REAL MADRID TOPS RICH LIST
OH WHAT A NIGHT FOR FOOTBALL!
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At the Cup of Nations in Africa, Ivory Coast defeated Mali while Zambia shocked Ghana to set up a final that will resurrect some ghosts and put others to sleep. The England team’s preparation for Euro 2012 are in disarray after coach Fabio Capello quit amidst the John Terry racism controversy. Meanwhile Deloitte published their list of richest clubs in the world: It’s Real again!
MILLION EUROS
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HITCHHIKER’S Criminal FIGHTING CHANCE FOR INDIA’S TIGERS: POACHING DECLINES
GUIDE TO THE GALAXY
In cheering news for wildlife conservationists, tiger poaching dropped nearly 60 per cent in 2011 as compared to the previous year, though it continues to pose a major threat to the survival of the big cat in the country, a leading NGO said.
FLASH
JEWELLER MURDERED Grandhi Manoj Kumar, owner of Vaibhav Jewellers in Visakhapatnam, was found murdered in Karnataka and his body was traced in Hassan district. He was kidnapped two days ago from Bangalore Airport. He was said to be carrying jewellery worth `3 crore. Traders in Vizag are observing a bandh voluntarily.
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She is good-looking, well-dressed, suave and always in need of a lift — from gullible bike-riding men only. Her offer is tantalisingly sexual, her intent criminal. Beware Hyderabad’s highwaywoman in high heels.
Page Two
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
Spirit of Twin Cities
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Rushi aims high but falls short Hemanth Kumar
FILM REVIEW
hemanth.k@postnoon.com
E
uthanasia is a controversial topic and it’s still not legal in India, despite several pleas. It opens up the debate about the value of life and how ethical is it to die when you wish. In Rushi, this forms an important subplot and Raj Madiraju tries to weave an interesting story about lives of doctors. Arvind Krishna stars as Rushi, an orphan who irks a lot of students with his attitude. He is way too frank and comes across as a cold hearted person. He falls in love with Pooja, (Supriya Sailja), who is too emotional. One day, they come across a seven year old child, Karthik (Gaurav) who has a heart ailment. How Rushi and Pooja solve the case forms the rest of the story. Arvind Krishna has improved a lot since his last outing. It’s difficult to read
Movie: Rushi Cast: Arvind Krishna, Supriya Sailja, Suresh Music Director: Don Chandran, Snigdha Director: Raj Madiraju Rating: his mind initially; however, soon we realize that he’s being practical. He’s a tad too stiff but then that’s exactly how he’s supposed to be. Supriya Sailja makes a promising debut and as Pooja, her characterization is exactly the opposite of what we see in Rushi. Pooja believes in putting her emotions before her duty as a doctor. Gaurav is endearing and rest of the star cast delivers decent performances. Films based on medicos and doctors
are a rarity in Telugu and Raj Madiraju does a good job in bringing alive a part of their lives. The whole aspect of how doctors deal with the intense pressure makes an interesting watch. While the film’s central theme about a doctor’s journey to solve a complicated case is interesting, the film packs way too many details. The second half in particular gets boring and Madiraju tries too hard to make Rushi a gut wrenching film. It’s difficult to sympathise with the lead character as you already know how the film is going to unfold. It would have been a lot more interesting if the story was based on the lead character’s dilemma about life and how he deals with an inevitable tragedy like euthanasia. Rushi aims high but falls short. It’s a novel attempt with some fine performances but sadly, there’s too much sugar in this film and that’s bad for heart.
Around the city: Your guide to the Twin Cities
City in pictures
PIC: N SHIVA KUMAR
Urban Decay An International photography exhibition y titled Urban Decay is being held at Ravi Art Studio. It portrays the negative influence of urbanisation on nature. Where: Ravi Studios, Somajiguda When: Ongoing, 11am onwards Contact: (040) 23392471
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
Numaish A childhood favourite of every Hyderabadi, The All India Industrial Exhibition is on.
CINEMAS
Where: Exhibition Grounds, Nampally When: Ongoing
Dead Ringers
A suitable lunch
Bottles and Chimney is celebrating it’s 9th Anniversary. The celebrations are on from February 9 to February 14. 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
Get my food-Pronto!
International pizza festival Pizza lovers this is the news for you! News Cafe is host to the International Pizza Festival. Where: News Cafe, Inorbit Mall, Hitech City When: Ongoing, 12.30pm Contact: (040) 64603341
Anniversary celebrations
PLASTIC RAINBOWS
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
Hyderabad film Club will screen Dead Ringers The film deals with Elliot and Beverly Mantle, identical twins and highly successful gynecologists. Where: Sri Sarathi Studios, Ameerpet When: February 9, 6.30pm Contact: (040) 23732050
Martini ‘n music Enjoy winter evenings with martinis and crooner Kelly. Where: Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills When: Every Evening
Contact: (040) 66662323
For those looking for great food but don’t have the time for a leisurely meal head to Prego at the Westin for a quick 45-min Where: Prego, Westin , Madhapur When: Ongoing, 7pm onwards Contact: (040) 64566692
Alternative rock 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
Alternative three piece Rock Band from Chennai called Captains Hook will perform live at Hard Rock Cafe. The popular band has performed at various events. Where: HardRock Cafe, Banjara Hills When: February 9, 9pm Contact: (040) 44767900
Cupcake delight Cupcake lovers head straight 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
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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Temptress on the prowl CRIME Mohd Subhan mohd.s@postnoon.com
I
f you are young, are male, and you ride a bike, then this is for you. When you see a welldressed single woman, so alluringly frail-looking, signaling you for a free ride, don’t play Lancelot or Samaritan, just accelerate and escape. Several young women have taken up the vocation of conning single men who ride bikes, especially at night. They stand in a less crowded area and wait for young bikers to come along before thumbing for a ride. For carnal reasons or for charity, you stop. She would get on the pillion, and slowly, her deft fingers will tickle your fancy and once you are in the mood she would suggest a lonely place for closure. The lonely place could be a bush, a veranda of a shop in a bylane or behind a shopping complex. Once she takes you there she will give up the frail young lady act and demand
harshly that you surrender every valuable you possess — be it a watch, mobile phone, cash or gold. And, if you have no cash, you must take out your ATM card and go with her to the nearest ATM and withdraw money. Any intention of acting funny? Forget it, she already has her tough-looking accomplices in place who have been following you all the while on a bike. The trick, is nothing new but it went on unnoticed till the arrest of
Nayeema Begum. She is 30, fairly good looking, well-educated and lives away from her parents. Inspector Radhesh Murli of Gopalpuram North Zone explains how Nayeema operates. “She has many aliases such as Sufiya, Sana, Sony, Nasreen and Honey… She speaks Hindi, English, Urdu and Telugu (with a little difficulty). She has been operating for the past seven years. Nayeema is a resident of Malakpet but she keeps shifting base fearing arrest. She is an
accomplished con artiste. Once she tried to bite a policeman’s finger in the court compound to escape. She was angling for his ear but could not get it. On another occasion she smacked a cop.” Inspector Murli says Nayeema is not unknown to the police. She was picked up by the police of Chikkadpally, Narayanguda, Chaderghat, Nampally and several other police stations in the past. She was convicted many times but she comes out and resumes her ‘work.’ The police have not been able to get information out of her on her accomplices. “She definitely has a gang behind her,” the inspector said. But thirddegree cannot be used on a woman and therefore there is no information. ACP Mahankali GP Vasu Seena told Postnoon that in Secunderabad alone there are nearly 15 lady cheats operating. The police believe, several hundred single male bikers have fallen prey to this kind of temptation but pride and shame keeps them from reporting the crime. There are dozens of them operating in the City in a similar fashion.
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CRIME
Jeweller murdered P
roprietor of Vaibhav Jewellers in Visakhapatnam, Grandhi Manoj Kumar was murdered in Karnataka. He went to Jaipur to purchase gold and diamonds and then went to Bangalore on a business trip. He was kidnapped a couple of days ago in Bangalore. Manoj Kumar’s relatives grew suspicious about his absence only on Wednesday and went to Bangalore airport in search of him. The police traced his body near Hasan.
CI attempts suicide C
ircle Inspector of AntiCorruption Bureau (ACB) Somanarayan Singh attempted suicide in the early hours of Thursday. It was widely reported on Wednesday that he leaked the news of ACB raids to liquor syndicates. Fearing action against him, Singh attempted suicide and is admitted to a private nursing home.
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PICS: SRINIVAS SETTY
The bridge that divides CIVIC Md Inkeshaf Ahmed ahmed.m@postnoon.com
T
he agony of hundreds of thousands of people and IT professionals, who stay around Kukatpally and its adjacent areas like KPHB colony, Malaysian Township, Nizampet, Hydernagar and Miyapur seems to have no end. These residents continue to face terrific traffic knots in the famous HiTech city railway station area. The reason is that the completion flyover which was once seen as the solution to traffic troubles is getting delayed for no valid reasons. Officials of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), which is constructing the flyover, could not fulfill their promise of completing the work within six months time. About six months ago, speaking to Postnoon on the progress of the project, in-charge chief engineer of HMDA V Madhwa Raja pro-
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mised the residents of Hyderabad that the agency would complete the construction of the flyover in the next six months. Local MLA and Loksatta party president Jayaprakash Narayan had also assured the residents that he would try to get the project completed within six months. Traffic police estimated a total of 35,000 -40,000 vehicles passed through this stretch every day. During peak hours traffic snarls worsen and delay thousands of
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employees on their way to work. The lack of coordination between HMDA officials and Railway authorities, which is extending technical support in construction of a road over bridge (RoB), is said to be resulting in the delay. Madhwa Raja has said the project was getting delayed because of the railway authorities. “Barring the road over bridge, which is to be constructed over the railway line, we have already completed the remaining part of the flyover.
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Railways have agreed to stop traffic for four hours every day to facilitate the works,” he said.
Background The 910-metre long and 21.5metre wide bridge was taken up by the HMDA more than three years ago at a cost of `24.38 crore. But thanks to the delay, today, the cost of the project has gone up to `45 crore for the completion. In charge chief engineer of HMDA V Madhwa Raja said that they had got administrative sanction for `45 crore from the state government to take the remaining 120 meters of construction work of the HiTech city flyover. He informed that the State government had approved the revised estimates forwarded by them which included `25 crore for the project and remaining `20 crore for the construction of 120 meters of flyover which requires the construction of Road Over Bridge (ROB) over the HiTech city railway station and said that technical difficulties in the design of the project increased the project cost from the initial estimate.
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AMBULANCES Apollo 23548888, 23607777 Kamineni 24022222 Medwin 23202902, 23204616 Smile Line Dental Hospital 23747979 Red Cross 27627973 Niloufer Hospital 23314095 Gandhi 23320332
VOICES I have been using this stretch for three years. Traffic problems have become a part of my life. There has been never a single day when I had not faced this problem. I hope the government will do something to construct this flyover fast and end our misery. Ch Vamshi Krishna, marketing manager What should I say about the apathy of the State government? The traffic trouble and the incomplete flyover are clear proofs of its inability in delivering services to the public. I have lost hope about the completion of the flyover and decided to slog it out with traffic problems on this route. Arun Kiran, software engineer. I think this route is the busiest one I have ever seen during office hours. There is always a traffic jam here. Well, I don’t know what to say about government’s failure in completing the flyover. I just request it to complete the flyover keeping in public interest. Mamata, IT professional
AIRLINES Airport Director 27903785, 27906001 For Air India Flight Information Toll free (from any network) for IC Flights 18001801407 And for All Flights: 1800227722 Air India has revised its flight timings. For more information call (Toll free) 18001801407, 1800227722 from BSNL/MTNL 04023430334 from other lines and mobile Website; www.airindia.in TOURISM OFFICES AP Tourism, Hyd 23262152/53/54 Sec’bad 27893100 Dept of Tourism 23453110 India Tourism 23261360 AP Tourism information Centre (24x7) 23450444, 23455999
UK Visa Office VFS India Pvt Ltd Building, 8-2-542/A, Sunil Chamber, Road No. 7 Beside Meridian School, Banjara Hills34. Working hours are from 8 AM to 1 PM And 2 PM to 3PM. MUSEUMS Salar Jung Museum AP State Museum Nizams Museum
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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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Fire in Civil Supplies office PICS: N SHIVA KUMAR
Stormy start to budget meet
GHMC Inkeshaf Ahmed ahmed.m@postnoon.com
HYDERABAD: The 9th special General Body Meeting of GHMC began 25 minutes behind the schedule. On top of the agenda is to approve Budget for next fiscal 2012-13. This is the first General Body Meeting to be chaired by the new mayor Majid Hussain, who was elected on January 3. The Mayor came to the corporation early in the morning and
Naidu sends dissent note
T
DP president N Chandrababu Naidu returned the file of appointment of information commissioners under the RTI Act. The government nominated eight persons for the posts. In fact, Naidu was part of the committee that approved of the names. Following an all-round opposition, Naidu demanded that the appointments be stalled.
Polavaram tenders scrapped
A
high-level committee headed by Chief Secretary Pankaj Dwivedi scrapped the tenders of Polavaram Project on Wednesday. The High Court directed the committee to take a call on the issue, after Soma Constructions challenged the allotment of work to a consortium led by SEW Infrastructure. The government handed over the work costing `4,717 crore to Sew-Patel-AMR consortium and Soma contended that SEW did not have necessary experience to take up the project.
Gandra named chief whip
G
andra Venkataramana Reddy is appointed the government Chief Whip in the Assembly. The other MLAs appointed as government whips are: Arepalli Mohan, T Jayaprakash Reddy, Anil, Dronamraju Srinivas, and Perni Nani.
held meetings with party corporators and MLA before heading to council hall for the General Body Meeting. The total budget of the corporation is pegged at about `3,600 crore for the next fiscal. The corporation is giving highest priority to infrastructure developments like construction of flyovers, renovation and reconstruction of existing roads and storm water drains and expansion of arterial and important streets in the corporation. The BJP members attended the meeting wearing black badges
Highlights n
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`3,600 crore outlay for 201213. Last year it was `3,100 crore Special development of Greater Hyderabad `830 crore
in protest against rejection of their request to postpone the General Body meeting keeping in view of ongoing biennial congregation (Jatara) of Sammakka and Sarakka which famously known as Medaram Jatara in the State. Earlier, the YSR Congressmen
held a protest dharna before the corporation gate protesting the additional property tax hike. The Telugu Desam Party corporators flanked by its floor leaders attended the meetings. Speaking to Postnoon, the BJP floor leader B Prakash alleged that the mayor, during the floor leaders’ meeting, had said that he would conclude the meeting within two hours. But Prakash demanded that the meeting be continued till evening as the budget consists of many important areas to be debated by corporators.
M
ysterious fire that broke out last night in the Civil Supplies office situated at Somajiguda gutted many records and furniture. The office on the second floor was spotted by passersby and informed the firemen and police. Police do not rule out sabotage to destroy some crucial records. In a similar incident, fire broke out in at Malikarjun Nagar colony in the Malkajgiri area in the wee hours of Thursday. Nearly 25 labourer families live here. Fire was controlled after hour-long efforts by the fire brigade. No casualty was reported.
2 more cyber labs in State
T
o deal effectively with the cyber crimes in the State, the police have proposed to establish two more cyber labs in the City. To upgrade the skills in dealing with the increasing cyber crimes, the police department has sent its proposals to the ministry of home Affairs for consideration, said superintendent of police (cyber Crimes), U Ramamohan.
Babu bets on young blood POLITICS
Hyderabad’s first afternoon newspaper
Postnoon News feedback@postnoon.com
T
he Telugu Desam Party is apparently getting back to basics. It is harking now on its instincts to give the organisation the necessary muscle to fight the emerging forces in the political arena of the State apart from the ruling Congress. The party, which stormed to power for the first time with the support of the youth in the early eighties, is again wooing the youths into its fold. With the announcement of party president N Chandrababu Naidu that he would encourage the entry of youth into politics and he would allocate 30 per cent MLA tickets in the next general elections to the youth, many senior leaders are scared that they would become a victim of this move. The Yuva Tarangam programme launched in Visakhapatnam will be replicated in Vijayawada on Thursday. Naidu said in Vizag that the party would announce its youth policy in its plenary, Mahanadu, or much before that. It is learnt that the cut-off age for ‘youth’ will be pegged at 35. Senior party leaders like K Yerran Naidu, who was also a Union minister, has openly welcomed the move and said that the party would replace old politicians with youngsters. On the other hand, leaders like MLC YVB Rajendra Prasad, while welcoming the initiative, said that the services of the veterans would be utilised with positions like MLC and Rajya Sabha membership .
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Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities
Tuitions, a fading trend PIC: N SHIVA KUMAR
EDUCATION Sudeshna Koka sudeshna.k@postnoon.com
Govt doctors want quick redressal
T
he Government Hospitals’ Doctors’ Association has urged the State government not to adopt delaytactics in redressing their grievances. Association president P Subba Rao said that the agitation of junior doctors against lack of infrastructure in medical colleges was justified. He stressed on the need to provide infrastructure in colleges and hospitals. Association general secretary Venkateswarlu warned that if the government failed to come forward to resolve their demands, they would resort to an agitation.
Isha Mukoo
isha.m@postnoon.com
W
Teachers also agree that with corporate schools mushrooming in the City the demand for tuitions is coming down. “My daughter and I used to give tuitions to more than 40 students a few years back. Now we have less than 10 students. Ever since corporate schools and international schools have come up the demand for tuitions has come down,” says Lakshita N, a teacher. Tuition teachers in the City blame the new life style of students for the dip. They are of the opinion that long hours at school are doing no good to students. “I have been in the industry for 12 years now. I have seen a major dip in the trend of tuitions. Unlike earlier, today I have only 50 students. Earlier schools began 8 am and ended at 3 pm giving students more time. Today, students are expected to spend more time at school but they do not get the right coaching or personal attention. To strengthen their basics they need coaching classes. The Board and government should consider this and take some action,” Ananthram Sharma, owner, Sharma classes.
VOICES My daughter is weak in physics and needs extra attention for this subject But all her energy gets drained out in school. She is in school from 8 am to 6 pm and this leaves here with no time for tuitions. Sudha K, Parent
Shanthi Reddy, petrol bunk employee
H
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
up because he was just a class X pass and he had no other options. He chuckles that as a child he did not know the ABC of petrol. According to him his job is quite challenging because it calls for absolute concentration and a mistake would either invoke the ire of his employer or of the customer. He doesn’t see himself working here forever as he is interested in becoming a driver. His family has adjusted with his profession as they don’t have a choice and working here is way better than being a farmer.
ith Valentine’s Day around the corner, there’s love in the air. So what are your plans this year? A surprise dinner or maybe a party? Too runof-the-mill don’t you think? A personalised gift or something unique might actually make the day for you. All it requires a little extra effort. Here are a few places you can try for out-of-the-box ideas. n D Cube: An eye catcher; this store offers a range of stuff from funky T shirts, quirky glasses and other wacky curios. The bar accessories are a definite winner here with shot glasses and beer mugs boasting of tongue-in-cheek slogans. So if you want to gift your sweetheart something different
Despite the growth of corporate schools there is some demand for coaching classes. Most schools and colleges employ teachers who have problems with their language skills. They talk with an accent and this creates a mental block in students. They come to us despite the time crunch. Atik Patel, Kites Tuitions center Going to tuitions is very important as I need to brush up my Math skills. I go for evening tuitions after college. I can’t follow my professor’s method hence I go for extra classes. Vikyath Arya, Student
THE FACES OF HYDERABAD e is the one that pumps one of the most important commodities in our cars — petrol. It has been almost 14 years since Shanthi Reddy first joined as a petrol bunk employee at a small bunk in Jeedimetla. Eight years ago he joined the Jubilee Hills petrol bunk and with steady hard work has climbed the ladder. From being an assistant to a pump attendant he is now the cashier. He says that working at a petrol bunk had never been his choice of career but was forced to take it
This Valentine’s steer away from the clichéd teddies and chocolates and surprise your beloved with something unique
With love
W
ith privatisation or rather corporatisation of schools in the City, private tuition classes are dying a slow death. Unlike other cities in the country tuition classes were a big fad in Hyderabad. A decade ago there were many coaching centers and tuition classes in the City. However, ever since corporate schools and colleges have started to flourish in the City students don’t find the need to get extra help in academics. In fact, with a busy schedule at college they are left with extra time for tuitions. “When my elder son was studying for boards and competitive exams I had to take him to three different tuition classes. One for math, one for Telugu and the other for physics and chemistry. But when my younger son wrote his board exams two years back he did not go to any tuitions. Everything was covered in school including IIT coaching,” says W Padamaja, a parent. Today most schools in the City have designed their curriculum in such a way that the extra help is provided in school itself. Apart from regular time tables they have special classes called ‘study hours’ dedicated to clear doubts. Each teacher is alloted a few students whom they mentor. “Once a student joins our college they don’t need tuitions. We take care of their needs during study hours. Moreover they are in college most of the time, where is the time to go for tuitions?” asks Venu G, principal, Sri Chaitanya Jr College.
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PIC: A SUDHEER REDDY
5 DAYS TO GO this time D cube is your place. n The Body Shop: It’s every girl’s dream destination when it comes to shopping for personal care items. So if you want to see that dazzling smile light up her face just pick up one of Body Shop’s many gift hampers, luxurious body butters, scrubs, perfumed lotions or cosmetics. It is a onestop store for everything a girl could desire. n Landmark: Want to give your beloved something that will stay with them forever and will make them think of you, Landmark can be one of your destinations. Be it books, movies, music CDs or even the teddies for those who want to go the mushy way there is a gift for everyone. You could pick up a bunch movie DVDs that he/she loves and cosy up with him/her for a movie marathon. Explore what this store has to offer you and let your imagination do the talking. n Printo: Unique and filled with love, this is what this place offers you. Unleash your creativity and make an effort to create something different for your loved one with these personalised gift options. From personalised mugs, T-shirts, photo frames, diaries to calendars, one can get a range of items designed as per your choice.
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Emergency: 104 services are ailing SERVICES U Srinivas srinivas.u@postnoon.com
T
he 104 service is limping. The rural healthcare services have always been in news for the wrong reasons. While Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy assured the employees of 104 mobile health services that their problems would be solved, their woes continue to haunt them. The employees working on contract have apprehensions that the Government might terminate their services. The salaries were not being paid regularly to these employees from September last year. State BJP president G Kishan Reddy assured the 104 employees at Mahabubnagar that he would raise the issue in the upcoming Budget session of the Assembly. The 104 employees have also represented the matter to the TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu. The employees have paralysed the work of the '104' Fixed Day Health Scheme and have gone on strike several times in the recent past. The employees
What is 104? This is a comprehensive healthcare service for the poor. If people call up 104, the nearest mobile clinic will reach them. The Government of AP established a fixed day health services under public private partnership with Health Management Research Institute in 2008, through an MoU. Except in Hyderabad. the mobile vans are operating across the State and are useful to the public in general. In November 2010, the 104 services came to a standstill and later the district collectors were entrusted with the task. They later outsourced the felt management, data manage-
ment and call centre management. Again through a GO No. 1152 of June 2011, a committee to improve the status of 104 services was constituted. The recommendations are: 1. Increase the services. 2. Direct supervision of medical officers and public health staff in the districts. 3. Operating the services with outsourcing staff and in co-ordination with the medical officers and public health staff of primary health centres. 4. Implementation of Go3 of Finance department for payment of salaries. 5. Enhancement of budget for drugs and medicines to `40,000 per ambulance per month.
Talking to Postnoon this morning after assuming charge at the secretariat, minister for health Kondru Murali said that he had signed a file for settling the salaries of 104 staff. An amount of ` 11 crore would be sanctioned at the earliest and the services in the rural areas would go by smoothly, he assured. Murali said that the 108 services were also very prestigious for the Government. About 3,000 people have benefitted and most of the lives are saved by the service, the minister said.
who operate the state-run service that caters to the healthcare needs in remote areas are demanding implementation of GO3 on their wages. A substantial number of patient deaths occur due to delay in reaching the hospital. It is imperative that these lifelines are kept up and running.
Result
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t has been learnt that the Government is on the lookout for an end-to-end service provider to run the services and the request for proposal is pending for approval with the Government.
Union version
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he 104 Call Centre Contract Employee's Union (HMRI) president Arif said that the Arogya Sri Tust wants to replace senior employees with juniors and new hires to save on salaries. Currently, there are 3,000 employees and about 700 vehicles plying under this scheme.
Communal feelings justify cruelty? Murgi Chowk of Hyderabad is the largest illegal market for birds, many of them are protected by the Wildlife Act. In the name of pets, untold misery is caused to them and authorities are looking the other way The law says
Anubha K. Singh anubha.k@postnoon.com
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ild hare, civet cats, monitor lizards, hard shell tortoises, sparrows, macaws or snakesname any one and it will be available in few hours. Hyderabad’s Murgi Chowk is India’s largest illegal wildlife market that stocks around 20,000 to 25,000 birds and animals on any given day.
WILDLIFE A hilly myna will cost for an owl for `15,000, Parakeets and water birds for around `500 each. Wild bird poachers are fast shifting their focus from smuggling to domestic markets in the garb of religion and fashion. These animals are caught and traded with impunity. Over lakhs of birds are killed for their
`3000,
n Wild Life Protection Act (WPA), 1972 provides for the protection of Wild animals, birds and plants and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto. n It extends to the whole of India, except the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The act includes all animals. n While the act clearly defines hunting it also prohibits the usage, supply etc. of animal articles. n Section 9 of the Act prohibits hunting of wild animals and birds specified in Schedule I, II, and III and IV, except as provided under Sections XI and XII. n As of punishment for offences, Section 51 of the Act prescribes a maximum imprisonment of 6 years, `25,000 fine or both for hunting animals and birds.
meat, and a large number are used for taxidermy, black magic, religious sometimes even for medicinal purposes. “Murgi chowk is known for its illegal trade of wild life market. The birds and animals from various parts of the world are caged in unhygienic conditions. Birds are sold here which is wrong as per the Wildlife Protection Act,” said Mahesh Agarwal, general secretary, Sahyog organisation and chief executive in Bharatiya Prani Mitra Sangh. “Religion also plays a significant role in promoting wild bird trade. Many believe that releasing birds held in captivity can purify the soul and relieve personal sins. On auspicious days, they go and buy these birds and release them. But since they are captive birds, a large number die when released. Others are captured and brought back by the traders. Many in the City also consider it a status symbol to keep them as pets. They come in the range of ` 50-60,000” he adds. “It’s not just one day work to
raid and stop the business. We are in touch with the commissioner of police and with the police support we can plan something. It's a notorious place, so without police help we can’t resolve the issue. A wrong step may hurt communal feelings so we are not taking any risk” said, V Tirumal Rao, Forest Range Officer, and Anti-Posting Squad. “These animals are brought from all over AP and many other cities and shockingly they are brought in RTC buses” claims, Mahesh Agarwal. His organisation has rescued 1,080 snakes in the last six years.
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CORRECTIONS CLARIFICATIONS
In the story For the sake of theatre that appeared on this page yesterday, name of Sarojini Naidu School was used instead of Old Sarojini Naidu School. The error is regretted.
It is Postnoon’s policy to correct errors swiftly and fairly
Focus
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
The story behind the news
THE LOVE THAT DARE SPEAK ITS NAME
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loser home, India is still grappling with issues related to the LGBT community. In what has long been termed as India’s ‘Stonewall’, the New Delhi High Court in 2009 after a lot of deliberation decriminalised homosexual intercourse between two consenting adults, and struck down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. The law labelled gay sex as to be an ‘unnatural offence’, punishable with up to 10 years in prison. This ruling though is way behind US but still holds a ray of hope for the now vibrant LGBT community in India. Now, as a result, books are being authored on same-sex relationships and movies are being made openly and are being appreciated. Coming out of the closet is not a taboo anymore.
Postnoon news
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n what is being touted as a major victory for members of the LGBT community, a US court on Tuesday upheld a lower court judge’s ruling that an amendment to the California state constitution banning same-sex marriage violated principles of due process and equal protection under the law. Apparently, gay marriages were briefly authorised in California in 2008 but it was later banned by a referendum, known as Proposition 8. Judge Stephen Reinhardt wrote in the majority opinion, “Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California. The constitution simply does not allow for laws of this sort.” However, the ruling did not address whether gays and lesbians will have a broader constitutional right to marry. Yet it was welcomed by the supporters of gay rights. But it is too soon to say anything final as the Tuesday ruling may not be the final word on same-sex marriage rights.
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hile US, India and many other countries across the world are opening their doors and minds to the LGBT community, Uganda too is making news for some positive developments. Homosexual acts in Uganda were already considered illegal. The anti-gay bill in Uganda is also known as Kill the Gays Bill in the media. It is a legislative proposal that would broaden the criminalisation of same-sex relations by dividing homosexual behaviour into two categories: ‘aggravated homosexuality’, in which an offender would receive the death penalty, or ‘the offence of homosexuality’ in which an offender would receive life imprisonment. The bill had caused an international outrage. And now a Ugandan MP has sought to revive the controversial anti-gay bill but dropped the provision for the death penalty for certain homosexual acts.
Countries in which gay marriages are legal
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ince 2001, 10 countries have begun allowing same-sex couples to marry nationwide: Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa and Sweden. Same-sex marriages are also performed and recognised in the Brazilian state of Alagoas, Mexico City and parts of the United States.
India‑View
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
India unveiled
Curious case of Vadra-stopper
PANAJI: The mystery behind the transfer of Amethi (Uttar Pradesh) poll observer Pawan Kumar Sain to Goa deepened as poll officials in the western state
said on Wednesday they had not received any intimation from the Election Commission (ECI) about Sain’s posting there. Joint chief electoral officer NS Navti said the state chief electoral officer’s office had not received any written intimation about Sain’s transfer. “We did not receive anything in writing...,” Navti said, adding that they had only learnt about Sain’s transfer to Goa from media reports. Sain, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer posted as an election observer in Amethi, created controversy when he stopped a motorcycle convoy led by Priyanka Gandhi’s husband Robert Vadra in the Amethi constituency. Reports later said that Sain had been transferred to South Goa district by the Election Commission allegedly for stopping Vadra’s convoy. The ECI later clarified that Sain’s transfer to Goa had been ordered before the Vadra incident and that the two were not linked. IANS
Dissidence worries Congress in Goa NEW DELHI: In a bind over largescale dissidence in the party ahead of March 3 Goa Assembly polls, Congress poll managers are pulling all stops to placate the dissidents who have raised the banner of revolt after being denied tickets. The anxiety in Congress is palpable from the fact that the ruling party has withheld announcing its third and final list of four candidates out of 33 seats it is contesting in alliance with NCP which is fielding candidates on 7 seats. “We will try to meet every aspirant. Talk to them and try to take
them board,” senior Congress leader Oscar Fernandes, who heads the screening committee to shortlist the candidates, said last evening after holding a series of meetings throughout the day. In a bid to check more dissidence, Fernandes is holding parlays with the hopefuls and a few upset party leaders in the coastal state. Congress has so far released two lists, however, owing to rebellion it is going slow in announcing the third one where dispute is on regarding two seats. PTI
RECORD-BREAKING SMILE
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Army chief files more papers NEW DELHI: Indian Army chief,
Students from 25 schools form a 4,444-person human ‘smiley’ at ITM University in Gwalior, MP on Wednesday. The previous record was by 2,961 people in Canada set on July 2011. PTI
Gen. VK Singh on Wednesday filed more documents in the apex court in support of his plea for restoring his date of birth in official records as May 10, 1951, as mentioned in his school board examination certificate. “We have filed certain army orders and other documents in support of the army chief’s plea, seeking restoration of his date of birth,” Gen. Singh’s lawyer Puneet Bali said. The documents were filed just two days before the apex court hearing Friday in response to the court’s question if Gen. Singh would approach the Armed Forces Tribunal or the Delhi HC or would like the SC to hear his case. IANS
School bars HIV positive student MADURAI: A primary school here has barred entry to a 13year-old student after discovering that he was HIV positive. The incident came to light recently when the boy’s mother went to Tamil Nadu AIDS Control Society Centre seeking help. She said her son was not getting equal consideration like other students in the school as he was found to be HIV positive, according to BV Babu, president of Madurai Network of Positive People, an NGO. According to the boy’s mother blood reports revealed that she had HIV virus. She had been on medication ever since. But her husband and elder daughter and youngest son were not HIV positive. She said she had no clue as to how she contracted the virus. The boy was tested HIV positive last year.But he was not put on the ART drug as his CD4 count was 475 and the drug is given to patients only when their CD4 dips below 350, Babu said. The boy said that the teacher started
discriminating him soon after perusing a notebook which contained details about his treatment. The school authorities, however, denied the allegations saying the boy was very sick so they
did not ask him to come. Meanwhile, the boy’s younger brother also stayed away from school as one of the teachers had allegedly told him to ensure that his brother did not come to school. PTI
Fighting chance for India’s tigers: Poaching declines NEW DELHI: In cheering news for wildlife conservationists, tiger poaching dropped nearly 60 per cent in 2011 as compared to the previous year, though it continues to pose a major threat to the survival of the big cat in the country, a leading NGO said. According to the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), 13 tigers were hunted last year as compared to 30 in 2010 — a decline of 57 per cent. The bodies of poached tigers, seized bones and skins were computed to arrive at the figures. Adding other factors like road accidents, infighting, fighting with other animals, electrocution, found dead, and rescue and treatment, the overall toll rises to 61. In 2010, it was 58.
However, top on the list of WPSI’s tiger mortality is the found dead figure, 21. The toll from infighting was the same as that of poaching. In the previous year, 10 tigers died in such fights. “There has been definitely a decrease in poaching cases in 2011 compared to 2010, but it does not mean poaching has stopped,” WPSI’s Tito Joseph said. This could be “due to effective patrolling strategies adopted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority in coordination with other agencies,” Joseph said. The illegal wildlife trade continues to be a major threat to tigers. Joseph said traders were offering huge amounts of money in black markets for tiger body parts.
“Recently trade activities were detected in Vietnam and Cambodia. The threat is not only from China (but also from Southeast Asia,” he said. “Wildlife articles always have a very premium market and prices are not going to come down easily,” UC Tiwari, wildlife warden of the Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, said. The poaching figure only reflects the cases that come to light and it may not truly reflect the ground condition, said Tiwari. He warned that the situation could turn alarming if the mortality rate of adult tigers rises. “Because adult tigers don’t die easily,... there has to be some extraordinary circumstance.” IANS
Around the World
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
Beyond Borders
‘League will return to Syria’
GLOBE AT A GLANCE Boy dies making snowhouse in Britain
UNITED NATIONS: The Arab League and United Nations are considering sending a joint observer mission to Syria, UN leader Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday, as he warned the deadly crackdown could worsen. Ban launched the idea as he bemoaned the UN Security Council’s failure to agree a resolution on the crisis, saying the vote had been “disastrous” for the Syrian people and had only encouraged President Bashar alAssad to step up the “war” on opponents. A joint Arab League-UN mission could increase pressure on Assad, diplomats said. But
LONDON: A 10-year-old autistic boy in Britain’s Yorkshire county collapsed and died while playing in the snow and building an igloo. Joshua Houlgate had been ecstatic at the 1st snowfall of the year. But as he built an igloo on Sunday with his friends, he complained of feeling ill and collapsed in seconds. His mother Sara, 35, gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. But the boy died after arriving in the hospital.
they added that it would need careful preparation before it would got backing from the major powers. Ban and the secretary general of the Arab League, Nabil al-Arabi, spoke on Tuesday about events in Syria since the League suspended its monitoring mission on January 28 because of the mounting violence. Many Arab states have completely withdrawn their representatives. “He informed me that he intends to send the Arab League observer mission back to Syria and asked for UN help,” Ban told reporters after a UN
Syria rebels want ‘weapons, not troops’ WASHINGTON: Rebels inside Syria said on Wednesday that they need more weaponsnot outside boots on the ground to arm tens of thousands of fighters including regime deserters committed to toppling Bashar alAssad’s “death machine.” In a rare live webcast from
undisclosed locations around Damascus commanders operating under the Free Syrian Army said that the United States in particular should harden its policies against Assad and find a way to shuttle guns, rocket launchers and other heavy weapons to rebels. AFP
UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon AFP Security Council meeting. “He further suggested that we consider a joint observer mission in Syria, including a joint special envoy.” The UN leader said that consultations would be held with UN Security Council members in coming days “before fleshing out the details”.
“We stand ready to assist in any way that will contribute towards improvement on the ground and to the overall situation,” Ban said. The UN secretary general said he feared that the violence would worsen and launched into a new attack on the divided 15-member Security Council. Russia and China have again vetoed a Syria resolution on Saturday. “I deeply regret that the Security Council has been unable to speak with one clear voice to end the bloodshed,” he said. “The failure to do so is disastrous for the people of Syria. It has encouraged the Syrian government to step up its war on its own people. Thousands in Syria have been killed in cold blood, shredding President Assad’s claims to be speaking for the Syrian people.” He said the “appalling brutality” of the government’s artillery assault on the protest city of Homs “is a grim harbinger of worse to come.” AFP
Disappointment prevails CAIRO: The uprising that
Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed waves to supporters on Wednesday. AFP
Deposed Maldives prez ‘at risk’, say climate activists PARIS: Maldives’ ex-president Mohamed Nasheed, who said on Wednesday that he was forced to resign, is “at risk,” according to climate change activists who have launched a global petition on his behalf. Allies have said the former leader and other top party officials were beaten by police in the street chaos. “Tell your national leaders: We are deeply concerned about the recent coup that forced him from office,” 350.org said on its website, which provides a web form for emailing the petition. “President Nasheed was the first democratically elected leader of his country and a global voice for action to address the climate crisis. He needs your support to ensure his safety,” the organisation said. “Please put diplomatic pressure on the leaders to work for a peaceful, solution.”Nasheed said that he resigned under the threat of violence from some 18 police and army officers. AFP
ousted Hosni Mubarak a year ago turned the political order upside down in Egypt where The former ruler is now in jail, but for most Egyptians the grievances are unchanged. Mubarak’s unshakeable three-decade rule crumbled under the weight of 18 days of unprecedented protests, forcing the strongman to resign on February 11 last year and prompting collective euphoria. The uprising pumped energy into the country: political parties were formed,
Hosni Mubarak AFP debates whirred everywhere and power was handed over to a military council that vowed to pave the way to democracy and swiftly return
to the barracks. For the first time in decades, Egyptians felt they had a stake in the country’s future. But a year later, the jubilation has given way to frustration and anger as political dissent continues, corruption still prevails and price hikes pile pressure on households. “Mubarak may have left, but the two pillars of his regime, a strong police state and an unjust economic system, remain in place,” said a political science professor at the American University in Cairo. AFP
Washington state lawmakers approve same-sex marriage LOS ANGELES: Lawmakers in the northwestern US state of Washington on Wednesday voted in favor of a bill legalising same-sex marriage, which should soon be signed into law by the governor, officials said. Governor Christine Gregoire has five days to approve the text, which would make Washington the seventh state in the nation to allow gay marriage. “The bill was passed by the House on a 55-43 vote,” an
official in Washington’s House of Representatives in the State capital Olympia said. The governor said last month she supported the bill and that she planned to sign it if approved by lawmakers. Washington’s state senate had approved the bill last week. Six US states — Connecticut, Iowa, Massachuse-tts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont plus the District of Columbia already allow samesex marriage, but the issue
remains highly controversial. A group of 80 US mayors —including New York’s Michael Bloomberg, Chicago’s Rahm Emanuel, Antonio Villaraigosa from Los Angeles and Annise Parker from Houston last month unveiled a campaign to win support for same sex-marriage. The vote in Washington comes a day after the US federal appeals court struck down a California law that had stripped gays and lesbians the right to marry. AFP
EU official in Mynamar before ‘crucial’ polls BRUSSELS: Myanmar’s upcoming elections will be crucial for the credibility of reforms that remain “fragile,” the EU’s foreign aid chief said ahead of a trip to offer 150 million euros to the country. While calling for free and fair polls that “bring more unity,” Andris Piebalgs, the EU development commissioner said.
Supporters of Senegal’s leader Abdoulaye Wade, who is facing a criticism over his third term presidential bid during a rally. AFP
Greek coalition leaders’ talks break up ATHENS: Greek government coalition leaders ended lengthy talks on austerity measures on Wednesday, with one point of disagreement, the PMO said. The three coalition partners who took part in the talks on a rescue plan for the Greek economy reached agreement on “all points of except one” said the PMO. It hopes for a complete deal by Thursday evening.
Social networking site Path apologises SAN FRANCISCO: Social network Path on Wednesday apologised for uploading users’ address book information without asking for permission.“We made a mistake,” Path co-founder and chief executive David Morin said in a blog post. “We are deeply sorry if you were uncomfortable with how our application used your phone contacts.”
Republican presidential candidate, Rick Santorum speaks to supporters with his daughter, and wife by his side on Tuesday. AFP
17,661.34 46.21
5,354.40 14.10
10g= `28,600
1kg= `57,500
`49.29
BSE
NSE
GOLD
SILVER
DOLLAR
Business
POUND THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012 11
Matters of saving and spending
Sharing
forever
Father of free software Richard Stallman cried foul about the blockage of Megaupload and strongly advocated in favour content sharing. Stallman, founder of GNU Project (free operating system) and founder-president of free software foundation ("free" as in freedom), tells Postnoon he wants a no-holds-barred internet across the globe. K Prudhvi Raju prudhvi.k@postnoon.com
H
e has received numerous honorary doctorates from prestigious universities around the world.
How did general public react to the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA) Bills in USA? A lot of Americans objected to these Bills and successfully defeated the copyright companies’ proposals to pass them as laws. They are not going to be passed any more (by the lawmakers). However, the worry is that, some other nasty law may be proposed in future. The Congressmen were paid by copyright companies to get more power. Our democracy is corrupted this way. They may bring some other laws to control the copyrights. The executives are inclined to stretch their power to attack file sharing companies including foreign companies in questionable ways. n What is your opinion on shutting down Megaupload? I have read articles by law professors arguing that Megaupload was not committing any crime and there is no law that supports the accusation on it. I am not an expert in the legal issues. However, I do know that the copyright companies gave a lot of funds for Obama’s campaign. He has close relationships with record labels like Sony and EMI. Obama has appointed several record company n
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lawyers in key government positions. I am sure that he wants to twist the law to attack those who copy. I do not defend Megaupload, if it copies music intentionally for commercial purpose without permission. I do not say that copyright should not cover that but I believe there is a need to legalise sharing like non-commercial distribution of copies, peer-to- peer sharing networks and putting something on one’s own website. n Isn’t file sharing killing the creativity of an artist? What do you say? No. I disagree. People have a right to share and it is not wrong at all. The music industry lies in this way to justify the unjust laws. Their claims were thoroughly disapproved. The music industry mainly supports the labels and stars, but not musicians. The struggling musicians are not going to get anything from the copyright system. I am in favour of supporting musicians and other artistes through finding different revenue streams, but creativity should not be shown as a reason to stop people from sharing. The very nature of digital technologies is to facilitate file sharing. The only way to stop sharing is being harsh and nasty to people, which is unjust. Freedom to share is more important than how much a music company sells. n Do you support hackers attacking FBI site after Megaupload was shut down? There is a misconception about hackers. Hacking means playful cleverness in anything including breaking the security. It may be good or bad, depending on what you break. It is not necessarily a bad thing but it can be a bad thing. It is a misunderstanding of the word hacker to associate with attacking a site. The anonymous group tried to protest, but not to attack the site. It is a protest, where a lot of people sent requests to a website which it could not handle. I think it is perfectly legitimate as protesting on street. n Why don’t the protesters go through a legal procedure instead of blocking a site? It would not work that way and there are problems that cannot be addressed through that way. There are activists who tried that method, but whether that is possible depends on what the courts will do.
PIC: A SUDHEER REDDY
Sunshine Kebabs to start 10 franchisees Postnoon News
HYDERABAD: Sunshine Kebabs India, a quick service restaurant (QSR) kebab retail chain, is set to add another 10 franchisees taking the store portfolio to 12 outlets all over India. It achieved the target in a year since it opened its first store at Cyber Towers. L C Kumar, managing director of Sunshine kebabs India, said the cost of owning a franchise, is Rs15 lakh for kiosks and Rs25-30 lakh for standalone store. The franchises can achieve breakeven in 18-20 months. The business may be slow
initially (2-3 months), but can do a turnover of Rs8,000 for a kiosik and Rs20,000 for a standalone store per day. “We import the base (raw material) from Australia and
preserved at respective temperatures. We use fresh vegetables, extra virgin olive oil and special Sunshine bread and also offer low – fat options
like kebab platters and salads. There is a home delivery in around 3-5km around the store,” he said. It is opening franchises at KPHB colony and Tirumalagiri this month. The company is also aiming to expand and open outlets in tier 2 cities like Vijayawada this year, said UB Narendra, manager, franchise development and alliances. Sunshine Kebabs is the only QSR serving the Mediterranean food serving signature products like Turkish Kebabs,Turkish Pides, Lahmacun, Gozleme, Thin Crust Pizzas, and burgers.
HIMALAYA LAUNCHES OIL
Jhansi, TV anchor and Rahul Panchal, brand manager, comsumer products, launch Himalaya anti-dandruff hair oil and anti-hair-fall oil at Begumpet on Wednesday PIC: SRINIVAS SETTY
Comment
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
Fair, free and forthright
Editorials MALDIVES UNREST worry for India
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he ouster of Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed, who became the first democratically elected head of the state of the nation of islets, and the continuing turbulence is a cause of worry for India. There are reports that Nasheed was injured yesterday when police baton charged a protest rally he led against his ouster ‘at gunpoint. India had airdropped commandos in 1988 to fend off mercenaries who were on the verge of overthrowing the then president Abdul Gayoom. Any turbulence in Maldives is a concern for India due to ethnic and strategic reasons. Located just 400km off the Indian coast, the atolls, with hardly any naval presence, is an ideal launching pad for pirates and terrorists who wish to execute 26/11style operations. There have also been intelligence reports on Islamist militants planning to set up base in the region. India must use its political clout and goodwill to ensure that the there is an early solution to the crisis in Maldives and ensure security of its neighbourhood.
WHY WE LOVE Harry Redknapp
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ith Fabio Capello sulking his way into the sunset, it’s time for the English FA to appoint a coach that can realise the dream of one of football’s most talented teams (on paper)… to win a major international trophy for the first time in 46 years. Enter Harry Redknapp, the Spurs coach is just the man to do that, and now that he’s been cleared of tax evasion… bring him on.
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What have the British ever given us? £1bn Point blank Padmini C
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ell that’s gratitude! We give India £1bn in aid, THEY snub the UK and give France a £13bn jet contract’, ‘The aid India sneered at could pay for hospitals and troops in Britain’, ‘Indian corruption and theft are the main winners of British aid’, ‘What does India want from Britain?’ The barely contained fury in the headlines of these British publications is a realistic representation of the rising furore among Britons who are incensed by their Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision to continue aid to India to the tune of £1.4 billion between now and 2015. That, this re-affirmation comes despite India’s ‘ungrateful’ decision to overlook the British Typhoon in lieu of the French Rafale, has unleashed an unprecedented amount of hostility towards India. Why should Britain (itself in the throes of an economic crisis) continue giving aid to an India that is notorious for its multi-million corruption scandals and Swiss Bank booties, has a thriving space programme, more billionaires than Britain, seven times its growth rate, and which has just signed a $20-billion defence deal, is the question being demanded of the PM. And rightly so. India, for its part, has maintained that it does not need or want the aid. Pranab Mukherjee went so far as to say in Parliament last August that the aid was “peanuts in our [India’s] total development efforts” and that “we do not require the aid.” In fact, the Sunday Telegraph article itself, which sparked off the debate revealed that India’s foreign secretary Nirupama Rao proposed “not to avail [of] any further DFID [British] assistance with effect from 1st April 2011,” because of the “negative publicity of Indian poverty” promoted by Britain’s Department for International Development. And that it was the British officials who insisted that cancelling the programme would cause “grave political embarrassment” to their government. So our stance on that, at least, is clear. Ergo, while the ire of the average tax-
High time
Welcome back faces
The article, A Helping Hand, on your health pages is a breath of fresh air. For too long we in India have adopted a medieval attitude towards people living with HIV/Aids. The IRDA’s move to force insurance companies to provide cover to people living with the disease will now force society to accept that they are truly a part of us and must be helped not ostracised. Hopefully this is only the first of many initiatives to take our society into the 21st Century. Ramgopal Yadav Secunderabad
Faces of Hyderabad is such a great column. I appreciate the newspaper’s efforts in bringing to light the lifestyles of the underdogs. Not a lot of people know how these people live and it’s imperative that we communicate their problems through various mediums. After I started reading your column, I have been much calmer with autowalas as they were my biggest source of worry. Finding out about how they live and how much they get paid, made me sad and I realised I was wrong about them. Razia Bano Banjara Hills
payer in the Britain towards its government may well be justified, the anti-India sentiment? Not so much. And for the British media to point fingers and claim that the aid somehow obliges India to award all its military contacts to them as a token of ‘gratitude’, is ludicrous and stinking of colonial condescension. However, that is not to mean that it’s all hunky dory. Britain’s minister of state for international development Alan Duncan said that cancelling their aid programme to India “would mean that hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people will die who otherwise could live.” The truth of the statement is shamefully undeniable. While we have experienced the highest growth in recent history, we have done little to alleviate poverty, hunger or inequality. Reports estimate that more than 500 million Indians have no electricity, and less than a third have toilets. While the definition of poverty line is still an issue of contention, what cannot be argued is that we are the nation with the largest number of poor. We
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
have a higher percentage of child undernourishment and anaemia among women than any other country in the world, even Africa, which is ironically one of the several countries that benefits from India’s own £3billion aid programme. Our pressing need is not international aid, it is to find a way to distribute our wealth internally and equitably so that at least a major portion of that, which ends up in stashed away Swiss bank accounts is trickled down to feed the man on the street and send a child to school. Because, it’s certainly not going to be our ambitious space programmes, our ever-expanding military budgets or our burgeoning billionaires that are going to be doing that. We are right to be resentful of ‘charity’, especially an aid that comes with strings, but wrong to be so scornful when it may be the only thing that’s filling a void that our own State seems to have abandoned. So, as the average tax-payer in Britain poses of his government some hard questions, it’s time we demanded some answers from ours.
Late delivery I am a first time reader of your paper and would like to congratulate you on your attempt at being a new afternoon paper. However, the time readers receive the paper it is too late. And most vendors do not keep it. One of my friends recommended that I read your paper and I was pleasantly surprised at the vast topics the paper covers. I especially enjoyed the special story section and the edit page. Having read morning papers for so long I do feel a lot of news being omitted but maybe it is because of the space constraint the paper has. A good imitative all in all and I hope the paper manages the change the perception of many other so-called national newspapers in the city. Himanshu Shekhar Hyderguda
Good looking pages Firstly, I would want to compliment you guys for the great kind of paper. It’s an interesting read. I love your designs and your layouts. I would request you to please increase your circulation in areas it is not available right now. Please also ensure that there is consistency in the time of the paper sent. SS Saiprasad Koti
H‑Factor
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
Holistic view of mind, body and soul
An improved outlook
13
Milk is connected to acne too
Glasses! We all cringe whenever we are told that we will have to wear glasses. Have you heard about a corrective laser surgery called LASIK but heard too many conflicting views on it? Then read on Flip Side
n Discomfort following surgery n Allergy to anaesthetic eye drops n Overcorrection during surgery n Dry eyes are common in most people n In rare cases corneal infection
Anishaa Kumar feedback@postnoon.com
L
ASIK is the short form for Laser assisted in situ karatomelius. In simple terms “LASIK is a procedure using laser to adjust the front portion of the eye known as the cornea” explains Dr Sree Kumar Reddy, senior consultant ophthalmologist, Apollo Hospital.
Can I get it done? LASIK is done for myopia (shortsightedness), Hypermetropia (long-sightedness) and astigmatism. In case of myopia, the curved cornea is made flat and in the case of hypermetropia the exact opposite is done. Earlier LASIK was done for those who had difference in power of both the eyes or could not wear contact lenses but nowadays it is being done mostly for cosmetic purposes, says Dr Sree Kumar. For a person to be considered suitable for LASIK he mentions two main criteria’s n The person should be above 18 years of age. n His/her power should be stable for at least one year or in the last two years it should
not have increase by more than 0.25. Dr MV Prakash Rao, opthalmologist adds that people with dryness in the eyes are also advised against LASIK. “Before a person undergoes LASIK, he has to go through a screening process to see if the procedure can be conducted. First is corneal topography and second is corneal thickness. During the procedures if it is discovered that there are corneal abrasions or the corneal thickness is less than 400 microns then LASIK cannot be conducted,” explains Dr Sree Kumar.
Is it safe? LASIK is a very safe procedure as it is conducted only after through screening. The entire pr-
Dr Divya T Sudarshan
ocedure takes very less time. It takes approximately 5 minutes for each eye. LASIK doesn’t usually have any major side effects. Some people may experience watering of eyes or a slight infection which can be treated with medications. There are no drastic side-effects as such,” mentions Dr Sree Kumar. Dr Rao adds, “Before the procedure, patients are made aware that there could be minor problems but these are rare and can be treated.”
Post-surgery “Post surgery one should avoid rubbing their eyes or playing contact sports,” says Dr Sree Kumar. People who play contact sports are usually not considered
for LASIK. A person is advised to come for follow up a day after the procedure, then a week and then a month. “LASIK in most cases helps correct the vision by 100 per cent but this varies according to the power we are dealing with. If a person has a power as high as 12 and we get it down to around three it would be a great difference. Also, in some cases patients are advised a certain limit till which they should get their vision corrected,” adds Dr Rao.
Delayed complications Dr Rao mentions that delayed complications may occur but they are not an issue and can be treated. So patients who have developed a complication should visit their doctor immediately.
Hyderabad and LASIK According to Dr Rao, LASIK is very common in Hyderabad. On an average 1500 to 2,000 people opt for this surgery. “The age group is usually 20-30 but there are also a lot of older people who come for vision correction,” says Dr Rao. He adds that the cost of LASIK varies from hospital to hospital depending on the procedures and machinery. It could cost anything from `25,000 to `1 lakh, he adds.
I find that I get a lot of pimples just before my period. Why does this happen? Is there anyway I can stop it? Acne is the horror story of the face that starts from when you are 12 and seems to recur at different ages. Acne is caused due to increased sebum [by overactive oil glands] in the skin in response to hormones, abnormal shedding of skin cells or presence bacteria (propionibacterium acnes is the villain! That’s why antibiotics sometimes help in treatment). Pre-menstrual acne is hormone related. There is a sharp decrease in oestrogen and rise in testosterone — most often seen during ovulation and menstruation. It is also seen in pregnancy and perimenopause. The male hormone testosterone is also responsible for oil glands in the skin, thus boys always seem to have more severe and prolonged acne compared to women. There has been some link between drinking milk and acne, maybe due to the presence of male hormones in milk. Commonly, hormonal irregularities like PCOD or steroids and certain pills may cause more acne. But if your acne goes away once you get your period, don’t worry too much about it. Regular face washing and cleansing helps, but don’t overdo it. The old myth about fried foods and chocolate is busted. there are no direct links between spicy/oily foods, fruits and acne. But, as a thumb rule if you notice a skin break out avoid that food. And if it seems to stay, then meet your doctor, because stress can cause acne too! (The writer is a gynaecologist and obstetrician practising at Happy Women Clinic. You can write in to her at happywomenclinic@gmail.com)
H‑Factor
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
Holistic view of mind, body and soul
14
Women born to older mothers may
DEVELOP BREAST CANCER LONDON: Girls born to mothers over
the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment reports. Breast density refers to women who have more fibrous connective and glandular tissue than fatty tissue. It can make breast cancer difficult for a radiologist to see on a mammogram, according to an ISCIII statement. Virginia Lope, researcher at the National Centre for Epidemiology at the ISCIII, explains that “accumulated exposure to hormones along with growth factors in the earlier stages of life when the breasts begin to develop both condition breast
MOTHER KNOWS BEST
39 years and women who were taller and thinner than the average girl prior to puberty faced higher chances of developing breast cancer. These findings were based on an analysis of a sample of 3,574 women aged between 45 and 68 years, assisted by the screening programmes of seven of Spain’s autonomous communities. Although the role of breast density in breast cancer has been known, researchers at the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Spain, have now explored the influence of certain characteristics on breast density,
Y
ou’re tired of the sniffles and they simply refuse to leave. Despite the watery eyes, scratchy throat and runny nose you don’t want to see a doc. Try these home remedies to banish that cold
1
Boil three to six cloves of chopped garlic in a cup of water, and drink the liquid in a soup form two to three times a day.
2
Mix about ¼ to ½ of a teaspoon of salt into an 8-ounce glass of warm water, and stir until all of the salt is dissolved before gargling.
3
Eating pepper along with a meal or even smelling pepper helps clear congestion in the lungs or sinuses.
4
Boil at least 10 grams of ginger, that has been cut into small pieces, in water and drink the mixture at least twice a day.
5 6
Honey is also said to soothe an irritated throat.
Boil one teaspoon of powdered cinnamon in a glass of water, and then mix it with some pepper powder and honey. A few drops of
tissue composition and influence the probability of developing a tumour as an adult”. During the 2010 annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), various studies were presented that showed that women with a mammographic density of 75 percent or above are five times more likely to develop breast cancer in comparison to women with a low density. Furthermore, studies demonstrate that women who experience a reduction in breast
density over six years are less at risk than those whose breast density remains stable. Although breast density is clearly hereditary, other factors have an influence. These include the age of the woman when she has her first child and the number of children she has. The authors conclude that “many studies used mammographic density to investigate the possible influence of other exposures in breast cancer risk”. IANS
Treat a cold... at home
cinnamon oil can also be mixed with the food.
7
Chicken soup is everybody’s favourite home remedy. According to studies it can help thin mucous secretions and relieve you of that blocked nose.
8
Eucalyptus oil acts as an expectorant that helps loosen phlegm and can also be used as a bath oil to relieve body aches due to cold or flu. Source: www.happy-mothering.com
Telly Tales
Small screen, big idea
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
INVASION OF THE NORDIC CRIME Who is Kurt Wallander?
O
utwardly characterised by his unkempt, aggressive and lonely nature, stereotyping Kurt Wallander, the Swedish police inspector appears to be a person not difficult to deal with. But to dissect the doggedness of the sentinel of the crime world is far from easy. Wallander is the result of the fertile imagination of Henning Mankel, a Swedish crime writer who depicts the dark side to the land of the Goths and the Norse mythology — Sweden.
rom novels and movies to television series, Wallander has got his due. Swedish actor Rolf Lassgard was the first to portray the antagonistic detective in the first Swedish version of the television series. Krister Henriksson, the second, is followed by the currently popular Kenneth Branagh in the British version of Wallander. Kenneth Branagh may be termed too unidimensional and aggressive, but the lonely detective sure has found a following with audiences worldwide.
enning Mankel’s books on Wallander have been translated into 40 languages. Faceless Killers was the first that gave Wallander the inaugural warrant to set on his crime-solving spree in 1989. Since then, he has become the face of anti-racist and anti-criminal crusades in Sweden. His uneasy, calm demeanor is interspersed with his calculated crime-solving skills. Undeniably, Wallander is the thinking man — the alter-ego of the intellectual. He is less of a character, and more a phenomenon — a phenomenon that needs to be witnessed.
R
eality shows are interesting but with Khan Sisters, Gauhar and Nigar Khan on UTV Bindaas, it has gone to the next level. The Khan sisters have cameras all over their house and their immediate relatives’ houses. This show seems to have become very
Indira Atluri indira.a@postnoon.com
F
H
Shiba Minai
Kurt Wallander, of the Wallander series brings to you the dark side of the Scandinavians — a side that is well disguised under the cloak of peace and tranquility
Who played Kurt Wallander?
Why is Wallander a must-watch?
Reality Bites
15
Where does he come from?
Y
stad, Sweden. Ystad is a small, sleepy town in the county of Skane, brought to life by the reclusive, yet omnipresent Wallander. As he goes about solving his crimes, entangled in controversies and embroiled in snares, the little town of Ystad makes for a perfect setting for his encounters with criminals. Ystad is not just a town made famous by the infamous detective —it is a reflection of the changing times —a reflection of the present Sweden. The picturesque little town filled with wooden houses and cobbled alleys, for more than one reason qualifies as the perfect backdrop for Wallander and crime. The proverbial ‘air of mystery’ in crime-solving stories is undoubtedly important, and Wallander makes use of the weather in Ystad to add the tone of mystery to the series. During the spring and the autumn months, the mist is relatively at a ‘low altitude’, giving the audience a peculiar feeling of ‘something out there’, as Wallander takes you along on the trail of that ‘coldblooded murderer’. The streets of Ystad are laced with old town halls and churches rendering the required intensity to the location. Solving one case after another here, Wallander finally retires to his home at Number 10, Mariagatan or visits his favourite café, the Fridolfs Konditori to indulge in an occasional sandwich and coffee.
Trading their privacy popular. Well a large part of it seems scripted. Even if that’s not the case, why have these sisters decide to make their entire life public? It’s one thing to be a celebrity and it’s another to voluntarily expose your real life on television. There seems to be a constant process of fighting and making up. Some of the things clearly
look made up, like their elder sister Zakia Khan setting up boys from a marriage portal for Nigar and two out of three turn out to be younger than her. The Khan sisters have a large family and sometimes it’s interesting to see how each individual reacts and sometimes it makes you think that even blood relations cannot be relied upon.
Obviously the sisters are of the opinion that they belong to the elite class of society, but their actions say otherwise, which I think is due to the need for increasing TRPs. One such interesting but shallow incident was the furore over a bikini shoot. Apparently Gauhar’s family were not kept in the loop about her doing an eight-page
shoot for a high-profile magazine and when a local paper carried the news, the family was scandalised at her actions. Some called her a sinner, while some said she was right in doing so. Why should the audience witness these family brawls? Doesn’t every family already have enough mirch masala and problems of their own to handle? And what got into the Khan sisters who have traded their privacy to a channel in exchange of maybe money or maybe popularity. Has it really been worth it?
F‑Folio
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
Because you are what you wear
THE
UBIQUITOUS FOOTWEAR “T
hey come cheap, they come colourful. They go with this, and they go with that. We just love our Kolhapuri chappals and every college-goer has to have at least one pair of these, says Pranita Sachdev, a mass communication student. “Kolhapuri chappals are the in-thing right now. Really chic. They’re extremely trendy and very comfortable!” quips Rashmi Shastri, a student at St Francis College. “Apart from being really cheap, they go well with Indian and Western wear. Especially for Indian wear, be it any occasion, they just go so well with every outfit,” she adds. Kolhapuri chappals are exquisite handcrafted footwear, also called ‘Pie-Taan’ in Kolhapur. These chappals are
made from processed leather wherein hides of buffalo, goat and cow are processed and grazed (making the leather hard enough for daily wear and tear). Then, using templates, different designs on the chappals are cut out, and depending on the customer specifications, the leather is dyed in different colours or kept natural. The most amazing part of the chappal making process is the way it is then put together. The sole and the upper body are stitched together
using a leather cord, and not a single nail is used in the whole process!
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What is on everyone’s mind and feet these days? Kolhapuri chappals!
Finally, the chappals are adorned with zari strips, pompoms or a gota, or gold cords. Other traditional designs of the Kolhapuri chappals include the Kachkadi, Bakkalnali and the Pukari. But if you think this is a style that is a hit just among the girls, shake away those illusions! “They’re so, so versatile, they go with a dhoti, they go with a goatee! Super solid, tough and durable,” says Preetham
Raghu, a theatre artist working with Nishumbita. This is one of the few trends, which keeps coming and going but this piece of footwear has sustained itself through the storm of new entrants in the market simply because of its uniqueness and modern appeal. It goes easy on the budget and is fast catching up with the masses. If you don’t own one, it’s high time you do! By Darshani Nene and Maryam Sultana
Spotlight
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
19
PICS: SRINIVAS SETTY
Wedding bells Prasunna Reddy & Kamini Saraf
Proud parents Sriram and Shreelu Bhupal could not help but smile as they attended to the guests at their daughter Akshita’s wedding with Siddarth Reddy at the N Convention Centre Madhapur, on Wednesday night. Vijayanand Reddy
Alekya & Ashruta
Shreelu Bhupal & Lata Reddy
Kamini Saraf & Mona Mehra
Deepika Reddy & Lata Reddy Minister DK Aruna
Indira Subbiramireddy
Amrit & Amarjeet Parwati Reddy, Anil & Sriram Bhupal
Mustafa Alam Khan & Sara Alam Khan
Siddarth & Akshita
Padmaja Reddy
Pinky Reddy
Magic Screen
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
The glamour behind the glitz
Kajal signs
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T-TOWN TWEETIES
@Actor_Siddharth
Pawan KalyanPuri’s film
I’m finding strength from the strangest places... Tell you 1 thing! They were right when they sang “There’s no business like show business!”
K
ajal Aggarwal has finally struck gold after a brief lull at the box-office. Her recent film Businessman was the first blockbuster of the year and later this year, she’ll be romancing stars like Ram Charan Tej, NTR, Vijay and Suriya on screen. The latest news is that she has bagged the lead role in Puri Jagannadh’s upcoming film starring Pawan Kalyan. In the past, Kajal was initially part of Pawan Kalyan’s Gabbar Singh; however, she ended up choosing Businessman at the last minute. This untitled film will be her first film opposite Pawan Kalyan and the film is already making waves as Pawan Kalyan and Puri Jagannadh are teaming up after 11 years. The film will be entirely shot in USA and it’ll go on floors in August. Kajal Aggarwal is currently shooting for Ram Charan-VV Vinayak’s film in Hyderabad and after this she’ll begin shooting for NTR-Srinu Vaitla’s untitled film.
@taapsee Hey every1 sorry for being away for so long. Was shootin in Pattaya for Daruvu. Now on my way back to DELHI, finally home aftr 2 n half mnths.
@sneha_ullal Hey lovers... I got a new baby Parrot. My 5th pet. so I have a walker, swimmer and now a flyer. Birdie’s name is Buddy. Me full of love.
@shrutihaasan Wish people would value other peoples time as much as they value their own :)
@pnavdeep26
A dream combination in the offing? S
ome of the biggest names in the South Indian film industry are teaming up for a mega venture. Tamil film industry is abuzz with rumours that ace director Shankar is going to direct a trilingual film in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. What’s even more interesting is that he’s reportedly in talks with Kamal Haasan, Prabhas and Mohanlal respectively for this film. After Nanban, which was dubbed as Snehitudu in Telugu, Shankar has announced that he’ll never do another remake and less than a month later, he’s
back in action. Aascar Ravichandran is going to produce the film. Since both Kamal Haasan and Prabhas are currently busy with their respective projects, there’s still no official confirmation about this project; however, we hear that the discussions are in the final stages. So far, Shankar has never made a direct Telugu film, although he did try to rope in Mahesh Babu for the Telugu version of Nanban. Whether Prabhas officially agrees to be part of the project for the Telugu version remains to be seen.
Nayanthara in Ajith’s next film! N
ayanthara is back in action and she’s in no mood to slow down. Recently, she had signed Dasarath’s film starring Nagarjuna and now she has teamed up with Ajith for an upcoming Tamil film. Vishnu Vardhan,who had earlier made Billa with Ajith and Nayanthara in lead roles, is directing the film. Arya is also part of this project and he’ll reportedly play
the villain. It’s a dream combination for a film, which marks the comeback of Nayanthara in Tamil cinema. Her last outing, Boss Engira Bhasakaran opposite Arya was a huge hit. A few days ago, when she was in Hyderabad for an awards show, she spent quite a lot of time with her friends in the industry. If all these are anything to go by, we sure will be seeing her a lot more frequently.
After a terrible fight, Wife: I want to hear a last word from your mouth & after that I will go to my mother's house forever! Hubby- 'TAXI' :)
@sundeepkishan The Love Asked DEATH: Why do People like Me and Hate you? DEATH Replied saying :Because you are a Lie & I am the Truth ...!
@actressanjjanaa Umbrella can’t stop the rain but it can make us stand in the rain, confidence may not bring success but gives us power to face any challenges
@devakatta If watching porn during assembly is a joke...justification in a social context is hilarious. It shows d respect our intellect deserves!!
Magic Screen
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
The glamour behind the glitz
Without a Khan or an item number, indie films find it hard to survive. Undeterred, indie films today are well on their way to creating their own space
21
A subculture of serious filmmaking Sana Mirza sana.m@postnoon.com
Indie movies
B
n n n n n
ollywood films are known world over for their eyecandy dance numbers, catchy songs and distinct run times. What makes this industry uniquely distinctive is the number of movies it churns out every year. India as a country has no singular identity, yet it is commonly mistaken that we have a singular cinema. The audiences are made to assume that any Indian director producing a film has the backing of the fraternity. But most Indian films are noncommercial, about 90-120 minutes in duration, and grapple with ground realities existing in India. Welcome to the world of indie cinema where directors face a Sisyphean struggle to find distribution for their work, not to mention an audience. Indie film director and one of Bollywood’s finest yester year actors, Amol Palekar in
Amu That Girl in Yellow Boots Manorama Six Feet Under Dev D Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi
one of his interviews had once said that independent movies in Indian cinema fail to garner enough support from the audience and that there was no platform to showcase smaller films. We agree. Sudhish Kamath, director of The F Word Twice and Good Night Good Morning, says independent cinema is ironical. “As an independent filmmaker, I have to depend on a lot of other people to market the film,” he says. With many a mainstream film crowding and bombarding multiplexes, there is no visibility for different films as they get just two shows compared to the 19 shows that bigger films enjoy. I AM director Onir, suggests that the pricing at multiplex-
es for indie films should be less in order to allow more people to watch the film. “Ticket pricing is killing independent cinema. As we are making independent films, what we need to recover is much less so having them priced at `150 to `400 doesn’t fit the bill.” Indie filmmakers eventually resort to film festivals but their films are not just meant for a niche audience and movie-goers need to be made aware of it. “Another way to accumulate a bigger audience for indie films is if Doordarshan bought them at a decent price, three months after its release. It has such a huge reach and I think it’s an excellent medium,” opines Onir. Kamath’s film Good Night Good Morning wowed the crowds in Transylvania and Noordeljik festivals and was premiered at MAMI, 2010 but did not garner enough publicity in Hyderabad when it premiered last month. It ran for only six days and not many knew about it. “Anurag Kashyap who has made six films so far has an audience of 50,000 people. I started out with a zero audience and for this film elsewhere, I had about 500-1,000 people who had come down to watch it. So it’s definitely a start,” says Kamath. “But to say that channels like Doordarshan should buy the film, what we as filmmakers also need to understand is whether it is sustainable for the channel. Do they have the kind of audience you are aiming for? GNGM is for a niche audience as it is made in English,” he says. The films and filmmakers discussed above represent a new age in Indian cinema, one that stays away from rosecoloured fiction. And this new kind of auteur-ship is not to be underestimated. Youngsters today, film students or otherwise, are taking their own cameras, shooting their stories and are expressing their concerns. This is gathering to be one huge oppositional form of art to the bigger, Bollywood narrative that has been developing for decades now.
Magic Screen
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
The glamour behind the glitz
Dam 999 director’s next is Saint Dracula 3D
AMITABH
to shoot for makeup man’s film
M
egastar Amitabh Bachchan, along with wife Jaya, will work in his makeup man Deepak Sawant’s Bhojpuri film Gangadevi. “Tomorrow I shoot for my make-up man’s production of his Bhojpuri film. Jaya and I together for a day’s work,” Amitabh wrote on his blog bigb.bigadda.com Tuesday night. “Deepak, my man, has been with me for 35 years and never once missed a single day of not being with me on the sets. He first started with a BR film and then remained with me since. This is the least that I can do for looking after my face for so long!!” he added. The megastar had earlier worked in Sawant’s 2006 Bhojpuri film Ganga. This film also marks the debut of actor Gulshan Grover in Bhojpuri cinema.
No more action films, vows KAREENA KAPOOR
N
o more actionpacked movies, says Kareena Kapoor, who has done daredevil stunts in the spy thriller Agent Vinod, which is her boyfriend Saif Ali Khan’s home production. “I don’t enjoy action films. I don’t like action scenes and stunts. I like conversational and romantic films like Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu. I am scared of action and gun shots. Saif used to
get angry and say ‘you can’t do that,’” said Kareena. “No more action films for me, no more harness and no stunts at all! After Agent Vinod, I enjoy song and dance sequences much more,” she added. Agent Vinod is slated for a March 23 release. IANS
B-TOWN TWEETIES
@TheShilpaShetty
F
ilmmaker Sohan Roy, whose Dam 999 missed out on getting an Oscar nomination, is set to move on with his next production venture Saint Dracula 3D. Saint Dracula 3D is about a powerful king of Romania, who has a very ordinary human side to his personality. If the conventional portrait of Dracula shows him as blood thirsty, Saint Dracula portrays him as a human being thirsty for love. The Dracula in the film is someone who is loved and worshipped by the women of his land. He sac-
22
Tomw a big day fr my business partner Kiran Bawa and me, we open r 1st Spa franchise IOSIS in Guwahati, yipppee!! Tweetos must visit if there.
@RGVzoomin
rifices his immortality for a woman he loves and hopes to marry. The film will be directed by Rupesh Paul and BizTV Network will produce it. IANS
Contrary 2 some media reports am not launching Nana Patekars son... he is just assisting me in direction department of my film on the 26/11 attacks.
@rampalarjun Watched this film called Contagion, very good, but had a tough time finishing dinner after. Now gonna watch MAD Men.
@NeilNMukesh So @iampujagupta and @errolmarks @meherzanmazda have decided to leave me alone in my room coz I have an early call while they have a blast.
@imarshadwarsi I am actually experiencing a bit of chill in Mumbai. Can’t wait for the day when I’ll need to wear warm clothes to get out...
@udaychopra Sorry people... been living on a motorcycle these days and if u thot it was hard to tweet and drive try tweeting and riding... Finally managed.
@FarOutAkhtar Off to Berlin tmrw. Look forward to meeting with all my friends there. That warmth will surely make up for the icy weather.
@sonamakapoor Just saw Ek Main Aur Ek Tu! What a super sweet super fun film! Imran is brilliant and so is Bebo. Shakun has made such an unpretentious film.
Magic Screen
D I S P L A YA
D S RATE ` 150 sq. cm
For Further Details Please Contact Abhinay 9989399972 Nandlal 9951467988 Ravi Chander 8106039919
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
23
Magic Screen
The glamour behind the glitz
Touching drama A lacerating portrait of familial failings, Asghar Farhadi's A Separation is a foreign film that is hauntingly familiar
ROAD TO OSCARS
Padmini C padmini.c@ postnoon.com
W
hat makes for a good movie? Is it an incredible storyline complimented by a brilliant star cast delivered by a master storyteller? Most definitely. But then, once in a while, there comes along a movie that has the most ordinary of stories, played out by an utterly ordinary cast but which is so elegant and stunning in its simplicity that it lends itself to a new genre of filmmaking. A Separation is that movie. Set in contemporary Iran, A Separation is an intense familial drama that explores the dissolution of Simin and Nader's marriage and its subsequent consequences. Simin wants to leave Iran so that they can provide better for their daughter. But gradually, their carefully built universe crumbles around them. It's no wonder then that the movie has bagged every award in its way at Berlin and all the subsequent festivals after it and is now the frontrunner at the Oscar race under the foreign film category.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
24
Magic Screen
Robert Downey Jr welcomes a son
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
The glamour behind the glitz
R
obert Downey Jr and his wife Susan Downey welcomed their first child together in Los Angeles this morning. And while the Iron Man papa already spilled the beans on the sex of his latest offspring (it’s a boy!) months ago, they kept the little tyke’s name secret up until today. So what’s the talented tot been dubbed? Welcome to the world Exton Elias Downey! Little Ex was born this morning at 7.24 am. As for his vitals, he’s just as strapping as his old man, measuring up at 20 inches long and tipping the scales at 7 pounds, 5 ounces. The newest addition to the Downey family joins big brother Indio, Robert’s 18-year-old son from a previous marriage.
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Ashton’s birthday surprise!
A
shton Kutcher got a big surprise on the set of Two and a Half Men on Tuesday, when his coworkers surprised him with a white sheet cake emblazoned with a promo image of the show in celebration of his 34th birthday. And he couldn’t help but to gush via Twitter... “Love my coworkers,” Kutcher tweeted shortly afterward, along with a photo of the sweet treat. Kutcher, posted a video earlier today to Causes.com and told fans that he was donating his birthday to fight the exploitation of children by matching all donations — dollar for dollar — to his and Demi Moore’s DNA Foundation. Happy Birthday, indeed.
EVA MENDES CALLS RYAN GOSLING A ‘DREAM’ J
ust like Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling’s fairytale Disneyland dates, working together on The Place Beyond the Pines was also a fantasy come true for the happy couple. “He’s your dream costar,” Mendes, 37, tells a magazine in its March issue. “I have never felt so creatively satisfied on a film. He’s amazing.” But that’s about as much as the notably private actress would reveal about Gosling, 31, who Mendes was first photographed holding hands with in September.
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
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
Take a shot at the brain game while sipping your cuppa
26
QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Brazilian ballroom dance 6 Deli spread 10 FBI operative 14 Apparent 15 Kaffiyeh wearer 16 Flowing rock 17 Requiring assembly 18 Royal honorific 19 Classical decorative pourer 20 Anonymous trio 23 Boo’s partner 24 English actor Holm 25 Towed along 29 No longer changeable 30 Beginning of a cheer 33 Having more skill 34 Minted moolah 36 “Two Years Before the Mast” author Richard Henry 37 Do-it-yourself type 40 Clinches 41 Mountains forming the Europe-Asia boundary 42 Difficult to miss 43 Common military address 44 One more than due 45 Daily ritual, below the border 46 Elevator compartment 47 Cries of disgust 49 Jilting notes 57 Push vigorously 58 City on the Brazos River 59 Keebler’s spokes-elf 60 Metal-stamping tools 61 Architects’ annexes 62 Generic pooch name 63 Envisions 64 Bucks’ beloveds 65 Elegance DOWN 1 Argument between lovers 2 Chow for a chow chow, perhaps 3 Address for a lady 4 Biopic directed by Clint Eastwood 5 Character lacking courage
6 Costume-ball coverings 7 Prima donna performances 8 “The one that got away” retelling 9 Dutifully compliant 10 Discover in increments 11 Pennsylvania’s Bryn ___ College 12 State point-blank 13 Not any, country-style 21 El ___ (Spanish national hero) 22 Panama or cowboy 25 Mecca visitors 26 Old calculators 27 Painful stomach problem 28 Albanian bucks 29 Window part 30 Underworld of mythology
31 Not reactive 32 Angel hair, e.g. 34 It’s offered in a hospital 35 Pay stretcher? 36 Kevin Kline starring role 38 Wrinkled, as a brow 39 Engages in boisterous merrymaking 44 ___ Mahal 45 Noted seashore vendor 46 Salad greenery 47 Vanya, in Chekhov’s play 48 Superficial luster 49 Fizzled fireworks 50 Famous
SUDOKU
canal 51 “A Death In The Family” author 52 Angelic arc 53 Equestrian pace 54 A deadly sin 55 Canadian rebel Louis 56 Dried-up PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
THOUGHT OF THE DAY Asking a working writer what he thinks about critics is like asking a lamppost how it feels about dogs. – Christopher Hampton
Chai Time STAR POWER
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
Your tomorrow today̶Star Power and Tarot
Date 10-2-2012
THIRUVAIKUMAR
As per Hindu panchang
thiruvaikumar@yahoo.co.in 040-27177230 / 9177596118
TAURUS
GEMINI
Avoid sharing your family secrets with neighbour. Good news from a distance will arrive. Those awaiting exam results will receive good news. Employees may be blamed for no fault of theirs.
Employees will face challenging tasks at office. Chances of disappointment, dis‑ trust and depression likely. Be patient and take to yoga or mediation. Friends and relatives will misunderstand you.
Son will get job of his choice. Legal issues in ancestral property matters will be over. Av‑ oid giving guarantee for anyone. Employees will be entrusted with new responsibilities. You will take certain important decisions.
CANCER
LEO
VIRGO
Businessmen are advised to get work done from the staff in a polite manner. Employ‑ ees are advised not to interfere in other's personal matters. Health needs to be taken care of. Chances of unexpected fortune.
Employees will be happy as superior creat‑ ing problems will get transferred. Sister's marriage will be settled with a good match. Businessmen will introduce new products and expand business; profits expected.
Hurdles possible in purchase of new as‑ sets. Also, unexpected expenses and rift with blood relatives likely. Try to be cor‑ dial and avoid this situation. Indirect opp‑ osition likely. Be careful with food habits.
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
Chance of receiving a memorable gift from close friends or relatives today. Postpone helping financially. A long pending work will resume and complete to your surprise. Those in romantic relationship will enjoy.
Minor accidents likely. Be careful at work place, during travel or driving. Work bur‑ den, irritation and sleeplessness will both‑ er you; practise meditation. Businessmen will manage indirect competition wisely.
Businessmen can expect attractive margins. Avoid irritation and dispute. Religious thoughts will occupy mind. Those who want to start new ventures, go ahead. You will achieve success.
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
There may be disappointments today, which will make you upset. Avoid tak‑ ing any major and important decision for some time. You may be criticised by some persons, in your absence.
New efforts may get delayed. Avoid anger and keep patience. Work will be done with perfection and you will be more satisfied with outcome. Things will take place as per expectations.
New assets will be purchased. Avoid over confidence and deal with work carefully. Loan applications, decision on new venture proposals to be post‑ poned. Avoid disputes and travel.
SUMAA TEKUR
tarotreadhyd@gmail.com
ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
Eight of Cups – Tho‑ ugh you have all that you need to make you happy, you feel like something is missing. There is an emotional disconnect that needs managing.
The Empress – Love is in the air. You are being wooed by a member of the opp‑ osite sex. There is a lot of chemistry and this is an interesting phase!
Ace of Cups – New beginnings are indi‑ cated. It could be a new job, a new house or a new relationship. It will make you feel like youʼre on the right road.
CANCER
LEO
VIRGO
King of Cups – Youʼre in a position of power but one cannot say the same when it comes to your emo‑ tions. Make the effort to get in touch with your soft side.
Ten of Wands – Yo‑ uʼre taking on more than you can handle and then blaming yo‑ urself for shoddy wo‑ rk. Understand your limitations and pri‑ oritise yourself better.
King of Swords – Youʼre approaching all problems with your intellect alone. This may or may not be a good thing. Judge every situa‑ tion separately.
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
Four of Pentacles – Financial stability is extremely important to you. Make sure you have specific goals in mind and you have a plan to reach those goals.
Four of Wands – Everything is going according to plan. It will also bring you a lot of success. Partn‑ erships and team wo‑ rk will do you a world of good.
Eight of Swords – You are anxious about the results of a project. Youʼre looking for acceptance. Donʼt get overly anxious. You will get what you need at this point.
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
Page of Wands – Youʼre feeling young, vulnerable and in a great mood to throw caution to the wind and plunge into something new and unfamiliar.
Five of Pentacles – Some form of loss is indicated. Youʼre disap‑ pointed with the results of something. Donʼt blame yourself or those around you. Move on.
The Star – There is hope. And you need to cling to this silver lining, or you run the risk of getting overly depressed. This is a learning phase.
For Better or for Worse Stone soup
SOLUTIONS
Boggle DOOR MOUTH WINDOW ACCOUNT
Number game
Suduko
Scrabble
Ink pen
COMICS
Fred Basset
ARIES
TAROT READ
27
Vol: 1, No. 207 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 Challenge 2200 CID 2300 Challenge 0700 Silver Screen 0730 Maa Shakti 0800 Ayurvedam 0830 Chaganti Nava Vidha Bhakti 0900 Money Money 1000 Chinnari Pelli Kuturu
1400 Kannavaari Kalalu 1430 Maavichiguru 1500 Sumangali 1530 Movie 1800 Jai Shri Krishna 1830 Shraavani Subramaniam 1900 Mandhara 1930 Auto Bharthi 2000 No. 23, Mahalakshmi Nivasam 2030 Mogali Rekulu 2100 Aparanji 2130 Devatha 2200 Mamathala Kovela 2230 Anveshana 2300 Gemini Vaarthalu 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] Dare 2 Date 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] Steal Ur Girlfriend 2100 [V] Vignettes 2130 [V] Trailers 2200 [V] Steal Ur Girlfriend 2300 [V] Humse Hai Life 2330 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 0700 [V] Trailers 0730 [V] Zabardast Hits 0800 [V] Mind Blasting Mornings 1100 [V] Fresh Songs 1200 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance
‘[V] Humse Hai Life’ at 1930 Hrs on CHANNEL [V]
1300 News Now at 1 1330 News Now 1800 6 PM 1830 Live Report 1900 Primetime 1930 The Game 2000 News Now at 8 2030 Live Report 2100 The Newshour 2200 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 Newshour’ at 2100 Hrs only on TIMES NOW
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
Telly sitcoms, news and movie listings
1400 Abhishekam 1430 Aadade Aadharam 1500 Antahpuram 1530 Aakasa Ganga 1600 Prema Mandiram 1630 Jagadeeswari 1700 Genes 1800 Devimahathyam 1830 Puttadi Bomma 1900 Kumkuma Rekha 1930 Manasu Mamata 2000 Chandra Mukhi 2030 Bharyamani 2100 Etv News 2130 Super 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 Luckku Kickku 2230 Shree 2300 Bindas 0800 Gopuram 0830 Bhakti Samacharam 0900 Sri Raghavendra Vybhavam 0930 Ayurveda Jeevana Vignanam 1000 Bindass 1030 Gadasariatta Sogasarikodalu
‘Global Business Report’ at 1900 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 Starting Up 1900 Global Business Report 1930 Business Express 2000 Business First 2030 Markets Tomorrow 2100 Business Tonight 2200 Top 10 At 10 2230 Brand Equity 2300 Investor's Guide 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
‘Wildest India’ at 2000 Hrs on DISCOVERY CHANNEL 1400 Rampage 1600 Swords 1700 Discovery Showcase 1800 Wild Discovery 1900 Man Woman Wild 2000 Wildest India 2100 Breaking Point 2200 One Man Army 2300 The Survivors 1000 Equator 1100 Stephen Hawkings Special 1200 Get Out Alive 1300 Wild Discovery
1440 Criss Angel Mindfreak 1510 Breaking The Magician's Code - Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed 1605 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 1250 The Voice
‘Wipeout’ at 2100 Hrs on AXN
‘B B G C’ at 2100 Hrs on IMAGINE 1400 Haar Jeet 1500 Baba Aiso Var Dhoondo 1600 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 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 - Bhagwan Shri Krishna 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
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
‘Hawan’ at 1900 Hrs on COLORS
‘Pavitra Rishta’ at 2100 Hrs on ZEE TV 1400 Hitler Didi 1430 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 1500 Afsar Bitiya 1530 Yahaaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 1600 Pavitra Rishta 1630 Dance India Dance 1800 Hitler Didi 1830 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 1900 Afsar Bitiya 1930 Choti Bahu 2 2000 Hitler Didi 2030 Yahaaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 2100 Pavitra Rishta 2130 Ram Milayi Jodi 2200 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 2230 Bhagonwali 2300 Afsar Bitiya
1400 Saas Bina Sasuraal 1430 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 1500 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 1530 Kyaa Hua Tera Vaada 1600 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 0700 Telebrands 0900 Kyaa Hua Tera Vaada 1200 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 1230 Dekha Ek Khwaab
‘Crime Patrol - Dastak’ at 2330 Hrs on SONY
28
‘Saath Nibhaana Saathiya’ at 1900 Hrs on STAR PLUS 1400 Sapnon Se Bharey Naina 1500 Navya 1600 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behnaa Hai 1630 Sasuraal Genda Phool 1700 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 1730 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 1800 Mann Ki Awaaz… Pratigya 1830 Ruk Jana Nahin 1900 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 1930 Sasuraal Genda Phool 2000 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 2030 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behnaa Hai 2100 Diya Aur Bati Hum 2130 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 2200 Navya 2230 Mann Ki Awaaz… Pratigya 2300 Maryaada ... Lekin Kab Tak? 2330 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
MOVIES OF THE DAY AND OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
1309 Dumb And Dumber 1510 Outsourced 1705 Rush Hour 3 1845 Miss Congeniality 2 - Armed & Fabulous 2100 Scooby-Doo 2240 Rush Hour 0740 Nikita1 0830 Friends 0930 Cats & Dogs 1110 Executive Decision 1345 Rush Hour 3
1330 Baseketball 1540 Enter The Dragon 1755 The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo 2100 The Art Of War 2330 2 Fast 2 Furious 0915 The Art Of War 1140 The Wedding Date 1330 The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
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 1300 Slot 1330 America's Funniest Home Videos
‘Scrubs’ at 2330 Hrs on ZEE CAFE
Ruk Jana Nahin Balika Vadhu Storyline - Indu goes to Saanchi s house to prove his innocence and Roop falls in love with Indu. ‘Ruk Jana Nahin’ at 1830 Hrs on STAR PLUS
‘The Simpsons’ at 2030 Hrs on STAR WORLD 1400 Supernatural 1500 Charlie's Angels 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 Achievers Club 1000 The Shield 1100 Desperate Housewives 1200 Two And A Half Men 1230 The Simpsons 1300 The Big Bang Theory 1330 Friends
Storyline - Vasant and Bharoin leave for the airport to receive Dadisa. Further in the episode we will see Dadisa in her new Avatar returning to Jaitsar from Kolkata. ‘Balika Vadhu’ at 2000 Hrs on COLORS ‘Scooby-Doo’ at 2100 Hrs on WB
1400 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 1430 R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya 1500 Lapataganj 1530 F.I.R 1600 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 1630 Chidiyaghar 1700 Gutur Gu 1730 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 1900 R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya 1930 Lapataganj 2000 Chintu Chinki Aur Ek Badmash Family 2030 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 2100 Chidiyaghar 2130 R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya 2200 Lapataganj 2230 F.I.R 2300 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 2330 Chidiyaghar 0900 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 1030 Gutur Gu
‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ at 2030 Hrs on SAB
‘Dev D’ at 1400 Hrs on ZOOM 1400 Movie - Dev D 1730 Star Bonanza 1800 Letz Go! 1900 Planet Bollywood News 1930 Link'D 2000 Tentalize 2030 Letz Go! 2100 Style Strip 2130 Link'D 2200 B - Tonite 2230 Link'D 2300 Bollywood Bonanza 0700 Fresh Mornings 0800 Red Carpet 0805 Fresh Mornings 1100 Zoom Box 1200 Garma Garam 1230 Telly Talk 1300 Planet Bollywood News 1330 Letz Go!
1430 Food Detectives 1500 Deconstructed 1530 Discovery Science Classics 1630 Rising - Rebuilding Ground Zero 1730 Showdown - Aircombat 1830 Best Of Discovery Science 1930 Paleoworld 2000 Megascience 2030 Sports Science 2130 What You Can't See 2230 Surviving The Cut 2330 Industrial Revelations 1030 The Indestructibles 1100 Million 2 One 1130 What You Can't See 1230 Best Of Discovery Science 1330 How The Universe Works
‘Surviving The Cut’ at 2230 Hrs on DISCOVERY SCIENCE
‘Dead Zone’ at 2300 Hrs on BIG CBS PRIME 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
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
The games people play
Try machine Clerc wary of Irish spirit Baptiste Pace
MARCOUSSIS: Vincent Clerc has dismissed France’s impressive record of nine wins in 10 matches against Saturday’s Six Nations opponents Ireland, saying the visitors are a terrific side capable of beating them. The 30-year-old wing, whose try against Italy last Saturday took him level on 32 tries with coach Philippe Saint-Andre and six shy of all-time national record holder Serge Blanco, added that the Irish had been unlucky to lose 23-21 to Wales last Sunday and would be more dangerous because of that. “They have had a fair amount of success themselves and that gives them good reason to come here with genuine belief of winning,” said Clerc, who will win his 60th cap on Saturday. “They have been doing really well in the European Cup (three of the four Irish provinces reached April’s quarterfinals) and are experiencing a good time at the moment. “They played really well against the Welsh and they did not deserve to lose at the end. It is going to be a complicated tussle. They haven’t beaten us for a while but I think they are really
in form at the moment. “The ‘fighting spirit’ is one of their qualities but they have lots of others qualities, notably the line-out and keeping the ball. “We saw how they managed to put several successive phases of attack together last Sunday and really rattle the Welsh, which resulted in them winning penalties and scoring tries,” added the Toulouse star, who made his international debut in 2002. Clerc, who was the villain in Irish eyes five years ago when his lastminute try robbed them of victory in Dublin, admitted the referee on Saturday, Englishman Dave Pearson, would have to keep a keen eye on the visitors. “They are very difficult to play against,” said Clerc, who was outstanding in France’s rollercoaster run to last year’s World Cup final. “It will be the referee’s duty to do his job. The Irish have a habit of slowing a lot of the balls from being released from the ruck, often on the borderline of it being an infringement because in doing that it is difficult for the opponent to put together a fluent run of play and it allows the Irish to get back to defend. It is imperative that we are effective in getting the ball freed and also in the rucks,” he added.
Woods hopes to get ball rolling at Pebble Greg Heakes
PEBBLE BEACH: Tiger Woods returns to the site of two of his most stirring victories when he makes his PGA Tour season debut at the $6.4 million Pebble Beach Pro-Am which begins today (Thursday). “I am excited to be back,” Woods said. “Everything is kind of headed in the right direction.” Woods, who is playing in this event for the first time in a decade, had a magical season at Pebble Beach in 2000. He won the 2000 US Open by a monstrous 15 strokes and earlier that year, Woods rallied from a seven-shot deficit in the final round to capture the Pebble Beach tournament. It marked his only Pebble Beach Pro-Am win in a half dozen years from 1997-2002. “Things were kind of going my way,” Woods said of the comeback in 2000. “I figured I had to shoot 66 or lower to give myself a chance. All of a sudden, boom, three shots, two holes and I am back in the ballgame.” Those triumphs seem like a distant memory now for the 14-
Tiger Woods practices for the AT&T Pebble Beach National ProAm in California on Wednesday. EZRA SHAW/AFP time major winner Woods who is looking for his first official PGA Tour win in over two years. The former world number one has seen his ranking and personal life take a tailspin since a 2009 car crash and subsequent sex scandal that also led the
breakup of his marriage. Lately, however, things have been looking up. In his only other appearance this season, Woods finished third two weeks ago in Abu Dhabi. This week Woods will be partnered with Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Tony Romo. Woods, who is ranked 18th in the world, is one of just four of the top 20 players in the Pebble Beach field. The others comprise Dustin Johnson (No 10), Nick Watney (No 13) and Phil Mickelson (No 17). American DA Points could also make some noise this week. Points will be hoping for a repeat performance starting Thursday when he tees off with playing partner actor Bill Murray of Caddyshack fame. Points is off to a fast start this season with a pair of top 10 finishes. “It is a nice feeling to be the defending champ,” Points said Wednesday. “Hopefully this week I can try to make it feel as much like a normal Tour event as possible.” His hole-out from the fairway on the par-five 14th in the fourth round last year was considered one of the greatest shots of the 2011 season. Since winning here last year, Points’ game has headed south. But the 35-year-old American feels he has a better handle now on what went wrong. “After I won I just really wanted to climb the ladder,” Points said.
29
Pole vault champ’s crisis of confidence SYDNEY: Reigning Olympic pole vault champion Steve Hooker said on Thursday he has completely lost confidence, casting doubt over his ability to defend his title in London this year. The Australian, 30, has pulled out of the rest of the domestic season, blaming the crisis of confidence on a knee injury that has dogged him throughout 2011. “My auto-pilot is not working at the moment,” he said in a column for the Sydney Daily Telegraph. “That could be the simplest way to explain the position I find myself in right now and the reason why I won’t be competing again this domestic season. “The confidence I require to stand at the end of the runway and then charge down, land my pole and soar almost six metres into the air has left me for the time being.” With barely six months to go to the London Games, it is a huge concern for Hooker who until recently held every major title open to him — the Commonwealth Games, world championship, world indoor championship and the Olympics. “I’m nervous because I desperately want to defend my crown in London. I want to be there with my teammates. Thankfully, I believe it’s achievable,” he said. “I’m certain it is only a temporary situation I can resolve over the coming months and make it to London to defend my Olympic crown in August.” Hooker said he could trace his problems to the knee injury that haunted him for almost 18 months.”Having that doubt about my body was like a demon in my head and it complicated my thoughts when it came to jumping which is a disaster for a pole vaulter,” he said. AFP
Playing Field
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
The games people play
30
Fabio quits in a huff, Rob Woollard
LONDON: Fabio Capello resigned as manager of England on Wednesday following the Football Association's decision to strip John Terry of the captaincy, the FA confirmed. In a remarkable twist to one of the most dramatic days in English football history, Capello's resignation was confirmed just hours after his likely successor — Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp — was cleared of tax evasion charges. Capello's departure from the post followed talks with FA officials reported to be furious at the Italian coach's public criticism of last week's decision to axe Terry as captain. Capello's position had come under scrutiny after he told an Italian broadcaster on Sunday that he disagreed "absolutely" with the dismissal of Terry, who faces a criminal trial for allegations of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match in October 2011. Although senior FA officials were known to be unhappy with Capello's comments, the former AC Milan and Real Madrid coach was expected to remain for the final few months of his contract, which would expire after Euro 2012. However in a bombshell announcement released shortly after 1920 GMT, the FA confirmed that Capello's fouryear reign was over. "The Football Association can confirm that Fabio Capello has today resigned as England Manager," the statement said, following discussions between Capello, FA chairman David Bernstein and FA General Secretary Alex Horne. "The discussions focused on the FA Board’s decision to remove the England team captaincy from John Terry, and Fabio Capello’s response through an Italian broadcast interview.
"Fabio's resignation was accepted and he will leave the post of England manager with immediate effect." Capello was not immediately available for comment. FA officials have scheduled a press conference at Wembley on Thursday. The 65-year-old took over as England coach in December 2007 following the country's failure to qualify for the Euro 2008 final, signed a lucrative £6 million-a-year contract with a brief to halt years of English footballing under-achievement on the international stage. His hardline disciplinarian approach reaped impressive results during an initial two-year honeymoon period, when a revitalised England qualified for the 2010 World Cup with ease. Capello won praise for his handling of the first controversy involving Terry's captaincy, when he summarily dismissed the Chelsea defender following allegations about his private life in early 2010. However the bubble burst after a disastrous campaign in South Africa, which saw England draw with the United States and Algeria, scrape a 1-0 win over Slovenia before suffering a humiliating 4-1 thrashing by Germany. Capello, who had controversially been given a contract extension just prior to the World Cup finals, managed to cling on to his position but in many respects was battling the perception of being a lame duck manager. His clumsy handling of the decision to reappoint Terry last year — replacing Rio Ferdinand without informing the respected Manchester United defender first — was sharply criticised. With the FA letting it be known that they would prefer Capello's successor to be English, Tottenham manager Redknapp emerged as the overwhelming favourite to take up the post.
CHARTING CAPELLO Date of birth: June 18, 1946 Place of birth: San Canzian d'Isonzo, Gorizia, Italy Age: 65 PLAYING CAREER Clubs: SPAL (1964-1967), Roma (19671970), Juventus (1970-1976), AC Milan (1976-1980) Club honours Roma: 1969 Italian Cup Juventus: 1972, 1973, 1975 Italian league titles AC Milan: 1979 Italian title, 1977 Italian Cup Italy Caps: 32 Goals: 8 MANAGEMENT CAREER Clubs: AC Milan (1991-1996), Real Madrid (1996-1997), AC Milan (1997-1998), Roma (1999-2004), Juventus (2004-2006), Real Madrid (2006-07) Club honours AC Milan: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996 Italian league titles, Champions League 1994, European Super Cup 1994, Champions League runners-up 1993, 1995 Real Madrid: 1997, 2007 Spanish league titles Roma: 2001 Italian league title Juventus: 2005, 2006 Italian league titles (both revoked after match-fixing scandal involving Juventus) Italian league coach of the year: 2005 BBC Sport coach of the year: 2009 England Appointed: December 2007 Resigned: February 2012 Record: Played 42, Won 28, Drawn 8, Lost 6 First match: v Switzerland (friendly), won 2-1 Last match: v Sweden (friendly), won 1-0 2010 World Cup record: group stages (1-1 v United States, 0-0 v Algeria, won 1-0 v Slovenia), last 16 (lost 4-1 v Germany)
THE REPLACEMENT? Harry Redknapp The Spurs boss is the front runner for the job after being widely tipped to replace Capello for several months. Redknapp has never hidden his desire to coach England and, while it was originally thought he would have to wait until after Euro 2012 — when the Italian was due to step down, he may get his wish earlier than expected. The Englishman's chances were greatly boosted when he was cleared of charges of tax fraud just hours before Capello's resignation. Odds: 8/15
Roy Hodgson After managing Switzerland and Finland the West Bromwich Albion boss has plenty of international experience and his spells at Inter Milan and Liverpool have given him an insight into the tricky demands of dealing with top stars. Earned great respect for his work at Fulham, where he led the unfashionable club to the Europa League final in 2010, and would fit the FA's desire for a statesman-like figure. However, his failure to last even a season at Liverpool is a black mark and he doesn't have the charismatic personality of Redknapp or Mourinho. Odds: 8/1
Jose Mourinho The Special One has remained a firm admirer of English football since leaving Chelsea in 2007 and sources close to the Real Madrid boss say he is keen to return to England soon. Unlike Capello, the Portuguese speaks perfect English and his strong personality would allow him to control the egos in the England dressing room. His CV — which includes Champions League triumphs with Porto and Inter Milan and league titles in England, Italy and Portugal — is beyond compare. The only question is would the FA be willing to deal with his controversial outbursts. Odds: 12/1
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England left stranded! Press bid coach arrivederci LONDON: Britain's media shed few tears Thursday over the sensational exit of England manager Fabio Capello, overwhelmingly backing Harry Redknapp to replace him after the Tottenham boss was cleared of tax evasion. The Sun and Daily Mirror tabloids bade Italian coach Capello, who quit on Wednesday following the Football Association's decision to strip John Terry of the captaincy, a cheery "Arryvederci". "Now give it to cleared Redknapp," said The Sun after the Spurs manager was acquitted, just hours before Capello resigned on one of the most dramatic days in English football history. "Good riddance," agreed the Daily Mirror, which reported that Capello would leave with a ÂŁ1.5 million payoff despite abandoning the side before Euro 2012.
The Guardian too expressed little regret over the departure of the former AC Milan and Real Madrid coach, who took charge of England in December 2007. "Fabio Capello never bothered to learn much English, or much about England," wrote Richard Williams. Henry Winter added in the Daily Telegraph that Capello "stamped his feet like a stroppy child" over the decision to axe Terry, who faces a criminal trial over claims he racially abused QPR's Anton Ferdinand. The Independent agreed: "To quit over the FA taking a stand that it was inappropriate for the England team to be led by a man on a charge of racial abuse is a pathetic waste." "Good luck to Harry Redknapp," concluded Matt Dickinson in The Times."He is going to need it."
Players in shock as coach leaves Steve Griffiths
LONDON: Wayne Rooney
Alan Pardew Just two years ago Pardew was licking his wounds after being sacked as boss of League One club Southampton. Now he finds himself in the running to manage his country. While Pardew might be an outsider in the race, the 50-year-old's impressive work in difficult circumstances at Newcastle should have earned a few admiring glances at FA headquarters. Despite the sale of Andy Carroll, Pardew kept Newcastle in the Premier League last season and now they sit fifth in the table with a push for a Champions League place within their sights. Odds: 12/1
Guus Hiddink Spells in charge of Holland, South Korea, Australia, Russia and Turkey give the 65-yearold Dutchman a wealth of international experience that would be attractive to any country looking for a new boss. Hiddink is said to have already expressed an interest in the England job and he knows several key players from his spell as Chelsea interim manager in 2009. Regarded as one of the most tactically astute coaches in world football, Hiddink would be a safe pair of hands, but his recent flop with Turkey could count against him. Odds: 20/1
admitted he was devastated to see Fabio Capello quit as England manager as the Italian's shock departure triggered an outpouring of disbelief from English football stars on Wednesday. Rooney also made it clear he believes the next England manager should be Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, who has already been installed as the bookmakers' favourite for the post. Rooney said on Twitter: "Gutted capello
has quit. Good guy and top coach. Got to be english to replace him. Harry redknapp for me." Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere said on Twitter: "Shocked about news on Fabio Capello...gutted to be honest, gave me my 1st cap and believed in me! Thank you Mr Capello! GreatManager. Rio Ferdinand, who was angered last year when Capello took the England captaincy from him to reappoint Terry, added on Twitter: "So Capello resigns... what now..."
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Ivory Coast, Zambia in final
Nick Reeves
LIBREVILLE: Ivory Coast, looking to lay to rest the ghosts of failures past, and Zambia, looking to honour the dead from the 1993 air disaster, meet in what will be a deeply emotional Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday. The Zambians have kept their date with destiny, stunning Ghana 1-0 in Wednesday's first semi-final to bring Herve Renard's side to Libreville off whose coast 19 years ago the national side perished en route to a World Cup qualifier in Dakar. They face Didier Drogba's Elephants, who defeated Mali 1-0 courtesy of a brilliant solo effort by Arsenal striker Gervinho (right), in the Gabonese capital later. After Zambia's stunning win over the Black Stars Renard said:
"It was written in the stars that we had to return to Gabon in order to honour the memories of the national side wiped out in 1993," said Renard. "A team that is returning home and all of them die, is catastrophic for a country. "Twelve million Zambians wanted us to go the whole way to Libreville. As soon as we arrive in Libreville, we will go to the spot where the plane crashed, not far from the stadium. "It is imperative we play for them, for Zambia, because it is a fantastic country." Zambia booked their ticket to the final courtesy of substitute Emmanuel Mayuka who scored 12 minutes from time to give the Copper Bullets victory over the four time champions. The goal came against the run
Cesc sees Barça through BARCELONA: A superb performance from Cesc Fabregas guided Barcelona to a 2-0 win over Valencia here on Wednesday in their Spanish Cup second leg clash and a place in the final as they won 3-1 on aggregate. The former Arsenal captain scored a goal and set up Xavi for the second to round off a show stealing performance. Barca — beaten in last year's final by
bitter rivals Real Madrid — will play Athletic Bilbao in the final after they trounced third division Mirandes 6-2, 8-3 on aggregate, on Tuesday. Fabregas opened the scoring in sublime fashion in the 16th minute, when he was found by a perceptive pass by Lionel Messi. Valencia pressed forward and while they gave the hosts some problems it was two good saves from Alves that kept them in the match. However, their hopes disappeared completely nine minutes from time as Chilean wing Alexis Sanchez twisted and turned and picked out Fabregas in the middle of the penalty area, but he had the selflessness and vision to realise Xavi was better placed. Thus Fabregas produced the faintest of touches to slide it across to Xavi, who without hesitating lashed it into the far corner.
of play with Isaac Chansa setting up the 20-year-old striker, whose shot from outside the penalty area flew past goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey into the corner of the net. Ghana coach Goran Stevan ovic refused to appear at the postmatch press conference. In his absence assistant Akwasi Appiah said: "We dominated almost all the match, they had only one or two opportunities, and scored with one of them. "Zambia is a huge footballing nation, they deserve to be in the final. "Everyone is very sad, the majority of the players cried." Later, in the Gabonese capital, a moment of brilliance from Gervinho secured Ivory Coast their fifth consecutive win in the 2012 competition and their place
in Sunday's climax. The Elephants' class and experience prevailed in an entertaining encounter set alight by Gervinho's 45th minute goal. Mali had struggled manfully to keep the orange tide at bay in a frenetic first half, until Gervinho made his mark with a little help from some slack defending. Depriving Mali back Ousmane Berthe of the ball bang on the halfway line, the Arsenal star scampered hare-like down the left wing, leaving Malian pursuers in his wake to shoot right-footed past Soumaila Diakite and into the far corner. Mali coach Alain Giresse pounded the dug-out with his fist in frustration. Winning coach Francois Zahoui cut a composed figure afterwards, saying: "We had to manage some difficult times but luckily we scored just before the end of the first half. "I'm proud of the boys, they managed the game with calmness and patience, and a little stress. "We weren't expecting such a tough game. I'm surprised by the work (Mali coach) Alain Giresse has done with his team, hats off to them." Giresse, an experienced coaching hand in Africa, said that reality had bitten his inexperienced side. "We had some players missing, we tried to get along with what we had," said Giresse. "We almost succeeded, we could see the difference of a team with many experienced players and a developing team like ours." While the Ivorians, winners back in 1992, last made the final in 2006 when they came off second best to Egypt in Cairo, Zambia are appearing for the first time since 1994, when they were defeated by Nigeria in Tunisia.