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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012 HYDERABAD

LOCK UP YOUR HOMES LIFE & TIMES OF THE CENTURY BURGLAR

Being a child model was brutal Katherine Heigl

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KIDS, MAKE YOUR OWN SOCK PUPPET! Have you ever seen a zebra being trained like a horse? Ha! Never, right? That is because they are unpredictable by nature, and you can never tell when they get moody! But here is your chance to make Flossie do whatever you want him to — talk, hop, jump, or even kiss you! So let's get started.

P16&17

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1.2 MILLION DEAD AND COUNTING Malaria kills twice as many people every year as formerly believed, taking 1.2 million lives and causing deaths of not only babies but also adults, according to research that overturns decades of assumptions about one of the world's most lethal diseases.

Page Two

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Spirit of Twin Cities

PIC: N SHIVA KUMAR

City dancers create world record DANCE Anubha K.Singh anubha.k@postnoon.com

he City has reason to cheer. Following the successful 108-hour long ‘Akhanda Sahasra Sankeerthana’ on the occasion of Annamayya’s 602nd birth anni-

versary and Srikanth Goud’s make up of 103 classical dancers in 100 minutes, the City has now successfully set the record for the longest dance performance with the Rabindra Nrityotsav. The non-stop dance performance to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, lasted 25 hours and 25 minutes. The performers hoped to create a Guinness World Record with this feat. The earlier record was by

a group of dancers in France in a performance that lasted 24 hours and one minute. Although the Guinness team was not physically present to certify the performance, they have been sent a video of the performance and a certification by the jury at the performance. The team will revert with the result in 15 days times. The City group comprised of 125 artistes from seven countries and they danced to 150 composi-

tions in 12 languages. The performance which began on February 1 at 5.48 pm lasted till 7.15 pm on February 2. Artistes from Sonali Academy of Fine Arts, former students of Visva-Bharathi, Rabindra Bharathi of Shantiniketan, Assam, Agarthala, Manipur, Hyderabad and International artistes performed at the event held in association with the Andhra Pradesh State Cultural Association, Department of Culture and

Shilparamam, South Zone Cultural Centre, Thanjore and Nagpur, Sonali Academy of Fine Arts, an Odissi Dance Institute. Participants from India, Germany, Japan, Bangladesh, France, Sri Lanka and Nepal contributed for the Nrityotsav. The performances were choreographed by K Jatindra Singh, head of department, fine arts, Visva Bharati, Shantiniketan. Of records and recognition... Pg 8

Around the city: Your guide to the Twin Cities

Valentines groove

Lunch specials

FEELS LIKE PARIS

PIC: N SHIVA KUMAR

A valentines special workshop is being held. The workshop on salsa and theme dancing is being held by Promod Sanghi. Where: Park hotel Somajiguda When: Ongoing

A suitable lunch Syn presents three lunch offers to suit your various needs. There is a lunch for those always in a hurry, a lunch for the calorie conscious as well as a lunch for those who are planning a great reunion with a friend. Where: Taj Deccan, Banjara Hills When: Everyday, 12pm onwards Contact: (040) 66663939

Fragile City An art exhibition by Srinivas Reddy titled Fragile City is being held at Iconart Art Gallery, Banjara Hills. Where: Iconart, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing, 11am onwards Contact: 9849968797

Numaish A childhood favourite of

CINEMAS

Cupcake delight Cupcake lovers head to Deli 9 for the cupcake festival. Come and taste a variety of cupcakes. Where: Deli9, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing Contact: (040) 65506662

Bapu in colours A painting exhibition titled, Bapu-Mohandas Karam Chand Gandhi by Siva Kesara Rao. Where: Marriott hotel & Convention Centre, Tank Bund When: Ongoing, 11am

Cognac and Cigar The Seasons Bar opens up again as a Cigar and Cognac lounge with a wide selection of cognac, rare whiskies, single malts and cigars. Where: Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing, 7pm Contact: (040) 66662323

Nautanki Galli offers its expansive lunch buffet. So head to Nautanki Galli. Where: Nautanki Galli, Madhapur When: Everyday, 12:30 pm onwards Contact: 7893010000

every Hyderabadi, The All India Industrial Exhibition is on. Where: Exhibition Grounds, Nampally When: Ongoing

Eat in the dark Have you ever wondered how it feels to eat in the dark? Come and experience this. Pay `499 to enjoy a 4course meal worth `1,000 at Dialogue in the Dark. Where: Dialogue in the Dark, Inorbit Mall, Hitech City When: Ongoing, 12.30pm

Contact: (040) 64603341

Art creations An art exhibition featuring 15 artists from different genres of art such as photography, painting, sculpting and pottery will be held at Iconart Art Gallery. Where: Iconart, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing, 11am onwards Contact: 9849968797 Childhood memory Kites are a childhood memory of carefree life, of cheery sunny days. Artkites are

such an expression of festivity and creative vision. Where: Iconart, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing Contact: (040) 32411554

Food fiesta Barbeque Nation offers an amazing weekend and weekend lunch food fiesta. The buffet costs `475/- on weekdays and `575/-on weekends. Where: Barbeque Nation, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing, 7pm onwards Contact: (040) 64566692

Martini ‘n music Enjoy the winter evenings with grey goose martinis and crooner Kelly dishing out your favourite numbers. Where: Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills When: Every Evening Contact: (040) 66662323

Easy Listening It’s a musical journey featuring various forms. Dine leisurely and savour the spirit of your choice. Where: Synn Grill & Bar, Banjara Hills When: Every Friday Contact: (040) 66663939

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

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Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

Maruti Swift Here’s the disturbing but amazing story of a criminal who has just ‘celebrated’ his ‘century’ in burglary and thefts.

CRIME Mohd Subhan mohd.s@postnoon.com

e’s the man Tollywood missed for he does not need the grease paint or script or director to tell him how to do a neat job of a baddie, and also keep everybody except his victim in good humour. Khwaja Nayeemuddin alias Maruti is just 37 but, like Sachin, he has already batted a century—only in this case in thefts. He is known as Maruti, and if a shop is neatly cleaned of its

contents police know where to look for him. Maruti is very friendly with police. The moment the Law puts its arm on his shoulder, he turns and says, “Hello sir. Nice meeting you. Give me a moment to change.” He explains to them how he did his “job” in graphic details. Maruti has just celebrated his 100th burglary and is having a ‘short stint’ in the jail before he decides on his

next quarry. Inspector of Falaknuma CH Hussain Naidu says that everytime he is caught he promises not to repeat it. Maruti is known to every police station in the City and grapevine has it that camaraderie has sprung between him and police who secretly admires his ‘deft fingers.’ A few days ago he was picked up by the Falaknuma police from Hashmabad of Chandrayangutta and recovered 6.5 lakh cash, two cars, two bikes, 15 tolas gold, 35 tolas silver. Maruti has been arrested and convicted several times. He told a close friend that he gets into jail to think and plan the next plunder. After a break-in he goes off to distant places to enjoy the loot and comes back when the pocket has begun to sag. Maruti is said to have a gang of loyal underlings Stories from different inspectors give a life sketch of Maruti. Maruti began his ‘career’ 25 years ago, that is, at the age of seventeen. He was a car mechanic, to begin with. And, he would ‘diagnose’ the car’s ills with ease. He graduated to spiriting away automobiles and later shifted his attention to closed homes, but finally did his doctorate in lifting shutters of shops. “He would lift a padded shutter in a matter of minutes,” a friend of Maruti told a policeman once. Many shop owners sleep because they have insured their shops and goods, for they know they are never safe from Maruti and his gang.

Khwaja Nayeemuddin

Maruti method n Recee the area and marks n n n n

his target Choses a time between midnight and dawn Uses a device like a master key that pries open most locks Keeps a couple of underlings who would do the clean up job neat and fast Disappear once the act is

done and surfaces in distant picnic spots n Returns home after the dust settles down and the money is exhausted n If the police are smart in tracing him he gives up without struggle and explains how he did it n Accepts a prison term with the calm of a stoic

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

2 more bikes set on fire

wo more motorbikes were torched in the City in the early hours of Friday. This happened in the Jambagh Sikh by-lane in the Afzalgunj police station limits. According to sub-inspector Afzalgunj police station, YV Shanta Rao, some unidentified persons set fire to a bike bearing number AP11 AH-680 belonged to M Chandrasekhar, a businessman in

construction. He had parked his bike in front of his house on Thursday night and he woke up see his vehicle going up in flames. In another incident, a scooter bearing number AP9-6505 owned by a flower merchant too was set on fire. The putting to torch two-wheelers has been happening in many places in the City for some time. Police are yet to find the people behind it.

CRIME BRIEF FOR REPRESENTATIONAL PURPOSE

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

Gandhi hospital services paralysed PICS: N SHIVA KUMAR

I’ve been admitted here for the last four days. And thanks to the strike all of us patients have been feeling the pinch. Senior doctors come occasionally for a check-up. They are doing a commendable job in keeping up with the lack of junior doctors. However, the strike should end soon. Chittaliah, patient

STRIKE Osama Salman salman.o@postnoon.com

s the junior doctors’ strike enters its 20th day, patients in Gandhi Hospital are bearing the brunt. While the inflow of patients due to the strike has decreased, those who are being admitted complain about the negligence displayed by the doctors. The mood around the hospital

is grim as patients wait endlessly to be seen by senior doctors, who have their hands full with the staff shortage. To make matters worse even the nurses’ services are lax. According to patients the nurses seem to have joined the junior doctors in boycotting services by not being present when required. “As if the junior doctor’s strike isn’t enough, the nurses attitude is annoying. It seems like the nurses are doing us a favour by working,” laments a patient. But it isn’t just the patients who face these problems. The attenders are having a

tough time as well. They too have gone through the trauma of dealing with doctors. Says an attendant, “When we call a doctor, we have to wait for a very long time for him to come. The patients have to bear the pain until then.” People from across the state come to Gandhi Hospital to receive treatment and they all have no choice but to wait till things to fall in line at the hospital. The patients and attenders alike, are going to face problems and the wounds are only going to get deeper as the strike continues.

Poor infra forces docs to strike Sudeshna Koka sudeshna.k@postnoon.com

unior doctors in the City are creating headlines almost every day with their indefinite hunger strike. While there has been a lot of public backlash against the doctor for letting patients suffer, the medical practitioners insist that they have been projected in the wrong light. In a bid to clarify their stand and to bring to fore what their true demands are, these doctors distributed pamphlets across the City. “We are being projected in the wrong light. It’s not only an

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tions and 24 hours lab facilities,” says Dr Aahita Singh. It’s been nine days since the indefinite strike began. Six doctors are admitted in ICU now while 12 others are still on the hunger strike. This time round even women doctors have joined the strike. “Investigations such as MRI, CT scan and ultrasound always remain out of service for most of the time. We have a single ECG machine which does not even function half the time. How can we serve the people when we are not being provided with facilities to use our skills to the fullest?” asks Dr Vigna Serr.

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My uncle, Lacchaiah, was admitted three days. The junior doctors are not attending to him since he got admitted. When we ask the doctor-on-duty about my uncle’s condition, they don’t give us satisfactory answers. Even when the senior doctors come, they aren’t spending enough time with one patient. Komraiah, attendant We have been through a lot these past few days due to the strike. The doctors don’t care about the patients. The patient who we are attending to was put on a glucose bottle in the morning and till evening, nobody came to check on him. When we asked what the problem was, they said that due to the strike, there were not enough doctors. Dasharath and Yelamma, attendants My brother got admitted in the hospital recently. There weren’t enough doctors to ask how his condition was nor was there anybody we could approach for help. We are desperately awaiting treatment. The junior doctors should understand this and get back to work immediately. Look at the situation from our angle. Is it nice to have patients suffer while the doctors fight with the hospital management? Mohammed Niranjan Shah, attendant My husband was admitted as he had a fracture. He has been waiting for his X-ray report for a very long time. The

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management says that there is a staff-crunch and they are pleading helplessness. My husband has been complaining that even nurses are behaving rudely because they have too many patients to look after. Jameela Begum, attendant My husband who was admitted four days ago, was complaining about how the doctors don’t check on the patients. He also complained about the apathy of the nurses and senior doctors. They only come, as if it’s a formality, and browse through the reports. At the end of it, they don’t even tell us what the next step of treatment is. K Pravalitha, attendant My son chose Gandhi Hospital since our family doctor recommended it. We did not know that the strike was going on. I regret getting him here. Nobody helps us, nobody guides us and everybody is in a hurry here. It is extremely frustrating. Pochamma, attendant Due to the strike, the patients are being neglected. No doctor, not even senior doctors, are coming. And even if they manage to come, they come after a very long time. They are supposed to do their regular rounds at 9 am, but they never come before 11 am. This is complete negligence on their part. Manjaiah, patient I was admitted to get my ulcer treated and throughout my stay, I can proudly say that the doctors have looked after me well, despite the strike. The senior doctors have a busy schedule due to the staff shortage, but they are working extra hard to compensate for the lack of doctors. The junior doctors should take them as an example and get back to work immediately. Chandramma, patient

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

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

Cinemas will go dark from February 23! Hemanth Kumar hemanth.k@postnoon.com

he Telugu film industry has decided to join the nation wide strike proposed by the Film Federation of India (FFI) on February 23 to protest against the government’s plan to levy 10.3 per cent service tax on films. It’s not yet clear if the strike will just be for a day or will be an indefinite strike. The government’s proposal has left the entire producers’ fraternity red faced as they foresee severe repercussions on the budgets and revenue. “It’s a dying industry and we are struggling to hold it together. There’s going to be a huge impact on the budget of films and costs will escalate drastically. We already pay entertainment tax and VAT and an additional service tax will cripple us even further,” says Suresh Babu, president of AP Film Chamber. The fact that there’s an upper limit on the ticket pricing makes it all the more worse. “It’s unfair that the industry has to bear the brunt unlike all other industries where such taxes are imposed on the end user,” Suresh Babu adds. It’s an open secret that the success rate of Telugu film industry barely touches double digits in any given year and with additional taxes, producers will end up losing more money. “You can’t levy multiple taxes on the same product. We already

Ram Charan Teja starrer Yevadu was slated to go on floors on February 23

MOVIES pay service tax at almost every stage of filmmaking. I hope the laws are restructured so that we have a scope to survive,” says Shobu Yaralagadda. Another producer Anil Sunkara, who

recently co-produced Dookudu, avers that this move by the government will create more chaos in the film industry. Unlike Tollywood, producers in Bollywood have managed to rake in staggering revenues from big films through satellite rights and theatrical revenues, which seem to have caught the fancy of the government. Last year, the Telugu film

industry lost more than two months due to an indefinite strike to resolve issues related to escalating budgets and wages of film federation employees. So can the industry afford another strike? “Nothing will change with just one day of strike but we want to point it out to the government that there’s going to be a revenue loss to everyone involved in the industry,” Suresh Babu says.

Curb your enthusiasm, police tell community leaders MILAD-UN-NABI PIC: N SHIVA KUMAR

Anubha K Singh anubha.k@postnoon.com

t’s that time of the year when the old city turns green. The green flags and decorative lights are evidence of the upcoming festival, Milad-un-Nabi. However, the City has been witnessing a lot of change in the way the festival is celebrated. Religious fervour and gaiety are always associated with the fest but every year celebrations are marred by communal skirmishes. This year, however, the police are determined to break the routine and wanted restrain. The police want community leaders to restrict the planting of flags at every available spot. The police have also appealed to the organisers and the elders of the community to restrict the dates of celebration to February 4, 5 and 6. The

City police chief has asked the community members to submit details of the meeting venues, routes of processions, and other related information to provide adequate security. The police have also conveyed to community leaders that they are in no mood to take any chance and would deal strictly with elements that violate directives. The incidents in the City two years ago that led to a month-long curfew are still fresh in the public mind. However, Majlis Bachao Tahreek (MBT), has protested against the alleged restrictions on Milad-un-Nabi celebrations in the City. Amjed Ullah Khan, MBT leader alleged that the police especially the South Zone have been preventing Muslims from hoisting Milad flags and placing restrictions on meetings. The South Zone DCP, Mainsh Kumar Sinha, said, “We are not stopping them from celebrating the festival or dampening the festive spirit. The situation in the old City is tense as of now. In the last few months, even a small incident was turned into a communal riot which was not the case earlier. If the rallies are staged as a show of strength between two communities, it can lead to unnecessary problems.” Sinha said celebration need not be brash and provocative. It should further solidarity and brotherhood. “We are trying to streamline the jalsa (meeting), processions and decorations such as tying of flags organised during the festival by speaking to various section” he said.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

Buzz-kills vow no show

Sana.m@postnoon.com

Sudeshna Koka

L Designerwear market to cross `11Kcr Growing at a compounded annual growth rate of about 40 per cent, the designer wear industry in India is likely to cross `11,000crore mark by 2020, the ASSOCHAM said. The domestic designer wear industry is currently poised at about `720 crore, according to a study released by the Chambers. “The designer wear industry in India is driven by higher disposable incomes leading to rising purchasing power and emergence of mall culture,” it said.

Celebrate with a difference Sana Mirza

V-DAY overs beware! Going on a date on Valentine’s Day could end up being more than just a date. Last year, more than 14 couples were ‘married’ in the State and this year too, Bajrang Dal has similar plans. “On Valentine’s Day, if we find any girl and boy together, we will forcefully get them married. We have given warning letters to pubs, restaurants and resorts. If they host any party then they will face severe problems. The entire nation knows what we did in the past few years. If they want history to repeat itself, they can go ahead. We are also warning the media especially the electronic media and magazines. If the try to promote this festival, then we will harm them too,” warns Vinod Kumar, city president, Bajrang Dal. The outfit has started their groundwork, says Vinod. “It diverts and dilutes the Indian youth from our cultural,” he adds. “This man on whose name the festival is being celebrated married his mother. It’s not ethical. We have many saints. Why don’t we celebrate festivals on their names? Our whole intention is to protect the culture and values of our country. We are not against love. We encourage relationships, but people should confine themselves according to the Indian culture,” says Vinod. To do moral policing is not our right, it’s our responsibility, sevar karat of bajrang dal believe in. Though Article 19 of our constitution states that every citizen has the right of freedom and expression, it also states that every citizen is a moral police and has the integrity to protect the culture of the nation,

Plan of action: n From February 6, we will be going to each school and college to spread awareness on Indian culture. n Any decorations in malls and public places will be destroyed. n Shops like Archie’s and Hallmark are on special watch. n Citizens in red colour clothes will face consequences. n Couples found in public space will be married. they believe. “We do not care about what people say or think. Our job is to protect our culture and we will do that, no one can stop us,” said

Sharadha Anandh, another right wing activist. The policing by Bajrangal Dal started 5 years back and have made an enormous effect in the City. “We have a base of 20,000 volunteers. We have divided ourselves in 8 zones and there is one person incharge for each zone. We have done a recce of the entire City and our men will be all over the city. Since the last 5 years, parks and lovers spots like Gandipet, Durgam Chrevu and Sanjeevaiah Park are shut on this day. This is the impact that we have created. Before we needed a force of more than 5,000 people, but now we just need 500 people to check the City,” says Vinod. “People are aware and scared of us now,” Vinod adds.

e know Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and with you trying to juggle work, spending quality time with your partner to make him/her happy on that day; we say you have all rights to be exhausted. You assume that gifting a box of chocolates and roses will suffice. Because of this traditional habit, V- Day has lost its luster. Out of ideas? Here are a few tips: 1. What better way to start the day than with a spa date? If your man tells you he hates being touched, light a couple of aroma candles, play some sooth- 11 DAYS TO GO ing music, dim the lights and give him one massage yourself. 2. Zenobia Imtiaz has been in a relationship for a year now. “I love to cook. So last year on V-day, instead of going out for a romantic meal to an overpriced restaurant, my boyfriend and I decided to cook together. I surprised him with breakfast in bed. He then went ahead and lit candles around the room, creating a cosy ambience,” she smiles. Have dinner sitting on low tables and cushions placed on the floor. It makes for the perfect setting to snuggle while you are eating. 3. The best conversations are under a starlit sky. It’s both romantic and has you less distracted. Lying under the stars, arm in arm, sets your mood for what remains of the evening. Pack a midnight snack picnic, tasty treats that your date likes. 4. You could even spend the night away from home in a nice hotel. Bring candles, massage oil, some interesting bedroom wear, and stay in for the night. “You could even put on some new lingerie and have a sexy Valentine’s fashion show just for your partner,” suggests Zenobia. It’s time to try them out.

Green tax to fatten government coffers TRANSPORT U.Srinivas srinivas.u@postnoon.com

ld vehicles attract green tax. Naturally, those who cannot afford brand new ones are envious of their well-off fellow citizens. While the environmentalists take the green tax seriously, very few of them in the Transport department know about the green tax. They usually pass the buck. They direct people from one officer to the other for knowing the details. Even the RTA brokers do not bother about it, as it is not a big

Pollution statistics (official figures ) Motor vehicles in the state 57.63 lakh Pollution from vehicles: Two-wheelers 56.2% Three-wheelers 34.00% Four-wheelers(Petrol) 12.00% Four-wheelers(Diesel) 2.00% Trucks 18.85% Buses 1.54% Others 0.26% business. But a few of the senior officials know about this and that it will be hiked, in future, it will become a good source of income. The main sources of revenue in the transport department are life taxes, quarterly taxes and

enforcement in addition to fee and user charges. The transport department is third largest contributor of revenue resource to the government. There has been a systematic growth of revenue in the transport sector. But there is no mention of collection in the name of green taxes. Even the boards mentioned outside about various payments do not have a mention about the green tax. Brahmiah, a screen printing businessman, who has purchased a Maruti car recently said that he was not aware of the green tax. Talking to Postnoon, he said, “they would be charging it after 15 years. Let us see what

happens after 15 years.” Jumbarthi Shankar from Malkajgiri, who is driving an Engineering college bus, said that the vehicle was eight years old and paid all taxes to get the fitness, pollution tax (green tax) and all. He is not aware what was charged in the name of green tax as the owners have got it done with the help of a broker. “We can’t get it directly. It is better to go with the help of a broker,” he said. Even VIPs go with the help of a broker, he said. A senior politician’s driver, who drives a Jaguar, said all that was taken care of by the seller as they have people doing all these payments. “If the pollution tax is doubled, we will pay. But it

doesn’t apply to us now,” he said. Ramnath, a truck operator who transports waste papers, said that the fuel rates are going up and if the taxes also go up then it is burden. He said while the tax is a burden to some extent, the local brokers extract their fee part from this. The system itself was corrupt, he said.

Govt proposal Motor cycle — `1,000 per annum Other than motor cycle — `5,000 per annum Vehicles that have completed 7 years from date of registration — `5000 per annum

India‑View

One killed in Assam train accident GUWAHATI: One person was killed and several feared injured when a passenger train hit a road construction vehicle at an unmanned crossing near Guwahati on Friday morning, a railway official said. The passenger train was coming from New Bongaigaon station in lower Assam to Guwahati when it hit a JCB vehicle at Mirza, 15 km from this city, at around 9.45 am, said S Hajong, a railway public

relations officer. “At an unmanned level crossing near Mirza, it hit a JCB which was trying to cross over,” Hajong said adding at least five coaches behind the engine were reported to have derailed after the accident. “The driver of the JCB was killed on the spot. We cannot confirm the exact number of casualties now. Our team has rushed to the spot and I am waiting for a detailed report,” he said. IANS

Congress workers beat up UP Navnirman Sena activists MEERUT: UP Navnirman Sena activists on Thursday alleged Congress workers beat them up after they showed black flags to Rahul Gandhi in a rally. UP Navnirman Sena president Amit Jani claimed his party workers had planned to peacefully show the black flag to Rahul but the Congress workers attacked them in which two workers were seriously injured. Jani alleged that when his party workers went to file a complaint in this regard, the police refused to do so. He said that if no action was taken in the incident, the party will approach the court. Four to five activists of UP Navnirman Sena today waved

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

India unveiled

black flags as Rahul stood up to speak in a rally at Ramlila Ground here. The activists were later whisked away by police. PTI

No respite from vendetta, Sasikala’s brother arrested TIRUCHIRAAPPALLI

(TN):

V Divaharan, brother of Sasikala Natarajan, former aide of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, was arrested here late last night in connection with a house-demolition case, police said. Divaharan was arrested by a police team engaged in vehicle checking at Ariyamangalam in the city. Later he was remanded to 15 days custody by a Judicial Magistrate in Needamangalam in Tiruvarur district, police said. He was lodged in the Central prison here early today. One Kasturi in Rishiyur village in Needamangalam had last month filed a complaint to the Anti-land grabbing Cell at Thiruvarur alleging that a gang at the “instigation of Divaharan” had demolished her house, constructed under Indira Awaas Yojana, and also a thatched shed in Rishiyur on November 26. In her complaint, she alleged that Divaharan was angry with her family as her husband had worked for DMK candidates during the Assembly elections and local polls. Divaharan is second member from Sasikala’s family to face police action. On January 27, Ravanan, another relative of Sasikala, was arrested in

A file photo shows Jayalalithaa and Sasikala at the former’s birthday celebrations.

Vijayakant suspended from TN Assembly CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Vijayakant was on Thursday suspended from the Assembly for 10 days, a day after a bitter exchange of words in the House with Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and a walkout by his DMDK party members. Vijayakant said later he was ashamed he aligned with the Coimbatore on charges of abduction for ransom, extortion and criminal conspiracy. He was also named as an accused in a `1-crore cheating case by a Tirupur-based

AIADMK in the April 2011 State elections. According to a resolution passed in the Assembly on Thursday, Vijayakant will not be eligible for any perks for the 10 days of his suspension. Other DMDK members were let off with a warning not to repeat their actions. IANS industrialist. Jayalalithaa had on December 19 expelled Sasikala and her family members from the organisation’s primary membership. PTI

Baby Falak still critical, another woman held

Judges praise ‘enlightened’ citizens, NGOs

NEW DELHI: Battling for

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday complimented “enlightened citizens and NGOs” for doggedly pursuing the exposing the 2G spectrum allocation scandal. “But for the vigilance of some enlightened citizens and NGOs..., unsuspecting citizens and the nation would never have known how scarce natural resource (airwaves) spared by the army has been grabbed by those who enjoy money power and who have been able to manipulate the system,” judges GS Singhvi and AK Ganguly said. The judges did not name anyone. The 2G scam petitioners include Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy and lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who appeared for the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL). The 2G ruling came as a blow to the Government yesterday as the SC cancelled 122 telecom licences. IANS

survival at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), two-year-old baby Falak continued to be critical on Thursday, as police made their fourth arrest in the case. “Falak is critical. We will put her off the ventilator for some time and see if she can do without it,” MC Misra, chief of the AIIMS Trauma Centre, said. “If she manages to stay normal without it, then it is certainly an improvement. The baby’s lung infection has reduced as the antibiotics have shown some effect,” Misra added. She is now battling chest, brain and blood infections. She is being fed through a tube.”We are monitoring her condition and it’s important to see how she does in the next 48 hours,” Misra added. A woman named Arti was held for forcing into prostitution the 14-year-old girl who brought Baby Falak to the IANS hospital.

SHIRDI: Former corporate lobbyist Niira Radia at Saibaba Temple in Shirdi on Thursday.

PTI

‘Ruling will lead to consolidation’ NEW DELHI: The cancellation of telecom licences by the Supreme Court on Thursday would lead to clarity in the telecom policy framework, encouraging investment and accelerating growth in the sector, India Inc. and industry analysts said. The ruling, would result in

consolidation and freeing up pricing power. “We look forward to conducive government policies and actions to encourage the required investments in telecom infrastructure and services,” the CII said in a statement. The FICCI said, “With this crucial judgment, the sector will

be restarting the process of receiving clarity in terms of policies and next steps. India is expected to invite and attract large scale domestic and foreign investment afresh. This may take some time but is an improvement over an environment that mirrors uncertainty.” IANS

Focus

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

The story behind the news

The rate at which Hyderabadis are breaking and setting records, the Guinness Book of World Records might soon run out of pages Padmini C padmini.c@postnoon.com

ven as this report is being written, a large group of dancers are on a 25-hour marathon in the city in a bid to set a new Guinness record for the longest dance marathon in the world. Next week, India’s first lantern festival is due to be launched in Hyderabad; its organisers are gearing up to break an existing record for the most number of lanterns to be released in the air. A couple of years ago, a record for the Largest Kuchipudi Dance collective was successfully set. Guinness Records have always fascinated us Indians. From having the world record for the tallest paddy plant, the smallest cow, the most number of teeth in a mouth to the most number of people using mouthwash, we have over 350 records, according to the official Guinness website. But what sets Hyderabad apart is the number of records established by individuals. The more famous example, is of course, the Tollywood comedian Brahmanandam for Acting in the Most Number of Films in a Single Language. But lesser known are some extraordinary individuals who seem intent on having their name in the coveted record book. Kanyaboyina Sudhakar, for instance, holds the record for Creating the Largest Tricycle in the world. Owner of Sudhacars, he has dedicated his life to his passion — making wacky cars. With which he seeks a reentry into the record books. Talking about what the record means to him, Sudhakar says, “All my life, I’ve been trying to do something different. So the record was an important achievement. I want to be known in the world for my work. Therefore, I must have at least three–five records. I soon intend to nominate two more of my creations including a two-seater double-decker cycle and the world’s only all-wacky car exhibition.” Sudhakar is all set to launch the wacky car exhibition tomorrow (Saturday) at People’s Plaza, Necklace Road. In the past few years, the idea of having a Guinness Record has captured the public’s fancy. One of the first people in the city to secure a place in the exclusive club, Jayasimha Ravirala didn’t set out trying to create a record.

OF RECORDS AND RECOGNITION

How it all started A single question asked in the middle of a heated argument is what led to the birth of The Guinness Book of World Records. Flashback to 1951, Ireland: A hunting party in County Wexford became involved in a heated argument when Sir Hugh Beaver, managing director of the Guinness Brewery asked a simple question — What was Europe’s fastest game bird? Answers flew forth, arguments took place but no proper answer could be reached. It then dawned on Sir Hugh that similar questions were going unanswered all around the world, and that a definitive book containing superlative facts and answers would be of great use to the general public. With the help of the London-based factfinding twins Norris and Ross McWhirter, he set about bringing this definitive collection of superlative facts to reality. On 27 August 1955, the first edition of The Guinness Book of Records was bound and, by Christmas that year, became Britain’s number one bestseller. Over the years the name was changed to The Guinness Book of World Records and till today it continues to be a yardstick — a means of understanding your position in the world. Always inspiring you to do better.

“My intentions were completely different. I gave up my post as a squadron leader in the IAF to take up motivational and memory training for children. I went for the records so that I could be a role model for them. I now tell them that if I can do it, so can they,” says Jayasimha who currently holds the Guinness Record for the Most Number of Random Objects Memorised, Longest Number Sequence Memorised in One Minute and the Longest Colour Sequence Memorised among others. Jayasimha thinks that the growing number of record-holding aspirants in the city is not necessarily a bad thing. “After some of us set records, others realised it’s within touching distance. It is a great platform to showcase your talent and it lends you a sense of fulfilment and achievement pushing you to do better. People take you more seriously once you have a record as it lends you authenticity. Also, every time someone sets a record or breaks one, it’s an inspiration and motivation to countless others,”says the former squadron leader. Ghazal Srinivas, Dinaz, Krishna and Uma Prasad Chigurupati, Jayanth Reddy and Raju Chamarti are some other locals on the Guinness radar. In addition to the individual records, the city also has some unique records. Spread over 2,000 acres, Ramoji Film City is the Largest Film Studio in the World. Similarly, the city is witness to both the Highest Partnership in Limited Overs in Minor Cricket (721 runs by Mohammed Shaibaaz Tumbi and B Manoj Kumar for St Peter’s School in 2006) and the Highest Partnership for Any Wicket in a One Day International (Rahul Dravid and Tendulkar in 1999 for 331 runs).

Around the World

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Beyond Borders

UN Syria talks stalled again UNITED NATIONS: Negotiations over a draft UN Security Council resolution condemning the Syrian regime’s deadly crackdown stalled again on Thursday, diplomats said, despite attempts to satisfy Russian concerns. The meeting was “not so good,” India’s ambassador to the United Nations, Hardeep Singh Puri, said after a day of talks ended without agreement on how to respond to bloodshed in Syria that observers say has left 6,000 people dead. Li Baodong, the UN ambassador from China, which along with Russia is skeptical about the need for a tough UN resolution, said “we are close, but not there yet.” The 15-member Security Council has been divided for days over a draft resolution put together by the Arab League and the main Western powers calling for an end to the crackdown and the start of political transition in Syria. Earlier on Thursday, diplomats said they had made a major concession to Russia by

PNG ferry: 100 students missing PORT MORESBY: Rescuers scoured the ocean for more than 100 people, many of them believed to be university students, still missing on Friday after a ferry sank in the Pacific. So far, 238 survivors have been plucked to safety in a joint rescue operation conducted by PNG and neighbouring Australia after the MV Rabaul Queen sank on Thursday morning. Australia’s Maritime Safety Authority said that the ship went down about nine nautical miles off the coast and the survivors reached the eastern town of Lae in the early hours of Friday morning. AFP

Romney get’s a ‘Trump’ card LAS VEGAS: Mitt Romney himself admitted that it was an unlikely endorsement: flamboyant real estate mogul Donald Trump backing the buttoned-up Republican presidential hopeful, who he has repeatedly criticized. And even before it was confirmed after a last-minute keep-them-guessing game in the casinos of Las Vegas the potential downside for Romney was signalled by Democrats who said it was “like Bugs Bunny making an endorsement.” “It’s my honor, real honor and privilege to endorse Mitt Romney,” Trump said. AFP

Girls hold a cartoon depicting Vladimir Putin, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. revising the draft to remove an explicit call for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s departure. The new sticking point is a paragraph in the resolution formally introduced only by Arab League member Morocco that expresses full support for the League’s plan, diplomats said after the talks. “The Russians will veto if the text on the table goes to the

AFP

vote tomorrow,” a diplomat said, asking not to be identified. During the talks, the ambassador of Morocco, Mohammed Loulichki, expressed “frustration on behalf of the Arab League,” the diplomat said. The latest failure to get unanimity at the Security Council came despite some optimism, when the Pakistani ambassador, Abdullah Hussain

Haroon, said: “I think we are very close.”France’s envoy Gerard Araud, meanwhile, had said, “I do hope we’ll be able to have a text (ready for voting) tonight.” However, Washington’s UN ambassador Susan Rice had been more cautious, saying even then that talks were “still tough going, very much so.” The ambassadors of the five Security Council members with veto power — Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States — continued to hold consultations late on Thursday without the rest of the body. The diplomatic wrangling at the United Nations came as fierce clashes across Syria killed 59 people on Wednesday, mostly civilians, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The overall death toll is about 6,000, according to the group. The United States and its allies say a resolution is needed to order for the Syrian government to back down in its attempt to forcefully suppress a growing rebellion. AFP

Football violence continues in Cairo

early 400 people have been injured in Cairo in fresh clashes between police and protesters angered by the deaths of 74 people on Wednesday after a football match in the city of Port Said. Thousands marched to the interior ministry, where police fired tear gas to keep them back. Two protesters are reported dead in similar clashes in the city of Suez. Earlier, the Egyptian prime minister announced the sackings of several senior officials. Funerals of some of the victims took place in Port Said. The deaths on Wednesday came when fans invaded the pitch after a football match involving top Cairo

hunter claims to have located the wreck of a bombed British merchant ship containing platinum bars worth $3 billion, media reports said. If the theory is right, the ship, which was torpedoed by the Germans in World War II, could be one of the richest sunken treasure troves ever discovered. Greg Brooks, of Sub Sea

MOSCOW: Supporters of Vladimir Putin have launched a website to encourage internet users to upload their photos and videos in support of the Russian Prime Minister.The project’s organisers call on users to publicly declare their support for Putin “amid an information war against the prime minister”. The Cyrillic domain website, moiputin.rf, was launched by Moscow State University students.

Gilani has committed contempt, rules court ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Supreme Court Thursday ruled that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had committed contempt by not initiating action against President Asif Ali Zardari for corruption. Gilani was directed to appear before the court on February 13 and he has said he will appear.

Monk next to the courtroom prior to the appeal announcement of former jailer Kaing Guek Eav. AFP

7.1-magnitude quake hits Pacific island NEW YORK: An undersea quake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale on Thursday jolted the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, the US Geological Survey said. The epicentre was at a depth of 23.10 km, and determined at 17.7656 degrees south latitude and 167.1343 degrees east longitude, Xinhua reported.

Egyptians wait at Cairo’s train station for the train carrying fans who were injured in the previous day’s riots. AFP club al-Ahly and the Port Said side al-Masry. As night fell in Cairo, several thousand demonstrators remained in the streets

around the ministry, witnesses said. In Suez, health official Mohammed Lasheen said two people had been shot dead early on Friday. BBC

Shipwreck containing $3 bn treasure found LONDON: A treasure

GLOBE AT A GLANCE Putin support website launched by students

Research in Gorham, Maine, this week announced the wreck, sitting in 700 feet of water 50 miles off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is that of the S S Port Nicholson, Daily Mail reported. He said he and his crew identified the ship, which was sunk in 1942, via the hull number using an underwater camera, and he hopes to begin raising the treasure later this month. IANS

Thousands stranded by Australian floods SYDNEY: More than 10,000 Australians were on Friday stranded by flooding in the country’s east, with thousands ordered to leave their homes or businesses and the military called in to airlift supplies.The New South Wales State Emergency Service said about 10,500 people were thought to be isolated by the waters that have rushed across the state’s north and southeast Queensland after days of constant rain.

Socialist Party candidate for the French presidential election Francois Hollande after a woman threw flour on him. AFP

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POUND FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012 11

Playing a song? It can land you in jail Prudhvi Raju K prudhvi.k@postnoon.com

ndian music industry is suffering immense losses owing to unauthorised playing of music at various places and also downloading the same. According to an estimate, 95 per cent of the music out in the industry downloaded from various websites. Against this background, the phonographic performance limited, (PPL), an apex body issuing licences and copyrights for music content, is increasingly becoming an important revenue source for the Industry. It is generating `500 crore to the Indian music industry with 10–15 per cent growth every year, said Sowmya Chowdhury (right), Country Head, PPL. He said that almost 50 per cent of the total revenues generat-

ed by music labels are from PPL by protecting copyrights of 98 per cent of the major labels under one umbrella. Every individual or business should pay required licence fee to

Sensex quiet, rupee rises MUMBAI: The BSE benchmark Sensex on Friday moved up by another 37 points in early trade, on continued buying by funds and retailers even as trend on other Asian markets remained slightly subdued. The 30-share index rose further by 37.08 points, or 0.21 per

cent, to 17,468.92. It has gained over 568 points in the past three sessions.In a similar fashion, the wide-based National Stock Exchange Nifty index gained 9.45 points, or 0.17 per cent, at 5,279.35. The rupee today rose marginally by six paise to trade at a fresh three-month high of Rs

PPL for playing music or radio for a group of people in a public place. If anyone tries to violate a law, there are chances that he ends up in a jail paying a fine of `2 lakh and imprisonment up to three years. Two persons were arrested in West Bengal for violation of law, he said. The approximate revenue of PPL is around `500-600crores out of which 85 per cent would go to the labels, according to the popularity of their albums and the number of times their songs has been played at various public places. There is also a 10 per cent fixed amount that would go all the labels (members), said Chowdhury. PPL does not charge any fee from the labels to get the membership. If some label does not become a member of PPL, it is a 49.09 per a dollar on the Interbank Foreign Exchange market in early trade on Friday. Dealers said continued foreign capital inflows in the Indian market and weakening of dollar against the euro in the global markets, mainly kept rupee's sentiment firm. The rupee had surged by 12 paise to close at a fresh three-month high of `49.15 against the dollar.

loss to the label because radio would play only music of PPL members and pay royalties accordingly, he said. PPL has issued 1,50,000 licences to various business establishments in India that includes 10,000 licences in Andhra Pradesh in the last seven years. It is hard to put the exact figure, but PPL has only exploited one per cent of the market. There are 99 per cent businesses and people that are violating the law and yet to obtain licences. This would increase drastically with the increase in licence penetration. The music sales have hit the rock bottom due to piracy. It is the duty of the public to save the music industry for the future generations, he said. The licence fee (tariff) for businesses would depend on three fac-

SBH posts 20pc net profit in Q3 of FY12

DESIRES AND DREAMS

Bhagavantha Rao, GM, SBH Postnoon News

HYDERABAD: State Bank of

Farooque Shahab general manager of SBI and Omkarnath regional manager of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd unveils PICS: SRINIVAS SETTY the all-new Swift Dzire at the Gachibowli showroom

tors — the duration of music played; the number and class of the people attending the event. It has 28 categories like pubs, offices and personal events. The main reason for violation of law is the lack of awareness. PPL is spending 60 per cent of its revenues in creating awareness and educating people by using different platforms. As part of Hallabol campaign, PPL is approaching a lot of establishments to create awareness for seven days, he said. There is also a need for stricter laws to save the industry. The establishment has to be charged 10 times of the tariff card fee as damages. PPL is approaching various establishments in Kukatpally, Panjagutta, and other areas in Cyberabad as part of the awareness campaign, Chowdhary said.

Hyderabad (SBH) has posted a net profit of Rs301 crore for the third quarter of the current fiscal, an increase of 20.42 per cent increase compared to the year ago period. The operating income of the bank for the quarter stood at Rs1,099 crore, while it was Rs 990crore in the corresponding period in the fiscal 2010-11. The deposits of the bank went up by 23.70 per cent to `96,130 crore from `77,714 crore in the Q3 of FY11. The business per emp-

loyee too scaled up to `10.85 crore from `9.82 crore in the corresponding period of last financial year. Total Bank’s business expanded by 21.91 per cent to `1,67,300 crore as on December 31, 2011 compared to `1,37,228 crore in the previous year. Advances increased by `1,555 crore in the last nine months, jacking up the bank’s portfolio to `12,230 crore. The micro, small and medium enterprises sector advances grew by `1,009 crore during the period, taking the portfolio to `11,867 crore. The branch network of the bank went up to 1,407, as it opened 92 new branches in the current financial year. The bank was allotted 1,033 unbanked villages with a population of more than 2,000 in 36 districts if Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat, as part of financial inclusion. The average yield on advances improved to 11.84 per cent in December 2011, compared to 10.46 per cent in December 2010. The capital to risk-weighted assets ratio stood at a healthy 12.17 per cent as on December 2011, much above the RBI bench mark of 9 per cent.

Comment

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Fair, free and forthright

Editorials SPARE SPORTS THE horror of politics

gypt mourns its biggest football tragedy which killed 74 and injured about 300. This was essentially a man-made disaster where politics fuelled football rivalries to produce a macabre result. The fact that hundreds of knives and other blunt weapons were brought into the stadium through security checks shows that there is more to the riot episode than flaring fan tempers. Football and hooligan culture are almost synonymous in Europe but none can match the scale of what happened in Egypt yesterday. This is just one of several incidents where sports arenas have been hijacked to deliver political messages in the most brutal manner. Sports is a segment where the sole focus should be on competition and winning and interest groups should show sportsmanship to spare it from their transactions.

Leave the Facebook generation alone

WHY WE LOVE Donald Trump

ot content with building enormously pointless structures and looking wearing a rather spiffy nest on his head, last year Donald ‘Duck! Incoming!’ Trump stated he ‘may’ run for US president. After we had picked our jaws off the floor, we realised he was only kidding. But never one to stray too far from the spotlight, Trump has now plumped for Romney. Well Mitt, there go your chances in the White House. Trump said, “[Mitt] allow bad things to continue to happen to this country we all love.” So does that mean The Apprentice is cancelled?

Urban Jetsam Dean Williams

he wonders of youth never cease to amaze. From Mark Zuckerberg’s innovativeness that only an ignorant brashness can bring, to a Port Said bloodletting that would make history’s tyrants cower in fear, our young people charge down the path that ends in the greatest prize of all: the inheritance of Earth. The young are ancients; their essence has flown through all our veins at some point or another. As we age, the life force that sustained our brilliance follows the laws laid down by Newton and shifts to the budding form. Settled into a prehistoric capillary it begins to pulse anew. Over the aeons the old have sought to sup-

Wedding story

Judging the judges

I enjoyed reading the valentines story in the Hyper local page. It was fun to read and also a fact that girls should stand up and tell the guy if they like him and of course in the right way. Also another story that was an informative piece on the games these pandits and other related people are playing is the wedding dates tailormade. I have a few relatives who actually have been worried regarding the problem with not finding the dates. Business these days has not even spared the holiest of ceremonies. Jhanvi Raj Pattancheru

Judging the Judges was an interesting read today. There is so much fan following for these programmes for the one strong reason that the judges are not just sitting pretty, but have what it takes to be an eye-catcher. Take the case of Simon Cowel for example — he is sometimes too brash to digest, but he does know that he fits his role to the tee — and that’s what the audience likes. The article highlighted the judges very well. I hope that with so many cooking programmes coming up, there will be one article written on queens of food making. And yes, please do not forget the latest introduction — Donna Hay! Manasi Ahluwalia Madhapur

press youth, either through dogma, or by the sheer will of self-proclaimed experience, and each time they have failed. One cannot thwart that which is intrinsic to all of us. Is youth palpable, or a mere figment; a thought, a vision of what we would like to be... vibrant and with a future that sings rather than groans in its frailty? The Facebook effect has gripped all of us: the youthful entrepreneur casting aside the chains of his forbears; arrogant to a fault, and revelling in every sideways glance that snorts at his contempt of the social fabric. Braggadocio? One thought not, and now one knows for sure. We have long condemned our youth to mend the fences ripped up by generations gone by, in the hope that they may remain mere reflections of who we are. This mirror has only one face and it bears the scars etched in by the rise and fall of a thousand suns. And by the time they have realised our most devious plan they too have passed on into that cold grey realm we call middle age...

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

left bitter by their inability to limp after their sprinting dreams. Our fear of being usurped by those that have come after us is unhinged and ultimately self-destructive. Our losses and regrets should not lay the bedrock for a garden where stone roses with thorns of lethal point bloom. Not only must we nurture young talent but know when to step aside and let the headlong rush pass us by. We are but caretakers, facilitators of the kingdom. It is not ours to keep or in aiming to do so, judge. Their glare does not blind, but merely lights the recesses where our dreams have fled to. Through their journey we too may find new ways to continue on ours. The legacy we leave behind is not measured in the wealth we amassed, or how many speak our name after we are gone. Rather, it is measured by how many walk to their dreams on avenues we discovered. These streets may not bear our names, but then again why should they...they were laid long before we ever got here.

Commendable call

Resolve doctors’ strike

I congratulate Supreme Court for its decision to cancel all 122 2G licences granted during Raja’s tenure as the telecom minister. The court has correctly observed that telecom companies cannot be allowed to enjoy benefits of illegally and unfairly awarded contracts. The failure of Parliament to pass the Lokpal bill has proved once again that judiciary is the only bulwark against corruption in this country. I am also full praise to Subramanian Swamy and several NGOs who showed the courage to take corruption head on. Sangeetha Reddy Malakpet

The public is being put through such a nightmarish ordeal due to the ongoing junior doctors’ strike. The government and the striking doctors have no right to play with the lives of people like this. It is scary to know that hundreds of surgeries have been put off due to this crisis. Human beings are not vehicles whose servicing and maintenance can be put off. If ailments, especially the contagious ones, are not treated, they are sure to spread and create a health crisis, which might go out of control. Radhika Manohar Begumpet

H‑Factor

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Holistic view of mind, body and soul

‘Cancer

Ranjani Rajendra ranjani.r@postnoon.com

he is married, has two boisterous kids — a daughter and a son, had a satisfying career as a teacher and a doting husband. Life for 48-year-old Meena was hunky dory until doctors diagnosed her with breast cancer six years back. She was shaken and hadn’t in her wildest dreams imagined something like cancer would strike her. To top it off, her son had just gotten an admission in the prestigious IIT Chennai and her daughter was gearing up for her all-important class X board exams at the time of her diagnosis. “I was very tensed about my son settling down in his new college and my daughter’s exam preparations. To top it off I was diagnosed with cancer and I had no idea how they would react to the news of my illness,” says Meena, who up till then had lead a full, hectic life. Her daily routine as a teacher involved running up and down several flights of stairs multiple times a day, handling students and running a happy home. “It was on one of these regular days when I was climbing up the stairs at school that I experience trouble breathing, something that had never happened to me in all my 42 years. Around the same time I’d noticed a small change in my right breast. I went for a complete health check up and everything turned up normal. It was then that I told the doctor that I’d like to get a mammogram done too. The results showed that I had a cancerous tumour in my left breast while the one in the right breast was benign,” she says. Expectedly, the news came as a shocker for the entire family. But through it all, Meena’s husband stood by her like a rock. “He was extremely supportive. I don’t know how I would’ve dealt with things otherwise. Also I’d begun attending cancer support group meetings which turned out to be a great boon. Meeting and interacting with other patients and survivors helped me immensely.” During the treatment however, Meena had to quit her job as the treatment was a long process and during chemotherapy she couldn’t risk infection by too much exposure to the outdoors. “It took a year for me to get back to normal. But in the end, I was able to beat the disease,” she smiles. While Meena emerged victorious in her battle against cancer she says it is important for patients to remember these. n Have faith in your doctor n Follow medical advice to

couldn’t stop me’ For Meena, a mother of two, life was going great until she was diagnosed with breast cancer. But she didn’t let that stop her. She fought back and emerged a winner

C NO EVIL the T n Despite the disease try and lead as normal a life as possible. Don’t let it get the better of you n It is important to stay positive, it helps overcome many things n Follow a good and healthy diet n While you continue doing things you like, try not to exert yourself n There will always be a bunch of people with negative and depressing tales to share. But turn a deaf ear to what they say.

Cynthia Nixon (top) and Christina Applegate are both cancer survivors

Severe memory loss linked to fatal strokes According to a study early disease is accumulating before a clinical stroke WASHINGTON: People who died after a stroke had severe memory loss in the years before stroke, compared to people who survived the stroke or people who didn’t have a stroke, says a new study. “People who die after stroke may have worse underlying disease prior to stroke, said M Maria Glymour, senior study author and assistant professor at the Harvard School of Public Health. “This suggests early disease is accumulating and that something is happening to these people before they are diagnosed with clinical stroke,” Glymour added. “We’re most surprised that people who died after strokes had such sharp memory declines years before stroke onset,” said Qianyi Wang, Glymor’s graduate student at Harvard, who led the study, according to a university statement. Researchers examined 11,814 people aged 50 years and older every two years for signs of declining memory. Study participants were stroke-free at enrolment and were followed up to 10 years. They continued in the study if they survived a stroke. The study reported 1,820 strokes, including 364 individuals who died after stroke but before the next memory assessment. People who survived had worse average memory even before the stroke compared to similar individuals who never had a stroke during follow-up. At the time of stroke, memory function dropped an average 0.321 points. This difference is about the same as the average memory decline associated with growing 4.1 years older among those who remained stroke free. Because of the large strokerelated declines, memory impairment was common among stroke survivors. IANS

H‑Factor WASHINGTON: Masks and hand washing can practically slash the spread of flu-like symptoms, new research has demonstrated. The study found up to a 75 per cent reduction in flulike illness over the study period with hand hygiene and surgical masks, said Allison Aiello, associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. The results from both years of study found no significant reduction in symptoms in mask use alone, which suggests masks and hand hygiene should be used together, Aiello said, the journal Public Library of Science ONE reports. At the beginning of a pandemic, vaccines probably won’t be available immediately so one of the first lines of defence to stop the spread of illness will be non-drug interventions like hand hygiene and face masks, according to a Michigan statement. “This means masks and hand hygiene may be a good measure for preventing transmissions in crowded living quarters,” said Aiello. The study was the first of its kind and received international exposure. The researchers recruited more than 1,000 students in the University’s residence halls. The students were assigned to groups who wore masks, wore masks and practiced hand hygiene, or did neither. They were monitored for the presence of flu symptoms or the flu. Aiello and Arnold Monto, professor of epidemiology, are co-principal investigators of the study.

Holistic view of mind, body and soul

Masks, hand washing can smother

HEALTH TIPS

Tips to prevent

flu spread anaemia

f you have symptoms such as pale skin, dizziness, fatigue and headaches it could be due to anaemia. Some healthy tips to avoid certain kinds of anaemia are given as follows.

Eat food high in Iron Anaemia is caused due to iron deficiency. It is important to have food which is rich in iron, Foods rich in iron include cereals, bread, lentils, red meat, fish and dried fruits.

Space tech to get rid of painful kidney stones WASHINGTON: Space scientists are harnessing ultrasound to not only detect painful kidney stones but also to get rid of them through a process called “twinkling artifact”. The risk of kidney stones developing in space is aggravated by environmental conditions, scarcity of resources and the distance from the earth, which could restrict treatment options. The project is led by National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) Smart Medical Systems and Technology Team principal investigator Lawrence Crum and co-investigator

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Michael Bailey. Bailey said the technology is based on currently available equipment . “We have a diagnostic ultrasound machine that has enhanced capability to image kidney stones in the body,” said Bailey, according to an NSBRI statement. “We also have a capability that uses ultrasound waves coming right through the skin to push small stones or pieces of stones toward the exit of the kidney, so they will naturally pass, avoiding surgery,” added Bailey. Currently, the preferred mode of removal is

to drink water to encourage the stones to pass naturally, but this does not always work, and surgery is often the only option. In space, the threat from kidney stones is greater due to the difficulty of keeping astronauts fully hydrated. Another factor is that bones demineralise in the reduced-gravity environment of space, dumping salts into the blood and eventually into the urine. The elevated concentration of salts in the urine is a risk factor for stones. Crum, who is a physicist, said kidney stones could be a serious problem on a long-duration mission.

Eat food that helps absorb iron It is important that the body should absorb iron. One should have food that is rich in Vitamin C such as fruits and vegetables. One should avoid having coffee or tea along with meals as it could be a deterrent for the body’s absorption of iron.

Folic acid and Vitamin B12 Adequate intake of both folic acid and Vitamin B12 should be maintained.

Eat a balanced meal It is important that our body gets a balanced amount of iron and other vitamins. Unnecessary food fads and dieting can be a cause of anaemia. Take your doctors advice before taking iron supplements. Regular testing for anaemia should be done especially for women. Source: www.womenshealth.org

Hers Truly

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Improving quality of life and ensuring the well-being of individuals — this has been the job description and ambition of Zenobia Rustumfram. Founder of Greenfield outdoor and development programme, Zenobia has spent over three decades making hundreds of lives better

What’s up with women? All About Eve

MAKING T FAMILIES WHOLE Shiba Minai shiba.m@postnoon.com

octors, army officers and teachers are people who get paid for their services, but can their work ever be compensated? Another such service that has a huge impact on people is family counselling. Zenobia Rustumfram, currently a counsellor with Nasr School and ISB, has been instrumental in mentoring and nurturing many individuals. She has also been an advisor for almost every woman and child welfare programme conducted in the city. And apart from that, she leads Greenfield, an outdoor development programme, where she conducts workshops for people of all ages. About her work she says, “At Greenfield, we take children and corporate groups for outdoor camping. I now use my experience and expertise in

conducting parenting workshops, stress management, team building and more.” Zenobia has pioneered the concept of school counselling. It might have taken a whole lot of hard work to get this into place, but she puts it very simply for us. She says, “In school I was a part of the Red Cross Society, and I used to visit orphanages, old-age homes and was exposed to a lot of suffering. This was the time I realised that the world needs someone who could bring a smile.” She then tells us, “When I was in college, I stumbled upon the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and was drawn into it as I was always interested in people. I chose family and child welfare as my specialisation, as I realised that the family is the central unit of society, and if that can be strengthened, it will be an important contribution.” A stint abroad is what rein-

forced her ambition. Zenobia was part of an exchange programme to the UK where she got an opportunity to work with some Ugandan Asians. She says, “This was during the Idi Amin regime, which was really bad and I saw a lot of suffering in the unsettled and homeless people. My faith in the importance of the family value system was reinforced.” She started her career with Mahindra and Mahindra, where she closely worked with the labourers, the women and their children. They were some of the most challenging days, she says. “I remember one of my biggest challenges was alcoholism and ensuring that the children were not deprived of education. I remember my colleagues and I used to stand near bars to prohibit the labour class from drinking,” she laughs and continues, “Over a period of time we also

realised that we had to make even the women independent and we started the Lijjat Papad scheme in villages in which women were given six kilograms of flour and were paid for the number of papads they could roll out. They began to earn between `6,000–7,000 every month, and that was a lot in those times.” She continues to contribute to many lives, especially by helping women become independent; no wonder she is known as the 'silent angel'.

THE CV First Job: Mahindra and Mahindra as a labour and child welfare counsellor Last book read: Girls of Riyadh & Nomad by Ayan Ali Last film seen: I can't recollect, I prefer theatre to movies Motto in life: Life is short, live it to the fullest

Websites for women Double X A female-focused look at politics, culture, and anything else that strikes our fancy from the XX writers and editors of Slate.com.

Gender Across Borders Finally, a global feminist blog that reaches around the entire globe. Weekly roundups of posts from every continent keep readers up to date on what's going on beyond their borders.

WAHM An online magazine and resource for work-at-home mothers that includes features and advice on finding work, selfmarketing and keeping the kids busy while you freelance.

Padmini C

olkien and Lewis. Hemingway and Fitzgerald. Lincoln and Speed. Heck, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Notice a pattern? Yeah, few great friendships in history involve the female kind. Don't agree? There are more. Go ahead then. Name one. Oh! and if you were going to say Oprah and Gayle, they don't exactly count. For over 30 years, rumour mills have been abuzz with news of them being more than ‘just friends’. Next? Can't think of any at the moment? Precisely the point. It's logically impossible that they don't exist. But how many and how successful is anybody's guess. Now think about all the movies on bachelor trips and road trips. See images of men of all ages having the time of their life flashing in your mind? Naturally. And for the kill; for all the cribbing we do, a great many of us will sheepishly admit that we will (7 times out of 10) prefer having male company and male friends to female. The reason is obvious. Not counting practical reasons like driving, paying bills, safekeeping, men are simply...more fun. Not to discount; there's less emotional baggage, less drama and are low on maintenance. This is not to say that girls are incapable of being great friends. All of us know the unmatched joy of spa sessions, slumber parties, lunches and brunches, girls nightouts and men-free road trips. But, trapped in degrees of comparison, envy and insecurities, it is as if there's an inherent dishonesty in our relationships. We talk about BFFs and then change them like we change clothes. Our grudges are not easily forgiven or forgotten. Even the best of our friends we do not accept unconditionally. In all modesty, there are few things we can learn from men. But if there's one thing we must, it's the idea of bonding.

F‑Folio

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Because you are what you wear

BEAUTY WITH BRAINS Tapur Chatterjee is one model that many freshers in the fashion industry look up to. Isha Mukoo finds out more about this . effervescent model

=Tell us some interesting facts about yourself. I won a national award for designing a poster for adult education in 2000. I was one of the youngest achievers to get that award. =How many years have you walked the earth? 32 years.

MODEL WATCH

=Your first stint with the camera? A Dove commercial in 1999. =Who is your ideal fashion photographer? I feel my face is difficult to shoot. But there are so many of them who shoot me so well in their own style, be it Rafique Sayed or Atul Kasbekar. However, it would be wrong to name any one of them as they are all good in their own way. =What will you not leave home without? My cellphone. =The sexiest item in a woman’s wardrobe is... Classic blue jeans and white shirt. =What are the essentials in your wardrobe? I prefer classic over funky personally. Since, I wear all the funky stuff on the ramp, it's the classic stuff that I am comfortable in. I like to lounge around in jeans and t-shirt or dresses. =Who is your favourite model and why? Noyonika Chatterjee; there is something special about her that makes her stand apart. Earlier, there was something different about models and exclusively charming about each one of them but not any more. =Projects that people can spot you in... You can see me in the Titan Raga ad, Park Avenue, Levis, Lakmé and a few other ads as well. I was also in the reality show Khatron ke Khiladi on Colors. =What’s your sexiest asset? Intelligence and the fact that I have a perfect head on my shoulders. =What is the best compliment you have received so far? Being in the glamour industry I get compliments all the time but what’s endearing is when new models in the industry feel that I am accessible, and can talk to me and are comfortable around me. =Challenges faced in the modelling industry... People tried to plays my twin Tupur against me. But after sometime we realised that they were just dirty games and it helped as we spoke and discussed about the work we were taking up. So thankfully I did not have any challenges as such. =Any Bollywood aspirations Not at all. I am scared that I might spoil the name of our grandfather, the late Hrishikesh Mukherjee, who is pretty well known in the industry. I don’t want to goof up, so even though offers have come, I have stayed away.

CANDID THREE =What inspired you to

become a model? It might sound clichéd, but I did not know that I’d be a model someday. I was just walking back from college when I was approached for a screen test for my first ad. I did not take it seriously but when the guy persuaded me, I just gave it a shot for fun and it worked, so I took it up eventually.

=If not modelling then

what would you have been doing? I would have been a commercial artist in the advertising industry.

=Advise to upcoming models... Be yourself, be confident and do your job well.

Spotlight

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Spin Fever Thursday nights in the city are reserved for Bottles and Chimney, it’s the night the party-loving ladies in the city let their hair down. Now with DJ Stan in the house the pretty women could not get their feet off the dance floor.

Dj Stan

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi visits SiriusXM Studio in New York City. CRAIG BARRITT/AFP

LADIES IN BLACK

Nitin,Sakshi

Natasha

Mark Brand ambassador Ashley Greene attends the Louder Than Words event at Avalon in Hollywood, California. CHARLEY GALLAY/AFP

Sonam

Poonam

Rekha

Madonna speaks during the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show Press Conference at the Super Bowl XLVI Media Center on Thursday in Indianapolis. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/ AFP

Magic Screen

The glamour behind the glitz

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

T-TOWN TWEETIES

SIDDHARTH, SAMANTHA’S

@tashu_02

new film launched

Sorry for not being able to reply u guys....got lil headache today.... Sleeping nw....wil connect soon... Gudnite...

new film starring Siddharth and Samantha was officially launched at the Ramanaidu Studios. Siddharth, Samantha, Nandini Reddy, Bellamkonda Suresh, Venkatesh, V V Vinayak, Nithin, Sunil, Vasu Varma, KL Damodhar Prasad and Shyam Prasad Reddy were some of the guests who attended the event. Nandini Reddy, who had made her debut with Ala Modalaindi, is going to direct the film and Bellamkonda Suresh is to produce the film. The film is said to be a sensitive love story and Siddharth was all praise for Nandini Reddy for coming up with a fresh script. A couple of months ago, the film was in the news when Bellamkonda Suresh approached Telugu Film Producers’ Council alleging that Samantha hasn’t been allocating dates for the project. Now that the issue has finally been resolved, the film is all set to go on floors towards the end of March. Thaman is composing the music and Andrew is the cinematographer.

Srinu Vaitla, Ram Charan Tej to team up

am Charan Tej’s diary in 2012 just got busier. He’s already shooting for Rachcha and two more films will go on floors in a few weeks and now we hear that he has agreed to star in a film to be directed by Srinu Vaitla. Ashwini Dutt is going to produce this film and it’s the second time after Chirutha that he’s teaming up with Ram Charan Tej. Ever since Dookudu turned out to be a blockbuster, almost every star in tinsel town wants to work with Srinu Vaitla, who’s currently working on a script for NTR’s next film. More details about this project are going to be revealed soon. All said and done, Ram Charan Tej seems to be quite serious about fulfilling his promise of doing at least three films a year, which is a welcome sign.

Colgate signs Allu Arjun as brand ambassador C

olgate has signed up Allu Arjun as their brand ambassador in Andhra Pradesh. So far, ads featuring Trisha and Shah Rukh Khan were being aired on television. With this endorsement deal Allu Arjun, who had been endorsing 7UP for the past few years, has added yet another high-profile deal to his portfolio. “The new ads of Colgate featuring Allu Arjun went on air on Wednesday. The company knew that Allu Arjun is a fabulous dancer, so they decided to add few nice dance moves in the ad,” said a source close to Allu Arjun. Meanwhile, Allu Arjun is shooting action sequences for his upcoming film under Trivikram Srinivas’ direction. Ileana is his co-star in this untitled film, which will hit the screens this summer.

@Actor_Siddharth My ortho at 16 told me all my ignored injuries would come back after I was 30...he meant now right? :( the busted ankle is back...aaaphoooey .

@actor_nithiin Thank u al for ur ISHQ n support n making d audio function a super success..

@shrutihaasan Some days leave you feeling never the same again,but in a good way:) lessons to learn and life to live...sweet dreams tweeple xoxo.

@sundeepkishan 1st day of #RLS (Routine Love Story) in Rishikesh was awesome..Stunning visuals..u have to see this place to believe it #reasonstowatchRLS.

@LakshmiManchu Happy 2nd month birthday to my babies. My nieces are getting so big... Come home soon @vinimanchu ari and Viv, missing y’all mucho.

@pnavdeep26 If one can do.. U too can do... If no one can do.. U must do!! Orrrr... if one can do... Let him do... If no one can do.. Why shud u do!! Lmao

@actressanjjanaa Nobody in this world can have a crystal clear heart...Coz everyone’s heart has some scratches given by their dearest ones and by failures!

Magic Screen

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

ain M k E g n i ds r n e f e f o e s oo irst l f p s ’ u a ng atr i B y t n y u ak n is bus h S r cto Shaku e r i d nt nd a a t u 0 b 1 De ry a dy u r nybo get b a t e e l F to you n o s not . “When re and a w s a nge essu film

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Magic Screen

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

DON’T WANT TO ASSOCIATE WITH EVERY FILM Akshaye Khanna

ctor Akshaye Khanna says it wasn’t a conscious decision not to sign too many films, adding that he can’t think of associating himself with anything and everything. “It’s not that I avoid signing many films in a year but, yes, I don’t want myself to associate with anything and everything,” said Akshaye, whose forthcoming film Gali Gali Mein Chor Hai is releasing today (Friday). “Gali Gali... happened because the script attracted me and I didn’t stop myself from giving the nod to the movie. It was a spontaneous decision and now I can confidently admit that this role is so far my best role. His next will be Chand Bhai with Vidya Balan. IANS

With kids around, no time for romance: Manyata Dutt

ith Valentine’s Day round the corner, Manyata Dutt wants to spend some quality time with husband Sanjay Dutt. However, she admits that romance has taken a backseat after her children were born and a quiet dinner at home is now the most romantic thing for her. “It’s (a good date) like a good dinner at home. Since now I have got two babies, I just can’t think of romance alone with my husband. My babies are all over. It’s just like at home with kids and family, that is what romance is all about,” Manyata said. Manyata and Sanjay got married in February 2008 and are parents of twins — son Shahraan and daughter Iqra who were born in Oct 2010. Recalling the most romantic thing ever done by Sanjay, she said, “He was campaigning in Lucknow for some elections and he hired a chartered jet and just flew down. Those days Ranbir’s song Khuda jane ke was really happening. He was home before I could come back from work and he was there and sang the song for me. “I had not seen him for eight days, so that was very touchy and romantic.” IANS

B-TOWN TWEETIES

@TheShilpaShetty Thought for today: The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. :) who do u want to be??

@realpreityzinta After a sleepless night & a freezing day on set I am finally done 4the day! Was a bit nervous 2 B on a film set after so long !!!!!!!

@RGVzoomin “@krihoo: People don’t like to see a naked truth , they’d much rather prefer a covered lie”

Dilip, Saira give hand impression for Riteish’s museum

@bipsluvurself

@SrBachchan

ollywood thespian Dilip Kumar says that actor Riteish Deshmukh recently paid him a visit to take his and his wife Saira Banu’s hand impression for his upcoming museum called Legends Walk in Mumbai, a desi version of the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. “Last week, Riteish Deshmukh, my dear friend Vilasrao Deshmukh’s talented son, visited us with his life-casting expert to get impressions of my hands and Saira’s hands, which will be in a museum he proposes to have for cinema lovers,” Dilip Kumar wrote on his blog thedilipkumar.mouthshut.com. “It is Riteish’s brain child and it is his way of telling those of us who spent the best years of our lives entertaining and, hopefully, impacting people’s minds through our films, that our hard work and contributions to the growth of the medium have not been in vain,” he further posted. IANS

From a happy romantic fun space of #JodiBreakers to a dark unknown supernatural space of Raaz 3! Enjoying every bit of both!

T 642 - In the peace of this monsoon oriented hill resort, where the clouds and mist fly by you during that green period ... !!

@AnupamPkher As always your wishes worked. Show sold out. All books sold out. Great feeling. Thank You Muscat for your love and warmth.:)

@shahidkapoor A milli a milli a milli yan :) love u all..... Thank u for all the love.

@juniorbachchan Nice short trip to Delhi. Back home to the girls. Good night.

Magic Screen

rib c s b u

! y a Tod

6 Months

` 199/-

1 Year

` 349/-

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Magic Screen

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

Now, Gaga has a Leslie Carter, Nick’s sister, dies at 25 pad in London

op star Lady Gaga has reportedly bought a luxurious apartment at a the posh locality of Fitzrovia and she is expected to share it with her boyfriend Taylor Kinney. The pop superstar recently asked Kinney to move in with her. The house is located in a new development, which is not yet complete and the building will have a modern concrete exterior, floor-toceiling windows, four luxury penthouses, a roof garden and a communal courtyard, reports a website. A source said, “She had been staying in The Lanesborough hotel every time she visited London but because she is over so much she has decided to go for it and invest.” In the past many celebrities stayed in the area — Madonna owned a townhouse. IANS

Radcliffe wants to be a young dad

ctor Daniel Radcliffe says he wants to have kids at a young age. The 22-year-old, who is dating 22-year-old movie production assistant Rosanne Coker, explained while it would be “ridiculous” to suggest the couple were going to become parents anytime soon, he considers kids to be the “most fulfilling” part of life. “We both want the same things. But we also know it would be ridiculous anytime soon. I always wanted to have kids young, but I also thought, ‘That’s going to be hard work.’ I’ve seen a lot of friends become immeasurably happier, but very tired,” Radcliffe was quoted saying.” Kids are the single greatest, most fulfilling thing I’ve seen happen to people. But we’ve got a lot of fun times ahead before that happens. I have had a lot of youthful enthusiasm left, I promise,” he added. IANS

sad day indeed at the Carter house. It has been confirmed that Leslie Carter, the sister of singers Nick and Aaron Carter, has passed away. She was only 25. “Our family is grieving right now and it’s a private matter. We are deeply saddened for the loss of our beloved sister, daughter, and granddaughter, Leslie Carter,” the Carter family said in a statement. “We request the utmost privacy during this difficult time.” Leslie died on Tuesday in upstate New York. However, no further details have been given regarding the cause of death. An aspiring singer, Leslie’s song Like wow! was featured on the 2001 Shrek soundtrack. She later appeared with Nick, Aaron and her other two siblings on the 2006 E! reality show House of Carters. Two years later, Leslie married and, in April 2011, she and husband Mike welcomed a daughter, Alyssa Jane.

Magic Screen

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

Wasted my life on ex-boyfriend: Gomez

inger-actress Selena Gomez says she ‘completely wasted’ a year of her life on an ex-boyfriend. The 19-year-old, who has previously dated Taylor Lautner and Nick Jonas, didn’t enjoy being in a former relationship, which meant she had to ‘hide everything’ and do the ‘craziest things’. “I was in a relationship previously where I had to hide everything and it wasn’t my choice,” a website quoted Gomez as saying. “I had to go through different exits and take separate cars and do the craziest things, and it just really wasn’t worth it. It was like a year of my life completely wasted,” she added. IANS

Scarlett dating advertising executive? A

ctress Scarlett Johansson is reportedly dating advertising executive Nate Naylor. The 27-year-old is said to have been secretly romancing the freelance creative director for the last six months, and they were spotted cuddling together in Manhattan, New York recently. “They’re keeping it very, very low key. He’s not one for the limelight and fame and she likes that about him,” a website quoted a source as saying. “Scarlett was rubbing his back and kissing his neck. He was wearing a short-sleeve, Vneck T-shirt and had tattoos up his arm,” the source added. IANS

Nick Cannon

Being a child model was brutal: Katherine Heigl

to direct movie

ctress Katherine Heigl says working as a child model when she was nine was ‘brutal’ and she hated the experience. The 33-year-old, who raises threeyear-old daughter Naleigh with husband Josh Kelley, began her career in show business with a stint as a model for clients including US department stores Macy’s and Sears but Katherine has admitted she hated the experience. “Oh my God, it was brutal. You even understand it, even when you’re nine, you’re like, ‘This is silly and lame’ and they’re like, ‘No, no, it’s adorable, do it,’” Heigl was quoted saying. IANS

inger Nick Cannon is stepping behind the camera to direct his first feature film. The America’s Got Talent host, who was hospitalised with kidney failure in Aspen, Colorado over the festive season, is pushing on with his work commitments and will begin a new movie project this year, reports a website. “I am taking a lot of the young hip-hop acts of today and putting them in a movie with a bunch of comedians, make something happen there,” he told a gossip column. IANS

Chai Time

KAKURO

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

SCRIBBLING PAD

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Take a shot at the brain game while sipping your cuppa

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Almanac tidbit 5 Pro ___ (in proportion) 9 Light fabric for curtains 14 It may be deserted or uncharted 15 Ball-shaped cheese 16 “Kiss the chef” garment 17 “Eagle Eye” actor LaBeouf 18 “Can I? Can I? Can I?” e.g. 19 It might get you a flat in London 20 Predinner event 23 Craft measured in cubits 24 Adam’s contribution 25 Changeable seat cover? 29 Teacher’s instruction 31 Body’s largest organ 33 Motor attachment? 34 Midnight, in some horror stories 37 Cathedral recess 40 Show consumer confidence? 41 Palindromic fashion magazine 42 Unit of academic credit 47 Letters from a short person? 48 Will-o’-the-___ 49 Ideal place 53 Branch in a trophy room 55 Historical stage 56 “I” trouble 57 Last possible moment 61 Dred or Sir Walter 64 Stick ___ (take advantage of) 65 Middle of QED 66 Large-scale dismissal 67 Burgoo 68 “Colada” intro 69 Vined latticework shelter 70 Yield, as a profit 71 Some remote batteries DOWN 1 Budgetary 2 Where Michael was advised to row his boat 3 Beetle sounds

4 A hardwood 5 Add a coat 6 Comment off-the-cuff 7 Chinese weight unit 8 Asian live-in helper 9 Appraising 10 Spear-carrier’s genre, sometimes 11 Popular tax shelter 12 “Alamos” opener 13 San Diego-toAlbuquerque dir. 21 “Star Trek: T.N.G.” counselor Deanna 22 Wednesday was named for him 26 Summer Olympics event venue 27 Twelfth Hebrew month 28 Steakhouse specification 30 ___’Pea (Popeye’s boy) 31 Like some wits or cheeses

32 Kin’s companion 35 So-so grades 36 He deserves a medal 37 Turkey site 38 Lowly farmhand 39 Web filter target 43 Suffer from the heat 44 Bridgestone offering 45 Thornton Wilder play 46 Sundance Film Festival location 50 Illinois city 51 Lizard in a Williams title 52 Heart outlets 54 “Take your hands off me!” 55 Computer key 58 Carpenter’s

SUDOKU

clamper 59 Kett of the comics 60 Kind of filter in many vacuums 61 Healthful resort 62 Mongrel 63 Sphere PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

THOUGHT OF THE DAY At home I am a nice guy: but I don’t want the world to know. Humble people, I’ve found, don’t get very far. – Muhammad Ali

Chai Time STAR POWER

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Your tomorrow today̶Star Power and Tarot

Date 4-2-2012

THIRUVAIKUMAR

As per Hindu panchang

thiruvaikumar@yahoo.co.in 040-27177230 / 9177596118

TAURUS

GEMINI

There will be a remarkable change in your approach. Political friends will be of great help. Family will be happy as good events to take place at home in line. Son will get a job in an MNC.

You will handle problems wisely and resolve them. Income will be satisfacto‑ ry. You will understand skills of your children and support them accordingly. Good alliance for sister due to efforts.

Your self‑conﬁdence and courage are set to increase. Talks will have an understand‑ ing and maturity. Introduction to VIP like‑ ly. Expect the price for the plot you want to sell. You will consult family on this.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Your mind will get cleared and you will sta‑ rt thinking innovatively. Persons of high es‑ teem will extend help. Work delayed since long will end successfully. Share family con‑ cerns with your children without any ego.

New efforts will be successfully implemen‑ ted. Comforts will increase. Friendship with VIPs will be beneﬁcial. Children will under‑ stand responsibilities and extend co‑opera‑ tion. Property court case will go in favour.

You will face problems with boldness. Some have bright chances to buy a new house or plot. Marriage talk will go smoothly and end favourably. Old friends will help you at the time of need.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

Financial ﬂow will be more than satisfac‑ tory. You will complete certain important work with the help of VIPs. Expected alliance for son will be ﬁnalised. Help from abroad friends or other state likely.

Your attitude is in for a major change. You will buy sophisticated household items. Chances of buying a new house by selling old assets. Be careful as there are chances for blame, worries and tensions.

Your skills will be exposed. Accumula‑ tion of assets likely. Couple will be cor‑ dial. You will take necessary steps to support capabilities in sports and arts of your children. Major debt will clear.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Your mind will plan different and innov‑ ative projects. Happy events are to be pe‑ rformed at home. Those who seek a job will hear good news soon. Tensions, rift with blood relations and accident likely.

Tensions will disappear. A peaceful at‑ mosphere will prevail at home. Children will make you happy. Bank loans will come through. Relatives will respect you. Pilgrimage likely for some.

Unexpected fortune on the cards. You wi‑ ll gain upper hand in family. Children wi‑ ll behave as per expectations and will not trouble. Money from unexpected source likely. Govt jobs will end successfully.

SUMAA TEKUR

tarotreadhyd@gmail.com

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

The Fool – Youʼre feeling adventurous and are in the mood to try the new. It can be new food, new forms of travel, new wines, etc. Enjoy the spirit of discovery.

The Chariot – Travel is indicated. You may be travelling on work or to re‑connect with friends. It will open up a new perspective and you begin to dis‑ cover yourself.

Four of Swords – Stability is very important to you. Try to maintain a daily routine that provides the comfort of famil‑ iarity. This will also bring about stability.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Page of Swords – There are clouds of confusion and you may feel like youʼre stuck between a rock and hard place. Donʼt fret, because there is always a way out.

Three of Cups – Your plans have worked out beautifully and youʼre on your way to success. Itʼs impor‑ tant that, if this was team work, you cele‑ brate with the team.

Temperance – Youʼre feeling on the edge today, and in a bad mood with a short temper. Stay away from people if it will help you focus and not get too emotional.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

Ten of Cups – Family bonding is on the car‑ ds. You will beneﬁt fr‑ om spending time wi‑ th family members. You may also ﬁnd solutions to problems in other areas of life.

Nine of Cups – This is the wish card. But it comes with a warning – be careful what you wish for, it may actually come true.

Six of Pentacles – An older person, or som‑ eone with more expe‑ rience than you, is he‑ lping you by going out of his/her way. Appre‑ ciate it and be grateful for the gesture.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

For Better or for Worse Stone soup

Page of Cups – Youʼre feeling like a teenag‑ er in love, all over again. Enjoy the feel‑ ing, and donʼt think about it too much. Go with the ﬂow. Your heart will guide you.

Knight of Wands – Youʼre charging ahead with some brilliant ideas, and want to be recognized for them. Your enthusiasm will be appreciated by seniors.

Two of Cups – Some form of partnership is on the cards. It could be a business or marriage partner‑ ship. It is beneﬁcial and will give you a new lease on life.

SOLUTIONS

Boggle TROUT SHARK PERCH SMELT SKATE

Number game

Suduko

Scrabble

Ink pen

COMICS

Fred Basset

ARIES

TAROT READ

Vol: 1, No. 201 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No. 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad–500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad–500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon.com and for subscription, please call 040-40672222, Fax: 040-40672211

Chai Time 1400 Naadi Aadajanme 1430 Pavitra 1500 Movie 1800 Sri Shanidevuni Mahimalu 1830 Vasantha Kokila 1900 Chinnari Pelli Kuturu 1930 Anna Chellelu 2000 Missamma 2030 Edureetha 2100 Money Money 2200 CID 2300 Challenge 0700 Silver Screen 0730 Maa Punyakshetralu 0800 Ayurvedam 0830 Real City 0900 Movie 1200 Movie

1400 Kannavaari Kalalu 1430 Maavichiguru 1500 Sumangali 1530 Movie 1800 Jai Shri Krishna 1830 Shraavani Subramaniam 1900 Mandhara 1930 Auto Bharthi 2000 No. 23, Mahalakshmi Nivasam 2030 Mogali Rekulu 2100 Aparanji 2130 Devatha 2200 Mamathala Kovela 2230 Anveshana 2300 Gemini Vaarthalu 0700 News 0730 Subhalagnam - Live 0800 Gemini Talkies 0830 Special Programmes 0930 Movie 1130 Adhi Matter 1200 Movie

1400 [V] My Big Decision 1430 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 1500 [V] Humse Hai Life 1530 [V] Trailers 1600 [V] Zabardast Hits 1800 [V] Fresh Songs 1830 [V] Humse Hai Life 1900 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 1930 [V] Humse Hai Life 2000 [v] My Big Decision 2130 [V] Trailers 2155 [V] Fresh Songs 2200 [V] Steal UR Girlfriend 2300 [V] Humse Hai Life 2330 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 2355 [V] Fresh Songs 0700 [V] Trailers 0730 [V] Zabardast Hits 0800 [V] Mind Blasting Mornings 1100 [V] Fresh Songs 1200 [V] Humse Hai Life

‘[V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance’ at 1900 Hrs on CHANNEL [V]

1300 News Now At 1 1330 News Now 1800 6 PM 1830 Live Report 1900 Primetime 1930 The Game 2000 News Now At 8 2030 Live Report 2100 The Newshour 2200 10 PM 2230 E Now 2300 News Now At 11 2330 News Now Overnight 0900 News Now 0930 The Hidden Truth 1000 News Now

‘The Newshour’ at 2100 Hrs only on TIMES NOW

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Telly sitcoms, news and movie listings

1400 Abhishekam 1430 Aadade Aadharam 1500 Antahpuram 1530 Aakasa Ganga 1600 Prema Mandiram 1630 Jagadeeswari 1700 Paduta Teeyaga 1800 Devimahathyam 1830 Puttadi Bomma 1900 Kumkuma Rekha 1930 Manasu Mamata 2000 Chandra Mukhi 2030 Bharyamani 2100 Etv News 2130 Wow - Game Show 2245 Movie 0700 Etv News 0730 Subhamastu 0800 Jeevana Jyothi 0830 Tollywood Time 0900 Movie 1130 Abhiruchi

1400 Ardhangi 1430 Movie 1800 Veera Naari Jhansi Laxmi Bhai 1830 Kalavari Kodallu 1900 Chinna Kodalu 1930 Pasupukunkuma 2000 Muddu Bidda 2030 Radha Kalyanam 2100 Kanyadanam 2130 Baghyalakshmi Bumper Offer 2230 Shree 2300 Chitrapuri 2330 Latest Songs 0800 Subhamastu 0830 Bhakti Samacharam 0900 Movie 1230 Mee Inti Vanta 1300 Movie

‘Top 10 At 10’ at 2200 Hrs only on ET NOW 1400 The F And O Show 1430 Closing Trades 1600 Business Day 1730 Your Trades 1800 Rush Hour 1830 Tee Time With Shaili Chopra 1900 Global Business Report 1930 Business Express 2000 Business First 2030 Your Trades 2100 Business Tonight 2200 Top 10 At 10 2230 Et Insight 2300 Et Interview 2330 Your Trades 0700 Starting Up 0730 Et Insight 0800 Tee Time With Shaili Chopra 0830 The Market Makers 0900 Your Trades 0930 Investor's Guide 1000 Talking Technicals

‘Man Vs Wild’ at 2000 Hrs on DISCOVERY CHANNEL 1400 I Should'nt Be Alive 1600 Swords 1700 Discovery Showcase 1800 Wild Discovery 1900 Man Woman Wild 2000 Man Vs Wild 2100 We Built This City 2200 Swords 2300 Desire & Pleasure Decoded 1000 Medical Anomalies 1100 We Built This City 1200 I Should'nt Be Alive 1300 Wild Discovery

1415 CS 1510 Wipeout 1605 The Real Housewives Of New York City 1700 Got To Dance 1800 Criss Angel Mindfreak 1900 Breaking The Magician's Code - Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed 2000 Whacked Out Sports 2030 E Buzz 2100 Minute To Win It 2200 Movie - Clear And Present Danger 1020 The Challenger Muaythai 1200 Minute To Win It

‘Clear & Present Danger’ at 2200 Hrs on AXN

‘Chandragupta Maurya’ at 2100 Hrs on IMAGINE 1400 Haar Jeet 1500 Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo 1530 Sawaare Sabke Sapne – Preeto 1600 Haar Jeet 1630 Dwarkadheesh 1700 Haar Jeet 1800 Beendh Banuga Ghodi Chadhunga 1830 Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo 1900 Haar Jeet 1930 Gyaan Guru 2000 Dwarkadheesh - Bhagwan Shri Krishn 2030 Sawaare Sabke Sapne – Preeto 2100 Chandragupta Maurya 2200 Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo 2230 Haar Jeet 2300 Gyaan Guru

1400 Parichay 1430 Balika Vadhu 1500 Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha 1530 Uttaran 1600 Phulwa 1630 Parichay 1700 Sasural Simar Ka 1730 Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha 1800 Uttaran 1830 Balika Vadhu 1900 Hawan 1930 Sasural Simar Ka 2000 Balika Vadhu 2030 Veer Shivaji 2100 Phulwa 2130 Parichay 2200 Uttaran 2230 Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha 2300 Na Aana Is Des Laado 2330 Balika Vadhu

‘Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha’ at 2230 Hrs on COLORS

‘Choti Bahu 2’ at 1930 Hrs on ZEE TV 1400 Hitler Didi 1430 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 1500 Afsar Bitiya 1530 Yahaaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 1600 Pavitra Rishta 1630 Ram Milayi Jodi 1800 Hitler Didi 1830 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 1900 Afsar Bitiya 1930 Choti Bahu 2 2000 Hitler Didi 2030 Yahaaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 2100 Pavitra Rishta 2130 Ram Milayi Jodi 2200 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 2230 Bhagonwali 2300 Afsar Bitiya

1400 Saas Bina Sasuraal 1430 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 1500 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 1530 Kyaa Hua Tera Vaada 1600 Crime Patrol - 3 2000 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 2030 Dekha Ek Khwaab 2100 Saas Bina Sasural 2130 Parvarrish - Kuchh Khatti Kuchh Meethi 2200 CID 2300 Crime Patrol Dastak 2330 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 0900 Crime Patrol - 3 1230 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai

‘Dekha Ek Khwaab’ at 2030 Hrs on SONY

‘Saath Nibhaana Saathiya’ at 1900 Hrs on STAR PLUS 1400 Sapnon Se Bharey Naina 1500 Navya 1600 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behnaa Hai 1630 Sasuraal Genda Phool 1700 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 1730 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 1800 Mann Ki Awaaz… Pratigya 1830 Ruk Jana Nahin 1900 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 1930 Sasuraal Genda Phool 2000 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 2030 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behnaa Hai 2100 Diya Aur Bati Hum 2130 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 2200 Navya 2230 Mann Ki Awaaz… Pratigya 2300 Maryaada ... Lekin Kab Tak?

MOVIES OF THE DAY AND OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

1315 Cradle 2 The Grave 1510 Demolition Man 1720 License To Wed 1905 The Cave 2100 Torque 2235 Jason X 0745 Friends 0815 Superman IV - The Quest Of Peace 1000 Sex And The City - The Movie 1235 Executive Decision

1315 Rocky II 15:50 Leap Year 1800 Sex And The City 2 2100 American Pie - The Wedding 2300 Passengers 0800 Stormworld - A Hot Bath 0830 Stormworld - A Handful Of Sand 0900 Krippendorf's Tribe 1100 American Pie - The Wedding 1300 Sex And The City 2

1400 Outsourced 1430 Scrubs 1500 In Plain Sight 1600 Parenthood 1700 Outsourced 1730 Scrubs 1800 E News 1900 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 2000 Outsourced 2030 America's Funniest Home Videos 2100 In Plain Sight 2200 Parenthood 2300 Outsourced 2330 Scrubs 0700 Slot 0800 Parenthood 1000 18 To Life 1100 Less Than Perfect 1200 Better With You 1300 Slot 1330 Just For Laughs

‘Parenthood’ at 2200 Hrs on ZEE CAFE

Balika Vadhu Storyline - Asha feels bad as people talk about Bhairon’s family. Gehna sees Nandu with Mahavir's camera. Bhairon shares with Sumitra and Anandi, that he met Vasant in the fair but... ‘Balika Vadhu’ at 2000 Hrs on COLORS

‘Two And A Half Men’ at 2000 Hrs on STAR WORLD 1400 Supernatural 1500 Achievers' Club 1600 The Big Bang Theory 1630 The Simpsons 1700 The Shield 1800 Supernatural 1900 Desperate Housewives 2000 Two And A Half Men 2030 The Simpsons 2100 Supernatural 2200 The Shield 2300 The Big Bang Theory 2330 Two And A Half Men 0700 Dexter 0800 The Shield 1000 Combat Hospital 1100 Friends 1200 The Big Bang Theory

Kuch To Log Kahenge Storyline - Dr. Ashutosh makes it clear to Nidhi that he doesn’t see any future to their relationship and hence there is no point carrying it on. ‘Kuch To Log Kahenge’ at 2000 Hrs on SONY

1400 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma 1430 Chidiya Ghar 1700 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma 1830 R.K. Laxman Ki Duniya 1900 Chidiya Ghar 1930 Lapataganj 2000 Chintu Chinky Aur Ek Badi Si Love Story 2030 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma 2100 Chidiya Ghar 2130 R.K. Laxman Ki Duniya 2200 Lapataganj 2230 FIR 2300 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma 2330 Chidiya Ghar 0700 Religious Programmes 0800 Teleshopping 0830 Religious Programmes 0900 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma

‘Chidiya Ghar’ at 2100 Hrs on SAB TV

‘American Pie - The Wedding’ at 2100 Hrs on HBO

‘Life In A Metro’ at 1400 Hrs on ZOOM 1400 Movie - Life In A Metro 1730 Star Bonanza 1800 Letz Go! 1900 Planet Bollywood News 1930 The Zoom Review Show 2000 Let's Design 4 2030 The Times 50 Most Desirable People 2011 Women 2100 Telly Talk 2130 India Kids Fashion Week 2200 B - Tonite 2230 Link'D 2300 Bollywood Bonanza 0700 Letz Go! 0800 Red Carpet 0805 Letz Go! 1100 Zoom Box 1200 Garma Garam 1230 Bollywood Big Story 1300 Zabar 10 1330 Telly Talk

1400 Megascience 1430 What You Can't See 1530 Discovery Science Classics 1630 The Indestructibles 1700 Million 2 One 1730 Top Sniper 1830 Best Of Discovery Science 1930 How The Universe Works 2030 Sports Science 2130 Some Assembly Required 2230 Weaponology 2330 Industrial Revelations 1030 The Indestructibles 1100 Million 2 One 1130 What You Can't See 1230 Best Of Discovery Science 1330 How The Universe Works

‘Some Assembly Required’ at 2130 Hrs on DISCOVERY SCIENCE

‘Lucha Libre’ at 2200 Hrs on BIG CBS PRIME 1430 Jerry Springer 1530 Aspire 1600 Bellator 1700 Survivor 1800 Entertainment Tonight 1830 Galileo Extreme 1930 Frasier 2000 Entertainment Tonight 2030 Galileo Extreme 2100 Big Wheels 2130 Aspire 2200 Lucha Libre 2300 Movie - Killer Meteor 0700 Galileo Extreme 0800 Survivor 1000 Lucha Libre 1100 Galileo Extreme 1130 Big Wheels 1200 Aspire 1230 Galileo Extreme 1300 Movie - E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial

Playing Field Bulls edge Knicks in New York NEW YORK: Derrick Rose’s Chicago Bulls edged the New York Knicks 105-102 today (Friday) thanks to a balanced offensive attack that saw five players reach double figures. Rose scored 15 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter for the Bulls, who have the best record in the Eastern Conference at 19 wins and six losses. Rose, who also had 13 assists, helped clinch the win by making one of two free throws with 5.3 seconds left in the fourth to close out the scoring. “I missed one (free throw) so thank God I hit one. I think we had an alright game,” he said. Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver each had 16 points for the Bulls, who are in the middle of a lengthy road trip. CJ Watson scored 12 points and Joakim Noah finished with 10 points and nine rebounds. Amare Stoudemire shot 16 of 27 from the field to finish with a game-high 34 points, and Carmelo Anthony had 26 points for the Knicks who are playing two straight games at home.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

The games people play

Maria to melt frozen Fed Cup Emmeline Moore

PARIS: Maria Sharapova will be looking to fire Russia in their Fed Cup World Group opener against Spain this weekend as she returns to freezing Moscow after her run in the sun to the Australian Open final. Russian captain Shamil Tarpischev was spoilt for choice for the tie on the indoor hard surface of Moscow’s Olympic Stadium and has opted for world number three Sharapova for singles duty alongside 19thranked Svetlana Kuznetsova. Sharapova had a good run to the final of the first Grand Slam of the season in Melbourne before being thrashed in straight sets by Victoria Azarenka of Belarus. “I just came to Moscow from Australia and I’m still shocked by the temperature drop (from +30 degrees Celsius to -20C). But I still have time to get accustomed to the weather conditions here,” the Florida-based player said. “I believe this time I will be able to play better than I did in my previous Fed Cup appearance against France last year. I’ll try to give my best against Spain on front of our home fans in a very important tournament.”

Beaten 3-2 by the Czech Republic in last year’s final at the same Olympic Stadium, the Russian team will be looking for a morale-boosting opener with a team that also includes Nadia Petrova, ranked 33, and 42nd-ranked Ekaterina Makarova. Spain legend Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario takes charge for the first time as captain of the five-time winners in a team that will be without Anabel Medina Garrigues. The 39th-ranked Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez is Spain’s top-ranked player, in a team that also includes Carla Suarez Navarro, Arantxa Parra-Santonja and Nuria Llagostera Vives. “It’s my debut as the Spanish team’s skipper and I’m really proud I’m in charge of this great team,” said Sanchez-Vicario, who holds

TIES Russia v Spain Belgium v Serbia Ukraine v Italy Germany v Czech Republic the record for the most number of Fed Cup wins. “Russia look clear favourites but we are set to fight to the very end. We are

aiming for a place in the final this year.” Russia hold a 5-1 lead in previous meetings, with Spain’s only success in 1989. But Sanchez-Vicario insisted: “Statistics doesn’t mean anything. We’re going to fight for every single point in this showdown. “We feel comfortable on the hard surface in the Olympic indoor stadium here. Of course, the red clay is our preferred surface but we have nothing to complain about.” Champions the Czech Republic open against Germany on an indoor hard service at Stuttgart, as Belgium host Serbia on the same surface at Charleroi without Kim Clijsters, while three-time winners Italy host Ukraine on indoor clay at Biella. The Czechs won their most recent meeting in 2010 and lead the Germans 5-1, with four of the six ties when the two nations played under the former flags of West Germany and Czechoslovakia. Serbia, meanwhile, will be without Ana Ivanovic, with Jelena Jankovic leading their bid to win their first ever World Group tie, against two-time champions Belgium.

For Sexton, a chance to prove a point Pirate Irwin

DUBLIN: Jonathan Sexton gets another chance here on Sunday to finally become the undisputed first choice Irish fly-half when he starts against Wales in their Six Nations opener. However, the 26-year-old Leinster star is painfully aware that despite being eight years younger than his main rival for the post he has been unable to consign the evergreen and irrepressible Munster legend Ronan O’Gara to the sidelines for good. It is not for want of trying but Sexton - like O’Gara a two-time European Cup winner - realises that having entered last nyear’s World Cup the number one he exited it once again in the shadow of US-born O’Gara. Sexton, whose man-of-thematch performance in last year’s European Cup final where he

scored 28 points including two tries to engineer an astonishing comeback against Northampton, admits he has once again a lot to prove in Sunday’s match. He is hoping that a stellar performance from him will help the hosts avenge a 22-10 World Cup quarter-final defeat at the hands of a superior Wales side. “I place-kicked poorly in a couple of games at the World Cup. That can happen to any place kicker,” said Sexton, scorer of 161 points in his 24 tests. “Unfortunately it happened to me on the world stage in the two biggest games of my career. “I beat myself up at the time. Even against Australia (in the pool match which the Irish won 15-6) I nailed one straight after

half-time. Then there was another good kick which hit the post. “Who knows what might have happened had that gone over? I could have kept kicking until the end and we would never have been talking about this. “But those are the small margins,” added Sexton, who was replaced as starting flyhalf by O’Gara for the quarter-final against Wales. Sexton admits that his rivalry with O’Gara, provides good fodder for debate round the country but for him it is mainly about setting that aside and focusing on playing well on the pitch. “There are points to prove and there’ll be a little bit of motivation there but it won’t be everything,” said Sexton, who has this season shone for Leinster.

Playing Field

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

The games people play

Jim Slater

Osi fined for skipping media

INDIANAPOLIS: New England’s Tom Brady and New York Giants star Eli Manning are back in key Super Bowl roles just as they were in 2008 when the Giants denied the Patriots an unbeaten championship season. But when the 46th edition of the American football spectacle kicks off on Sunday, the outcome figures to rely as much on bodyslamming battles between defenders and quarterback protectors as it does on typical NFL passing heroics. “It’s all about the heart, passion and who wants it most,” Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty said. “Whoever is willing to line up and fight for that yard the hardest is going to win. “That’s what it really comes down to. Nothing cute about it, no fancy Xs and Os techniques — just line up and fight.” Brady, in his fifth Super Bowl over 11 seasons, will try to avenge his only Super Bowl loss, a 17-14 Giants victory four years ago, and match the career record of boyhood idol Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw with a fourth NFL crown. “Every loss hurts,” Brady said. “You have to move on and use those as opportunities to learn. I think this team has done that. We’re a very mentally tough team. That’s probably one of the strengths of this team.” The Giants are mentally hardened as well, having won their final two games to claim the last NFL playoff spot and then upset Atlanta, Green Bay and San Francisco on the road to gain another chance to defeat New

Jim Slater

Eli Manning

Tom Brady

It’s crunch time for Tom and Eli saga England for a title. Brady will guide the NFL’s top yardage-producers, with favorite receiver Wes Welker a threat deep or over the middle and Rob Gronkowski, expected to play despite a sprained left ankle, and Aaron Hernandez dangerous at tight end. But the eventual hero could just as easily be a reserve making the play of his life. “If you look at the history of this game, there are a lot of players no one was talking about who made plays, “Brady said. “That’s how this game goes. You never know who is going to be the dif-

ference. We all need to go do our job.” The Patriots will also try to establish a ground game behind Benjarvus Green-Ellis, quickly run plays without huddling and use screen passes and runs off fake passes to keep the Giants on their heels. “We have to get as much pressure as we can on him,” G i a n t s defensive end Osi Umenyiora said.

London Rams plan has NFL in a flap INDIANAPOLIS: NFL players union leaders raised concerns on Thursday over a plan by the league for the St Louis Rams to play one game in England for each of the next three seasons. The move, announced last month by the league, would have the Rams stage one regular-season home game in 2012, 2013 and 2014 at London’s Wembley Stadium, where the NFL has staged a regular-season game in each of the past five years. NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith raised health and safe-

ty issues involving Rams players repeatedly facing the issue of jet lag among other concerns. “It raises some significant concerns with the health and safety of players given the jet lag and the travel involved,” Smith said. “All of those are issues that have to be considered.” While NFL games have been staged in London for the past five years, no team has been sent to England repeatedly as the Rams would be under the new plan, which the league never discussed with the union before

announced two weeks ago. “We believe these are issues appropriate to be discussed between the league and the union,” Smith said. “It’s important to consider everything when the health and safety of our players is an issue.” The Rams are set to face the New England Patriots, who will play in Sunday’s Super Bowl against the New York Giants at adjacent Lucas Oil Stadium, on October 28 in their first of the three planned London contests. “I’m sure it’s going to be a very exciting atmosphere that

will provide a great experience for everyone involved,” Rams quarterback Sam Bradford said of the idea at the time it was announced. The move should help boost the NFL’s overall attendance. The Rams went 2-14 last season and finished second-tolast in home attendance in the 32team NFL with an average of 56,394 a game, barely 86 percent of stadium capacity.

INDIANAPOLIS: New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora was fined $20,000 by the NFL on Thursday, a day after skipping a mandatory media interview session to spend time with his family. The 30-year-old lineman, born in London to Nigerian parents, will be charged with trying to chase down New England quarterback Tom Brady when the Giants face the Patriots in Super Bowl 46 on Sunday at Indianapolis. Umenyiora said he did not attend the Wednesday session because the Giants had not even staged a practice since he spoke to reporters at Media Day in the stadium the day before. “Honest mistake,” he said. “We just went through the whole media day the day before so I wasn’t sure that this was mandatory so I went to hang out with my family. It was a mistake, a costly one, but a mistake none the less.” “At the end of the day I don’t really know what I could have discussed with you guys between Tuesday and Wednesday morning. It’s not like we had a practice or anything like that.” Umenyiora said he feels the pinch in his pocketbook. “Absolutely it’s a big hit. I am responsible for a lot of people,” he said. “It’s stupid to have to incur that type of fine for missing something as simple as this, but at the end of the day I didn’t know it was mandatory. Asked if he was apologetic, Umenyiora said he was sorry to have caused a distraction for the team and added, “It cost me a lot of money. I am sorry about that.” Umenyiora had been at the Super Bowl with the Giants in 2008 but said he had forgotten about the requirements. Umenyiora admits that players would rather not be speaking so much to the media in the days before their biggest game of the season.

Playing Field

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

The games people play

Guinea face Ivorian acid test Keyvan Naraghi

MALABO: Equatorial Guinea admit they did not want to face Ivory Coast on Saturday in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals. The Estadio de Malabo pairing appears to be the mismatch of the last-eight phase with 133 places separating the countries on the FIFA world rankings this month. Ivory Coast are packed with familiar English Premier League names like brothers Kolo and Yaya Toure (right) from Manchester City, Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou of Chelsea and Gervinho from Arsenal. Equatorial Guinea do not have a single footballer with international status and are competing in the African football showcase only because places are automatically reserved for host nations. The Ivorian build-up to the tournament was professional and smooth, but the Equatoguineans changed coaches less than three weeks before the kick-off and captain Rodolfo Bodipo has not started a match because of a niggling injury. While Ivory Coast triumphed against Sudan, Burkina Faso and

Angola with the minumum of fuss, Equatorial Guinea shocked Libya and Senegal before coming up short against group winners Zambia. "I wish we could have met Ivory Coast in the final rather than now," confessed midfielder Javier Balboa, once on the payroll of Real Madrid and Benfica and now with Portuguese outfit Beira Mar. "It is not that we cannot beat them, but their status as a starstudded team is very formidable.

There are very high expectations of us across the country," said the match-winner against Libya. "So it would be catastrophic if we were eliminated in the quarter-finals as many hearts will be broken. Supporters are expecting us to reach the semi-finals and even the final." Among the supporters is President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, the longest serving ruler on the continent, who expects the team to "display attractive football and win the cup".

Real face tricky Getafe Dermot Ledwith

MADRID: Real Madrid's sevenpoint lead over Barcelona could come under threat this weekend when Jose Mourinho's side face a potentially tricky fixture at local rivals Getafe. The team from the south of the capital may be sitting in ninth position but the Dark Blues sit only four points off the Champions League places for next season and are without a defeat in six league games. Getafe are also the only team to have beaten Barcelona this season — a significant detail, and also one of the reasons Real currently enjoy such a big gap over the Catalans. Since being humiliated by a 3-1 home defeat to Barcelona in December, Mourinho's side have a 100 percent record in five league matches — and that is partly down to on-form German international Mesut Ozil. Having stated in midweek his desire to stay at the club longterm, the attacking midfielder is clear what the short-term goal is. "It may that we have a big gap over Barca, but it's not. If we mess up twice they can catch us," said Ozil. Getafe coach Luis Garcia has duly pinpointed Ozil as one of Real's danger men. "I think the last few games he has been spectacular and we are now seeing the Ozil we had all heard about. Lets hope he has a bad game on Saturday but I think

Fixtures SATURDAY Levante v Racing Santander, Mallorca v Real Betis, Athletic Bilbao v Espanol, Getafe v Real Madrid, Barcelona v Real Sociedad SUNDAY Sporting Gijon v Osasuna, Sevilla v Villarreal, Zaragoza v Rayo Vallecano, Atletico Madrid v Valencia he has a great future with Madrid," said Garcia, who is nonetheless confident of taking something from the game. "We are in good form and we'll have our chances, Real have failed to win in the league three times so far this season," added Garcia.

Juventus chilling out in Serie A’s big freeze Barnaby Chesterman

ROME: The weather has been playing havoc with football fixtures in Italy all week but Serie A leaders Juventus have survived the big freeze and managed to cement their grip on the standings, without even playing. Juve's game at Parma was called off leaving them an anxious 24-hour wait to see if they would lose the league leadership. But AC Milan crashed 2-0 at Lazio meaning Juve held on to top spot ahead of the visit of Siena this weekend. "The midweek games provided a table that still makes us smile," said Juve captain Alessandro Del Piero.

Fixtures SATURDAY Cesena v Catania, Roma v Inter Milan SUNDAY Genoa v Lazio, Chievo v Parma, Fiorentina v Udinese, Juventus v Siena, Lecce v Bologna, Novara v Cagliari, Palermo v Atalanta, AC Milan v Napoli "With a one-point advantage [over Milan] and a game in hand we have to take advantage of the opportunity to escape, even though it's still too soon to stop and look at the table." There is still almost half the season to go but there's a feeling

that things are falling into Juve's lap. However, with temperatures of up to minus 10 Celsius expected in the north this weekend, the weather promises to have yet more of a say. Already three scheduled evening games have had to be brought forward to the afternoon to give them a better chance of going ahead. What this has done is reopen a raging debate in Italy about the state of stadia in the country. Juve are the only club to own their custom-built stadium while everyone else rents theirs from the local council. Those other stadiums are mostly old and out-dated with poor facilities and no contingency plans for icy conditions.

Playing Field

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

The games people play

Arsenal facing uphill battle for Europe Ian Winrow

City look to turn on the heat

ROB WOOLLARD

LONDON: Manchester City will aim to turn the pressure back on their title rivals on Saturday by re-establishing their slender lead at the top of the Premier League table with victory over Fulham. City have endured a wobbly start to 2012, exiting both domestic cup competitions while suffering defeats against Sunderland and Everton to leave Roberto Mancini's side level on points with second placed Manchester United. But with United facing a potentially tricky visit to Chelsea on Sunday, and third placed Tottenham travelling to Liverpool on Monday, City could well finish the latest round of fixtures with their noses back in front. A dejected Mancini blamed himself for City's latest setback, a surprising 1-0 reverse at Everton on Tuesday which allowed United to go level on points with their bitter crosstown rivals. Mancini said he had made "several mistakes" in the buildup to the Everton game which would not be repeated as City aim to preserve their remarkable 100 percent home record against the Cottagers. "I acknowledge my mistake. It is important for me to know this because, like this, I can't do the same mistakes in the next game," said Mancini, who nevertheless insisted City were still in the driving seat. "We are on the top again. We

have 15 games. It is important next Saturday we win the game at home. We have time." United meanwhile could welcome back Wayne Rooney, Nani and Ashley Young this weekend for their trip to Stamford Bridge, a venue that has been anything but a happy hunting ground for Sir Alex Ferguson's side in recent seasons. Although United defeated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in last season's Champions League quarter-finals, Ferguson is still riled by the memory of his team's recent league meetings at the venue. Last season a controversial Frank Lampard penalty gave Chelsea a 2-1 win while in 2010 United were left seething by a John Terry winner that Ferguson believed should have been disallowed. "Games at Chelsea in the last few years have been tough and we’ve had terrible luck there which has caused us disappointing results," Ferguson said. The United manager has challenged his players to respond to a series of demanding away fixtures as they bid to overhaul City. "We've done very well away from home this season and we need to be good from now on," Ferguson said. "We've got some really important away games in the run-in — Chelsea, Tottenham and City. They're going to be crucial games. "The players know what

they need to do. They know their responsibilities and the standard and expectation at the club, and they have to carry those things with them when they go into games." Liverpool meanwhile will look to maintain their impressive recent run of results against Spurs at Anfield on Monday, where victory for the Reds would edge them ever closer to the Champions League qualifying places. The Merseysiders have responded strongly since being lashed by manager Kenny Dalglish following a tame defeat at Bolton last month.

Fixtures SATURDAY Arsenal v Blackburn, Norwich v Bolton, QPR v Wolves, Stoke v Sunderland, West Brom v Swansea, Wigan v Everton, Man City v Fulham SUNDAY Newcastle v Aston Villa Chelsea v Manchester United MONDAY Liverpool v Tottenham

LONDON: Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal must improve quickly, or face up to the prospect of missing out on a top four finish for the first time in 16 years. The Gunners have been a fixture among the Premier League's leading group ever since they finished fifth in 1996. But having dropped to seventh after the latest round of fixtures, Arsene Wenger’s (pictured) side now face a testing challenge if they are to maintain

their impressively consistent run and ensure a place in next season's Champions League. The midweek draw at Bolton at least ensured the North London club avoided a fourth successive league defeat. Now Arsenal must attempt to rediscover winning form when Blackburn Rovers visit the Emirates Stadium. The pressure is undoubtedly building on the manager following his failure to make a major signing in the transfer window, despite funds being made available to him.