Postnoon E-Paper for 24 December 2012

HIGH COURTDISMISSES JAGAN’S

BAIL PETITIONAndhra Pradesh High Court

today dismissed the bail petition of YSR Congress chief

YS Jaganmohan Reddy in connection with the case of

alleged disproportionateassets involving him. Jagan

earlier moved the High Courtcontending that he is entitledto bail as a matter of right inview of the fact that the CBIhad not filed a chargesheetwithin the prescribed time.However, opposing Jagan's

bail plea, the CBI had contend-ed that the issue of statutorybail was argued at length in

Supreme Court and theaccused now cannot raise this

issue once again.

HYDERABAD’S FIRST COMPACT AFTERNOON NEWSPAPER

FLASH

MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012 HYDERABAD WWW.POSTNOON.COM WEATHER: A MIX OF CLOUDY AND CLEAR SKIES; 22°C 32 PAGES `3

INFORMATIONTO DIE FOR

REPORT ON P6

Rangareddy district’s RTI activists are becoming fatalities of ‘family feuds’ — soonafter they start digging for information thatwill indict some unscrupulous officials.Whistleblowers cry foul play.

city eventsMONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012

2

AROUND THE CITY: YOUR GUIDE TO THE TWIN CITIES

Christmas Eve buffetTraditional turkey buffet and unlimit-ed beverages will be served atDeccan Pavilion. There will also belive entertainment. Where: Deccan Pavilion,

BegumpetWhen: December 24 Contact: (040) 2340 0132

Christmas brunchThere is a Christmas Day TurkeyBrunch at Marriott Hotel andConvention Center. European-inspired Ginger Bread House startedfrom December 15. Where: Okra,

Hyderabad Marriott Hoteland Convention Center

When: December 25,12.30pm to 4pm

X’mas, New Year treatBarbeque Nation is converted into aChristmas village to resemble thebirthplace of Jesus. An exotic varietyof vegetarian and non-vegetariandishes will be served. Where: Barbeque Nation,Banjara Hills & Jubilee HillsWhen: December 21-January 1

7pm onwardsContact: (040) 6456 6693

(040) 6429 2237

Inertia Photography Photography exhibition on India byLona Lohan till December 31.Where: Rajiv Gandhi Airport,

ShamshabadWhen: Up to December 31

11am to 7pmContact: (040) 6625 0000

Art exhibitionArtist M Narayan’s work is on display.Narayan graduated from the KenSchool of Art. He has participated inover 30 solo exhibitions and isknown for his rural depictions. Where: Shrishti Art Gallery,

Road no. 15, Jubilee Hills When: Up to January 2Contact: (040) 2354 0023

Painting exhibitionMemories Of Another Day is an exhi-bition of paintings by artist KondaSrinivas. He works with acrylic andoils on canvas, specialising in semi-abstract landscapes. Where: Icon Art Gallery,

Banjara Hills When: Up to December 25

from 11:30amContact: (040) 3241 1554

Christmas carolsChristmas carols will be sung byGlobal Edge school till the end ofDecember at The Lobby. Where: Novotel & HICC Complex,

PO Bag No 1101, Cyberabad Post Office, Near Hitec City

When: December 3-31Contact: (040) 6682 4422

Concert for a CauseApna watan, MS Foundation &Hyderapals are presenting Soundsfrom England. The money collectedwill go to the MS school for under-

privileged children. The passes areavailable at Goethe-Zentrum.Where: Vidyaranya High SchoolWhen: January 5,

6pm onwardsContact: (040) 2335 0473

A-Bong LiveA-Bong is a group of music enthusi-ast Bengalis from Hyderabad.Where: La Makaan,

Lane Adjacent To C-Bay ,Banjara Hills.

When: January 65pm onwards

Contact: 93965 55888

AlexanderJaya Prakash Reddy is performing a100 minute solo. He plays a retiredarmy officer who wants to help people with their problems by starting a helpline. It is scripted by

writer Pusala. Where: Ravindra Bharathi,

Public Gardens,Nampally, H-01, Abids

When: January 6,7pm to 9pm

Contact: (040) 2324 9045

Photo competitionAlliance Francaise, Hyderabad, isconducting a photo competition. Thetheme is Professions of the world.The winning entries will be sent toParis.Where: http://hyderabad.afindia.orgWhen: December 3 to January 6

Pochampally IKAT melaPochampally Handloom Park isorganising IKAT Mela, exhibitinghandloom products like hand madebed & home linen, dress materials,home textiles, stoles , scarves, sarees,and dupattas, among others. Where: The National Small

Industries Corporation (NSIC) Exhibition Center Radhika Theater Road, Kamalanagar, Kushaiguda

When: December 21 to 31from 10am to 9:30pm

Contact: 95429 76567

Christmas hampersTaj Krishna is giving out Luxury SantaHampers and Deluxe Santa Hampers,which include Remy Martin Xo,Lagavulin 16, luxury Canali tie, andRose petal jam to name a few. Where: Taj Krishna When: OngoingContact: (040) 6666 2323

DINING

GAS BOOKING IVRS NO HP 9666023456Indane 9848824365

BSNL Complaints 198HMWS & SB Complaints 155313

POLICE CONTROL ROOMHyderabad 27852435Traffic Control Room 27852482DCP Traffic 23234065, 23243499FPollution Control Board 23887500

ELECTRICITYGeneral Complaints 155333Breakdown Section 23431178

23431179

MUNICIPAL CORPORATION

Commissioner & Spl Officer 2326226624166666R

ENC 23225267Engineering 23220418MCH Tankbund 23225397Emergency MCH Circle I&II 24525842MCH Circle III 24736912MCH Circle IV 23326975MCH Circle V 23326976MCH Circle VI MCH Complaints 1100Head Office 23225397

IVRS CUM MANUAL ENQUIRYPHONE NUMBERS(TRAIN & RESERVATION)RAILWAYSRail Nilayam 27833169, 27824216Railway Information 131Reservations 135Recorded Information 1345Enquiry (IVRS) 1331, 1332, 1333

WATER SUPPLYComplaint Cell 155313Sewerage Complaint 23307328Hyd. Water Supply 23313163

HOSPITALGeneral Hospital, Sec-bad 27505566Niloufer Hospital, Red Hills 23314095NIMS, Director, Punjagutta 23390933Osmania General Hospital 24600146Railway Hospital, Lalaguda 27001134Apollo, Jubilee Hills 23607777Care Hospital, Banjara Hills 30418888Care Hospital, Nampally 30417777Care Hospital, Musheerabad 30419000Care Hospital, Sec-bad 30416666Kamineni Hospital, LB Nagar 39879999

BLOOD BANKSBlood Bank,Narayanguda 27567892Chiranjeevi Blood Bank 23559555Blood Bank Mediton Goal 23226624Red Cross, Vidyanagar 27633087ADRM Blood Bank 27035588Mythri Charitable Trust 27550238NTR Memorial Trust 30799999Care Banjara Hills 30418296

30417445

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

AIRLINES

Airport Director 27903785, 27906001For Air India Flight Information Toll free(from any network) for IC Flights

18001801407And for All Flights: 1800227722Air India has revised its flight timings.For more information call (Toll free)18001801407, 1800227722 from BSNL/MTNL 04023430334 from otherlines and mobile Website; www.airindia.in

TOURISM OFFICESAP Tourism, Hyd 23262152/53/54Sec-bad 27893100Dept of Tourism 23453110India Tourism 23261360AP Tourism information Centre (24x7) 23450444, 23455999

UK VISA OFFICEVFS India Pvt Ltd Building, 8-2-542/A,Sunil Chamber, Road No. 7

Beside Meridian School, Banjara Hills-34. Working hours are from 8 AM to1 PM And 2 PM to 3PM.

MUSEUMSSalar Jung Museum 24523211AP State Museum 232431300/7641Nizams Museum 24521029

Helpline

Readers’ viewsWe invite you to write to

us comments, suggestions,viewpoint or just about

anything [email protected]

or #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa,

Road No 62, Jubilee Hills,Hyderabad – 500 033

or even by way ofa call on 4067 2222

BULLS ART EXHIBITIONA group exhibition by Avijit Roy, HR Das, Laxman Aelay, Nagesh Goud

and Sreekanth Kurva on the animal bull and its characteristics is on dis-play at Aalankritha Art Gallery. The preview was on December 22. The

exhibition is on till January 2 from 11am to 7pm.

BangaloreMax 28Min 17

Partly cloudy.

ChennaiMax 29Min 25

Mix of sun andcloud.

MumbaiMax 33Min 24

Mostly sunny.

New DelhiMax 20Min 10

Scattered thunderstorms

24°CA mix of clear and

cloudy skies.

21°CA mix of clear and

cloudy skies.

25°CA mix of cloud

and sun.

28°CSunny with

cloudy periods

Weather for HyderabadEvening Overnight Morning Afternoon

MUKKOTI EKADASHI: Devotees offer prayers at Venkateshwara Temple on the occasion of Mukkoti Ekadashi atBanajara Hills on Sunday. N SHIVA KUMAR

ARTSHOWS

MISCELLANEOUS

YESTERDAY’S QUESTIONWILL GUJARAT POLL RESULTS REFLECT ON RAHUL GANDHI’S LEADERSHIP?

YES (A)

NO (B)

CRIME CRIME

MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012

3City TODAY’S QUESTIONWILL SACHIN’S EXIT AFFECT INDIA’S ODI PERFORMANCE?A) YES B) NO

To vote visit www.postnoon.com

64%

36%

Mohd [email protected]

In a swift move, the policediscredited two men whoclaimed that they wereattacked by unknown peo-

ple when communal tensionwas at its peak in the Old City.

The cock-and-bull story con-cocted by Majeed Khan, 18, andMohd Azaam, 19, had a commu-nal overtone. The two claimedthat they were going home afterwork by an RTC bus and gotdown at Nayapul. They werewai ting for another bus andZaheer had gone to answer na -ture’s call when four men onbik es appeared and asked Maj -

eed his name. The four, claimedMajeed, slapped and attackedhim after hearing his name.

Mirchowk police found outthat the duo worked at a carpetshop and were returning by an

RTC bus when some argumenttook place and the two swore ateach other. When they gotdown from the bus, a scuffletook place and Zaheer attackedMajeed with a blade. Realisingthat both will be in trouble if apolice complaint was lodged,the two made up the story of acommunal attack as the temple-Charminar issue was at its peakand the City was under pro-hibitory orders.

Police officers who madeextra efforts to find out the truthwere shocked at the light man-ner in which the young mencooked up stories. It could haveled to a major communal flare-up if not verified, police said.

‘Communal victims’ heldHere is how rumours and false stories lead to

communal flare-ups. Police did a quick job, exposedthe lie and saved the situation.

Realising that both ofthem would be introuble if a policecomplaint waslodged about theirfight, the two youngsters made up the story of a communal attack.

POSTNOON [email protected]

In a new game of trickery,some people were found to beconning connoisseurs of

antiques with fake old articles.Task force of Central zone arrest-ed four of them recently.

The police found that thegang used to target people whowalked into curio shops orantique shops and would offerthem articles they would say arecenturies old. ‘Used by this Rajahor that Sultan,’ used to be part oftheir spiel. Recently, they connedsome customers with someblack-coloured bottles with ‘EastIndia Company 1818’ engravedon them. What is more, theyclaimed the bottles have spiritualvalues. They claimed that hold-ers of these bottles would come

to riches and would not beharmed by evil spirits, said addi-tional DCP T Rameshaiah.

The police said one of theaccused was himself a victim ofthis conning and had purchasedsuch objects for high prices hop-ing that they would fetch hugeprofits. But reality was differentand it was a hard job, the arrest-ed confessed.

Fake Genie bottle sellers arrested

The accused with the ‘antique’

The column that teaches everyonesomething new about the way theCity functions.

1Some add to communal tensions for personal gain.

Two people in the City werecaught for blaming their mutualdisputes on the Charminar-templecommunal violence.

2 We need stricter laws to protect RTI activists.

There have been reports of RTIactivists in the State being arrest-ed, murdered and threatened andcomplaints that RTI replies areunsatisfactory.

3 Playing on emotions to winelections?

Government bodies are witnessingseparatist sentiments regardingthe T-issue, which played a crucialrole in the success of GHMEU atthe GHMC elections held recently.

4What better way to buildcommunity spirit?

The T-10 cricket match betweenTollywood and Bollywood aided incollecting 3,000 units of blood byway of donation.

5Question what is sold to you.Don’t blindly buy.

Some people were found to beconning connoisseurs of antiqueswith fake old articles.

city MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012 4

Motorists battle adsLast year, Postnoon reported how

the billboards along the City roads,most of which were illegal, glorifyingleaders from various political parties,congratulating them or wishing them,caused problems to drivers. The trafficpolice had been discarding severalsuch banners regularly, while seniorpoliticians were saying this was thebest way to get public attention.

DECEMBER 24, 2011

Energy award forAPTRANSCOTransmission corporation of

Andhra Pradesh has bagged theBureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)award on energy conservation inthe category of government build-ings for the year 2011-12, forachieving the best results for itsheadquarter building, VidyutSoudha, in energy conservation andenergy efficiency.

Auto drivers, ownersharassed by financiersThe Greater City Auto Owner's

Welfare Association requestedthe State government to issueguidelines to stop harassment byprivate auto financiers on autodrivers and owners. They demandeda jail term of at least three years forthose convicted for harassment.They also want an investigation ofthese financial sharks.

Mopidevi embarks onSabarimala pilgrimageCongress party leader and former

cabinet minister MopideviVenkata Ramana Rao was releasedfrom Chanchalguda jail this morn-ing. Rao embarks on his pilgrimageto Sabarimala tomorrow. Anaccused in the disproportionateassets case, he was given a 10-dayinterim bail by a special CBI court tovisit the temple.

Prez to inaugurateTelugu conferencePresident Pranab Mukherjee will

be the chief guest at the WorldTelugu Conference to be held inTirupathi on December 28. He willreach Tirupathi at 11am onDecember 27. After a brief rest atPadmavathi guest house, he willhead to the conference. After theinauguration, he will offer prayers atthe world famous Tirumala temple.

LAST YEAR... HERE RIGHTS VIOLATION

NEWS BRIEFS

1818Black coloured bottles with East

India Company 1818 engraved onthem were sold to customers by

frauds, who claimed these bottleshad spiritual values.

5THINGS WELEARNT TODAY

NUMEROLOGY

Another time, theChandanagar

police had locked upactivist Nagendar inthe police stationwhen he filed an RTIon the number ofaccidents in thatarea.

P Ramakrishna, RTI activistSee page 6

RMd NIZAMUDDIN [email protected]

As contractors are notculpable for taking upconstruction activityduring the night, it

has become a nightmare for theresidents in the locality.

The licensing authority, theGHMC puts the onus on residents to initiate action bytaking the help of the police. Butthere are instances where policeofficials have diverted com-plaints to the GHMC.

Road No 18 and 19 in JubileeHills are areas where construc-tion activity is going on at sever-al sites round-the-clock. Eventhough the residents are dis-turbed, they do not objectknowing that the buildinginspectors and police are hand-in-glove with contractors.

According to officials at theGHMC, there is no special pro-vision under the act regarding

non-stop work at sites. It comesunder the ambit of ‘causing nui-sance at night.’ The neighbour-hood has a right to complain tothe police, which must takeaction. But it appears thatmoney and muscle power rule.

A few months ago, PSRSwami, a senior citizen residingin Khairatabad, went through asimilar disturbance and com-plained to the police about aconstruction work nearby thatwent on till late in the night.

After he made a complaint,though the patrolling officerascertained the details of loca-tion by 11.45pm, he was askedto visit the police station. Beinga senior citizen, he could onlysend an SMS complaining aboutthe activity. Since he did not feelthe necessity to go to the policestation, he skipped it. The policethen advised him to contact theGHMC. “The case was finallylooked into but we lost severaldays of sleep,” he recalled.

“Senior citizens, the ill andchildren suffer the most,”remarked RK Swamy, a legaladvisor to Care Hospital. “Whatfor is there police patrolling?”he wondered.

Representatives of theUnited Federation of ResidentWelfare Association point outthat lack of definite provisionsfor controlling this nuisance hasled to this situation. SyedBadshah, assistant general sec-retary, said, “It is a universal lawthat no heavy labour should be

undertaken at night as the nightis for repose. Supreme Courtruling is also there in thisregard. But our people are notvigilant. And officials are eitherlazy or under the obligation ofcontractors.”

The trouble is not limited toGHMC but also to theCantonment area. “Recently, acomplete structure was raised,while taking up work only dur-ing the night in Alwal area.Later this was declared a hospi-tal,” said Dr KRK Murthy, con-vener, Consumer’s Forum ofIndia.

When this issue was broughtto the notice of the GHMC com-missioner, he said until andunless it is a problem for theneighbours, the activity cannotbe stopped. “Residents shouldnot have a problem with theactivity,” said GHMC commis-sioner MT Krishna Babu, whenworld-over, night constructionactivity is declared illegal.

Citizens face a nightmare Building

contractorsare free to

create nuisance in

the City.Debris isdumped

along theroads and

the noise ofmachines

torturesthe people

in thelocality at

night.

Contempt proceedings

The Karnataka High Courtinitiated contempt

proceedings against thebuilder working on a bank’snew premises on MG Roadfor violating the ban onnight construction, reported a Bangalore dailyin October.

city MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012 5EMPLOYEE UNIONS

POLITICS

INKESHAF [email protected]

Non-T parties have begunto worry about a newdevelopment. Telangana

sentiment is fast catching upwith government employeesrather than the masses. Thestrong Telangana sentimentplayed a crucial role in the suc-cess of GHMEU at the GHMC election recently.

The fresh employees unionelections held in state run APState Road TransportCorporation (APSRTC) alsostood witness to the consolida-tion of the separatist sentimentswhen the TRS-backedTelangana-National Mazdoor (T-NMU) Union created history bydefeating the incumbentNational Mazdoor Union, whichwas occupying the position ofrecognised union for severalyears.

Out of the 1.2 lakh employees

of the corporation, majority ofthe voters cast their votes for thepro-Telangana union in anattempt to express their desire tosee the creation of separate state.

Two victories in quick succes-sion have sent alarm bells sound-

ing along the corridors of power.This includes YSRC which doesnot have much hold on govern-ment employees. And, the mostworried is the BJP which used tohave a good hold on the public sector employees and

government servants. Commenting on the victories

of pro-Telangana employeesunions, TRS leader T HareeshRao (left) told Postnoon that itwas a slap in the face ofCongress, TDP and YSRC, whichare yet to make their stance clearon Telangana.

JAC chairman ProfKodandaram also expressed sim-ilar views. He appealed to allmajor political parties in theState that they should immedi-ately take a decision on T aheadof the all party meeting.

True, the ruling Congressleaders from the region stressedon the need for party high com-mand to take a hasty decision onthe T-issue.

“The situation for our party isgetting worse with each passingday in the T-region. The freshresults of employees union is astrong indication that our partyshould take an immediate deci-sion. Otherwise, we will lose

more ground in coming days,”party senior leader P Rameshsaid. On the other hand, TDPand YSRC leaders blamed theCongress for dragging the Tissue while distancing them-selves from spelling out theirspecific stand on the issue.

Rising T spirit gives Cong jittersThe ruling party and other political parties in the State are a worried lot. Two major victories

of T-employees unions hve sent warning signals to Congress, TDP and YSRC.

POSTNOON [email protected]

The long pending issueof filling up scores ofnominated posts by

Chief Minister N KiranKumar Reddy seems tohave got the nod of theCongress high command.

During his day-long tourof New Delhi on Saturday,the CM sought the permis-sion of the party high com-mand to undertake the driveand got immediate approval.

The news of the approvall ed to a flurry of activity inthe State on Sunday, withaspirants making the rou n dsof the homes of the party topbrass. According to prelimi-nary information, the CMreceived permission to fill upnominated posts such as thechairpersons of BC, Women,SC, ST and Mino rities com-missions, as the Hi gh Courthad already asked the Stategovernment to fill theseposts immediately.

According to highly

placed sources in the gov-ernment, the name of APCCgeneral secretary AbidRasool Khan (below) isdoing the rounds in politicalcircles for the post of minori-ties commi ssi on chairman.Being a classmate of the CMand a known loyalist, Khanhas been serving the party

for a long time and wasinstrumental in bringing tofore many crucial issues.

Speaking to Postnoon onthe issue, Khan said that hewas not aware of any suchnews and added that hewould serve the communityto the optimum level if he

was made the minoritiescommission cha i r man. “Ihave been fighting therights of minorities for along time by raising variousissues. If I get the opportu-nity to become the minori-ties commission chairman, Iwill tour the entire State anddo my best to solve theproblems of the minoritycommunity,” he said.

Competition seems to behigh for the posts of chair-persons of BC, SC and STcommissions. Many aspi-rants are doing their best todrum up support for theircandidature. Among theaspirants for women’s com-mission chairman’s post isformer minister Dr N RajyaLakshmi, the wife of formerCM N Janardhan Reddy.

According to partysources, the CM is planningto fill 1,000 nominated postsin the initial stage. It may beemphasised here that theCM promised to fill upthese posts before Sankrantifestival next month.

CM gets high commandnod to fill nominated posts

FOR THE CONSUMERS

Minister Sridhar Babu at the National Consumer Day celebration at Jubilee hall onMonday. N SHIVA KUMAR

The situation forour party is get-

ting worse with eachpassing day in the T-region. Our partyshould take an immediate deci-sion or we willlose more ground.

P RameshCongress senior leader

Senior TDP leaderand former homeminister Dr Kodela

Sivaprasada Rao onSunday fell down uncon-scious when the policeresorted to indiscrimi-nate lathi-charge on TDPactivists, who were agi-tating against the irregu-

larities being perpetratedby coo peration ministerKasu Venkata KrishnaReddy and his son dur-ing the polling for coop-eratives in Guntur.

When the protestingTDP activists attemptedto surge towards theminister’s house repeat-

edly, the police personnelresisted them and dis-persed them by swinginglathis.

Protesting the unwar-ranted lathi-charge, alarge number of partyactivists squatted beforethe police station andstaged a dharna. NSS

LAW AND ORDERKodela faints at lathi-charge

city MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012 6RTI POWER

[email protected]

Being an RTI activistcomes with its ownset of dangers, and

some can even be life-threatening. According toa few active and seniorRTI activists from citiesacross the State, therehave been a spate of mur-ders and acts of violenceagainst RTI activists in APalthough they have neverseen light because of thepolice trying to hush upthe matter, they allege.

The gory murders oftwo RTI activists, onefrom Duvvuru nearCuddapah and anotherfrom Guntur have beenhushed up, say activists.

“It is surprising howSagar and P Suryana-rayana, both RTI activistspursuing issues related tocorruption in GramPanchayats and Centralgovernment fundedschemes, were killed in“family feuds.” My ques-tion is, why were thedetails registered in theFIR not made public in thecourt during their hear-ings? Isn’t it too much of acoincidence that both ofthem were killed in broaddaylight and had familyfeuds? If this was thetruth, why were these

details from the FIR notmade public in thecourt?” asks TV Bhaskar.

Sagar was allegedlykilled a month ago, whereas Suryanarayana wasmurdered in August,2012. In April 2010 anoth-er two RTI activists fromKrishna district, SolaRanga Rao andDhanunjay were killedwhile working on issuesrelated to corruption and

discrepancies in the localadministration.

Their representationon this issue to the StateRTI commissioner JannatHussain was met withonly a reassurance to lookinto this matter. Whilethat may be the case, City-based RTI activists saythat it is a dangerous busi-ness and quite a few casesof violence have been reg-istered in the City as well.“The postmaster ofChandanagar post officehad assaulted one of ourteam members Dileep

when he raised objectionsabout information notbeing available to thepublic about their officers.Another time, theChandanagar police hadlocked up activistNagendar when he filedan RTI on the number ofaccidents in that area,”says Panasa Ramakrishna,activist from ITMD.

Though these inci-dents are minor comparedto the happenings in otherdistricts, these activistssay that this is after all apart of their job. “We havealways been careful aboutour safety and havefought on policy-basedissues in the City, so wehave had a few threaten-ing calls and emails. Butwe have always avoidedtrouble, perhaps becausewe have dealt with mildissues, I think,” saysPanasa Ramakrishna.

In the wake of theseattacks, some activistshave obtained licenses tobear arms. Subba Reddy,divisional head of an RTI forum fromProddutur, CuddapahDistrict says, “When Ihave personally seen suchthings happen, it is onlyfair that I defend myself. Ihave acquired a license tobear arms only because Ihave received quite a fewthreats and warnings dur-ing my course as an RTIactivist.”

And after repeatedcomplaints and more RTIsfiled, the only responsegiven by Jannat Hussainregarding this issue was amere, “This issue will belooked into personally byme and we will try tosolve this problemthrough amicable means.”

So while the numbersof activists being killedkeeps rising, we will justhave to wait for the topbrass to find their ‘amica-ble means’ to solve theseproblems.

A treacherousbattle

RTI activists can rake up some seriousissues, but there’s a way to silence them —murder! What makes things worse is that

even cops try to brush the matter under thecarpet, making the whole process a farce.

The State governmenthas directed thepower utilities to

expedite awareness pro-grammes on energy conser-vation by intensifying thecampaigning throughoutthe State to avoid wastageof precious power and toovercome the shortage ofpower to some extent,which is caused mainly dueto unprecedented scarcityof fuel such as short supplyof Natural Gas and inade-quate coal stocks apartfrom reduced inflows intohydel reservoirs.

M Sahoo, principal sec-retary, Energy Departmentand member of SECM dis-cussed the communicationstrategies on EnergyConservation and EnergyEfficiency (EC&EE) pro-grammes at an informalmeeting on Saturday withB Sam Bob, principal secre-tary, MA&UD & chairmanof sub-group on

Communications, MTKrishna Babu, GHMC com-missioner, G AnanthaRamu, CMD, APCPDCL,Munindra, special secre-tary, Energy Department,

Kamalakar Babu and vice-chairman and MD, Newand Renewable EnergyDevelopment Corporationof AP Ltd here on Sunday.

Sahoo said the successof energy conservation andenergy efficiency pro-grammes will depend onthe extent of awareness thatcan be created among thepublic. Top officials of the

Energy, MA&UD,Agriculture and Industryhave already briefedMinnie Mathew, chief secretary and chairpersonof SECM on the steps initi-ated by the concerneddepartments to achieve thegoals set by SECM forEC&EE.

The chief secretaryappreciated the involve-ment of GHMC commis-sioner in spreading themessage of energy conser-vation through hoardingsat strategic locations, anofficial release has stated.

The effective campaign-ing on EnergyConservation with hoard-ings and posters havingslogans have created posi-tive impact among the pub-lic in the twin cities and theSECM is going to extendsuch campaign at districtheadquarters, towns andmunicipalities.

NSS

Intensify energy savingThe government has directed power utilities to expedite

awareness programmes on energy conservation.

The effective campaigning onenergy conserva-tion with hoard-ings and postershave created a positive impact.

Activists’ repre-sentation on thisissue to the StateRTI commission-er was met with only a reassurance.

classifieds MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012 7

NIDHI [email protected]

On a lazy Sunday yetagain, women at MyHome Glory apartmentsin Banjara Hills were pre-

pared to battle it out with theirladles and frying pans.

From the winter’s sweet indul-gence gajar ka halwa to a snackychicken dish with tomato ketchup,the plans were promising as usual.Participants and their supporters allgathered in the parking lot of thebuilding to impress the judges withtheir cooking talents. While therewas the typical grey-haired experi-enced home-maker ready to cookwhat she had been known for, there

was 20-year-old Afraah who wastempted to participate after watch-ing the Masterchef series.

However, the day’s events wereinterrupted by a small explosion inthe building. Turns out it was a left-over Diwali cracker. After the obvi-ous panic, things returned to normaland the air was once again fragrantwith spices from mommy’s kitchen.

‘Who Is The Best Cook?’, a com-petition organised by www.student-mug.com, completed its fourth weekof short listing. While Priya Mathurand her husband (above) won thelunch round at My Home Gloryapartments with their unique dish— veg horns and crispy mushroom,Samina Shadan (bottom left) tick-led everyone’s appetite with herdelicious dum ke kebab and won thedinner round.

The two women will be amongthe 10 finalists who will compete onDecember 31 to win a hamperworth `25,000. What a way to ringin the New Year, right? The finalewill also see award hampers worth`15,000 for the 1st runner up and`10,000 for the 2nd runner up.

Priya Mathur and SaminaShadan will join Fatima and Harithafrom the first week, Hima Binduand Samriti Agarwal from the sec-ond, and Braham ara mba from lastweek in the race to the final on NewYear’s Eve. Let’s wait and find outwhat flavours 2013 will bring forthese amateur chefs.

Two morejoin the race

to becomeHyderabad’s

best cook.The fourth

round of the cookingcompetition

literallykicked off

with a bang.

Samina Shadan’sdum ka kebabIngredientsKheema - 1/2 kg; 2 tbsp curd; 10 cashewnuts& 10 almonds (powered); 1 tbsp garammasala; 2 large onions, fried crispy brown; 1tbsp hara masala paste(mint+coriander+green chillies); salt; chillipowder; turmeric; pepper (as per taste);roasted chana dal powder - 50gm; coconutpowder - 25gm; ginger garlic paste - 1tbsp;1 tbsp oil (to mix in mixture); 4-6 tbsp oil (tofry kebabs)

MethodMix all ingredients. Roll the paste on a stickand shallow fry in a non-stick pan. Cover thepan with a lid. Garnish with onions andlemons and serve hot.

WHO IS THE BEST COOK?

Priya Mathur’s veg hornsINGREDIENTS

n For horns: White flour, salt to taste,water and oil — measurement as perthe quantity of dough you wish toprepare.

n For stuffing: Boiled potatoes – 4-5;Boiled vegetables – carrots, peasand corn; rosemary, oil, salt to taste,pepper and chilli flakes and lime.

n For crispy mushrooms: mush-rooms, cornflour, salt to taste, rose-mary, oil and chilli flakes.

METHOD

n Mix the ingredients of the horns tomake a soft dough. Heat oil in a panand roll the dough into conicalshapes and deep fry it. Keep asidewhen done. To prepare the stuffing,sauté all vegetables, including pota-to, in a dash of oil. Add salt andpepper to taste and little lime if youwant. For the crispy mushrooms,make a mixture of the remainingingredients and marinate the mush-rooms in that mix. Toast the mush-rooms in a little oil till they turnbrown and crispy.

Counting down to the finale

The two women, Priyaand Samina, will beamong the 10 finalistswho would compete onDecember 31 to win ahamper worth `25,000.

S BALAKRISHNA

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CLASSIFIEDS

city MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012 8TOLLYWOOD VS BOLLYWOOD

Cine stars have fans drooling

SYED [email protected]

The mood at the LalBahadur Stadium in theCity on Sunday is bestsurmised in the statement

of 13-year-old Aniru-dh, a stu-dent of Vibgyor School, whenasked who he favoured in the T-10 cricket match betweenTollywood and Bollywood. “It isgood if the match ends in a tie,because I like both Tollywoodand also Sonu Sood.”

Even if the question on every-one’s mind was who wouldemerge winner in the battle ofstars, no one was too keen on theanswer. Everyone, from the play-ers to spectators to even theorganisers were here to have fun.And what greater fun can one askfor than the entertainment pro-vided by a concoction of cricketand cinema in India? The playershad a point to prove: Projectingthem as supermen in movies wasnot all fiction, and they did havea heart of gold, for they werewilling to do their bit towards a

noble cause. Team Bollywood captain

shouting over the microphone-enhanced voice of the compère tohighlight the cause and not thetussle between two of the coun-try’s much-loved teams stood tes-timony to their commitment. “Tellthe audience to support the causewe are here for,” he boomed.

The organisers had a clearagenda: They had collected 3,000units of blood by way of donationin this, the first year of CrescentCricket Club’s innovative drive,and wanted the outcome of thematch help increase that numberin subsequent events.

Moreover, when you haveMunni badnaam hui, Sakkubaigaram chai and Gangnam stylereverberating through the stadi-um from 3,000RMX speakers, youare not following the game sointensely, are you?

Like a Tollywood actor saidwhen asked to pick a winnerbefore the match, “NeitherTollywood nor Bollywood; letcricket win.” It did, and veryentertainingly at that.

As cinema and cricket rocked Hyderabad, 3,000 units ofblood were collected in exchange for tickets.

SRINIVAS SETTY

focusMONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012

9SIMPLY REMARKABLEWhat is remarkable about this the new kid on the block is the fact that it has got backingfrom start up accelerators like 500 Startups and has raised nearly $300,000 within a shortspan of time. Some of the other investors are Sizhao Yang, co-creator of Farmville, angelinvestors like Naval Ravikant, and former Google executives.

RECIPE SHARING ONLINE

ARUNIMA [email protected]

Anew start-up businessis betting big on thisChristmas season.Cucumber Town, an

online recipe sharing site, is tar-geting the festival season towiden their tribe of chefs. Thesite has launched a week-longcampaign for Christmas seasonfor amateur, as well as seasoned,chefs. The portal gives recipebloggers a platform to showcasetheir work, interact with thecommunity and build their ownrecipe network.

The Christmas menu offeredby the website includes lusciousWhite Chocolate Cream withBlueberries, Stuffed FrenchToast, White Chocolate MudCake, and Rock Candies. Thechefs in the online communityhave also churned out recipes ofmultiple cuisines like Italian,European, French, Chinese, andIndian.

What is remarkable aboutthis the new kid on the block isthe fact that it has got backingfrom start up accelerators like500 Startups and has raised near-ly $300,000 within a short span oftime. Some of the other investorsare Sizhao Yang, co-creator ofFarmville, angel investors likeNaval Ravikant, and formerGoogle executives.

GENESISThe project began three years agowhen Cherian Thomas whoworked for Zynga, the companythat created Farmville, had trou-ble while trying to add contenton some blogging sites. Cherianaka Cherry, who has playedRatatouille since he was sevenyears old, found the process ofwriting recipes on blogging sitesreally cumbersome. He wantedto find an easier way; however,he could not pursue that ideabecause of the day to day pres-sures of work. Finally, the ambi-tious engineer, who hails from afamily of entrepreneurs, took theplunge. Along with three otherfood loving geeks, and he createdCucumber Town recently. Thesite was officially launched onOctober 27.

For the 28-year-old CEO ofCucumber Town, the name of

website stands for the experiencethat takes you back to an imagi-nary perfect world, makes youforget about the troubles of yourdaily life. Cucumber Town is theliteral translation of a Malayalamword, Vellarika Pattanam, whichstands for a mythical blissfulworld. "From grannies sharing

their age-old recipes to bloggersswitching over to a bigger plat-form, there are contributors fromdifferent parts of the worldincluding the United States,Germany, Philippines, andIndia," says Cherian Thomas.

Perhaps the most interestingthing about the online platformis that team members have notmet each other, except virtually,until a planned meeting nextyear. The founders of the portallive in three different countries.When Cherian was looking forpartners in the new venture, hefirst contacted Chris Luscher, thefounder of InformationArchitects, an internationallyrecognized design firm. Chris

was eager to join the team. Nextto come on board was Dan Hauk,from Mount Penn, a lead design-er at No Thirst and creator ofmajor themes on Tumblr, a popu-lar blog creation site. The finalmember is 24-year-old ArunPrabhakar, Cherian’s junior atcollege. Currently, the start updoes not have an office, and theplan is to move to MountainView California and meet inFebruary, next year.

Cucumber Town helps a userfind recipes based on ingredi-ents, cooking time and even thetype of meal, and it also givesusers the ability to network witheach other as well as rate eachother recipes, something whichis unique to the site.

Based on the rating of thecontributor, they can even editthe recipes of other users.Members can also compilerecipes and also create their owncookbooks, for future use.Members can upload recipes,comments, tips, as well as pic-tures of the food on the site.

A student of ModelEngineering College, Thrik -kakara, Kerala, Cherian shares

the story of a 72-year-old contrib-utor of the site. "I received a mailfrom an NRI based in the USrecently about how his elderlymother has started sharingrecipe on the sites. The septuage-narian used to send recipesthrough SMS to her son, as shefound it difficult to use otherplatforms. She is a storehouse ofunique Konkani recipes andshares it on our site," saysCherian. In order to avoid pla-giarism, the team also uses tools,so that the contributors don’treplicate popular recipes whichare available in the online medium.

The team is aware of the factthat in the world of e-commercesite mortality rates are reallyhigh and the strengths oftenerode quickly. Some of theexpansion plans of the websiteare value add-ons like mobileapps as well as calorie specificrecipes.

At the moment, the geekychefs are scurrying around tolaunch similar campaigns duringValentine’s Day, New Year's, andalso finding recipes for cuttingthe festival flab.

Welcome to Cucumber TownA start up founded by four people in three continents, who haven’t seen each other,

dishes out recipes to spread the joy of cooking this Christmas season.

Cucumber Townhelps a user findrecipes based oningredients, cookingtime and even the typeof meal and even thetype of meal.

BusinessMONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012

10SPAIN WILL BOUNCE BACK BY 2014: RAJOYSpanish PM Mariano Rajoy said that Spain's economy will improvenext year and start growing again in 2014. The unemploymentrate in Spain stands at 25.02 per cent overall and more than 50per cent among young people.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Since our country is a union of states, weabide by its federal character and, there-fore, are bound by the consensus on theissue,

ANAND SHARMA,COMMERCE MINISTER

ANAND SHARMA,COMMERCE MINISTERBSE 17,179.95

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5,849.852.15

PRUDHVI RAJU [email protected]

Travel insurance industry,which is at a nascent stage, isset for positive growth withincrease in insurance pene-

tration. Only 15 per cent of the 1.25crore people who travel abroad aretaking travel insurance. Accordingto the recent estimates, the people,who are traveling abroad will reach5 crore by 2020, which will increasethe overall size of the market.

If the industry could tap 50 percent of the overall international trav-eling market, the size of the industrywould grow to at least around `1200crore, said Amit Bhandari, vice pres-ident (health underwriting andClaims), ICICI Lombard.

He further added, “The trends ofspending are changing in the coun-try. India is considered as the coun-try, where people save money aftertheir monthly expenditure.However, the new research showsthat 34 per cent people of would liketo go on a holiday of if they havespare cash, which is undoubtedly apositive sign for travel industry,”

About the reasons for less travelinsurance penetration, he said,“Many people assume that nothingwill happen to them and will onlyhappens to others. They would onlyunderstand the importance of insur-ance when they face such situationby themselves.

“For instance, it is not impossiblefor a customer to spend `1,000 on

insurance when he could spend on`1 lakh on travel and accommoda-tion. Travel insurance is definitelyvalue addition to the customer per-taining the risks that involved likehealth care, baggage loss or a politi-cal situation.

“The industry was concentratingon the national travel agents andcould not actually reach the largersection of people. There is need tomake distribution networks strongby having tie-ups with local and citybased travel agents,”

When asked about the sloweddown in travel industryand its effects on travelinsurance, he said, “This would haveimpacted if theinsurance penetra-tion is high. Only15 travelers outof every 100i n t e r n a -t i o n a lt r a v -elersa r e

taking insurance. Even if the numberof travelers have come down to 90.

“There is still a large chunk of themarket, which can be tapped byincreasing the penetration,” he said.

On claiming trends, he said,“Almost 78 per cent of the claimsfrom Andhra Pradesh are largelydue to medical expenses, which arefollowed by trip cancellation andinterruption. Around 80 per centclaims are from western marketssuch as US and Canada where thereare family relations.”

“People are also increasinglytravelling to exotic locations such

as South Africa, Morocco andSpain where there is

chance forunknown risks,”

he adds.

Cushion your setbacksAbout 78 per cent of the claims from AP are due to medicalexpenses, followed by trip cancellation and interruption.

ICICI Lombard has launched enhanced versionof its travel insurance product ‘International

Travel Insurance’. This product will target thecustomers who are looking for comprehensiveoverseas travel insurance. “We have introducedseveral first time benefits including no heathcheck up till 85 years of age, cover for pre-existing diseases during emergencies,political risk and catastrophic evacuation, valueadded services like hand baggage cover,” saidAmit Bhandari. The insurance also providesassistance for dependents in India for medical concierge, automotive and life styleservices.

Enhanced insurance

Iran has oil reserves for 150 yearsIran has enough petroleum to last for 150 years, allowing it

to be one of the world's main exporters of crude,Petroleum Minister Rostam Ghasemi told the Fars newsagency on Sunday. "The country has petroleum reserves forabout 150 years and during that time ... it can be one of theprincipal exporters of hydrocarbon resources," Ghasemi said."Iran has reserves of nearly 600 billion barrels of petroleum,"Ghasemi said.

Parrikar seeks Chavan'shelp on Tillari issuePANAJI: A fortnight after canalsof Tillari irrigation projects went drydue to protests by villagers fromMaharashtra, Goa CM ManoharParrikar has sought help from theneighbouring state in resolving theissue. He spoke to Chavan pointingout that there is an agreementsigned between both the states toshare water from the project.

2 Marathi actors die in accidentNEW DELHI: Two eminentMarathi film and television actorswere killed when their car met withan accident on the Mumbai-PuneExpressway, police said. The car ofactors — Anand Abhyankar andAkshay Pendse — collided with aPune- bound tempo which lost con-trol and crashed into the lanedivider, they said.

Man detained over Class XII girl's suicideJAIPUR: A man was detained inKota following the suicide by a 17-year-old girl who was depressedover harassment and stalking byhim, police said. According topolice, Puja Mehra, a Class XII stu-dent, killed herself at her house. Herneighbour Kartik Goyal, 20, wasdetained on a complaint by herfather.

2 injured as guards ofprivate firm open fireJAMSHEDPUR: ATwo persons,including a press photographer,were injured when security guardsof a private company opened firehere today, police sources said. Thesecurity guards posted at the com-pany gate fired after heated argu-ments with the labourers over a newrule of the company, the sourcessaid.

NEWS BRIEFS

nationMONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012

11

COLD KILLS 26 IN UPEven as the fog receded in mostparts of UP on Monday, 26 peoplehave died in the last 24 hoursbecause of the extreme cold, offi-cials said. Fog also disrupted trainschedules, and more than 50 trainswere running late. All major trainsfrom the union capital Delhi toLucknow were running late by sever-al hours. Dense fog badly hit opera-tions at the Indira GandhiInternational airport in Delhi todayaffecting the schedule of over 50domestic and international flights.About 35 flights were delayed while15 were cancelled as the dense fogenveloped the airport this morning.

Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 27Indian fishermen and seized theirfour trawlers after accusing themof fishing inside the country'smaritime area. Navy spokesmanKosala Warnakulasuriya said thatthe Indians were arrested lastnight for "poaching inside SriLanka international maritime bor-der limits (IMBL) off the easterncoast". The boats and the trawlerswould be handed over to thepolice in the harbour town ofTrincomalee today for furtheraction, the Navy said.

TIGER POPULATION INCREASES IN SATHYAMANGALAM Population of tigers in Sathyamangalam reserve forest areas has risen to 25in 2012 as against 18 last year, a census by forest officials stated. The reserveused to be the base of operations for forest brigand Veerappan.

DELHI BUS RAPE FALLOUT 27 FISHERMEN ARRESTED

The journalistswere only covering

the events, which itis their fundamentalright under theConstitution to do,and in fact that istheir duty to thepublic.Justice Markandey KatjuPCI chief about violence

against mediapersons.

Pick at the airport, -

NEW DELHI: Issuing a freshappeal for peace, Prime MinisterManmohan Singh today saidgovernment will look into delayin response in the gangrape caseas also all aspects concerningthe security of women whileasking people to desist from vio-

lence.

In a televised address, Singhsaid he and his family join in theconcern for the 23-year-old vic-tim, who was gangraped andbrutally assaulted in a movingbus in south Delhi on December

16 night."As a father of three daugh-

ters myself, I feel as stronglyabout this as each one of you.My wife, my family and I are alljoined in our concern for theyoung woman who was the vic-tim of this heinous crime."

He said the government wasconstantly monitoring her medi-cal condition. is statement cameas protests, which turned vio-lent yesterday, continued for theseventh day today.

Emphasising that anger atthis crime is "justified", Singhsaid, "but violence will serve nopurpose."

Singh noted that HomeMinister Sushil Kumar Shinde

has already spoken about thesteps being taken to addressissues regarding safety ofwomen in the country.

"We will examine into delaynot only the responses to thisterrible crime but also all aspectsconcerning the safety and secu-rity of women," he said.

Singh broke his silence onthe issue last night when heissued a similar statement say-ing public anger is "genuine"and "justified".

Singh had also expressedsadness over the turn of eventsthat led to clashes between theangry protesters and the policeand appealed for peace andcalm. PTI

PM appeals for peaceManmohan Singh addresses the nation. Urges calm

and promises to look into delay in response.Venue of Putin-PMmeeting shiftedNEW DELHI: The heart ofthe national capital todayturned into a fortress withheavy deployment of policewho blocked roads leading toIndia Gate and Raisina Hill toensure that no protests tookplace there but the arrange-ments put commuters atsevere hardship.

Office goers and studentswere the most affected due toblockade of roads and closureof nine metro stations nearIndia Gate and Raisina Hill.

The venue of the meetingbetween Manmohan Singhand Russian PresidentVladimar Putin has been shift-ed to the Race Course resi-dence of the Prime Minister.

Usually, such meetings areheld in Hyderabad Housewhich is close to India Gate.

Employees had a toughtime reaching their offices inKrishi Bhavan, Shastri Bhavan,Rail Bhavan and NirmanBhavan as police did not allowcrossing Rajpath. There wereheavy barricading on RafiMarg and Raisina Road andemployees heading to SouthBlock and North Block had toargue with policemen andshow their identity cards.

Media persons were alsonot allowed near India Gate orRaisina Hill and were asked togo to Pragati Maidan. PTI

As a father ofthree daughters

myself, I feel asstrongly about this aseach one of you. Mywife, my family and Iare all joined in ourconcern for theyoung woman whowas the victimof this heinouscrime."

Manmohan SinghPrime Minister

WorldMONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012

12SON OF KENNEDY MAY RUN FOR HIS FATHER’S SEATEdward Kennedy Jr, 51, commonly referred to as Teddy, son of late politi-cal icon Edward Kennedy, is considering a run for the US senate seat inMassachusetts — the same state his late father represented as a popularUS lawmaker for nearly five decades, US media reported Sunday.

ADOPTION ROW HEATS UPTens of thousands of petitioners arecalling for US President BarackObama to escalate the diplomaticfeud that led Moscow to propose alaw barring Americans from adopt-ing Russian children. Some Russianlawmakers denounced the initiativeSunday, but a senior member of theDuma, Russia's lower parliamentarychamber, suggested there might stillbe a way for the measures to besoftened. Two petitions on theWhite House website are asking forUS sanctions against Russian law-makers who backed a bill that harms“thousands of Russian orphans."

Australia's most senior Catholiccleric on Monday apologised tothose who "suffered at the hands"of priests and religious teachers,in a Christmas message issuedafter a turbulent year for theChurch. In the video messagebroadcast on television, SydneyArchbishop George Pell said hewas shocked and ashamed, fol-lowing a series of paedophileallegations against priests andclaims they were hushed up.

OZ TOP CLERIC SAYS SORRY

NUMEROLOGY

700have been killed in Syria since the

conflict there erupted more than 21months ago, a Palestine LiberationOrganisation official in charge of

refugees said on Sunday.

We're here out ofcuriosity, to see

the size of thescam this countrysuffered from.

Mehdia Tunisian citizen.

The ill-gotten gains ofthe Ben Ali clan were

among those drawn toa sale of the deposed

Tunisian despot's assetsthat began on Sunday.

Islamists destroy moreTimbuktu mausoleumsBAMAKO: Armed groups occu-pying Timbuktu in northern Maliused pickaxes on Sunday to smashup any remaining mausoleums inthe ancient city, an Islamist leadersaid. The rebels' ruthless implemen-tation of their version of Islamic lawcomes just days after the UnitedNations approved a military force towrest back control of the area.

Scottish boy dies inAustralian OutbackSYDNEY: A 14-year-old Scottishboy has died in searing heat in theharsh Australian Outback while hik-ing with his father, police said. EwanWilliamson, who arrived in Australiain mid-December, collapsed fourhours into the walk in the CapeRange National Park on Friday withlittle water or shade as tempera-tures soared above 40 degrees.

Thatcher doing just fine,says her spokesmanLONDON: Britain's former primeminister Margaret Thatcher was "ingood spirits" in hospital Sunday, herspokesman said, as she continuesher recovery from a bladder opera-tion. Thatcher, 87, was admitted tohospital on Thursday for a minoroperation to remove a growth in herbladder after suffering pain earlierin the week.

Opposition to appealEgypt referendumCAIRO: Egypt's opposition saidon Sunday it will appeal a referen-dum seen as voting in a new consti-tution backed by ruling Islamists,and vowed to keep up a strugglethat has spawned weeks of protestsand instability. Polling "fraud andviolations" skewed the results of thetwo-stage referendum, the final legof which was held on Saturday.

NEWS BRIEFS

WASHINGTON: US gun rightsadvocates have signed a WhiteHouse petition calling for BritishCNN host Piers Morgan to bedeported for allegedly attackingthe Second Amendment rights ofordinary Americans.

Just two days after the peti-tion calling for Morgan's depor-tation was posted, it had alreadygarnered more than 28,500 signa-tures late Sunday, far andbeyond the 25,000 required to geta response from the WhiteHouse.

The outspoken former Britishtabloid editor has launchedsomething of a personal crusadefor greater gun control measuresin the wake of the December 14massacre at Sandy Hook elemen-tary in Newtown, Connecticut.

On Tuesday, Morgan held anespecially contentious interviewwith Gun Owners of Americaexecutive director Larry Pratt,appearing to become incensedand incredulous when Pratt sug-gested more, not fewer, weaponsas the solution.

"You're an unbelievablystupid man, aren't you?" Morganasked during the heated debate."You have absolutely no coherentargument. You don't actuallygive a damn about the gun mur-der rate in America."

AFP

DAMASCUS: More than 60people were killed in a regimeair strike on a bakery in arebel-held town on Sunday,monitors said, as peace envoyLakhdar Brahimi launched anew bid to resolve Syria's bru-tal 21-month conflict.

In one of the deadliest inci-dents of the conflict, the SyrianObservatory for HumanRights said the strike hit a bak-ery in Halfaya in the centralprovince of Hama, killingmore than 60 people andwounding at least 50.

Many of the woundedwere in critical condition, itsaid.

"In Halfaya, regime forcesbombarded a bakery and com-mitted a massacre that killeddozens of people, includingwomen and children, andwounded many others," saidthe Local CoordinationCommittees, a grassroots net-work of activists.

"A MiG (jet) has attacked!Look at (President Bashar al-)Assad's weapons. Look, world,look at the Halfaya massacre,"says an unidentified camera-man shooting an amateurvideo distributed by theObservatory.

The footage showed abombed one-storey block anda crater in the road.

Bloodied bodies lay on theroad, while others could beseen in the rubble. Men carriedvictims out on their backs,among them at least onewoman, the video showed.

On Monday, rebelslaunched an all-out assault onarmy positions across Hama,which is home to strong anti-

regime sentiment.During the summer, rights

groups accused governmentforces of committing warcrimes by dropping bombsand using artillery on or nearseveral bakeries in the north-ern province of Aleppo.

Another of the bloodiestattacks in the Syrian conflictwas on a bread line in the QadiAskar district of Aleppo cityon August 16 that left 60 peo-ple dead, according to local

hospital records.International envoy

Brahimi, meanwhile, travelledto Damascus overland fromneighbouring Lebanon on apreviously unannounced visit,officials said.

The UN-Arab Leagueenvoy last visited on October19, but since then there has

been fighting between govern-ment forces and rebels on theroad to Damascus airport.

During his October visit hemet Assad and other officialsto clinch a temporary ceasefirefor the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha. Despite pledges, thetruce did not hold.

At least 44,000 people havebeen killed in violence acrossSyria since the outbreak of theanti-regime revolt in March2011, according to the Britain-

based Syrian Observatory.Shortly before Sunday's air

strike, Information MinisterOmran al-Zohbi reiteratedcalls for national dialogue. "Wetell those who do not want dia-logue to engage in talks,because time is running out,"he told reporters.

AFP

Rebel fighters aim their weapons at regime forces on the front line inthe Old City of Aleppo. Battles between forces loyal to embattledPresident Bashar al-Assad and rebels in the northern city have ragedsince July, and now many rebel-held areas of Aleppo have been cut offfrom old supply lines for flour and fuel. AFP/STR

GREAT GUNS!Gun advocateswant Morgandeported

Air strike on bakerykills 60, wounds 50Brahimi embarks on new bid to end 21-month conflict.

SYRIAN CRISIS

Research in Motion, no longer com-manding the Enterprise market as itonce did, is switching from a one-size-fits-all approach to enterpriseservices to tiered services offerings.For consumers — enterprise con-sumers, at least — that means they'llhave additional flexibility to choosefrom a menu of service offeringsthat better reflects their businessneeds. Some customers might keepon paying the same services feesthey currently do for these features;others, both enterprise and con-sumer, might pay much less.


Inspired by the astounding suc-cess of the Humble THQ Bundleback in November, the HumbleBundle team have launched yetanother series of 6 games and amovie which chronicles the lifeof an indie game developer inhis quest to bring out thegames-Fez and Super Meat Boy.Known for their pay-what-you-want approach, the HumbleIndie Bundle 7 also supportscharity. Whatever revenue isgenerated is split betweenChild's Play charity, the develop-ers and Humble Bundle. Theinteresting thing is the buyergets to decide how the pro-ceeds are divided.

PRICING ISSUES

BUY ‘EM CHEAP

There is one interesting factabout the newly launchedFacebook Poke app that wethink you all should know.According to TechCrunch, thevoice that enounces 'Poke',whenever a user receives a pushnotification, is actuallyZuckerberg's voice.In other words, whenever youlisten to the brief "poke" audioalert, you are actually hearingZuckerberg's voice.The report states, "Facebook'sCEO recorded the sound snippeton his phone as a joke. But hewas convinced to run the samplethrough some audio filters andlet it become the soundtrack tothe modern Poke."

Poke is back

Technology 13GAME OVER

THE END FOR THQ?Saints Row developer THQ files for bankruptcy

SAN FRANCISCO: The US vi -de ogame company behind pop-ular titles "Saints Row" and "RedFaction" said on Wednesday ithad filed for bankruptcy whilewrangling to sell its assets to "astalking horse bidder."

California-based THQ Inc.planned to continue operatingits business while positioningitself to be taken over.

"We are pleased to haveattracted a strong financial part-ner for our business, and wehope to complete the sale swift-ly to make the process as seam-less as possible," THQ chairmanBrian Farrell said in a release.

"The sale and filing are nec-essary next steps to completeTHQ's transformation and posi-tion the company for the future,

as we remain confident in ourexisting pipeline of games, thestrength of our studios andTHQ's deep bench of talent."

The company's operationsoutside of the United Stateswere not included in the filing inUS federal bankruptcy court.THQ's moves came as the tradi-tional console videogame indus-try grapples to adapt to the

booming popularity of gamesplayed on smartphones, tabletcomputers, or at online socialnetworks.

People are increasingly opt-ing for inexpensive fun in "free-to-play" games which baserevenues on optional in-gamepurchases such as added pow-ers or virtual gear for on-screencharacters. THQ franchisesinclude urban gang themedadventure "Saints Row" andshooter "Red Faction." The com-pany has also publishedvideogames based on Pixarfilms, professional wrestling,and mixed martial arts.

"We look forward to partner-ing with experienced investorsfor a new start," said THQ presi-dent Jason Rubin. The companysaid that it planned no employ-ee layoffs and that studios willcontinue to work on a "pipelineof games" including a Companyof Heroes sequel.

Clearlake Capital Group act-ing as a "stalking horse bidder"allows THQ to accept compet-ing offers, according to thecompany. AFP

TUNISIA

CommentMONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012

14HIGH-FLYING THOUGHTSLovers of great guns want Piers Morgan deported for allegedly attackingthe Second Amendment rights of ordinary Americans. What for? For saying something that’s true: even a duffer knows the second amendmentallows only militias charged with protecting people may bear arms.

Agents of rich Gulfcollectors, lovers ofluxury and thosesimply curious tosee the ill-gotten

gains of the Ben Ali clan wereamong those drawn to a sale ofthe deposed Tunisian despot'sassets that began on Sunday.

"We're here out of curiosity,to see the size of the scam thiscountry suffered from," saidMehdi, 25, visiting the exhibi-tion with his uncle, a car enthu-siast.

"It feels like voyeurism," headded, saying that he felt"uneasy in front of all this luxu-ry that is insulting to ordinaryTunisians struggling to get by."

A bright red Ferrari ownedby Zine El Abidine Ben Ali'sspoilt nephew Imed, and abrand new Porsche destined forhis youngest child, were amongthe items on show in thepharaonic decor of theCleopatra exhibition space amidtight security.

The former belongings ofBen Ali and 114 of his relativesare going under the hammer inthe chic Tunisian resort ofGammarth, in an auction due tolast one month and from whichthe cash-strapped government

hopes to raise millions of euros.Suits belonging to the top-

pled despot are expected to gofor 3,000 euros each, while coatsacquired by his wife LeilaTrabelsi, who was notorious forher expensive tastes, could rackup as much as 4,000 euros.

The collection of 39 luxurycars, only half of which were ondisplay, was of particular inter-est to an agent acting on behalfof a Saudi prince.

"We have made the (pur-chase) request three times sinceFebruary, but we had to wait forthis exhibition. Today we'reready," he said, speaking on con-dition of anonymity.

Highlights from the car col-lection include a LamborghiniGallardo LP 460, a BentleyContinental sports car, anarmoured Cadillac and aMaybach 62. Limited editionMercedes and BMWs also fea-ture.

"No comment!" was all thatone rich young couple had tosay to reporters as they eyed upthe Maybach, a present fromLibya's Moamer Kadhafi, anoth-er north African dictator whoamassed wealth before beingousted in last year's Arab Springuprisings.

"Around 100 people attend-ed the opening, pretty busy for aSunday. It's a good crowd," saidAffef Douss, in charge of organ-ising the event for the financeministry.

Corruption and nepotismwere rife under the regime ofBen Ali, who fled to SaudiArabia with his wife after thefirst Arab Spring uprising sweptthe country.

Mehdi Ben Garbia, aTunisian MP, said he had come"to get an idea about the way inwhich the taxpayers' moneywas squandered."

Like all members of the gov-ernment, parliamentarians arebarred from buying.

Most of the works of art,ornaments, furniture, and someof the carpets on offer will besold to the highest bidder, withno item thought to be worth lessthan 5,000 euros.

Animal statues of solid gold,crystal horses and an 80-cen-timetre-high (32-inch) silverolive tree feature among the

lots.There is a constant hum of

excitement in the last viewingroom, where clothing and acces-sories formerly owned by thedisgraced first lady are on dis-play — including luxury shoesand handbags worth manytimes the minimum monthlywage.

Of the 400 jewels and orna-ments confiscated by the state,only around 20 are shown,among them a made-to-measurechoker that once adorned theneck of Ben Ali's wife, sparklingwith some 1,000 diamonds.

A doctor who lives in Francediscussed the jewellery with adiamond specialist, but his wifestepped away.

"My husband wants to buy,but I'm actually disgusted.These are fabulous jewels, butthey tell a harrowing story."

Telangana is not an event management issue

The all-party meeting on December 28 on the issue of Telangana seems an orchestratedcharade with the reported move of the government to buy more time and come out

with an announcement before the general elections. The Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddyis learnt to have asked for a State Reorientation Committee-II to decide the vexed problemraging for over 60 years. Loss of life and property had been huge owing to periodic upris-

ing of T-spirits. Many students have lost their academic career. It’s all the result of a govern-ment that resorts to ad hoc solutions. Look at how the UPA treats the rape of a girl in Delhi

— as a routine matter of crime. Instead of finding lasting solutions to deep problems, theCongress government tends to treat each protest as a law and order matter or an eventmanagement where a prohibitory order or lathi-charge are called for. If the government

would not treat each event with a political glove, much good results can come out. It’s bet-ter for AP the government takes a stand on the T issue; this way or that.

Nemesis of bowlers

“You have to decide for yourself whether you'rebowling well or not. He's going to hit you for

fours and sixes anyway,” said once Shane Warne.“Kasprowicz has a superior story. During theBangalore Test, frustrated, he went to Dennis Lilleeand asked, ‘Mate, do you see any weaknesses?’Lillee replied, ‘No, Michael, as long as you walk offwith your pride that's all you can do’.” The manthese fine men are talking about you all know asall do, who. Let’s put it this way: Sachin has beenthe nemesis of bowlers: a righteous infliction ofretribution manifested by an appropriate agent.

EDITORIALS

READERS’ VIEWSWe invite you to write to us comments, suggestions, viewpoint or just about anything to [email protected] or#1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500 033 or even by way of a call on 4067 2222. Editor: Dean Williams

Youth is happybecause it has

the ability to seebeauty. Anyonewho keeps the abil-ity to see beautynever growsold.

Franz Kafka German author

LETTERS FROM TUNISIAHamida Ben Salah

THE ILL-GOTTENTREASURES OF BEN ALI

Banquets offmenu for

Chinese army

China's high-ranking mili-tary officers will nolonger be treated to

receptions featuring liquor andluxury banquets, state media

reported Saturday, as the coun-try's new leaders stress austerity

to fight corruption.The state-run China Daily

newspaper, quoting a dispatchfrom the official Xinhua news

agency, said the Central MilitaryCommission announced the new

regulations on Friday.Similar rules were passed

down earlier this month aimedat Communist Party officials, asChina's new leadership tries to

send a clear signal that it is seri-ous about reigning in

corruption.The report said that "recep-

tions for high-ranking officerswill no longer feature liquor or

luxury banquets", with "wel-come banners, red carpets, floralarrangements, formations of sol-

diers, performances and sou-venirs" also to be abandoned.

The Central MilitaryCommission is chaired by new

Communist Party chief XiJinping, who took over the party

and the commission at a keyparty meeting last month."Commission officials are

also required to discipline theirspouses, children and subordi-

nates and make sure they do nottake bribes," the report said,

adding that commission officialswere banned from staying in

civilian or luxury military hotelswhile on inspection tours.

Xi, who is slated to becomeChina's president in March, has

repeatedly pledged to fight graftamid rising social discontent

over government corruption andpolitical scandals that have

engulfed the Communist Party.AFP

A decorative olivetree bearingbranches made ofgold and that oncebelonged to oust-ed Tunisian dicta-tor Zine El AbidineBen Ali is dis-played at an auc-tion in the Tunissuburb ofGammarth onDecember 22,2012.

AFP/ FETHI BELAID

campusMONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012

15MOVIE TALKRang De Hyderabad Chapter will be screening Dharavi, Slum for Sale at Lamakaan onDecember 29 from 7pm. The aim of Rang De Hyderabad Chapter is to screen documen-taries that deal with social issues that India faces today.

COLLEGE OF THE WEEK

GargiCollege, established in 1967, is aleading South Campus college

of the University of Delhi. It is a col-lege for women and offers

courses in Arts and Humanities,Commerce, Science and Education.Gargi's NSO, Extension Service, andNCC programmes are intended tochannelise the students' youthful

energy and vigour.

MONTAGEDuring the two-day event, the col-lege hosts numerous studentsfrom institutions all over Delhi andthe NCR region. Numerous com-petitions and events such as beat-boxing, radio show, western dance,and debating are organized by thedifferent college societies.

One-shoulder:This look will

help a womanmake an appear-

ance at anyparty since it isloaded with sexappeal. Pull up

your hair andshow off your

oh-so-sexyshoulders. Team

your dress with long, dan-

gling earrings tocomplete the

look.

It’s that time of the year again whenyou vie to look your best and make

an entrance for the last party you willever attend this year. So, why not stayclear of the boring Little Black Dressand try on something that gives youan achingly cool edge. We bring youfashion tips that will help you grab

the spotlight.

Turtleneck:Ladies love it.And there is noreason why menshouldn’t. It canbe your not-so-dressy-yet-not-so-casual look to aparty and a per-fect alternative toa collared shirt.Keep a note notto tuck it in. Pairit with a blazerand you willmake ladiesswoon over you.

COLLEGE FEST

STYLE ALERT...

FESTIVE CHEER

FLEME [email protected]

n TAKE SOME TIME OUTTime to be good for Santa. Bringout the good side in you andshare the joy of the season. Thosesuffering in hospitals and nurs-ing homes faintly remember thejoy of Christmas. Illness, painand loneliness overwhelm themas they spend their days. You cancheer up someone forgotten in ahospital or at the old folks home.

n SPREAD THE WARMTHHyderabad is not very famousfor having winters. Yet thenights and the mornings do geta little bit chilly. Thousands lan-guish in the streets, at the rail-way station, at bus stops or onpavements huddled near a fireor curled up. Get along withsome friends and pool in somemoney to buy a couple ofshawls and blankets and be agood Samaritan.

n BAKE BY THE DOZENChristmas season is the timewhen one forgives and forgetsand also the time when yourparents tend to practice whatthey preach. Burning a dish andbreaking a few utensils will notcreate much havoc as it mightdo otherwise. So, gather yourfriends and try your hand atcooking some tasty delicaciesfor the occasion.

n DECK THE HALLS WITHBOUGHS OF HOLLY

There is nothing more fun thansitting around with friends anddecorating your college walls,which you would never havegiven a second thought to in theentire year. The festive seasonchanges everything — you talkto people you had hardly spo-ken to, you become selfless andbuy gifts and then you spendhours on end decorating hostelsand classrooms. And the bestpart is that you end up enjoyingevery minute of this.

n PARTY LIKE THERE’S NOTOMORROW

When throwing a great college

Christmas party, just rememberthree things: The more the mer-rier, everyone is not comfort-able with the same things, andawkward silences make forawkward parties. But that said,keep the decibel level undercontrol, you would not want tospoil the festival spirit for yourneighbours. It will be a goodopportunity to let go, bondwith friends, make new ones.

To make it more fun, select atheme as well. Have that mas-querade party you have alwaysdreamed of.

n HYDERABAD DARSHANThis one’s for those who havebeen buried in books all theyear around or busy with college events. Time to takethose cameras out, dust offthose walking shoes, take a

map of the City and head to the places you have alwaysheard of. And for those of younew to the City, this is the perfect holiday gift you can give yourself.

Studies figure nowhere on thislist, so it might not go downvery well with your folks, butdo tell them it is all in theChristmas spirit.

Home for the holidaysChristmas is around the corner and no aspect of our lives is left untouched

by the spirit of the season. Even studies on campus seem to be a chore now. We give you a list of what to do this vacation.


18CHRISTMAS IS HEREStart your celebrations early. Participate in the Christmas Carnival beingorganised at Melange, Masab Tank. Tuck into a scrumptious dinner thatstarts at 8pm.

VINTAGE BEAUTY

spotlight

Suman,HM Nahat Shriram,Aishwarya Alok,Sashi Nahata Amitam,Nupur Sachin,Shruthi

Khushbu Keerthi,Naha,Ridhima,Karishma Sarala,Santosh Ritushree,Dayavathi Zeenat Aman

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10

GAME FACEActors Rajeev

Khandelwal andTena Desae were inthe City, at the ParkHotel to promotetheir film Table no21. An important

part of the film is agame of Tell the

truth which the twoactors have to

complete in orderto survive. Paresh

Rawal is also one ofthe stars.

YOUNGPERFORMERS

Students of the MeridianSchool Madhapur cele-

brated their Sports Day onSaturday. The theme of

the day “Echo for Eco” wasfollowed with a green

relay by the national levelsports champions of theschool, a cultural displayon the Chipko Movementand a sapling adoptiondrive — Each One, PlantOne where children gave

away 700 saplings.

TEE OFFTIME

More than 80 CXOgolfers participated inthe third edition of theTiE Hyderabad Annualgolf tournament thatwas held on Sunday.

A ROYALNIGHT

1

6 7 8 9 10

2 3 4 5

N SHIVA KUMAR

S BALAKRISHNA

Day 2 of the fashion extrav-aganza —Blenders PrideHyderabad InternationalFashion Week 2012, waswell attended. The cre-

ations showcased atVivanta by Taj, Begumpet.

were appreciated by theguests.

BATS OFFER CLUES TO IMMUNITY, LONGEVITYBats offer vital clues to immunity and human longevity, according to anAustralian study. Bats are a natural reservoir for several lethal viruses likeSARS, but they often don't succumb to disease from these viruses, accord-ing to a post-doctoral fellow at the Australian Animal Health Lab. health


19

A threatening leakAmniotic band syndrome is known to affect one in 10,000 babies, but is hard to detect during

pregnancy. However, there is hope yet thanks to paediatric plastic surgery.

When Anita andAditya welcomedtheir baby boy intothis world they

were full of hopes and dreams.But when they first saw theirinfant, they were shocked. Thebaby had been affected by amni-otic band syndrome and as aresult his hands and feet had notfully developed. While the cou-ple loved their son all the samethey could not help but worryabout his future and also won-der how this could have hap-pened as Anita had taken all thepossible precautions and nutri-tion care during pregnancy.

Amniotic band syndrome(ABS) is known to affect approx-imately one in 10,000 babies, butis hard to put an exact numbersince diagnosis is usually rare.According to experts, the condi-tion is hard to detect duringpregnancy, unless there is a dis-tinct deformity in the foetus.

“The exact reasons for amni-otic band syndrome are not yetknown. It is a congenital defect,but it is definitely not hereditary.It usually occurs when there is aleak in the amniotic sac that sur-rounds the foetus, but the rea-sons for this happening are notknown,” explains Dr KiranKrishnamurti, paediatrician atAndromeda Centre, Somajiguda.

According to scientificreports amniotic band syndromeoccurs due to a partial rupture ofthe amniotic sac. This rupture

involves only the amnion whilethe chorion remains intact.When this happens fibrousbands float in the amniotic fluidand encircle the body parts ofthe foetus. This in turn hampersthe growth and development ofthe foetus as it constricts bloodcirculation. In some cases, thiscould result in the ‘naturalamputation’ of the limbs like thefingers or toes or a cleft lip, club-

foot and other congenital abnor-malities.

“Adam’s complex and cleftlip are the most commonly seenresults of ABS. While I did seesuch cases during my training, itis rare in private practice. Anoccasional cleft lip or digitalabnormality (missing fingers ortoes) may be common but notsevere cases. In very severe casesthe baby may be born without a

limb,” says Dr Kiran. She goes on to add that a

deformity may be detected usinga 3-D ultrasound, but minorabnormalities are hard to see inscans. Also since most of theseabnormalities manifest at a moreadvanced stage, it is too late toterminate the pregnancy.

“The condition does notthreaten the child’s life. Plasticsurgery is a great way to min-

imise the abnormalities,” shesays.

In rare cases, if ABS is diag-nosed in utero then foetalsurgery may be considered tosave a limb which is in danger ofamputation or other deformity.However, for infants born withABS, plastic surgery helps. Sincethe condition is not hereditary,chances of it occurring in anoth-er pregnancy are minimal.

CONGENITAL DEFECTS

RANJANI [email protected]

Endomondo TrackerEndomondo sports track-er lets you choose fromthree programs or createyour own and let theaudio coach guide you.You can View graphs

with your lap times, heart rate, speedand altitude throughout the workout.You can also set a calorie goal for yourworkout and the audio coach will guideyou through it.

LupusLupus is a chronic inflammatory diseasethat affects the blood vessels and con-nective tissues of the skin and variousparts of the body. There is also a simpleform called discoid lupus that affectsjust the skin. Many symptoms are possi-ble. It often begins with a skin rash overthe nose and cheeks that is shaped likea butterfly, made worse by exposure tothe sun. This may be accompanied bytiredness and joint pains.

Erections every hour?Most men have erec-tions every hour to hourand a half during sleep.Most people’s bodiesand minds are muchmore active when

they’re sleeping than they think. Thecombination of blood circulation andtestosterone production can cause erec-tions during sleep and they’re often anormal and necessary part of REM sleep.

GalenRustem Igor Gamow, son of physicistGeorge Gamow, is a microbiology pro-fessor and inventor. His first importantinvention, patented in 1990 was theGamow bag, enabling mountainclimbers to avoid altitude sickness byraising the surrounding pressure.Another was the Shallow UnderwaterBreathing Apparatus, permitting swim-mers to breathe easily as deep as tenfeet under water.

NEWS BRIEFSAPP-LY YOURSELF HOUSECALL DID YOU KNOW? PIONEERS

New nerve cell identified

health MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012 20

WASHINGTON: Eating darkchocolate can protect againstheart disease and stroke, scien-tists claim, adding that menderive more health benefits fromit than women.

The benefits include anti-clotting effects which are activat-ed within two hours in bothsexes, and with greater impact in men.

Having a piece of chocolate aday could be the secret to stay-ing heart healthy, according toscientists at the University ofAberdeen Rowett Institute ofNutrition and Health, the DailyMail reported.

"It's an acute effect in thebody that men and women bothbenefit from, but it's more dilut-ed in women. These findings arenot a carte blanche to eat choco-lates as they are extremely richin fat and sugar," lead researcherDr Baukje de Roos, from theRowett Institute, said.

Researchers from the Rowettjoined Institute of Food Researchin Norwich to study what hap-pened in the blood of 42 healthyvolunteers, 26 women and 16men, after they ate dark choco-late specially boosted with cocoaextract. They were investigatingthe effect on blood clotting, theresult of over-activity of plateletsthat stick together blockingblood vessels that can lead toheart attacks and strokes.Compounds called flavanolswhich are found in cocoa, teaand apples, appear to have abeneficial effect on platelet func-tion and they are higher incocoa-rich chocolate.

The platelet function of peo-ple eating the enriched darkchocolate was compared withplatelet function in those whohad eaten dark chocolate — witha lower cocoa and flavanol con-tent — and white chocolate.Blood and urine samples weretaken and then analysed twohours and six hours. They dis-covered the specially enricheddark chocolate significantlydecreased both platelet activa-tion and aggregation in men, butonly cut platelet aggregation inwomen.

The strongest effects wereseen two hours after the choco-late had been eaten, said thereport published in MolecularNutrition Food Research. PTI

Dark chocolate forhealth!

STUDY

Dermatologists say a combination of the right vitamins, nutrients, hydrating, cleansing and moisturising agents can help the skin during winters.

NEW DELHI: Fed up of dull, dry and flakyskin this winter? Give your skin that extracare by keeping it hydrated from within andmoisturised from outside, suggest experts.

"The winter season can be brutal on yourskin. Cold temperatures often mean lowhumidity, and that dries out the skin. Dryskin looks dull and lacks lustre. The main-stay of winters is to hydrate the skin andreplenish the lost moisture," Mumbai-basedcosmetologist Jamuna Pai told IANS.

Hydration is important as it makes for ahealthy functioning of the system and givesa boost to youthful-looking skin.

"Skin can be hydrated in two ways -internally by drinking an adequate amountof water and taking oil supplements, andexternally, by using products that hydrateand moisturise," added Pai.

R.S. Mishra, consultant of dermatologyat capital-based Moolchand Medcity, insistspeople must follow the three-step skincareformula of cleansing, toning and moisturis-ing.

"This daily skin care routine is veryimportant. Cleanser should be chosenaccording to skin type. Toning with non-alcohol based toner is essential, and themoisturiser should also be chosen accordingto skin type. Moisturisers containing honeyand cocoa butter are good for skin (in win-ter)," Mishra told IANS.

"If the skin is oily, lotion-based mois-turisers can be used. And if the skin is dry,cream-based moisturisers should be used. Itis a myth that oily skin should not be mois-turised because if skin is not moisturised, oilglands start producing more oil," addedMishra.

Tanning can also be an issue during thewinter season as people tend to step out tosoak in the sunshine.

Keep a good sunscreen handy, advisesSangeeta Amladi, head of medical servicesat the Kaya Skin Clinic.

"Do not forget to apply sunscreen daily,when you are exposed to the sun.Sunglasses are also a must," said Amladi.

She has other winter skincare tips too."For instant brightening, one should use a

Vitamin C facial, or else try an instanthydrating mask. For lips, use a balm thathas moisturising features and SPF (SunProtection Factor) 15.

“Avoid antibacterial soaps, alcohol-based toners, wipes or colognes. Avoid step-ping into the hot and strong sun as it evapo-rates the trans-epidermal water and makesskin dry. Also avoid stepping out in extre-mely cool and windy weather," she added.

Pai adds consumption of right nutrients

is also key for healthy skin. "Due attentionshould be paid to consuming supplementsof vitamins A, C and E, and minerals such asselenium and zinc. They have antioxidantproperties, which repair the skin and promote skin healing. Essential fatty acidsalso have a beneficial effect on skin as theyhelp combat moisture loss that would otherwise cause dryness, fine lines, and wrinkles."

IANS

SKIN CARE

BREAKTHROUGH

For that winter skin glow:Hydrate, moisturise

STOCKHOLM: European sci-entists have identified a previ-ously unknown group of nervecells in the brain, which regu-lates heart rhythm and bloodpressure.

Scientists have managed toidentify in mice a previouslytotally unknown group ofnerve cells in the brain. "Thisdiscovery opens the possibility

of a completely new way ofcombating cardiovascular dis-ease", says Jens Mittag, groupleader at the Department ofCell and Molecular Biology atKarolinska Institutet, Sweden,who led the study.

"If we learn how to controlthese neurons, we will be ableto treat certain cardiovascularproblems like hypertension

through the brain," addsMittag, the Journal of ClinicalInvestigation reports.

These nerve cells, calledneurons, develop in the brainwith the aid of thyroid hor-mone, produced in the thyroidgland, according to aKarolinska statement. Patientsin whom the function of thethyroid gland is disturbed are

at a risk of developing prob-lems with these nerve cells.This leads to cardiovasculardisease.

A more immediate conclu-sion is that it is of utmostimportance to identify andtreat pregnant women withhypothyroidism, since it mayharm the production of theseneurons in the foetus. IANS

EntertainmentMONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012

21MAKING A MARK

I am playing myself inRUM : Trisha

Trisha’s upcoming filmtitled RUM (Rambha

Urvashi Menaka) is goingto be a female centric filmin which she’s teaming upwith her mentor M S Raju.The film’s shooting willbegin in January. Talkingabout the role, Trisha said,“I am not a feminist or acop or a princess in thefilm. I am playing myself.”

NTR’s next film set to rollfrom Jan 3

NTR’s upcoming film in HarishShankar’s direction is set to

go on floors from January 3 andthe first schedule will go on tillJanuary 14. Samantha is playingthe lead role in this romantic andaction entertainer and anotherprominent heroine is going to befinalized soon. Dil Raju is produc-ing the film. Thaman is compos-ing the music.

Yamudiki Mogudu gearsup for release

Allari Naresh, Richa Panai star-rer Yamudiki Mogudu is going

to hit the screens on December27. The film has been given a U/Acertificate. E Sattibabu has direct-ed this socio-fantasy film. RamyaKrishna and Sayaji Shinde haveplayed vital roles in this filmwhich narrates the story of acommoner who falls in love withLord Yama’s daughter.

CINE BYTES

I’m not in a RAT RACE

Allu Sirish, who’s all set to make his debut in Radhamohan’s Gauravam,

talks about why he jumped onto the acting bandwagon and the transformation he has gone

through to prepare for the mammoth

task ahead.

HEMANTH [email protected]

Four years ago, Allu Sirish, theyoungest son of ace producer AlluArvind, seemed to be following hisfather’s footsteps. He worked as an

executive producer for Aamir Khan starrerGhajini and soon he became quite a rageamong Telugu movie buffs through hisblogs on the economics of Telugu filmindustry. Eventually, he founded a filmmagazine named Southscope which start-ed off with a bang in late 2009. Consid -ering everything that he has done so far,his decision to take up acting comes as abig surprise even for those who haveclosely followed his work so far. Ask himwhy the change in plans, he says, “Itmight seem like a sudden change, but Idid quite a lot of acting when I was a kid.I did a cameo in Pratibandh and acted in aTamil TV serial with veteran actress Bhan -umathi which was her last assignment onTV. I knew that I would act someday infuture, but I wasn’t sure if I could carry offa lead role. Having said that, there wasnever a dearth of opportunity, but I didn’twant to take up acting because a lot ofpeople expected me to do so. I have seenwhat it takes from close quarters, so I was-n’t in a rush. Then someone who’s reallyclose to me advised me to jump onto thebandwagon before it’s too late.”

He joined an acting school in Mumbaiand underwent training in stunts under theaegis of Pandian, a popular action choreog-rapher in Chennai. “ The most importantthing I did was to talk to actors about theirexperiences and I also read a lot of biogra-phies of popular actors. Becoming an actoris not merely about the craft, it needs a tec-tonic shift in your personality. You need toevolve into another person. In that sense,the transformation was more internal thanexternal,” Allu Sirish says.

His debut film, Gauravam is a socialdrama which, he says, gives an interestinginsight into the rural life through the eyesof a city boy. Being one of the youngestmembers from the family to be makinghis onscreen debut, Allu Sirish does havesome perks. One among them is not beingbothered about the pressure. No wonderhe’s content about making his debut witha film like Gauravam rather than a massentertainer like almost everyone else inhis family. “When my brother Allu Arjunmade his debut, he was in a rat race andhe had to solidify his position in theindustry. My cousin, Ram Charan had nochoice other than living up to the expecta-tions of being Chiranjeevi’s son. I don’thave any of these pressures and I’m not ina rat race. I just want to do different stuffand learn along the way,” he signs off.

Entertainment MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012 22

WILL MARRYAFTER JODHPUR

AND MUMBAICOURT VERDICTS:

SALMAN

'Madras Cafe' not a take onIndo-Sri Lankan relations

Director Shoojit Sircar has deniedthe buzz that his upcoming film

Madras Cafe is a story based on thepolitical relations between India andSri Lanka, insisting the flick is simplya spy thriller set in the backdrop ofthe two countries. Shoojit has earliernamed the film Jaffna, the Civil War-torn city in Sri Lanka populated bySri Lankan Tamils. PTI

Shekhar praises 'fiery'Indian youth

Indian youth is a fiery political forceof change, said filmmaker Shekhar

Kapur, impressed with the wayyoungsters have been protesting for

a Delhi gang-rape victim. "Indianyouth have proved they are not justdemographic statistics in economicmodels. They are a potent and fiery

political force of change," Kapurtweeted Sunday. IANS

CINE BYTES

Ashish’s NY resolutions

Actor Ashish Chowdhry, last seenin Double Dhamaal, says his

wish list for 2013 includes doingsome movies. "Got to start planningfor my New Year's resolutions fromtoday. Too much in the list. But get-ting back in front of camera is defi-nitely one of them," he tweeted.

IANS

MARRIAGE BANS

Superstar SalmanKhan has finallyput to rest questionspertaining to his

marriage, saying he willthink about tying the knotonly after the verdicts of

Jodhpur and Mumbaicourts in the blackbuck andvehicle mishap casesagainst him. The 46-year-old actor, who is alwayshounded with questionsabout his never ending

bachelorhood, has beenlinked to a number ofwomen in his career but issaid to be single post hisalleged split with actressKatrina Kaif. “I will thinkabout marrying only after

the courts give their ver-dicts. If the verdicts goagainst me, I will marryonly after coming out ofjail,” the actor told RajatSharma during a televisionshow. PTI

Entertainment MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012 25NOT MUCH OF SPICE?

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be

broad

cast

on Chris

tmas

Eve. "N

ot that

anyone w

anted

to

date m

e. I t

hink ev

eryone w

anted

to so

rt of l

ike j

ust bru

sh

my hair. B

ut every

body could

relat

e to one o

f us.

That's

why it w

as so

succe

ssful,"

she a

dded. S

peakin

g about h

ow

she w

as nick

named

Posh Spice

, she s

aid: "

I was

calle

d Posh

becau

se I l

iked

nice re

stauran

ts an

d nice cl

othes

, and th

at

was m

y chara

cter. '

I did

n't smile

, even

in th

ose day

s. There

was th

is very

stro

ng imag

e. 'Someti

mes I c

atch

myself

in th

e mirr

or and I'm

like,

'Oh m

y God,

I've t

urned

into th

at pers

on'." Vict

oria is

mar-

ried to

socce

r ace

Dav

id B

eckham

. IANS

VICTORIA BECKHAMNo one wanted to date

Rihanna remembersher grandma

Rihanna is getting intothe holiday spirit by

donating $1.75 million dol-lars to a Barbados hospital inmemory of her dear GranGran Dolly. The singer visit-ed the hospital Saturday withher mother Monica Fenty andDolly's husband Lionelalongside her.

Rita Ora cheated withJonah Hill?

Singer Rita Ora reportedly cheat-ed on Robert Kardashian with

Jonah Hill. The 22-year-old, whosplit from Rob earlier this month,

allegedly spent a night with Hillwhile she was still dating the reality

TV star. "Rita spent the night withJonah during a trip to New York,"

contactmusic.com quoted a sourceas saying. IANS

CINE BYTES

James supports NRA

In the aftermath of the horrificshooting at Sandy Hook

Elementary, countless celebritieshave joined in a plea for gun con-trol but Jesse James is not one ofthem. He expressed support forthe NRA, the day after it finallybroke its silence on the shootingand called for armed officers inevery school.

Chai TimeMONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012

26

ACROSS1 Molten rock6 It can be half-baked10 Banco de Mexico

coin14 Fielder’s blunder15 Have-___ (down-

and-outers)16 Wrestler’s workplace17 ‘Back’ three ways20 Eats or owns21 Steak or veal, eg22 Assert without proof23 Hiccup’s cause25 Makes public26 Presque ___, Maine28 Thesaurus offering32 Doctor’s reference34 Cincinnati’s state35 Lamb’s lament38 ‘Back’ four ways42 ‘Squad’ of old TV43 Composition for two44 Sheet of paper folded

to make four pages45 He brings the heat

when he gets the finger

48 Aerialists’ insurance49 Syllabus51 Taco chip dip53 Mud-sucking

machine55 Peak in Sicily

56 Baby’s word59 ‘Back’ three ways62 ‘Green Gables’ girl63 Food thickener64 Delivered a low

blow?65 Words from pros66 Young men67 Gilbert and Teasdale

DOWN1 Fishnet stocking

pattern2 Geographical datum3 Savanna4 Bon ___ (clever

remark)5 Bakery emanation6 ‘... a date which will

live in ___’ (FDR)7 ___-yourself kit8 Space-saving

abbreviation9 Sailing the bounding

main10 Bout before the

biggie11 One bearing down?12 Progress impeders13 Give the once-over18 Parker of old TV19 Post-season game24 French papa26 Minuteman III or

Peacekeeper, eg27 Cry to a fly29 Toward the pole

where Santa works30 Cry of discovery31 Tuck’s partner33 ‘I bring you ___ of

great joy’35 Vex36 Made a landing37 Commotions39 Bolt’s adjunct40 Mo when bookstores

have a lot of calendars

41 Charged particles45 Some California

baseball players46 Banana oil and

others47 Sounded, as a

doorbell49 Facing downward50 Hotelier Helmsley52 Small songbirds53 WWII turning point54 Abbr after a list of

names55 ‘Good heavens!’57 Most draft-eligible58 3:1 or 4:1, eg60 Ottoman officer61 Words with ‘roll’ or

‘whim’

KAKURO QUICK CROSSWORD

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

How to playkakuroKakuro is a populargame similar to sudokuin some ways. But is alsosuitably different. Thekey question: ‘How doyou play kakuro?’, wellhere are the rules ofkakuro. The answer: Thekakuro grid, unlike insudoku, can be of anysize. It has rows andcolumns, and dark cellslike in a crossword. And,just like in a crossword,some of the dark cellswill contain numbers.Some cells will containtwo numbers.

However, in a cross-word the numbers refer-ence clues. In a kakuro,the numbers are all youget! They denote thetotal of the digits in therow or column refer-

enced by the number.Within each collection

of cells — called a run— any of the numbers 1to 9 may be used but,like sudoku, each num-ber may only be usedonce.Let’s have anexample to explain thisconcept more clearly:

In the imageabove, which shows asection of a kakuro puz-zle, you will see thenumbers ‘26’ and ‘14’ inthe top row. Look at the14. This means that thetotal of the three cellsunderneath must sum to14. Therefore 9, 4, 1could be the answer, orperhaps 7, 4, 3 and so

on... So, how do you work

out the actual combina-tion? Well, this is donethrough elimination andcross-referencing. Forinstance, as you workout the answers forother kakuro clues, thiswill naturally limit thevalid combinations, andhence the answer forthis particular run.

Note the second cellin row two — it containstwo numbers, 30 and11. The 30 refers to thevertical run underneaththe number 30 and the11 refers to the two cellsto the right, horizontally,of the number 11.

Play & Winvoucher from VENKEY’S VEG Restaurant, Nampally


SUDOKU


Please send in your filled-in entries toPostnoon, #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62,

Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033. The winners will beannounced on this page in Sunday’s edition.

SCRIBBLING PAD

Play & Win

TAROT READ

Chai Time MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012 27

STAR POWER

STRIP TEASE

Vol: 2, No 158 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 – 500033and 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

Thiruvaikumar

Sumaa Tekur

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

tarotreadhyd@gmail. com

for 25-12-2012 As per Hindu panchang

for 25-12-2012

ARIESYour influence is set toincrease. Marriage talks willprogress well and finalisationwill take place soon. Real estatedeals will end in your favourand decent gains are likely.Children will make you happy.Politicians will get support.

ARIES: Knight of Cups –You’re being emotional but may notnecessarily be sensitive to other peo-ple’s emotions. Take care to respectother people’s time.

GEMINI: Queen ofPentacles – A dramatic increase inincome is in the offing. This maymean giving up peace and the lovelywork surroundings you had created.

LEO: Eight of Wands – LadyLuck is smiling down on you. Houserenovation work will keep you busy.Long pending tasks will finally getyour attention.

LIBRA: Nine of Cups –Wish carefully. For, it is about tocome true. This card is a caution tobe careful what you wish for. Do youknow this is exactly what you want?

TAURUS: Page of Cups –You’re being impulsive. Stop, stepback, and take a good look at thebig picture. Do you really want to godown that road?

CANCER: King of Pentacles– You’re in control of situations at thework place. Clients love you for yourpracticality. You’re likely to makemore money through a raise.

VIRGO: Three of Cups –Celebrate your success. It’s importantto celebrate when the times aregood. You release the right vibesinto the cosmos.

SCORPIO: Ace of Cups –Great ideas come your way and youfeel empowered to make them workas well. You’re on a roll! Maintain thetempo but also don’t push yourself.

CAPRICORN: Ten of Cups– This is the season to spend moretime with family. They may have feltignored by you in the past months.Perfect time to make up for it.

SAGITTARIUS: Six ofPentacles – An elderly person, fromthe extended family or at work, willguide you in the right direction andtell you what your move should be.

AQUARIUS: Five of Cups –Don’t cry over spilt milk. There’s noth-ing much you can do about what’sgone. But you can certainly controlhow you react to it. Think positive.

PISCES: Four of Swords –Work is stalling and you’re feelingexhausted and frustrated. Things willtake their own time to move ahead.Your pushing it will not help.

TAURUSThose in love will get marriedsoon. Your charisma willincrease. Those planning toenter cine field will realise theirdreams. Try and get rid of badhabits and take care of yourhealth. Foreign job applicantswill get a favourable result.

GEMINIPoliticians are advised to becautious in their talks. Avoidfriendship with characterlesspersons as they might land youin trouble. Mother’s health maybe affected. Politicians will gainimportance and be entrustedwith important assignments.

CANCERUnwanted apprehension needsto be driven out of your mindas you will be successful if youproceed with a clear mind.Hurdles will disappear.Employees can expect theirpay hike and choice transferwith promotion.

LEOHighly esteemed people willextend their whole-heartedhelp and financial support tocomplete important tasksundertaken by you. A turningpoint is likely for businessmenas their innovative techniqueswill be adopted.

VIRGOSome will undertake pilgrim-age. Debt issues will come toan end as you will clear majorportion of the same. Delayedloan application will get sanc-tioned now but you need tohandle it carefully or there arechances of future problems.

LIBRAPeaceful atmosphere will pre-vail at home. You will performsister's marriage in a grandmanner and earn appreciationall around. Your administrativecapabilities will be sharpened.House construction plan willget approval.

SCORPIOAll your wishes will get fulfilled.You will be invited by VIPs totake part in celebrations. Goodevents will happen at home,which will keep the familycheerful. Those deprived ofchildren for a long time willreceive favourable news.

SAGITTARIUSGood attitude at home willkeep family members happy.Employees will be happy as sit-uation at the workplace willchange. Strained relationshipswill resume and meeting withclose relatives will make youcheerful.

CAPRICORNFinancially, a very comfortableposition likely. Realtors willhave a very good and prosper-ous time. Businessmen canplan for expansion as the timeis ripe for the same. Money willcome by in speculative deals.You will attend get-togethers.

AQUARIUSThose seeking a job will getgood news. With wise steps,you will complete tasks with-out any problem. You will buya new vehicle in exchange ofthe old one. Unexpected ten-sions likely, but keep your coolas the situation will change.

PISCESThose disturbed about nothaving a job will receivefavourable news. Severalhappy events will take place athome. Businessmen will beinundated with orders. Thosein export-import business willdo well.

AGNES

NON SEQUITUR

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE

POOCH CAFE

BoggleMOLE MOOSE MOUSE MONKEY MONGOOSE

SUDO

KU

NUM

BER

GAM

ESC

RABB

LE

PREVIOUS SOLUTIONS


Kristen Stewart returningto 'Snow White...' sequel

Actress Kristen Stewart has con-firmed news that she will be

returning to Snow White and theHuntsman sequel. The TwilightSaga beauty said she is superexcited to come back to the twist-ed fairy tale film franchise, thoughit is still unconfirmed who willdirect the follow-up movie,reported Aceshowbiz. PTI

Bieber praises another‘drummer boy’

Another YouTube star isborn, thanks to Justin

Bieber. He tweeted about 10-year-old Jayden Anderson's

recent performance of his ver-sion of The Little Drummer Boy

at St. Joseph CatholicElementary School’s Christmas

concert, Ont., putting the spot-light on the young rapper.

Barrymore’s dogs loveBaby Olive

She may have been a nervouswreck after baby Olive arrived

this fall, but the Drew Barrymorecould have rested easy becauseher dogs had everything undercontrol. "They're so protective ofher. They're so sweet," she tellsPeople of her pups, Douglas andshepherd mix Oliver.

REHAB STINT AGAIN ?

CINE BYTES

Is Demiheading towards

relapse?

Actress Demi Moore hassparked fears that sheis heading towards

relapse and will need treat-ment for substance abuse andan eating disorder for the sec-ond time. Moore's estrangedhusband Ashton Kutcher filedfor divorce Friday, more than ayear after their split inNovember 2011.

After they split, Moore hadchecked into rehab for an eat-ing disorder and substanceabuse issues. The actress isreportedly plunging intodepression after her threedaughters — Rumer, 24, Scout,21, and Tallulah, 18 — cut con-tact with her because of her

hard partying."The girls want Demi to

pull herself together, act herage and stop carrying on likesome teenage party girl. ButDemi just refuses to give upthe lifestyle that once madeher happy," a source toldradaronline.com.

“She's determined to findyoung love again and is at aloss as to why she is still sin-gle. On top of having no lovelife, her daughters have onceagain turned their backs onher — she just feels so alone,and that feeling is made all theworse as Christmas approach-es,” the source added.

Moore's friends are wor-

ried that she is depressedagain.

“Demi feels so alone in theworld. Her mum and step dadare both dead... and althoughshe has three step-siblings —she hasn't spoken to them in 30years! And her half brotherJames is in jail for 10 years forassaulting his girlfriend sothere is no one for her to spendthe holidays with. It's going tobe another sad and lonely timefor Demi," said an insider.

"Demi's friends are wor-ried she will be so down overthe holidays that she mayrelapse, and they no longerknow what to do to help her,"he said. IANS


The Hobbit clobbers TomCruise film

T he Hobbit: An UnexpectedJourney was heading for an

easy second week victory at the boxoffice, on pace for a $32 millionweekend after rolling up an estimat-ed $10 million Friday. That's wayahead of the Tom Cruise thriller JackReacher, which debuted with $5 mil-lion Friday and is looking at around$15 million for the weekend.

Hemsworth to celebrateChristmas with Cyrus

Actor Liam Hemsworth wants totake Miley Cyrus to Australia

for Christmas. The 22-year-old wouldlove to spend the festive season in

his native country with his family andfiance."I hope to take Miley to

Australia for Christmas, that would bevery nice. I stopped filming in early

December so it's possible," contact-music.com quoted Hemsworth.

CINE BYTES

Mayer creates guitarfor Perry

Musician John Mayerhas designed a guitar for

Katy Perry to gift her onChristmas. The 35-year-oldmusician had the guitar cov-ered in intricate designs,including Katy's initials and thedate they first met.

IANS

HIMYMD

eadline's Nikki Finke reports that the CBSstalwart will be back for a ninth season(which may or may not include the bigmotherly reveal) after nearly six months'worth of negotiations between Himym's

cast, producers, and the network. Finke says JasonSegel delayed the show's greenlight this time around,and had actually decided to bail on season nine, "buthe just got turned around [yesterday] at the last sec-ond. The show was literally dead [otherwise]."

BACK FOR NINTH SEASON

JASON SEGEL IS BACK

sports 30INDIA TO HOST NEIGHBOURS

LEAGUE CRICKET


The old rivals will be firedup once again as theyface each other in twoTwenty20s and three

one-dayers in India.Both India and Pakistan will

forget their indifferent form inthe shorter version in recenttimes. This will be an all-out war.

Players will rise above them-selves for these encounters,whether in form or otherwise.

The only sad factor will bethat India’s greatest player willbe missing. Sachin Tendulkar hascalled time on an illustrious one-day career.

Now nearing 40 and strug-gling with form, Tendulkar hasdone the right thing.

A full retirement won’t be faraway. At least this will stop allthe cries from the critics that heshould bow out of cricket.

Sadly, India’s legend hasbeen facing so much flak recentlythat the real emotion of his exitwill only make an impact later.

A career which spanned 463matches, 18,426 runs with 49 cen-turies and a highest score of 200not out underlines how well hedominated bowlers over theyears. This record will be verydifficult to break.

And gone will be those won-derful lofted shots, the wristy legside play and the paddle sweep.All that is left now is to Salute theMaster. And don’t put additional

pressure on him in Test cricket.He is a jewel in India’s crown.

Appreciate him while he isstill around. One won’t seeextraordinary cricketers like himin a hurry.

It will be a strange feeling notto see Tendulkar as India take thefield for the first T20 at Bangaloreon Christmas day.

India have a tough taskahead of them. They will be tak-ing on some of the best spinnersin the business against Pakistan.

Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridiand Mohammed Hafeez areclever bowlers. Hopefully themadness of spinning wickets is

now forgotten as a bad dream.India have repeatedly shown

against England that they justcan’t play quality spin. They bet-ter change strategy to counter thespinners.

The squared T20 seriesagainst England revealed a cou-ple of major weaknesses.

India seem to lose the plot inthe death overs. The batsmenjust don’t get enough runsdespite being in good positions.

The bowlers also forget thatpitching the ball up reduces thechances of batsmen going for bigstrokes. At this juncture theyoften bowl short and wide.

Luckily many of India’s toporder batsmen are in good touch.Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoniis back at his best and YuvrajSingh is thriving with both batand ball.

The bowling worries contin-ue as some of the newcomers areinconsistent. Hopefully playingagainst Pakistan may lift theirgame up.

As usual, the Pakistan selec-tors have played Russianroulette in team matters. Thereare a few new players ofunknown quality in the side.

Recalling Younis Khan is awise decision but dropping the

popular Shahid Afridi for theone-day section is shocking.

And chief selector IqbalQasim’s assertions that Afridimust prove himself and thatPakistan was looking for hisreplacement stinks of the usualpolitics which besots Pakistancricket.

Admittedly, Afridi is goingthrough a drop in form. His bat-ting has fallen away badly. Buthis bowling is still good becausehe can still restrict when not tak-ing wickets.

There is still hope though forAfridi as Pakistan’s sensible cap-tain Misbah-ul-Haq has askedfor his inclusion in the team if heperforms in the T20.

India’s big chance for successwill to be to target Pakistan’sslightly shaky middle order.There are bound to be some new-comers there and the job can bemade easier.

Ajmal will be the man whowill play the leading role onwhich way the series goes. He isamong the best off spinners inthe world and has the uncannyknack of seizing situations.

The India-Pakistan series willa great relief for many disap-pointed fans who have seenIndia being just washed away byEngland. This could also be aturning point for Indian cricket ifthey manage to win the series.

With England coming backearly next year to complete theone-day version of their seriesfollow by Australia, India need amajor dose of confidence.

Beating Pakistan will be justthe thing to get them back ontrack again.

RANJI TROPHYHyderabad 337 all out in 122overs. Brief scores: AshishReddy 82, Akash Bhandari 56no,Murali Karthik 4 for 88, KVSharma 3 for 103

Railway 145 for 2 in 59 overs,Brief scores: AG Paunikar 41, NSBille Batting 31, Sanjay Bangarbatting 43, Pragjan Ojha 2 for 17

COOCH BEHAR TROPHY Hyderabad Vs Karnataka

Karnataka 629 for 5 dec in171 overs. Brief scores: AbhinavManohar 209, Bharath KN 95,Kranti Kumar 112no

Hyderabad 47 for 1 in 13 overs.

A4- 11 ONE DAY LEAGUECHAMPIONSHIP MP Sporting 203 for 7 (Kushal39, Tript 82 no, Srinand 4 for 53)bt Cheerful Chums 81(Sameer 6for 30)

Sagar XI 211 (Sachit 73,Kamal 37, Shivram 3 for 28) btSportive 139 (Rohan 33, Deepak40, Ramraj 3 for 25)

HUCC 115 (Syed Manivud -din 72, Abdul Azeem 5 for 19)lost to Apex 116 for 3 (Syed An -war Ali 37, Mir Javed Ali 38 no)

DB CC 114 (Shashi 6 for 25,

Samaikya 3 for 20) lost to Victor117 for 3 (K Sahitya 56, K Samai -kya 70no, M Kumar 3 for 8 )

Vijayanand 126 (Mustafa 49,Vijayendra 5 for 22) lost toReliance 127 for 3 (Preetam 54no)

Saint Sai 224 for 8 (Rajsekhar44, CV Sridhar 39, Jitendra 34,Manas 4 for 40) bt Mahaveer 120(Chandra 5 for 35)

Bharath CC 284 for 9 (Amba -ti Sai Varun 51, K Vikas Rao 34,M Mahender 77, Amit Singh 34,Chandu 3 for 92) bt RR Districts41 (Shiva Dattha 8 for 22)

Raju C A 117 (Prasanna 4 for22, Hamid 3 for 30) lost to

Consult 123 for 1 (Praveen 50,Naresh 51no)

MP Blues 286 for 7 (J Swamy59, TP Varun 53, Prabhu Kiran69, Devrath 5 for 89) bt Lal Baha -d ur PG 163 (Devrath 50, Siddhar -th 3 for 57, TP Varun 3 for 44)

Vijay Bharthi 245 for 6 (MdAltaf Younus 81, MohammedMohsin 30, Harish K 58, Shaheen3 for 60) bt Hyd Patriots 126(Mahmood 30, Abu Bhaker 3 for30, Surya 3 for 15, Munaf 3 for 4)

Safilguda 167 for 6 (Harish68, Chandu 36, Vicky 3 for 56) btElegant 123 (Indrajith 4 for 24)

Agawal Seniors 181 (Farooq

44, Diwesh Thakur 3 for 40, Su -m e et Joshi 5 for 36) lost to PKCC182 for 7 (D Thakur 41no, VijayK Konda 51no, Sohail 6 for 36)

Green Turf 221 for 9 (Mauz38, Farhan 43, Avinash 3 for 35)Lost to HGC 222 for 6 (Charan103no, Farhan Ahmed 4 for 47)

RK Puram 235 (M VijayKumar 33, B Dinesh Goud 64,Khaja Nizamuddin 4 for 57,Zubair 3 for 49) bt Southern Star210 (Naveed 41, Ghulam Amair3 for 52, Vijay Kumar 5 for 43)

Imperial 145 (Prakash 33,Randhir 7 for 58) bt Kishoresons127 (Srikanth 5 for 37).

City gains upper hand in keen tussle

TWELFTH MANBabu Kalyanpur

India-Pak series will help tideover Tendulkar’s retirement

sports 31NEW ZEALAND IN SOUTH AFRICA


SYDNEY: Cricket Australia hascharged Brisbane Heat coachDarren Lehmann with breachingits behaviour code after he ques-tioned the bowling action of WestIndian Marlon Samuels (right).

Lehmann made the remarksafter the Heat’s loss to theMelbourne Renegades inAustralia’s Twenty20 Big BashLeague on Saturday night.

“He couldn’t bowl in the IPL(Indian Premier League) lastyear, yet he can bowl in the BBL,”he said post-match.

“We have got to seriously

look at what we’re doing. Are wehere to play cricket properly orwhat?

“If he is deemed legal, I’mtotally understanding of that.But from my point of view, from20 years’ cricket, I have got aproblem with 120km/h off nosteps.”

Samuels has endured a tur-bulent career in which his bowl-ing has often come under scruti-ny and he was banned frombowling in the IPL this yearwhen reported for a suspectaction.

Cricket Australia said thatunder its rules a player or officialmust not “denigrate or criticiseanother player or denigrate orcriticise an official, umpire, refer-ee or team against which they

have played or will play”.“As the matter is now before

the commissioner, CA will not bemaking any comment on thecharge. The date and time of thehearing is yet to be determined,”the governing body said in astatement Monday.

Under CA’s doubtful bowl-ing action policy, any bowlermentioned by three differentumpires in the same season isreported, while umpires alsohave the option to bypass thementions process and lodge areport directly.

EAST LONDON, SA: MartinGuptill (right) hit a thrilling cen-tury to clinch a last-ball, eight-wicket victory for New Zealandin the second Twenty20 interna-tional against South Africa atBuffalo Park on Sunday.

Guptill finished with 101 notout off 69 balls, hitting the lastball of the match from RoryKleinveldt over cover for four toenable New Zealand to reach atarget of 169 in a match reducedto 19 overs a side because of afloodlight failure.

Guptill missed his side’seight-wicket defeat in the firstmatch in Durban on Fridaybecause of a stomach ailment.

But the opening batsmanshowed his value to the team byslamming six sixes and eightfours.

He became the second NewZealander — after captainBrendon McCullum — to hit acentury in a Twenty20 interna-tional. He had some good for-tune in a frantic finish. He wascaught off McLaren when hewas on 87 but gained a reprievewhen the delivery was no-balled because it was too high.

Two runs later he hit a ballfrom Morne Morkel high in theair towards point but RobinPeterson put down the chance.

South Africa scored 165 for

five after a floodlight failurecaused a 50-minute delay.

The home side were 128 fortwo after 16.1 overs when thelights on one of four floodlighttowers went out.

Henry Davids hit 55 andcaptain Faf du Plessis made 63for South Africa. New Zealandseam bowler Doug Bracewelltook three wickets in four ballsin the final over, all from catchesin the deep, to finish with threefor 33.

Du Plessis, who made hisruns off 43 balls, shared partner-ships of 68 for the second wicketwith Davids and 79 for the thirdwicket with David Miller. AFP

LONDON: Kevin Pietersen hasbeen rested for England’s one-day and Twenty20 squadsannounced on Sunday forFebruary’s tour of New Zealand.

James Anderson, JonathanTrott and Graeme Swann havereturned to the 14-man one-daysquad while Stuart Broad is backfrom a heel injury to captain the14-man T20 squad.

National selector Geoff Millersaid: “There are a number ofplayers who we have decidednot to select for parts of the com-petitive programme this winteras we look to manage their work-loads effectively while ensuringwe remain competitive across allformats.

“We feel this is the best wayof keeping players as physicallyand mentally fresh as possibleduring a demanding 2013 andbeyond.

“Kevin Pietersen will missthe limited overs tour of NewZealand with Graeme Swannmissing the T20 leg of the tour.

“This approach also providesan opportunity for talentedyoung players to gain moreinternational experience whichwill help in the future.” AFP

ENGLAND’S TOUR OF NZ

Guptill steers NZ homeThe result enabled New Zealand to level the three-match series with the

decider to be played in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.

COLIN BRYDEN EAST LONDON, SA: Advicefrom former captain Ross Taylorhelped Martin Guptill to hit athrilling century and clinch alast-ball, eight-wicket victoryfor New Zealand in the secondTwenty20 international againstSouth Africa at Buffalo Park onSunday.

“Ross Taylor was in touchfrom back home and he toldme just to relax and play eachball as it came,” said Guptill of acall from Taylor, who wasunavailable for the tour after

losing the captaincy in contro-versial circumstances.

Guptill finished with 101not out off 69 balls, hitting thelast ball of the match from RoryKleinveldt over cover for four to enable New Zealand to reach a target of 169 in a match reduced to 19 overs aside because of a floodlightfailure.

The result enabled NewZealand to level the three-match series with the deciderto be played in Port Elizabethon Wednesday.

Guptill praises Taylor-made last-ball victory

CONTROVERSY OVER BOWLING ACTION

Pietersenrested for

Kiwi tour inFebruary

He became the second NewZealander — aftercaptain BrendonMcCullum — to hit acentury in a Twenty20international.

Lehmann charged for Samuels comments Lehmann, who coaches Brisbane Heat, called for an examination of Samuels' action after a Twenty20 match.

SCOREBOARDSouth AfricaR Levi c N McCullum b Hira 5Davids c Ne’sham b McCl’ghan 55Plessis c And’son b Bracewell 63D Miller c Hira b Bracewell 33F Behardien not out 5Peterson c Ne’sham b Bracewell 0Q de Kock not out 0Extras (lb2, nb1, w1) 4Total (5 wkts, 19 overs) 165Bowling: McClenaghan 4-0-32-1,Bracewell 3-0-33-0, Hira 4-0-37-1,Anderson 2-0-21-0, N McCullum 4-0-23-0, Franklin 1-0-10-0, Nicol 1-0-7-0

New ZealandM Guptill not out 101R Nicol c Miller b Peterson 25McCullum c Miller b McLaren 17C Munro not out 8Extras (lb9, nb1, w8) 18Total (2 wkts, 19 overs) 169Bowling: Peterson 3-0-28-1, Morkel 4-0-29-0, Kleinveldt 4-0-35-0, McLaren4-0-26-1, Phangiso 4-0-42-0

Samuels has oftencome under scrutinyand was banned frombowling in the IPL thisyear when reported fora suspect action.

sportsMONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2012

32CHINA CUP HOLDERS GUANGZHOU SIGN ELKESONChinese cup holders Guangzhou Evergrande said Monday they have sign -ed Brazilian midfielder Elkeson de Oliveira Cardoso to a 4-year deal withthe transfer fee topping 5.7 million euros. Elkeson, 23, will arrive at Guan -g z hou in January for the upcoming season, the club’s website announced.

Lampard says frankly:Blues future not so bright

PREMIERE LEAGUE

GRAHAM CLUTTONAgence France-Presse

SWANSEA, UK: ManchesterUnited boss Alex Fergusonclaimed Robin van Persie couldhave been killed after the Dutchstriker was hit on the back of thehead with the ball in the 1-1draw against Swansea.

Ferguson vented his fury atthe 75th-minute incident at theLiberty Stadium that led toAshley Williams and van Persiebeing booked.

Having been upended onthe edge of the penalty area, vanPersie flew at Williams and hadto be restrained by his team-mates after the Wales defender

hit him flush on the back of thehead with the ball.

Ferguson later claimed thatWilliams could have killed hisplayer and demanded that theFootball Association take action.

As for the game itself,Michu’s 13th goal of the season,after 29 minutes, cancelled outPatrice Evra’s 16th-minuteheader from van Persie’s corner.

“Van Persie could have beenkilled. The FA has got to lookinto it,” said Ferguson.

“Irrespective of him havinga yellow card, he should bebanned for a long time becausethat was the most dangerousthing I’ve seen on a football fieldfor many years,” he added.

IAN WINROWAgence France-Presse

LONDON: Rafael Benitez tooka big step in his efforts to winover doubting Chelsea fans byoverseeing a stunning 8-0 vic-tory over Aston Villa onSunday that moved theSpaniard’s side back up tothird spot.

Fernando Torres kick-start-ed the win with his seventhgoal in six appearances, whileFrank Lampard marked his500th Premier League startwith a goal that made him theclub’s leading scorer in the topflight.

Ramires scored twice, withDavid Luiz, Branislav Ivano -vic, Eden Hazard and Oscaralso on target in a victory thatemphatically drew a line underthe club’s recent slump.

There was much for Benitezto be pleased about, particular-ly the continuing good form ofTorres.

But for Aston Villa, thisresult — their heaviest top-flight defeat — will come as acrushing blow after theimprovement they have shownin recent weeks.

One of the first questionsasked of Benitez when he tookcharge at Stamford Bridge waswhether he could reviveTorres.

The interim manager insist-

ed he could and the striker’srecent strike rate suggestsBenitez has been good to hisword, as the sharpness ofTorres’s third-minute headerdemonstrated.

Picked out by CesarAzpilicueta’s cross from deep,the Spain international con-nected with a powerful header,twisting his body to direct theball beyond Brad Guzan from16 yards out.

It was the perfect start forthe Blues, who came into thegame on the back of an impres-sive 5-1 League Cup quarter-final victory at Leeds United.

LONDON: Frank Lampard (abo -ve) admits his Chelsea futureremai ns uncertain despite themidfiel der establishing himself asthe club’s leading top-flight scor-er in the 8-0 rout of Aston Villa.

Lampard marked his 500thPremier League start with hisside’s fourth, his 130th Chelseagoal in the Premier League, tak-ing him past the previous markset by Bobby Tambling.

However, the midfielder, 34,is out of contract at the end ofthis season and has so far notreceived the offer of a new dealfrom the club.

“I’m not concentrating thatfar as I’m under contract and Ilove playing here so I’m going tocontinue game by game and justbe pleased to be fit. I reallyenjoyed this match and just wantto keep enjoying my football. Ibelieve I have a lot in me to go,”he said. “The club’s position is itsposition, I don’t want to get toodeep into that. I’m here to playfootball and show people what Ican do.” he said.

Chelsea’s Spanish striker Fernando Torres (L) vies with Aston Villa’s English-born Irish defender Ciaran Clark during their match between Chelsea andAston Villa at Stamford Bridge in London, on Sunday. AFP/ GLYN KIRK

‘Robin could have been killed’

The Blues blew away Paul Lambert’s men to move into third place in thePremier League — and Benitez refused to rule out a title challenge.

Chelsea humiliate Villa

Manchester United’s Dutch player Robin van Persie (C) is tackled duringtheir match against Swansea City at The Liberty Stadium in Swansea,Wales on Sunday. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. AFP

GRAHAM CLUTTON SWANSEA, UK: anchesterUnited’s lead over ManchesterCity is down to four points fromsix after the Premier Leagueleaders were held 1-1 atSwansea City’s Liberty Stadiumon Sunday.

Patrice Evra struck with afirst-half header to put Unitedon their way but a Michuequaliser before half-time wasenough to give Swansea a richlydeserved point.

Having seen neighboursCity cut their lead at the top ofthe league to three points withSaturday’s last-gasp 1-0 victoryover Reading, United were keento restore their healthy advan-tage going into the busy festiveperiod.

Swansea frustrate Utd

Woman found dead atReading football ground LONDON: A woman was founddead at Reading’s MadejskiStadium, having suffered serioushead injuries, police said Sunday.

The 22-year-old was foundat the bottom of a stairwell at12:50 am on Saturday, ThamesValley Police said.

She was discovered in theMillennium Madejski Hotel,which forms part of the EnglishPremier League side’s ground.Reading lies 40 miles (60 kilo-metres) west of London.

The woman was pronounceddead at the scene.

“The woman had beenattending a Christmas party atthe time of the incident,” saidDetective Inspector Phil O’Neil.

“We are treating her deathas unexplained and there are anumber of inquiries taking placeto establish the full circum-stances of what happened.”

No arrests had been made,he added.

Reading played away fromhome against championsManchester City on Saturday.

Postnoon E-Paper for 24 December 2012

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