`2FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2012 HYDERABAD WWW.POSTNOON.COM WEATHER: CLEAR SKIES; 26°C 32 PAGES

METAL-HEADS GETAN ENGINEERING

What is it with engineeringstudents and Heavy Metal?Walk through the campuses

and corridors from IIT toBITS and you will be

assaulted by the powerstrains of serious metal.

BUDGET IN NUMBERSBudget size – `1,45,854 crore Plan expenditure – `54,030cr

Non-plan expenditure – `91,824crRevenue surplus – `4,444crFiscal deficit – `20,008cr

(@ 2.5 per cent of GSDP)GSDP is pegged at `4,07,949cras against `3,81,942cr in (2011–12); the growth rate is 6.1 per cent.

Growth rate in 2005–119.62 per cent

Increase in tax collections19.1 per cent

NY FASHION WEEK IT’S A WRAP

ROCKIN’ THE PEARL

Thurisaz is all set to rock the City tomorrow.Head to Pearl 2012 at BITS-Pilani.

New York Fashion Week saw more than59 participants, from industry giants to fashion

entrepreneurs, showcase their designs.

With summer setting in,Hyderabadis fear an acutewater shortage in the comingmonths; a small segmentthough, is making hay,exploiting groundwater that isalready dangerously low.

Hyderabad’s first compactafternoon newspaper

REPORT ON PG 4

LIQUID LOOTERS

THEINCREDIBLESSince it’s a longweekend ahead andyou may find it toughto keep yourselvesoccupied, we listsome movies that couldmake for that perfectweekend watch.

P15

P5P16&17

P18&19

Big Cinemas, Ameerpet, 30581470; Cinemax, Banjara Hills, 44565555; Cine Planet, Kompally, 61606060; Inox, Banjara Hills, 447677770,Prasads, Tank Bund Rd, 23448888; PVR, Punjagutta, 08800900009; Talkie Town, Miyapur, 40214175; Tivoli, Secunderabad 27844973CINEMAS

again as a Cigar and Cognaclounge with a wide selection ofcognac, rare whiskies, single maltsand cigars.Where: Taj Krishna, Banjara HillsWhen: Ongoing, 7pmContact: (040) 6666 2323

Eat in the darkHave you ever wondered how itfeels to eat in the dark? Come andexperience this. Pay `499 to enjoy a4-course meal worth `1,000 atDialogue in the Dark.Where: Dialogue in the Dark,

Inorbit Mall, Hitech City When: Ongoing, 12.30pmContact: (040) 6460 3341

Aladdin and his lampAlladin and the lamp of magic, alive musical play is being staged atRabindra Bharti. Where: Ravindra Bharthi,

SaifabadWhen: Ongoing, 4pmContact: (040) 2323 3672

Documentary specialLamakaan plays host to a documen-

Dance FiestaSoorya festival, an exotic feast ofKerala’s various dance forms willbegin from February 16. 40 artistsfrom all over the country will partic-ipate in the event.Where: NSKK High School,

FerozegudaWhen: February 16, 6pmContact: 9010403034

Group exhibitionMuse Art Gallery will play host to agroup exhibition titled ‘An ArtfulArt’. It is a contemporary paintingexhibition by a group of 26 artists. Where: Muse Art Gallery,

Tank BundWhen: Ongong, 11amContact: 93964 44424

The Indian MosaicAn exhibition of paintings titled‘The Indian Mosaic’ will be on dis-play at Iconart Gallery. Where: Iconart, Banjara HillsWhen: Ongoing, 6.30pmContact: 98499 68797

A suitable lunchSyn presents three lunch offersto su it your needs. There is a lunchfor th ose in a hurry, a lunch forthe cal or ie conscious and a lunchfor tho se who are planning areunion with pals.Where: Taj Deccan, Banjara Hills When: Everyday, 12pm onwardsContact: (040) 6666 3939

Martini ‘n musicEnjoy winter evenings with martinisand crooner Kelly. A perfect mix fora perfect evening!Where: Taj Krishna, Banjara Hills When: Every eveningContact: (040) 6666 232

City in picturesA pictorial essay depicting the cityof Hyderabad between the years of1975 and 2011 is on display atSalarjung Museum.Where: Salarjung MuseumWhen: Ongoing, 10amContact: (040) 2457 6443

Cognac and CigarThe Seasons Bar opens up

International pizzafestivalPizza lovers this is the news foryou! News Cafe is host to theInternational Pizza Festival. Where: News Cafe, Inorbit Mall,

Hitech City When: Ongoing, 12.30pmContact: (040) 6460 3341

Acting workshopSamhaara- an acting and dancingworkshop is being held. The work-shop focusses on learning thebasics of stage acting, characteranalysis, stage and rehearsal terms,movement, stage geography, stagebehavior and improvisation. Where: The Actor’s studio,

MadhapurWhen: Ongoing, 7pm tp 9pmContact: 9885404784

Lunch specialsNautanki Galli offers its expansivelunch buffet. Head to NautankiGalli for an interesting option.Where: Nautanki Galli, Madhapur When: Every day, 12.30pm

onwardsContact: 78930 10000

tary film festival.The film festivalwill also feature introductoryspeeches by filmmakers about theart of documentary making.Where: Lamakaan, Banjara Hills When: Ongoing, 7pmContact: 96427 31329

Nizami celebrationHead to Jewel of Nizam at Masabtank for a Nizami treat. As it get’sset to celebrate it’s first anniversary,sample on various cuisines fromaround the country.Where: Jewel of Nizam,

Masab TankWhen: Ongoing, 11.30 am Contact: (040) 66110130

MUSIC EXTRAVAGANZA

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2012 2Spirit of Twin CitiesPage Two

Don’t miss Belgian death metal band Thurisaz performing live at Pearl 2012, BITS-Pilani’s Annual College Feston February 18 at 6pm. For details log onto www.bits-pearl.org.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2012 3Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin CitiesHyper Local

Mohd Subhanmohd.s@postnoon.com

It’s a case for Dr Watson.Whodunit and how? In a ticklish case, a wife hasaccused her husband of sell-

ing their male babies and replac-ing them with female babies.

Ayesha Begum alias Seema(32) of Hafizbaba Nagar has fileda complaint with the Falaknumapolice station against ex-hus-band Aleemuddin (38) statingthat he had replaced three malebabies she delivered with femalebabies. They were married in2001 and have four children.Now, the wife says she is left withfour girls and doesn’t know howto move ahead in life.

According to her, after shegave birth and was recuperating,he would take the baby out onthe pretext of a check up andbring in a female baby in itsplace. She was made to believe it

was female baby that she haddelivered. On the second birthshe strongly suspected foul playand after the third she was sure.Ayesha says her husband hadadmitted to the crime last year

when a big quarrel broke outbetween the two on this issueand he had offered `10 lakh toher to keep quiet. If she persist-ed she would be killed, he isalleged to have told her. Ayesha,

never theless,gave a writtenstatement tothe FalaknumaACP, PJ a g a n n a t hReddy last yearbut the ACP issaid to havelaughed it off. Inspector(Falaknuma) M Hussaini Naidusaid that the woman’s story didnot appear to be true but sheapproached the DCP and nowthe case is in the probe stage.

Police still say her version isincredulous and the hospitalauthorities also do not supportit. But Ayesha’s uncle SyedYaseen, insists his niece is tellingthe truth. Ayesha, however,pleads that Aleemuddin’s sistersare in Kuwait and they are richand her three babies might havegone to them. But the man hasdenied this and hence, the DNAtest. “We must wait for the testresult to prove the paternity,”Sinha said. The man has sincedivorced her.

U Srinivas srinivas.u@postnoon.com

The children of Congress leaders havebecome a big trouble to the society. I

told YSR earlier to keep track of the chil-dren properly, give them good educationand not load them with money, said theTDP Chief N. Chandrababu Naidu.

He was hinting at YS Jagan.“As a politician and as a citizenI have all good habits and wehave done everything withinthe law.” Naidu was speaking toa group of media persons afterhe got a respite from HighCourt on cases against him. Hesaid he was a clean man andnobody can touch him.

Chandrababu Naidu self-certified himself as a clean manand said that no body can touch him. Hereminded his retractors that after 33years of political life and 35 judicialinquiries nothing was proved againsthim.

“I gave all the information they couldnot counter,” he said. He also informed

that some allegations were made againsthis son’s education and he was ready toclarify that.

He shot back at the PCC chief BotsaSatyanarayanas comments that the TDPchief was hand in glove with the CM.Chandrababu opined that Botsa is notqualified to be a minister and also thePCC chief. Let him decide if he wants tobe with Chiranjeevi or Kiran, why blameme for no rhyme or reason, he asked.

YSR Government has inquired severaltimes and now it looks like hiswife Vijayamma has no trustin the findings of her late CM-husband, so she has gone tothe court again.

“These cases are just polit-ically motivated, he charged.Let them prove, I will give allmy property if any malprac-tice is proved against me.”

These Congress has no val-ues, no character; they just

want to blame me for political mileage,he stated. For money they are selling theState, he ridiculed. He said he would givelot more details about his family mem-bers’ income and other details soon.Saying that he was an open book andpeople can ask for details.

BIIGURUTWIN

POLITICS

CRIME

Child-swapping hubby underscrutiny, as wife breaks silence

Babu certifies self:I’m a good man

Postnoon Newsfeedback@postnoon.com

Afilm industry artiste JRamakrishna has allegedly

committed suicide by hanginghimself in his home in DanaiahNagar that falls under theMalakpet police station limits onThursday.

The 35-year-old Ramakrishnahad been married to Indira since2003. The police say that Indiratoo works in the Telugu filmindustry and also runs a danceinstitute from home.

Reasons for the suicide couldnot be immediately ascertained,the Malakpet police said.

Film artistefound dead

Loading children, especially sons, with money will mis-lead them, says Naidu — taking a potshot at Jagan

Md Inkeshaf Ahmedahmed.m@postnoon.com

Hundreds of privatewater tankers, wherecomplicity of localpoliticians is almost

certain, mindlessly exploitgroundwater and make a pile. Assummer approaches the fervencyof tapping the water picks up andall the while the Andhra PradeshWater, Land and Trees Act (APWALTA Act) 2002 that preventsextracting groundwater for commercial gain is convenientlyignored.

Officials are pleading help-lessness as they say theHyderabad Metro Water Board(HMWS&SB) in unable to meeteven the basic water requirementof 8 million residents under theGHMC. “If they (private tankers)are also prevented how we willquench the thirst of the public?”asks an official who pleads

anonymity. The AP WALTA Act was enact-

ed by the State government toprotect groundwater resourcesand prevent commercialexploitation. According to an offi-cial estimate by the water boardand GHMC, about 900 coloniesand residential areas in GHMClimits are depending on theseprivate traders of water to meettheir requirements.

These residents are paying`500 to `800 for a 5000 litre watertanker from their pockets. Theresidential areas which fall inSerilingampally, Kukatpally,Uppal, LB Nagar, Kapra andQutbullapur circles, there is ahuge demand for these this pri-vate tankers. Almost every apart-ment in these areas requires oneto two water tankers each day.“We don’t have any option but todepend on these private opera-tors. We are spending around`20,000 per month for water,”

said M Koteswara Rao secretaryof an apartment welfare associa-tion located in Miyapur area toPostnoon on Wednesday.

Modus Operandi If we look at the modus

operandi of this mafia, they digborewells in their own or leasedout land and extract water fromthese borewells before selling it atprices ranging between `500 to`800 per tanker of 5000 litrecapacity.

Many of the members of thiswater mafia have the patronageof local politicians. In somecases, local politicians them-selves are involved. In a classiccase, which proves collusionbetween politicians and watermafia is in Suraram Colony divi-sion of Qutbullapur Mandal.Here many borewells seized bythe local Tehsildar were givenpermission to operate under thepressure of local politicians.

Speaking to PostnoonQutbullapur Tehsildar PVenkateswarlu said that theycan’t enforce the Act as it resultsin protests from people, whodepend on these private opera-tors for lack of alternatives. Hefurther says that the people areasking them to enforce the Actafter providing water supplyfacility for them. The Tehsildarsays supply of water is concernedwith the State government and

beyond their powers. “We arehelpless. We can’t do anything. Irecently seized 15 borewells,which were used for illegal watersale in Suraram colony. But, min-utes after the seizure, I was inun-dated with phone calls from resi-dents and politicians to withdrawthe seizure. I had to allow thetrade as there was no option forthe residents to get water supply,”he says.

The result is depleting waterresources. A recent report byGround Water Resources depart-ment of Ranga Reddy districtstated that continuous extractionof water had drastically reducedground water levels. The ineffi-ciency and failure of the Stategovernment and water board hasled to this situation. In some cir-cles like Qutbullapur, a water cri-sis is looming large as almost allareas in this region are facingsevere ground water scarcityahead of this summer season.

GROUNDWATER?WHO’S LOOTING

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2012 4Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin CitiesHyper Local

GAS BOOKING IVRS NO:HP 9666023456Indane 9848824365

BSNL Complaints 198HMWS & SB Complaints 155313

POLICE CONTROL ROOM:Hyderabad 27852435Traffic Control Room 27852482DCP Traffic 23234065, 23243499FPollution Control Board 23887500

ELECTRICITY:General Complaints 155333Breakdown Section 23431178

23431179MUNICIPAL CORPORATION:Commissioner & Spl Officer 23262266

24166666RENC 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 SUPPLY:Complaint Cell 155313Sewerage Complaint 23307328Hyd. Water Supply 23313163

HOSPITAL:General 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 Hospitals, Musheerabad 30419000Care Hospital, Sec-bad 30416666Kamineni Hospital,

LB Nagar 39879999

BLOOD BANKS:Blood Bank,Narayaguda 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

AIRLINESAirport Director 27903785, 27906001For Air India Flight Information Toll free(from any network) for IC Flights18001801407And 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. 7Beside 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, viewpointor just about anything to

feedback@postnoon.com or #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road

No 62, Jubilee Hills,Hyderabad – 500 033

or even by way ofa call on 4067 2222

While the Summersun is getting ready

to work its fierymagic and majority of

eight million population fearing

the worst watershortage, another

segment is busycounting

currency, exploitingthe groundwater

which is going dangerously low in

the City

We can’t implement the Actbecause they (tanker opera-tors) are well protected. Andwe can’t stop the exploitationas people also say first providewater and then implement law.It’s a sad situation.

P Venkateswarlu,Qutbullapur Tehsildar

Daily supply 8000-10,000tankers of water

(illegal)

Number of residentialareas and gated

communities in GHMC 900

Number of trips beingsupplied by water

mafia daily 10,000

Amount per tanker tobe charged by water

mafia `500 to `800

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2012 5Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin CitiesHyper Local

6 Months`̀ 199/-

1 Year` 349/-

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Subscribe Today!

040 - 4067 2222subscription-cir@postnoon.com

U Srinivassrinivas.u@postnoon.com

Finance Minister AnamRamanarayana Reddy presented atax-free and revenue-surplus budgetof `1,45,854 crore for the financial

year 2012-13 in the State LegislativeAssembly on Friday. This is the second bud-get presentation for Reddy in his capacity asthe finance minister.

The minister highlighted that flood,famine and agitations affected the State’seconomy in 2011-12. Reddy announced `1lakh interest-free loan to farmers whorepaid their loans without default. IT got anallocation of `150 crore.

Meanwhile, MLA owing allegiance to theYSR Congress, Pilli Subhashchandra Bose,once again submitted his resignation inprotest against discrimination against himin releasing funds to his constituency. He isrepresenting RamachandrapuramAssembly constituency in East Godavari dis-trict. He urged the Speaker to permit him tospeak in the Assembly and also accept hisresignation.

Meanwhile, allegation of budget leak byTDP legislator Kothakota Dayakar Reddywas slighted by the finance minister, whilethe TRS demanded postponement of thebudget presentation as it would influence

the electorate in the seven Assembly con-stituencies going to polls on March 18.

However, the finance minister said thatthe government had spoken to the ChiefElection Commissioner of India and soughta clarification. The CEC gave a go-ahead tothe government for budget presentation,said the minister.

By announcing the poll schedule a daybefore the budget, the EC gave rise to a dis-cussion on whether the budget would influ-ence the electorate and if so, wouldn’t itattract poll code violation provisions.

The finance minister said on Friday thatthere was nothing like ‘Budget leak’. It is an‘open secret’, he smiled. Talking to somemedia persons after the Cabinet approvedthe 2012-13 budget on the Assemblypremises, Anam reminded that in the TDPregime there was open debate and discus-sion on the proposed budgets by then CM NChandrabababu Naidu.

Welfare and development are the twoeyes for this government, he said. Some ofthe proposals made by some departmentsearlier were known and that was no leak, he

said. The finance department website wasnot hacked and the figures would be put onthe site only after its release, he said.

APCC chief and transport minister BotsaSatyanarayna and revenue minister NRaghuveera Reddy could not make it makeit to the Cabinet meet. After the budget wasapproved by the Cabinet, it was sent to theGovernor for his approval.

Postnoon newsfeedback@postnoon.com

Ravi Teja has his peculiar style interms of acting and comic timing.Films like Kick and Mirapakaya

showed why he's the best at what he does.In Gunasekhar's Nippu, he combines hisusual energy and comic timing; however,the film tests the audience's patienceright from the beginning.

Directed by Gunasekhar, the film is anaction entertainer without the grandeurof the director's earlier films. The film hasRavi Teja, Deeksha Seth and RajendraPrasad in lead roles.

Ravi Teja stars as Surya who spendsmost of his time solving land disputes. Hepicks up a fight with Raja Goud (PradeepRawat). One fine day, Surya's best friend(Sri Ram), who lives in Saudi Arabia,invites Surya to visit him. Ten days laterSurya returns to India and finds himselfat the doorstep of Raja Goud to save hisbest friend. What happened to Surya'sfriend and how Surya solves the problemforms the rest of the story.

The film's central theme is looselyinspired from Nagesh Kukunoor's Dor.However, Gunasekhar and his team havemade ample changes in the script to suitRavi Teja's image and Telugu nativity.

Ravi Teja is in his element throughoutthe film. His comic timing and acting has-n't changed a bit. And this is not the kindof film where one can expect him show-case something different. Deeksha Seth isgood in her role and she gets amplescreen time. It's good to see that she isn'tjust another prop in the film. PradeepRawat, Brahmanandam, Sri Ram and

Rajendra Prasad do a reasonably goodjob.

The film's first half is haphazard andbadly edited, event he scenes are looselyconnected and it is difficult the flow ofthe story. But things slowly fall into placebefore the interval. The second half offersnothing new in terms of content but iswell narrated. There are so many actionscenes that it gets boring. Ravi Teja'sacrobatics and the VFX seem extremelyartificial throughout.

Thaman’s music is a big let down.Sarvesh Murari’s cinematography isdecent. Nippu has nothing new in termsof content, but if you expect a film tomake you laugh and watch vehicles flyingeverywhere, Nippu has all of it.

`1.4L crore Budget, Jagan MLA exits

Despite stiff opposition from the TRS and theBJP, 12 members of the TRS were suspend-

ed for the day from the House. The TRS mem-bers wanted the Speaker to take up the resolu-tion on separate Telangana, while he disal-lowed the motion, the members rushed intothe well of the House and disrupted the pro-ceedings.

TRS leader Harish Rao found fault with thespeaker for his unilateral decision. The peoplewould finally suspend the Congress from thepublic life, he said. The Telangana people werewatching and the House became a platform forthe Seemandhra people, he alleged. The TDPand the Congress indulged in ‘match fixing’, healleged. The BJP and the CPI members alsostaged a walkout in protest against the ‘atti-tude of the Speaker’. The CPI walked out insupport of the cause of the TRS, while the BJPwalked out for taking up the resolution onTelangana in the Assembly.

A SUDHEER REDDY

BUDGET

TRS suspended overruckus, BJP-CPI walk out

Movie: NippuCast: Ravi Teja, Deeksha Seth, Rajendra PrasadMusic Director: ThamanDirector: GunasekharRating:

A test of patience

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2012 6Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin CitiesHyper Local

FABRICATION

CLASSIFIEDS

Sudeshna Kokasudeshna.k@postnoon.com

The bylanes of RP road areabuzz with activity of a dif-ferent kind. Walk into any ofthese bylanes and you’re

bound to spot scores of IT employ-ees gearing up to write an exam. Ifyou’re wondering why a welldressed techie is going back toschool then here’s news. Sai JuniorCollege, a school for the blind isconducting pre final exams for theirstudents. And these IT professionalsand students other colleges acrossthe City have volunteered as scribesfor the blind during their exams.

Scribes, in this case, are peoplewho help the blind students writetheir exams. Fortunately, gettingvolunteers in the City was noHerculean task, since several stu-dents and IT employees showed upoffering to help.

“We have been doing this sincethree years now and this year it wasa good turn out. We passed on themessage to a few of our friends andthe word spread like wildfire. Withinone day we had more than 2000 vol-unteers. We need around 120 volun-teers and this time we had excesspeople offering to help. We wereforced to send a few of them backhome,” said Kedari R, a volunteerwith the Rotaract Club who hasbeen arranging for scribes for thelast three years.

So enthusiastic are the volun-teers that some of the Engineering

college students bunked classes andwere present at the venue wellbefore time. IT employees too tookhalf day off to be able to act asscribes for the blind students.

“They need friends and peoplewho motivate them. Immediatelyafter meeting, a strong bond isformed. Now they call us asking if

we will be coming again. Once theymake friends they always keep intouch,” says Nivedita, a volunteer.

Although the blind students useBraille to study, there is a hugepaucity of teachers in the State whocan understand it to be able to cor-rect their exam papers. Which iswhy the students require scribes fortheir exams. “It’s a long and tedioussystem. Normally what takes usthree hours to correct takes sixhours in Braille,” says Girija Menon,a teacher.

The board exams are scheduledin March and scribes have beenassigned to each student for differentexams. “I don’t go for my exam ontime but for their exam I ensure Ireach there ahead of time. Helpingthem write the exam gives me astrong sense of gratitude and I realisehow fortunate we are,” said Latha A,an employee with Birla CMC.

Awoman, D Anitha, 25, isalleged to have committed

suicide by setting herself ablazeon February 14 at her father’shouse in Subhashnagar that fallsunder the Jeedimetla police station limits.

The police say that Anithahad separated from her husbandand was living with her father.She held a job with the municipalbody and had reportedly devel-oped an illicit relationship with atea vendor, Syed Ali.

The man had earlierpromised to marry her. Of latehowever, he would avoid thetopic making excuses.

Dejected she is said to havetaken the extreme step, saidJeedimetla Sub InspectorVenkateshwarlu said.

The CBI SpecialCourt in

Nampally posted forhearing on Fridaythe petition seekingpermission to ques-tion senior IAS offi-cers Srilakhmi andRajagopal in con-nection with theJagan assets case.

The CBI is of theopinion that boththe officers wereinvolved in PennaCements, DalmiaCements and min-ing leases affairs. Itmight be mentionedhere that the CBIhad already arrestedthe Srilakshmi.

Blind students set sightson results with City help

THE FACES OF HYDERABADAshok, artist

A city is defined bythe people who liveand work in it. Herewe take a look at

the human threadsthat make up our

urban tapestry

Belonging to alower middle classfamily talented

Ashok had to get asteady job with a regu-lar income and as aresult he has beenworking in an art shopwhich does variouskinds of art works. Hisjob requires him tomake radium stickersfor cars, number plates,name plates, thermocolcut outs for bannersand movie dummies.

For six years now, hehas been doing this joband he seems happywith it, as, at heart, hestill is an artist and this

work allows him tokeep in touch with thatside. During his sparetime, he paints a lot athome and has at least500 paintings to hiscredit. He surely wishesthat he gets an oppor-tunity to exhibit hiswork in a gallery and beable to find a marketfor it.

Throughout hisschool days he wasinvolved in art andwhen he joined work hesharpened his skillsunder his master. Hisfamily of artists ishappy with his choiceof profession.

Aishwarya Yerra

EDUCATION

CBI wantsto grillSrilakshmi

Dejected womancommits suicide

n Number of students 120n 90 students will be appearing for

their boards this year

We startedthe processin Januaryand byFebruary wegot a longlist of volunteers. It’s niceto see so many studentsand IT employee helpingus. I feel like I am runninga big battalion of youth here.

V Rajeshwary, principal, Sai Junior College

Nagini wasmy scribe.She was veryhelpful andpatient withme. She saidsaid would come againtomorrow. I am verygrateful to her and whenI become a news reader Iwill do a story on her.

Ramesh P, first year student

N SHIVA KUMAR

Anubha K Singhanubha.k@postnoon.com

Racing cars and bikes havealways been a fad forHyderabadis, but if youhappen to witness a large

flock of white and grey birds soar-ing high in the skies, it meansHyderabad’s pigeon-racing seasonhas begun.

Petting messenger-pigeonsdates back to the days of the

Nizams in Hyderabad and thereare still some people who are fondof pigeon-racing too.

Hyderabad homer pigeon clubwas introduced for the first time inDecember 2010 to preserve, trainand develop the sport of racingpigeons in Hyderabad. Homerclub was introduced mainly tofocus on uniting all the Homerfanciers or owners on one plat-form.

“Homer club is one of its kind

in Hyderabad. We have memberswho are all pigeon-lovers. Bird raceis legal and this is no gambling andthere is no money involved in therace. Homers are a species ofpigeons known as the best racers.They are the best to participate inrace between six months and eightyears of age,” said Abdul Samad,vice-president of the club.

These pigeons are taken to oneparticular place which is at thesame distance from the homes of

their owners. A chit with a secretcode is also tied to the claws ofeach pigeon. Once they arereleased into the air, the first oneto reach home is declared the win-ner. The owners call the organisersand report their code. The first todo so will be the winner.

Homers are trained from ayoung age — in fact 3 months —and are made to fly around thehouse until they complete oneyear. “Tossing is very important forthe homers. I take my birds outevery Sunday for tossing. Tossingis nothing but taking your birds toa specified distance and lettingthem come back home, and thencalculate the time taken each time.If a bird takes 100 minutes to fly100 km air distance, then it iscapable of participating in the raceif it come backs in 95 minutes then

it’s even better. If it takes 105 min-utes, then it needs to be trainedmore,” adds Samad.

While taking the birds out fortossing, the owners put a ring tothe claws of the pigeons with thename of the club embossed on it,as a precautionary measure andnot to lose the bird. Samad himselfhas more than 30 homers in hisloft. Out them, 10 are breedingpairs and 20 are ready to fly andthe rest are under training.

Their daily diet includes a mix-ture of grains including maize,corn, millet, safflower, grams etc.The racers are fed once a daywhereas breeders are fed thricealong with courses of multi-vita-min tablets. Another interestingfact is the fine-tuning of the hom-ing instincts that nature hasblessed these pigeons with.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2012 7Campaigns, hard news and spirit of Twin CitiesHyper Local

Who let thebirds out?

They make

Sudeshna Kokasudeshna.k@postnoon.com

Weddings inHyderabad are usual-ly opulent affairs.Larger than life sets,

exotic flowers, scrumptious foodand heavily bedecked guestscould more or less describe aHyderabadi wedding. In fact,many of us wonder and marvel atthe mammoth theme marriagesets whose artistry is brilliant. But

there is a lot of work that goes intosetting the mood for somebody’sspecial day.

Big budget weddings withmassive pandals are the normthese days. And the creationscome from the City itself.

Within a walking distancefrom the Alwal railway station is aroad that leads to a whole newworld where one come acrossmen from Bengal busy drawing,carving, cutting and stitching allthrough the day.

Ambika floral designs is one ofthe leadings sets designers in theCity and has been churning outbeautifully designed sets formovies and weddings for the last25 years. However, while theirdesigns and sets look elaborate,making them is easy and simple aprocess. These men who comefrom districts of West Bengal holdno degree in art or interior design-ing. All they have is a bag full ofpassion and skilled hands. Theskill has been handed down fromfather to son, not in a University.

“I have always been interestedin painting but never got a chanceto learn the art. This is our familytradition and one of the reasonswhy I never needed training,” saidVithal Bhushan who has beenpainting mud, ceramic and plasticstructures for many years.

The team is divided into sever-al groups like tailors, welders,designers, carpenters, masonsand painters. Tanmay Mohanty,aged 18, is the youngest in thegroup. He is an assistant to the tai-lor who stitches curtains, pillowsand other related material. “I wantto become a successful tailor. Thisis just the beginning and it’sschooling for me,” says the youthwhose hobby is watching Bengalimovies.

These men work 24x7 andhave no specific timings. “Wework all through the day.Sometimes we have to finish anorder in three days and it’s a lot ofhard work,” said Nab Kumar Das,tailor. Team work is definitely alesson to be learnt from them.

Even if one member is missingtheir work will be incomplete.

Once Mukhund Lal Das, thecaptain of the house, gets the cre-ative briefs from the client, hemakes a dummy on thermocoland later makes a dump projecton the clay structure. He has beendoing this for 15 years and holds adegree in BA. “Drawing is aninborn talent which cannot betaught. In the beginning the pro-ject might not look what weexpected but we should not judgetill it’s complete,” believesMukhund.

During their peak seasonwhich is February to April andAugust to November, they makeat least five new wedding setsevery day. However extraordinarythe sets they make may be; theirincome does not reflect the same.These men behind these beauti-ful memorable sets get paid asless as `100 for six hours.

With weddings getting inno-vative day by day, wedding decorsare turning into a lucrative busi-

ness. “I have been in this industryfor 25 years. We started decoratingwith coconut and banana leaves,before moving to thermocal andflowers. Today the variety is vast.People constantly want new setsand themes. Most of our artisansare very talented with handicraftsand are born talented,” says N SriHari, owner of the place.

IDEAS

Meet the giftedartisans who make

the dream themewedding sets in

the Cityyour dreamweddingcome true

A SUDHEER REDDY

N SHIVA KUMAR

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2012 8India unveiled India‑View

KOLLAM (KERALA): Coastalpolice on Thursday registered amurder case against the armedguards of an Italian ship forallegedly killing two Keralitefishermen in a firing incident onthe high seas.

The case was registered formurder, based on evidence ofbullet injuries found on the bod-ies of the dead fishermen duringpost-mortem, coastal police atNeendakara said.

However no particular per-son has been named in the case,registered by a circle inspector atNeendakara, police said.

Earlier in the day, home sec-retary RK Singh had said in Delhithat a case would be registeredagainst the people responsiblefor the shooting and they wouldhave to face law of the country.

On Wednesday, two fisher-

men in a boat including its driv-er were shot dead when guardsonboard the merchant vesselEnrica Lexie fired at their boatcarrying 11 fishermen off Kollamcoast, suspecting the group to bepirates.

The two fishermen, identi-

fied as Jalastin and Binki, had setoff from Neendakara fishing har-bour a couple of days back.

Defence minister AK Antonyon Thursday described thekilling of two Indian fishermenby an Italian cargo ship crew asvery serious and said the law

would take its own courseagainst the offenders.

According to theDirectorate-General (Shipping),the principal officer, mercantilemaritime department, Kochi,has been directed to conduct apreliminary inquiry. PTI

Murder case registered against ship guards

LUCKNOW/NEW DELHI:Congress leader and steel min-ister Beni Prasad Verma'spromise on quota for Muslimsre-ignited the reservation rowin the midst of Uttar Pradeshassembly elections on Thursdaywith party ally TrinamoolCongress demanding that thepoll panel take action againsthim and the BJP questioningthe prime minister’s silence onthe matter.

Verma’s remarks came onlya day after law minister Salman

Khurshid expressed regret tothe Election Commission overhis speech on promising quotato backward Muslims.

Trinamool Congress leaderSultan Ahmed accused Vermaof violating the model code ofconduct and demanded that ECshould bar Verma from cam-paigning till elections are over.

“The Congress leaders aretrying to befool the country. Noone will listen to their non-sense,” said Ahmed, minister ofstate for tourism. IANS

Beni re-ignites quota row

LUCKNOW: An Uttar Pradeshhealth department official miss-ing since February 7 was founddead on Thursday as his familyalleged it was related to themulti-crore rural health scamthat has claimed lives of four offi-cials.

Mahendra Sharma, anaccounting clerk in the Statehealth department, was founddead at a health centre inLakhimpur Kheri. Police said itappeared to be a case of suicide.“The post-mortem examinationis on,” SP Ajit Chandra said.Sharma’s family had filed a miss-ing report after he was allegedlysuspended for refusing to signdocuments that showed fundsbeing spent on medicines. IANS

Family of UPhealth officialallege murder

MUMBAI: In a show of voterapathy, Mumbai on Thursdaymar ked a turnout of 45 per centin elections to the Brihanm -umbai Municipal Corporation(BMC). In all the 10 Maharashtramunicipal corporations, wherevoting took place during the day,the average voter turnout wasaround 54 per cent, officialsources said here.

A total of 3.5 crore voterswere registered to elect 1,244councillors, including 624women, in Mumbai, Thane,Ulhasnagar, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Solapur, Nashik,Akola, Amravati and Nagpur.

According to officials,Solapur, Nashik and Amravatirecorded the highest voterturnout at 58 per cent. IANS

Low turnout in polls

KOLKATA: As the Kolkata policesaid there were “certain technicaldiscrepancies” in the rape com-plaint filed by an Anglo-Indianwoman, a State minister ques-tioned the morality of the womanand alleged that the complaintwas fabricated to extort money.

West Bengal Chief MinisterMamata Banerjee has termed theincident as ‘cooked up’.

The woman, a mother of two

and former call centre employee,has alleged she was raped on thenight of February 5. The policecomplaint was filed on February9, when the victim underwent amedical examination. She hasaccused Lavi Gidwani and fourothers of raping her.

“It is an attempt to criticisethe police and the government.The police are taking all action tofind out the truth,” commi ssionerof police RK Pachnanda saidbriefing the media.

He also rubbished the claimsof police inaction. "There was nopolice inaction. Immediately aft -er the case was registered, thepolice acted, and after severalpersons named Sharafat Ali, thename given by the complainant,he was identified by the police."

Joint commissioner of police(cri me) Damayanti Sen said theaccused, including Gidwani,were not present at the place ofoccurrence.

“Till now as per their (accu -sed) statements and the evi-dence available, it seems that theaccused were not present at theplace of occurrence. But it is tooearly to say that until furtherinvestigations conclusivelyprove that. It is a serious allega-tion. We are probing it. But theentire thing is not yet clear tous,” she said.

A highly placed police officersaid Gidwani is in Canada and hisfather has produced all docu-ments to prove it. Later a Bengalinews channel showed Gidwanisaying he was in Canada on thedate of the alleged crime.

“I was preparing for my

upcoming exams on the day. I amstill in Canada,” Gidwani told thechannel on phone. He also con-firmed that the two personsdetained by the police in thisconnection were his friends.

Trinamool Congress leaderand sports minister Madan Mitrawhile talking to a TV channel qu -estioned the morality of the wo -m an and alleged that the compl -aint was fabricated to extortmoney. “She has two childrenand so far as I know she is sepa-rated from her husband. Whatwas she doing at a night club solate in the night? As far as I amconcerned, based on the docu-mentary proof that I have, I thinkit is a fabricated to extort money,”Mitra added.

The police have initiated aprobe into allegations that somepolicemen had misbehaved withthe women when she had gone tolodge a complaint. IANS

Actors Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi show their inkedfingers after voting for BMC elections on Thursday. PTI

Italian merchant ship Enrica Lexie seen off the Kochi coast onThursday. PTI

A local MP consoles thefamily of Jalastin. PTI

Sexual harassmentcase against BJPcorporatorBANGALORE: A ruling BJPcity corporator was booked bypolice on charges of sexualharassment of a 40-year Dalitwoman and verbal abuse of herfather in the name of his caste.The case against BBMP councillorfrom Kalavabyrasandra wardNagaraj was registered on a com-plaint by BJP activist Dsappa. PTI

Priest dismissedfor flirting withwoman employeeMADURAI: A priest at thenearby Tiruparankunram SriSubramaniaswamy temple hasbeen suspended from service forreportedly flirting with a womanemployee. A departmental enquirywas ordered on a complaint byHindu Baktha Jana Sabha, follow-ing which the priest was dis-missed. PTI

She has two chil-dren and so far asI know she is sepa-rated from herhusband. Whatwas she doing at anight club so latein the night?

Sports minister Madan Mitra

WB mantri questionsrape victim’s morality

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 201210Around the World Beyond Borders

GLOBE AT A GLANCEThousands stranded asAir Australia collapsesSYDNEY: Budget carrier Air Australiacollapsed on Friday, stranding thousands ofpassengers as its domestic flights andinternational services to Honolulu, Bali andPhuket were all grounded. The news camea day after embattled Australian flagcarrierQantas said it was slashing at least 500jobs, cutting costs and closing two interna-tional routes after posting an 83 per centslump in first-half net profits.

Israel to stop Iran’snuclear programmeMOSCOW: Israel supports the use ofall possible ways to stop Iran’s nuclearprogram, the country’s ambassador toRussia Dorit Golender said on Thursday.“We are in favour of using all ways to stopIran’s nuclear programme," the ambas-sador said.Golender also said that Israel istrying to solve all conflicts through peace-ful means.

Nigerian ‘underwearbomber’ gets life termWASHINGTON: The 25-year-oldNigerian man convicted of trying to blowup a commercial jet with 300 peopleaboard on Christmas day in 2009 with abomb in his underwear was sentenced onThursday to life in prison.The sentence washanded down by US District Judge NancyEdmunds, who said that he had committeda ‘terrorist act’.

‘Bangkok blasts is nota terrorist attack’

Young couples dance during thetraditional Opera Ball on Thursdayin Vienna. AFP

French Socialist MP ArnaudMontebourg waves to theaudience on Thursday inChâtellerault, Central France. AFP

BANGKOK:Thailand’s deputy primeMinister Yuthasak Sasiprapha said onThursday that the three explosions indowntown Bangkok on Tuesday were asecurity issue and there was no evidenceto classify them as a terror attack, theonline edition of The Nation newspaperreported.

DAMASCUS: The UN GeneralAssembly demanded onThursday an immediate halt toSyria’s brutal crackdown, whichhuman rights groups say hasclaimed more than 6,000 livesover the past 11 months.

In a strongly worded resolu-tion adopted by a 137-12 vote,UN member states demandedthat President Bashar al-Assad’sregime stop attacking civiliandemonstrators and start pullingits troops back to barracks.

China, Russia and Iranopposed the largely symbolictext put forward by Arab stateswith Western support just daysafter Beijing and Moscowvetoed a similar resolution inthe UN Security Council.

Such a strong vote in favourof the resolution adds tomounting pressure on Assad tocurb a crackdown that left at

least 41 people dead onThursday in fresh bloodshed assecurity forces bore down onfocal points of dissent.

Egypt’s deputy ambassadorto the United Nations, Osama

Abdelkhalek, said the GeneralAssembly had sent an “unam-biguous message” to Damas -cus: “It is high time to listen tothe voice of the people.”

But his Syrian counterpart,

Bashar Jaafari, lashed out atother Arab nations, sayingWestern powers had exploitedthe Arab League to “interna-tionalise” the crisis.

“The Arab Trojan horse hasbeen unmasked today,” he said.Iranian counterpart Moham -mad Khazaee warned the reso-lution would only deepen thecrisis, “with all its ramificationsto the region as a whole.”

Assad’s troops pummelledthe central city of Homs for a13th straight day on Thursday,with 18 people reportedly killedin Hama province and four others dying in the southerncity of Daraa. Another 19 people, including 11 from thesame extended family, werekilled in a “massacre” in Idlibprovince, The SyrianObservatory for Human Rightsadded. AFP

DES MOINES: China’s leader-in-waiting Xi Jinping reachedout to heartland America onThursday with billions of dol-lars in farm deals, asRepublican Mitt Romneyslammed the “prosperoustyranny” of Beijing.

China’s vice president, whois expected to lead the risingAsian power for a decade start-ing next year, hopped onto atractor on an icy soybean andcorn farm in Iowa and declaredhis love for the “very homeyenvironment.”

On Friday he will attend aneconomic forum in downtownLA, announce a deal with thefilm giant DreamWorksAnimation.

While the White House has

called the trip an investment,Mitt Romney who is vying toreplace Obama in Novemberelections called Xi’s visit “emptypomp and ceremony.”Romneyvowed that he would designateChina a currency manipulatorwhich would pave the way forUS retaliatory measures forallegedly undervaluing its yuanto boost exports.

He called the US militarycommitment to Asia “vastlyunder-resourced” and vowed tospeak out against China’s “bar-baric” policy of barring couplesfrom having more than onechild.“The sum total of myapproach will ensure that this isan American, not a Chinesecentury,” Romney, wrote in TheWall Street Journal. AFP

Xi visit: Romney wants an ‘American Century’

MALE: The Maldivian gov-ernment on Thursday agreedto hold early presidential elec-tions, a step towards endingthe ongoing political crisis inthe island nation. The countryplunged into turmoil afterpresident Mohamed Nasheedresigned on February 7.

Earlier in the day, in a triumph of diplomacy, Indiasucceeded in brokering apolitical deal in the Maldives,with all political parties agree-ing to hold elections “as earlyas possible”, paving the wayfor a political reconciliation inthe island nation. IANS

Early electionsin Maldives Libya celebrates uprising

BENGHAZI: Libya began cele-brating on Friday the first ann -iversary of the uprising againstMuammar Gadaffi, with fire-works and slogans, even as itsnew leader vowed to act firmlyagainst further instability.

The former rebels who,backed by NATO, toppledGadaffi last year set up freshcheck-points in the capitalTripoli, Benghazi, the easternbirthplace of the uprising, thewestern port city of Misrataand other towns.

Libya’s new rulers have notorganised any official celebra-tions at a national level as a

mark of respect for the thou-sands of people killed in thebloody conflict that sawGadaffi captured and slain onOctober 20.

But spontaneous com-

memorations began nation-wide in cities and towns led byresidents of Benghazi, the citywhich first rose against Gadaffiand his 42-year-old regime.

“I will fight with my body,heart and soul for our newLibya,” said Mustafa AhmedAli, a young recruit of the newLibyan army as he ran in a pro-cession with about 100 othercomrades after passing a mili-tary training course inBenghazi on Thursday. Peoplecame out on the streets ofTripoli, Benghazi, Misrata andother towns to begin celebra-tions. AFP

Visiting Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping waves after hisarrival at the airport in Los Angeles. AFP

A man stands in the rubble of his home that was allegedlydestroyed by the Syrian army in Idlib on Thursday. AFP

Libyan girls dressed up asangels wave the victory signduring celebrations. AFP

Attacks continue as UNagrees on Syria resolution

NSE1kg= `56,700

SILVER10g= `28,4005,587.80 65.25

GOLD`77.87

POUNDBSE18,375.29 221.30 `49.21

DOLLARFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 201211Matters of saving and spendingBusiness

Postnoon News

HYDERABAD: Covidien, a US-based manufacturer of healthcareproducts, opened its first researchand development (R&D) centre inIndia in the City. This is its 25thacross the globe.

The Covidien India Engin -eering Center (CIEC) is a 40,000square-foot facility located in DLFCybercity special economic zone(SEZ), Hyderabad. The CIEC willexpand into a larger facility infuture, which is currently underconstruction and is also based inthe SEZ. The CIEC is providing arange of engineering services toCovidien’s R&D organization inthe areas of design, hardware, soft-ware and testing, while developinga footprint for future productdevelopment. The facility current-ly employed 30 people and willemploy up to 350 people in anoth-er two years.

“Our company is expandingR&D capabilities worldwide. Thenew facility in India is playing anintegral role in our global strategy.Covidien has more than doubledthe R&D investments andlaunched more than 100 newproducts in last five years. Over thenext few years, the company has agoal of devoting five to six per cent

of sales to R&D activities, saidRandel Frazier, vice president,R&D, Emerging markets.

The $4 billion Indian health-care devices market is growing at15 per cent year-on-year. It is a sig-nificant part of the company focuson emerging markets. TheHyderabad centre will help thecompany to improve product timeto market and create valued-inno-vation, he said.

“With a fast-growing economy,the demand for healthcare in Indiais growing at a rapid pace. Thecompany’ focus in India is todevelop surgical solutions andmedical devices, which were bet-ter sold in emerging markets,” said

Arjun Sarker, managing director,Indian Subcontinent.

The company has manufac-turing facilities in 37 countries anddid not rule out the possibilities ofsetting up one in the country infuture. Covidien has an importantand growing commercial presencein India with offices based inGurgaon, Mumbai, and Chennai.The company has nearly 200employees in its commercial orga-nization with a network of distrib-utors across the country.

The company generates 68 percent of its revenues from medicaldevices, 17 per cent from pharma-ceuticals and 15 per cent frommedical supplies.

WASHINGTON: The numberof people filing applications forunemployment benefits fell lastweek by 13,000 to 348,000, theirlowest level since March 2008,the US Labor Department saidThursday.

The rolling four-week aver-age of unemployment claims,which is thought to betterreflect underlying trends,dropped 1,750 to 365,000.

The recession that began inDecember 2007 and officiallyended in June 2009 destroyed8.4 million jobs in the US.

Economists see a weeklyjobless claims figure of less than400,000 as indicative of animproving labor market.

The ranks of people receiv-ing state unemployment bene-fits declined by 100,000 to 3.43million during the week thatended Feb 4, the LaborDepartment said.

State benefits generally runout after 26 weeks, but theworst economic slump sincethe Great Depression promptedlawmakers to approve federalemergency programmes that

provide jobless benefits for upto 99 weeks.

For the week ending Jan 28,the number of people gettingstate or federal unemploymentbenefits climbed by 18,304 to7.68 million.

The US unemployment ratedropped 0.2 percent in Januaryto 8.3 percent - its lowest levelsince February 2009 - as theeconomy created 243,000 netnew jobs.

Employers added an aver-age of 201,000 new jobs permonth in November-January.

IANS

Covidien opens R&D centre US jobless claims atlowest level in 4 years

SAN FRANCISCO - Twitter onThursday announced it has fin-ished rolling out overhauledpages crafted to boost the appealof the message-sharing service tousers around the world.

“At the very core there arefewer places you have to click andless you have to learn,” Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey said as heand other executives unveiled thechanges at the startup’s SanFrancisco headquarters inDecember. “We’ve done a lot ofuser testing and it has proven tobe much simpler,” Dorsey added.

Overhauled navigation fea-tures take advantage of the factthat Twitter symbols such as @and # are making their way intocommon culture, showing upanywhere from text messages toadvertising billboards and televi-sion. Twitter designed Connectnavigation tools that essentiallyturn those symbols into new ageURLs, or web addresses, to letpeople find all posts or otherinformation being fired off abouttopics.

Twitter also expanded profilepages, letting users tell moreabout themselves or, in the case

of companies, their brands.Dorsey said revenue

from “promotedtweet” style ads hasbeen steadily growingand the startup is eas-ing out a self-serviceadvertising system.

Advertising revenues atTwitter grew 213 per cent to$139.5 million in 2011, upfrom $45 million in 2010,according to eMarketer.

The market tracking firm pre-dicted that Twitter will bring in$259.9 million in advertising rev-enue this year, and that the globalrevenue would hit $540 million bythe year 2014.

The Twitter overhaul com-pleted on Thursday includes newTimeline that brings together allTwitter chatter or content relatedto a particular “tweet.”

“There is a universe withinevery tweet,” Twitter chief execu-tive Dick Costolo said at the

unveiling. “The 140 characters area caption associated with a richcanvas that could be a song, avideo, a photo or more.”

The new Twitter design wasdescribed as a platform on whichthe service will build to reinforceits effort to “reach every personon the planet.”

“Of course tweeting is stillfront and center,” Dorsey said.“Any time you have something totell the world you can do it

instantly.” Twitter engineersspeeded up the service’sengines to deliver content

faster, and new tabs at thetops of pages let peoplejump quickly betweenHome, Connect, Discover,and Me.

The Connect page letsusers search Twitter using

the @ sign, which has becomeInternet age shorthand for “at.”

The bottom of the Connectpage let people tap on Interactionor Mention tabs that show who isresponding or rebroadcastingtheir tweets.

Discover focuses on searchesbased on # symbols, which areused at Twitter to label topicssuch as “#arabspring.”

The Home tab leads to theTwitter flow users are familiarwith, while “Me” takes people toprofile pages.

“We have to provide the sim-plest, fastest way for peoplearound the world to connectwith everything they care about,”Costolo said. “This wasn’t just achange in the interface; this wasa whole company effort.

AFP

TWITTER REVAMPED MUMBAI: The BSE benchmarkindex Sensex shot up by over 192points in early trade on Friday onfrenzied buying by funds andretail investors, triggered by afirming trend in global markets.

The 30-share index,which haslost 48.42 points on Thursday,spurted by 192.20 points, or 1.06per cent, to 18,346.19 points withbanking, metals, oil and gas andrealty stocks leading the rally.

The wide-based NationalStock Exchange index Nifty mov -ed up by 53.65 points, or 0.97 percent, to 5,575.60.

Brokers said buying by fundsand retail investors amid a firmingtrend in Asian markets in line withovernight gains on the US marketsfollowing buoyant economic datawith new jobless claims falling totheir lowest level since March2008, bolstered trading sentimenthere. In Asia, Hong Kong's HangSeng Index rose by 1.07 per cent,while Japan's Nikkei index up by1.81 per cent in the morning tradeon Friday.

The US Dow Jones IndustrialAverage gained 0.96 per cent toreach highest level since May 2008in yesterday's trade. The rupeegained 3 paise to trade at `49.26per dollar on the Interbank For -eign Exchange on Friday. PTI

Sensex bubbling

TALK BACKAustria is beautifulI have been to Austria and can vouch for thefact that they are nice people. Personally, Inever experienced any hostility, as is com-monly believed. A very accommodatingnation, Austria remains mytop-favourite. Andthe list of the rest ofthe countries was sointeresting. What isfascinating is that mostof the countries listedare European. HongKong definitely is whatAsia needs to look up to. The article was sointeresting, I am now contemplating ongoing to one of them soon!

Varnika ErasuPanjagutta

Bypoll test for partiesWhen the state goes for by-elections inseven Assembly constituencies, the peoplewill decide on how good they consider the

Kiran kumar Reddy government hasbeen in its governance. It is also achance for Chandrababu Naidu toprove if he really enjoys a newwave of support, which he claimsto have, due to the government’smishandling of corruption casesand Telangana agitation. KCR

will also know what people thinksof his party’s 45-day general strike and themisery it brought on the public. One thing issure; the people will speak with their votesthis time.

Narasimha ReddyHabsiguda

Court boost for NaiduThe Andhra Pradesh High Court quashing YSVijayalakshmi’s petition couldn’t have comeat a better time for TDP chief ChandrababuNaidu. The court’s verdict that thecase lacks merit andis a matter of per-sonal vendettacomes at time whenthe TDP chief is on anaggressive campaignto turn the political tidein favour of his partybefore the by-elections.Jagan has received a blow from the verdictand his bravado of going to SC did not findmany takers in the political circles.

Sateesh KPYousufguda

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 201212Fair, free and forthrightComment

While the world waits withbated breath for commence-ment of the 2012 LondonOlympic Games, the IndianOlympics Association (IOA)

has gone breathless crying itself hoarseprotesting Dow Chemical's sponsorship ofthe Olympics. And yesterday, in what can onlybe perceived as a virtual slap to the IOA, theInternational Olympics Committee (IOC)announced its support for Dow and main-tained that the chemical giant will continue tobe a sponsor for the Games.

Needless to say, the IOA is outraged. Andnow there are suggestions that the Indiancontingent should resume its boycott threatto register our protest.

The idea perhaps is to use the same strat-egy that has worked in previous instances.Remember, how reacting to a public backlash,The Hindu cancelled Dow's sponsorship of itsNovember music festival in 2009 and evenissued a formal apology?

Except, the IOA is not The Hindu and ouroutrage means nothing to them. India's par-ticipation, or the lack of it, is not going tomake the slightest difference to the Olympics,especially considering our abysmal trackrecord.

The only people who will suffer and forwhom it will make a difference is our athleteswho have toiled relentlessly and put in theirsweat, blood and tears into making it to theOlympics. And for what?

Our outrage, yes. After all, how dare they?And how can the IOC not see it? This is DowChemicals that we are talking about, the com-pany, which took over Union Carbide, respon-sible for the world's worst industrial disaster— the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

But before we leap on the 'protest againstthe games' bandwagon, let's first ask our-selves whom should our outrage be directedat; and examine the facts.

While reports vary on the exact number, aconservative estimate is that over 35,000 peo-ple died and more than 500,000 people affect-

ed by the 1984 tragedy. Twenty-six years later, in June 2010, the

seven convicted including Keshub Mahindra(of Mahindra & Mahindra), then chairman ofUnion Carbide, were sentenced to two yearsin prison. By that evening they were out onbail.

To add insult to injury, the Supreme Courtdismissed a government petition last yearseeking harsher sentences for the convictedon the grounds that there was not “enoughreason to build a case of culpable homicide,which could lead to a stiffer sentence.” Wherewas the outrage?

Now, to justice. Twenty-seven years since,the chairman of Union Carbide chief WarrenAnderson remains scot-free at home in theUS. Needless to say, India has had shamefullittle success in negotiating an extradition forthe man who is now 91 years old. Where is thefurore?

As this article is being written, on theother side of the world in the United States,Dow Chemicals has just admitted to pollut-ing Midland neighbourhoods and nearbyrivers. As compensation, it has finalised a deal with environmental groups inMichigan to clean up (or buy out) 1,400 res-idential properties in the area, costing the

company millions of dollars. But hey, that’s them! Let us continue to

fight for hollow symbolic victories.In contrast, the government's `1,265 crore

package to the victims of the disaster is yet toreach them.

NGOs associated with the cause continueto submit petition after petition, hoping thatthe government will wake up to their plead-ings, that those on the ground in Bhopal stilllive amongst the toxic waste and drink poi-sonous water.

Who's listening? We are too busy celebrat-ing the resignation of the ethics commission-er and protesting against sponsorships.Because that is more important.

So let's not worry about duplicity or dou-ble standards. Because why should our owncomplacency and gross negligence stop usfrom asking others to do right?

Let's by all means demand that everyoneelse in the world be ashamed to associate withDow, while we blissfully close our eyes to thecolossal failure of our justice system, our gov-ernance and our inability to deliver justice toour own people.

Let's continue to take offence and showoutrage. Because that's what we do. No. It'sthe only thing we want to do.

Editorials

Readers’ viewsWe invite you to write to us

comments, suggestions, view-point or just about anything to

feedback@postnoon.com or #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa,

Road No 62, Jubilee Hills,Hyderabad – 500 033

or even by way ofa call on 4067 2222

GREEK TRAGEDY must be averted

Aconference of EU minis-ters and representa-

tives of internationalfinancing agencies have asked

Greece to further tighten itsbelt by making deeper cuts and

restructuring of economy. TheGreek Parliament has been

passing one austerity measureafter the other to be in confor-mity with the EU and lenders’

guidelines. However, thesemeasures have given rise to

severe discontent among thepublic. There has been several

strikes and protests — most ofthem turning violent. The boule-vards of the Greek capital now

resemble the streets of strife-torn West Asian nations. Withthe latest demand of the EU,

the IMF and the EuropeanCentral Bank (ECB) that Greeceinitiate further spending cuts of

325 million euros is only likelyto worsen the situation. If onecountry goes insolvent, it will

trigger a domino effect on theremaining weak economies. An

economic collapse, that willhave international

ramifications, must be averted at all costs.

WHY WE LOVERupert Murdoch

Journalists love to hateRupert Murdoch.

Murdoch changedjournalism across the globe,and created a generation of

newspaperists, with one eye onthe reader and the other on the

bottom line. He also shatteredthe Ivory Tower and made

newspapers put the readerahead of, quite often, anachro-

nistic ideals. Now, besieged,he’s being written off. But his

empire is far stronger than that.We’re rooting for you Rupert!

Point blankPadmini C

CORRECTIONSCLARIFICATIONS&Yesterday, in the page 7 photo cap-

tion on the Belgian band Thurisaz,we inadvertently mentioned that theyare performing at Felicity, IIITHyderabad’s fest. The band, in fact,will perform at BITS-PilaniHyderabad’s Pearl 2012 on Saturday.The error is regretted.

It is Postnoon’s policy to correcterrors swiftly and fairly

Cry shame to coverup our inadequacy

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 201213Holistic view of mind, body and soulH‑FactorGene therapy

helps regenerateinjured brain

cells

Graft will helpregenerate bone

SYDNEY: Gene therapy not onlyhelps injured brain cells live longerand regenerate but also changes theshape of the cells, says a new study.

Alan Harvey, professor of anato-my and physiology at The Universityof Western Australia, said brain cellmorphology (study of form andstructure of organisms) was veryimportant in determining how a cellcommunicated with other cells andformed the circuits that allowed thebrain to function.

“Our previous work has shownthat when growth-promoting genesare introduced into injured braincells for long periods of time (up tonine months), the cells’ capacity forsurvival and regeneration is signifi-cantly increased,” he was quoted assaying by the journal Public Libraryof Science One.

“We have now shown that thesesame neurons have also changedshape in response to persistentover-expression of the growth fac-tors,” said Harvey, who co-authoredthe study with Jennifer Rodge,according to a statement of WesternAustralia.

“Any changes in morphology aretherefore likely to alter the way neu-rons receive and transmit informa-tion. These changes may be benefi-cial but could also interfere withnormal brain circuits, reducing thebenefits of improved survival andregeneration.” Harvey said theresults were significant for thoseinvolved in designing gene therapybased protocols to treat brain andspinal cord injury and degeneration.

Painful fractures and bad bonegrafts may soon become a thing

of the past, thanks to cartilage graft,a pioneering way of regeneratingbones. “Cartilage graft induces bonethat actually integrates with the hostbone and vascularises it (formingblood vessels),” said Ralph SMarcucio, associate professor oforthopaedics at the University ofCalifornia San Francisco School ofMedicine.

Cartilage graft is very differentthan the current methods used forbone grafting — autograft bone (aperson’s own bone) or allograftmaterials (donor bone). For variousreasons, these two grafting tech-niques can result in poor graft inte-gration and osteonecrosis (bones dieand eventually collapse, leading topain and arthritis).

“With millions of bone graftingprocedures performed every year injust the United States, developingimproved technologies could direct-ly enhance patient care and clinicaloutcomes,” said Marcucio, who ledthe research.

Not everybody is aslucky as VictoriaBeckham to be able toflaunt a svelte figure

and a washboard tummy soonafter having a baby. In fact, asIndians we are pre-disposed toabdominal fat. Which is whyyou’ll spot dozens of aunties anduncles with bulging paunchesand pants that insist on ridinglow, in an ungainly fashion.Popularly known to be a part ofwhat is now termed the“Mommy makeover” tummytucks are especially popular withwomen after childbirth. Andaccording to experts in the City,so popular are tummy tuck pro-cedures (medically known asabdominoplasties) that theyeven beat breast implants.

“In my practice, abdomino-plasties are very common. Infact, I’d say they are more com-mon than even breast implants. Iusually see a lot of 30 some-things, especially women who’vehad babies, request for a tummytuck,” says Dr Sudhakar Prasad,a consultant cosmetic surgeon.

Why a tummy tuck?“Usually people seek a

tummy tuck if they have an over-hang of skin in the upper orlower abdomen or in peoplewho are obese,” says DrBharatendra Swain, senior con-sultant plastic and aesthetic sur-geon at Apollo Hospital. He goeson to add, “Abdominoplastiesare usually classified under bodycontouring procedures whichare of two types — liposuctionand body lifts. Tummy tucks fallunder the category of body lifts,and usually people do othertucks as well.”

Dr Swain, explains thattummy tucks are also commonlydone by people who’ve under-gone a massive weight loss (egbariatric surgery) as this leavesthem with excessive skin hang-ing over the tummy, arms,breasts, hips and cheeks. ‘Overthe last few years, though thedemand for such surgeries hasgone up, especially with the fadto stay thin and flaunt wash-board stomachs,” he says.

How is it done? Usually the procedure com-

prises of three steps. “We do a

liposuction to remove any fatthat may be under the layer ofskin. Following that we removethe sagging skin and tighten theloose muscles. Often we evenrelocate the navel that may moveduring the surgery,” says DrSudhakar.

“In case, the bulging tummyis due to muscle laxity we recom-mend that the patient wear abinder for a few weeks beforeproceeding further. The surgeryis usually safe and the only prob-lem may arise if an inexperi-enced surgeon tightens thestomach so much that it causesrespiratory problems in thepatient. Other than thatthe patient is checked forgeneral health and fit-ness before beingdeclared fit for thiselective surgery,”says Dr Sudhakar.

The surgerycould cost any-where between `1lakh to `3 lakh.

Can you stomachthat bulging belly?

Ranjani Rajendra

ranjani.r@postnoon.com

Tired of that flabby hangingstomach that’skeeping you fromwearing yourfavouriteclothes? There’shope yet

n Improve your posture. Keepthe back straight. A badposture can cause yourtummy to stick out

n Follow a healthy diet andlimit your sugar intake. Toomany empty calories won’twork in your favour

n Crunches are a good exer-cise for a flatter stomach. Tryto do 3-4 sets of 25 repetitions every day

n Switch to skim milk n Drink plenty of water, it aids

digestionn Try to jog or walk for 30

minutes everyday

Keep it flat

TEL AVIV: Heart attackpatients given to depressionmay be re-hospitalised later forcardiac complications andchest pains and for longerstints as indoor patients thantheir happier counterparts.

Vicki Myers of Tel AvivUniversity’s Sackler Faculty ofMedicine, alongwith Yariv Gerberand otherresearchers exam-ined the linkbetween depres-sive symptoms inthe heart attackpatients and theirre-hospitalisationa decade after theinitial attack.

Most studies examining thelink between heart attackrecovery and mental healthhave only included short termfollow up, says Myers, theJournal of PsychosomaticResearch reports.

Researchers used data from632 heart attack patients under65 years, hospitalised between1992 and 1993, comparing

their recoveries using follow-updata through 2005.

Although a large percentagewho survive a heart attack willbe re-hospitalised at somepoint, those identified as atleast “mildly depressed” duringtheir first hospital stay weremore likely to be re-hospi-

talised later withfurther cardiachealth problems.

Patients with ahigher depressionpoint spent 14percent more timein the hospitalthan those with alow point.

“The messageis that doctors

cannot ignore psychologicalfactors in patients who havehad a heart attack. Patientswho exhibit signs of depressionneed to be followed moreclosely, and may need extrahelp in following lifestyle rec-ommendations. Ignoring thisproblem weighs heavily onhealth services,” Myers adds.

IANS

WASHINGTON: A proteinknocks out the most virulentform of HIV by starving it ofthe raw materials it needs toreproduce, in order to protectour immune cells, a studyreveals.

“The findings may explainwhy certain anti-HIV drugsused today are more effectiveunder some circumstancesand not others,” said BaekKim, study co-author and pro-fessor of microbiology andimmunology at the Universityof Rochester Medical Center.

“It also provides newinsights on how many otherviruses that afflict peopleoperate in the body,” Kim wasquoted as saying, by the jour-nal Nature Immunology.

A team of researchers from

Rochester, LangoneMedical Center, severalinstitutions in France,and a graduate studentcollaborated on thestudy, said a universitystatement.

Researchers are excit-ed about its implicationsfor knowledge of otherpathogens, such as herpesviruses, which use thesame machinery withinour cells that HIV doesto replicate.

The work cen-ters on a proteinknown asSAMHD1 (amolecule),which isfound inwhite blood

cells known asmacrophages, thatspecialise in destroy-ing invading virusesand in related cellsknown as dendriticcells.

Last year scientistsdiscovered that the

molecule makes it diffi-cult for HIV-1 to infect

macrophages. Nowthey have unrav-

elled how it actual-ly cuts off the raw

material supplythat HIV

needs to cre-ate DNAand repli-

cate. That raw

material,

dNTP, comprises the buildingblocks of DNA, and without it,HIV cannot recreate its DNAin our cells.

The team found thatSAMHD1 destroys most ofthese building blocks, makingit nearly impossible for HIV-1to replicate itself whereSAMHD1 resides — themacrophages.

Instead, HIV-1 uses themacrophage as a safe haven,surviving in patients for yearsas it dodges the immune sys-tem as well as the drugsdesigned to kill it.

It’s thanks largely to itsability to hide out in the body,that HIV is able to survive fordecades and ultimately winout against the body’s relent-less immune assault.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 201214Holistic view of mind, body and soulH‑FactorNUTRI CORNER

It is importantto strike abalance

Dr Suneetha Sapur

What is the best way to a balancedmeal and meet all the body’s nutri-tional requirements?

To follow a healthy diet we needto eat many different types of foodeach day including different types ofgrains, beans, pulses, fruit and veg-etables, roots, nuts and animal prod-ucts. It is not healthy to eat the samefood with the same ingredients everyday. Like most of us prefer to eat onlyrice in their meals, which is not sucha great idea. Instead of eating onlyrice and rice products like idly anddosa etc for all three meals it is bet-ter to include a variety of othergrains like wheat, ragi and jowar inthe form of rotis, upma, porridge etc.

Similarly using all varieties ofvegetables and fruits in the meal,especially using more of seasonalfruits and vegetables, including sea-sonal foods provides the requirednutrients at affordable prices.

As Indians we tend to consumenon vegetarian foods less frequentlyand in smaller quantities includingmilk and milk products regularly inyour everyday diet is very importantto meet the requirements of manynutrients, to enhance the absorptionof other nutrients.

The amount of food we eatdepends on our age, sex and time oflife. However, the most importantaspect of healthy eating is to strike abalance.

Do remember that processedand packaged foods are not idealoptions. Healthy food is fresh andnatural and a balanced diet shouldbe full of flavour and colour. Themore colourful the meal is the betterit is for health, like including tomato,green leaves, pumpkin etc providesdifferent nutrients and phytochemi-cals. By taking care to choose foodsthat are in season and locally avail-able, eating can be enjoyable,healthy and affordable.

(The writer is the directorAkkshaya Foundation and a consul-

tant nutritionist at LV Prasad EyeInstitute, Hyderabad)

Protein knocks out HIV bystarving it of raw materials

Blues can sendyou back tothe hospitalIf you love listening to the Blues, have alreadyhad a heart attack and are prone to depression,chances are you may be rehospitalised

Indira Atluriindira.a@postnoon

Black Sabbath, LedZeppelin and IronMaiden showedwhat unconvention-

al looked like, and how theruthless use of the fretboardsounded like. Heavy Metalmusic followers around theworld would only agree thatMetal is the nemesis to Rockand Pop. Beginning in thelate ‘60s, metal music soonattracted its own cult follow-ing. And the followers sworeagainst anything ordinary.Distorted tunes, loud andaggressive beats — metalmusic was a reminder ofmusic considered evil. It wasa way to show what rebellionlooked like. SurprisinglyHeavy Metal has a huge fanfollowing in most IITs of thecountry. Pop music to them(almost all of them) is out ofquestion, and Bollywood —you must be out of yourmind! We spoke to some, tounderstand their fierceobsession for the leather-clad and pierced-bodiedhead-banging hooligans.

Abhinav Lele is an IITKharagpur alumnus whoswears by this genre ofmusic. He tells us, “Metal is,simply put, different, and

not repetitive. Recently, aSwedish band called AmonAmarth, a Melodic DeathMetal band played in the IITcampus. With their wholeViking getup, it was like get-ting into another world alto-gether.” He adds, “Pop has aconstant beat, with differentwords put in it. But Metalneeds hardcore guitar anddrums addicts. It is euphoricto listen to Metal in the cam-pus festivals. The Metalmaniacs to us symbolise dif-ferent people, trying to saysomething different — andwe relate to it.

Interestingly, there areinteresting theories abouthead-banging, an act onlyassociated with Heavy Metal— while some credit the

iconic British band BlackSabbath to have started it,others believe that the termHeadbanger came from theband Motorheadbanger. Foryet some it was Deep Purple.Whoever started the head-banging phenomenon hard-ly matters anymore, as it hasbecame a part of this musicsince.

Rajeev, a student in IITGuwahati, too loves thesound of Heavy Metal, andiconises Pink Floyd andRammstein. He says, “Thistime in our campus, we hadan Israeli progressive Metalband called Orphaned Land.There is a sense of elevationto watch Metal bands likethese perform. Believe me, itis not the same with anyother form of music.” Headds, “The B-Tech studentsenjoy Metal more than thePGs do.” When asked why?Rajeev adds, “It is like anunspoken rule perhaps —the Northeast is so influ-enced by Western music andso it becomes one naturalinclination.”

Vivek Reddy from IITKharagpur gives his take,“Initially, most people listento Bollywood, and then theymove on to Linkin Park andBon Jovi. But soon, the trendchanges and they move onto Metal. Iron Maiden some-how soon becomes the bandthey relate to. The 2nd and3rd year students are theones obsessed with Metal.After graduation, it kind ofdwindles, and they move onto Western Classical or theIndian Classical. The peopleyou move around with mat-ters, at least this is what youwill find in the IIT.”

Finding euphoria in music

1. HosannaEk Deewana Tha

2. Aunty ji

Ek Main aur Ekk Tu3. O saiyyan

Agneepath4. Tu mohabbat hai

Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya5. Ek main aur ekk tu

Ek Main aur Ekk Tu6. Sun lo zara

Ek Deewana Tha7. Thehree si zindagi

London Paris New York8. Jeene de

Tere Naal Love ho Gaya9 Sarphira

Sadda Adda10 Voh dekhne mein

London Paris New York

1. Part of meKaty Perry

2. I will always love youWhitney Houston

3. Rolling in the deep Adele

4. Set fire to the rainADELE

5. We are young (feat.Janelle Monáe)

Fun6. Somone like you

Adele7. Stronger (What Doesn't

Kill You)Kelly Clarkson

8. Turn up the musicChris Brown

9. ParadiseColdplay

10. What make you beautiful

One Direction

1. 21Adele

2. Born to die

Lana Del Rey3. Old ideas

Leonard Cohen4. 2012 Grammy nominees

Various Artists5. Kidz bop 21

Kidz Bop Kids6. Take care

Drake7. Emotional traffic

Tim McGraw8. God, love & romance

Fred Hammond9. Sorry for party rocking

LMFAO10.Talk that talk

Rihanna

Bollywood Top 10 iTUNES Top 10 Billboard Top 10

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 201215Rhythm Nation

‘I defy convention, I am scorned by many, understood by few, my stage is likened to a cemetery,and I am called the misguided messiah of mean music. I am Heavy Metal’

“There is a sense ofelevation to watch Metalbands like these perform.Believe me, it is not the

same with any other formof music.” Abhinav Lele

Favourite Metalbands of Postnoon

MetallicaSlayer

MegadethVenom

Motorhead

DEV

IANTA

RT

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 201218Because you are what you wearF‑Folio

EXPERIMENTALNew York Fashion Week just ended and it has now opened the gates for a whole

year of excitement in the fashion world. This year saw more than59 participants, from industry giants to extraordinary fashion entrepreneurs,

showcase their designs. Here’s a look at the week that has been

The Max Azria collectionwas one of the outstand-ing displays on the run-

way this season. The collectionseemed straight out of the1920s, a blend of sporty eclec-ticism and softness of chiffon.Generous use of block coloursgave it grace. Azria followed itup with another display of cre-ativity in the form of a new col-lection Herve Ledger by MaxAzria. The fitting bandage styledresses were of metallic huesand soothing pastels withpleats and fringes. The models’make-up was minimal, withsleekly-done hair, allowing thebold designs to gather fullfocus.

Alexander Wang’s collec-tions, as rightly quoted by LATimes, were reflections of hisinspiration — hybrids — andplayed with the contrastbetween hard and soft,naughty and nice. But these

were without doubt moregrown-up clothes, but with atwist.

Diane von Furstenberg(DVF) called her collection‘Rendez-Vous’, or ‘a meetingwith suspense and expecta-tion’. She reinterpreted herfamous wrap dress as a kind ofwrap jumpsuit with a plungingfront. It came in many itera-tions, but the prettiest was apink lily colour, worn with aport-red coat. Von Furstenberghas made colour theory an artwith her latest collection; forinstance, pairing a citrus-limesatin halter top with a pair ofbeet-red trousers.

The royal family’s effectwas seen on the fashion ramptoo. Designer Zac Posen’s col-lection, apparently inspired bythe Duchess of Windsor, WallisSimpson, also stood apart. Themodels were looking extremelyglamourous and the collection

consisted of a lot of elegantcocktail and evening wear. Allin all, there was an old-worldglamour to the collection.

Another designer to lookforward to was Vera Wang. Herdesigns were casual yet glam-orous. “I tried to follow a struc-ture with loose cuts. I usedtransparency with opaque-ness,” she was quoted as say-ing by the New Zealand Herald.Her inspiration was cathedralsand churches, hence the use ofpastels and greys.

The brand’s tag line saysunapologetically original andtrue to what is expected of himAmerican designer TommyHilfiger displayed a greatready-to-wear collection, thetheme of which was ‘Women ina English Garden’. A patentburgundy coat brought glam-our to the collection, and allthe beautifully tailored leatherpieces raised Hilfiger onto anew level of de luxe.

Rodarte’s was anothersought-after collection. TheRodarte sisters — Laura andKate Mullavey — have refinedtheir dreamy designs. Theirvision spanned the fashionlandscape; it had the rusticOutback (a shearling dress, andclear plastic heels filled withlayers of sand), the stately aris-tocratic Victorian homes leftover from the colonial era(dusty peach and blue woolguipure lace blouses, andcrepe jackets and skirts — oneof the most wearable piecesthe duo has ever prepared forthe ramp).

Prabal Gurung, theNepalese designer who alsohappens to be US first ladyMichele Obama’s favourite,turned heads with his collec-tion. It featured a lot of red car-pet-worthy white gowns withfeathers and gold lace.

Donna Karen displayed hercollection in an open shed onthe street with a New York taxias backdrop. Black was thebase of her urban collection.Donna told the New ZealandHerald, “I wanted to representmodern New York, the contem-porary New York women ofstrength.” She used leather,wool and furs in her collection.

Max Azria

Rodarte

AlexanderWang

AFP

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 201219Because you are what you wearF‑Folio

PrabalGurung Vera Wang

Donna Karan

AND PRECISETommy Hilfiger Zac PosenVera Wang

AFP

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 201220

Roshini Neha Akarsh, Suzzane & Laksh Nikita Reddy with a friend

Nandita & Swetha Tanya Nambiar

Aman & Apoorva

Shriya Saran was the star

attraction at the Artic

Maxim Style Night held at

Kismet on Thursday. The

event was titled ‘An

evening of Italian style’.

Shriya’s presence sure

upped the glamour

quotient at the venue.

PARTY IN

STYLE

Spotlight

DEEPAK DESHPANDE

T-TOWN TWEETIES

@shraddhadas43‘Rey’ my telugu film’s trailerwill b screened along with mydirector Yvs choudhary’s‘Nippu’ releasing tomorrowover 1000 shows all over!

@RanaDaggubatiAn extremely exhaustingday! Still not done. Finishedwith a few interviews for#NaaIshtam. Rehearsal’s withPrem Rakshit, then training...

@shrutihaasanWhy do they always stopmaking your favourite shadeof lipstick or polish just whenyou start to fall in love withit?? :/#itsagirlthing

@Actor_SiddharthThe bad guys lost. The goodguys won. ‘Love Failure’ releas-es tomorrow as announced.Thank you all of you for seeingme through these 8hrs!

@actressanjjanaaHey ppl supp, gym training

starts from 2day,gearing up ofshooting of Sagar with PrajwalDevraj in Singapore onFebruary 21st.

@shriyasmilingCan’t believe they have astupid party going on in thisHotel, playing loud music,disturbing every one’s sleep!need to catch some sleep.

@RGVzoominOne great advantage of hav-

ing a bad memory is thateverything will appear new allthe time.

@sneha_ullalMy family and I have man-

aged to spoil and pamper aParrot...uff.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2012 21The glamour behind the glitzMagic Screen

Kamal Haasan isplanning to revivehis magnum opusMarudhanayagam,

if the grapevine is to bebelieved. The film wasshelved several years agodue to various reasons. A

section of media reportedthat Kamal Haasan is evenplanning to approachRajinikanth for a role.Rajinikanth and Kamalhave been friends for morethan 35 years and in thepast, they have acted

together in 10 films. Assoon as the news brokeout, fans of both theheroes began to wonderhow two of the most pow-erful names would teamup after so long. However,Kamal Haasan’s manager,

has clarified that KamalHaasan has not made anystatement regardingMarudhanayagam andsaid that it was a 15-year-old news. Currently, KamalHaasan is busy shootingfor Vishwaroopam.

Kamal Haasan-Rajinikanth

TEAM NOT POSSIBLE

The audio rights of RamCharan Tej, Tamannaahstarrer Racha have been

sold for a bomb, if thegrapevine is to be believed. Wehear that a leading audio com-pany has paid around `1 croreto acquire the audio rights andit’s one of the highest pricesquoted in recent times. Thesame audio company hadbought audio rights ofMagadheera, which raked inhumongous profits. The film’saudio will be launched onFebruary 26, in a grand way inKurnool. Ram Charan's earlierfilm Magadheera ran for more

than 750 days in a theatre inKurnool and the makers ofRacha are said to be eager tolaunch the audio amidst thou-sands of Ram Charan andChiranjeevi's fans.

Back in 1991, Chiranjeevistarrer Gang Leader's 100 dayscelebrations took place inKurnool and after more than twodecades, an event of this magni-tude is going to take place inKurnool. Interestingly, Racha hasa remix of Vana Vana Velluvaye, apopular song in Gang Leader.Sampath Nandi has directed thefilm and Mani Sharma is themusic director.

Racha audio rightssold for a bomb

I want to take abreak from films:AakashPuri Jagannadh’s son Aakash has been get-

ting rave reviews about his performancein Prakash Raj’s Dhoni. “It’s my best film sofar and I must thank Prakash Raj for encour-aging me throughout the film’s shooting,”Aakash told the media. Apparently, thetoughest part about his role was to lie flat onthe bed without blinking his eyes. “I amexactly like Karthik, the character I played inDhoni. I am extremely poor in studies andsomeday, I want to become an actor,” hesays. He’s currently studying in class VIII andhas decided to take a break from films toconcentrate on his studies. “Gabbar Singhwill be my last film for now and I’ll make mydebut as a hero in my father’s direction,” sosaying he signs off.

B-TOWN TWEETIES

@udaychopra Sometimes words can be anointment for our feelings.However, they feel good for amoment and then they evapo-rate, leaving us much thesame.

@bipsluvurself In Jaipur! #JodiBreakers teama lil tired! I need my dose ofinstant charging, a greatintense work out session!Heading straight to the gym!

@realprietyzinta Ok guys! Am a bit con-fused??? What is a Shortyaward ???? I am getting a lotof tweets about this..... But amconfused!

@iamsrk Teaching clauses and phrasesto son, workout cancelled. Whomade up these English rules it’sso much easier... the English ontwitter and SMS.

@SrBachchan T 656 – Shweta’s weddinganniversary today, but shestayed back to be by my side...daughters are the best...

@NeilNMukesh The game is to stand and notget knocked out! Take a hitland a punch but keep standingstrong! Full power!! That’swhat makes u a man.

@Riteishd Wishing Mr Producer@Actor_Siddharth hugesuccess for his debut release.BLOOOCCCKBUSTEEER-RRRRRR on its way.

@juniorbachchan Morning spent with Pa athospital, then at NASCOMMin the afternoon. Backto hospital where, despitehis pain, @SrBachchan iscracking jokes.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2012 22The glamour behind the glitzMagic Screen

It was difficult to match up to acting skillsof Boman Irani and Arshad Warsi, saysAmrita Rao who has teamed up with themin Jolly L.L.B.“I am shooting for Jolly L.L.B. with Boman

and Arshad, two of the finest actors we havein Hindi cinema. I have to really polish myacting skills to match up to them. Boman hasreally, really surpassed the expectations of theaudience and so has Arshad. I am happy to beworking with them,” the 30-year-old said.

She was last seen in Love U... Mr. Kalak aar,which bombed at the box-office.

Meanwhile, Amrita admits that nothing ishappening in her life and she is busy roma -ncing life and work. IANS

polishesher acting

Amrita Rao

Vidya Balan, who hasbeen on a success spreeafter her films No One

Killed Jessica and The DirtyPicture, took a lot of timebefore zeroing on to SujoyGhosh’s Kahaani.

“Sujoy came to me with ascript, which I didn’t like.Then he said I will bring toyou one idea after another tillyou like it. I thought he wasjust saying it. But he actuallycame with a lot of ideas to meand I liked this one a lot andasked him to develop it andthat we will see. But till thetime the script was not com-plete, I didn’t say yes,” the 33-year-old said.

Releasing March 9,Kahaani tells the story of apregnant woman who comesto Kolkata in search of hermissing husband.

IANS

played hard-to-getbefore Kahaani

VIDYA BALAN Whoever copies DilipKumar is an idiot

Shah Rukh KhanShah Rukh Khan,

who was appre-ciated for the role ofa doomed lover in2002 remake ofDevdas, earlierplayed by DilipKumar in the 1955film of the samename, feels nobodycan imitate thethespian.

“You can’t imi-tate Mr DilipKumar. Whoevercopy Dilip Kumar,they are idiots likeme,” said ShahRukh at the launchof Nasreen MunniKabir’s book TheDialogue of Devdas, which has complete dia-logues by Rajinder Singh Bedi, based on a screen-play by Nabendu Ghosh and lyrics by SahirLudhianvi from Bimal Roy’s immortal classicDevdas. Shah Rukh Khan starrer Devdas wastreated differently by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, whogave it a larger than life feel. IANS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 201223Magic Screen

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 201224The glamour behind the glitzMagic Screen

Padmini Cpadmini.c@postnoon.com

“I'd imaginethe wholeworld wasone big

machine. Machinesnever come with extraparts, you know. Theyalways come with theexact amount theyneed. So I figured, if theentire world was onebig machine, I couldn'tbe an extra part. I hadto be here for some rea-son. And that meansyou have to be here forsome reason too,”explains Hugo Cabaret(Asa Butterfield) in themovie, and you cansimply imagineScorsese brilliantlysumming up the spiritof Hugo with that.

Hugo Cabaret is anorphaned child whosecretly lives in a trainstation in Paris andwhose self-appointedjob it is to make all theclocks in the place tick.But that's just Hugo'sday job. His raison d'e-tre is really to restore aremarkable automaton,the only thing he hasleft of his late father(Jude Law), a watch-

maker himself. But thelast piece he needs tomake the automatonfunction is a heart-shaped key.Fortunately, the stationhas several others withsecrets of their own.Like the man who runsthe toy stall on the sta-tion platform whoseems to understandHugo's needs a littletoo well, a man alsoknown to the world asthe great filmmakerGeorges Méliès. And hisgodchild Isabelle(ChloeMoretz), whomHugo quickly befriends,only to find that shehas exactly what heneeds — the heart-shaped key. Together,they unlock the mys-tery that's bound tochange all their lives.

Hugo's most obvi-ous appeal is of course

it's brilliant visuals and3D wizardry. But it'sScorcese's intense char-acterisation of Hugo asthe terrified but deter-mined orphan; love forfilmmaking, fantasyand magic that shinesthrough. Ben Kingsleyas Papa George, SanchaBaron Cohen as the ter-rible yet oddly vulnera-ble station inspector,Chloe Moretz as theprecocious Isabelledeliver performances ofthe highest order. AsaButterfield seemsuncertain and insipidfor a while but slowlywarms up to beingHugo and thereon is adelight to watch. Hugomight not be the bestchildren's film you'veever watched, but it isone that's sure to warmyour heart. Need youask more?

Elaborately detailed, Hugo is a touchingtribute to the early days of cinema

An elegantfantasy

ROAD TO OSCARS

Seal takes off his wedding ringLast month, Heidi Klum’s

estranged husbandexplained on Ellen his rea-soning for continuing towear his wedding ring, “Ithink it’s just pretty much atoken of how I feel about thiswoman. We have eight years.Eight wonderful yearstogether. Just because wehave decided to separatedoesn’t necessarily mean youtake off your ring and you’reno longer connected to thatperson.”

Something must havechanged, because now, thering is off.

Seal was photographedarriving in Australia todaysans wedding ring, and withyellow nail colour, we almostwonder if he wanted us totake note of the fact. Well,mission accomplished.

Davis’s mumreluctant tosee The HelpV

iola Davis is nominatedfor an Oscar for her por-trayal of a maid in the1960s film The Help, but

she says her mother has yet to seethe film because the experiencecould be “painful”.

Davis revealed that shebelieves her mother is part of ageneration of women who wouldrather forget some of the film’sracial themes. “My mother has yetto see the movie… . I think it’s justbecause — I think it’s painful. Youhave a whole generation ofwomen who don’t want to bereminded of the past.”

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 201225The glamour behind the glitzMagic Screen

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 201226Chai Time

How to Play KakuroKakuro is a popular game similar to sudoku in some ways. But is alsosuitably different. The key question: “How do you play Kakuro?”, wellhere are the rules of kakuro. The answer: The kakuro grid, unlike insudoku, can be of any size. It has rows and columns, and dark cells likein a crossword. And, just like in a crossword, some of the dark cells willcontain numbers. Some cells will contain two numbers.

However, in a crossword the numbers reference clues. In a kakuro,the numbers are all you get! They denote the total of the digits in therow or column referenced by the number.

Within each collection of cells - called a run - any of the numbers 1to 9 may be used but, like sudoku, each number may only be used once.

Let’s have an example to explain this concept more clearly:In the image above, which shows a section of a kakuro puzzle, you

will see the numbers ‘26’ and ‘14’ in the top row. Look at the 14. Thismeans that the total of the three cells underneath must sum to 14.Therefore 9, 4, 1 could be the answer, or perhaps 7, 4, 3 and so on...

So, how do you work out the actual combination? Well, this is donethrough elimination and cross-referencing. For instance, as you work outthe answers for other kakuro clues, this will naturally limit the valid com-binations, and hence the answer for this particular run.

Note the second cell in row two - it contains two numbers, 30 and11. The 30 refers to the vertical run underneath the number 30 and the11 refers to the two cells to the right, horizontally, of the number 11.

KAKUROACROSS1 Big name in fairy tales6 Place a curse on9 Light green plums14 Comaneci of gymnastics15 Rarebit ingredient16 Undermine, as confi-

dence17 Ecstasy opposite18 Picked-up item19 Bone china brand20 Good thing to hear23 Short swim24 History chapter25 Gets off the fence27 Kind of irony32 Anguished cry33 “... ___ reasonable fac-

simile”34 Approved by the courts36 Acclivity39 Big name on Fifth

Avenue41 Roberts of “Everybody

Loves Raymond”43 Adjective for Death

Valley44 Go over like ___ bal-

loon46 Bartender’s supply48 X, on some dials49 A soup base51 Neighbor of Chevy

Chase53 Deposition answerer56 “Dr. No” author Fleming57 ___ for victory58 Delaying strategy64 Run ___ of the law66 Undergo decay67 Kitchen gadget for

preparing potatoes68 Amount wagered69 Teamwork spoiler70 Prefix with “face” or

“national”71 Went “tap tap tap” on a

keyboard72 Family head73 Sparrows’ homes

DOWN1 Nibble like a beaver2 Fires and angry people

may do it3 Admiration recipient

4 Food processor, at times5 Like some city races6 Detest7 Flamboyant style8 Small three-masted vessel9 Painters’ plasterlike

preparations10 A father of Dada11 Gracious winners, e.g.12 Murphy of Hollywood13 Gets through the cracks21 More than checked?22 Question before

“because I said so”26 Container for a spicy

stew27 The Cubs’ “Slammin’

Sammy”28 Kind of thermometer29 Half-baked bathroom

item?30 “Have ___ a deal for

you!”

31 Chocolate alternative35 Script segment37 ___ Piper of Hamelin38 “Giant” author’s first

name40 Pen name of H.H. Munro42 Play a set with the band45 Talked like a stereotypi-

cal Texan47 Feeling of

vexation50 Santa ___,

Calif.52 It turns over

before itruns

53 Seaman’s“Stop!”

54 Count ofstars on aU.S. flag

55 Out of energy

59 “For here or ___?”60 “Put ___ my tab”61 “America’s Got Talent”

segments62 Swimming competition63 Makes a miscalculation65 Strings at a luau, for

short

SCRI

BBLI

NG P

AD

SUDOKU

Your worstenemy

cannot harmyou as muchas your ownunguardedthoughts.

THOUGHT OFTHE DAY

Take a shot at the brain game while sipping your cuppa

QUICK CROSSWORD

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

– Buddha

27Chai TimeC

OM

ICS

Fred

Bas

set

Ston

e so

up

Five of Wands –Avoid all kinds ofconflict, especially atthe workplace. Youwill be out to provea point but donʼt bestubborn about it.Itʼs not worth it.

Six of Pentacles – Asenior in your pro‑fession or in yourfam i ly will come toyour rescue at a diffi‑cult time. He/she willtell you what youneed to know now.

Nine of Swords –This is a difficulttime when nothingseems to be going asper your plan. Donʼtfret. Just go with theflow and itʼll workout fine.

ARIES TAURUS GEMINIARIESBusinessmen will introduce new sche ‑mes to attract more customers. Employ ‑ees will win over enemies and foil theirsabotage plans. Chances of wasteful ex ‑penditure, fear, fever and headache.

CANCER

LIBRAPersons desirous of starting new venturecan initiate necessary steps, as the time issuitable. Employees will be entrusted withnew responsibilities. They also work withperfection and excel in their duties.

CAPRICORNBusinessmen will face a dull trend; neednot panic though; problem is temporary.Troubles from govt officials likely. Bealert in court‑related issues. Don't beha ‑ve controversially at workplace.

TAURUSAvoid disputes and taking controversialstand on issues. Be in harmony with alland avoid making enemies on yourown. Travel will be beneficial. Busines ‑smen will bag expected new contracts.

LEOBusinessmen will expand their horizonand their profits are set to multiply. Emp ‑loyees will work with shrewdness andimprove their skills. Chances of gettingrecognised by way of pay hike or elevation.

SCORPIOBusinessmen will adopt new and innovati ‑ve techniques to improve turnover; newcustomers will be added to list. Emp loyeeswill get increased work load; keep yourcool, work with patience and earn respect.

AQUARIUSFriends and relatives will be supportive.Persons from other religion will extendtheir wholehearted help. Kids will scorewell in exams. Employees should not benegligent. Avoid taking decisions today.

GEMINISome will get chance to go abroad for thefirst time. Their visa will come thro ugh. Av ‑oid talking frankly with strangers. Busi nes ‑smen will learn tricks of the trade. Emp loy ‑ees will be appreciated for their hard work.

VIRGORelatives will irritate you by seeking fin ‑an cial help. Keep cool and make themunderstand your stand. Help from north‑ern state person likely. Friends may turnagainst you suddenly; try to be alert.

SAGITTARIUSEmployees will complete even chal‑lenging tasks with ease. Plans to buy ahouse will materialise. Businessmenwill sign new contracts with reputedfirms and see a potential growth.

PISCESBusinessmen will change their place of op ‑erations, which will prove beneficial to th ‑em. Employees will be happy as superiorswill support them. Avoid helping anyonefinancially. Your stock is set to pile up.

For B

ette

r or f

or W

orse

Ink

pen

Queen of Swords –You have the tenden‑cy to isolate yourselffrom groups. Youwant to work alone.But beware whatimpression of you itwill leave.

Page of Wands –Some good news ison the way. It maypertain to yourcareer or somethingto do with a studycourse you mayhave applied for.

Five of Pentacles –Take care of your fi ‑nances. Donʼt investin policies you have ‑nʼt checked out com‑pletely. Run a goodbackground checkbefore investing.

CANCER LEO VIRGO

The Star – There areclouds of confusionaround you but youneed to have faith inyour own abilities tomake sense of yourthoughts and getclarity.

Six of Cups – You ha ‑ve a chance meetingwith someone fromyou past. You will getnostalgic and godown memory lane.Enjoy the feeling.

Ace of Wands –Youhave some ideas tomake a creative pro‑ject work even better.Have the confidencethat you have it inyou to make it a success.

LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS

The High Priestess –Your intuition isheightened. You mayhave been confused ornervous about some‑thing. Those thoughtsare put to rest andyou power forward.

The High Priest –Things around youare working likemagic. Close friendsand family will show‑er their love on you,making you feel extraspecial.

Death – Change is onthe cards. There willbe drastic cha nge inyour living and work‑ing situation. This isa karmic time andyou need to adjust tothese changes.

CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES

STAR POWER FOR 18-2-2012SUMAA TEKUR

tarotreadhyd@gmail.com

THIRUVAIKUMARthiruvaikumar@yahoo.co.in

040-27177230 / 9177596118

SOLUTIONS

Sudu

ko

Scrabble

Num

ber g

ame

Boggle

DRAMA HORROR ACTION COMEDY

Indirect opposition, medical expenses tomother and joint pains likely; take neces‑sary and immediate care. Businessmen willface difficulties in collecting dues. Employ ‑ees advised not to disclose office secrets.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2012Your tomorrow today̶Star Power and Tarot

Vol: 1, No 215 RNI No: APENG/2011/39337 Published for the proprietors, Scribble Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, by V Harshavardhan Reddy, at #1246, Level 3, Jubilee Casa, Road No 62, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – 500033 and printed by himat 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

As per Hindu panchang TAROT READ FOR 18-2-2012

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 201228Telly sitcoms, news and movie listingsChai Time

1400 Naadi Aadajanme1430 Pavitra1500 Movie1800 Sri Shanidevuni Mahimalu1830 Vasantha Kokila1900 Chinnari Pelli Kuturu1930 Anna Chellelu2000 Missamma2030 Edureetha2100 Money Money2200 CID2300 Challenge 0700 Silver Screen0730 Maa Punyakshetralu0800 Ayurvedam0830 Real City0900 Movie1200 Movie

1400 Kannavaari Kalalu1430 Maavichiguru1500 Sumangali1530 Movie 1800 Jai Shri Krishna1830 Shraavani Subramaniam1900 Mandhara1930 Auto Bharthi2000 No. 23, Mahalakshmi

Nivasam2030 Mogali Rekulu2100 Aparanji2130 Devatha2200 Mamathala Kovela2230 Anveshana2300 Gemini Vaarthalu0700 News0730 Subhalagnam - Live0800 Gemini Talkies0830 Special Programmes0930 Movie1130 Adhi Matter1200 Movie

1400 Abhishekam1430 Aadade Aadharam1500 Antahpuram1530 Aakasa Ganga1600 Prema Mandiram1630 Jagadeeswari1700 Paduta Teeyaga1800 Devimahathyam1830 Puttadi Bomma1900 Kumkuma Rekha1930 Manasu Mamata2000 Chandra Mukhi2030 Bharyamani2100 Etv News2130 Wow - Game Show2245 Movie 0700 Etv News0730 Subhamastu0800 Jeevana Jyothi0830 Tollywood Time0900 Movie 1130 Abhiruchi

1400 Ardhangi 1430 Movie1800 Veera Naari Jhansi Laxmi

Bhai1830 Kalavari Kodallu1900 Chinna Kodalu1930 Pasupukunkuma2000 Muddu Bidda2030 Radha Kalyanam2100 Kanyadanam2130 Baghyalakshmi Bumper

Offer 2230 Shree2300 Chitrapuri2330 Latest Songs0800 Subhamastu0830 Bhakti Samacharam0900 Movie 1230 Mee Inti Vanta1300 Movie

‘The Reaping’ at 2200 Hrson AXN

1345 The Voice 21535 Whacked Out Sports 1605 Breaking The Magician's

Code 1700 Supernatural 1800 Chuck 1900 Wipeout2000 Whacked Out Sports 2030 E Buzz2100 Minute To Win It 2200 Movie - The Reaping0800 Infomercial/30 Min0830 Sky Teleshopping0900 Whacked Out Sports 0925 Wipeout1015 The Challenger Muaythai

‘Mi Aaji Aur Saheb’ at2130 Hrs on IMAGINE1400 Haar Jeet 1500 Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo 1600 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 1700 Sawaare Sabke Sapne –

Preeto 1730 Haar Jeet 1800 Beendh Banuga Ghodi

Chadhunga 1830 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 1900 Haar Jeet 1930 Gyaan Guru 2000 Dwarkadheesh - Bhagwan

Shri Krishn 2030 Sawaare Sabke Sapne –

Preeto 2100 Beendh Banuga Ghodi

Chadhunga 2130 Mi Aaji Aur Saheb 2200 Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo 2230 Haar Jeet 2300 Gyaan Guru ‘CID’ at 2200 Hrs on SONY

1400 Saas Bina Sasuraal1430 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai1500 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge1530 Kyaa Hua Tera Vaada1600 Crime Patrol - 32000 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge2030 Dekha Ek Khwaab2100 Saas Bina Sasuraal2130 Parvarrish - Kuchh Khatti

Kuchh Meethi2200 CID2300 Crime Patrol - Dastak2330 Kuch Toh Log Kahenge0700 Telebrands0730 Sky Star Advertising0900 Crime Patrol - 31230 Bade Achhe Lagte Hai

‘[V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance’ at1900 Hrs on CHANNEL [V]

1400 [V] Vignettes1430 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance1500 [V] Humse Hai Life1530 [V] Trailers1555 [V] Fresh Songs1600 [V] Steal UR Girlfriend1700 [V] Zabardast Hits1800 [V] Fresh Songs1830 [V] Humse Hai Life1900 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance1930 [V] Humse Hai Life 2000 Love Kiya To Darna Kya2100 [V] Vignettes2130 [V] Trailers2155 [V] Fresh Songs2200 [V] My Big Decision2300 [V] Humse Hai Life 2330 [V] D3 Dil Dosti Dance 0800 [V] Mind Blasting

Mornings1100 [V] Fresh Songs1200 [V] Humse Hai Life

‘Top 10 At 10’ at 2200 Hrsonly on ET NOW1400 The F And O Show1430 Closing Trades1600 Business Day1730 Your Trades1800 Rush Hour1830 Tee Time With Shaili

Chopra1900 Global Business Report1930 Business Express2000 Business First2030 Your Trades2100 Business Tonight2200 Top 10 At 102230 Et Insight2300 Et Interview2330 Your Trades0700 Starting Up0730 Et Insight0800 Tee Time With Shaili

Chopra0830 The Market Makers0900 Your Trades0930 Investor's Guide1000 Talking Technicals

‘The Newshour’ at 2100Hrs only on TIMES NOW

1300 News Now At 11330 News Now1800 6 PM1830 Live Report1900 Primetime1930 The Game2000 News Now At 82030 Live Report2100 The Newshour2200 10 PM2230 E Now2300 News Now At 112330 News Now Overnight0900 News Now0930 The Hidden Truth1000 News Now

‘A Wednesday’ at 1400 Hrson ZOOM

1400 Movie - A Wednesday1730 Star Bonanza1800 Letz Go!1900 Planet Bollywood News1930 The Zoom Review Show2000 Let's Design 4 2030 Letz Go!2100 Telly Talk2130 Link'D2200 B - Tonite2230 Link'D2300 Bollywood Bonanza0700 Letz Go!0800 Red Carpet0805 Letz Go!1100 Zoom Box1200 Garma Garam1230 Bollywood Big Story1300 Zabar 101330 Telly Talk‘Rizzoli And Isles’ at 2100

Hrs on ZEE CAFE

1400 Outsourced1430 Scrubs1500 Rizzoli And Isles1600 Rookie Blue1700 Outsourced1730 Scrubs1800 E News 1900 The Tonight Show With Jay

Leno 2000 Outsourced2030 America's Funniest Home

Videos2100 Rizzoli And Isles2200 Rookie Blue2300 Outsourced2330 Scrubs0800 Rookie Blue1000 18 To Life1100 Less Than Perfect1200 Gary Unmarried1300 Slot1330 Just For Laughs

‘The Simpsons’ at 2030Hrs on STAR WORLD1400 Supernatural 1500 Achievers' Club1600 The Big Bang Theory 1630 The Simpsons 1700 The Shield 1800 Supernatural 1900 Desperate Housewives 2000 Two And A Half Men 2030 The Simpsons 2100 Supernatural 2200 The Shield 2300 The Big Bang Theory 2330 Two And A Half Men 0700 Dexter 0800 The Shield 1000 Pan Am 1100 Friends 1200 The Big Bang Theory

‘Uttaran’ at 2200 Hrs onCOLORS

1400 Parichay 1430 Balika Vadhu 1500 Na Bole Tum... Na Maine

Kuch Kaha1530 Uttaran 1600 Phulwa1630 Parichay 1700 Sasural Simar Ka1730 Na Bole Tum... Na Maine

Kuch Kaha1800 Uttaran 1830 Balika Vadhu 1900 Havan 1930 Sasural Simar Ka2000 Balika Vadhu 2030 Veer Shivaji 2100 Phulwa2130 Parichay - Nayee Zindagi

Kay Sapno Ka2200 Uttaran2230 Na Bole Tum... Na Maine

Kuch Kaha2300 Na Aana Iss Des Laado2330 Balika Vadhu

‘The Survivors’ at 2300 Hrson DISCOVERY CHANNEL1400 I Should'nt Be Alive1600 One Man Army1700 Discovery Showcase1800 Wild Discovery1900 Man Woman Wild2000 Man Vs Wild2100 We Built This City2200 One Man Army2300 The Survivors1000 Medical Anomalies1100 One Man Army1200 Get Out Alive1300 Wild Discovery

‘Chidiya Ghar’ at 2100 Hrson SAB TV

1400 Taarak Mehta Ka OoltahChashmah

1430 R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya 1500 Lapataganj 1530 F.I.R 1600 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah

Chashmah 1630 Chidiyaghar 1700 Gutur Gu 1730 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah

Chashmah 1900 R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya 1930 Lapataganj 2000 Chintu Chinki Aur Ek

Badmash Family 2030 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah

Chashmah 2100 Chidiyaghar 2130 R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya 2200 Lapataganj 2230 F.I.R 2300 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah

Chashmah 2330 Chidiyaghar 0900 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah

Chashmah

MOVIES OF THE DAY AND OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

‘Sajda Tere Pyaar Mein’ at2200 Hrs on STAR PLUS1400 Sajda Tere Pyaar Mein 1500 Navya 1530 Diya Aur Bati Hum1600 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri

Behnaa Hai1630 Sasuraal Genda Phool1700 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya1730 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam

Doon1800 Navya 1830 Ruk Jana Nahin1900 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya1930 Sasuraal Genda Phool2000 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam

Doon2030 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri

Behnaa Hai2100 Diya Aur Bati Hum2130 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai2200 Sajda Tere Pyaar Mein 2230 Mann Ki Awaaz… Pratigya2300 Maryaada ... Lekin Kab Tak?

Saas BinaSasuralStoryline - While everyonein the family will enjoy atVed-Kiya’s honeymoon des-tination, Toasty will keep aneye on Kiya. Tonight Kiyawill be in a tight spot whenToasty will see Jai with her.

‘Saas Bina Sasural’ at 2100 Hrs onSONY

Storyline - Aditya saysmaasi should leave thehouse, Uttraa is also readyto leave but Devyani againstops Uttraa.

‘Maryaada ... Lekin Kab Tak?’ at2300 Hrs on STAR PLUS

Maryaada ...Lekin Kab Tak?

‘How The Universe Works’at 1930 Hrs on DISCOVERY SCIENCE

‘Hawaii 5.0’ at 2100 Hrs onBIG CBS PRIME1400 Frasier1430 Jerry Springer 1530 Aspire1600 Galileo Extreme1700 Survivor1800 Entertainment Tonight1830 Galileo Extreme1930 Frasier2000 Entertainment Tonight2030 Galileo Extreme2100 Hawaii 5.02200 Lucha Libre2300 Jerry Springer 0700 Aspire0730 Galileo Extreme0800 Survivor1000 Lucha Libre1100 Galileo Extreme1130 Big Wheels1200 Aspire1230 Galileo Extreme1300 Movie

1400 Megascience1430 What You Can't See1530 Discovery Science Classics1630 The Indestructibles1700 Million 2 One1730 Surviving The Cut1830 Best Of Discovery Science1930 How The Universe Works2030 Sports Science2130 Some Assembly Required2230 Weaponology2330 Some Assembly Required1030 The Indestructibles1100 Million 2 One1130 Extreme Engineering1230 Best Of Discovery Science1330 How The Universe Works

1350 Million Dollar Baby1620 It's A Boy Girl Thing 1805 Harry Potter And The Half-

Blood Prince 2100 Rise2240 Mortal Kombat0810 Nikita10900 Friends 1000 Million Dollar Baby1230 17 Again

1315 Crank - High Voltage1500 She's The Man1715 Along Came Polly1905 Crocodile II - Death Roll2100 Devil2245 Child's Play 30800 Baxter - Baxter Mcnab0830 Baxter - Cry Me A River0900 The Little Engine That Could1050 Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra-Doo

‘Y M G G K’ at 2030 Hrs onZEE TV1400 Hitler Didi1430 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch

Bahuein1500 Afsar Bitiya1530 Yahaaan Main Ghar Ghar

Kheli1600 Pavitra Rishta1630 Ram Milayi Jodi1800 Hitler Didi1830 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch

Bahuein1900 Afsar Bitiya1930 Choti Bahu 22000 Hitler Didi2030 Yahaaan Main Ghar Ghar

Kheli2100 Pavitra Rishta2130 Ram Milayi Jodi2200 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch

Bahuein2230 Bhagonwali2300 Afsar Bitiya

‘Devil’ at 2100 Hrs on HBO

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 201229The games people playPlaying Field

Rebecca Bryan

LOS ANGELES: Phil Mickelson (below)chipped in for birdie at the final hole onThursday to seize a one-shot lead in the wind-whipped first round of the US PGA Tour’s $6.6million-dollar Northern Trust Open.

Mickelson, who surged to victory with asparkling 64 last Sunday at the Pebble BeachNational Pro-Am, broke out of a tie at the topof the leaderboard, his five-under 66 on thepar-71 Riviera Country Club course giving hima one-shot lead over JB Holmes and HunterMahan.

Holmes, on the comeback trail after brainsurgery brought his 2011 season to a prema-ture halt in September, opened fast with fourbirdies in his first five holes despite difficultgusting winds.

Mahan, who like Holmes started on the10th tee, surged up the leaderboard with fourbirdies in a row from the fifth hole before heclosed his four-under 67 with a par at theninth.

All three were among the players whoseafternoon tee times were pushed back almosthalf an hour as winds gusting up to 35 milesper hour (56 kph) slowed play in the morning.

Jonathan Byrd’s three-under par 68 was thebest round of the chilly, blustery morning andleft him tied for fourth with Sweden’s CarlPettersson — who completed his round just asdarkness halted play with 30 players still to fin-ish on Friday morning.

“It was a challenging day today becauseRiviera doesn’t give you great opportunities torun balls onto the green,” said Mickelson, whoopened his round with a birdie at the par-fivefirst.

His six birdies also included a 30-footer atthe par-three fourth, his lone bogey of the daycoming at 16.

Mickelson said “somewhat receptive”greens kept the wind from making the courseunfair. You could keep the ball underneath thewind, underneath the tree line and still get it tostop somewhat on the greens,” he said.

World number one Luke Donald, who in2011 became the first player to win both theEuropean and US tour money titles in one sea-son, opened his US PGA Tour campaign with aone-under 70.

ROTTERDAM: Tomas Berdych and JuanMartin del Potro (right) joined resting topseed Roger Federer in the Rotterdam Openquarter-finals on Thursday.

Second seed Berdych advanced withonly minimal effort as opponent MarcosBaghdatis quit with a left foot injury after19 minutes on court while trailing 3-0 intheir second round match.

But Del Potro, the number three seedmaking his debut here, had a battle on hishands before he finally got past SlovakKarol Beck 6-4, 7-5.

On Wednesday, Federer moved easilyinto the last eight at the Ahoy stadiumwhen scheduled second round opponentMikhail Youzhny withdrew a day beforetheir contest with a left foot injury.

Federer still had to go out and win hisopening match against FrenchmanNicolas Mahut, which he did, 6-4, 6-4.

Del Potro had to overcome a slightbloody nose which required a medicaltimeout early in the contest with Beck.

Once that was sorted, it was back towork for the 2009 US Open champion,who advanced with nine aces - his last one

earned two match points.Del Potro needed almost two hours to

move into a match against Serb seventhseed Victor Troicki who put out Jesse HutaGalung, the last local player left in thetournament.

“He played so fast and hits with such alow bounce, I really had to keep up,” saidDel Potro of Beck. “It was tough.

“But I focused in the last game on try-ing to get an ace. I got one and I’m justglad that I’m through.”

Frenchman Richard Gasquet, seededfifth, continued his steady progress at hissecond tournament appearance, defeat-ing Russian Alex Bogomolov 6-3, 6-2 whileItaly’s Andreas Seppi dispatched GermanPhilipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 6-2.

The 16th-ranked Gasquet improvedhis record to seven wins this season tonext face Russian Niklay Davydenko.

Nick Parkinson

MUNICH: Vitali Klitschko (above) makesperhaps his penultimate world titledefence on Saturday insisting his domina-tion of the heavyweight scene, along withbrother Wladimir, will not be rememberedas a time of crisis for the division.

Ukrainian Klitschko, 40, defends hisWorld Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweighttitle for the 10th time against Zimbabwe-born, but London-based, Dereck Chisoraat the Olympiahalle in Munich.

After winning the title in 2004 and retir-ing later that year through injury only tothen return in 2008, Klitschko has enjoyedan untroubled reign as champion.

Creditable opponents are running outand Klitschko has said he plans one morefight after Chisora before consideringretirement to concentrate full-time on apolitical career in his homeland ofUkraine.

The 6ft 7in ‘Dr Iron Fist’, who last loston cuts to Lennox Lewis in 2003, is notthinking about his boxing’s legacy just yet.

But Klitschko argued earlier this week

that the heavyweight division is not cur-rently in a slump despite his lack of seri-ous rivals and close contests since Lewisnine years ago.

“Lewis was a big star, as was MikeTyson, but now they’re retired andEvander Holyfield is over the hill,” he said.

“My brother and I have stoppedalmost everyone. Of course, any momentcan bring around a new guy and right nowit’s Chisora.”

“Anyone can win, but I won’t give thema chance. There’s no crisis in boxing. Many

say that we have blocked the division, butthat’s not true. The right motivation andskill can beat us.

“This fight won’t be easy. Everyoneneeds time to build their name. BothWladimir and I are ready for anyone.

“A big name doesn’t always have thebest skills, technique or chin. So, I can’t sayright now just how I rate my performanceoverall.”

Klitschko, whose younger brotherWladimir holds the other three versions ofthe world title, will run for mayor later thisyear on an anti-corruption platform andboxing, for Vitali, is the easy part of his liferight now.

The Ukrainian, who has boxed mostlyin Germany, has been relatively untrou-bled since losing to Lewis — despite beingahead on the scorecards — when his facewas left mangled in Los Angeles.

And despite the looming prospect ofretiring after a professional career thatbegan in 1996 (43 wins, 2 losses), Klitschkofeels he is not showing any signs of slow-ing up after preparing in the Tyroleanmountains in Austria alongside Wladimir.

Vitali nears endgame

Berdych, Potro in quarters

Phil’s chip gainshim the lead

CREDITABLE OPPONENTS ARERUNNING OUT AND KLITSCHKOHAS SAID HE PLANS ONE MOREFIGHT AFTER CHISORA BEFORECONSIDERING RETIREMENT TOCONCENTRATE FULL-TIME ON APOLITICAL CAREER IN HISHOMELAND OF UKRAINE

NEW DELHI: AustralianMichael Nobbs faces his first bigtest as India's field hockey coachas he aims to win the Olympicqualifying tournament starting inNew Delhi on Saturday.

India, past masters in thesport with record eight Olympicmen’s titles, suffered a setbackwhen they failed to make it to the2008 Beijing Games for the firsttime since their maiden appear-ance in 1928.

The hosts have shownencouraging results since Nobbstook over as coach last June,starting with a victory in theinaugural Asian ChampionsTrophy tournament in China.

India then finished runners-up at the Champions Challengetournament before beating SouthAfrica 3-1 in a five-match homeseries in January.

A favourable draw and familiarconditions make 10th-ranked Ind -ia strong favourites in the six-teamgroup comprising Canada (14th),France (18th), Poland (19th), Italy(28th) and Singapore (41st).

Only the winner after around-robin league and final willmake the trip to London.

"I'm confident of qualifyingprovided something does not goawfully wrong and there are no

bad umpiring decisions againstus," Nobbs said ahead of thequalifiers. "Almost all interna-tional teams still fear us. It is thetalent of Indian players thatmakes them potent. We are a nat-urally attacking side."

Three Olympic berths are upfor grabs in the men's section,with the remaining two to bedecided after the qualifying tour-naments in Dublin and theJapanese city of Kakamigahara.

A team can play in only one

event — and win it — to go to theOlympics.

Those who have been given adirect entry to the Olympics aredefending champions Germany,hosts Britain, Argentina,Australia, Belgium, theNetherlands, New Zealand,Pakistan and South Africa.

The London ticket will pro-vide a big boost to India's fieldhockey, a national sport but apoor cousin to cricket.

"Qualifying for the Gamesthis year is very important for thesurvival of hockey in our countryand for its future," Indian mid-fielder Ignace Tirkey said. "I amconfident we will do it this time.Once we qualify, it would givehockey a new lease of life."

The women's qualifiers, to beplayed alongside the men's, willsee South Africa, India, Italy,Canada, Ukraine and Polandvying for the lone Olympic berthfrom the six-team group.

Two more women's qualifierswill be decided after tourna-ments in Belgium and Japan.

Reigning champions theNetherlands, Argentina, Austra lia,China, Germany, Britain, SouthKorea, New Zealand and theUnited States have already made itto the main draw for women. AFP

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 201230The games people playPlaying Field

SYDNEY: Players and news-papers Friday sought answersfrom selectors over the statusof Test wicketkeeper BradHaddin in Australia's teamfor the tri one-day seriesagainst India and Sri Lanka.

Vice-captain ShaneWatson said Haddin deservedclarity given his service toAustralian cricket, while for-mer skipper Ricky Pontingsaid confusion was rife overthe player's place in the ODIteam.

Selectors said Haddin wasbeing "rested" when he wasleft out of Australia's openingthree games in the tri series.But he was again omitted,without explanation from theselectors, when a new squadwas named earlier this week.

The outspoken Haddin,who played in all six homeTests against India and NewZealand this season, said atthe time of his first omissionthat he had in fact beendropped from the ODI team.

Watson, who is fightinghis way back to fitness aftermissing all of the Australianseason with hamstring trou-ble, said he sympathised withHaddin's predicament.

"I actually feel really sorryfor Brad at the moment. He'sbeen left in a bit of limbounfortunately," Watson toldreporters.

"He doesn't know whichway he's going, whether he'sbeing rested or dropped...someone who's played animportant role over the lastfive years in all forms of thegame for Australia I thinkdefinitely deserves to be told

either way what his futureholds."

Ponting backed Haddin inhis interpretation of events.

"I think Brad's been spoton the mark with everythinghe's had to say," Ponting toldThe Sydney Morning Herald.

"It's been made prettyclear now that what Brad'shad to say at the start of theOne-day series looks like it'sthe way it is. He's beenunmoved in his stance on hissituation."

The Australian newspaperdemanded that chief selectorJohn Inverarity clear up the"tedious" situation surround-ing Haddin since his firstomission.

"At the time, JohnInverarity said it was 'veryclear' and that 'as far as theselectors are concerned, he(Haddin) has not beendropped'," the newspapersaid on Friday.

"Then, when the squadwas named for the secondgroup of One-day games,Haddin was not mentioned atall.

"The selectors, specificallyInverarity, must have knowneverybody was interested inthe keeper's fate but chosenot to make any reference toit in the (Cricket Australia)press release."

The Herald saidAustralia's public "can be for-given for remaining puzzled"why Haddin is heading into afour-day Sheffield Shieldgame for New South Wales,rather than facing Sri Lankain Sydney on Friday.

AFP

Aussie selectors asked toexplain Haddin absence

Olympic trip is promising

Almost all interna-tional teams stillfear us. It is thetalent of Indianplayers that makesthem potent. Weare a naturallyattacking side.

India's hockey coachMichael Nobbs

File picture of former Indian national hockey team captain Rajpal Singh, Sports minister Ajay Makenand Indian hockey team coach Michael Jack Nobbs of Australia holding the Champions trophy duringa function in New Delhi. AFP/ SAJJAD HUSSAIN

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 201231The games people playPlaying Field

Tim Hanlon

MADRID: Barcelona hopethat their midweek ChampionsLeague win at Bayer Leve -rkusen will provide the perfectplatform in their desperateattempt to slash Real Madrid'd10-point La Liga advantage.

The Catalan side face a dif-ficult home clash against third-placed Valencia this weekend.

Last week Barca startedwithout Xavi Hernandez,Andres Iniesta and CescFabregas, and a youthful look-ing side struggled in frostyconditions in Pamplonaagainst Osasuna, losing 3-2.

In particular, it was the

defence which was opened uptoo easily and centre-halfGerard Pique was left in thestands during the midweekmatch with Leverkusen, wherethey came out 3-1 winners.

"Our Champions Leagueprogress is what we need to fol-low in the league," saidBarcelona goalkeeper VictorValdes.

"It was an important matchfor us to win againstLeverkusen because they weredifficult opposition and thatshows us what we now need todo in this competition.Without doubt that wouldkeep us going strongly in theleague.”

AVB admits thatsupport is missing

Barça looking for lifeline

IAN WINROW

LONDON: Andre Villas-Boashas admitted that he does notenjoy the full support of hisChelsea squad ahead of the FACup fifth-round meeting withBirmingham City on Saturday.

The manager has endured adifficult first season at StamfordBridge since succeeding CarloAncelotti last summer and lastweekend's defeat at Evertonsparked reports he had lost thedressing room.

Club owner RomanAbramovich has become a regu-lar visitor at the Blues' Cobhamtraining ground, fuelling specula-tion the Russian billionaire isonce again growing impatient inhis quest for more success.

Defeat to Championship out-fit Birmingham would do nothingto strengthen Villas-Boas' posi-tion and could only undermineconfidence ahead of next week'sChampions League last 16 first-leg meeting with Napoli.

But the coach, who hasalready accepted Chelsea arebystanders in this season'sPremier League title race, insistshe retains the full support of

Abramovich even if not all theplayers share his vision of changefor the club.

"They don't have to back myproject. It's the owner who backs

my project," he said. "I think theowner has full trust in me and willcontinue to progress with theideas that we have.

"In the end, that is the objec-

tive of getting us the best positionpossible in the league, plus thesetwo trophies which we are fight-ing for.

"It will be extremely good forus if we win against Birminghamto put ourselves in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

"But we need strong progres-sion in the league and to showour strength. Third place isalready 10 points ahead of us. Wehave to get Champions Leaguequalification."

Didier Drogba is back at theclub from the Africa Cup ofNations but will not be consid-ered for selection, althoughVillas-Boas hopes the striker'spresence will help motivateFernando Torres and RomeluLukaku.

"Drogba gives us anothersolution up front. We've usedTorres in all the games since hewent away," Villas-Boas said.

John Terry and Ashley Colewill again be missing withinjuries but midfielder Ramiresshould return. Chelsea's causewill be helped by the fact thatBirmingham are focused more onsecuring promotion back into thePremier League than the cup.

Cash woedampensRangersAlistair Watson

GLASGOW: CarlosBocanegra has called onRangers supporters to rallyround the team againstKilmarnock on Saturdayafter what has been themost turbulent week in theclub’s 140-year history.

The Ibrox club is fight-ing for its financial survivalafter it entered into admin-istration on Tuesday follow-ing the non-payment ofaround £9 million in taxsince Craig Whyte’stakeover of the club in May2011.

Ally McCoist’s side wereimmediately docked 10points by the ScottishPremier League to all butend their hopes of clinch-ing their fourth title in arow.

Rangers remain secondbut trail rivals Celtic by 14points and are awaiting atax tribunal verdict whichcould leave them with a billof up to £75 million.

Despite this adminis-trators Duff and Phelps saythey are confident Rangerswill survive as a footballclub and confirmed thatSaturday's game againstKilmarnock will go aheadas planned at Ibrox.

American captainBocanegra admits it hasbeen a difficult week foreveryone associated withthe club.

But he says he is nowdetermined that he and histeam mates produce a per-formance to lift the sup-porters this weekend.

"They give us excellentsupport and I hope thateveryone still comes out tocheer us on," he said.

"As players we need togo out and perform andgive them something to behappy about. They needsomething at the weekendto raise the spirits but theyare all staying behind usand the support at this clubhas been fantastic.”

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 201232The games people playPlaying Field

PORTO: Manchester Cityclaimed on Friday that MarioBalotelli and Yaya Toure wereracially abused during theEuropa League clash againstPorto, media reports said.

City came from a goaldown to beat the defendingchampions 2-1 at the Estadiodo Drago, but the BBC report-ed that club officials hadinformed them that the twoblack players had been target-ted by sections of the homecrowd.

After the final whistle Citymanager Roberto Mancinisaid he had heard nothingunusual.

"I didn't hear the noise,because I was concentratingon the game," he said.

But it was claimed thatafter the game Balotelli hadtold a City official that he wassubjected to racial abuse fromthe stands. The club thenannounced that they intendedto report it to UEFA.

Mancini added later: "Ididn't hear [any racist chant-ing], sorry."

"I think Mario Balotelliand Yaya Toure are too strong[to be affected by it]."

Toure confirmed he had"heard something" from thestands.

"That's why we all like thePremier League, because itnever happens there," he toldSky Sports.

PORTO: Manchester City camefrom behind to beat defendingchampions Porto 2-1 at Estadiodo Dragao on Thursday and takea sizeable step towards the

Europa League last 16.A late goal from substitute

Sergio Aguero completed a pre-cious away win for Roberto Manc -ini's side and condemned Porto to

their first home defeat in Europeancompetition in eight games.

Silvestre Varela had givenPorto the lead mid-way throughthe first half but Alvaro Pereira's55th-minute own goal drew thePremier League leaders levelbefore Aguero secured victorywith six minutes to play.

Having emerged from one ofEurope's most daunting awaygrounds with victory — not tomention two away goals — Citywill be favourites to progressahead of the second leg atEastlands next Wednesday.

"I think that we played a goodgame," City coach Mancini toldITV.

"We played very well. In thefirst half we had three or fourchances to score and we werereally unlucky. In the secondhalf we played really well.”

AMSTERDAM: ManchesterUnited made a winning start totheir Europa League debut onThursday after goals from AshleyYoung and Javier Hernandezhanded them a 2-0 first-leg victo-ry over Ajax at the AmsterdamArena.

Young, who has only recentlyreturned to action following alengthy injury lay-off, struckUnited's first on 59 minutesbefore Hernandez added the sec-ond five minutes from time togive the English champions acommanding advantage.

"I'm delighted with the score-line," said United manager SirAlex Ferguson.

"It was a very ordinary perfor-mance by us. We didn't reach anygreat heights in the game but wedid improve in the second halfand we deserved to win it."

Ferguson said Hernandez'late strike had given United agolden chance to advance to thelast 16.

"It gives us a good opportuni-ty," Ferguson said. "We're nottaking anything for granted but athome, at Old Trafford — we'venow got a good opportunity toget through."

Ajax coach Frank de Boerstruck a pessimistic tone after hisside's defeat.

"For us to do somethingagainst Manchester, you have to

really be at 100 per cent, whichwasn't the case tonight," he said.

"There's a difference in classbetween the two clubs. I don'tthink we're going to win 3-0 overthere!"

Antonio Valencia damagedhis hamstring 10 minutes afterreplacing Ashley Young, as heinstigated the move that pro-duced the cushion of a second forJavier Hernández. The Ecuador

international was immediatelysubstituted and is expected tomiss next week's return againstFrank de Boer's side, the leaguegames against Norwich, Spursand West Brom.

Javier’s prayers answered,but Valencia injury hurts

Sergio sees City surgefrom behind in Porto

Balotelli,Toure‘abused’