Postnoon E-Paper for 04 February 2012 by Scribble Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

FLASH

BECKS SENT OFF... AT A KIDS’ GAME! Football icon David Beckham was shown the red card and ordered out of a park while watching a children’s match, he said in an interview to be screened today. The former England captain was sent off after protesting a decision to send off one of the youngsters, he told ITV television. The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder, 36, who was waiting for a match his nine-year-old son Romeo was due to play in, had to go and stand outside the park gate until the game was over. “It was the younger kids of Romeo’s club, and they’re playing in the game and there was a penalty given. He sent the kid off. And I was like, ‘Come on, he’s seven years old, referee, you can’t send him off’. “And he came over and gave me a red card. He told me to get out of the park. For real. The gate was only 20 yards away and I waited and went back in when my son’s game was on.” Hyderabad’s first compact afternoon newspaper

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012 HYDERABAD

P11

WHAT WOMEN WANT IN A CAR?

It is a million-dollar question: What do women want? While we may not be able to answer this one, we can, however, tell you that when it comes to cars, a woman knows what she wants.

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IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR

They shout, they play, and they end up spending hours together. Console games are the binding thread that keeps the family as one and this is how modern families are spending that much-needed time together.

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WEATHER: CLEAR SKIES; 24°C

Think of animal welfare in the city and one name comes P13 to mind — Blue Cross. It has been 20 years and they are still going strong, fighting for those who have no voice.

MOSQUITO NATION With global deaths due to malaria found to be double of what they were earlier thought to be, we take a look at the situation in the City, considering its weather and polluted lakes. REPORT ON PG 4

THE SIX-YARD STORY PAWS FOR THOUGHT

32 PAGES

Six yards of pure elegance. Any woman who owns a Pochampally sari will vouch for this fact. For the past many years, villagers of Pochampally have been laboriously trying to make women feel beautiful. Today we take a look at the process that goes into making this weave. P16&17

Page Two

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

Spirit of Twin Cities

Mayor’s latest plan of action CIVIC Md Inkeshaf Ahmed ahmed.m@postnoon.com

oung mayor, Majid Hussain is very eager to implement the long series of plans designed to spruce up the sagging image of GHMC. He has conveyed to the administration his desire to hold general body meetings (GBM) as frequently as possible. The mayor is planning to hold zonal level meetings in all five zones of the corporation before his crucial first general body meeting. The main objective, the mayoral office explained, is to bring together corporators, officials, and residents of all divisions of a zone on one platform. The aim is

to identify basic civic problems being faced by the residents of that zone and have discussions on them. The problems and sugges-

tions identified during the zonal meetings will be discussed in detail during the GBM by respective corporators. The mayor is planning to ensure

CRIME Mysterious death of boy in city hostel

proper flow of funds to address problems highlighted during the zonal meetings. “My top priority is development of the city in all spheres. I want to know the civic problems faced by residents. I’ll do my best,” he said. According to Majid, earlier there was no such platform for corporators and residents to express their views and highlight the problems being faced by them. “This is a novel concept. Earlier there was no such platform for the residents and public representatives to state their problems. My concept will fill that void,” Majid said. He reiterated that he would put in all his efforts to bring in visible development in the corporation. It has been learnt that the mayor has asked all departments to ensure timely clearance of files and issues.

n a shocking incident, a sixyear-old student, Pappu, who moved into to a hostel in Gandhi Nagar only last week was found dead with nail marks on his neck and body. Pappu was brought to the hostel by one Balaraj, a resident of Gandhi Nagar on January 26. Police suspect foul play.

Financial worries drive man to suicide

Srinivaslu, 35, of Venkateshwara Nagar colony in Meer Pet was found dead on Friday. He is suspected to have consumed poison due to financial difficulties. He was working in a medical store, police said.

Around the city: Your guide to the Twin Cities

Martini ‘n music

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

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

Numaish A childhood favourite of 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 4-course meal worth `1,000 at Dialogue in the Dark. Where: Dialogue in the Dark,

CINEMAS

Inorbit Mall, Hitech City When: Ongoing, 12.30pm Contact: (040) 64603341

SWING IT

Valentines groove 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

Bronze structures Kalakrithi presents lively meshes of bronze, an exhibition of bronze sculptures by Tapas Biswas. A preview will be held on January 4. Where: Kalakrithi, Banjara Hills When: January 4, 7pm Contact: (040) 66564466

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

Feeling Italiano Feeling Italiano this evening head to Via Milano for a dinner buffet with specialised Italian & live music with Megha Girish Where: Via Milano, Jubilee Hills When: Saturday, 8pm Contact: (040) 64556677

Lunch specials Nautanki Galli offers its expan-

PIC: A SUDHEER REDDY

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

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

Cupcake delight Cupcake lovers head to Deli 9 for the cupcake festival. You can select from a variety of cupcakes such as chocolate, vanilla, peanut butter, coffee, orange. 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

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

Karaoke Night With 4500 songs at your disposal head to Xtreme Sports Bar for Karaoke Night with RJ Clarence. So all those who love to sing, get ready to sing along. Where: Xtreme Sports Bar, Jubilee Hills When: Saturday, 8pm Contact: 8008692225

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

Develop infrastructure and systems to reduce taxes and penalties TRANSPORT U Srinivas srinivas.u@postnoon.com

f Hyderabad does not want to choke and sneeze due to pollution, it has to act now said some representatives of the NGOs who are working for a better environment in the City. They say the City needs action like conversion of fuel of vehicles into compressed natural gas (CNG), scaling up of public transport, integrated multi-modal transport options and walking. They say that the green tax should be imposed on vehicles that do not comply with the emission levels and not after 15 years. Shiva Kumar, an environmentalist, says tax should be levied based on the level of pollutants vehicles emit and not on their age — after 7 or 15 years.

Hyderabad, in fact, is facing a danger of losing out on the gains it made in the first generation air pollution reforms, says an analysis of recent air quality data done by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a New Delhibased research organisation. The CSE analysis stated that locations in the City, which are categorised ‘moderately polluted’ under the earlier norms, have spiralled into the ‘critically polluted’ category now, while other sites have moved from ‘low pollution’ to the moderate level. Chaitanya another environment enthusiast, said that according to the Hyderabad City Development Plan, traffic volumes in the core areas of the city often exceed the designed capacity of the roads. He felt that the green tax or increase of it was not the solution and that creating awareness among the public to reduce the pollution levels is the key.

What Hyderabad should do 1. Strengthen air quality monitoring systems The city must spruce up its monitoring facilities to generate rigorous data on the critical air toxics. This should be supported by an assessment of the pollution sources and public health impacts. 2. Expedite CNG-public transport programme The CNG programme, linked with an expanded bus transport system, is an important strategy for leapfrogging to cleaner emissions. The city needs a stringent timeline for expanding the refuelling infrastructure. 3. Scale up public transport: Hyderabad has taken the lead to build its multi-modal transport system. But the network needs scale, integration and reliability. It is bus

transport that carries the maximum number of passengers in the city – 42 per cent – will need scaling up. 4. Pedestrian infrastructure Pedestrian infrastructure has a very poor rank. The City should legally mandate reformed pedes-

trian guidelines for approval of road projects and enhancement of the existing ones. 6. Introduce a good parking policy Hyderabad must prevent on-street parking, use parking revenues to build other transport options and price parking to reduce personal vehicle use. 7. Enforce emission checks on in-use vehicles The City must improve on its vehicle inspection systems and remove visibly smoking vehicles from the roads. 8. Strengthen green tax The City must reduce taxes on public transport buses, and enhance green tax on personal vehicles. A dedicated urban transport fund must be created.

Hyper Local

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

Chills of malaria gives City the jitters With deaths due to malaria found to be double of what they were earlier thought to be, we take a look at the situation in the City, considering its weather and dirty lakes Hyderabad — Anopheles (causes malaria), Culex (filaria), Ades (dengue and chikungunya), Mansonia and Armigeres. The other two don’t cause any illness,” he adds. The ades mosquito thrives in water stored in small containers, which are common in homes.

Is malaria under check?

Ranjani Rajendra ranjani.r@postnoon.com

ccording to a study published in the medical journal Lancet, nearly 1.2 million across the world succumb to malaria every year. Researchers reviewed the malaria mortality data from 1980 to 2010 and found that 1.2 million people were killed by the illness in 2010, which is twice the toll that was thought to be. Interestingly, 42 per cent of these

Malaria Deaths Worldwide 1,000,000 800,000

985,000

600,000

781,000

400,000 200,000

deaths occurred in children older than 5 and in adults. When it comes to the effect of malaria in India, it was estimated that a whopping 46,800 Indians had succumbed to the illness. Considering the tropical weather and an abundance of polluted water bodies in Hyderabad, the risk of malaria seems higher. “Mosquitoes generally exist at sea level and the warm weather is perfect for them to breed. Earlier a surge in malarial cases was seen post monsoons. But in the recent past, it’s begun to get warmer throughout the year. Besides, there is construction activity across the City which causes waterlogging. The dirty lakes are also breeding grounds,” explains Dr Suneetha Narreddy, infectious diseases specialist at Apollo Hospital.

A threat?

2000

2009

In 2010, 289 million ITNs were delivered to sub-Saharan Africa, only enough to cover 76 per cent of the 765 million people at risk. Previously, only 42 per cent of households owned ITNs, and only 35 per cent of children slept under an ITN. *ITNs are insecticide-treated mosquito nets

Helpline GAS BOOKING IVRS NO: HP 9666023456 Indane 9848824365 BSNL Complaints HMWS & SB Complaints

198 155313

POLICE CONTROL ROOM: Hyderabad 27852435 Traffic Control Room 27852482 DCP Traffic 23234065, 23243499F Pollution Control Board 23887500 ELECTRICITY: General Complaints Breakdown Section

155333 23431178 23431179 MUNICIPAL CORPORATION: Commissioner & Spl Officer 23262266

While experts across the world are crying hoarse about the incidence of malaria, the toll in Hyderabad stood at 352 as of 2011, according to government data. “Considering we have a population of nearly 10 million, this figure does not pose a great risk,” says T Ratna Joseph, chief entomologist at the GHMC. “There are five types of mosquitoes found in

24166666R ENC 23225267 Engineering 23220418 MCH Tankbund 23225397 Emergency MCH Circle I&II 24525842 MCH Circle III 24736912 MCH Circle IV 23326975 MCH Circle V 23326976 MCH Circle VI MCH Complaints 1100 Head Office 23225397 IVRS CUM MANUAL ENQUIRY PHONE NUMBERS (TRAIN & RESERVATION) RAILWAYS Rail Nilayam 27833169, 27824216 Railway Information 131 Reservations 135 Recorded Information 1345 Enquiry (IVRS) 1331, 1332, 1333

While fumigation was done frequently earlier, the process has decreased over the last few years. “The main reason for this is that while it is effective up to a certain extent, fogging is expensive, causes pollution, is a health hazard to humans and mosquitoes have become resistant to these chemicals,” says Joseph.

Countries and Territories Where Malaria Is Eliminated According to the World Health Organization, 90 countries are malaria-free. Malaria eliminated 1955-1972

Malaria eliminated 1973-1999

Countries considered in the control phase

Countries considered endemic

Malaria eliminated 2000-2010

Current Status of the Malaria Epidemic Worldwide Region

Mosquitoes are growing resistant to drugs like chloroquinine. According to the WHO, malaria should be treated with a combination of drugs

What is the GHMC doing? “We are working towards the prevention of malarial out-

WATER SUPPLY: Complaint Cell Sewerage Complaint Hyd. Water Supply HOSPITAL: General Hospital, Sec-bad Niloufer Hospital, Red Hills NIMS, Director, Punjagutta Osmania General Hospital Railway Hospital, Lalaguda Apollo, Jubilee Hills Care Hospital, Banjara Hills Care Hospital, Nampally Care Hospitals, Musheerabad Care Hospital, Sec-bad Kamineni Hospital,

LB Nagar 155313 23307328 23313163 27505566 23314095 23390933 24600146 27001134 23607777 30418888 30417777 30419000 30416666

BLOOD BANKS: Blood Bank,Narayaguda Chiranjeevi Blood Bank Blood Bank Mediton Goal Red Cross, Vidyanagar ADRM Blood Bank Mythri Charitable Trust NTR Memorial Trust Care Banjara Hills

Number of Countries in elimination or Pre Elimination Phase

Number of Countries Considered in the Control Phase

African Region American Region Eastern Mediterranean Region European Region South-East Asia Region Western Pacific Region

In Africa, a child dies every 45 seconds of malaria, accounting for approximately 20 per cent of all childhood deaths in the region.

Malaria infects 1 in 10 of the world's population.

Dr Suneetha Narreddy, Apollo Hospital “Mosquitoes are these days growing resistant to drugs, making it harder to combat them. For instance, the salsiparum malaria is resistant to chloroquinine. According to WHO recommendations, malaria should be treated with a combination of drugs,” says Dr Suneetha.

Number of Countries Considered Malaria-Free

breaks,” says Joseph. But with the efficacy of fumigation in doubt, how is the municipal corporation working towards preventing the illness? Joseph lists out the following activities n Anti-larval operations: A team of GHMC employees visit households, identify mosquito breeding and use chemicals to destroy these. n Special activities: These are carried out in large water bodies like the Musi, lakes, tanks

39879999 27567892 23559555 23226624 27633087 27035588 27550238 30799999 30418296 30417445

AMBULANCES Apollo 23548888, 23607777 Kamineni 24022222 Medwin 23202902, 23204616 Smile Line Dental Hospital 23747979 Red Cross 27627973 Niloufer Hospital 23314095 Gandhi 23320332

and nalas and there’s a special team dedicated for this. n Indoor residual sprays: These last up to 90 days and are applied on walls of homes to kill mosquitoes on contact. n Publicity: The GHMC is screening a one-minute short film on mosquito control at Numaish. n Fumigation: Though not as frequent as before, fogging is carried out on the basis of complaints received and near large water bodies.

AIRLINES Airport Director 27903785, 27906001 For Air India Flight Information Toll free (from any network) for IC Flights 18001801407 And for All Flights: 1800227722 Air India has revised its flight timings. For more information call (Toll free) 18001801407, 1800227722 from BSNL/MTNL 04023430334 from other lines and mobile Website; www.airindia.in TOURISM OFFICES AP Tourism, Hyd 23262152/53/54 Sec’bad 27893100 Dept of Tourism 23453110 India Tourism 23261360 AP Tourism information Centre (24x7) 23450444, 23455999

UK Visa Office VFS India Pvt Ltd Building, 8-2-542/A, Sunil Chamber, Road No. 7 Beside Meridian School, Banjara Hills34. Working hours are from 8 AM to 1 PM And 2 PM to 3PM. MUSEUMS Salar Jung Museum AP State Museum Nizams Museum

24523211 232431300/7641 24521029

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

Dance to spread awareness

PICS: N SHIVA KUMAR

Osama Salman salman.o@postnoon.com

hey crept up from behind and formed a huge group taking the public by surprise. And then just like that the group broke into a jig leaving onlookers watching with dropped jaws. The flash mob organised at Prasad’s IMAX to raise awareness about cancer on February 3 came as a pleasant surprise to movie-goers. The impromptu dance performance included more than 50 doctors from Apollo Cancer Hospital, fitness trainer Dinaz Vervatwala and her group, actor Navdeep and former Mrs India Shilpa Reddy. Expectedly, the crowd went wild. “I was shocked when a few people came from behind me and started to dance. It was amazing. I

Dinaz Vervatwala, Dr Vijay Anand Reddy, Shilpa Reddy and Navdeep participated in the flash mob at Prasad’s was hooting all the way through,” said Garima Mustan, one of the many people who witnessed the event live. “We knew there was something fishy. Usually, there isn’t much crowd early on a Friday evening. But it was a great sur-

prise. This is the first time that I saw a flash mob and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I wish there were more such surprises in the City,” said a visibly excited Radha Varadha. The crowd went ballistic to the songs of Poovai Poovai, I hate you like I love you, Kolaveri di and Tai-

Tai fish. It felt as if the crowd had taken adrenalin shots, the enthusiasm crystal clear. “I was dancing along with the mob. I don’t think I had this much fun in a long time,” said Zayed. However, among all this, the real cause wasn’t forgotten. Dr

Vijay Anand Reddy, director of Apollo Cancer Hospital; Navdeep, Shilpa and Dinaz spoke about the dreaded disease and how it is preventable, detectable early and curable. Bookmarks providing information and how it can be prevented were distributed.

Children are the best examples of courage Hyderabad’s first afternoon newspaper

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Paediatric cancer survivors with AK Khan on the eve of World Cancer Day Shiba Minai shiba.m@postnoon.com

ids they say, know no fear of death. Maybe that is why when they are faced with a dreaded disease like cancer they face it head on and smile all through. And this very spirit came to fore at the ‘Colours of courage’ event organised by Yashoda Hospital on the eve of World Cancer Day. The event that saw paediatric cancer survivors turn up looking their best invited them to paint anything they fan-

cied with the promise of a prize for the best painting. And the children’s enthusiasm reflected in their work, with the prize going to 16-year-old Sai Kumar, who lost his leg to cancer, but refused to be bogged down by it. Commissioner of police, AK Khan gave away the prizes and said, “I have heard that over 45,000 children are diagnosed with cancer. When you see such kids it reminds you that cancer is curable and there is hope. I would want to salute the children and their parents for fighting

their circumstances and emerging victorious.” Dr GS Rao, managing director, Yashoda Group of Hospitals, who was also present on the occasion said, “Cancer cure for children should be a priority in India. Our goal in conducting this art workshop is to create awareness on the prevalence of childhood cancer in India.” Yashoda hospital is one of the few centres in the City to have a Cancer Helpline (040-67232323) to meet the psychological and social needs of patients and their families.

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India‑View

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

India unveiled

BALANCING ACT

CLASSIFIEDS FABRICATION

BJP blames UPA for misusing policy NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya

Yogacharya Swami Adhyatmanandji shows Taiwanese yoga teachers an asan at Sivananda Ashram in Ahmedabad on Friday. AFP

‘Secular party tie-up for next polls’ CHENNAI: The DMK party would align with a secular party having the nation’s interest in mind in the next Lok Sabha elections, party president M Karunanidhi said on Friday. Speaking to reporters after chairing the party’s general council meeting, Karunanidhi said: “The Lok Sabha elections are far away. The party will align with only secular parties having national interest.” Refusing to comment on the Supreme Court’s order on the issue of probing union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s role in the allotment of 2G spectrum

licences to telecom companies, Karunanidhi strongly disagreed with union communications Minister Kapil Sibal’s statement Thursday that DMK’s A Raja was responsible for the spectrum trouble.

Goa: Minister in trouble for real estate dealings PANAJI: An income tax (IT) paper trail claiming controversial Goa Education Minister Atanasio Monserrate got `26.5 crore in kickbacks from shady real estate deals could change the pitch of campaigning ahead of the March 3 polls though the man claims he has done no wrong. The investigation said that a former bureaucrat was a conduit for kickbacks to Monserrate, who allegedly received the money to convert massive tracts of prime farm land into orchard areas to facilitate real estate development when he was was minister for town and country planning in the Congress-led coalition government in Goa during the 2005-07 term. Though the Congress minister has denied the authenticity of such findings, that wereleaked to the media earlier this week, the opposition has

Atanasio Monserrate described the damning paper trail as a “weapon” for campaigning. Monserrate, however, said he was in the clear and all his transactions above board. “I have done nothing wrong. My paperwork is clean. If any explanation is sought by the party, I will tell my party alone, not anyone else,” Monserrate said. IANS

Strongly disagreeing with the comments of Kapil Sibal on the procedure adopted for allotment of 2G spectrum, Karunanidhi said what A Raja followed was the policy laid down in 2003. Sibal had on Friday sought to shift the blame on Raja, who is currently in Tihar Jail, for alleged irregularities in the manner in which the policy was implemented, saying that the Supreme Court clearly stated that Raja did not heed to the “good advice of both the prime minister and the finance ministry”. IANS

Janata Party (BJP) on Friday blamed the UPA government for “misusing” the telecom policy and said the Supreme Court order on the 2G spectrum allocation was similar to parliament’s Public Accounts Committee report on the issue. A day after the Supreme Court gave an order cancelling licences of 122 telecom companies that were granted licence during former telecom minister A Raja’s regime, BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi said: “It is a very important judgment which has many dimensions and it has several implications for governance and accountability of the government.” The BJP leader blamed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and said the responsibility of taking action is that of the prime minister and the cabinet. “In case the prime minister doesn’t take any action, then he would be held responsible. The prime minister owes an explanation to the nation. He was in the know of everything,” he said. Joshi, who heads the PAC which is examining the CAG report on 2G spectrum allocation, said there were similarities in the draft PAC report and the Supreme Court judgement. The opposition also reiterated its demand for the sacking of Home Minister P. Chidambaram, alleging his involvement in the case when he was finance minis-

2G case: Congress hits out at BJP’s ‘double standards’ NEW DELHI: The Congress Friday hit out at the BJP for its “double standards” over the Supreme Court’s order on the 2G spectrum case, and said the UPA government “can’t be punished for following the NDA policy”. The party also said the apex court order cancelling 122 2G licences issued during former telecom minister A. Raja’s tenure did not hold either Prime Minister Manmohan Singh or Home Minister P. Chidambaram responsible, as charged by the saffron party. “The apex court’s order did not hold either Prime Minister Manmohan Singh or Home Minister P. Chidambaram responsible,” Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi told reporters. IANS ter. “The first step that the prime minister should now take is sack Chidambaram. Any delay on the PM’s part now will only lower his own credibility,” he said. Replying to the statement by Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal that the telecom policy being followed was formulated by the BJP-led NDA government in 2003, the BJP leader said the UPA government had misused the policy. IANS

Indian carriers have provided carbon emission data: EU NEW DELHI: Despite the government’s appeal to airlines to refrain from submitting carbon emission data to the European Union (EU) for a new tax, EU climate action commissioner Connie Hedegaard on Friday said they had. The ministry of civil aviation in December last year wrote to all the Indian carriers flying abroad to stay away from providing the data. Indian along with US, China and many other countries have been opposing EU’s Emission Trading Scheme (EU- ETS) that came into effect from January 1. Under the scheme, airlines using EU airspace will have to pay a fee for carbon emissions that exceed a set limit. Hedegaard, who met Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh in the capital on Friday said: “I had a constructive dialogue with the aviation minister. It seems now

that the US, India and others are embracing that we should make substantial progress in the area.” Replying to a question about whether Indian carriers have provided data, Hedegaard said “yes”. She said EU is open to accept

an international regime similar to EU-ETS. “But you cannot say oh let’s discuss that in International Civil Aviation Organisation, please take away your legislation. That’s not how we are playing,” she added. IANS

Around the World

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

Beyond Borders

217 civilians killed in Syria violence on the eve of UN vote DAMASCUS: Syrian forces killed at least 217 civilians, including women and children, in a “massacre” in the central city of Homs, a rights group said on Saturday, ahead of a UN vote. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 138 of the fatalities were caused by mortar fire in the Al-Khalidiya district of Homs, which has become a flashpoint of the 10-month revolt against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Another 79 people were killed in other parts of town. Following violence elsewhere, including Damascus, during the day, Friday’s overall death toll was around 250 and could still rise, the Observatory said. “It’s a real massacre,” the observatory’s director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP, calling for the “immediate interven-

Flood crisis in Australia could worsen SYDNEY: Australia’s flood crisis deepened on Saturday with the weather bureau warning of a possible catastrophe in one region, as authorities continued to search for a woman swept away. Heavy rainfall in the eastern states of New South Wales and Queensland have cut off thousands of people, swamping homes, and prompting rescues from flooded areas. Assistant Commissioner Andrew Edwards said while the rain was easing, the amount of flooding in the region and to the north meant that “we can expect these floods to be going on for months” in some pockets. AFP

Hama that killed thousands. News of the latest deaths came as a diplomat in New York said members of the UN Security Council would meet Saturday morning for a vote on a resolution condemning the violent repression in Syria. The Syrian rights group, called on the people “to take to the streets in the towns and villages and to rise up against the regime

Protestors break into embassy Syrian anti-regime protesters shout slogans during a demonstration in Al-Qsair on Friday. tion” of the Arab League to end the killing. The Al-Jazeera and AlArabiya television channels showed images of dozens of bodies on the ground.

AFP

The violence broke out after thousands of people across Syria defied the government crackdown to mark the 30th anniversary of a notorious 1982 massacre in the central city of

Around 20 protesters broke into the Syrian Embassy in Berlin on Friday, causing damage in several offices and da ubing slogans on walls before being arrested, police said.Then protesters who were all “Syrians or of Syrian origin,” entered the embassy grounds at around 4.30 pm. AFP

GLOBE AT A GLANCE Anonymous posts FBI, Scotland Yard call WASHINGTON: Hacker group Anonymous, in an embarrassment for law enforcement, released a recording on Friday of a conference call between the FBI and Scotland Yard discussing operations against them. The FBI confirmed the authenticity of the recording and said it was “intended for law enforcement officers only and was illegally obtained. A criminal investigation is under way “

Russians brave freeze to challenge Putin MOSCOW:Tens of thousands of Russians are set to march through Moscow on Saturday, braving freezing temperatures to challenge Vladimir Putin’s grip on power a month before the premier stands in presidential elections. Government supporters will stage a rival rally in central Moscow.

Romney looks to win Nevada LAS VEGAS: Mitt Romney looks set to romp to victory in the Nevada on Saturday, cementing his position as Republican presidential frontrunner four days after his crushing Florida win. Despite a wobble this week with a gaffe about America’s poor, opinion polls give him a huge 20-25 point lead over his rivals in the State. But there is no sign that any of his three opponents, led by Newt Gingrich, plan to throw in the towel as they prepare to head to the next state poll in Colorado, another western state. The main question seems to be how big Romney’s share of the vote is in Nevada — which has a large community

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney holds a rally at Metro Pizza in Henderson, Nevada. AFP

that shares his Mormon faith — and some say anything less than 50 percent could be seen as a disappointment. “They’re basically competing against expectations now: can he do better than 50 per cent” said David Damore, associate professor of politics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. “Everybody knows he’s going to win, it’s about how big he wins, and how much of the vote he gets,” he said. Mitt Romney is aiming for a third win over his nearest rival Gingrich, as the two wrestle to be the Republican Party’s challenger in the November elections against Democratic President Barack Obama. AFP

Pakistan launches first-class rail ABOARD THE BUSINESS EXPRESS: A security guard pointing a gun at your chest may not be a perk of first-class travel in the West, but it’s all part of the service on Pakistan’s gleaming Business Express. Thirteen carriages have been lovingly restored into a sleek sleeper to ply the 1,200 kilometres between Pakistan’s two biggest cities, Lahore and Karachi, on an 18-hour journey that once used to take upwards of 30 hours. Presided over on Friday by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza

A policeman stands guard on the newly launched Pak Business Express train. AFP

Gilani, perhaps keen to front a good-news story as he faces contempt charges, and waved off by excited crowds it is Pakistan’s most luxurious and expensive train. For 5,000 rupees one way, or 9,000 rupees return, passengers are waited on by a bevy of attentive stewards, as they settle down to watch films on flatscreen TVs or power up laptops. Afternoon tea and piping hot dinner — courtesy chefs at five-star hotels are borne into cabins as uniformed guards in the corridors are a reminder of a

country troubled by kidnappings, Taliban and violence. It’s all part of a first private investment of millions of rupees in the ailing state railways, billed as the last hope of preventing a much-loved relic of British rule from falling into ruin. “It’s beautiful. It’s relaxing, compared to the trains before. I’m so happy and very comfortable. The staff are good. It’s a marvellous train,” a 22-year-old young mother said. Gilani congratulated staff on a “deluxe” and “state of the art” service. AFP

Artists of the ‘Cirque Du Soleil’ perform in Moscow, on Friday. The acrobatic spectacle will be open to the public as of February 4. AFP

Actor Ben Gazzara dead at 81: Reports NEW YORK: The US actor Ben Gazzara, who enjoyed a long career on Broadway and in Hollywood, died of pancreatic cancer on Friday in Manhattan, the New York Times reported. He was 81. He had starred in films, television and played Brick in the original Broadway version of Tennessee Williams’ Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. He died at a Manhattan hospital.

246 survive Papua New Guinea ferry accident SYDNEY: A total of 246 people have been rescued after a ferry accident off the coast of Papua New Guinea, authorities said. The vessel was carrying about 360 people. Five ships carried the survivors to Lae town in the South Pacific country on Thursday night, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said. About 100 people were believed trapped when it sank.

An aerial photo shows an extensively flooded area in the New South Wales town of Moree in Australia. AFP

Comment

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

Fair, free and forthright

Editorials GOOGLE CENSORSHIP to draw a blank

fter Twitter, online search engine behemoth Google has decided to kowtow to demands of censorship from governments. The move would deny netizens all information and platforms to express their views, especially dissent. More than respect for local laws, the Internet giant’s move is to ensure that it retains the lucrative online advertisement market in those countries. A brief flashback will bring back the screaming headlines about Google’s gung ho against Chinese censorship. The company backtracked sheepishly when the regime threatened to ban it and replace it with local reverse-engineered sister products. If civil society or human rights activists have any illusions about the corporates being standard-bearers for their cause, they will soon be proved wrong and the compromised information may do irreparable damage to their movements. Google is no exception to this rule. Corporates are set up to make money and not to serve the cause of humanity. After all, it’s money honey.

To be or not to be... that is the question? QUIRKY SIDE UP Arpita Bhawal

he English FA’s decision to strip John Terry of the captaincy of the national team is commendable indeed. A far cry from the myopic and downright farcical Fifa, the FA has shown the way when it comes to dealing with racism (even when, as it is in Terry’s case, alleged). Whether Terry decides to sulk and quit international football is another matter, but at least football is better for this.

ver since Shakespeare penned the fatal words, “To be, or not to be…,” the majority of Earth’s citizens have been haunted by them. Life is no longer an experience to be lived — it is a potpourri of questions that need to be answered now. Will Obama win the elections? Will I lose weight before my next birthday? Will my ex call me? Will Oprah visit the Bachchans next year? Will my next book merit a fatwa? Do these questions form the basis of our moral and intellectual stimulation and growth today other than books, films, people, sex and religion? Now that is another darned question. Do we really need to know everything about everything, all the time? Even our good old Earth, which breathes the uncertain air of its own polluted existence doesn’t know if we are going to continue loading it with more chaos or love. And, much as we would like to believe, the Universe for sure doesn’t have definitive plans to keep all the planets in the same line-up as we discovered decades ago from the awesome picture of the Solar System in our science books. Do we have to be certain about things or people, else die? Naively, we actually believe we can find bliss if we get answers to every single thing that bothers us. This whole need of wanting to find life-settling answers began before we discovered the steam engine, computer, World Wide Web, and iCloud. Our forefathers began to equate answers with IQ. Over time, IQ got replaced by a hunger for information which could wield great power aka Julian Assange. In this glorious tech age, our pathological need for answers is confused with our love for Google. We all love Google because we would certainly die without having the option of randomly typing words into the search box to find out about stuff. Mostly, the stuff is just stuff, and of no further value than the random reference material of college days. But now, we can’t even accept our normal human thoughts, emotions, reactions, actions and stimuli without analysing them to death with

Peer pressure at school

Women’s slavery

Your article regarding the financial status and how it affects children at school is some what of a new concept to me and I haven't noticed it in my son's school or otherwise. Regular background checks do take place but then none of the sort that has affected the child in running away from home. Children are children. They are young, immature and naive. The kind of environment at home reflects a child's behaviour at school. What children learn at home influences their mannerisms. I suggest that parents keep a check on their kids rather than blaming it on others. Rita Ghosh, Somajiguda

This is in regard to your yesterday’s news report about women slavery. It seem to be really disgusting for people possessing moral values and ethics, but it may be like a joke to those heartless cruel men who always treat women as sex objects. But these men can’t be blamed every time as women are dehumanising themselves by doing such menial jobs. As there is a saying "Give him an inch and he will have all.” So it is women who should first try to protect themselves by living a dignified and respectable life and say no to such jobs regardless of the circumstances. Mohammad Ansari, Hyderabad

WHY WE LOVE The English FA

our buddy, Google. Everything we do — believing, thinking, cheating, working, feeling, eating, loving, avoiding, building, hyperventilating, or even writing — seems to be subject to what Google’s content managers have to create about our unique lives’ unique experiences. By now, the myriad follies of our yesteryear should have already taught us that uncertainty is the only certainty and, answers aren’t ‘people’. It is okay to accept, that we DON’T know. We can all take a deep breath, and shift the focus from our current national tragedy, starring Salman Rushdie and the-

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

book-that-shall-not-be-named, to our inner selves. We can even group-hug for unconsciously embracing uncertainty every morning when we step out of our homes in a blissful state of mind. Then, we can blow a kiss to our illogically ‘certain’ instinct, which keeps us alive through the day, so that we can watch our favourite TV show. And when it boils down to the status of our current love affair, giving rise to the question, “To be, or not to be,” I would say, just let it be. (The writer is a Communication Specialist)

More national news

Double check facts

While I read and enjoy Postnoon, I would like to make a suggestion to your paper. Of late I have been noticing that the coverage of your paper has increased and is often veering to the International side of affairs. I, however, wish to see more of national news items in the paper. As a subscriber, I would like to see my preferences also catered to and I am sure many other readers will also share my views on the need for national news. However, I must also congratulate you on that piece on Hyderabad, the old and the new. It was a refreshing change. Manasi Mohapatra, Dilsukhnagar

Postnoon is a paper with a difference and as a reader I must acknowledge that. The range of news you carry is commendable. It is the City news which interests me most. However, I miss seeing human interest stories in your paper. Stories like that of the 70-yrold man who shot the burglar were really good. The story on the Mayor was also well done. Sports and nation need a little more coverage. I would like to point out that factual errors often creep into your stories, so please check facts. As a reader nothing annoys me more than wrong information. Sharath P, Madhapur

Comment

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

Fair, free and forthright

Wired into our dark half

Urban sketches Viswaprasad Raju

Coffee & Cocktails

From the Hip Syed Shoaib

‘You may not like me, but hating me won’t make you prettier...’

‘Yana Gupta photographed without her panties!’

‘Chris Brown beats up girlfriend Rihanna.’

‘Salman Khan hunts black buck.’

ave you ever wondered how it is that the human brain is wired? We know for an absolute certainty, what is right and wrong, the acceptable from the unacceptable by the age of twelve. That is when they say our brains are completely grown. To cross over to the dark side is so alluring though. It may not be the easier path, it requires more effort and there is usually more at stake. But the intriguing of it all is so compelling to resist. I am not talking of the absolute baddies the thieves and the murderers. The fear of punishment keeps us well away from such outright criminal activities. I am talking about the things we all find thrilling that involves toeing a little to the other side. They may be things as simple as jumping a signal because no one is looking, lying for no apparent reason, saying something brash or nasty to someone already in a spot, or... help me out here, will you? You now know what I am trying to say. Come to think of it, they are downright silly, not absolutely necessary and usually a little risky. But yes, it is so very glamorous. The braver of us or the dumber, whichever way you prefer to see it, do not go all the way as they wear their little experiments with life for all to see. The foxy ones are a little smarter, for they go the whole hog but don’t advertise themselves and cover their tracks well. And there are the rest of us who cannot help ourselves admire the first kind and yes we are a frustrated grumbling hypocritical majority. Studies of lower animals have proved that they do not have the sense of discriminating the right from the wrong and the fear of punishment alone can be used to teach them so. Homo sapiens may not have evolved as much as we would have like them to. Shah Rukh Khan has a theory, “Buraiyi achhi nahi hoti... Buraaiyi sang jo mel rachaya, phir kabhi na chhuute uska saaya...” A good lesson learnt from Ra.One after the lesson in commerce, that of hard selling nothing! So as the majority and the driving force fuelling such activity, it is upon us to restore balance. Maybe not completely evolved, but still creatures with high intelligence, we can always take steps towards damage control. l First of all we can all consciously stop dwelling admiringly on such incidents and the people involved. l And if entrusted with minding children, accept reasons like, ‘I overslept and hence didn’t come to school,’ rather than force them into lying with, ‘I was sick.’ l And if reward is the only thing our brain understands, reward and glorify a good deed highly. l And yes contain your urges to click the like button a thousand times over for stupid statuses on social networking sites.

They are bosses, not (civil) servants Poly Tricks A Saye Sekhar

hen IAS officers expounded their woes to Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, the tone was almost stoking rebellion. Understandably, their grievance is that why is the thinktank of administration — the bureaucrats of Indian Administrative Service — is being singled out. It wasn’t unexpected at all when the civil servants sought an audience with the chief minister to vent their ire over the ‘attempt’ of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to paint them dark in a slew of cases that came up for investigation in the State now. When the perimeter of the probe is encompassing the decisions of the State, naturally IAS officers do form part of the process. They are the most privileged section of Indian society, whether one accepts it or not. Those enjoying the confidence of the powersthat-be also enjoy clout in everything that has something to do with the governance. It’s just a fringe benefit, sans any tax. Even the three service chiefs — the

most decorated of all in the country — too report to Defence Secretary, who is an IAS officer. The cabinet secretary accesses the un-vetted reports of Intelligence Bureau. They aid, advise and administer the policies at all levels in the country. We dedicated such a system to ourselves. Before the fruits of economic liberalisation sequined the lifestyles of young professional with fat paychecks, IAS has always been the goal for aspiring careerists in the country. That is how those came out in flying colours from premier educational institutions like IIMs or IITs too landed the most ‘powerful’ jobs in the country. After all, it is a preference of power to pelf that lured them into these assignments, lest most of them should have been in the top-echelons of multi-national giants. Rules are there for bending. The officials, who generate the ideas or translate the thoughts of their political bosses into deeds, usually offer tongue-in-cheek advises. In the public administration books, it is written clearly that a bureaucrat is faceless. But surely, they know that they cannot be baseless in their actions. If they claim that they just implement what’s conceived as a policy by their political bosses, then they are washing their hands off their primary call of duty. They guide the governments. They sit by the side of treasury

Bureaucrats in Andhra Pradesh are angered by the way they are being targeted by CBI in the cases under probe currently. They want to take up the ‘humiliation’ being meted out to them with the Prime Minister. benches to help the chief minister and ministers to respond to any situation in the Assembly. The politicos look to them for any help. There is no doubt that the CBI is going overboard and riding a roughshod on the IAS officers, while soft-pedalling with politicians and officials in the lower rung in the cases. The CBI is facing a charge that it is pursuing a political agenda, more than executing a task that it was entrusted with. But when a battery of men in their three-piece suits and women in their sartorial best trooped into the camp office of the chief minister on Friday evening, even the jet-black tyres of their swanky cars fitted with red lights atop them, aired their vice-regal egotism, leaving the Congress top brass high and dry.

Business

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

Matters of saving and spending

Kalyan Jewellers’ bosses to fly high

PIC: N SHIVA KUMAR

Postnoon News

he top brass of Kalyan Jewellers will henceforth be air-borne to drive the expansion of the jewellery retail chain. The company has purchased a Phenom 100 aircraft for growing travelling needs of top-level management and directors. The aircraft is the 61st privately-owned jet in India and is the first jet owned by a jewellery retail company. “The purchase of an aircraft for the company is an innovation. There are no direct flights to most of the towns where we have showrooms and where we are about to open stores. A lot of our time is wasted on transit. “Even if there are flights, the timings are sometimes unsuitable to match appointments. We feel that our top level management and directors travel reach is expanded and this will help us achieve our growth plans and ensure effective monitoring of showrooms. The aircraft is not a luxury and it is a necessity since it

helps us to save valuable time which in fact is money,” said T.S. Kalyanaraman, CMD, Kalyan Jewellers. The Phenom aircraft is manufactured by Emberar company in Brazil. It is a seven seater Jet, (including 2 pilots) which can fly 3.50 hours continuously without refueling. The cost of the aircraft is around `30 Crore and the approximate fixed yearly cost would be around `2.5 Crores annually. The aircraft can go up to the height of 41 thousand feet in 25 minutes and needs only 4000 feet runway for takeoff and landing. There are more than 250 airports in India in such measurement. The interiors of the aircraft is manufactured by BMW.

To become single largest jewellery group Kalyan Jewellers is all set to cross the milestone turnover of Rs8,500 crore this financial year to emerge as the single largest jewellery group in the country in terms of the retail turnover, surpassing Tanishq and Gitanjali. The group has 30 retail stores with the maximum number of directly owned retail outlets in this format in the country. The group is also adding value to the industry by its marketing campaigns. It had spent a year to educate the common people about the importance of buying BIS gold and about to launch new campaign against the mal practices in pricing.

HIV patients may get health cover NEW DELHI: Insurance regulator IRDA proposes to make it mandatory for insurers to provide cover to people suffering from HIV or are exposed to the threat. According to the exposure draft released by IRDA today, all life and non-life insurers will “have to put in place an underwriting policy on health insurance coverage for persons suffering from HIV”.

“The Authority proposes implementation of these orders to be effective from October 1, 2012,” IRDA said, while inviting comments from stakeholders within 30 days. IRDA in the exposure draft said that insurers would not be allowed to reject claims to person who was HIV negative before the policy, but subsequently gets infected by the ailment.

It said that while giving cover, the insurance companies can term HIV/AIDS as a critical illness and also provide the cover under group insurance schemes. IRDA said the draft is in response to representations from public bodies and the government to provide insurance cover to people living with HIV and to people in general, like doctors and nurses, who are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, in health insurance policies. PTI

Dr Reddy’s posts best-ever results Postnoon News

HYDERABAD: India’s credibility indeed took a drubbing with the 2G scam. This was palpable at the recently-concluded World Economic Forum at Davos. Responding to a query at a press conference of the third quarter results of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories here on Friday, Managing Director of the company K Satish Reddy said that this feeling was there in the air at the convention. The company earmarked $ 100 million for the capital expenditure (expansion) and was well on track. Satish Reddy was bullish on the US markets as the company was expecting a steep growth in its revenues from the US markets.The company posted an 88 per cent growth in its consolidated net profit at `522 crore in the third quarter of the current fiscal, the best ever quarterly results it had announced so far. Responding to a question on why there was a drop in the net profit by 59 per cent (`150 crore) on a standalone basis, Chief Financial Officer of the company Umang Vohra said that

Olanzapine launch and its initial issues were taken into consideration in the third quarter. But it should be viewed in totality and this product would boost the sales of the company in the next six months. The company declined to give any guidance on the business outlook, when asked if it would be a $ 2-billion company by the end of the current fiscal. When insisted that the existing numbers indicated that the company was moving that direction, Satish Reddy said: “You can extrapolate.” The company was expecting upsides only in the month of January from Russian market owing to seasonal prescriptions, but in general the performance in the Russian market disappointed the company. Satish Reddy said that the Indian market was well on track for the company. The company would launch six new drugs, including the four in the pipeline, in the next few months and that would add to the top line as well the bottom line, he disclosed. The growth in numbers was not a windfall, but it was planned that way, said Vohra.

US economic recovery speeds up: Obama WASHINGTON: US economic recovery was speeding up with the labor market improving, but the nation needed to take more steps to bolster the faltering recovery, President Barack Obama said Friday. Obama welcomed the latest job market report as good news about the economy, but he cautioned that there were still too many unemployed Americans, Xinhua reported. He urged the Congress to make joint efforts to sustain the momentum of the economic recovery, including passing the extension of payroll tax cuts for the full year.

The US unemployment rate edged down to 8.3 per cent last month from 8.5 per cent in December 2011, evidence of an improving job market, the US Labor Department said. “In January, American businesses added another 257,000 jobs. The unemployment rate came down because more people found work. And altogether, we’ve added 3.7 million new jobs over the last 23 months,” he said. Speaking at a fire station in Arlington, Virginia, Obama warned the Congress not to “muck up” the economic recovery. “The recovery is speeding up. And we’ve got to do everything in

our power to keep it going,” Obama stressed. “Now is not the time for self-inflicted wounds to our economy. Now is the time for action,” he added. Total US nonfarm payroll employment rose by 243,000 in January, beating economists' expectations of about 150,000, Xinhua reported. The total number of unemployed people in the nation dropped to 12.8 million in January, said the department. The unemployment rate declined to a near three-year low since February 2009, an indication that the US economy was on a stronger footing.

The professional and business sector, including accounting and consulting services, added 70,000 jobs in January, while employment in leisure and hospitality sector rose by 44,000. IANS

CORRECTIONS CLARIFICATIONS n

It was mentioned that M Bhagavantha Rao was the GM of State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH) on Page 11 on February 3, 2012. He is the Managing Director of SBH. The error is regretted. It is Postnoon’s policy to correct errors swiftly and fairly

Auto Show

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

Where the carʼs the star

It is a million-dollar question: What do women want? While we may not be able to answer this one, we can, however, tell you that when it comes to cars, a woman does know what she is looking for

What women want in

a car?

Osama Salman salman.o@postnoon.com

olonel Archibald Gracie IV, an American writer, had once famously said, ‘Women and machinery don’t mix’. Or does it? While women may not particularly seek the adrenalin rush like their male counterparts, they do have a solid list of musthaves when zeroing down on a car they want to buy. And believe it or not, it is anything but a built-in make-up kit on the dashboard! Easy manoeuvrability in traffic tops the list for women. “Traffic is terrible in the city. In such a scenario, I will look for a hatchback that is ideal to drive in traffic as well as easy to park. Everything else is secondary,” says Mahnoor Sahrash, a lecturer in a college. “It is

Usha Ve dantam

ash r Sahr o o n h Ma

also important for me to have power-steering and park assist. It’s a known fact that women aren’t the best at parking and these two help a lot,” she quips. “Smaller cars are easier to handle. They have manoeuvrability that sedans or SUVs don’t

Ahmareen Hussain as they slide through traffic. Most women drive hatchbacks or similar cars,” says Ahmareen Hussain, an employee of an international bank. “But I wouldn’t mind an SUV because space is essential. I can store a lot of things in an SUV.” Ahmareen plans to buy an SUV soon but is currently driving a Maruti

Alto. On the other hand, Usha Vedantam, a programme analyst, says safety comes first. “While this may go for a toss for men, women are saner. Safety is of the utmost importance. But comfort is essential too. These are the things I gave priority to when I bought my car,” she says. Aishwarya Subramanian, an associate analyst at a multinational company agrees with Usha as she says, “If you aren’t comfortable in a car, then there is no point buying one. Hatchbacks are better for women as they are easy to handle too,” she opines. True that, we say! Usha says that although women don’t generally look into the specifics of the engine, power or acceleration, there are numerous women who actually do. “I look for power in a car. Besides, it’s always nice to brag that you pushed your ride up to 150kmph,” she jokes.

Pretty in pink is cliché, says Aishwarya. “Pink colour exteriors look ugly on a car. Women these days want stronger colours. Royal black and metallic colours look really classy. I’d choose a black-coloured sedan over a pink-coloured one any day,” she says. Then comes, a great music system. “It is absolutely essen-

Aishwarya Subramanian tial to have a good music system. I don’t drive cars in which I can’t pump up the volume. Good music is bliss,” opines Ahmareen. Hope husbands, boyfriends, fathers or brothers are listening.

Cars women drive (or would love to) Volkswagen Beetle/ Polo Maruti Alto/ Zen Hyundai i10 and i20 Fiat 500

Technology

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

They shout, they play, and they end up spending hours together. Console games are the binding thread that keeps the family as one and this is how modern-day-gadget-friendly families are spending that much-needed time together. Of course, laughter and fun come as default

IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR

Nikon Coolpix L810

ikon is back with yet another digital camera for the mass market, pushing out its Coolpix L810 shooter this time around. Just what does the L810 have in terms of improved performance over its predecessors? For starters, it will come with a CCD image sensor that has an effective pixel count of 16.1 million pixels, in addition to a 26x optical zoom NIKKOR lens, which is capable of covering angles from the wide-angle 22.5 to super telephoto 585mm (equivalent in 35mm format), and a new lens-shift vibration reduction (VR) function.

Sony DSC-TX200V Osama Salman salman.o@postnoon.com

areena Khan loves playing games on her Play Station 3 Move with her sister, Zoya. “Whenever we turn the PS3 on, we end up having fun. We pull each other’s legs, which ultimately helps us bond and understand each other better. I also get to know what games we like, plus what games irritate her; this is the part I enjoy the most,” she says. “I remember this one time when both of us were playing tennis on the console. We ended up hitting each other several times. After the game, we laughed so much that mum came into the room to check on us and she ended up playing a game with us,” recalls Zareena. For Ershan Lakhani, playing Dance Central or Just Dance on the X-box Kinect with his family is “the best thing ever". "My family loves to play on the Kinect. It’s always interesting to watch your family dance like that,” he quips. “Dance Central has an option to learn dance and then perform it. It also has a fitness model, which we rarely

use. But the game lets the four of us dance together. We take time out from our busy schedules to catch up every weekend to play on the Kinect. We bond over the games and share things,” adds Ershan. No friends, no acquaintances when the Nintendo Wii takes centre stage, says Mohammed Osman. “My brother and I love playing Wii sports together. We have serious competitions together, especially in tennis and boxing. Besides, when you can’t punch your

App of the week Band of the Day This is for the iPad. Band of the Day (BoD) is the world’s first daily music magazine built solely for mobile devices. BoD delivers a new artist or band every single day through expert curating and engaging reviews, as well as full streams of the artist’s top songs, videos, photographs and more. A new band in your pocket, every day. Listen, Discover, Share.

brother in real life, why not use the console! This is the only time that we get to bond,” he says with a smile. Osman says that it started out with playing first-person-shooter games on the console individually. “My brother joined me a couple of days later. We had a blast. That’s when we decided that we should do this more often. As and when we get an opportunity to play, we get on to it,” adds Osman. It isn’t just about bonding with immediate family. Console games help you spend some quality time with the extended family as well, says Aaron Sangma. “My cousin and I hardly see each other as we are busy with our classes. But in the evening, we put on the Play Station and play Modern Warfare3 in split screen mode. That’s the only time we are able to spend together and at the same time relax by shooting at some freaking terrorists!” exclaims Aaron. “We work as a team in the game. We plan our strategies in the game. We shout and we abuse. It’s too much fun. I think more families should do this. It’s a great way to bond, spend time, or just enjoy,” he opines.

Videogame review The Good n Interesting blend of real-time strategy and tower defence n Art design creates an engrossing setting n Plenty of variety in multi-player maps n Entertaining story The Bad

Oil Rush

n Uneven strategic game play n Some boring missions n One dreadful escort scenario

he Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer, Sony, has just added yet another model to the ultra-thin Cyber-shot T series — with the model number DSCTX200V. You might want to look into expanding that external storage space collection of yours if you happen to pick up the new TX200V camera though, considering it is capable of shooting 18.2 megapixel images thanks to its ‘Exmor R’ CMOS sensor. This would clearly place the Sony DSC-TX200V as the highest-resolution digital camera that is currently on offer in the ‘point and shoot’ market segment.

Website of the week

www.notothehighstreet.com This site stocks everything from food to wedding jewellery, by 900 small companies whose products you won't find in the usual chains. This is for anyone who wants to bag an unusual gift without having to scour the shops for hours.

Animal Kingdom

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

Paws for thought Think of animal welfare in the city and one name comes to mind — Blue Cross. It has been 20 years and they are still going strong, fighting for those who have no voice PICS: INDIRA ATLURI

more, but what is gratifying to see is that the dogs are getting weekend friends to spend time with — we want to see that consistent happiness in our dogs.”

Neutering? By all means!

“I

t’s absolutely necessary. You avoid many a problem whenwhen you neuter dogs — pets or strays. Their temperaments are positively different when they are neutered as they do not get excited too easily.” On how people can do their bit, Meitim says, “When people see strays, instead of just sympathising with the animals and moving on, they could instead bring the pups along with the mother to us. We would neuter the mother and that would avoid further unnecessary breeding.”

Exotic pets — a pitiful sight

eitim takes a strong stance against the sale of exotic pets. Her conviction against the trade is clear when she tells us, “It may not be a crime in certain countries, but Indian wildlife is not for sale. These poor creatures are illegally imported from Thailand, Cambodia and other small Asian countries. But do the sellers know what their nutritional requirements are? No. Extinction is bound to happen if this continues. They are best left to their environment — doctored habitats are far from ideal. This cruelty can be stopped only when people stop buying them — it’s as simple as that.”

IDEAS, INITIATIVES AND IMPLEMENTATIONS Indira Atluri indira.a@postnoon.com

uffin, the brighteyed, brown-coloured dog is intimidated by the presence of Rambo, a bigger dog. Meitim Connolly, a counsellor at Blue Cross realises that the only way to calm him down is to lock the door to the room where we were scheduled to have the interview. Pacifying Muffin seemed to be the easiest job for Meitim who has been an active member with the Blue Cross for

Volunteers from Indonesia and Hong Kong at the Blue Cross

20 years now. We caught up with her, to understand her stance on animal issues, and what makes her passion for the Blue Cross get better with each passing year.

On Blue Cross

here is an unmistakable glint in her eyes as Meitim tells us, “Blue Cross completed 20 years on the 23rd of January. On paper, the numbers are big, but it’s just a drop in the ocean — there is so much more to do.” On how Blue Cross plans to incorporate new set of programmes this year, Meitim tells us,“ This year, we plan to give more time and attention to our

hen it comes to emotional support, nothing compares to the support you get from a pet. Adopt a pet and give it as much love and care as you can. Adoption is the loving option. So consider adopting from the Blue Cross before buying an animal from the pet store. Contact: 32989858, 23544355 Website: www.bluecrosshyd.in Email: bluecrosshyd@gmail.com Address: 403/9, Road No 35, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad 500033

disabled dogs. They are fit to take short walks, and we have volunteers who take care of them. And we have named all of them and are also giving them an extra dose of multivitamins and beautiful collars.”

How can society help?

eitim believes that there is a lot society can do to help the dogs. “We want people to sponsor a dog. With just `800 a month, a disabled friend could not only get better in health, but also enjoy the company of a new friend.” She adds, “It is not about the money really — those who wish, can give lesser than `800 or

Ramu, the mascot of Blue Cross

New animal birth control shelter

new shed for performing more surgeries is underway at the Blue Cross; the result of which is more than obvious – more neutering surgeries would mean lesser possibility of stray litters. This is just one of the steps Blue Cross has taken to propel its service to the animal kingdom to the next level. With understanding, support and adoption by people of the city, stray dogs will be a sight of the past. And You and I could enable and ensure that this is realised.

Literati

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

Explore a world without borders

HISTORY AND FICTION, Star-crossed love A BOND THAT BINDS

How can a book about teenagers succumbing to cancer be funny and joyous and full of life? Read John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars to find out

port group, a 17-year-old dreamboat. Both of them promptly fall in love. But how here is nothing quite like long do they have and what can the experience of a book they do before their time is out that seduces you into makes for the crux. Other than being a sucreading just one more page, even after you have a hundred cessful writer, Green is also a more than you had planned. To demigod on YouTube. That is find yourself clutching it in the perhaps why this book had middle of the night and weeping massive pre-release orders at the injustice of it all. John and went straight to the New Green’s latest book The Fault in York Times Best Seller List on Our Stars is that book. Wry, release and has stayed put funny, heart-breaking and at the ever since. But The Fault in same heartwarming, Our Stars proves that it’s enough proof that the hype surrounding fiction for young-adults Green is well deserved. need not be fantasy. His novel is eleThat it can as well be gantly plotted and prose that’s intelligent, some phrases are so insightful and poigeloquent that you will nant. pause to simply to Hazel Grace is 16 enjoy it. He makes years old. She is cranky, adolescent-crush jitshe is funny, she is ters and musings angsty, she is bright, about the afterlife much like any teenager. Except, Hazel is The Fault in Our seem beautiful. As Hazel says to afflicted with lateStars Augustus, “Some infinistage thyroid cancer John Green ties are bigger than other that has spread to her 336pp lungs. And is now liv- Dutton Juvenile infinities... There are days, many of them, ing on borrowed time thanks to an experimental drug, when I resent the size of my and has to be constantly hooked unbound set. But Gus, my love, I up to an oxygen tank to prevent cannot tell you how thankful I her lungs from filling with fluid. am for our little infinity.” We are thankful to Green for Enter handsome, cancer-survivor Augustus Waters at a sup- letting us be a part of his. Padmini C

padmini.c@postnoon.com

T one that he has mentioned in the story apart from the lead man is a real character. The Prague Cemetery is Captain Simoeading Umberto Eco’s The nini’s account of how the Prague Cemetery nineteenth century unravis like a climbing elled and the role he played a hill and then taking in in changing its course by the view from the top; forgeries, espionage, couone may find it a bit nter-espionage and propahard starting the book; ganda under the instrucan equivocal beginning tions of those with vested taking the reader into interests. the room of the protagSimonini’s abject lack of onist and describing it conscience and his profound and its contents in so hatred for Jews are highly much detail leaving The Prague repulsive. He’s a bit of a quirk him a bit exhausted yet Cemetery who prefers good food to sex. mystified. But as the Umberto Eco Simonini, who grew up on reader advances, every464pp anti-Semitism, decides his thing becomes clear, his perceptions and Random House purpose in life is to author a secret document that would implibeliefs about history take a turn. Eco’s book claims to be an cate Jews for all the bad things that inspired twisting of fiction and his- happen everywhere. The document tory. The author vows that every- purports that Jews have infiltrated Rajesh Ravindran

rajesh.r@postnoon.com

everywhere and have started to call the shots and plan world domination in a hundred years’ time. It also describes their strategy to meet their ends. Simonini struggles to sell this ‘valuable information’ at first, but as the whole of Europe begins to dread the chosen race and pin them for the existing economic and social iniquities, Simonini becomes the darling of the secret service wing of many governments in Europe; for them anti-Semitism is the best way to keep their citizens busy and distract their attention from the real issues. The Prague Cemetery, Eco’s sixth novel, boasts writing that is lucid and erudite. It proves that history if seasoned with a bit of spice can be made interesting. This book is dynamite…with a long, long fuse. Available at all Walden bookstores

At your nearest bookstore... Title: Grandeur of the Lion Author: Carl Mueller ISBN:9780143414469 Publisher: Penguin Books India ividly told, full of rich mythology, Grandeur of the Lion is an extraordinary book about one of the most astounding periods of Sri Lankan history. For many centuries, Lanka was referred to as Sihaladipa — the island of the Sihala, who were the people of the lion. Carl Muller recounts the glorious days of Duttha Gamini’s reign. With blazing energy the king transformed Anuradhapura into the greatest Buddhist city of ancient times.

Title: Glitterring Decades Author: By Nayantara Pothen ISBN: 9780670086009 Publisher: Penguin Books India ew Delhi was purpose-built to trumpet the supremacy of the British Raj and inaugurated in 1931. Instead it came to represent a fading imperial dream in the two decades that followed. Closely examining the role of social ritual, interaction and behaviour in the shaping of the city and its elite groups, Glittering Decades tells the story of New Delhi and its privileged inhabitants between 1931 and 1952.

Title: Defending Jacob Author: William Landay ISBN: 978-0385344227 Publisher: Delacorte Press ndy Barber has been a respected assistant district attorney in his suburban Massachusetts county for more than 20 years. But when a shocking crime shatters their New England town, Andy is blindsided by what happens next: His 14-year-old son, Jacob, is charged with the murder of a fellow student. The novel tells of an embattled family in crisis — a suspenseful, character-driven mystery that is also a spellbinding tale of guilt and betrayal.

A Title: The Orphan Master’s Son: A novel Author: Adam Johnson ISBN:978-0812992793 Publisher: Random House he Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson is set in modern day North Korea. North Korea epitomises Orwellian horror. This is a country where you can be condemned for no more reason than that the poster of Kim Jong Il on your wall has a torn corner, where children spy on their parents and starvation is a way of life. An orphan’s lot in North Korea is grim beyond Dickins’ tales of early industrial England. Their lives are brutal, short and exploited.

Title: Home Front Author: Kristin Hannah ISBN: 978-0312577209 Publisher: St Martin’s Press ome Front is a story of love, loss, heroism, honour, and ultimately, hope. Like many couples, Michael and Jolene Zarkades have to face the pressures of everyday life, even as their 12-year marriage is falling apart. Then an unexpected deployment sends Jolene deep into harm’s way and leaves defence attorney Michael at home,with to their two girls. When tragedy strikes, Michael must face his darkest fear and fight a battle of his own.

Literati

Explore a world without borders

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

MANFREDI’S INDIA CONNECT ‘The Aishwarya connection’, is how author Valerio Massimo Manfredi is of late being described. Well, Manfredi is known for a lot more than just that. Author of The Last Legion, Manfredi talks about his connect with India Madhusree Chatterjee

guages in 55 countries.

Manfredi was also deeply moved by the Taj. “I was here three years ago to shoot my programme for Italian television. It was a cultural programme about the Mughal empire. I loved the Taj Mahal. It was a masterpiece — very classic and very beautiful. The green gardens and the mausoleum are so imposing. It reminds me of the Renaissance...,” Manfredi said. “It is an image that is almost an icon of India,” he said. He is the author of nearly 20 historical novels, several essays on history and archaeology and

he Taj Mahal, actress Aishwarya Rai and Alexander the Great bind famous Italian archaeologist-historian, television presenter and novelist Valerio Massimo Manfredi to India — a country whose heritage he finds iconic. Manfredi is the author of The Last Legion, a 2007 Hollywood production starring Colin Firth, Aishwarya and Ben Kingsley. “My character of the leading lady (played by Aishwarya) was totally different. She was from a village but Aishwarya was totally different. She was the lover of the protagonist but she acted as if the film was for kids,” Manfredi said. The film tells the story of emperor Romulus Augustus’ journey to Britain in search of loyal legionaries to take on the “barbarian” invaders. The writer ended up befriending Firth, could not get around to meeting Ben Kingsley and was struck by Aishwarya’s eyes. “She has such strong expressive and beautiful eyes. Some little expression of love would have made the film more different. The editing was so much like a video game, so many passages were missing...I am not criticising,” Manfredi said. Memories of The Last Legion make Manfredi introspective. “I have noticed that everybody who has not read the book liked the film and those who read the book did not like the movie. This is very unusual because they are two different kinds of expression. While the book uses words, cinema uses images,” Manfredi said. “When a novel of almost 500 pages has to be squeezed into a 90-page screenplay and then reduced to 50 on the computer screen, it becomes 1/10th of the original work,” Manfredi explains. The writer was in India to launch the Indian editions of his Alexander trilogy, a series for which he is known the world over. The books, Child of a Dream, The Sands of Ammon and The Ends of the Earth (Pan Macmillan) are historical interpretations of the conquerers’ life painted on a canvas of facts and fiction. The trilogy has been translated in 34 lan-

two screenplays, The Inquiry” and The Memoirs of the Hadrian. Another of his novels, Tower of the First Born, has also been made into a movie. “You must be prepared for a lot of cuts. Some are painful cuts but in the end it is a fantastic experience. In my imagination, I had cast the characters in a different way...when you meet the people you realise they have their own flesh, expression and their body,” Manfredi said. But it is Alexander that lights up Manfredi’s face. “He was the greatest because he was thinking great. Alexander went over the logic of the conqueror and the

vanquished,” Manfredi said. Manfredi relies on his American wife to translate his books. “I am in the seventh chapter of by new book. It is an epic set in the 1900s,” the writer said. Manfredi is also working on a big project about India which “he will announce in a few months”. Manfredi is famous for his “route to the Trophy of the 10,000”, a historical site associated with the march of an ancient Greek army of mercenaries near the Black Sea off Turkish coast. Manfredi had retraced the journey with a British archaeologist.

You n I

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

Exploring complexities

Queer pride march

CONSENTING

Loud & Proud

ADULTS

Shwetha Pai

Open relationships aren’t for everyone. Most people actively desire a stability in their lives and not infidelity. But do all think alike? Let’s find out

Isha Mukoo isha.m@postnoon.com

alk about love and one can see zillions of varieties in relationship statuses nowadays. From being committed to complicated, live in, engaged, married and the much-loved open relationship. Earlier, things were less complicated; you had three scenarios mainly — single, married or divorced. But now with the choices getting wider there have been several ‘comfortable’ expansions like open relationships and live in, suited to one’s lifestyle. An open relationship is like the functioning of a government department in a way, as it can be tweaked and twisted to the convenience. While it gives enough and more space to the couple and is tempting enough for them, it might backfire many a times. One of the reasons why people like to choose this is that one doesn’t need to hide anything from the partner. But isn’t it the same thing at the end of the day, hiding or not, one is breaking the bond of love that they share with their partner? Actor Rakhshandha Khan feels, open relationships are a way of endorsing infidelity. “For me, the definition of a

relationship is honesty but if one is into a relationship and then he/she is also involved with other people then why be in a relationship with one person at all. It is like endorsing infidelity. You might as well not be in a relationship. It is breaking the very reason of being in a relationship; being honest to one,” she shares. However, love is what everyone looks for but as they say excess of everything is bad. This might apply for some in this relationship, for; many feel it is just a convenient way to stray out of a relationship. VJ Gaurav Kapoor feels it is just an excuse to get into other relationships while you are in one. “I feel people have just found ways to add excuses to not question their morality

when in a relationship. Personally I am an old-school romantic and I feel if you are in an open relationship, it is better not to have one because it does not make sense. It just kills the whole meaning of being in a relationship. It’s just disrespectful,” he shares. Actress Mona Wasu feels that while she is not personally fine being in an open rela-

Celebs in an open relationship 1. Charlie Sheen and The Goddesses. 2. Hugh Hefner with seven women. 3. Simone de Beauvoir was in an open relationship with Jean-Paul Sartre for 51 years.

tionship, if people are fine being in one it is their understanding. “I personally feel it does not make sense. If you are in a relationship and you want to be physically involved with many and still be emotionally with just one, it is a serious psychological problem. It is asking for infidelity and I feel it’s a total paradox to the whole meaning of a relationship,” she shares adding, “Having said that, I have known a few people who have been in long-distance relationships and they have been open to each other about being with someone else physically but the emotional bond that they share is what keeps them going. So if a couple is fine with such kind of a thing then the world should not be bothered.” While everything in today’s life has been modified as per convenience, it does come as a surprise when relationships are also altered for fulfilling personal needs. Although, it might work well for those partners who have a strong inclination to cheat and turn things sour. However, it might not be a very appealing idea for many but for the rare ones who can see their partners finding love outside and are fine with it, then open relationships might be the one they should be in.

ast year after coming out of the closet, I finally realised my dream of walking in the pride parade. I marched proudly, held hoardings, shouted slogans and danced to the beat of local drums. The queer pride was a way for me to show that I was proud of my identity. As a husband, wife, sister, father or mother, the society celebrates and validates the roles of all individuals as long as they are straight. The pride parade is our way of showing the world that we exist and make our voices heard. This year over 2,000 people participated in the Queer Azadi March organised in Mumbai, on January 28, and unlike previous years, most people did not shy away from cameras or the public. The change in the attitude of the public was evident too. There were many celebrities that marched with the pride and showed their support and even attended some of the pride events. This is a far cry from the pride parade held in Kolkata in 1999, when barely 50 people bravely walked the first pride and created history. A decade or so into the millennium, we are slowly breaking shackles and bonds of oppression. Pride parades are now held every year and as years go by, people no longer want to hide behind face masks. They now walk with their head held high and are ready to challenge the existing societal stereotypes and prejudices.

I am all ears AGONISING AUNT

My best friend is a boy and he is 30-years-old, a month ago he was dumped by his snobbish girlfriend and is now devastated by her absence. Since then he has been on quite a few dates but he seems to get sadder day by day and is also avoiding me. How do I cheer up my best friend? Nitisha Bannerjee, Kukatpally

Dear worried kid,

et him be for a while. He needs a girlfriend in his life and not you. He's just got whacked in the face by a girl and another one is trying to ruin it by trying to set him up again. Let the guy enjoy his new-found single status and I am sure a couple of days down the line the thoughts of another girl in his life will be history. And since you so desperately want to cheer him up show him the positive side — Tell him he is one of the privileged few for having being dumped. He has got free license to hit at other chicks now. He just became lucky that the girl left him. And don't forget to tell him that there are many who are dying to be in his place. So to make use of the opportunity instead of wallowing in grief. I think that should do it.

Spotlight

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

PICS:SRINIVAS SETTY

Generous hearts Hyderabadis have a generous heart and this was on display on Friday night at The Global Peace auditorium at Gachibowli. HELP, a social organisation held a fundraiser and the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s glitterati were present in full strength. The guests also enjoyed a performance by Dhwani, a Kolkata-based band.

Lavanya & Prarthana

Bunty Bajaj

Shifali

Lagadapati Rajgopal

Prashant and Rekha Lahoti

Sharmila & Heena Srivastava

Vikram

Uma

Dr Vijayanand Reddy

Vasuki Sunkavalli

Lata Reddy

Pinky Reddy

Poonam Chowdary

Prasunna Reddy & Sarita Reddy

Ramana Gogula & Nikki

Krishna Babu

Magic Screen

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

Arya, Anushka’s

next to be shot in Brazil

elvaraghavan’s upcoming bilingual film Irandam Ulagam starring Arya and Anushka is soon going to be shot in Brazil. The film was recently shot in Hyderabad. The next schedule has been planned in Goa and if all goes well, Irandam Ulagam will be the first South Indian film to be extensively shot in Brazil. The buzz is that Selvaraghavan is planning to shoot the film in Rio de Janeiro and exotic forest locales in Brazil. Couple of years ago, one of the songs in Shankar’s Robo starring Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai was shot at Lencois Maranhenses National Park in Brazil.

T-TOWN TWEETIES

@Shrutihaasan Wow I just got a lotta boo hiss for watching breaking dawn :D ah wells I enjoyed the vampire cheese fest thoroughly :p

@actressanjjanaa wil c u all @ d pitch @vizag,gota take d early morn flight,lov u al,n I hav precious friends in al teams,may d best team win gn fo now

@Isumanth My very best to @geneliad & @Riteishd on their special day! Sorry, cuteness, for not being able to make it for the wedding.

@tashu_02 When you want more time to take correct decision THEN remember even a correct decision is wrong when it is too late..!!

@sneha_ullal

Gouravam to be launched on Feb 25 N

aga Chaitanya’s upcoming film Gouravam is going to be launched on February 25. Varalakshmi, daughter of Sarath Kumar, is playing the lead role in the film. Radha Mohan is going to direct this film which will be simultaneously made in Telugu and Tamil. Nagarjuna is producing the film under the Annapurna Studios banner. The film is set in a rural milieu and narrates the story of a city boy and how he reacts when he goes to a village.

Jai Telangana fails to impress Movie: Jai Telangana Cast: Gowtham Raju, Kota Shankar Rao Director: Rasamaya Balakishan Music Director: Ramesh

ai Telangana is yet another attempt to present facts about the gross injustice meted out to the people of Telangana since 1969. Rasamayi Balakishan, the director of Jai Telangana, adds a new twist to the story by setting his story in Yamalokam. It’s an interesting idea, which is eventually let down by a banal script and myopic imagination. The story begins in Yamalokam where Yamadharma Raja is aghast to find that a bunch of young guys from the Telangana region have committed suicide. As the story progresses Yamadharma Raja finds himself

increasingly sympathising with the demand for a separate Telangana. Tirupathi Reddy, the film’s cinematographer, uses real footage of the Telangana movement, which adds some life to the proceedings; however, the second half of the film is a complete let down. Almost every character shown in a negative light in the film ends up

being a caricature and Balakishan doesn’t mince words in venting out his anger on the so-called traitors. Lack of sophistication or production values is the least of the problems that plague the film, especially in the second half. It lacks an original voice and it doesn’t even try to tell us anything new about the issue.

They say when u love ur job u don’t call it work.I love my Job..Finally..from now I will never have to work another day in my life..

@LakshmiManchu 2 hr delay .... Arrgghhh still at the airport. No bookstore or food stall. Hungry and bored :( even railway stations have magazines!!!

@Actor_Siddharth Today is a day most special. My dearest, most beautiful friend is getting married to the most amazing man. God bless you both gen & ritz! :)

@purijagan NTR movie will start in August. Mr Ganesh bandla is producing. Planning shoot the entire movie in America.

Magic Screen

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

NTR-Puri

film to begin in August

uri Jagannadh is in no mood to relax post the success of Businessman. He has already announced that his upcoming film with Ravi Teja, Ileana titled Devudu Chesina Manushulu will begin later this month and it is slated to release in June. After this film, he’ll team up with NTR for the first time in eight years. The duo had previously worked together for Andhrawala, which released back in 2004. The entire film is expected to be shot in USA and Ganesh Bandla is going to produce the film. The untitled film will begin its principal shooting in August. The pace at which Puri Jagannadh is planning his future projects is remarkable and given the lineup of his films for the next two years, where he’s going to work with NTR, Pawan Kalyan and Mahesh Babu, industry watchers are already hoping to see cash registers ringing.

Nithin spares thief T

he audio launch of Nithin, Nithya Menen starrer Ishq was a glitzy affair, except for an unfortunate incident. Soon after Pawan Kalyan, who was the chief guest, left the venue, a bunch of Nithin’s fans approached him with a big garland and in the process a thief stole Nithin’s mobile phone. As soon as the actor realised that his phone was missing, he alert-

ed the security staff to catch the thief who was trying to escape along with his young daughter. The organisers had an extremely tough time controlling the mob as several fans of Nithin began trashing the thief in the middle of the event. Moments later, Nithin appealed to his fans to leave the thief alone, which finally restored the decorum at the event.

Films galore on Feb10

fter a lean period for new releases in January, as many as 18 films are slated for release in February alone. This weekend alone seven low-budget films hit the screens across the state and next week another five films are going to vie for audience’s attention at the box-office. Sudheer Babu’s SMS, Prakash Raj’s Dhoni, Arvind Krishna

starrer Rushi, Veerangam and Renigunta are slated to hit the screens on February 10. With plenty of big starrers lined for release in the next couple of weeks, producers of SMS, Dhoni and other films seem to be in no mood to back out. Whether these films manage to have a long run at box-office or not remains to be seen.

Magic Screen

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

No solution, only corruption Gali Gali Chor Hai does highlight the problems faced due to corruption but fails to find a practical solution Movie: Gali Gali Chor Hai Cast: Akshay Khanna, Shriya Saran, Anu Kapoor, Satish Kaushik, Anu Kapoor Director: Rumi Jaffery Rating:

B-TOWN TWEETIES

@realpreityzinta Back after the longest day on set ! Heard it was -16 degrees Celcius. Coldest day in France in over 30 years ! Bachaaao !!!!

@rampalarjun Just heard the saddest news of Mr Raj Kanwar’s demise, had the opportunity of interacting with him. Pray for his soul and strength to family.

ali Gali Chor Hai is a story of a middle-class family living in Bhopal, whose sole bread winner, Bharat (Akshaye Khanna), a cashier in a bank and part-time Hanuman at Ram Leela, is the victim at the hands of incorrigible corruption, dishonesty and bribe. One night, Bharat’s table fan gets stolen and he finds himelf involved in a series of unfortunate events. In order to find his way out of the rabbit hole, Bharat has to involuntarily bribe his way through criminals and law keepers, just to get a rusty, old fan back. In other words, the film mainly deals with the subject of corruption that exists in the bureaucratic system today and no matter how much of a model citizen one is, he/ she invariably becomes a part of the corrupted system. After making entertaining films, Rumi Jaffery has made a film with a message. Though, the subject is something that all of us can relate to, the script is weak and lacks the much-

@SrBachchan

needed reaction from the audience. The dialogues fail to pack a punch or hit the mark. The movie falls short on the humour and there is hardly any scope for a good song. But the title track with Kailash Kher and the item number featured on Veena Malik, Channo add a spoonful of spice to the scenario. A fine actor, Akshay delivers the much-needed, flawless performance. Shriya Saran plays Akshay’s wife and is a school teacher. Her role is reduced to

the minimal and she lies insignificant in a corner. Mugdha Godse as the hotlegged, minimal-wear beauty doesn’t add much to the story and she too is not the most important character. Satish Kaushik excels and Annu Kapoor does an excellent imitation of a corrupt, sinister cop. Gali Gali Chor Hai lacks the intelligence and the humour that is generally the main ingredient for a satirical drama, like that of the popular TV series, Office Office. SANA MIRZA

Neil enjoys jungle stint A ctor Neil Nitin Mukesh is filming romantic thriller Shortcut Romeo in a jungle and says he is having a gala time there. “Hectic days of 18 hr shoot in the mid of the jungle! But must say it’s so worth it. Shortcut Romeo song two by Himesh (Reshammiya) is over,” the 30year-old tweeted. Shortcut Romeo is being

directed and produced by Susi Ganeshan and it is a remake of his 2006 Tamil film Thiruttu Payale. In the film, Puja Gupta plays Neil’s love interest, while Ameesha has been cast in a negative role. Nitin also says, “This is the first Hindi movie to be shot in Masai Mara (a large game reserve in south-western Kenya).” IANS

RAJ KANWAR DIES IN SINGAPORE

opular director Raj Kanwar died today in Singapore following a kidney-related problem. The Bollywood filmmaker, who had directed Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar in hit films Deewana and Andaaz, was suffering from a kidney ailment. Raj Kanwar entered the Bollywood as an assistant director through the movie Ram Avtar in 1988. Later, Raj Kanwar took up direction and directed Shah Rukh Khan and late Divya Bharti in the movie Deewana in 1992. Shah Rukh

Khan tweeted, "My friend raj kanwarji passed away. The impermanence of life, makes one feel so helpless. May his soul rest in peace. Aisi Deewangi..miss u sir." Later, Raj Kanwar wrote scripts for several films and directed films like Jeet, Laadla, Kartavya, Jaan, Itihaas, Daag: The Fire, Badal, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke, Humko Deewana Kar Gaye and Andaaz. His last film was Sadiyaan: Boundries Divide Love Unites, which had launched Shatrughan Sinha's son Luv in 2010.

T 643 - Finally...a resounding win for the Indian T20 team against the Ozzies !! Congratulations all...we showed them our real mettle.

@iamsrk En route to IPL auction. It’s nice to meet all team owners together..lots of lov for each other off field...on field grrrrrrr!! Ha ha.

@Riteishd Today @geneliad n me start our lives together-Thank you so much for showering unconditional love on us.

@deespeak Saddened by the news of Rajji's untimely passing... Interacted with him a few times, a kind, gentle man. God give his family strength.

@priyankachopra No sunrise yet! Pitch dark in Hyderabad! Only my team and the street dogs for company! Cooold! Brrrr! Tho it Gets super hot by morning!

@reddysameera #CCL2 going to Vizag for the Chennai Rhinos vs Telugu Warriors! It’s going to be a fun match!!!

Magic Screen

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D S RATE ` 150 sq. cm

For Further Details Please Contact Abhinay 9989399972 Nandlal 9951467988 Ravi Chander 8106039919

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

Magic Screen

The glamour behind the glitz

Abrams ready with a sci-fi treat J

ust when you thought JJ Abrams might not have a sci-fi pilot in contention for next fall, along comes Revolution. NBC has picked up a new drama pilot from the Star Trek director and

Warner Bros TV. The logline: ‘A high octane action drama from JJ Abrams following a group of characters struggling to survive and reunite with loved ones in a world where all forms of energy have mysteriously ceased to exist.’ Now that’s the rather cryptic official description. But here’s an earlier, more exciting logline with more detail: ‘In this epic adventure thriller, a family struggles to reunite in a postapocalyptic American landscape: a world of empty cities, local militias and heroic freedom fighters, where every single piece of technology — computers, planes, cars, phones, even lights — has mysteriously blacked out… forever.’

Drug overdose could have killed Leslie Carter N

ew details have emerged in the ‘mysterious’ death of Leslie Carter, including a possible cause of the 25-year-old’s untimely passing. According to a police report obtained by E!

News, the former House of Carters star and sister of Nick and Aaron Carter died as a result of an overdose, with three prescription drugs found near her body. The report was taken by officials who first responded to the 911 call, and per the document, the three prescription bottles found nearby were Olanzapine, used to treat schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, the muscle relaxant Cyclobenzaprine, and the anxiety medication Xanax. Though official autopsy have yet to be released pending the toxicology tests, a source close to the Carters tells E! News that family members believe Leslie overdosed on pills. As per the police report, Leslie’s stepmother Ginger found Leslie’s unresponsive body around 4.10pm on Jan 31 and immediately dialed 911. Leslie and her baby (she was estranged from her onagain, off-again hubby) were living with her father, Robert, in Buffalo and, a source tells E! News, had been trying to wean herself off her medication. After her body was found, Robert performed CPR, though Leslie was ultimately pronounced dead at the hospital at 4.59pm.

Bruce’s concern for Moore S hortly before Demi Moore split with Ashton Kutcher, her previous husband Bruce Willis went to her house to ask her to get help for her worsening health, a source tells People in this week’s cover

story. “He was worried about her and wanted her to get better,” says the source. “Many of her friends did the same thing, but she just wouldn’t listen.” Willis, 56, is the father of their three daughters.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

Magic Screen

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

A VERY FAMILIAR RIDE An average action potboiler you can give a miss

he last time we saw Mark Wahlberg on screen, it was in the Oscar-nominated movie The Fighter as the welterweight boxer Micky Ward. Over the years, he has established himself as an immensely talented actor capable of versatility, insight and sharp business acumen in his choice of roles. So why he would voluntarily agree to do this mediocre, run-of-the-mill action thriller is anybody’s guess. Don’t be surprised if the storyline seems extremely familiar to you. It’s a rehash of many, many, action-thrillers we have seen over the years. Chris Farraday (Mark Wahlberg) is an ex-smuggler who has long since abandoned his life of crime and now runs a legitimate security business. He is happily married to Kate (Kate Beck insale) and has carved out a normal life. But his brother-in-law Andy (Caleb Landry Jones) screws up a drug deal for his crazy boss, Tim Briggs (Giovanni Ribisi) and now owes him a lot of money. So, Chris is roped back into doing what he does best — running contraband — to settle Andy’s debt. Farraday heads to Panama on a job for Briggs and returns with millions in counterfeit bills. His

IN CINEMAS TODAY

best friend Sebastien (Ben Foster, the mechanic) helps arrange the job. But things quickly fall apart and Chris finds himself in mortal peril. Whether Chris manages to save the day and gets to spare his brother-in-law’s life makes for the crux of the movie.

Movie: Contraband Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Giovanni Ribisi and Kate Beckinsale Director: Baltasar Kormákur Rating:

To give credit where it’s due, Contraband has some pretty awesome action sequences towards the end. But that’s the most that can be said about the movie. Kate’s role is minimal and quite honestly, irrelevant. The movie is a far cry from the

romantic comedy Reykjavik of the same director, Baltasar Kormakur. Perhaps that is why the movie is so contrived and formulaic not to mention its absolutely unconvincing plot line. That it is utterly predictable is needless to say.

Exploring relationships A

fter its 2008 prequel Journey to the Centre of the Earth, this one’s got to be a treat. Josh Hutcherson plays Sean Anderson, a rebellious teen who sets out on a mission truing to decode signals to lead him to what his grandfather was talking about. Tagging along in this mission is an airline pilot played Luis Guzman and his daughter

Movie: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island Cast: Josh Hutcherson, Dwayne Johnson, Vanessa Hudgens, Michael Cain, Luis Guzman Director: Brad Peyton Vanessa Hudgens. But then journeys into the unexplored have

never been that easy. This one aims to focus less on scary animals and prehistoric nitty-gritties but instead chooses to focus on relationships, for we have Sean’s stepfather, Hank (Dwayne Johnson) coming along on this mission. But soon the group realise the expedition is not all that smoothsailing.

An edgy story N

ick Cassidy (Sam Worthington) checks in at the Roosevelt Hotel under the false name of Walker, goes to his hotel room at the top floor, and climbs on the ledge, apparently ready to commit suicide. The crowd below sees him and calls the police. They isolate the area, and try to talk with Nick. However, he says he’ll only speak to negotiator Lydia Mercer (Elizabeth Banks), who is on a leave of

absence after failing to convince a depressed policeman not to jump from the Brooklyn Bridge a month earlier. Then starts flashback, as to how he landed on the ledge.

Movie: Man on a Ledge Cast: Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell and Ed Harris Director: Asger Leth

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

Take a shot at the brain game while sipping your cuppa

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 ___ Major (constellation) 5 Ersatz chocolate 10 Tennis great Lendl 14 An older one may be beaten 15 Far from oblivious 16 The smallest of three famous ships 17 It contains many stories 19 “Saving Private Ryan” depiction 20 Smoked delicacy 21 Decide not to include 22 Swiss-born painter Paul 24 One of three in a big delivery? 26 Kind of speaker 29 A billion years, in geology 30 Skirt-shorts hybrid 31 Bedding, tablecloths, etc. 34 Coin at an arcade 35 It’s framed and then hung 36 Big name in computers 37 “___ want a cracker?” 38 Stained-glass window site, often 39 “Shake!” offering 40 “Perfect Sleeper” mattress company 41 Cynic’s expression 42 Moments 44 Play a part, or play part 45 Cathedral designed by Wren 46 More ill-mannered 50 “ ___ want for Christmas ...” 51 Roseanne, before Tom 52 Paid athlete, briefly 53 Bar placed across a guitar fingerboard 55 Source of some breakfast juice 58 “Couldn’t have said it better myself” 59 Word introducing Johnny 60 “Use your bow” 61 Universal product code elements 62 Wedding-reception ritual 63 Abdicator of 1917

DOWN 1 Win for the underdog 2 Autumn sight in suburbia 3 Engraving tools 4 Checkup sounds 5 Classic Georges Bizet opera 6 Be in store for 7 Deeply absorbed 8 Pitchblende, e.g. 9 California university city 10 Alter the margin of, perhaps 11 You may have returned one years ago 12 Santa ___ (California wind) 13 “Aye” canceler 18 Two points in time? 23 City on the Rhone and Saone 25 Word with “pressure” or “group” 26 One of Fran’s puppets

27 Pithy 28 Acid/alcohol compound 30 Ex-Baltimore players 31 ___ lazuli (blue mineral) 32 Quitter’s assertion 33 Hotel freebie 34 Compensable wrongs 37 Illuminator on a keychain 38 Pismires 40 David succeeded him, in the Bible 41 Complement to earmuffs 43 Avian claws 44 Flatfoot’s collar 46 Cod and May 47 Wheels on heels 48 “All My

Children” vixen 49 Chopper component 51 Silent film star Theda 53 Airport fleet vehicle 54 Where a doc pays dues 56 ___ Speedwagon 57 Unwanted Hamelin resident PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

SUDOKU

SOLUTION ON PAGE 32

Chai Time

A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on. – Winston Churchill

Chai Time

post noon

Weekly look into your future

Aries

Gemini

Taurus

Cancer

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

Leo

Three of Wands

Seven of Wands

Two of Pentacles

Seven of Pentacles

Four of Cups

ork – You feel a mysterious air around you. Your coworkers may be hiding something from you. The secrecy is getting to you. Romance – There’s some friction between you and your partner. You need to sit down together and talk through it before it aggravates. Health – Sleep may be a problem. Practice good sleep hygiene. Avoid watching action films or intellectually stimulating movies just before sleeping. Money – Meet your tax consultant again and get a fix on what needs to be done with your savings. Plan your finances better. Tarot message – You feel left out and are not in the best of moods, somehow. Only you can remedy this with your attitude.

ork – There’s the threat that you’re spreading yourself too thin, unable to manage all the jobs you have committed to. Be clear about your priorities. Romance – Your partner needs more time to feel reassured that the relationship is going well. Singles need to spend more time looking for a partner. It won’t just happen. Health – You need to take out more time to exercise. It will be difficult, initially. You have to do this to maintain good health. Money – You have a philosophical attitude towards money. Realise that it’s needed to survive and keep your dreams afloat. Tarot message – Balance is the name of the game. You can be an expert juggler when needed.

ork – There’s much for you to learn at work. Pay attention to what seniors in your industry tell you. Be open to new ideas. Romance – A new relationship brings the promise of stability and love. But if you’re looking for that passion and chemistry, wait before you commit. Health – Socialise whenever you can. Avoid spending time by yourself too much. It may bring up all kinds of emotions you find difficult to deal with. Money – Finances are well taken care of. You have accounted for everything in a traditional way, and are also managing some substantial savings. Tarot message – You prefer it when everything around you is structured. Be open to new concepts and experiences, too.

ork – A job offer is likely to come your way soon. It will set you thinking about your priorities and which direction you’re headed. Romance – If you’re single, don’t be in a hurry to get committed. You may be feeling lonely and craving good company. But bide your time for now. Health – Get a second opinion about a nagging health problem. There is always a solution to everything. You need to hit upon the right one. Money – You may need to freelance or moonlight in order to make ends meet. But you will be able to more than manage with your sharpness and street smart attitude. Tarot message – You have options. Just play your cards right.

ork- Things have been stagnant for a while and you’re worried that you’re probably doing something wrong. It is all about to change. Romance – In a partnership, a third person may be coming in the way of a good relationship. Don’t over-react to it. Take it easy and think logically. Health – You may need to review your health routine. Do what it takes to optimise your time spent working out. Money – Torque it up! Tune it up a notch! Be brave and invest in new undertakings. It will give you more than the returns you hoped for. Tarot message – All is going well, as per your expectation. Do not get unduly worried about anything.

Virgo Justice

ork – It’s a long journey to what you have in mind for your career direction. Don’t be in a hurry to get somewhere. You may end up paying a heavy price. Romance – One cycle is ending and another is about to begin. This may not mean a break-up. But it definitely means a renewal. Health – You need to create more balance. Work out some more, eat healthy. You may be overdoing either, or both! Money – if you’ve been facing a cash crunch, it will be resolved very soon. Don’t get tense and do something irrational. Tarot message – You’re in the midst of change. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is yet to come. Use this time to recharge.

SUMAA TEKUR tarotreadhyd@gmail.com

Date 5-2-2012

TAROT Libra The High Priestess

ork – Use your strong intuition to your advantage to sort out work issues. You will be surprised with how well your bosses will accept your ideas. Romance – Love is in the air. You’re feeling the first flush of love, and are absolutely enjoying this experience. Health – You’re feeling great on the inside, and it is reflecting on your body and health as well. Beware of minor injuries, such as an ankle sprain or sore throat. Money – Finances are not really your priority, but there is enough in the bank balance for your every need. Tarot message – Very few people have the gift of using their intuition to better their lives. You have that gift. Use it well.

Sagittarius

Scorpio The High Priest

ork – There are expectations from you considering your experience and talent. Don’t get pressurised by those expectations. Just go with the flow. Romance – Romance may not be your priority right now since you’re on a deeper spiritual journey of understanding. But don’t ignore your partner. Health – You need to focus on inner health and on keeping your soul clean. Be careful of getting carried away by quick-fix health solutions. Money – Finances are in good shape. You may not be planning it all that well. But some synchronicities work their magic to get you what you need. Tarot message – You need not look elsewhere for answers. Look within yourself; meditate; and you will find what you’re looking for.

Nine of Wands

ork – The final meeting before you seal the deal is very important. Don’t ignore that despite knowing that you may be already at the end of the deal. Romance – If you’re committed, give your partner a lot of breathing space. Spend some time away from each other. You return feeling more confident about your decisions. Health – Consider taking up a meditation course seriously. You will be rejuvenated and more centred. Spiritual health is as important as any other. Money – The bank balance may not be looking that great. You will need to dip into your rainy-day savings to meet some immediate needs. Tarot message – You have the power and talent to overcome any obstacles that life throws your way.

Capricorn Ace of Pentacles

ork – A raise, promotion, new job or career change may be in store. It will be completely different from what you’re doing now. It will be closer to your heart, too. Romance – Singles meet someone new and the chemistry is immediate and powerful. You hit it off big time and are even good friends at the intellectual level. Health – It’s important that you stick to a physical exercise programme you have taken up. Do not hesitate to carve more time out, if needed. Money – Your investments are beginning to pay off. You save on taxes, and may venture into real estate deals. Tarot message – You have a plan, and also the power to make it happen.

Aquarius

Pisces

Five of Swords

Eight of Pentacles

ork – It’s an uphill task at work. You may get little in terms of help or empathy from colleagues. It’s one of those difficult phases. But you learn a lot. Romance – Your partner may be too dominating. (It might be you, also.) Understand the dynamics of your relationship and take steps to remedy it. Health – You have been dealing with a number of strong emotions lately. Do not direct the anger and frustration on yourself. Be kind to yourself. Money – Things are not going to come to you easily. Welllaid plans may fail and you may have to re-jig your plans. Tarot message – This is a tough learning period. Be dignified during this time.

ork – You may be called upon to take up an assignment in an unfamiliar area. Despite it being new, you do rather well. Romance – New experiences and difficult situations strengthen the bond between you and your partner. See a tough phase as also positive. Health – Your energy is low, and your confidence is not that encouraging either. Do more of what makes you happy. Money – Help comes from friends and those who mean well for you. You may need to plan better for the future, and save for a rainy day. Tarot message – You take a lot of pride in everything you do. Keep the confidence that this pride will convert to good things.

Vol: 1, No 202 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 1200 Movie - Ghatikudu 1530 Movie - Stalin 1900 Movie - Gambler 2330 Songs 0700 Silver Screen 0800 Ayurvedam 0830 Movie - Pokiri 1130 Movie - Happy

‘Gambler’ at 1900 Hrs on MAA TV

1400 Abhishekam 1430 Aadade Aadharam 1500 Antahpuram 1530 Aakasa Ganga 1600 Prema Mandiram 1630 Jagadeeswari 1700 Ali369 1800 Mahaveera Karna 1900 Kumkuma Rekha 1930 Manasu Mamata 2000 Chandra Mukhi 2030 Bharyamani 2100 Etv News 2130 Genes 2245 Movie - Maya Macchindra 0800 Subhamastu 0830 Jeevana Jyothi 0900 Panchatantram 0930 Highlights Of Paaduta Theeyaga 1030 Kudirithe Kappu Coffee 1100 Highlights Of Super

1200 Movie - Bhadra 1500 Movie - Komaram Puli 1800 Celebrity Cricket League Live 2200 Movie - Diary 0700 Gemini Vaarthalu 0730 Subhalagnam - Live 0830 Golden Hits 0930 Praja Vedika 1000 Movie - Athidhi

1300 Movie - Devadasu 1730 Chittam Chittam Prayaschittam 1800 Veera Naari Jhansi Laxmi Bai 1900 Chinna Kodalu 1930 Movie - Gorintaaku 2300 Movie - Police Story2

‘Komaram Puli’ at 1530 Hrs on GEMINI TV

‘Gorintaaku’ at 1930 Hrs on ZEE TELUGU

1400 [V] Steal Ur Girlfriend 1500 [V] Vignettes 1530 [V] Trailers 1555 [V] Fresh Songs 1600 [V] Zabardast Hits 1630 [V] My Big Decision 1800 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 1830 [V] Humse Hai Life 1900 [V] My Big Decision 2030 [V] Humse Hai Life 2100 [V] Speak 2130 [V] Trailers 2155 [V] Fresh Songs 2200 [V] Dare2 Date 2300 [V] My Big Decision 2355 [V] Fresh Songs 0700 [V] Trailers 0730 [V] Zabardast Hits 0800 [V] Mind Blasting Mornings 1100 [V] Fresh Songs

‘[V] Steal Ur Girlfriend’ at 1900 Hrs on CHANNEL [V]

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

Telly sitcoms, news and movie listings

‘Et Insight’ at 2030 Hrs only on ET NOW 1400 Business Saturday 1430 Brand Equity 1500 The Market Makers 1530 Zigwheels 1600 Brand Equity Special 1630 Starting Up 1700 Business Saturday 1730 Google Enterprise Roadshow 1800 Currency Camp 1830 Leaders Of Tomorrow 1900 Business Saturday 1930 Bollywood This Week 2000 Technoholik 2030 Et Insight 2100 The Market Makers 2130 Talking Technicals 2200 Bollywood This Week 2230 Starting Up 2300 Tee Time With Shaili Chopra 2330 Your Trades 0900 Tee Time With Shaili Chopra 1000 Starting Up

1300 Movie - E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial 1500 Movie - Killer Meteor 1700 Frasier 1900 Galileo Extreme 2000 Movie - E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial 2200 Big Wheels 2230 Dead Zone 0700 Aspire 0730 Big Wheels 0800 Survivor 1000 Lucha Libre

‘Namak Halaal’ at 1400 Hrs on SAB TV

‘E.T. - T E - T’ at 2000 Hrs only on BIG CBS PRIME

1400 Movie - Namak Halaal 1800 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 2030 Gutur Gu 2100 Sab Event - Uthe Sab Ke Kadam 2330 Lapataganj 0800 Teleshopping 0900 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

1255 Movie - Disturbia 1505 Wipeout 1600 The Firm 1800 The Voice2 2000 Fear Factor 2100 The Firm 2200 Movie - Munich 0700 Sky Teleshopping 0800 Infomercial/30 Min 0830 Sky Teleshopping 0900 E Buzz 0930 The Voice2 1110 Minute To Win It 1255 Movie - Munich

‘Munich’ at 2200 Hrs on AXN

1230 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 1430 CID 1830 Adaalat 1930 Crime Patrol - Dastak 2000 Adaalat 2100 Kahani Comedy Circus Ki 2200 CID 2300 Crime Patrol - Dastak 0700 Telebrands 0730 Wws Sky Shop 0830 Babosa Mere Bhagwan 0900 Comedy Circus Ka Naya Daur 1200 Movie - Band Baaja Baaraat

1400 Movie 1700 Movie 1900 TBC 2000 Ring Ka King 0700 Veer Shivaji 0800 TBC 0900 Movie 1200 Mallika-E-Kitchen 1230 Movie

‘Mahima Shani Dev Ki’ at 2000 Hrs on IMAGINE 1400 Nach Le Ve With Saroj Khan 1600 Gyan Guru 1830 The Tara Sharma Show 1900 Chandragupt Maurya 2000 Mahima Shani Dev Ki 2100 Chandragupt Maurya 2200 Baba Aiso Var Dhoondo 2230 Gajab Desh Ki Ajab Kahaaniyaan 0700 Teleshopping 0800 Prannath Ji Maharaj 0900 Dwarkadheesh Bhagwan Shri Krishn 1000 Ramayan 1030 Chandragupt Maurya

‘Force’ at 1300 Hrs on STAR PLUS

‘Double Dhamaal’ at 1600 Hrs on ZEE TV

‘Ring Ka King’ at 2000 Hrs on COLORS

1300 Afsar Bitiya 1600 Movie - Double Dhamaal 1900 Date With Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu 1930 Zee Cine Awards2012 (Curtain Raiser) 2030 Dance India Dance 2200 Afsar Bitiya 0900 Namaste Cinema 0930 Shobha Somnath Ki 1030 Jalsa - Music For Soul 1100 Afsar Bitiya 1200 Dance India Dance

‘Band Baaja Baaraat’ at 1200 Hrs on SONY

1400 Diya Aur Bati Hum 1530 Ruk Jana Nahin 1800 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behnaa Hai 2000 Mann Ki Awaaz… Pratigya 2100 Survivor India 2200 Mann Ki Awaaz… Pratigya 2300 Survivor India 0700 Diya Aur Bati Hum 0730 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 0800 Superstar Preview 0830 Ruk Jana Nahin 1115 Survivor India 1300 Movie - Force

MOVIES OF THE DAY AND OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

1235 Executive Decision 1510 Torque 1645 Blade II 1845 Miss Congeniality2 - Armed And Fabulous 2100 Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets 0825 Friends 0925 Elf 1120 Scooby-Doo

1300 Sex And The City2 1520 Dinocroc Vs Supergator 1705 Crank - High Voltage 1845 She's The Man 2100 Camel Spiders 2250 The Lost Future 0800 Stormworld 0900 Free Willy2 - The Adventure Home 1110 Camel Spiders

Ring Ka King Storyline - Scott Steiner, Brutus Magnus & Sanjay Dutt decide to visit the Indian Dressing Room and intimidate the Indian contingent before the much awaited match: Mahabali Veera v/s Scott Steiner. ‘Ring Ka King’ at 2000 Hrs on COLORS

Dance India Dance Storyline - It was one of the most endearing moments on Zee TV’s Dance India Dance when Master Remo D’Souza blushed like a teenager on stage! ‘Dance India Dance’ at 2030 Hrs on SONY

1400 Discovery Biggest Shows 1600 Swords 1700 Discovery Showcase 1800 Wild Discovery 1900 Man Woman Wild 2000 Stan Lee Super Humans 2100 How Do They Do It? 2130 Feast India 2200 Swords 2300 Desire & Pleasure Decoded 1000 Stan Lee Super Humans 1100 Man Vs Wild 1200 I Should'nt Be Alive 1300 Wild Encounters

1400 Cougar Town 1500 The Big Bang Theory 1600 Outsourced 1700 In Plain Sight 1800 Parenthood 1900 Ek Mein Aur Ek Tu 2000 No Ordinary Family 2100 Raising The Bar 2200 The Fashionista Diaries 2300 Outsourced 0800 Parenthood 0900 Ek Mein Aur Ek Tu 100018 To Life 1100 Less Than Perfect 1200 Gary Unmarried 1300 Slot 1330 Just For Laughs

‘Combat Hospital’ at 2200 Hrs on STAR WORLD

‘Raising The Bar’ at 2100 Hrs on ZEE CAFE

1400 Charlie’s Angels 1500 Desperate Housewives 1600 Supernatural 1900 Combat Hospital 2000 Achievers' Club 2100 Charlie’s Angels 2200 Combat Hospital 2300 Dexter 0800 The Shield 1000 Combat Hospital 1100 Friends 1200 Two And A Half Men

‘Feast India’ at 2130 Hrs on DISCOVERY CHANNEL

‘London Dreams’ at 1930 Hrs on ZOOM 1400 Movie - London Dreams 1730 Zoom Barabar Jhoom Top20 1830 Letz Go! 1900 Planet Bollywood News 1930 Page3 2000 Letz Go! 2030 The Times50 Most Desirable People2011 Men 2100 Letz Go! 2130 India Kids Fashion Week 2200 Retail Jeweller India Trendsetters 2300 Bollywood Bonanza 0700 Letz Go! 0800 Red Carpet 0805 Letz Go! 1000 Link'D 1021 Letz Go! 1100 Zoom Box 1200 Garma Garam 1300 Let's Design4 1330 Letz Go!

‘Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets’ at 2100 WB

1430 Some Assembly Required 1530 Discovery Science Classics 1630 Through The Wormhole 1730 Weaponology 1830 Best Of Discovery Science 1930 Into The Unknown With Josh Berstein 2030 Sports Science 2130 Discovery Science Presents 2230 Ultimate Weapons 2330 Industrial Revelations 1030 Through The Wormhole 1130 Some Assembly Required 1230 Best Of Discovery Science 1330 Into The Unknown With Josh Berstein

‘Into The Unknown With Josh Berstein’ at 1930 Hrs on DISCOVERY SCIENCE

‘The Foodie’ at1730 Hrs only on TIMES NOW 1400 News Now 1430 Enow Spice 1500 News Now 1530 Amazing Indians 1600 News Now 1630 Times Drive 1700 News Now 1730 The Foodie 1800 News Now 1830 Titans Cup 1900 News Now 1930 Times Now Sport Weekend 2000 Total Recall 2100 9 Pm 2130 Total Recall Greatest Hits 220010 Pm 2230 Amazing Indians 2300 News Now Overnight 2330 Enow Spice 0800 Morning News 0830 Times Now Sport Weekend 0900 News Now 0930 Amazing Indians 1000 News Now 1030 Times Drive

Playing Field

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

The games people play

WELSH FACE LUCK OF THE IRISH Pirate Irwin

DUBLIN: Ireland go into Sunday’s Six Nations match with Wales with revenge very much on their minds after losing to the Welsh twice last year including October’s World Cup quarter-final. While the Irish will want to banish memories of that limp performance against an admittedly sharper and better Welsh outfit, they are also bitter about the manner in which they lost to a controversial Mike Phillips try in last year’s Six Nations clash in Cardiff. Both sides will be without key players for the match, the hosts having to cope without their injured talisman Brian O’Driscoll (right). His relatively untested Leinster team-mate Fergus McFadden will step in as a replacement after Keith Earls withdrew because his baby girl is ill in hospital. O’Driscoll’s replacement as skipper, Paul O’Connell, is determined for Ireland to give a better account of themselves than they did in the 22-10 defeat in the World Cup which came as a huge blow after a stunning defeat of Australia in the pool stage. “That was certainly a big disappointment and hopefully we can put it right next weekend,” said the 32-year-old Munster lock, who will be winning his 83rd cap. “There is going to be no warming into it, it will be a very tough game.” O’Connell, though, takes heart from the manner in which three of the four Irish provinces have qualified for the European Cup quarter-finals with just one of the Welsh teams progressing. “I suppose it was a good thing a lot of us went away from the disappointment against Wales

and managed to put some good performances together. “It gets that performance out of the system for a lot of us. “But we won’t be able to afford anything below our potential. We need to produce a massive performance.” Ireland coach

Declan Kidney has not made sweeping changes to the squad since the World Cup but he is looking for a significant improvement in both defence and offence. “We knew from the Wales match that there are some areas of defence that we have to

tighten up, that was most unlike us, but we have also been looking to broaden the attacking options,” said Kidney. “When you are a ball carrier, you should have at least two if not three options for leaving the ball off. We have worked on that and on our awareness of that.” While the Irish seek revenge, Wales coach Warren Gatland still harbours bitterness over the manner in which he left the Irish post in 2001. Victory over his former team always brings a warm glow to his cheeks. However, the Kiwi has had to focus more on fitness worries surrounding several of his players this week and was at least heartened to be able to name experienced centre Jamie Roberts and fly-half Rhys Priestland in the starting line-up after they both recovered from knee injuries. Roberts, though, has not played since before the New Year and Priestland has been out of action for a fortnight. “We have been able to retain continuity in some key areas, we have been working hard and we feel we are approaching this match with the right attitude and with some good preparation work done,” said Gatland, whose side are seeking their third win in seven visits to Dublin. “We are two sides who know each other well, Ireland will not have enjoyed losing to us in New Zealand, they will want to redress the balance in Dublin this weekend, but they will find us in just as determined mood,” added the 48-year-old. O’Connell said that recent encounters between the two suggested that Sunday’s match could well be a fiery no-holds barred contest.

Serena to lead, Venus in Doubles NEW YORK: Serena Williams will lead the United States in their Fed Cup World Group-II tie against Victoria Azarenka-led Belarus in Massachusets this weekend, with elder sister Venus scheduled to play only doubles. In the draw made Friday, US captain Mary Joe Fernandez inserted 38thranked Christina McHale as her No. 2 singles player. McHale will have the daunting task of opening the bestof-five match tie against Azarenka, whose Australian Open triumph saw her rise to No. 1 in the world. “Christina is very matchfit,” Fernandez said. “She had a great Australian Open and is very prepared and ready to go. Venus has had a great week of practice as well, but I think Christina has been playing a lot more.” Azarenka said she wouldn’t take McHale lightly. “I think she’s a very good player,” said Azarenka, who thrashed Maria Sharapova 63, 6-0 in the Australian Open final to claim her first Grand Slam title. “She has a lot of motivation playing in front of the home crowd. She’s had some good results, played some good matches against top players and had a few big wins, so she’s a dangerous opponent.” Venus Williams hasn’t played since pulling out of the US Open, when she was diagnosed with the autoimmune disorder Sjogren Syndrome.

Levin lights up a dark Phoneix Open SCOTTSDALE: Spencer Levin fired an eight-under 63 for the clubhouse lead as the $6.1 million PGA Tour’s Phoenix Open was suspended because of darkness for the second consecutive day on Friday. Levin reached 14-under 128 through two rounds. His closest pursuer was fellow American Harrison Frazer, who was sixunder for the day and 11-under for the tournament with three holes reamining in his second round when play was halted. “Everything was pretty good today,” Levin said. “My putting and chipping feels real solid. “I felt pretty good going into my second round and it didn’t feel like a second round.” The beginning of the round was delayed an hour because of

frost, and play was suspended because of darkness with 34 players still on the course. Last year, chilly temperatures and frosty greens delayed play a total of nine hours during the week, forcing a Monday finish which went to a playoff. The second round was to continue at 7:30 am on Saturday which means that for the sixth consecutive year the cut will be decided on Saturday. Levin, who had an early tee off time, finished his round with a seven-shot lead. But an afternoon wave of contenders closed the gap, including Frazar and Webb Simpson. Simpson (69) and John Huh (66) were in the clubhouse six strokes back of Levin on 134 while Kyle Stanley, who lost a

heartbreaker to Brandt Snedeker in a playoff last week, is alone on 135 after shooting a 66 Friday. Levin, who has gone from 131st to 31st on the money list in the last three years, hit 15 greens in regulation and needed just 25 putts in the second round. Levin completed his first round early Friday, starting with three straight birdies to post a 65. He carried that good feeling over with birdies on his first two holes of his second round. Levin’s best shot of the day came in the second round when he holed out from a greenside bunker for eagle on the par-four 17th. “I felt good today off the tee and with my irons. It is just amazing how quick your mind can change in this game,” Levin said.

Playing Field

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

The games people play

Armstrong case dropped LOS ANGELES: US prosecutors said on Friday

Chris Lefkow

Facebook, Twitter head into the Bowl

WASHINGTON: Millions of American football fans will be watching the Super Bowl on television this Sunday with one hand in the potato chips and the other holding a smartphone. The ‘second screen’ experience will be fueled by Facebook and Twitter and a host of Super Bowl-related applications for mobile devices providing everything from recipes to game statistics to reruns of the celebrated commercials. Sixty percent of mobile owners will check or use their devices during the showdown between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots, according to a survey commissioned by mobile marketing company Velti. And nearly half of all viewers will check or use their mobile device up to 10 times during the game, mostly during commercial breaks, according to the survey by Harris Interactive of 1,428 US adult mobile owners. “You’re looking at your phone as the second screen or your iPad as a third screen and it’s not just about watching the

game on TV, it becomes part of the entire experience,” said Krishna Subramanian, Velti’s chief marketing officer. “People are using their mobile devices to communicate with friends, to share information and to engage with ads and TV content,” Subramanian said. “They’re looking at the game and going like a level deeper.” Facebook and Twitter apps will be getting a workout during Super Bowl 46, which kicks off at 6.30pm (23.30GMT), but so will many of the other programs available in Apple’s App Store or on the Android Market. Both the Giants and the Patriots offer free apps with team and player news while the National Football League is offering a Super Bowl 46 Commemorative App for the iPad for $2.99 that promises “exclusive video” and other content. The official Super Bowl game program is available as a free app for the iPad. Another free app, Football Connect, lets users

play against other fans and earn points based on events in the live game. For those actually going to the game, there is a free Super Bowl 46 Guide with information on restaurants, nightlife and Super Bowl events in the host city, Indianapolis, along with an interactive 3D map of the stadium. Another free app is NFL Pro Tweets which features tweets from NFL players — although not from any of the Giants or the Patriots, who are banned from using the service during the game. This year’s Super Bowl will be the first ever streamed live over the Internet, and there’s an app for that too. Computer users can watch the game live at NBCSports.com and mobile or tablet owners can also tune in — provided they are customers of Verizon and download an NFL Mobile application. Super Bowl commercials are a sport of their own and Subramanian said fans will be using their smartphones more than ever this year to engage with ads. “In the first quarter, perhaps, you’ll have a brand saying vote for your favourite flavour,” he said. “So you’ll have people texting in and voting and in the fourth quarter you’ll actually see the results.”

they had dropped their investigation into seventime Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong and other cyclists without bringing criminal charges. A statement by US attorney Andre Birotte jnr said Birotte’s office “is closing an investigation into allegations of federal criminal conduct by members and associates of a professional bicycle racing team owned in part by Lance Armstrong.” The probe has reportedly included a grand jury sitting in Los Angeles hearing testimony from former Armstrong teammates and associates. Although such grand jury proceedings are supposed to remain secret, the investigation has been widely reported on, prompting Birotte’s office to take the step of announcing it had ended. “The United States Attorney determined that a public announcement concerning the closing of the investigation was warranted by numerous reports about the investigation in media outlets around the world,” the statement said. “This is great news,” Armstrong lawyer Mark Fabiani said in a statement. “Lance is pleased that the United States Attorney made the right decision, and he is more determined than ever to devote his time and energy to Livestrong and to the causes that have defined his career.” The US Anti-Doping Agency, however, said it continued to investigate allegations of doping in cycling and hoped to have access to the information gathered in the criminal probe. “Unlike the US Attorney, USADA’s job is to protect clean sport rather than enforce specific criminal laws,” USADA chief executive Travis Tygart said.

Playing Field

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

The games people play

Tunisian nightmare awaits Ghana’s dreams Samm Audu

Tunisia national football team midfielder Hocine Ragued gives a press conference in Libreville

FRANCEVILLE: Ghana’s quest to end a 30-year wait for an Africa Cup of Nations title will face its biggest challenge yet on Sunday when they battle Tunisia for a place in the semifinals of the 2012 tournament. The winners will tackle the victors of the other quarter-final between Zambia and Sudan in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, next Wednesday. Quarter-finalists at the 2010 World Cup, the Black Stars of Ghana have stayed on course for a fifth

IPL auction sets sights on the stars Kuldip Lal

NEW DELHI: England spinner Graeme Swann and Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene (below) head a star cast of cricketers who will be auctioned on Saturday to join the Indian Premier League. As many as 144 foreign and Indian players have thrown their hat in the ring in an auction restricted to players not already aligned to any team in the money-spinning Twenty20 league. Australian fast bowlers Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle, and England duo James Anderson and Ian Bell, are among the other leading players going under the hammer in Bangalore. Each of the nine franchises have a maximum of $2 million to spend at the auction as they

bid to strengthen their line-ups ahead of the fifth edition of the IPL which will be played between April 4 and May 27. Team insiders warn, however, that no more than 20-25 players are likely to be bought since only a few slots are up for grabs to fill the quota of 11 foreign stars in the 33-man squads allowed for each club. “Teams will focus on their strategic requirements, not on star quality alone,” Delhi Daredevils executive Amrit Mathur told AFP. Much will also depend on the availability of the players for the seven-week tournament that will host 76 matches. England’s international players will not be available for more than a month, since their tour of Sri Lanka ends on April 7 and is followed by a home series against the West Indies starting in mid-May.

Nations Cup title even though they were far from convincing in the group phase. They laboured to pip debutants Botswana 1-0 before raising their game to down Mali 2-0, but were pegged back by Guinea 1-1 in their final Group D match. Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic, who has promised to win the trophy on February 12, has pledged the team will improve. Ukraine-based midfielder Derek Boateng, meanwhile, says he expects another tough match on Sunday.

“Tunisia have a very good side. They are disciplined on the field, like Guinea,” said Boateng, who saw his first action in the tournament against Guinea. “We know that it is going to be difficult, but we hope to do our best to win the game and qualify.” Former Ghana skipper Sammy Kuffour said Tunisia’s man to watch is Youssef Msakni, who scored a wonder goal against Morocco. “He is a hugely talented player and we need to keep an eye on him at all times,” warned Kuffour.

For Andre, home is where the strength is Ian Winrow

LONDON: Andre Villas-Boas may have conceded Chelsea are out of the Premier League title race but his side’s superb home record against Manchester United means they can still influence the final destiny of the championship. Sir Alex Ferguson’s United last won in the league at Stamford Bridge 10 years ago and the rivalry between the clubs burns as fiercely as ever, despite the 12-point gap that currently separates the two sides. United are locked in a battle with their neighbours Manchester City at the head of the table, while Chelsea’s immediate challenge is to tighten their grip on fourth place. John Terry will miss the game with a knee injury but while the fall-out from the Football Association’s decision to strip him of the England captaincy has overshadowed Chelsea’s preparations, Ferguson is well aware of the challenge posed by Villas-Boas’ side. “It’s not an easy game going to Stamford Bridge. We haven’t beaten them since 2002, which is a decade,” said the United manager. In that period, Chelsea’s rise to prominence has been obvious and the last seven years, we have battled with them for league titles. Therefore, you

expect a hard game and it will be. But Villas-Boas warned a Chelsea victory could derail

United’s title bid — just as their win over City last December had triggered a dip in form for Roberto Mancini’s side.

Playing Field

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

The games people play

TERRY SACKED! John Terry (below) was stripped of the England captaincy for the second time in two years on Friday after mounting concern his ongoing racism court case had made his position untenable. The English Football Association confirmed in a statement that chairman David Bernstein had contacted Terry to inform him of the body’s decision to remove him as captain until the racism allegations wer1e “resolved”. Bernstein had canvassed opinion amongst members of the FA board on Thursday to discuss the best course action for Terry, who is accused of racially

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abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during a match last year. Terry, 31, strongly denies the charges and has vowed to clear his name. However the decision this week to delay his court case until July 9 left FA chiefs with the prospect of the saga overshadowing England’s Euro 2012 campaign. Terry did not immediately make any comment on the decision but was reportedly mulling retirement from international football, “angry and disillusioned” over his treatment according to The Daily Mirror. The FA’s latest ruling was applauded by Britain’s sports minister Hugh Robertson. “I completely support the FA’s decision,” Robertson said.

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Rob Woollard