a while! l Finally, your message to the students. Listen to your heart, but use your mind. Choose a good company of friends, as they have a great influence in your growing years. Make the right decision for yourself and for the society. l
lege campus, we could not risk our younger students being influenced by collegians.” But students don’t need to wear their uniforms all week long either. “Out of six working days, we get to come in casual wear for two days in a week, Wednesday and Saturday, which is good enough!” says Shiva Prasad, a BCom student. So before you start pitying these kids, STOP! If they don’t have a problem with it, then why should you?
F‑Folio
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
Because you are what you wear
18
The quirky side of design An ex-IT professional, Shalima Jacob, decided to indulge in her passion for design, which fetched her not only local clientele but international as well. Read on
Sana Mirza sana.m@postnoon.com
F
lexing careers and turning hobbies into full time jobs seems to be the current trend. Prior to her stint as a designer, Shalima Jacob was an IT professional but her penchant for contemporary design and sheer creativity led her to start her own boutique called Shalima Designs. “Late last year, I decided to create a small collection of 30 saris and showcase it online to my friends and family. Since then, I haven’t looked back as orders poured in from Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and Muscat,” beams Shalima. While international brands rule the market
for western clothes, stores catering to affordable, good quality Indian wear are a handful. “I personally believe that designer wear should be affordable and within the reach of those who appreciate good fashion. Most women shy away from walking into a designer store because of the heavy tag that is usually attached to it. That is the gap that I would like to cater to,” admits Shalima whose saris are priced between the price ranges of `2,000 to 7,000. Her designs are not only cleverly unique but are fun and unconventional with never before seen motifs like zodiac signs, playing card designs to even emoticons. “My saris are more of a celebration of the creativity and the infinite possibilities that can be achieved in design The basic thumb rule I follow when crafting my saris is whether they are wearable or not. After that the inspiration comes from all things beautiful be it a plant, a painting or even a stained glass,” she explains. “I tend to use the best quality of fabrics like georgettes, chiffons, silks to natural hand woven
fabrics like the gheecha, tussar and raw silk from various regions in India which are then merged ethnically with different art forms,” explains Shalima. She continues, “On one of my saris, I have used Warli art of Maharashtra on a natural gheecha silk which is from West Bengal. Another one has kalamkari motifs hand painted on gheecha and tussar silk.” Unlike other designers who prefer setting up stores in different cities, Shalima believes in the clear advantage of online shopping. Due to the increase in retail activity over the web, it made perfect sense to venture online and have a wider reach than concentrate on a physical and localised presence. “Facebook is increasingly becoming a market place for unique and highly personalised merchandise. As soon as the new collection is uploaded, it is available to everyone, who then with the comfort of their desks or phones, can view, select and pay for the products which gets delivered to their door step in a matter of 2-3 days,” says Shalima. For those who are unfamiliar with the trade of online shopping can visit Shalima’s studio, located at Sainikpuri but make sure to get a prior appointment.
Shalima Designs Studio, Milasha, Plot No 86-87, Lake View Residency, Sainikpuri Phone: 9959315577
/ShalimaDesigns
Spotlight
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
19
DEEPAK DESHPANDE
A fashionable soiree Here’s another winner for the fashion conscious women in the city. A new store by the name of Soiree was launched on Road no 12, on Sunday. The store opened with an exhibition of evening wear for women.
Aaliah & Laila Khan
Seema & Ayesha
Sameera & Farath
Salma, Saleha, Shahanr, Saba & Asra
Anees & Zareena
Aaliyah
shruthi
Fatima & Mona
Rubi
DEEPAK DESHPANDE
HAIR & CARE
Budding cricketers Actor Shraddha Das at the 20-20 cricket tournament organised by 9 Gems at the LB stadium on Sunday.
Actors Aksha and Nakshatra at the launch of Naturals Family Salon at Shivam Road, Vidyanagar. This is Naturals’ 127th salon in the country. The launch was followed by a fashion show.
Yasneen
Magic Screen
The glamour behind the glitz
A
day after a section of the media reported that Nagarjuna may join active politics, he put the rumours to rest. “I am not getting into politics… thank you (sic),” Nagarjuna posted on Twitter. Couple of days ago, when Nagarjuna was in Tirupati he said, “I am keenly observing the present day politics in the state, but I have not yet taken a decision as to whether to enter politics or not. First of all, I wonder whether I am suitable for politics or not.” Soon, TV channels across the state began airing reports that Nagarjuna is likely to get into politics and may even play an important role in the elections to be held in 2014. Now that Nagarjuna has reiterated his stand on the issue, it certainly looks like he’ll continue to act in films, apart from managing his business ventures.
Gunasekhar wants to revive Rudrama Devi
I AM NOT GETTING INTO POLITICS
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T-TOWN TWEETIES
@RanaDaggubati “@ReallyEpic: We live in the era of smart phones and stupid people.”
@shraddhadas43 Before I sleep, link to the pics of the charity cricket match at Lb stadium whr I was the chief guest today, select ur fav pics n I’ll retweet.
@shrutihaasan Finally wrapping up the day super exhausted but content :) I think I need a bed time story and my pink panther cuddly... One of those days :p
@Isumanth
Gopichand’s next is an action adventure A
unasekhar has announced that he’ll begin working on his dream project Rudrama Devi. “I have been planning to make this film since Okkadu’s release. Since it’s going to be a big budget film, it requires state-of-the-art technology, I chose to wait for a long time and now I feel the time is right to make the film,” Gunasekhar said. Since it’s a female oriented film, a top heroine is going to be cast in the lead role and already names of actresses like Anushka, Nayanthara and Priyanka Chopra are being considered. More details about the film will be announced soon.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
n untitled film starring Gopichand, to be directed by Chandrasekhar Yeleti, was launched yesterday in Hyderabad. The duo had earlier worked together in Okkadunnadu. BVSN Prasad is going to produce the film which is touted to be an action adventure. “The film is about a common man who goes on a treasure hunt in one of the most dangerous countries in the world. This is definitely the most exciting film I have ever worked on,” Chandrasekhar Yeleti said. The film will be shot in Jordan, Rajasthan and Ladakh. The star cast of the film is yet to be finalised. Sri is going to compose the music and Shamdat is the cinematographer. Apart from this film, Gopichand will also be seen in Bhoopathy Pandian’s film which was launched earlier this year.
Amazing 5-2 comeback win by #Arsenal over Tottenham. We leapfrog Chelsea to 4th place:) Sorry, Harry Redknapp.
@richyricha Hey guys,sorry I’ve been MIA! Have been relaxing, gymming n catching up. Needed this break. Bk 2 shoot tomorrow 4 both my films (Telugu&Bengali)
@actor_nithiin) Powerstar congratulatd me on d success of ishq n is goin to watch Ishq in a couple of days.
@taapsee) Shooting at picture perfect locations for gundello godari. E1 fone camera captures it so beautifully
@trishtrashers Thank u all my tweeps for all d wishes for VTV’s 2nd anniversary... haha... Think I’m gonna change my name from Trisha to Jessie ;) Big hug
Magic Screen
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
The glamour behind the glitz
21
Stars shine on small screen The explosion of TV Channels in Andhra Pradesh has opened up a plethora of opportunities for film actors and some of them have already made it big on the small screen. Postnoon finds out more Hemanth Kumar hemanth.k@postnoon.com
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ver the past few years, television channels in Andhra Pradesh have grown by leaps and bounds, both in terms of reach and size. The number of news channels alone has crossed twenty and general entertainment channels like ETV, MAA TV, MAA Gold, Zee Telugu and Gemini TV continue to vie for better viewership. The competition to create better content to lure the viewers has opened up new doors for Telugu film actors and some of them are slowly dominating small screens as well. In the past few years, actors like Saikumar, Brahmanandam, Aamani, Roja, Lakshmi Manchu, Jayaprada and Ali have hosted various shows on TV and this trend is likely to continue in the near future as well. So what’s luring them to the small screen? “TV channels have a larger reach compared to films and unlike films, actors have the opportunity to constantly engage the audience. When film
actors host TV shows, the viewership is naturally higher which in turn leads to higher advertising revenue,” says Sanjay Reddy, Business Head of Zee Network’s South cluster. Currently, the revenue generated from advertising on TV in Andhra Pradesh alone is more than `800 crores. TV Soaps continue to dominate and films come second in terms of viewership and these two are followed by various reality shows, game shows and talent shows. So far, most film actors have found their footing in game shows and talk shows like WOW!, Ali 369, Who is the Katravalli?, Lakshmi Talk Show, Prema Tho Mee Lakshmi, Nene Satyabhama and Modern Mahalakshmi. “When a film actor hosts a TV show, it brings in more viewers from rural areas and TRPs are highly dependent on such audience. Moreover, the remuneration for a film actor hosting a TV show is much higher compared to other anchors,” says Vrinda Prasad, Assistant Manager (Celebrity Relations), MAA TV. The demand for floor space to produce content for TV has increased so much that all the major studios such as Ramoji Film City, Annapurna Studios and Ramanaidu Studios have added more floors to accommodate shooting of more serials and other non-fiction shows. Moreover, film producers like Shyam Prasad Reddy, Gunnam Gangaraju and Tammareddy Bharadwaj have been producing shows and serials for several years now and the latest news is that Dil Raju and Suresh Babu are also planning to join the club. Production cost for content on TV costs much less than films and this seems to be the driving force behind this trend. “Of late, three to four episodes are
being shot in a single day and TV Channels are ready to pay Rs 3-4 lakhs per episode. And the production cost for the entire day doesn’t exceed Rs 3 lakhs in most cases. The economics behind production of content for TV seems to be luring bigwigs from the film industry. The investment is quite low when compared to the returns,” opines Pradeep, a popular anchor on TV and adds, “Besides, it’s a great medium for film actors. The host is the hero of the show and there’s more screen time compared to what he or she gets in films.”
Magic Screen
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
The glamour behind the glitz
‘Cinema, literature on a par, building new synergy’
C
inema adaptations of novels are a challenge and helps forge new synergy between the screen and literature, speakers at a forum at the World Book Fair said. The debate over the superiority of cinema and literature in the world of adaptations is now passé, speakers at a forum “Filming Fiction” hosted by the Oxford University Press at the 20th World Book Fair in the capital said on Saturday evening. The forum marked the release of an anthology of critical essays, Filming Fiction to commemorate 100 years of Oxford University Press in India. “The last 100 years have seen a growing body of films and people still complain of lack of good scripts. Very few people have turned to novels to adapt them into cinema. Young people often write their own scripts but they don’t have the wealth of experience,” film critic and writer Aruna Vasudev said at the forum. She recalled the successful adaptations of Rabindranath Tagore’s short stories and novellas by Bengali maestro Satyajit Ray in his movies, Ghare Baire, Charulata and Teen Kanya. She said filmmakers sometimes make the mistake of adapting novels that cannot be transposed liberally into a film. “The question of comparing a book and a film is wrong. They are two different mediums. We have to get out of the fidelity fixation - the idea of the betrayal of the fidelity
which in this case is the original text. If a film is an interpretation of a book, then it is not right to talk of fidelity. In the 1999 romantic comedy Mansfield Park by Patricia Rozema loosely based on Jane Austen’s eponymous novel, it is said a lot of what was revealed was hidden in the novel… ,” filmmaker Sohini Ghosh, a professor of film studies at Jamia Millia
Islamia, said. It adds a lot of worth to novels being represented outside their own territory, she added. Film critics look for what is cinematic from the cinema’s point of view even in an adaptation. “I am interested in the adaptation of books that have the potential for cinema,” Ghosh added. “Adaptations forge relationship with cinema rather than proclaiming itself independent of it,” Ghosh said, adding “that Internet was opening up many new possibilities in adaptations and it was to the filmmakers and script writers to make full use of it.” According to Ira Bhaskar, a professor of English, cinema cannot be handmade into literature but the two must have a positive, creative and interpretative relationship with cinema. The relationship between literature and cinema had been parasitical in the first phase, said professor Anuradha Ghosh, who has co-edited an anthology, Filming Fiction with M Asaduddin, a professor of English at Jamia Millia Islamia. “This (parasitical relationship) had occasioned the disdain of several writers like DH Lawrence, who considered it (cinema) a vulgar medium because it homogenised culture, EM Forster who had refused permission to film his novels for fear of falsification of the original content and Virginia Woolf who passionately affirmed the power of the figure of speech over the limited objective of cinema,” Ghosh said. IANS
The Artist a delight to watch: Big B
A
mitabh Bachchan, who is recuperating at home after abdominal surgeries, is enjoying a “no time-table” life. Apart from doing other things, he watched Oscar nominated The Artist and said it was a “delight” to view the silent black and white French movie. “Being by myself and almost in solitary confinement, is getting contagious. I am beginning to rather like this state. No where to go, nothing obligatory to perform, random timings and the liberty to do what I desire. I eat whenever, sleep whenever, watch a movie whenever and happy doing so,” Big B posted on his blog. “The ‘little one’ comes up to meet me by the evening, wide eyed and now on the verge of recognizing things...On occasion she smiles and the volume of affection around increases a few decibels. Wonder if she feels why we must change the tone of our sound during our conversa-
tions with her, and whether it really helps to connect more effectively. Always a mystery.” he wrote. He added “I watched a lovely film The Artist via the UFO set up in the house and it was a delight to see a black and white, silent movie in February of 2012!! In an age when colour and music and speech and sound play such an important role in cinema today, it was most innovative on the part of the makers to present something like this. I believe it is up for the Oscars, which are out tomorrow on Sunday.” The 69-year-old was operated upon Feb 11 for abdominal issues, and was under observation at the Seven Hills Hospital for 12 days. He was discharged Feb 23 night. He says that he is feeling better. “I think gradually the body gains strength. A few movements that were prohibitive earlier, seem to be easing in and I do hope this trend continues. Your prayers and wishes remain with me each moment. Thank you again for it!,” he wrote. IANS
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B-TOWN TWEETIES
@rampalarjun Hope everyone doing fine I have been filming non stop since my return so pardon the absence, love u.
@RGVzoomin @SunidhiChauhan5 I can’t evr forget the way u sang wth ur eyes closed nd with an intensity as hard as iron whn I frst sw u recording fr Mast.
@NeilNMukesh Yesterday Sonu Nigam has proved it that why he is Sonu Nigam. Truly talented a great human being and a true artist. God bless him and his fam
@bipsluvurself Relaxed dinner last night,woke up late,went 2 gym,met up with friends fr lunch, did grocery shopping, hung out with niece n nephew nw reading!
@imarshadwarsi Today my son Zeke won the gold medal in his Taekwondo competition. Had 2 fights, he won both. In his normal life he never fights...
@FarOutAkhtar Remember I said something about burning the track today! The sun got there before me... 32 degrees this morn!!!!
@bomanirani I am convinced that dogs are just like human beings... or better still, good human beings!!!
@SrBachchan T 666 - Jubilation for Hockey Olympic qualification... time was when we were the automatic choices for Gold !!
Magic Screen
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
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Magic Screen
The glamour behind the glitz
Sandler sets his Razzie record
W
hen Adam Sandler’s bad, he’s really bad, according to voters for the Razzies, an Academy Awards spoof that singles out the worst movies of the year. Sandler received a record 11 nominations for the Razzies as star, producer or writer on three 2011 movies — Jack and Jill, Just Go with It, and Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star. That more than doubled the previous record of five Razzie nominations held by Eddie Murphy for 2007 s Norbit.
Sandler’s nominations include worst actor for both Jack and Jill and Just Go with It — and worst actress for Jack and Jill, in which he plays a family man and his own twin sister. Sandler also had two nominations as worst screen couple opposite Jennifer Aniston or Brooklyn Decker in Just Go with It and opposite Katie Holmes, Al Pacino or himself in Jack and Jill. “It’s almost karmic for someone to have made that much razz-able stuff in one year,” said Razzies founder John Wilson. “He has angered someone really powerful, I would say.” Razzie nominations were released on the eve of the Oscars. Winners will be announced on April Fool’s Day. The group traditionally has announced its nominees the day before the Oscar nominations and its winners the night before the Oscars. But Wilson and the roughly 600 voting members for the Razzies decided to experiment with an April 1 date this time, figuring April Fool’s Day was an ideal time for their mock ceremony. “I have always wondered if we stepped slightly away from lockstep with the Oscars, what would happen,” Wilson said. “We just kept hoping the Oscars would do their ceremony on April 2, but they just never did.”
Survivor producer finally breaks his silence J
ust a couple of weeks after the former Survivor producer was extradited to Mexico to stand trial for the 2010 murder of his wife, BeresfordRedman proclaimed his innocence in an interview. “This is the first time I’ve chosen to speak… everyone seems to have decided that I killed my wife,” Beresford-Redman said from his Mexican prison cell. “I didn’t kill my wife… I really didn’t.” Beresford-Redman was first taken into police custody back in April 2010 after the body of his then missing wife was found naked and beaten in a sewer near their Cancun resort, where the couple was vacationing with their two children. He was later released, but remained under investigation until US marshals arrested him again in November 2010. Mexican prosecutors believe he killed his wife by
asphyxiating her in their hotel room at the resort, after the couple had an alleged violent fight.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
24
Magic Screen
Taylor invites cancer patient to ACM Awards
I
n yet another step in her apparent bid for sainthood, country music superstar Taylor Swift has invited 18-year-old leukemia patient Kevin McGuire to be her date to the Academy of Country Music Awards in April. The invitation grew from a Facebook campaign launched by McGuire’s
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
The glamour behind the glitz
sister, Victoria, who started up the Facebook page. “Taylor Swift take KEVIN McGUIRE TO PROM!” to persuade the Mean songbird to attend McGuire’s prom at Sterling High School in Somerdale, NJ. “Kevin is the kindest, most noble 18 year old a person could even fathom meeting,” Tori wrote on the site, “and throughout his ups and downs Kevin never even questioned ‘why me?’ Nothing, and I mean NOTHING brightens Kevin’s day more than Taylor Swift.” Swift was unable to take up Victoria’s invitation, but she went one better and invited him to the ACM Awards, which take place on April 1 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
25
Playing a legend is not easy
M
ichelle Williams might be the underdog in a battle between Oscar powerhouses Viola Davis and Meryl Streep, but for now she is a winner.. And from what she’s got to say about taking on
Marilyn Monroe, the award is well earned “I feel like whatever you’re working on in the moment feels like the hardest thing that you’ve worked on,” Michelle said when we asked whether it was more daunting creating a character or adapting one that already exists. Michelle continues, “Because it’s what’s confronting you on a daily basis with your shortcomings and what you’re trying to get
better at.” Though, that doesn’t mean playing a legend was anything easy. “Gosh, sometimes I can’t even believe I did it because the challenges were just…” Michelle began before trailing off. “In a way, you had to remove the fact that she was an icon and put that out of your mind because it would be too daunting. And instead try to think of her as an ordinary girl, which is what she wanted to be thought of as.”
Chai Time
KAKURO
How to Play Kakuro Kakuro is a popular game similar to sudoku in some ways. But is also suitably different. The key question: “How do you play Kakuro?”, well here are the rules of kakuro. The answer: The kakuro grid, unlike in sudoku, can be of any size. It has rows and columns, and dark cells like in a crossword. And, just like in a crossword, some of the dark cells will contain numbers. Some cells will contain two numbers. However, in a crossword the numbers reference clues. In a kakuro, the numbers are all you get! They denote the total of the digits in the row or column referenced by the number. Within each collection of cells - called a run - any of the numbers 1 to 9 may be used but, like sudoku, each number may only be used once. Let’s have an example to explain this concept more clearly: In the image above, which shows a section of a kakuro puzzle, you will see the numbers ‘26’ and ‘14’ in the top row. Look at the 14. This means that the total of the three cells underneath must sum to 14. Therefore 9, 4, 1 could be the answer, or perhaps 7, 4, 3 and so on... So, how do you work out the actual combination? Well, this is done through elimination and cross-referencing. For instance, as you work out the answers for other kakuro clues, this will naturally limit the valid combinations, and hence the answer for this particular run. Note the second cell in row two - it contains two numbers, 30 and 11. The 30 refers to the vertical run underneath the number 30 and the 11 refers to the two cells to the right, horizontally, of the number 11.
SCRIBBLING PAD
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
Take a shot at the brain game while sipping your cuppa
26
QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Vandalize 7 Letterman’s turf 10 Farthest or highest (Abbr.) 13 Prayer 14 Saintly attribute 15 Declining answers 16 Most insignificant 17 Shout from the congregation 18 Contender for your title 19 Petty dictator 21 Terror-struck 23 Suffix with “claim” or “cool” 25 Evening repast 27 Nights before holidays 28 “Gimme a few ___” 30 What the rich live in? 31 Traditional folk tales 32 Faded to the extreme 34 Fire engine gear 36 Member of one of four suits 37 Mover’s vehicle 38 Related maternally 41 Glossy fabric 43 “Lawrence of ___” 44 Better than better 46 King with the golden touch 48 Box spring support 49 “So what ___ is new?” 50 Omits a syllable 52 Ending for “lion,” “host” or “priest” 53 Tributary 55 Brother’s boy 57 Lab eggs 58 Popeyed 60 River between Texas and Louisiana 63 Soak flax 64 Arabian and Caspian 65 Dry cleaner’s employee 66 Minnesota twins? 67 “Warm” or “cold” ending
68 Elvis Presley’s “Return to ___” DOWN 1 Perignon’s title 2 Poet’s “before” 3 Airline money-makers 4 On an ark, e.g. 5 Prices paid 6 Confide in 7 Twin-___ engine 8 Made misty 9 Something to break into 10 Flight hindrance 11 Like clothes after a diet 12 African fly 14 “Bon voyage” kin 20 Fit for the job 22 Rubinstein and Bonham Carter 23 Vile Nile creatures
24 Tide type 26 Brio 29 Under, in the O.R. 33 Ready-go link 35 ___ Spiegel (German magazine) 37 Secrecy fabric? 39 Aunts in Acapulco 40 Diner sign 42 Comes out of hiding 43 Absence of germs 44 Part of B.C. 45 News time, often 47 Lemon drink ending 51 Portion 54 Facilitate 56 Black, in
SUDOKU
poetic circles 59 Nosebag tidbit 61 Born, in the society pages 62 Stray from the straight and narrow PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
THOUGHT OF THE DAY Never forget that it is the spirit with which you endow your work that makes it useful or futile. – Adelaide Hasse
Chai Time STAR POWER
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
Your tomorrow today̶Star Power and Tarot THIRUVAIKUMAR
As per Hindu panchang
FOR 28-2-2012
thiruvaikumar@yahoo.co.in 040-27177230 / 9177596118
TAURUS
GEMINI
You will plan the works well and exe‑ cute them with perfection. Financial sit‑ uation looks strong. Friendshipwith high level politicians is likely. Pending court cases will end in your favour.
By adopting innovative techniques, your success will be certain in the works undertaken. Old friends will support you and extend help. Mariage talks will end favourably.
Work will be completed as per plans. Good events to take place in a line. Daughter might get MNC job. Son's marriage will be finalised. Those recently married will be blessed with an offspring.
CANCER
LEO
VIRGO
You act very swiftly and progress very well. Certain important issues get completed with the help of VIPs. Flow of money will be steady. Debt problems will be under con‑ trol.Travel will bring benefits as well stress.
One of your biggest plans will be imple‑ mented. You will renovate the ancestral property.You will encourage your children and support them to score good marks. Financial flow is good.
You will get friends who are very success‑ ful in career and life. You will change resi‑ dence. Chances of misunderstanding like‑ ly with relatives,.House construction plan will get appr‑oval.
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
Self confidence level will be high. Financial flow will improve. Purchase of asset will get completed. Expected helps from relatives will come. You may be upset as no one will understand you.
You will think in a different way and sort out problems with ease. Family will be peaceful. Children will do well. Friends and relatives will extend support. Be care‑ ful while driving or crossing the roads.
You will face challenges but will be successful. Friendship with ruling party politicians is likely. Daughter's marriage takes place. Son will go for higher studies or get a good job.
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
Your administrative abilities will get sharpened. New responsibilities will be entrusted to you. Held up house cons‑ truction works will resume.Financial help from expected sources will come.
You will follow the straight forward path alone.Tensions with court cases will disappear. Relatives will respect your feelings. You will show an aggressive attitude which works.
Expectations get fulfilled without any hurdles. Speculative deals might bring gains. Strained relationship with in laws will resume and bonding will become more stronger than earlier.
SUMAA TEKUR
FOR 28-2-2012
tarotreadhyd@gmail.com
ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
Four of Cups – A job offer will take you by surprise. Just when youʼre about to decide, a counter offer takes you by a bigger sur‑ prise.
Seven of Wands – Youʼre tired and exhausted with being in the rat race. At the end, youʼre only a rat, you tell yourself. Take the plunge.
Four of Pentacles – The money flow is good and itʼs giving you the confidence to do the unknown and go into unfamil‑ iar territory. Get adventurous.
CANCER
LEO
VIRGO
King of Cups – Youʼre getting too emotional and this may not be the best time to show your emotions to the world. Guard against bad decisions.
Temperance – Be patient and work out a plan based on how much time you can devote to a project. Jumping the gun is a sure way of wreck‑ ing it.
The Fool – Youʼre in the mood to explore new tastes, new flavours – in every‑ thing, including cul‑ ture, food, travel and books. Do the new, is your new motto.
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
Two of Swords – Youʼre taking the ext‑ reme step in every situation and thatʼs not a good thing. There is a middle path and youʼre not a wimp if you took it.
Five of Wands – Someone is plotting against you. They donʼt want you to do well and you may be too blind to this fact. Be more shrewd and aware.
Six of Wands – Good luck will bring many new things your way. A new job offer, a for‑ eign trip, a relation‑ ship are just some things that fall in your lap.
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
King of Swords – Donʼt act in panic. Your intellect is at its peak and your bosses want to utilise your knowledge. You sho‑ uld ask for the right remuneration.
The Empress – Love is in the air. Singles will meet someone attrac‑ tive at a public place. Those committed will find love again in their partners.
The Moon – Mood swings are possible. Donʼt let this affect your relationships, especially with family. Guard against mak‑ ing hasty decisions.
For Better or for Worse Stone soup
SOLUTIONS
Boggle SALSA TANGO LIMBO MAMBO
Number game
Suduko
Scrabble
Ink pen
COMICS
Fred Basset
ARIES
TAROT READ
27
Vol: 1, No. 225 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
Chai Time 1400 Naadi Aadajanme 1430 Pavitra 1500 Movie 1800 Kodala Kodala Koduku Pellama 1830 Vasantha Kokila 1900 Chinnari Pelli Kuturu 1930 Anna Chellelu 2000 Missamma 2030 Edureetha 2100 Bhale Chancele 2200 CID 2300 Challenge 0730 Maa Gramadevatalu 0800 Ayurvedam 0830 Chaganti Sanatana Dharmam 0900 Challenge 1100 CID
1400 Kannavaari Kalalu 1430 Maavichiguru 1500 Sumangali 1530 Movie 1800 Jai Shri Krishna 1830 Shraavani Subramaniam 1900 Mandhara 1930 Auto Bharthi 2000 Swathi 2030 Mogali Rekulu 2100 Aparanji 2130 Devatha 2200 Mamathala Kovela 2230 Heartlo Battery 2300 Gemini Vaarthalu 0800 Gemini Talkies 0830 Movie 1130 Aha Emi Ruchi 1200 Jeevitha Chakram 1230 Maa Inti Aada Paduchu 1300 Chittemmaa 1330 Gorintaku
1400 [V] Vignettes 1430 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 1500 [V] Humse Hai Life 1530 [V] Trailers 1600 [V] My Big Decision 1700 [V] Zabardast Hits 1800 [V] Fresh Songs 1830 [V] Humse Hai Life 1900 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 1930 [V] Humse Hai Life 2100 [V] Vignettes 2130 [V] Trailers 2155 [V] Fresh Songs 2200 [V] My Big Decision 2300 [V] Humse Hai Life 2330 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 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 1300 [V] My Big Decision
‘[V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance’ at 1900 Hrs on CHANNEL [V]
1300 News Now At 1 1330 News Now 1800 6 Pm 1830 Live Report 1900 Primetime 1930 The Game 2000 News Now At 8 2030 Live Report 2100 The Newshour 2200 The Newshour - Plus 2230 E Now 2300 News Now At 11 0800 The Morning News 0900 News Now 1200 Live Report 1230 News Now
‘The Game’ at 1930 Hrs only on TIMES NOW
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
Telly sitcoms, news and movie listings
1400 Abhishekam 1430 Aadade Aadharam 1500 Antahpuram 1530 Aakasa Ganga 1600 Prema Mandiram 1630 Jagadeeswari 1700 Adurs 1800 Devimahathyam 1830 Puttadi Bomma 1900 Kumkuma Rekha 1930 Manasu Mamata 2000 Chandra Mukhi 2030 Bharyamani 2100 Etv News 2130 Paduta Teeyaga 2245 Movie 0800 Jeevana Jyothi 0830 Tollywood Time 0900 Movie 1130 Abhiruchi 1230 Star Mahila
1400 Nagani 1430 Movie 1800 Meera 1830 Kalavari Kodallu 1900 Chinna Kodalu 1930 Pasupu Kunkuma 2000 Muddu Bidda 2030 Radha Kalyanam 2100 Kanyadanam 2130 Comedy Club 2230 Shree 2300 Bindas 2330 Latest Songs 0800 Gopuram 0830 Bhakti Samacharam 0900 Sri Raghavendra Vybhavam 0930 Mahadevi 1000 Bindass 1030 Luckku Kickku 1130 Jeevana Vignanam 1200 Mee Inti Vanta
‘Business Tonight’ at 2100 Hrs only on ET NOW 1400 The F And O Show 1430 Closing Trades 1530 Tomorrow's Trades 1600 Business Day 1730 Markets Tomorrow 1800 Rush Hour 1900 Global Business Report 1930 Business Express 2000 Business First 2030 Markets Tomorrow 2100 Business Tonight 2200 Top 10 At 10 2230 Investor's Guide 2300 Zigwheels 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
‘Deception With Keith Barry’ at 2100 Hrs on DISCOVERY 1400 Human Body 1500 My Naked Secret 1600 One Man Army 1700 Discovery Showcase 1800 Wild Discovery 1900 Man Woman Wild 2000 Flying Wild Alaska 2100 Deception With Keith Barry 2200 One Man Army 2300 The Survivors 1000 Breaking Point 1100 Swords 1200 Walking The Amazon 1300 Wild Discovery
1250 Movie - Event Horizon 1450 Whacked Out Sports 1515 Wipeout 1605 Mondo Magic Singapore 1635 Magic Asia - India 1700 Destination Truth 1800 Chuck 1900 Wipeout 2000 Supernatural 2100 Minute To Win It 2200 Fear Factor 2300 Top 20 Countdown 0900 Sky Teleshopping 0930 Whacked Out Sports 1000 The Millionaire Matchmaker 1100 Minute To Win It 1200 Got To Dance 1250 Movie - The Librarian 2
‘Wipeout’ at 1900 Hrs on AXN
‘Mi Aaji Aur Saheb’ at 2130 Hrs on IMAGINE 1400 Haar Jeet 1430 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 1500 Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo 1600 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 1630 Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo 1700 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 1730 Haar Jeet 1800 Sawaare Sabke Sapne – Preeto 1830 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 1900 Haar Jeet 1930 Gyaan Guru 2000 Dwarkadheesh - Bhagwan Shri Krishn 2030 Sawaare Sabke Sapne – Preeto 2100 Jamuna Paar 2130 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 2200 Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo 2230 Haar Jeet 2300 Jamuna Paar
1400 Parichay 1430 Balika Vadhu 1530 Uttaran 1630 Parichay - Nayee Zindagi Kay Sapno Ka 1700 Sasural Simar Ka 1730 Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha 1800 Uttaran 1830 Balika Vadhu 1900 Hawan 1930 Sasural Simar Ka 2000 Balika Vadhu 2030 Veer Shivaji 2100 Phulwa 2130 Parichay - Nayee Zindagi Kay Sapno Ka 2200 Uttaran 2230 Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha 2300 Na Aana Is Des Laado 2330 Balika Vadhu
‘Na Aana Is Des Laado’ at 2300 Hrs on COLORS
‘Punar Vivah’ at 2230 Hrs on ZEE TV 1400 Hitler Didi 1430 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 1500 Afsar Bitiya 1530 Yahaaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 1600 Pavitra Rishta 1630 Shobha Somnath Ki 1730 Ram Milaye Jodi 1800 Hitler Didi 1830 Punar Vivah 1900 Afsar Bitiya 1930 Choti Bahu 2 2000 Hitler Didi 2030 Yahaaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 2100 Pavitra Rishta 2130 Ram Milaye Jodi 2200 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 2230 Punar Vivah 2300 Afsar Bitiya
1400 Saas Bina Sasuraal 1430 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 1500 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 1530 Crime Patrol - 4 1800 Saas Bina Sasuraal 1830 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 1900 Crime Patrol - 2 1930 Shubh Vivah 2000 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 2030 Dekha Ek Khwaab 2100 Saas Bina Sasuraal 2130 Parvarrish - Kuchh Khatti Kuchh Meethi 2200 Kyaa Hua Tera Vaada 2230 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 2300 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 2330 Crime Patrol - Dastak 0900 Parvarrish - Kuchh Khatti Kuchh Meethi 0930 Dekha Ek Khwaab 1000 CID 1200 Shubh Vivah
‘Kyaa Hua Tera Vaada’ at 2200 Hrs on SONY
28
‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’ at 2130 Hrs on STAR PLUS 1400 Sajda Tere Pyaar Mein 1430 Mann Ki Awaaz… Pratigya 1500 Navya 1530 Diya Aur Bati Hum 1600 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behnaa Hai 1700 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 1730 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 1800 Navya 1830 Ruk Jana Nahin 1900 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 1930 Sasuraal Genda Phool 2000 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 2030 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behnaa Hai 2100 Diya Aur Bati Hum 2130 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 2200 Sajda Tere Pyaar Mein 2230 Mann Ki Awaaz… Pratigya 2300 Maryaada ... Lekin Kab Tak?
MOVIES OF THE DAY AND OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
1346 The Dark Knight 1635 Batman Forever 1855 Lethal Weapon 2 2100 Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire 0750 Nikita 0840 Friends 0940 Crocodile Dundee Il 1145 The Midnight Meat Train 1325 The Island
1405 Speedy Singhs 1620 Dragon - The Bruce Lee Story 1855 How To Train Your Dragon 2100 IP Man 2320 Red 0810 Lost In Translation 1015 Old School 1205 How To Train Your Dragon
Jamuna Paar
Shubh Vivaah
Storyline - What happens when talented yet shy Vidhi Malhotra from South Delhi falls in love with the carefree & free spirited Bijju from Jamuna Paar?
Storyline - Shubh Vivaah is the story of every average middle class girl in India. Every girl cherishes a dream since her childhood; the dream about an ideal husband and a picture perfect marriage.
‘Jamuna Paar’ at 2100 Hrs on IMAGINE
‘Shubh Vivaah’ at 1930 Hrs on SONY
1400 My Wife And Kids 1430 Scrubs 1500 Rizzoli And Isles 1600 Rookie Blue 1700 My Wife And Kids 1730 Scrubs 1800 E News 1900 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 2000 My Wife And Kids 2030 America's Funniest Home Videos 2100 My Kitchen Rules 2200 Rookie Blue 2300 My Wife And Kids 2330 Scrubs 0800 Rizzoli And Isles 0900 Rookie Blue 1000 My Wife And Kids 1030 America's Funniest Home Videos 1100 Rizzoli And Isles 1200 Rookie Blue 1300 Slot 1330 America's Funniest Home Videos
‘Rookie Blue’ at 2200 Hrs on ZEE CAFE
‘The Big Bang Theory’ at 2300 Hrs on STAR WORLD 1400 Supernatural 1500 Charlie’s Angels 1600 The Big Bang Theory 1630 The Simpsons 1700 The Shield 1800 Supernatural 1900 Desperate Housewives 2000 Two And A Half Men 2030 The Simpsons 2100 Supernatural 2200 The Shield 2300 The Big Bang Theory 2330 Two And A Half Men 0700 The Shield 0800 Las Vegas 0900 Pan Am 1000 The Shield 1100 Desperate Housewives 1200 Two And A Half Men 1230 The Simpsons 1300 The Big Bang Theory 1330 Friends
1430 R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya 1500 Lapataganj 1530 F.I.R 1600 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 1630 I Luv My India 1700 Gutur Gu 1730 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 1900 R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya 1930 Lapataganj 2000 I Luv My India 2030 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 2100 Chidiyaghar 2130 R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya 2200 Lapataganj 2230 F.I.R 2300 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 2330 Chidiyaghar 0900 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 0945 Gutur Gu 1030 I Luv My India 1100 F.I.R 1130 Chidiyaghar
‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ at 2030 Hrs on SAB TV
‘Style Strip’ at 2100 Hrs on ZOOM 1400 Movie - Shikari 1730 Star Bonanza 1800 Let'z Go! 1900 Planet Bollywood 1930 Link'd 2000 Telly Talk 2030 Let'z Go! 2100 Style Strip 2130 Let'z Go! 2200 B - Tonite 2230 Business Of Bollywood 2300 Bollywood Bonanza 0700 Fresh Mornings 0800 Red Carpet 0805 Fresh Mornings 1100 Your Likes 1200 Garama Garam 1300 Planet Bollywood 1330 Telly Talk
‘IP Man’ at 2100 Hrs on HBO
1430 How It's Made 1500 The New Inventors 1530 Discovery Science Classics 1630 World's Strangest Ufo Stories 1730 Frontline Battle Machines With Mike Brewer 1830 Best Of Discovery Science 1930 Junkyard Wars 2030 Sports Science 2230 Weapon Masters 2330 Everything You Need To Know About 1030 Ufo 1130 How It's Made 1200 The New Inventors 1230 Best Of Discovery Science 1330 Junkyard Wars
‘Weapon Masters’ at 2230 Hrs on DISCOVERY SCIENCE
‘Jerry Springer’ at 2200 Hrs on BIG CBS PRIME 1400 Frasier 1430 Jerry Springer 1530 Aspire 1600 Galileo Extreme 1700 Survivor 1800 Entertainment Tonight 1830 Galileo Extreme 1930 Frasier 2000 Entertainment Tonight 2030 Galileo Extreme 2100 Hawaii 5.0 2200 Jerry Springer 2300 Survivor 0700 Big Wheels 0730 Aspire 0800 Galileo Extreme 0900 Survivor 1000 Bellator 1100 Jerry Springer 1200 Aspire 1230 Entertainment Tonight 1300 Galileo Extreme
Playing Field
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
The games people play
29
World says Uh-Huh! 21-year-old PGA Tour rookie John Huh edged Robert Allenby and capture the Mayakoba Golf Classic. PLAYA DEL CARMEN: Huh parred all eight holes in a playoff that matched the second-longest in PGA Tour history behind the record of 11 set over 60 years ago. “It’s amazing,” said the American. “It’s my rookie year, especially, and playing in my fifth event on the PGA Tour. I just couldn’t put it in words. It’s really hard to explain this. It’s major. I mean, it was my dream.” The playoff switched between the par-four 18th and par-three 10th holes. Cary Middlecoff and Lloyd Mangrum hold the record for the longest playoff when they were declared co-winners of the 1949 Motor City Open. It also marked the first time since 1983 and the fifth playoff in history to go eight holes. Huh fired a final round eightunder 65 to reach 13-under 271 which put him into a tie with Allenby. The 40-year-old Allenby appeared to be headed to a comfortable lead at the end of his round on the El Camaleon course as he had a two-shot cushion after 17 holes of regulation. But a double bogey on 18 helped set up the playoff with Huh. “Obviously, disappointed, disappointed that I didn’t like hit three-wood off 18 in regulation, like I should have,” Allenby said. “But that’s the way it goes. You make some mistakes sometimes, and that was a major one, obviously. I mean, I had this tournament in the bag, a two-shot lead with one hole to play and just played it like a rookie, pretty much.”
Hunter Mahan kisses his wife Kandi after winning the championship match during the final round of the World Golf ChampionshipsAccenture Match Play Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on Sunday in Marana, Arizona. SAM GREENWOOD/AFP
Double delight for Mahan Hunter Mahan beat Rory McIlroy to win the World Golf Championships Match Play crown Sunday, denying the Northern Irishman’s bid to claim the world number one ranking.
M
ahan moved 4 up through 10 holes then held off the reigning US Open champion to become the first American to win the title since Tiger Woods in 2008. McIlroy and Mahan had reached the title match with semi-final victories on Sunday morning. McIlroy roared back from 3 down to beat England’s Lee Westwood 3 and 1, while Mahan never trailed in a 2 and 1 victory over fellow American Mark Wilson. McIlroy admitted it was tough to bounce back after the tense battle with Westwood — who also had a chance to supplant England’s Luke Donald atop the world rankings by lifting the trophy. “I knew that was going to be the toughest thing for me today, because I was getting myself up for that semi-final match,” McIlroy said. “That’s not an excuse,” he added. “He was solid as ever. He’s a deserving champion.” After McIlroy and Mahan halved the first five holes, Mahan stuck a nine-iron two
WITH HIS VICTORY MAHAN WILL MOVE INTO THE TOP 10 IN THE WORLD RANKINGS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS CAREER. MAHAN ALSO ADDED ANOTHER ELITE WGC TITLE TO HIS RESUME, AFTER HIS TRIUMPH AT THE 2010 BRIDGESTONE INVITATIONAL.
feet from the pin for a conceded birdie to win the par-three sixth. That started a run of three straight holes won for the American, who went 4-up by winning the 10th hole, where his approach from 179 yards out nearly found the cup. McIlroy didn’t win a hole until the 11th, where he chipped in for eagle to lie 3 down. He rolled in a birdie putt from within eight feet at 14 to trim Mahan’s lead to 2 up. “He’s the best player in the world right now,” Mahan said. “I knew he’d make a charge, and
he did.” After they halved 15 with birdies, Mahan had a chance to close it out at 16, where his putt for the title brushed the edge and didn’t drop. He made the three-footer coming back to halve the hole with McIlroy, whose birdie attempt from 38 feet had stopped less than two feet from the hole. They were both on the green in two at 17, but McIlroy, needing to win the hole to extend the match, left his 29-foot putt short. Mahan left his birdie attempt from 21 feet about a foot away and McIlroy conceded the tap-in to end it. “I tried to claw myself back, but I left myself too much work,” McIlroy said. With his victory Mahan will move into the top 10 in the world rankings for the first time in his career. Mahan also added another elite WGC title to his resume, after his triumph at the 2010 Bridgestone Invitational. He became only the sixth player to win multiple WGC titles, joining Woods, Australian Geoff Ogilvy, Northern Ireland’s
Darren Clarke, South African Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson. McIlroy looked a different player from the one that rallied past Westwood in the marquee semi-final. After Westwood seized the early advantage, winning three straight holes from the second to seize a 3 up lead, McIlroy won three of the next four to square the match, and won the ninth to make the turn 1 up. A fortuitous bounce on a cart path at the 11th helped McIlroy halve the hole with a par. He then won the next two holes to go 3 up, sinking a 25foot birdie putt at 12. At 13 Westwood’s drive into the gallery found its way into the back of a woman spectator’s sweater as she ducked to protect her head as McIlroy found the green. Westwood pulled one back at 15 -- the first hole he’d won since the fourth, but two holes later McIlroy closed it out with a par at 17. Mahan won the first two holes of his semi-final and never trailed en route to his victory over Wilson.
Playing Field
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
The games people play
30
Durant helps West best East
NO PAIN, NO GAIN, PROVES MELZER Jurgen Melzer wasn’t about to let an aching toe get in the way as he faced one of the hottest players on ATP Tour, who was making a second-straight appearance in the Memphis final. MEMPHIS: The unseeded Melzer defeated Milos Raonic 75, 7-6 (7/4) in the final of the $1.37 million ATP and WTA Memphis Open to capture his fourth career ATP title on Sunday. “Who would have thought I would come here break my toe and end up winning the tournament,” Melzer said. Melzer broke the big toe on his right foot when he tripped over his bed in the hotel room on Thursday night. He decided against putting a wrap or cast on it and went out the next day and beat top seed John Isner in the quarter-finals. Melzer, who upset Isner and third seed Radek Stepanek en route to the final, clinched Sunday’s victory in a second set tie-break when Raonic hammered a backhand into the net. The left-handed Austrian earned $278,000 in prize money
for his first win since successfully defending his crown in his hometown of Vienna two years ago. “This is a very important time for me,” Melzer said. “I am happy I pulled it through.” It was the second year in a row the fourth-seeded Canadian Raonic lost in the Memphis final after winning the week before in San Jose. Melzer broke Raonic’s mighty serve in the seventh game of the second set to cut Raonic’s lead to 4-3. Melzer then survived a set point in the 10th game before both players held serve to set up the tie-break. Melzer also broke Roanic’s serve in the 11th game of the first set to take a 6-5 lead. He ended the 41-minute opening set with an ace out wide on his second set point that Raonic couldn’t reach with his backhand. By taking the first set, Melzner snapped Raonic’s 2012 win streak
at 19 consecutive sets. Raonic had not lost a set since he fell to Aussie Lleyton Hewitt in the third round of the Australia Open in January. Melzer reached a career high ranking of eighth in the world in early 2011 but then struggled in the second half of the season, losing in the first round in three straight tournaments in August before finishing the year with a 22-23 record. “I went through a hard time last year with a lot of back problems this is finally an achievement that puts me out of the dark times,” Melzer said. Raonic, who lost in last year’s final to American veteran Andy Roddick, came into Sunday’s championship match riding a nine-match win streak and was seeking to add the Memphis crown to titles he already won this year in San Jose and Chennai.
ORLANDO: Kevin Durant scored 36 points as Team West held on to beat Team East 152-149 in the 61st NBA All-Star Game on a night when Kobe Bryant broke Michael Jordan’s career points record. Durant, who was named most valuable player of the game, shot 14 of 25 from the field and finished with seven rebounds and three assists for the West at the Amway Center arena. “This is a dream come true,” Durant said. “These guys fed me the ball I am glad to be taking this trophy (MVP) back to Oklahoma City. “I am happy I got MVP. Everything has been fun this weekend I am glad we came out on top.” The three-time all-star Durant got offensive support from teammates Blake Griffin, who had 22 points and eight rebounds, and Bryant who finished with 27 points to surpass Jordan for the most career all-star points. Four-time all-star MVP Bryant vaulted past Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar before getting the record-setting points. He passed Jordan’s previous mark of 262 points by finishing off a dunk in the third quarter. Bryant was making his 14th straight all-star appearance which tied him with Jerry West, Karl
Malone, and former Laker teammate Shaquille O’Neal for the most consecutive all-star berths in league history. In last year’s showcase in Los Angeles, hometown hero Bryant scored 37 points in the West’s 148143 win over the East at Staples Center arena. Eight-time all-star LeBron James finished with 36 points, seven assists and six three pointers for the East who rallied in the fourth to make a game of it on Sunday. The West had a commanding 88-69 point lead at the half and led 124-112 at the end of the third but the East, behind the three-point shooting of James, who made six of eight attempts from beyond the arc, battled back. Deron Williams and Dwyane Wade both missed three-point attempts in the final seconds that could have given the East a lead or sent the game into overtime. “They beat us up all game and we wanted to make a game out of it,” James said of the late rally. “I had a key turnover when we had opportunity to tie game and so I am mad about that. “But it was a great weekend. All-star weekend was a great success and I am happy to be a part of it.”
Star MVP Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Western Conference celebrates with hip-hop artist Lil’ Wayne during the 2012 NBA All-Star Game at the Amway Centre on Sunday in Orlando, Florida.
Playing Field
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
The games people play
31
Inter suffers seventh defeat
Super Giggs toasts 900th gig in style
Wenger happy with Theo’s good show
ROME: Claudio Ranieri’s future as Inter Milan coach was plunged into further doubt on Sunday when his side lost 1-0 at Napoli, a seventh defeat in their last eight matches. Beaten by an injurytime goal in Marseille in their Champions League last 16 first-leg clash in mid-week, Inter are in seventh place in Serie A, nine points off the third and final qualifying place for next season’s premier European tournament. Inter have not won a league match at the San Paolo in Naples since a 2-0 win in 1997.
LONDON: Ryan Giggs marked his
LONDON: Arsene Wenger praised Theo Walcott’s two-goal contribution to Arsenal’s 5-2 derby win over Tottenham, but admitted he considered substituting the winger to spare him more abuse from his own supporters. Walcott came in for heavy criticism from fans at the Emirates Stadium as Spurs raced to an early twogoal lead. But after the home side drew level, Tomas Rosicky and Walcott completed a comfortable win. Walcott admitted he had endured a difficult first 45 minutes but was satisfied with his response.
MADRID: Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo said his backheeled winner against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday was a memorable moment, but refused to describe it as his greatest ever goal. The Portuguese star hit his 29th league goal of the season in Sunday’s 1-0 win at his side’s Madrid neighbours. “A backheel is always different. It was a great goal but I’m not sure if it was the best of my career — I have to see it again on TV,” he said. “The most important thing is the victory and the points. Rayo are a great team and it was a very hard game.”
900th game for Manchester United with a stoppage-time winner in a 2-1 victory over Norwich here on Sunday in their Premier League clash. The champions had been in danger of falling four points behind leaders Manchester City after Norwich captain Grant Holt had netted a late equaliser. That had cancelled out Paul Scholes’ goal for United but Giggs was in the right place at the right time two minutes into added time to score.
Greatest goal? Naah!
Messi, Ronaldo turn on magic MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo scored a wonderful, backheeled goal while Lionel Messi hit the target with a deadly accurate freekick as Real Madrid and Barcelona both emerged victorious from testing La Liga trips on Sunday. Ronaldo gave Real a 1-0 win over neighbours Rayo Vallecano while Messi scored his team’s second goal in a 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid as Spain’s two box office attractions took their league goals tally to 29 and 28 respectively. The results also kept Real 10 points in front of the defending champions. At Rayo Vallecano, the second half was eight minutes old when the home defence failed to clear a corner at the first attempt. Portuguese superstar Ronaldo, facing away from the goal, backheeled the ball so powerfully from 15 yards out that it evaded four Rayo defenders on its way into the left hand corner of the net. The game was competitive throughout and the main talking point of a goalless first period was whether or not Madrid’s Sergio Ramos had intentionally used an elbow to stop Diego Costa in the penalty area after already receiving a yellow card. Meanwhile, Barcelona dominated the first half at Atletico and the breakthrough came on 35 minutes when Dani Alves finished off a swift attacking move started by Messi who presented Cesc Fabregas with the chance to gift the Brazilian the opener.
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (left) celebrates with Xavi after scoring in their Spanish league football match against Atletico de Madrid at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid. AFP/DANI POZO However it was a different Atletico that emerged for the second period and they were soon level when Colombian striker Radamel Falcao met a corner to grab his 15th league goal of the season on 48 minutes. The game seemed to be heading for a draw until Gabi Fernandez tripped Pedro Rodriguez on the edge of the Atletico area. As Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut
Courtois was lining up his defensive wall Messi surprised everyone with a curling left-foot shot into the far corner. There was time for Juanfran to have a shot blocked at close range by Victor Valdes before the Barca keeper then had to stop a Gabi Fernandez piledriver in injury time. For Atletico it was their first defeat in 10 games since the turn of the year when Diego Simeone took over as coach. AFP
Playing Field
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012
The games people play
32
Reds end 6-yr cup drought Rob Woollard
LONDON: Liverpool ended their six-year trophy drought here on Sunday after winning a penalty shoot-out to shatter Championship side Cardiff in the League Cup final at Wembley. The Merseysiders just about held their nerve in an error-strewn penalty decider, prevailing 3-2 after the two sides had finished locked at 2-2 after a thrilling period of extra time. The Premier League club’s victory was clinched when Cardiff substitute Anthony Gerrard — cousin of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard — shot wide with Cardiff’s fifth and final spot-kick. The Cardiff player’s miss came after Liverpool had seen Steven Gerrard’s opening spot-kick saved and Charlie Adam’s second blazed over the bar. But Cardiff misses from Kenny Miller, Rudy Gestede and finally Gerrard proved decisive for the brave Welsh club from the second tier of English football. The win was Liverpool’s first trophy since their FA Cup triumph in 2006, and the first since Kop legend Kenny Dalglish returned as manager last year. Liverpool skipper Gerrard extended sympathy to his family member after the penalty heartache. “It’s always cruel when it goes to penalties. There has to be a loser. Cardiff were superb today,” Gerrard said. “One (of us) was going to be sad, one was going to be celebrating. It happens. I’ve got mixed emotions at the moment but I feel for Anthony and Cardiff.” Dalglish expressed relief after the win. “It was a long way to win but the name is on the trophy,” he said. “Cardiff were always going to
Liverpool celebrates with captain Steven Gerrard after beating Cardiff City in a penalty shoot out in the League Cup Final at Wembley Stadium in London. AFP/ADRIAN DENNIS be difficult. They were never going to lie down and were a great credit. It’s not a nice way to win a cup but we’ll take it. “It’s sad that the boy missed it and you always feel for the person that misses in that situation.” Cardiff manager Malky McKay praised his side’s valiant effort. “You have to lose with dignity and that’s what we did today,” he said. “There is a lot of emotion out there because it is a young side
and emotions are running high but I am so proud of them all.” The match had gone to penalties after a dramatic period of extra time that saw Cardiff force the shoot-out with a leveller from centre-back Ben Turner with just two minutes remaining. Turner jabbed home from close range to send Cardiff’s large contingent of travelling fans into raptures. Liverpool had seemed poised
‘This is just the beginning’ A
n emotional Kenny Dalglish described Liverpool’s Carling Cup final victory as the start of a new era of success for the Anfield club after they overcame a late scare and dramatic penalty shootout against Cardiff City to collect their first trophy in six years, reported The Guardian. Dalglish claimed the triumph would whet the appetite of his developing team. The Liverpool manager, still pursuing Champions League qualification and the FA Cup this season, said: “We are delighted to have won a trophy. It was a difficult game and I thought Cardiff represented their club very well. They tried everything. “We deserved our first trophy in six years but we need to continue to work hard and see where it takes us. We didn’t think six years ago that it would take this long to win our next trophy.”
to claim victory after substitute Dirk Kuyt fired the Premier League giants 2-1 ahead after 108 minutes. The extra-time drama unfolded after the game finished 1-1 after regulation time, Liverpool levelling in the second half through Martin Skrtel after Joe Mason had given Cardiff a shock first-half lead. Earlier, a full house of 89,041 had watched Liverpool make a ferocious start, hitting the wood-
work through Glen Johnson after only two minutes. But the deadlock was broken on 19 minutes as Miller picked up the ball just outside the area and slipped in Mason, who took his time and drilled a shot beyond Pepe Reina. A shellshocked Liverpool struggled to respond but slowly picked up the pace to keep Cardiff on the back foot. AFP