Postnoon E-Paper for 30 December 2012 by Scribble Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

WWW.POSTNOON.COM

WEATHER: A MIX OF CLOUDY AND CLEAR SKIES; 22°C

Hyderabad’s first compact afternoon newspaper

NOT WITHOUT

MY DAUGHTER City fathers demand a society where their daughters are free to live their lives without fear. REPORT ON PG 5

PG 10

Action man

ON SUNDAY

DECEMBER 30, 2012 HYDERABAD

India must progress, but...

Kunal Kapoor, the lean, dimpled Adonis, dreams of playing the role of an action hero and kicking butt on screen. He takes time out to talk about his movies, dreams, passions and more....

32 PAGES

Congress in dock over dual T stand

he conclusion of Friday’s all-party meeting in New Delhi has put the ruling Congress party in AP in the dock. While all other parties, including the new kid on the block — the YSR Congress — were strongly in favour of the formation of a separate Telangana state, the Congress’s take on the issue was divided. PG 3

CITY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

IN MEMORY OF VICTIM X

Pirates of the Caribbean Hotel Green Park will be set to Pirates of the Caribbean theme this New Year. The package also includes exciting games like lucky draw and treasure hunt, dance performances , stand-up comedy and delicious food. Where: Gardenia, Hotel Green Park, Greenlands, Begumpet, When: December 31, 8pm onwards Contact: (040) 6651 5151

3 Cheers to 2013! Aditya Sarovar has three different packages for you this New Year, from a candle light oriental dinner to live music and buffet. Where: Aditya Sarovar Premiere Hitec city, Gachibowli When: December 31, 7:30pm onwards Contact: (040) 6769 6769

Fuse 2013 Aditya Park is has a special late night buffet and three packages, inclusive of food and dance, to choose from. Where: Aditya Park, Aditya Trade Centre, Ameerpet When: December 31, 7:30pm onwards Contact: (040) 6678 8888

Socialist Unity Centre of India activists stage a silent protest at Basheerbagh against the government’s failure in Delhi in victim X’s case. N SHIVA KUMAR

11am to 7pm Contact: www.alankritha.in

X’mas, New Year treat

Court Martial

Barbeque Nation is converted into a Christmas village to resemble the birthplace of Jesus. An exotic variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes will be served and the treat will go on till New Year. Where: Barbeque Nation, Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills When: December 21-January 1 7pm onwards Contact: (040) 6456 6693 (040) 6429 2237

Court martial is a play written by Swadesh Deepak, a popular India playwright and novelist, that was published in 1991. The play is directed by Nagaraju Pejjai. Where: NIFT Campus, Madhapur When: December 30 from 7:30pm Contact: (040) 2311 4537

Chai wallah art show This is an upcoming exhibition at Iconart gallery.There is an exhibition of paintings by Vijay Gille at the gallery on Chai wallah and other stories. The preview is on December 27 at 6.30pm. Where: Iconart Gallery, Banjara Hills When: Up to January 12 11.30am to 7pm Contact: www.iconart.in

Bulls art exhibition A group exhibition by Avijit Roy, HR Das, Laxman Aelay, Nagesh Goud and Sreekanth Kurva on the animal bull, its nature, characteristics and what it represents. Where: Aalankritha Art Gallery When: Up to January 2

CINEMAS

Alexander Jaya Prakash Reddy is performing a 100 minute solo. He plays a retired army officer who wants to help people with their problems by starting a helpline. Where: Ravindra Bharathi, Public Gardens, Nampally, H-01, Abids When: January 6, 7pm to 9pm Contact: (040) 2324 9045

Pochampally IKAT mela Pochampally Handloom Park is organising IKAT Mela, exhibiting handloom products like hand made bed and home linen, dress materials, sarees, and dupattas, table cloth, home textile, apparel fabrics, stoles and scarves, among others. Where: The National Small

Industries Corporation (NSIC) Exhibition Center Radhika Theater Road, Kamalanagar, Kushaiguda When: December 21 to 31 from 10am to 9:30pm Contact: 95429 76567

December at The Lobby as part of Christmas celebrations. Where: Novotel & HICC Complex, PO Bag No 1101, Cyberabad Post Office, Near Hitec City, When: December 3-31 Contact: (040) 6682 4422

Art exhibition

Christmas lunch

Artist M Narayan’s work is on display. Narayan graduated from the Ken School of Art. He started work in 1991. He has participated in over 30 solo exhibitions and several group art shows. He is known for his rural depictions. Where: Shrishti Art Gallery, Road no. 15, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad When: Up to January 2 Contact: (040) 2354 0023

Concert for a Cause Apna watan, MS Foundation & Hyderapals are presenting Sounds from England. The money collected will go to the MS school for underprivileged children. The passes are available at Goethe-Zentrum. Where: Vidyaranya High School When: January 5, 6pm onwards Contact: (040) 2335 0473

Christmas carols Christmas carols will be sung by Global Edge school till the end of

There is a special three course Christmas meal, which includes olive and parmesan in light citrus dressing, plum cake with vanilla icecream, three bean salad and Turkey platter. Where: Hard Rock Café Banjara Hills, Hyderabad When: Up to December 30 from 12pm to 3pm Contact: (040) 6463 6375

Venky’s veg There is a New Yar special lunch and dinner buffet. Where: Venky’s Veg, Public Garden road When: January 1 Contact: (040) 6666 7066

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

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

CITY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

Three held for assault

A march for freedom

RBI employees to strike

hree men, Ibrahim, 22, Irfan, 21, and Arif, 23, residents of Natrajnagar Jerrah were arrested by the Tappachabutra police and sent to judicial remand for beating up a man named Mohd Nayeen a few days back. The latter had received severe injuries. On Nayeen’s complaint, the police later booked a case against those who beat him up.

midnight march is being held on January 5, 2013, to raise a collective voice against violence targeted at women and children. Various women's groups and individuals will be coming together to organise the march. The event will start at 10pm at Tank Bund and continue to Khairatabad through NTR Gardens.

fficers and workers of RBI throughout the country will be striking on January 1. Protesting against the ‘unilateral’ decision on closing of public counters by RBI’s top management, the All India Reserve Bank Officers Association, Reserve Bank of India Employees Association and Reserve Bank Workers Union have given a strike call.

Debtor’s family locked up

A man disappeared from the City after taking a loan of `40 lakh. Sources close to the creditors accuse the police of being in a partnership with the debtor. THE CREDITORS ACCUSED THE FAMILY OF BEING INVOLVED IN A CONSPIRACY WITH THE DEBTOR AND LOCKED UP FIVE OF THE FAMILY MEMBERS IN THEIR OWN HOUSE FOR FIVE DAYS.

Mohd SUBHAN

mohd.s@postnoon.com

reditors who found that their debtor had bolted with a loan of `40 lakh taken from them locked up five of his family members for five days before the police came to know of it and released them. The incident happened in Afzal Sagar area of Habeebnagar. Mohd Sadique, who is in the furniture business in Nampally, is reported to have taken `40 lakh from five men a few months ago. Not long after, the creditors, identified as Mir Sardar, Nadeem Chotu,Mohd Abdul Hafeez and Mohd Ghouse, and Basheer, realised that they were not likely to get the money and interests back. When Sadique got a wind of his creditors becoming restless, he suddenly vanished from the City along with his wife. Sadique was married only a year

ago and his father Mohd Fakruddin, who too runs a furniture business, and is known to be an honest man, had also given `4 lakh as dowry to Sadique, police were told. As Sadique disappeared, the creditors began to question his

parents and sisters. Though they pleaded they had no idea where Sadique had gone, the creditors, panic-stricken at their financial loss, allegedly accused the family of conspiracy and they locked five family members in their own house and waited for

Sadique, but the latter did not return. Meanwhile, one of the family members phoned the Habeebnagar police station and the police rushed to the home and released them. All the five creditors, fearing police action,

Congress in dock over dual stand on T Inkeshaf Ahmed Ahmed.m@postnoon.com

he conclusion of Friday’s allparty meeting in New Delhi has put the ruling Congress party in Andhra Pradesh in the dock. While all other parties, including the new kid on the block — the YSR Congress Party — were strongly in favour of the formation of a separate Telangana state, the Congress’s take on the issue was divided. While KR Suresh Reddy, Congress leader and a former speaker form Telangana region, strongly advocated the formation of a separate state and requested the Central government to immediately

solve the problem, his party colleague Gade Venkat Reddy from Andhra and Rayalaseema region strongly requested the union home minister Susheel Kumar Shinde not to divide the State. The contradicting stand of the Congress has attracted a lot of criticism from its political rivals and has also forced its leaders from Telangana into a corner. “The dual stance of our party on the issue will hit our prospects of winning seats in the crucial Telangana region. Like all other political parties, ours should have aired a singled opinion before the union home minister. We will definitely feel the pinch in the coming days,” a senior Congress leader from the Telangana region told

Postnoon. Another Congress leader feels that this split stand will once again make the people of Telangana doubtful of the UPA’s ability to create a separate state. One Congress MP said that the one month deadline set by the union government is crucial for the party’s future in the State. It must be pointed out here that the Telugu Desam Party scored political mileage over the ruling Congress party by taking a favourable stand on the contentious issue. Many proTelangana organisations and activists welcomed the TDP’s decision and felt that the decision would have a far reaching impact on the decision of the Centre on creating a separate state.

escaped from the scene, said inspector NSV Venkateshwar Rao. The police were told by merchants in Nampally that Sadique was given loans only because he is the son-in-law of Fakruddin. But now, his father-in-law’s reputation is at state too, because he disappeared with the money. Sources close to the creditors told Postnoon that there was some understanding between the Habeebnagar police and the debtor because the police action smacked of partisanship between them. Sadique disappeared on November 11 and the police has made no serious efforts to trace him as yet, they alleged, which has led to their suspicion.

PICK YOUR

Across Stores

ities Twin C

CITY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

Hike in railway food prices Commuters are miffed with the Central railway ministry’s decision to raise food and beverage prices at railway stations and in trains, though this is the first hike in almost nine years. ANIL KUMAR

Revised Rates Food Items Price in ` Tea 5 Dip tea 7 Coffee 7 Rail neer/Packaged drinking water 15 1 litre water bottle 15 500 ml water bottle 15 Janata Meal/ Meals served at stations 15 Meals in trains 20 Veg breakfast 25 to 30 Non-veg breakfast 30 to 50 The tariff of all the items available is inclusive of an 8.66 per cent service tax.

RAHUL RAMAKRISHNA

rahul.r@postnoon.com

ollowing the Central railway ministry’s decision, food and beverage prices at railway stations and in trains across the country will go up. The tariff hike comes nine years after the last recorded hike in August 2003. However, it has not gone down well with customers. Vendors, not surprisingly, are a happy lot. Officials at the Southern Central Railway informed Postnoon that the prices of food and beverages available at railway stations and in trains across the South have been raised by 50 per cent. All tariff is also inclusive of an 8.66 per cent service tax. Which means, the standard cup of tea that earlier used to cost `3 now costs `5. “The hike comes after the increase in LPG and food prices across the country. We are only

compensating with the increase in the rates. License fees of the contractors has also been hiked,” said a senior information officer from the Indian Railways. The hike came into immediate effect.

The revised menu rates are available with the bearers and can be shown on demand. Customers and travellers are however miffed at the idea of shelling out more for standard

fare. “The food we get is pretty much subsidised, but what subsidy will there be if the prices are hiked? The contractors will now only give us substandard and stale food and squeeze the

Are contractors moving to greener pastures?

rest of the money from the railways,” said one commuter, Prakash Reddy, at the Kachiguda railway station. “All these days, we got bad food as these contractors complained about poor food resource quality. Now, the railways has given them complete freedom to mint as much as they want, with this hike,” Prakash Reddy added.

T-leaders of TDP ecstatic

Md Nizamuddin

Inkeshaf Ahmed

nizamuddin.a@postnoon.com

ahmed.m@postnoon.com

hough the GHMC boasts of ‘successfully’ organising CoP-11, many contractors who worked hard for the event are finding it difficult to recover pending bills. Several who don’t want to put their trust in the corporation have already left for greener pastures, like the L&T Metro Project. It appears that many contractors, with experience and technical know-how, are no longer interested in working for the GHMC. This is reflected in the fact that for projects like remodelling of nullahs, the Corporation had to call five times for tender notice. Many GHMC officials have been complain that contractors are not responding to tenders. A contractor who worked for the GHMC on the Fever Hospital completed the work inspite of several hurdles. But when the time came to recover his dues, officials bound him in ‘red tape’ making him run from pillar to post. Now, he is happily working with the L&T Metro Project, where he finds everything “systematic”. According to Munawer

Hussain, president, Contractor Association GHMC, several of the contractors have already left for better pay and technical assistance. “None are ready to work for the corporation, as most of us are not getting our payment in time. They made us work for CoP and now with excuses of ‘some inquiries’, the officials have not cleared the bills. Some of us have to get money for works like desilting done in last year,” Hussain

points out. The irony, he explains, is that while the tenders are called by engineers, there are none in the picture when the time for collection of receipts comes. Higher officials responsible for paying the contractors excuse themselves, pointing out various factors. “If this kind of treatment persists, then most of us have to shift and look up to the works like Metro,” warns Hussain. While senior GHMC engi-

neers acknowledge that there are problems faced by the contractors, many believe that even though some contractors may have switched to Metro, most of them will stay on, for they do not want to spoil a longstanding relationship with the GHMC. “The higher officials who take decisions ask us to call tenders and we oblige. But after the completion of work, we can do nothing in helping them,” said a senior engineer.

he favourable decision of opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on the separate Telangana issue has put the Tcadres of the party on cloud nine. Leaders of Telangana TDP Forum are now planning to fully leverage the benefits of the party high command’s decision and consolidate its position. The idea is to visit the entire Telangana region and tell people that the party has fulfilled its promise on the T-issue. “We have been telling the people of Telangana that we will extend our party’s support to creation of separate Telangana state. We kept that promise during the allparty meeting. Now, we will widely promote this and counter false propaganda of rival political parties,” TDP senior leader Kadiyam Srihari told Postnoon. Another leader of TDP Telangana Forum, E Peddi Reddy, said that the party would utilise every opportunity to reach out to people. “It is a golden opportunity. It will not only help us in consolidating our position in Telangana but also put a check on exodus of party leaders and cadres to other parties,” he said.

CITY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

City fathers fear for their daughters’ safety understand that every woman is as good as their mother and their wife.”

Demand a society where their children are free to live their lives without any fear.

FREEDOM,

WITH SOME PRECAUTIONS

“I feel sad that such an incident happened. No, the country is not safe at all,” said Balagopaal. “If they see a girl at night, they only think negative things about her. They think of taking advantage. It is a very sad state of affairs.” Should the movement of girls be restricted to prevent rape? The Daily Mail reported the case of a 73-year-old woman raped in broad daylight in Central Park, New York. You are not safe at any place, at any time, at any age. What, then, is the solution? “I believe girls also have a right to enjoy life like boys, and should be allowed to do things (they like to) at that age, within the parameters of decency,” he said. “I won’t stop my daughters from going out because of this incident, but I tell them to take safety measures, learn martial arts and carry some weapons for immediate self-defence, like pep-

DEEPASHRI V

deepashri.v@postnoon.com

“W

e live in a patriarchal society, where we are told that husbands are superior beings. They are projected as the head of the family, while wives are considered subservient. It all boils down to the way we are brought up right from the beginning,” said Subramanian Iyer, a assistant vice-president at an R&D lab and father of two girls, 12 and 18. Rape is not just about sex. It is a violation of one’s rights. It is invading someone’s space without their permission, with the feeling that you have every right to do so. It is born out of a pseudo sense of superiority over someone you feel is powerless and inferior to you. What shook this nation was the brutality with which these crimes are being executed. What shocked this country are the narrow-minded, insensitive remarks by men in responsible positions, who have the power to influence and change the state of affairs in India. “Absolutely ridiculous!” Iyer said. “They themselves have daughters. I don’t know how they can talk like this. It shows how perverted their minds are. There is a big gap in terms of sensibilities between the common man and the political class. How long can we keep saying all this? It’s almost 60 years now (since Independence).” Our mindsets have to change. And this change needs to begin at home. A son sees how his father treats his mother and

Men are projected as the head of the family, while wives are considered subservient. It all boils down to the way we are brought up right from the beginning. Subramanian Iyer, Father of two daughters ing and judging women? Postnoon finds out.

PUNISHMENT

learns. A daughter begins to understand her strengths and rights in the society as a woman by watching her parents. The dynamics of a daughter’s relationship with her mother is completely different from that with her father. In view of these horrible incidents of crime against women, how safe do fathers feel this country is for their daughters? What freedom, or lack of it in the name of security, do they wish for their daughters? How do they feel about public statements brand-

YOU ’ LL ‘ DREAD ’

Chief operations officer at an IT company PS Chandrasekhar was furious when his 19-year-old daughter returned to her hostel at 11.30pm after a group outing. Parents take precautions, ask their daughters to come back on time, not because of their mindset, but because law and order is very poor in the country, he said. “Nowhere in the world is safe,” Chandrasekhar said, when asked why India is so unsafe for women. “(Most) men look at women as an object of sex. If the opportunity is there, where they can get away with it, they will do it. Crime becomes a habit. At an early age, if I pick up something and get away with it, I will be encouraged to do it again. In

countries like Saudi Arabia, the law is strong. Punishment is severe.” He gave a two on 10 for the law and order situation in our country. “The message has to be very strong. People should dread the punishment,” he said, adding that enforcing laws only when there is an incident doesn’t work. The Dartmouth college website on sexual abuse awareness says, “Most rapists rape again, and again, and again. Majority of perpetrators do not stop until they are caught and put in jail.” Many people also associate rapes and crimes against women with those who are illiterate or poor. “Take the Jessica Lal case. The guy was not uneducated. He came from a very good background and school,” said Jaishankar Balagopaal, a businessman and father of a 17-yearold girl. “You have to make men

per spray or chilli powder.” Iyer said it would be a lie to say he is not worried. He asks his daughters to be home by 8pm. But he wants them to learn how to understand clues and sense when something’s not right. Iyer believes that if even 10 per cent of the security arrangements made for MPs, MLAs and politicians is diverted for the common people, it would make a huge difference to the state of law and order in the country. Stricter laws and open-minded, sensitive leaders are something India needs. But at a grassroots level, the best gift fathers can give their daughters is to lead by example, to encourage them to be independent and fearless, and at the same time, be aware and street smart. Hopefully then, in the years to come, we can find a generational shift in attitudes and mindsets.

NATION SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

Fog back in North CHANDIGARH: Cold and foggy conditions returned in most parts of Punjab and Haryana Sunday morning after two days of clear, sunny weather in the region. Most towns and cities including Chandigarh, the joint capital of both the states, were enveloped in a thick fog early Sunday, a Met department official said.

6 elephants mowed down

Tremor rocks Kashmir

BHUBANESWAR: At least six ele-

SRINAGAR: A moderate intensity

phants were killed after being hit by a train in Odisha’s Ganjam district early Sunday, officials said. The Chennaibound Coromandel Express hit a herd of elephants between Rambha and Huma stations, about 150 km from here, a senior official of the East Coast Railway told IANS.

quake rocked the Kashmir valley Saturday night although no damage to life or property was reported. A tremor occurred in the valley at 11.20 p.m. Saturday, a Met Department official told IANS Sunday. The quake measured 5.9 on the Richter scale with its epicentre in the Hindukush mountains in Afghanistan, the official said.

Victim X cremated in Delhi NEW DELHI: The body of the Delhi

gang-rape victim was cremated here Sunday morning soon after it was flown in from Singapore, officials said. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi were present at the airport to receive the body of the 23-year-old trainee physiotherapist who was brutally assaulted and gang-raped Dec 16 in a moving bus in the national capital. According to sources, Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi also spoke to the family members of the young woman and consoled them. “The body arrived this morning and the cremation has been done,” a home ministry spokesperson said. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and union Minister of State for Home Affairs RPN Singh were pre-

Woman killed in rape bid NEW DELHI: A man was Sunday arrested in Rajasthan for strangulating his 23-year-old sister-in-law after a failed rape bid Dec 25, police said. The victim died in a hospital Saturday. Police said the accused escaped thinking the woman had died. However, she was rushed to SMS hospital in Jaipur in an unconscious state where she passed away Saturday night four days after the rape attempt. The incident took place at Govindpura village near Neem Ka Thana in Sikar district, around 150 km from Jaipur. “The victim had married one Shankar Lal three years ago and

was staying at her in-laws house in the village,” said a police officer. She was alone at the house when her husband’s cousin Pintu alias Ajay came to visit her, the officer said. On finding her alone, Pintu tried to rape her, the officer added. “However, she resisted. When Ajay failed in his attempt, he tried to strangulate her using her stole. Ajay thought she had died when she fell unconscious and ran away from the house,” said the officer. “We traced Ajay and have arrested him for attempted rape and murder,” he IANS said.

‘Cops forced India Gate area family into closed to public cremation’

NEW DELHI: India Gate and its adja-

olice “forced” the family of the 23year-old gang-rape victim to cremate her body before sunrise after she was flown here from Singapore early Sunday, a local BJP leader alleged. “The family members refused to cremate the body before sunrise. But they where forced by the police to do the cremation. The family where forced to do the last rites before sunrise,” Delhi BJP chief Vijender Gupta told IANS. The body was taken to Mahavir Enclave in south Delhi, the residence of the victim, and the rites were performed before the cremation took place at a crematorium in Dwarka’s Sector 22 amid heavy deployment of police and RAF personnel.

cent areas in the national capital will remain out of bounds for public Sunday to prevent mass protests following the Dec 16 gang-rape victim’s death, police said. The 23-year-old woman’s body was flown into the city from Singapore early Sunday and cremated here. Like Saturday, after news of the woman’s death came, Delhi Police have closed all roads leading to India Gate. “Rajpath, Vijay Chowk and all roads leading to India Gate will be closed for general traffic. Travellers are advised to avoid these roads,” Delhi Traffic Police posted on its Facebook page. As many as 10 Delhi Metro stations on three networks — Yellow, Blue and Violet lines — also continue to remain IANS shut for an indefinite period.

sent at the crematorium. The cremation was done in total secrecy. Officials in the ministry said the body arrived in the national capital at 3.30 am. The woman’s body was embalmed after a post-mortem in Singapore and placed in a special casket before being flown to India in a chartered Air India aircraft. The parents of the woman accompanied the body. The woman was brutally assaulted and gang-raped by six men in a moving bus Dec 16 in the national capital. She was then thrown out of the bus. She was undergoing treatment at Safdarjung Hospital before being flown to a Singapore hospital when her condition deteriorated. She died IANS Saturday.

TO SUBSCRIBE, CALL US ON 80082 00713

or SMS „Postnoon‰ to 56161

/095 Rs.1 9/: e c 4 r Pri Rs.5 Cove r Price: : 50% g e f n f i O l Sav Tota

A FRESH NEW POINT OF VIEW You can also call or email us at:

040 - 4067 2222 subscription@postnoon.com

CLASSIFIED SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

CLASSIFIEDS HEALTH/ CLINIC

Plane overshoots runway, 4 killed

Philippine storm toll rises to 20

Norovirus kills 4 in Japan

MOSCOW: A Russian passenger plane over-

MANILA: The death toll from a tropical storm

shot the runaway at Moscow's Vnukovo airport, killing four people on board, the emergency situations ministry said Saturday. The Red Wings airline flight, with eight crew members on board, had flown from the Czech Republic, Xinhua quoted the ministry as saying. It slid off the runway while making a hard landing around 4.30 pm. before catching fire and breaking into three parts, the ministry said.

that hit the central Philippines on Christmas Day has risen to 20, with more than 20,000 others left homeless, the government said Sunday. More drowning victims as well as the body of an elderly man crushed by a fallen tree had been found on Panay island along with that of an electrocution victim, raising the number of dead by nine, the civil defence office said. Four other people were missing.

TOKYO: A suspected norovirus outbreak has killed four people and infected almost 100 others at a hospital in the Japanese city of Yokohama south of Tokyo, officials said. Four patients aged between 80 and 97 died of breathing problems and pneumonia between Wednesday and Friday after suffering vomiting and diarrhoea, officials at the city's Denentoshi Hospital said late Saturday. It is highly contagious and transmitted from person to person.

US lawmakers seek deal The $500 billion in fiscal pain would stifle US economic recovery.

HOME APPLIANCES

To advertise on this page, contact: 9866074747 For Secunderabad 9290204030 For H y d e r a b a d - 9866663212

For Cyberabad 9866698879

WASHINGTON: After weeks of failed haggling, the fiscal cliffhanger is at hand as US lawmakers convene Sunday in a bid to strike a yearend deal that avoids huge tax hikes and possibly spending cuts set to kick in January 1. With the clock ticking ever closer to the New Year’s time bomb, the suddenly alarmed Senate and House were holding special sessions 36 hours before the year-end deadline for a plan that would keep America from tumbling off the so-called fiscal cliff. The stakes in the game of holiday-interrupting brinkmanship are enormous. Economists agree the $500 billion in fiscal pain due to hit when the new year starts would stifle the US economic recovery and send the country back into recession, spelling bad news for the global economy as well. Aides to both sides’ leaders in the Democratcontrolled Senate worked feverishly behind closed doors Saturday to fashion a deal palatable to Democrats as well as to Republicans, who control the House of Representatives. The Senate convenes Sunday at 1pm while the House goes into session an hour later, with no votes expected before 2330 GMT. Both chambers would have little time to debate and then pass a deal that has eluded the White House and Congress for weeks. President Barack Obama, who called congressional leaders to the White House on Friday, will address the crisis once more when he gives an interview on NBC’s Sunday morning talk show “Meet the Press.” Amid the tense negotiations, Obama pressed lawmakers to clinch a deal, even if they must reach a compromise that lacks the significant deficit-reduction measures both sides had sought.If lawmakers fail, “every American’s paycheck will get a lot smaller,” the president warned. “Congress can prevent it from happening, if they act now.” Obama, sensing a mandate from his re-election last month, wants to raise taxes on the rich. Republicans want only to close tax loopholes to

raise revenue and demand significant spending cuts in return, notably to federal benefit programs like Social Security. But if nothing is done by the deadline, all taxpayers will see an increase. Following the White House talks, the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell are heading efforts to craft a deal. But any agreement would also have to pass the House, where there is doubt that an Obama-backed deal would win favor with restive conservatives in the

Republican caucus. While each side must for the sake of appearances be seen to be seeking a deal, one way out is to go over the cliff, then fix the problem in the first days of next year. Under that scenario, Republicans who are philosophically opposed to raising taxes could vote to lower the newly raised rates on almost all Americans without formally hiking taxes. Lawmakers, while ruing the inability to work out a multi-trillion-dollar grand bargain in time, have said a pared down version dealing mainly with taxes was within reach. Citing unnamed people briefed on the talks, The Washington Post said one version under consideration would protect nearly 30 million taxpayers from paying the higher, alternative minimum tax rate for the first time and maintain unemployment benefits for two million people. The plan also would halt a steep cut in Medicare reimbursements for doctors and preserve popular tax breaks for both businesses and individuals, such as those for research and college tuition, the report said. But the two sides were still at odds over where to set the limits of wealthy — at $250,000 or $400,000 of annual income — and over taxes on inherited estates. Nor has there been agreement on spending cuts so sought after by Republicans, who say excessive government spending is the main driver of US debt. Obama warned that if an agreement was not reached in time, he would ask the Senate to hold an up-or-down vote on a basic package that protects the middle class from a tax hike, extends unemployment insurance, and “lays the groundwork for future... deficit reduction.” In a weekly Republican address, Senator Roy Blunt expressed some optimism, saying that “going over the fiscal cliff is avoidable.” But he criticized Democrats for focusing mainly on taxes while setting aside government spending, arguing that such inaction “shouldn’t AFP be an option.”

21 Pak soldiers Subway killer hated Private drones executed Hindus, Muslims to fight crime PESHAWAR: Taliban militants have shot dead 21 Pakistani soldiers who were kidnapped three days ago in a raid on two camps in the troubled northwest of the country, officials said Sunday. Around 200 heavily-armed militants stormed two government paramilitary camps on Thursday, killing two security personnel and kidnapping at least 23. The attackers armed with heavy weapons including mortars and rocket launchers struck before dawn at the militia posts outside Peshawar, the main city of northwest Pakistan, close to the restive tribal areas that border Afghanistan. “We found 21 bullet riddled bodies of security personnel a short while ago in an uninhabited area,” local government official Naveed Akbar told AFP.

NEW YORK: A 31-year-old woman has been charged with murder as a hate crime after shoving a New York man to his death in front of an oncoming subway train, authorities said Saturday. Erika Menendez of the Bronx borough was motivated by hatred of Muslims and Hindus, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office. “I pushed a Muslim off the train tracks because I hate Hindus and Muslims. Ever since 2001 when they put down the twin towers, I’ve been beating them up,” she told police. Menendez, who is awaiting arraignment in Queens Criminal Court, faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted. The victim, 46-year-old Sunando Sen, was born in India and raised Hindu, a roommate told The New York Times.

NEW YORK: A Japanese security firm is planning to rent out private drones that will take off when intruder alarms are tripped and record live footage of break-ins. Secom Co unveiled a helicopter like drone prototype it said can detect and videotape suspicious vehicles and people breaking into the premises of a shop, warehouse, factory or other properties, Kyodo News agency reported. The machine, equipped with four propellers, is 60 cm long and wide and weighs around 1.6 kg. It takes off once it receives an alert from ground-based laser sensors to approach the target and transmit video data to its control center, Secom said. The company said it aims to start renting the machine for less than $58 a month in 2014.

AFP

PTI

COMMENT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

RIP Tony Greig

Media should not forget

oke up to the news that one of cricket’s most awesome voice was no more. RIP Tony Greig. He was a true legend! For a lot of us, great cricket commentary is synonymous with Greig’s Sussex voice. Watching the game will not be the same again. A loss for all us fans. Jayakumar TS Nampally

EDITORIALS FAMILIES HAVE A lot to answer for Jason Burke made a very good point in his article for the Guardian yesterday, when he said that it was strange that Victim X was being referred to as the “nation’s daughter”, thereby pigeon-holing her in another one India’s myriad of stereotypes. It’s extremely important that we accept Victim X as a woman first and all else is but a social construct. A recent comment to Dean Williams’s Human Condition column questioned why the author blames politicians when the real problem lies in the family unit. The author agrees with the reader but adds that with politicians skirting the issue of sex crimes against women, they are at the vanguard of the social regression currently under way in this country. It is essential that every parent across India teach their son’s that not only are women their equal, but insulting or harming someone simply because of their sex is a reprehensible act. But in order for parents to begin to do this they have to first come to terms with this ides themselves. Women must stand up to aggressive and abusive husbands and the law must offer them a way to either rectify the situation or allow them a way out of it. Families of victims that have suffered abuse must support the victim and not hush it up lest the neighbours from upon their ‘good’ name. Women must be allowed to speak out and loud. Those that want them to shut up and take it are as culpable of these horrific crimes as the perpetrators themselves. So the next time a woman tells you she’s being abused or harassed don’t tell her to live with it, rather help her bring her assailant to justice and give her all the help she needs to make sure she never goes through it again.

edia should keep the issue of the Delhi gang rape in focus. If it is reported for a few days and then forgotten, nothing will come of it. The state of affairs in this country will go back to as they were. Newspapers should also follow up on previous cases of rapes reported, where the culprits still roam free. Sushil Reddy, via email

EDITORIALS Readers’ views We invite you to write to us comments, suggestions, viewpoint or just about anything to feedback@postnoon.com or #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500 033 or even by way of a call on 040-4067 2222.

Politicians need manners

ven as the nation bows in shame after the death of the Delhi rape victims, insensitive comments keep coming from politicians. While there is no denying the ground realities of law and order, the attitude of the political class need to change before anything else. Sridevi R Begumpet

Root out chauvinism before it’s too late

From the hip SYED SHOAIB

inally the candle blew itself out! The Delhi rape victim’s fight to live lit millions of candles in homage to her spirit. As I received the bulletin of her death, I was gripped with a heaviness of the heart that I had not felt for a long, long time. I noticed that the pall of gloom that had descended on the entire nation was palpable. The very roads seemed to be weeping unending streams of dark tears. The roads were emptied of the hustle and bustle that is so common and ubiquitous to city life. The few commuters waiting for buses were strangely silent, staring vacantly into space. They had a strange quality of abandonment about them as if they were not really very bothered if the bus came or not.

Even the few vehicles on the road were sidling making as little noise as possible, as if afraid to disturb the sombre silence of the road. There was a forlorn sense of grief enveloping all on the road. It was not only this city but the entire nation plunged into a vortex of grief. A sense of utter defeat enveloped all. This kind of melancholia had not been felt by the nation perhaps since the martyrdom of the Mahatma, not even on 26/11. As I watched the candle-light vigil for her body to return to her home, I reflected on the home that she was coming back to, a home that let her down, a home that impaled her brutally on the edge of its demonic lawlessness, a home that did not have laws to allow her to live in freedom let alone with her head held high six decades after the country won its independence, a home where the entire political class whose responsibility it was to allow her and million others like her to be free of fear have their hearts turned to stone, whose only calculation during her critical hours was the politi-

cal fallout of the event. The utter brutality of the crime shook the nation out of its stupor. It is not the first crime committed against women. A desensitised law-enforcement machinery looks on with indifference on the soul-tearing violence against women, as if it is convinced that women are created for the very purpose of catering to male misogynist proclivities; a government that is totally in disconnect with its citizens that it could not rise up to the hour and join with the very people who brought it to power with a unity of purpose; a society that does not socialise its males to respect women and then gets shocked at the result of its long history of discrimination and inequity; a pedagogy that prepares the young only to achieve material wealth while starving the soul of a valuebased education. During the 13 days of gutwrenching ordeal that Nirbhaya underwent, did we look into ourselves as being the cause of the crime against her? Did we not contribute to her

agony by being negligent when we made our little girls look after the home chores, while we allowed the boys to play? Did we contribute to our boy becoming insensitive to girls when we condoned him after he pulled his sister’s hair and looked the other way, when we saw her cry knowing full well that he was the cause of it and excused ourselves and him by saying ‘boys will be boys’? Did we ever give more than a second’s thought on the condition of the many hapless victims when we read news and more news of the crimes committed against women? Did we at any time raise our voice to tell the government that it was we the people that elected it to provide good governance? Did we ever exercise our power with wisdom and purpose? Yes sister, we are collectively guilty of the crime against you. Our only hope for redemption is when we ensure every single woman in this country lives in freedom of fear. The witer works for Postnoon

BUSINESS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

HDFC cuts lending rates

DFC Bank has decided to cut its benchmark lending rates by 0.1 per cent, making loans cheaper for its borrowers in the new year. The base rate, or the minimum lending rate, of HDFC Bank will become 9.7 per cent from the existing 9.8 per cent, sources said. The new rates would be effective from tomorrow, sources added.

FIIs pump in `24000 crore

Reality behind debt settlement

Discussing and obtaining professional guidance on debt settlement is very much necessary to avoid last minute surprises. Satya Vishnubhotla feedback@postnoon.com

“D

ebt”, one of the least discussed topic socially and most searched keyword online! Indian economy is built on a strong financial and banking regulatory system and with a large pool of middle class population with conservative habit of savings and thrift. Most of the working population including many highly educated and well placed people consider debt settlement as a topic not to be discussed with friends and relatives. Our basic paradigm that financial settlement is done by defaulters and fraudsters is a myth. In the first place we should understand that debt options like credit cards and loans are very good instruments in financial planning if used with discipline and care. Secondly, good and bad cycles are inevitable for any individual who may face some liquidity problems during certain phases of his life. Defaulting or delay in payments due to poor financial planning out of ignorance should be differentiated from willful defaulting and fraud. In past few months there were many cases where consumers were rejected loans due to poor credit track record in their CIBIL report and once the consumer obtains his CIBIL report, he was surprised to see old outstanding in his credit cards and loan accounts even though the same were closed or settled long back! Lack of awareness on the debt closure or settlement process, documentation and reporting is the root cause for all such problems. Discussing and obtaining professional guidance on debt settlement is very much necessary to avoid last minute surprises while applying for fresh loans. The following are the 3 common myths and reality behind debt closures or settlements: Myth: I do not want to use my credit card, so I paid all the outstanding balance on the card, now the card account is closed. Reality: A credit card account is not closed without intimating to the bank or credit card company about your request for closure in writing

HUDCO to issue bonds

verseas institutional investors have pumped in more than `24,000 crore in the Indian stock market in December, the highest in 10 months, taking total FII inflow for the year to over $24 billion. In December, FIIs were gross buyers of shares worth `71,595 crore, while they sold equities amounting to `47,412 crore.

THE CONSUMER SHOULD ENSURE THAT HIS REQUEST IS ACCEPTED AND A CLOSURE DOCUMENT IS OBTAINED FROM THE BANK WITH REGARD TO THE CLOSED CREDIT CARD. or a request through customer care. Some banks require the request in writing along with the original card to be cut diagonally and submitted to the bank. The consumer should ensure that his request is accepted and a closure document is obtained from the bank with regard to the closed card. Myth: The bank gave a settlement offer letter on my personal loan account to make a payment on or before 31st March 2012, I gave a cheque on 31st March 2012, my account stands settled. Reality: Generally banks consider the date of credit into their account as the date of payment under settlement offer. In case of cheques the date of clearance and transfer of funds is considered as the date of payment. In the above case, even though the consumer paid on the due date, the cheque would be cleared after the due date. In such

case the bank may consider the settlement offer as invalid and adjust the amount paid against the interest or penalty outstanding and keep the account open. The consumer should request for a minimum of 10 working days for making the payment from the date of settlement offer and consider making payment well in advance to the due date in Demand Draft taken in the name of the Bank. Myth: The bank gave me a settlement offer letter on my car loan and I paid the amount in cash within the due date, now my loan account is closed. Reality: When making a payment in cash it is mandatory to obtain and preserve the original receipt given by the collection executive. The settlement offer letter is not valid without a proof of payment within the due date viz. the receipt. Also note that the bank will send a No Objection Certificate in case of car loan which is valid for a period of six months. The NOC need to be submitted in the RTA office to remove bank hypothecation. If not done, the consumer may not be able to sell his car and the bank may charge for a duplicate copy of NOC if requested after six months from the date of settlement or closure of loan account! The author is an employee of iCrediZen Inc.

Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd will launch a public issue of taxfree bonds next month to raise up to `5,000 crore for financing low-cost housing and urban infrastructure projects. For retail investors, the bond issue carries a coupon rate of 8.01 per cent per annum for 15 years maturity period and 7.84 per cent for 10 years.

RIL buys back shares worth `3,800 crore

eliance Industries has bought back shares worth over `3,800 crore from public shareholders since the launch of its share repurchase programme in February — achieving 37 per cent of the target with less than a month left for its completion. RIL's repurchase of shares is already the

biggest buy-back by an Indian company, after Piramal Healthcare bought back shares to the tune of `2,508 crore in 2011. RIL's buyback would end on January 19, 2013. Between February 14 and December 24, RIL has purchased 4.62 crore shares from the secondary market at an average price of `834 apiece.

INTERVIEW SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

ACTION MAN

Kunal Kapoor, the lean, dimpled Adonis, dreams of playing the role of an action hero and kicking butt on screen. He takes time out to talk about his movies, dreams, passions and more.... AMY ROSE THOMAS

amyrose.t@postnoon.com How did you handle success after you started being recognised? I have always been a shy and private person as a kid and after Rang De Basanti when I found people pointing and staring at me, I felt really uncomfortable. There were times in the early years, when I used to turn around and look back to find whom people were staring at. Later, it sunk in and I stopped turning around. The journey since my first film has been amazing. I treasure the gifts that fans send me. Some time back, I was really touched when I was sent a diary that had pictures and details about me. Entries were about how the writer felt about my movies and when I made appearance at an event. I was surprised and felt really flattered and good after seeing the effort that person had taken.

What are the movies you are working on currently? What do you look for when you are offered a role? I am working with four different directors and co-developing projects with them. These projects are in their nascent stages and I would not want to reveal any details about them at the moment. I go by my instincts when I select a role to play. A lot of factors affect my decision. If the script has really touched me then I wouldn’t mind about the

director and I would act in the movie. Also if a director is good and if I think that he could do something different with the script then, I go ahead with the project. Most of the times, it is the character that catches my fancy. When I was offered Joginder’s role in Bachna Ae Haseeno, I just couldn’t say no because unlike usual portrayal of sardaars in movies, Joginder was quiet, shy and dignified. I found it unique so I agreed to the role.

How come you restricted yourself to romantic roles and did not try your hand at action roles? I would love to do such a role. I am currently working on such a project. It’s every boy’s dream to beat up the bad guys. I will be soon seen kicking butt on screen. It was not a conscious decision to stick to romantic flicks. But in the industry, one tends to get stereotyped if one is not careful.

You started your career as an assistant director in Amitabh Bachchan starrer Aks. What do you prefer more – acting or directing? For now, I would like to be an actor and not a director. Actors get to be pampered by directors and now I am in the mood to be pampered and not to pamper.

indulge in that aspect. I concentrate on my acting and try to do my best at it.

You do not act in more than one movie a year. Is it a conscious decision to concentrate only one or two films at a time? It is not a conscious decision to work on only one film at a time. I don’t like taking up projects that do not interest me. I work extra hard so that I do not get typecast so usually turns down many offers. However, my New Year resolution is to work on two films a year.

Now you are part of the Kurkure's ‘Tedha Hai Par Mera Hai’ family campaign along with Parineeti Chopra, Boman Irani, Ramya Krishnan, Farida Jalal and Shivansh. What drew you to the brand? Being part of campaigns is always interesting. I was especially drawn to this brand because I am a big fan of Kurkure and munch on it during my pastime. The character I play in the campaign too was very much like me at the time when I was stuck working with a company when what I really wanted to do was enter the movies. My character is of a Bollywood Banker who is stuck in the corporate world when he wanted to be an actor.

Which is your favourite movie? Do you think your background as an assistant director help you while acting in films? Being an assistant director helps in getting a general overview about the filming, but I am of the opinion that direction should be left to the director and actors shouldn’t

Sholay is my all-time favourite movie. I still remember the times when I used to sit around with friends and cousins narrating the dialogues along with the characters in the movie. I have seen the movie so many times that I have even lost count.

WELLNESS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

Have you got the look? If you’re sick of being a make-up virgin, it’s time to glam it up this New Year’s Eve. Bangalore-based make-up artist and grooming consultant Gouri Kapur shares some hot tips to help you stand out.

With the most festive evening of the year around the corner, break away from your usual do and try something different. Senior hair-stylist at Juice, Ram tells you how to nail that look.

New Year’s party isn’t just about spending time with your near and dear ones; we do that almost every other holiday anyway. It is so much more — it’s about dresses, skirts, strappy heels and most importantly, it’s about looking stunning in them. However, so much could go wrong with bad make-up. This 31st, make heads turn with the right look.

very girl fantasises about entering a room to find everyone staring at her, stunned by her looks. It’s no Herculean task; anyone can look good if you are in good hands. Working a hairdo that suits your face can do wonders to your looks. Here are the five most-trending hairdos for you to choose from to nail that look during the 31st party.

Bright lips

The updo look

e it red or pink or purple, bright lips are hot this season. Moreover, a bright coloured lipstick is the best way to brighten up that otherwise regular little black dress.

n updo is a sure-shot way to up your style quotient. A classic updo never fails to do its magic and is a fail-safe option for any formal event. This is the favourite among celebrities who flaunt this easy, pinned-up hairstyle on the red carpet frequently. If you are going for a one-shoulder dress for the party, this hairdo can do wonders for your look.

1 1

Retro winged eyes

t’s time to fish out those fake lashes this season. It’s in and goes with almost all kinds of lip colour.

Dark eyes, nude lips

f you’re in the mood to boast that classy look, this is the way to go. But make sure your eyes are dressed up very well.

Retro is back

ollow the actresses who graced the red carpet this year and go the retro waves way. These '40s waves have never gone out of fashion and will instantly add glamour to your look. For this look, throw your hair up in some large velcro rollers, blast them with a dryer for 5 minutes, then let them loose and brush through the waves.

Curly hair fantasy

his is a playful and sexy look that every girl should try. You should stop admiring others' perfectly formed, frizz-free ringlets and try getting them yourselves. You can achieve similar results using mousse or salt spray.

Shiny eyes

hy stick to the same eyemakeup everyday? Try something new for the 31st party. Eye shadows with a bit of sheen to go with bright lipsticks is a good choice too.

PS 4

Try out the above before 31st at least once to be sure of the look on you. As told to Nidhi Bhushan nidhi.b@postnoon.com

Nail that bob

volumised, side-parted bob is a great option for girls with shorter hair. Full-bodied hairstyles look super-sexy and the sidepart keeps it fresh. Pair it with shimmery smoky eyes and get set to make heads turn. 4

Straight all the way

f you are a fan of Gwyneth Paltrow, then you can go for her favourite hairstyle — poker straight hair. This look is the easiest to get as you can do this at home too. But do not just rely on the flattening iron for the look. Use mousse and hair volumnisers to make sure that your hair does not look limp. As told to Amy Rose Thomas amyrose.t@postnoon.com

ART AND CULTURE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

Ticket to study art in London

he Caspian Arts Foundation, a London-based non-profit organisation, has awarded its inaugural education scholarship prize, enabling a Middle Eastern student to pursue a postgraduate course at the University of the Arts London. The award winner is Bisan Abu-Eisheh, who obtained his undergraduate degree at the International Academy of Art in Palestine.

Praying Hitler statue

Massive art insurance losses

statue of Adolf Hitler praying on his knees is on display in the former Warsaw Ghetto, the place where so many Jews were killed or sent to their deaths by Hitler's regime, and it is provoking mixed reactions. The work, HIM by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, has drawn many visitors since it was installed last month.

wo months after Hurricane Sandy caused severe flooding in many Chelsea galleries, the bill for the art world’s recovery is shaping up to be hefty. AXA Art Insurance, one of the largest art insurers, estimated that it would be paying out $40 million, and a Reuters suggested that insurance losses for flooded galleries and ruined art may come to as much as $500 million.

Creatively different Like every other creative field, the visual arts too had its fair share of achievements and disappointments. We list a few.

THE BOTCHED

JOB n August, Cecilia Gimenez, an elderly Spanish woman in her eighties became something of an unwitting celebrity she tried to restore a treasured fresco of Jesus Christ. Ecce Homo (Behold the Man). Gimenez's botched restoration job cause hilarity around the world though she remained unrepentant claiming she had permission from her local priest to carry out the restoration.

THE DALI

CONNECT n France, a major retrospective of the work of Salvador Dali attempted to answer the question: Was the Spanish surrealist a genius, or just a flamboyant showoff? The exciting exhibition at the Pompidou Center in Paris reconciled for the first time the last shunned decades of Dali’s life.

The many forms of Shiva

ita Sudhakar, a renowned painter, is hosting an exhibition of Lord Shiva paintings. The artist was inspired by a sthotram of Lord Shiva in the act of dancing. Repetition and rhythm of the Shiva Thandava is also what inspired Sita Sudhakar to take up painting of various forms of Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha. Despite reading the sthotram at very young age, the sthotram is still very fresh and vivid in her mind and her paintings. n Where: State Art Gallery n When: Till December 31st

CHRISTIE’S LOOT n November, Christie’s Contemporary Art Auction tallied a sale of historic proportions, totaling a whopping $412.2 million. This type of result creates a myopic view that, despite the bad economy, art is selling like hotcakes.

ENTER

THE TATE ver in London, the Tate Gallery assembled a major collection of British pre-Raphaelite artists, including works by Dante Gabriel Rossetti and William Holman Hunt. Native American art pieces such as surreal dance masks were also causing a stir with rare pieces being exhibited.

DIANA AND C ALLISTO itian's "supremely important" oil painting Diana and Callisto was saved for the nation in March after a £45m deal was agreed with its previous owner, the Duke of Sutherland. It was bought with the help of £25m from the National Gallery after a lengthy fundraising campaign.

VERITY

urner-prize winning artist Damien Hirst delighted and frustrated residents of Ilfracombe in Devon in equal measure with Verity, his 65fthigh (20m) bronze statue of a naked pregnant woman wielding a sword. The huge artwork, which weighs around 25 tonnes, arrived on the harbour, carried on the back on a flat-bed lorry in October. Described variously as "wonderful... fantastic... awful... horrible..." locals will need sometime to get used to their new neighbour.

The final coundown

ll the artworks in the Code Red Countdown series pertain to endangered wildlife. Asher Jay (renowned artist, activist, ocean conservationist) has created a collection containing pieces that will boldly and unapologetically confront the viewer with the horrific reality of the dwindling count of tigers, rhinos, and elephants in the world, due to trade in exotic species. n Where: Muse Art Gallery, Marriott Hotel n Preview: 5th Jan 2013 Evening 6. 30 pm

ENVIRONMENT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

Ireland and carbon tax

CHAMELEONS From: Madagascar ne of the biggest discoveries of the year were probably the smallest reptiles to be found. American and German researchers in Madagascar discovered four species of Lilliputian chameleons. Belonging to the genus Brookesia or leaf chameleons, these tiny creatures are found in northern Madagascar's remote rainforests and live in a very small range.

KARL QUESTAL

THE

NEW SLIMY From: Caribbean his year saw the discovery of not just one, but 24 new lizards or skinks from the Caribbean Islands. The discovery was made by professor of biology at Penn university, Blair Hedges and a research team. It is believed that more than half of the discovered skinks may already be extinct or on their way to disappearance. The threat to the skink population is predation by the mongoose, a species introduced from India.

an Somerhalder looks to be channeling a very sexy James Bond-esque character all while protecting the environment in his new film Time Framed. The movie, which is actually six short films, gives Somerhalder the chance to step away from his vampire roots on The Vampire Diaries – and get into character as the gun-for-hire secret operative Agent Black.

SENCKENBERG

FRANK GLAW/ PLOS ONE

DWARF

On the greener side

ver the last three years, with its economy in tatters, Ireland embraced a novel strategy to help reduce its staggering deficit: charging households and businesses for the environmental damage they cause.The government imposed taxes on most of the fossil fuels used by homes, offices, vehicles and farms, based on each fuel’s carbon dioxide emissions.

DADDY LONGLEGS From: Laos ou might mistake it for a spider, but these arachnids are the largest harvestmen or daddy longlegs. Easy to see they're blessed with long legs that span up to 33 centimeteres making them one of the longest daddy longlegs. These creatures were discovered in the caves of Laos accidently during the filming of a TV show. As of December 2011, over 6,500 species of harvestmen were discovered worldwide, although the real number of species may cross10,000.

OUR NEWEST FRIENDS The sheer scale of the natural world means no matter how much we think we know about it, it’s is just a drop in the ocean of life. We look at a few of the amazing species discovered this year. SENCKENBERG

JOHN E MCCOSKER

COLOURFUL SEEN

IN THE SEA From: Galapagos he Galapagos catshark or Bythaelurus giddingsi is a species of catshark to be described this year from the island. Just a foot long this brown coloured species is freckled with spots, lives near the sea floor and eats fish.

AND CRABBY From: Philippines rustaceans were also part of amazing discoveries of the year with four new species of freshwater crabs new to science having been found in the Philippines. Blessed with a bright shade of purple, the colouration could have evolved by chance and may not have a specific function or or reason aside from being a general visual signal for recognition according to Henrik Freitag, author of the study from the Senckenberg Museum of Zoology in Dresden, Germany.

RITTMEYER EN ET AL WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

SMALLEST OF THEM ALL From: Papa New Guinea t's no wonder that the Paedophryne amauensis took so long to be discovered. Being as small as it is, at just 7.7mm as an adult, this is not only the smallest frog, but also the smallest verterbrate to have been discovered so far. It was technically discovered three years ago in Papua New Guinea in 2009. It's high-pitched, cricket-like sound was what made scientists take note of it.

I MAURICE EMETSHU

hile looking for a whale fossil exposed by a very low tide on a secluded Santa Cruz, California, beach in early December, photographer Chris Elmenhurst discovered a gruesome scene—and a scientific mystery. Hundreds of dead Humboldt squid, also known as jumbo squid, had washed ashore on Capitola beach.

NEWEST

MONKEY ON THE BLOCK From: Republic of Congo he world's newest monkey is the Lesula monkey as called in the Congo. It is the first to be identified in 28 years in Africa. The Cercopithecus lomamiensis is seperated from its nearest relative, the Cercopithecus hamlyni, a similar looking mammal with a black face, by two rivers, the Congo and the Lomami.

T SD BIJU

Gruesome gathering

BURROWING CREATURES UNEARTHED From: Northeast India n what was called the discovery of the year, Indian scientist SD Biju and his team discovered a new species of legless burrowing amphibians — chikilidae — endemic to the northeast region of India. A caecilian, this species was discovered after five years of digging.

FOOD SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

Hamper for New Year

ature’s Basket, the gourmet store offers an exotic range of New Year Hampers starting `800 onwards. For attractive gift options, Godrej Nature’s Basket has particularly handpicked the food ingredients and wines suiting ones taste and occasion. You will get them at stores in Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills. Get, going and get gifting.

Eating healthy and eating tasty are two very different things for most of us. The Park recently launched its organic buffet lunch to blur this distinction, Postnoon reviews.

World’s weirdest restaurant

New Year buffet

elcome the New Year at Aditya Park Promenade in a candle-lit environment and an inviting dance floor along with an international cuisine buffet for `1,199 per person. For the late night hang out, savour their special offering of Buffet after Hours at `699 per person.The restaurant is located at Ameerpet.

ick’s Last Resort, Texas is the only restaurant on the planet which pride themselves on their awfully bad service. With a wild bunch of Waiters and sarcasm flowing in the air, Dick’s Last Resort becomes a place to eat, drink and laugh. To enjoy this total entertainment package, two things are necessarily needed, a healthy appetite and a really thick skin. It appears on TLC: World’s Weirdest restaurants.

START AFRESH

NIDHI BHUSHAN

nidhi.b@postnoon.com

he lunch began with mango juice garnished with green chilli. Yes, mango, the fruit that is otherwise not available in the winter. The organically grown fruit, that is grown without use of pesticides, fertilisers and other synthetic additives that farmers normally use, had been stored sans preservatives especially for the special launch. Tasty being an understatement, the fruity drink seemed fresh and hence, clearly not the result of anything canned. Thus began my journey into the organic world of fruits and vegetables. According to Raghuveer Reddy, the marketing manager of 24 Mantra Organic, organic food is more a way of life than just some healthy eating option. He says: “Organic is a way, a habit and a practice all rolled into one. Organic food means that farmers don’t use toxic, persistent pesticides or fertilisers which are notorious for contaminating soil, air, water and the food.” Verandah, an all-day dining restaurant at The Park has conceptualised the organic lunch buffet in association with 24 Mantra. The special lunch will be held on every second and fourth Saturday of a month. “The biggest challenge we face while inculcating the organic way is persuading farm-

S BALAKRISHNA

ers to make the switch as their yield reduces significantly without usage of fertilisers and other synthetic additives. It takes at least 10 years for the soil to yield as much again. Another plus side of switching to organic farming is that farmers don’t have to spend on fertilisers,” says Reddy, adding that organic farming is picking up fast in Bangalore and would take some time to spread across Hyderabad. By introducing organic dishes in the Saturday lunch menu, The Park has taken the first step towards a healthier and richer future. “Organic food includes non-vegetarian dishes as well in the US, but so far, India is limited to vegetarian choices,” says

What: Organic buffet lunch Where: Verandah, The Park. When: Every second and fourth Saturday. Price: `950 plus taxes. Timings: 12.30-14.45

Mandaar Sukhtankar, executive chef at The Park. The special twice-a-month lunch buffet comprises at least three-four varieties of organic salads, main course dishes and one dessert. On the launch day, the lunch boasted unique dishes like chitkabra rajma soup, pindi chhole, saag paneer, missi roti and litti chhokka. “Because we are limited by a few vegetables only, I’ve decided to use the ingredients to create something new every week. For instance, this week I’ve used channa in my salad and rajma in a soup, next week I can try something else with the same ingredients,” says Sukhtankar. Though the spread was a mix of regular and organic dish-

es, the latter was — as the chef had told me — tastier and richer. The litti chhokka deserves a special mention as it is the most unique and delicious dish on offer. Even the methi theplas that were being readied on a live counter took me to a happy place. Coming to the desserts, the spread comprised the usual chocolaty suspects and some fruit plus ice cream kind of combinations. The only organic dessert on the menu was the rice phirni. To my surprise, it was the best sweet dish on offer. So, the trick is to spare your otherwise tortured stomach at least two Saturdays a month and indulge some healthy yet tasty delights.

FOOD SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

Caramel Popcorn Pots

Jalapeno Poppers Ingredients

Ingredients

1. 12 ounces cream cheese, softened 2. 1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese 3. 12 ounces jalapeno peppers, seeded and halved 4. 1 cup milk 5. 1 cup all-purpose flour 6. 1 cup dry bread crumbs 7. 2 quarts oil for frying

1. 50g popping corn 2. 140g salted butter 3. 140g unrefined brown sugar

Method 1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (95 degrees C). Place popcorn in a very large bowl. Set it aside. 2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. 3. Boil without stirring for 4 minutes. 4. Remove from heat and stir in soda and vanilla (optional). Pour in a thin stream over popcorn, stirring to coat. 5. Lay out on greased cookie sheets and bake for 1 hour stirring every 20 minutes. You can serve it.

Method 1. In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese and Cheddar cheese. Spoon this mixture into the jalapeno pepper halves. 2. Put the milk and flour into two separate small bowls. Dip the stuffed jalapenos first into the milk then into the flour, making sure they are well coated with each. Allow the coated jalapenos to dry for about 10 minutes. 3. Dip the jalapenos in milk again and roll them through the breadcrumbs. 4. In a skillet, heat the oil to 365 degrees F. Deep fry the coated jalapenos for 3 minutes until golden brown. Tip: Wrap 1/2 slice of bacon around each pepper half. Place on baking sheets and place in 450 degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until bacon is fully cooked.

Easy to make, delicious to eat, here are a few finger foods you must serve up to make your house party a smashing success.

Dips Platter Avocado Dip

Mexican Cheese Corn

Bacon Roll ups

In a medium to large bowl, combine one cup sour cream, 3/4 cup mayonnaise and 3/4 tsp cumin. Add 1 can sweet corn, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 3 chilles, 1/2 tsp black pepper,and 2/3 cup green onions to the sour cream mixture. Stir well. Cover

and chill for two hours or overnight.

Salsa Mix 2 cups tomatoes, 1 cup onions, 1/2 cup green peppers, 1/3 cup chopped jalapeno pepper, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2/3 tsp cumin and pepper, 1/8 cup sugar, vinegar and 5 ounces of tomato sauce and 4 ounces of tomato paste and salt to taste. Seal in jars and cook in hot water bath for 10 minutes. Serve as and when required. You can serve it with Nachos/ Vegetables/ Pita Bread/ Toast.

Ingredients 1. 2 (3 ounce) packages cream cheese with chives (softened) 2. 1 tablespoon milk or 1 tablespoon mayonnaise 3. 25 slices mixed grain bread (crusts removed and cut in half) 4. 25 slices bacon (cut in half) 5. Parsley sprig (optional)

Method 1. Combine cream cheese and milk (or mayonnaise) stirring until of spreading consistency. 2. Spread 1 teaspoon of cheese mix-

ture on each halved bread slice and roll tightly from the smallest end. Wrap with bacon and secure with toothpick. 3. Place on broiler pan and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Turn if necessary. 4. Garnish with parsley if desired. 5. These may be assembled ahead of time and frozen before cooking. To serve, remove frozen rollups from freezer and allow to thaw in the refrigerator over night. Then bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 40 minutes.

Use of green vegetables makes vegetarian kebabs look green. Noor’s Kitchen NOOR JAFRI Ingredients 1. Boiled potatoes - 200 gms 2. Blanched and finely chopped spinach - 1/2 cup 3. Peas (blanched & mashed) - 1/2 cup 4. Roasted besan powder - 2 tbsp 5. Cornflour - 2 tbsp 6. Chilli powder - 1 tsp 7. Chopped coriander - 1 tbsp 8. Green chillies (finely chopped) - 1 tsp 9. Chat masala - 2 tsp 10. Black pepper powder - 1/2 tsp 11. Salt to taste 12. Oil to shallow/pan fry.

GRAB A BITE Using a fork, mash 2 avocado in a bowl with the 1 tsp lemon juice and 1 crushed garlic — the mixture should still be chunky. Stir in 1 tomato, 1 cucumber and 1/4 bunch chopped coriander, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

Haryali Kebab

Procedure 1. Mash the boiled potatoes uniformly and add to this blanched and finely cut spinach and uniformly mashed peas. 2. Add all the dry masalas powders to this mixture with salt. 3. Add the chopped coriander and chillies. 4. Use roasted besan powder, as a binding agent. 5. Make small portions and with a wet hand make smooth round patties of medium thickness. 6. Sprinkle cornflour on the patties. 7. Leave it to set for half an hour in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes . 8. Shallow fry it on low heat, gently turning it on both the sides till they are golden brown. 9. Serve hot with tomato ketchup or green chutney.

CHEF’S NOTE:

n It's a vegetable delight, can be

served as snack or starter. n Low in calories and rich in

flavour. Contact Us @ Noor Kitchen, Banjara Hills. Mobile - 9441282318 Residence - 23356947 Like Us @ -http://www.facebook.com/Noorkitchen

source: food.com

HISTORY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

December 31

January 1

January 2

January 3

1879: In the first public demonstration of his incandescent light bulb, renowned inventor Thomas Alva Edison illuminates a street in Menlo Park, New Jersey.

1942: The declaration, signed by representatives of 26 countries to create an international post-war peacekeeping organisation called the United Nations, is issued.

1942: The FBI convicts 33 members of a German spy ring headed by Fritz Duquesne in the largest espionage case in United States history — the Duquesne Spy Ring.

1987: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducts its first woman — Aretha Franklin. Only 13 female performers are in the Hall of Fame so far, as compared to the 135 male performers.

January 3 1924: Two years after British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamen near Luxor, the team uncovers the stone sarcophagus containing a solid gold coffin that holds the mummy of Tutankhamen.

January 1

January 4 1999: Europe is united by a common currency when the "euro" debuts as a financial unit in corporate and investment markets and adopted by 11 EU nations.

1959: In the face of a popular revolution spearheaded by Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement, Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista flees the island nation.

January 5

January 6

1933: Construction starts on the Golden Gate Bridge. When completed in 1937, the Golden Gate was the world’s longest suspension bridge.

1838: Samuel Morse’s telegraph system is demonstrated for the first time at the Speedwell Iron Works in Morristown, New Jersey.

1929 – Albanian nun Mother Teresa arrives in Calcutta to begin her work among India’s poorest and sick people. She worked in Calcutta till her death in 1997.

SPOTLIGHT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012 1

S BALAKRISHNA

A night of revelry

Weekends are the best times to head out partying. PYTs were seen turning up at Kismet on Saturday night with their BFFs and jiving to the music till the wee hours.

Shopperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eden Curtain raiser of Khwaaish Exhibition and Sale that will be held on January 4 and 5 was organised at Hotel Taj Krishna on Friday. Badminton player Jwala Gutta will inaugurate the exhibition on January 4.

Munching time Restaurant Sarvi launched its Haleem, Biriyani and Kebab festival with much fanfare. The festival is on till January 6.

1 Shreya, Supriya, Mamtha

5 Esha, Preeti, Neha

2 Nishan, Juli, Kanika 3 Jai, Soni

6 Shounak and Shiny with a friend 7 Ramya, Sudarshana

4 Chaiglan, Malam, Chingkhli

8 Divya, Nick, Soumya

Party on my mind Vitamin Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., an event management firm, and Videosource Studios Pvt. Ltd launched New Year bash titled 31st night Hangover Party on Sunday. The party will take place at Hitex Grounds this New Year's Eve.

CINEMA SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

Powerstar does a Hulk smash

The girl with the Midas touch

awan Kalyan’s star power was at its zenith in 2012. He had two releases to his credit and the collective gross of them exceeded `100 crore, which is reportedly a new record in Telugu cinema. Pawan Kalyan-starrer Gabbar Singh, a remake of Dabangg, went on to become one of the biggest hits ever and sent out a strong message to never underestimate Powerstar's star power. He hasn't had a blockbuster in almost eleven years, but that didn't matter. Gabbar Singh was Pawan Kalyan's show all the way. In October, Pawan Kalyan, Tamannaah-starrer Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu released amidst high expectations. Although the film took fabulous openings, it couldn't reach the bar set by his previous film. Nevertheless, it was a year to remember for Pawan Kalyan.

NEWSMAKERS OF 2012 It’s been quite an eventful year for the Telugu film industry with a fair share of blockbusters and equally overwhelming protests over several issues. Hemanth Kumar gives us the lowdown.

Outrage beyond

012 wasn’t just about blockbusters in Tollywood; it was also a year where scores of films got embroiled in controversies for their insensitivity towards different sections of the society. Manchu Manoj starrer Mr.Nokia landed in a soup when Nokia corporation accused them of copyright infringement. After a bitter war of words, the film’s title was changed to Mr.Nookayya, but that didn’t stop Manchu Manoj from taking a dig at Nokia corp when he said that he has never heard of this company before. Later, films like Sorry Teacher, Woman in Brahmanism faced a lot of heat over vulgarity in films. Perhaps the biggest controversy of the year was about the

Up, up and away

portrayal of Brahmins in Vishnu Manchu-starrer Dhenikaina Ready. Several prominent members from the Brahmin community protested against the film and called for a complete ban. The protests took an ugly turn when the protesters were manhandled. Later, Vishnu Manchu lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission. On the other hand, Pawan Kalyan-starrer Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu was also mired in controversy. Some dialogues irked Telangana activists who ended up destroying property at Puri Jagannadh’s office. For a moment, it seemed as if the film will face a ban in Nizam region, but Puri Jagannadh and Dil Raju promptly apologized and deleted the scenes.

Dhanalakshmi's scissor hands

erhaps no other person associated with the Telugu film industry has been in news for all the wrong reasons as much as A Dhanalakshmi, the regional censor board officer. She has been in the centre of several contro-

versies related to film releases including Dhenikaina Ready, which she demanded be re-censored at the last minute. Earlier this year, Maruthi’s debut film Ee Rojullo, a film filled with far too many double entendres,

was given a ‘U’ certificate and later Bus Stop, made by the same director, got nearly 54 cuts which forced the director to approach the revising committee. Later, several members of the censor board approached Ambika Soni,

amantha scored her fourth consecutive blockbuster of her career, thanks to Eega. She was on top of her game and bagged the biggest of projects, including offers opposite Pawan Kalyan, Mahesh Babu, NTR and Ram Charan. It looked as if there was no looking back for her, before she took a two-month break due to illness. Earlier this year, she had to opt out of Mani Ratnam’s Kadal and Shankar’s Manoharudu due to date issues, but there was a lot more at stake for her since her absence had delayed quite a few films which were in various stages of production. Among them were Seethamma Vaakitlo Sirimalle Chettu, Autonagar Surya, Jabardasth and Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu. Apart from these films, she was also supposed to join the cast of Ram Charan’s upcoming film Yevadu; however, she is no longer part of that film. Finally, she made her comeback in October and wrapped up all her assignments and in 2013, she’ll be shooting for Pawan Kalyan-Trivikram’s film, Lingusamy-Suriya’s film, NTR-Harish Shankar’s film, NTR-Santosh Srinivas’s film. Towards the end of the year, she caught a lot of people offguard after she confessed that she's in love.

former I & B minister, demanding that Dhanalakshmi be removed from office, but the minister didn't budge. Despite overwhelming protests over her style of functioning, Dhanalakshmi has had the last laugh so far.

S Rajamouli flew high, thanks to his insanely inventive VFX extravaganza Eega. The film’s release was delayed by almost four months and for a point, it looked as if the audience was vexed with the constant delay, but none of that mattered upon the film’s release. Eega was hailed as one of the best Telugu films in years and almost everyone in the industry hailed Rajamouli as an icon. The film’s success story was far more spectacular in Tamil Nadu, a territory which no other Telugu film director has managed to conquer in recent years. The film’s Tamil version, Naan Ee, fetched record profits in Tamil Nadu and it was named in almost every list of Top 10 films of the year. The icing on the cake was the reception Eega got in Bollywood. Several top critics in Mumbai and Delhi couldn’t stop raving about Makkhi, the Hindi version, and Rajamouli was nominated for CNN-IBN's Entertainer of the Year award. Rajamouli is now planning to make his next film starring Prabhas in Hindi and Tamil as well, apart from the Telugu version.

CINEMA SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

Tina is the woman of my dreams:

Akshay Kumar B

ollywood actor Akshay Kumar, on his wife Twinkle’s 38th birthday Saturday, called her the woman of his dreams, and says she turned his life into a celebration all the way. “Today is a very special day because it is the birthday of the person who has made my life a celebration. Happy Birthday Tina (Twinkle), my wife, my friend, mother of my children... in short the woman of my dreams,” the 45year-old tweeted. Akshay and Twinkle tied the knot in 2001. They have two kids — Aarav, 10 and daughter Nitara, who was born in September this year. Twinkle shares her birthday with her father, late superstar Rajesh Khanna, who passed away earlier this year. IANS

Happy with no backing in film industry:

Rajeev Khandelwal I

n the Hindi film industry, mostly ruled by the Khans and Kapoors, actor Rajeev Khandelwal is happy that he has been able to make space for himself, without any backing. He says it is a myth that the film industry is not open to accepting people from outside. “These are all myths. These are rules made by insecure people, unwritten rules which have led to a perception. I don’t think you need to have any kind of backing except your self confidence. Once you believe in yourself, you don’t need anything,” Rajeev said. “I don’t wish that I had some sort of backing because the fun and the excitement you get (without it) is unparalleled. If things were offered to me on a platter I won’t be smiling looking back at my career. There will be ups and downs, but that’s what life is about. People should envy you because you charted your own territory,” he added. A successful TV actor thanks to shows like Kahiin Toh Hoga and Left Right Left, Rajeev turned to films with 2008 film Aamir, and received critical acclaim for his intense performance. IANS

I’ve stepped out of Hate Story 2: Vivek Agnihotri F

ilmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, who recently made erotic thriller Hate Story, says he has stepped out of the movie’s sequel. “I was planning to make Hate Story 2, but I stepped out of that project. I don’t want to repeat the genre. How much can you show in the same genre? I have done that and now I want to try something different,” Agnihotri said. The filmmaker started his career with the 2005 thriller Chocolate, after which he directed Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal, a sports-based film. Then he made Hate Story, featuring Paoli Dam, Gulshan Devaiya and Nikhil Dwivedi. Currently, he is busy shooting his next film Freedom. “I have finished the first schedule of Freedom and almost 65 percent of the shooting has been done. The second

schedule will start from second week of January,” he said. IANS

CINEMA SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

Composer Mithoon

against songs that objectify women

omposer Mithoon, known for providing music in films like The Train and Bas Ek Pal, says he does not believe in songs that objectify women as it goes against his religious beliefs. “My motive is not to create music that is against god. Like, I am a Christian and Jesus Christ had forgiven even a prostitute and gave her respect in front of everyone. Being a devotee of Jesus, if I make songs like Fevicol se and Munni badnaam, then what is the way I am presenting women?,” the 27-year-old said in an inter-

Changing people’s lives through films A

ctress Sridevi, who played a housewife in her comeback film English Vinglish this year, says she has been approached by many women telling her that the film changed their lives. “A lot of people and especially ladies approach me. Wherever I go, people even tell me I have changed their lives,” the 49-year-old said at a press conference held to announce the world television premiere of the film. Sridevi further said that the film has even had an effect on children. “A lot of kids, Jhanvi’s (Sridevi’s daughter) friends said sorry to their parents after watching the film, for being mean to them,” she said. Directed by Gauri Shinde, English Vinglish tells the story of a housewife, who learns English to change her family’s outlook towards her. IANS

view. “Then I would have no right to call myself Christian. That is why I would never make vulgar songs. I don’t like them,” he added. Mithoon believes that noisy dance numbers may be in trend these days, but it is soulful music that lives on through generations. “I don’t have any problem with dhoom dhadaka kind of songs. But that is not my style and personality. Dhoom dhadaka lasts just for a few days, but soulful music stays on forever,” Mithoon said. “Many big composers, espe-

cially Madan Mohan, never made that kind of a song. But people still remember him. I want to work for the next 30 to 40 years and I do not want to become part of any competition,” he added. Mithoon’s famous songs include Maula mere maula and Javeda zindagi from the film Anwar, Woh ajnabee and Beete lamhe from The Train and Dil sambhal jaa zara from Murder 2. Mithoon had recently composed a few songs for Jism 2 and Murder 2. His next project is Aashiqui 2. IANS

SALMAN KHAN praises SRK on Bigg Boss B

ollywood superstar Salman Khan defended his rival Shah Rukh Khan on Bigg Boss after Imam Siddique, a contestant on the show, claimed he was the one who made SRK a star. Siddique, a casting director, got into an argument with host Salman last night after he nominated the house’s captain Niketan. The actor told Siddique to nominate someone else as Niketan was the captain of the house but Siddique stood by his decision, saying he knew what the audience wanted. After Salman mocked him, Siddique replied, “I cast Preity Zinta and Shah Rukh Khan for ad films that worked very well with the audiences.” Losing his cool, Salman said, “Shah Rukh is in the industry because of his hard work and the support of his fans. It is because he has pursued his career with determination that he is a big man and not because you cast him in an advertisement.” The 47-year-old Dabangg star also revealed that Siddique was desperate to be a part of the show and would text him everyday PTI begging to be a part of Bigg Boss.

CINEMA SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

Comfortable doing my own stunts: Tom Cruise

uperstar Tom Cruise says he is comfortable doing his own action stunts as he has years of practice behind him. The 50year-old made his debut in Hollywood with 1981 movie Taps and went on to star in many action flicks like Mission Impossible series, Jack Reacher, Minority Report and The War Of The Worlds. All the years in industry has helped him give his 100 per cent to the character, reported Daily Mail. “People do say no, but as an actor, you bring everything, physically and emotionally, to a character. I’m able to do them stunts. I’ve trained for 30 years doing things like that,” he said. Cruise does accept that stunts do go wrong sometimes. “I don’t get scared. It’s quite technical but sometimes things go wrong,” he added. PTI

Dustin Hoffman’s career was an accident

ctor-director Dustin Hoffman says he cannot understand how he managed to become such a famous actor as he was always told he was a “real loser”. The 75-year-old, who shot to fame after starring in The Graduate in 1967, doesn’t think he was meant to have a successful career, reported Daily Star. “I really believed I was a freak accident when I became famous after The Graduate. It wasn’t meant to be. I don’t dislike myself, I’ve learned that I don’t have any choice but to live with myself. I couldn’t fix my concentration in school. I think that was implanted in me because now there is nothing more that I love than reading and writing. In those days I was called a ‘real kind of comedian’, which in those days means, ‘You’re a real loser’,” he said. Hoffman PTI credits therapy for saving his life.

People thought I looked ugly with red hair: Christina Hendricks

ctress Christina Hendricks’ modelling agency thought she looked “ugly” when she first dyed her hair red. The Mad Men star, who is a natural blonde, changed her hair colour when she was modelling early in her career, and despite initial criticism, she decided to keep her flame-coloured look, reported Daily Mail. “When I first started modelling, I was blonde. Then I got a job and they wanted to do my hair bright red. I’d always wanted to, but the head of my agency was like, ‘You look terrible, it’s so ugly, you cannot have red hair’. “I came back as a redhead and couldn’t get my hair back to blonde for two days — in the meantime, I had to audition. I booked two or three jobs, because there were a lot fewer redheads than blondes, and I was like, this is working for me, I’m keeping this!,” she said. Hendricks also credits her flame-coloured locks for helping her land Hollywood movie roles, such as 2011 action film Drive. “I think it does make you stand out. People remember you when there’s a sea of faces. It helps,” she added. PTI

CHAI TIME SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

SUNDAY CROSSWORD

ACROSS

Winners!

Play & Win voucher from VENKEY’S VEG Restaurant, Nampally

121 Pecs’ neighbor 123 Dude, Jamaica-style 124 Jagged rock 125 Former NFL coach Chuck — 127 Park feature 129 Cattle food 131 Campfire goody 135 Office supply (2 wds.) 140 The fabulous Garbo 141 Fidel’s brother 142 Top story 143 Wet lowland 144 Subway patron 145 Backspace on a PC 146 Jostle 147 Male relative 148 Hill 149 Asked out 150 Sulk 151 Glacial ridge

DOWN 1 Sweet wine 2 From the U.S. 3 Pro — (in proportion) 4 Opportunity 5 Grating 6 Played loud 7 Grads 8 Levelheaded 9 Traffic tie-up 10 Without thought 11 Finish a mousse 12 Oedipus’ father 13 911 staffers 14 Practice 15 Lifeguard beats 16 Esoteric 17 Columnist Herb — 18 Coup d’— 19 Lairs 21 Neither good nor bad

Play & Win

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

FOLOWING ARE THE

29 Stick-in-the-mud 31 Furtive whisper 34 Harvest Moon mo. 36 Young girl 37 — — for the money 38 Syrup brand 41 All-Star catcher Tony 43 Feels under par 44 Brandy bottle letters 45 I’m all — 47 Phi — Kappa 48 Film, as of dust 49 Utter chaos 50 Prior to 51 Candidate’s concern 52 Summon help 55 Grooves 56 Rural 57 Confounded, in London 58 Mr. Klemperer 60 Ape a pig 62 Elite Navy diver 64 RoboCop, e.g. 66 Work duds 67 Permitted by law 69 Frat letter 70 — Arbor, Mich. 71 Utmost degree

VOUCHER LUCKY WINNERS FOR THIS WEEK:

74 They swim with crocs 75 City near Mount Rainier 77 Environmental prefix 78 Jimmy’s successor 79 Fabric meas.

81 Gets on the plane 84 Cookie sheets 87 Ess molding 89 An archangel 90 German industrial region 91 Foundry output 93 Utopia 97 Salary 98 50-50 99 Irene of “Fame” 100 Dobbin’s dinner 101 Build an appetite 102 Druid 103 KOA visitors 105 1939 Lugosi role 106 Lang of “Smallville” 107 Foundry refuse 109 Averred 111 Ring-shaped cake 114 Tropical swayer 115 NASA destination 116 “Forget it!” (2 wds.) 119 Foot part 121 Wake up 122 Cried noisily 123 The reason why 124 Diadems 126 Chicago terminal 127 Rub it in 128 Charley horse 129 Lens setting (hyph.) 130 Follow upon 131 Execs 132 Seed covering 133 Start all over 134 The “Tomb Raider” 136 Emperor after Galba 137 Type of nail 138 She, in Cherbourg 139 Tarot reader

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

1 Shrivel with heat 6 Freshwater catch 10 King or queen 15 Walked to and fro 20 Nebraska hub 21 Poe’s middle name 22 Make — — for oneself 23 Address the crowd 24 Pave over 25 — Kea volcano 26 Anvil user 27 Globe feature 28 Electrical company device 30 Cyclamen and croton 32 Errands 33 Reclines lazily 35 Club, briefly 36 Trout habitat 39 Traipse about 40 Dancer — Charisse 41 Play it on a VOX 42 Roof part 46 A Knute successor 47 — Paese cheese 48 Guitarist — Atkins 51 Goose-down items 53 My mind — — blank 54 Horse-drawn carriage 56 Thunder 57 “Lorna —” 59 Painter’s choice 61 Muzzle 62 Debonair 63 Sundance Kid’s girl 64 Potato chips, to a Brit 65 Likes (2 wds.) 67 Troubadour’s prop 68 Itch 69 Pantyhose shades 72 Derby 73 Coffee additive 76 Donut stop 80 Diligent insect 81 South Seas paradise 82 Kind of cube 83 Quark’s home 85 UPS billing method 86 Detach 88 Canine teeth 92 White wine aperitif 93 Untold centuries 94 Moo goo — pan 95 Enthralled 96 Hurt, as a muscle 99 Cringes away 102 “Hi” or “bye” 103 Squeezes oranges 104 Brides’ wear 108 Sighed with delight 109 Caribou and elk 110 Old Chevy 111 Type of tiger 112 AAA suggestion 113 It’s cast by Harry Potter 115 Archipelago dot 116 She has a habit 117 — — whim 118 — spumante 120 Go on stage

1. K Vimalkumar 2. Vaijinathrao 3. Anitha 4. Rajiv 5. Shankar

CHAI TIME SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

STAR POWER Date 31-12-2012

As per Hindu panchang

THIRUVAIKUMAR

thiruvaikumar@yahoo. co. in 040-27177230 / 9949870449

TAURUS

GEMINI

You will speak wisely and get work completed successfully. Financial position will improve. You will gain the friendship of well-educated people. Court verdicts will go in your favour.

Try to curb extravagant expenses and avoid giving committments beyond your capacity. Peaceful atmosphere will prevail at home. Employees will have increased work burden.

Marriage talks will resume and progress well. Strained relationship will resume on its own. Couples will be more affectionate towards each other.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Written off dues can be collected if you make efforts. Children will do well and make you happy. Minor misunderstandings likely with the family members but will soon get resolved.

Your stock is set to pile up. Parents will support you in all your new efforts. Troubles likely through blood relatives and mental depression likely. Keep your cool and situation will change.

Be careful in food habits as chances of allergy or stomach upset likely. Employees will work with focus and complete the work to the satisfaction of the management and superiors.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

A journey for office work will have to be undertaken. Marriage talks will resume again and progress. Some will undertake a pilgrimage or a trip with family.

Health problem likely, take care. You may have to struggle hard to get the work completed .Certain important work might need more than one attempt to get completed.

Unexpected tensions likely. Employees need to work hard to earn recognition and avoid facing the ire from superiors. Good opportunities likely for businessmen.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

All worries will recede gradually and your long pending wishes will get fulfilled. Avoid boasting and also entrusting important work to others. Employees need to focus on work.

You will undertake challenging tasks and complete them successfully without giving up, though hurdles come your way. Financial situation will be very strong.

Your son will be leaving for abroad for his career development. Money due to you will come without much delay and make you strong financially. You will buy a vehicle of your own.

SUMAA TEKUR

tarotreadhyd@gmail. com

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

The Empress – This is the card of love, romance and fertility. Women looking to get pregnant have a good chance now. Those in love will have a great phase.

Two of Swords – You’ll need to do the juggling act and it might be quite a bother. Don’t worry about it too much. The feelings of restlessness will go.

Seven of Pentacles – Learn a new skill. Pick up an interesting hobby that will keep you company when you’re alone. There are many new things to learn.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

The Magician – Use your intuition to guide you to the right decision. You’re feeling great about this time and the positive attitude will take you a long way.

Five of Wands – Someone may be plotting against you. But how it goes will depend on how you react to it. You feel terrible about being left out.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

Eight of Swords – You feel restless and on the edge. You haven’t been sleeping well and it’s showing on your health. Take time off and rest well.

Five of Swords – There are too many people trying to get a piece of the pie and it bothers you that you cannot even bail out. Don’t let your guard down.

Ten of Swords – This is the time to start over. The bad phase is officially over. It’s up to you to acknowledge it and move ahead to brighter days.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

The Moon – Pay attention to what your mother is saying. She may seem confused and may not be making sense. But there are subtle messages that help you.

King of Pentacles – Finances will stabilise. You need to stop worrying. Get a pen and paper and chart out the right course of action at this time.

Eight of Wands – Good luck is coming your way. Career matters look up and you’re doing extremely well in the balancing act this all demands.

Page of Swords – You just know how to cut through the clutter and get to the heart of the matter. There are clouds of confusion but not for long.

NON SEQUITUR PEARLS BEFORE SWINE POOCH CAFE

STRIP TEASE

AGNES

ARIES

TAROT READ Date 31-12-2012

No tests, please! Jim’s car is swerving all over the road so a cop pulls him over. “Step out of the car” says the cop to Jim, “I am going to need you to take a breathalyzer test.” “I can’t”, Jim responds. “You see, I have very bad asthma, that can set off an attack.” “Alright,” says the cop, “then you’re going to have to take a blood test.” “Can’t do that either,” Jim responds. “I am a haemophiliac, and if a wound is opened, I won’t stop bleeding, and I could bleed to

death,” he tells the cop. “Ok,” the cop answers “then I will need a urine sample.” “Sorry,” says Jim. “I also have diabetes, and giving you a urine sample right now could push my sugar count really low.” The exasperated cop throws up his hands and says, “Fine, so just come on out of the car, and walk a straight line for me.” “Can’t do that either” responds Jim. “Why not?” demanded the frustrated cop. “Well, because I’m drunk!”

Vol: 2, No 164 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

CINEMA SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

Richard Gere waiting for Oscar nod R

ichard Gere has expressed hopes that he will get an Academy Award nomination for Arbitrage. Gere has earned critical praise for his portrayal of a hedge fund manager whose life is thrown into chaos due to his financial impropriety. The actor has already been nominated for a Golden Globe for Arbitrage, but admitted to CNN that he is

most hoping for an Oscar nod. “It would feel great, of course. Everyone wants to feel appreciated,” Gere explained. He went on to say: “I like the movie, and I think Nick Jarecki, who wrote and directed it, did a really great job. I’m happy with my performance in it. “I don’t think any actor is ever totally delighted with what they do, but you get easier on it later.”

Murray to stay behind bars

f prosecutors have their way, Conrad Murray will stay locked up, even though an appeals court could reverse his manslaughter conviction in the death of Michael Jackson. According to new court docs obtained by TMZ, the California Attorney General is scoffing at Murray’s bid for release pending appeal, arguing that he’s totally unconvincing when he says he’s not a flight risk. Murray is claiming if he gets out he’ll live with his GF/baby mama Nicole Alvarez in Santa Monica, but prosecutors are quick to point out that he has 7 kids with 5 women, which does not exactly make him the poster child of stability. And get this Murray argued that he can’t flee because he’s a celeb and therefore can’t run and hide. But prosecutors blanch at the doctor’s argument, claiming it would be a travesty to reward him for becoming a celebrity by killing a true celebrity. Prosecutors also say the fact that Murray has shown no remorse is a red flag that he might continue to be a danger to the community if set free.

Tarantino to be honoured in Italy

uentin Tarantino to be honoured in Italy. Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, behind cult hits like Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, will be honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the International Rome Film Festival. The 49-yearold will be awarded ahead the European premiere of his latest film Django Unchained in Italy next month. Composer Ennio Morricone, who has worked with the director on the acclaimed western, ill present 49-year-old Tarantino with the honour, reported Contactmusic. The filmmaker’s new movie has strong Italian ties — as well as feaPTI turing Morricone’s music.

CINEMA SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

Logan Lerman praises Matthew welcomes baby girl M

atthew McConaughey may be personally shrinking in size, but his clan just keeps expanding — his wife Camila Alves just gave birth to the couple’s third child! TMZ reports that Matthew, 43, and his stunning Brazilian bride, 30, welcomed their new addition in Austin, Texas on Friday. No details have officially been released, but sources say that it’s a baby girl. The pair has been together since 2006, and tied the knot in June of this year. They have two children: Son Levi is 4, and daughter Vida is 2.

Megan reveals secret to her figure I

s Megan Fox actively trying to get women to dislike her? The 26-year-old gained a mere 23 pounds while pregnant with her first son, Noah, which explains why she barely looked pregnant at the end of nine months. Fox revealed that she’s already lost 13 of the pounds she gained while pregnant (though it’s hard to believe she has any more weight to lose) and she did it without even hitting the gym. “I can’t work out yet because my body is still too fragile,” Fox told Us Weekly at the December 12 premiere of This Is 40. “I try to eat whatever I want, but I don’t eat any dairy, and I guess that’s the biggest diet tip. Try and stay away from dairy — especially if you’re a woman! It’s really hard on your hormones.”

Emma Watson L

ogan Lerman has praised Emma Watson as a generous co-star. Lerman and Watson previously starred together in The Perks of Being a Wallflower and have reunited in the biblical epic Noah. In an interview, Lerman said that he and Watson have a natural onscreen “chemistry”. “Emma is such a sweet, genuine person, and it was one of those situations where you get along instantly,” he said. “That always makes the chemistry more natural.” Lerman also said that shooting Noah in Iceland was an unforgettable experience. “Working in such a picturesque environment was really memorable,” he explained. “It’s a beautiful country and the people there are so nice. I had the time of my life. I hope to go back again sometime soon.” Russell Crowe, Ray Winstone and Jennifer Connelly round out the cast of director Darren Aronofsky’s Noah.

SPORTS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

Vijaykeerti for main event

Vijaykeerti from Deshmukhs yard, winner in race No 89, can repeat the victory in The Lingapur Cup, the main attraction of Monday afternoon races to be held here at Malakpet. 1st Race:The Star of Gwalior Cup (about) 1400 Metres, Cat-II; Terms for horses 3 year olds and upward. 1-10 P.M. 1 Da Xia 60 (Vatsalya) Ajit Kumar 3 2 The Leader 60 (S Abbas) A Imran Khan 2 3 Odalis 59 (Silvester) K Anil 6 4 Oasis Vision 57 (Deshmukh) P S Chouhan 1 5 Rosemead 56 (D’Silva) A Sandesh 4 6 Ruffiano 54.5 (Sequeria) M Mark 5 Selections:1 Oasis Vision 2 Ruffiano 3 The Leader 2nd Race:The Wishful Thinking Plate (Div-II) (about) 1200 Metres,Cat-III; A handicap for horses, 4 year olds and upward,rated upto 25. 1-40 P.M. 1 Cherry Hill 61 (D’Silva) A Sandesh 1 2 Cypress Way 61 (Vatsalya) NRawal 6 3 Valley Crossing 61 (Srinagesh) Nitin Singh 7 4 Victory Sky 61 (Kassam) Ch K Chary 8 5 Sugar Deal 58 (Hassan) A M Togrollu 4 6 Bold Brigade 54.5 (Kassam) Deep Shanker 9 7 Amber Rose 52.5 (S,ddin) P Venkat 2 8 Queen Major 52.5 (S Abbas) KiranNaidu 3 9 New Dawn 51 (Satheesh) KAnil 5 Selections: 1 Cherry Hill 2 Valley Crossing 3 New Dawn 3rd Race:The Wishful Thinking Plate (Div-I) (about) 1200 Metres,Cat-III; A handicap for horses 4 year olds and upward, rated upto 25. 2-10 P.M. 1 Caladium 61 (A Sharma) Kuldeep Singh 1 2 Classic Crown 61 (Kassam) Deep Shanker 7 3 Inspiring Tunes 61 (Silvester) D K Ashish 5 4 Mukhtar 61 (H’ibulla) KiranNaidu 6 5 Three Double Eight 61 (Z Shaikh) MF Alikhan 2 6 Max Baby 54.5 (Hassan) A M Togrollu 10 7 Maid For Love 54 (A Sharma) C Henrique 3 8 Hard Hit 52.5 (Srinagesh) NitinSingh 8 9 Nano Tribute 50 (Vatsalys) Ajit Kumar 4 10 White Wind 49 (Srinagesh) P Venkat 9 Selections: 1 Caladium 2 Mukhtar 3 Classic CRwon

League Cricket Cooch Behar Trophy Himchal Pradesh 307/4 AK Bains 111, AR Kalsi 101 n.o., BR Pathania 62, Shravan Kumar 2/60) vs Hyderabad.

A 2-3 two days Charminar 308 bt Venus Cyber Tech 156 (Krishna Anand Gupta 42, Mir Obaid Ali 4/51).

Tipsarevic eyes bright start CHENNAI, INDIA: World number nine Janko Tipsarevic hopes to build on an impressive campaign in 2012 with a dazzling start to the new season at the ATP Chennai Open from Monday. Tipsarevic, who finished in the top 10 for the second successive year, is seeded second behind world number six Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic at the $430,000 event. Tipsarevic was confident of doing well in the coming season after ending the year with a 57-28 match record, including a quarter-final berth at the US Open. "I have improved my game in all aspects, but the biggest change came in my mindset and how I was able to keep up with the constant pressure," Tipsarevic said in a statement released by the tournament organisers. The right-hander heads to Chennai boosted by a win over US Open and Olympic champion Andy Murray at an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi last week. Tipsarevic opened 2012 by clinching the doubles title at the Chennai Open with Indian ace Leander Paes after losing the singles final to big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic. The Serb was desperate to win the singles title in Chennai to give himself a boost ahead of the season's first Grand Slam, the Australian Open, in AFP Melbourne in mid-January.

4th Race:The Amaravati Cup (about) 1600 Metres,Cat-III; A handicap for horses, 5 year olds and upward, rated upto 50. 2-40 P.M. 1 Kansas City Mac 62 (Vatsalya) P S Chouhan 6 2 Ice Mountain 60 (Satheesh) Harinder Singh 1 3 Imaan 60 (LaxmanS) Deep Shanker 4 4 Smrithiman 54.5 (A Sharma) C Hnrique 3 5 Eloquence 52.5 (Netto) G Sai Vamshi 5 6 Merry Maid 50.5 (Kassam) NitinSingh 2 7 Juliet 49 (Satheesh) Kuldeep Singh 7 Selections: 1 Smrithiman 2 Imaan 3 Ice Mountain 5th Race:The Olympic Flame Plate (about) 1200 Metres CatIII. A handicap for horses, 5 year olds and upward, rated upto 50. 3-15 P.M. 1 Rich And Famous 60 (Satheesh) KiranNaidu 8 2 Krithiman 59 (A Sharma) Kuldeep Singh 6 3 Palace Affairs 58.5 (Vatsalya) Ajit Kumar 5 4 Striking Gold 56 (Prasad R) MMark 2 5 Iceland 55 (S’narayan) Khurshad Alam 7 6 Chemeli 54.5 (N Rao) P S Chouhan 4 7 Over Taker 53.5 (Kassam) A M Togrollu 1 8 Seno Rita 50.5 (S’narayan) P Venkat 3 Selections: 1 Rich And Famous 2 Krithiman 3 Palace Affairs 6th Race:The Lingapur Cup (about) 1600 Metres,Cat-I. A handicap for horses 3 year olds and upward. 3-45 P.M. 1 Golden Palace 60 (D’Silva) Kuldeep Singh 8 2 Napolean 60 (H’ibulla) Deep Shanker 4 3 Melody Queen 57.5 (Prasad R) Suraj narredu 7 4 Vijaykeerti 55.5 (Deshmukh) A M Togrollu 2 5 Royal Shaan 53.5 (Kassam) Nitin Singh 12 6 El Paso 53 (D’Silva) M Mark 13 7 Greek Fire 52 (Silvester) D K Ashish 1 8 Front Line 51.5 (LaxmanS) Harinder Singh 9 9 Heros Choice 51.5 (Sequeria) K Anil 10 10 Nano Storm 51 (Vatsalya) N Rawal 5 11 Westminister 51 (Vatsalya) Ajit Kumar 6

12 Garcia Marquez 50.5 (D’Silva) G Sai Vamshi 3 13 Jabel Queen 50.5 (Srinivas R) P s Chouhan 11 Selections: 1 Vijaykeerti 2 Golden Palace 3 Melody Queen 7th Race:The Romantic Fantasy Plate (about) 1200 Metres,Cat-II. Terms for Horses, 2 year olds only. 4-15 P.M. 1 Baazigar 55 (S’uddin) A ImranKhan 4 2 Field Smasher 55 (N Rao) D K Ashish 5 3 Greek Star 55 (N Rao) G Sai Vamshi 8 4 Golden Arrow 53.5 (Srinivas R) P S Chouhna 6 5 Snow Fall 53.5 (S Abbas) Ch K chary 3 6 Alastor 50 (S’uddin) Nitin Singh 1 7 Coral Springs 50 (D’Silva A Sandesh 2 8 Hometown Hero 50 (Prasad R) N Rawal 7 Selections: 1 Baazigar 2 Golden Arrow 3 Snow Fall 8th Race:The Cyndy Plate (about) 2000 Metres,Cat-II. A handicap for horses, 3 year olds and upward, rated upto 75. 4-50 P.M. 1 Flying Spur 60.5 (S Abbas) A Imran Khan 5 2 Sheer Genius 58.5 (Sequeria) KAnil 4 3 Vijays Champ 58.5 (Deshmukh) P S Chouhan 2 4 Aerosmith 58 (Prasad R) Suraj narredu 6 5 Handsome Hawk 54.5 (Fayaz) G Sai Vamshi 7 6 Green Bay 52 (D’Silva) A Sandesh 1 7 Sun Bird 52 (Netto) A M Togrollu 3 Selections: 1 Vijays Champ 2 Aerosmith 3 Sheer Genius

Days Best: Oasis Vision Jackpot Race Nos: 4,5,6,7, and 8 1st Treble Race Nos: 1,2 and 3 2nd Treble Race Nos: 3,4 and 5 3rd Treble Race Nos: 6,7 and 8 Tanala Pool Will Operate On All Races Where There Are Five Or More Starters. False Rais Are Up.

Djokovic claims title Djokovic got his season off to a perfect start by winning the Mubadala World Tennis Championship exhibition tourney. ABU DHABI: Novak Djokovic got his season off to a perfect start by defeating Nicolas Almagro 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday in the final of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship exhibition tournament. Djokovic had looked in impressive early season form in Friday's semi-finals, destroying world No.5 David Ferrer in straight sets, while Almagro, a late replacement for the injured Rafael Nadal, was taken all the way by Janko Tipsarevic. But it was the Spaniard who edged a close first set 7/4 on a tiebreaker, with Djokovic, the winner last year, looking listless at times. Djokovic put that setback quickly behind him as he broke Almagro to start the second set, but he failed to turn that into a 2-0 lead as Almagro broke back to level in the next game. A double-fault from the Spaniard though saw the Serb take back the advantage and this time he held firm to level the set scores. The decider went with serve until the 10th game when Almagro served up three straight unforced errors to hand Djokovic the win. "It was a fantastic experience again for me coming to Abu Dhabi. This is a very nice tournament, you always get great matches, very

tough matches against top opponents, and great attendance also," said Djokovic. Almagro added: "I have had a lot of fun and I have to thank the organisers for calling me in the last minute because it is amazing to be here." The match for third place played

earlier was won by Ferrer as he defeated Tipsarevic 7-6 (7/4), 6-2. All four players will head for Australia to complete their preparations for the Australian Open which gets under way in Melbourne on January 14 where Djokovic will be AFP the defending champion.

SPORTS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

A captain and a gentleman TWELFTH MAN

Babu Kalyanpur

ricket’s Defiant One has lost his battle for life. Tony Greig, superb allrounder, great commentator, massive crowd-puller and above all a fierce competitor, has finally left the building for good. It is ironic that after being struck with cancer, Grieg was optimistic about making it to the commentator’s box for the final Test between Australia and Sri Lanka in Sydney starting shortly. But cruelly a heart attack shortened his ambitions. But he has left behind a legacy of nearly 50 years which will always be etched in the annals of cricket. Grieg was the revolutionary who rocked cricket’s staid and steady body. What more can you expect from a man born in South Africa turned England’s captain and finally ending as commentator in Australia. From pioneering the World Series circus and the silly point position and batting bat raised to gelling with the crowd and shaking up the establishment, Grieg has well and truly changed the cricket scenario. Besides that he was a fine allrounder and a fantastic captain. He could bat audaciously and bowl medium pace or spin. He was a spuerb slip fielder too. The records back him. In 58 Tests, he scored 3,599 runs at an average of 40.43 with eight centuries. His varied bowling fetched him 141 wickets at an average of 32.20. It was not about the statistics. It was about the way he changed the face of the game. England had won the Ashes

This file photo taken on September 12, 2003 shows former England cricket captain Tony Greig holding a cricket ball used by Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh when he became the first Indian to make a hat-trick in Test cricket, at an auction of cricket memorabilia in Bangalore. AFP/INDRANIL MUKHERJEE in the 1970-71 series and were defending it on home soil in 1972. The Dad’s Army which went to Australia were back in business again, led by the 40plus Ray Illingworth. England gambled with Grieg in this series by picking him to bat at number six. Greg strode into the England dressing room at Old Trafford

Roy still seeking NBA return MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Minnesota Timberwolves guard Brandon Roy said Saturday he’s determined to pursue his return to the NBA, despite a setback in his recovery from knee surgery. “Last week while practicing, I suffered a setback in my recovery. I’ve felt better since the recent surgery, but I am not all the way better,” Roy said in a statement. “I have decided to explore additional treatment options and an extensive rehabilitation plan. My goal has been, and continues to be, to return to the basketball court as healthy as possible in order to help our team.” Roy, the NBA’s rookie of the year in 2007, has long been plagued by knee troubles. He retired briefly follow-

ing the 2010-11 season and in November underwent his seventh surgery to treat chronic knee pain. Reports surfaced Saturday that he was again contemplating retirement, but Roy said he hasn’t given up on his NBA dream, even though he has played just five games this AFP season.

for the first Test and never looked back. His huge six foot six frame made him an imposing figure on the field. He repaid England’s faith by scoring two half-centuries in the match. England went on to draw the series and retain the Ashes. But chinks began to appear and England needed a major change

before the next Ashes encounter in 1974-75. This is when the real Grieg began to emerge. He was the standout on that disastrous tour. While the rest of the team, batting elbow up in copybook fashion, were steamrolled by Australia’s terror bowlers Dennis Lillie and Jeff Thomson, Grieg found a way out of the mess. In the first Test in Brisbane, Grieg used a novel way to counter Lillie and Thomson by simply upper cutting the short stuff over the slips. His innings of 110 is now cricket folklore. He irritated the pace duo by signalling his own fours. This was audacious stuff and most unexpected from an England player. He saved his best for overseas tours. His was a big hit with the Indian fans in the 1972-73 tour. His solid batting against spin and his antics while fielding close to bat, attracted the attention of the spectators. He was always loved since then. His best cricket came on the 1973-74 tour to the West Indies. After scoring two centuries, he turned his hand to off-spin and took 13 wickets in a Test. But he had to pay the price for his competitive nature on this tour when he ran out West Indian Alvin Kallicharan after the last ball of the day. This was unsporting but just underlined that Grieg was always there in the game. He was now the premier allrounder in cricket. Ad by 1975 he was England’s captain. He always led with flair. But he went too far when he proclaimed that he would make the West Indies ‘grovel’ during the home series against the West Indies in 1996. England lost and Grieg won back some respect by kneeling down in front of the West Indies

Greig hailed as godfather of modern game SYDNEY: The cricket world paid tribute to former England skipper Tony Greig, remembering him as “the godfather of modern cricket”. Greig died on Saturday after a heart attack at the age of 66, as he battled lung cancer. Greig was remembered as being instrumental in the formation of late Kerry Packer’s breakaway World Series Cricket contest staged from 1977-79, which sent shockwaves through the sport. AFP fans after the loss. But at his peak, Grieg teamed up with Kerry Packer to form the World Series cricket. He was stripped of England’s captaincy and it two decades for the country to forgive him. This was an unexpected move from a man on top of his game. Though he was lost to cricket at the top level, this series brought about many changes to the game. Coloured clothing came into the game and players pay became higher. Cricket became a money maker as it is now. And Grieg must be given credit for that. He lost form after that a retired and took up the position of commentator for Channel Nine which lasted 33 years. His unique pitch reports with keys digging into the holes made his very famous. And he was accurate too because he studied pitches thoroughly. So was his colourful interaction with fellow commentator Bill Lawry. Grieg always spoke his mind whether playing or commentating. You will be missed, mate.

Difficult adapting to new rules: Misbah CHENNAI: Adapting to the new ODI rules will be “very difficult” for both the bowlers and captain in the beginning of a match, Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq said here on Saturday. “It is a very difficult scenario. At the beginning, both for the bowlers and the captain, it will be difficult to adapt because for a long time, this (the old) format has been in vogue,” Misbah told reporters on the eve of the first one-dayer against India. Under the new rules, one new ball will be used at each end, bowlers will be allowed two bouncers an over, there will be no batting Power Play, the bowling Power Play will have to be com-

pleted before the 40th over, and at no stage in the innings will more than four fielders be allowed outside the 30-yard circle. “To adapt will be difficult, there will be changes in the game – the way the batsmen play, the tactics of the bowlers and slowly, bowlers, batsmen and captains will come to grip with it. But at the start, it will definitely be difficult for everyone concerned,” Misbah added. The match between the two teams would be the first occasion when the new rules would be implemented. Asked how would they about in the three-match series, Misbah said his side will have to play positive cricket.

“One thing we thought before coming here is that we have to play good positive cricket. It has been apparent during the T20s that for the first time, the Pakistan team is playing without pressure. Hopefully, we will play the same way in the ODIs, be it in batting or bowling, play with the same kind of aggression.” About playing in India, he said Pakistan has always enjoyed the “thrill” of being involved in a match with India here. “It is always good to play in India, in whatever part we are playing, because the people here really love watching cricket and specially India-Pakistan, we have PTI always enjoyed the thrill.”

SPORTS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012

Goals galore on Saturday night Goals rained down on the Premier League on Saturday, with Arsenal beating Newcastle United 7-3 and champions Manchester City edging Norwich City 4-3 to chase leaders Manchester United.

Tom Williams Agence France-Presse

LONDON: Goals rained down on the Premier League on Saturday, with Arsenal beating Newcastle United 7-3 and champions Manchester City edging Norwich City 4-3 to keep pace with leaders Manchester United. City’s win prevented United from extending their seven-point lead at the summit, after they overcame West Bromwich Albion 2-0 to take their tally for the season to 50 goals. United manager Alex Ferguson was the focus of prematch attention at Old Trafford for an outspoken attack on Newcastle United coach Alan Pardew, but his side got down to business quickly and went ahead inside nine minutes. The scorer wore a blue and white shirt, however, with West Brom defender Gareth McAuley inadvertently shinning the ball into his own goal after Ashley Young drove a low cross across the face of goal. The hosts were not able to breathe easily until substitute

Arsenal’s Theo Walcott (up) celebrates scoring his third goal with Jack Wilshere during the English Premier League match against Newcastle United on Saturday. Arsenal won 7-3. AFP/GLYN KIRK

Robin van Persie curled a glorious shot, before unveiling a Tshirt that paid tribute to a personal friend who recently died. City lost Samir Nasri to a first-half red card at Norwich but edged an open-ended encounter thanks in no small part to Edin Dzeko, who scored twice and might have had a hattrick. A day bursting with goals — 35 in total — concluded in an extraordinary game at the Emirates Stadium in which Theo Walcott claimed a hat-trick as Arsenal overcame Newcastle 7-3 to climb to fifth. Arsenal took the lead three times, through Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski, only for Newcastle to hit back each time through Demba Ba, Sylvain Marveaux and Ba again. Arsene Wenger’s men finally killed the game off in the latter stages, with Walcott completing his treble and substitute Olivier Giroud claiming a quick-fire brace. “I’ve been saying for the past few weeks that I want to play up

ARSENAL TOOK THE LEAD THREE TIMES, THROUGH WALCOTT, OXLADECHAMBERLAIN AND PODOLSKI, ONLY FOR NEWCASTLE TO HIT BACK EACH TIME THROUGH. front and I am showing the manager what I can do,” said Walcott. Wenger paid tribute to Walcott. “He has done very well, it typifies what I think he can do. He can play through the middle, he will only get stronger,” said the Arsenal manager. Tottenham had earlier overturned a half-time deficit to win 2-1 at Sunderland and provisionally move into third place. John O’Shea scored against the run of play to put the hosts ahead at a rain-sodden Stadium of Light, but a Carlos Cuellar own goal drew Spurs level before Aaron Lennon completed the comeback with a composed 51stAFP minute strike.