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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012 HYDERABAD

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FLASH

Commissioner of Police AK Khan is likely to be transferred as the managing director of APSRTC. Either Nanduri Sambasiva Rao, Director of APPA, or M Mahender Reddy, the intelligence chief, may replace Khan. Khan said that he has served as the CP for two years and is ready for a shift. He is not lobbying for any particular post, he said.

THE BEST OF HIS TIMES

Doctor Who once had a person play the role of Charles Dickens. A curious Dickens was shown inquiring as to how long his books will be read after his death. The doctor replied — Forever.

PIC: SRINIVAS SETTY

P15

This article comes to you with a statutory warning: Do not try this at work. P8

32 PAGES

PRICES DRIVE A VEG IN DAILY LIFE

KHAN TO BE TRANSFERRED?

DAMN! YOU JUST PULLED A CLM

WEATHER: A MIX OF CLOUDY AND CLEAR SKIES; 24°C

The soaring price of vegetables means that families are now finding it harder to stick to budgets. We went to the City’s famous Rythu Bazaar and found people fuming and demanding answers. REPORT ON PG 4, 12

WHEN FATAL ATTRACTION BECOMES MURDEROUS MADNESS

Passion combined with revenge when an abused wife and her lover plotted to kill the husband. Police, however, were made aware of the murderous machinations and foiled the attempt.

Page Two

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Spirit of Twin Cities

Managing futures: A truly unique fest EDUCATION Osama Salman salman.o@postnoon.com

o you think you have what it takes to be a manager? St Francis College tested students from 10 colleges across the City to see whether they had what it took to be the next big thing in the corporate world. This was one of the many events at the college’s annual two-day management fest — Crecentia 2012, organised by the department of business management studies. Touted to be the first of its kind at an undergraduate level, Crecentia 2012 is different from the one hosted last year. For starters, the fest this time had a management theme to it while

last year it was restricted to cultural events. The theme for the management festival this year was Aham Vriti, which literally translates to inner realisation. And true to its theme, the events that were lined up on day one of the festival tested the management students on skills like marketing, human resources and finance. Students from 10 B.Com and BBA colleges, each with a team of nine members, participated in the fest. The competition was divided into five core management events — Vaishishk (best manager), Nyay (marketing), Samkhya (finance), Mimamsa (human resources) and Vedant (business quiz). The most interesting event, however, was best manager, where one student from each

college was tested on managerial skills including stress management, team leadership, marketing, finance, HR, etc. “Our focus is to prepare stu-

dents for the corporate world. The focus is unique and something that hasn’t been tried by any undergraduate management college in the city,” said

Gita Anand, Finance faculty. Vennela and Sukriti, participants at the event said they learned a lot from the competitions. “We were asked to shoot a one-minute ad based on Acer [computers] company ethics. It was a challenge for us. We were judged by a manger from the company. This is essentially what we will be doing after graduating. Such events help us in our career,” they said. “We are very happy with the response as this is the first management fest at an undergraduate level in the city. Usually, such specialised events are only held in MBA colleges or at the post-graduation level. Our students put in a lot of effort to execute the fest,” said Malika Shetty, head of department, BMS.

Around the city: Your guide to the Twin Cities

Numaish

PIC: SRINIVA SETTY

Urban Decay An International photography exhibition y titled Urban Decay is being held at Ravi Art Studio. It potrays the negative influence of urbanisation on nature. Where: Ravi Studios, Somajiguda When: Ongoing, 11am onwards Contact: (040) 23392471

Eat in the dark Have you ever wondered how it feels to eat in the dark? Come and experience this. Pay `499 to enjoy a 4course meal worth `1,000 at Dialogue in the Dark. Where: Dialogue in the Dark, Inorbit Mall, Hitech City When: Ongoing, 12.30pm Contact: (040) 64603341

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

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

CINEMAS

Cupcake delight

SCALING GREAT HEIGHTS

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

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

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

Food fiesta

Bronze structures Kalakrithi presents lively meshes of bronze, an exhibition of bronze sculptures by Tapas Biswas. The exhibition will be on display till February 16. Where: Kalakrithi, Banjara Hills When: January 4, 7pm Contact: (040) 66564466

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

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

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

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

City in pictures A pictoral essay depicting the city of Hyderabad between the years of 1975 and 2011 is on display at Salarjung Museum. Where: Ravi Studios, Somajiguda When: Ongoing, 11am onwards Contact: (040) 23392471

Stilleto night It’s Wednesday night. Head to Cuba Libre for the best hip hop music. Where: Cuba Libre , Banjara Hills When: Wednesday, 8pm Contact: (040) 67767111

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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Frustrated wife and her paramour planned to kill husband but are caught in the act

A murder she wrote, cops erased Mohd Subhan mohd.s@postnoon.com

heir relationship soured when two children were born, and slowly, the husband began to take refuge in the deceptive comfort of alcohol. The wife, unable to meet the demands of life, developed a relationship outside marriage and finally, she and her paramour, several years younger to her, decided to dispose off the hubby and start a new life together. Everything seemed to go as per plan, but then there was a hitch — the duo were caught. Meanwhile, the husband with severe head injuries, is fighting for his life in hospital. J Sridevi, 33, and her new-found lover, A Krishna, 28, have reportedly confessed their crime and pleaded that the hopeless situation had led them to do it. The couple (Sridevi and Venugopal) lived in the railway quarters at Lalaguda as Venu’s father was a railway employee. After his death, Venu managed to retain the quarters. Lalaguda police inspector P Shiva Bhaskar who has cracked the case said Sridevi and her husband J Venugopal, 35, had fallen in love 12 years ago and got married. The couple and their two children lead a happy life till Venu lost his job. The pressure of making a ‘love marriage’ work

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

began to get to him and nobody stepped forward to help the couple. It was then that he turned to alcohol to drown his sorrows. Quarrels became commonplace between the couple. Sridevi who was forced to sustain the family, alleged that Venu physically abused her. Two years ago he drove her out of the house and she was forced to go live with her parents at Harijanwada Ambedkar Nagar, in Ghatkesar. It was around this time that she met Krishna and two fell for each other. A few months ago, Sridevi returned to her husband and stayed with him for a while. On January 29 the duo got Venugopal drunk and hit him on his head. He collapsed and they thought he was dead. However, although Venu suffered serious injuries to the skull, he survived. Later, Sridevi lodged a complaint with the police that a marauder had broken in and attacked her husband before looted valuables. “She said it all in such dramatic manner that I had almost been sold to the story,” recalls Inspector Bhaskar. “But, I realised when I reached their quarters that she was lying.” In the ensuing interrogation the two owned up the crime and have been booked for attempt to murder. Venugopal, is currently undergoing treatment at Gandhi hospital.

Two on a drinking spree killed on railway tracks Postnoon News

wo youngsters, apparently friends, having a binge on live rail tracks near Uttam Nagar were killed under the wheels of the Ajmer Express last night. The spot of tragedy lies between Malkajgiri and Safilguda Railway Station, the railway police said. According to Railway inspector

Secundrabad, N Ashok Kumar, one of them was identified as Akhil native of Gandhinagar Kapra of Ranga Reddy district. This was done with the help of a diary found on the scene which had some mobile phone numbers too. The police surmised that they were labourers, and one of them was physically disabled. One of the victims was dragged for half a kilometre by the engine.

Both had been found with tattoos on their hands and biceps depicting scenes of Arya2, Jalsa, Coolie. The bodies are kept in the Gandhi Hospital mortuary. They seemed to have been fans of Chiranjeevi and Ravi Teja as several tattoo marks on them had referred to their films. The diary also indicates that they watched Chiranjeevi movies. Police are trying to identify the other body.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

Soaring prices weigh down City PICS: SRINIVAS SETTY

in Rythu Bazaar. The inflation in vegetable prices eats away his profits as customers cut down on buying, he adds.

INFLATION Anubha K Singh anubha.k@postnoon.com

Factors

o sooner had the average Hyderabadi breathed a sigh of relief after fuel prices came down by a notch a couple of months ago, were they dealt with another blow. Soaring prices of vegetables and other essential commodities has everybody’s budgets going haywire and it’s little wonder then that it is the hottest topic of discussion in every household. With the rising mercury levels, prices of vegetables have shot up by more than 50 pre cent in the City. The price of ladyfingers that was around `26 per kg last month has now reached `32 per kg and brinjal which cost `8 per kg has now reached `17 this week. Be it the green chillies, field beans or capsicum all these vegetables are slowly inching away from last month’s price. These prices however, are of at the Erragada Rythu Bazar and the prices may be higher in super markets and other vegetable markets in the City. “The prices were moderate at the beginning of the year,” said Lachaiah, a vegetable vendor

There are many factors that are contributing to the rise in vegetable prices — low production, increasing transportation costs and declining groundwater levels in many parts of the State. A majority of farmers bring vegetables to the City from surrounding villages but due to declining groundwater levels, vegetable production has been hit, said Alexander, estate officer, Erragada Rythu Bazaar. “Except for the prices of tomatoes, potatoes, onions and cabbage, there seems to be no solace for consumers,” he adds. Rythu Bazar authorities predict that the prices of these vegetables would also increase in the coming days as production will be affected. Sandeep, who comes from Rangareddy district, to sell beans, carrots, peas and green chilli said that with summer round the corner, prices would only increase. “It has been bad for consumers this past week. Prices were moderate at the beginning of the year, but they’ve risen,” he said. Sri Latha, a customer at Rythu

Bazaar, said, “Life is hit hard when vegetables and other essential commodities become dearer. It forces people to cut down on consumption. Time was when a middle class family could get by on a weekly provisions’ budget of `1,000. Now, you can probably buy just fruits and vegetables for that amount. Nothing comes cheap.

Forget the sudden spurt in vegetable prices, the cost of other essentials — sugar, tea, coffee — has been rising too.” “With rising prices, vegetables have become as precious as gold. Sustaining even a small family has become difficult. It has impacted small eateries. The main reason for escalating prices is heavy and un-

What about police and RTC vehicles? TRANSPORT U Srinivas srinivas.u@postnoon.com

hile the Union government is contemplating bringing in a piece of legislation on green tax, the State government is planning to double the tax, apart from outsourcing some of the tax collections and some driving tests. While most cars don’t come under this new tax, those that are more than 15 years old are used in districts as taxis. But they will be subjected to the green tax,

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given the soot they emit causing pollution. But the real players in the market have a different story to tell. Suryanarayana Reddy, the senior manager from Maruti True Value, which is into sale of preowned cars at Himayathnagar, said, “Except for Maruti 800, most other vehicles are under 12 years, so they don’t attract green tax.” Most of the customers who come to them ask for the distance each vehicle has travelled, but they do not ask anything specific to emission. They test drive of the vehicle and then buy it. When it comes to emissions, it all depends on maintenance, he said. B Srikanth from

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Dr Car, which sells old cars, said that so far very few customers have asked about green tax. He said most of the vehicles sold by them were under five years, and some were recovered by the agents for not paying the instalment. “Except this all other formalities are done. If any vehicle is 15 years old, then the required green tax will be paid,” he said. YV Eshwara Rao, the general secretary of the AP Lorry owners Association, quipped that these taxes in the name of colours — green or red — are of no use. What about the vehicles in the police department and also the APSRTC

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that emit dark smoke, he asked, “Is any one telling the owners of those vehicles or drivers to get them repaired? They are just bothered about revenues, he said.

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seasonal rainfall that has damaged crops,” said Md Rehman, another customer at Rythu Bazaar. “I got married a couple of years ago. Now, I am struggling hard to keep our family of three. Working as a cabbie, I used to earn `300350 a day three years ago. But now, I don’t get as many passengers and my income has come down to `250 a day. Simultaneously, my expenses have risen. It’s a crazy situation. There has been more than 80 to 100 per cent rise in the prices of vegetables and other commodities,” said Ramesh Kumar, a cab driver in the City. Prices of vegetables peaked in markets elsewhere in the City too. For instance, the Wednesday Market in Alwal has prices of almost everything hovering around `40 a kg. Carrot, ridge gourd, bitter gourd, ladyfinger, and arbi cost `40 a kg, while cabbage, bottle gourd, coccinia (donda), beans were all priced at `30 a kg. Brinjals (eggplant) ranged between `20 and `30. The food inflation moves to negative. The Union Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar has time and again resorted to the hunting game looking for scapegoats to blame the spiraling prices on. But unfortunately the rhetoric does not help the aam admi. If vehicles complying with Euro (Bharat) standards, the question of these new taxed would not arise at all. “What did they do with the amounts collected in the name of so-called “green” taxes, he asked. Let the government come out with a programme protecting the environment,” he said.

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

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

New mantris: Lock stock and barrel POLITICS

U Srinivas gives an insight into the new entrants in the Kiran Kumar Reddy government

Kondru Murali Mohan Date of Birth: July 8, 1969 (Lavetipalem) Constituency: Rajam District: Srikakulam Education: BE-MBA Experience: Two terms MLA, trounced heavyweight and former speaker of TDP regime K Pratibha Bharathi in 2009 elections. n Worked as Government whip before taking over as the Minister yesterday. n Popular for filing a disqualification petition with Speaker N Manohar against the Congress MLAs who supported Jagan. Pros: n Nominated to strike a balance with the Mala community in Srikakulam, especially with the recent incident of desecration of Ambedkar statues. n Can mobilise Mala community support for the party from Srikakulam. Cons: n BCs in the district are already opposed to him. n Doesn’t enjoy good rapport with some colleague MLAs n Third minister in the district

Why only he? The demolition of Ambedkar statues exposed the fact that a lot of Mala voters are drifting towards YS Jagan. Even a minister in coastal districts is said to be in touch with Jagan camp. Murali would balance the loss, if any.

G.Prasad Kumar Age: 46 years Education: BA Experience: MPP Chairman Marpalli frm 2001-2006 n Elected as MLA Vikarabad in 2008 by- elections. n Elected as MLA Vikarabad 2nd time in 2009 General elections. n Working as Chairman , SC committee, APLA. Pros: n Belongs to G Venkatswamy and P Shanker Rao’s family,

a distant relative. n Trounced TRS heavyweight A Chandrasekhar in

Vikarabad. n Belongs to anti-Sabitha Indra Reddy group in Ranga

Reddy district. n Can take on the TRS mass base in RR district. n Emerged as dark horse due to community equations

Cons: n Cannot keep his flock together, works against the Home Minister n Has to have clarity on the subjects that he gets. n Remains subservient to Kichennagari Lakshma Reddy, a rich legislator from the district

Why only he? One of the three Mala MLAs in Telangana. The other two are: the ousted Shanker Rao and first-time MLA Arepalli Moahna Rao. So enjoys TINA (there is no alternative) factor.

N Uttam Kumar Reddy Date of birth: June 20, 1962 Represents Huzurnagar Assembly constituency Education: BSc from National Defence Academy Hobbies: Sports and reading . Experience: Was a fighter pilot and Squadron Leader and retired due to back pain. n Served as ADC and Comptroller to the President of India (R Venkatraman). Resigned in 1994 and joined the Congress n Chairman, Public Undertakings Committee, AP Legislative Assembly. n Served as fighter pilot in IAF, Flew MIG-21, and MIG 23 Aircraft in frontline fighter squadrons. Decorated for gallantry in Siachen and other operations. Present positions: Won with biggest majority in entire Telangana region in 2009 elections. Pros: n Nominated to strike a balance in the place of Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy in Nalgonda district and Telangana region. n His education and experience with armed forces and Rashtrapathi Bhavan will add to his stature. Cons: n Needs to improve media and public relations. n Work on an agenda for the development of Nalgonda district.

Why only he?

To do balancing act to veteran K Jana Reddy from the district.

Faculty pay first priority to pvt professional colleges Osama Salman Salman.o@postnoon.com

HYDERABAD: Upon the release of `1,259 crore by the State government towards fee-reimbursement, professional colleges are breathing a sigh of relief. Several colleges in the State have not been able to pay the faculty due to paucity of funds and the Monday’s GO on release of funds will help professional colleges sustain, at least for this academic year. “This fund should have come in November last. However, we are happy that they have released it at least now. It will be credited on Friday and once that is done, we will pay the faculty which is our first priority,” said Dr K Ramadas, general secretary, Andhra Pradesh Private Pharmacy Colleges Management Association (APPPCA). `1,259 crores that has been released, will be used for paying some debts off, says T Jayaram Reddy, president, APPPCA. “Many colleges have taken loans from banks and other sources at high interest rates to keep the colleges going. When the funds

are credited into our accounts, we will repay the loans. The second priority would be given to develop the infrastructure that has been lagging behind,” he said. “The problem is that up to 2008, the SC, ST, BC, economically backward and minority students comprised only 15 per cent of the entire student strength of a college. From 2009, however, the percentage has increased to 85. With funds not being released on time, colleges are suffering,” he pointed out. On the other hand, P Rajeshwar Reddy, general secretary, Consortium of Engineering Colleges Management Association, said that the funds would only mean the payment of tuition fee. “We are in a relief with the funds being released. At least 70 per cent of the amount will go only in tuition fee and the remaining in maintenance and scholarships. Hopefully from next academic year, the fund release will be streamlined because the quality of education will increase this way,” he said.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

Inter students put in Trishanku Blowing hot and cold on the question of intermediate percentile for the Engineering and Medical Common Entrance Test (EAMCET) exams have put lakhs of intermediate students in a quandary. FOR REPRESENTATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY

EDUCATION Sudeshna Koka sudeshna.k@postnoon.com

I ‘IAS officers must name ministers’

he senior Congress leader Anam Vivekananda Reddy has demanded the IAS officers to make public the names of the corrupt ministers. Anam said that all the politicians were not corrupt leaders and like wise all the IAS officers were not free from corruption. Alleging that the officers were speaking in support of the ruling party, Anam said that they always play pivotal role regardless of the party in power.

ntermediate exams are scheduled to start on March 2, 2012, and Engineering and Medical Common Entrance Test (EAMCET) exams on May 12, 2012. Students say they were told throughout the year that the 50 percentile of inter would go counted in the final EAMCET. But, suddenly they were told the prevailing practice of taking 25 per cent of intermediate exam marks will be preserved this year too. “We feel cheated,” said a frustrated intermediate student. As the examinations are at the doorstep it is a big letdown for the honest students who were preparing for a big score in the inter exams. Until last year, as only 25 percentile of intermediate marks were considered for EAMCET, students used to dedicate most of their time for competitive exams and only in the last two months, study for intermediate syllabus. “Since the beginning of the year, teachers were telling us that the ratio will be 50- 50. Now at the end of the year they say it’s only 25 per cent. I regret wasting so much time on intermediate syllabus. Moreover, we have not been intimidated about any of the changes, we are still in a confused state,” complaints S. Sai, a first year science student, I Class Junior College. Teachers’ fraternity pleads that they are blameless. “The confusion is not our creation,” said a teacher. But

no official confirmation has come yet and this is the real pain, teachers say. “This year, it’s the same, but for the next batch, we have not yet received any information from the board. We are giving equal importance and for preparing our students for both equally. Its best to be prepared for the worst,” said Sri Devi, principal of Sri Gayatri College. Of all, the worst hit in the scenario of 50 percentile scheme would be the government colleges. They lack facilities and giving 50 percent to intermediate will further hamper their chances to cracking EAMCET. “Giving 50 per cent to intermediate is not good. Our students come from a poor socio economic background and this will dim their

chances of studying medicine or engineering. From next year National Eligibility cum Entrace Test (NEET) will replace EAMCET. “It’s is a better idea. The first one year will be difficult, but then it will bring all students on one platform,” says P S Harindernath of Government Junior College. But NEET is gravitated to central syllabus like CBSE, IISC. Meanwhile, the managements are not happy either. “The government wanted to implement 50- 50 ratio so that students and teachers will give importance to intermediate syllabus. However, the government colleges are not well equipped for this change. Only private colleges will benefit of this move. On the other

hand, NEET will not be implemented this year. If NEET is implemented then corporate colleges will be affected. It’s a political ploy to stymie the well-equipped private colleges,” believes Venu G, vice principal, Sri Chaitnya education institution. However, Intermediate board of education is very keen in implementing the NEET. If NEET is implemented then a whole new central syllabus will be put into practice for science students “NEET is in the final stage of approval. We are all set for the implementation of NEET. We have decided the curriculum and the text books are also printed. It will be out on sale by the end early April,” said Sushil Kumar, public relations officer, Intermediate Board of Education.

PIC: SRINIVAS SETTY

Balakrishna can’t change TDP fortunes: Lakshmi

THE FACES OF HYDERABAD Prabhu, Florist

e’s the man who works with one of the prettiest things on Earth — flowers. Very few men grow up thinking they want to become florists and Prabhu was definitely not one of them. He surprised himself and his family when he signed up to be a florist’s assistant at the Taj Krishna five years back. A year later he opened his own flower shop, and six months ago he opened a second one. He loves flowers and in his mind can picture exactly how he wants the bouquet to look. During his tenure as an assistant, he grasped the basic techniques required for his craft and through the experience accumulated, he has become a perfectionist. Ask him about his

future plans and he says that he wants to expand his business and open at least two more shops in the next year.

Aishwarya Yerra A city is defined by the people who live and work in it. Here we take a look at the human threads that make up our urban tapestry

When asked if his parents are happy with his profession, he says that they couldn’t have asked for more.

TR TDP president Lakshmi Parvati has said that hero Nandamuri Balakrishna would not be able to change the fortunes of the TDP as was being felt by that party and its president N Chandrababu Naidu. Talking to the media, she reminded them that in 2009 TDP was defeated in all the constituencies where Balakrishna had campaigned. She said Balakrishna was a person without individuality. She has predicted that TDP would vanish after the next elections. Referring to the fight of Naidu on people’s problems, she said he had no commitment towards the welfare of the people. On the CBI probe into different scams, Lakshmi Parvati has expressed the view that it lacked transparency. She said if the probe had been conducted honestly, Naidu would have gone to jail by this time.

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Things you need: Tub of popcorn, a box of tissues, blanket, a set of romantic movies and you are all set for Valentine’s Day

PS I love you

dapted from Cecilia Ahern’s debut novel of the same name, the movie starred Gerard Butler and Hilary Swank in the lead. Swank plays a young widow Holly who is devastated after the death of her husband. He leaves her a year worth of notes to help her heal.

The Notebook

n all time favourite of many, the movie revolves around Noah and Allie who are deeply in love with each other but somehow always find trouble staying together. However, their story of love, written in the eponymous notebook, proves that love does conquer all — even age.

LOVE REELS Sana Mirza sana.m@postnoon.com

onestly, there is no better way to say “I love you” than loading up on popcorn, chilled drinks, curling up on the couch and having a movie marathon on V-day. It’s all about putting thought into whatever you do so try to keep it simple.

One Day

fter spending the night together on their graduation day, Dexter and Em are shown each year on the same date for twenty years to see where they are in their lives.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

You don’t have to go to the movies or take her out to dinner. Women just want to spend time with their man on V-day. They might even forget that you got them the same card as last year if you decide to watch her favourite rom-coms all day. Love has been the subject of innumerable films and movies like Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge had every girl wishing to be a Simran, waiting for a Raj to sweep her off her feet. We have for you, a list of movies that guys should be able to get through and earn some brownie points with their lady love.

Love Actually

rom love triangles to new crushes and troubled marriages, the movie follows the lives of eight very different couples and shows how love can come in any form.

A Walk to Remember

ased on Nicholas Spark’s best-selling novel of the same name, the movie taught us that love does change a person.

The Fountain

he Fountain is an odyssey of one man’s thousand-year struggle to save the woman he loves.

City Of Angels

7 DAYS TO GO Dirty Dancing

his movie is more than your ordinary romantic movie. Everyone who has seen Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze dance into our hearts in this movie will remember it forever.

ho can forget the song Iris by Goo Goo Dolls which just added to the movie’s popularity. A heart wrenching story of an angel who falls in love with a doctor.

The Night Bazaar at Shilparamam was recently launched offering Hyderabadis the chance to shop all night. The Night Bazaar will remain open from 3 pm to 3 am and have on offer artefacts, clothes and footwear

PICS: SRINIVA SETTY

Shop till you drop

Focus

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

The story behind the news

Fleme Varkey fleme.v@postnoon.com

ruly, if Charles Dickens, the most celebrated English novelist, were alive to celebrate his 200th birthday today, he would have seen how his stories had made an impact on the world. Even though, he painted the true, black face of society, to which his Victorian readers objected, Dickens is still read in big numbers. He was mainly driven by emotions, and needed a strong will to keep them in check, but he found a way to release them and how — by creating characters who he loved more than his children. Today let us take a look at some of the most memorable characters that Dickens gave the world:

THE BEST OF HIS TIMES Doctor Who once had a person play the role of Charles Dickens. A curious Dickens was shown inquiring as to how long his books will be read after his death. The doctor replied — Forever

Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol Reformed miser Ebenezer Scrooge has been voted the most popular Charles Dickens character, according to a Penguins Book poll held to mark the 200th anniversary of the author's birth. Bah! Humbug! Scrooge’s favourite line said it all on what he thought about Christmas. A story with a moral, Dickens’ Scrooge is a wicked employer and a heartless miser, but when allowed to see the error of his ways, he repents. Dickens through Scrooge wanted to show what big misers Victorians were. But to think that he saw off Uriah Heep, Miss Havisham, Sydney Carton, the Artful Dodger, Fagin, Nancy and Magwitch, some of his popular characters to win the poll shows how far Scrooge affects the readers.

Nicholas Nickleby from The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby Nicholas Nickleby is Dickens' commentary on the educational system in England. Nicholas Nickleby, an 18-yearold boy, is left to take care of his mother and his sister Kate after his father's death. His father has left them no money and his dying wish is that the family get a new life in London. They turn to their uncle Ralph, a man of predatory nature who only sees profit in whatever he does. As assistant to a schoolmaster at Dotheboys Hall, Nicholas soon sees the ugly truth of the educational system. Nicholas is quick to defend family and stands up against the evils of society. At Dotheboys he sees that instead of being taught, the boys are tortured mercilessly by the headmaster. Unable to tolerate this cruelty, Nicholas strikes Squeers, the headmaster, and runs away.

Oliver Twist from Oliver Twist Subtitled A Parish Boy In Progress, it tells us an incredible story of a boy called Oliver who is raised in absolute poverty and squalor. He is led to the alleys of crime and yet remains a paragon of virtue. He was basically Dickens’ mouthpiece to tell the Victorian society that all paupers are not criminals and no one is a criminal by birth but becomes a victim of circumstances. Oliver’s character was often used as an example in schools to tell children how they ought to behave. Though treated with cruelty and surrounded by pain all his life, he remains pure and innocent attracting many wealthy benefactors in the course of the story. His true identity remains the central mystery of the novel.

David Copperfield from David Copperfield In the preface to the 1867 Charles Dickens edition, he wrote, "…like many fond parents, I have in my heart of hearts a favourite child. And his name is David Copperfield." Of all the novels that he has written Dickens’ eighth book David Copperfield seems to be the most autobiographical . The story is of a boy’s journey from childhood to manhood. Narrated in the first person, there is no one particular grievance that the author chooses to display. His character has far less to do with becoming wealthy or amassing a fortune but deals mainly with learning to love responsibly and making prudent choices. A lesson for many youngsters who are faced with similar situations.

Pip from Great Expectations

Born: February 7, 1812

Died: 1870 aged 58

Philip Pirrip, better known to himself and to the world as Pip embodies all the characteristics that a man in Victorian society was expected to have apart from a respected position and standing. But his most noticeable traits are his immaturity, his romantic ideals and his innately good conscience. At heart he is a sympathetic young fellow who will do his best to help his friend despite having problems in his own life. But it is his ‘great expectations’ that tend to lead him astray. His desire for self-improvement is what leads him astray most of the times. Dickens shows us the conflict within Pip, his dream for a better future and his caring nature. He is one of the most lovable characters thought of by Dickens as he comes quite close to the dilemma faced by man even today.

India‑View

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

India unveiled

EC defends transfer of babu who stopped Vadra in tracks CSM NAGAR (AMETHI): A controversy broke out on Monday over the transfer of a poll observer, an IAS officer, who allegedly ordered the stopping of a motorcycle rally of Congress campaigner and Priyanka Gandhi’s husband Robert Vadra on the charge of violating the model code of conduct. Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi, however, maintained the transfer of Pawan Sen, an IAS officer of 2005 batch, was not linked to the incident and his shift to Goa, which too goes to assembly poll, has been put on hold till February 19 when Amethi goes to polls in the third phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh. Vadra was stopped by the authorities while heading towards Salon area of the district for using more vehicles against the permitted number of 10 bikes, district magistrate JP Gupta said. Sen had also ordered filing of an FIR against the local Congress candidate in the Assembly poll. Quraishi said that “today’s incident is unrelated to the observer’s transfer. It has nothing to do with it. The election commission had during its meeting this morning decided that Sen be posted as Deputy Commissioner in South Goa, after complaints from various political parties about the conduct of the present DC in South Goa who was earlier the State chief minister’s principal

by some mischievous people, we have since kept on hold his transfer. He will be relieved from his observer duty only after the polls are over on February 19”, he added. He said when an EC team had visited Goa last week it received complaints that the South Goa Collector may not be neutral and “the only IAS officer

secretary". “We had decided to seek a panel from the State government and among the panel was Sen’s name — the other two being secretaries to the chief minister and governor. “The EC in its meeting finalised his name in the morning today. The incident in which Robert Vadra was involved happened in the evening and had nothing to do with Sen’s transfer. Even the recommendation of FIR done by him was against the Congress candidate and not Vadra,” Quraishi said. Quraishi said the EC wants free and fair polls and Sen was transferred as DC, South Goa, as he belongs to the Goa cadre. “To avoid misinterpretation

POLITICAL SHOT

available to us is Sen. So, we decided since we have so many observers in UP, we can use another observer". “This transfer was done in the morning and we would not know what is going to happen in the evening. So, linking it to UP is a very stupid thing to do for anybody”, the CEC said. PTI

Peaceful start to local polls in Maharashtra MUMBAI: Nearly one-fourth of Maharashtra’s population, mostly in rural and semi-rural areas, will elect new representatives for 27 Zilla Parishads and 305 Panchayat Samitis, polling for which began on Tuesday morning amidst tight security, an official said. Voting began on a peaceful note at 7.30 am. though crowds were not evident at many booths in view of the severe cold in most parts of the state. Polling will continue till 5.30 pm in all areas, barring Gadchiroli, where it will close at 3.30 pm. Nearly 3.89 crore voters shall elect their new representatives for 1,624 Zilla Parishad seats and 3,218 Panchayat Samiti seats, for which 7,116 and 13,473 candidates are in the fray respectively, said the State election commissioner. 59,914 polling stations have been set up. Counting of votes shall be taken up from February 17 onwards. IANS

‘Victims cannot forgive their perpetrators’

BJP leader Uma Bharti is pictured being carried on a chair during an election meeting for the UP polls in Bahraich on Sunday.

PTI

‘All websites need to follow Indian laws’ BANGALORE: All websites, including social media sites, would have to operate within the India laws and be responsible for hosting any content, minister of state for communications and IT Sachin Pilot said on Monday. “Be it a social media website or any other site, they all have to operate within the laws of the country and they should be accountable and responsible for what they put on their pages,” Pilot said. Ruling out censorship

or blocking of websites, including networking sites like Facebook, Pilot said the government would not come in the way of freedom of speech, but the content should not hurt feelings . “Our concern is only with objectionable content. There is no place for things that would offend or cause disharmony in society . Laws have been made to protect the frights of the people and are applicable to all,” Pilot added. IANS

VADODARA: The victims of post-Godhra riots in Gujarat can not forgive or forget those responsible for the communal violence, human rights activist and actress Nandita Das said. “Those who lost their near and dear ones in the 2002 communal riots can not forget and forgive those responsible for them,” she said while talking to reporters here. Money cannot compensate the loss suffered by the families , she maintained.Das was in the city for a seminar by a women's research group. To a question, she said development of a few cities like Ahmedabad and Vadodara could not be taken as a yardstick for growth of entire Gujarat. PTI

Meghalaya government rules out talks with terrorists

BJP leader and actor Shatrughan Sinha with Congress leader PTI and actress Nagma at a hotel in Lucknow on Monday.

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya government on Monday said it will not hold talks with the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), a terrorist group operating in the three impoverished districts of Garo Hills in western part of the State.

“Now that the GNLA has been declared a terrorist organisation the option of talks is closed,” home minister HDR Lyngdoh said. “The only option for them is that to surrender, and If they don't lay down arms we would

intensify our operations to nail them," the home minister added. The Central government had declared the GNLA, a terrorist outfit under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act due to its growing terror activities in parts of Meghalaya. IANS

Around the World

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Beyond Borders

43 dead in Philippines quake DUMAGUETE: Rescuers in the Philippines dug through rubble with shovels and their bare hands on Tuesday after a powerful earthquake triggered landslides, collapsed homes and killed dozens of people. The 6.8-magnitude quake hit a narrow strait between the heavily populated islands of Negros and Cebu around lunchtime on Monday with more than 200 aftershocks, some nearly as strong, causing further panic through the day. Local military chiefs said 43 people were confirmed killed, but officials warned that the death toll may rise. Dozens of others are feared injured or missing with landslides having blocked roads for rescuers in mountainous areas. “Heavy equipment we’ve requested from the provincial government has not arrived yet, because the roads and bridges are impassable,” said Senior Inspector Alvin Futalan, police chief of Guihulngan town on

False picture of Afghan war: US officer WASHINGTON: A US Army officer has accused the American military of painting a misleading picture of progress in the war in Afghanistan while glossing over the Kabul government’s many failings. Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Davis deliberately broke ranks with the official portrayal of the war after spending a year in the country, issuing a grim assessment and accusing his superiors of covering up the harsh realities that plague the mission. “What I saw bore no resemblance”, he said. Davis recounted his conversation with an Afghan officer in eastern Afghanistan in Kunar province less than three hours after an insurgent attack. AFP

Residents run as they scamper to safety after a 6.8 earthquake that hit Cebu city on Monday. AFP Negros that was among the most heavily damaged. “We are using our hands and shovels to search in the rubble,” he said. Thirty-nine people were reported killed in Guihulngan, a coastal city of 100,000 people flanked by

mountains that was close to the quake’s epicentre. The city’s public market, court house and private homes had collapsed or were damaged, while landslides buried some houses completely. He said the city’s over-

whelmed 42-man police rescue squad had been joined by hundreds of army troops and volunteers in clearing debris as they raced against time to find people still believed missing. “The army had to walk about 50 kilometres from the last stop reachable by vehicle to reach us,” Fatulan said. Guihulngan is about 90 kms to the north of Dumaguete, the capital of Negros Oriental province that covers the southeastern edge of Negros where the worst impacts were felt. With rescuers still to reach remote hinterland communities, Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo said he feared there could be more casualties. “Sadly, we expect the death could still rise,” Degamo told AFP. Degamo said telephone communications in some parts were also cut off. He said the public was still in a state of shock and fearful of returning to their homes after dozens of aftershocks. AFP

MOSCOW: The director of a training centre lost her job for refusing to ensure her employees’ attendance at a rally in support of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Yelena Travina, director of the Karavella centre in Moscow, was forced to write her resignation, stating that she had actually told her employees to attend the rally in Moscow’s Poklonnaya Gora park Saturday, the Novaya Gazeta reported.

Romanian PM, cabinet resigns BUCHAREST: Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc resigned on Monday along with his cabinet.“It is the time for important political decisions. That is why I made the decision to give up the mandate,” Boc said after a government meeting. In January, several anti-government demonstrations were held in Romania.

Assad’s wife shows her support LONDON: The British-born wife of Syria’s president has spoken in support of her husband for the first time since the 11-month uprising against his regime began, a British newspaper reported Tuesday. “The President is the President of Syria, not a faction of Syrians, and the First Lady supports him in that role,” The Times quoted Asma al-Assad as saying in an email sent via an intermediary from her office. The email is her first communication with the international media since the uprising against Bashar al-Assad’s regime began, The Times said. “The First Lady’s agenda is still focused on supporting the various charities she has long been involved with and rural development as well as supporting the President as

79 killed in Syria: activists DAMASCUS: The Syrian regime’s rocket and shell bombardment of protest hubs has left another 79 civilians dead, activists said, as Washington closed its Damascus embassy and Britain also recalled its ambassador. The opposition Syrian National Council said the regime was surrounding Homs with tanks on Monday ahead of “a major offensive” and warned of a “genocide” in the central Syrian city. IANS needed,” the email reportedly continued. “These days she is equally involved in bridging gaps and encouraging dialogue. She listens to and comforts the fam-

ilies of the victims of the violence.” it added. The statement came after Syrian forces pounded protest hubs with rockets and shells, killing 79 civilians on Monday, according to activists, and as Britain recalled its ambassador to Syria “for consultations”. Unlike her husband, a minority Alawite, the 36-yearold First Lady is a Sunni Muslim who originally hails from Homs . Stylish and charismatic and with a degree from King’s College in London where she was raised, the former investment banker had helped promote the soft side of an ironfisted regime.She has virtually disappeared from the public eye since the revolt broke out and had drawn criticism for her silence on a crisis that has left many dead. AFP

Security camera breach floods Internet eeds from thousands of Trendnet home security cameras have been breached, allowing any web user to access live footage without needing a password. Internet addresses which link to the video streams have been posted to a variety of popular messageboard sites. Users have expressed concern after finding they could view children’s bedrooms among other locations.

GLOBE AT A GLANCE Fired for not supporting pro-Putin rally?

Trendnet says it is in the process of releasing firmware updates to correct a coding error introduced in April 2010. It said it had emailed customers who had registered affected devices to alert them. However, a spokesman told the BBC that roughly 5% of purchasers had registered their cameras and it had not yet issued a formal media release despite being aware of the problem for more than

three weeks. \ “We anticipate to have all of the revised firmware available this week. We are scrambling to discover how the code was introduced.” The Californiabased firm estimated that fewer than 1,000 units might be open to this threat in the UK, but could not immediately provide an exact global tally beyond saying that it was “most likely less than 50,000”, said the representative. BBC

Protests outside a school in Los Angeles. A school teacher Mark Berndt was arrested for torturing his students. AFP

India does not need our aid: British MPs LONDON: The aid from Britain to India must be cancelled immediately, demanded some British parliamentarians after India’s finance minister said they don’t need it. The row broke out after India favoured a French firm for a multibillion-pound fighter plane order.Indian Finance Minister said that New Delhi should give up the 280 million pounds a year it gets from Britain.

Flood fears ease in Australia BRISBANE: Fears eased on Tuesday that a swollen river would breach its banks in the Australian state of Queensland as residents in other areas began a huge clean-up after floods wrecked havoc. Thousands of Australians have been forced to abandon their homes as a record deluge sweeps through areas.So far, only one fatality has been reported this year.

A picture shows horses in a field covered with snow in the Corsican village of Cognocoli-Monticchi in France. AFP

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Etching an ensemble of colours PIC: N SHIVA KUMAR

Prudhvi Raju K prudhvi.k@postnoon.com

heir very name – Pragati – means progress. Making rapid strides in the realm of printing, Pragati put Hyderabad on the global map in its own way, for the world-class printing quality offered by Pragati perched the company many notches above its peers. All big names in the industry are its clients. Pragati Printers, winner of three SAPPI international awards – what Oscar awards are to film industry are SAPPI awards for printing -- is contending for the award for a fourth time this year. P Narendra, CEO of the company, says, "It is the journey towards excellence that drives the company to achieve these awards rather than mere revenues. If the sole aim of the company is to make money, it may not sustain for a long time, but if it strives for quality, it can live forever,” The company is growing at 12-14 per cent in the domestic business. It has around 400 major clients and gets 66 per cent business from other states. Talking about the company strengths, Narendra said, “Anybody can invest in business and get the best printers from the world like us. The strength of the Pragati is its employees, which sets it apart from others. The motivation levels of human resources of the company are intangible and cannot be simply copied by others.” Pragati has no plans to diversify into other businesses, but resolved to remain and expand in printing. It is foreseeing 2012 as a tough year for expansion due to euro-zone crisis and recession in the USA. Narendra said, “It is the perception what keeps businesses

P Narendra, CEO, Pragati Printers going, if the world market crushes the repercussions can easily be fe lt here. The businesses here would wait and watch rather than operating aggressively. This may decrease the printing orders for us.” The per capita paper consumption in India is 8kg against the world average of 54kg. The growing super market and retail culture will drive enormous demands for packaging. The 20 per cent growth rate in the packaging industry would continue

and may reach 30 per cent in years to come. However, the future of commercial printing is not up to mark. There are some industries which are moving out of printing due to electronic processing especially like air tickets, greeting cards and manuals for different products. The commercial printing would grow at five per cent in years to come and becomes stagnant for a certain time before falling down, he said.

Pragati Printers is enjoying 10-12 per cent margins in offset printing and 8-10 per cent in packaging. The company has no plans to go to public issue but ready to partner with global printing companies. Pragati Printers has won multiple awards globally, but could not continue its success in the offshore businesses for various reasons. Talking about the business in USA, Narendra said the business was quite good till 2008 but is facing a tough time later. There are no proper logistics to export to USA and the courier charges are prohibitive. The printing machine costs, paper costs, inks and other raw material are expensive in India compared to USA. The interest rates are at 16 per cent in India and whereas they are just two per cent in USA. Even at all these higher input costs, Pragati is trying to compete with global companies. However, the freight charges have become a tremendous burden on the costs. The majors in USA are not giving jobs to Pragati as it becomes difficult for art directors to supervise the procedure of printing, he said.

Sensex gains MUMBAI: The BSE benchmark index Sensex on Tuesday rose by another 121.40 points in early trade on continued buying by funds and retailers amid a mixed trend in Asian markets. The 30-share index rose further by 121.40 points, or 0.68 per cent, to 17,828.71. It had gained nearly 844 points in the last five sessions. The wide-based Nifty of the National Stock Exchange regained 5,400 points level to trade 51.70 points, or 0.96 per cent, higher at 5,413.35 points. Brokers said hopes of easing liquidity in the market fueled the uptrend. In Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose by 0.13 per cent while Japan's Nikkei Index down by 0.43 per cent in earlytrade today.

Rupee gains 11 paise The rupee strengthened by 11 paise to `48.94 a dollar in early trade on the Interbank Foreign Exchange market today on increased foreign capital inflows. Dealers said rupee gained due to foreign capital inflows and dollar's fall against major world currencies overseas. The rupee had depreciated by 36 paise against the US currency to close at `49.05/06 in the previous session. Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark index Sensex rose by 121.65 points, or 0.68 per cent, to 17,828.71 in early trade. PTI

NSL gets best wind Tata Tele to seek review of 2G decision farm award Postnoon News

HYDERABAD: NSL Renewable Power Private Ltd (NRPPL), part of NSL Group, has bagged the best operating wind farm award from Indian Wind Power Association (IWPA) for the third time. The award was presented on Monday during the third international wind conference and exhibition at Coimbatore, according to a company release. The 28 MW Jagalur wind farm located in Karnataka had earlier

won this award for 2006-07 and 2009-10. "Winning the award for the third time, demonstrates the efficiency of NSL Renewable Power in general and its wind power vertical in particular. This adds further to our vision of wind being on par with other renewable resources by acknowledging wind energy as efficient and competitive," said Mandava Prabhakar Rao, Chairman, NSL Group.

NEW DELHI: With the Supreme Court ordering the cancellation of three of its licences, Tata Teleservices Ltd. (TTL) Monday said it will be filing a review petition against the decision as the company had applied for these licences in 2006 which were delayed and given to them in 2008. The company wants to be delinked from other firms who were issued licences in 2008. "TTL applied for these three licenses way back in June 2006 and this was kept pending for over 18 months until LOIs (letters of intent) were finally issued in January 2008," the company said in a statement. "TTL has been advised to file

a review petition in the Supreme Court seeking redressal on this point," it added. The company's licences for Assam, the northeast region, and Jammu and Kashmir stand cancelled following last week's ruling. It welcomed the Supreme Court's decision that spectrum, a scarce national resource, will be allotted through auction. "It has always been our view

that spectrum has value and should be paid for. The aberrations in the policy date back to 2001 and have resulted in wrongful allocations, the beneficiaries of which were not before the court," the statement said. "If auction covers spectrum wrongfully-allocated since 2001 and is executed in an equitable manner, without bias in favour of selected operators or specific technologies, it should bring in greater transparency and fair-play into the telecom industry," it added. At the time when Japan's NTT Docomo invested in TTL, the company had been in operations for over 12 years, had 17 licences and an annual turnover of `6,000 crore.

Comment

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Fair, free and forthright

Editorials CONGRESS FAMILY drama fools none

ahul Gandhi’s statement that every other politician is obsessed with becoming the PM but not him, sounds so hollow considering the fact that the party has virtually crowned him PM-in-waiting. Equally dramatic was his sister’s earlier announcement that she was contemplating a more active national role if the party asks her to. Now she has added to the suspense by backing her brother and saying that strengthening the party and not prime minister post is his focus. With their mother maintaining silence on the succession issue, political pundits are left puzzled as to what announcement the Congress president will make. However, the ambiguity is bad news for the Opposition parties as they now don’t know on whom to train their fire. Rahul has been targeted so far from every possible angle but targetting a hitherto low-profile Priyanka will be a different ballgame altogether.

WHY WE LOVE... the judiciary

ith the legislature and executive failing the people, the judiciary has emerged as the last ray of hope against corruption and abuse of power. The courts have come out with scathing remarks against the rulers and have set some exemplary examples on major social issues. The courts have also not hesitated to tell the governments, both Central and State, that power, though derived from the people through elections, is not absolute and can be curtailed when abused.

Five questions for Pranab Mukherjee member an individual but if he or she is the sole bread winner, how can he/she be considered an individual? Shouldn’t he/she be considered a unit and taxed accordingly? Again, this will be applicable only for the direct tax. There is no escape from inflation and indirect taxes, rich or poor. Proper data have never been India’s strength. We’ve no idea how much we really end up paying at the end of the day. But, distinguished visitors to the country have written many times that India being a fast developing country, it should go for an expenditure tax rather than income tax because 97 per cent of the 1.20 billion populations are out of this net (honestly, and deviously). This means that the salary earning class alone is asked to bear the burden of IT. Is there a justice? On behalf of the silent tax payers, I take the privilege to ask the honourable FM five questions. I am sure he will not answer, but we derive a vicarious pleasure asking.

Hard talk PK Surendran

“O

nly two things are certain; death and taxes,” famously said Ben Franklin. Of death, we’ve no quarrel, but of the taxes. Is there a norm or rule to tax an honest citizen? At least, in India, apparently there is not. I am no financial analyst; nor are you (most of you, I mean), but we all are captive tax payers who have no rights but only duties to perform. As another Central and State Budgets are round the corner, every honest citizen is squirming in his pants. Why do we have no rules on how or whom to tax? Why we leave these crucial questions to a bunch of bureaucrats and politicians who are the privileged class? You and I have more questions and no answers, I presume. First, a common man’s calculation. A middle-class man who earns `10 lakh salary per annum today gives out at least `1.50 lakh as direct taxes (Income Tax) alone. Oh, is that all? Wait. Now, there are several other ways to fleece the `10L man. VAT is a big villain. And there are several others, like vehicle tax, surcharge, additional tax, fuel surcharge, national highway tax, tolls, laughter tax and what not. In fact, if they could measure it, you would be paying for the polluted air you breathe too, believe me. The rough calculation is that a `10L man ends up paying `3 lakh from his salary on an average. Now, in a nuclear family of four, let’s presume you are H-W and 2 kids. So divide the `7L by 5, that = `1.40L, which comes to `11,666. Now let us take a liberal estimate of inflation, which is not quantified. But the effect is said to be 10 per cent a month. Finally, if you have a car you will be left with barely a little cash that, again, would be washed away if a dengue or a malaria hits any of the household three times a year. Taxman considers every earning

Exorcism

IAS officials target CBI

Things like exorcism are still prevalent in this city, is just difficult to digest. Names like Ravan, Magic Baba seem to be something out of a film itself. Firstly, parents need to be brought to their senses, allowing their children to be manhandled by a stranger. This little girl would not have come to this fate if the parents had exercised a little caution and not left their child at the mercy of that monster. I certainly believe that the parents are more to blame for the fate of that child. The child has been led into this over a scientific approach. I hope this incident becomes a lesson to all those who believe in hocus-pocus. Nandan Sharma Kavuri Hills

The actual culprits in the corruption game in India are the bureaucrats sitting in Delhi and other state secretariats. They need to be sent out of the city posting after every three years. These bureaucrats form coteries and rule the corruption world by spoiling the politicians’ minds. There should be a law that no IAS, IFS, IPS officer can hold secretariat post in any city for more than 3 years and in the same city for more than 6 years. They should be moved so that the corruption they participated in can at least brought out by the next Valmiki incumbent. Hyderabad

1. Why in these days of nuclear family, single bread winner of a family is charged at the same rate as the family of 3-4 earning members? 2. As you tax a salaried man, do you pay him when he is jobless? 3. Do any of you who make tax decisions go to the market and buy anything on your salary? (This does not include some of you who did it long long ago.) 4. What’s the criterion on deciding who should pay more? ‘Rich, poor’ tags are relative terms and therefore bunkum, say something convincing. 5. Have you the will and wherewithal to tax the parallel economy?

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

Wah Ustad

A bitter lollipop

Zakir Hussain's take on the guru system was good. I don't come across much information on Zakirji's take on topics and issues, and here you are, carrying a full-page article on the maestro. And I totally agree with him when he says that despite the availability of a plethora of information, one does need a guru ultimately. And blessed are those that have him as one. Kudos to your efforts to bring out articles like these. More such news on other people who have achieved big in life will make good reading. I look forward to see the great performers – Zakirji included in the Remember Shakti concert the coming week. Martina Alps Punjagutta

The police’s demand that lollipop advertising boards be removed from road dividers is a good one. Firstly they restrict line-of-sight and your ability to see oncoming traffic is greatly impaired. Also, traffic police booths at intersections should be positioned so that one can see oncoming traffic while making a legal U-turns (case in point is the booth opposite Chutney’s restaurant in Jubilee Hills. And medians must be clearly announced with reflectors. Driving into one makes no sense whatsoever. Why wait for an accident before we take positive action. H Shmasudeen Sultan Bazaar

H‑Factor

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Holistic view of mind, body and soul

The

Anishaa Kumar anishaa.k@postnoon.com

number of studies in the recent years have stressed on the negative impact of loud sounds on hearing. Sound is measured with the unit decibels (DB). It is said that the maximum limit of sound that a human ear can sustain is around 85db. Beyond this there is a possibility of damage to the ears thereby causing hearing loss. According to Dr EC Vinaya Kumar, head of department, ENT, Apollo Hospital, “Hearing loss due to loud sounds can be of two kinds. The first kind is temporary threshold shift in which a person may suffer from slight hearing loss for an hour and two. The hearing is

regained on its own. This may happen when one visits a disco or any place where there is loud noise. The second kind is permanent threshold shift in which a person who is continuously exposed to loud sound may experience complete hearing loss.” Dr Sajeet Kumar, ENT consultant sites an example of a band named “Who”. The band which was known to play the loudest music ended up with all their band members suffering from hearing loss. In simple terms a sound is loud if you have to raise your voice over the sound for someone to hear you, explains Dr Vinaya.

Loud sounds and hearing loss “There is a muscle in our ear known as the stapedius muscle which protects the ear drums from noises. It separates the bones in the ear from the ear drum. Constant exposure to a loud sound makes the muscle lose its protective effect that results in hearing loss,” explains Dr Sajeet. He adds that apart from hearing loss many people also suffer from tinnitus which is a ringing sound in the ears. This is felt mostly during the nights and thus causes physical and emotional trauma due to the inability to sleep.

‘noise’ of music

The good one? According to Dr Vinaya, headphones are better than earphones as they cut out external sound hence you will not listen to music at a loud volume. It also doesn’t affect the ear directly. Earphones on the

other hand can cause more damage as they are placed in the ear thus the eardrum is more exposed to the loud sound. He also mentions that even specific noise cancellation headphones are good as they cut out ambient sounds. Dr

We all love to listen to music. Today the market has a variety of players, earphones and headphones to ‘enhance’ our musical experience. But have we ever stopped to look at how they could affect our health?

Sajeet differs on this as he believes that no earphone or headphone is good. According to him excessive sound exposure is not good no matter what kind of headphone/earphone you use. It is important to do everything in moderation.

Earphones — hearing loss and more “Apart from hearing loss, earphones often become a nuisance for many. People tend to talk more loudly and also do not concentrate when they are doing some work or perhaps crossing the road. This could be dangerous,” says Dr Sajeet. We all love a good song. A rainy day... Your favourite song playing.... life just can’t get better! A little care and caution can make this perfect scenario what you always want it to be... Perfect!

Plasma zaps can decontaminate chicken meat WASHINGTON: Plasma zaps can decontaminate uncooked poultry, a major source of outbeaks of food-borne illness caused by harmful bugs. The bacteria responsible for most foodborne illnesses, Campylobacter and Salmonella, are found to contaminate 70 per cent of

tested chicken meat, especially their upper surfaces. Plasma, known as the “fourth state of matter” (after solid, liquid and gas), is a high-energy, charged mixture of gaseous atoms, ions and electrons, the Journal of Food Protection reports. Treating raw meat to remove pathogens before they are cooked and consumed can cut down risk of cross contamination, says senior study author Jennifer Quinlan, assistant professor of food microbiology, Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions. Past studies have shown that plasma could successfully reduce pathogens on the surface of fruits and vegetables without cooking them, according to a Drexel statement. The value of using plasma “is that it is non-thermal, so there is no heat to cook or alter the way the food looks,” said Brian Dirks, graduate student in the Drexel College of Arts and Sciences, who led the study. Dirks and Quinlan worked with researchers from the Drexel Plasma Institute to test the use of plasma for poultry. Raw chicken samples contaminated with Salmonella enterica and Campylobacter jejuni bacteria were treated with plasma for varying periods of time. Plasma treatment eliminated or nearly eliminated bacteria in low levels from skinless chicken breast and chicken skin, and significantly reduced the level of bacteria when contamination levels were high. Current plasma technology is expensive relative to the narrow cost margins involved in food production, and the technology is not currently being developed for processing poultry on a large scale. If plasma technology becomes cost-effective for use in treating poultry, it may be used in conjunction with existing methods to reduce pathogens, Dirks said. IANS

H‑Factor

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Holistic view of mind, body and soul

Wine, beer doubles mouth cancer risk LONDON: Drinking two large glasses of wine or two strong pints of beer a day triples the risk of developing mouth cancer, Daily Mail reported Sunday. Drinking over the recommended daily limit for alcohol increases the risk of serious health problems, according to a new government campaign. Under the Change4Life banner the new adverts will also inform people about a new online calculator to work out how much they are drinking, the Mail said. National Health Services (NHS) recommendations state men should not regularly drink more than three to four units a day, while women should not more than two to three. Two million leaflets will be made available to Change4Life

supporters and health professionals across England to get the message across, the newspaper said. The campaign follows a survey of more than 2,000 people which found 85 per cent do not realise drinking over recommended limits increases the risk of developing breast cancer. Some 65 per cent were unaware it increases the risk of bowel cancer, 63 per cent did not know about a raised risk of pancreatitis and 59 per cent had no idea excess drinking increases the risk of mouth, throat and neck cancer. More than 30 per cent did not realise that drinking just over the limits increases the risk of high blood pressure while 37 per cent did not were unaware it can impact on fertility, the Mail said.

FITNESS TIPS

Tackle knee pain... at work!

t’s another long day at work. Deadlines, clients and an irritating colleague; you really wouldn’t want anything more. Suddenly you develop a pain in your knee. What now? Any ache and pain while at work can be frustrating. Here are some simple exercises you can do at work to tackle that knee pain. Roll back your chair: It’s very simple just roll back into your chair and straighten your knees out. This is a great way to relieve pain that occurs due to constant bending of your knees while at work. Lift your legs: Now that you’ve

rolled your chair back, leg lifts are also a good idea. This helps the muscles of your front thigh. If you don’t have a leg wieight at hand you can use a purse or a bag with water bottles in it. Pull your heels: Strengthening the muscles at the back of the knee ( the hamstring) helps stabilising the knee. As a suggestion you could sit at your desk chair with your heels on the floor, lift your toes and pull back on your heels until you feel tension in your hamstrings. Hold for 10 seconds. Stand on one leg: Ok, this might sound funny but balancing exercises help stabilise the knee. You could try this innovative exercise. While standing at the copy machine, hold

onto the machine and stand on one leg. Hold for as long as possible, then switch legs. This exercise can also be done by holding onto the back of a chair. Walk and talk: We all know that sitting in one place for a long time can cause pain in the knees. To relieve pain one can follow simple methods such as walking around while talking on the cellphone. Walk in your office corridor, you can socialise as well as get yourself a little exercise. The above actions may get you a few awkward glances while you are in office or you never know you might just create a new office fitness trend! SOURCE: WWW.EVERYDAYHEALTH.COM

At the workplace

ost of the time people live through the day, like cows, not feeling the need to shed light on their behaviour. When someone else in the company is promoted, we are often left wondering what went wrong even though you did put in the same amount of effort and time. What we essentially fail to realise is that as much as we remain blind to the way we behave at work, there is someone else constantly keeping an eye on us. This, in a way inadvertently results in negating your career progression. They are called as Career Limiting Moves or CLM and is a legitimate business jargon. It is a phrase uttered in jest among both corporate high-flyers and wannabes, worldwide. You may have definitely heard it a million times or when one of your colleagues accidentally sent a personal email to her boyfriend including everyone in the office or when you accidentally confused two brands and wrote a different advertorial and not the one they paid you for. Nikhil Taneja, a feature writer with a leading news daily in Mumbai shares one such incident that might have jeopardised his career. “I was chatting online with a friend of mine and I was venting to her about my boss. After a while, I got back to working and I forgot to minimise it. A moment later, my HR walked in and he needed a file from the computer. The chat box was open right there and he saw it. He was a nice guy and ultimately never said anything but I thought that was a close call,” shares Nikhil. Insubordination such as disobeying your boss or leaking company secrets, regardless of their importance to public safety, is another cause for dismissal. Jack Jigg, a retired DJ and a rider says that even not sucking up to your bosses may clearly be counted as a CLM. “When I was working full time, I never got myself involved in politics at work, neither did I run around trying to impress my bosses. This portrayed me as shrewd and arrogant which became my career limiting move,” he shares. No employee is perfect. There will be times when you will either forget to do something you were supposed to, or you will end up doing something you weren’t supposed to. With a bit of extra planning, a lot of common errors can be prevented. Meet deadlines and double check your work. Of course, if you are intent on losing your job, then by all means consider theft, insults, laziness or absence as your main routes to unemployment. Or simply do your job sloppily and act like you don’t care. Don't say we didn't warn you. Sana Mirza sana.m@postnoon.com

our annoying habits may not generally be related to your work but can definitely damage your image at the workplace. Without you being fully aware of it, you may be driving other people to the edge with your annoying habits. You could either have been termed as the loud tea slurper, the gossiper, the hummer or the loud muncher. We decided to start with the loud tea slurper. Yes, the very same. Even more annoying big brother of the muncher, this tea hound slurps his or her way through cups of tea

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Damn! You just pulled a CLM This article comes to you with a statutory warning – Do not try this at work

The needless sound effects or coffee with such big gulps that it becomes an uninvited distraction. “The moment the girl beside me goes and gets a cup of tea, I just take a walk. Initially, I used to make a face so that she would get the hint but I guess it wasn't clear enough. She would not just slurp loudly but show her satisfaction with a loud 'aaah' in the end as well,” says Ambika Bhalerao, a trainee filmmaker at Squirkle Productions in Mumbai.

PET PEEVES Sound familiar? If you are the one doing it, knock it off! It may just help you keep your job in this tough market. And if you know someone who slurps tea noisily, you can voice your views on the group, The Tea Slurping Disappreciation Society on Facebook. How to tame: Hide the kettle or the tea cups or just get ear plugs.

An HR by chance Resource Management Arijit Sarkar

nlike many professions HR, I believe, is not very high on the priority list of ‘dream’ careers for children. I have never heard a child say that he wants to grow up and become a Human Resource professional. Like many other ‘support’ functions, HR is not at the forefront of most organisations and there are a considerable number of HR professionals, though many may not admit it, who happened to join the profession by chance. The same story goes for me. While growing up I never imagined I would become an HR professional. Once college was over, of all the possible career options I had available, this one seemed to be the most lucrative. Now, seven years later, when I look back, I feel it was not a bad decision after all; and the reason I say that is because I feel that as an HR I have had an opportunity to impact people’s lives in various capacities. An HR’s role, especially in a people-intensive industry, is defined in various ways. Some see them as coach, counsellor, guide, advisor; some as friend, confidante; and some others as the corporate police, implementer of rules, regulations and policies. All of these are correct and yet none of these can describe truly what an HR does. I choose to think of my role in the organisation as that of a grandparent in a family; with the senior management and employees playing the roles of parents and children respectively. A grandparent understands both perspectives in any disconnect between the parents and the children and does not choose one over the other. However, he/she influences both in a very subtle manner to ensure that the harmony of the family is not disturbed. In the same manner, the HR professional understands the point of view of every stakeholder and always tries to influence people to achieve the right balance to keep the organisation running smoothly. So, I like to see myself as the one who maintains the balance in all the chaos of a corporate jungle. The writer is HR specialist & analyst with an IT company

F‑Folio

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Because you are what you wear

PIC: N SHIVA KUMAR

From a dentist to a stint in interior design and now a fashion designer — creativity and sustainability is the name of the game for Ganesh Nallari

Following f a s h i o n’ s t h r e e C s Shiba Minai shiba.m@postnoon.com

is constant endeavour has been to achieve perfection. Ganesh Nallari, today, is a name to reckon with in the ‘made to order’ industry. He has designed for over 500 weddings in the last five years and his clientele also boasts of a number of Tollywood stars. He is a qualified dentist and has also practiced for four years, how did this sudden shift to fashion designing happen? he answers, “Creativity, colour and creations has always been a important part of my life. I took to dentistry owing to social pressure although my parents never forced me to do anything. But one day, I happened to collect the prospectus of NIFT, although I was clueless about the course. It attracted me and I decided to take the PG course basically because it was two years as opposed to three or four year graduate courses.” He adds, “I just went ahead with my course and became a gold medallist. Later I was called as a guest faculty to NIFT Hyderabad and that’s when I stumbled upon a Masters Degree in the college of Milan. Milan was like a finishing school which was packed with loads of experience and made me confident of my strengths.” But the Meccas of fashion, could not persuade him to stay back. Ganesh was homesick and also he decided to use his roots to his advantage. “I realised that as an Indian I had a fashion tool that no other country has — our handloom industry. So I wanted to use it and promote it,” he says. “I am completely fascinated with handcrafted work, be it ikat or embroidery or any

other art. That’s primarily why you will see a lot of manual work in my designs,” he adds. So, what is his source of inspiration? and he tells us, “I think the key to creativity is thinking out of the box. Dance is one of my inspirations. You will see a lot of dancers jewellery

in my work and you will also see traces of temple art in my creations. I am also intrigued by science and the human body. I love the texturing and network God has created in our body.” He adds, “I also think a lot of my work is an extension of the creativity I have absorbed from my

mum, who is an artist.” Having said that, he also mentions that designing today has become all the more challenging. According to him, managing labour is very difficult. Talking about his stint in Milan he says, “You know there is one thing that I learnt from Milan, which I wish we as Indians also implement—not to overdo anything. For instance at our weddings the brides usually love bright multi-coloured attires and also love wearing all the possible jewelery, all at once. They look no less than a goddess, only without the trishul,” he says with a smile and continues, “I think we should change our approach to a more minimalistic and clean look. Creating one point of focus is better than making things look garish.” Considering Ganesh’s knowledge on fashion, one might expect to see his name frequently in the fashion circles but Ganesh tells us otherwise. He considers it an achievement that despite the fact he has never really advertised his work, he has got a solid foothold in the fashion industry in a short span of five years. Apart from designing Ganesh is also a motivational speaker (especially in schools), doubles as guest faculty in fashion colleges and more.

Spotlight

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

CLUB NIGHTS Youngsters at Bottles and Chimney pub and Kismet ring in the week with a good night of partying.

Megna

Aaporava & Aarpitha

Hemnshi

Sonia

DJ Michal & Anjali

PICS:SRINIVAS SETTY

Deepu Naidu

Reshmi & Rupali

Shigdha, Sridhi & Bargavi

STAR PARADE

Goona

Thanvee

Soma & Achan

Beverly Hills on Monday was abuzz with the Oscar fever as the stars turned up to attend the 84th Academy Awards Nominations Luncheon at The Beverly Hilton hotel.

Michelle Williams

Jean Dujardin & George Clooney

Rooney Mara

Viola Davis

Meryl Streep

Brad Pitt

PICS: AFP

Magic Screen

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

SVSC’s team T set to head to Kutralam

he principal cast of Srikanth Addala’s Seethamma Vaakitlo Sirimalle Chettu will be heading to Kutralam,Tamil Nadu later this month. The film went on floors in late January and a song was shot on Venkatesh in Vizag. The upcoming schedule will begin from February 16 and we hear that Mahesh Babu,Venkatesh, Samantha and Anjali will take part in the shooting for a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, Mahesh Babu is going to Bangkok on February 8 to shoot an ad for Thums Up before he joins the cast of the film. “SVSC..A month long outdoor.. away from home.. lookin 4ward 2 work after a much needed 2month break:),” (sic) Mahesh Babu posted on Twitter. Dil Raju is producing the film and Mickey J Meyer is going to compose the music. K V Guhan, the cinematographer of Athadu and Dookudu, is handling the camera for this film as well.

T-TOWN TWEETIES

@themohanbabu In Horsely Hills, Madanapalle, Chittoor Dist. It’s a hill station. Having story discussions here. Arrived here yesterday. Such a beautiful place.

@sundeepkishan My #RLS co-star Naveen Neni has stuck 2 his word & has come to shoot in spite of having his own sister’s wedding 2mro..Bow to his dedication .

@Actor_Siddharth 10 hours of interviews today. Thank god I love talking... thank heavens I love #LoveFailure & #KSY more:) g’nite guys!

I am happy with my career : Soumya

ctor Soumya Bollapragada is quite content with her career so far, despite her recent film Mugguru failing to click at the box office. She’ll soon be seen in Shankar Marthand’s upcoming film Poga, where she’s playing the role of an actor. “I am sure that Shankar Marthand and Anand Ranga, the producer of the film, saw me in Mugguru before signing me up for the role,” Soumya says. She’s even wearing a bikini in the film and recently some of her followers on Twitter vented their displeasure over her attire. “That was so funny and I don’t see a reason why someone has to be upset about this. In fact, I have lost a lot of weight for the role,” she quips and adds that she’ll begin shooting her part from March onwards. Meanwhile, she’s awaiting the release of Krishnudu starrer Ramadandu in which she played a TV reporter. Although the film was ready for release a long time ago,the producers had put it on the backburner for almost two years. “The entire film is about a man training a group of students to play football and I play a TV reporter who supports him in this endeavour.The film conveys an important message to encourage children to play sports,” she says.

@shrutihaasan Being a girl = stressing over clothes. Doesn't matter what age etc its always the same drama lol .

@urstrulyMahesh

Sundeep Kishan’s near-death experience

undeep Kishan had a neardeath experience while shooting for his upcoming film Routine Love Story.The film’s unit is in Rishikesh for the final schedule.Some of the scenes involved Sundeep Kishan and other cast members rafting. The river in which they were shooting has a lot of rapids and the actor nearly drowned before he was pulled back to safety. “We are shooting in 2 degree Celsius temperature and I nearly drowned myself while rafting in the river. It was a near death experience and I must say that I saw a new dimension to life,”Sundeep Kishan said. Praveen Sattaru is directing the film and Regina is playing the lead role opposite Sundeep Kishan. Mickey J Meyer is composing the music and Suresh Bhargav is the cinematographer.

SVSC...A month long outdoor... away from home... Looking 4ward 2 work after a much needed 2month break :)

@actressanjjanaa Bengal, Keralastrikers will rock d cclseason3,its there 1st time in ccl2 so they dint expect tough competition @Lal_Mohanlal n @jeet30 wonhearts

@trishtrashers Helllooo all, Still shooting in Pollachi... Going at a good pace but m really really starting to miss home n family..sniff..sniff.

@Isumanth Courtesy a friend & Internet, managed to see a great #Superbowl. Final drive play— Manning to Manningham (ex Michigan receiver:)—was super!

Magic Screen

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

The new livewire on the block

Regina Cassandra, who'll make her debut in SMS, is a livewire off screen and her chat with us is just proof of her energy and youthfulness

Hemanth Kumar hemanth.k@postnoon.com

er name means 'Queen' in Latin and it's hard not to be bewitched as Regina flashes her million dollar smile. And certainly we are not the first ones to notice it. In fact, her college friends started a fan page for her on Facebook and one person in particular has completely fallen head over heels for her. “It's so scary. You won't believe how many times he has confessed that he wants to marry me,” Regina chuckles. She confesses that she doesn't take anything seriously except work. Born and brought up in Chennai, Regina Cassandra's introduction to camera happened at a very young age. “I shot for my first ad when I was in Class IV. I still remember the day, how I lied in school that I had a stomach ache and rushed to the shoot along with my mother,” she recalls. When she was 14 , she played a role in Prasanna-Laila starrer Kanda Naal Mudhal where she played a 21- year-old pregnant girl. “You know, people still don't believe that it was me. I had no make-up and I was quite

young,” she says. “I recently graduated with a degree in Psychology and I must say that it has taken a big burden off my shoulders. Till now, movies were a secondary option. Now, I have given myself a year to see how far my career as an actress goes and that day is approaching pretty soooon,” Regina confesses. She has a habit of stressing on some syllables and pauses for a moment before telling us more. However, she doesn't mince words either when she gets going. “I am a chatter box,” she declares with a smile. But then if not acting, what would she have taken up? “Criminal psychology or perhaps counselling. It intrigues me a lot,” she replies. Over the past few years, she has been part of plenty of ads and some short films like Kadhalil Sodhapuvadu Yeppadi and Kaanal Neer which went viral on You Tube. “It's only after I started acting in short films that I became all the more confident that I could act well,” she says. Thanks to her short films, she bagged a lead role in SMS (Shiva Manasulo Shruti) which is her debut film in Telugu. “I had a lot of fun while shooting for the

film. Tatineni Satya and I used to play a lot of pranks on each other. For me, it's important that my wavelength matches that of the director and the actor. Because if he knows what sort of a person I am, he'll definitely know how to use my talent,” Regina explains and adds, “SMS is a different love story. You begin to wonder if the lead pair wants to kill each other. They are two adults behaving like kids. You'll probably get irritated with them.” After SMS, she'll be seen in Praveen Sattaru's Routine Love Story where she's playing a college student. “We are shooting in Rishikesh and I can't tell you how excited I am, as I am going white-water rafting.” There's a serious side to her as well. “I am not going to let anyone runover me or take me for granted. I take my work very seriously and I don't let anyone interfere with what I do. Not even my mother,” she says. Did she ever think that the fine line between her reel life and real life was blurring? “I am grateful to my family and friends who don't let it happen. I tend to be very critical about everything I do and I believe that it's extremely good to be grounded,” she signs off.

Magic Screen Faced no difficulty with Indian music industry PAKISTANI SINGER ZAHID

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

akistani singer Mustafa Zahid, who has sung three tracks in Mahesh Bhatt’s forthcoming production venture Blood Money, praises the Indian film industry saying it welcomes fresh talent with open arms and he had no problems in working here. “I had no difficulty working in the Indian music industry. I had my own room for creativity and all the people were very cooperative during the recording of my songs,” Zahid said. Zahid is said to be one of the finest vocalists from Pakistan who brought freshness into Bollywood by singing songs in his soothing voice in the 2007 release Awaarapan. He lent his voice to chartbusters like Toh fir aao, Tera mera rishta, Khuda kay liye. On Blood Money and Bollywood, Zahid said, “All the three songs (in Blood Money)are very soulful and the music is equally good. Bollywood music is based on a storyline and music and songs have to be according to the situation and mood of the movie. Whereas in Pakistan, we don’t have to match the songs to the storyline or background of the film.” IANS

Bearded, pierced ears look for Imran

mran Khan has been roped in for Vishal Bhardwaj’s Matru ki Bijlee ka Mandola and the actor is working on his looks and hopes to live up to the filmmaker’s exacting standards. “When such an established director approaches you it always feels good. Vishal is one of the finest directors working today. When he approached me, it was a great honour,” said Imran whose Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu is releasing on Friday. “He (Bhardwaj) has his own standards. I always question myself whether I will be able to live up to that standard. So I am glad about it,” he added. Talking about his new look in the film, Imran said, “I have pierced my ears and am growing my beard... We have not even started the shooting.” IANS

I’m not mad at Shahid, Punit: Sonam A

ctress Sonam Kapoor denies reports of having problems with actor Shahid Kapoor and director Punit Malhotra. It was reported that the 26-year-old, who worked in Malhotra’s directorial debut I Hate Luv Storys, has turned down a film by the young director because he has roped in Shahid, her Mausam co-star as the male lead. However, Sonam took to Twitter to shoot down the reports and wrote, “I’m hearing the funniest rumours about myself! In Thailand, and all I can say is I’m on the floor laughing.” “Okay morning guys I’m not mad at Shahid Kapoor or Punit Malhotra and I’m not dating anyone! I’m minding my own business and working,” she further tweeted. IANS

B-TOWN TWEETIES

@TheShilpaShetty At Geneva airport just heard my pet ‘princess’ won a Gold medal in a dog show. So proud of her!

@RGVzoomin Psychiatrists answer questions with other questions Q. y do I worry? A. y do u think u worry? Q. y do girls ignore me? A. y do u think girls ignore u?

@NeilNMukesh Was a fun day at shoot now off to bed. Have an action packed day tomorrow ! Action sequence 2 of Shortcut Romeo.

@SrBachchan T 646 - Love and affection hibernate in regions insulated from materialism... that is all I truly possess, and share willingly with all!!!

@iamsrk My friend msged me...UP elections remind him of Dil to Paagal Hai. Rahul is after Maya...even the song haathi jaisi soondh...chak dhum dhum...

@AnupamPkher Didn’t have network so had to start the play without your best wishes. But I know you all love me. Interval hua abhi. Chalo Mujhe wish karo.:)

@shahidkapoor Big day in the gym today...... Getting back to old school with my trainer abbas ...... Functional training..... Loading the carbs.

@sonamakapoor I can’t bear bullies. They seriously must have issues. Actually I think that I should feel sorry for them...

Magic Screen

ib r c s Sub

! y a Tod

6 Months

` 199/-

1 Year

` 349/-

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Magic Screen

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

‘Pattinson not a spoilt brat at all’

ctress Reese Witherspoon says people assume that her Water For Elephants co-star Robert Pattinson was a “spoiled rotten brat” but he proved everyone wrong with his gracious behaviour. “I think everybody was looking at him expecting to

see, 'Urgh, this guy is some spoiled-rotten brat’ and he wasn't. He was incredibly gracious, smart and actually shy and introverted. He is a very grateful person,” the 35year-old actress was quoted as saying. Witherspoon was particu-

larly impressed by the actor's devotion to his fans. “At the London premiere, people slept out in sleeping bags and they were crying and sobbing, but he took the time to say hello to everybody and signed autographs,” she told a magazine. IANS

Joan Rivers had over 700 surgical operations

merican comedian Joan Rivers claims she has had a total of 739 surgical procedures. According to a website, the 78-year-old TV personality has gone under the knife more than 700 times, and says she has had treatment done so often that she gets one free procedure for every 10. “Every weekend, I just go in and I do something new. I get a 10th one free. It's a little like coffee you just keep going,” said Rivers. IANS

L.A. Reid signs up for The X Factor

A Reid has reportedly signed up to be a judge on the second series of the American version of The X Factor. The 55-year-old has reportedly signed a contract to reprise his position on the panel following the exit of fellow judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger as well as host Steve Jones. According to a website, the Epic Records chief was the one judge that audiences seemed to embrace. Beyonce Knowles and Mariah Carey have both been talked about as possible new panelists on the Fox show, and boss Simon Cowell is believed to have offered the Single Ladies hitmaker $500 million for five seasons on the programme. IANS

Magic Screen

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

Pitt not expecting Princess Diana’s same success again life to be made into a movie

ctor Brad Pitt does not think he will have another year of professional success like the last 12 months. The 48-year-old has seen his two latest movies, Moneyball and The Tree of Life, nominated for a string of awards. While he thinks too much emphasis is placed on winning or losing prizes, Pitt knows he has enjoyed a particularly fruitful period of work. “We’re so defined by the last success or the last failure that we even start to see ourselves that way,” Pitt was quoted as saying. “You’ve got these awards and there’s going to be one winner and four losers, but the four losers made great films. A subtle point of Moneyball is that we’re a string of successes and failures. Odds are I won’t have another year like this one for a while,” he added. IANS

My mum inspires me: Hudgens A ctress Vanessa Hudgens says her mum Gina is her biggest inspiration. “My mum inspires me. She’s the most positive, bubbly person. When I was younger, I’d think, ‘Why is she giggling all the time? It’s so annoying.’ Now, I think it’s great,” said the 23-year-old as saying. “The older I get, the more I’m turning into her. You get back what you put into life, so you may as well be happy and get that back in return,” she added. IANS

rincess Diana’s life is set to be made into a movie, and producer Stephen Evans is lining up a Hollywood actress to play the late British royal. Diana’s film will be based on her bodyguard Ken Wharfe’s memoirs from his book Diana: Closely Guarded Secret. The Princess of Wales died in a car crash in August 1997. “We are dealing with about 11 years of her life from just after she

had Harry, when he’s aged about two, and it’s partly from the point of view of her protection bodyguard,” Evans said. “The emphasis on this really is authenticity and to discover what she went through. Unless you are a Diana freak, quite a lot of it will be unknown to the audience. The movie’s not saying she is unbelievably wonderful or she’s a pain in the neck, the audience can make their own view,” he added. IANS

Chai Time

KAKURO

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

SCRIBBLING PAD

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Take a shot at the brain game while sipping your cuppa

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Help for the stumped 5 Painter who may take months to do a wall 11 It’s not kosher 14 Square footage, e.g. 15 Thoroughly despise 16 Thurman of Hollywood 17 Fictional wizard 19 End of Ripley’s statement 20 Sci-fi figures 21 Scoundrel 23 Wheat beards 24 Brown recluse and black widow 26 Toe movement 29 Commit petty theft 30 “Bye” in Barcelona 31 It’s here before tomorrow 32 Pledge-week network 35 Spanish dessert 36 Newspaper frequency, often 37 Surrealist Salvador 38 Coffee-break time, perhaps 39 Big winner at the casino 40 Ear part 41 Theatrical company 43 Instructed 44 Encroach 46 Early video game 47 Gettysburg general George 48 George or Ira 52 Cygnet’s mother 53 Type of pie 56 You’ll trip if you drop it 57 Matador 58 ___ out a living 59 Nay’s opposite 60 Private acknowledgment? 61 Radiation measures DOWN 1 “Serves you right!” 2 1979 revolution locale 3 Uncool collegian

4 Fresh leaves used as seasoning 5 Skiing category 6 Four make an acre 7 Makes lace 8 “The Addams Family” cousin 9 The lady in question 10 Fill with fear 11 Signal that one’s ready for dinner? 12 “My Cherie ___” 13 Pals, down under 18 Mournful cries 22 Lyric poem 24 Move somewhat furtively 25 “Romeo and Juliet,” for one 26 Travel on air, as an odor 27 Sit in traffic

28 National Zoo attraction 29 Composure 31 Brownish gray 33 Bor-r-ring 34 River deposit 36 Ex-QB Flutie 37 Helen of Troy, to Zeus 39 Straightforward quality 40 Child’s retort 42 Disembarrass 43 Listlessness 44 Indicate indirectly 45 Reagan Cabinet member 46 Lab dish 48 Turns to the right 49 “Finnegans

SUDOKU

___” (Joyce) 50 Newspaper piece 51 Indicates agreement, nonverbally 54 Sorrow 55 Stalling-for-time sounds PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

THOUGHT OF THE DAY Marriage is a book of which the first chapter is written in poetry and the remaining chapters in prose. –

Beverly Nichols

Chai Time STAR POWER

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Your tomorrow today̶Star Power and Tarot

Date 8-2-2012

THIRUVAIKUMAR

As per Hindu panchang

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

TAURUS

GEMINI

Health will be ﬁne. You will identify evil doers and keep them away. Employees will be fully involved in work and com‑ plete them with perfection. Also col‑ leagues will be more co‑operative.

Be careful with blood relatives as there are chances of misunderstanding. Employees are favoured with expected pay hike and all demands will be ful‑ ﬁlled. Businessmen have a dull period.

Court verdicts will go in your favour. Misunderstanding with blood relatives will disappear. Tensions faced by employees will be over. Superiors will be more co‑operative. Businessmen will have a good money ﬂow.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Avoid entrusting important work to others. New assets will be purchased. Employees will work hard and complete work with per‑ fection, in time. Travel will be beneﬁcial. Businessmen will see a trend.

Parents' health problem will be over. Marriage matters will be ﬁnalised favour‑ ably. Employees adopt slow and steady policy, attain success in all their efforts. Colleagues will be more supportive.

Dont expect help from blood relatives. Employees will have a friendly atmo‑ sphere at work place. Pay hike and ele‑ vation likely. Businessmen may have to reconsider retaining present partners.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

Employees will get good co‑operation from superiors. All their demands will be accepted by the management and fulﬁlled. Businessmen might face minor hurdles but manage well and take bold decisions.

Your stock is set to pile up and earn appreciation in the society. Problems in ancestral property will get over. Parents will be hale and healthy. Employees will be active, shrewd and earn appreciation.

Businessmen will undertake ofﬁcial tri‑ ps and learn important tactics to deal in business. Avoid helping anyone ﬁnan‑ cially. Employees will be cheerful as held up work will resume and complete.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Health needs to be taken care of. Emp‑ loyees will complete work though the‑ re may be a delay. Some will get trans‑ fer to their place of choice. Business‑ men will see improved margins.

Blood relatives will extend support. Employees will be consistent in com‑ pleting work. Hurdles will disappear. Avoid believing colleagues blindly while handing over responsibilities.

Your status in society will scale new heig‑ hts. New responsibilities will be entrusted and you will successfully execute them. Employees work with courage and earn go‑ od name. Ofﬁce atmosphere will improve.

SUMAA TEKUR

tarotreadhyd@gmail.com

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

Temperance – Things are falling into place just the way you want them to. Be patient. Do not take any rash deci‑ sions. Haste makes waste!

Ten of Cups – Family time! Spend more time with close family mem‑ bers. Go out on a vacation or plan fun weekend activities so you bond better.

Nine of Cups – Time to make a wish because it is about to come true. You are blessed with good health and get what you want at this time of your life.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Six of Wands – You need to take up a new hobby or activi‑ ty to get the focus back into your life. Your thinking also needs to stabilise at this point.

Queen of Cups – You wear your heart on your sleeve. But be careful how emo‑ tional you get when in the company of peers in your work place.

Eight of Wands – Good luck comes your way and you end up being at the right place at the right time. A new job offer falls in your lap.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

Strength – Youʼre tougher than you know. A difﬁcult problem is threaten‑ ing your peace of mind. Donʼt get per‑ turbed by it. You can solve it in no time.

Judgement – A well‑ deserved raise or promotion will lift your spirits. You feel good about all the hard work you put in. Times are good. Go with the ﬂow.

Queen of Pentacles – You effectively use emotion and practi‑ cality to get ahead. Donʼt hide a secret from those who really need to know. Be more open.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Three of Pentacles – Upgrade your skills and think carefully of the future. You may need to do something more in order to move ahead in your career.

The Tower – Changes are in the ofﬁng. You will have no choice but to accept them and get used to it. Do not get into a mode of complaining or worrying.

The World – Some fear is holding you back. You need to let go of all apprehen‑ sions and take up a job head‑on. Donʼt worry about the out‑ come.

For Better or for Worse Stone soup

SOLUTIONS

Boggle CANADA PANAMA NORWAY ZRAZIL

Number game

Suduko

Scrabble

Ink pen

COMICS

Fred Basset

ARIES

TAROT READ

Vol: 1, No. 205 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No. 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad–500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad–500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon.com and for subscription, please call 040-40672222, Fax: 040-40672211

Chai Time 1400 Naadi Aadajanme 1430 Pavitra 1500 Movie 1800 Sri Shanidevuni Mahimalu 1830 Vasantha Kokila 1900 Chinnari Pelli Kuturu 1930 Anna Chellelu 2000 Missamma 2030 Edureetha 2100 Bhale Chancele 2200 CID 2300 Challenge 0700 Silver Screen 0730 Just For Fun 0800 Ayurvedam 0830 Chaganti Arunachala Mahatyam 0900 Bhale Chancele

1400 Kannavaari Kalalu 1430 Maavichiguru 1500 Jeevitha Chakram 1530 Movie 1800 Jai Shri Krishna 1830 Shraavani Subramaniam 1900 Mandhara 1930 Auto Bharthi 2000 No. 23, Mahalakshmi Nivasam 2030 Mogali Rekulu 2100 Aparanji 2130 Devatha 2200 Mamathala Kovela 2230 Anveshana 2300 Gemini Vaarthalu 0800 Gemini Talkies 0830 Movie 1130 Aha Emi Ruchi 1200 Jeevitha Chakram 1230 Maa Inti Aada Paduchu 1300 Chittemmaa 1330 Gorintaku

1400 [V] Vignettes 1430 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 1500 [V] Humse Hai Life 1530 [V] Trailers 1600 [V] Steal Ur Girlfriend 1700 [V] Zabardast Hits 1800 [V] Fresh Songs 1830 [V] Humse Hai Life 1900 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 1930 [V] Humse Hai Life 2000 [V] Dare 2 Date 2100 [V] Vignettes 2130 [V] Trailers 2155 [V] Fresh Songs 2200 Love Kiya To Darna Kya 2300 [V] Humse Hai Life 2330 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 2355 [V] Fresh Songs 0700 [V] Trailers 0730 [V] Zabardast Hits 0800 [V] Mind Blasting Mornings 1100 [V] Fresh Songs 1200 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance

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

1300 News Now At1 1330 News Now 1800 6 Pm 1830 Live Report 1900 Primetime 1930 The Game 2000 News Now At 8 2030 Live Report 2100 The Newshour 2200 The Newshour - Plus 2230 E Now 2300 News Now At 11 0800 The Morning News 0900 News Now 1200 Live Report 1230 News Now

‘The Game’ at 1930 Hrs only on TIMES NOW

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Telly sitcoms, news and movie listings

1400 Abhishekam 1430 Aadade Aadharam 1500 Antahpuram 1530 Aakasa Ganga 1600 Prema Mandiram 1630 Jagadeeswari 1700 Super 1800 Devimahathyam 1830 Puttadi Bomma 1900 Kumkuma Rekha 1930 Manasu Mamata 2000 Chandra Mukhi 2030 Bharyamani 2100 Etv News 2130 Ali 369 2245 Movie 0800 Jeevana Jyothi 0830 Tollywood Time 0900 Movie 1130 Abhiruchi 1230 Star Mahila

1400 Ardhangi 1430 Movie 1800 Veera Naari Jhansi Laxmi Bhai 1830 Kalavari Kodallu 1900 Chinna Kodalu 1930 Pasupukunkuma 2000 Muddu Bidda 2030 Radha Kalyanam 2100 Kanyadanam 2130 Comedy Club 2230 Shree 2300 Bindas 2330 Latest Superhit Songs 0800 Gopuram 0830 Bhakti Samacharam 0900 Sri Raghavendra Vybhavam 0930 Ayurveda Jeevana Vignanam 1000 Zee 70 Mm A.C 1200 Mee Inti Vanta

‘Business Tonight’ at 2100 Hrs only on ET NOW 1400 The F And O Show 1430 Closing Trades 1530 Tomorrow's Trades 1600 Business Day 1730 Markets Tomorrow 1800 Rush Hour 1830 Brand Equity Special 1900 Global Business Report 1930 Business Express 2000 Business First 2030 Markets Tomorrow 2100 Business Tonight 2200 Top 10 At10 2230 Leaders Of Tomorrow 2300 Starting Up 0900 First Trades 1000 Hot Stocks 1100 Buy Now Sell Now - The Stock Game 1130 Buy Now Sell Now 1200 Market Sense 1300 Business Day 1330 Markets Now

1250 Movie - Shooter 1520 Breaking The Magician's Code - Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed 1610 The Real Housewives Of New York City 1700 Got To Dance 1800 Guinness World Records Smashed 1900 Wipeout 2000 The Challenger Muaythai 2100 Minute To Win It 2200 Fear Factor 2300 Guinness World Records Smashed 0900 Sky Teleshopping 0930 Criss Angel Mindfreak 1000 The Challenger Muaythai 1100 Minute To Win It 1200 Got To Dance

‘Criss Angel Mindfreak’ at 2300 Hrs on AXN

1400 Haar Jeet 1500 Baba Aiso Var Dhoondo 1600 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 1630 Dwarkadheesh 1700 Saware Sabke Sapne Preeto 1730 Haar Jeet 1800 Beendh Banunga Ghodi Chadhunga 1830 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 1900 Haar Jeet 1930 Gyaan Guru 2000 Dwarkadheesh 2030 Saware Sabke Sapne Preeto 2100 Beendh Banunga Ghodi Chadhunga 2130 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 2200 Baba Aiso Var Dhoondo 2230 Haar Jeet 2300 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb

‘Sasural Simar Ka’ at 1930 Hrs on COLORS

‘Bhagonwali’ at 2230 Hrs on ZEE TV 1400 Hitler Didi 1500 Afsar Bitiya 1530 Yahaaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 1600 Pavitra Rishta 1630 Shobha Somnath Ki 1730 Ram Milaye Jodi 1800 Hitler Didi 1830 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 1900 Afsar Bitiya 1930 Choti Bahu 2 2000 Hitler Didi 2030 Yahaaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 2100 Pavitra Rishta 2130 Ram Milaye Jodi 2200 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 2230 Bhagonwali 2300 Afsar Bitiya

1400 Saas Bina Sasuraal 1430 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 1500 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 1530 Kyaa Hua Tera Vaada 1600 CID 1800 Saas Bina Sasuraal 1830 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 1900 Crime Patrol - Dastak 2000 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 2030 Dekha Ek Khwaab 2100 Saas Bina Sasural 2130 Parvarrish - Kuchh Khatti Kuchh Meethi 2200 Kyaa Hua Tera Vaada 2230 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 2300 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 2330 Crime Patrol - Dastak 0900 Adaalat 1000 CID 1200 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 1300 Kyaa Hua Tera Vaada

‘Kuch Toh Log Kahenge’ at 2000 Hrs on SONY

‘Sasuraal Genda Phool’ at 1930 Hrs on STAR PLUS 1400 Sapnon Se Bharey Naina 1500 Survivor India - Highlight 1530 Diya Aur Bati Hum 1600 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behnaa Hai 1630 Sasuraal Genda Phool 1700 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 1730 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 1800 Survivor India - Highlight 1830 Ruk Jana Nahin 1900 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 1930 Sasuraal Genda Phool 2000 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 2030 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behnaa Hai 2100 Diya Aur Bati Hum 2130 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 2200 Navya 2230 Mann Ki Awaaz… Pratigya 2300 Maryaada ... Lekin Kab Tak?

MOVIES OF THE DAY AND OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

1234 Sphere 1504 Blade II 1700 Ocean's Thirteen 1920 Space Jam 2100 Outsourced 2255 Tactical Force 0737 Friends 0837 Wild Wild West 1032 South Park - Bigger Longer & Uncut 1203 New York Minute

1325 The Last Airbender 1540 The Mummy 1815 The Blind Side 2100 Poltergeist II The Other Side 2300 Cop Out 0925 Getting Even With Dad 1145 Poltergeist Ii The Other Side

Mi Aaji Aur Saheb

Ruk Jana Nahin

Storyline - While preparing karanjis, Vasudha is worried about Megha’s fees that she needs to arrange in a week’s time. Megha wants to help her Aaji but Vasudha orders her to study.

Storyline - Saanchi is broken down to see her name on the poster as Indu s girlfriend. ‘Ruk Jana Nahin’ at 1830 Hrs on STAR PLUS

‘Mi Aaji Aur Saheb’ at 2130 Hrs on IMAGINE

1400 Outsourced 1430 Scrubs 1500 In Plain Sight 1600 Parenthood 1700 Outsourced 1730 Scrubs 1800 E News 1900 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 2000 Outsourced 2030 America's Funniest Home Videos 2100 In Plain Sight 2200 Parenthood 2300 Outsourced 2330 Scrubs 0800 In Plain Sight 0900 Parenthood 1000 Outsourced 1030 America's Funniest Home Videos 1100 In Plain Sight 1200 Parenthood

‘One Man Army’ at 2200 Hrs on DISCOVERY 1400 Dino World 1600 Swords 1700 Discovery Showcase 1800 Wild Discovery 1900 Man Woman Wild 2000 Culinary Asia 2100 Man Vs Wild 2200 One Man Army 2300 The Survivors 1000 Man Vs Wild 1100 Wildest India 1200 Get Out Alive 1300 Wild Discovery

‘Dharampatni’ at 2130 Hrs on IMAGINE

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

‘In Plain Sight’ at 2100 Hrs on ZEE CAFE

‘The Shield’ at 2200 Hrs on STAR WORLD 1400 Supernatural 1500 Combat Hospital 1600 The Big Bang Theory 1630 The Simpsons 1700 The Shield 1800 Supernatural 1900 Desperate Housewives 2000 Two And A Half Men 2030 The Simpsons 2100 Supernatural 2200 The Shield 2300 The Big Bang Theory 2330 Two And A Half Men 0700 The Shield 0800 Las Vegas 0900 Combat Hospital 1000 The Shield 1100 Desperate Housewives 1200 Two And A Half Men 1230 The Simpsons 1300 The Big Bang Theory

1400 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma 1430 R.K. Laxman Ki Duniya 1500 Lapataganj 1530 FIR 1600 Chidiya Ghar 1630 Gutar Gu 1700 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma 1830 R.K. Laxman Ki Duniya 1900 Chidiya Ghar 1930 Lapataganj 2000 Chintu Chinky Aur Ek Badi Si Love Story 2030 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma 2100 Chidiya Ghar 2130 R.K. Laxman Ki Duniya 2200 Lapataganj 2230 FIR 2300 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma 2330 Chidiya Ghar 0900 Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma 0945 Ring Wrong Ring 1030 Gutar Gu 1100 Chidiya Ghar

‘Lapataganj’ at 2200 Hrs on SAB

‘Outsourced’ at 2100 Hrs on WB

‘Planet Bollywood News’ at 1900 Hrs on ZOOM 1400 Movie 1730 Star Bonanza 1800 Letz Go! 1900 Planet Bollywood News 1930 Link'D 2000 Style Strip 2030 Letz Go! 2100 Zabar 10 2130 Link'D 2200 B - Tonite 2230 Let's Design 4 2300 Bollywood Bonanza 0700 Fresh Mornings 0800 Red Carpet 0805 Fresh Mornings 1100 Zoom Box 1200 Garma Garam 1300 Planet Bollywood News 1330 India Kids Fashion Week

1430 Storm Chasers 1530 Discovery Science Classics 1630 Superweapons Of The Ancient World 1730 Weapon Masters 1830 Best Of Discovery Science 1930 Machines 2000 Oddities 2030 Sports Science 2130 Mythbusters 2230 Future Weapons 2330 Industrial Revelations 1030 Toughest Military Jobs 1130 Storm Chasers 1230 Best Of Discovery Science 1330 Machines

‘Frasier’ at 1930 Hrs on BIG CBS PRIME

‘Mythbusters’ at 2130 Hrs on DISCOVERY SCIENCE

1300 Galileo Extreme 1330 Dead Zone 1430 Jerry Springer 1530 Big Wheels 1600 Bellator 1700 Survivor 1800 Entertainment Tonight 1830 Galileo Extreme 1930 Frasier 2000 Entertainment Tonight 2030 Galileo Extreme 2100 Survivor 2200 Jerry Springer 2300 Dead Zone 0700 Big Wheels 0730 Aspire 0800 Galileo Extreme 0900 Survivor 1000 Bellator 1100 Jerry Springer 1200 Big Wheels 1230 Entertainment Tonight 1300 Galileo Extreme 1330 Dead Zone

Playing Field

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

The games people play

Kobe’s night spoiled by Phillies

A file picture of Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers controlling the ball against Andre Miller of the Denver Nuggets on Friday. PHILADELPHIA: Kobe Bryant passed former teammate Shaquille O’Neal for fifth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list Monday but Philadelphia spoiled the moment with a 95-90 victory over Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant came into the game with 28,573 career points and needing 24 points to move past O’Neal for fifth on

the career list. He scored 24 in the first half, draining a long-range jump shot with just over five minutes remaining in the second quarter to get to 24 points for the night. He got a hug from teammate Derek Fisher, but the Lakers superstar scored just four points in the second half in

the face of aggressive 76ers defence. O’Neal, who won three titles with Bryant in nine seasons they played together for the Lakers, retired last season with a total of 28,596 points in his 19-year NBA career. He also played for Orlando, Miami, Phoenix, Cleveland and Boston. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, with 38,387 points, leads the NBA’s career scoring list, followed by Karl Malone (36,928), Michael Jordan (32,292) and Wilt Chamberlain (31,419). Lakers coach Mike Brown said Monday he thought Bryant, a 16-year NBA veteran, could reach the top of the list before he’s done. “It might be tough for him to pass Kareem, but he should get close. He should catch Malone,” Brown said after the Lakers practiced on Monday. Brown wasn’t on the sideline for the game as he served a one-game suspension for bumping a game official in the Lakers’ loss at Utah on Saturday. With Bryant leading the way the Lakers led 50-46 at halftime, but the 76ers edged ahead in the third quarter. Sixers reserve Lou Williams played a key role, scoring 14 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter as Philadelphia improved to 13-3 at home. “They just came after him immediately,” John Kuester — standing in for Brown — said of Bryant’s inability to score in the second half. “To Kobe’s credit, what he did was try to get everybody involved. We had some great looks.”

Contador stripped of title LAUSANNE: Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador on Monday received a two-year ban for doping during the 2010 Tour de France and was stripped of his victory in the race. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said Contador’s suspension runs through to August 6, 2012, which means that the Spaniard loses his 2010 Tour victory and will be unable to take part in this year’s race. Contador tested positive for the banned anabolic agent clenbuterol, but he was subsequently cleared by the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) in February 2011, prompting the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) and the International Cycling Union (UCI) to appeal the decision to CAS. The 29-year-old Spaniard claimed he had ingested the

A file picture, shows Yellow Jersey of Overall leader, Alberto Contador, celebrating on the podium in 2010. banned substance by eating a contaminated steak, an explanation which satisfied the RFEC but which failed to pass muster with the UCI and WADA. “CAS has partially upheld the appeals filed by WADA

and the UCI and has found Alberto Contador guilty of a doping offence,” CAS said in a statement. “As a consequence, Alberto Contador is sanctioned with a two-year period of ineligibility starting

retroactively on 25 January 2011, minus the period of the provisional suspension served in 2010-2011 (5 months and 19 days). The suspension should therefore come to an end on 5 August 2012.” CAS added that the “presence of clenbuterol was more likely caused by the ingestion of a contaminated food supplement” than by contaminated meat. Apart from losing his 2010 Tour de France title, the verdict means that Contador is stripped of all his wins in 2011, which include the Giro d’Italia. It also comes as a further body blow to the sport of cycling which has been wracked by doping offences over the last 15 years — particularly involving the Tour de France.

Lakers coach suspended NEW YORK: Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike Brown has been suspended one game without pay and fined $25,000 for making contact with a game official, the NBA announced on Monday. Stu Jackson, the league’s executive vice president, basketball operations, said Brown was also sanctioned for failing to leave the court in a timely manner after he was ejected from the contest on Saturday in Salt Lake City. With 8:41 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 96-87 loss to the Utah Jazz, Brown became upset by a no-call on Earl Watson after the Utah guard knocked over Pau Gasol while making a steal. In moving onto the court in protest, Brown bumped referee Zach Zarba and was hit with the technical foul. Brown will serve his suspension Monday when the Lakers visit Philadelphia, the NBA said. After Saturday’s game, Brown said his animated reaction to Watson’s actions were intended to liven up his team. “I was trying to give our team some juice and it didn’t,” Brown said. “It cost us points and helped those guys win the game.”

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike Brown.

Fabio to meet FA chief LONDON: England manager Fabio Capello is set to meet Football Association chief executive David Bernstein later this week after criticising the decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy. The Italian boss, due to watch the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur on Monday, returned to work to find himself at the centre of a media storm. He was also rebuked by one of his predecessors as England manager rebuked him for going public with his displeasure at the way the FA kept him out of the loop in deciding to stand Terry down from the captaincy. Terry, 31, was relieved of his duties on Friday due to an ongoing court case in which he is accused of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers centre-back Anton Ferdinand during a match last year. But the Chelsea defender remains available for England selection as a player. Graham Taylor, England manager from 199093, said Capello’s “unwise” remarks could only harm the squad. “It doesn’t help the situation at all, as England go into the European Championships,” Taylor told the BBC. “All it does is disturb everything even more. To come out in this public fashion actually, in one respect, gives England an even bigger problem for the selection and harmony of the squad.”

Playing Field

Martina Navratilova

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

The games people play

Novak Djokovic (R) and Jelena Ristic

Israeli Model Bar Refaeli

Denise Lewis

The beautiful world of sport Darren Witcoop

LONDON: The great and good of world sport believe the 2012 London Olympics is primed to go down as one of the best Games in history. The ringing endorsements at Monday’s Laureus World Sports Awards in the British capital came on the day it was revealed that football is the only sport among the 26 events at the Games which has not sold out its ticket allocation. It’s a record that has seen a host of former Olympians back London to rival recent Games hosts Sydney, Athens and Beijing. “The atmosphere will be unique,” said former 400m hurdles world and Olympic champion

Ilie Nastase (R) and a guest

Edwin Moses “I have seen London’s Olympic venues and they are fantastic,” the American track great added. “It will help sport, and British sport in general, progress in years to come Britain’s double Olympic decathlon gold medallist Daley Thompson echoed those sentiments, saying: “There will be unbelievable legacy afterwards. It will be the best ever Olympic Games. “People talk about Beijing and Sydney, but I think everyone will be blown away with how successful these Olympics will be. You only have to look at the ticket sales to see how it has caught the imagination.” At the annual Laureus ceremony, Serbian tennis star Novak

Mark Spitz and Annabelle Bond Djokovic was named Sportsman of the Year and Kenyan distance runner Vivian Cheruiyot Sportswoman of the Year. Djokovic enjoyed one of the

Boris and Sharlely Becker

best years of any player in the history of professional tennis in 2011, winning three of the sport’s four Grand Slams as he took the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open titles. “This is up there with the prizes you can win,” said Djokovic, who saw off competition for the Laureus Award from sprint star Usain Bolt, Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel and Barcelona football maestro Lionel Messi. “But this wasn’t an individual effort,” said Djokovic. “To compete with the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the top players the game has ever seen, takes a lot of self-belief and dedication — as well as a great team behind you.” The Laureus Awards, chosen by a panel of 47 sports stars, saw Cheruiyot — one of the outstanding distance runners of her generation — win out over the likes of golfer Yani Tseng and tennis player Petra Kvitova. Spanish and European football champions Barcelona won the Team of the Year award while Northern Ireland golf celebrated two gongs. Rory Mcllroy clinched the World Breakthrough of the Year title after winning the US Open

David Coulthard (R) and guest and Darren Clarke collected the Comeback of the Year following a maiden British Open Championship triumph at his 20th attempt. In other awards, South Africa’s ‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius collected the World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability and American surfer Kelly Slater was named Action Sportsperson of the Year.

Playing Field

Maverick cricketer can win cancer battle

Australia in India tobacco ad row

Twelfth Man Babu Kalyanpur

SYDNEY:

Cricket Australia Tuesday pulled Hindi adverts displayed during the series with India after being alerted that they could be promoting tobacco, which would attract big fines for breaching local laws. Cricket bosses said they were assured by the Indian government that the signage was advertising a brand of mouthwash, but decided to take them down due to their apparent similarity to a brand of chewing tobacco. “We asked (the Indian government’s) advice because we are not familiar with the Hindi language,” a Cricket Australia spokesman told reporters. “They came back and said it’s an Indian mouthwash -- or at least they said it’s not a tobacco product. We don’t have one million percent certainty about all of the detail. “It appears that there is a tobacco company with the same or similar brand name to the product that is being advertised. We have just become uneasy about it and said, let’s withdraw this,” he added. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.” The boundary-line adverts, aimed at the massive TV audience in India, were reportedly worth thousands of dollars and displayed during seven games. But they will not be seen at future matches, starting with the One-dayer between India and Sri Lanka at Perth on Wednesday. Cricket Australia acted after Health Minister Tanya Plibersek warned they faced fines of up to Aus$66,000 (US$70,000) for each breach of the 1992 tobacco advertising ban. “The Gillard government has received a number of complaints alleging that advertisements for tobacco products have been displayed at cricket grounds,” she told News Limited newspapers. “The government is taking the allegations very seriously and has written to Cricket Australia seeking detailed information about the advertising.” AFP

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

The games people play

stop-start career of one of India’s best one-day players has come to a grinding halt once again. This time it is sad. Yuvraj Singh, just past 30 a couple of months ago, has been diagnosed with lung cancer. This is devastating for anybody, let alone a sportsman with such natural talent as Yuvraj. But there is hope still that Yuvraj will be back halfway through the year because the cancer is at an early stage. Doctors have said that the cancer can be cured by March and Yuvraj should be fit to take the field again by May. All of India will be praying for that. Yuvraj is the type of player who draws crowds with his sparkling stroke play. Thankfully, Yuvraj is a strong mentally and is sure to overcome this setback. The support of the whole country will help. Back in 1966, American cyclist Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He was among the best cyclists then and it was thought that a great career had been cruelly ended. But Armstrong got himself rid of the disease and won the prestigious Tour de France seven times. Ice hockey player Mario Lemieux, a legend of the game, was detected with Hodgkins

Lymphoma. But he recovered and played again. South African cricketer Dave Callaghan battled cancer and came back to represent his country. Yuvraj still has much to conquer. His Test career is yet to take off despite 37 Tests in eight years. He had said after his man-ofthe-series performance in India’s World Cup victory last year that it was one of his greatest ambitions.

Unfortunately, an injury in England put an end to that ambition and his return against the West Indies was disappointing. His whole career has been dogged with injury and bad luck. When in top gear, an injury would put him out of the team and somebody else would grab a chance. Then he would return and lose form and get dropped. India’s strong Test batting line-up also did not help and sadly he never got a long run to prove himself. A 37-Test career with an average of nearly 35 does not justify the talent Yuvraj possesses. Anyone who watched the Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2000 knew that there was something special about Yuvraj. His captain then was Mohammed Kaif and both were fast-tracked into higher things. The same year, Yuvraj was propelled into India’s One-day team and he scored 84 off just 82 balls in his second game against Australia. He lost form after that but came back later in 2001. In the NatWest series against England in 2002 he joined Kaif in a great partnership of 121 to pull off an amazing victory for India. He began to establish himself after that and his

Waugh: Ponting cannot go on SYDNEY: Former Australian Test captain Steve Waugh has warned that Ricky Ponting cannot go on forever despite his stellar form and selectors must start planning for his eventual departure. Ponting, 37, was in sparkling form in the recent Test series against India, shrugging off speculation about his future by becoming only the third bats-

man in history to pass 13,000 Test runs, scoring 544 runs at an average of 108.8. But Waugh, who played until he was 38, said some hard decisions needed to be made before next year’s Ashes series against England. “At some stage players have to move on,” The Australian newspaper quoted Waugh as

saying. “I mean, he’s 37, 38 — that sort of age. You’ve got to look towards where the future is, so it’s always a tricky decision. “John Inverarity, the new chairman of selectors, has probably got to make some tough calls pretty quickly. “It’s up to Ricky and the selectors but at some stage players have to move on.” AFP

crowning moment came in the World Cup last year when he came back after another absence to propel India to victory. He batted, bowled and fielded with gusto and deservedly won the award. He is effective in the T20 too and holds the record for six sixes in an over against England’s Stuart Broad. Yuvraj is always a treat to watch. His flowing cover drives are smooth and a joy to behold. He also lofts the ball effortlessly over mid-on or midwicket. He also has the right temperament — aggressive and sometimes to the point of arrogance. This was good in a team of old school veterans because somebody had to give it back to the sledgers. The sight of him, bat raised and heading towards Freddy Flintoff in his record sixes match is still etched in the mind. He gave it back as good as he got. If Yuvraj manages to return this year, there is a good chance for him to fulfil his Test ambitions. Places will be up for grabs as many of the veterans may well call it a day. What Yuvraj needs is an extended run in the Test team. He has the ability to make it. His three Test centuries have always been in pressure situations. More than that, India needs him in the One-day team. He is the star performer in the middle-order. So here’s hoping that later this year, the man with the swagger and nonchalant attitude will be back will flowing drives and diving stops at point. Yuvraj can do it.

Playing Field

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012

The games people play

Dalglish Spurs Suarez row in boring draw Neil Johnston

LIVERPOOL:

Liverpool's forward Luis Suarez reacts to play during the Premier league football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

Luis Suarez’s return from an eight-match suspension failed to inspire Liverpool as they were held to a goalless draw by Tottenham at Anfield on Monday. Suarez received a rapturous reception from Liverpool fans when he came on in the 66th minute — his first action for six weeks — after serving a ban for racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.

But the Uruguay striker was left frustrated as third-placed Tottenham secured a point in the absence of their manager Harry Redknapp in a scrappy contest. All the hype surrounding the game had been about the return of Suarez following his lengthy ban after an FA board found him guilty of making a racist comment towards Evra. Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish said he had never planned to start him. “I’m delighted that the wee man is back,” said the Scot, who along with the club were heavily criticised for their defending Suarez even after he was gound

Mali set to defy history

Mali's midfielder Tidane Cheik Diabate takes a break during a training session in Libreville on Monday. Nick Reeves

LIBREVILLE: Mali will have to defy history if they are to overcome the mighty Ivory Coast in Wednesday’s Africa Cup of

Nations semi-final. The Ivorians have met Mali 21 times, winning 14 with the Eagles emerging victorious just the once, in a friendly back in 1995. Twice their paths have crossed

in the Nations Cup, with the Elephants prevailing 3-0 in the first round in Ghana in 2008 and 3-1 in the quarter-finals in 1994. Yet Mali’s Seydou Keita, following the Henry Ford approach about history being ‘bunk’, dismissed the significance of the lopsided statistics, the Barcelona star saying: “The past? In football the past doesn’t count for anything.” Keita’s return to the national team after a 20 month hiatus has proved instrumental in Mali’s progress at the 2012 Cup. He converted the decisive spot kick in Mali’s 5-4 penalty shoot out defeat of co-hosts Gabon in Sunday’s quarter-final which had ended 1-1 after extra time. The 32-year-old veteran, reflecting on the Eagles’ presence in the last four, commented: “We deserve our qualification. Everything isn’t perfect, we’re not Barcelona nor Brazil but we’re in the semi-finals and we’ll play to our strengths.”

Ghana hopes to end the pain Yann Bernal

BATA: The heat will be on Ghana and off Zambia when they clash in this steamy port city on Wednesday with a place in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations final at stake. “Playing in the final is the least everyone expects from us,” admitted Serb coach Goran Stevanovic ahead of the semifinal showdown at the 35,000seat Estadio de Bata. “We relish being among the favourites and there is additional pressure on the team because I have told them many

Zambia's midfielder Rainford Kalaba (R) dribbles as he takes part in a training session. times that Ghana must win the Cup of Nations for the first time in 30 years.”

Severely depleted Ghana finished runners-up to Egypt in the 2010 final and later that year became only the third African country to reach the World Cup quarter-finals before losing on penalties to Uruguay. By reaching the penultimate stage of the biennial African football showcase for the first time since 1996, Zambia have met the pre-tournament target set by French coach Herve Renard. “There is no more pressure on us,” said Renard, “and now we can dream of going all the way to the final.”

guilty. In the end, Suarez’s return was third billing on a night that saw Redknapp forced to abandon his flight to Anfield due to technical problems having earlier appeared at Southwark Crown Court in the closing stage of his trial on tax evasion charges. Redknapp might have failed to make it but England manager Fabio Capello, fresh from publicly criticising the Football Association’s decision to oust John Terry as captain, did make it to Anfield. Tottenham assistant manager Kevin Bond, in charge in the absence of Redknapp, said that taking a point was a satisfactory outcome.