LEAGUE OF MICRONATIONS
ONLY ‘REAL’ GIRLS MA’AM
All this while most of us have been busy on Facebook trying to create virtual cities and manage farms. But did you know that some people actually own nations of their own? That none of it is recognised is another matter but how cool would it be to be king of your nation! P16&17
Transgender model dropped from Canada Miss Universe. P12
Hyderabad’s first compact afternoon newspaper
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012 HYDERABAD
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SHAM! Postnoon audits business transactions of the Assembly budget session that are bound to make the taxpayer wince
30 100 `2L Adjournment motions rejected
Cost per minute to run the House
REPORT ON PG 5
FLASH n Lok Sabha and State Assembly today erupted over the T issue. LS was adjourned after BJP raised the issue. n Brahmos supersonic cruise missile test-fired from ITR, off the Odisha coast.
JOHANSSON HACKER PLEADS GUILTY Scarlett Johansson and Mila Kunis can breathe easy now. P25
32 PAGES
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Candidate claims `3cr compensation
WHAT A
Number of working days
WEATHER: CLEAR SKIES; 31°C
In a classic fight for justice, a frustrated candidate of the state public service examinations waged a war for four years using RTI to get his answer papers revalued. After several unsuccessful attempts he sought the SC’s help to make the commission see reason. But the commission, instead of complying, chided the RTI comP7 missioner.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
Spirit of Twin Cities
Gunpower treason live
MONKEYING AROUND
leisure destination for you to unwind. There is also great music, martinis and aperitifs. Where: The Westin, Mindspace, Madhapur When: Monday - Friday, 5pm - 10.30pm Weekends, 8am - 10.30pm Contact: (040) 6767 6828
Catch the Gunpower treason band performing live with alternative, hard rock and blues. Where: Cuba Libre, Banjara Hills When: March 28, 8.30pm onwards Contact: (040) 6776 7114
Music concert
Bengali food festival
A Carnatic & devotional music concert by Haricharan at Keyes Girls High School. Where: Keyes Girls High School, Secunderabad When: March 28, 6.30pm onwards Contact: (040) 2770 3219
A Bengali food festival is being held at Firdaus, Taj Krishna. Sample a variety of Bengali delicacies. Where: Firdaus, Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills, Rd No1 When: Ongoing, 11.30am onwards Contact: (040) 6666 2323
Miniature traditions Miniature Traditions — An Artistic Endeavor, will be held at Alankritha Art Gallery. It’s an exhibition of miniature paintings by Mahaveer Swami. Where: Alankritha Art Gallery, Kavuri Hills, Madhapur When: March 24 - April 4, 11 am onwards Contact: (040) 2311 3709
Water colours Iconart is hosting Aquarelle as a part of it’s Buy Art initiative. It features water colour paintings. Where: Iconart Gallery, Banjara Hills, Rd No 12 When: Ongoing, 11.30 am onwards Contact: 98499 6879
Daiquiris And Margaritas
Live DJ
Head to Seasons Bar for Daiquiris And Margaritas with flavoured cocktail recipes. Where: Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills, Rd No 1 When: Ongoing, 12 pm Contact: (040) 6666 2323
Catch DJ Kanna live, this Wednesday at Kismet. Also catch the opening act by DJ Siddie Boy. Where: Kismet, Somajiguda When: March 28, 9pm Contact: (040) 2345 6789
Jazz nights It’s Jazz nights at Altitude with Joe Koster and George Hull. Where: Altitude, Tank Bund When: March 28, 7pm Contact: (040) 2752 2999
Korean food festival Want to sample some interesting Korean cuisine? Head to Westin at Raheja Mindspace, Madhapur as it is hosting a Korean food festival. Where: Westin, Raheja Mindspace, Madhapur When: Ongoing, 12pm onwards Contact: (040) 3051 2844
Unique buffet Yellow Chilli is offering a lunch buffet which is truly different. The Buffet which costs `199 (Monday to-Friday) and `249 (Saturday and Sunday). The dinner buffet costs `299 and `349. Where: Yellow Chilli, Banjara Hills, Rd No 12 When: Ongoing Contact: (040) 2338 3838
Kebab and grill festival Relish a feast of Kebabs and Grills as chefs from the Indian and conti-
CINEMAS
Sacred Women
A young boy with his monkey friend at Saidabad.
nental kitchens take the challenge to serve you a myriad of Indian kebabs and western grills Where: Okra, Marriott Hotel and Convention Centre, Tank Bund When: Ongoing, 7pm Contact: (040) 2752 2568
Tequila festival DJ Aryan Sharm will play at Skybar this Wednesday. Where: Skybar, Somajiguda When: March 28, 7.30pm onwards Contact: (040) 2341 8545
Spanish food festival The Square plays host to a Spanish food festival. Taste a variety of delicacies such as tapas, chorizos and tortillas. The event is on till April 1. Where: The Square, Novotel, Madhapur
N. SHIVA KUMAR
When: Ongoing, 6.30pm Contact: (040) 6682 4422
Wraps and rolls Rolls — boring did you say? Head to Promenade at Ameerpet for a wide variety of rolls that will suit everyone’s taste. Where: The Promenade, Ameerpet When: Ongoing Contact: (040) 6678 8888
Tradition and innovation An exhibition showcases 58 designs which are a combination of tradition and innovation. Where: Salarjung Museum, Afzal Gunj When: Ongoing, 10am onwards Contact: (040) 2452 3211
Go Splash Splash lounge is the perfect
On the occasion of Shrishti Art Gallery’s 10th anniversary, an exhibition called Women — Sacred and the Temporal is being held. Where: Shrishti Art Gallery, Jubilee Hills, Rd No15 When: Ongoing, 11am onwards Contact: (040) 2354 0023
Acting workshop Samahaara — an acting and dancing workshop is being held to help you hone your acting skills. The workshop focusses on theatre related topics. Where: The Actor’s studio, Madhapur When: Ongoing, 7pm to 9pm Contact: 98854 04784
Dramaybaaz Dramaybaaz — a theatre fest for solo performances. The finals will be held from March28-29. Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills, Rd No 1 When: March 21 and 22, 10am to 5pm Contact: 83411 20303
Big Cinemas, Ameerpet: 30581470; Cinemax, Banjara Hills: 44565555; Cine Planet , Kompally: 61606060; INOX, Banjara Hills: 44767777; Prasads, Tank Bund Rd: 23448888; PVR, Punjagutta: 8800900009; Talkie Town, Miyapur: 40214175; Tivoli, Secunderabad: 27844973
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CRIME BRIEFS Man murdered in Kukatpally
S
haikh Ramzan,32, a businessman was killed allegedly by his brother in-law, Idriss, after a quarrel over money. The violence took place on Sunday and Ramzan died of injuries on Tuesday. Ramzan lived in Yellamma banda area of Kukatpally. The Police said that the brother, the brother-in-law and a common friend had a drinking session at their home in Yellamma banda on Sunday. After a while, Idriss is said to have asked for a loan of `2000 from Ramzan but the latter refused. Altercation erupted that led to much acrimony. In a fit of anger Idriss got hold of a stick and beat up Ramzan mercilessly leaving him severely injured. The household and neighbours who gathered to prevent violence saw a bleeding Ramzan lying on floor shrieking with pain. A vehicle was summoned and he was conveyed to Osmania Hospital where he died yesterday. Idriss has been framed for murder and is in custody now.
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Massive policing on Ramnavami day After reported threats of a Delhi-based organisation to march to Hyderabad on Ramnavami Shobhayatra day, the City police have decided to make an unprecedented bandobast
CRIME Mohd Subhan
Daylight burglary in Musheerabad
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old ornaments and cash were stolen from a house in at Musheerabad area, on Tuesday. The house owner Khaja Moinuddin runs a shop in Secunderabad area. On Tuesday, he locked the home and left for his shop. It is said that his family members had already gone to a relative’s house. Burglars are said to have gained access to the locked home using a master key and decamped with 10 tolas of gold jewellery and a cash worth `10,000 from the cupboard. A case of burglary has been registered with Musheerabad police.
Man attacked at Hindi Bazaar
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ukhdev, who runs a tiffin centre at Hindi Bazaar in Secunderbad was attacked by a rival group over alleged business matters on Tuesday. It is said that tiff over the business had resulted in this violent incident. A group of people allegedly led by one Pandey pounced on him and beat him black and blue. He was admitted to a hospital nearby. Sub-Inspector of the police market police station Venkateshwarlu has registered a case and has arrested five accused persons including Pandey and four others.
mohd.s@postnoon.com
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n the backdrop of threats of various right-wing activists to turn the Ramnavani Shobhayatra into a show of strength on Sunday, the City police have made a never-before security arrangement to ensure peace on the D-day. The bandobust covers sensitive areas of West, East and part of South zones. The situation demanded a special care because of Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena’s (Delhi) threat to march to Hyderabad to take on MIM (Majalis Itte-ha-dul Muslimeen) which had reportedly threatened to ban the Shobhayatra (Postnoon March 23). Besides, police had received reports of attempts to stoke communal fire on the day. Explaining the special bandobast, Commissioner AK Khan told Postnoon that the City had earned a fair name of late for catholicity and he would not want a few black elements to tarnish this image. Hence the unprecedented security.
Meanwhile, the MIM party’ floor leader in the Assembly, Akbaruddin Owaisi had dismissed the alleged MIM threat to ban the Shobhayatra as mischievous. The partner in power, the MIM has no plan to interfere with a Hindu festival, he said. There was also a report that the Hyderabad police commissioner has not allowed the Shobhayatra. “We don’t know who spread these lies but we’ll find out,” Khan declared. He said the procession has the police permission. The rally will begin from Raniavanthi Bai Bhavan Ganga bowli
The season of political yatras After the yatras of the TDP and YSRC, now BJP will begin a yatra. Fresh from the win in Mahbubnagar constituency, the party is gearing up to muster rural votes
POLITICS U Srinivas srinivas.u@postnoon.com
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he BJP’s slogan, “one vote, two states” was endorsed at the Mahbubnagar election results, and its unambiguous stance on smaller states is being welcomed by electorate across the country, said the BJP State president G Kishan Reddy. Reddy was oozing with confidence and happiness at the growing popularity of the party in the State. In a talk with Postnoon in the Assembly premises Reddy said, but for the objections of the TDP, the NDA government would have conferred statehood to Telangana. “Neither the Congress nor the TDP can give Telangana. TRS is a regional party. If people of Telangana desire statehood, they have before them only one
option — be with the BJP.” Reddy wants the youth of Telangana to fight for their rights rather than resort to tragic remedies like committing suicide. The saffron leader was of the opinion that the trend toward the right-wing party has begun in the State and the forthcoming polls will prove it. The BJP will contest at least six of the 18 seats in the forthcoming byelections. He promised to repeat a
Mahbubnagar like win in many places. Parakala is one constituency which the party has identified. Of the truck with TRS, the party leader said it was a matter for the central leadership to decide. He, however, recalled that the BJP had suggested contesting Mahbubnagar jointly with the TRS but KCR thought he could win it all alone and fielded a minority community candidate with an eye on the Muslim votes. People however, saw through the game. And of the possibility of having a tie-up with the TDP at the national level, Reddy said it was again a matter for the national leadership. The BJP will start a Palle Poru yatra (village rally) to create awareness among the people on Telangana, Jalayagnam works that were not taken up by the YSR government and also the pending projects he said. The BJP will pressurise the government to take up all the projects to quench the thirst of the people.
Dhoolpet, and wend its way through Purana Pool, Chudi Bazaar, Begum Bazaar, Feelkhana, Siddiamber Bazaar, Gowliguda, Kothi, Sultan Bazaar and converge at Hanumantekdi. Over 10,000 devotees are expected to participate. When asked about TDP corporator Raja Singh’s statement about bringing people from outside to conduct Shobhayatra, ACP Ghoshamahal, D Srinivas said he was under scanner and would be dealt with if he resorts to any action purported to disturb peace. The police officer hinted at precautionary arrests of suspected elements. “It is essential to hold religious festivals in a peaceful manner, the police say.
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Bereft of parking, shoppers look for new avenues
M ANIL KUMAR
Osama Salman salman.o@postnoon.com
F
or years now, almost every student has made a beeline for Koti to pick up books on all subjects. Scores of bookstores adorn Koti, the hub for buying educational and curriculum-based books in the City. Thousands of students come every day. Within the area lies Sultan Bazaar, famous for cheap and good quality shopping — from books, apparels, accessories to even textiles. However, all is not as rosy as it seems. Through the stretch of road from Women’s College to the last shop in Sultan Bazar, there is not a single parking spot. This leaves the shoppers,
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POLICE CONTROL ROOM: Hyderabad 27852435 Traffic Control Room 27852482 DCP Traffic 23234065, 23243499F Pollution Control Board 23887500 ELECTRICITY: General Complaints Breakdown Section
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PARKING WOES who often come here for work, furious. They aren’t allowed to park their vehicles even for a minute and with no proper designated parking lot at their disposal, they are left to either have their vehicle towed away, circle the area in hope of finding a spot or simply find alternate areas to shop. Sultan Bazar is an important area — old it may be — but for students it is the one-stop for all their educational needs. For generations, the by-lanes have served IAS officers, engineers,
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doctors and many careers that students aim for. For them, Koti is nothing without Sultan Bazaar. But with the parking woes , Sultan Baazar is slowly losing out on valuable customers. Bharat Bookstore, one of the oldest book stores in the market, has seen a decrease in footfall this year. “Compared to last year, we sold about 25 per cent fewer books around the same time this year. All the shopkeepers blame the unavailability of parking for this loss. But there is nothing that can be done because this is an old area and is packed with shops. Unless the government comes up with an extraordinary parking plan, we will have to suffer,” said G
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Hashmath, a salesman. Hashmath points out that now people prefer going to the bookstores in Nampally instead. “They will find parking there, much more easily,” he added. Keshav V, owner, Siddhartha Bookshop, agreed, “The lack of parking is driving customers away. For an area that is important for students, the GHMC must provide parking.” The station house inspector of Sultan Bazar traffic police station, Rajendra Kulkarni, said that buses, vans, two-wheelers, a total of 40 vehicles, are sent every day to disperse the traffic depending on the requirements. He, on the other hand, said that there is a lot of parking space available here. However, the GHMC corporator of Sultan Bazar, MP Sriram Chander, agreed to the parking problems but blamed the shopkeepers and pushcart vendors for blocking the road. “I have complained to the additional commissioner of police (traffic) and the GHMC several times. These two bodies need to work together for a solution. I have given a proposal that the unoccupied footpath opposite Gokul Chaat be turned into a parking lot. There are many unused GHMC buildings that can be used for parking and underground parking. We are issuing tenders for more parking which will take about six months to be implemented,” he said, giving a ray of hope to the motorists.
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‘State failed to spend minority welfare funds’
A
ll India Muslim Minority Organization (ALMMO) has accused the State government of adopting a negligent attitude in spending the funds released by the Union government for minorities welfare. Speaking to media persons on Tuesday, ALMMO President Syed Mukhtar Hussain said though the Central government had sanctioned `587 crore for welfare of minorities in 2011-12 financial year, the State government has failed to spend the full amount, and it has spent only `125 crore so far. Hussain said that according to 2011 census, the population of minorities is about 84.66 lakhs in the state. He said that an amount of `482,18,15,000 and 6,49,02, 000 were allotted under plan and non-plan respectively to minority welfare in 2012-13 Budget. He demanded that the State government should spend the funds ear-marked to minority welfare properly in the 2012-13 financial year. He demanded that the Central government immediately implement the Justice Rajendar Sachar Committee recommendations in the country. Hussain appealed to the Central and the State governments to take steps to instill confidence among the minorities of being important stake holders in nation building. In order to give an exclusive attention to the problems of minorities and to find solutions to them in a coordinated fashion, the Central and State governments should implement various schemes for uplift of the minorities. Former Telugu Desam State secretary MA Siddiqui demanded that the State government should provide scholarships to minority students on par with BC students. He wanted it to construct buildings for hostels and residential schools for which a provision of `3.5 crore has been made in the 2012-13 budget. APCC Minority Cell Advisory committee member, Sheraz Khan, Congress leader Ilham Hussain and IMPP vice-president Mohd Nawab were also present.
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
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The great Hyderabadi Circus POLITICS U Srinivas
The unsuccessful Assembly sessions
srinivas.u@postnoon.com
T
he Budget session which began on February 17, was stormy as expected, with ample issues like liquor, mining scam, CBI probe and Telangana providing to be ammunition for the Opposition. Neither the price rise nor the water problem was discussed. Corruption charges against the Congress saw the ruling party running for cover. Pleading sub judice the government did not come forward to appoint any House Committee to inquire the controversial government orders (GO) either. Adjournment of the House without transacting any business dominated the proceedings with the Opposition taking the blame. At least 10 days were wasted without transacting any business. Out of the 30 working days the TRS members did not come to the House for a dozen days as they were busy with the bypolls
1.Number of working days: 30 2.Cost per minute to run the house: `2 lakhs approx. 4.TRS number goes up to 16 5.BJP number goes up to 3 6.YSR Congress goes up to 2 7.More than 100 adjournment motions rejected 8.Only few questions were taken up all of them deemed to have been answered 9. It was not a paperless Assembly as dreamt by the speaker 10. Intelligence sleuths and police outnumbered the MLAs campaigns. The few days they were present, they ensured turmoil hit the Assembly in the name of Telangana. TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu’s wish to move a no confidence motion against the speaker remained unfulfilled. He saw his voice muffled off and on with the
floor mangers snapping his microphone connection. But, what many missed is the tactic of the party in power to while away time. The adjournment became as much a routine as the school dong. MLAs began coming empty stomach to have breakfast in the subsidised canteen! According to Raghuveera Reddy the revenue Minister an amount of `2 lakh is spent for running the House for a minute. That means `120 lakh per hour. The Assembly itself has gone in for a fresh green look at a cost of `3.2 crore. The entire seating arrangement in the House has undergone a change. The House has a lot of green hue (MIM touch?) with newly done up seats. Except for a few days the marshals had no work as the speaker adjourned the House at regular intervals. The lobbies played a crucial role than the business in the House as Shanker Rao and former minister, DL Ravindra reddy had a field day making statements against the Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy.
There’s no democracy in the House. It’s all one-sided affair according to the whims and fancies of the government. But we exposed the Congress.
The speaker should be recommended for a Guinness Book entry for rejecting the adjournment motions on daily basis. CPI leader G Mallesh
TDP chief and the leader of the opposition Nara Chandrababu Naidu
It is very unfortunate that they did not bother to take up the resolution of Telangana. Adjournment was the routine.
It was a waste of public money for the last 30 days. There was zero achievement. CPM leader J Ranga Reddy We tried our level best but the Opposition did not cooperate.
TRS floor leader E Rajendar Not one of the serious public issues was discussed. The government tried to run away from the public issues and cover up on various scams that it was facing. Now the CM is directly supposed to be in the red sanders scam. BJP floor leader Y Lakshminarayana
Congress whip Gandra Venkata Ramana Reddy The game was played between the TDP and the Congress. We were mere spectators in the gallery. Minority matters got zero attention. MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi
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Nagam blasts CM
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Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities
he chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy is a Seemandhra ruler, why will he bother about the suicides of the Telangana youth the independent, MLA Nagam Janardhan Reddy questioned ? Talking to the media just before the session started, Nagam said that the rulers must behave in a humane manner and try to stop the suicides. Will they keep quite if the people of their region committed suicide, he questioned. Later when the House assembled the TRS leaders wanted a resolution on Telan gana. The speaker, Manohar was supposed to conduct the discussion. But with the chaos created by the opposition, the speaker was forced to adjourn the house as soon as it assembled. There is only one day left for the budget session that will be held on 29 March.
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Honouring our daughters Women, decked in their traditional finery came together for the Gangaur festival which is celebrated every year in honour of Goddess Parvati
FESTIVAL Anubha K Singh anubha.k@postnoon.com
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he Gangaur festival comes to a close in the City. The festival kicked off the day after Holi and it is celebrated every year in honour of Goddess Parvati. Both married and unmarried women took part in the celebrations in the City. Unmarried women participated in the festivities with a belief that praying to the goddess will provide them with good life partners and married women pray to the goddess for a happy married life and for the well-being of their husband. “Every year the festival is celebrated with much zeal and fervour. According to our ancestors, Gangaur is all about honouring daughters. It is believed that Goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva visited her parental home for 15 days and blessed her friends with marital bliss and on the 16th day Lord Shiva came to escort her home so they were given a grand farewell. We follow the same traditions with our daughters,” said, Shakuntala Nawander, President, Andhra Pradeshik Maheshwari Mahila Sangathan. “The festival is very important for newly married women who pray for the well being of their married life and girls who are looking for
Every year the festival is celebrated with much zeal and fervour. According to our ancestors, Gangaur is all about honouring daughters Shakuntala Nawander, President APPMMS
ICONIC CITY Buddha Statue, Tank Bund
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e’s been the City’s pride for quite a few years now, literally facing all the elements of nature every day, throughout the year. Come rain or sunshine, the Buddha statue still stands tall. It is the world’s largest monolithic (carved out of a single stone) statue. Made out of white marble it is 72m high and weighs 4,50,000 kg. Our Buddha has a big adventure to his credit. In 1989, while trying to raise and plant it in Tank Bund, it encountered problems and sank to the bottom of the lake. It stayed there till 1992 when it was successfully
Aishwarya Yerra Hyderabad as a City has a lot to offer in terms of heritage and sights. We take a look at the various places that make this City so special
raised up. Today the hard work of 200 artisans is clear to see. The calm one experiences while gazing at the Buddha is inexplicable. One can reach the platform island around the Buddha statue via speedboats, ferries and even sail boats. The boat ride itself is very enjoyable. The best times to go there are in the early mornings when the lake is enveloped by a layer of fog and during nights when the lights along the lake circumference twinkle like stars. No trip to Hyderabad is complete without visiting our iconic statue.
a perfect life partner. Traditionally it’s an in-house celebration however these days many ladies gather at one place and celebrate the festival in a grand way,” she adds. As per the traditions, all newly married women must fast for the whole 16 days and the unmarried girls too fast and eat only one meal a day. The main attraction is on the last three days when there are colourful processions with decorated idols of Goddess Parvati accompanied by folk singers and dancers. In the procession, mar-
ried women carry the idols of goddess on their heads. In the City too many well dressed women were seen in their traditional finery. One interesting ritual followed by the women during the festival is praying to the Sun God. A small hole is made in a puri (made of wheat flour) through which the women look at the Sun God as an offering to him. The ritual is usually performed on a Sunday during the 16 days of the festival. Gangaur basically signifies Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati together.
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Candidate claims `3cr compensation RTI Sudeshna Koka sudeshna.k@postnoon.com
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ekhar Babu whose roots are traced to Macherla town is a father of two bright children, but his passion for science defines him better. He was bitten by the science bug in his school days. He secured a state rank in his board exams in 1997. With the same passion he wrote his group-one prelims exams and in the very first attempt he cleared it. Soon after, he gave his mains in June 2009. Sure of a great score he planned his future. But shock was in store for him. Sekhar received a low score. He was aghast. Recalling the painful affair, Sekhar Babu said, “There are five papers in group I exams. In the first three papers, I was given the same score which is very unusual. The fourth paper was science and I was expecting a minimum score of 135 but I was shocked when I saw my score. I had secured only 62 marks. This is when I got a big doubt and
wanted to see my answer sheet,” recalls Sekhar Babu. Doubting that something was wrong with the way his paper was evaluated, Sekhar approached the State’s public service commission (APPSC) through Right to Information (RTI). All his attempts through the RTI to get a photocopy of his answer sheet failed. Each time the APPSC refused to comply and did not show him his paper. Within three months, he applied for the first appeal hearing with the information commission. After a long wait of two years, on June 15, 2011, his case got a hearing date. With the information commission ordering the APPSC to show him photocopies of his Group-I mains answer scripts, gave Sekhar some hope. He had by then spent more than two years waiting as well as hard earned money. However, the APPSC turned down the order and also shot back a letter to Jannat Husain, chief information commissioner (CIC) for AP, stating that it is not “feasible to comply with the order.” Dissatisfied with the reply, Sekhar Babu approached the
Sekhar Babhu (extreme left) with his family
“I have lost part of my productive life, lost a lot of money fighting the adamant APPSC, now I want my compensation.”
Rent ACs to beat the heat SUMMER Anubha K Singh anubha.k@postnoon.com
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f you can’t afford them then rent them. With the temperatures soaring the demand for coolers and air conditioners has gone up. However, shopkeepers in the City say the demand to rent these appliances is far greater. With the soaring temperatures, the prices of these appliances are also soaring and many people now prefer beating the heat with a rented air conditioner or cooler rather than burn a hole in their pockets this summer. “It’s the perfect option for people who can’t afford to buy an AC, which cost nothing less than `20,000 to `30,000 or more depending on the brand. But renting is much cheaper and can be procured at less than hald the price,” said Sandeep Nair, a B.Tech student, who has rented an AC himself. Given the Hyderabadi heat, surviving without an AC is tough, say residents. “I stay in a rented room in Nacharam and I am here for another one year at the most. Buying an AC doesn’t make sense, so I prefer renting one for three months. It is more affordable,” he adds. Prakash Kumar from Chandra Corporation in Somajiguda says, “On an average I get six to seven enquiries to hire an AC. Renting a split AC could cost you `2,500 per month and an additional `4,000 for installation whereas a window AC would cost `1,670 per month.” Though it’s just the beginning of
summer, dealers are already making good money. These rental companies provide air conditioners on rent for short term or long term periods and charge rent on a monthly basis. Rahul Chadda from Hyderabad Appliances in Abids says, “There is a lot of demand for AC on rent this season. We have already installed 15 split ACs and 10 window ACs so far. People find renting these appliances to be a much more affordable option, which is true. But the machines should be rented for a minimum of three months.” Residents also feel that buying an air conditioner makes little sense, since they don’t use them once the summer comes to an end. “We don’t use the AC after the summer ends and it is just like a wall hanging and useless. Hiring one is the best and it’s not heavy on the pocket,” said Vandana J, a Miyapur resident. However, the old players in the market like Whiteland Air Conditioners are no more into this business. “We have stopped giving ACs on rent from this year because of lack of manpower. In addition to this it also takes a lot of time to collect the rent amount from various parts of the City,” said Syed Samdani.
Sekhar Babu
Supreme Court. Last week, the SC gave its verdict and asked the APPSC to give the petitioner a photo copy of his answer sheet. Despite this, the APPSC isn’t giving Sekhar his answer copy. “What the APPSC is doing is extremely baseless and stupid. I have spent more than four years and have invested thousands of rupees. Information commission
is regarded as a highly respected commission. How can the APPSC deny its orders? Apart from court or SC, no other body can challenge the information commission,” complains Sekhar. As a last resort, Sekhar has sent his demand of penalty of `3 cores to the information commission, which will send this to the APPSC and deal with the issue. “Three days back, I got a notification from the information commission, this is my final hope,” he says. RTI activists also believe that this is the best solution for him. “The HC has asked the information commission to deal with the issue and they have all the powers to deal with it. However, like last time, this time the commission needs to be firm and should use the powers vested in it,” says RTI activist CJ Karira. This truly an example of how weak the system is, state RTI activists. “The commission does not understand the power it has. It’s time they woke up,” says Kariri. Despite several attempts, the commission and the APPSC remained unavailable for comment.
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A historical display Postnoon takes a look at Hyderabad’s City Museum which gives us a peak into the City’s history and glorious past
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End-users drive realty market SRINIVAS SETTY
Prudhvi Raju K prudhvi.k@postnoon.com
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nd-users are driving the sales of real estate in the City. Unlike most other cities where people buy a property as an investment as well as for living, in the City people prefer to buy a property only for living. As a result there are not too many vacant flats here. That demand would continue with the end-users, said Anil Kothuri, chief executive officer, Edelweiss Housing Finance. Property prices in the City are much lower than what they should be, making it attractive for buyers as they get prime property at a three year old market price. Although people’s spending power has increased over the last three years, the political unrest has prevented property rates from booming. The belief is that the prices may go up once these issues are solved making current lending safer for the housing finance companies, he said. The repayment behaviour will
Anil Kothuri, chief executive officer, Edelweiss Housing Finance. also be positive when the market is driven by the end user. As a trend it has been seen that customers do not want to default on the property they are living in. However, for a person who is merely buying a property as an investment, profit and loss play a role. Anil added that property prices would continue to be stable in the City as it is currently driven by the end user.
While real estate prices will grow at almost the same rate in major cities, the Hyderabad market will catch up once the ongoing political issues are solved. Real estate is a long term investment which is not bought by looking at returns in one or two years. According to a study by a major research firm, the property prices have shown a compounded annual growth
CM goads bankers to speed up lending But bankers have their norms to keep, and can’t untie the purse as freely as politicians want them to U Srinivas srinivas.u@postnoon.com
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ll is not well with the Prime Ministers Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) in the State. A review meeting on implementation of PMEGP in the State for the last three years revealed that banks were not encouraging the loans under Credit Guarantee fund trust for micro and small enterprises (CGTMSE) and this was causing undue hardships to the selected candidates. According to officials implementing the programme it was observed that despite achieving the targets under the scheme the social targets for the SC, ST. minorities and the ex-service men are not being achieved. The Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy who reviewed the scheme with the bankers wanted them to speed up the lending process. He found out that in some cases the clearance was inordinately delayed. To overcome these issues it was suggested that at the time of selection of the candidates under the PMEGP, preference may be given to trained candidates. The bankers must take the assistance of SC Corporation, ST Corporation, Sainik Welfare Board and Minorities Corporation for selecting suitable candidates for the scheme, it
`81.32
of 17 per cent in the last 80 years in each of the metros, said Anil. Talking about housing loans, he said the increase in interest rates has not affected the disbursement of loans. There is a lot of demand for housing loans and there is no dearth of people who are eligible for them. Loan disbursement is growing year on year. It is estimated that the market will almost double in five years to reach `3 lakh crore from `1.5 lakh crore in March 2010. The interest rates however, will not come down in the next quarter depending on many variables, said Anil. The finance minister confirmed the government borrowing from the markets would be almost similar in the next fiscal. However, there is no sign of oil prices coming down and the rupee value is dwindling. Inflation is also high. Due to these factors, interest rates are unlikely to come down, at least in the next quarter and these variables may change after that, he said.
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THUS SPAKE “The company [Ford India] dismissed nine people on Tuesday and we want them to be reinstated. The company is targeting one category of employees.” A Satish Kumar, General Secretary, Ford India Employees Union
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Performance of PMEGP this fiscal (upto March) Target Projects – Amount – Employment – Achievement Projects – Amount – From nodal agencies Projects – Amount – Employment –
3473 `4863.94 lakh
34740 people 2314 `6233.73 lakh 1483 `4947.27 lakh 34631 people
was suggested. The banks need to educate the entrepreneurs and the PMEGP proposals should not be rejected with frivolous reasons. The proposals belonging to SC, ST entrepreneurs should not be rejected at branch level and should be referred to the controlling office. It was decided that the rejected applications under PMEGP may be analysed at the bank level to serve as a guiding factor for the current year. About 4000 applications are pending with various banks and the SLBS have sent the list to controlling authorities by e-mail, it is reported. The reasons for rejecting the applications should be notified to the agencies concerned.
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India‑View
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
India unveiled
Nellore man takes Andes Malli Mastan Babu holds Guinness record for climbing seven summits in 172 days in 2006 BUENOS
AIRES: Thirtyseven-year-old Malli Mastan Babu is the only Indian to have scaled the tallest peaks of the Andes in South America. He also holds a Guinness record for having climbed the seven summits of the world in just 172 days. Babu, who comes from a farming family in Nellore, has been credited with scaling the Aconcagua in the Argentine side three times. At 6,962 metres, it is the tallest peak outside the Himalayas. He also climbed the Huascaran (6,768 metres) in Peru, Sajama (6,542 metres) in Bolivia, Chimborazo (6,310 metres) in Ecuador and Ojos del Salado (6,800 metres) in Chile. No Indian has ever been to most of the places where he has gone. Babu has spent about nine months in South America in his four trips since 2005, R Viswanathan, India’s ambassador to Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, said. He holds a Guinness record for climbing seven summits in 172 days in 2006. This included the Vinson Massif peak (4,887 metres) in Antarctica. This was one of the toughest challenges for him due to the extreme cold. When Babu went to climb the Cristobal Colon peak in the Sierra Nevada mountain range
Punjab Cong not with Centre on Rajoana CHANDIGARH: The Punjab unit of Congress today appeared to be taking a different stand than its central leadership on the issue of clemency to Balwant Singh Rajoana, who is facing the gallows in the former chief minister Beant Singh’s assassination. State Congress Legislature Party leader Sunil Kumar Jakhar said the party supported the stand taken by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for according clemency to Rajoana, who is scheduled to be hanged on Saturday. “If Badal works in the interests of Punjab to ensure peace and communal harmony, the Punjab unit of Congress will support him,” he said. PTI
Amnesty urges halt
of Colombia, the local Indians would not allow him to go up. They consider the mountain as sacred and would not let outsiders on top of it. But Babu did not give up. He told them that he is also an Indian and that the people from India too worship mountain gods. This made the Colombian Indians to relent, Viswanathan said in an email. Babu’s current trip to the region is to reach the top points of all the 12 countries of South America, including Paraguay
and Uruguay. To reach Pico Neblina, the highest peak in Brazil (3,007 metres), he has to travel by boat in the Amazon river to reach the base of the mountain. “I asked him how he managed the language problem. He smiled and said, ‘Mountains all over the world speak the same language’,” the Indian official added. Babu likes the privacy of his one-to-one dialogue with the summits and treasures this intimate conversation. That is
why he prefers to go ‘solo’ in climbing. Babu, who studied at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kolkata and MTech in Electronics from IIT Kharagpur, has given lectures on leadership at companies like GE, Intel, John Deere, and in management schools in the US, UAE, Kenya and India. Babu has learnt Spanish and already made many friends in South America. He feels at home and is happy in their company, Viswanathan said. IANS
Meanwhile, Amnesty International on Tuesday urged India to halt its first scheduled execution for eight years and to impose an official moratorium on any further use of capital punishment. In an open letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the human rights watchdog said the execution of Balwant Singh Rajoana, slated for March 31 in Punjab, would be a step backwards. “Resuming executions after an eight-year hiatus would place India in opposition to regional and global trends towards abolition the death penalty,” said Amnesty’s Asia-Pacific director Sam Zarifi. AFP
Small band keeping erotic legacy alive Madhusree Chatterjee
NEW DELHI: A small band of artists is exploring taboos of alternative sexuality, erotic love and the body as a medium of extreme expression of anger, passion and protest on the visual canvas. They are keeping alive the ancient legacy of eroticism in the Indian artistic tradition. “Sexuality has been a part of culture for hundreds of years in the temple sculptures of Khajuraho and in the visual portrayals of Krishna Leela,” Sushma K Bahl, a senior art critic, historian and author, told IANS. Bahl said, “During the Mughal period, the bold depiction of human body in Indian art was replaced by more subtle portrayals of women with the ‘zenana’ culture”. In the Victorian era, eroticism was seen as a taboo in art, but it has revived after independence, the art historian said. One of India’s leading photo-
essayists, Sunil Gupta, showcased Sun City, a visual narrative about gay love across continents in the country for the first time last week. Commissioned by the Centre Pompidou in Paris and funded by the capital-based Vadehra Gallery, the photo essay with 10 frames is an interpretation of a 1962 science fiction movie by Chris Marker, La Jetee or the Jetty on the Pier about the aftermath of holocaust, time travel and death. Gupta has carried Marker’s theme of prophetic visions of death into a crossover story about an Indian brown-skinned man who goes to France to live with his gay lover. However, at the beginning of the journey, the Indian hero foresees his death. In Paris, he discovers bath houses where he has several gay flings with men. The photo-essay ends with the hero’s death outside the airport in Paris — the body lying sprawled with the Frenchman looking down on it.
“The death of the hero in my photographs could be from poverty, HIV/AIDS or romantic love. In the original, the death was from nuclear holocaust,” Gupta told. Gupta, who is working on a photography project based on Alice Munro’s short stories, believes art with unconventional themes like alternative realities is part of the mainstream now. New wave artist Tejal Shah, who lives between Mumbai and Paris, has interpreted the lives of queer women in a project, Queer Women Take a Holiday. It is a series of photos of queer women with faces blurred in the privacy of their surroundings. Last year she created a sensation in Germany with her portrayal of nude transsexuals and erotic collages. “Living in India has been a difficult proposition since it has been difficult for lesbian or transgender women to be out (visually),” said Shah.
India‑View
11
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
India unveiled
Saudis get feel of software CORLENO
Fakir Balaji
BANGALORE: A 40-member youth delegation from Saudi Arabia, on a perception-changing visit to this country, got firsthand experience of India’s software power at Infosys Ltd, India’s IT major, here and some higher education institutes that spawn techies and business managers. “The Saudi youth were given an overview of the Indian IT industry and the software development work we do to enhance productivity and businesses of our global clients,” an Infosys spokesperson told IANS after the visit Tuesday evening. The members of the Saudi Youth Forum delegation, both men and women who are on a 10-day visit to India since March 22, is led by its Deputy Minister for Economic and Cultural Affairs Yousef Terad Al Saadon and comprises students, mediapersons and youth from different walks of life. The objective of the visit, said the organisers, was to “start a dialogue between young people from both our countries and learn about each other’s culture, viewpoints and experiences”.
The visit, organised by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hopes to promote growing Saudi-Indian ties and benefit from the Indian experience in the field of communication and information technology. Saudi Arabia is witnessing a ‘population bonus’ with a young generation of 3.4 million, accounting for over 20 per cent of the its population, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). “The Saudi youth viewed a presentation on our company, and asked many questions on its
Govt, school told to pay `7 lakh to student’s parents MADURAI: The Madras High Court bench here has directed the state government and a private school management to pay `5 lakh and `2 lakh each as compensation to the parents of a nine-year-old school boy, who drowned in a swimming pool in 2009. Allowing a writ petition filed by Shahul Hameed, the victim's father, Justice KK Sasidharan said yesterday that the state should pay `5 lakh and the school correspondent (administrator) `2 lakh. The petitioner alleged that his son died due to the "gross and wilful negligence" on the part of the school teachers and authorities of Anna Swimming Pool, maintained by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, at Palayamkottai in Tirunelveli district and demanded a compensation of `10 lakh. He said his son died during a school trip on June 27, 2009. The deceased boy was a third standard student of the Little Flower Matriculation School, Tirunelveli. Police had registered a case under IPC Section 304(A) (causing death by negligence) A sum of `1 lakh was given to the petitioner from the chief minister's relief fund. The district collector had rejected the petitioner's plea for more compensation, following which he moved the High Court. PTI
growth, entrepreneurship, human resources and corporate social responsibility (CSR) related issues,” the spokesperson said. The Saudi youth were also taken on a guided tour of the sprawling Infosys campus on the city’s outskirts after they were briefed about the various facilities the global software major built over the last two decades. The delegation interacted with Infosys’ senior vice-president for commercial and corporate relations Binod Hampapur and Infosys’ Young Indians head Abhishek Tiwari.
During their second day in this tech hub on Tuesday, the young delegation visited the LM Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research campus also in the electronics city to interact with the faculty and exchanges ideas with the business school students. “Our youth evinced keen interest in the various management programmes taught at the institute and projects undertaken to inculcate leadership qualities in the B-school students,” Mesfer, an official of the Saudi embassy in India accompanying the delegation, told. Reputed international business magazine Forbes India ranked Welingkar institute 10th among the top private B-schools and eighth in the international linkages in its ‘Best Business School Survey’ last year. The delegation also visited the Sri Venkateshwara College of Engineering and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in the city for acquainting with the courses imparted and training methods employed in churning hundreds of engineers across disciplines for the knowledge industry.
WB approves $109mn funding for Rajasthan Lalit K Jha
WASHINGTON: The World Bank has approved a USD 109 million grant for Rajasthan to promote water-efficient agriculture through sustainable and efficient use of resources in the desert state. The fund, approved yesterday for the Rajasthan Agricultural Competitiveness Project, is expected to benefit some 1,55,000 farmers, mainly those with small land holdings in the state. “Rajasthan has limited water resources and is facing an increasing constraint on its availability, in particular for agriculture. Improving productivity in irrigated agriculture
and achieving productivity gains in rain-fed farming are one of the great untapped opportunities of the agriculture sector in the state,” said Venu Rajamony, Joint Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs. He noted that the initiatives under the project are expected to help farmers move from low value and water-guzzling crops to high value farming, as aimed in state’s water policy of 2010. It is also expected to increase productivity through efficient management of water and crops, improved farming technology, farmer organisations and market innovations in some 20 selected areas of around 10,000 hectares each across 10 Agro-Ecological Zones. The primary focus of the project is to reduce agricultural water footprint by improving harvest, capture, collection, delivery and distribution of water for crops and livestock dependent on various sources of the natural resource. It also aims at efficient use of water in farms apart from increasing moisture and fertility in the soil and promote market-oriented production, a World Bank statement said. “The agricultural sector needs an end-toend approach ranging from water management to better agricultural practices and marketing,” World Bank Country Director for India, Roberto Zagha said. He said the initiative will bring various related stand-alone efforts like “water user associations, agriculture technology transfer, farmer producer groups, and marketing development” under one umbrella “through a holistic approach”.
NATION AT A GLANCE Mild quake hits Bengal, Bihar SILIGURI: An earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale hit West Bengal and other parts of eastern India early Wednesday, the meteorological department said. There have been no reports of loss of life or property so far. Parts of Bihar also experienced the quake. “The quake had its epicentre near the India-Nepal border at 26.1 degree north latitude and 87.8 degree east longitude. It had a magnitude of 4.9 on the Richter scale,” said Gopinath Raha, the North Bengal and Sikkim in-charge of the India Meteorological Department. The quake, which occurred around 5.10am, was felt in Darjeeling, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, Malda, Jalpaiguri districts and even in Kolkata.
Akhilesh states assets; owns 3 plots, `1.18cr LUCKNOW: Akhilesh Yadav today became the first Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister to declare his assets publicly. Yadav (38), who declared his assets on the UP government website, owns three residential plots — two in Lucknow and one in Etawah — besides agriculture land worth `98 lakh. He has investments totalling Rs1 crore, and `1.18 crore in cash. The Chief Minister also has a Pajero worth `20 lakh and loan worth `1.3 crore against his name.
Tibetans hold a candle light vigil in Kolkata on Tuesday to show their solidarity to all human beings and pay tribute to Jampa Yeshi and all those who selfimmolated for the freedom of Tibet. PTI/ SWAPAN M
Shirdi temple: New trustees appointed MUMBAI: In a late night move, the Maharashtra government has appointed a new board of trustees for the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust to replace the old set sacked earlier this month, an official said today (Wednesday). Veteran Congress member Jayant Sasane, who was chairman in the outgoing board, has made a comeback in the post for another three years, while a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) activist has been appointed vice-chairman of the trust to oversee the affairs of the shrine complex in Shirdi.
Around the World
12
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
Beyond Borders
Not crocodile tears Only ‘real’ girls ma’am South African grannies cross crocodile-infested river to collect old-age pensions JOHANNESBURG: Grandmothers from a village in rural South Africa must risk crossing the crocodile-infested Tugela river every month to collect their oldage pensions, according to a local media report. It is 30 miles to the nearest bridge, too far to walk for many of the elderly villagers who rely on walking sticks, South African newspaper the Times said. Years of requests for a simple footbridge have been ignored. So instead, hundreds of grannies from KwaNogawu village, in KwaZulu-Natal province, wake at 5 am on pension day to wade across the raging river, the Times reported. “In groups of two to five, the grannies cross the uThukela [Tugela] every month to get to the nearest pay point,” the newspaper said. “Fear consumes them each time they are
about to enter the river.” The river is about 330 feet wide, and the crossing sometimes takes more than half an hour, with the grannies rolling up their clothes to below their breasts and then forming a human chain. Khethile Kubheka, an 80-yearold grandmother with poor eyesight, told the Times that with oldage pensions as their only source of income, the grannies must make the crossing despite the risk of drowning or being attacked by crocodiles. “Many people I know have died on this river while crossing. But that does not scare me that much, maybe this is the way our God wants us to live and die,” she said. “We better be eaten by the crocodiles than staying at home without collecting our pensions,” said another villager, Bayekile Mthonti. GLOBALPOST
Transgender model cut from Canada Miss Universe MONTREAL: With blond locks, long legs and delicate features, Jenna Talackova would have been a strong competitor in Canada’s Miss Universe pageant but was disqualified, she says, because she used to be male. The 23-year-old transgender model from the western Canadian city of Vancouver has accused the pageant of discrimination, and more than 28,000 supporters have signed an online petition demanding her reinstatement. The organisers of the Canada Miss Universe pageant said on their website on Friday that Talackova was disqualified because “she did not meet the requirements to compete despite having stated otherwise on her entry form,” without providing further details. The Beauties of Canada Organization, which organizes the pageant, says it has the exclusive right to send a contestant to the Miss Universe Pageant, a joint production of US real-estate magnate Donald Trump and NBC Universal. Talackova, who was selected among some 65 finalists for the 2012 competition, believes she was disqualified because of her sex change. “I will look to turn this situation into a positive so that other people in a similar situation are not discriminated against in the future,” she told Canada’s CTV. The story has flared through the British, US and Canadian
Jenna Talackova (centre) is pictured with another contestant. media in recent days, sparking online protests. “This is discriminatory, unjust, and quite frankly disgusting,” said Oscar Dimant of Brooklyn, New York, listed as the author of the online petition at change.org. “She is a woman and deserves to be treated as any other woman would be.” Despite being born with male genitals, Talackova said in a 2010 interview that she knew she was a woman from a young age, began hormone therapy at 14, and had surgery to change her gender when she was 19. The interview, on the sidelines of the 2010 Miss International Queen transgender pageant, can be found on YouTube. AFP
Pak’s ray of sunshine: Solar power From MUZAFFARABAD: mosques, to homes and streets, Pakistanis are increasingly seeing the light and realising that year-round sun may be a cheap if partial answer to an enormous energy crisis. “It’s the best thing I bought this winter,” says Sardar Azam, a former civil servant retired to a river-side home in Pakistaniadministered Kashmir, showing off his water-heating solar geyser installed on the terrace. “The biggest advantage is that you spend money once and it runs on sunlight which is free,” Azam added. Pakistan needs to produce 16,000 megawatts of electricity a day but only manages 13,000 megawatts. The shortfall means that millions endure electricity cuts for up to 16 hours a day, leaving them freezing in winters and sweltering
“I think all our friends are encouraged to understand the real energy crisis that is in Pakistan. We can’t afford to be selective of where we receive our energy supply from,” foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar said this month. At the time, she was referring to Pakistan’s determination to build a
A Pakistani company’s employees show a solar tube well during a marketing demonstration in Islamabad. AFP/FAROOQ NAEEM in summers while hitting industries hard, exacerbating a slowburn recession. Voters say it is their biggest single concern, secondary to the war against Al-
Qaeda and the Taliban, and so the government has been increasingly vocal about redressing the problem as it eyes elections within a year.
pipeline and import gas from Iran, regardless of US threats of sanctions, but the message was clear: on the energy front, Pakistan needs any help it can get. Arif Allaudin, who heads the Alternate Energy Development Board, would like to see more of that help coming from renewable sources, saying there was a 2.4 million megawatt potential for solar energy alone in Pakistan. Niaz Ahmed Kathia, director of private company Alternate Energy Systems, said abundant and free sunshine was the answer
to Pakistan’s energy woes. “Energy is our biggest issue, more than terrorism, and if we replace our one million tubewell pumps with solar ones, we can save 7,000 megawatts,”Kathia told at the demonstration of a solar well in the capital. The majority of Pakistan’s tubewell pumps, which pump out underground water, run on the strained national grid or on diesel power. The government described renewable energy as the “investor’s choice” and said the private sector has offered to produce 1,500 megawatts a day. In the mountains of Kashmir there is no gas pipeline and in the cold winter months electricity bills are prohibitively expensive. In Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani-controlled Kashmir, solar panels light up a public park and mosques. AFP
Around the World Apple offers iPad refunds in Australia
U
S technology firm Apple has offered to refund Australian customers who felt misled about the 4G capabilities of the new iPad. The country’s consumer watchdog has taken Apple to court for false advertising because the tablet computer does not work on Australia’s 4G network. Apple’s lawyers said they were willing to print a clarification. However the company does not accept that it misled customers. Australia’s Competition and Consumer Commission said on Tuesday “that Apple’s recent promotion of the new ‘iPad with WiFi + 4G’ is misleading because it represents to Australian consumers that the product can, with a SIM card, connect to a 4G mobile data network in Australia, when this is not the case”. The watchdog then lodged a complaint at the Federal Court in Melbourne. At a preliminary hearing, Apple lawyer Paul Anastassiou said Apple had never claimed the device would work fully on the current 4G network operated by Telstra. Apple says the new iPad works on what is globally accepted to be a 4G network. The matter could go to full trial after the Easter break.
13
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
Beyond Borders
JetBlue pilot cries wolf
A
US domestic flight made an emergency landing after the captain began yelling about a bomb, passengers say. The airline said a “medical situation” involving the flight captain prompted the landing in Amarillo, Texas, about threeand-a-half hours into the flight. JetBlue flight 191 from New York to Las Vegas was carrying 135 passengers when a crew member had to be locked out of the cockpit and restrained. Police and the FBI were called, but passengers later landed in Las Vegas. JetBlue has said the pilot in charge of the plane decided to land at about 10:00 local time (16:00 GMT). The flight touched down in Amarillo 10 minutes later, JetBlue said in a statement, and a new aircraft later arrived to take passengers on to Las Vegas.
Shocked and confused Passengers recalled the confused scenes on board and said the captain had begun shouting about Afghanistan and alQaeda. On arrival in Las Vegas one passenger, David Gonzales, told US network ABC that he had grabbed the captain and put him in a headlock in an attempt to subdue him. “I knew there were about 130 people on the plane... families, kids... and I thought, this is not going to happen on my plane,” Gonzalez said. “We heard the word ‘bomb’,”
SANTIAGO: Rodrigo Alvarez on Tuesday resigned as Chile’s energy minister, making him the fourth person to leave that job in President Sebastian Pinera’s two year-old conservative government. Alvarez gave his reasons for resigning in a private letter to the president, but was apparently angry at being sidelined from negotiations with protesters from Chile’s remote southern Aysen region.
Japan to send election observers to Myanmar JetBlue flight 191 passenger David Gonzales. passenger Heidi Karg told CNN. “We didn’t know exactly what was going on.” Karg said she heard the captain shout “I need the code, gimme the code, I need to get in there.” According to Karg, the pilot used the plane’s public announcement system to call for someone to restrain the man. A number of male passengers were able to wrestle him to the ground, she said. Another passenger, Grant Heppes, told the Associated Press that he saw a man in JetBlue uniform walk from the cockpit to the back of the plane. He was barred from going back in and then became disruptive. “Once he got back to the front of the plane I heard him scream, ‘Let me in!’” Heppes said. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot locked the man out of the
cockpit after he began to show “erratic behaviour”. Heppes said many passengers were “shocked and confused”. “Nobody was very loud except for the people trying to help out. Everybody just standing up and not really sure what was going on. It was very hard to tell,” he said.
TOKYO: Japan said on Wednesday it would send three observers to monitor Myanmar’s upcoming election, adding that it expected the vote to be free and fair. Myanmar’s government said last week it would invite observers for the April 1 vote, in which democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi is seeking a seat for the first time.
Stretcher Once on the ground in Amarillo the crew member was taken to a local medical facility and an offduty captain who was on the flight by chance took over the role, JetBlue said. The ambulance was parked beside the plane for about half an hour. After the passengers had been taken off the plane, they were all interviewed by officials. The FBI is investigating the incident along with Amarillo police, airport police and US air and transport safety agencies.
Romney/Santorum for 2012? LOS ANGELES: White House hopeful Mitt Romney joked on Tuesday that rival Rick Santorum could be his vice-president — or his press secretary — as he sat down with talk show host Jay Leno. The comments came on his second day in California, where he was taking a break from the hustings to raise funds from Hollywood. He also faced protests from locals in the traditionally liberal, Democrat-leaning Golden State. Romney was generous about Santorum, calling him “a good guy” who is “running a good campaign” — and welcomed remarks suggesting his religious conservative rival would be willing to serve on a Romney ticket. “I’m happy with him saying he’d like to be part of an administration with me, nothing wrong with that, if he’s the V.P. that’s better,” Romney said, according to a transcript released by the show’s makers NBC before it aired. “I’d rather be the president. Let him be the vice president.” At another point Leno and Romney traded wordassociation type reactions to a list of politicians’ names — the host responded to New Jersey governor Chris Christie with
GLOBE AT A GLANCE Chile’s energy minister resigns after protests
“man of girth,” while Romney said Donald Trump was “huge.” Asked about Santorum, the candidate responded “Um, press secretary” -- an apparent joke reference to Santorum’s recent troubles with the press after a using an expletive to describe a New York Times reporter’s question. Romney was in Los Angeles on the second day of tapping Hollywood dollars with scheduled fundraisers in Irvine and Century City, taking time off the stump to work on his war chest. AFP
Pope Benedict XVI salutes next to Cuban President Raul Castro after a visit at Palacio de la Revolución of La Habana. AFP
US could fly spy drones from Aus territory SYDNEY: Australia said it may allow Washington to use its territory to operate long-range spy drones, as part of an increased US presence in the Asia-Pacific that has rankled China. The US and Canberra are planning a major expansion of military ties, with the first of a 2,500strong Marine deployment to northern Australia unveiled last November.
Arab ministers to debate Syria draft BAGHDAD: Arab foreign ministers will discuss a draft resolution on Wednesday calling on Syria’s government to hold talks with the opposition and to end the violence, on the eve of a landmark summit in Baghdad. The Syria crisis, in which almost 10,000 people have died has loomed large as officials meet ahead of a summit of Arab leaders on Thursday.
Romney hits back at Russian prez
Protesters hold placards and shout slogans against Mitt Romney during a protest in front of a hotel in Century City, Los Angeles. AFP
LOS ANGELES: Republican White House hopeful Mitt Romney’s camp hit back on Tuesday at Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, saying he clearly favours Democrat Barack Obama but backpedaling on a claim that Moscow is Washington’s top foe. The comments by a senior Romney aide came after Medvedev told the former Massachusetts governor to use his head and stop reverting to Cold War stereotypes.
Clowns take part in the Circus Day celebrations in front of the Municipal Theater in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Tuesday. AFP
Comment
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
Fair, free and forthright
Editorials POPE’S MISGUIDED Cuban visit
P
ope Benedict XVI’s visit to Cuba, was all about religion. And in many cases his supporters say that’s all it should be about. But in an age where the lines between Church and State are increasingly being blurred, especially in the US, their stance is rather disingenuous. It’s not OK for any organised religion to pick and choose its battles. The cornerstone of any religion is to fight the good fight, whether victory is assured or not. The Pope should never have set foot on Cuban soil until all political prisoners were released and the Castro government started a period of reconciliation. But no, the Pope said mass even as Raul Castro solidified his stand that Cuba would pursue “economic reform to make socialism sustainable”, while saying that political reform was out of the question. For centuries the Vatican has often found itself on the wrong side of history, backing regimes that invariably ended up with the blood of innocents dripping from their hands. The Pope’s visit to Cuba may have offered succour to those who had been away from god for decades, but it offers little respite to those who have watched their families torn apart by an oppressive regime. It’s time organised religion stepped up to the hallowed plate and stopped playing politics. That may be easier said than done, as politics has always been at the heart of religion. Religion must start playing a constructive role in history. Already atheism is eating away at its ranks, and with this apathy, it’s easy to see why.
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Lessons for our celebs from H’wood A-listers
AFP/ MARK THIESSEN
Point Blank Padmini C
G
uess who was spotted on the red carpet signing autographs at the premiere of Titanic 3D in London on Tuesday. No, it wasn’t Jack Dawson, ermm, I mean the gorgeous Leonardo Di Caprio (who by the way didn’t attend due to work commitments). And no, I don’t mean the Kate Winslet either (who if you wanted to know looked lovelier than ever). I’m talking about the man of the moment — director, producer, screenwriter, editor, discoverer, explorer extraordinaire — James Cameron. Looking at him on the red carpet, it’d be easy to forget he has just returned from, what is being popularly touted ‘mankind’s first solo dive’ to the deepest spot in the ocean — the Marianna Trench. Setting aside what it means for Cameron himself, or his sponsor (I hear it’s Rolex) or for the future of private exploration, it’s quite simply, the story of the limits to which a man will go to excel at his craft. Then there’s another story. This, of a man who makes 24 hours seem limitless. A film star, television actor, artist, short-story writer, licensed pilot... and now an academic — he went to ULCA for a Bachelors in English, then shifted to New York to simultaneously attend – I kid you not — three schools, Columbia University’s MFA writing programme; Brooklyn College for creative writing; and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts for Directing. Then, he went to Yale for a PhD in English. And, is now contemplating a second PhD in literature and creative writing at the University of Houston. All this by 33, while filming some of the biggest movies of these years – the Spiderman trilogy, 127 Hours and most recently, Rise of the Planet of the Apes. You know him as James Franco. If these are men whose stories are about pursuing excellence and pushing the limits of human endurance, there are countless more among Hollywood’s A-listers, who channel their time, money, efforts and resources into saving the world. Literally. More famously, there’s George Clooney’s work with his organisation Not on Our Watch,
CV writing hints useful
Course in reporting
The series of articles helping out freshers like me with compiling their CVs and writing letters are brilliant. Yesterday’s story about using the help of consultancies was also very good. The tips were quite helpful and after that I spent my entire day looking up for consultancies online. Would you by any chance be able to list them out under, say, the best and those which can be trusted easily? I have been looking for a job for the past couple of months and have been unsuccessful. Looking forward to reading more on the series.
Postnoon carries some interesting, neverheard-of-before sort of crime stories. I am a crime and mystery buff so the stories always prove to be very interesting to me. Yesterday’s story about the cops arresting Zaffer Pahalwan was so good! Such men walk among us, shoulder to shoulder and we fail to recognise them for who they are really. It’s scary. I want to be a crime reporter in the future. Could you give me some tips, Mr Subhan?
Bhagyalakshmi Madhapur
Sadiq Hasan Banjara Hills
which works towards raising awareness, providing lifesaving humanitarian assistance, and averting genocide in Darfur. He’s powerful (He’s got Obama to listen), he’s passionate (he works on the ground in Sudan) and he’s fearless. And of course, looking beyond their brood, the power-couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie who with their own Jolie-Pitt Foundation and Make it Right, not to mention, the several charities and causes they support are in themselves, a small-scale UN. This is not even counting Matt Damon, Ellen DeGeneres, Bono, Annie Lennox, Sandra Bullock, Drew Barrymore, Ben Affleck, Senn Penn, whose work, though less known is equally commendable. Now let’s cut to our backyard. When our heroes get arrested, it’s not because they were protesting for human rights violations in
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
Africa. It’s more likely, they were getting into scuffles during dinner, running their cars over people, engaging in TADA, or raping their maids. Alright, alright. It’s unfair. Hollywood is the mecca of messy scandals, so it’s an unfair accusation. But think about it. When was the last time a Bollywood celebrity inspired you? When was it that our heroes were in the news for anything but controversies, gossip or their onscreen heroics? Is our greatest pride going to be... Salman Khan auctioning his own paintings? Akshay Kumar perform his own stunts? Aamir Khan visiting Anna Hazare? Amitabh Bacchan being conferred empty and quite frankly, worthless honorary doctorates? Where are our real heroes? (The writer works for Postnoon)
Helpful tips on pain
Puppy love
I would like to thank you for the health tips. How to alleviate shoulder pain was a great help to me. My mother and I had been suffering from pain in the shoulders for quite some time now. After reading the tips, both of us started to work on it and though not completely, we do feel a change and the pain has lessened a considerable amount. I was getting shoulder and backache as I spend long hours in front of the computer. After reading the article I also shared it with my colleagues at work as well.
The article on Fighter the St Bernard puppy was really heart-wrenching. As a dog lover, it pains me to see the plight of the dog. Firstly, such dogs should not be sold and whoever bought the dog should have had the brains to research on the dog and its living conditions before buying it and leaving it to its fate like that. A dog, which enjoys extremely cold weather cannot survive the harsh temperatures of Hyderabad. Poor Fighter had to bear the brunt of his ‘intelligent’ owner’s negligence. Priya Singh Jubilee Hills
Prashant Karkhedkar Gachibowli
Cinema Paradiso
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
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Not just a pretty face While Mirror Mirror starring Julia Roberts is set for a March 30 release, we take a look at lesser-known, yet critically acclaimed movies by this pretty woman Sana Mirza sana.m@postnoon.com
n Flatliners Despite receiving mixed reviews upon its release, the film starring Julia Roberts alongside Kiefer Sutherland and Kevin Bacon was regarded as one of the most intriguing and well constructed supernatural thrillers of the 1990s. This was Roberts’ first dramatic role where she portrayed the role of a sensitive young lady on a misguided guilt trip.
Michael Collins Despite being criticised for its historical inaccuracies, the film was one of the top grossers in Ireland. While the film revolved around the central character, General Michael Collins, Roberts, proved to be more than capable in the small role of Kitty Kiernan, the woman who brings Collins’ human side to the fore. n
n
Sleeping with the enemy Hot from her success in Pretty Woman, Roberts starred in this thriller about a battered wife who faces verbal abuse and physical violence at the hands of her abusive husband. For this film Roberts was nominated as Best Actress at the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films Saturn Award in 1992.
n Pelican Brief Based on the novel of the same name by John Grisham, Roberts played the role of 24-year-old law student Darby Shaw who uncovers a conspiracy and drafts a brief which comes to be known as the Pelican Brief. The film was termed as, ‘a heart-stopping, spine-chilling, adrenalinepumping, runfor-your-life thriller’.
MOVIE OF THE WEEK
Faceless Horror
T
he movie brings together parallel stories of two families whose lives are disrupted by menacing apparitions. The first story is set in Spain where a mother tries hard to protect her son from a faceless stranger while in Britain, a young girl is tormented with fear as she has terrifying dreams
of a demon who proves to be a real danger to her and her family.
Movie: Intruders Cast: Clive Owen, Carice van Houten and Izan Corchero Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
Conspiracy Theory Mel Gibson plays a New York city taxi driver who suffers from an obsessivecompulsive disorder. He seems to think that most global events are triggered by government conspiracies. Alice Sutton, played by Roberts is a US lawyer who is trying to get to the bottom of her father’s murder. The film is an action-thriller which was a financial success, but received mixed reviews. AnotherS conspiracy? We wonder. n
H‑Factor
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
Holistic view of mind, body and soul
18
When your heart gives up As a child you were diagnosed with congenital heart defect. Now 15 years later you’re fine following treatment but suddenly your heart stops beating. Why? Ranjani Rajendra ranjani.r@postnoon.com
I
t was an interesting match and all was going well. The match was into its 87th minute during the Bangalore Division Football Association A Division league and there was nail biting tension when suddenly 25-yearold footballer D Venkatesh col-
Fabrice Muamba
lapsed on the field. Although everyone immediately rushed to his rescue there was no ambulance available at the site. By the time he was taken to a hospital, doctors declared him ‘brought dead.’ On March 17, another young footballer collapsed mid-field during a game. Bolton’s Fabrice Muamba, 23, was playing against Tottenham when the incident occurred. The match was abandoned even as medics tried to revive him using CPR
and a defibrillator. Fortunately, after being rushed to a hospital, the footballer underwent treatment and is now recovering. However, Marc-Vivien Foé, a Cameroonian international footballer, was not as lucky. When he collapsed mid-game in 2003 there was nothing anyone could do to revive him. In all three cases it was a cardiac problem that was responsible for the players’ sudden collapse. Despite their young age, all three players
were said to be suffering from congenital heart abnormalities that lead to their sudden death, and in two cases untimely death. While this phenomenon of an otherwise healthy person suddenly succumbing to a heart attack is not unusual, it is not restricted to just the sporting fraternity. However, experts say that this could happen more to people who are fit as they tend to push their heart to the limit. This may cause the heart to suddenly stop beating. Dr Sharath Reddy, consultant interventional cardiologist at Sunshine Hospitals, says, “Although this is a rare phenomenon, there are a few triggers for the heart to stop beating all of a sudden. For instance, there could be a sudden decrease of blood flow to the heart. In other cases there could electrical abnormalities that cause a sudden problem in the heart rhythm and consequently result in death.” Although most sportsmen undergo regular health and fitness check-ups, sometimes they could suffer from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (a condition in which the heart rhythm goes haywire) causing untimely death, says Dr Sharath. “Sudden deaths due to heart failure are also seen in people undergoing police training,” he adds. “Most people with congenital heart conditions can lead perfectly normal lives after treatment, while for others this may not happen and some abnormalities may still prevail. So when they indulge in any physical activity like exercise or swimming the heart rate could suddenly become abnormal and result in death. For some people it may also occur when they are asleep,” explains Dr Sharath. There are certain warning signs however, that one can watch out for, say experts. For instance, any sudden fainting spells should be taken seriously, especially during any physical activity. If there have been any sudden deaths in the immediate family due to a heart problem, then one should get oneself checked before doing any strenuous physical activity, says Dr Sharath. “People with congenital heart defects should also ensure they get a cardiac exam done before they take up anything strenuous,” he says.
Plaque can spell doom for your heart
Dr Sunil Kapoor
What is Myocardial infarction? Myocardial infarction, commonly referred to as a heart attack, occurs when one or more coronary arteries become suddenly blocked, resulting in heart muscle death. Myocardial infarction, also known as MI or heart attack, is a condition when one or more of the coronary arteries which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle become suddenly blocked, resulting in heart muscle death. In general, blockages result from plaques made of cholesterol and fats building up in the coronary arteries. The accumulation of this plaque is known as coronary artery disease (CAD). In many cases, the accumulation of plaque is a gradual process and can produce symptoms of chest pain or pressure known as angina pectoris or angina. In contrast to this gradual accumulation of plaque, a myocardial infarction occurs when a plaque suddenly ruptures, causing a rapid accumulation of clotting factors at the rupture site. This results in a sudden obstruction of blood flow in the coronary artery. This sudden obstruction prevents any blood from reaching the heart muscle. Without this vital supply of oxygen-rich blood, the heart muscle begins to die. The longer the obstruction persists, the greater the amount of heart muscle that dies. Myocardial infarction is a medical emergency . Without treatment, substantial portions of the heart can be permanently damaged, preventing efficient pumping of blood to the rest of the body, and resulting in congestive heart failure. In addition, a myocardial infarction can cause ventricular arrhythmias, or rapid and chaotic beating of the lower chambers of the heart. In many cases, ventricular arrhythmias can cause cardiac arrest, stopping blood flow to the body and brain. If that happens, brain damage and death can result within minutes. (This column will continue next week. The writer is a senior consultant cardiologist at Care Hospitals)
H‑Factor
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
Holistic view of mind, body and soul
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Exposure to dirt in childhood promotes immunity WASHINGTON: The concept of exposing infants to germs in order to build up immunity is known as the hygiene hypothesis. Now, researchers of Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) have come up with evidence supporting the hygiene hypothesis for the first time. They studied the immune sys-
tem of ‘germ-free mice’ and compared them to mice living in a normal environment with microbes, the journal Science reported. They found that ‘germ-free mice’ had exaggerated inflammation of the lungs and colon resembling asthma and colitis, respectively, caused by the
Immunise chicken to fight food-borne illness LONDON: The simple expedient of vaccinating chickens against the bug C jejuni could cut down the incidence of food poisoning. If C jejuni contaminated poultry is not prepared and cooked properly, the bug can be transmitted to humans and may cause severe gastro-intestinal infections. C jejuni is the leading cause of more than 3,71,000 estimated cases of food borne illness in the UK alone in 2009, resulting in more than 17,500 hospitalisations and 88 deaths. It is present in the gut of many animals, including chickens. Scientists at Washington State University are studying the maternal antibodies that are passed from hens to their chicks. “These antibodies protect
chicks from becoming colonised by Campylobacter in the first week of life,” explained Michael Konkel, professor, who is leading the research. “Our group has now identified the bacterial molecules that these antibodies attack, which has given us a starting point for a vaccine against Campylobacter,” he said. “We have already found that chickens injected with these specific molecules — found on the surface of Campylobacter jejuni — produce antibodies against the bacterium. This response partially protects them from colonisation,” added Konkel. These findings were presented at Society for General Microbiology’s Spring Conference in Dublin. IANS
hyperactivity of a unique class of T cells (immune cells). These immune cells had been previously linked to these disorders in both mice and humans, said a University statement. Most importantly, researchers discovered that exposing the germ-free mice to microbes during their first
weeks of life, but not when exposed later in adult life, led to a normalized immune system and prevention of diseases. Moreover, the protection provided by early-life exposure to microbes was long-lasting, as predicted by the hygiene hypothesis. “These studies show the
critical importance of proper immune conditioning by microbes during the earliest periods of life,” said Richard Blumberg, chief for the BWH Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, and study co-author, working with Dennis Kasper, director of BWH’s Channing Lab. IANS
Spotlight
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
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DEEPAK DESHPANDE
Srisha & Rajini
Shama & Neha
Reetu & Aarthi
Manzur & Samya
Aaliyah & Esam
Of castles
&
magic Anchal Bheharvani celebrated her son’s first birthday with family and friends at the Park on Tuesday.
Siddhangana
Laila
Cayrin Batia
Preethi
Shaili DEEPAK DESHPANDE
N SHIVA KUMAR
Golden goodness Models displayed jewellery designed by Swetha Reddy(R) at Hiya on Tuesday.
The Baig boy Mohammed Ali Baig spoke on Styling and Aesthetics at the NIFT campus on Tuesday. He was invited by the Department of Fashion, National Institute of Fashion Technology.
Magic Screen
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
The glamour behind the glitz
ALLU ARJUN, TRIVIKRAM’S
T-TOWN TWEETIES
@RanaDaggubati Morning! Back on sets of #KVJ. Shooting for an acton sequence in a hot red-mud terrain and hills. Hoping temperatures stay at the minimum.
film titled Julayi?
A
llu Arjun’s upcoming film under Trivikram Srinivas’ direction has got a title, if the latest buzz is to be believed. Radhakrishna, who is producing the film, has registered a title Julayi at the Film Chamber of Commerce and sources say that it’s likely to be the final title. Allu Arjun and Ileana are playing lead roles in this film. Rajendra Prasad will be seen as a police officer and Brahmanandam is playing the role of a thief. Devi Sri Prasad is composing the music. Since Allu Arjun and Trivikram Srinivas are teaming up for the first time, there are a lot of expectations from the film. Moreover, this film will mark Allu Arjun’s comeback to breezy romantic entertainers after films like Varudu and Badrinath. Julayi is expected to hit the screens in June this year.
Nani, Krishnavamsi’s film goes on floors
@LakshmiManchu Starting the last leg of the water episode from today for #MarentheinMannithen and #GundelloGodari. Superrrr nervous. God bless us thru this
@richyricha
Malaika Arora in talks for Gabbar Singh? M alaika Arora might soon dance for an item number in Pawan Kalyan, Shruti Haasan starrer Gabbar Singh, if all goes well. Few years ago, she had danced for an item number in Mahesh Babu’s Athidhi and now we hear that Ganesh Babu, who’s producing Gabbar Singh, is in talks with Malaika Arora for the item number in the film. Gabbar Singh is the official
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remake of Dabangg and Malaika had danced in the song Munni Badnaam Hui in Dabangg which became quite popular. Devi Sri Prasad is composing the music and the buzz is that this item number will be a major highlight in the film. The film’s audio is going to hit the stands in the first week of April. Gabbar Singh is expected to hit the screens on May 9.
Meeting up w my close friend Nitasha after 9 months at #cariboucoffee. My first friend at MSU :)
@actressanjjanaa Strangely not able to sleep 2day, 100thousand thoughts on my mind... Mind ova occupied... So ny1 awake among my tweetus ?? :-)
@Alwayscharan Its been the best day of the month.dad’s official ministry certificate was given to him 2day, completed RACHA dubbing too nd got lovly gifts.
@shrutihaasan Time to zzzzz:) evening with one of my bestest friends evers... Feeling recharged and positive.. @NatashaaBhalla is such a doll... :D
N
ani is going places. He’ll soon be seen in SS Rajamouli’s Eega and Gautham Menon’s Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu and now we hear that he has already begun filming for Krishnavamsi’s next project. Although, this film was announced last year, there was no information about when this film might go on floors. This untitled film began its principal shooting a couple of days ago in Hyderabad and for now, Krishnavamsi seems to be keeping everything under wraps. Katherine Teresa is going to make her debut in Telugu with this film. Ramesh Puppala is producing the film. Santosh Rai is the cinematographer.
@tashu_02 Long time bk I mentioned in an interview that I wish, I get a chance to work wid a grt actor/ dancer Jnr Ntr... n today its finally happening!
@shraddhadas43 Off to c yet another play at prithvi today titled Dirty talk, iv gotten addicted to that place n its play! N off to hyd again tomorrow.
Shahid
Magic Screen
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
The glamour behind the glitz
relates to The Dirty Bollywood Bachelor S
hahid Kapoor has said that he relates to the title of Devansh Patel’s debut film The Dirty Bollywood Bachelor. The actor shared his views with the writer Patel at a coffee shop in Mumbai, days after the first look of the project was unveiled. “Was so good to meet deary Shahid Kapoor at Costa. He saw the teaser poster of TDBB and replied, ‘I can relate to it’. Hahahahahaha! (sic),” Patel wrote on Twitter. Kapoor —who is reportedly dating Nargis Fakhri —has previously been linked to actresses Amrita Rao, Priyanka Chopra and Bipasha Basu. Patel is expected to announce the cast to his upcoming film within the next few weeks. The Dirty Bollywood Bachelor is expected to release in 2013.
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B-TOWN TWEETIES
@realpreityzinta Nothing feels better than a tough workout in the gym ! I am ready to conquer the world now ;-)
@RGVzoomin Do Gods retire or do they just work once in a blue moon? If they are active every day hw come so many non sensical things happen evry day?
@NeilNMukesh Movies that are recommended to all cinema lovers are 1) cinema paradiso 2) amores perros 3)bardem biutiful.
@bipsluvurself Sense of humour in abundance on the sets of Raaz 3! @TheVikramBhatt, @emranhashmi, @shaguftarafiqueare all mad n super witty!
@imarshadwarsi Shot the most important scene of JOLLY LLB today with @bomanirani, Saurab Shukla, @Amritaraotweetz n myself n YES we nailed it ?
Today’s television lacks content: Om
O
m Puri returns to the small screen after over a decade as a ‘sutradhar’ or storyteller for new TV show Chhal Sheh Aur Maat. But the veteran actor feels today’s television is frivolous and lacks meaningful content. “Television back in the 1980s
had meaningful content. Serials like Hum Log and Buniyaad had much to share, but the small screen has now become very frivolous,” said the actor. “The usual saas-bahu serials are more like people doing ramp walk than acting. The standards have indeed declined over the years. I miss the charm of television in previous years,” he said. His unmatched acting skills have always helped him deliver serious and comic roles alike. He proved his mettle on garnering international acclaim by working in crossover projects. A theatre veteran, Om started his television career with Mr Yogi, Kakaji Kaheen and Yatra. IANS
@SrBachchan T 696 - Gentle smile on newly born... abstract and in look forlorn... our nature and behavior clowned... The child within us does expound !!
I’m ready for more action A
kshay Kumar took a well-thought break from kicking and boxing in films, but now is back to the action genre with Rowdy Rathore. The ‘Khiladi’ of Bollywood says he is absolutely geared for the new innings. “It’s been some two to three years that I have stayed away from action movies. It’s because when my son (Aarav) was two years old, I was scared that what if something happened to me… that’s why I was off action,” Akshay said on Monday night. Now with Rowdy Rathore, directed by Prabhu Deva, he promises to be back in the ‘khiladi’ avatar. IANS
@AnupamPkher Flying back to Mumbai from London. Finished Yash Ji’s shoot. Was nice working with Shahrukh after a long time and with Katrina first time. :)
@deespeak I just want you all to know that I cherish every msg n read all. You bring happiness. Thank you :)
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Magic Screen
The glamour behind the glitz
Johansson, Mila Kunis hacker pleads guilty S
carlett Johansson and Mila Kunis can breathe easy now. The man who was accused of hacking into the email accounts of Johansson, Kunis and others has pleaded guilty to nine felony counts, including unauthorised access to a protected computer in furtherance of wiretapping and wire fraud. Christopher Chaney, who was indicted on 28 counts, faces up to 60 years in prison. During his hearing, Chaney — a 35-year-old resident
of Jacksonville — admitted that he had hacked into Johansson, Kunis and approximately 50 other entertainment-industry denizens’ email accounts by clicking on their emails, hitting the “Forgot your password?” feature, and then correctly answering the security questions using information he’d found during an Internet search.
Superman’s $412 pay cheque up for auction
S
even decades after it was cut by DC Comics, the cheque sent to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster for their creation of the
comic hero Superman has been put up for auction. Made out to the duo for $412, the cheque includes a line item for $130 showing that DC paid for full ownership and rights to the superhero from Krypton and paved the way for more comic books, TV, radio and films. But, a legal dispute over creator’s rights to the character is still far from settled. Stephen Fishler, CEO of ComicConnect.com and Metropolis Collectibles, said the cheque went up for auction on Monday through to April 16. By late Monday night, bidding had jumped from $1 to $20,500. He said the cheque is a touchstone for the comic book industry because it represents the launching of the Golden Age of superheroes.
Weinstein Co. will release Bully unrated B
ully, the controversial documentary that was handcuffed with an R rating by the MPAA, will be released in theaters as an unrated film, The Weinstein Company announced today. “The small amount of language in the film that’s responsible for the R rating is there because it’s real,” said director Lee Hirsch. “It’s what the children who are victims of bullying face on
most days. All of our supporters see that, and we’re grateful for the support we’ve received across the board. I know the kids will come, so it’s up to the theaters to let them in.” TWC had mounted an aggressive campaign to persuade the MPAA to reverse its initial ratings verdict. Nearly half a million people signed a petition on Change.org to urge the MPAA to lower the rating.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
25
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
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
Take a shot at the brain game while sipping your cuppa
26
QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 African tree snake 6 Borscht ingredient 10 Banshee’s cry 14 Wedding cake figure 15 Casa cookware 16 Sgt. Snorkel’s fourlegged friend 17 Wintry Disney movie? 20 Wickerwork willow 21 The lesser of two ___ 22 Brown or white weasel 24 On the apex 27 Vehicle that stops at school 30 Fictional detective Spade 31 One of the Bobbseys 33 Modern music genre 35 Informed about 37 Flowering time 39 Beginnings 41 Wintry play by Eugene O’Neill? 44 Beef ___ bleu 45 West of ‘My Little Chickadee’ 46 Opera diva’s solo 47 Agricultural tool 48 Additive that sponsors NASCAR racers 50 Unwanted pantry guest 52 Archer’s bow wood 53 Gloom’s partner 55 Chosen by chance 58 Defame, in a way 60 Practice piece 63 Wintry tale by Stella Gibbons? 68 Cheese for crackers 69 Clydesdale controller 70 Bunsen burner kin 71 Tea-leaves reader 72 Juice-drink endings, sometimes 73 Free-for-alls, in prison DOWN 1 Some British sports cars 2 It flows through Florence 3 Cattle calls 4 ‘Modern Love’ singer 5 Brownish-yellow shades
6 Neighbour of Arg 7 Degeneres of TV 8 Ace value, sometimes 9 Bus alternative 10 Deserving of the booby prize 11 Had the special 12 It is in most dialogue? 13 ___ Gatos, Calif 18 Military weaponry 19 Will in the future 23 Islamic prayer leader 25 Solar system model 26 York Peppermint ___ 27 Ruin clumsily 28 Reveal the executioner 29 Hi-fi 32 One rising in rank, eg 34 ‘Fiddlesticks!’ 36 Suffix with ‘human’ or ‘fact’ 38 Often-candied vegetable
40 Physicians’ org 42 Type of dust or ray 43 Round bread of India 49 Doc-to-be’s major 51 Walk like a two-year-old 54 What you’ll be on your next birthday 56 1966 Michael Caine movie remade in 2004 57 Muslim scholar 59 Tora ___ (region of Afghanistan) 61 ‘Book ‘em, ___’ (‘Hawaii Five-O’ phrase) 62 It precedes
SUDOKU
‘demonstrandum’ 63 Things used in semi circles? 64 Rich rock 65 Fail a polygraph test 66 Put-___ (pranks) 67 SASE enclosures (Abbr) PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
THOUGHT OF THE DAY Knowledge is realising that the street is one-way, wisdom is looking both directions anyway. – Anonymous
Chai Time STAR POWER
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
Your tomorrow today̶Star Power and Tarot THIRUVAIKUMAR
As per Hindu panchang
FOR 29-3-2012
thiruvaikumar@yahoo.co.in 040-27177230 / 9177596118
TAURUS
GEMINI
Expectations get fulfilled without any hardship. VIPs will extend their help. Those who neglected you too will be attracted towards you. Govt work might end with a little delay and travelling.
Your lifestyle is likely to change entire‑ ly. Money from expected sources will come. Home will be in a happy atmo‑ sphere as good events to take place. Friends and relatives will support you.
New responsibilities will be entrusted to you. Income possible through ancestral property. You will be respected at a visit to a function held at a relativeʼs. Kids will be happy as you fulfill their wishes.
CANCER
LEO
VIRGO
As your self‑confidence level is at its high, you will take bold decisions. Court verdict will go in your favour. You will understand the feelings of family mem‑ bers and behave accordingly.
Money from expected source will be come without fail. A major part of an old debt will be cleared by you. Child‑ ren will get rid of their bad friends. You will plan to renovate your house.
You will put in maximum efforts and solve long‑pending problems. Loans applied will get sanctioned. People of other religion will extend wholeheart‑ ed help. Avoid anger; be patient.
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
Friendship with politicians of ruling party likely, which will be beneficial. Expected work will get completed without any difficulty. Those trying for new job will get favourable news.
Work that was dragging since long will end favourably soon. The asset for the purchase of which you have paid an advance will now be yours as regis‑ tration will soon get completed.
Administrative capabilities will improve. Loans given to others will be yours after a long time. Politicians will help. New posts on the cards for some. Children will make you proud.
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
Your value in the society is set to incre‑ ase. Financial deficiency will be over. Children will understand you well and co‑operate. Some have bright chances to buy a house of their choice.
You will be courageous enough to tackle all sort of issues. Friendship with VIPs likely. New asset to be purchased by selling old one. Govt works will end with only a delay.
Your talk and approach will do wonders. All work undertaken will be successful. Newly‑wed couples can get ready to welcome their offspring. Litigations in property matters will end smoothly.
SUMAA TEKUR
FOR 29-3-2012
tarotreadhyd@gmail.com
ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
Three of Wands – The courier has arri‑ ved and the results have been fantastic. The hard work has been paying off well and you realise itʼs time to experiment.
Six of Cups – A per‑ son from the past – one you had a roma‑ ntic encounter with – is re‑entering your life. Decide what you want to do about it and act accordingly.
Three of Pentacles – Your skills are being put to the test. Often, it is how you manage the human relation‑ ships that determine the respect you attract.
CANCER
LEO
VIRGO
Temperance – You need to wait upon events to get to the right place where you can benefit from them. Expect delays and obstacles but donʼt be frustrated.
King of Wands – Youʼve cut off your‑ self emotionally from those closest to you. Youʼve invested too much in career and are ignoring family. Time of balance it.
Nine of Cups – Your every wish is about to come true. If something has been bothering you for a long time, a resolu‑ tion is near. Keep a low profile today.
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
Five of Pentacles – Some kind of misery is on the way. Youʼre unhappy with the way something has turned out and are unwilling to let go. This, too, shall pass.
The Lovers – Decision time! You have been sitting on the fence for a very long time and need to finally take the plunge. Have faith in your capabilities.
Two of Swords – Itʼs the card of extremes. You need to moder‑ ate your stance and meet a colleague or family member half‑ way. Donʼt get too emotional.
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
Death – Some drastic changes are likely to your living situation. You have to step up to the challenges by making alterations to the way you perceive the world, too.
Queen of Wands – Youʼre comfortable in the own little space you have created for yourself. Itʼs alright if you do not feel like socialising for some time. No pressure.
Seven of Wands – Avoid conflict at all costs with your cow‑ orkers. Things might get difficult especial‑ ly when two or more colleagues are vying for the same position.
For Better or for Worse Stone soup
SOLUTIONS
Boggle CANADA BRAZIL PANAMA RUSSIA
Number game
Suduko
Scrabble
Ink pen
COMICS
Fred Basset
ARIES
TAROT READ
27
Vol: 1, No 255 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad – 500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon.com and for subscription, please call 040-4067 2222, Fax: 040-4067 2211
Chai Time 1400 Naadi Aadajanme 1430 Pavitra 1500 Movie 1800 Kodala Kodala Koduku Pellama 1830 Vasantha Kokila 1900 Chinnari Pelli Kuturu 1930 Anna Chellelu 2000 Missamma 2030 Edureetha 2100 Challenge 2200 CID 2300 Challenge 0730 Maa Gramadevatalu 0800 Ayurvedam 0830 Chaganti Sanatana Dharmam 0900 Bhale Chansule
1400 Kannavaari Kalalu 1430 Maavichiguru 1500 Sumangali 1530 Movie 1800 Jai Shri Krishna 1830 Shraavani Subramaniam 1900 Mandhara 1930 Auto Bharthi 2000 Swathi 2030 Mogali Rekulu 2100 Aparanji 2130 Devatha 2200 Mamathala Kovela 2230 Heartlo Battery 2300 Gemini Vaarthalu 0800 Gemini Talkies 0830 Movie 1130 Aha Emi Ruchi 1200 Jeevitha Chakram 1230 Maa Inti Aada Paduchu 1300 Chittemmaa 1330 Gorintaku
1430 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 1500 [V] Humse Hai Life 1530 [V] Suvreen Guggal 1600 [V] Trailers 1625 [V] Fresh Songs 1630 [V] Zabardast Hits 1830 [V] Suvreen Guggal 1900 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 1930 [V] Humse Hai Life 2000 [V] Suvreen Guggal 2030 [V] Steal UR Girlfriend 2130 [V] Trailers 2200 [V] Vignettes 2230 [V] Humse Hai Life 2300 [V] Suvreen Guggal 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
‘[V] Suvreen Guggal’ at 1830 Hrs on CHANNEL [V]
1300 News Now At1 1330 News Now 1800 6 Pm 1830 Live Report 1900 Primetime 1930 The Game 2000 News Now At 8 2030 Live Report 2100 The Newshour 2200 The Newshour - Plus 2230 E Now 2300 News Now At 11 0800 The Morning News 0900 News Now 1200 Live Report 1230 News Now
‘The Game’ at 1930 Hrs only on TIMES NOW
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
Telly sitcoms, news and movie listings
1400 Abhishekam 1430 Aadade Aadharam 1500 Antahpuram 1530 Aakasa Ganga 1600 Prema Mandiram 1630 Jagadeeswari 1700 WOW 1800 Devimahathyam 1830 Puttadi Bomma 1900 Kumkuma Rekha 1930 Manasu Mamata 2000 Chandra Mukhi 2030 Bharyamani 2100 Etv News 2130 Adhurs 2 2245 Movie 0800 Subhamastu 0830 Jeevanajyothi 0900 Movie 1130 Abhiruchi 1230 Star Mahila
1400 Nagani 1430 Movie 1800 Meera 1830 Kalavari Kodallu 1900 Chinna Kodalu 1930 Pasupukunkuma 2000 Muddu Bidda 2030 Radha Kalyanam 2100 Kanyadanam 2130 Luckku Kickku 2230 Shree 2300 Bindass 2330 Latest Songs 0800 Gopuram 0830 Bhakti Samacharam 0900 Sri Raghavendra Vybhavam 0930 Mahadevi 1000 Bindass 1030 Comedy Club 1130 Jeevana Vignanam 1200 Mee Inti Vanta 1230 Nene Satyabhama
‘Business Tonight’ at 2100 Hrs only on ET NOW 1400 The F And O Show 1430 Closing Trades 1530 Tomorrow's Trades 1600 Business Day 1730 Markets Tomorrow 1800 Rush Hour 1830 Brand Equity Special 1900 Global Business Report 1930 Business Express 2000 Business First 2030 Markets Tomorrow 2100 Business Tonight 2200 Top 10 At10 2230 Leaders Of Tomorrow 2300 Starting Up 0900 First Trades 1000 Hot Stocks 1100 Buy Now Sell Now - The Stock Game 1130 Buy Now Sell Now 1200 Market Sense 1300 Business Day 1330 Markets Now
‘Gold Rush - Alaska’ at 2000 Hrs on DISCOVERY 1400 Man Vs Wild 1500 How Stuff Works 1600 The Survivors 1700 Man Woman Wild 1800 Wild Discovery 1900 I Almost Got Away With It? 2000 Gold Rush Alaska 2100 Mutant Planet 2200 Dual Survival 2300 Desire & Pleasure Decoded 1000 Mutant Planet 1100 Food Detectives 1130 Swamp Brothers 1200 Dual Survival
1440 Whacked Out Sports 1510 Movie - Face Off 1605 Wipeout 1700 Supernatural 1800 Chuck 1900 Most Daring 2000 Supernatural 2100 24 2200 Fear Factor 2300 Most Daring 0800 Sky Teleshopping 0830 Infomercial/30 Min 0900 Sky Teleshopping 0930 Whacked Out Sports 1000 Movie - Face Off 1100 Most Daring 1200 Wipeout 1250 CSI - NY
‘Face Off’ at 1510 Hrs on AXN
‘Haar Jeet’ at 1900 Hrs on IMAGINE 1400 Haar Jeet 1430 Jamuna Paar 1500 Baba Aiso Var Dhoondo 1600 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 1630 Jamuna Paar 1700 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 1730 Saware Sabke Sapne Preeto 1800 Jamuna Paar 1830 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 1900 Haar Jeet 1930 Gyaan Guru 2000 Dwarkadheesh - Bhagwan Shri Krishna 2030 Saware Sabke Sapne Preeto 2100 Jamuna Paar 2130 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 2200 Baba Aiso Var Dhoondo 2230 Haar Jeet 2300 Jamuna Paar
1400 Parichay 1500 Na Bole Tum... Na Maine Kuch Kaha 1600 Veer Shivaji 1630 Parichay 1700 Sasural Simar Ka 1730 Chal... Sheh Aur Maat 1800 Balika Vadhu 1830 Na Bole Tum... Na Maine Kuch Kaha 1900 Havan 1930 Sasural Simar Ka 2000 Balika Vadhu 2030 Veer Shivaji 2100 Chal... Sheh Aur Maat 2130 Parichay - Nayee Zindagi Kay Sapno Ka 2200 Uttaran 2230 Na Bole Tum... Na Maine Kuch Kaha 2300 Balika Vadhu
‘Hawan’ at 1900 Hrs on COLORS
‘Y M G G K’ at 2030 Hrs on ZEE TV 1400 Hitler Didi 1430 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 1500 Afsar Bitiya 1530 Choti Bahu 1600 Pavitra Rishta 1630 Dance India Dance 1800 Hitler Didi 1830 Punar Vivaah 1900 Afsar Bitiya 1930 Choti Bahu 2000 Hitler Didi 2030 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 2100 Pavitra Rishta 2130 Ram Milaayi Jodi 2200 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 2230 Punar Vivaah 2300 Afsar Bitiya 2330 Hitler Didi
1400 Saas Bina Sasuraal 1430 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 1500 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 1530 Crime Patrol - 2 1700 Crime Patrol - Dastak 1800 Saas Bina Sasuraal 1830 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 1900 Crime Patrol - Dastak 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 Kahani Comedy Circus Ki 1030 CID 1200 Shubh Vivah 1230 Dekha Ek Khwaab
‘Bade Achhe Lagte Hai’ at 2230 Hrs on SONY
28
‘M L K T’ at 2300 Hrs on STAR PLUS 1400 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hain 1500 Navya 1600 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hain 1630 Sasural Genda Phool 1700 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 1730 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? 1800 Navya 1830 Ruk Jana Nahi 1900 Saath Nibhana Saathiya 1930 Sasural Genda Phool 2000 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? 2030 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hain 2100 Diya Aur Baati Hum 2130 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 2200 Sajda Tere Pyar Mein 2230 Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 2300 Maryaada ... Lekin Kab Tak?
MOVIES OF THE DAY AND OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
1330 Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets 1640 Duma 1835 How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days 2100 Lethal Weapon 2 2310 Rush Hour 0835 Friends 0905 How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days 1125 Get Smart 1330 Cradle 2 The Grave
1435 A Nightmare On Elm Street 1635 Rocky 1905 Final Destination 2 2100 Sex And The City 2 0700 The Making Of - The Blind Side 0715 Wonder Woman 0845 Clash Of The Titans 1115 Sex And The City 2 1410 Final Destination 2
1400 My Kitchen Rules 1500 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 1530 America's Funniest Home Videos 1600 Cougar Town 1630 My Wife And Kids 1700 Haven 1800 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 1900 Cougar Town 1930 My Wife And Kids 2000 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 2030 America's Funniest Home Videos 2100 My Kitchen Rules 2200 Haven 2300 Cougar Town 2330 My Wife And Kids 0900 America's Funniest Home Videos 1000 Cougar Town 1100 My Kitchen Rules 1200 Haven
‘My Wife And Kids’ at 2330 Hrs on ZEE CAFE
Shubh Vivaah Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Storyline - Mr. Saxena is Storyline - How will happy to see Saroj & Karuna Akshara reconcile with dressed as beautiful brides. Rajshri? On the other hand, Sarla stands next to Amrit for a picture & there she whispers into ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’ at 2130 Hrs on STAR PLUS Amrit's ear that either he will spend the first night with her. ‘Shubh Vivaah’ at 1930 Hrs on SONY
‘Two And A Half Men’ at 2000 Hrs on STAR WORLD 1400 Supernatural 1500 Pan Am 1600 Joey 1630 The Simpsons 1700 Person Of Interest 1800 Supernatural 1900 Desperate Housewives 2000 Two And A Half Men 2030 The Simpsons 2100 Supernatural 2200 Castle 2300 Joey 2330 Two And A Half Men 0700 Castle 0800 Las Vegas 0900 Missing 1000 Castle 1100 Desperate Housewives 1200 Two And A Half Men 1230 The Simpsons 1300 Joey 1330 Friends
1400 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 1430 R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya 1500 Lapataganj - Sharad Joshi Ki Kahaniyon Ka Pata 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 Chidiyaghar 1930 Movers And Shakers 2000 I Luv My India 2030 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 2100 Chidiyaghar 2130 R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya 2200 Lapataganj 2230 Movers And Shakers 2300 F.I.R 2330 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 1030 Gutur Gu 1100 F.I.R 1130 Chidiyaghar
‘R.K. Laxman Ki Duniya’ at 2130 Hrs on SAB
‘Sex And The City 2’ at 2100 Hrs on HBO
‘Planet Bollywood News’ at 1900 Hrs on ZOOM 1230 Movie 1600 My Playlist 1700 Page 3 1730 Star Bonanza 1800 Let'z Go! 1900 Planet Bollywood 1930 Link'D 2000 Zabar 10 2030 Let'z Go! 2100 Telly Talk 2130 Link'D 2200 B - Tonite 2230 Style Strip 2300 Bollywood Bonanza 0700 Fresh Mornings 0800 Red Carpet 0805 Fresh Mornings 1100 Your Likes 1200 Planet Bollywood 1230 Movie
1400 Oddities 1430 Mythbusters 1530 Discovery Science Classics 1630 Sci Fi Science 1700 One Step Beyond 1730 Futureweapons 1930 How Do They Do It? 2030 Heavy Metal Taskforce 2130 Life On The Line 2200 Deconstructed 2230 Showdown - Aircombat 2330 Industrial Revelations 1030 Sci Fi Science 1100 One Step Beyond 1130 Mythbusters 1330 How Do They Do It?
‘Showdown - Aircombat’ at 2230 Hrs on DISCOVERY SCIENCE
‘Hawaii Five - 0’ at 2100 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
Maria Sharapova
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
The games people play
Caroline Wozniacki
Rafael Nadal
Novak Djokovic
Biggies have a ball Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal stayed on pace for a possible final showdown while Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki booked a semi-final match with Tuesday triumphs at the Miami ATP and WTA event.
29
Hamm calls it a day NEW YORK: Paul Hamm, the American who captured 2004 Athens Olympic allaround men’s gymnastics gold, announced his retirement from the sport Tuesday after ending his bid to qualify for this year’s Olympics. Hamm was the first US man to win world and Olympic all-around titles, taking the worlds in 2003 and the Athens title over South Korean runner-up Kim Dae-Eun after a protest on a scoring error that was decided by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. “I have decided to stop training in competitive gymnastics and end my efforts as a potential member of the 2012 Olympic team,” Hamm said in a statement. “My career has far exceeded my expectations. I will always have gymnastics in my heart.” Hamm, a three-time US all-around champion, helped the US men take a team silver medal at Athens and he claimed a silver on the horizontal bar. “Paul’s achievements in gymnastics and contributions to the men’s program were significant in helping the United States emerge as a world power,” USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny said. AFP
Fans wait to get autographs after the match between Andy Murray of Great Britain and Gilles Simon of France on day 9 of the Sony Ericsson Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on Tuesday in Key Biscayne, Florida. AFP/MICHAEL REGAN
T
op-ranked defending champion Novak Djokovic reached the quarter-finals of the $9.6 million hardcourt tournament with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over French 17th seed Richard Gasquet. The Serbian top seed will next face the winner of a later match between Spanish fifth seed David Ferrer and Argentina’s 11th seed Juan Martin Del Potro. “It’s going to be very difficult. But I’m ready,” Djokovic said. World No. 2 Nadal, a threetime Miami runner-up who has never lifted the trophy here, ousted Japanese 16th
seed Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-4. Up next is French sixth seed JoWilfried Tsonga, who ousted German Florian Mayer 6-3, 62. The Spaniard fired eight aces and won 65 percent of first-serve points while saving six of the eight break points he faced to advance in two hours and 11 minutes, improving to 16-3 on the season. “The beginning was very tough,” Nadal said. “I started playing more aggressively. At the end of the first set, I felt that I started to win my serves easier than him.” On the women’s side, second seed Sharapova advanced
with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Chinese eighth seed Li Na, the Russian beauty snapping a four-match losing streak to the Asian star. “I came into this match losing to her the last few times,” Sharapova said. “I really wanted to change that.” Danish fourth seed Wozniacki ended the comeback run of US 10th seed Serena Williams 6-4, 6-4. The American had been sidelined from WTA events since the Australian Open due to an ankle injury. “She definitely served the best she served in her career,” Williams said. “She moved well and I just made
too many errors. I felt a bit off. I probably played about 20 percent.” The frustration had Williams wanting to smash a racquet but she thought better of it, saying, “I thought about it, but I’m trying to be better now.” Sharapova, like Nadal a three-time Miami runner-up who has never won the crown, has a 3-2 record against Wozniacki. “It’s the semifinals, a tough stage and a tough opponent,” Sharapova said. “Caroline has been one of the most consistent players on the tour for many reasons.” AFP
Paul Hamm, the first US man to win world and Olympic all-around titles, decided to retire, ending his bid to qualify for the London Olympics.
Playing Field
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
The games people play
Watson, Hussey star in Oz victory GROS ISLET, SAINT LUCIA: Veterans Shane Watson and Michael Hussey eased Australia to victory in the first Twenty20 international with hosts West Indies here on Tuesday. Both Watson and Hussey hit half centuries with the former — who stood in as skipper for injured captain Michael Clarke during the one day series but stepped down for this format — scoring 69. Hussey was unbeaten on 59 as the tourists coasted to victory with 11 balls remaining thanks to a fine century partnership by him and Watson after opener David Warner was out for a duck. After electing to bat, the West Indies had made 150-7 in the first of the two-match series against Australia at Beausejour Cricket
Ground. The modest total owed much to a swashbuckling 26-ball knock of 54 from Kieron Pollard that featured two fours and five sixes — four of those coming off consecutive balls in the 16th and 17th overs — and off 20 balls was the fastest half century by a West Indian batsman in this format. He beat former West Indies captain Chris Gayle’s half century off 23 balls against Australia in 2009. Daniel Christian was the tourists’ most effective bowler, taking three wickets for 27 runs. West Indies skipper Darren Sammy had hit a blistering 84 in the final match of the one-day series two days ago, but he fell for just seven, misjudging a heave down the ground off Brett Lee
that was easily caught by David Hussey. Australia prevailed by 30 runs in the final one-day international to level the five-match series at 22. Christian came into the Twenty20 team alongside James Pattinson, with George Bailey taking over the captaincy for the shortest format from Watson. The West Indies were without Andre Russell, who was ruled out after battling a hamstring injury during the one-day series. It is the first time the West Indies have played a T20 international for five months and for both sides the main concern is to get in some crucial practice ahead of the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in September. The second Twenty20 match is in Bridgetown on Friday. AFP
30
IT CAN GET HEADY
Japanese challenger Yota Sato (L) lands a left hook onto champion Suriyan Sor Rungvisai of Thailand at the WBC superflyweight title match in Tokyo on Tuesday. Sato defeated AFP/YOSHIKAZU TSUNO Suriyan by unanimous decision.
Philippines won’t budge on Manny MANILA: World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao’s iconic status in the Philippines will not spare him from the tax man, the government said Tuesday, but denied it was harassing the multi-millionaire sportsman. The eight-time world champion, who is also a member of parliament, faces a criminal case for obstructing a tax investigation into his earnings, in a case that he says has cost him millions of dollars in endorsements. Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said the government was only doing its job in demanding that Pacquiao, one of the world’s highest-paid sportsmen, submit records of his earnings to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). Pacquiao on Monday vowed to fight the case in court and accused the BIR of singling him out for harassment, without saying why he was being targeted, but the finance secretary denied this was the case. “I don’t think the BIR will dare to harass an eight-time world champion. He is a national icon,” Purisima, whose department oversees the bureau, told reporters.
“We love Mr. Pacquiao, we respect Mr. Pacquiao... but at the same time, we have a duty to make sure we review everyone’s income tax return and I don’t think congressman Pacquiao should take this personally,” Purisima added. The bureau last month filed a criminal case against Pacquiao for failing to submit proper documents about his earnings from boxing matches and his numerous commercial endorsements. If found guilty, he could face up to two years in jail but bureau officials had said that the matter could be easily resolved if Pacquiao submitted the proper documents. AFP
Playing Field
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
The games people play
31
Tottenham Hotspur beat Bolton Wanderers 3-1 in an FA Cup quarter-final at White Hart Lane on Tuesday, after the original tie was abandoned following the collapse of Bolton’s Fabrice Muamba.
Spurs to meet Blues in semis S
purs will now face London rivals Chelsea in a last four clash at Wembley next month. Goals late on from New Zealand’s Ryan Nelsen and Gareth Bale appeared to have settled Spurs’ nerves before Bolton striker Kevin Davies pulled one back for the visitors in the 90th minute. However, Louis Saha sealed Tottenham’s win with the last kick of the match in stoppage time. Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan made several excellent saves for the visitors before Tottenham’s pressure was rewarded when, 16 minutes
from time, central defender Nelsen headed in from a corner. And three minutes later, with Bolton chasing the game, Wales winger Bale finished off a counter-attack initiated by speedy striker Jermain Defoe. The original tie, at White Hart Lane on March 17, was abandoned shortly before half-time after Bolton midfielder Muamba collapsed with a cardiac arrest in an incident that sparked worldwide concern. Muamba, who was attended to by both Spurs and Bolton medical teams, as well as a Tottenham-supporting cardi-
ologist who rushed out of the stands, has been in the London Chest Hospital ever since where doctors said Tuesday he was making “encouraging progress”. In Tuesday’s other FA Cup tie, Premier League rivals Sunderland and Everton were involved in a quarter-final replay at the Stadium of Light following a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park. The winners of this match will face Everton’s local rivals Liverpool, who’ve already won the League Cup final at Wembley this season, in the other semi-final at English football’s headquarters.
Tottenham Hotspur’s English player Kyle Walker celebrates Welsh defender Gareth Bale scoring the second during their FA Cup quarterfinal replay football match against Bolton Wanderers. AFP/GLYN KIRK
Everton down Sunderland SUNDERLAND: Everton striker Nikica Jelavic was the key man as the Toffees booked a dream FA Cup semi-final against local rivals Liverpool at Wembley next month with a 2-0 win away to Sunderland. The Croatia international scored the opening goal in Tuesday’s quarter-final replay at the Stadium of Light before seeing his cross turned in for an own-goal by Sunderland’s David Vaughan in the 57th minute after the original tie had ended all square at 1-1. Jelavic himself could have made the final score much more emphatic but spurned several chances in a match Everton dominated with Marouane Fellaini, Leon Osman and Magaye Gueye outstanding in as they set up a chance to gain revenge for their derby defeat. Australia ace Tim Cahill had Everton’s first chance, his eighth minute header saved by
Everton’s Australian midfielder, Tim Cahill (L), Belgian midfielder, Marouane Fellaini (2L) and French striker, Magaye Gueye, celebrate their 2-0 win against Sunderland in an English FA Cup, sixth-round replay football match at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, on Tuesday. AFP/GRAHAM STUART
Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. The Belgium international was tested again before Jelavic beat him after sweeping in Gueye’s cross. Sunderland’s Sebastian Larsson curled a 35th-minute freekick a yard wide, but Everton keeper Tim Howard remained largely untroubled. And it was 2-0 12 minutes after the re-start when Fellaini broke free and squared for Jelavic, whose ball back across goal was turned in by the unlucky Vaughan, an attempted clearance hitting his left foot and rolling into the net. Stephane Sessegnon hit the angle of bar and post from Larsson’s corner on the hour, but Jelavic shot wide with only Mignolet to beat seconds later. Jelavic then saw a 66th minute shot palmed away by Mignolet, and Gueye shot just over but Sunderland couldn’t make Everton pay for their missed chances.
‘Won’t tolerate racism’ SINGAPORE: Singapore football officials vowed “zero tolerance” for racism Wednesday after a visiting Liberian player responded to racial taunts by raising his middle finger to the crowd. Abuse of Terengganu’s Francis Forkey Doe, 26, began in the warm-up of Tuesday’s Malaysia Cup quarter-final second leg against Singapore’s Lions XII, and was also directed at a dark-skinned linesman, according to witnesses. “There was a group of maybe seven or eight fans at the opposite end of the grandstand who were making racial slurs... Orang hitam (black man) and even nigger also came out,” undergraduate Muhammad Nadjad Bin Abdul Rahim, 24, told AFP. AFP
Playing Field
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
The games people play
32
Real blitz sink sturdy APOEL NICOSIA: A Karim Benzema double helped nine-time winners Real Madrid to a 3-0 away win over Cypriot surprise package APOEL in their Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash here on Tuesday. APOEL put up a stubborn rearguard action in a contest they were as expected largely outplayed by their illustrious and more famous opponents. It took three goals in the final 15 minutes to seal victory and all but likely a berth in the semi-finals barring a miracle. The Spanish millionaires left it late against the unheralded Cypriot minnows who failed to muster a shot on target. Afterwards APOEL’s Serb coach Ivan Jovanovic said he had no complaints about the outcome. “I think the scoreline is justified. We managed to contain Real up to a point but in the second half they applied more pressure and the goal made it easier for them. “Certainly Real are in the semifinals of the Champions League and I personally believe they will reach the final and I hope they win the trophy,” he added. He said meeting Real in the quarter finals was an ‘honour’ and the pinnacle of his team’s success in the competition. Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho paid tribute to the Cypriots and Jovanovic saying his side had to be on top form to win this encounter. “What they have done is fantastic we had to play at our best to win, they defended well and APOEL deserve our respect,” Mourinho told reporters. He applauded APOEL’s players after the whistle because they deserved it as the team of the tournament. “APOEL reaching the
APOEL fans light flares as Real Madrid’s German midfielder Sami Khediran (L) and French forward Karim Benzema walk off the field after beating APOEL 3-0 in their UEFA Champions League first leg quarter-final football match at GSP Stadium in Nicosia on Tuesday. AFP/ PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU quarter finals makes them the most important team of this competition no matter who wins the trophy.” It seemed only a matter of time before Real would stamp their superiority over the Cypriots but the killer blow didn’t come until the 74th minute when Benzema headed in a delightful cross from
substitute Kaka. And Kaka put the game -- and maybe the tie -- beyond doubt when he slotted in from close range after fellow Brazilian and substitute Marcelo raced into the box and found him unmarked. Benzema got his second on a quick counter scoring from close range from a Mesut Ozil cross on
Benfica fall to Kalou’s solo
Chelsea’s Ivorian forward Salomon Kalou (R) celebrates after scoring against Benfica with his teammate Spanish forward Fernando Torres (L). AFP/ FRANCISCO LEONG
LISBON: Chelsea took a big step towards the last four of the Champions League here on Tuesday after scoring a 1-0 victory over Portuguese giants Benfica in their quarterfinal first-leg match. A 75th-minute strike from Salomon Kalou gave Chelsea a hard-fought win at the Stadium of Light after Benfica had carved out the better chances but failed to land the knockout blow against their Premier League opponents. The result also represented vindication for interim Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo, who had taken a huge gamble by surprisingly omitting
veterans Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Michael Essien from his starting line-up. The win puts Chelsea firmly on course to reach their sixth Champions League semifinal in nine seasons heading into next week’s return leg. “It’s terrific, you couldn’t have hoped for a better result,” a delighted Di Matteo said. “I thought we looked good defensively. For 90 minutes we had to run and tackle, and I had to select a team that had the energy to compete. “Nothing is over. There is still another 90 minutes to play,” reminded Di Matteo.
90 minutes. Real could have scored a hatful but they spurned a series of golden opportunities. Miss of the game and maybe this Champions League saw Benzema put the ball over the bar from two yards out with an open goal at his mercy. He was set up perfectly by a
cross from Nuri Sahin following some trademark trickery from Cristiano Ronaldo on 33 minutes. And the Cypriot defence found it hard to cope with the Portuguese superstar who had several attempts on goal without finding that killer touch that has seen him score a 100 goals for Real in record time. His best chance of the first half saw him flash a shot wide of the far post just before the interval. Keeper Dionisis Chiotis also had to be on his toes to save smartly from an Oezil volley just inside the box after 12 minutes. It summed up a first 45 minutes where Real had 70 percent of the possession and eleven attempts on goal while APOEL had none. Few pundits gave APOEL any chance of surviving a group with Porto, Zenit St Petersburg and Shakhtar Donetsk but they topped it to become the first Cypriot side to progress to last 16. The team then went one better in ousting Lyon 4-3 on penalties after it being 1-1 on aggregate -making them the only team in the last eight never to have reached this stage before. APOEL’s famed “orange” fans created a crackling atmosphere -in the 23,000 capacity GSP stadium -- to spur the team on during this David-and Goliath confrontation. The Cypriots have punched above their weight in this competition but this proved a step too far and Mourinho has never lost at this stage of the competition. The matched was expected to be the most watched TV sporting event in the island’s sporting history as APOEL tried to achieve the impossible and beat the competition’s record winners. AFP