Postnoon E-Paper for 21 March 2012 by Scribble Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

STRING THEORY

P16&17

On World Puppetry Day, Postnoon takes a look at one of the most ancient forms of storytelling — puppetry Hyderabad’s first compact afternoon newspaper

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012 HYDERABAD

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KAMAREDDY TRS 44,465 (W) CONGRESS TDP

FLASH

PORN TRUMPS POLITICS! Not long after the Karnataka porngate, BJP's two Gujarat MLAs — Shankarbhai Lagadhirbhai Chaudhary and Jethabhai Ghelabhai Ahir Bharwad — were caught on camera watching porn on their mobile phones while the Assembly was in session. n Maj Gen (retd) AR Kumar arrested in Hyderabad in connection with Adarsh society scam.

WEATHER: MOSTLY CLEAR; 32°C

TRS 28329 (W) CONGRESS TDP

STATION GHANPUR

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TRS 32,638 (W) TDP CONGRESS

REPORT ON PG 5

NAGARKURNOOL Ind 18,650 (W) CONGRESS TDP

MAHABUBNAGAR BJP 1,897 (W) TRS CONGRESS

KOVUR YSRC 23,848 TDP CONGRESS

TRS TRIUMPHS, CONG CRUMBLES

TRS wins four of seven seats crushing Congress in AP. Elsewhere in the country, Congress won the Udupi-Chikmagalur seat in Karnataka while UDF candidate won Kerala’s Piravom seat.

KOLLAPUR TRS 15,024 (W) CONGRESS TDP

JEWELLER STRIKE HITS UGADI SHOPPERS Jewellers protesting the increased customs and import duty on gold and the introduction of TDS have extended the strike for two more days, on Monday P7 night.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN Hunger Games joins the list of films which have a lot of bloodshed and hinge on the battle for survival for thrills. Postnoon explores more films in this league to find out why they are so irresistible. P15

NAYANTARA CAST OPPOSITE GOPICHAND P21

Page Two

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

Spirit of Twin Cities

SUN AND STYLE!

Dance fest

N SHIVA KUMAR

Abhinaya Sudha is being held at Lamakaan from March 21- March 23. It is a festival which highlights the expression aspect of dance which are the basic and subtle aspects of dance that are missing nowadays. Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills, Rd No1 When: March 21-23, 7pm onwards Contact: 96427 31329

Alter Egoz Popular Hyderabadi band Alter Egoz will be performing live at Cuba Libre. AlterEgoz is known for their classical and contemporary rock numbers. Where: Cuba Libre Banjara Hills, When: March 21, 8pm Contact: (040) 6776 7114

Tradition and innovation An exhibition showcases 58 designs which are a combination of tradition and innovation. Where: Salarjung Museum, Afzal Gunj When: Ongoing, 10am onwards Contact: (040) 2452 3211

Trivia time The Bistro at Bottles and Chimney presents Trivia Night every Wednesday. Where: Bottles and Chimney, Begumpet When: Every Wednesday, 9pm Contact: (040) 2776 6464

Reflection of women

11am onwards Contact: (040) 6554 1836

Aiana — Reflection of Women, a painting exhibition is being conducted at Kala Bhavan, Saifabad by Bhavana and Sindoor. Where: Kala Bhavan/ ICCR Art Gallery, Saifabad When: Ongoing, 11am onwards Contact: (040) 2323 6398

Acting workshop

Asian barbeque

Kebab and grill festival

Gurjari handloom and handicrafts expo features handloom bandhni and patola saris, patchwork, ethnic block printed dress materials and traditional handicrafts like Kutch embroidery, leather puppets, tribal craft, wood carving and furniture. Where: Huda open auditorium When: Ongoing, 10am onwards

Sale time Good earth plays host to an end of season sale. The sale is on a variety of products such as home textiles, crockery, decor, silver plated acces-

CINEMAS

Spice Junxion is offering a variety of favourites from different regions such as Rayalseema and Telangana. The unique aspect of the thaali is that it represents the traditional home-style cooking. Where: Spice Junxion,Banjara Hills, Rd No 1 When: Ongoing Contact: (040) 6666 3939 Splash lounge is the perfect leisure destination for you to unwind. During the evenings, there is also great music, martinis and aperitifs. Where: The Westin, Mindspace, Madhapur When: Monday - Friday, 5pm - 10.30pm Weekends, 8am - 10.30pm Contact: (040) 6767 6828

Bring out your shopping bags. Lepakshi Cotton and Silk Mela is on at Satya Sai Nigamagamam. Choose from a variety of cotton and silk sarees and dress materials. Where: Satya Sai Nigamagamam, Srinagar Colony. When: March 18 to March 25 Contact: (040) 2323 5028

Handloom expo

Thaali festival

Go Splash

Cotton and silk mela

Relish a feast of Kebabs and Grills as chefs from the Indian and Continental kitchens take the challenge to serve you a myriad of Indian kebabs and western grills Where: Okra, Marriot Hotel and convention centre, Tank Bund When: Ongoing, 7pm Contact: (040) 2752 2568

When: March 21 and 22, 10am to 5pm Contact: 83411 20303

sories etc. Where: Good Earth, Banjara Hills, Rd No 12 When: March 21 to 25 Contact: (040) 2333 8000

Unique buffet Yellow Chilli is offering a lunch buffet which is truly different. The Buffet which costs `199 (Monday to-Friday) and `249 (Saturday and Sunday). The dinner buffet costs `299 and `349. Where: Yellow Chilli, Banjara Hills, Rd No 12 When: Ongoing Contact: (040) 2338 3838

New works Lover of art? New works by artists Laxma Goud and Ramesh Gorjala will be displayed at Gallery Space. Where: Gallery Space, Banjara Hills, Rd No 12 When: Ongoing,

Samahaara — an acting and dancing workshop is being held to help you hone your acting skills. The workshop focusses on a variety of topics such as understanding the basics of stage acting and character analysis, stage geography etc. Where: The Actor’s studio, Madhapur When: Ongoing, 7pm to 9pm Contact: 98854 04784

Dramaybaaz Dramaybaaz — a theatre fest for solo performances. Walkin selections will be held on March 21 and March 22. The finals for the event will be held from March28-29. Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills, Rd No 1

The Square, Novotel, Madhapur plays host to an Asian barbeque. Sample grilled specialities from around the world — from lebanese to Japanese to even South Indian. Where: The Square, Novotel, Madhapur When: Every Saturday, 7pm onwards Contact: (040) 6682 4422

Wraps and rolls Rolls — boring did you say? Head to Promenade at Ameerpet for a wide variety of rolls to suit everyone from the vegetarians to the non-vegetarians. Where: The Promenade, Ameerpet When: Ongoing Contact: (040) 6678 8888

Big Cinemas, Ameerpet: 30581470; Cinemax, Banjara Hills: 44565555; Cine Planet , Kompally: 61606060; INOX, Banjara Hills: 44767777; Prasads, Tank Bund Rd: 23448888; PVR, Punjagutta: 8800900009; Talkie Town, Miyapur: 40214175; Tivoli, Secunderabad: 27844973

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

Sorcerer claims a young tribal girl’s life In a tragic incident, a 21-year-old tribal girl died after a black magician ‘treated’ her for epilepsy in Kishanbagh

CRIME Mohd Subhan mohd.s@postnoon.com

young tribal woman in her early ‘twenties died last night in Mahbubnagar basti in Kishanbagh after a black magician known as ‘Amil or Baba’ treated her for some ailment which is supposed to be epilepsy. ACP Charminar M Rammohan Rao said the tragedy seems to have been invited by the girl’s family itself. The girl who is nicknamed Bujji was put under the charge of an elderly Amil whose identity is yet to be ascertained by her parents, Ramulu and Laxmi. It is said that Laxmi, too suffering from some illness that had been cured by the sorcerer three months ago. The parents therefore entrusted their daughter to him. It is learnt that the Amil is a resident of Jeedcherla village. Last evening the Amil came to their home. He was closeted with the girl for a while in the room and they came out. In the presence of the parents, he began his mantra, tantra and beatings, at the end of which the girl fell unconscious. As it was not unusual in sorcery, the person sub-

jected to black magic often lies unconscious (which in medical parlance is the recovery mode) and he left saying she will be all right in a short while. As Bujji did not come to surface for a couple of hours, the parents panicked and they contacted the Amil on phone. He assured them that the girl would gain consciousness in a while. There was nothing to worry. But she never did and the parents raised an alarm after they realised the girl was not breathing. The police moved the body to the hospital for autopsy. A case of murder has been registered against the Amil and a hunt has been launched to trace him. Inspector Bahadurpura, G Bhiksham Reddy told to Postnoon, the victim’s family members did not know the Amil’s name as he is known as Baba or Amil. Nearly six years ago a person was beaten to death in the Kishanbagh area by an Amil. It was part of the treatment, he had claimed but the man died of deep bruises. Several cases of girls being sexually exploited by Amils have come up in the City. Some have led to debilitating injuries that cost the victims their lives. The commissioner of police and deputy commissioners have appealed to people to desist from believing black magic.

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Pray, where do I park my car?

N SHIVA KUMAR

Let’s discuss if we should discuss corruption U Srinivas srinivas.u@postnoon.com

CIVIC Osama Salman salman.o@postnoon.com

arking your vehicle on Brigade Road or Commercial Street, two of the most frequented areas in Bangalore, is relatively easy. They have plenty of parallel paid parking spots on the entire stretch. But drive down to any major commercial area in Hyderabad, and you will be tearing your hair in desperation. The same fate prevails in Himayat Nagar too. With no availability of parking, paid or free, motorists are forced to park their vehicles on the main road despite the ‘No Parking’ boards. Himayat Nagar is a commercial hub of restaurants, malls, apparel and electronic stores. Yet there are only three paid parking spots which more often than not, are full. As most of the buildings

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don’t have basement parking, customers park their vehicles by the footpath congesting the heavy traffic density that flows here. From Liberty to Narayanguda crossroads, vehicles parked on this stretch are common. Not being able to find a safe parking spot, motorists park in the small by-lanes, worsening bottleneck. In fact, shopkeepers recommend customers to park here to avoid getting fined by the police. “We ask our customers to park anywhere but on the main road. It is a hassle for them otherwise. During peak hours it’s hard to find a suitable parking spot even in the by-lanes. Very few shops have parking space,” said a sales-representative, who wished not to be identified, at Ben and Franklin Opticians. There is a ‘No Parking’ board exactly in front of Ben and Franklin Opticians. Suresh R Gaddam, a shopper, detests coming to this area. “Every time I come here, I usually take at least three rounds of the stretch

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searching for an available GHMC approved parking spot. I avoid coming here as much as possible unless I have unavoidable work,” he lamented. “With more shops opening every passing month, parking is becoming a knotty issue. Apart from the bigger stores, smaller stores like ours are losing out on valuable customers. We had to employ a watchman to keep a tab on the movement of the police tow vans, who alerts the customers as soon as he spots one,” said Ramesh Babu, owner, Kids Zone, a clothing store. The unavailability of parking space has turned into a pot of gold for the traffic police who deploy traffic recovery vans every day, sometimes even twice a day. “We fine about 50 cars and 200 twowheelers every day and they have to pay a fine of `200 each. These vehicles obstruct traffic and cause problems to the flowing traffic. However, about a year back, the problem was more common and

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has reduced now,” said station house officer of Abids Traffic Police Station, K Manoj Kumar. The GHMC corporator of the area, J Hemalatha, pleaded helplessness. “Most of these commercial establishments are supposed to provide parking space for their customers in their building basements. But they have opened shops in the basement also for commercial gains. This has forced customers to park on the roads. We told the municipal commission about this problem in November last year and are awaiting action from the municipality to curb this problem,” she said. She pointed out that how illegal construction was demolished in Ayyappa Society last year, the same should be done to illegal basement establishments in Himayat Nagar as well. The next time you come here, you will only ask yourself one thing — Where do I park my darned car? And that is a million dollar question.

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here was a discussion in the Assembly on Tuesday was whether or not the House should discuss the issue of corruption. The Chief Minister N Karan Kumar Reddy was vociferous on rejecting the demand on the plea that it was improper to demand a discussion when the matter was either being probed or in court. But the Opposition pointed out that TDP had allowed such discussions in the past. The TDP members clarified that there were instances when they discussed matters that were pending in court. The TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu found fault with the speaker’s continued adjournment of the House for seven consecutive days on the issue of 26 GOs. Minister for Revenue Raghuveera Reddy said that they were for the discussion on the issue, but the speaker must allow this. Loksatta leader Jayprakash Narayan said it was for the government and the ministers came clean on the corruption issue and it is high time they did it without wasting everyone’s time. MIM leader Pasha Quadri was more worried about the minorities than corruption. He said that the legislators were not bothered about the problems of the minorities. The BJP leader Kishan Reddy marveled at the ‘thick skin’ of political leaders. Commenting on the continued adjournment of the House. Reddy told Postnoon during the adjournment break that not running the House to transact its business was a shame for the ruling party. The government should rather allow any discussion on corruption if it is honest, the BJP leader said.

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

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Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

Car races, hand down, and lotus blooms The by-election results throw up no surprises. The Congress that went as underdogs failed to re-script the perception while the TDP which was testing waters came a cipher M ANIL KUMAR

BYPOLLS U Srinivas srinivas.u@postnoon.com

n a fatal blow to the ruling Congress and the Opposition TDP, the emerging by-election results in the seven constituencies revealed that the Telangana sen-

timents ruled supreme. Around noon TRS was set to win five of the seven constituencies while bagging another (independent supported by TRS) and the YSRC was winning one seat. The results were along expected lines. The TRS was declared winner in Station Ghanpur, Kamareddy, Kollapur and Adilabad constituencies. BJP won by a thin margin at Mahbubnagar. Former minister,

Nagam Janardhan Reddy, who fielded himself as independent with the backing TRS, BJP and communist parties, was heading toward victory. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRC candidate, Prasanna Kumar Reddy was poised for big victory, taking the YSRC tally to two MLAs. TRS leader Harish Rao termed it a big blow to the Congress and Kiran Kumar Reddy’s image. He ridiculed the CM and Botsa Satyanarayana for taking anticipatory bail saying the election results will not be a referendum on the government. YSR Congress leader Gattu Ramachandraiah said they were all set to win Kovvur and that the people are expecting a change and that will be evident in the forthcoming polling in the 18 constituencies. The TDP leader Erraballi Dayakar Rao took consolation in the fact that his party had improved its vote percentage and it will do a stunning performance in the 2014 elections. Former minister and TDP candidate from Station Ghanpur K Srihari accepted his defeat and said that the people of Telangana gave a clear verdict for a separate state. (With inputs from Inkeshaf Ahmed)

Bout of massive tragedies claim 25 lives in State Md Inkeshaf Ahmed ahmed.m@postnoon.com

n a day of tragic events, as many as 25 people lost their lives in various incidents across the State on Tuesday. While the road accidents at three different places in Karimnagar and Warangal district took 18 lives, seven Class X students drowned in a lake in Pottir Sri Ramulu of Nellore district. In the first incident, a motor van carrying a marriage party from Hyderabad hit a van at Renigunta village of Timmapur Mandal. Six people lost their lives on the spot and 16, including the bride and groom, sustained injuries. The injured have been shifted to hospitals.

In the second incident in the same district, 10 people died on the spot, when a lorry carrying more than 20 people fell into a roadside ditch near the temple town Kondagattu this morning. Ten others sustained injuries in the incident. The deceased were coming after visiting the popular Hanuman temple. In a third incident, which took place in Vardhannapet Mandal of Warangal district, two people died when three lorries coming from different directions hit each other at Upparapally cross roads. In yet another tragedy in Nellore district, seven class X students lost their lives after drowning at Pedda Cheruvu at Kavali. The bodies of these students have been recovered today morning.

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Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

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It’s time to feast and pray for City Parsis FESTIVAL Anubha K Singh

MODULAR KITCHEN

COMPUTERS

Three die due to sun stroke

hree people have died due to sun stroke on Tuesday in Warangal, Kurnool and Kadapa districts. Several parts of the State are experiencing scorching heat. Temperatures have touched 41 degrees in places like Adilabad and Ramagundam.

anubha.k@postnoon.com

t’s that time of the year when the splendidly bedecked Parsi fire temple is thronged by men dressed in their best, sporting black velvet caps and Parsi women with their heads wrapped, heads bowed in prayer. The fragrance of fresh jasmine garlands hung across the temple only adds to the festive fervour of Navroz — the Parsi New Year. The New Year celebrations begin with offering prayers and greeting each other Navroz Mubarak. For more than 200 years now Hyderabad has been home to more than 1,100 Parsis. Vachha Barius, owner of Zoroastrian Club, said, “We first arrived in Gujarat and then shifted to Hyderabad. For several generations we have been living in Hyderabad and it is now our home. Every year we celebrate Navroz with much zeal. The Iranians celebrated it yesterday, however, the traditions and rituals are same.” “Like any other Indian festival we too celebrate the festival by cleaning and decorating the house with rangoli and jasmine flowers. We wear new clothes and exchange greetings. Every year prayers are

offered at all the three Fire temples in the City to worship Khorshed and Meher, the two divine beings who preside over the sun and the moon,” he adds. Dhaan, Dal, Patrani, falooda, fried fish, sali margi and lagan-nu-custard are some of the dishes that complete the New year lunch or dinner. The oldest Parsi club Zorastrian club in Hyderabad has many events lined up for the evening. In addition to the Navroz party and traditional Parsi dinner, the club has organised various cultural events like group dance, plays and other activities for the members. “A traditional Parsi meal on the day comprises of seven foods beginning with “sh” that comprises shir, shirin berenjor, shira, shaker, sharab, shahad and shirin. In addition to this the dining table also consists of seven more eatables

with letter “s” like sumac, sabji, sib, sirka, sumanu, seer and senjed. The two main attractions on the day re the food and the party where we all get together, know each other and have a gala time,” said Yazad D, a devotee at the fire temple. “Earlier the festival was restricted to just family and friends. But with the rise in the Parsi population in the City, we now celebrate as a community. It is a great way to get to know each other and actively participate in the festivities,” he adds. The community strongly believes that Jamshed-eNavroz symbolises the onset of spring and brings the assurance of good health. All the three fire temples of the city, in Secunderabad and Tilak Nagar, were packed with Parsis as they all gathered together to pray and make merry on the New Year day.

THE FACES OF HYDERABAD Mrutyungeya Pradhan, Bank Manager, Madhapur

ehind Mrutyungeya Pradhan’s success is a lot of hard work and patience. This branch manager at a government bank reached this position thanks to his passion for economics. A native of Orissa, Padhan always wanted to join the civil services as a youngster. But in 1998 he secured a good job with a bank and decided to enter the banking field instead. Although he had done his graduation in B.Sc, his true calling had always been economics, hence he did his MA in economics. Currently, he is pursuing his Ph.D in economics.

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

His job as a bank employee got him transferred to different cities and places in India like Mumbai and Delhi. He was transferred to Hyderabad in 2010. He was one of the pioneers in the risk management sectors. So what does he want to do in the future professionally? He says that he wants to give new dimensions and techniques to banking through his research. Pradhan’s parents are very happy with their son’s success. But Pradhan wants his son to make his own choice of profession.

AI launches mobile booking

ir India has launched a value addition to its product whereby customers can book and buy an Air India ticket through their mobile phones by using the one time downloadable Ngpay software. Ngpay is a service provider for booking Air India Domestic seat through mobile technology. The payment can be done by using a credit / debit card / net-banking facility through the mobile phone itself. The facility primarily helps passengers from tier-II and tierIII cities where internet may not be readily accessible as well as for high-flying executives who can book tickets, in between meetings or the tech savvy generation who are comfortable with eCommerce technology. For the layman, it essentially means like going to an Air India booking counter through your mobile phone and purchasing a ticket. For this, the passenger needs to sms ‘ngpay’ to 56767 and download the free Ngpay software from www.ngpay.com on his GPRS enabled mobile phone. The software which takes up between 65 to 80 kb space, depending on the model of the instrument, can also be searched for in all leading app stores like Android marketplace, Blackberry app world, Getjar, Ovi store etc. Once downloaded, the customer needs to complete a onetime registration process by providing his/her basic personal details like name, mobile number, email id, date of birth and address. “Air India” ticket booking facility will be available on ngpay under the link – Stores++ > Travel > Air DEEPAK DESHPANDE

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

Jeweller strike hits Ugadi shoppers M ANIL KUMAR

RETAIL Osama Salman and Anubha K Singh feedback@postnoon.com

s the temperature soars, so does the rate of gold and everything that’s associated with it. Jewellers who had been on a threeday strike protesting against the increased customs and import duty on gold and the introduction of TDS (tax deducted at source) have extended the strike for two more days, on Monday night. The State has raised the customs duty to 4 per cent and consumers will have to pay one per cent TDS for gold purchase beyond `2 lakhs. Many jewellery stores in the city were closed on Tuesday. Rahul Nigam, brand consultant, Meena Jewellers said, “We are protesting against issues hikes in customs and excise duties. Prior to the budget, there was a one percent hike in customs duty and a month back, it was again raised to 2 per cent. Another 2 per cent increased and ultimately it’s 4 per cent in a span of one month, in addition to exercise duty of one per cent. These hikes will ultimate-

ly affect the sales as the prices will increase by about 6-7 per cent on the finished jewels. The bandh has lead to huge losses especially as the Ugadi festival is nearing and people are looking to make purchases.” However, the strike got mixed responses, as some of the jewellery stores opened on Tuesday, ahead of Ugadi. “All our 16 outlets have opened today (Tuesday),” said Dr J Rama Rao, director, Chandana Bros and CMR group. “We supported the

strike to condemn the abnormal hike and the TDS and also to bring awareness among the people about how much more they have to pay because of government policies. Now with Ugadi coming up, many people buy gold for auspicious reasons and that is why we have opened our outlets.” Many jewellery stores in the City were closed on Tuesday. Rahul Nigam, brand consultant, Meena Jewellers said, “We are protesting against issues hikes in customs

and excise duties. Prior to the budget, there was a one percent hike in customs duty and a month back, it was again raised to 2 per cent. Another 2 per cent increased and ultimately it’s 4 per cent in a span of one month, in addition to exercise duty of one per cent. These hikes will ultimately affect the sales as the prices will increase by about 6-7 per cent on the finished jewels. The bandh has lead to huge losses especially as the Ugadi festival is nearing.”

Dr Rao estimates that `80 crore worth of sales have been affected in the City so far. “Implementation of hikes will be a mood dampener for gold buyers. It will directly affect the customers thus reducing the demand. The budget has come at a wrong time. It’s festival time and keeping our shops shut is affecting the business. Nonetheless, many of us are ready to tackle the short term loss as compared to the long term,” said Pranav Dalal, All-India head operations, Forever Jewellery. “At a current level of gold prices and with hike in duties, consumers will have to pay `1,000 or more on purchase of 10 grams of gold,” he decoded. “If you increase the customs duty to 4 per cent, the gold will increase and the buyers will decrease and the prices will not be competitive in the international segment. People will buy gold from Dubai and other markets and jewellers will be at a loss. The hike on the customs duty will ultimately promote smuggling of gold instead of purchases from banks” said Satish Agarwal, member, Twin City’s Jewellers’ Association. With Ugadi on Friday, many jewellery stores in the City have now introduced special schemes.

Magic lanterns drive out firecrackers This Sunday, the City sky will be dotted with thousands of magic lanterns in a bid to enter the Guinness Book

TREND Sudeshna Koka Sudeshna.k@postnoon.com

estivities and weddings usher in trends of the day. So in the City, the ubiquitous firecrackers are passé and magic lanterns are the vogue. The lantern has travelled all the way from China and has now become an important part of Indian celebrations. Be it weddings, birthday parties, movie function or any official event, all are incomplete without magic lanterns. “I had seen it at my friend’s Sangeet ceremony and insisted that we also release magic lanterns in my wedding reception,” said Sudha J, software employee. Traditionally, sky lantern is a popular festival in China which is celebrated on the last day of Chinese New Year. It’s believed that as the lantern rises it takes away all the problems and sends fortune and prosperity. Ironically, not many in Hyderabad know about the belief and the purpose. “Two years back no one even knew about them. But today, wed-

ding and other celebrations are incomplete without them. In fact, now clients are getting choosy and ordering for more fancy lanterns without even knowing its significance,” says Pavan Naidu of 999

Color Entertainment. Distributors rate Hyderabad as a high potential market. This is the only city where the demand has gone very high in a short span of time. “Before we would import

only 1000 to 2000 lanterns from China each month but today we import nearly 10,000 to 20,000 each month,” said Srikanth Reddy, Skylanternsgifts.com. Reddy said that it’s becoming popular conDEEPAK DESHPANDE

cept in corporate and film events. “In Racha audio release and Dookudu film 100 day celebrations; we delivered several thousand lanterns. Corporate companies too have been placing bulk orders,” he said. Not all that glitters is gold. Along with sending ‘good luck’ these sky lanterns come with few problems. They interfere with aviation. Releasing the balloons in the five km radius of the airport is banned. If instructions are not followed it can lead to a fire break out. These balloons may also cause problems with wiring. Despite these problems, environmentalist believe that they are any better that bursting fire crackers which cause harm to the environment. However, event planners also believe that this trend is monotony and will soon die. The City is hosting an attempt to make it to the Guinness Book of World Records. The current record for the most number of sky lanterns released simultaneously is 10,000-plus, a feat that was accomplished in Indonesia in 2009. Organisers in Hyderabad hope to break that record with 30,000 lanterns on March 25.

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Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin Cities

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

Brazil patent for AP’s Ongole bulls Bio-piracy, the stealing of ethnic flora or fauna is an international concern, more so for India as its borders are porous and awareness on the issue is low

BIODIVERSITY Rahul Ramakrishna rahul.r@postnoon.com

he theft of plants and animals native to a particular region and their exploitation for commercial purposes is called bio-piracy. This disturbing phenomenon has been prioritised as an important aspect of the many troubles that surround the conservation of bio diversity. The recent case of the sale and export of the Ongole bull’s semen is just one among a number of issues that fail to make it to public attention. The Ongole bull native to Andhra Pradesh is known to be one of the best bovine species in the world. Its breed is much sought after as many believe that it has a resistance to the mad cow disease. Suspecting an international racket, officials from the AP Biodiversity Board had alerted all international air and sea ports from where these bulls where being secretly exported to other countries. Chairman of the AP Biodiversity Board, Dr R Hampaiah said, “The animals were being taken away for breeding, which they would later claim a patent over. Brazil is the main culprit behind this racket. But thanks to the advent of the Bio diversity Act of 2002, we have been empowered to stop such rackets before it is too late.” While the public outcry of shock helped the Bio diversity Board in this particular righteous endeavour, there is no estimate or statistic on the amount of pirate shipments that have looted endemic species from our country prior to the initiation of the Bio Diversity Act in 2002.

COUNTDOWN TO 11TH CBD

Bio- piracy is mostly rampant in the third world countries, as they have the richest diversity of flora, and fauna known to mankind. “A lot of big corporations are involved in this. Monsanto is infamous for its attempt to manufacture and market genetically modified Bt Cotton, as they have patented that seed that was originally an Indian endemic species. There have been three such attempts at trying to patent native species — neem, turmeric and basmati rice all of which were cancelled due to a huge public outcry. Metaphorically, it’s like having to export your own resources and use them at a greater price at someone else's whims and commands,” said member secretary of the Board, Dr S N Jadhav. While they admit to that much of this piracy has happened in the past, some with the government's consent, they also admit failure at not being able to patent the diverse flora, fauna and animal species native to our state and country. “The National Biodiversity Authority, (NBA) realised the gravity of this issue and had stopped giving permissions for the sale, export and trade of the Ongole bull semen in 2010,” Dr Hampaih said.

Fact file n Sale and export of many endemic species continue despite the Bio diversity Act of 2002, due to an absolute lack of awareness. n Most of these species being pushed through illegal international trade are: n Animal germplasms from India. n Rice, maize and bajra exported solely for the purpose of experimentation and genetic modification. n Vegetable seeds (eg. Brinjal and the recent Bt Brinjal case.) n Rare species of spiders, butterflies, beetles etc. n Biopiracy is not limited to export or patent of indigenous or endangered species. Even traditional knowledge can be patented and put to use commercially for profits (US department Of Agriculture, Neem use patent case. ) n If convicted under the Biodiversity Act, you will be penalised with 5 years of rigorous imprisonment or a fine of 10 Lakh rupees or both. It is a cognisable, non-bailable offence.

With such importance being given to our native species, the government has tightened up the security at the ports where the Foreign Trade Department officials are trained to examine and check for any illegal sale or attempt to export these species or their germplasms from our country. “We wish to address this issue at the oncoming Convention of Biological Diversity in October at Hyderabad. We have finalised over 430 issues that revolve around bio diversity and need to be addressed at the conference. We hope to solve a lot of issues through this,” he said.

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1kg= `57,000

Matters of saving and spending

No waiver to India on US Iran sanctions

DOLLAR

FOR REPRESNTATIONAL PURPOSE ONLY

Prudhvi Raju K prudhvi.k@postnoon.com

HYDERABAD: The real estate buyer sentiment is getting better in the last three quarters as compared to the corresponding period last year. Still, many demur at jumping in for a buy as an investment but the ambience have of late been changing for the better. However, there is obvious growth in people buying for living purpose. Earlier, 40 per cent of the property buying was driven by home investors mainly from coastal Andhra living in developed countries and by North Indians. This segment is dormant now. Either they are investing in their native places or keeping quiet, said PV Ravindra Kumar,

CEO, Vasathi Housing Limited. The interests from NRIs, who want to return to the country at a future date, are gradually bouncing back with T-stir in low ebb. The sales will clearly grow in coming months, said N Jaiveer Reddy, Chairman, CREDAI. There is a definite growth in the property buying from the locals who are doing various jobs in the City. They are purchasing flatsin the lower mid section ranging from `25-40 lakh with the size of 800-1,350 sq ft, which has good facilities and is of good quality construction. The fast selling locations are Madhapur, Kondapur, and in the surroundings of Gachibowli. There is a lot of development happening residential societies along the corridor of

the outer ring road, said Ravindra Kumar. There is a 10-15 per cent growth in sales in the six months. Three-bedroom flats with 1,500 sq ft and two bedroom flats of around 1,200 sq ft are seeing the maximum number of sales, said Reddy. The builders in the city want to give further momentum for sales by not increasing the property prices with the new budget. They were affected with the 2 per cent hike in service tax and also two per cent increase in excise duty on cement and steel (raw material), he said. There is a decline in sales of big size flats with 2000-3000 sq ft which is most sought after for investment. These premium flats range from `75 lakh- `1crore. The disinterest from investors lead to fall of sales in these kinds of flats, said Ravindra Kumar. Talking about demand and supply ratio, he said lot of big companies invested heavily and developed flats of around 2,500 sq ft size targeting the investors. These were initiated before recession, when the market is at its peak. The subsequent events such as recession followed by political agitation left these flats unoccupied. Buyers are ready to invest in real-estate irrespective of the division of the state or not. But, they do not want any political unrest. Any decision from the government on the division of the state would not increase sales overnight. The confidence will be built gradually in the minds of investors, he said.

Who’s afraid of IPL? Not Hindi TV channels Radhika Bhirani

NEW DELHI: Hindi television channels have geared up with new big ticket shows during the fifth season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), displaying no fear of losing their loyal audience to cricket. Starting March 31, Star Plus is coming up with a new singing reality show Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar 2, to be judged by Shaan and Shantanu Moitra and hosted by Mandira Bedi. Sab TV has recently brought a new season of the popular Movers & Shakers with Shekhar Suman back to the telly world after 11 years. Zee TV is set to launch the

kids’ reality show Dance India Dance Li’l Masters 2 and fiction show Phir Subah Hogi, while Colors too has two new shows on board — a social thriller Chhal Sheh Aur Maat, which went on air Monday, and Kairi - Rishta Khatta Meetha, which will be telecast starting April. The channels feel their core

audience will remain unaffected during IPL, which will kickstart in April on Set MAX. “We reckon there is a loyal audience for cricket just as for entertainment channels and don’t see a huge overlap of the two. Moreover, if the content and concept of a show are strong, the audiences will continue to watch their favourite shows over IPL,” Prashaant Bhatt, head of fiction, Colors, said. New shows are still being launched to grab eyeballs, but Bhatt argues: “We don’t plan to launch a show or postpone the launch because of IPL. Our programming line-up and launch plans are thought through months in advance keeping in

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Local demand drives sale of small homes

WASHINGTON: India does not figure in a list of 11 countries, mostly Europeans, identified by the US that would not be subject to American sanctions because of significant reduction in purchase of crude oil from Iran. “I am pleased to announce that an initial group of eleven countries has significantly reduced their volume of crude oil purchases from Iran — Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said today. As a result, Clinton said, she will report to the Congress that sanctions under the National Defense Authorization Act for 2012 will not apply to the financial institutions based in these countries, for a renewable period of 180 days. Observing that the actions taken by these countries were not easy, Clinton said they had to rethink their energy needs at a critical time for the world economy and quickly begin to find alternatives to Iranian oil, which many had been reliant on for their energy needs. Besides India, China and South Korea are other major countries which do not figure in this list. Later, a senior State Department official said the US is in conversation with these three countries in this regard. PTI

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mind the audience viewing preferences and content requirements of the channel. “A lot of research goes into the decision of when is the right time to launch a particular show. With Kairi, it was just the right time to launch a new show as part of our new programme lineup.” He has the same opinion about including high points in ongoing shows. “High points are planned as per the story’s progression and not merely to grab eyeballs. If the story demands a high point during IPL, we will go ahead and execute it,” said Bhatt. According to Ajay Bhalwankar, programming head, Zee TV, IPL is usual competition. IANS

NUMEROLOGY

2,600 employees have been fired buy Canadian aircraft servicing major Aveos Fleet Performance after seeking bankruptcy protection this week, the company officials said.

THUS SPAKE “Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project has enabled the process of detailed deliberations on the nuclear energy generation, the viability of nuclear power plants, its safety and security aspects and how important the nuclear energy is to achieve Energy Independence before the year 2030,” former president, APJ Abdul Kalam

SENSEX UP The BSE benchmark index Sensex on Wednesday gained nearly 46 points in early trade on selective buying by funds. The 30-share index, which had gained 42.81 points on Tuesday, rose further by 45.89 points to 17,362.07.

TOO HOT A vaunted consumer watchdog organisation on Tuesday warned that Apple’s new iPad is a bit hot to handle. US non-profit product testing group Consumer Reports reported that the new-generation iPad with its more powerful processor hit temperatures as high as 116 degrees Fahrenheit, particularly when running videogames. “It does run warmer than its predecessor,” Consumer Reports spokesman James McQueen said of the third-generation iPad. “People need to exercise caution,” he continued. “We are not saying it is a dangerous product, but 116 degrees can be a little uncomfortable.”

India‑View

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

India unveiled

No tactical vision in defence budge JOSHLORE

C Uday Bhaskar

he Indian defence expenditure for the financial year 2012-13 has been budgeted at a fairly high figure of `193,407 crore (budgeted expenditure, or BE) which converts to $38.5 billion and is not unreasonable — but is well below China’s corresponding figure of $100 billion. However, to get a true sense of how this translates into tangible Indian military capacity, this allocation is to be seen in relation to the revised expenditure (RE) for the last fiscal that was announced as `170,937 crore ($34 billion). The increase thus is of the order of 13 per cent from the actual amount spent in 2011-12. However, this is only one perspective, for the BE for 2011-12 was `164,415 crore ($32.7 billion) and this was revised by over `6,000 crore to reach almost `171,000 crore. The Indian defence expenditure is broadly divided into two heads — the revenue and capital components — with the latter accounting for acquisition of new equipment and inventory items, as also modernisation of existing platforms. Ideally, a 50:50 ratio, or even a marginally greater amount for the capital head, would be the most desirable norm — but in the Indian case, since the military

machine is largely manpower intensive, the opposite pattern prevails — meaning that the revenue component is higher. Thus for the current fiscal — 2012-13 — the total revenue expenditure is budgeted to be `113,829 crore, while the total capital outlay is pegged at

`79,578 crore. Paradoxically, in the last fiscal, 2011-12, the capital expenditure was planned for a total of `69,199 crore — but the actual expenditure as announced in the budget documents presented on March 16 was of the order of `66,143 crore. In other words, the defence ministry sur-

rendered `3,056 crore as unspent from its capital head — and this is reflective of the inability to arrive at swift and objective decisions that will contribute to laying a strong foundation for capacitybuilding of the Indian military profile. But then the question that

arises is where did the increased expenditure occur over the last year? The increase from BE to RE for the last fiscal, 2011-12, is of the order of `6,522 crore and this was expended in the revenue component, which along with the unspent capital amount of `3,056 crore offers an insight into the trends that characterise India’s defence expenditure. The lack of a clear strategic focus is evident when the spending pattern of the last decade is examined in some detail. On the one hand, the revenue expenditure is closer to 60 per cent against the capital head, even when allocated amounts remain unspent — except in the last fiscal — which was an exception to the general trend. The lack of a strategic underpinning is evident when a very anomalous situation obtains, in that capital funds are returned as unspent when the Indian military across the board is in dire need of modernisation of critical equipment and platforms. For instance, the Indian Army has been seeking to replace the old Bofors gun — the mainstay of the artillery for well over a decade — but to little avail. Given the kickback allegations and related political scandal going back to the Rajiv Gandhi years (mid-1980s), the Indian higher decision-making system remains inert or is in eternal slow motion.

Kashmiri teen who took plane with toy gun KURAXIM

Sheikh Qayoom

SRINAGAR: Forty-three years after it happened, few remember that one of the earliest plane hijacks in the world was carried out with a toy pistol by a 16-yearold Kashmiri boy. But in the mind of Hashim Qureshi, that boy who is now 59 years old, the incident still ticks away like the script of a high voltage Hollywood thriller. He hijacked an Indian Airlines Srinagar-Jammu flight to Lahore Jan 30, 1969, armed with a toy pistol and a wooden

Once airborne, I rushed to the cocpit, placed the pistol on the pilot’s head and announced the hijack. We ordered the pilot to fly the plane to Pakistan. Hashim

grenade. From a freedom fighting hijacker to an advocate of peace and progress today, his journey has been arduous. Hashim, who is still facing a hijack case in a Srinagar court — the trial has been going on for 12 years, says he first went to Pakistan in 1968 to see his sister who had married there. “I met Maqbool Bhat (founder of the pro-independence outfit JKLF) in Peshawar. Bhat said India would never leave an inch of Kashmir to Pakistan, but an independent Kashmir could always be negotiated,” Hashim told IANS in an interview. Hashim became dedicated to the freedom cause. He came back and circumstances helped him use the Border Security Force (BSF) for his plans. “In a haircutting salon in Lal Chowk, I met a Kashmiri Border Security Force (BSF) officer. I told him I wanted to go to Pakistan. He agreed to help me cross the border provided I brought some information the BSF needed. I agreed and the BSF managed my clandestine entry into Pakistan through the Sialkot border.” He was actually double-

crossing the BSF. In Pakistan, Hashim was trained for the hijack. “Maqbool Bhat said to highlight the Kashmir problem we must hijack an Indian plane. Javaid Mantoo, a retired pilot, helped familiarise me with a Fokker Friendship plane. He took me to Chaklala airport where I was allowed to see the plane from inside.” After hijack training, Hashim

crossed back into Kashmir from the Sialkot border. “I boarded a bus, but the bus was stopped by police and I was caught with a pistol and a hand grenade. I was taken to a BSF interrogation centre. I told them how I had been trained along with three others for the hijack in Pakistan. I was asked by the BSF to keep a watch at the Srinagar airport. An advertisement appe-

ared in a newspaper about the sale of a look-real pistol which could be used to scare thieves. I ordered one by post. I fabricated a wooden hand grenade.” Hashim booked tickets on the Srinagar-Jammu Indian Airlines Fokker Friendship flight for Jan 30, 1969, for himself and his cousin Ashraf. “Once airborne, I rushed to the cockpit, placed the pistol on the pilot’s head and announced the hijack. We ordered the pilot to fly the plane to Pakistan. There were 34 passengers, including the crew. “We landed at Lahore airport at 1pm Jan 30, 1969. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto reached there. The Pakistan authorities asked us to release the passengers. I said not before I had spoken to Maqbool Bhat. We remained at the airport till 8.30pm Feb 2, 1969, when we, on orders, burnt the plane.” Today he advocates freezing of the Kashmir issue for 20 years to address the hatred between India and Pakistan. He lives on a hillside mansion in the Nishat area of the city where he gazes at the Dal Lake from his multi-terraced lawn, plays golf in between — and recounts his story.

India‑View

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

India unveiled

Russia grants Gita reprieve MOSCOW: A Russian court today dismissed a petition seeking a ban on a translated version of Bhagwad Gita for being “extremist”, bringing cheers to followers across the world. “The court in the Siberian city of Tomsk has dismissed the plea,” Sadhu Priya Das of Moscow ISKCON told PTI soon after the verdict was announced. State prosecutors in the Siberian city of Tomsk had filed an appeal against a lower court’s dismissal of their original plea seeking a ban on Bhagavad Gita As It Is, written by AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). They claimed that the text

was “extremist” literature full of hatred and insult to nonbelievers which promoted social discord. The higher court in Tomsk “kept the verdict of the lower court intact,” a joyful Das said. As the judge dismissed the plea, the followers in the packed courtroom burst into applause, he said. “We are grateful to the Russian judicial system,” Das said. Brajendra Nandan Das, Director ISKCON media communication in India, expressed happiness over the verdict. “We have won. The petition seeking a ban on the book has been dismissed,” he told PTI. The case had drawn a flurry of criticism from Hindus across the world. PTI

PLEA FOR PEACE

Students hold placards during a mass prayer programme in an appeal on Tuesday to release two Italians abducted by Maoists PTI in Kandamal forest area, in Bhubaneswar.

‘Assam has best cleft care mission in world’ GUWAHATI: The Cleft Care Surgical Mission in Assam has completed 5,000 surgeries on children in the last three years, making it probably the world’s best such effort at restoring smile on the lips of the disadvantaged. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has claimed that the centre, being run under Operation Smile at the Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital here in Guwahati, is

the best in the world. “The manner in which the team has been carrying the work on a missionary zeal, the day is not far off when Assam will become a completely cleft-free state,” Gogoi said. The founder of Operation Smile International, Dr William P Magee, said the centre in Assam was the best among 13 such centres that Operation Smile currently runs in 13 countries across the globe. PTI

Akhilesh walks in father’s shadow Mohit Dubey

LUCKNOW: It may be a little too early to call it the end of the political honeymoon for Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. But his choices and decisions since taking charge of India’s most populous state have left tongues wagging on how much is the Yadav junior a man of his own mind. For one who gave millions hope of fair governance and spruced up law and order, the first jolt came when he not only inducted Bhadri scion Raghuraj Pratap Singh aka Raja Bhaiyya into his Cabinet but inducted three others facing serious criminal cases in his government. These include Durga Prasad Yadav (history-sheeter), Parasnath Yadav (named in murder cases) and Balram Yadav (linked to Ayurveda scam during the

last Mulayam Singh Yadav regime). Akhilesh Yadav defended them by saying all the cases had political overtones, but the taint is not easy to wash away. While many admit that all developments happening in the

corridors of power — be it allotment of portfolios and posting of IAS and IPS officers — have the signature of SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, close aides of the chief minister told that they found nothing wrong in interjections by seniors as

“day to day matters were left to Akhilesh Bhaiyya”. Also, Akhilesh Yadav has not only retained the controversial and all powerful IAS Anita Singh as his secretary (also his father’s in the last tenure) but the official has become the sole window to the 38-year-old chief minister. All files at the ‘pancham tal’ (fifth floor) would now go to the chief minister via Anita Singh. The SP supremo has already made it clear that he was going to watch the activities of the state government headed by his son. “If need be I will intervene if I find anyone, the ministers, officials or legislators going astray,” Mulayam Singh told IANS. Mulayam Singh Yadav also met legislators and ministers, asking them to be “cautious of their public conduct”. IANS

NATION AT A GLANCE Goa Tourism Minister dies of heart attack PANAJI: Goa Tourism Minister Matanhy Saldanha died at a hospital here after suffering a massive heart attack in the wee hours today (Wednesday), sources said. Saldanha (64), who also holds the portfolios of science and environment, was brought to a private hospital at around 1.30am after he suffered massive cardiac arrest. The doctors treating him told that they tried to resurrect him for almost two hours before declaring him dead. The body has been shifted to Goa Medical College and hospital near here. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar also rushed to the hospital.

Council vice-chairman, 2 others kidnapped IMPHAL: Three persons including the vice-chairman of Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council (SHDAC) in Manipur’s Senpati district were kidnapped by suspected militants, police said today (Wednesday). SHDAC vice-chairman Haokholal Hangshing, council member Thangkham Misao and their friend Saikhulun Khongsai were abducted from Hangshing’s house at around 10pm last night. SHDAC sources said Hangshing supported by Misao had recently moved a no-confidence motion against the chairman of the council SH Seipu which was objected to by some members of the council.

Congress-led UDF wins Kerala bypoll THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress-led United Democratic Front’s (UDF) Anup Jacob won the Piravom assembly by-election in Kerala today. Anup Jacob, 34, son of former minister TM Jacob, won with a margin of 12,070 votes, defeating his father’s old rival, MJ Jacob of the Communist Party of IndiaMarxist (CPI-M). Polling in the Piravom constituency took place on March 17 when a record 85.6 per cent voted. The by-election follows the death of TM Jacob, who was food and civil supplies minister. He was the lone legislator of his Kerala Congress-Jacob, an ally of the Congress-led United Democratic Front.

Near total bandh in Puducherry over Lanka PUDUCHERRY: All privately operated interstate and intra state buses went off the roads in Puducherry today in response to the dawn to dusk bandh called by the opposition AIADMK to urge the Centre to support the US sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka at the ongoing meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The bandh was also aimed at criticising the ‘sustained silence’ the AINRC headed government in Puducherry was maintaining on the Sri Lankan issue. Autos, tempos and privately run transport services were off the roads. The government-owned buses however operated under tight police security and large number of passengers.

Around the World

S Korea to turn DMZ into eco-tourism spot PAJU: Gun-toting soldiers patrol guard posts overlooking North Korean territory beyond a barbed-wire fence. Hundreds of red flags with a skull motif dot roadsides, warning of mines. This is the area which South Korea hopes to turn into a major eco-tourism attraction. Untouched by developers for six decades due to the military standoff, the scenic areas surrounding the world’s last Cold War frontier have paradoxically become a peaceful haven for wildlife. The 248-kilometre borderline which bisects the peninsula was fixed when the 1950-53 war ended with an armistice. A Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) extending for two kilometres each side of the line was designated as a buffer zone. Thousands of tourists who visit the truce village of Panmunjom within the DMZ each year get a grim reminder of the peninsula’s tragic past. Now Seoul is trying to put a more positive spin on the border region, by promoting its ecological value and opening trekking routes which will also give visitors a glimpse of the secretive North. The DMZ and surrounding area are home to nearly 3,000 plants and animals — including otters, mountain sheep, musk

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

Beyond Borders

deer and dozens of other species — nearly extinct elsewhere in the crowded South, according to the government. Civilians are barred from entering the DMZ except at Panmunjom. The South’s military also restricts civilian access to the strip of land immediately south of the zone. The DMZ itself will remain off-limits to visitors. But after long deliberation the South’s army is finally set to sign an agreement this month to open up its outskirts — and to help develop routes free of mines. Nature trails seven to nine kilometres long, each of which generally takes six to eight hours to walk, are set to open next year in the east of the country. One will be able to walk right alongside the barbed wire of the DMZ, look over North Korean territory from hills, or see battlefield relics that have been left untouched for decades. Several areas already offer small-scale nature-watching programmes near the DMZ. But the trails to open next year will be the longest through the area south of the DMZ, said Park. The routes were initially developed by the army years ago to patrol the areas and troops will accompany trekking teams to prevent hikers from deviating from the mine-free paths.

Cashing in on graft PRAGUE: Riding a wave of public disgust at graft, a new Czech travel agency has started tours highlighting sites linked to corruption, a social ill that has plagued the ex-communist country for decades. The aptly-named Corrupt Tour agency touts the “best of the worst” trips to posh villas, a nonsensical funicular, an empty meadow hosting a non-existent Olympic stadium, even a big, boxy concrete mausoleum. “The idea was to reverse the usual situation wherein corruption feeds on business by creating a business that uses corruption as input” by exposing it, says Corrupt Tour’s founder Petr Sourek, a philosopher and translator. In Transparency International’s 2011 Corruption Perception Index, the Czech Republic ranked 57th alongside Namibia and Saudi Arabia on the list of 183 countries, topped by squeaky clean New Zealand and ending with Somalia. “The worst thing is that the trend is getting worse,” says David Ondracka, head of the international graft watchdog’s Czech branch. Recent surveys suggest that most Czech managers think things can’t work without corruption greasing the wheels of society. Their tour guide, wearing a

A guide from the Corrupt Tour travel agency, is reflected in the window of a mini-bus. AFP/MICHAL CIZEK funny orange hat and a waistcoat, is impossible to miss as he stands next to a black mini-bus with 26 tourists eager to embark on an “ornithological safari tour” of Prague’s upscale “nests”. Resembling a Hollywood homes-of-the-stars circuit, this tour targets the residences of lobbyists and rich businessmen caught up in dodgy deals “nesting birds”, in the guide’s words. These include Ivo Rittig, a man said to rake in profits from each public transport ticket sold in Prague, and Martin Roman, former head of the power giant CEZ, suspected of

handing hefty procurement deals to cronies. He points out a non-existent house which 589 companies have registered as their headquarters, and a university at which students obtain a degree in under a year — for the right price. The agency also offers a tour of hospitals known for shady tendering procedures, and a trip to the northern city of Ustinad Labem, the home of a pointless yet overpriced funicular and of a municipal park expensively decked out thanks to European Union subsidies. AFP

Pedalling for a brighter Rwanda RWANDA: The lights Daniel Ntibaziyandemye uses for his nocturnal fishing trips are charged by pedal-powered generators that offer an affordable means of creating energy, even for the poor. The small generator, which stands knee-high inside a wooden frame, is operated by what looks like a recumbent exercise bike and charges batteries for small but bright light-emitting diode (LED) lamps. The light created is cheaper and more efficient than solar power. “Previously we used torches to find our traps at night,” said Ntibaziyandemye, aged 28, who fishes at night on the remote crocodile-infested Akanyaru river. “But the batteries were so expensive that it left us with little profit. Now with the new LED lights, we can fish for a week for less money than it used to cost for one night.” He lays his traps just before dusk among heavy brush, waving away mosquitoes and listening out for crocodiles, waiting until night to

(L)Rwandan shopkeeper uses a portable pedal-powered generator in Rwamagana. (R) A rural Rwandan student studies at night with the help of a human-powered LED lamp. AFP/STEVE TERRILL venture into the water to collect his catch. Five lights can be recharged with 20 minutes of pedalling and each light lasts more than 25 hours — enough for a week for most users. One minute spent pedalling generates almost 400 minutes of light.

Rwandan firm Nuru Energy, is behind the innovation, which earned it a 2,00,000 dollar (150,000 euros) prize in the 2008 World Bank Lighting Africa Prize. The company gives the generators and lights to small traders, allowing them to pay for them later, in instalments, with the

money they make from the equipment. Villagers then pay a small fee to the traders to have the lights charged every week. “The company gave me gave me six months to repay the loan for my first lights, but with the money I made from recharging the lights, I was able to repay my loan

in two months,” said 25-year-old Martin Uwayezu. “I used to be poor but now I am a businessman.” Nuru Energy has pilot projects in other countries, including India, but Rwanda is the first African country where it has launched the pedal-powered generators. To reach its customers, Nuru uses the local mobile phone money transfer system, whereby traders buy credit by sending text messages and receive a code to unlock the generators and charge the lamps. Much of Rwanda’s rural areas have no electricity and people rely on kerosene and wood for lighting and cooking. In addition to charging LED lights, the firm also plans to expand the use of its generators to charge mobile phones and other devices in rural areas with no electricity. The company now boasts 10,000 customers across Rwanda and hopes to expand to other east African countries, such as Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. AFP

Around the World French cops trap Al-Qaeda ‘member’ TOULOUSE: Shots rang out on Wednesday as French police surrounded a self-declared member of the Al-Qaeda network holed up in a house after a series of shooting attacks that shocked the nation. Police sources said that officers investigating three attacks in which a gunman killed three soldiers, three Jewish schoolchildren and a rabbi sealed off an address in the Cote Pavee residential district of Toulouse. Six or seven shots rang out but the area had been sealed off by police from the RAID special weapons squad and it was not immediately clear whether the siege was over. "The suspect's mother was brought to the scene. She was asked to make contact with her son, to reason with him, but she did not want to, saying she had little influence on him," Interior Minister Claude Gueant said. "This person has made trips to Afghanistan and Pakistan in the past ... and says he belongs to Al-Qaaeda and says wanted to avenge Palestinian children and to attack the French army," Gueant said, as the operation continued. Gueant said that the suspect's brother had been arrested. Two police were slightly wounded as the raids got underway. He is thought to be a 24-yearold man who had previously travelled to the lawless border area between Pakistan and Afghanistan which is known to house al-Qaeda safehouses, one of the officials revealed. AFP

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

Beyond Borders

Republicans unveil ‘Path to Prosperity’

WASHINGTON: US House Republicans rolled out a proposed budget on Tuesday that slashes $5.3 trillion from President Barack Obama’s spending blueprint and reduces taxes for millions of Americans. Unveiled by House Budget Committee chairman Paul Ryan surrounded by fellow Republicans, the so-called “Path to Prosperity” proposal amounted to an opening salvo in election-year battles over federal spending, public health insurance and pension programs. Ryan said the budget — which stands little chance of passage in the Democraticcontrolled Senate — presents Americans with “a choice of two futures,” one burdened by excessive debt, the other an example of fiscal sustainability. The proposal for fiscal year 2013, which begins October 1, calls for $5 billion in spending cuts over 10 years, and would slash the US deficit to $797 billion next year, about $180 billion less than under Obama’s budget as estimated by the Congressional Budget Office. It also involves collapsing the six existing US tax brackets to two rates: “a 10 per cent bracket and a 25 per cent bracket for individuals, and a 25 per cent bracket for corporations, which is at the inter

SHAKEN UP

Romney clinches Illinois

CHICAGO: White House hopeful Mitt Romney set his sights squarely on President Barack Obama on Tuesday after racking up another victory in the plodding Republican nominating race. Romney’s decisive win in

Highlights of Republican budget $5 billion in spending cuts over 10 years n Slash the US deficit to $797 billion next year n Collapsing the six existing US tax brackets to two rates: a 10 per cent bracket and a 25 per cent bracket for individuals, and a 25 per cent bracket for corporations, n

national average,” he said. The highest current individual tax bracket is 35 per cent. Ryan insisted that tax revenue would be made up by closing loopholes and taking away tax shelters for wealthy Americans. His proposal poses major

Illinois Tuesday likely won’t help him win Obama’s home state in the November 6 election, but it has brought him closer to clinching the Republican nod. He used his victory speech to attack Obama’s economic policies and cast the November 6 general election as a choice between “economic freedom” and “job-killing regulation.” Rick Santorum was unbowed by Romney’s widening lead, telling supporters in his home state of Pennsylvania “we’ll close this gap and on to victory!” political risk for Republicans in an election year as it includes reforms to Medicare and Medicaid, the popular but expensive health insurance programs for the elderly and the poor. It would transform Medicare from a traditional fee-for-service health care system for seniors into a voucher system giving them money to purchase insurance on the private market. Ryan’s proposal, following a similar one made last year, provoked a swift outcry from Democrats. “The House budget fails again in test of balance, fairness and shared responsibility,” Obama’s communications director Dan Pfeiffer said in a statement. AFP

Google may get $132mn tax bill

Residents stand amid a damaged house in Ometepec, in Guerrero state, after a strong quake hit Mexico on Tuesday. A powerful 7.6magnitude earthquake struck southwest Mexico, causing residents in the capital several hundred miles away to rush out onto the streets but no immediate reports of serious damage. AFP/PEDRO PARDO

PARIS: French authorities are probing Google for potential tax avoidance, a source close to the matter said on Tuesday, with the US Internet giant facing a possible bill of over 100 million euros ($132 million). “A process of tax adjustment is under way,” the source told AFP. The French budget ministry declined to comment, citing fiscal secrecy. A spokesman for Google France said Google complies with the tax legislation of every country it operates in. “We’re convinced that we are in compliance with French laws,” the spokesman said. French news website lexpress.fr reported that tax

and custom authorities searched Google France’s offices in June. Emails, receipts and contracts were seized during the search in order to determine how much business and sales tax the company had not paid between 2008 and 2010, the website said. France is Google’s fourth-biggest market in terms of activity, but the company had a declared turnover of only $90.7 million in 2010. That amount is 37 times less than Google’s turnover in the United Kingdom, which is $3.3 billion. Google may have to pay more than $132 million in extra tax to French authorities. AFP

GLOBE AT A GLANCE SpaceX, Nasa readies for April 30 launch WASHINGTON: Preparations for the April 30 launch of the SpaceX’s Dragon commercial spacecraft to the International Space Station are underway without major problems, a top Nasa official said on Tuesday. “The simulations are taking place, I don’t know about big drivers right now, only of what they have to do between now and launch day,” said Nasa Space Station manager Mike Suffredini.

Five nations to press N Korea on rocket launch SEOUL: Leaders of five nations will discuss ways to press North Korea to scrap a planned rocket launch when they meet next week at a Seoul summit, South Korea’s president said. US President Barack Obama will attend the nuclear security summit, along with leaders of China, South Korea, Japan and Russia.

People cry and react before the convoy carrying the coffins leaves the Jewish school after a funeral ceremony, on Tuesday in France. AFP

Japan pledges major cut in Iran oil imports TOKYO: Japan said on Wednesday it would continue to cut its oil imports from Iran considerably, while hailing a US decision to exempt it from new sanctions against doing business with the nuclear aspirant. The US said it was exempting Japan and some European Union members from tough new sanctions aimed at pressing Tehran over its nuclear programme.

Monk dies in detention: campaign group BEIJING: A 20-year-old Tibetan Buddhist monk has died in detention after he set himself on fire in a town in southwest China that has become a flashpoint for such protests, a US-based rights group said on Wednesday. Lobsang Tsultrim, a monk from the Kirti monastery in Aba town, died on Monday after setting himself alight last week. AFP

Atris Hussein a Swedish-Lebanese man suspected of planning an attack in Bangkok is brought to Criminal court in Bangkok today.

Comment

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

Fair, free and forthright

Just let them be happy and gay

Editorials TOULOUSE VICTIMS must herald peace

he most tragic victims of any conflict are innocent children, paying the price for a world that has not only cultivated fanatical lunatics but, a world where organised religion has actively encouraged them. The recent deaths of three children in Toulouse are a horrific reminder of the sociopathic streak that cuts through modern civilization. The fact that the suspect may be a member of al-Qaida is topping news cycles across the globe, and as the bodies of the children arrive at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport, the Israelis must make sure that their deaths are not a clarion call to arms, which will only result in the deaths of more children. An Israeli child’s life is not worth more than a Palestinian one’s. Death in all its finality always carries with it the angel of grief. Whether we channel that grief into a constructive discussion to dismantle the elements that lead to conflict, or plant it in a fortress of hate is up to us. But the end of innocence should not be of our making, in fact, it should be the one thing we despise the most.

WHY WE LOVE Lionel Messi

ionel Messi is a genius. But that’s nothing you didn’t know. Now that he has become Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer, however, that genius will be embedded in history. It’s unlikely that anyone will surpass Messi’s record anytime soon, and that’s a fitting tribute to arguably the best footballer ever. Well done Lionel, wake up Cristiano.

Salient features of Delhi HC verdict on Section 377

Fusillade Arun Koshy Philip

n Criminalisation of consensual gay sex vio-

n a landmark judgment in the Naz Foundation v/s Government of NCT of Delhi on July 2, 2009, the Delhi High Court struck down most of the provisions of Section 377 of the IPC, holding it violation of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. The verdict came as a major relief to the covert and overt homosexuals in the country, who have been stigmatised by society and persecuted by the draconian law introduced during British Rule. It was also hailed across the world by political leaders and human rights organisations as a right move in the direction of inclusive policy empowering minorities of all hues. However, the revolutionary ruling was too much for religious leaders to stomach and they soon moved the Supreme Court challenging the decision. The apex court sought the stand of the Central government on decriminalising homosexuality — and that is where the drama unfolds. Ever since the SC directive to seek its opinion, the Centre has been shuttling the issue from ministry to ministry, and has been delaying the decision. Opinions on the issue differ between ministries and there has not been a consensus yet. At a hearing on February 28, 2012, addition solicitor-general PP Malhotra, who appeared for the Home ministry said, "Gay sex is highly immoral and against social order and there is a high chance of spreading of diseases (like AIDS) through such acts." As civil society breathed fire over his ‘inputs’, the government distance itself from the controversial remarks — the apex court came down heavily on the flip-flop. Even a month after that, the Centre was not able to come out with a clear stand, and this angered the Supreme Court. In a scathing observation, the SC on Tuesday rapped the Centre for its ‘casual approach’. All across the world, countries are decriminalising homosexuality and giving legal recognition to same-sex unions. Such moves

Society must learn

Today’s frivolous ways

This letter is with reference to the article To my daughters-in-law with love. It was a very funny article. Reading about this makes one think that we as society have not improved at all. We are still at the 'women are cattle' phase. Otherwise which sensible man in their right mind would agree to this mockery of the institution? It seems as if families who ask for such stuff are only waiting when their son grows up and when the bride comes, so that whatever they are need of can be supplied by her, after all, they are going to take care of her for the next hundred years or so. It doesn't matter if their incompetent son cannot provide them with whatever they need. Nishat Fatima Kukatpally

The comment piece on My thoughts… and yours too made for a very interesting and thought-provoking reading. Mr Surendran has raised a very pertinent point through his article. It is definitely a sad state of affairs that the youth today is more in tune with the birth of a star kid or the release of a film but on matters that are relevant to their families and themselves, they have zero information. Budget, I would definitely say, is one of those boring annual events that must be paid attention to. Kumar Pandey Sainikpuri

n n n

will ensure that they are not discriminated against and can enjoy their rights like any other person. Homosexuality is a reality that cannot be wished away, whether the self-appointed guardians of social moral fabric like it or not. If an adult can make a choice to follow a religion, elect political representatives and take decisions on numerous life-altering choices, he/she can decide on what their sexual orientation should be. What’s the point in calling yourself a democracy when all voices aren’t allowed to be heard?

Section 377 of IPC Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine.

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

lates rights to dignity and privacy, which falls within the right to life and liberty guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution. Section 377 runs contrary to equality guaranteed by Article 14 of the Constitution, because it creates an unreasonable classification and targets homosexuals as a class. Public hostility or contempt for a particular social group is not a valid ground for discrimination by State. Discrimination based on sex, prohibited by Article 15 of the Constitution includes discrimination based on sexual orientation. The right to life under Article 21 of Constitution includes the right to health, and Section 377 of IPC is an impediment to public health because it hinders HIV-prevention efforts. Section 377 is unconstitutional to the extent where it criminalises consensual sex between adults in private. None of the above exemptions apply to nonconsensual non-vaginal intercourse and intercourse with minors.

Nothing unnatural about it Canadian biologist Bruce Bagemihl who has authored Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity has documented evidence of homosexual behaviour among at least 1,500 species of animals. Therefore the argument that homosexuality is ‘against the order of nature’ or ‘unnatural’ doesn’t hold ground. While we are still stuck in a time warp trying to call homosexuality unnatural and immoral, other countries have move far ahead — using scientific logic rather than emotion. In a 2003 landmark judgment, the US Supreme Court cited documented evidence of homosexuality among animals to strike down sodomy laws of Texas and 13 other states in Lawrence vs Texas. Sculptures and Khajuraho, which date back to 9th Century BC, vividly display several representations of homosexual intercourse among both men and women.

Dowry must be banned Stoking trouble The story on list of items which are required to start a new home came as a big jolt. Apart from demanding insane amount of money, these days, the groom's families expect the bride's families to send a long list of items upon marriage. It's shocking indeed that despite all the progress made in recent years, dowry is still prevalent in the society. Every day there are hundreds of dowry related incidents and still it doesn't come as a wakeup call to the society in general. The saddest part is, no one takes it seriously... because it's a norm!

JK Rathnam Begumpet

I can't understand why people end up indulging in heinous crimes for little amounts of money. Hyderabadis have been leading a peaceful life over the past few years, barring few unfortunate bandhs and the latest string of incidents of setting bikes ablaze might spiral out of control. With police suggesting that the bike-burning incidents are being funded, it looks like someone is desperately trying to whip up communal tensions once again in the city. The police department must catch the culprits soon.

Jane Frank Lakdi-ka-Pul

Cinema Paradiso

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

Let the games begin Hemanth Kumar hemanth.k@postnoon.com

Hunger Games joins the list of action films which have a lot of bloodshed and hinge on the battle for survival for thrills. Postnoon explores more films in this league to find out why they are so irresistible

here's a visceral pleasure in watching two people fighting each other to death. The tradition dates back to thousands of years and the Romans glorified it further by pitching gladiators against each other, while the citizens watched with bated breath . Taking a leaf out of these incidents from history, several writers wrote books like Hunger Games, Running Man and video games like Mortal Kombat were created which eventually were adapted on big screen. Back in 1959, when William Wyler adapted Lew Wallace's novel Ben-Hur : A Tale of the Christ, a nine minute chariot race sequence

in the film stunned the audience. The sheer pleasure derived from watching the protagonists indulge in a battle for survival was enough to make it the most talked about aspect of the entire film. Few years later, Paul Bartel adapted Ib Melchior's short story The Racer to make his cult action film Death Race (2000). The story is based on the theme of survival of the fittest and provided a framework for some of the future films like Running Man, Death Race (2008) and even Hunger Games runs on similar lines, although the story and the setting is entirely different. One of the plot points that recur in such films is that the story is set in a dystopian society in a distant future. The

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

BAILED OUT

proud, born-and-bred Jersey girl, Stephanie Plum's got plenty of attitude, even if she's been out of work for the last six months and just lost her car to a debt collector. Desperate for some fast cash, Stephanie turns to her last resort: con-

vincing her sleazy cousin to give her a job at his bail bonding company...as a recovery agent. True, she doesn't even own a pair of handcuffs and her weapon of choice is pepper spray, but that doesn't stop Stephanie from taking on Vinny's biggest bail-jumper: former vice cop and murder suspect Joe Morelli - yup, the

same sexy, irresistible Joe Morelli who seduced and dumped her back in high school.

Movie : One for the Money Director : Julie Anne Robinson Cast : Katherine Heigl, David Sunjata, Jason Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Mara, Debbie Reynolds

concept of a civilised world is non-existent and the rulers of such kingdoms, states are usually involved in civil war. The whole point of organising games where one human being is expected to kill as many as he or she can in order to survive is to instill fear in others that their lives are at stake if they don't obey the rules. Since every story needs a hero who can bring hope and freedom to the people of the state, the games become the battleground where friendships are forged, strategies worked out to precision before the government or whoever is organising the games realises that their order is about to collapse. In the meantime, the games themselves have enough firepower to provide ample thrills

for the audience. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Death Race or Running Man, the stakes in the games are so high that the audience ends up desperately rooting for the protagonists win. Hunger Games, which is based on a popular novel written by Suzanne Collins, has already created a lot of buzz in the US. Made on a budget of $78 million, the film is poised for an opening of more than $100 million in the US and analysts predict that this could trigger another wave of films which thrive on inter-human rivalry. Whether studios in Hollywood are already scouting for more novels and scripts like this or not, the film promises to be one hell of a ride for the audience.

H‑Factor

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

Holistic view of mind, body and soul

Down’s Syndrome patients need intervention

Keep them out of the sun Kids generally are more susceptible to dehydration and summer ailments, keeping them indoors during the day can help Ranjani Rajendra ranjani.r@postnoon.com

t’s that time of the year again when most kids stow away their school bags and books for two long months and gear up for holidays. Family vacations and visits to grandma’s house apart, their days are filled with time spent with buddies, summer camps, swimming sessions, gully cricket, hide n seek, tag etc. But all this play comes at a price – considering children love playing outdoors, there’s always the risk of dehydration, gastroenteritis and skin infections.

Dehydration “Children as such are more vulnerable and since they love playing outdoors there are higher chances of them falling ill during the summers,” says Dr Kasi Viswanath, a paediatrician, adding, “Dehydration is a common fall out.” Dehydration occurs when the amount of water leaving the body is greater than the amount being taken in. Dr Sharmila Asthana, consultant paediatrician at Apollo Hospital, says, “Dehydration is a fall out of the children playing outdoors for a long time and more often than

NEW DELHI: Even though Down’s

not, they forget to drink water. We need to remind them to drink water so they don’t get dehydrated.” Experts suggest that children drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water each day. “They can also be given fruit juices and ORS solutions to prevent dehydration,” says Dr Sharmila. She also suggests sprinkling a little water on their heads when spending long hours in the heat in a bid to cool down their bodies a bit.

Gastroenteritis “Since the water supply is low during summers and given the contaminated water that we are supplied there are greater chances of children drinking water from anywhere they find it and falling prey to gastroenteritis. It is thus wiser to carry a bottle of water from home every time you step out,” says Dr Viswanath. With gastroenteritis, children are bound to have diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and

TAME THE SUN

vomiting, which could in turn leave them feeling drained out, ruining their vacations.

Skin problems “Nearly 70 to 80 per cent of the rashes that children suffer from during the summers are heat related. Also since there is more physical contact between children when they are playing it could lead to a spread in skin infections. Thanks to the excessive sweating and heat the bacteria multiply faster and bacterial infections are very common too,” says Dr Viswanath. Dr Sharmila suggests keeping children indoors during the day. “It’s best to keep them indoors during the peak hours,

especially between 12 pm and 4 pm. They can go play outdoors in the evening when it is cooler. In case of prickly heat, which children often tend to get in the summers, there are several powders available in the market that can be used. When children spend long hours in the sun they tend to get tanned and have pigmentation problems. Using a good sunscreen of an SPF of at least 15 to 20 works. If children go swimming then they could use a water proof sunscreen that should be applied before and after their swim. It’s however, best to avoid swimming in the heat – early mornings and evenings are best,” she says.

Syndrome (DS) remains an incurable condition, experts believe that acceptance by the family and early intervention go a long way in ensuring that a person with DS is able to live a normal life and be socially independent. Worldwide, March 21 is celebrated as the World Down’s Syndrome Day. DS is a genetic condition that affects 1 out of 800 people and is universally present across racial, gender or socio-economic lines, according to Down’s Syndrome International, a UK-based organisation for creating awareness about DS. The people having DS often suffer from mental retardation, have a flat face, long or protruding tongue and slanted eyes. “Down’s Syndrome is a genetic condition and so far, medical science has no cure for the condition. It is not something that can be prevented. The parents often blame themselves and wonder what did they do wrong,” said Aarti Anand, clinical psychologist at Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Anand claimed that more than the child, the family members need counseling and professional help as “they are often unable to accept the fact that their child has Down’s syndrome.” Calling it a handicap, Anand said that the acceptance of the family members was very important as only after accepting the disease can family members properly take care of the patient. Geeta Chhabra, 36, has DS but her parents didn’t realise about her condition at the time of her birth. According to doctors, only 25 per cent of her brain is functional but when her family put her in a special school, she shone as a student. “Even the doctors at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) were unable to cure her, but at the (special) school, she was encouraged to participate in dancing and sports. She even won several medals,” her mother Harish, told IANS proudly. While DS can be detected during pregnancy and parents can decide whether they want to continue or abort, child image consultant, Abha Kashyap claims that most children affected by DS, “can do very well if given proper stimulus and care.” “Early intervention can certainly guarantee a normal life and independence for the person living with DS,” she added. “In fact, DS-affected children are often much more loving than normal children. They are truly God’s children,” Kashyap said. Kashyap said that while celebrating World Down’s Syndrome Day was a great initiative, “It is yet to pick up in India. I believe such awareness programmes should be organised more often.” IANS

H‑Factor

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

Holistic view of mind, body and soul

Lack of medical literacy can cause early deaths

Electroshock’s effect on depression found After using electroshock therapy for more than 70 years to treat depression, doctors say they have now discovered how it works

cientists have finally discovered how one of psychiatry’s most controversial treatments — electroshock, or electro-convulsive, therapy (ECT) — can help patients with severe depression, reported the Daily Mail. Researchers at Aberdeen University have discovered that electroshock therapy affects the way different parts of the brain involved in depression communicate with each other. Electroshock therapy, first used in 1937, appears to tamp down an overactive connection between two parts of the brain that take part in emotional processing, thinking and concentrating, said a study released today by the Proceedings of the

National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), according to Bloomberg. ECT mimics a seizure, sending a brief electric current to the brain. The procedure has the strongest supporting data of any treatment for patients whose depression doesn’t respond to medication, said the American Psychiatric Association. With these new findings shedding light on how ECT works, researchers said they may also have discovered a more objective way to diagnose depression: by looking for evidence of too much cross-communication among distinct networks that make up the brain, reported the Los Angeles Times. PNAS researchers used a brain scanner called an fMRI

that watches how the brain works to look into the brains of nine severely depressed patients before and after they received electroshock therapy, according to the LA Times. They first divided the brain into something like a complex jigsaw puzzle, then measured the electronic message traffic among the pieces to see how the patterns changed before and after the procedure. “For the first time we can point to something that ECT does in the brain that makes sense in the context of what we think is wrong in people who are depressed,” said Ian Reid, professor of psychiatry at Aberdeen University, where the research was conducted. GLOBAL POST

Spot the signs… before it’s too late

f you’ve been noticing your friend avoiding food or keeping a strict watch on the carbs she consumes it’s about time you thought it was something more than just a passing phase. Eating disorders are often shrugged off, with most people finding it hard to believe that they fall under the category of mental health. And if these are ignored they can snowball into something much more serious. But here are a few signs you could watch out for to catch

those tell-tale signs of anorexia. n Dieting despite being thin – Despite having a waist size of 24, your best pal thinks she/he is fat and insists on dieting. So a restricted diet, eating only lowcalorie foods and a ban on all kinds of carbs or fats may be a regular occurrence. n Pretending to eat – Often you’ll find that people with anorexia will come up with a plethora of excuses to skip meal times, all this because they want to avoid food altogether. The

GREY MATTERS

lack of basic medical literacy may cause early deaths in adults over the age of 65, a new study in the British Medical Journal has found. The report surveyed almost 8,000 adults in England aged 52 and older, and had them complete a test of functional health literacy, testing their ability to use reading skills to understand health-related information, Health Day reported. The survey had four simple comprehension-style questions, such as “What is the maximum number of days you may take this medicine?” and “List three situations for which you should consult a doctor,” the Telegraph reported. The answers were on a sample medicine bottle’s label. One third of the participants failed to answer all four questions correctly, and one in eight got two or more answers wrong, according to the Telegraph. The researchers from University of College London then divided the scores into high, medium, and low literacy rates, and monitored the group for five years, until October 2009. The researchers found that the group with the lowest liter-

excuses could be anything from “My stomach hurts” to “I ate a big lunch.” n Preoccupation with food – People with anorexia will probably be constantly thinking of food, even if they aren’t eating any. But they will obsessively collect recipes and cook for others, probably as a way to divert their attention. n Strange food rituals – If you notice that your friend refuses to eat when there are people around or at a public place then you should know that there is a problem. They may also be very particular about how and what they eat.

acy scores experienced the highest rate of deaths, followed by the group with medium scores and then high scores, according to CBC News. Those with low and medium health literacy had respectively a 75 per cent and 24 per cent increased risk of death. “You can’t say the higher death rates are due to these people not reading medicine labels — the reasons for them dying early are complex — but poor literacy is certainly an indicator that they are more vulnerable,” said Sophie Bostock, a research associate at UCL’s Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, the Telegraph reported. “We do think there’s something specific about underlying literacy that has an impact on mortality.” The researchers found that lower health literacy was linked to a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms, physical limitations and chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and asthma, whereas higher health literacy scores were linked to stronger cognitive abilities, including verbal fluency and working memory, BBC News reported. GLOBAL POST

n Using laxatives – People with

anorexia nervosa will do everything to limit their calorie intake – even if it means purging the food they’ve already consumed. So they will have a stock of laxatives or diuretics to help them get rid of whatever they’ve eaten. n Throwing up – If you notice your friend making frequent trips to the washroom after a meal, chances are he/she is looking to throw up their meal. And this won’t even be because they’re sick, but because they force themselves to vomit. Source: www.helpguide.org

Spotlight

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

Flavours of India A stunning collection DEEPAK DESHPANDE

Upasana Kamineni, editor of Apollo Life magazine introduced Satya Paul’s latest bridal collection on Tuesday.

Namita

Varthika

Sharmila

The celebrity chef of Kebabs & Kurries gave a food demo at Hyder Mahal, ITC Kakatiya on Tuesday.

Sneha Neelu Bagga

Rummy Azad

Upasana Kamineni

Shimmer & Shine

Model and Indian Princess 2012 Nikitha Sharma launched the designer wedding and summer collection at Neeru’s Elite in Banjara Hills on Tuesday.

SRINIVAS SETTY

Magic Screen

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

Nayantara cast opposite Gopichand

ayantara is back on the charts again and that too with a bang. After her much reported break up with Prabhu Deva, she has been signing films right, left and centre, trying to fill in for her absence from the screen. She has now bagged another important film opposite Gopichand and this bilingual film is being directed by Tamil director Bhupathy Pandian. Gopichand plays a cop while Nayantara plays his love interest. The movie is currently being filmed and Jayabalaji Real Media is producing this action entertainer. She signed this film after signing Nagarjuna’s soon-to-belaunched romantic entertainer and Rana’s Krishnum Vande Jagadgurum.

Ee Rojullo to be released on March 23

e Rojullo, a small budget film, starring newcomers Srinivas and Reshma is all set to hit the screens on March 23. Directed by Maruthi, the film is reportedly inspired from a true story where two people who have different opinions on love, fall for each other. The film has got a U certificate and it’s touted to be a youthful entertainer. Good Cinema Group and Maruthi Media House Production, who jointly produced the film are now on a publicity blitzkrieg to promote the film which is mainly targeted at the youth audience. JB has composed the music and J Prabhakar Reddy is handling the cinematography.

Rana’s teleporting act

T-TOWN TWEETIES

@pnavdeep26 Life seems to b so different with early morning routines! and wid d killin heat around! lol

@Amala_ams Oowww suddenly its crowd flood , ugff my car cannot move toward... How did they knw am comn this way !! Wow piece of excitement for me :)

@Actor_Siddharth Kohli’s brilliance does not seem to be translating into spots in tourney finals:( destiny is an evil enterprise sometimes!

@Shraddhadas43 Happy to hear I am nominated by times in the most desirable women category! And thank u to my twitpals who voted for me... v sweet of u! Nite!

@Shrutihaasan Had a fab time at the 3 audio launch in Hyderabad!! Hope you love the music all the best to @anirudhravichan.

@sneha_ullal My hotel room smells #justlikeheaven. So many lilies my favourite flowers. Nothing can ever smell better... ahh.

@LakshmiManchu Yippee @arrahman ... Totally star struck. U guys... My song in#kadal is killer awesome :)

ana Daggubati seems to be everywhere these days, promoting his film Naa Ishtam starring Genelia D’Souza, who is absent from the scene. Whether he is egging Hyderabadis to switch off for an hour on Earth Day, 2012 or is sipping coffee at his favourite lounge Coffee Day, Rana is doing it all on his own without really getting much assistance from his co-star. He was also present at the Kismet Membership Launch at the Park yesterday. Naa Ishtam is directed by Prakash Tholeti and stars Rana Daggubati and Genelia D’Souza in the lead. Chakri has composed the music. The film releases March 23.

@sundeepkishan Talkie of #YaarudhaMahesh done... my 1st tamil/out & out commercial comedy flick... songs time now. Some amazing Tamil kooth coming your way :)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

Southern film industry can wait: Asin Thottumkal is in no mood to return to southern movies — at least, not right now. The actor is comfortable in Bollywood and says she is happy to see how technology and awareness have brought the two film industries closer than ever before. "I am quite comfortable here (in Bollywood). I'm getting to know the style and the language in a better way now. I dub for my films on my own now as I am better with the language. So it's going great," Asin said in an interview. Asin's next Hindi release is Housefull 2, releasing April 5. "I am still in touch with my Tamil and Telugu film producers. They have been missing me. But I have done a lot of those films in the past. I don't

Asin

Magic Screen

think I am going to do a film soon there, but hopefully I will do something when I get a different project," she said. The 26-year-old was impressed with the 2011 Malayalam film Pranayam and says she is glad to see the good content being churned out down south. "One film I really liked was Pranayam. I won't say that I felt like I should have been a part of it. But as a viewer, I really enjoyed it. It was a mature love story starring Mohanlal, and the performances were brilliant. "The southern industry has always had a good mixture of stories. They have always worked on realistic stories, and I am glad the industry continues to do so," she added. IANS

B-TOWN TWEETIES

@kjohar25 Leaving 2mor for a month long shoot!!! Going to thailand for STUDENT OF THE YEAR!!! Will keep you guys posted!!!

@sonakshisinha RT@LuvSinha:my brother Kush/SHOTGUN MOVIES is looking for movie scripts. Send in a registered synopsis to projectshotgun@ymail.com.

@NeilNMukesh The only film I’m looking forward to now is AGENT VINOD. Sriram Raghavan, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor. Deadly combo !

@SrBachchan T 689 — Serious heartache ! India out of Asia Cup ! Should have seen the game, maybe could have won... !!

@iamsrk

Car trouble for Meera T

he car of Pakistani actor Meera was impounded for plying in a high security zone here without documents, a media report said on Tuesday. The actor spent hours at the police station to get back her Toyota Corolla XLI but her efforts proved futile, sources told Dawn. Meera's car was intercepted near the Foreign Office on Saturday during tight security before President Asif Ali Zardari's address to the joint sitting of parliament, police said. The

driver said he had dropped Meera somewhere in the area but could not identify the location. He also failed to produce valid documents. The driver called up the actor, who turned up without the documents. The police said neither Meera nor her driver came back after leaving the police station. Meera has acted in movies, including those made in India, like 5 Ghantey Mien 5 Crore, Khulay Asmaan Kay Neechay, Kasak and Nazar. IANS

There r things known & there r things unknown & in between r the doors: Morrison. Which means I am up early and have no work so philosophising.

Shah Rukh Khan advises Asad Shan on career

hah Rukh Khan has given advice to 7 Welcome To London star Asad Shan on a career in film. Khan — who is currently shooting with Katrina Kaif in the UK — met with the debut actor on Sunday to record a special episode of Brits Bollywood. "As soon as I was introduced, he said 'Hi Beta' and I was floored with his caring personality and charm. Shah Rukh gave fantastic advice for newcomers and firsttime directors," Shan told Digital Spy.

"I shared my film 7 Welcome to London with him and he blessed me with a dua and wished me the best. I must say this was an amazing experience and I got to learn so much." Khan, who recently broke the 2 million followers mark on Twitter, also spoke about his presence on social media platforms. The former Mr Asia UK went on to add: "I have to say it was a great moment for me personally, sharing screen space with my hero and idol."

@AnupamPkher In India `28( half dollar) a day to live on is above poverty line says Montek Singh. What a joke. Humiliating the already humiliated.

@DuttaLara Just finished a super cardio session. Slow steps back to being fit. Just need to make sure I stick to doing some excercise everyday! :-)

@priyankachopra Finished crazy late last night..now already on set shooting Garnier... love the Dalmatians... will post puppy pics... I’m in love!

Magic Screen

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The glamour behind the glitz

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

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The glamour behind the glitz

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

The glamour behind the glitz

Penn to get Katy Perry avoids meeting Russell Brand Peace Summit award S T inger Katy Perry left a London nightclub when she heard her ex-husband Russell Brand was on his way to the same venue. The singer was enjoying an evening at the Mayfair hangout in a private room, but when someone told her Brand was on his way, she quickly left so as to avoid an awkward run-in, reported contactmusic.com.

“She wanted to spend the night singing in the room as it’s where her best friend Rihanna normally comes to play when she’s in town,” a source said. “Katy was having a great night but bolted out of the door when one of her sidekicks stunned her by

Depp to team up with Marilyn Manson

arilyn Manson and Johnny Depp have teamed up to cover Carly Simon's 1972 hit You're So Vain, HuffPost Entertainment exclusively reports. The controversial singer and eccentric actor have long been friends. Depp invited Manson to be his guest at a Pirates Of The Caribbean premiere, and now, it seems, they've sung a duet. Their cover of You're So Vain will be included on Manson's upcoming album, Born Villain, due to be out on May 1. The collaboration is not the first between the two pop culture icons, as a remix of Manson's song The Nobodies was featured in Depp's 2001 film, From Hell. Manson has been busy prepping the album, which is his eighth studio release. Though he's known as a prince of the alternative scene, Manson has enjoyed a great deal of commercial success.

telling her Russ was about to turn up.” “Rather than risk an awkward run-in, Katy didn’t take any chances and ordered everyone to move on to a club in Chelsea instead,” the source said. IANS

he 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates will present Sean Penn with their annual Peace Summit Award this April. The award goes to a highprofile personality making an outstanding contribution to

international social justice and peace. Penn is being recognised for his work rebuilding and aiding the victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. “It’s difficult to properly respond to this while avoiding cliché,” Penn said. “But quite deliberately, I'm thrilled to receive this tribute and to represent it to the youth of Haiti, the strong women of Haiti, and of the world. Tomorrow is a new day where cynicism is for cowards, and men of virtue and agency will be true heroes to their sons. Many in my generation know cowardice well, but not the youth, and not the women. And never the Haitians. This is an extraordinary honor in an extraordinary moment on Earth. I'm very grateful." Other recent Peace Summit Award winners include U2’s Bono, actors Don Cheadle and George Clooney, and Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel.

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

Take a shot at the brain game while sipping your cuppa

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Vegetarian's no-no 5 Administers medicine 10 Black, in an ode 14 A good shoe supports it 15 Ringlike coral island 16 Pew locale 17 Colourful growing building 19 ‘True ___’ (Wayne flick) 20 Six-Day War participant 21 Cardinals' nickname 23 ‘Pod’ starter 24 Prevent from having 25 Infringe upon 30 Arrowed street sign 33 Digestive fluid 34 Suspend 36 Color quality 37 Redding, the singer 38 Birds of peace 39 Largest city of Latvia 40 Tony winner Cariou 41 Missing from one's post 42 Roman way 43 Exhibit principal 46 Climbs awkwardly 49 Scottish hillside 50 Anatomical egg holder 51 Madagascar language 55 Tooth covering 59 Mild expletive 60 Colorful Navy show squad 62 Gaming cubes 63 Actress Kedrova and singer McCann 64 State, in France 65 Prepares a printing press 66 Abrasive file 67 ___ serif (plain type style) DOWN 1 ‘The Gift of the ___’ 2 Boots an easy grounder 3 Computer brand 4 Movie houses, in Britain 5 Mexico's national flower

6 Siouan speaker of Oklahoma 7 Lip-puckering 8 Otherwise 9 Musher's team 10 Caboose's opposite 11 Colorful deep-voiced singer 12 ‘The Art of Love’ poet 13 New Jersey team 18 Roman emperor 22 ‘Reindeer Games’ star Affleck 25 Virus named for a river 26 Saltpeter 27 Colorful ‘Put Yourself in My Shoes’ singer 28 Chuck wagon grub 29 Chaos 31 Boring tool 32 Insurance policy

measurements 35 ‘Gimme a Break!’ star Carter 38 Single and lacking baggage 39 Lung protectors 44 Muslim decrees 45 Droop in the middle 47 Comparable to pie? 48 ‘Blinded by the Light’ singer Manfred 51 Prefix with ‘gap’ or ‘care’ 52 Once more, in Dogpatch 53 Fat, as a chance

SUDOKU

54 Christmas season 56 ‘I ___ man with seven wives’ 57 Dash of panache 58 WWII landing crafts 61 Corn measure PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

THOUGHT OF THE DAY If you take a laptop computer for a run you could jog your memory. – Anonymous

Chai Time STAR POWER

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

Your tomorrow today̶Star Power and Tarot THIRUVAIKUMAR

As per Hindu panchang

FOR 22-3-2012

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

TAURUS

GEMINI

You will deal with difﬁcult situations in a wise manner. Happy events at home will increase your expenses. New assets may be purchased by utilising income from ancestral property.

Sudden fortune likely, which will make your ﬁnancial situation comfortable. Friendship with political bigwigs likely to help you enormously. Construction will resume and get completed.

Tasks undertaken by you will get com‑ pleted successfully. Friendship with good persons likely. Many happy events to take place at home. Children's wise actions will increase your inﬂuence.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

You will not keep quiet until and unless jobs undertaken get completed. Such is your willpower. You will come out of problems by selling ancestral property. Rasing your voice will spell trouble.

You will be the creator of master plans. You will be introduced to persons of high esteem. You will demand and get your due share in the ancestral proper‑ ty. You will properly guide children.

You will successfully complete even very hard work. You manage ﬁnancial deﬁcit very well. Identify culprits who are disloyal and chuck them out. Busi‑ nessmen advised to enter new ventures.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

You are bold enough to face any type of situation. Money from expected sources will flow. You will try to buy at least a small land or a house. Court verdicts are in your favour.

Your master plan, keeping the future in mind will complete without fail. VIPs will extend their help. Maternal relati‑ ves will extend their support. Trips, vehicle repair and minor accident likely.

You will come to know about those who are loyal to you in your circle of friends. Powerful ofﬁcials will extend their help. Financial ﬂow will be abundant. Daugh‑ ter's marriage will be settled.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Your talks are mature and wise, which ensures success in your work. Some ha‑ ve bright chance to renovate their hou‑ se and add an annex. Though ﬁnancial ﬂow is good, expenses too will increase.

Expectations are to get fulfilled. You will spend a large sum and renovate ancestral property with your comforts. You need to be strict in financial mat‑ ters. Never help with finances.

You will be more vibrant in action ra‑ ther than just talking. Introduction of VIPs likely. Construction work will re‑ sume and end without any hurdle. You need to monitor and control expenses.

SUMAA TEKUR

FOR 22-3-2012

tarotreadhyd@gmail.com

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

The Chariot – Youʼre feeling disconnected with spouse. Youʼre preoccupied with thoughts and want to be left alone. Co‑ mmunicate this clear‑ ly with your partner.

King of Swords – Youʼre in charge of a team and are expect‑ ed to lead with conﬁ‑ dence and courage. Your seniors trust fully that you can de‑ liver to expectation.

The Star – Not every‑ thing is lost. If some‑ thing hasnʼt gone your way, it doesnʼt mean that it wonʼt ever. Keep the faith and continue to work.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Knight of Cups – Youʼre feeling emo‑ tional today. But make sure youʼre not tram‑ pling on someone elseʼs feelings because you are not able to see beyond yourself.

Knight of Swords – Your technical know‑ ledge is much in de‑ mand at the work pl‑ ace. You will be ask‑ ed to step in and hel‑ p younger colleagues where they feel stuck.

Ace of Wands – You are in a fertile peri‑ od – both with your body and in your imagination. Great time for creative professionals. Some good ideas click.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

Ace of Cups – This is the cup of life and it brims over with cre‑ ativity. Juniors at wo‑ rk are turning to you for advice and inspi‑ ration and you give them exactly that.

Ten of Cups – Youʼre feeling settled and in a good mood while spending time with family. An important letter or email is coming your way. Donʼt ignore it.

Four of Swords – You need some rest and relaxation. Take a weekend break and get away. Switch off the Blackberry. Mental relaxation is more important.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Two of Wands – You need to wait upon events for them to have the right effect. It might be frustrat‑ ing but the period of waiting is extremely important.

Five of Wands – Avoid getting into any con‑ ﬂict situation. You will be tempted to make your opinion known. But only express your‑ self if absolutely nec‑ essary.

The Fool – Youʼre re‑ ady to jump into a new situation though you have little expe‑ rience in that area. It will be a great learn‑ ing experience. Go with the ﬂow.

For Better or for Worse Stone soup

SOLUTIONS

Boggle CLAM MUSSEL OYSTER OCTOPUS

Number game

Suduko

Scrabble

Ink pen

COMICS

Fred Basset

ARIES

TAROT READ

Vol: 1, No 248 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033 and printed by him at Jagati Publications Ltd, Plot No D-75&E-52, APIE Industrial Estate, Balanagar, Ranga Reddy Dist, Hyderabad – 500037, Editor: Dean Williams – Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. For feedback, please write to: feedback@postnoon.com and for subscription, please call 040-4067 2222, Fax: 040-4067 2211

Chai Time 1400 Naadi Aadajanme 1430 Pavitra 1500 Movie 1800 Kodala Kodala Koduku Pellama 1830 Vasantha Kokila 1900 Chinnari Pelli Kuturu 1930 Anna Chellelu 2000 Missamma 2030 Edureetha 2100 Challenge 2200 CID 2300 Challenge 0730 Maa Gramadevatalu 0800 Ayurvedam 0830 Chaganti Sanatana Dharmam 0900 Bhale Chansule

1400 Kannavaari Kalalu 1430 Maavichiguru 1500 Sumangali 1530 Movie 1800 Jai Shri Krishna 1830 Shraavani Subramaniam 1900 Mandhara 1930 Auto Bharthi 2000 Swathi 2030 Mogali Rekulu 2100 Aparanji 2130 Devatha 2200 Mamathala Kovela 2230 Heartlo Battery 2300 Gemini Vaarthalu 0800 Gemini Talkies 0830 Movie 1130 Aha Emi Ruchi 1200 Jeevitha Chakram 1230 Maa Inti Aada Paduchu 1300 Chittemmaa 1330 Gorintaku

1430 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 1500 [V] Humse Hai Life 1530 [V] Suvreen Guggal 1600 [V] Trailers 1630 [V] Zabardast Hits 1830 [V] Suvreen Guggal 1900 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 1930 [V] Humse Hai Life 2000 [V] Suvreen Guggal 2030 [V] Steal UR Girlfriend 2130 [V] Trailers 2200 [V] Vignettes 2230 [V] Humse Hai Life 2300 [V] Suvreen Guggal 2330 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 2355 [V] Fresh Songs 0700 [V] Trailers 0730 [V] Zabardast Hits 0800 [V] Mind Blasting Mornings 1100 [V] Fresh Songs 1200 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance

‘[V] Suvreen Guggal’ at 1830 Hrs on CHANNEL [V]

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

‘The Game’ at 1930 Hrs only on TIMES NOW

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

Telly sitcoms, news and movie listings

1400 Abhishekam 1430 Aadade Aadharam 1500 Antahpuram 1530 Aakasa Ganga 1600 Prema Mandiram 1630 Jagadeeswari 1700 WOW 1800 Devimahathyam 1830 Puttadi Bomma 1900 Kumkuma Rekha 1930 Manasu Mamata 2000 Chandra Mukhi 2030 Bharyamani 2100 Etv News 2130 Adhurs 2 2245 Movie 0800 Subhamastu 0830 Jeevanajyothi 0900 Movie 1130 Abhiruchi 1230 Star Mahila

1400 Nagani 1430 Movie 1800 Meera 1830 Kalavari Kodallu 1900 Chinna Kodalu 1930 Pasupukunkuma 2000 Muddu Bidda 2030 Radha Kalyanam 2100 Kanyadanam 2130 Luckku Kickku 2230 Shree 2300 Bindass 2330 Latest Songs 0800 Gopuram 0830 Bhakti Samacharam 0900 Sri Raghavendra Vybhavam 0930 Mahadevi 1000 Bindass 1030 Comedy Club 1130 Jeevana Vignanam 1200 Mee Inti Vanta 1230 Nene Satyabhama

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

‘Gold Rush - Alaska’ at 2000 Hrs on DISCOVERY 1400 Get Out Alive 1600 Swamp Brothers 1630 Factory Made 1700 Man Woman Wild 1800 Wild Discovery 1900 I Almost Got Away With It? 2000 Gold Rush - Alaska 2100 Mutant Planet 2200 Dual Survival 2300 Tattoo Hunter 1000 Mutant Planet 1100 Man Vs Wild 1200 Dual Survival 1300 Food Detectives

1440 Whacked Out Sports 1510 The Rachel Zoe Project 1605 The Challenger Muaythai 1800 Chuck 1900 Most Daring 2000 Supernatural 2100 24 2200 Fear Factor 2300 Most Daring 0700 Infomercial/30 Min 0730 Sky Teleshopping 0830 Infomercial/30 Min 0900 Sky Teleshopping 0930 Whacked Out Sports 1000 The Rachel Zoe Project 1100 Most Daring 1200 Wipeout 1250 CSI - NY

‘24’ at 2100 Hrs on AXN

‘Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo’ at 2200 Hrs on IMAGINE 1400 Haar Jeet 1430 Jamuna Paar 1500 Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo 1600 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 1630 Jamuna Paar 1700 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 1730 Sawaare Sabke Sapne – Preeto 1800 Jamuna Paar 1830 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 1900 Haar Jeet 1930 Gyaan Guru 2000 Dwarkadheesh - Bhagwan Shri Krishn 2030 Sawaare Sabke Sapne – Preeto 2100 Jamuna Paar 2130 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 2200 Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo 2230 Haar Jeet 2300 Jamuna Paar

1400 Parichay 1430 Balika Vadhu 1500 Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha 1530 Uttaran 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 Chhal Sheh Aur Maat 2130 Parichay - Nayee Zindagi Kay Sapno Ka 2200 Uttaran 2230 Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha 2300 Na Aana Is Des Laado 2330 Balika Vadhu

‘Chhal Sheh Aur Maat’ at 2100 Hrs on COLORS

‘Afsar Bitiya’ at 1900 Hrs on ZEE TV 1400 Hitler Didi 1430 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 1500 Afsar Bitiya 1530 Choti Bahu 1600 Pavitra Rishta 1630 Dance India Dance 1800 Hitler Didi 1830 Punar Vivaah 1900 Afsar Bitiya 1930 Choti Bahu 2000 Hitler Didi 2030 Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli 2100 Pavitra Rishta 2130 Ram Milaayi Jodi 2200 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein 2230 Punar Vivaah 2300 Afsar Bitiya 2330 Hitler Didi

1400 Saas Bina Sasuraal 1430 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 1500 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 1530 Crime Patrol - 2 1700 Crime Patrol - Dastak 1800 Saas Bina Sasuraal 1830 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 1900 Crime Patrol - Dastak 1930 Shubh Vivah 2000 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 2030 Dekha Ek Khwaab 2100 Saas Bina Sasuraal 2130 Parvarrish - Kuchh Khatti Kuchh Meethi 2200 Kyaa Hua Tera Vaada 2230 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai 2300 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge 2330 Crime Patrol - Dastak 0900 Kahani Comedy Circus Ki 1030 CID 1200 Shubh Vivah 1230 Dekha Ek Khwaab

‘Parvarrish’ at 2130 Hrs on SONY

‘E H M M B H’ at 2030 Hrs on STAR PLUS 1400 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behnaa Hai 1430 Mann Ki Awaaz… Pratigya 1500 Navya 1530 Diya Aur Bati Hum 1600 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behnaa Hai 1630 Sasuraal Genda Phool 1700 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 1800 Navya 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 Sajda Tere Pyaar Mein 2230 Mann Ki Awaaz… Pratigya 2300 Maryaada ... Lekin Kab Tak?

MOVIES OF THE DAY AND OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

1445 Million Dollar Baby 1715 Scooby-Doo 1900 My Best Friend's Girl 2100 Jason X 2240 Romeo Must Die 0815 Friends 0945 My Best Friend's Girl 1140 Rise 1330 Jason X

1245 2 Fast 2 Furious 1500 Virtuosity 1710 Macgruber 1855 The Wedding Singer 2100 Crank 2 - High Voltage 2245 The Mummy 0900 Flash Point 1050 The Wedding Singer 1250 The Mummy

1400 My Kitchen Rules 1500 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 1530 America's Funniest Home Videos 1600 Scrubs 1630 My Wife And Kids 1700 Haven 1800 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 1900 Scrubs 1930 My Wife And Kids 2000 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 2030 America's Funniest Home Videos 2100 My Kitchen Rules 2200 Haven 2300 Cougar Town 2330 My Wife And Kids 0900 America's Funniest Home Videos 1000 Cougar Town 1030 My Wife And Kids 1100 My Kitchen Rules

‘Cougar Town’ at 2300 Hrs on ZEE CAFE

Balika Vadhu Storyline - Gauri comes to Jaitsar and she tells Badi Jiji that she and Jagat are married. Jagya and Gauri are fighting in Anandi’s presence where Gauri doubts on Jagya and Anandi. ‘Balika Vadhu’ at 2000 Hrs on COLORS

‘Castle’ at 2200 Hrs on STAR WORLD 1400 Supernatural 1500 Pan Am 1600 Joey 1630 The Simpsons 1700 Person Of Interest 1800 Supernatural 1900 Desperate Housewives 2000 Two And A Half Men 2030 The Simpsons 2100 Supernatural 2200 Castle 2300 Joey 2330 Two And A Half Men 0700 Castle 0800 Las Vegas 0900 Missing 1000 Castle 1100 Desperate Housewives 1200 Two And A Half Men 1230 The Simpsons 1300 Joey 1330 Friends

Kya Huaa Tera Vaada Storyline - Mona is still unaware this until she gets a call from Pradeep’s cellphone. Mona answers it a servant tells her that someone left this phone @ his boss's house. ‘Kya Huaa Tera Vaada’ at 2200 Hrs on SONY

1400 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 1430 R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya 1500 Lapataganj - Sharad Joshi Ki Kahaniyon Ka Pata 1530 F.I.R 1600 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 1630 I Luv My India 1700 Gutur Gu 1730 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 1900 Chidiyaghar 1930 Movers And Shakers 2000 I Luv My India 2030 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 2100 Chidiyaghar 2130 R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya 2200 Lapataganj 2230 Movers And Shakers 2300 F.I.R 2330 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 1030 Gutur Gu 1100 F.I.R 1130 Chidiyaghar

‘Lapataganj’ at 2200 Hrs on SAB

‘Kismat Konnection’ at 1230 Hrs on ZOOM 1230 Movie - Kismat Konnection 1600 My Playlist 1700 Page 3 1730 Star Bonanza 1800 Let'z Go! 1900 Planet Bollywood 1930 Link'D 2000 Zabar 10 2030 Let'z Go! 2100 Telly Talk 2130 Let'z Go! 2200 B - Tonite 2230 All Most Famous 2300 Bollywood Bonanza 0700 Fresh Mornings 0800 Red Carpet 0805 Fresh Mornings 1100 Your Likes 1200 Planet Bollywood 1230 Movie - Fashion

‘Crank 2 - High Voltage’ at 2100 Hrs on HBO

1400 Oddities 1430 Mythbusters 1530 Discovery Science Classics 1630 Sci Fi Science 1700 One Step Beyond 1730 Futureweapons 1930 How Do They Do It? 2030 Heavy Metal Taskforce 2130 Life On The Line 2200 Deconstructed 2230 Showdown - Aircombat 2330 Industrial Revelations 1030 Sci Fi Science 1100 One Step Beyond 1130 Mythbusters 1330 How Do They Do It?

‘Showdown - Aircombat’ at 2230 Hrs on DISCOVERY SCIENCE

‘Hawaii Five - 0’ at 2100 Hrs on BIG CBS PRIME 1400 Frasier 1430 Jerry Springer 1530 Aspire 1600 Galileo Extreme 1700 The 4400 1800 Entertainment Tonight 1830 Galileo Extreme 1930 Frasier 2000 Entertainment Tonight 2030 Galileo Extreme 2100 Hawaii Five - 0 2200 Jerry Springer 2300 The 4400 0700 Big Wheels 0730 Aspire 0800 Galileo Extreme 0900 The 4400 1000 Bellator 1100 Jerry Springer 1200 Aspire 1230 Entertainment Tonight 1300 Galileo Extreme

Playing Field

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

The games people play

Woods plays at par as his team hits rock bottom

Heat’s too hot for Suns

MIAMI: Chris Bosh scored 29 points and LeBron James added 20 to spark the Miami Heat to a 14th consecutive NBA home triumph, a 99-95 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. Dwyane Wade added 19 points and Udonis Haslem came off the bench to contribute 15 points and a team-high nine rebounds for Miami. The Heat improved to 34-11, stretching their Southeast division lead over Orlando to six games and remaining seconds overall in the Eastern Conference. Miami went 13-of-16 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter, but trailed 90-80 before ending the game on a 19-5 run to secure the victory. Miami has not lost at home in two months but the Suns, led by 19 points from Grant Hill, had won 11 of the past 14 games and tested the Heat into the final minutes. The Suns fell to 23-23, 10th in the Western Conference, and saw a four-game win streak snapped. AFP

Tiger Woods of the USA and The Albany Team plays his second shot to the 18th green as the afternoon sun shimmers off the waters during the second day of the 2012 Tavistock Cup at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club on Tuesday in Orlando, Florida. AFP/DAVID CANNON

ORLANDO, FLORIDA: Injury-nagged Tiger Woods fired a par 72 at Lake Nona on Tuesday in the second and final round of the Tavistock Cup exhibition event as his Albany team stumbled to a last-place finish. Nine days after walking off in the last round of a World Golf Championships event at Doral with a strained left Achilles tendon, Woods made two birdies on the front nine and two bogeys on the back nine playing

in the final foursome. Woods birdied the par-5 second and the par-3 fourth and took bogeys at the par-5 11th and par-3 13th in his first stroke-play round since the injury. He had played in a better-ball format with England’s Justin Rose on Monday. Only one player among the 24 in the field, Albany teammate Luke Donald of England, had a worse round than Woods, shooting a 76. Host Lake Nona won the

$2.15 million event featuring four teams of top PGA talent with a 41-under par total score, two strokes ahead of Isleworth with Queenwood third on 31under and 2011 champion Albany last on 26-under. Health fears abounded over Woods, a 14-time major champion chasing the all-time record 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus, when he walked off at Doral after hitting his tee shot on the 12th hole. But Woods rested his leg and

received medical treatment and said last week he would play in the Tavistock event, the US PGA Arnold Palmer Invitational that begins at Bay Hill on Thursday and at the Masters, which starts April 5. Former World No. 1 Woods has won six titles at Bay Hill in his career. He will tee off on Thursday morning alongside US compatriot Hunter Mahan and Ernie Els, a three-time major winner who needs a victory to qualify for the Masters.

ChampionVettel has a fight on his hands SEPANG, MALAYSIA: Defending world champion Sebastian Vettel finds himself in the unaccustomed position of playing catch-up as what is shaping as a gripping Formula One season hits steamy Malaysia this week. Red Bull’s precocious young German was never headed last year as he swept to his second straight title, and he has led the standings since November 2010, when he coolly won a last-race showdown for his maiden championship. But the 24-year-old from

Heppenheim knows he has a fight on his hands for only the third hat-trick in Formula One history, after McLaren emerged from pre-season testing to dominate the year’s opening grand prix in Australia. Former champion Jenson Button won in impressive style and Vettel had a timely safety car intervention to thank as he nipped in front of McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton to finish second. Red Bull’s Mark Webber was fourth. Now Red Bull and McLaren, who have not won the drivers’

title since 2008, are already locked in a tussle to get the most of their cars and drivers as they size up the Malaysian Grand Prix, one of the year’s toughest races. “We saw it last year where there were swings and roundabouts — with some circuits suiting different cars and different characteristics,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told Autosport.com. “So I think there are circuits that will affect performance, but I think the teams are very closely matched at this point of time,” he added.

Michael Schumacher (L) poses with Sebastian Vettel before Formula One’s Australian Grand Prix. AFP/WILLIAM WEST

Playing Field

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

The games people play

Thriller match ends in a tie KINGSTOWN: A thrilling third one-day international between West Indies and Australia at Arnos Vale Tuesday ended in a tie after Darren Sammy was run out with the Windies needing just one run from the last three balls to win. Sammy had hit a boundary off the previous delivery to take West Indies to 220 with one wicket remaining, but a horrible mixup with Kemar Roach led to Sammy being run out by Brett Lee as the Australians celebrated securing a rare tie. But the Windies had reason to be happy too, having earlier appeared up against it at 78 for five, and the five-match series remains finely poised at one win apiece with the final two games to come in St Lucia on Friday and Sunday. “I think we believed we could beat them,” said Sammy at the end of a match watched by a packed crowd on a national holiday in Saint Vincent. “We should have won today. Everyone played their part right down to the number 11. The discussion (with Roach ahead of the last ball) was that we were looking to run. I won’t lay blame on anyone, it’s just a shame we

Australia’s Brett Lee runs out West Indies’ Darren Sammy during the third ODI at the Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown on Tuesday. The match was tied after the last over run-out. AFP/JEWEL SAMAD couldn’t see out the win.” “The way we came back to get 220 was a great effort. The team believe we can beat Australia, and we will look to win the next two games. The pitch here was not conducive for stroke play but we do need to play some consistent cricket.”

Australia captain Shane Watson, the tourists’ leading bowler with figures of three for 30, was delighted his team managed to avoid a second defeat here in the space of three days but admitted that improvements must be made before Friday’s next match.

“Little things here and there could have been improved,” he said. “We need to adapt and get better in these conditions. “As a captain it is a learning experience playing in a tie but there are a lot of things to work on in the next two matches.”

Libby swims her way to 50m glory ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA: Three-time Olympic champion Libby Trickett boosted her hopes of an individual spot at the London Olympics with the second-fastest time in the 50metres freestyle semi-finals at the Australian trials on Wednesday. Free of pressure after sealing Olympic selection as a relay swimmer in Tuesday's 100m freestyle final, Trickett clocked 25.12 seconds to qualify for Wednesday night's semis behind 16-year-old Alexandra Purcell (25.05). Trickett, 27, who spent 18 months out of the sport after the 2009 Rome world championships, is relishing the chance to compete in the London event

in her own right. "It's just nice to go out there and kind of freewheel a little bit," Trickett said. "I hope to go really fast in the 50 because my starts are feeling sensational, they're the fastest they've ever been. "Hopefully, I can make the final tomorrow and see what I can do." James Magnussen will be bidding for his second title in the men's 50m freestyle final later Wednesday. He shaded Eamon Sullivan by one-hundredth of a second to be the fastest qualifier into the final. Magnussen, 20, who missed the 100m freestyle world record by 0.19secs, clocked a personal best 21.87secs in Tuesday's semis to Sullivan's 21.88. AFP

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia were indebted to a century stand between George Bailey and Mike Hussey as they reached 220 all out. The pair reached their halfcenturies in successive balls in the 39th over on their way to a fourth-wicket stand of 112. Bailey made his maiden ODI half-century and went on to make 59 before being caught at square leg by Dwayne Bravo off the bowling of Marlon Samuels. The older of the Hussey brothers kept the tourists’ innings together and top-scored with 67 from 95 balls before being stumped by wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh off another Samuels delivery. He was named man of the match after the highest knock of the series so far in the third game played on a notoriously tough pitch. Before that fourth-wicket stand, Australia had looked in trouble, with captain Shane Watson being run out for ten early on, and Matthew Wade being bowled by Sunil Narine for just two. When David Warner was dismissed for 37, the tourists were on 58 for 3. And after Samuels had ended that fourth-wicket stand, Australia’s tail collapsed in a dramatic fashion. AFP

Afghanistan, Namibia to clash in final DUBAI: Favourites Afghanistan and seventhseed Namibia have reached the first final of the ICC World Twenty20 qualifying tournament after topping their groups. Both sides were unbeaten over seven matches in the competition in the United Arab Emirates, in which two places are up for grabs for the World Twenty20 series in Sri Lanka later this year. Afghanistan beat Bermuda by 15 runs, while Namibia won by 27 runs against Italy. AFP

Playing Field

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

The games people play

Chelsea sack player for smoke grenade scare

Bayern to miss Bastian for semi-final clash

Comfortable night for Muamba, say docs

LONDON: Chelsea announced Tuesday they have

BERLIN: Bayern Munich will be without Germany star Bastian Schweinsteiger for Wednesday’s German Cup semi-final at Moenchengladbach as he continues to recover from torn ankle ligaments. “Basti will not be there,” confirmed Bayern spokesman Markus Hoerwick before the team left for Gladbach. Schweinsteiger, 27, tore ankle ligaments in the quarterfinal win over Stuttgart on February 8 and although he played 20 minutes in the 7-1 Bundesliga hammering of Hoffenheim a fortnight ago, he is still refinding his fitness. He missed last Tuesday’s 7-0 rout of FC Basel in the Champions League Round of 16 clash and also the 6-0 drubbing of Hertha Berlin in the capital last Saturday in the Bundesliga.

LONDON: Bolton player Fabrice Muamba spent a “comfortable night” in intensive care as he continues his recovery from a cardiac arrest, doctors treating him said on Tuesday. The 23-year-old is spending his fourth day at the London Chest Hospital after collapsing on the pitch during an FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham on Saturday. The family of the player, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo but came to Britain at the age of 11, are said to be touched by the public support they have received. A joint statement by Bolton and the hospital trust said: “Fabrice Muamba has had a comfortable night in the intensive care unit at the London Chest Hospital where the medical team is continuing to monitor his progress.”

sacked a player who let off a smoke grenade at their training ground. The Blues said they had “parted company” with 21year-old Jacob Mellis, who played once for the first team, following a “full and thorough” investigation into the incident on March 2. Midfielder Mellis’s teammate, Billy Clifford, escaped with a fine after admitting to bringing the grenade into Chelsea’s training ground in Cobham, south of London. In setting off the grenade in the reserves’ dressing room, Mellis triggered a full-scale evacuation procedure, with players and staff rushing from the building because of thick smoke.

Chelsea undaunted by City challenge LONDON: Roberto di Matteo has no qualms about taking his Chelsea side to Premier League title contenders Manchester City

We will try, yes, for sure. They’re obviously very strong at home, everybody knows that. But every run comes to an end. Roberto di Matteo, Chelsea coach

on Wednesday despite the absence of injured captain John Terry. Former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, shortly before he was sacked, labelled City’s squad “a lot better” than the one at Stamford Bridge. But although Chelsea are 14 points behind City, caretaker manager and former Blues midfielder di Matteo said: “I think we have a very good team and squad, a very strong one, and we’ve shown it over the years. “The table shows that they (City) have won more games this season than we have. But, I think we are very competitive.” City have won all 14 of their league matches at Eastlands so far this season, while Chelsea have gone four away games without a win. “We will try, yes, for sure. They’re obviously very strong at home, everybody knows that. But every run comes to an end,” di Matteo said of a City team managed by fellow former Italy international Roberto Mancini. “We’ve got a lot of players that have played many, many important games and crucial games and Premier League games, and that is certainly a factor that is within our team.” AFP

Although Chelsea are 14 points behind City, caretaker manager di Matteo is confident.

Chelsea’s Fernando Torres celebrates scoring his second goal against Leicester City during at Stamford Bridge, West London in England, on March 18. AFP/ OLLY GREENWOOD

Playing Field

The games people play

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

Messi proposes, Messi disposes Barcelonaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lionel Messi (R) vies with Granada's Noe Elias Pamarot (L) and Moises Hurtado Perez (C) during their Spanish league football match on Tuesday at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. AFP/JOSEP LAGO MADRID: Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to become Barcelona's alltime leading scorer on 234 goals in a 5-3 win over Granada Tuesday which moved the champions to within five points of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. It was Barca's sixth consecutive league win and this puts pressure on Madrid ahead of their trip to Villarreal on Wednesday, three days after Jose Mourinho's side dropped two points in a 1-1 draw at home to Malaga. Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola praised the record-breaking Argentinian. "We have to congratulate Messi, he has scored so many goals and is only 24, he does not just score ordinary goals but great goals and we hope he gets lots more for us, we can compare him perhaps to Michael Jordan in football," he said. Xavi Hernandez and Messi hit the net for Barcelona in the first half before Diego Mainz reduced arrears for the Andalusians on 55 minutes. In doing so, Messi equalled the record of 232 goals held by club legend Cesar Rodriguez. Guilherme Siqueira levelled from the spot for the away side seven minutes later after Dani Alves pulled down Dani Benitez, raising the prospect of a possible upset. However those fears lasted only minutes as

Messi produced a trademark chip over Granada's Brazilian 'keeper Julio Cesar in the 67th minute to put Barcelona 3-2 ahead. Cristian Tello then drove the ball into the net after Messi's shot was parried by Cesar to make it 4-2 for the hosts, and Messi followed up with another fine piece of individual skill to make it 5-2 in the 86th minute. Dani Alves received a

MESSI WHOSE LATEST HAT-TRICK TOOK HIS BARĂ&#x2021;A TOTAL TO 234, HAS ALSO SCORED 34 GOALS, SO FAR, IN THE LEAGUE, TWO MORE THAN REAL MADRID STRIKER CRISTIANO RONALDO. second yellow card on 88 minutes for handling the ball in the area and Siqueira scored from the spot again, moments

before the final whistle. Previously, Cesar was believed to have scored 235 goals for Barcelona, but a study had revealed that the 1950's striker had in fact scored 232 goals -- a statistic confirmed earlier on Tuesday on Barca's website. Messi's latest hat-trick, taking his Barca total to 234, also made it 34 goals so far in the league, two more than Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo. Earlier on Tuesday evening Osasuna and Getafe drew 0-0 in an uneventful match. The result means both teams edge a point closer to the objective of safety that both managers have set for their sides this week. However an Osasuna victory would have temporarily placed the side from Pamplona in fourth position and in a Champions League qualifying place. Instead Osasuna remain sixth on 40 points, a point behind fourth placed Levante, while Getafe sit four points behind in 11th. The game burst into life just before half-time when first Juan Martinez 'Nino' for Osasuna and then Jose Jimenez 'Mane' for Getafe had good chances to open the scoring. However the secondhalf failed to continue in the same vein and chances were scarce as both teams seemed content to record a third sucessive 0-0 draw in this fixture. AFP