Epaper Delhi English Edition 05-05-2013

F
or roasons that aro quito inoxplioablo, pooplo outsido

Now Dolhi's oharmod oirolo oxpoot |ournalists to havo
answors to tho most oomplox o quostions. Ono quostion
that dogs roprosontativos o tho modia at sooial
gathorings and at oasual roadsido mootings with rolativo
strangors is: Whon will olootions bo hold?
t's a quostion that, idoally, shouldn't bo askod. On tho
aoo o it, tho UPA-2 Govornmont may bo in a minority but
it still has tho oapaoity to outvoto tho Opposition in tho
Lok Sabha. t has tho ability to got tho Finanoo Bill
passod, alboit without any worthwhilo disoussion; it still
possossos tho numbors to got tho Land Aoquisitions Bill
and tho Food Soourity Bill passod, rogardloss o thoir
inhoront imporootions; and in tho ovont o somoono
aotually gotting tho numbors to movo a no-oonidonoo
motion, tho Govornmont still has tho manoouvrability to
got it dooatod, using moans that aro both air or dodgy.
Thoro is no roal throat o tho Govornmont alling on tho
loor o tho Houso.
Tho quostion novortholoss arisos: Why do pooplo
porsist with this quostion? Why, or that mattor, havo Tv
ohannols alroady startod proparations or a gonoral
olootion, oggod on porhaps by know-alls who insist that
Novombor/ Dooombor 2013 oould bo tho timo o
rookoning?
Aooidonts do happon in politios and tho bost plans
oan oton go awry thanks to tho unorosoon
oonsoquonoos o a rolativoly trivial inoidont. t is also
possiblo, as somo say, that onoouragod by a positivo
vordiot in Karnataka and oarul o tho possiblo drubbing
in tho Assombly olootions in Madhya Pradosh, Pa|asthan,
Chhattisgarh and Dolhi, tho Congross may opt or a
damago limitation
sohomo. Tho oaloulation
is that it would bo bottor
to ight tho our Assombly
and Lok Sabha olootions
simultanoously in ordor to
provont tho post-
Dooombor domoralisation
rom inooting tho
Congross moralo.
Against this aro thoso
who insist that tho
Congross noods a littlo
moro timo or two things.
First, to onsuro tho
passago o thoir two so-
oallod lagship Bills, and
timo to allow moro pooplo
to onrol in tho Aadhaar
sohomo; and sooond, to
allow moro timo or tho
ooonomio indioators to
improvo.
'Tomorrow will bo
bottor' is not moroly tho
motto o stook markot
puntors, it is tho oonstant
rorain o thoso whoso
uturo at prosont sooms rathor gloomy. Ator all, ma|or
politioal dooisions aron't moroly takon by thoso who will
sook ro-olootion; thoy aro also hoavily inluonood by tho
largor durbar whioh stands to loso tho most in tho ovont
o a ohango in Govornmont. Ton months, ator all, to
massaoro tho ossonoo o Harold Wilson's obsorvation,
oan bo a vory long timo in politios-suioiont timo or
darknoss to turn to light.
ronioally, tho olootions-as-por-sohodulo oamp has
unlikoly supportors in tho Opposition. For a sootion o tho
BJP, tho intorrognum oould bo usod to ooot tho ull
transition o Gu|arat Chio Ministor Narondra Modi rom a
rogional playor to tho national altornativo.
n tho past ow wooks, havo hoard muttorings about
Modi boing ovor-oxposod and "poaking" too oarly. To my
mind, this is rubbish. n a oountry as largo and divorso as
ndia, it takos a vory long timo or a politioal mossago to
soop into tho looalitios. Modi is a hit among most o tho
middlo olassos and thoso who aro aooustomod to
watohing Tv nows ohannols. But tho buzz rom Middlo
ndia will still nood timo to ooho in othor quartors-and
moro so sinoo tho BJP has imbibod tho PSS tradition o
bolioving that a yoar has 18 months.
For Modi's many dotraotors, both within tho BJP and
in tho NDA, a hasty rush to tho polls is unwoloomo. Thoy
hopo that tho intorvoning months will givo Modi a long
onough ropo to oommit politioal hara-kiri. As things stand
at prosont, tho groundswoll within tho BJP in avour o
Modi is proving to bo moro and moro irrosistiblo. Ananth
Kumar disoovorod this at a Bangaloro rally whoro ho was
boood; and Shatrughan Sinha in Bihar ound this whon
his thundorous proolamation o a NDA Govornmont lod by
LK Advani was intorruptod by shouts o "Modi, Modi".
Tho Gu|arat Chio Ministor's dotraotors oan't hopo to
matoh him in all-ndia popularity or oharisma. Thoir bost
hopo is that oithor Modi will sol-dostruot or that tho PSS
will bo porsuadod that ambivalonoo ovor a loador is
proorablo to oortitudo.
Tho irony is that thoso politioal gamos aro going on in
a raroiod world. Tho roason why tho PP\ porson porsists
with quorios ovor tho timing o tho olootion doosn't roquiro
a Posotta Stono to dooiphor: Thoro is oomploto
oxasporation with a dysunotional and oynioal
Govornmont that gots moro and moro disoroditod with
ovory passing day. Unliko many o us who got an
opportunity to oxpross our disaootion through
nowspapor oolumns and Tv ohat shows, most pooplo
oan only spoak through thoir voto. To my mind, thoy aro
gotting inoroasingly impationt to do |ust that. ndia's
traditional sonso o atalism may havo orodod ar moro
than politioians havo aotorod.
"t is not oorruption but oasto that mattors" is tho piooo
o wisdom givon to mo last wook whon suggostod that
tho noxt olootion oould bo about a droam and a
nightmaro. don't know who is going to bo provod right
or whothor tho ndian muddlo will provo us both wrong.
But ono thing is oortain: Things oan't oontinuo liko this
indoinitoly. ndia noods a Govornmont.
ndia od up o
dysunotional Govt
USUALSUSPECTS
SwAFAh 0AS0uFTA
Unlike many of us
who get an
opportunity to
express our
disaffection through
newspaper columns
and TV chat shows,
most people can only
speak through their
vote. To my mind,
they are getting
increasingly impatient
to do just that
FIhEE hEW8 8EVI6E Q
hEw 0ELh/MuMBA
W
ith the UPA Government
facing a fresh crisis, the
top leadership of the Congress
went into a huddle on Saturday
to discuss Railway Minister
Pawan Kumar Bansal's fate fol-
lowing his nephew's arrest by
the CBI for allegedly trying to
fix top level promotions in the
Railway Board.
Though hugely embar-
rassed, the Congress Core
Group (CCG) decided to stick
with Bansal for the time being,
especially in view of the
Karnataka Assembly polls on
Sunday, as his resignation could
damage the electoral prospects
of the party in the State.
For his part, Bansal met
Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh twice during the day and
even offered to resign. Later, he
presented his stance before
Congress president Sonia
Gandhi and other CCG mem-
bers. The Congress remained
tightlipped on the meeting but
sources said that Bansal main-
tained he had no business links
with his nephew and expressed
his wish to explain his position
in Parliament. The CCG is
likely to meet again on Sunday
to take a decision.
Distancing himself from
his nephew Vijay Singla, Bansal
also issued a statement:
Regarding yesterday's (Friday)
incident involving my sister's
son in a CBI raid in Chandigarh,
I have to say that I had no
knowledge or clue about the
matter at all. Though a close rel-
ative, he or any other relative of
mine does not and cannot med-
dle in my official functions or
influence my decisions. There is
also no business relationship
between his and my family. I
have always observed highest
standards of probity in public
life and look forward to an expe-
ditious investigation by the CBI
in the matter.
While Singla was remanded
in CBI custody for four days by
a Delhi court, a special court in
Mumbai granted two days' tran-
sit remand for Member (Staff) of
the Railway Board Mahesh
Kumar who was later suspend-
ed by the Railway Ministry. The
Ministry also issued a state-
ment seeking to assert that the
appointment of Members of
Railway Board, Financial
Commissioner (Railways) and
Chairman, Railway Board could
not be influenced as these were
governed by Tenure Linked
Norms approved by the
Appointments Committee of
the Cabinet and notified by the
Government.
As for further aspirational
postings said to be desired by
Mahesh Kumar, the Ministry
said no relevant Board level post
is vacant at present. It also said
there was no wrongdoing in
Kumar's appointment.
Turn to Page 6
khI kTTk Q hEw 0ELh
A
breakthrough in the Indo-
China standoff following
the latter's incursion in Ladakh
is likely before External Affairs
Minister Salman Khurshid
travels to Beijing on May 9.
The two sides are expect-
ed to arrive at an agreement
with New Delhi thinking
about agreeing to go slow on
construction of bunkers in
the disputed area and Beijing
reciprocating by pulling back
its troops to their original
position across the Line of
Actual Control (LAC).
However, India will not
agree to stop modernisation of
Daulat Beg Oldi and Nayoma
airfields in Ladakh, which
according to China poses a
strategic threat to Karakoram
Highway. China had raised
objections to construction of
bunkers, roads and airfields in
the entire stretch from
Karakoram to the eastern edge
of Siachen during the two flag
meetings held between local
commanders last week to
resolve the ongoing impasse,
sources said here on Saturday.
Daulat Beg Oldi airfield is
about 30 km from the face-off
site in Depsang Valley and
forms part of the Karakoram-
Eastern Siachen region. It is
strategically important for
India too.
While the Government is
willing to give and take on the
issue of slowing down con-
struction of bunkers and other
developmental works in this
region, halting the moderni-
sation of the airfields as part of
proposed bargain is ruled out,
they said. The two sides have
increased diplomatic efforts to
come to an agreement on
these broad lines, officials said
adding Beijing is likely to
agree and pull back its troops
to pre-April 15 position when
the incursion took place.
For his part, Defence
Minister AK Antony on Satur-
day briefed the President about
the incursion and steps taken
to resolve the issue, a day after
the NDA met the President to
express concern over Chinese
incursion and killing of Sarabjit
Singh in a Pakistani jail.
Turn to Page 6
FTI Q hEw 0ELh / ChAh00ARh /
SLAMABA0 / LAh0RE
P
akistani prisoner Sanaullah
Ranjay, who was injured in
a scuffle with another inmate
in a Jammu jail, was stated to
be critical and in deep coma.
He is on ventilator
and in deep coma.
He continues to be
critically sick, said
an update issued by
the PGIMER on
Saturday night. The
Pakistan High
Commission offi-
cials had earlier in
the day visited
Sanaullah at the
PGIMER.
Pakistans care-
taker Prime Minister Mir
Hazar Khan Khoso called on
his Indian counterpart to per-
sonally look into the attack and
ensure a thorough investiga-
tion. In a statement, Khoso
expressed deep concern over
the incident and noted that a
large number of Pakistani
nationals were incarcerated in
Indian prisons.
It is our expectation that
the Indian
G o v e r n m e n t
would ensure the
safety of Pakistani
prisoners in Indian
jails and also facil-
itate expeditious
release of all those
who have complet-
ed their jail terms,
Khoso said.
Me anwhi l e,
India granted con-
sular access on a
daily basis to Pakistan officials
to visit Sanaullah at PGI in
Chandigarh.
Turn to Page 6
Th khhkThk Q MuMBA
B
ollywood actor Ranbir
Kapoor found himself in an
embarrassing situation on
Saturday, as the Customs offi-
cials detained him at the city
international airport and
imposed a fine of C60,000 on
him for carry-
ing undeclared
branded per-
sonal goods on
his return
from London.
T h i r t y -
year-old Ranbir, who arrived at
the Chhatrapati Shivaji
International Airport (CSIA)
from London by a British
Airways flight, was intercepted
by the Customs officials while
he was walking away without
declaring branded personal
goods that he was carrying.
Turn to Page 6
k1E8h kMk Q hEw 0ELh
T
aking a cue from corporate houses, the Delhi
Government's Public Sector Undertaking
(PSU) Delhi State Industrial Infrastructure
Development Corporation (DSIIDC) has spent
quite a fortune for booking a high-end corpo-
rate box in Feroz Shah Kotla stadium for seven
Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.
The tax payers money is being splurged to
appease powers to be and the families of
bureaucrats and contractors. Strangely, the
decision to book the corporate box was taken
by the DSIIDC top brass without even inform-
ing the Government. Normally, big corporate
houses buy corporate boxes in such matches to
oblige their clients, further their business inter-
ests and also to build their image.
Top sources told The Pioneer that DSIIDC
has spent C22 lakh for corporate box to oblige
Turn to Page 6
00a hacks 8aasaI f0r a0W
E
ven as the BJP went all out
against Railway Minister
PK Bansal, NDA convenor
and JD(U) president
Sharad Yadav on Saturday
struck an entirely different
note by coming out strongly
in support of the senior
Congress leader.
Virtually absolving Bansal
of any fault, Yadav said: If any
relative of a political leader is
involved in corruption then
what is the fault of that leader.
I have known Pawan Bansal
for a long time. He has been
in Parliament for a long time.
What has he to do with it, if
his nephew is taking bribe?
|Ji+ uu|iJ || |iJ| u| R+ilW+] |i|i|| P+W+| |u|+| B+|+l i| |W l|i
u| S+|u|J+] Pll
Fh8 Q hEw 0ELh
T
he Opposition, as well as
the UPA' s supporter
Samajwadi Party on Saturday
demanded Railway Minister
Pawan Kumar Bansal's sacking,
besides his prosecution.
Terming the UPA dispen-
sation a 'Cash and Carry
Government' , Leader of
Opposition in the Rajya Sabha
Arun Jaitley said the
Government, mired in sever-
al scams, has lost its shame
and dignity.
His deputy in the House
Ravi Shankar Prasad even
appealed to President Pranab
Mukherjee to exercise his
authority so that the Railway
Minister is brought to book.
Prasad said the latest
charges of corruption in the
Government further rein-
forces their demand for the
Prime Minister's resignation.
This Government is no more
a Government of middlemen.
It is a Government of dealers,
brokers and middlemen, where
every Government decision is
up for sale and you must be
prepared to offer the price. The
Congress has reduced the
Government to a bazaar where
every decision is tradable. This
is a very shocking and dis-
tressing state of affairs, Prasad
said adding this is a copybook
case for Bansal's prosecution.
Turn to Page 6
10[0) chIef hats
f0r 8Iy MIaIster
8aahIr ka00r
fIae4 f0r a0t
4ecIarIa 004s
Palistani officials
visit critical inmate
DSDC splurges on PL
box, keeps Govt in dark
Mumbai: Two years after playing major roles
in the World Cup final that the hosts won,
Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh find them-
selves omitted from the
Indian squad for the
next major ICC event,
the Champions Trophy
commencing June 6.
Gambhir and Yuvraj,
both 31 and left-handed, under-performed in
the two previous ODI rubbers at home against
Pakistan and England, leading to their sacking.
The selectors have wielded the axe on this senior
duo for this indifferent display.
Detailed report on P10
6amhhIr, I0vraj 4r0e4
fr0m 0hamI0as Ir0hy
ndia could slow
down conslruclion o
bunkers in disuled
area and Beijing may
ull back ils lroos
E|J |u l|JuC|i|+
|+u|| i| i||
heW eIhi: n a slralegic move lo
counler China's growing re
sence in lhe ndian 0cean region
and Arabian Sea, ndia on
Salurday announced lhal il will
ugrade ran's crucial Chabahar
Forl lhal gives a lransil roule lo
landlocked Aghanislan. Exlernal
Aairs Minisler Salman Khurshid
conveyed lhis decision lo Tehran
during his ongoing lhreeday
visil. An exerl leam rom ndia
will visil ran lo assess invesl
menl needed or lhe ugradalion
o lhe orl on lhe ranFakislan
border. Sources said $1OO million
is required or lhe modernisalion.
This orl is imorlanl or ndia in
lhe conlexl o China laking over
0wadar Forl in Fakislan some
monlhs back and lhis orl is
aboul 8O km rom Chabahar Forl.
l is surrounded by a ree lrade
/one and is crucial, arlicularly
since Fakislan does nol allow
lransil acilily rom ndia lo
Aghanislan. Fh8
0hahahar F0rt
revam: Ia4Ia's
$100m m0ve t0
c00ater 0hIaa
S+|+ull+|
The UPA
Government, which
is mired in several
scams, has lost its
shame and dignity
ARUN JATLEY
Resignations and
non-resignations
make no sense. We
want the culprits to
be punished
STARAM YECHURY
'uPA |+ |JuJ u1| |u |+++|
Minister offers
to resign, says
no lusiness linls
witl nelew
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R
iding high on the success of
Shootout At Lokhandwala,
this movie based on a true, first
of its kind recorded encounter
by Mumbai Police, has some
elements that makes one sit up
and pay attention.
Directed by Sanjay Gupta,
the movie is set in the 70s and
early 80s. However, Shootout At
Wadala is no patch on the
previous SAL the action is
tame and even the encounter
which is supposed to be the
high-point of the movie is
tame. In fact, the audience feels
a tad cheated. After all, the
movie builds up to the
encounter only to get over in a
few seconds with most of the
shots being fired by the cops.
But the movie has several
saving graces. First, there is the
performance by John Abraham.
His portrayal of Manohar
Surve to Manya Surve, his rise
from a Bachelor of Arts
graduate from Kirti College to
a gangster has been brilliantly
essayed. The rest of the cast has
also given a passable
performance.
But what stand out are the
dialogues that are
delivered with a lot of
impact. Police ki goli
mein itna loha hain,
ek baar kha li na
toh zindagi bhar tere
khoon mein kabhi iron ki
kami nahin hogi and
tum galat karoge, toh
hum rokengey. Tum
gunaah karoge
toh hum
thokenge.
Agar tum ho
toh hum hai
by Anil
Kapoor are
not only
delivered
with a
perfect tone
but are also
timed
brilliantly. In
fact, its the
dialogues that
keep the viewers
entertained for
most part of the
movie whose
outcome is
known from the
first shot.
Go for the
reality quotient
and out of the
box one-liners.
S|+li|i S+||+
T
he four short stories by the fab
four directors are very aam
aadmi and yet very stunning,
quite apart from anything aam in
presentation. As a genre, (a short
stories feature film), Bombay Talkies
absolutely lives up to your
expectations not just with moving
storylines but also with powerful
presentation and refreshing direction
to all the drama packed in the around
30-minute tales.
It is a wholesome tribute to 100
years of cinema, and the way it has
been woven together, similar and yet
so distinct, breeds hope and promise
that our cinema is not hurtling, it is
rising to the occasion. And if such
cinema can be made, Bollywood is
actually much more arrived than its
song and dance tag.
Starting with a take on
homosexuality, Karan Johar puts up a
hard-hitting inaugural mount very
away from the larger than life family
drama and over-the-top romances he
is known for. Here, he is spartan, to
the point, potent and refreshingly
different. Rani Mukherjee as the sexy
journalist wife of Randeep Hooda, the
TV presenter, makes her mark not
just with her cleavage showing blouses
and ethnic cotton sarees but also with
her burst of histrionics in her
moment of discovery. The song, ajeeb
dastan hai yeh, especially when sung
by a beggar girl, gets to you as no
other song has done in a long, long
while.
My personal favourite though was
Zoya Akhtars small boy wanting to be
a dancer like Katrina Kaif, hiding his
dream from his strict dad and helping
his sister go for a trip her father cant
afford. Its a moving story and the
child actor is just perfect.
Deebakar Banerjee is himself and
even if the tag of it being his story
hadnt popped up, you would have
known it is his baby. Of course, the
elan with which Nawazuddin Siddiqui
portrays a failed theatre artist who
finds his want in an impromptu role
he is asked to play in a film, engages
you, and not just briefly.
Anurag Kashyap, on the other
hand, gets reality bites on tape in style
when he sends a UP bhaiyya all the
way from Allahabad to Mumbai to
make Amitabh Bachchan bite into an
amla murabba just to make his dying
father happy. His tears join your tears,
his angst evokes yours and thats
the beauty of being with Kashyap. But
dont move away as the credits start
rolling. The showstopper comes after
that. Thats a stunner too!
NEW DELH SUNDAY MAY 5, 2013
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Pura}, Sal]arPale| hagar, Jara| Pur|, heru P|ace}, 8|g 0deor,
ho|da, Va|sa||, Kausaro|, 0. ho|da}, wave Rajagarder, ho|da,
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0deor, ho|da, Va|sa||, Kausaro|, 0.ho|da}, wave Rajagarder,
ho|da, Kausaro|}, Sp|ce ho|da}, SRS C|reras, 0a|ax|e, Slarx
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lrox & 0 C|reras Far|daoad}.
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Sa|el, Sa||rar, Vasarl Kurj}, PVR Sa|el, C|l] wa||, hara|ra,
V||aspur|, Prasarl V|ar, E0V, Sal]arPale| hagar, Jara| Pur|,
heru P|ace}, Vov|e T|re Rajagarder, P|lar Pura}, Fur Luxr|
hagar, Kar|ardoora}, 8|g ho|da, 0realer ho|da}, wave ho|da,
Kausaro|}, Slarx Va|sa||}, VVX, SRS C|reras, Vov|e wor|d
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oordarshan
AH
04:30 Aaradara
05:00 0]ar 0arsar
05:27 Varde Valarar
05:30 Ser|es
00:00 SWararja||
00:30 horl Easl Rourd up
00:55 Sars|r|l Saracar
07:00 Saracar
07:15 heWs For lear|rg lrpa|red
07:30 E| 8elar Saraj K| Aur
08:00 Rargo||
09:00 Cu|ou|| F||r Calpal| 0up
Sup
10:00 8oolral
10:30 Jarur|]a
11:00 Rara]ar
11:59 Te heWs
FH
03:00 wo lue ha larare
03:30 Ve|r 8aou| Ke 0es
00:30 Race ard Ra||]
07:00 Rajdar| Saracar
07:15 l|raca| 0|ar]
07:30 Cr|re up 0ale
08:00 Te heWs
08:15 Saracar
08:30 Ye Z|rdag| la| 0u|sar
09:00 Ye la| lrd|a Ver| Jaar
10:00 E| Prer Kala
10:30 Sar|al Vocar laruraar
11:00 8r|dg|rg Te 0ap: KroW|rg
Te Se|l
$tar $ports
AH
00:30 Tola| lla||ar Fooloa|| 2012/13
07:00 Auslra||a Tour ol lrd|a 2013
l/|s : 2rd Tesl 0a] 4
07:30 Soul Alr|ca Tour ol Erg|ard
2012 l/|s : 1sl Tesl 0a] 2
08:00 w|ro|edor LaWr Terr|s
Carp|ors|ps : 2011
worer's S|rg|es F|ra|: Pelra
Kv|lova vs. Var|a Sarapova
08:30 Vax|s Fooloa|| Exlra
09:30 Te Fooloa|| Rev|eW
10:00 Fu|| T|re Acl|or
10:30 Fu|| T|re Reacl|or
11:00 Soul Alr|ca Tour ol Erg|ard
2012 l/|s : 1sl Tesl 0a] 2
Carp|ors|ps : 2011
worer's S|rg|es F|ra|: Pelra
Kv|lova vs. Var|a Sarapova
FH
12:30 Sac|r Te 0real
01:00 Tola| lla||ar Fooloa|| 2012/13
01:30 Fu|| T|re Acl|or
02:00 Fu|| T|re Reacl|or
03:00 Scorecasl Surda]
03:55 lla||ar Ser|e A 2012/13 :
ud|rese vs. Sarpdor|a
00:00 8arc|a]s Prer|er League
2012/13 : L|verpoo| vs.
Everlor
08:00 Super Surda]
08:25 8arc|a]s Prer|er League
2012/13 : Varcesler ur|led
vs. Ce|sea
10:30 KFC TWerl]20 8|g 8as
League 2012/13 l/|s
Carp|ors|ps : 2012 Ver's
S|rg|es F|ra|: Roger Federer
vs. Ard] Vurra]
11:30 Te Fooloa|| Rev|eW
Ten $ports
AH
05:30 ATP 1000 Vaslers 2013 l/|s :
Vorlecar|o Ro|ex Vaslers
00:30 ATP 500 Ser|es 2013 l/|s :
F|ra|: 8arce|ora 0per 8arc
Saoade||
07:30 wwE: Superslars
08:30 lCC Cr|c|el 300
09:00 uEFA Carp|ors League
2012/13 : Ser| F|ra|: 2rd Leg
8arca vS. 8a]err Vur|c
2012/13 : Ser| F|ra|: 2rd Leg
R. Vadr|d vs. 8. 0orlrurd
FH
01:00 uEFA Europa League
2012/13 l/|s : Ser| F|ra|: 2rd
Leg
02:15 Volo0P wor|d Carp|ors|p
2013 : Race: 0rar Prer|o
oW|r de Espara Jerez
00:30 wwE: hXT
07:30 lCC Cr|c|el 300
2012/13 l/|s : Ser| F|ra|:
Valcda] 12 2rd Leg
09:00 uEFA Europa League
2012/13 l/|s : Ser| F|ra|: 2rd
Leg
10:00 wTA Vagaz|re SoW 2013
10:30 wwE: hXT
2012/13 : Ser| F|ra|: 2rd Leg
R. Vadr|d vs. 8. 0orlrurd
N00
AH
04:00 Pre|slor|c Par|
05:00 Ar|ra| Fug|l|ves
00:00 Creal|ve V|s|or
07:00 P|arel Carr|vore
08:00 V|ss|or Coversol
10:00 Vosl Araz|rg Vorerls
11:00 0argerous Ercourlers
FH
12:00 Vor|e] T|eves
12:30 Vor|e] T|eves
01:00 lrs|de
02:00 Taooo
03:00 Secords lror 0|sasler
04:00 0argerous Ercourlers
05:00 8rea|oul
00:30 Caugl |r le Acl
07:00 V|ss|or Coversol
09:00 S|lual|or Cr|l|ca|
10:00 Scar C|l]
11:00 Taooo
L|fe 0k
AH
05:00 0evor Ke 0ev... Vaadev
00:00 Te|esopp|rg
08:00 Rara]ara: Te Ep|c
10:00 lur he L| la|...Sapal :
SuperCops vs Superv|||a|rs
FH
12:00 louselu|| 2
03:30 8esl ol Savdaar lrd|a: lrd|a
F|gls 8ac| : 100 0a]s 100
F|gloac|s
F|gls 8ac|
F|gls 8ac| : 100 0a]s 100
F|gloac|s
10:00 Savdar lrd|a lrd|a F|gls
8ac| : 100 0a]s 100
F|gloac|s
11:00 Ra|sa|
NTV |nd|a
AH
00:00 Kaoar lrd|a
07:30 0ocurerlar]
08:00 heWs h0TV lrd|a
08:30 0oog|]
10:30 Erlerla|rrerl Spec|a|
11:30 lrd|a |s alle
FH
01:30 Za||a lrd|a Ka
02:30 C|rera lrd|a
04:00 Vuqao|a
07:30 0oog|]
08:00 lur Log
09:30 Rallaar
10:30 Erlerla|rrerl Spec|a|
11:30 Ce|| 0uru
$tar Hov|es
04:14 Te Cao|e 0u]
05:45 27 0resses
08:02 R|o
10:02 lrdeperderce 0a]
FH
12:30 Te V|ra| Faclor
03:04 hal|ora| Treasure: 8oo| ol
Secrels
05:30 K|rg Korg
09:00 0ragorearl
11:11 R|se ol le P|arel ol le Apes
h80
AH
04:05 Te Russ|a louse
00:10 8orr or le Fourl ol Ju|]
08:35 Cals & 0ogs
10:20 lop
FH
12:20 V| ss| or: lrposs| o| e0osl
Proloco|
03:00 0ue 0ale
04:50 0rg 8a| 2
00:40 Te TW|||gl Saga: Ec||pse
09:00 Erer] ol le Slale
11:54 Sao||r Soccer
$ony F|x
AH
01:20 Vore] Tra|r
02:45 A|org Care Po||]
04:10 Te K|le Rurrer
84u Hov|es
AH
04:00 F|||er
00:00 Te|esopp|rg
08:00 Sarr||ee
10:45 Te|esopp|rg
FH
12:00 E| 0uuje Ke L|]e
02:00 Te|esopp|rg
04:00 Kaar Ka P|ol
00:00 Te|esopp|rg
08:30 Erg||s 8aou 0es| Ver
|sney 0hanne|
AH
07:00 0oraeror
10:30 Te Su|le L|le ol Karar & Kao|r
2}
11:00 0oraeror
FH
2}
03:30 Sa|e ll up
04:00 Arl Allac|
04:30 Cugg|rglor
05:30 lave a Laug
00:00 larlaro
07:00 P|reas ard Fero
08:00 Sa|e ll up
2}
09:00 Poo's 0rard Adverlure: Te
Searc lor Cr|sloper Roo|r
11:00 8esl 0l Luc| h|||| 2}
Hov|es 0k
AH
02:35 S|road: 8e]ord le Ve|| ol
V|sls
04:00 Te|esopp|rg
00:00 Arjaara Arjaar|
09:15 Jajarlarar Vararlarar
FH
12:00 K|cd|: Te Vov|e
02:45 Kusl|
05:45 Casre 8uddoor
09:00 Read]
Zee 0|nema
AH
04:00 Voaooal
07:20 Jarral
10:45 0arar Veer
FH
02:15 Sa|aa|er
05:40 Judaa|
09:00 ha]a|
$tar 0o|d
AH
02:40 Aaj Ka 8aadsa
04:00 Te|erarl
00:00 Ao Ke 8aras
09:10 Vaa L|le lo To A|s|
FH
12:00 Cup Cup Ke
03:50 0ragor T|ger 0ale
05:40 waa Tera K]a Kera
09:00 0argerous K||ad|
Zee 0|ass|c
AH
04:10 C|ass|c Legerds 2}
05:00 8aoa Rardev Ka Yog
00:00 0are Sure Arsure
00:30 Te|esopp|rg
00:52 8ool 8urg|a
09:39 8elaao
FH
12:47 Ka||carar
03:43 Jor] Vera haar
07:00 Vera haar Jo|er
10:29 8agaWal
80a, aat0re, m0sIc, aeWs, 40c0meatarIes aa4 feat0res
0I8FM
F80I8FM
M0IFF8F
Fl8 I008 0I 08III0'8 00I0F
FOOD
The Sunday Brunch at Shangri-
las Eros Hotel. Packages: C2950
plus taxes per person with
unlimited champagne, C2500
plus taxes per person (wine and
beer package) C2250 plus taxes
per person (non-alcoholic
package)
THEATRE
Behroopiya Entertainers
presents Run for your Wife at
FICCI Auditorium on May 5 at
7:30pm. Ticket: C300 to C1000
EVENT
Take The Stage 2013 - An
interactive Workshop and Stage
Performance at Kamani
Auditorium from 10:30am to
4pm on May 5
MOVIE
Watch Enemy of the State, a
action-thriller on HBO at 9 pm
starring Will Smith, Gene
Hackman, Jon Voight, Regina
King, Barry Pepper
Printed and pubIished by Chandan Mitra for and on behaIf of CMYK Printech Ltd., 2nd FIoor, Link House, 3 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New DeIhi-110 002, and printed at Jagran Prakashan Ltd, D 210,211 Sector-63, Noida (U.P.). Editor: Chandan Mitra. AIR SURCHARGE of C 2.00 East: CaIcutta, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, North Leh West:
Mumbai & Ahmedabad South: Hyderabad, BangaIore & Chennai. CentraI : Khajuraho, DeIhi TeIephones: Board No. 40754100/ 9871234271. Lucknow Office: 4th FIoor, Sahara Shopping Centre, Faizabad Road, Lucknow-226 016. TeIephones: 0522-2346443, 2346444, 2346445.
t: 0I 0Iaemas &
0thers
8ate4: 8.5/10
8aaI M0kherjee,
mItahh 8achchaa,
8aa4ee 004a
Ia
80M8I IlkIF8
80w IIMF 8FF II 00MI86
MEEhAKSh RA0
60 60a 60ae
6II
Ia: 8aIf II khaa, k0aaI khem0, Ir
0as, F0ja 60ta, aaa4 IIWarI
Ia: 8Iya Ij, 0Ivya 00tta, Iaaha
8hah, 000rva IrIathI, rhat ka4WaaI,
1ayatI M04I, MrIaaI 0haWIa, 4Itya
0eshaa4e, Faakaj 0heer
H
ardik (Kunal Khemu) and Luv (Vir
Das) are two dope heads who tag
along to Goa with their buddy, Bunny
(Anand Tiwari), on his business trip.
Luv comes across a free-spirited girl,
Luna (Puja Gupta) who casually invites
them to an exclusive underground rave
party on a remote island! The party is
headed by the macho Indo-Russian
Mafioso, Boris (Saif Ali Khan). But
something is not right on this island. All
of a sudden, they are accosted by
zombies! Where did these zombies come
from? And who is Boris really? And why
has this cold-hearted drug-dealing don
come to save their lives? Together they
need to get out of the infected island!
Songs of Go Goa Gone are sung by
Jigar Saraiya, Talia Bentson, Sachin
Sanghvi, Priya Panchal, Shreya Ghoshal
and penned by Priya Panchal. The
music in this movie is given by Sachin-
Jigar.
G
ippi is a coming-of-age story of an
ordinary, overweight girl, who,
through the course of the film, learns to
love herself for exactly who she is. It is also
a tale of an underdog, who picks herself
up from nothing and finds herself at the
top of her own little world. Riya, despite
being an inexperienced actor, is upbeat,
relatable and delivers a power packed
performance.
Apart from being a clutter breaking
film, Gippi will also be the first movie a
female director will be at the helm of affairs
in a Dharma Production. With an
incredibly adorable cast and sharp and
nostalgia inducing dialogues, the trailer
speaks to the confused, awkward and
gawky teenager in all of us.
W
hy
does
Bollywood
churn
movies that
have no
storyline,
no direction and no concept of where the film
is headed to? Directed by Manoj Sharma Bin
Phere... is a disaster from the word go. Even
though it has actors who are known to give a
good performance there is Manoj Joshi,
Govind Namdeo and Himani Shivpuri the
movie fails miserably on the performance
quotient.
First there is the lead Arsh Deol and
Ashrita Agarwal. There cant be a worse pair
than this one. While Arshs sole aim is to put
sindoor in his lady loves maang, the lady in
question lies comatose for the majority of the
movie, she has consumed poison. The dialogue
delivery is stilted and it appears that no effort has
gone into giving the actors much to say. Take for
example Pratima Kazmi who plays Agarwals
mother. Is aspatal ko aag laga doongi agar mere
beti mar gayi is all that director Sharma thought
of giving this versatile theatre actress. The rest of
the actors are either busy crying or have a pained
expression. Definitely no guesses why.
Of course, Sharma has not heard the adage
that too many cooks spoil the broth. Here too
many actors spoil the film there are around
12 actors including the lead. One needs to give
this one a wide berth.
S|+li|i S+||+
t: F8 & 0thers
8ate4: 5.5/10
10ha hraham,
kaaaaa 8aaa0t, aII
ka00r, 80a0 8004,
Maa0j 8ajaI, I0sharr
ka00r
Ia
800I00I I w0l
general 02
t trIh0te t0 100 years 0f cIaema
8I8 FF8F F8FF MFI8 IIF8F
Ia
60vIa4 8am4e0, rsh 0e0I,
IashaI 8harma, Maa0j
10shI
t: 8Ice [80I4a)
8ate4: 0.5/10
A1uiJ +| +ll u|
Paokod with punoh
8hEIYh 6hFk
How was it to play cupid in
the sixth installment of
Splitsvilla?
Ill be judging the hottest
quotient of the participants.
The newness in the show is
that apart from the tasks,
(which are way more difficult
than what was seen in previ-
ous seasons) all of these par-
ticipants will be competing to
become the hottest one.
Everyone will have to prove
that they deserve to be a part
of this show.
How hot is Nikhil
Chinappa?
He is a very cool person
(laughs) and has a great sense
of humour. Nikhil
loves his music
which he says is
his second
love. He is
also a work-
holic and
takes his
work very
s e r i o u s l y.
What I like
most about him
is that he is a very
original person. He
doesnt feel the need to
emulate any established actor.
Nikhil is a clever actor who
uses his strong points very
well.
Why did you choose to do
this show?
I realised that its easy to be
an actor than an anchor or
even a host. There are a set of
lines given to the actor to learn
within a given time period. But
anchoring requires presence of
mind and command over the
language. When MTV offered
me this role of a co-host cum
judge, I was very keen to be a
part of it. I feel I was always cut
out to be an anchor.
How has your experience
been so far?
Although Im perpetually
bickering that I dont get
enough time to sleep all thanks
to the hectic schedule, Im
inwardly very pleased to be a
part of Splitsvilla. For me, this
show is by far the most enter-
taining reality show on TV.
How is Kamasutra 3D, the
film shaping up?
We havent started work
on this project yet. The plan is
to make an official announce-
ment during the Cannes Film
Festival. Post which we will
start shooting at a mad pace.
How do you deal with con-
troversies?
I just ignore them. I know
I cant change the mindset of
people. So for me, its ok. If
they want to be nitpicky and
think whatever Im
doing is not right,
they are free to
live with that
t h o u g h t .
Many people
had prob-
lems with
me shooting
for a Playboy
magazine. But
I feel that was
the best work of
my life till date. I
would like to live with
this thought.
Your take on Goa
Governments decision to not
launch the Playboy lifestyle
magazine?
Playboy lifestyle does not
endorses nudity, it is a maga-
zine that promotes an ultra
luxe lifestyle. From living and
dining room must-haves to
details about some products,
the magazine is like any other
feature.
What plans for the future?
Im planning to get mar-
ried by the end of this year, but
I cannot reveal anything about
my boy friend at this juncture.
It wont be fair to drag him into
all this now. Everyone will
know when the time comes.
hIkhII 6hIhkFFk
How is this season of
Splitsvilla different from the
previous ones?
First, the theme is hot as
hell. Second, we are shooting
in the backwaters of Kerela
both make it a fascinating
experience. The format of
the show is just the same. We
are hoping that the partici-
pants will do the rest. The
tasks are interesting and
spicier than the usual ones.
As far as tasks are con-
cerned we have gone a step
ahead. We have introduced a
Book of Hell Dumping Zone
which would bring unpre-
dictable situations in the
entire episode. The dumped
couple would now get a super
power through this book and
whatever is written in the
book, they would have to fol-
low blindly.
Tell us about the contes-
tants?
There are eight boys and
eight girls who would be
competing to become the
king and queen of Splitsvilla
6. All of them are very hot
and have done their best to be
in the show. This season we
have a great mix of people
and each participant is an
interesting character.
While most of them are
doing very well, there is one
person who is a hit with the
girls. He is strong and well
built, a man who wants his
actions to speak louder than
his words.
Among the girl contes-
tants we have a tom boy who
doesnt have many feminine
traits. She is the odd one out.
But she fares the best in the
tasks that have been given to
her.
How do you manage your
routine during Splitsvilla?
I l ook for ward to
Splitsvilla every year because
its like a one-month forced
lock up. I cant go anywhere.
Its like a vacation and also
gives me free time to work on
my music. In Mumbai, we are
always running, attending to
some or the other errand.
How do you keep yourself
fit?
Mentally, Im training a
bit harder. My fitness sched-
ule is more towards recover-
ing rather than building mus-
cles.
In the Splitsvilla setting, I
think Im the most unfit
among the crowd. Some of
the contestants have great
bodies to flaunt.
What will be the winner
take away?
We provide these contes-
tants a platform to establish
themselves in the entertain-
ment industry.
They are also exposed to
the telly world. The winner
gets C2.5 lakh.
MTv Slilsvilla is back in ils sixlh
inslallmenl. wilh a hol lheme and lwo
equally hol anchors, lhis realily show aims
al being lhe mosl liked one in ils genre.
0usky seduclress Sherlyn Chora joins
hikhil Chinaa lo hosl lhis season,
slarling lhis Mayend. SAh0EETA YA0Av
meels lhe hol hosls. Excerls o lhe lalk
small screen 0S
F
irst there was only
Doordarshan in our liv-
ing rooms. Then came a
few GECs with their good,
bad and ugly content. Just
when you were thinking you
have seen it all on the telly,
bang comes specialised chan-
nels designed to suit prefer-
ences of a particular kind.
With a dedicated 24-hour
schedule, (all shows to revolve
around one broad subject),
this is the newest business
strategy that the TV industry
has witnessed. It is not a new
phenomenon. We have had
dedicated music, movies, reli-
gious and cartoon channels.
Why cant we broaden our
horizon a little further to
accommodate special chan-
nels? With the completion of
the first phase of digitisation
in the TV industry, there has
been an increase in the vari-
ety of specialised channels. for
me, the timing is absolutely
perfect, Sunil Punjabi, busi-
ness head, AXN India, tells
you.
For those who thought
Indian television was all about
women, will soon be proved
wrong. With the first ever all
men channel, Big RTL
Thrill Action Ka Baap,
there is a little something for
every member of the family,
including the baaps too! The
channel will feature shows on
action, some international
reality shows, hardcore
wrestling, extreme sports,
games, stunts, magic shows
and of course Baywatch
everything that might interest
a man.
People associated with
this channel tell you that Big
RTL Thrill will soon bust
TRPs of Star Plus and Sony
Entertainment to name a few.
Arhaan Behl, better
known for his role as Krishna
in Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya,
has dubbed for the Hindi ver-
sion of Fear Factor: Darr se
Takkar. Throwing some light
on the channel and its format,
Behl says: With the tagline
Action ka Baap (the father of
action), the channel aims to
woo the men. Apart from
general shows, the channel
will also feature movies,
dubbed in Hindi. Usually, a
man was left
with very limit-
ed choice when
it came to
watching TV. He
could either
watch news or
turn to sports
channels, but with
this endeavour
things are bound
to change.
This dedicated
channel for me
made a rather late
entry into India.
The US and
Canada have mul-
tiple channels deal-
ing with men issues.
We realised that
there was a need for
a one-stop destina-
tion for male enter-
tainment that offered
the whole package.
As more and more
consumers choose to have
two sets of TV in their homes,
male viewers are beginning to
ask for better options. They
dont want to see the rona
dhona kitsch that other mem-
bers of the family usually
watch, Sunil Kumaran, busi-
ness head of regional TV,
Reliance Broadcast Network,
says.
There is a buzz
that AXN too is going
to enter the market
with a special chan-
nel. Although noth-
ing much has been
revealed about the
genre, we are told
that AXN Beyond
will also be action
packed. Is it also
going to be a chan-
nel for men? You
will have to wait
and watch. We
have been plan-
ning a dedicated
channel for a long
time now and we
feel this could be
the right time to
e x pe r i me nt .
However, noth-
ing has been
finalised yet.
AXN has carved a
niche for itself in India with
a variety of new internation-
al shows that they have got to
telly. For now, our main focus
is to retain our dominant
position in the Indian market.
The launch for AXN Beyond
can wait, Panjabi tells you.
There is also a spe-
cialised channel for matri-
monial purposes. Aptly titled
Shagun TV, the channel is
owned by Vertent Media.
Shagun TV will touch upon
all subjects related to mar-
riage. From shopping to coun-
seling, the channel has a solid
package that deals with all the
wedding and post wedding
stuff. Apart from general
shows there will be one on
matchmaking as well.
According to Anuranjan
Jha, MD of Shagun TV, mar-
riage is a big event in the
family and also a huge busi-
ness sector that had not been
explored so far. After having
brainstormed for eight years,
Jha has finally fulfilled his
dream of a matrimonial
channel. Shows like Gold n
Beautiful, Janam janam ka
saath, Kundali bole, etc will
be out flagship shows. For the
prime time slot we have Toh
Baat Pakki and Zindagi
Shaadi Se Pehle Shadi Ke
Baad, Jha says.
Toh baat pakki is about
match-making where we talk
to couples who are going to
get married. Roopmati focus-
es on the grooming of the
bride and groom.
Honeymoon travels gives you
information on destinations.
Lifesutra talks about adjust-
ment issues faced by couples,
Jha explains.
Although it is still early
days for the channel, Jha is
certain that Shagun will work
wonders. This will give
viewers a more fulfilling
viewing experience. Viewers
want to watch programmes
that deal with real life expe-
riences that have a direct
bearing on their lives,
Chakardhar Dhoundiyal,
chairman of Vertent Media
tells you.
Tkh8IME FIME h TV
I
n an endeav-
our to bring
in global fran-
chises loved by
audience in
India, Discovery
Kids presents
the biggest ani-
mated series for
this summer Transformer Prime. The
adrenaline pumping series chronicles the tri-
umphant return of the Autobots, showcased
through the highest quality animation ever
seen on TV.
The show will feature arch rivals
Autobots and Decepticons as they face-off
in their epic rivalry for the control of Earth.
Autobots transform themselves into any form
of machinery, team up with their human
friends and embark on an adventure to save
the Earth from the evil Decepticons, who are
hell bent on robbing the planet of its
resources. To be aired from Monday at 3 pm
and 6 pm on Discovery Kids.
khk kk8hYkF'8
3MhTh 8EIIEXIIE
E
ven though director
Anurag Kashyap faced
hardships with the release
of his directorial debut
Paanch, he kept his hope
and looked forward to
re-release of his project,
Black Friday. His excite-
ment knew no limit. Just
then misfortune knocked his door and
Black Friday got stalled. The most horrify-
ing moment for me was the re-release of
Black Friday in 2005 when I had got my first
suit stitched for the premiere of the film. I
wore that suit and headed for the premier.
Just when I was about to leave my house, I
received a call. The film had got stalled again.
Wearing that same suit, I entered my room
and didnt come out for three months. This
has been my worst moment so far, Kashyap
recalls. Tune in to Yeh Hai Meri Kahaani for
more revelations at 7pm on UTV Stars.
TELLYTALE
eole and lheir reerences have undergone a radical
change, so have lhe channels. wilh an aim lo woo all
ossible calegories, enlrereneurs are oraying inlo
secialised channels, dedicaled lo only one broad
calegory. So, we have a channel on malrimony lhal deals
wilh every asecl o wedding and lie aler marriage.
There is a secial channel designed or men lhal deals
wilh aclion and babes. 8khEETk YkkV lells you more
|+| |+|u|
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One for all
|u|J+li Bul] u| S|+u| lV ulJ & B+u|i|ul u| S|+u| lV lu B++| P+||i u| S|+u| lV
Crime & Thrill
Beauly & Filness
Real eole slo
ries
ssuebased shows
hindi and urdu lil
eralure
Sook
For lhe elderly
F88I8IE kEk8
T EXFIE
6hkhhEI8 FkMME8
Shagun Tv Toh baal akki,
Zindagi shaadi se
ehle shadi ke
baad, 0old n
Beauliul, Janam
janam ka saalh,
Kundali bole, elc.
Big RTL Thrill Cobra 11, Criss
angel, wieoul,
Baywalch, Josh
sorls, Shock Tv,
Aclion movie nighls
W
k
T
6
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T

I
n splits
MEhTALLY, 'M
TRAhh0 A BT
hAR0ER. MY
FThESS
SChE0uLE S
M0RE T0wAR0S
REC0vERh0
RAThER ThAh
BuL0h0
MuSCLES. h
ThE
SFLTSvLLA
SETTh0,
ThhK 'M ThE
M0ST uhFT
AM0h0 ThE
CREw
feel that
Playboy cover
was the best
work of my life till
date. would like
to live with this
thought
townhall 04
8TkII EFTE Q hEw 0ELh
C
riminals care a hoot for
Delhi Police and they do
whatever they like. In yet
another manifestation of crim-
inals holding sway in the
national Capital, three armed
goons shot at a middle aged
couple in Desh Bandhu Gupta
road area in Central Delhi.
The armed desperados
then shot a street dog that start-
ed barking at them. The injured
were rushed to nearby
Jeevanbala Hospital and are
now stated to be out of danger.
A case of attempt to mur-
der and cruelty against animals
has been registered at Desh
Bandhu Gupta road police sta-
tion. Deputy Commissioner of
Police (DCP) Central, Alok
Kumar said they have
certain l eads and those
involved in the murderous
attempt on the couple will be
brought to the book.
A senior police official
said that Satbir (47) and his
wife Kaushalya (45) had
come to Gaushala Road in
Shi dipura to t ake part
in an engagement ceremony
on Friday.
It was Kaushalyas brother
who was engaged with a
Ghaziabad based girl. Their
family had returned to their
Shidipura home on Friday
night from Ghaziabad. Satbir
who works as a mechanic in a
West Delhi workshop decided
to leave for his house in
Raghbubir Nagar in West
Delhi. It was around 10.40 pm
when they came on the road to
look for an auto rickshaw, the
police official said.
They moved ahead in
search of a vehicle and the
moment they came on the
main road, they were accosted
by three unidentified bike-
borne people who were loiter-
ing around in the area.
They asked Kushalya
where her brother was? Before
she could reply the bike-borne
persons whipped out pistols
and opened fire at them.
Satbir was hit in his hand
and he fell down bleeding
while Kushalya was lucky to
escape as the bullet just grazed
past her head. In the meantime,
street dogs came to the rescue
of the injured couple and they
started barking at the armed
ruffians.
One of them fired at a dog
and killing the defenceless ani-
mal on the spot. Satbir and
Kushalya were taken to
Jeevanbala hospital in the local-
ity where Kaushalya was dis-
charged after first aid while
Satbir continues to be in the
hospital though he has been
declared out of danger.
The dogs body was later
sent to Lajpat Nagar
veterinary hospital for post
mortem examination. The
lead of the bullet extracted
from the dogs body will be used
as an evidence against the crim-
inals as that would also fix
their culpability in the crime, the
police official said.
Investigators said if appears
that three persons who opened
fire at the couple had some
enmity with Kaushalyas broth-
er and they were looking for
him and they were also famil-
iar with Kaushalya.
Police teams
have been put on
the job and some
crucial material
evidence in the form of
three empty bullet shells
have been recovered from the
spot and the same have
been sent for forensic
examination, the police
official added.
8F 8Ihh Q 0hAZABA0
I
n yet another case of sexual
attack against women in the
national Capital, two uniden-
tified miscreants kidnapped a
woman from North Delhis
Chandni Chowk area and
gang-raped her in a moving car.
They then dumped the
badly injured woman near UP
gate on National Highway-24.
The matter was brought to
notice of Indira Puram Police
Station on Saturday morning.
However, Ghaziabad Police
did not register any case after the
girls family members reported-
ly approached them with a
request that they do not want
any legal action in this regard.
Social activist Dorris Fransis,
who came to the rescue of the
ravished woman, alleged that she
met her in the police post at UP
Gate. She was not being attend-
ed properly by the policemen.
When she enquired about the
incident then she narrated her
tale of horror. She told the social
activist that she is a resident of
Balli Maran in the Walled City
area of Delhi. She had left for her
aunts house at Krishna Nagar on
Friday night. While she was
walking along roadside, two
persons in a car forcibly dragged
her inside. She was raped repeat-
edly and then they dumped her
around 7.30 am on Saturday. She
managed to reach the police post
with the help of locals.
The social activist alleged
that police were trying buried
the crime despite the woman
sustained grievous injuries.
However, the police said
womans parents, residents of in
Mirzapur locality told the police
that her mental status is not well.
She left home late midnight.
They said they do not need any
legal action and requested the
police to give the girl under their
custody hence the police have
handed over the girl to them,
said SP City Shiv Shankar Yadav.
8F 8Ihh Q 0hAZABA0
I
n the Aarushi-Hemraj murder
case, the CBI court rejected the
plea of dentist couple Rajesh and
Nupur Talwar for summoning
former CBI Joint Director
Arun Kumar and 12 oth-
ers as witness.
The defence
counsel of Talwars,
Manoj Shishodia, said,
We requested the court
since the CBI had submitted a
list of 141 witnesses but pro-
duced only 39 for testimony. The
12 witnesses whom we have
requested the court to summon
are from the original list of the
CBI which it submitted. We have
added one additional name then
joint director CBI Arun Kumar
who claimed Talwars innocent
at that time.
However, the court reject-
ed the application. The order
came late at 5.30 pm and the
contents could not be known.
Shishodia said, In next
hearing on May 6, we shall
apply for the certified copy and
then initiate our move.
The court has ordered to
depose the culprits Talwars
for the statement under Section
313 of CrPC.
E
nraged over police apathy
in tracing the accused who
kidnapped a 12-year-old girl on
Friday night, a group of people
including victims parents
staged a protest against the
Delhi Police in front of Guru
Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital.
Angry people came on the
road while shouting slogans
against the police and blocked
the road. Six Delhi Transport
Corporation (TDC) buses were
damaged during the protest.
Senior police officers of
North East district police said
that a case has been registered
and efforts were on to trace the
girl. Additional Commissioner
of Police, North East VV
Chaudhary said that they have
taken every step that was
required to locate the girl and
restore her to her parents. A
call was received on Police
Control Room (PCR) at 9.26
pm on Friday that a 12-year-
old girl was reportedly miss-
ing. ACP Seemapuri and
Station House Officer (SHO)
Nand Nagri reached the house
and efforts were initiated to
f i nd the gi rl . A Fi rst
Information Report (FIR) was
lodged immediately and police
teams were dispatched to nab
the accused and also recover
the girl. All the police stations
in Delhi and in the national
capital region have been alert-
ed, the Additional CP added.
According to the com-
plaint lodged at the police sta-
tion the minor girl went miss-
ing while going for her tuition
cl asses on Friday night.
Though the police was very
prompt in registering the FIR
but the girl was yet to be
traced and it led to conster-
nation in the locality. Several
persons i ncl udi ng
her family members staged a
protest against police and
raised slogans.
Soon after receiving infor-
mation a team of police reached
the house and also statement of
parents was recorded.
According to police, in their
statement victims father said,
She used to go for tuitions
every day in the evening. On
Friday evening too, she went for
her tuition classes in Nand
Nagri area but did not return
back till late night. Anxious over
her disappearance, her parents
called up the PCR. A case has
been registered under section
363 (Kidnapping) of Indian
Penal Code (IPC), on the basis
of the girls father family at
Nand Nagri police station.
W
ith an aim to create
awareness about women
security in the Capital, the
BJP has asked the Delhi
Government to declare May 10
as Women Security Day.
It is the birthday of
December 16 gang-rape victim.
Stressing on the need for strin-
gent laws to deal with crime
against women, former presi-
dent of Delhi Bharatiya Janata
Party Vijender Gupta said, It
will send a strong message
that women security is the
priority for civil society, mass-
es and policy makers, NGO
Sampurna has supported the
demand raised by Gupta.
Nirbhayas brutal rape
and assault forced the nation
to retrospect about women
security issues. But we should
also remember that society
will not always come out on
streets like December, there-
fore strict actions need to be
taken and efforts should be
made that the society doesnt
forget that brutal incident,
Gupta said during a Press
conference on Saturday.
The Press conference was
also addressed by the president
of Sampurna NGO, Taruna
Kataria, who said, Women secu-
rity has become a prime concern
and we have pledged to take the
front seat and fight for it.
Sampurna has started a
six-month long movement on
women security, with the sup-
port of BJP, Delhi Pradesh
under which it plans to cover
500 vulnerable areas.
We will spread awareness
about women security and
other related issues like dowry,
female foeticide among others
through street plays, Kavi
Sammelan and debates. Our
movement will bring change,
we cannot rely on govern-
ment, Kataria added.
D
elhi Chief Minister Sheila
Dikshit on Saturday
underlined the need of welfare
of the lawyers and announced
hike in the corpus fund of Bar
Council of Delhi for welfare
measures.
The City Government had
contributed Rs 1 crore at the
time of constitution of the
corpus fund. Dikshit said,
Since it was long time ago, I
am sure that the time has
come to take a review and
increase the amount.
She expressed these views
at a National seminar on wel-
fare of lawyers organised by the
Bar Council of Delhi, inaugu-
rated by President Paranab
Mukherjee. Delhi Law Minister
Ramakant Goswami also
expressed his views in the sec-
ond session.
Dikshit further stated the
Lawyers community has played
a significant role in achieving
the freedom of India.
Contri buti on of t he
lawyers and the jurists in this
struggle for liberty, equality,
justice and truth remains
unparal l el ed. The
Constitution enjoins the state
to secure social, economic
and political justice to all its
citizens. The lawyers are
agents of peace and order in
the society, she said.
It was also stated that
Delhi Government recognises
the need of welfare measures
to be taken in the interest of
legal fraternity.
Dikshit also stated that
her Government would pro-
vide possible assistance in
enriching the libraries for the
lawyers in order to facilitate
access to them to the legal
provisions and decided cases.
The Government is in favor
of an appropriate medical
insurance scheme for the
lawyers, she added.
B
haratiya Janata Party (BJP)
Delhi president Vijay Goel
on Saturday expressed his dis-
pleasure over acquittal of senior
Congress leader Sajjan Kumar
in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in
which hundreds of innocent
Sikh were killed in the Capital.
On Saturday, Goel hon-
oured advocate HS Phoolka,
Counsel for victims of 1984
riots and victim Bibi Jageer
Kaur for their exemplary role
in the fight for justice for the
1984 riot victims. The BJP
leader said despite having a
Sikh Prime Minister, injustice
has been done to the Sikhs in
the country.
The killers of 1984 Sikh
riots are walking free despite a
Sikh Prime Minister even after
29 years, Goel said.
He was addressing the party
workers at Talkatora Stadium.
On the occasion, Deputy Leader
of Opposition in the Rajya
Sabha Ravi Shankar Prasad was
also present.
BJP has been and is com-
mitted to justice for the victims
of 1984 riots.
The Congress leaders are
either directly involved in the
killing of innocent Sikhs in
1984 riots or they are sup-
porting the killers. Ironically,
the riots took place despite a
Sikh President in 1984. No
senior congress leader has
ever gone to Jail despite wit-
nesses and credible proof even
after 29 years. Goel added.
Goel further said the multi-
faceted failure of Congress on
all fronts including corruption,
scams and non governance.
He also hit out at the gov-
ernment for coal gate scam,
hike in electricity tariff rate and
misuse of CBI to protect its cor-
rupt minister. He also pointed
out that BJP had opposed the
appointment of CBI director
Ranjit Sinha in 2012.
CVC and CBI are being
used for cover ups and politi-
cal intimidations. While Ravi
Shankar Prasad, Deputy Leader
of Opposition in Rajya Sabha
said that this is a Government
of scamsters.
Sheila assures in hike
lawyers' welfare fund
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dumped near UP gate
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gun down slreel
dog or barking
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Tributo to Doo 16 gang-rapo viotim
landmark 05
FIh6E88 II k8hI Q hEw 0ELh
T
he clampdown at India Gate, in the wake
of the protests following the rape inci-
dents now has come as a huge disappoint-
ment for tourists and visitors. Among
them, foreign tourists are the worst affect-
ed as they are also denied entry to the
memorial owing to security reasons.
Over a fortnight, the Delhi Police has
imposed Section 144 of CrPC following
widespread protests after the rape cases in
Delhi in recent times. Restriction on pub-
lic entry has been affecting livelihood of ven-
dors, who thrive on visitors at India Gate.
Additional security personnel have
been deployed and barricades have been
erected to prevent people going inside the
lawn beyond C-Hexagon. Disappointed
with the restrictions visitors keep staring at
the monument from the distance for some-
times. Later, they get themselves clicked with
the India Gate in back ground and head to
nearby places with heavy heart.
No entry to the memorial is leading the
crowd to nearby tourists attractions includ-
ing Humayuns Tomb, Zoo and Purana Qila
ot some opt for shopping in Khan Market.
It is very disappointing. The Government
can at least allow tourists to enter. I am stay-
ing in a hotel at Gurgaon and its a loss if
one has to come all the way from there to
find India Gate closed. I dont want to ruin
my day so I have asked my guide to take me
to Khan Market so that I can shop said
Irina, a tourist from Russia.
I have visited all the places in Delhi
and I have been here for a week and every-
day I keep hoping that the seal will be
removed. I feel unlucky as right now I am
in front of it but I am not allowed to have
a close and personal view. My husband and
I have planned to go back to the hotel. Quite
disappointing one must say, a tourist
Sundstrim from Scotland said.
The smile on the face of tourists even-
tually faded as they were not allowed to ven-
ture anywhere near it. Its our first time here
in Delhi and we will be here only for two
days, India Gate was the first thing we want-
ed to see but sadly its closed. We will now
go to the Zoo as that is the only place where
we can spend with our family and also the
nearest said Paridhy, a visitor, who had
come from Bangaluru.
An ice-cream vendor said, Its a huge loss
for all of us here. The crowd that usually sur-
rounds the area here day and night is placed
by a number of armed security personnel. This
is my bread and butter. India Gate has been
closed for more than ten days I am not even
able to get a proper meal, he said.
8TkII EFTE QhEw 0ELh
D
elhiites on Saturday sweat-
ed it out with mercury
touching the seasons highest of
42 degree Celsius and hot winds
blowing through the day.
This was the second time
this summer that the day tem-
perature crossed 40 degree
Celsius, the previous one being
on April 16 when it touched 40.2
degrees. The weathermen have
predicted main clear sky in the
city on Sunday and the mercury
is likely to oscillate between 21
and 41 degree Celsius. Last year,
mercury crossed 40 degree
Celsius on May eight.
Saturdays maximum was
three degree Celsius above nor-
mal and a sharp rise from
Fridays 38.3 degrees, which was
one degree below normal for this
time of the year. The city has
been witnessing day temperature
at around 38 degree Celsius for
the past one week.
It was hotter than usual.
The previous days were tolera-
ble compared to today. The hot
winds made life miserable. I was
pretty sure that this is going to
be hottest season so far, Rajana
Singh, an executive working
with an MNC in CP.
Saturdays minimum was
however five degree Celsius
below normal at at 19.8 degrees
as against Fridays 20.3 degrees.
Humidity levels were recorded
between 18 and 73 per cent. Last
year in May, the mercury had
touched 45 degree Celsius on the
last day of the month. The
record for the month of May was
47.2 degree Celsius recorded on
29th day of the month in 1944.
Weather Office had predicted
that the city will witness a dry
spell and significant increase in
maximum temperature for a
week till May six.
Due to frequent passage of
Western Disturbances close to
Delhi NCR, the day tempera-
tures have been near normal so
far in the current summer sea-
son. This scenario has changed,
a senior MeT official said.
Despite the dry spell and
increase in maximum tempera-
ture, the summer condition over
Delhi will not be very severe as
the maximum temperature dur-
ing the first week of May will be
only 1-2 degree Celsius above the
normal, he said.
The effect of the dry spell
and hot north-westerly winds
will be moderated by occasion-
al cloudy condition during the
day time during coming week,
resulting in maximum temper-
ature just above normal, he said.
O
utrage over the acquittal of
Congress Leader Sajjan
Kumar continued with full force
as the victims of the 1984 anti-
Sikh riots entered fourth day of
their protest on Saturday.
Tormented victim Nirpreet
Kaur, who began an indefinite
fast on Friday, has written a let-
ter to the Prime Minister
demanding justice for the riot
victims.
Accusing the Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh for
not fulfilling his
promises, Nirpreet
said through the let-
ter, In 2005, when
the Nanavati
Commission report was tabled
in Parliament, the Prime
Minister had assured us that all
the perpetrators of this heinous
act will be brought to books.
What happened to that promise?
The PM has failed to safeguard
not just the Sikhs, but other reli-
gions too.
Nirpreet, who is a witness to
her fathers murder in the riots,
is on an indefinite fast since
Friday and is not ready to have
a morsel of food until her four
demands are fulfilled.
The demands mentioned
by Nirpreet Kaur include, The
charge sheet prepared in 1992
against Sajjan Kumar, for
killing four people in Nangloi,
has still not been presented in
court. The charge sheet that
has enough evidence against
Kumar must be presented in
court immediately.
The second demand is to
suspend DCP Rajiv Ranjan who
suppressed the charge sheet to
shield the guilty. Thirdly, form
a Special Investigation Team to
carry out inquiry separately and
impartially. Lastly, an appeal
should be filed immediately in
the high court against the acquit-
tal of Sajjan Kumar. The trial
should take place on a day-to-
day basis and conclude it with-
in three months.
Joining the stage with her
are victims Jagdish Kaur(who
lost her husband and son),
Pappi Kaur (who lost 10 mem-
bers of her family in riots at the
age of 15 years), Jagsher Singh
and many more whose lives
were rattled in 1984.
This is a fight for human-
ity. We all have to face it brave-
ly and not give up at any cost,
said victim Jagdish Kaur.
Aam Admi Party (AAP)
leaders Arvind Kejriwal and
Manish Sisodia, with Manjit
Singh, President of Delhi Sikh
Gurudwara Managi ng
Committee took to the stage
providing full support to the
victims to whom justice has
been denied.
By this protest and fast, we
want to show that Congress
doesnt believe in Gandhian
way but we do. They only talk,
while we act, said Jarnail Singh,
a protester.
Lambasting the government
for influencing judicial decisions,
Manjit Singh said, Its a black
spot on the system. The gov-
ernment can neither see the
wounds nor hear the cries of the
victims. It should stop interfer-
ing in the judicial procedures.
Till the time this government is
not thrown out, we will not be
able to achieve justice.
Protests began erupting on
April 30 when a Karkardooma
court acquitted Sajjan Kumar in
the murder of five Sikhs in
Delhi Cantonment area. Though
other accused were convicted,
the court gave Kumar benefit of
doubt in the matter.
J
anata Party chief Subramanian Swamy on
Saturday moved a special CBI court seeking
summoning of a written statement given by for-
mer Telecom Minister A Raja to Joint
Parliamentary Committee in connection with
the 2G spectrum scam.
In his application filed before Special CBI
Judge O P Saini, Swamy said that in order to
ensure that all aspects of the case are examined,
actual culprits may be booked, tried
and punished it is necessary to summon the
complete written statement filed by A Raja
before the JPC.
The court has fixed July 6 for hearing argu-
ments on the application.
It has come to the knowledge of the com-
plainant (Swamy) that the written statement
gives a detailed account of the official meetings
held between the Prime Minister, the Finance
Minister and the accused in December 2007 and
January 2008 to formulate and finalise the rules
and regulations for the 2G spectrum allocation
by the then Government., it said
He sought summoning of Rajas April 22
written statement to JPC chairman P C Chacko
along with the draft report of the JPC, the draft
report of the Public Accounts Committee and
also Shyamala Shukla, the then Director of
Infrastructure and Sindhushree Khullar, the
then Additional Secretary of Economic Affairs
Department,
to ascertain
the truth.
S wa my
had earlier also moved an application seeking
directions to make Chidambaram an accused
in the case. His application was, however, dis-
missed by the court in February 2012. The court
had, however, said it will hear the complaint
filed by Swamy in which he had made further
allegations against Raja without making
Chidambaram an accused.
k1E8h kMk Q hEw 0ELh
I
n a bid to decongest Asias
busiest intersection ITO, the
Public Works Department
(PWD) is all set to
make a presentation before
the Unified Traffic and
Transportation Infrastructure
(Planning & Engineering)
Centre (UTTIPEC).
After examining the plan
submitted by former DG,
CPWD Bhisham Kumar Chugh
proposing flyovers and loops to
decongest Bahadur Shah Zafar
Marg and Vikas Marg stretches;
the PWD will make a detailed
presentation before UTTIPEC
members before appointing a
consultant for feasibility study.
UTTIPEC is an engineering
body under Lieutenant
Governor Tejender Khanna.
With over two lakh to
three lakh vehicles crossing
the junction every 24 hours, the
ITO crossing has been listed
among the busiest intersec-
tions in Asia. Several sugges-
tions were made to address the
traffic mess around the ITO
area in the recent past.
However, the authorities
seem to hit a roadblock as far
as a solution to the actual
crossing is concerned. It is
strange that the despite heavy
traffic jams on normal working
day, the Government machin-
ery is clueless for this stretch.
PWD Minister Raj Kumar
Chauhan told The Pioneer that
after approval from UTTIPEC
body, the PWD will appoint a
consultant to conduct feasibil-
ity study. Besides, PWD has
been directed to conduct study
on traffic survey on the stretch-
es, soil testing as per guidelines
approved by UTTIPEC.
Chauhan stated that ITO
intersection is one of the busiest
crossings in the country and the
department will have to exam-
ine proposals at micro and
macro level before approving
the plan. The ITO intersection
is considered Asias busiest
intersection whose holding
capacity is very less while the
volume of traffic is very high.
This intersection is typical as it
is an integration of two junc-
tions located either side of the
railway track. It is estimated that
over 40,000-50,000 vehicles use
this intersection on any normal
working day.
Former CPWD DG Chugh
has proposed a two-lane flyover
from Kotla Marg that will con-
nect Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
in front of Express Building and
another two-lane flyover from
DDU Marg to ITO Ring Road.
The traffic plan for ITO
faces the biggest challenge on
Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg,
which has the dual problem of
vehicular pile-up during peak
hours and shortage of parking
space for office-goers. The BSZ
Marg, which houses several
prominent media houses, the
newly-opened passport office
and a number of banks, is fre-
quented by thousands of
motorists every day. Apart
from being a commercial hub,
ITO also serves as the entry
point to central Delhi and a
huge population living across
the Yamuna to east Delhi. Long
traffic snarls during peak hours
morning and evening is the
order of the day.
There were ambitious talks
of constructing a flyover on the
stretch in 36 hours (yes, you
have read it right), which got
shelved. Other non-starters
included an elaborate mess of
flyovers and clovers across the
main crossing and connected
roads like Sikandra Road, IP
Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar
Marg and Kotla Road.
The original plan was to
have a flyover at BSZ Marg
along with parking underneath
it and two half flyovers at Ring
Road to ensure that its is sig-
nal free from Madhuban
Chowk. The design was made,
and the clearance from DDA
technical committee (a body of
engineering experts) obtained,
but the plan was stalled because
of the pilot BRT project. Then
came a time when BRT no
longer seemed to be happening
and the flyover came back to
stiff resistance from DUAC.
0aItaI sIttIes as
merc0ry hIts 4Z
0
0
+|
ea40rs hear hr0at 0f Ia4Ia 6ate cIam40Wa
Clamdown has come as huge
disaoinlmenl or lourisls and visilors
Foreign lourisls are lhe worsl aecled
0elhi Folice has imosed Seclion 144
o CrFC
Addilional securily ersonnel have been
deloyed and barricades have been erecled
lo revenl eole going inside lhe lawn
beyond Chexagon
ho enlry lo lhe memorial is leading lhe
crowd lo nearby lourisls allraclions including
humayun's Tomb, Zoo and Furana 0ila ol
some ol or shoing in Khan Markel
The smile on lhe ace o lourisls
evenlually aded as lhey were nol allowed lo
venlure anywhere near il
PWD plans to oaso TO |ams
No let-u in rotest against Sajjan`s acquittal
8ext hearIa
0a May 9
heW eIhi: A cily courl ixed
May O or hearing argumenls on
quanlum o unishmenl in a
1O84 anliSikh riols case in
which Congress leader Sajjan
Kumar was acquilled while ive
ersons were convicled or
being a arl o lhe mob.
0islricl Judge JR Aryan,
who was scheduled lo hear lhe
argumenls on oinl o senlence
in lhe case on May G, deerred
lhe maller or May O aler CB
roseculor, senior advocale RS
Cheema, exressed his inabilily
lo aear beore il on lhe earlier
dale. Cheema lold lhe courl lhal
he would nol be able lo advance
argumenls on May G as he would
nol be available on lhal day.
Kumar was given beneil o doubl
by lhe courl which said one o
lhe viclims and key wilness
Jagdish Kaur did nol name him
as an accused in her slalemenl
recorded by lhe Juslice
Ranganalh Mishra anel in 1O85.
while reeing Kumar, lhe
olher ive accused - Balwan
Khokkar, an excouncillor,
Mahender Yadav, an exMLA,
Kishan Khokkar, 0irdhari Lal
and Calain Bhagmal - have
been held guilly on Aril 8O or
lhe oences including murder,
rioling and unlawul assembly
by lhe armed riolers. The judge
in his judgemenl has said il has
been roved lhal lhe convicls
are guilly o rioling, armed wilh
deadly weaons and unlawul
assembly on hovember 1, 1O84
al around 7.8O m near
0urdwara Raj hagar. BA
P
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6
E
n 2005, when the Nanavati Commission
report was tabled in Parliament, the
Prime Minister had assured us that all
the perpetrators of this heinous act will
be brought to book. What happened to
that promise? The PM has failed to
safeguard not just the Sikhs, but other
religions too ~ VCTM
ROTS
ANT-SKH
1984
AlWi| Si|| | Piu||
Swamy moves
CB court to lool
into Raja`s written
statement to PAC
nation 06
Fh8 Q FAhAJ
T
he country does not need
another counter-terrorism
body in the form of the
National Counter Terrorism
Centre (NCTC) but rather
improvement of the existing
Information Bureau (IB) and
Research and Analysis Wing
(RAW), a former RAW special
secretary said.
Speaking at a public func-
tion, former special secretary of
the Research and Analysis
Wing (RAW) Amber Sen said
that adequately staffing the IB
and RAW would suffice.
Why start a new agency
when you have organisations
which are 40, 50 years old?
said Sen.
Elaborating on how badly
short staffed the two existing
intelligence gathering agencies
are, Sen said, The IB is over
20,000 short on personnel.
Raw is 3000 short. If these two
agencies are given people it will
be more than enough.
Sen who is also a former
strategic intelligence advisor to
the National Security Council,
which advises the Central
Government on security relat-
ed issues, was referring to the
decision to bring about the
NCTC to help in terror probes.
It was thought out after
the 26/11 Mumbai terror
strikes, when a need was felt
to NCTC have a single feder-
al body, which would control
and co-ordinate all counter
terrorism measures.
A parliamentary commit-
tee has already asked the
Central Government to tem-
porarily hold back the setting
up the National Counter
Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
State Governments have
already raised apprehensions
about cent re, as t hey
felt it would interfere on
their domain.
A| A+| Puli u||ii+l |ulJ |Wu lup+|J u| W|i| W| |uJ ||u| Pi]+li P|u|u| |++| +|J ||uu|| |u A+| S|+| /uuu|Bu|+|i+l +|J| i| uW+|+|i u|
S+|u|J+] Pll
8kk 8EhFTk Q K0LKATA
H
itting back against the
Congress demand for a
CBI inquiry and Mamata
Banerjees resignation in the
aftermath of the multi-crore
chit fund scam, the Bengal
Chief Minister on Saturday
called for a Parivartan at
the Centre.
This UPA-II Government
has lost all its credibility. So I
give a call for Parivartan at the
Centre. There should be no
UPA-III, a fuming Banerjee
told a huge party rally at
Panihati in North 24 Parganas
hours after junior Union
Minister Deepa Dasmunshi
demanded her resignation at a
Congress meeting against the
ponzy fund scam.
We have definite infor-
mation that save a few States the
Congress will be wiped out at
the hustings because they have
given the country a regime of
scams, the Chief Minister
thundered referring to the
recent bribery scandal in the
Railways. The Railways had
become a place where fixers
and racketeers thrive she said.
Linking the Congress
demand for a CBI inquiry into
the Saradha chit-fund scam
Banerjee said, The Congress
Government is very vindictive.
They are after us because we
withdrew our support protest-
ing against FDI and other anti-
people decisions.
No amount of browbeating
could stop the Trinamool
Congress from raising the right
issues, she said. They are
threatening me with CBI, SEBI
and other kinds of probe. But
I am not afraid, no amount of
threat can intimidate me, she
said, adding the Congress was
employing dirty tactics against
her as they want to prevent me
from playing a role in the
national politics.
Insi sti ng t hat t he
Congress and the Left had of
late developed an unholy
nexus, Banerjee said the two
parties were backing each
others misdeeds.
Not only now the
Congress was scheming against
us even when we were in the
UPA-II, Banerjee said, adding
how I had asked the then
Union Finance Minister what
he had discovered from the files
that his Ministry was preparing
against our MPs.
Coming down heavily on
the Centre for its weak han-
dling of the Sarabjit case
Banerjee wondered, What the
Government had done in
Sarabjits case because I have
been told that in the second
post-mortem in India the doc-
tors found no kidney, heart or
liver in his body when Pakistan
returned it to India.
The Chief Minister had
been under intense attack from
the Opposition for Trinamool
leaders alleged involvement
in the multi-crore chit
fund scam.
l|Ji+ Ju |u|
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p|u|| u1| |i| |u|J +| i| |ul|+|+ u| S+|u|J+] Pll
80 0FIII: 0I4I Waats
'FarIvartaa' at 0eatre
Fh8 Q ChAh00ARh
A
fter media reports that
Chief Minister Parkash
Singh Badal and his son
Sukhbir Badal had received 13
animals gifted by Pakistan on
a day when Sarabjit Singh was
cremated, the Punjab
Government on Saturday clar-
ified that the process of import-
ing cattle from Pakistan com-
menced about six months back.
A payment of over C16 lakh
was made for the cattle.
A spokesperson of the
Punjab Government said that
Parkash Singh Badal made
the payment from his person-
al account towards the price of
the cattle, the import licence
fee and custom duty after fol-
lowing the prescribed proce-
dure under the provisions of
foreign trade.
Clearing the air over the
issue, the spokesperson said the
import was in pursuance of the
Government of Indias initiative
to boost Indo-Pak trade
through Integrated Check Post
(ICP) at Attari-Wagha Border.
Badals in their personal capac-
ities initially applied for a
licence to import 12 and eight
cattle respectively from
Pakistan for breeding purpos-
es, the spokesperson claimed.
This was done for upgra-
dation of indigenous breed at
their own farms at village Badal
to the Director of Foreign Trade,
the GoI on October 31, 2012
and deposited the requisite fee
of C2,700 for this purpose.
The import licences were
granted. Subsequently, the
Ministry of Agriculture accord-
ed necessary permissions to
import cattle through Attari-
Wagah border after a long
drawn procedure spanning
over seven months.
Badal remitted $24,522
(C13,48,750) from his person-
al account vide cheque drawn
on State Bank of India, IBD,
Semi Branch, Sector 17-B,
Chandigarh on April 23, 2013
in the favour of Secretary,
Livestock and Dairy
Development, Government of
Punjab, Pakistan towards the
actual price of the cattle.
The cattle imported from
Pakistan included three
Sahiwal cows, one Sahiwal bull,
three Nili Ravi Buffaloes, one
Nili ravi bull, three Sheep
(Balthi breed) and one Ram
(Balthi breed) as these were
only available in Pakistan as
indigenous breeds. These cat-
tle were received by the
Quarantine Officer from GoI
and have been transferred to
Kapashera Centre, New Delhi,
where these will be kept for one
month for quarantine.
The spokesperson further
pointed out that Pakistans
Punjab Government had
announced to give a Nilli Ravi
buffalo as a reciprocating ges-
ture to Indian Punjab during
Deputy Chi ef Mi ni ster
Sukhbir Singh Badals official
visit to Pakistan Punjab in
September last.
On Saturday, Sukhbir said
this Nilli Ravi Buffalo which
has crossed over Wagha along
with other 12 cattle on Friday
will be given to the State-run
Guru Angad Dev Veterinary
and Animal Sciences
University, Ludhiana (GAD-
VASU) for the promotion of
indigenous breeds of high
yielding cattle.
Pu||+| u1| pu| || |u|J
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Says rocess
initiateo in
Oct 31, 2012
From Page 1
Sources said China is also
keen to resolve the issue
through diplomatic and polit-
ical channels and withdraw
from Depsang Valley as a good-
will gesture before Chinese
Premier Li Keqiangs visit here
on May 20. Moreover, the
Chinese also realize the fact
that it will be difficult to main-
tain the standoff for long as
winter months are very harsh
with temperatures dipping to
minus 20 degrees.
Daulat Beg Oldi and
Nayoma airfields became func-
tional three years ago and
transport planes like AN-32
and C-130J can land there.
However, the airfields are not
fit for transport planes during
winter months due to snow on
the landing strips and have to
be repaired in the summer, they
said. These airfields are the life-
line of the troops deployed in
eastern Ladakh as the planes
provide logistical support in
terms of flying troops and sup-
plies for jawans manning the
LAC in that region.
As regards strategic impor-
tance of Depsang Valley for
India, they said our troops are
in striking distance of
Karakoram Highway as it is
about 110 km from the face-off
site. Indian troops do carry out
patrols across the Depsang
Valley up to its perceived claim
line which is about 20 km
from the face-off location.
However, Chinese troops
are now camping in the valley
as per their claim line and pos-
ing a threat to Indian interests
as our troops cannot patrol the
area, they said. The Indian
troops normally pass through
the valley from the face-off
point as other routes pass
through rugged mountainous
terrain with heights touching
20,000 feet. The face-off point
is at about 16,300 feet.
koIkaIa: The Communisl Farly o
ndiaMarxisl announced lhal il
has exelled 0anesh 0ey, a arly
member, who was qui//ed by
olice in conneclion wilh lhe chil
und scam, or mainlaining links
wilh lhe lainled Saradha 0rou.
The announcemenl said lhe
secrelary o lhe horlh 24 Farganas
dislricl commillee has summarily
exelled 0ey or "mainlaining links
wilh lhe Saradha 0rou in a
ersonal caacily wilhoul lhe
knowledge o lhe arly". 80=B
From Page 1
their clients and families of
bureaucrats, political class and
contractors. On an average, it
is spending over Rs 16,000 per
seats for corporate box where
high quality liquor, foods and
snacks is served free of cost.
Insiders say that booking
corporate box in such high-
profile matches is taboo for any
Government agencies. It is
unthinkable on the part of any
Government agencies.
Whether DSIIDC move will
help to improve its image or
not, but it has invited lot of crit-
icism, said insiders.
Industries Minister Haroon
Yusuf, who holds the charge of
DSIIDC, and top officials have
refused to comment on this
issue. It is noteworthy that the
Excise Department, Delhi Police
and political class get large
number of VVIP passes for
these matches at regular basis.
The Corporation whose
primarily function is to sell
liquor and maintain industri-
al areas did its own without
informing the Government.
Besides, the Corporation is
involved in construction of
low-cost housing, maintenance
of common affluent plants in
industrial areas, upgradation of
roads and development of
unauthorised colonies.
It is estimated that the
Del hi Government has
awarded work cont racts
worth over Rs 500-600 crore
to it which is reportedly run-
ning behind schedule. The
PSU has earned profit of Rs
123.52 crore in 2011-12.
It is noted that the
Comptroller and Auditor
General of India (CAG) has
rapped DSIIDC for slow pace
of work of low-cost housing.
DSIIDC was given 14 projects
of low-cost housing. The
agency has invited tender for
construction of 5,552 houses at
Bapraulla. Only one bid was
received, it said. Last year too,
the DSIIDC management had
bought corporate box tickets
for IPL matches and the same
was doled out to high and
mighty.
From Page 1
Seeking Bansals resigna-
tion on moral grounds, SP
national general secretary Ram
Asrey Kushwaha said: The
Prime Minister and Congress
president Sonia Gandhi need to
realise that it is the Railway
Ministers nephew who has
been arrested with Rs 90 lakh.
Bansal should resign on moral
grounds. Leaders, who are cor-
rupt, should be suspended.
However, CPI(M) senior
leader Sitaram Yechury said
that the resignation of the
Railway Minister is no pun-
ishment and that a thorough
inquiry is the need of the hour.
Yechury said: Resignations
and non-resignations make no
sense. We want the culprits to
be punished. Mere resignation
is no punishment. You are
allowing them to get away.
First of all establish what is this
nexus that is going on, what is
happening to our system? Why
is it degenerating? And for that
you need to take some action so
that there is some fear and
respect for law.
In Shimla, BJPs national
vice-president Balbir Punj said
the Government has lost all
rights to remain in power, as
every day starts with a new
scam. Leading the protesters at
the Raj Bhawan here, Punj
accused the Central
Government of becoming a
mute spectator to corruption.
From Page 1
The Congress staunchly
defended Bansal and rejected
the demands for his resigna-
tion. Congress General
Secretary Janardan Dwivedi
said that it has become a dis-
ease of the Opposition to make
such demands.
The Railway Minister
himself has given a clarification
and said that there should be a
thorough probe into the mat-
ter. I dont think we can expect
anything more from him,
Dwivedi said. Notwithstanding
Dwivedis statement, the devel-
opment has come as a shock
and surprise in Congress circles
as Bansal has a clean and non-
controversial image.
The party wants to buy
time before a decision could be
taken on Bansals fate. At the
CCG meeting there was a
division within the party about
the future course of action
with one section wanting to
save the Railway Minister and
another cautioning against the
adverse fallout.
For the Congress, the con-
troversy could not have come
at a more inopportune time. It
is already facing heat with the
Opposition stalling Parliament
demanding the resignation of
Law Minister Ashwani Kumar
over vetting of the CBIs status
report on the coal scam and
the Supreme Court due to
hear the issue on May 8. The
Government is also facing the
wrath of the combined
Opposition on the JPC report
on the 2G spectrum issue.
Any hope that it had of ensur-
ing Parliament to function
from Monday by holding a
debate on Chinese incursion
has now dimmed.
CBI sources said Rs 2
crore was the alleged bribe
amount that was agreed upon
between Singla and Kumar for
an interim arrangement allow-
ing the latter to keep addi-
tional charge of Western
Railway till his new posting as
Member (Electrical).
Besides Singla, three others
Sandip Goyal, Dharmendra
Kumar and Vivek Kumar were
also remanded by Special CBI
Judge Swarana Kanta Sharma
till May 8 for custodial inter-
rogation by the agency.
Middleman Sandeep Goyal
had allegedly promised Mahesh
Kumar to arrange the plum
post of Member (Electrical) in
Railway Board in return for
promised Rs 10 crore, which
needed time till the retirement
of present members, the
sources said.
00a hacks 8aasaI f0r a0W
08II00 sI0res 0a IFl...
From Page 1
The actor was walking
past the red channel towards
the airport exit without declar-
ing the dutiable goods that he
was carrying, when our officials
intercepted him. After his lug-
gage was checked, he was
found with branded goods
such as perfumes, clothes and
footwear worth about Rs
93,000 which he ought to have
declared before the officials at
the red channel, Customs
Deputy Commissioner Sameer
Wankhede told The Pioneer.
During questioning after
detention, the actor told the
officials that he was not aware
of the baggage rules that neces-
sitated him to declare the
dutiable goods while passing
through the red channel.
The actor was detained for
45 minutes - a period during
which he was questioned, his
luggage was checked and was
fined Rs 60,000 on undeclared
personal goods.
According to baggage rules
for passengers arriving from
international destinations,
branded goods above the per-
missible limit of Rs 25,000
have to be declared to customs
authorities. The goods over
and above the free allowances
attract customs duty of 36.05
per cent (which includes an
education cess of 3 per cent)
However, celebrities--
returning from international
destinations -- being detained
and fined by the Customs offi-
cials at the CSIA for non-dec-
laration of dutiable goods is a
regular feature.
In the recent past, actress-
es Dia Mirza, Minissha Lamba,
Bipasha Basu, Anushka Sharma
and television and film pro-
ducer Ekta Kapoor had simi-
larly been detained and fined
by the Customs officials for not
declaring the dutiable goods
that they were carrying on
their return from abroad.
8aahIr ka00r
fIae4 f0r a0t...
E|J |u l|JuC|i|+
|+u|| i| i||
Irom Fage 1
A leam o Fakislan high
Commission oicials had already
made a visil lo Sanaullah
al lhe hosilal in lhe wee hours
on Salurday.
"we have given Fakislan high
Commission oicials consular
access on daily basis. They can
visil Sanaullah once a day. They
will also be brieed lwice a day on
his condilion," sokeserson in
lhe Minislry o Exlernal Aairs
said. "The doclors have given a
very essimislic rognosis o
Sanaullah's recovery or survival
and rule oul rosecls o his
medical evacualion," Fakislan high
Commission Fress Allache said.
he added, "The medical condilion
shows lhal Sanaullah was
subjecled lo brulal assaulls o
unseakable savagery in lhe jail,
which is a maller o dee
concern". Meanwhile in Fakislan,
lhe aulhorilies have susended
lhree senior rison oicials over
lhe alal allack on Sarabjil Singh
inside a jail, a week aler lhe
incidenl. The home Secrelary o
Funjab rovince susended lhe
lhree oicials or alleged neglig
ence lhal led lo lhe brulal allack
on Sarabjil wilhin Kol Lakhal Jail.
Palistani...
'0F has re40ce4 60vt...
FkhkV FkTY8h Q RAhCh
P
olitical parties feels there
is no sign of early polls on
the horizon, though the
Union Government is all set
to di ssol ve Jharkhand
Assembly as no party could
come forward to form a
Government.
Given the circumstances,
an extension of Presidents Rule
appears quite possible.
The tenure of Presidents
Rule in Jharkhand will end on
July 18 and if the Election
Commission (EC) wants to
conduct Assembl y pol l s
before that, it will be left
with very little time. EC needs
at least 45 days to complete
the process.
According to senior offi-
cials, fresh elections can be
conducted only if EC initiates
steps very soon.
But this seems unlikely
because work of electoral
rolls revision has recently
begun in the State and it is to
be completed by the end of
May, they added. Even polit-
ical parties are sceptical about
the dates of elections.
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+] 1|+|||+|J l+J|
6FM EXFEI8 MEM8E
I hkVIh IIhk8
WITh 8kkhk F
I, Raj Kumari Verma W/o
RajeshKumarR/oA-30, Sector-
14, Noida (U.P.) have changed
my name to Raj Kumari for all
purposes.
PD(5323)A
I,GouravBhardwaj S/oYogesh
Bhardwaj R/o E-274, Gamma-
I, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh,
have changed my name to
Gaurav Bhardwaj for all pur-
poses.
PD(5324)A
I, Mina Kumari W/o Navin
Kumar R/o RZC 236 Jal Vihar
Colony Phase-I, Gali No. 4,
Najafgarh New Delhi- 110043
Declarethat I havechangedmy
name from Mina Kumari to
Mina Navin Kumar for all pur-
poses
PD(5325)C
A,Avijeet Rawat S/oShri K.R.S.
Rawat R/o Sector-8/879, R.K.
Puram, New Delhi-110022 is
notified for the information
that my original certificate of
compartment secondary
examination of year 2001 and
Roll No. 6163587 issued by
CBSE have been actually lost.
PD(5326)C
CHANGE OF NAME
FEZ T EM8kk TkY h 3kY VI8IT T 8EhkI
New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee will leave on
Sunday for a three-day visit of West Bengal where he will attend
the valedictory function of 150th anniversary celebrations of
the Calcutta High Court. Mukherjee will launch the Bichitra
(Tagore Online Variorum) at Jadavpur University, Kolkata. On
the same day, he will attend the valedictory function of the
sesquicentennial (150th) celebrations of the Calcutta High
Court, a Press release issued on Saturday by Rashtrapati
Bhavan said. The President will visit Medinipur Collegiate
School on the occasion of its 175th anniversary on May 6 and
attend the presentation ceremony of a book of Bengali short
stories at Raj Bhavan in Kolkata.
IEY: ZZ M8k8 IM hMIM8 MkY I8E 188
Mumbai: Twenty-two management graduates of Narsee
Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), working
in various companies, will lose their jobs and possibly face
arrest in a forgery case. According to the Crime Branch, these
graduates had cleared their management entrance exam with
the help of imposters. Police has arrested six people in con-
nection with the case. The prime accused has been identified
as Alok Kumar, a B Tech graduate who cleared the NMIMS
entrance test several times by impersonating real applicants.
Five other accused, who acted as mediators, have been
identified as Hanumant Singh Gujar, Sugriv Gujar who are
both BTech graduates and brothers, besides Brajendra Pratap
Singh, MBA graduate Pavan Kumar and Himanshu Shekhar.
'8E 6IEk h WkTE8hkIh WITh 6hIhk'
Guwahati: An Assam-based NGO on Saturday appealed to
the State and Central Government to take the people of
Assam into consideration while signing any bilateral water
sharing policy with the China. Claiming that the Indian
Government has been contemplating to sign a water shar-
ing treaty with China, the NGO - Jana Jagriti on Saturday
said that according to the draft water sharing treaty, China
has offered only 40 per cent of the waters of the mighty river
to flow to India.
This will spell doom for northeaster States mainly Assam
and Bangladesh. India and Bangladesh will be at the mercy
of China for release of waters during the dry season and also
for protection from floods during rainy season. The Chinese
would have the means to control water flow as per their require-
ments, said Ashok Singhal, president of Jana Jagriti.
nation 07
N SHORT
MkYk8h8hkh Q FAhAJ
I
ndia may have over-reacted
to the death of Sarabjit Singh,
a suspected Indian spy, who
died in a Pakistan hospital
after being assaulted in a prison
cell there, a former top spy said
on Saturday.
Former special secretary
Research and Analysis Wing
(RAW) Amber Sen was deliv-
ering a lecture on terrorism in
India and beyond, at the
International Centre in Panaji.
When asked during a sub-
sequent open session to com-
ment on the response of the
Indian state following Sarabjits
death, the former strategic
intelligence advisor to the
National Security Council
(NSC) said, The Indian state
over-reacted.
Sarabjit, who spent more
than two decades incarcerated
in Pakistan on charges of espi-
onage succumbed to severe
head injuries received in a
murderous attack at the Kot
Lakhpat Jail, Lahore, when two
fellow inmates attacked him on
April 26 with bricks and plates.
He was admitted to a hospital
in Lahore and had been in
coma until he breathed his last
a couple of days ago.
His death has created an
uproar in the country, with sev-
eral sections of society and
Sarabjits family too claiming
that the Central Government
had not done enough to bring
him back.
Asked if the Central
Government needed to come
clear on whether Sarabjit was
a spy or not, Sen, who has han-
dled the Pakistan desk for
RAW said, If he was a spy no
country would ever accept it.
FIhEE hEW8 8EVI6E Q
hEw 0ELh
I
n a case of corruption involv-
ing a senior Army officer, the
CBI on Friday raided the
premises of a Major General
after the Army handed over the
case to the investigating agency
following allegations of finan-
cial impropriety against him.
Giving details here on
Saturday, officials said the
CBI carried out raids at
premises of Major General
VK Sharma in Udhampur,
Pat hankot , Del hi and
Gurgaon after registering a
case of corruption against
him on the charge of bribery
and amassing assets dispro-
portionate to known sources
of his income.
The agency seized some
documents pertaining to the
officers investments in prop-
erties, gold and other valuable
assets, they said adding the
Armys court of inquiry had
recommended a CBI probe.
Sharma, an Army Service
Corps (ASC) officer, was
attached to the Udhampur-
based Northern Command
since last year and facing the
court of inquiry after a con-
tractor leveled allegations of
financial impropriety against
him regarding a contract.
The officer was in charge
of rations and supplies to
troops posted in the com-
mand including Siachen and
counter-insurgency operations
in Jammu and Kashmir. The
Army initiated a court of
inquiry after carrying out an
internal surveillance against
him, they said.
As regards any action by
the Army following the CBI
raids, officials said it is now up
to the CBI to investigate and
take further action. The Army
has already relieved Sharma of
al l responsi bi l iti es and
attached him to Northern
Command pending the case
and the officer cannot join
duty any where else, they said.
Fh8 Q FAThA
A
s a part of the partys nation wide agitation,
a high-level delegation of Bihar BJP sub-
mitted a memorandum to State Governor DY
Patil at Raj Bhawan in Patna on Saturday,
demanding dismissal of the Congress-led UPA
Government at the Centre.
Members of the delegation included BJP
general secretary JP Nadda, vice-president CP
Thakur and State party president Mangal
Pandey.
BJP leaders said that the UPA Government
has become a synonym for the corruption as a
new corruption case is being disclosed every
other day.
Though corruption cases are being report-
ed from one Ministry after another, BJP lead-
ers mainly highlighted scams in 2G Spectrum
and coal blocks allocations.
FIhEE hEW8 8EVI6E Q hEw 0ELh
W
hile fats have been blamed for
increased cholesterol levels and
related diseases like overweight and
strokes, some fatty acids are good fats
that are needed for energy by most types
of cells in the body to build up good
immunity. However, surprisingly many
nutritionists prefer recommending
costly supplements over easily available
fatty acids to people with low immunity.
A recent study by Nutritionists
Republic, a community of dieticians and
nutritionists says about 40 per cent
nutritionists do not consider the
involvement of fatty acids while plan-
ning an immunity-specific diet.
In fact, 33 per cent of the 1,000
nutritionists surveyed across India
were not even aware about monolaurin,
an active immune-building molecule
that is derived from lauric acid, one of
the fatty acids, said Charu Dua, mem-
ber, Nutritionists Republic and Senior
Dietician, Pushpanjali Crosslay
Hospital, Delhi.
She attributed this to lack of aware-
ness among nutritionists towards pres-
ence of such fatty acids that fight
against pathogens.
While prescribing foods to enhance
immunity, major preference is given to
phytochemical containing food like
garlic, onion etc and to herbs and spices.
Fatty acids like Omega 3, Omega 6,
short chain fatty acids and monolaurin
assume least importance whereas they
exhibit equal or at times superior
immune boosting qualities, she said.
Dua further said that that mono-
laurin is also indicated in digestive dis-
orders and inflammatory conditions
like gastritis besides being effective
against a host of viruses like epstein barr
virus, measles virus, influenza virus
along with checking the growth of fun-
gal and urinary tract infections.
Mothers milk is considered to be
one of the most potent and effective
immune potion that helps a newborn
baby with under-developed immune sys-
tem to fight off fatal bacterial invasion.
Speaking about the dietary source
of lauric acid/monolaurin, nutritionist
and obesity consultant Naini Setalvad
recommends coconut oil.
She says, The next best source of
monolaurin after mothers milk is
coconut oil with 50 per cent of its sat-
urated fat being lauric acid. Coconut oil
has no trans fat which is commonly
implicated in heart disease and meta-
bolic syndrome. Research shows that
daily requirement of lauric acid is
about 10-20 grams per day as a healthy
balanced diet and lifestyle.
Talking about the immune crisis
faced by todays population, Dr
Rosemarie deSouza, Head of Medical
Intensive Care Unit at BYL Nair hos-
pital, Mumbai says, Constant abuse of
antibiotics, poor lifestyle and diet com-
position, pollution and general weak
immunity has made the population
really vulnerable.
This is manifested in the form of
cold, cough, flu. When not treated path-
ogenic invasion can amplify to serious
conditions like tuberculosis, asthma,
tuberculosis, and bronchitis.
kkE8h k 8Ihh Q hEw 0ELh
K
illing of death row convict
Sarabjit Singh could have
been a well-planned conspira-
cy of Inter-Services Intelligence
(ISI) and its front Lashkar-e-
Tayyeba as the terror group has
justified the murder of the
Indian prisoner in a jail there
and released a poster on Friday
saying Pakistan has for the first
time done a thing in the line
with the purpose for which the
Islamic state was created.
Sources in the know said
Sarabjits body bore bedsores,
raising suspicion about his
death even before he was
admitted to an intensive care
unit of the Jinnah Hospital in
Pakistan. As per normal prac-
tice, a patient is given sponge
bath several times in an ICU so
as to avoid any infection
including bedsores. The
sources did not rule out his
death in the jail itself and
shifting his body to the hospi-
tal could just be an eyewash.
Rejoicing over the extra-
judicial killing of Sarabjit, as
proclaimed by Gujarat Chief
Minister Narendra Modi, the
LeT in its poster said while the
killing of one Sarabjit has cre-
ated a nationwide uproar in
India, the terror group has
plans to create 20 Pakistans in
the Indian subcontinent by
carrying out terror attacks
across the country.
The poster depicts a trun-
cated version of the Indian
map and highlights the cities
that would be targeted by the
terror outfit. The cities planned
to be targeted include Delhi,
Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bangalore,
Pune, Hyderabad, Bhopal,
Lucknow, Kolkata, Guwahati,
Shillong and Jammu.
A senior intelligence offi-
cial said the LeT has its own
sleeper cells in these cities
besides a strong cadre of affil-
iated terror groups like the
banned Students Islamic
Movement of India and Indian
Mujahideen come in handy for
carrying out terrorist strikes.
Attacks in any of these cities
provoke communal polarisa-
tion and a fertile ground for
subversive activities.
The sources said ISI has of
late increased funding to the
LeT for ramping up subversive
activities in India. The LeT on
its part has been funding cer-
tain minority organisations in
India to mobilise the commu-
nity for anti-state activities.
The LeT has called a con-
ference on May 18 at Muridke
titled Aqeeda-e-Tauheed to
discuss future terror strategy.
The sources said the agenda of
the meet is yet to be finalised
but the notorious LeT may call
for greater synergy between
various subversive groups
active in Jammu & Kashmir
and the North-East to carry out
attacks in the hinterland.
According to inputs with
the Union Home Ministry, as
many as 42 terror training
camps ((25 in PoK and 17 in
Pakistan) are still functioning
across the border in Pakistan
with about 2,500 trained ter-
rorists on their rolls. This
besides, the Union Home
Ministry has estimated that
around 350 hardcore terrorists
belonging to LeT, Jaish-e-
Mohammad and Hizbul
Mujahideen are active in
Jammu and Kashmir along
with the over ground workers
of these groups.
The reports also point to
the linkages between the
insurgents of the North-East
and terror groups active in
Jammu & Kashmir and even
the Maoists.
IkFkI 8EThI Q JAFuR
J
ail authorities of Rajasthan on
Saturday started shifting
over two dozen Pakistani pris-
oners lodged in different jails
to two high security jails of
Jodhpur and Bikaner. This was
done in the wake of killing of
Sarabjit Singh in Kot Lakhpat
jail at Lahore and attack on
Pakistan prisoner Sanaullah
Haq in a Jammu jail on Friday.
According to official
sources, the decision to shift
Pakistani prisoners in high
security jails was taken after a
high level meeting of the Home
Department following an alert
from the Centre.
Sources said, in all 27
Pakistani prisoners are under-
going sentences in Central jails
at Ajmer, Jaisalmer, Ganganagar,
Bharatpur, Kota and Udaipur. All
of them would be shifted to cen-
tral jails in Jodhpur and Bikaner,
which have best security set-up.
There are already a number
of Sikh and Muslim terrorists
in Jodhpur jail as this is con-
sidered as one of the safest jails
in the State.
According to Omendra
Bhardwaj, Additional Director
General (Prison), owing to
killing of Sarabjit Singh in
Pakistan there were apprehen-
sions that Pakistani prisoners in
jails in Rajasthan might be
attacked by their Indian fellow
prisoners. On the issue of
security and safety of Pakistani
prisoners, we do not want to
take any chance, he said.
Sources said that at the
same time security in Jodhpur
and Bikaner jails have been
stepped up.
08I raI4s Maj0r 6ea
0ver hrIhery chare
Laok o awaronoss
on good atty aoids
Fh8 Q FAThA
B
JP spokesperson
Shahnawaz Hussain was
hospitalised in Patna on
Saturday after complaints of
pains in the chest.
Hussain who reached
Patna on Friday night com-
plained about pains in his
chest and a local doctor was
immediately called to check
him. After the preliminary
check-up, the doctor advised
him to consult a cardiologist.
Later, he was admitted to
Kankabagh based Heart Hospital
past midnight when pains did
not subside. Doctors at the hos-
pital performed ECG and TMT
tests besides conducting some
other investigations.
Deputy Chief Minister
Sushil Kumar Modi, BJP vice
president CP Thakur, State BJP
president Mangal Pandey, Health
Minister Ashwani Kumar
Choubey, Animal Husbandry
Minister Giriraj Singh, several
MLAs and MLCs and other
party leaders and workers visit-
ed the hospital, wishing Hussain
an early recovery. Party General
Secretary JP Nadda who was in
Patna, also visited the hospital
to know his condition.
BJP president Rajnath Singh,
Gujarat CM Narendra Modi, BJP
MP Shatrughan Singh and other
senior party leaders inquired
about Hussains health over
phone, informed party sources.
Bangalore: Capping an intense
campaign that saw sparks fly,
Karnataka goes to high-stake
Assembly polls on Sunday amid
elaborate security arrangements.
The main players the
ruling BJP, the Congress and JDS
were engaged in high pitched
campaigning, as also Karnataka
Janata Party of former Chief
Minister BS Yeddyurappa, who
has broken away from the BJP.
Congress leaders Sonia
Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi led
the Congress charge against the
beleaguered BJP in the State
which is mired in allegations of
corruption while Gujarat Chief
Minister Narendra Modi spiced
up the counter-attack by the
ruling party. Some poll surveys
have predicted majority for the
Congress or it emerging as the
single largest party but falling
short of a handful of seats, fol-
lowed by BJP and JDS.
Its interesting to see how
many seats the KJP would bag
and if Yeddyurappa would be
king-maker in the post-poll
scenario. As many as 1.35 lakh
police personnel 60,000 from
the state, 20,000 homeguards
and rest from central paramil-
itary and neighbouring States
would be deployed to ensure
smooth conduct of the elections.
Polling would be held from 7
am to 6 pm, timing extended by
an hour by an EC order on
Saturday, in 223 Assembly seg-
ments of the total 224. Election
in Periyapatna was put off to
May 28 following the death of
BJP candidate. PTI
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Karnataka elections today
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n all 27 Pakistani
prisoners are
undergoing
sentences in Central
jails at Ajmer,
Jaisalmer,
Ganganagar,
Bharatpur, Kota and
Udaipur. All of them
would be shifted to
central jails in
Jodhpur and Bikaner,
which have best
security set-up
Government of India
Ministry of Defence
Indian Ordnance
Factories
Ordnance Factory
Kalpi Road
Kanpur-208 009
General Manager, Ordnance Factory, Kalpi Road, Kanpur-208 009, on behalf
of the President of India invites online bids for following item(s)
(machines/material/works) in two bid system through e_procurement mode:-
1. Open Tender Enquiry No. : B20130169/MMG-I/2013-14
2. Nomenclature of the : Brass Rod 29 MM (+/-0.15) Dia to
material SPECN IS:319 Type 1.1989 or
BS: 2874-1986, CZ-121 PB3 in 'M'
Condition for mfr, of aircraft bomb
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3. Quantity : 919.5 Kg.
4. Last date of submission of : 28.05.2013 at 2:45 PM
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(v) The Bid has to be submitted through e-procument on the above
mentioned website only.
(vi) For relevant information visit www.tenders.gov.in
(iv) No corrigendum will be published in News paper and will be loaded on
webside https://ofbeproc.gov.in
Note: Established suppliers of this item can not participate in this tender being
a source development. davp 10201/11/0276/1314
moneywise 08 NEW DELH SUNDAY MAY 5, 2013
NFOCUS
FITI 8k1k1 Q hEw 0ELh
T
he fate of the Land
Acquisition, Rehabilitation
and Resettlement Bill seems to
be hanging in mid air. With
most political parties unwilling
to support the Bill, it is being
perceived as a popular poll
plank for the government even
as several sticky areas contin-
ue to dog the Bill. Though the
exact details of the final draft
are not available in the public
domain, it is said that some
fundamentals remain
unchanged.
The core problem that per-
sists is that the lawmakers
have no fixed solution to land
pricing. There is tremendous
variation in land needs, land
ownership patterns and inter-
est groups involved. According
to experts, most of these com-
plexities arise from the local
land market and can be tack-
led only at the state level and
therefore, there cannot be a
one-size-fits-all kind of solu-
tion.
Most economists are of
the view that the Bill, which
proposes to pay compensa-
tion that is up to four times the
market value in rural areas and
two times the market value in
urban areas will tilt the balance
away from industry. The cost of
land will inflate significantly for
developers and the land acqui-
sition will be mired in litigation
and controversy.
Analysts see serious flaws
in the processes and regulation
of the Land Bill, which could
stifle the base of economic
development. While determi-
nation of the fair market price
is a mystery, the benefit trick-
ling to the right people is also
an issue. It is definite that the
intended beneficiaries are the
farmers in the villages and
landless labourers. However,
since most of the land, which
is likely to be up for acquisition
has already been grabbed by
the rich and powerful do we
still have lucrative land?
Moreover, it will become
tough for affordable housing
projects to take off since it
would inflate the cost of land.
Critics of the Land Bill point
out that the way it has been
designed, the way the fair mar-
ket price is going to be deter-
mined and the way there are
host of concomitant entitle-
ments to potentially unlimited
claimants is a cause of concern.
A regressive acquisition
system that created a lot of bad-
blood in the past will turn into
a social taxation system, in its
present form. This would
encourage the transfer of
wealth to a tiny minority of
landowners who are lucky to be
living in that particular land.
Policymakers need to fur-
ther consider the kind of
impact the Bill would have on
development and the regional
fall out it would have. As some
economists say, even as there is
merit in ensuring compensa-
tion to the people, the indus-
try cannot be bound to the
ground. Ultimately, if there
are no industries, there will be
no jobs and with poor agri-
cultural conditions persisting,
economy will come to a stand
still.
laa4 8III: 8aIt f0r v0tes
Fh8 Q 0REATER h00A
P
rime Minister Manmohan
Singh on Saturday assured
the international community
that his Government is taking
steps to make India a more
attractive investment destina-
tion.
"We are initiating mea-
sures to spur investment and to
make India more attractive to
investors both at home and
abroad. We have taken steps to
fast track major infrastructure
projects," he said while inau-
gurating the 46 Annual General
Meeting of the Asian
Development Bank here.
Singh also assured the
international audience, com-
prising Finance Ministers and
central bank governors of sev-
eral countries, that India is tak-
ing strong measures to achieve
fiscal consolidation and high
economic growth.
"India has set itself a target
of over 8 per cent annual
growth for the Twelfth Five
Year Plan, which runs from
2012 to 2017. This is the rate of
growth that the country
achieved over the past decade,"
he said.
In order to spur investment
in mega projects, the govern-
ment recently set up a Cabinet
Committee on Investment
(CCI) to accord approvals to
projects of over Rs 1,000 crore,
which were held up due to var-
ious regulatory nods.
Last year, the Government
unveiled a fiscal consolidation
roadmap with an aim to bring
fiscal deficit to the level of 3 per
cent of GDP by 2016-17.
Referring to steps to pro-
mote inclusive growth, Singh
said the government has intro-
duced legal entitlements to
work, education and informa-
tion from public authorities.
"We also plan to provide
our people a legal entitlement
to food at affordable cost. A leg-
islation in this regard is before
our Parliament," he said.
The Prime Minister said
the Direct Benefits Transfer
(DBT) programme will make it
simpler for the beneficiaries to
have access to benefits besides
eliminating corruption and
wastage in the public distribu-
tion system. Pointing out that
the level of lending the ADB
cansustain is projected to come
down, Singh suggested the
Manila headquartered multi-
lateral agency find innovative
ways to channelise global sav-
ings for development of infra-
structure projects in develop-
ing nations.
"...Expanding infrastruc-
ture financing and investment
through the intermediation of
the ADB could help lower the
cost of financing long-term
infrastructure projects. I hope
the ADB can consider moving
in this direction and propel
growth in the region," the
Prime Minister said.
Referring to India-ADB
ties, he said both have a strong
commitment to a common
agenda in making the growth
processes inclusive and sus-
tainable.
"I sincerely believe that
this is not just a social and
political imperative, but also a
sound economic underpinning
for sustained long term
growth," he added.
Singh further said the
regional cooperation and inte-
gration among countries in
Asia and the Pacific can play a
critical role in accelerating eco-
nomic growth, reducing pover-
ty and economic disparity.
He stressed on the impor-
tance of building cross-border
infrastructure, eliminating
trade and investment barriers,
and cooperation including
transfer of technology.
"India is a firm believer in
the benefits of regional inte-
gration and is committed to
promoting it. We stand com-
mitted to deep engagement
with the countries of East and
Southeast Asia," the Prime
Minister said.
He pointed out that resur-
gence of Asia is part of a
process where economic power
has been shifting to emerging
economies in recent years.
At Purchasing Power
Parity, he said, emerging
economies accounted for 80
per cent of the world growth in
2012, with emerging Asia
accounting for a majority of it
and China and India account-
ing for 35 per cent and 10 per
cent of world growth respec-
tively.
60vt takIa stes t0
s0r Iavestmeat: FM
Fh8 Q 0REATER h00A
F
inance Minister P
Chidambaram on Saturday
said that India story of invest-
ment is "just starting out".
Addressing the First
Business Session of ADB
Annual Meeting here, he said
many projects are plagued by
"last mile" bottlenecks in fuel
supply, environment clearance,
forest clearance, and land
acquisition and a Cabinet
Committee on Investment
(CCI) has been set up to fast
track the projects.
"We have permitted FDI in
areas such as multi-brand
retail, power exchanges, avia-
tion and broadcasting," he said,
adding "As I am fond of saying,
India's story on investment is
just starting out".
The CCI has cleared sev-
eral mega major projects,
including those in the oil and
natural gas sectors, which were
stuck due to variousregulatory
clearances.
Following liberalisation of
the FDI policy in the aviation
sector, Malaysian budget car-
rier AirAsia has joined hands
with Tata Sons and Telestra
Tradeplace to launch an airline
in India.
Chidambaram, who is also
chairman of the ADB Board of
Governors, said the govern-
ment is determined to accel-
erate the pace of inclusive
growth, while maintaining
macroeconomic stability.
"We are committed to fis-
cal consolidation. It will reverse
the slippages that took place as
a result of the stimulus pack-
ages (given in aftermath of
global slowdown)," he said.
The Finance Minister said
the fiscal deficit as a proportion
of GDP would be brought
down to 3 per cent by 2016-17.
"This we will achieved by
a prudent combination of rev-
enue enhancement as well as
expenditure rationalisation,"
he said, adding India was
determined to boost invest-
ment both domestic as well
as foreign.
Referring to India-ADB
engagement, Chidambaram
said he was pleased to note that
ADB is now embarking on
supporting initiatives in skills
development.
noia story on investment is
just starting out: Clioamlaram
Fh8 Q 0REATER h00A
A
ppreci ati ng the
Government' s Di rect
Benef it Transfer (DBT)
scheme, multilateral funding
agency Asian Development
Bank on Saturday said it will
advi se other devel opi ng
nations to implement it in
order to check corruption
and prevent leakages in sub-
sidies.
"I think it is a great effort.
We are learning a lot from
India. You are now building a
bio information and then you
are providing direct subsidy
without any intermediary.
That would significantly
reduce corruption and ineffi-
ci enci es, " ADB Chi ef
Economist Changyong Rhee
told a media conference.
"We at ADB will really
push this idea to other devel-
oping countries as a way to
enhance public finance and as
a way to enhance transparen-
cy," he said.
Rhee said public service
delivery in the Asian region
has improved remarkably in
the last 30-40 years due to
rapid growth.
However, he said slow-
down may have a negative
impact on the public delivery
system and called for better
targeting of subsidies.
A!B says will
recommeno
!BJ to otler
oeveloing
nations
FTI Q0REATER h00A
G
lobal agency Standard &
Poor's on Saturday ruled out
rating upgrade for India at the
current juncture but said
improvement in outlook was
something which could be con-
sidered.
"...A rating upgrade at this
point is not on the cards," said
Elena Okorochenko, S&P
Managing director (Sovereign
and international public finance
ratings -Asia Pacific) at an ADB
seminar here.
However, she indicated that
the improvement in rating out-
look was something which could
be considered by the rating
agency.
"If you think the rating is on
negative outlook, it is highly
improbable that an upgrade fol-
lows from a negative outlook.
Usually, the outcomes from a
negative outlook is downgrade
or stable outlook", she explained.
S&P currently rates India as
'BBB-', lowest in the investment
grade, with a negative outlook.
It had also not ruled out down-
grading India's rating to junk sta-
tus if it did not improve its finan-
cial position.
India, however, has been
pitching for a rating upgrade on
the back of bold and tough deci-
sions which the government
announced in the budget for
2013-14 to contain fiscal deficit
and promote growth.
The representatives of S&P
had recently met Finance
Ministry officials including
Economic Affairs Secretary
Arvind Mayaram to review pub-
lic finances.
Mayaram had earlier said
"there is a case for an upgrade
because we have taken the kind
of decisions that most of the
countries in the world have not
been able to take. This country
has shown its determination to
put the economy back on track.
We believe it will happen and
there is no doubt about it."
Finance Ministry officials
held similar meeting with anoth-
er rating agency Fitch.
8&F r0Ies 00t
ratIa 0ra4e
f0r Ia4Ia
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
RIFLE FACTORY, ISHAPORE
Ref. No.: 32-C24/A Date: 19.04.2013
TENDER NOTICE
General Manager, Rifle Factory, Ishapore, P.O.- Nawabganj-Ichapore, Dist.- 24 Pgs. (N),
West Bengal, Pin-743144, for and on behalf of President of India invites online e-tenders
under the two bid system for supply of the under mentioned item. Interested vendors ful-
filling criteria may submit their bids up to 24-05-2013 with Tender Document Fee (Non-
refundable) in the form of DD/IPO & EMD in the form of DD/Fixed Deposit Receipt/Banker's
Cheque/Bank Guarantee drawn in favor of GM/RFI payable at Barrackpore. No
manual/postal offers will be entertained. The full details of the tender such as Specification,
Annexure and Terms & Conditions etc. can be accessed through https://tenders.gov.in
and https://ofbeproc.gov.in
Interested vendors may submit their quotation (Technical & Price Bid) through electronic
mode only. Tender Document Fee & EMD should be sent by post duly indicating the rele-
vant Tender No. & Due date super scribing 'Tender Fee & EMD' an envelop to the office of
GM, RFI before closing date & time as stipulated in the Tender Notice. Firms registered
with DGS&D, NSIC & Ordnance Factories; need not to pay EMD subject to submission of
valid registration certificate along with the Technical bid.
Sl Tender No. Name of Item Quantity Tender Fee/ Completion
No. Required Earnest Period
Money
DTD3270048, 8,000.000 KGm RS.100.00/ Delivery
1 DT. 19/04/2013 ALUMINIUM OXIDE - 99% PURE, (Qty.: Eight Period 02
Opening Date: NON-MAGNETIC, GRIT NO.-30 Thousand only.) Rs.24,500.00 months after
24/05/2013 placement of
order
Note:
i) The sources already established in RFI for the item will not be eligible to participate.
ii) Every firm, irrespective of the registration with SSl, NSIC, DGS&D and Ordnance Factory
etc., has to submit Tender Document Fee, failing which their bid will not be considered.
iii) This is an e-tender & bidding will be by e-system through website https://ofbeproc.gov.in
iv) GM reserves the right to issue any corrigendum to the tender notice.
v) In case of any discrepancy between tender documents downloaded from internet and the
master copy available in the office, the later shall prevail and will be binding on the tender-
er(s). No claim on this account will be entertained.
vi) To participate in the tender the firm will have to take Class III digital signature from any
of the agencies. The firm has also to enroll themselves with Rifle Factory, Ishapore for par-
ticipation on this TE. The details are given in the website https://ofbeproc.gov.in
vii) For any clarification related to e-procurement, tenderers are requested to contact Rifle Factory
on Ph.No.033-2596 3514 or through e-mail ID umashankar.ofb@ofb.gov.in.
viii) Vendors are also requested to keep in touch regularly at OFBs website https://ofbeproc.gov.in
for any amendment I corrigendum to this OTEs.
davp 10201/11/0286/1314 For General Manager
INDIAN ORDNANCE FACTORIES
AMMUNITION FACTORY KHADKI PUNE-411 003
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
TENDER NOTICE
Sl. Reference No. NomenclaturE Qty EMD to be
No. submitted
1 20130038 RING TO DRG NO ARDE 1933 DET 186616 Nos Rs. 6200/-
dtd: 17.04.2013 NO 6 PART NO ITV-172 DC 36529-A with 50% option
O.D. 19.07.2013 SPECN CQA (A) 2322 (P) DC 37193-A
Delivery schedule:- It is desired that Raw material may be submitted within one month after receipt of S.O.
1 Advance samples:- It should be submitted within 2 months after raw material clearance.
2 Bulk delivery:- It is within 06 months after accordance of Bullk Production clearance.
4) Time & LAST DATE OF RECEIPT OF QUOTATIONS AT AFK: 1400 HRS ON 31/05/2013
5) TIME & DATE & PLACE OF OPENING OF TECHNICAL BID AT AFK: 1430 HRS ON 31/05/2013
NOTE:
Detailed descriptions, credentials required, eligibility criteria, terms & conditions etc. are available on
Govt. website www.Tenders..gov.in & on www.ofbeproc.qov.in.
This procurement action is in 2 bid system,. i.e. technical bid & price bid, and for new source devel-
opment hence established suppliers may, not quote for above items. Please note that VRRF should be
enclosed with. technical bid and capacity verification fees should reach.AFK on or before 1400 hrs.
on at 31/05/2013. Please note that technical bid will be rejected if fees and VRR'F not received within
stipulated time and date and no correspondence will be made in' this regards.
For any clarification please contact at Ammunition Factory, Khadki, Pune 30 - Fax - 020-25813205,
Tel No- 020-25810554 Ext-2018, Email - afk.ofb@nic.in
davp 10201/11/0285/1314
Phone: 020-25813855/25922000 Fax: 020-25813205/25821875 Email: afk.ofb@nic.in
INDIAN ORDNANCE FACTORIES
AMMUNITION FACTORY KHADKI, PUNE-411 003
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Invitation for Expression of Interest
Ammunition Factory, Khadki, Pune-411 003 (a unit of Dept. of
Defence Production & Supplies, Ministry of Defence) is engaged
in production of various types of Ammunitions. For this purpose, AFK,
Pune requires following machined components from trade firms.
Proposals are invited from leading and reputed firms who are
interested to supply these items. Drawings & specifications for these
items may be obtained from Controller of Quality Assurance (A),
Kikree, Pune 411 003 [Ph.No. 020-25824000, Fax-020-
2582411,25824012, email:cgaamnpune-dgga@nic.in] on paying hire
charges. Firms already registered for an item need not apply again
for that particular item.
SI. No. NOMENCLATURE OF MATERIAL.
1. CONTAINER TO DRG NO ARDE-1933 DET NQ 4,
PT.NO.ITV 170, DC 36207-A. SPECN CQA (A) 2322.(g)
DC 37193-A.
2. CONTAINER TO DRG NO.ARDE 1935, DET NO 1 PART
NO ITV 28A, SHT-1,DC .36747:A TO SPECN. CQA(A)
2303(f) DC 36747-A.
3. COLLAR NOSETO DRG NO.ARDE 2233 DET NO.1 PART
NO ISV 1942 DC 36202-A.
4. CUP TO DRG NO ARDE 2O43.DET NO 5 PART NO ISV
1764 DC 36356-A. SPECN NO CQA(A) 2804(m) DC 36202-
A.
5. BULLET RUBBER FOR CARTRIDGE 38 MM RUBBER
BULLET TO DRG. NO. KF/SK 1746 SHEET NO.4 DT. 8-
02-89 AND AS PER SPECN.No.DG0F 135 (a) DT. 15-11-99.
6. PLUG FOR CARTRIDGE 38 MM RUBBER BULLET TO
DRG NO.KF/SK-1746 SHEET NO 5 DT. 11.7.87 SPECN.
NO. DGOF135(a) DT.15.11.99
7. CHARGE HOLDERTO DRG NO. KF/SK-1746 SHEET NO
3 DT.08-08-96 SPECN.NO.DGOF 135(a) Dt.15.11.99
8. NYLON RING DESIGN REF. CIA/AMN/1579 PART NO. ITV-
50 DC 36257-A.
9. HALF CUP B DES REF NO CIA/AMN/851 DRG PT.NO.
ISV 862 DC 36693-A AID MEMORIES NO H/3/3
10. CONTAINER (WITH DISC) DES REF CIA/AMN/655
DRG.PT NO ITV 21 DC 36747-A SPECN CQA(A) 2303(f)
DC 36747-A
11. CONTAINER WITH DISC TO DRG NO CIA/AMN/811 PART
NO ITV 6A, DC 36747-A SPECN; CQA (A) 2303 (1) DC
36747-4
12. HALF CUP TO DESIGNERS REF. NO. CIA/AMN/2158 PT.
No.1 ISV 1740 DC 36454 A
13. PLASTIC POWER PISTON WITHOUT POUCH TO AFK
DRG NO KF/SK-1810. DATED 28-05-2005
14. PLASTIC INDEX DISC FOR CTG. SA 12 BORE 65 MM/70
MM TO DRG. NO. AFK/SK 2888 DT. 17-01-2007
15. PLASTIC POWER PISTON WITHOUT POUCH FOR
65MM/70MM 12 BORE PAPER CARTRIDGES AS PER
AFK DRG.NO. KF/SK-1809 DT 4-3-2000
The willing firms can apply for registration for specific components
by downloading the Vendor Registration Request Forms (VRRF) from
internet (www.ofbindia.gov.in/download/rti_man/ Appendix1.pdf)
or requesting AFK to issue VRRF.
Interested firms will have to submit VRRF with all supporting
documents & capacity verification fees as under:-
a) Large & Medium Scale Industries Rs. 5000/-
b) Small Scale firms Rs. 2000/-
After Capacity verification of interested firms by committed of
AFK team, capable firms will be registered which will enable them
to participate in tenders as and when requirement of the subject
components are received, for capacity verification will not be required
again.
This invitation to Expression of Interest is without any com-
mitment at this stage from either side. Interested firms may submit
their proposal at the above address or through e-mail at
afk.ofb@nic.in latest by 31/05/2013
davp 10201/11/0282/1314
Phone: 020-25813855/25922000 Fax: 020-25813205/25821875 Email: afk.ofb@nic.in
PRESS NOTICE
The Executive Engineer PWD Division M-111, R.R. Lines, Ring
Road, New Delhi-110010 invites on behalf of President of India,
online Item/Percentage Rate tender on two bid system for fol-
lowing work :-
NIT No. 28/EE/PWDM-111/2013-14 Tender ID No.
2013_PWD_35281_1, Name of Work: A/R & M/o to various roads
under PWD Sub Division M-1114 during 2013-14. SH:
Providing crack sealing with rubberized bitumen. Estimated Cost:
Rs. 2 1,87,500/-Earnest Money Rs. 43,750/- Time of Completion:
02 (Two) Month. The last date to fill/upload the tender through
c-tendering is 09.05.2013 upto 03:00 P.M.
NIT No. 29/EE/PWDM-111/2013-14 Tender ID No,
2013_PWD_35283_1, Name of Work : A/R & M/o to various
roads under PWD Sub Division M-1113 during 2013-14. SH:
Providing crack sealing with rubberized bitumen.. Estimated Cost:
Rs.12,50,000/-Earnest Money Rs. 25,000/- Time of Completion:
02 (Two) Month. The last date to fill/upload the tender through
e-tendering is 09.05.2013 upto 03:00 P.M.
2013_PWD_35127_1, Name of Work A/R & M/o to various
Establishing alignment and desilting of storm water drain
through mechanical devices. Estimated Cost: Rs. 9,00,000I-
Earnest Money: Rs.18,000/- Time of Completion: 06 (Two)
Months. The last date to fill/upload the tender through
e-tendering is 13.05.2013 upto 03:00 P.M.
through mechanical devices. Estimated Cost: Rs.11,85,000/-
Earnest Money: Rs.23,7001- Time of Completion : 06 (Two)
Months. The last date to fill/upload the tender through etender-
ing is 13.05.2013 upto 03:00 P.M.
through mechanical devices.. Estimated Cost: Rs 11,85,000/-
Months. The last date to fill/upload the tender through e-ten-
dering is 13.05.2013 upto 03:00 P.M.
through mechanical devices. Estimated Cost: Rs. 39,50,000/-
dering is 13.05.2013 upto 03:00 P.M.
2013_PWD_35272_1, Name of Work : A/R & M/o various roads
under PWD Division M1114 dg. 2012-13. SH Bituminous work-
Patch Repair on Various roads. Estimated Cost: Rs. 21,12,891/-
Earnest Money: Rs. 42,258/- Time of Completion: 04 (Four)
dering is 14.05.2013 upto 03:00 P.M.
2013_PWD_35276_1, Name of Work: A/R & M/o various roads
under PWD Division M1111 dg. 2013-14. SH: Bituminous work-
Patch Repair on Various roads. Estimated Cost: Rs.42,86.098/-
Earnest Money : Rs.85,722/- Time of Completion : 04 (Four)
dering is 14.05.2013 upto 03:00 P.M.
The Bid forms and other details can be obtained from the web-
site. https//govtprocurement.delhi.gov.in
DIP/0235/2013-14
world 09 NEW DELH SUNDAY MAY 5, 2013
FTI Q R0ME
F
ormer Finmeccanica CEO
Giuseppe Orsi, who faces an
instant trial in June over alle-
gations of corruption in the
C3,600 crore VVIP chopper
deal with India, was on
Saturday released from jail.
Orsi was released after
about 80 days in pre-trial deten-
tion, Italian media reports said.
A judge in the northern
Italian town of Busto Arsizio
had on Friday granted a
prosecutors request for the
instant trial, which eliminates
preliminary hearings.
The trial against Orsi and
CEO of its helicopter unit
Agust a West l and Bruno
Spagnoli would begin from
June 19. Orsi and Spagnolini
are suspected of corruption in
relation to bribes allegedly
paid to secure a contract to
sell 12 Agusta Westland heli-
copters to India.
Orsi, who resigned from
the Italian state-controlled
defence giant Finmeccanica a
few days after his arrest,
denies any wrongdoing. He
was released on Saturday
because t he terms t hat
allowed prosecutors to keep
him in custody ahead of a
trial had expired.
The Indian Defence
Ministry has ordered a CBI
probe into the allegations of
kickbacks to the tune of C362
crore after the arrest of Orsi and
Spagnolini by Italian investiga-
tors in connection with the case.
Orsi was at the helm of
Augusta Westland when the
deal was struck and he is sus-
pected of involvement in the
payment of bribes.
Prosecutors suspect that
around 50 million euros (C362
crore approximately), about 10
per cent of the deal, were
ploughed back into kickbacks
to ensure Agusta Westland
won the contract.
In February 2010, India
had inked the deal to acquire
the 12 three-engine AW-101
helicopters from Agusta
Westland for VVIP use.
FTI Q hEw Y0RK
A
n Indian student studying
in the US has been award-
ed for co-founding a company
that creates cheap sensors for
purifying water of harmful
bacteria.
Ni sarg Patel of t he
Arizona State University
(ASU) won the changing
entrepreneurship and out-
standing teaching awards at
the annual Pitchfork Awards
ceremony, for co-founding
HyrdoGene Biotechnologies,
the College Times reported.
The group reprogrammes
bacteria to produce a protein
bio-sensor that then purifies
water from the bacteria.
The idea came when one
of Patels lab partners came
back from a research trip in
Guatemala, where she noticed
children looking at their water
and drinking it if it seemed
relatively clear.
They dont realise its con-
taminated with bacteria that
they cant see, so thats one of
the issues were trying to solve,
Patel said.
Even if your idea is small,
the fact that there are so many
of you means one small impact
after another can really make a
difference, he added.
FTI Q KuALA LuMFuR
M
alaysians vote on Sunday
in what is expected to be
a closely-contested general
election, with the ruling coali-
tion led by Premier Najib
Razak, conf i dent of
winning and completing 57
straight years in power since
the countrys independence
from Britain.
However, the opposition
alliance led by Anwar Ibrahim
too is very upbeat and its
leader has already unveiled a
100-day roadmap including
waiving all higher education
loans, and abolishing highway
tolls if voted to power.
Malaysias eight per cent
minority ethnic Indian com-
munity has been wooed by
both sides for votes. The last
polls had seen a huge swathe of
ethnic Indians supporting the
opposition alliance.
An independent survey
showed the ruling Barisan
Nasional coalition was running
neck and neck with the oppo-
sition alliance ahead of the May
5 general elections.
A poll by Merdeka Centre
predicted Najibs coalition
could win 85 parliamentary
seats and the three-party oppo-
sition alliance led by Anwar
Ibrahim will take 89 seats.
It said 46 seats were too
close to call while two seats will
go to smaller parties.
The Barisan holds 135 seats
in the 222-member Parliament,
while Anwars Peoples Alliance
has 75 seats.
Meanwhile, Anwar said on
Saturday that the focus of oppo-
sition roadmap must be pro-
people and consist of measures
that will have both immediate
impact, and long-term benefits.
Under the roadmap, petrol
prices would be slashed, all
education loans waived and
gradual abolishment of high-
way tolls would be commenced
within 30 days, if the Peoples
Alliance wins power.
kIF Q FEShAwAR
A
Pakistani candidate run-
ning for Parliament in
next weeks historic election
was injured on Saturday as
his vehicle hit a roadside
bomb i n t he t roubl ed
Northwest, officials said.
Raj Mohammad, a nation-
al Assembly candidate from the
hardline Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI)
party, was on his election cam-
paign in the lower Orakzai
Agency area of the restive
northwestern tribal belt when
his vehicle hit an Improvised
Explosive Device (IED).
Mohammad and his driver
were injured in the attack and
their vehicle was badly dam-
aged, Wali Mohammad, a local
Government official told AFP.
The victims are out of
danger and had no life threat-
ening wounds, he said.
In a separate incident, an
election office of the cricketer-
turned-pol iti ci an Imran
Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-
Insaaf (PTI) party was
attacked in Peshawar.
Police said that around
five kilogrammes of explosives
were planted outside a PTI area
office and exploded in the
early hours of the morning.
The gate and a few chairs
were damaged in the blast but
nobody was hurt because office
was empty at that time, Khalid
Mehmood, a senior police offi-
cial, told AFP.
On Fri day, nat i onal
assembly candidate Saddiq
Zaman Khattak was shot dead
along with his three-year-old
son after praying in a mosque
i n t he sout hern city of
Karachi, police said.
Khattak was a business-
man and a candidate for the
Awami National Party (ANP),
the leading secular party in
Pakistans ethnic Pashtun
northwest. A party leader
sai d he had previ ousl y
received threats.
Meanwhile, at least four
people were killed and 30 oth-
ers injured when two bomb
went off near an office of the
Muttahida Qaumi Movement
in this Pakistani on Sunday,
the latest in a string of attacks
by the Taliban targeting lib-
eral political parties ahead of
the May 11 polls.
The blasts occurred in
Azi z Abad area of
Karachi and near the office of
t he Mut ahi da Qaumi
Movement (MQM) close to
the central headquarters of
the party.
Campaigning has been
marred by Taliban threats
and attacks, which have killed
63 people since April 11,
according to an AFP tally.
Kuala Lumpur: Ahead of Sundays general elec-
tions, Malaysian police on Saturday identified
a group trying to organise an Arab Spring-like
revolution in the country aimed at creating
chaos and toppling the government.
Deputy Inspector general of police Khalid
Abu Bakar said based on intelligence gathered,
police have found that a group is trying to invite
people to cause chaos during the election by
triggering Malaysian Spring.
Some 16,000 multi-coloured mini flags
were first planted inside the Jalan Tempinis
roundabout in Lucky Garden in Kuala Lumpur
on April 14.
Since then, the movement has spread to
nearby suburbs such as Damansara Heights, Sri
Hartamas and even to other states like Perak
and even further afield to Barcelona and
London. Khalid said that the police have start-
ed removing the coloured flags ahead of
tomorrows polling. We urge all those involved
in organising this illegal activity to cease imme-
diately or face stern action by police, said
Khalid. PTI
kF Q Fh0EhX
A
solar-powered airplane
landed in Phoenix early on
Saturday morning after a flight
from California that included
several hours in the air after
sundown. The Solar Impulse
set down about 12:30 am at Sky
Harbor Airport after flying,
completing the first leg of a
planned cross-country US trip
that its co-pilot described as a
milestone in aviation history.
The Solar Impulse con-
sidered the worlds most-
advanced sun-powered plane
left Moffett Field in
Mountain View near San
Francisco just after dawn on
Friday.The plane has previ-
ously impressed audiences in
Europe, but its Creators said the
trip is the first attempt by a
solar airplane capable of flying
day and night without fuel to
fly across America.
Video posted on the expe-
ditions website showed a smil-
ing pilot Bertrand Piccard
shortly after landing as he
waved to well-wishers and held
up a flag emblazoned with the
Solar Impulse name. Its a lit-
tle bit like being in a dream,
Piccard said as he stepped on
the tarmac.From Phoenix, it
plans to travel to Dallas-Fort
Worth airport in Texas,
Lambert-St. Louis airport,
Dulles airport in the
Washington area and New
Yorks John F. Kennedy airport.
Each flight leg will take about
19 to 25 hours, with 10-day
stops in each city.
All the big pioneers of the
20th century have tried to fly
coast to coast across America,
co-pilot and one of the planes
founders, Piccard, said before
the flight. So now today were
trying to do this, but on solar
power with no fuel with the
first airplane that is able to fly
day and night just on solar
power. The plane is powered
by about 12,000 photovoltaic
cells that cover massive wings
and charge its batteries. The
delicate, single-seat Solar
Impulse flies around 64 kph
and cant go through clouds.
It weighs about as much as a
car, making it vulnerable to
bad weather.
ZkII Mk88E hIII Q
BEJh0
T
he issue of incursion by
Chinese troops into
Depsang valley in Ladakh may
have dominated news head-
lines in India over the past sev-
eral days but it has not found
much space in the media here.
External Affairs Minister
Salman Khurshids visit to
Beijing on May 9, which was
announced by China on Friday,
found a small mention in
todays edition of the state-run
China Daily.
The news item titled,
Indian foreign minister to
visit appeared in the briefly
column in one of the inside
pages of the paper.
The news item read, Indian
Foreign Minister Salman
Khurshid will make an official
visit to China from May 9 to 10
as a guest of Foreign Minister
Wang Yi, the Chinese Foreign
Ministry said on Friday.
The Chinese government
has been asserting that its
troops have not violated Line of
Actual Control (LAC) in erect-
ing their tents at Daulat Beg
Oldi sector. Chinese leaders
will meet Khurshid, and Wang
will hold talks with his Indian
counterpart, ministry spokes-
woman Hua Chunying said.
There was no mention of
the purpose of Khurshids visit
nor was anything written
about the dispute over the
presence of PLA troops in
Depseng valley in Ladakh.
Todays weekend edition of
the state-run Global Times did
not carry any news about the
Indian Ministers visit. PTI
Ikh8 Q Sh0AF0RE
S
ikhs in Malaysia are angry at
members of the Democratic
Action Party (DAP) for shav-
ing their heads ahead of the
countrys May 5 general elec-
tions in protest against what
they called money politics.
The leaders of the multi-racial
DAP had tonsured their heads
at the Goddess of Mercy
Pavilion at Kek Lok Si temple
in Georgetown, the capital of
the Malaysian state of Penang,
Friday, the New Straits Times
reported on Saturday.
However, members of the
Sikh community in that coun-
try have expressed outrage at
the act, describing it as a polit-
ical gimmick. Among those
who shaved their heads was
Jagdeep Singh, the DAP can-
didate for the Datuk Keramat
State seat.
Stating that DAP should
not drag religion into politics,
lawyer Baljit Singh said: This
is purely a political gimmick, a
desperate move to undermine
their political opponents.
Saying that Jagdeep Singh
has forgotten the fundamentals
of his religion cutting hair is
forbidden Gurdwara Sahib
Kangar president Pritpal Singh
said Jagdeep Singh had insult-
ed his religion.
Cutting your hair or
going bald without any med-
ical reason is unacceptable,
the gurdwara president was
quoted as saying.
It is worse coming from a
public figure like him. There
are many other ways of show-
ing ones displeasure, he said,
adding that it was Jagdeep
Singhs communal duty to keep
in mind the sensitivity of Sikhs
and their religion.
For a Sikh to go bald in
public is too much. It is an insult
to the religion and the commu-
nity, another Sikh lawyer, Ranjit
Singh Dhillon, said.
IkIIT k 1hk Q wAShh0T0h
J
ames F Dobbins, a veteran
US diplomat with a history of
difficult assignments from
Kosovo to Somalia, will be the
new special representative for
Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Announcing his appoint-
ment, US Secretary of State
John Kerry said, He has deep
and longstanding relation-
ships in the region and I
couldnt be more grateful
that Jim has agreed to take on
this assignment.
He said that he called the
leaders of the two countries to
inform them of his decision in
this regard.
Kerry called Afghan
President Hamid Karzai,
Pakistan President Asif Ali
Zardari and Pakistan Army
Chief, Gen Ashfaq Pervez
Kayani, according to a State
Department spokesman.
This is a pivotal moment
for both Afghanistan and
Pakistan, with interconnect-
ed political, security, and eco-
nomic trdansitions already
underway in Afghanistan,
and Pakistani elections just
days away, marking an
important and historic demo-
cratic transition, he said.
Dobbins was the first
US diplomatic envoy to
Afghanistan after the fall of
the Taliban.
He represented the United
States at the Bonn Conference
that established the new
Afghan Government, and he
raised the flag over the US
Embassy in Kabul when it
reopened in 2001, Kerry said.
Currently the director the
RAND International Security
and Defense Policy, Dobbins
succeeds Marc Grossman, who
resigned from the post last
December. PTI
Islamabad: The party of
former Pakistan military
ruler Pervez Musharraf, fac-
ing a series of legal cases
over his actions while in
power, has said it would
boycott Pakistans May 11
general election.
The move came in the
wake of the Peshawar High
Courts order barri ng
Musharraf f rom
contesting polls for the rest
of his life.
Musharraf has also been
arrested over the imposi-
tion of emergency rule in
2007, the assassination of for-
mer premier Benazir Bhutto
and the killing of Baloch
leader Akbar Bugti in a 2006
military operation.
Muhammad Amjad, the
spokesman for Musharraf s
All Pakistan Muslim League
(APML), announced their
partys boycott of the polls at
a news conference here.
PTI
Islamabad: Pakistan Peoples
Party chief Bilawal Bhutto
Zardari has left on a foreign
trip and will not be present
in the country when it goes
to polls on May 11, accord-
ing to a media report.
Bilawal, 24, will not
address any rallies or meet-
ings ahead of the general
election due to threats to his
life, sources in the PPP were
quoted as saying in the
report on the website of the
Dawn newspaper.
Senior PPP leader Taj
Haider confirmed that con-
sensus had been reached
within the party and Bilawal
had been advised not to lead
the poll campaign due to
serious security threats.
We have already lost
Benazir Bhutto and will not
risk losing Bilawal.
The threats to his life
are very real, Haider said on
Friday.
PTI
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Tough race execled in Malaysia olls loday
Islamabad: A special Pakistani
anti-terrorism court here on
Saturday extended the judicial
remand of former military
ruler Pervez Musharraf by 14
days, in connection with his
decision to place judges under
house arrest during the
2007 emergency.
Pervez Musharraf s
remand is extended for judi-
cial lock-up for 14 days, he
should be presented before
the court on May 18, Judge
Kausar Abbas Zaidi ordered.
Musharraf s lawyers filed
a bail application in the
court and the judge fixed a
hearing for May 6.
Meanwhile the trial of
69-year-old Musharraf will
be held at his farm house in
Islamabad which has been
declared a sub-jail.
A notification in this
regard has been issued by the
Chief Commissioner
Islamabad citing threats to
Musharraf s life. PTI
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FTI Q 0hAKA
B
angladeshs main
Opposition party-led
alliance on Saturday issued a
48-hour ultimatum asking the
Government to accept their
demands for reinstating a
scrapped interim government
system for election oversight.
I am giving you (Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina) a 48-
hour time to you... Give the
announcement accepting the
demand, otherwise get ready
for tougher (anti-government)
programmes, Bangladesh
Nationalist Party (BNP) chair-
person Khaleda Zia told a
grand rally of the 18-party
opposition alliance in Dhaka.
Zia said her party could
accept a governments dialogue
proposal only if the constitu-
tion was amended for rein-
stating the non-party interim
Government system.
Hasina had on Friday
asked her arch political rival to
take part in talks on election
affairs saying.
Zia, however, ridiculed
the proposal calling it a dia-
logue drama but also invited
Hasina for talks over a cup of
tea at her residence. The oppo-
sition is waging a protracted
street campaign demanding
restoration of the caretaker
government system.
kF Q hEw Y0RK
H
arper Lee, who wrote the
Pulitzer Prize-winning
novel To Kill a Mockingbird,
filed a lawsuit on Friday to re-
secure the copyright to it.
The lawsuit filed in feder-
al court in Manhattan seeks
unspecified damages from the
son-in-law of Lees former lit-
erary agent and companies he
allegedly created.
The lawsuit alleges the
son-in-law, Samuel Pinkus,
failed to properly protect the
copyright of the book after his
father-in-law, Eugene Winick
who had represented Lee as
a literary agent since the book
was publ i shed i n 1960
through the firm McIntosh
and Otis became ill a
decade ago. The 87-year-old
author alleges Pinkus took
advantage of her declining
hearing and eyesight seven
years ago to get her to assign
the books copyright to him
and a company he controlled.
Lee, who lives in
Monroeville, Alabama, has
taken legal action to get the
copyright reassigned but alleges
Pinkus still received commis-
sions. The transfer of owner-
ship of an authors copyright to
her agent is incompatible with
her agents duty of loyalty; it is
a gross example of self-dealing,
the lawsuit says.
The former agents son-in-
law didnt immediately return
a call seeking comment.
To Kill a Mockingbird won
the Pulitzer for fiction and is
widely assigned in schools.
The film version won three
Academy Awards.
F0IIce starts crack40Wa 0a 'MaIaysIaa 8rIa' ahea4 0f 0IIs
'Mockingbird' author Lee
sues over copyright in NY
Solar plane lands in Arizona, 1st leg of trip
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A
n Israeli air strike against
Syria was targeting a ship-
ment of advanced missiles
bound for the Lebanese militant
group Hezbollah, Israeli officials
confirmed on Saturday.
It was the second Israeli
strike this year against Syria and
the latest salvo in its long-run-
ning effort to disrupt Hezbollahs
quest to build an arsenal capa-
ble of defending against Israels
air force and spreading destruc-
tion inside the Jewish State.
The officials said the attack
took place early on friday and
was aimed at sophisticated
game-changing weapons, but
not chemical arms. One official
said the target was a shipment of
advanced, long-range ground-
to-ground missiles but was not
more specific. It was not imme-
diately clear where the attack
took place, or whether the air
force carried out the strike from
Lebanese or Syrian airspace.
The Israeli officials spoke
on condition of anonymity
because they were not autho-
rised to disclose information
about a secret military opera-
tion to the media. US officials
had earlier confirmed the air
strike but said only that it
appeared to have hit a ware-
house. Calls to the Israeli mil-
itary and defense ministry were
not immediately answered.
Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu has repeat-
edly warned in recent weeks that
Israel would be prepared to take
military action if chemical
weapons or other arms that
would upset the balance of
power with Hezbollah were to
reach the Islamic militant group.
Syrias assistant information min-
ister, Khalaf Muftah, told
Hezbollahs Manar TV that he
has no information about an
aggression that was staged, and
said reports of an Israeli air raid
come in the framework of psy-
chological war in preparation of
an aggression against Syria.
Its not the first time since
Syrias crisis erupted in March
2011 that Israel has intervened
struck inside Syria. In January,
the Israeli air force is believed
to have targeted a shipment of
advanced SA-17 anti-aircraft
missiles bound for Hezbollah.
Israel has not formally admit-
ted to carrying out that air
strike, though officials have
strongly hinted they were
behind the attack.
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Water 0rIfIer
21 batsmen have scored century in ndian Premier
League and Chennai Super Kings' Suresh Raina
became the 9th ndian to get to the three-figure mark
when he scored a hundred against Kings X Punjab
on Thursday
lF60F
sport 10 NEW DELH SUNDAY MAY 5, 2013
I80I8
F8FMIF8
Guys, u have got it all wrong. No harsh words
exchanged between me n Rahul bhai. He was n will
always be a respected teammate. No fuss plz.
Guess we are always obsessed wid some drama or
spice. Sorry none existed between me and rahul.
Always respect him Gautam Gambhir, KKR
0are4evIIs 40Wa aa4 00t
FTI Q hY0ERABA0
S
unrisers Hyderabad
bowlers fired in unison as
they posted a comprehen-
sive six-wicket win over Delhi
Daredevils in the IPL here on
Saturday brightening their
chances of playing in the play-
offs of the ongoing T20 league.
After bowling out Delhi for
80, which is this season's lowest
score, Hyderabad chased down
the target with 37 balls to spare
to move into the top four in the
standings. The defeat has also
virtually ruled out Delhi's
chances of advancing to the next
stage.
Dale Steyn, Thisara Perera
and Darren Sammy picked up
two wickets each while there
were one apiece for Ishant
Sharma, Karan Sharma and
Amit Mishra. Shikhar Dhawan
top-scored for the hosts with 22
while Darren Sammy remained
unbeaten on 18 as the side
posted its fifth win in as many
games at home.
Dhawan was his usual self
from the word go, hitting the
three front-line Delhi pacers for
boundaries. Irfan Pathan,
Umesh Yadav and Ashish Nehra
could hardly pose tough ques-
tions as Dhawan dominated
proceedings. The highlight of
Dhawan' s cameo was the
boundary off Nehra, who was
driven through cover-point after
the batsman made room for
himself.
The flamboyant left-hander
then stood tall and drove Yadav
between cover and mid-off for
another boundary. However,
the entertainment was cut short
as Johan Botha had Dhawan
trapped with a skidy delivery
that seemed to be heading down
the legside.
Ashish Reddy was off the
mark in a jiffy and that too in
style, punching away a short-of-
a-length Nehra delivery through
covers for four. But that was it
as the batsman was sent back by
Ashish Nehra who had him
caught behind.
Parthiv Patel, after spending
some time in the middle, mis-
read a googly by Jeevan Mendis
to be stumped by Kedar Jadhav
for 14. Even as the hosts ambled,
skipper Kumar Sangakkara fell
to Botha while going for a need-
less heave and could not clear
long-off where Umesh Yadav
completed the catch.
Hyderabad could have lost
another wicket as Botha
appealed for a caught behind,
but the umpire ruled in favour
of the batsman, Hanuma Vihari.
Sammy helped Hyderabad close
in on the target with a six off
Mendis over long-on, before
Vihari drove Yadav to bring up
the win.
Earlier, a combination of
some disciplined bowling from
Hyderabad aided by a pathetic
batting display saw the hosts
bowl out Delhi for a paltry
total. Opting to bat after the coin
landed in skipper Mahela
Jayawardene's favour, Delhi lost
wickets at regular intervals to
leave the hosts with a real chance
of consolidating their position in
the points table.
Brief scores
DD: 80 all out in 19.1 overs
(Unmukt Chand 17; Dale Steyn
2/21, Darren Sammy 2/10,
Thisara Perera 2/11) lost to
SH: 81 for 4 in 13.5 overs
(Shikhar Dhawan 22; Johan
Botha 2/11.) by six wickets.
kMIT 6hkhkY
Q hEw 0ELh
I
t was way back in August
2010 when Tamil Nadu wick-
etkeeper-batsman Dinesh
Karthik wore the blue Indian
jersey the last time. He scored
a naught then and was subse-
quently dropped from the
team. But he knew that age was
on his side and a comeback was
possible. And talent was never
an issue with him. All he need-
ed to do was score runs.
A good 2012-13 domestic
season and a couple of brilliant
knocks in the ongoing IPL
meant that the selectors were
impressed. When they sat
together on Saturday in Mumbai
to pick Indias one-day squad for
Champions Trophy 2013 to be
held in England from June 6, the
Sandeep Patil-chaired selection
panel couldnt ignore Karthik.
Out of form Gautam
Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh
were dropped in favour of two
in-form openers in Shikhar
Dhawan and Murali Vijay
both of them were instrumen-
tal Indias historic 4-0 series win
over Australia earlier this year.
However, the selection of
Rohit Sharma was a bit sur-
prising considering his poor
showing in the last ODI series
he played for India as he has just
one half-century in five games.
Furthermore, he has just 176
runs in the last ten ODIs which
includes two ducks. He is in
good form in the IPL but if that
is a parameter for selection then
its a worrisome scenario for
future of Indian cricket.
Rest of the batting line-up
that comprises of Virat Kohli,
Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni
select themselves on the basis of
good performances in the past.
Good news for India is that
Umesh Yadav, who got injured
during Englands tour of India
last year, has made a return.
With Bhuvneshwar Kumar,
Ishant Sharma and R Vinay
Kumar (another IPL performer),
Yadav makes a good pace-unit
in English conditions.
Selection of all-rounder
Irfan Pathan is an important
one. As the English conditions
support seam bowling, it is vital
to have a seamer with batting
abilities. With Ravinder Jadeja
as spin-allrounder, Dhoni can
use both of them according to
the needs of the team. There are
two specialist spinners in the
team off-spinner
Ravichandran Ashwin and leg-
spinner Amit Mishra, whose
last appearance for India was
on the disastrous tour of
England in 2011.
The overall look of the team
gives a feeling of youth over-
brewing. It seems the selectors
had 2015 World Cup in mind
and wanted to create a core
group of young players who can
help India defend the title.
But, with all the talent and
flair, team lacks a batsman
with solid technique on whom
the batting could depend in
English conditions. May be
Ajinkya Rahane should have
been there.
kIMk VEMk Q JAFuR
W
hat sadistic pleasures Pune
Warriors must be looking to
derive when they take on Rajasthan
Royals at the Sawai Man Singh stadi-
um here in Sundays prime time fixture.
Warriors are practically out from
the play-offs race with two wins from
11 matches so far, though hanging in
by a thin mathematical probability.
Even though they might end their cam-
paign earlier than expected, they have
the tempting options of denting Royals
unblemished home record or giving
them some anxious moments by
delaying their entry into the next stage.
With six wins from10 matches, the
Royals are looking to take some quick
points off a troubled side to book their
play-off berth at the earliest.
And, two back-to-back matches
against two bottom-placed performers
(Warriors taking the last one) surely
raise their confidence by a notch. While
Delhi Daredevils on Tuesday might still
be someone to be a bit wary of,
Warriors indeed dont look good
enough to give the Rahul Dravid-led
side much challenge at a place where
even the mightier ones like Mumbai
Indians and Royal Challengers
Bangalore have failed.
Though the
Warriors might have got
the better of the Jaipur brigade the
last time they met, in Pune last
month, when the visitors were given
a royal treatment of another kind
when they were handed a seven-
wicket defeat, this is a completely dif-
ferent setting. For, the Royals have
used their knowledge of the home
pitch and conditions to a hilt.
While Dravid, after Fridays eight-
wicket loss to Kolkata Knight Riders,
might have refused to give home
advantage much weightage, even he
cant deny that its those five out five
wins at home that have kept his bunch
good for the stake at another title.
With Shane Watson threatening all
the attacks everywhere, having col-
lected 349 runs, there has to be a real-
ly big reason for him to not be able to
do the same with a visiting attack at a
pitch he knows better. An 18-year-old,
Sanju Samson, meanwhile, has been a
refreshing responsibility sharer in the
middle order. From Dravid, Watson,
Samson to Ajinkya Rahane, Brad
Hodge, Stuart Binny, everyone has con-
tributed well so far. In bowling, apart
from a certain S Sreesanth, James
Faulkner, Siddharth
Trivedi, Binny and spin
duo Ajit Chandila and
Ankeet Chavan have
taken care of the attack
well.
Warriors, mean-
while, dont have anything
going the right way for them. Having
tried their share of experiments with
skippers in Aaron Finch, Ross Taylor
and Angelo Mathews, the side still
seems to be searching for answers to
some futile questions. Talking of
experiments, even Dravid might want
to stay off them after his decision to
come at No 8 against Knight Riders
didnt impress many.
Probably the only solution for the
Warriors, who have just suffered their
sixth straight defeat, is that they need
to find a way to fix their each and every
department in shortest time possible.
For, they need to win all the five
remaining matches and then hope
for some outside luck (read other
sides bad results) to sneak into the
final four.
The biggest challenge in that
could be to wake up the destroyer in
Yuvraj Singh from his slumber. His
obvious angst and dis-
appointment at being
left out of the
Champions Trophy
squad might be chan-
nelled to Warriors
advantage. Apart from
Finch and Robin
Uthappa, none of the bats has even
touched the half-century mark.
And, their main bowler Ashok
Dinda has bled runs. He went for ODI-
like figures of 52 runs against the RCB
recently. The only relief might be the
work that Kane Richardson and
Bhuvaneshwar Kumar have shared
among themselves. But the Warriors
would need more than just some
relieving moments to breach the fort
SMS here.
Else, they might be the ones left
red-faced in the Pink City.
k6hE'8 8Y 8hT T k88kM
Guwahati: The body ol |ule|ual|oua| a|che| P|al|ma Bo|o, who
comm|lled su|c|de du||ug lhe ougo|ug ual|oua| leam se|ecl|ou camp |u
Puue, was b|oughl lo Assam ou Salu|day. Bo|o's body a|||ved al lhe
Lo|op||yo Cop|ualh Bo|odo|o| lule|ual|oua| A||po|l lh|s alle|uoou aud
was |ece|ved by seu|o| oll|c|a|s ol lhe ho|lh Easl l|oul|e| Ra||way,
whe|e she was cu||eul|y emp|oyed, aud spo|ls depa|lmeul. he| body
was la|eu lo hl Ra||way headqua|le|s al Na||gaou he|e whe|e seu|o|
oll|c|a|s aud he| co||eagues pa|d ||ch l||bules lo he|. Bo|o's body was
|ale| la|eu lo Ko||ajha| whe|e he| lalhe| demauded a secoud
poslmo|lem aud lhe d|sl||cl adm|u|sl|al|ou was cous|de||ug lo couducl
|l, oll|c|a| sou|ces sa|d. The 22-yea| o|d a|che|, a b||ghl hopelu| lo|
2O1G 0|ymp|cs al R|o de Jaue||o, was louud haug|ug by le||ow a|che|
aud |oommale h|mau| Bo|o |u lhe hosle| |oom ol A|my Spo|ls T|a|u|ug
Ceul|e |u Puue. Bo|o ha||ed l|om Na|ougu|| v|||age |u la|||ag|am a|ea ol
Ko||ajha|. She had |ep|eseuled lhe lud|au leam |u seve|a| |ule|ual|oua|
champ|oush|ps aud had wou go|d meda| |u As|au C|aud P||/
Champ|oush|ps al Seou| |u 2OO8.
IhIkh8 WIh 1Z MEkI8 Ih k8Ikh F kThIETI68
Bangkok: lud|au alh|eles p|oduced au |mp|ess|ve pe|lo|mauce by
bagg|ug 12 meda|s, |uc|ud|ug lou| go|d, |u lhe l||sl |eg ol lhe As|au
C|aud P||/ se||es he|e ou Salu|day. N R Poovamma (womeu's 4OOm),
Sahaua Kuma|| (womeu's h|gh jump), J|lh|u Thomas (meu's h|gh jump)
aud h|l|u Rawal (meu's 5OOOm) bagged a go|d each wh||e S|ddhaulh
Th|uga|aya (meu's 11Om hu|d|es), Raj|v A|o|a| (meu's 4OOm), Khela
Ram (meu's 5OOOm), Reuj|lh Naheswa|y (meu's l||p|e jump) aud h||h||
Ch|la|asu (meu's h|gh jump) wou a s||ve| ap|ece. Auu Na||am Jose
(womeu's 4OOm), A|p|ude| S|ugh (meu's l||p|e jump) aud Nu|esh
Kuma|| (womeu's jave||u) wou a b|ou/e each. hal|oua| |eco|d ho|de|
Naheswa|y m|ssed lhe wo||d Champ|oush|ps qua||l|cal|ou slauda|d by
jusl lwo ceul|mel|es.
hI E6MMEh8 8kk I khEI kThk
New Delhi: lud|a capla|u Sa|da| S|ugh has beeu uom|ualed by lhe
hoc|ey lud|a lo| lhe p|esl|g|ous Raj|v Caudh| Khe| Ralua Awa|d.
Acco|d|ug lo a slalemeul |ssued by lhe ual|oua| lede|al|ou, Sa|da|'s
uame was |ecommeuded by lhe hoc|ey Awa|d Recommeudal|ous
Comm|llee. Sa|da| has beeu lhe capla|u ol ual|oua| meu's hoc|ey leam
s|uce hovembe| 2O12 aud uude| h|s |eade|sh|p, lud|a |eached lhe
sem|-l|ua|s ol |asl yea|'s llh Champ|ous T|ophy |u Ne|bou|ue alle| a
pe||od ol 8O yea|s. 316$JHQFLHV
s si in ng gl le es s
Naheud|a S|ugh hou| (c),
Sh||ha| hawau, V||al Koh||,
Su|esh Ra|ua, |uesh Ka|lh||,
Nu|a|| V|jay, Roh|l Sha|ma,
Rav|ud|a Jadeja, Rav|chaud|au
Ashw|u, l|lau Palau, umesh
Yadav, Bhuvueshwa| Kuma|,
lshaul Sha|ma, Am|l N|sh|a,
V|uay Kuma|
SQUAD
Warriors in fort Royal
FTI Q KuALA LuMFuR
P
V Sindhu reaffirmed her status
as the rising star of Indian bad-
minton as she lifted her maiden
Grand Prix Gold title in Malaysia
after getting the better of Juan Gu
of Singapore in a gruelling final
here on Saturday.
The top-seeded Indian took an
hour and 11 minutes to prevail
over her fifth seeded opponent, 21-
17, 17-21, 21-19. What turned
out to be a close match, the in-
form Sindhu played the smash
winners better than Gu.
The World No.13 Indian shut-
tler hit as many as 17 smash win-
ners compared to just nine by the
Singaporean girl. Sindhu opened
up a 5-0 lead in the first game but
the World No. 27 came back bril-
liantly to make it 7-7.
The Singaporean then won a
couple of more points to climb to a
10-7 lead. But the tall Indian
teenager showed her class as she
went on to clinch six consecutive
points to make it 13-10 before surg-
ing ahead and forcing her rival into
submission to claim the game 21-17.
In the second game, however,
Gu launched a tough fight against
the Indian. It was a neck-and-neck
battle till 15-15 before Gu notched
up three straight points to take a
lead and wrap it up at 21-17. The
third and deciding game started on
an even footing and the two were
tied at 5-5.
But Gu upped the ante, even as
Sindhu seemed went haywire for
a while. Gu went on to take a mas-
sive 13-7 lead and it seemed all
over for the Indian. But with Gu
leading 15-10, Sindhu fought back
to pocket four points on the trot
and reduce the gap to 14-15.
FTI Q MuMBA
T
hey have been unconquered at home
so far but Mumbai Indians face an
arduous task to extend the record as they
face a rampaging Chennai Super Kings in
their IPL match, here on Sunday.
Chennai are coming into the match
with seven wins on the trot and they are
the only team to have won all their four
away games this season, so Mumbai have
a task cut out even as they had beaten the
same rivals when they met first time.
Both the teams appear to be even on
paper with their star-studded line-ups that
bat quite deep but on the points table
Chennai (18) stand atop following nine
wins from 11 games while Mumbai (12)
are fourth with six wins.
Mumbais three-match winning streak
was snapped with the seven-wicket defeat
against Hyderabad in their previous
game but their batting appears to be set-
tled and has delivered in the four home
games.
T h e y
have rattled
up huge
scores of
209 for 5
against the
Delhi Daredevils, 194
for 7 against Royal Challengers Bangalore,
183 for 3 against Pune Warriors, and 174
for three against Kings XI Punjab in home
games. Opener Dwayne Smith
has been in good touch, aggre-
gating 194 runs in six matches, with two
half-centuries in his kitty. Batting great
Sachin Tendulkar has scored just one fifty
this year while amassing 171 runs in 10
games and the local hero would be keen
to score big against formidable Chennai.
The middle-order has been the
strength for the hosts, with wicket-keep-
er batsman Dinesh Karthik, skipper
Sharma and West Indian all rounder
Kieron Pollard being the leading run scor-
ers for them.
CSK, on the other hand, have been in
destructive form, having remained
unbeaten in their last seven games and
most recently defeating Kings XI Punjab
by 15 runs. Except the two loses at home
against Mumbai and Pune, the two-time
IPL champions havent put a foot wrong
and are almost through to the play offs.
M's unbealen
home slreak meels
CSK juggernaul
Sindhu grills hor way to Malaysia GP titlo
Look lo lay soilsorls and denl RR's 5O record in Fink Cily
1aipur: Allan 0onald mighl be a an
o lhe ndian Fremier League bul
even he doesn'l arove o lhe
overload o lhe game.
The ormer Soulh Arican
seedsler is deinilely lemled lo
hurl lhe lealher once again, albeil in
a "golden oldies FL", and is all
raise or lhe T2O ormal having
made Tesl crickel quicker and
inleresling, bul he is a worried sel
when il comes lo lhe quick adalion
due lo various orms and hence
reduced lime san o a layer.
" lhink lhe volume o crickel
being layed now is absolulely
oulrageous. From Soulh Arican
oinl o view, we can'l aord lo lay
0ale Sleyn or Morne Morkel in all
lhree orms. l is lime lhal we blood
some new guys," he said on lhe eve
o his side, Fune warriors', clash
wilh Rajaslhan Royals here.
" jusl don'l lhink you have
choices anymore and lhal is where
lhe game has gone. Beore you lhink
o inishing a Tesl series, you have
gol lo worry aboul 00s and T2Os.
So, lhal's how crickel has evolved so
quickly. You have no lime lo ease
anymore," 0onald added.
"Bul whal lhink il does is; il
asl lracks a lol o good young
bowlers or balsmen very quickly.
You adal very quickly as skill level
doesn'l sland slill or anyone," lhe
ormer acer exlained.
+|i|+ V||+
'VoIume oI
rrirkeI being
pIayed is
ouIrageous'
R+|+||+| Ru]+l +p|+i| R+|ul |+1iJ |+| ||+i| |u+| |u 1+| |+ul||| (l||) Pll
l|Ji+ PV Si|J|u (|i||) pu Wi|| Si|+pu| 1u+| u Ju|i|
|| +W+|J ||u|] Pll
UP NEXT UP NEXT
FIayed ajasIhan Fune
4 3 1
HEAD TO HEAD
LVE AT 8:00 PM
FIayed Mumbai 6hennai
1Z 7 6
HEAD TO HEAD
LVE AT 4:00 PM
Su||i| |]J|+|+J +l S|]| (u|J ||u| l||) +|J A|i| |i||+ l||+| || Ji|i+l u| l|i +|J1il l||+| P+||+| i| |]J|+|+J u| S+|u|J+] Pll
+|||i|, Yu1|+| uu|,
|+|||i|, |i||+ ||u||
|u| C|+|piu| l|up|]
|+|||i| |+|J Wu|| |+ p+iJ u|| Pll
A|i| |i||+ |il P|u|u
Sunrisers hyderabad beal 0elhi by six wickels lo go lhird on League lable
Yu1|+| Si|| (l||) +|J +u|+| +|||i| |+1|| || i| || || u| |u|| |il P|u|u
Pu| w+||iu| u+| All+| u|+lJ Pll
This is a dream come true for me.
would like to thank the BA President Dr
Akhilesh Das Gupta and chief coach
Pullela Gopichand for motivating me and
pushing me to excel
PV SNDHU AFTER HER WN
sport 11 NEW DELH SUNDAY MAY 5, 2013
QThe Commonwealth Championship
starts on Sunday. What are your expec-
tations from this tournament?
I am looking forward to the tourna-
ment and I am excited about it. I want to
return to winning ways and this tourna-
ment could be the one where I really hit
form. I am positive not only about my per-
formance, but also about our team. I have
been playing well through the years and
now we have several good players. We have
current national champion and 2012
London Olympian Soumyajit Ghosh who
has been doing well recently and Anthony
Amalraj is also an experienced player. So,
we have a strong team this time as well.
This could be my last tournament with
Sunhajit Saha. So, I am confident of us
doing well here.
QHow have you prepared for it?
I have prepared well for this tourna-
ment. I had a break of two months
before I played in the Asia Cup in mid-
April where I did quite well. Although I
did not win the trophy, I defeated some
of the players against whom I was strug-
gling before. After the Asia Cup, I joined
my team which was training in Sweden
and we practiced with the Swedish nation-
al team, which was quite good. I believe
I am in fine form.
QWill playing at home be an advantage?
Yes, to some extent. But, it is also about
handling a lot of pressure as I will be
defending my doubles crown with Saha
and I had finished second in singles in the
previous edition held at Glasgow in 2009.
The pressure comes from expectations
from various quarters like the home
crowd, media, coaches, officials, parents
and friends.
Q Who do you think will pose the
biggest challenge at the Commonwealth
Championships?
A lot of good players will be compet-
ing here and I need to be ready for them.
QYou recently joined one of the best
clubs in the worl d Borussia
Dusseldorf. So, how big a step is that
for you?
The experience was wonderful. Its a
dream come true for me to play alongside
the legendary Timo Boll. To make a real-
ly bad comparision, Borussia in my game
is like Manchester United in world foot-
ball. I hope to learn various new things
during my stint with the club. So, Its a
huge step in my career.
QIn the last couple of years, you have
missed out on the 2012 Olympics and
also lost at the national level, where you
used to be invincible. So, what went
wrong during that phase and have you
changed your playing style after that?
It was a form slump for me and I
missed the Olympics and also lost in India.
As I said, it was a tough phase and I strug-
gled. But, it was not that I was totaly down
and out. Yes, I was not winning the tour-
naments. But, I was in the top eight or top
16 in every tournament.
After this, I realised that my strong
point was my forehand and the new gen-
eration plays the backhand really well. So,
I improved my backhand play and
adjusted couple of things.
QGoing forward, have you set any par-
ticular targets?
I am running slightly behind my tar-
get. Right now, my world ranking is 70 and
I would like to take that to inside top 50
by July and later, the ultimate aim is the
2016 Olympics.
QYou are 30 now and not getting any
younger. How much table tennis do you
think is left in you and how are you
maintaining your fitness?
My target is to play 2016 Rio
Olympics and I am working towards
that. I have realized that I have become
more mature in terms of skill but I need
to work more on my fitness. In this age,
you tend to become more prone to
injuries. So, I have planned a set of reg-
imen to maintain my fitness. Among
three training sessions a day, I do skill
training on two and rest one is saved for
fitness training. Right now, I am feeling
as fit as ever and I have become lighter
by four or five kilos.
QHow do you see the talent in new crop
of Indian players?
Nowadays, Indian players have much
more facilities to fall back on and they
are also doing well. There is much more
competition than in my time between the
kids. Not only Ghosh, other players
Harmeet Desai, Sanil Shetty, Sathiyan
Ganasekaran and Nitin Philips Vasanth
also have been pushing each other to
go higher. Ghosh has broken away from
them with a couple of good shows. So,
the new players are talented.
k8hI8hEk FhIT Q hEw 0ELh
I
f you are a football player and
dont have an established career
or if you like volleyball but prefer
playing with your feet, there is no
need to worry. Here is a game for
you Sepaktakraw.
Sepaktakraw is a game played
like volleyball in terms of points
awarded and the players have to pass
the synthetic fiber ball over an
eight-meter high net to the other
team with a maximum of three
touches. Use of hands is not allowed.
A player can use his leg and body
to control the ball.
It takes incredible reflexes,
agility and power especially in
the legs to excel in this sport. You
need to be extremely fit and acro-
batic as overhead kicks are a dime
a dozen in this game. Three play-
ers make a team and on rotation
basis, they play in various positions
like defender and attacker.
A match is played over five sets
of 15 points each.
Although the game was a part
of the 1982 Asian Games, it is yet to
gain popularity in India, but accord-
ing to the administrators and
experts, India has a great potential
in this game specially in the
north-east and is winning a lot
of medals in many top-level events.
As far as popularity is concerned,
the upcoming ISTAF Superseries
could play a pivotal role for the game
which is played by 45 countries.
Given the past record of Indian
teams at the international level,
India is not that behind from other
countries like Thailand and Japan.
We too boast of some special talent
who display great skill. Our hosting
of the Super series will give a great
boost to the game in the country,
Secretary General of Sepaktakraw
Federation of India, Yogender Singh
Dahiya said.
Jeff Chue, UFA Sports Asias
Managing Director, says the game
is tailor-made for the viewers.
The pace at which the game is
played is exciting. You cant get a
better action-packed game than
this which is ideal for viewership.
Hence, I believe that this game will
be a hit among Indians, Chue said.
India had won two bronze
medals at the prestigious Kings Cup
tournament in 2009. The second
season of the superseries is the pro-
fessional tournament which will be
held August 29 to September 1 at
the KD Jadhav stadium in the
Indira Gandhi Sports Complex
here in the capital.
There will be 12 contestants
among the men while female cate-
gory will have eight teams.
Top countries of the game are
Thailand (defending champion),
Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea,
Singapore, Germany, Japan and
China.
In India, Manipur rules the
roost with other north-eastern states
Mizoram, Assam and Nagaland.
Besides them, Andhra Pradesh,
Delhi, Uttar Pradesh also play it at
a competitive level.
k8hI8hEk FhIT Q hEw 0ELh
A
s Thyagraj Indoor Stadium readies itself
to host the 19th Commonwealth Table
Tennis Championship, players representing
14 countries were seen giving finishing
touches to their skills.
Their skills which will be put to test in
next six days starts from Sunday. The Indian
team despite being learned to have an easi-
er draw for both the mens team and
womens team, sweated it out with all play-
ers joining the practice session.
The mens
team has veteran
A c h a n t h a
Sharath Kamal,
m e r c u r i a l
A n t h o n y
Amalraj, nation-
al champion and
2012 London
O l y m p i a n
S o u m y a j i t
Ghosh, Sani l
Shetty and
Harmeet Desai
are seeded num-
ber two af ter
Singapore and in
the first stage
they are clubbed
alongside South
Af ri ca and
Australia while the womens team which
include Kumaresan Shamini, Madhurika
Patkar, Mouma Das and Neha Agarwal, is
seeded number three after Singapore and
England respectively and will compete
against Canada and Sri Lanka in the initial
stage.
Irrespective of the draw, we are top three
seeded sides. And with this draw, the initial
rounds should be easy. Next round will be
difficult although as of now we dont know
whom we will play, head coach of the Indian
team, Bhawani Mukherjee told The Pioneer
on Saturday.
Barring home support, another factor
which should give comfort to Indians is
absence of some top players like Singapores
Gao Ning who is two-time defending cham-
pion and English top-ranked duo - Liam
Pitchford and Paul Drinkhall.
Kamal, who had finished second in sin-
gles of 2009 edition, will defend his doubles
title partnering with Subhajit Saha.
Overall, India will aim for bagging
more medals than the total of seven which
they had won in the previous edition of the
Commonwealth Championships which were
held in Glasgow, Scotland.
'!ltimate target is 2016 Olymics`
k1EY 8k8 Q hEw 0ELh
W
hile the Olympic Games of
Beijing and London estab-
lished India as an emerg-
ing superpower in the world of
wrestling, the Senior Asian Wrestling
Championships of 2013 revealed its
formidable bench strength.
Despite missing their biggest
stars in double Olympic medalist
Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt,
the Indian wrestling squad came up
with their best ever medal haul in the
freestyle categories, finishing with
two gold and two bronze medals to
clinch the team trophy.
The Indian eves were not to be
left behind. They also recorded their
best haul ever with one silver and four
bronze medals, thus handing the
hosts the overall trophy as well.
One of the biggest indicators of
strength of any team is the kind of
bench strength that they have and
the continental event proved that
Indian wrestling boasts of ample
resources on that front with several
talented wrestlers in every weight
category. Except for Amit Kumar
Dahiya (55 kg) and Narsingh
Pancham Yadav (84 kg) in the
Freestyle categories, the rest of the
Indian grapplers in both the Freestyle
and Greco-Roman events were mak-
ing their maiden appearance at the
senior level.
For some of them, their lack of
experience and the struggle to make
that big leap from the junior to the
senior level was quite clearly appar-
ent. But some of the others like Amit
Dhankar, who won the gold medal
in the 66 kg freestyle category and
Bajrang, who ended up with a
bronze medal in the 60 kg freestyle
event, fought like seasoned veterans.
In the mens 120 kg Freestyle
event, Hitender Singh was unlucky
to miss out on making it to the
final. Although he clinched the
bronze medal by demolishing
Dmitry Popov of Kazakhstan in just
around a minute, the burly young-
ster from Delhi felt that he could
have been a strong contender for
the gold medal but was let down by
a lack of experience.
Indian chief coach Vinod
Kumar is already looking forward
to the world championships in
September. The massive success at
the Asian championships has given
us a lot of confidence for the
world championships. While Sushil
and Yogeshwar are expected to
return to full fitness, the perfor-
mance of the youngsters is extreme-
ly encouraging, he said. The
junior boys did extremely well
despite lacking experience.
But despite success in the
Freestyle categories, the perfor-
mances in the Greco-Roman events
provide a stark and depressing con-
trast. India finished without a single
medal although Bhim Singh (96 kg)
came close to taking home a bronze
before being defeated by Yerulan
Iskakov of Kazakhstan.
Hargovind Singh, chief coach of
the Indian Greco-Roman squad,
asserted that the Indian Wrestling
Federation (IWF) should make sure
that the style, which is unfamiliar to
desi grapplers, is introduced at the
grassroots level.
The competition was very
tough, but our boys did well, con-
sidering the level of competition they
were up against. But the problem is,
in India, the Greco-Roman style is
not taken very seriously. Indian
wrestlers generally start out with
Freestyle and only those who have
no chances of winning medals at the
national level, turn to Greco-Roman
because it offers far less competition
and the chances of winning medals
or representing the country is far
greater, Hargovind said. There is no
Greco-Roman wrestling at the inter-
university tournaments also, which
only feature the Freestyle category.
In fact, trials for jobs in police and
paramilitary forces or the railways
are conducted only in Freestyle cat-
egory while Greco-Roman is com-
pletely ignored.
Maybe India should learn a
thing or two from Iran who have
broken domination of the east
European nations and have emerged
as a major force at the Olympics.
k8hI8hEk FhIT
Q hEw 0ELh
T
wo young and talented footballers
Kartikeya Swarup and Mukul
Mohindras skills have received a sud-
den shot in the arm after a training
stint at the Carrington ground the
training base of Manchester United.
What added to the magic was
learning the nuances of football from
coaches of the Manchester United
Soccer School Andy and Nick.
Both coaches were quite friend-
ly to the players. They were not
adamant in their thinking and also ask
players to give their viewpoint unlike
many Indian coaches whom I have
met who are very strict and dont allow
the players to share their thoughts, 16-
year-old Swarup, who plays as a strik-
er and was a part of the Indian U-14
team, told The Pioneer.
Swarup wants to take up football
as a profession while Mohindra, who
is a goalkeeper, became a footballer
after being inspired by his granfathers
love for the beautiful game.
Selected as the only goalkeeper
from among 150 for the Airtel Rising
Stars 12-member team which trained
in Manchester, Mohindra believes
that his foreign training stint would
help him in the long run.
I learned a lot of things there. But
the biggest difference between train-
ing in India and there, was the deci-
sive training. They will work on your
skill and speedwork in different ses-
sions. They dont mix both in a ses-
sion and once you are done with skill,
then only will they turn to speedwork,
Mohindra, who is a class X student of
Mamta Modern school and represents
Delhi Soccer School Under-16 team,
explained.
Swarup, who is a class XI student
of Delhi Public School, Noida felt that
intensity during training sessions was
the highlight of training in
Manchester.
The level of intensity was great.
Although the training sessions were
short in many phases, they were
highly serious and intense. During
practice also, they taught us how to
handle different match situations
which was quite good. In India, a lot
of stress is given on individual skill
training and not match-moments
training, Swarup said.
After returning from training in
Manchester, the Delhi duo felt that the
training at the Carrington ground has
made them better footballers which
will help them in chasing their next
dream of getting into the famous Tata
Football Academy or Pune FC.
Cu||u|W+l|| ll.
l|Ji+ | +] J|+W
6hkTSh0w
Table Tennis
From boys to men
Ferormance o juniors al Asian C'shis was coming o age or ndian wreslling
k6hkhThk 8hkkTh kkMkI has been lhe lagbearer o ndian lable lennis or more lhan a decade now. The
Chennai lad suered a orm slum over lhe lasl coule o years which saw him losing lhe nalional lille and ailing
lo make il lo lhe London 0lymics. Bul now, lhe 8Oyear old has moved on and is ready lo show his mellle al
lhe Commonweallh Chamionshis slarling loday. he lalks lo ABhShEK FuR0hT
A|+||+ S|+|+|| |+|+l Will | u| u| l|Ji+ |+i| |up +| || Cu||u|W+l|| l+|l l||i C|+|piu||ip W|i| Will |+|| i| |W l|i u| Su|J+] |il P|u|u
Barring the
home support,
another factor
which should
give comfort to
ndians is
absence of
some top
players like
Singapore's
Gao Ning who
is two-time
defending
champion
'Manchesler lraining
made us beller layers'
|u|ul |u|i|J|+ (|up) +|J |+||i|]+ SW+|up
Ju|i| + ||+i|i| iu| Piu|| P|u|u
A|i| |u|+| |+||+| (|||) Ju|i| |J+l p|||+|iu| ||u|] u| cc| |||]l +|u|] +| S|iu| Ai+| w||li| C|+|piu||ip Pll
A p+||+||+W +| i| p|u| |il P|u|u
The massive success
at the Asian
championships has
given us a lot of
confidence for the
world championships.
The junior boys did
extremely well
despite lacking
experience
Vinod Kumar,
ndian chief coach
Football in volloyball's shoos
0vEh FAST REC0R0,
h0A S h0T ThAT
BEhh0 FR0M 0ThER
hAT0hS. wE B0AST 0F
S0ME SFECAL TALEhT.
h0STh0 SuFER SERES
wLL 0vE ThE 0AME A
B00ST h h0A
YEhE khIYk,
8E6ETkY EhEkI I
8EFkkTkkkW
IEEkTIh I IhIk
QTell us about the controver-
sy over the name change?
The transformation from
Dawood Ibrahim to Dilawar
Imtiaz Haskar took place
because we wanted to use our
creative liberty in the adaptation
of Hussain Zaidis Mumbai to
Dongri. During the course of
shooting we added a lot of
scenes that were fictional. Zaidi
was very clear when he gave us
rights for this film that we
either stick to his story word by
word or change the name of the
characters. Thats Sanjay Gupta
decided to change the name. We
didnt want to get involved in a
controversy.
QHow was your experience of
shooting in Dongri?
It was all quite good. When
I first dressed up as Dawood, I
was welcomed with whistles
and cat calls. People loved my
avatar. We were taken good care
of. Even had a blast during
Ramzan!
QWhat are your favourite
moments from the
film?
When I was a
child, my father
had this shirt that
I really liked and
I wished to wear
that some day.
But that never
happened. In
ShootoutI had
to don a retro
look and wear
bell bottom jeans
and check shirts. I
was reminded of my
childhood and the
fun times spent
with my father.
QWhat is you role
in Ramiya
Vastavaiya all
about?
Im playing
the role of a pos-
sessive elder
brother to Sona
( S h r u t i
Hasan). He
stalks his sister around and
doesnt allow her any freedom at
all Its a Prabhu Deva film and
Im really excited.
QAre you a possessive broth-
er in real life too?
Yes, I love my sisters
and always keep in touch
with them. My elder sis-
ter is a scientist in the US
and the other one is in
Punjab. All three of us get
along very well.
QHow are you man-
aging your per-
sonal and pro-
fessional life?
Its always
difficult for an
actor to
maintain a
b a l a n c e .
With so
many pro-
jects, I some-
how manage
to take out
time for my
family.
My wife
and son
sometimes join
me on the sets.
Summer vacations are
about to start and my
family may join me on
the shoots of my
upcoming movie. I like
it when they are around
I have a very simple
rule when you are
working, you should con-
centrate hard and when
you are not working,
nothing should come
in between family time.
backpack 12 NEW DELH SUNDAY MAY 5, 2013
H
awa pani theek hai,
woh abhi hawa mein
hai, people generally
refer to this hawa when they
talk about a change in their
day-to-day life. That was my
peg when we started brain-
storming about the cam-
paign for Havells fans. Since
Fans are a low-involvement
category we wanted to high-
light on the brand instead.
My thinking was if people
love your brand they will
come and buy your stuff,
Amer Jaleel, national creative
director for Lowe Lintas &
Partners, tells you.
He explains that fans,
unlike mobile phones do
not require a lot of
research by its customers.
People pick up just about
any fan they come across.
But if we have managed to
create a brand image in
their mind, I have done my
job, Jaleel tells you from Mumbai.
The campaign took off on TV to a
huge reception bloggers, columinists
and even the aam aadmi was talking
about the social message that comes
through subtly through the campaign.
The moment I saw the first TVC which
involved a couple at a marriage registrars
office, I was awestruck. And the tagline
was just perfect. It is one of those things
that wants to make you act, 23-year-old
Sheela Jain, an MBA student from
Delhi, says.
She tells you that she is a fan of
Havells' advertisements! This brand has
a very different approach to ad cam-
paigns. The earlier ones which had
superstar Rajesh Khanna as the
face too was eye catching, Jain
adds.
For Jaleel, all the credit for
these refreshing concepts goes to
the client who has given them the
liberty to experiment. Unlike
other clients who want their ad
to be re-run for a while till it
makes an impression, people at
Havells have a different theory.
They want us to keep coming up
with new concepts. We have to
run to keep pace with their
demands, Jaleel says.
What makes the campaign so
special is the fact that it doesnt
sound preachy. We never want-
ed to tell people what to do. Just want-
ed them to reflect about the little
changes they can bring about in the soci-
ety. When everyone was fine with the
concept we started deliberating about the
subjects that we could deal with. There
were many options corruption, safe-
ty and even gender equality issues. We
picked the ones we thought need that
wind of change, he says. The TVC has
directed by Anupam Mishra of Crazy
Few Films fame.
Whether Jaleel and his team is plan-
ning for more subjects on this concept
remains to be seen. Honestly we were
not prepared for this kind of a response.
Now, we are exploring other subjects,
you may see a few more coming in the
next couple of months, Jaleel says. He
adds that there is a whole new shock
lagaa coming up soon.
wIa4s 0f chaae are here
n limes where
adverlisemenls
wilhoul a celeb
endorsemenl are ew
and ar belween,
havells Fans has come
u wilh an oulolhe
box concel lhal is
bolh allenlion
grabbing and brand
ocused. The our
concels released so
ar are making waves
on Tv. winds o
change lhey have
broughl lo lhe ad
making induslry, says
0EEBAShREE
M0hAhTY
K
atrina has the best pout in the
industry today. Says who? Her
make up artist, Clint Fernandes,
who has been the man behind all
the last minute touch ups in the
most famous fashion weeks. His
association with Bolly celebs goes
a long way and Clint argues that he
has witnessed a definite change in
the fashion trend, especially when
it concerns lip colours and nail
paints.
Before Kat, I would say
Madhubala had the best pout. But
Kats got everything working for
her. And I can vouch for it that she
has got a very natural lip texture
and a natural pink tone on her lips.
It is sad that she gets entangled in
all these media related controver-
sies that blame her of having done
a lip job. Actresses in Bollywood
use a lot of lip plumpers to
enhance their pout but in the
process, they over do it. They
become greedy and use it to the
point that it looks unnatural,
Fernandes says. He adds that
Aishwarya Rai too has got lucious
lips and Kareena is a clever design-
er. She knows how to mix and
match, the ace make up man
from Mumbai says.
As for any faux pas, Clint tells
you it is impossible to come
across one nowadays. Thanks to
the constant media glare, all
actresses, including TV actress-
es are hiring make up spe-
cialists to ensure that they
have got the right look. Even
if they are attending a rub-
bish event, they make sure
that the make up is in place.
So what if the clothes are
shabby, he tells you.
Clints association with
Lakme goes back a long
time and he is making the
most of his experience giv-
ing touch ups to the Lakme
Fashion Week models. Ask
him what is the fad for this
summer and pat comes his
reply bling and high
colours. The Lakme Pop
tints are in fashion because
designers are coming up
with bling in their clothes. You
cant go nude on your lips when
you are wearing heavy colours. It
will only make you look sick, he
says.
For this summer, Clint has
something different in store We
have come up with this Lakme
Absolute Pop Tint collection that
will make your lips and nails pop
in true diva style. These are bright
happy colours and can be teamed
with every possible dress, Clint
tells you.
He says that rubbing coarse
sugar with honey every night
before sleep will ensure that your
lips are hydrated. Use balm no
matter what season, Clint con-
cludes with this.
wE hEvER wAhTE0
T0 TELL FE0FLE
whAT T0 00. JuST
wAhTE0 ThEM T0
REFLECT AB0uT
ThE LTTLE ChAh0ES
ThEY CAh BRh0
AB0uT h ThE
S0CETY
Kalrina Kai and Aishwarya Rai have lhe besl lis in B Town. Make u
aux as are a lhing o lhe asl because celebs nowadays hire
dedicaled arlisls lo lake care o lhe slighlesl lhings.
0EEBAShREE M0hAhTY seaks wilh Clinl Fernandes, oular make
u man lo lell you more
Talktime
6218622'
He made a rather slow entry into Bollywood with Aashiq Banaya
Aapne but Sood is in his happy space now. The versatile actors says he
enjoyed playing the role of Dilawar Imtiaz in his latest film,
Shootout At Wadala. SANGEETA YADAV chats him
Liked dressing
up as Dawood
'|+||i|+ |+ u| || || lip
'A hil is crucial or newcomers'
QHow did Aashiqui 2 happen?
After Teen Patti was released, director
Mohit Suri invited himself over to myself to
talk over a cup of tea. I was shabbily dressed
with oil in my hair. He was quite taken in with
my casual looks. Thats when he asked me if
I would want to work with him. I said yes. Two
years later he offered me Aashiqui 2. When I
went to meet him I had learnt the art of groom-
ing myself. He looked at me and said that he
was looking for a face of the girl whom he had
seen two years back. The heroine, he said had
to look like that.
QThe movie is doing well. How does that
feel?
For a new-comer, the fact that her third
film is a hit makes me feel proud. I have no
words to express my feelings. All I can say it
that it puts me on cloud nine.
QHow important is it to you that your film
is a superhit?
All new actors want to make an entry
with a bang. I am no different. A super-
hit film makes the going easy.
QHow was it to grow up with as the
daughter Shakti Kapoor, the most hated
villain in the industry?
My school friends would love it whenev-
er he came to visit. He was funny and cracked
jokes. He was never seen as a villain, just a
father who had come to the school.
QDo you seek his advice?
I come from a family of actors.
My father, my brother and my
aunt, all are from the film
industry. We watch films
together and discuss the
plot, the direction
and even the
acting. I get to learn a lot from these discus-
sions. These talks help me take a decision that
works for me.
QYou did you leave studying theatre at
Boston University?
I had decided that I wanted to act in films
and came back home. Bollywood is the best
thing that has happened to me. I am not the
kind of person who dwells on what if. I took
a decision and dont regret it. I dont think of
agar mein aisa kar liti. I live in the present.
QThe one actor you would like to work with?
It would be Aamir Khan. He is perhaps the
best actor the industry has today. His movies,
his directorial skills and act-
ing is brilliant.
QFuture projects?
For now, I am
looking forward
to Gori Tere
Pyaar Mein, a
D h a r m a
Pr o d u c t i o n
movie. It was
great to be
a s s oc i at e d
with such a
film.
|+|| |+|up E/p|| Cli|| |||+|J
She made her debul wilh Teen Falli in 2O1O and lhe ilm was
lermed as a wreck. her second movie, Luv Ka The End also
ailed lo make a rile al lhe box oice. Bul lhey say lhird
lime lucky and lhis 24yearold has inally gol a hil lo her
name in Aashiqui 2. She seaks wilh ShALh SAKSEhA
aboul lhe imorlance o a hil movie and lhe one aclor she
would love lo work wilh
For
a newcomer,
the fact that her
third film is a hit
makes me feel proud.
have no words to
express my feelings.
All can say it that
it puts me on
cloud nine
IIIM8 hEE
T 8E
EXhI8ITE
A
ctor-filmmaker Javed Jaffrey
says he had mixed feelings
upon receiving a National Film
Award for his production ven-
ture of his contemporary docu-
mentary film Inshallah, Kashmir.
He feels there is a need for more
avenues to exhibit such cinema.
There is a dichotomy of
emotions which I felt while
receiving this award. I feel great
that the film has been recognised
by the highest body, but then
where do we go from here? We
are looking at how these films
can be exhibited, Javed said who
received the best investigative
film award, along with the
movies director Ashvin Kumar
from President Pranab
Mukherjee in the Capital recent-
ly.
In a feature film, the ques-
tion of censorship always comes
up. This film is completely dif-
ferent. Its in your face. These are
real people who havent been
given lines to narrate. It shows
the amount of turbulence which
is prevalent in the system today,
he said.
For such cinema to reach a
wider audience, the
Government and media will
have to lend it more importance.
The filmmaker puts in a lot of
money and labour into the film.
The government, people and
media need to encourage such
cinema. We are not looking at a
C200 crore film, but basic respect
of good cinema should be given,
he said.
After being in the industry
for over two decades, Javed said
that he has learnt to make the
best of what he has. What
exists, exists. You cannot change
that. It is very important to move
on and the make the best of what
you have, he concluded.
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Now Dolhi, May 5, 2013
T
he extremely unfortunate saga of
Sarabjit Singh, an Indian citizen
who fell victim to the bloody-
mindedness of Pakistani official-
dom, has come to an end. The
Pakistani authorities executed him by
pulling the plug on the life support systems
that were keeping a lifeless Sarabjit alive
after he had been bludgeoned into an irre-
versible coma by fellow inmates in the Kot
Lakhpat jail, Lahores answer to the infa-
mous Abu Ghraib prison. But in its wake,
Sarabjits case has raised a host of questions
ranging from Indias policy towards
Pakistan, the terrible sufferings of Indian
prisoners in Pakistani jails, the ability or the
lack of it of the Indian state to protect the
rights and freedoms of its citizens in other
countries in general and neighbouring
countries in particular, and most of all, the
systemic reforms that are needed within the
country to enable the Indian state to
promptly provide assistance to citizens who
are caught in the lurch outside the country.
But for his intrepid sister whose
indefatigable campaign to secure relief and
release for Sarabjit made him into a
household name in India and forced the
Government to raise the issue with
Pakistan, no one would have even known,
much less cared, about his travails. Like
other disavowed people, he could well have
ended up like some of his anonymous
compatriots who die unmourned while
serving their sentence in a dark cell of some
hell-hole Pakistani prison or who return
unsung after years, even decades, behind
bars in Pakistan. But the problem for
Sarabjit was that by the time his case
became cause celebre, it was too late. He had
run through the course of the criminal
justice system of Pakistan and had been
condemned to hang for crimes that, it later
became known, he hadnt committed.
Despite efforts of his lawyer who tried
to get the Pakistani courts to re-examine
Sarabjits case in light of new evidence and
stop a miscarriage of justice, there was no
relief forthcoming, either from Pakistans
independent judiciary or from the
democratic dispensation that came into
power in 2008. The Indian Governments
entreaties also came a cropper. Senior
officials in the Ministry of External Affairs
claim that Sarabjits case was raised at every
possible forum with the Pakistanis, but
Islamabad either rebuffed the Indian
request, or took refuge behind the judicial
process or even pleaded helplessness in the
matter on account of political compulsions
(shorthand for fear of Right-wing,
reactionary and jihadi backlash).
Having labelled Sarabjit a terrorist who
carried out a series of bomb blasts in which
more than a dozen Pakistanis lost their
lives, no one in Pakistan was willing to
relook the flimsy evidence and tainted
testimonies of witnesses (many of whom
were willing to retract their statements
which they had made under duress and
tutelage of Pakistani security agencies) on
the basis of which he had been condemned.
Often, the death sentence pronounced on
Sarabjit would be defended by Pakistani
media and analysts by quoting his
confessional statement that had been
telecast on state television. That such a
confessional statement would not have been
voluntary but forced was something that
was always conveniently brushed under the
carpet. It was almost as though the
Pakistanis needed someone to hang for the
bomb blasts, and Sarabjit became a
convenient scapegoat despite his lawyer
making a very convincing case that his was
a case of mistaken identity. Even the
Pakistani media, which never stops crowing
about its new-found empowerment and
independence, displayed extreme
intolerance by not allowing Sarabjits lawyer,
Owais Sheikh, the use of Lahore Press Club
premises to launch his book on the case.
For Sarabjit, who as a prisoner on death
row for over two decades faced a fate worse
than death in Pakistans Abu Ghraibs, the
situation became much worse after the
execution of the Mumbai monster, Ajmal
Kasab, and the Parliament attack
mastermind, Afzal Guru. A travesty it might
have been, but Sarabjits case started being
linked with Kasab and Guru, especially by
the jihadi groups in Pakistan. Even as the
jihadis started clamouring for paying India
back by hanging Sarabjit, he started
receiving threats inside the prison. These
threats became real after another Indian
prisoner, Chamel Singh, was beaten to
death by prison officials on the eve of his
release. The Indian Government insists it
had apprised the Pakistani authorities to
ensure Sarabjits safety. But as subsequent
events make clear, these warning were
ignored, whether deliberately (as seems to
be the case) or inadvertently (as is being
made out by the Pakistanis who admit a
security lapse) is hardly important. The end
result was that Sarabjit was brutally beaten
and reduced into a vegetable, and then
medically executed.
While the Indian Government has come
under blistering criticism, both in the
specific case of Sarabjit Singh as well as its
less than glowing record in the case of other
Indian citizens who find themselves in
trouble in foreign lands, not all of this
criticism is fair. Drawing comparisons
between India and Western countries,
especially the US, is quite pointless. The
simple fact of the matter is that in terms of
systems, resources, finances, manpower and,
to an extent, attitude of officials, but most of
all, influence and leverage, the Indian
missions are just not equipped to respond in
the same manner as Western embassies do.
Take a simple thing like providing consular
services to citizens. The first thing that needs
to be done before consular services can be
extended is to confirm whether or not the
person is a citizen of India. This is something
that can at times take weeks because the
information regarding any person has to be
verified from State governments which sit on
requests from the Ministry of External
Affairs. Only after it is confirmed that the
person is indeed an Indian national that the
next step can be taken.
While most countries inform the Indian
mission if there is any detention, arrest or
any other issue with someone who claims to
be an Indian citizen, in the case of Pakistan,
even this is not done. Often enough, it is
only after Indian officials get to know either
from media reports or from relatives of an
Indian national who has been arrested in
Pakistan, that they start the process of
taking up the case. And then they have to
put up with the stone-walling by Pakistani
officials and denial of consular access to the
detainee. Even if access is granted, the issue
of verifying whether or not the person is
indeed an Indian remains. Things have
improved marginally in recent years with
agreements on giving consular access but
huge problems remain, not the least of
which is the huge discrepancy in the list of
detainees that Indian officials present and
the list that the Pakistanis admit. There is
also the institution of judicial commission
that has been set up, but its functioning
leaves a lot to be desired.
Once access is granted, there is the
problem of engaging a lawyer not an easy
task if the person detained has been charged
with a serious offence like terrorism or
spying. In case the detainee cannot afford
legal costs, the Government has to arrange
for funds, which isnt so difficult in the
neighbourhood, but is prohibitively
expensive in Western countries. In
countries where the diplomatic mission is
very small, there is a big problem of
manpower needed to keep following
individual cases.
In many Western countries, illegal
immigrants who destroy their travel
documents to prevent identification are
more than happy to become disavowed
citizens. For their part, the Indian officials
also take a sympathetic view the illegal
immigrant has, after all, spent a fortune to
reach his destination and tend to play
along. Yet, this game sometimes goes awry
and the blame is heaped on the insensitive
and callous Indian bureaucracy. This is not
to deny some amount of indifference, even
callousness, among Indian officials.
Distasteful though it may be, there is
nothing extraordinary about this kind of an
attitude. After all, people living in India
undergo the indignity of dealing with
officials almost daily.
>> Z
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Sarabjil Singh's dealh has raised a hosl o queslions ranging rom ndia's olicy lowards Fakislan, lhe suerings o
ndian risoners in Fakislani jails, and 0elhi's abilily or lhe lack o il lo rolecl lhe righls o ils cili/ens in olher counlries
l| W|i|| i S|iu| |lluW,
Vi1|+|+|J+ l||||+|iu|+l
|uu|J+|iu|
f the rest of the
world, and more
worryingly Delhi's
adversaries, take
ndia to be a soft
state which is
unable to protect
its citizens both
within the country
and without, then
it is because we
have been turned
into a fluffy state.
The Sarabjit saga
is just the latest
manifestation
of this
I
f you are out to encounter
Kanchenjunga from the plains of
Bengal, on your way to Darjeeling, a
small hilly hamlet will offer you the
first view of the majestic mountain.
This little known heaven on the foothills
of the Himalayas is Kurseong, also known
as the land of orchids.
If Darjeeling is the queen of hills, then
Kurseong is a charming princess. It dons
many caps on its head. It is the town that
houses some of the finest tea gardens of
the world and is the place where several
old missionary schools were established
by our former rulers from the West.
The original name of the place was
Khasang, which in the Nepalese language
means the morning star. Later it was dis-
torted by the British, who called it
Kurseong. Another theory says that it was
originally named Karsan Rup, meaning
the land of white orchids.
History tells us that this place
was once owned by the king of Sikkim
but later captured by invaders from
Nepal. In 1817, the Nepalese were van-
quished by the British and through
a treaty the place was returned to the
king of Sikkim. In 1835, Kurseong was
handed over to the British as a mark of
submission and from then onwards this
small strip of mountain turned into a
small hill station for the British. From
1880, as soon as rail connectivity was
established between Siliguri and
Darjeeling, Kurseong became a hotspot
among those seeking peace of mind.
It all started with a church and numer-
ous tea gardens, but in later times colonial
rulers established some of the best mis-
sionary schools, tea production centres
and sanatorium. The most famous church
of Kurseong is St Paul Church, founded in
1905. It is located opposite to the govern-
ment tourist lodge. Even today Kurseong
houses some of the countrys best schools
and a few top quality tea gardens that pro-
duce the worlds finest and costliest tea. To
add to the interest of historians, icons like
Mark Twain, Sister Nivedita and Netaji
Subhas Chandra Bose adopted this place
as their home for some time.
While staying at Kurseong, if you are
blessed by a clear morning sky without
mist and cloud, feel yourself lucky. This is
the passport to see Kanchenjunga. The
third highest peak of the world is an
amazing amalgamation of five snow peaks
under one group and
all but one are more
than 8,450 m tall.
Till Radhanath
Sikdar calculated the
height in 1852, it was
regarded as the worlds
highest mountain.
Kanchenjunga
is partially visible from
Kurseong. For a better
viewing, one can go
to Batasia Loop from
where the entire range
covering China and Tibet
are easily visible.
In the era of the Raj, Kurseong
was known for some of the best
schools managed by European mis-
sionaries. Schools like St Helena, Dow
Hill, Victoria and Goethals Memorial
are just a few to mention from a long
list. These old schools with their
nostalgic colonial looks are still there
to captivate your imagination. So, in
Kurseong, you will miss a lot if you do
not take a school tour.
You can start with Dow Hill School,
established in 1879 especially for kids of
government employees who were not rich
enough to go to costly English schools in
Darjeeling. The school was the brainchild
of Sir Eshley Eden. Edward Peglar was
the first principal who ran this school
with his wife for many years. It started
with 15 students, who arrived from
Siliguri in a horse-driven cart. Situated
over a hilltop, the school is a classic
example of European architecture.
Till 1926 Indian students were not
allowed to study here.
Just few minutes of drive from Dow
Hill is Victoria School. Dow Hill was ini-
tially a co-educational school, but in 1887
the boys section was separated in the
best interest of the school and the new
school was renamed after Queen Victoria
to celebrate 50 years of her coronation.
That was the beginning of Victoria
School, whose pink and grey colour with
colonial arches and verandahs give a per-
fect look of the bygone era. An abandoned
church inside the school compound pro-
vides a unique experience.
In 1890, another
colonial school came up in Kurseong St
Helena. It started with 12 students. Sister
Winifred was the first principal of this
school. The old building was devastated in
an earthquake in 1897 but a new
one was rebuilt by 1900,
thanks to the hard work of
Sister Marie Aimee.
Your school tour in
Kurseong will remain
incomplete, if you give
Goethals Memorial a miss.
Established in 1907 with
100 students on the land
gifted by the Maharaja of
Burdwan, this school has a rich
historical background. Named
after a man from Belgium, Paul
Goethals, the archbishop of
Calcutta, this school once taught engi-
neering under the certification of the
Bengal Engineering College, Shibpur. The
school, set in a forest five km from
the main town with a splendid
panorama of Mt Kanchenjunga on its
backyard, was inaugurated by Sir
Andrew Fraser. The school building
is another unforgettable piece of
colonial architecture in Kurseong.
Theres another feature that
makes the place special tea. It
is the land where the worlds
oldest tea factory was estab-
lished way back in 1859
the Makaibari Tea Estate.
Interestingly, the garden
is still running strong.
Kurseong also hous-
es the worlds
costliest tea
Castleton Tea which was first planted in
1885 by Charles Graham. The garden got
its name from a colonial building which
looked like a castle.
The flame of patriotism dormant in
your heart will give a spark if you visit the
house where Subhas Chandra Bose was
confined for three months. Now convert-
ed into a museum, this building also
houses the Netaji Institute for Asian
Studies. It has many rare photographs of
Netaji Bose both as the national leader as
well as the supreme commander of the
Indian National Army. It was from this
house that he drafted his historic speech
of the Haripura Congress, which he
presided in 1938. The museum also con-
tains various letters written to Emilie
Schenkl, Netajis Austrian wife, whom he
married secretly in Europe in 1937.
Then theres the famous Himalayan
Mountain Railways, popularly known
as the Darjeeling toy train. It is in
Kurseong that this train passes through a
jungle on its way to Ghum, the worlds
highest railway station. The joyride on the
narrow gauge railway built more than 130
years ago is a life-time experience. So,
this summer, pack your bags and go
to this small hilly hamlet. I am
sure you will come back reju-
venated.
sunday
magazino
mi11l it1iJ !
h KuRSE0h0, ThE w0RL0'S 0L0EST TEA
FACT0RY wAS ESTABLShE0 h 185O - ThE
MAKABAR TEA ESTATE. T S STLL Ruhhh0
STR0h0. ThE FLACE ALS0 h0uSES ThE
w0RL0'S C0STLEST TEA - CASTLET0h TEA
Kurseong is aboul 87 km
rom Siliguri and is well
connecled rom lhe
Bagdogra airorl. There
are several luxury holels
Tourisl accommodalion
rovided by lhe
0overnmenl o Bengal is
good and oers view o
Ml Kanchenjunga on a
clear day. 0o nol miss ils
sleaming momos. Book
your accommodalion
lhrough www.wcst|cn-
a|tcurism.cv.in
visil and holograhy al
schools are subjecl lo
ermission. ho hologra
hy is allowed inside o
lhe helaji museum; you
have lo lake your shoes
o beore enlering lhe
museum
For a beller view o
Kanchenjunga, you can
hire a car lo go Balasia
Loo; rom here lhe
enlire range is visible
TRAVELLOGSTCS
Kurseong is amous nol only or ils majeslic mounlain ranges, bul also colonial schools, lea eslales and, o course, ils dale
wilh revolulionaries like Subhas Chandra Bose. S0MEh SEh0uFTA comes back rejuvenaled aler a shorl visil lo lhis lace
white
orchids
The land of
0uRh0 ThE RAJ,
KuRSE0h0 wAS
Kh0wh F0R S0ME 0F
ThE BEST MSS0hARY
SCh00LS h ThE
C0uhTRY - ST
hELEhA, 00w hLL,
vCT0RA Ah0
00EThALS MEM0RAL,
AM0h0 0ThERS
I
n recent years, however, the official
machinery has become a lot more
responsive in cases involving Indian
citizens than it was in the past. One
reason for this is the growing awareness
and outspokenness of the citizenry,
which raises a huge stink in the event of
any laxity, perceived or real, on the part
of officials. But it is also because
officials can no longer be sure of what
political influence someone can bring to
bear upon them. Of course, if the
person is well-connected then, like in
India, even overseas the entire
government machinery works overtime
to resolve the matter. But unlike India,
where until the latest fracas over the
Italian marines issue, the system was
fairly flexible when it came to the goras,
the Western legal system is more rigid
and can come in the way of quick
resolution of any legal or criminal
matter involving an Indian citizen.
This is where the issue of the
influence and leverage that any country
exercises comes into play. While there
have been many complaints that the
Indian Government hasnt done enough
to save Sarabjit, the fact of the matter is
that India was simply in no position to
tell the Pakistanis do this or else... since
there is really nothing else, because if
there was then the need for saying or
else wouldnt arise. Over the years, India
just hasnt built the capabilities that
would allow it to say or else. Even the
capabilities India had have been
systematically shrivelled either because
someone thought they were immoral, or
because someone else thought they were
risky and counter-productive or even
because someone thought they
interfered and obstruction in his efforts
to normalise relations with Pakistan.
Given that the current Government
cannot use the CBI against Pakistan, all
India is left with is to appeal to
Pakistans good sense to do the right
thing, which as we all know is a bit of a
mugs game.
India did have the option of using
some tools of diplomatic signalling to
demonstrate its seriousness in the matter
of Sarabjit. But here again, the
effectiveness of the instrument depends
upon the credibility of the Government,
which needless to say is pretty low.
Remember, after the beheading of
Indian soldiers on the LoC last January,
the Government declared that it would
no longer be business as usual with
Pakistan. To convey its seriousness, the
new visa agreement with Pakistan was
put on hold. But as expected, after a few
weeks, it was back to business as usual
with the visa agreement being silently
operationalised. With this kind of
signalling, how can anyone blame the
Pakistanis, or for that matter the
Chinese, to take anything this
Government says seriously?
The sad fact is that if the rest of the
world, and more worryingly Indias
adversaries, take India to be a soft state
which is unable to protect its citizens
both within the country and without,
secure its territories, defend its interests
both economic and political, and project
its power both soft and hard, then it is
because India has been turned into a
fluffy state. The Sarabjit saga is just the
latest manifestation of this, and by all
accounts, not the last of humiliations
that will visit this country.
A final word is, however, in order of
a class of citizens who when caught are
disavowed, and after they return from
the cold, are ignored: Spies. The
disavowal of actions of a spy who has
been caught is entirely understandable.
But denying him legal and other
assistance is not defensible in any
manner whatsoever. Even more
deplorable is the manner in which
authorities wash their hands of the man
once he returns after decades in prison
and having endured unspeakable
torture. These people must be
compensated handsomely and their
families must be taken care of by the
Indian state during their incarceration.
This much the country owes to these
people. A nation that doesnt take care of
soldiers who fight its shadow wars
cannot take care of anything.
Wly we oon`t care for our eole
F R O M P A G E 1
sunday
magazino
wil1|tss l
vALMK ThAFAR, h hS B00K XUTI0 LIU|5,
SAYS ThAT L0hS, C0hTRARY T0 EXSTh0
SCEhTFC ThE0RY, wERE h0T h00Eh0uS T0
ThE SuBC0hThEhT Ah0 wERE BR0u0hT hT0
h0A FR0M FERSA Ah0 AFRCA BY R0YALTY
H
appiness is frog-shaped. I was
clomping miserably round my
tiny wood, anxiously scanning
my ash trees, trying not to grieve for
the broken branches that littered the
ground, gazing glumly at a pond that
seemed utterly dead, when my eye
caught a sign of something different at
the far end. I tramped across the vio-
lets to take a look and found the last
thing I expected frogspawn. As I
shifted some of the debris on the pond
bank, a young frog sprang away from
me into the murky water. My misery
dissolved and my tired heart leapt up.
My frogs are still in with a chance. The
cold snap might have killed the devel-
oping embryos; I wont know for a
week or two whether the spawn will
hatch. I can only hope that the jelly
provided good insulation and that the
eggs simply stalled in their develop-
ment until conditions improved.
Time was when every trip to the
wood would turn up dozens of com-
mon frogs (Rana temporaria) of all
sizes, in a surprising variety of colours;
but those days are long gone. Frog and
toad spawn used to appear in my
ponds in February, but for years there
has been none. I hoped it was because
we had too many newts, but it was a
faint hope. Frogs are in trouble all over
our adorable planet, and some her-
petologists fear that a huge extinction
event may be only months away.
However, frogs are cryptic creatures
that will retreat into habitats where
they can escape detection by even the
most dedicated researchers; take the
pressure off by restoring habitat and
keeping humans and their marauding
activities well away and a frog species
long despaired of may turn up again.
Having said that, of 6,800 amphibian
species on Earth nearly a third are
either already extinct or on the brink
of extinction.
Why should it matter if a bunch of
slippery jumping things goes extinct?
For one thing, frogs are an infallible
indicator of the health of an ecosystem;
for another they are astonishingly won-
derful. Even as metamorphs no bigger
than your littlest fingernail, they are
fully equipped with lightning reflexes,
with amazingly prehensile tongues that
can pluck their prey from the air, 360-
degree vision, legs that propel them
many times their own length, hearts
that beat, lungs that more or less
breathe and a digestive system that can
handle almost anything. If the creature
they have swallowed turns out to dis-
agree with them they can cough up
their stomach (turned inside out),
brush off the offending foodstuff and
push it back in again. They have hands
and feet, not paws. Some regularly
shed their skin and eat it.
Baby frogs are at the bottom of the
food chain; only a small percentage
will ever make it to adulthood. Even as
adults they are prey to a vast range of
creatures, from reptiles to birds and
other frogs. This too makes them
important; if they go extinct their
predators will eventually follow. In
1995 for the first time mass deaths of
common frogs in Britain were found to
have been caused by redleg, a ranavirus
probably carried by American bull-
frogs (R catesbeiana or, some say,
Lithobates catesbeiana) imported for
the pet trade. The sale of American
bullfrogs is now banned.
I shall watch the spawn with more
dedication because, having appeared so
late, it may be that of the pool frog,
Pelophylax lessonae. The species was
only identified in 1973 and there was a
good deal of disagreement as to
whether or not it was truly native. It
was eventually concluded that the pool
frog had been for millennia an inhabi-
tant of the Breckland in East Anglia,
but by 1995 it was presumed extinct.
When the last known native pool frog
absurdly dubbed Lucky died in
captivity in 1999, it seemed that there
was nothing to be done. Then it was
found that the British amphibian was
genetically identical with the northern
clade of pool frog found in Sweden and
Norway. On August 12, 2005, after
they had been carefully screened and
given a clean bill of health, Swedish
animals were introduced to a secret
area in Norfolk, where they are now
said to be established and breeding
successfully. So runs the official ver-
sion of the current status of the second
of Britains native frog species.
There is another version. In 2002
James Cranfield, then herpetofauna
reporter for the Essex Field Club,
recorded the existence of colonies of
pool frogs in Basildon and Witham. He
assumed then that they were introduc-
tions, but it could be that the British
pool frog had never died out at all, but
simply abandoned the Breckland when
the Scotch pines took over.
Further research into the genetics
of the various populations of pool
frog, these days to be found in
Hampshire and Surrey as well as in
Norfolk and Essex, would be needed
to decide the issue.
Besides the Scandinavian pool
frogs, we may have pool frogs from
elsewhere in Europe, plus the marsh
frog (P ridibundus) and its hybrid rela-
tive the edible frog (P kl esculentus),
both considered to be introductions.
Frog taxonomy has always been a
problem area however, and species
are going extinct faster than herpetol-
ogists can sort out their phylogeny.
As global warming continues we
should perhaps expect that migrant
European species will move into the
space vacated by our two endemic
species as they retreat further north.
My suspicion that what has
colonised my pond might be the pool
frog is strengthened because the last
time we saw tadpoles there it was at the
end of summer, and I couldnt work
out why they were still around. Pool
frogs breed so much later than com-
mon frogs that they can even overwin-
ter as tadpoles. I wont know which
frogs have spawned in the pond this
year until the metamorphs have got big
enough to be recognisable. The com-
mon frog has a pointed snout, the pool
frogs is rounder; the common frog has
a dark brown patch behind its eyes, the
pool frog a wobbly dorsal stripe and
spots rather than bars on its hind
limbs. The male pool frog has a vocal
sac each side of its mouth, and emits a
louder call than the common frog can.
Not that it matters which species
mine turn out to be, just as long as I
have frogs.
l| +il] ll|+p|
A
s a wildlife biologist-turned-bureau-
crat, I was recently out to gain first-
hand experience in western India. I,
along with my team, visited diverse
landscapes, sighted a number of
species in each of those habitats and met inter-
esting personalities. Initially, we were worried
of what we would be exposed to, and whether it
would be holistic. Au contraire, we got to see
and analyse for ourselves the good, bad and
ugly of it all. Of all the States we toured, Gujarat
had a unique story to narrate.
Slightly undulating landscape of grasslands
scantily interspersed with Acacia and Prosopis,
pairs of twisted horns peeking out of the vege-
tation, the Velavadar Blackbuck National Park
welcomed us on a sunny March afternoon. An
unassuming session began to bring to light the
amount of efforts put in to manage the park.
The grassland supports species such as
Dicanthium and Cenchrus. Over a four-year
period these become highly fibrous, and hence
unpalatable. In order to maintain the quality of
the prime constituents of ungulate diet, the for-
est department has developed a rotational
management system. The entire landscape is
divided into a number of blocks in a manner
that a few of them attain maturity each year.
These blocks are harvested and the cut grass is
stocked. During the lean period, this serves as
fodder to the livestock of the locals. The
department has been providing their harvest
for free in order to earn the goodwill of the
people. In return, there is high tolerance for
the crop raiding done by the blackbucks
around the sanctuary and adherence to the
strict anti-grazing rules that are in effect.
Marine ecosystems along with the species
they nurture, livelihoods of fishermen, interests
of the Army, several factories, in addition to
numerous other vested interests are all competing
for the 1,600 km of Gujarats coastline. Amid all
these, managers at the Marine National Park hold
to their credit the success of the whale shark con-
servation project. This fish belongs to the sched-
ule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 and
enjoys highest amount of protection. As a result
of constant efforts, hunting of whale shark was
banned in 2001. The Gujarat forest department
joined hands with a few organisations to devise a
scheme in which instant compensations were
given to fishermen who cut nets to release any
accidentally caught whale sharks. They have res-
cued 105 animals in two years and settled lakhs
of rupees as compensation, all in return for near
absence of poaching the species now enjoys.
Our visit to the Gir National Park kicked
off by witnessing the release of five leopards
and two cubs rescued from nearby villages and
agricultural fields. Man-leopard conflict is high
in the vicinity resulting in 204 such rescue
events in 2012. Animals involved in human
deaths are not released back into the wild, but
are housed for life at the Junagadh zoo. There
are well-trained and well-equipped teams
deployed at multiple spots around the park.
There are a number of women who are doing a
commendable job as forest guards. One such
guard who manages the rescue centre is pro-
vided a well-furnished room from where she
monitors all activities within the premises via
CCTV. Furthermore, she takes independent
decisions with respect to all rescue calls.
Empowering field staff to this extent and
entrusting them to take such delicate decisions
are probably taking place at Gir alone. This has
enabled prompt response, creating a sense of
security in the minds of the people and conse-
quently very low cases of retaliation. Although
the root of the problem is not addressed (but is
rather tackled on a day-to-day basis), it is reas-
suring given the number of leopard deaths
everyday across the country.
A quarter of Indias salt production comes
from the Little Rann of Kutch, a place which
also supports the last population of the Indian
Wild Ass, whose range have narrowed and
numbers dwindled to a mere 360 due to an epi-
demic of the Surra disease in the 1960s.
Fervent protection, habitat improvement and
supply of regular water in certain areas of the
sanctuary have built up their numbers to 4,000
in 2009. Interestingly, there is 16 villages inside
the protected area, and yet there is hardly any
disturbance or poaching.
The State provides strong financial backing
that aids investments in the field of science and
technology, be it for rescue operations, grass-
land management, or urban forestry. Gujarat
now boasts of owning the only tree transplanti-
ng machine in the country. This machine is
constantly put to use in saving trees from
urban developmental activities. Decentra-
lisation of power seems to be a key factor in
achieving long-term sustainable solutions.
Necessity of sticking to procedure for every lit-
tle detail is not always a priority and no more
obstructs emergency decision-making. There is
also a tapping of conservation sentiments of
the culture in the right way, leading to involve-
ment of even the smallest of stakeholders.
What comes across from the success of
these systems in place are: Participation and
co-operation of the local communities with the
forest department; proper implementation on
field; continuous monitoring with a strong
feedback system; and, strong inter-departmen-
tal ties. Subsistence hunting is virtually absent
owing to the vegetarianism of most cultures,
and thus rules out an otherwise important hur-
dle for conservation.
Be it the Gir National Park, the Velavadar
National Park or the Wild Ass Sanctuary, they
are all sites of great importance for the species
they support and are extremely popular. This has
created a necessity to deliver the right results on
time. The systems which are in place as a result
of this anticipation have been devised over a
long-term trial-and-error. What is admirable is
that most decisions have been involving people
who might immediately be affected by them.
This has resulted in the increase of animal num-
bers, co-ordinated rescue operations, low poach-
ing instances and voluntary involvement of local
communities in conservation.
l| W|i|| i +| l|Ji+| |u|| S|1i u||i|
The Slale isn'l jusl an economic owerhouse. l has also emerged as one o lhe biggesl success slories o conservalion and
roleclion o lhe animal world. vAhJuLAvALL SR0hAR shares her exeriences aler visiling some o lhe wildlie cenlres
We neeo to figlt to sto frogs` extinction
wild
60jarat's 60jarat's
side
side
BE T ThE 0R
hAT0hAL FARK,
ThE vELAvA0AR
hAT0hAL FARK 0R ThE
wL0 ASS SAhCTuARY,
ThEY ARE ALL STES 0F
0REAT MF0RTAhCE
F0R ThE SFECES ThEY
SuFF0RT Ah0 ARE
EXTREMELY F0FuLAR
AM0h0 wL0LFE
EhThuSASTS
Frogs are in lrouble, and some herelologisls ear a huge exlinclion evenl may be only monlhs away, says 0ERMAhE 0REER
T
he first time I encountered the
word troll was in high
school. That year, we had to
read JRR Tolkiens fantasy novel,
The Hobbit, as part of our course for
English literature. It was in the
pages of that fascinating book that
we discovered amazing creatures,
including hobbits and trolls.
Trolls, we were told by way of
introduction to these supernatural
beings, traced their origin to Norse
mythology. They were not particu-
larly handsome in their appearance,
lived in mountain caves and had
their own social code. Human beings
steered clear of them as they did of
human beings.
I read The Hobbit at the turn of
the last quarter of the last century.
Although its a memorable book,
hugely entertaining at one level and
profoundly meaningful at another, I
had forgotten about trolls and their
strange ways. And I didnt hear or
read about trolls till my foray into
social media via Twitter.
I must admit that I was clueless
about the terms of engagement in
Twitterdom. I learned the rules, such
as they are, as I went along, often
through mistakes that I wouldnt
ever commit again. Those were days
of well-meaning innocence. I wish I
had been cynical.
Two terms I would hear often is
troll and trolling. The Urban Dic-
tionary, which too I discovered via
social media, defines a troll as some-
one who is deliberately provocative,
disruptive and abusive.
A troll is someone who contin-
ually harangues and harasses others,
has nothing worthwhile to add to a
conversation, thinks everybody is
talking about him/her, and has mul-
tiple monikers to circumvent getting
banned. Trolls often use anonymity
as a shield. And their online activity
is what is known as trolling.
Meeting a troll in the misty
mountains of Hobbitland would
have been a thrilling, if not delight-
ful, experience. Meeting a troll on
an online forum, especially an open
forum like Twitter, can prove to be
neither thrilling nor delightful.
Yet, not everybody who is impo-
lite to you, or does not share your
views, or has a bone to pick with you
because of real or imaginary griev-
ances, or simply has had a bad hair
day and is nursing a foul mood, is a
troll. Nor does someone who piti-
lessly demolishes your argument, or
calls you out for being less than
truthful with facts, or tells you in
your face that you are a charlatan
(because you indeed are one), quali-
fies to be labelled as a troll.
Media stars who countenance
no dissenting voice in their work-
place, of course, would disagree
with this assertion. Shocked at
being called out, stunned at being
told to stop peddling their half-
truths or simply being mocked at
for being charlatans, they dont take
kindly to criticism on social media
sites, more so Twitter.
Personally I have no issues with
people who are irreverent, at times
to the point of being obnoxious; I
am not persuaded by the offended
and the unsettled labelling them as
trolls. On more than one occasion
I have defended them because I see
them as subaltern sepoys who have
at last found a means of having
their say and calling the bluff of
those given to bluster. I rejoice at
the sight of the commentariat being
talked back to.
Actually I quite enjoy watching
worms squirm. Those mortified by
trolls like these have had a free run
till now. No longer shall they go
unquestioned; no more can they ped-
dle their bunk without a fact-check.
Thats social medias biggest contribu-
tion. But theres nothing enjoyable
about encountering a real troll.
A troll is someone who inten-
tionally harasses and abuses. A troll
is someone who deliberately defames
and slanders you.
A troll is someone who slyly
stalks you, twists your words, and
seeks to denigrate your views by
imputing slanderous motives.
A troll is someone who can be
confronted and charged with crimi-
nal offence. At least thats my inter-
pretation of who or what is a troll
and his/her trolling.
The presence of trolls as I see
them is undesirable on an open
media platform where freedom of
expression is often misconstrued as
freedom to abuse, to defame and to
slander. Individuals taking shelter in
anonymity do so. Bots using tantalis-
ing monikers also do so, perhaps
with a degree of sophistry.
I would also add a third category
of trolls: Individuals who use their
real names and are either brazenly
shameless or secure in the knowl-
edge that prosecution for libel is not
an easy option in our country. They
spit and scoot. They squat and stalk.
They are possibly sickos with twisted
minds and darkened souls.
But we dont live in a perfect
world. In real life there are trolls all
around. Colleagues badmouth you
behind your back at office. Relatives
say nasty things about you after din-
ing at your home. Examples abound.
Hence, it makes sense to ignore
trolls who abuse, defame and slan-
der others, taking recourse to bazaar
language. It also makes sense to
ignore the posh trolls who pretend
to be socially, culturally and intellec-
tually superior and believe every-
body else is a moron.
Some of these posh trolls also
happen to be arrivistes, courtesy
their real and sugar daddies. We
contemptuously ignore insufferable
fools, so should we ignore insuffer-
able trolls like these.
But thats easier said than done.
Often individuals take offence, very
serious offence, to trolling by trolls.
What invariably follows is I feel out-
raged or I feel violated. Thats silly. In
the virtual world of social media, its
absurd to feel angry or violated, not
the least because the millions out
there give a damn about your feelings.
Tough luck. Get real. Deal with it.
Theres a problem though. The
easily offended, the perpetually vio-
lated, find it difficult to get real and
deal with the fact that not every-
body is a fawning admirer and an
unquestioning toady.
News telly stars, who have till
now talked down to their audience
from the safe confines of their stu-
dios, are alarmed at being confront-
ed on social media platforms, say,
Twitter, for their glaring biases and
for running motivated stories.
Writers who have pontificated
from their ivory towers, brooking
neither criticism nor correction, are
horrified at being told in their face
that what they produce is bilge.
Thats not what they are accustomed
to hearing.
The Bold and the Beautiful, the
pretty people who blow kisses, call
each other dahling, and pretend to
know all about wines and single
malts, although anything but rum,
the good old sailors drink, gives
them indigestion, at Dior-drenched
Page 3 parties, are left speechless by
the audacity of the unwashed masses
on social media platforms. Who let
the dogs in?
The new digital order did. Social
media isnt the Gymkhana and Twit-
ter isnt the IIC. By the way, Bharat
speaks English too. And guess what?
Bharat has this terrible habit of ques-
tioning hypocrisy, exposing duplicity
and lampooning gasbags mas-
querading as intellectuals.
So what will you do? Write a
pompous piece denouncing Bharat?
That will fetch much mirth and
laughter before you know,
Bharat will be rolling on the floor
laughing his ass off.
Horrible troll this, Bharat. But
thats what you get for removing the
digital divide. Welcome to the New
Virtual World Order.
(The writer is a senior journalist
based in Delhi)
8ar4ar FateI saW
thr00h 0hIaa
8I00I0 II0l, 0l00I0
0l800
Reader response to
Swapan Dasguptas column,
Usual Suspects, published on
April 28:
Weakening the military:
The Indian Army lacks mod-
ern equipment, the Air Force
still flies antiques, while the
Navy has only an aged air-
craft carrier which is con-
stantly demanding repairs.
All this is because the
Government was, oh, so coy
to buy new equipment
transparency, you know.
As for developing our
own stuff, the Arjun tank has
been in the making for
decades now. Where morale
is concerned, an upright
Army chief was booted out
of office by a sneaky clerical
trick. What else do you
expect from this regime?
Sudarshan Chakram
How much more? The
author has posed an apt
question How much terri-
tory should be under occu-
pation before India feels
shafted? The current dispen-
sation should answer this to
the nation.
M Agarwal
Look to Kautilya for ideas:
Indias foreign policy, which
was based on the Panchsheel
principles, has failed to
secure the countrys interests
globally. Jawaharlal Nehru
simply could not visualise the
impending dangers in Indias
neighbourhood. And so, he
gifted China a permanent
seat in the UN Security
Council, for example. The
Panchsheel principles are
good in theory but a disaster
in practice. Indias foreign
policy should be based on
Kautilyan ideas.
Manoj Parashar
008I WII0 60I08 I0 8
I80080 II 0000lI800
Reader response to
Kanchan Guptas column,
Coffee Break, published on
April 28
Nehrus shadow still looms
large: As a patriotic Indian,
outraged by the UPA
regimes bizarre approach to
Chinas occupation of our
territory in Ladakh, the
author has rightly recalled
the tragic story of India-
China bhai-bhai relations
from the Nehruvian era that
culminated in the worst
humiliation of the Indian
Army at the hands of the
Chinese in 1962.
More than 50 years have
passed since that war, but,
according to our many
defence and strategic experts,
the situation on the ground
along the borders with
China, continues to be criti-
cal especially in terms of
infrastructure and defence
preparedness. Nehruvian
incompetence, incoherence
and indifference when it
comes to policy-making still
call the shots.
What can one expect
from a Union Government
whose Prime Minister casu-
ally dismisses such intrusion
deep into our territory as a
localised matter? No won-
der his Minister for Home
Affairs, already notorious for
his foot-in-the-mouth dis-
ease, has called the occupied
area as a no-mans land,
while his equally flippant
Minister for External Affairs
trivialised it as acne on the
face that will go away once a
little bit of ointment has been
applied. The Government is
so spineless and timid that it
wont even block the occupy-
ing troops supply lines!
M Ratan
A major threat to India: The
recent incursion by China 19
km into Indian territory is a
serious matter. It comes soon
after it was reported that
4,000 Chinese soldiers was
seen in Pakistan-occupied
Kashmir. Additionally, China
is also involved in water-
sharing disputes with almost
all its riparian immediate
and near neighbours from
Russia and India to North
Korea and Myanmar. And in
the past, China has also
claimed Arunachal Pradesh
and Aksai Chin as being part
of its sovereign territory.
Moreover, it has also recently
said that there has been no
change in its Arunachal
Pradesh policy and the
disputed area remains
unchanged. There is no
doubt that in recent years,
China has become the
biggest threat to India.
Mahesh Kumar
80III0 00I 0000 I00
t0I00 0I I0l00
Reader response to
Rajesh Singhs column,
Plain Talk, published on
April 28:
Following in the steps of
Krishna Menon: It seems
like Union Minister for
External Affairs Salman
Khurshid, who has been
blundering in his assignment
from the day he took over, is
a copy of one of his predeces-
sors, VK Krishna Menon.
Perhaps Khurshid is suffering
from Stockholm Syndrome
which is why, like Menon,
he is batting for China
already. Maybe he should put
together a delegation of land-
grabbing politicians from
across the country and see if
together they can arm-twist
New Delhi to give away more
land to China.
Vasudeva Rao
PLANTALK
RAJESh Sh0h
COFFEEBREAK
KAhChAh 0uFTA
Welcome to tle New
Virtual Worlo Oroer
0
ne monlh beore he assed away in 0ecember 1O5O and a good 12
years beore lhe Chinese allacked ndia in 1OG2, Sardar vallabhbhai
Falel had drawn Frime Minisler Jawaharlal hehru's allenlion lo
Beijing's shenanigans and warned him againsl lrusling lhe neighbour. n
a leller lo hehru, which inds lace in Jh 0ixil's book, Makcrs cf InJia's
|crcin Fc|icy. |rcm Faja Fam Mc|an Fcy tc as|want 5in|a, Sardar
Falel noled lhal lhe "Chinese 0overnmenl has lried lo delude us by ro
essions o eaceul inlenl". hehru did nol heed his home Minisler's
advice, and lhe nalion aid lhe rice. how, we have yel anolher Congress
regime which is showing a similar disaslrous lendency in lhe wake o
many recenl Chinese incursions inlo ndian lerrilory, including lhe very
lalesl al 0aulal Beg 0ldi in Ladakh seclor, where China's Army ersonnel
have ilched lheir lenls or more lhan a orlnighl now. The queslion is
nol i, bul when will ndia ay anolher rice or ils meekness?
The conlexl o Sardar Falel's leller may have been dierenl rom lhe
crisis lhal we have loday. he had concenlraled his concerns over Beijing's
designs in lhe horlhEasl and along lhe Tibel border. Bul lhe larger narra
live lhen, as il is now, remains lhe same: Thal hew 0elhi musl slo
aeasing China and laking lhe laller al ace value. nslead, il should be
asserlive and aggressively mindul o ils sovereignly and securily needs.
Conlrasl our virlual slale olicy loday lo bend over backwards lo
lease China wilh lhal o Sardar Falel's slrong disaroval o our lhen
Ambassador lo China's suine overlures lo Beijing. 0n lhe issue o sel
lling ils disule wilh Tibel, China had aarenlly so solened u lhe ndian
Ambassador lhal lhe laller had lurned almosl aologelic aboul having
soughl a clariicalion rom Beijing on ils inlenlions regarding Tibel. Falel
wrole, "0ur Ambassador has been al greal ains lo ind an exlanalion or
jusliicalion or Chinese olicy and aclions". 0oes a similarly alhelic
alleml lo be an aologisl or China nol resonale loday? various senior
Minislers o lhe uFA regime loo have laken greal ains lo exlain away
lhe lalesl incursion. union Minisler or home Aairs Sushil Kumar Shinde
jusliied lhe inlrusion on lhe ground lhal il was in a "no man's land",
while union Minisler or Exlernal Aairs Salman Khurshid lrivialised lhe
incidenl as an "acne" lhal will go away wilh lhe alicalion o an "oinl
menl". would lhese worlhies have dared lo make such oolish remarks i
lhey were answerable lo a man o Sardar Falel's slalure?
n his leller, Falel deall in delail on why we should have been roac
live on lhe Tibel issue. The Tibel maller is now considered sellled, wilh
hew 0elhi acceling lhe region as a legilimale arl o China. Bul, while we
have been so accommodaling lo
Beijing even in lhe ace o rolesls
by lhe Tibelan eole, China has
showed no such consideralion lo
our sensilivilies on lhe border
issue. Back in 1O5O even, as lhe
lhen home Minisler oinled oul,
Beijing had been lrealing ndia
wilh disdain. he drew hehru's
allenlion lo lhe acl lhal "even
lhough we regard ourselves as lhe
riends o China, lhe Chinese do
nol regard us as lheir riends.
lhis is a signiicanl oinler which
we have lo lake due nole". hehru
did nol lake due nole lhen, and
Manmohan Singh is nol laking
due nole now.
Falel did nol slo al lhal. he
oinled lo lhe language lhe
Chinese had used in lheir corre
sondence wilh hew 0elhi on a
range o issues including ndia's
socalled roximily wilh lhe wesl
and ils sland on Tibel. Reerring lo
one such corresondence, he said,
"Their lasl lelegram lo us is an acl
o gross discourlesy nol only in
lhe summary way il disoses o
our rolesl againsl lhe enlry o
Chinese orces inlo Tibel bul also
in lhe wild insinualion lhal our alli
lude is delermined by oreign
inluences. l looks as lhough il is
nol a riend seaking in lhal lan
guage bul a olenlial enemy".
how rescienl Sardar Falel had
been lo call China a "olenlial
enemy"! n recenl limes, leaders
such as 0eorge Fernandes and
Mulayam Singh Yadav, besides
lhose o lhe BJF, have laken a sim
ilarly realislic line.
Sardar Falel was scalhing in
his observalion over lhe manner we had been aeasing China, and said
lhe nonsense had lo end. n lhe hovember leller, he blunlly lold hehru, "
doubl i we can go any urlher lhan we have done already lo convince
China o our good inlenlions, riendliness and goodwill". Bul here Falel
was wrong; in subsequenl years, arlicularly during lhe lasl decade, ndia
has gone urlher lhan he would have imagined. ndeed, we were lo go 'ur
lher' soon aler Falel's demise, when hehru, now ree rom conslrainl, rev
elled in his illconceived |inJi-0|ini ||ai ||ai camaign.
Falel had underslood lhe Chinese beller lhan nol jusl many o his
eers bul also lhose who ollowed him in olilics and olher ublic sace.
he wrole in lhe leller lo hehru, "Chinese irredenlism and communisl
imerialism are dierenl rom lhe exansionism or lhe imerialism o lhe
weslern owers. The ormer has a cloak o ideology which makes il len
limes more dangerous". This should serve as a correclive lesson lo lhose
who loday believe lhal lhe regular Chinese inlrusions are 'localised' devel
omenls and are unrelaled lo larger ideological or mililary goals which
Beijing is ursuing in ils neighbourhood - on land and in waler.
The ruslralions o lhe ron Man musl be laced in lhe conlexl o
recenl develomenls in one olher asecl: ndia's consislenl alleml lo
boosl China's image beore lhe world even as Beijing does everylhing
lo ridicule hew 0elhi in lhe inlernalional communily. For inslance,
China made un o ndia when lhe laller successully lesled lhe inler
conlinenlal ballislic missile, Agni v. s lhis how one riend behaves wilh
anolher? n Falel's lime, lhe Frime Minisler had soken aboul China's
'goodness' lo all and sundry abroad and even gone lo lhe exlenl o
seeking a ermanenl lace or Beijing in lhe uS Securily Council. Falel
had reerred lo lhal ralher sarcaslically in his leller, "0uring lhe lasl
several monlhs, oulside lhe Russian cam, we have been raclically
alone in chamioning lhe cause o Chinese enlry inlo uh and in secur
ing rom lhe Americans assurances on lhe queslion o Formosa. we
have done everylhing we could lo assuage Chinese eelings."
0ne o lhe suggeslions wilh which Sardar Falel rounded o his
leller lo lhe Frime Minisler was lhis: "An examinalion (musl be done)
o mililary osilion and such redisosilion o our orces as mighl be
necessary, arlicularly wilh lhe idea o guarding imorlanl roules
which are likely lo be lhe subjecl o disule".
had Sardar Falel been alive, how would he have deall wilh lhe
recenl Chinese misdemeanour? Ferhas lhe Chinese wouldn'l have
dared lo inlrude in lhe irsl lace.
Bharat has this
terrible habit of
questioning
hypocrisy,
exposing
duplicity and
lampooning
gasbags
masquerading as
intellectuals. So
what will you do?
Write a pompous
piece denouncing
Bharat? That will
fetch much mirth
and laughter
sunday
magazino
jitit
F E E D B A C K
The digilal divide lhal once made lhe hel lhe exclusive reserve o lhe elile has been
erased. Twiller is no 0ymkhana nor is Facebook lhe C. here all are lruly equal
He had understood
the Chinese better
than not just many
of his peers but
also those who
followed him in
politics. Had he
been alive today,
how would he
have dealt with
the recent Chinese
incursion?
Perhaps the
Chinese wouldn't
have dared to
intrude in the
first place
hEhRu 00 h0T hEE0 hS h0ME MhSTER'S
S0uh0 A0vCE 0h ChhA, Ah0 ThE hAT0h
FA0 ThE FRCE. BuT T00AY, B0Th ThE
FRME MhSTER Ah0 hS RE0ME ARE
hELFLESS BEF0RE ThE ChhESE
I
n our daily lives we are faced with the choice
of telling the truth or uttering an untruth.
Many people feel that no one will ever find
out if they tell a lie or deceive others. Thus,
to make some gain for themselves or to get
away with something, people often tell a lie. Little
do we realise that truth always finds a way to
reveal itself. Sooner or later, the truth will come
out. When we are truthful in our dealings, we
have nothing to fear or hide. Others come to
respect and trust us, and our slate is clean when
we try to enter the spiritual realm.
A story from the times of Akbar illustrates the
importance of being truthful. Once there was a
religious man who wanted to go on a pilgrimage.
He did not want to take a chance of losing his life
savings; so, he went to his friend to ask him to
hold them for him while he was away. I am going
on a pilgrimage, said he, and do not know when
I will return. Could you be kind enough to keep
my life savings safely until my return? I will
collect it from you when I get back. The friend
agreed to guard his money. The following day the
man left for pilgrimage.
Many years passed but the man did not return.
Then, one morning there was a knock on the door.
The man, now quite old, had returned from the
pilgrimage. I have returned and would like my
money back, said the religious man. The friend
changed the subject and began to talk about other
things. The old man kept coming back to the
subject of his money, but his friend kept changing
it. Finally, the old man insisted, Can I please have
my money back? The friend said, I dont know
what you are talking about. You never gave me any
money. The old man was shocked and shouted, I
never expected you to act this way. Please give my
money back. The friend said, Are you crazy? You
must be imagining things. You never gave me any
money. You are lying.
The man kept asking for his money, but the
friend turned him out of his house. In despair, the
old man decided to bring the case before Akbar.
The emperor listened patiently to the old man. He
then called for Birbal, his wisest advisor, and
asked him to take care of the case. Birbal listened
to the old mans complaint and then had his
friend summoned. When the friend arrived,
Birbal asked him whether the old man had given
him any money. The friend responded, Sir, he is
a big liar. He never gave me anything. Birbal
looked perplexed, and turned to the old man
saying, You say you gave him a bag containing
money. Do you have any witnesses?
The old man said, I do not have any witness. I
gave it under a mango tree. Birbal said, You are
foolish to say you have no witness. You gave it to
him under a mango tree. Cant you get help from
the tree? Go immediately to that tree and tell it
that Birbal wants it to appear before him. The old
man was surprised at Birbals request, but did as he
was ordered. He departed to bring the mango tree
as a witness. In the meantime, Birbal asked the
friend to have a seat by his side. An hour passed.
When the old man did not come back, Birbal
started to talk to himself loudly. He said, Why is
that old man taking so long for such a small task?
The friend responded, But sir, he cant
possibly return so soon. He would not have even
reached that place yet. Birbal asked him, What
do you mean? Do you mean to say that this place
is so far away from here that it would take him a
long time to get there? Yes, responded the
friend. The place is far away from here.
After a long time, the old man returned, out
of breath. He said to Birbal, Sir, I gave the
message to the tree, but it did not say anything to
me. Birbal said, Do not worry about it. The tree
has already proved to me that this man did
receive the bag of money from you. Birbal then
turned to the friend and said, You have a chance
to admit your guilt and return the money to this
man. But the friend insisted, But he never gave
me any money. Finally, Birbal said, If that is so,
then how did you know the tree was far from
here? Are you prepared to admit your guilt
now? At this point, the friend realised he was
caught in his lie, and he bowed down to Birbals
feet and begged forgiveness. He then returned
the money to the old man.
The story illustrates that sooner or later the
truth we try to hide gets uncovered. When we
tell a lie, we have to tell so many more to cover
up the first one. It is hard to keep so many lies
straight in our mind. While the truth is one and
is easy to remember, a lie weaves a tangled web
in which we have to remember all the various
strands. It is hard to sleep peacefully at night
when we are worried about someone finding out
the truth. It is better to tell the truth and be done
with it, and sleep and meditate peacefully, than
go through life with the fear of our being found
out hanging over our heads.
Spiritual progress depends on the stillness of
mind, free of mental entanglements and
attachments. Being the keeper of a lie is an
unnecessary entanglement that occupies our time
and attention and keeps us away from the peace
of mind needed to go back to God. By thinking
twice before telling a lie, we can live a life of
peace and tranquility.
l| W|i|| i + pi|i|u+l |+||
HDDENSOULS
FRAM00 FAThAK
G
anesha, the son of Shiva and
Parvati, is worshipped before
starting any important work
such as solemnisation of a marriage,
laying the foundation of a new
building, opening of a new business
or unveiling a social event. His
name is invoked even before mak-
ing prayers to other deities because
he is considered the remover of
obstacles. This easily accessible, gen-
tle and affectionate deity is also
known as God of wisdom.
There are many stories in the
Puranas regarding the birth of
Ganesha. According to the most
popular legend, Parvati in the
absence of her husband, Lord Shiva,
created Ganesha out of dust and oil
from her body and asked him to
guard the door while she was taking
bath. When Shiva came home,
Ganesha did not let him in. Angered
by his audacity, Shiva cut his head
off. Later, in order to pacify Parvati,
Shiva asked his ganas (followers) to
find a head for replacement. They
came back with the head of a baby
elephant which was put in place.
After coming to life, Ganesha
endeared himself to Shiva by wor-
shipping him and was made the
head of his entourage. Hence, the
name Ganesh (Lord of the ganas).
Ganesha is married to Siddhi
(achievement or success) and
Riddhi (wisdom). His vehicle is rat.
He is also known by various other
names which describe his attributes.
Ganapati (head of the multitude),
Gajanana (elephant faced), Vinayaka
(the one who has no leader above
him), Vighanharta (the destroyer of
obstacles) and Vakrakunda (of the
twisted trunk) are some of the most
invoked titles of Ganesha.
This deity of good luck is a
delight for the creativity of any artist
on account of his mystical form and
unique features such as an elephants
head, a pot belly, a broken tusk and
one leg folded up with the other
resting on the ground. Creative
imagination of common people is at
display in Mumbai and Pune during
Ganesha Chaturthi when various
Ganesha mandalas construct large
statues of God, some in traditional
style and others in contemporary
settings. During the early 20th cen-
tury, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar
Tilak promoted the celebration of
Ganesha festival in the western part
of India as a means of instilling
national pride and rallying Indians
for the cause of national liberation.
Ganesha is worshipped not as
much for freedom from rebirth as
for success in this life. Still, a mytho-
logical story related with Ganesha
highlights the fact that only materi-
alistic pursuits can never bring
peace and happiness to mankind.
Once Kubera, God of wealth, invit-
ed Ganesha for dinner. Ganesha ate
all the food prepared for the entire
gathering but still remained hungry.
Then, Shiva appeared and offered
him a handful of roasted rice. After
consuming it, Ganesha was satisfied.
Another interesting legend
speaks of Ganeshas wisdom. Once
Shiva and Parvati asked their two
sons Ganesha and Kartikeya
to circle the world three times. The
one who would come first would
get a prize. While Kartikeya flew
throughout the space, Ganesha
simply walked around his parents
three times. For him his parents
were the whole world. Within
them was his entire universe.
Naturally, he got the prize.
Ganesha is a perfect example of
delicate balance between spiritual
aspirations and worldly concerns.
He represents simplicity, wisdom,
success and auspiciousness.
E/|p| ||u| || |uu| 7X]SdXb\)5a^\
<PhPc^<^ZbWP, pu|li|J |] Viiu| l|Ji+
Ganesla, tle remover of olstacles
Lord 0anesha is a erecl examle o delicale balance belween sirilual asiralions and worldly concerns, wriles vJAY Sh0AL
sunday
magazino
sji|ilJlil; l
h0Thh0 h LFE S T0 BE FEARE0, T S
0hLY T0 BE uh0ERST000. h0w S ThE TME
T0 uh0ERSTAh0 M0RE, S0 ThAT wE MAY
FEAR LESS Ah0 LEA0 A 0uALTY LFE.
- MARE CuRE
A person's
true spiritual
progress depends
on the stillness
of mind, free
from mental
entanglements
and worldly
attachments. By
thinking twice
before telling a lie,
we can live a life
of peace and
tranquility
F
or most of us, cricket is one of the most favoured
forms of entertainment. No wonder, we are today
gripped with cricket fever, thanks to the Indian
Premier League (IPL). Yes, there are cynics who think
that there is little Indian about IPL, given the number
of foreign players leading the teams. Then there are
hard-nosed business-minded people who think IPL is
all about money. Yet, there is another side of the story.
And this has to be celebrated. No, it is not about sixes
and fours. It is also not about the smiles and gyrations
of pretty cheerleaders who hold the audience in awe
every time something worthwhile happens in the field.
And it is much more than the exploits of Chris Gayle.
What is IPL all about, then?
It is about human psychology, unfathomed human
potential and capacity. To understand this we need to
go back in the time machine to the early 1950s and
1960s, when cricket was a gentlemans game. It was
about elegance, charm, style, substance and, above all,
grace the white dress that cricketers donned sym-
bolised tranquility and calmness of the game. Those
were the days when five-day Test matches were the
norm. In the 1970s something drastic happened. A
person named Kerry Packer sent all cricketing norms
packing with limited over matches involving only the
Whites. Cricket changed and the man who changed
cricket was not a cricketer. He was a marketer. As one-
day cricket started catching the imaginations of the
non-Whites, the game became more catholic and soon
the World Cup started. Even in those days, the batting
side scored around 220-odd runs in its stipulated lim-
ited overs and anything more than that was consid-
ered a high total.
Then entered New Zealands Mike Greatbatch who
turned the game on its head. Soon, Jayasuriya and
Kaluvitharna of Sri Lanka joined the rally. And lo and
behold, 250 runs for a team became pedestrian, 275
fighting and 300 and above a good total. But the story
did not stop there. There was more to come.
Subsequently, even the sides scoring 400-plus were on
the tenterhooks, actually loosing many a times. Enter
T20 and the game has changed completely. Try calcu-
lating and you will find that somewhere around 800
runs are being scored in a day. The likes of Chris
Gayle have done for cricket what Roger Bannister did
for runners by breaking the four-minute mile barrier.
Classical psychologists suggested that human
potential was immense and normally human beings
used only 10 per cent of that, with 90 per cent lying
unutilised. IPL proves that they were right. Yes, realis-
ing that calls for efforts and attitude change. When
someone asked Sir Edmund Hillary why he wanted to
conquer Mount Everest, he said: Because it is there.
That should be the spirit and yes, sky is the limit.
l| W|i|| i p|u|u|, l|Ji+| S|uul u| |i|, |+||+J
(1|+|||+|J). | +| | |+|J +| pp+||+|.i|@|+il.u|
Lie is an unnecessary enlanglemenl lhal occuies our lime and energy and lakes away
lhe eace o mind needed lo reach 0od, says SAhT RAJh0ER Sh0h J MAhARAJ
l|u pi|i|
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w
omen like Marilyn
Monroe have been
ound lo have lhe mosl
allraclive voices, wilh a high
ilched bul brealhy qualily,
according lo research. The
balance has been associaled
wilh a "small body si/e",
making women allraclive bul
nol lhrealening. Men, on lhe
olher hand, were ound lo be
mosl aealing when lhey
had dee, husky voices.
"whal we ound is lhal
or males lislening lo
emales, lhey reerred lhe
voice lo be highilched -
allhough nol loo high -
and as brealhy as ossi
ble," said 0r Yi Lu. he
added women aeared lo
look or a arlner who was
hysically large bul nol
aggressive. "Females don'l
like a male who is lolally
aggressive," he said.
A
new sludy o churchgo
ers ound many
Chrislians eel isolaled
wilhin lheir own communi
lies, due lo alliludes
lowards single eole. Four
oul o len single worshi
ers reorled eeling "inad
equale or ignored", wilh
more lhan a lhird claiming
lhey were lrealed dierenlly
lo lhose who aeared
haily married. More lhan
4O er cenl o lhose sur
veyed said lheir church "did
nol know whal lo do wilh
lhem". The sludy, o 2,754
eole using daling web
sile Chrislian Conneclion,
ound 87 er cenl did nol
eel "lrealed as amily
members". Single women
were olen lrealed as a
"lhreal lo coules", lhe
research ound, wilh olher
saying lhey ell more val
ued oulside lhe church
lhan wilhin. 0avid
Fullinger, lhe aulhor who
analysed lhe dala, lold T|c
InJcpcnJcnt newsaer
lhe indings were a "lime
bomb" or lhe church.
S
cienlisls ound lhal
young men who suered
dislurbed slee had serm
counls lhal were more lhan
a quarler lower lhan lhose
who slel more. Those who
suered dislurbed slee
wilh less lhan six hours a
nighl also had lower serm
qualily and smaller leslicles.
l is lhoughl lhal oor slee
inlereres wilh lhe body's
abilily lo roduce serm.
Tina Kold Jensen, who
led lhe sludy al lhe
universily o Soulhern
0enmark, said: "This
aears lo be lhe irsl
sludy lo ind associalions
belween slee dislurbances
and semen qualily." The
researchers added lhal lhey
hoe lo examine whelher
resloring normal slee al
lerns heled lo imrove
erlilily in men. Exerls
believe lhe ideal amounl o
resl is belween seven and
eighl hours a nighl.
h08k1 0I6L
M08 8LI1, 81 86ILkI88
8Ik6LL8
fLLL L0kLL1 6h06h
8LLLF L088
0M6L8 MLL fLILI1
FL is nol jusl lhe mix o
crickel and enlerlainmenl. l
is also aboul exanding lhe
limils o human caacily
0hFLIL8
sunday
magazino
itl|tJlitJl |
FERvEZ MuShARRAF S REA0Y T0 00 hT0 EXLE
0hCE A0Ah, BuT wAhTS A '0RACEFuL' EXT, S0uRCES
SAY. MuShARRAF RETuRhE0 h0ME FR0M A F0uR
YEAR EXLE h MARCh, BuT hAS BEEh ARRESTE0
F0R ThE KLLh0 0F A BAL0Ch LEA0ER h 2OOG
Ik8T I TkkE8 VE
Ih Ikh6E
I
t appears that freedom fries
have liberated the French
from their historically good
taste. The French, who have
long held high culinary
standards, arent afraid to
flaunt their commit-
ment to quality. But
even the worlds first
foodies have their
limits, if a new
study is to be
believed. Thats
because new data
says the French
have surrendered
to fast food,
which has sup-
planted restaurants
to become the nations top
dining choice.
NPR reports that fast-
food chains are now
responsible for 54 per cent
of all restaurant sales in
France. And the number
of fast-food sales has
increased by 14 per cent
just in the past year. In previous
years, we could see fast food was
gaining ground, but this is the
first time it has overtaken
restaurants where you are
served at the table, Julien
Janneau of food consultancy
firm Gira Conseil, whose
company provided the
data, said. In addition,
Conseil found that
the number of
French cafes, where
more sophisticated and
slower-paced dining pre-
vails, has dwindled from
over 200,000 in the 1940s
to around 32,000 today.
Global fast-food leaders
like McDonalds have all
found a strong footing in
France. McDonalds has
over 1,200 restaurants
in the country, and
Burger King, which
had shuttered all of its
French outlets in
1997, made a tri-
umphant return in
2012. (Yahoo News)
TI8E FIkh8 T 8
BC0AF0ABIh hkVk1
T
he largest Native
American tribe in
the United States is
seeking to dub
the classic 1977
movie Star Wars in
Navajo as a way to help preserve its
traditional language. Fluent Navajo
speakers have been invited for a cast-
ing call in Window Rock in northern
Arizona to dub the roles of Luke
Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia and
others, tribal officials said.
Manuelito Wheeler, the director of
the Navajo Nation Museum, said he first
came up with the idea 13 years ago as a
way to preserve the consonant-rich
Navajo language, believed to be spoken
by about 170,000 people, according to
government figures.
We thought this would be a
provocative and effective way to help
try to preserve the language and at the
same time preserve the culture,
Wheeler told journalists. What better
movie to do this than Star Wars?
Wheeler said he believes the popular
science fiction movie will resonate with
the Navajo peo-
ple with its uni-
versal theme of good
versus evil. (Reuters)
FEkT II8h ThkT
6kh IIVE T I WkTE
E
nvironmental officials
are set to conduct a
survey of a Central Park
lake for the northern snakehead, an
invasive predator fish that can live out
of water for days. According to
NBCNewYork.com, New Yorks
Department of Environmental
Conservation is asking that anglers fish-
ing the man-made Harlem Meer secure
the razor-toothed fish in a container and
alert park staffers, or call 311.
The snakehead species, native to
Asia and Russia, has no natural preda-
tors and is illegal in most US states. But
federal agents have uncovered illegal
snakehead selling operations in several
states, including New York, Texas,
Florida and Missouri. And the so-called
Frankenfish was recently spotted in
the Central Park lake, leading environ-
mental officials to order the survey.
(Yahoo News)
FII6E 6kIIE kITE WMkh 8EE8
kITTEh8 hkVIh 8EX Ih hE Yk
S
ure, cats arent for everyone. But we
cant remember the last time someone
called the police to
complain about a pair
of kittens. But thats
exactly what happened
in Wisconsin when a
woman called police
after she reportedly wit-
nessed two kittens having
sex in her front yard.
Its not the only recent
time someone has called 911
to report on a cat. Back in
February, a Washington State
man called 911 to report on a
stray cat that had wandered
into his back yard. But, at least
in that case, the man was call-
ing out of concern for the cats
welfare (it was cold outside),
rather than to complain about its
mere presence.
Theres still no word on
how the department responded
to the womans
call. (Yahoo
News)
9YEkI 8Y
hEIF8 hk8 88E8
T
wo armed robbers
were no match for a
kid. According to a story
from ClickonDetroit, the
two men had knocked on
the door of a Hazel Park,
Michigan, home recently.
Posing as friends of a family
member, they forced their
way into the house, had the
adults lie down on the floor
with blankets over their heads,
and demanded cash.
Meanwhile, quick-think-
ing Jaden Kanka, age 9, had
hidden in a closet. When he
heard his mom, her
boyfriend, Jerome Brown,
and the home invaders talk-
ing in the living room, he
climbed out of the first-
storey bedroom window and
ran to the neighbours, who
called the police. Officers
arrived while the armed
men were still in the house.
They were quickly
arrested. (Yahoo News)
T
here are no fewer than 135,000
websites devoted to obnoxious
quotes by Gwyneth Paltrow. I am
who I am; I cant pretend to be
somebody who makes $25,000 a
year is one line her critics love to loathe. I
would rather die than let my kid eat Cup a-
Soup is another. And her most mocked
words to date: When I pass a flowering zuc-
chini plant in a garden, my heart skips a
beat. Whatever you say, Gwynnie.
Paltrow is the celebrity equivalent of
Marmite. In one week, shes gone from being
Hollywoods most-hated celebrity (as voted
by Star magazine) to the worlds most beauti-
ful woman (according to US People maga-
zine). Her latest recipe book, Its All Good,
essentially an ode to spinach, is still topping
bestseller lists, despite being labelled quack
science by reviewers. Her lifestyle website,
Goop.com, has been branded fatuous and
patronising, yet pulls in more than 150,000
weekly subscribers. And her portrayal of
Pepper Potts in the Iron Man movies, the
third of which was released last week, has
previously been slated; but film critic Robbie
Collin lauded her latest efforts: Paltrow has
not been this likeable in 10 years.
The 40-year-old American actress is,
without a doubt, Hollywoods most divi-
sive celebrity. From her furious fitness
regime to her crackpot cookery, every
aspect of Paltrows life draws critics and
admirers often in equal measure. So
just what is it about Gwynnie that divides
public opinion so radically?
Lets start with her less redeeming fea-
tures. Paltrow, daughter of the late director
Bruce and the glamorous Blythe Danner,
would like us to believe shes just a busy
north London mother-of-two, juggling fami-
ly life with a demanding job. In reality, she
and her husband, Coldplay front man Chris
Martin, have a net worth of 89 million.
Their house, a 7 million, 33-room mansion,
is reportedly managed by an army of staff,
including a manny (male nanny) to look
after eight-year-old Apple and seven-year-
old Moses. If you can forgive her for giving
them such ridiculous names (though its
unlikely they will), Paltrow also subjects her
children to a monastic dairy-free, sugar-free
diet and only allows them to watch television
in French or Spanish. Cartoons are banned.
None of which fits with her description
of herself as any other regular mum. Jon
Hackett, a lecturer in popular culture at St
Marys University College in London, says
this unrealistic portrayal of her life is what
makes Paltrow hard to like. People dont
see her as credible; they dont believe that
shes an ordinary domestic goddess, he
explains. It doesnt tally with her great
physique and her good looks. Shes trying
too hard not to be perceived as aloof. If she
wasnt trying to be so normal, people
would probably like her more.
When shes not appearing in superhero
films or ad campaigns for Este Lauder,
Paltrow runs her Goop website, where she
doles out advice on everything from colono-
scopies to quinoa. In the same smug,
preachy vein that runs throughout her latest
cookery book, the site claims to be your
most trusted girlfriend on the web but is
laughably out of touch with the real world,
urging readers to spend 480 on studded
iPad cases and use only pricy Turkish towels.
Paltrows diet and fitness regime is so
gruelling that most of us wouldnt have a
hope of sticking to it yet she says its as
easy as brushing my teeth. Her perfect abs
(better than Madonnas, apparently) are
sculpted in sweaty 90-minute dance aerobics
classes five days a week with trainer-to-the-
stars Tracy Anderson. To follow Paltrows
strict macrobiotic diet (gluten-free flour,
duck eggs and manuka honey) would cost
nearly 200 a day, an American food writer
has calculated. No wonder she can boast of
having the butt of a 22-year-old stripper; a
claim that the look-at-me Antonio Berardi
seethrough dress she wore to the Iron Man 3
premiere illustrated all too clearly.
So thats the bad stuff; what about her
good bits? Once upon a time, Gwynnie was
actually a pretty good actress. Remember
Emma (1996), Sliding Doors (1998) and
The Talented Mr Ripley (1999)? She won a
Best Actress Oscar for the 1998 film
Shakespeare in Love, which most of us will
remember for her plummy but convinc-
ing English accent.
Her love life, too, endears us. Paltrow
once dated Hollywood hotties Ben Affleck
and Brad Pitt but she ended up settling
down with Martin, who, when hes not on
stage singing to millions, is basically a
scruffy bloke (albeit a posh one, educated at
Sherborne) from Exeter. Her choice of hus-
band has undeniably helped her reputation;
Gwynnie now goes to grubby gigs, smokes
cigarettes (one American Spirit on a
Saturday night) and comes across as almost
normal; well, as normal as a multimillionaire
can be. Her Twitter feed, a stream of quips
about being hungover and needing some-
thing vaguely hallucinogenic after taking
her children to see a live Glee concert, also
suggests a human side.
In interviews, Paltrow is likeable, giving
the impression of speaking candidly and
veering off-script. On The Graham Norton
Show recently, she was self-deprecating and
witty, making fun of her own films and jok-
ing about her sons birthday party, while
slugging from a glass of white wine. She also
showed she is game for a laugh, at one point
fondling comedian Lee Mack on camera.
The actress has also opened up about
personal issues, including her fathers death,
a miscarriage and terrible times in her
marriage. Journalist Jane Gordon, who
interviewed Paltrow for You magazine
sometimes back, says she was pleasantly
surprised by how down-to-earth the actress
seemed. I turned up at her house and we
sat talking in front of a huge roaring fire,
she remembers. There were no PRs; no
entourage. She was wearing no make-up.
Afterwards, she went on the school run. She
was a completely normal person.
Most Gwynnie-hating, it must be
admitted, is down to envy. She is, as
Gordon puts it, faultless. Aside from her
stellar film career and her role as a lifestyle
guru, Paltrow has no shortage of skills: Shes
clever (she studied anthropology at univer-
sity), can sing (shes had a number one sin-
gle in Australia) and is fluent in Spanish
(her first Spanish-language film, 33 Dias, is
out this year). Shes good-looking, a great
actor and singer, and she even has her own
clothing line what more could one
dream of? asks media and popular culture
expert Dan Laughey. (Our) envy quickly
turns into jealously and feelings of dissatis-
faction and low self-esteem.
But as long as Paltrow keeps trying to
pretend shes one of us, the love/hate
debate will continue. We dont want you
to be ordinary, Gwynnie. Youre a mung
bean-eating glamazon with the body of
an aerobics instructor, a picture-perfect
family and an annoying ability to be
good at everything. Ordinary isnt
even in your universe.
l| +il] ll|+p|
P
resident Obama was eloquent
Tuesday in describing why the
situation at the Guantanamo Bay
prison is unsustainable. He was
justified in blaming Congress for
frustrating his effort to close the
facility. But he was disingenuous
in failing to acknowledge that his
own actions or his own inac-
tion have substantially con-
tributed to an impasse that has
prompted more than half of
Guantanamos inmates to under-
take a hunger strike.
One hundred and sixty-six
terrorism suspects remain at
Guantanamo, of whom 86 have
been cleared for transfer to their
home nations. After overseeing
more than 70 repatriations or
other prisoner transfers during
the first years of his Administra-
tion, Obama suspended those to
Yemen after the attempted
Christmas Day bombing of an
airliner in 2010; in 2011 and 2012
he signed defence bills imposing
all-but-unmeetable conditions on
any other transfers.
What is needed above all is
genuine political commitment
from Obama. Having vowed to
close Guantanamo, he backed
away from the project in the face
of political resistance. That resis-
tance may be, as he argued yes-
terday, unreasonable; but it wont
be overcome if the President
doesnt make it a priority.
A
t his news conference Tues-
day, President Obama made
a powerful plea for ending the
humanitarian and diplomatic dis-
aster created by the continued
detention of more than 160 pris-
oners at Guantanamo Bay, more
than 100 of whom are engaged in
a hunger strike that necessitated
the dispatch of an emergency
medical team. The problem is
that Obama has contributed to
the crisis by acquiescing in con-
gressional obstruction of his
promise to close the facility. We
hope he is serious when he says
he will now re-engage with Con-
gress that this is not in the best
interest of the American people.
The idea that we would still
maintain forever a group of indi-
viduals who have not been tried,
that is contrary to who we are,
Obama said. The President
repeated his familiar observation
that the existence of Guan-
tanamo is a recruitment tool
for extremists. Those are elo-
quent words, but to be translated
into action, Obama will need to
alter his own behaviour. It has
been more than four years since
the President issued an executive
order promising promptly to
close detention facilities at
Guantanamo. Yet the prison
remains open (though its popu-
lation has dwindled from a high
of nearly 800 inmates in 2005).
H
assan Nasrallah, the leader of
Hezbollah, has confirmed for
the first time that members of the
powerful Lebanese Shia organisa-
tion are helping President Bashar
al-Assad fight the uprising against
his rule and will stand by him.
Nasrallah a close ally of
Assad also hinted that Russia
and Iran, Syrias principal sup-
porters, would intervene militari-
ly to prevent his defeat.
Alluding to concerns about
growing sectarianism in the
region, Nasrallah said there
would be dangerous retribu-
tion if any harm befell the his-
toric Sayyida Zeinab Shia shrine
near Damascus.
Hezbollah fighters have been
seen in Syria helping the Govern-
ment from early on in the 25-
month uprising but their pres-
ence, long formally denied, has
become much both more open
and large-scale in recent weeks,
and funerals of fighters killed
there are now a regular occur-
rence in Lebanon.
Hezbollah counts itself as a
key participant in the axis of
resistance comprising Syria, Iran
and Palestinian groups which are
opposed to both the PLO and
Israel. It is thought likely to
respond to any Israel attempt to
target Irans nuclear programme.
Ihe staIa 0f 6Itm0
8yrIaa cIvII War
SSUESGLOBAL
T
he leader of Hezbollah, the
powerful Lebanese Shia
organisation, edged closer on
Tuesday to acknowledging that its
fighters were battling rebels in
neighbouring Syria, an interven-
tion that threatens to drag
Lebanon deeper into that conflict.
The leader, Hassan Nasrallah,
declared in a televised speech that
Hezbollah could become more
deeply involved in the future, and
warned that Syria had real
friends who would not allow it
to fall into the hands of Ameri-
ca, Israel and Islamic extremists,
the forces that the Syrian Govern-
ment routinely blames for the
two-year uprising against it.
Sunni factions in Lebanon
which still bears the scars of its
own sectarian civil war have
also sent fighters to Syria, on the
rebel side. Sectarian rhetoric in
Lebanon has ratcheted up in
recent weeks, with some imams
sympathetic to Syrias opposition
issuing fatwas, or religious
decrees, calling on Sunnis to fight
in Syria. As Lebanese factions
take sides, they pose new chal-
lenges to the countrys stability.
Lebanese leaders are struggling to
form a new Government, deeply
divided by the Syrian conflict,
despite the countrys official poli-
cy of disassociation from it.
0wynelh Fallrow is lhe celebrily equivalenl
o Marmile. n one week, she's gone rom
being hollywood's moslhaled celebrily lo lhe
world's mosl beauliul woman. SARAh RAhEY
invesligales how lhe Ircn Man 3 slar has
become lhe world's mosl divisive woman
Most Gwynnie-
hating is down to
envy. She is, as
journalist Jane
Gordon puts it,
'faultless'. Aside
from her stellar
film career and her
role as a lifestyle
guru, Paltrow has
no shortage of
skills: She's clever,
can sing and is
fluent in Spanish
O D D L Y E N O U G H
sunday
magazino
l|s i
F SC0TT FTZ0ERAL0'S T| 6FAT 6AT55 TAKES
FLACE h 1O22, 0uRh0 ThE R0ARh0 TwEhTES, A
TME 0F FR0SFERTY h ThE uhTE0 STATES AFTER
w0RL0 wAR . ThE h0vEL hAS h0w BEEh MA0E
hT0 A FLM BY BAZ LuhRMAhh
I
f Khushwant Singh were to learn his lessons in life, even at the age of
98, he would leave a nation aghast, and might I add, also disappointed.
Every society needs its standard-bearer apologist, one who will nudge
opinion inevitably towards the centre of everything, urge moderation, and
quite simply help keep things together. More importantly, every society
needs its Khushwant Singh, who, with malice towards one and all, will
continually turn the mirror on the myriad hypocrisies that disguise the
willing suspension of disbelief necessary for congenial social co-existence.
Occasionally, he will also turn the mirror onto himself.
I reviewed Singh for the first time a few years back when he published
what many imagined to be his final work, The Sunset Club, a personalised
narrative recounting the stories shared among four friends (including
Singh) who took their morning sojourn at the Lodhi Gardens in New
Delhi. Here I am reliving the privilege of reviewing his latest production
without daring to suggest, albeit suggestions in that regard are made by the
author himself, that it is his last. Entitled Khushwantnama The Lessons
of my Life Singhs work is a compendium of wisdom drawn from life.
From flatulence to constipation, from the changing foliage in his garden to
the lilting notes of birdsong, from the social to the personal, from reflec-
tions on poetry to the finality of death, Singhs book covers a wide range.
It is not the range that surprises. Given Singhs age, and the rich expe-
riences of his life, and not to mention the fact that he has never been
chary of freely expressing his opinion without regard for the pleasure of
those on whom his acerbic pen poured its venom, it is natural to expect
so much of this and that in the book.
What surprises is the complete absence
of the need to address the other in the
book. There is no imagined reader.
There is no stance, no pretence, no
clever attempts at authorly disguises.
His words flow without pause, without
the encumbrance of mortal con-
straints. It is as though his souls jour-
ney is complete; the body, which Singh
has nurtured with such care over the
years and which has been the site for
so many sensual pleasures, is simply
waiting without too much eager-
ness, but also without fear.
Given Singhs status in the world of
letters, and also given the fact that he
took to writing late in life (when he
was around 50) after having aban-
doned his careers as lawyer first, and
diplomat later, we are fortunate to have
him write for us for close to 50 years.
The hand may be a trifle unsteady, the
sight somewhat dim, and hearing
almost gone, but the mind remains as
sharp as nails, driving hard at the weak spots of all that surrounds him.
Khushwantnama is set in relief by a quote from Hamlet: ... to thine own
self be true... Thou canst not then be false to any man. Ironically, the
quote does not preclude being false to any woman. But Singh reminds us
in the very first page of his book that whereas he has entered the sanyas
phase of his life, he enjoys his single malt whiskey (sic, since in the
Scottish tradition, as opposed to the Irish, the drink being referred to is
spelt whisky, without the e), not to mention that he also realises tasty
food and look(s) forward to hearing the latest gossip and scandal.
The book is essentially a series of reflections, penned by a man who
has earned the right to be read even when he talks about the mundane
and the quotidian. There is a section on Delhi and its history, with the
claim that I am almost as old as the city I have lived in for most of my
life. His memory stretches farther than that of most living men, and so
he is able to tell us that Living in New Delhi was gracious till
Independence, until it played host to the refugee rush. On the state of
the nation, his ideas are old-fashioned. He agrees with Sanjay Gandhis
Malthusian anxiety over the population explosion, believing coercive
methods will have to be introduced, including the disenfranchisement of
all couples with more than two children.
On religion however, Singh is decidedly modern. He is aesthetically
drawn to the beauty of religious iconography, but is forthright in claim-
ing he is an agnostic. He spends a few chapters on poetry, and then
describes what it takes to be a writer. The chapters are short and stacca-
to-like in tone, the words clipped and terse, with little attention to
embellishments or flourish. The book has the mark of one who has
been there, done that, as it were, and would rather lay down the pen
and not brandish it for mere effect. When the battles won, the soldier
lays down to rest, not quite forgiving his foes, but perhaps finally shorn
of the desire to flay his sword. Khushwant Singh still holds the gun, but
would rather not aim. The guns loaded though, and the gunpowder dry,
just in case you think of letting your guard down.
l| |1iW| i Aui+| P|u|u|, u|i1|i|] u| l|i
t was a winter night when
Zeenat was thrown into the
Mughal emperor's harem.
Set against the backdrop of
Jahangir's indolence and
Shahjahan's rebellion, the
book tells how her life
changed that fateful night.
This multi-layered, thought-
provoking and extremely
engaging collection, edited
by Jaishree Misra, offers a
new and alternative view to
the cosy images of
motherhood that we so
often assume.
OF MOTHERS AND OTHERS
Jaishree Misra (ed)
Zuban, C495
ESCAPE FROM HAREM
Tanushree Podder
Roli Books, C295
Radhanath Swami weaves
a colourful tapestry of
adventure, mysticism and
love. t is an account of the
steps to self-awareness
and also a penetrating
glimpse into the heart
of mystic traditions.
This is a collection of 11
short stories written by
Alexshendra Venus Bakshi.
Written in simple Hindi, this
book leaves effective and
impactful messages for the
society and questions the
social hierarchy.
ARAMBH K GYARAH
KAHANYAN
Alexshendra Venus Bakshi
Aarkitik Autor, C250
THE JOURNEY HOME
Radhanath Swami
Jaico, C250
N
arendra Jadhav has achieved a
lot in his life. He is a bureau-
crat, economist, social scien-
tist, writer and educationist
all in one. While giving credit
to his father along with BR Ambedkar
for all his achievements, he gets emo-
tional. When I look back, I realise my
father was quite an intelligent person. But
he couldnt come out of his wretchedness.
Had he got a fair opportunity, he would
have achieved much more than what I have
in all these years. Jadhavs father, however,
did what he could: He followed the advice
of Ambedkar and ensured his sons get
good education and thus outgrow the
impediments of the regressive social order.
So, is this the reason why he has come
up with the three-volume book on the
speeches of Ambedkar? No, says Jadhav,
its not just personal. There is so much
confusion regarding Ambedkar and his
ideas that I couldnt stop myself from
compiling this book.
Jadhav is pained to see Ambedkar
being painted as a Dalit leader. Only two
things come to the mind of people when
they think of Ambedkar: One, he was the
architect of the Constitution. And two, he
was the leader of Dalits. Of course, he was
the emancipator of the downtrodden, but
to call him a Dalit leader is erroneous.
For him, Ambedkar was one of the
founding fathers of modern India who
contributed immensely in the field of eco-
nomics, socio-political and religious
thoughts, law and, of course, constitution.
To give you a specific example, many peo-
ple dont know that he was one of the finest
economists of the era, and that most of his
degrees barring law were in that subject.
As the Labour Member of the Viceroys
Executive Council between 1942 and 1946,
Ambedkar was instrumental in bringing
about several labour reforms, including
establishment of employment exchanges.
He got in place a framework for the tripar-
tite settlement of disputes between
Government, labour union leaders and
employers. He also played an important role
in shaping the irrigation policy, especially
the Damodar Valley Project on the scale of
the Tennessee Valley Project. So, he was a
practising economist too. This is one aspect
which has not been recognised yet, says
Jadhav, reminding about Ambedkars role in
the making of the Finance Commission,
which gives guidelines on how to devolve
resources between the Centre and States.
Do you know that the original source of
reference for all the 13 Finance Commi-
ssion reports, in a way, are based on
Ambedkars PhD thesis, The Evolution of
Provincial Finance in British India, written
in 1923? We know the outcome, but never
give credit to the person, says he.
Another area where his contribution has
gone unsung is in the field of womens
empowerment. For three-and-a-half years
as the first Law Minister of Independent
India, Ambedkar championed the cause of
the Hindu Code Bill and when he couldnt
get it passed, he resigned from the Cabinet,
says the author. What was the Hindu Code
Bill? It was about giving women their right-
ful place in male-dominated Hindu families.
Jadhav is hurt that no one, not even women
organisations, recognises Ambedkars con-
tribution in this field. I dont belittle the role
played by Raja Rammohun Roy and others,
but Ambedkars contribution in the recent
past is immense, says the author.
For Ambedkar, untouchability had two
aspects: One, it made others look down
upon Dalits; two, Dalits themselves inter-
nalised some sort of inferiority complex
they started believing that something was
inherently lacking in them! I believe the
most brilliantly managed scam in the histo-
ry of mankind is the caste system. For cen-
turies, Dalits were made to believe that they
must have done terribly wrong in their pre-
vious lives for the difficulties they are facing
in this one. So, they were exhorted not to
challenge the system, but to perform their
assigned duties faithfully and expect to be
born better in the next life! It was Ambed-
kar who made Dalits ask a simple question:
It may be in the interest of others to be
your masters, but why should it be in your
interest to be their slaves? This made them
realise that being treated as humans was
their rights and not something which could
be given to them as handouts, says Jadhav.
Ambedkar is often charged with co-
ordinating with British on the issue of
Independence. Jadhav disagrees. If you look
at his speeches, you will find the dilemma he
faced: On one hand, he had to take on the
British. And on the other, he faced Mahatma
Gandhi. At a given time he couldnt have
taken on both of them. Despite seeking sep-
arate electorate for Dalits, Ambedkar had
the highest interest of the country in mind.
So much so that even Gandhi would call
him a patriot of the highest order. Thus, in
my view, he was taking sides strategically for
furthering national development as well as
promoting the interest of Dalits.
The irony, Jadhav says, was that since
Gandhi had such an influence over
Indians that anyone opposing him would
automatically be regarded as a traitor.
And thats what had happened to
Ambedkar. But there was no way he could
have agreed to the Mahatma, with the two
having contrasting socio-political out-
looks. While Gandhis advice to all his
followers was to go to villages, Ambedkar
wanted them to shift to cities. He believed
that since everyone knew everybody in
villages, you were expected to perform
your duties as per your caste require-
ments. You cant perform any other role in
a village. Ambedkar knew that going to
cities would mean going to anonymity,
going to education, going to better job
opportunities. There you are not recog-
nised by your caste, says the author.
The second bone of contention between
Gandhi and Ambedkar, says Jadhav, was on
the issue of conversion. Ambedkar had
announced in 1935 that he was born an
untouchable Hindu but he would not die a
Hindu. He converted 21 years later, in
1956. In these years he studied different
creeds as he wanted to convert to a religion
which was consistent with the Indian ethos
and at the same time based on equality, lib-
erty and fraternity. Thats why he chose
Buddhism, says the author. Gandhi vehe-
mently opposed this outlook, saying reli-
gion was not like a cloak which one could
change at will. He expected people to per-
form duties traditionally assigned to them.
Ambedkar couldnt have agreed to it.
Ask about Arun Shouries Worshipping
False Gods, questioning Ambedkars role in
the making of the Constitution, and Jadhavs
voice gets shriller. I am appalled at the way
Shourie wrote the book. I will pick just two
quotes to substantiate my claim. One was by
TT Krishnamachari, member of the drafting
committee, who went on record to say that
out of seven members in the drafting com-
mittee, one was constantly abroad, one was
ill, others were busy and so couldnt come
regularly, and the entire responsibility came
on Ambedkar. Then there was Rajendra
Prasad, president of the Constituent
Assembly, who profusely praised him for his
role in the making of the Constitution, say-
ing they couldnt have chosen a better per-
son than Ambedkar to do the job.
Jadhav, however, remains optimist
about future. Recently, I was in a slum.
There I saw a group of Dalit kids studying
under a dimly-lit lantern. There lies the
hope. Dalits now know that education alone
can empower them. And this is the gift that
Ambedkar had given them through his slo-
gan: Educate, organise and agitate.
k08w8I8M: IF
lF88088 0F MI lIFF
kh0shWaat 8Iah
Fea0Ia, C399
Simply
unputdownable
The book is essenlially a series o releclions,
enned by a man who has earned lhe righl lo be
read even when he lalks aboul lhe mundane
and lhe quolidian, wriles 0EBRAJ M00KERJEE
N E W A R R V A L S
M8F0k8 8FFk8
[0l I, II 80 III)
8area4ra 1a4hav
k0aark, C4,000
harendra Jadhav is ained lo see BR Ambedkar being rojecled as a 0alil icon. he was a
nalional leader, an economisl and a women righls aclivisl, lells lhe aulhor lo uTFAL KuMAR
Ambedkar
has heea mIs0a4erst004
Feole oer many
suggeslions lo your lravails
and roblems lhal are mere
bandaids, nol real
solulions. Al work you are
lold lo comlele a hosl o
ormalilies beore lhe world
will correcl ilsel. n
summary, you are ul on
lhe back ool wilh a whole
lisl o musldos in lerms o
olicy and aerwork. And
il begins lo lurn inlo one big
drag. A slew o reorms hil
you hard as lhere is a lack
o cooeralion even when
you are on lhe righl side o
law and rocedure. A
romance curdles due lo
selish greed and a
relalionshi o lrusl or
convenience comes lo an
end. Srains, hairline
raclures and corns slow
down movemenl.
8urprise oI Ihe Week hew
arlnershis are on lhe anvil
and lhis lime lhey are a
erecl il
Tip oI Ihe Week Seek a
change in olhers by
changing your own hearl
and mind irsl
Iurky number 2
Iurky roIour Minl green
8esI day Monday
Iurky gem Jade
IdeaI Iood Cheese pakcras/
cheese sandwiches
iII Io give Bags wilh
melallic embellishmenls
8esI Iime 2 lo 4 m
MediIaIion aid Book o Acls,
The hew Teslamenl
8IF8
March 21-April 20
All sel lo arly hard and
have lhe lime o your lie,
you don'l lel rules gel in lhe
way. 0eying age, rolocol,
execlalions and lradilions,
you lunge righl inlo new
aclivilies, career jums, and
embrace lhe lighlness and
un lhal comes wilh il.
Feole are surrised lo see
you shed a rigid lieslyle or
slern behaviour. hunches
ay o and you wanl lo lake
a ew more risks while you
are slill lhe osler boy or girl
in lhe oice. Bosses give
you a ree hand. Youngslers
have an inilial hiccu wilh
aulhorilies bul ollow il wilh
rewarding erormances in
enlrance and olher exams. A
career dream is back on
lrack. n romance, you know
somelhing is wrong bul you
remain silenl because you
wanl a quiel lie. hormonal
swings and weighl gain are
likely.
8urprise oI Ihe Week You
oen your home lo
houseguesls, visilors and a
ew unwelcome aces loo
Tip oI Ihe Week have no
execlalions o olhers
Iurky number 14
Iurky roIour Sky blue
8esI day Monday
Iurky gem Tan/anile
IdeaI Iood Blueberry yogurl
iII Io give Silverware in
modern designs
8esI Iime 2 lo 5 m
MediIaIion aid 5|iva
Furana
Everylhing is aboul lo
change and bring a radical
wave lo your lie. Feole
ignore lhe asl conneclions
you buill or lhe web o
nelworking in bids, lenders,
conlracls and auclions.
while no one usels lhe
alecarl o rivileges you
currenlly enjoy, a line is
drawn lo anylhing new you
mighl wanl. A new slarl
runs inlo diicullies o a
local nalure. An aology
you render could be loo
lillle, loo lale lo hel heal
old wounds. Singles on lhe
brink o marriage ind lols
lo dislracl lhem; a chaolic
lurn o evenls have you all
or someone al a crilical
lime. Bul il's exaclly lhis
chaos lhal has you lhrive
and blossom. A real eslale
is aborled as you discover
you are wooing lhe wrong
arly. heck and sinal
ailmenls are likely.
8urprise oI Ihe Week
Someone walks away rom
obligalions leaving you
slranded
Tip oI Ihe Week honour your
commilmenls
Iurky number 12
Iurky roIour Lemon yellow
8esI day Thursday
Iurky gem Yellow sahire
IdeaI Iood Mango soule
iII Io give Arlicles o skilled
cralsmanshi
8esI Iime hoon lo 8 m
MediIaIion aid Tirualhi
Balaji and hair oerings
86III8I08
Nov 23-Dec 23
You head or lhe grand
ouldoors, lhe counlryside
and oen saces looking or
slillness and eace lhal your
environ doesn'l easily
rovide. work ressures
range rom lhe bi/arre lo lhe
downrighl unreasonable and
il is eole who lhrealen lo
searale you rom a career
dream ulillmenl by
deliberalely lhrowing
obslacles in your alh. You
allow your body and mind lo
become slill and galher
slrenglh lo gras lhe beauly
o lie's goals lhal awail you.
Your mind's eye allows you
lo ocus and ighl your way
back and wresl back conlrol.
The body learns lo overcome
sickness, crams, slow
convalescence and gel back
inlo lhe game. Breakus
leave you hurl bul nol
shallered as you lreal il as a
mere selback nol a wrileo.
8urprise oI Ihe Week A
crisis leaches you lo swim
harder and does nol inlend
lo drown you
Tip oI Ihe Week Focus
medilalively and ul all your
energy inlo lasks al hand
Iurky number O
Iurky roIour Maroon
8esI day Tuesday
Iurky gem 0arnel
IdeaI Iood 0inger biscuils,
ginger honey lea
iII Io give Coins
8esI Iime O am lo 2 m
MediIaIion aid |anuman
0|a|isa
hew hoe arrives or lhe
amily, work and how you
send your lime and money.
Boundaries are redeined as
you quickly adal lo new
rules wilh more disciline.
You commil yoursel lo huge
rojecls and ersonal
dreams. Finances are
conslanlly renewed. hew
eole join your leam.
Friendshis you look or
granled are back. False
claimanls are exosed and
new beneaclors ensure you
gel your due. Siblings, in
laws or arenls are all al
loggerheads bul all ind lheir
balance in your calming
resence. A riend or
riendshi is rescued wilh
your slralegic advice.
Romance lays hide and
seek. Chronic aligue
syndrome and burnoul
bolher over/ealous virgos.
legacy is reslored giving you
somelhing lhal righlully
belongs lo you
Tip oI Ihe Week Allocale
exlra lime or lhe small slu,
lhe ine rinl or lhe delails
Iurky number 28
Iurky roIour Ale green
8esI day wednesday
Iurky gem Fale emerald
IdeaI Iood 0ale and orange
ancakes
iII Io give Fashion oolwear
8esI Iime 5 lo 11 m
MediIaIion aid Mercury
Yanlra wilh corresonding
manlra
You ighl or a sense o
ersonal worlh and sel
esleem and lhis lime eole
cave in. There's grudging
accelance, second chances,
resloralion o lies and
dialogue, and lhings are back
on lrack. l slill lakes a while
lo correcl lawed
ercelions, remove lhe
damage done by gossi and
lhe holes unched in
eole's ailh concerning
you. You are walched silenlly
in mallers o courlshi and
you realise you can'l deal
wilh lack o lrusl or
uncerlainlies. You know you
musl regain your irm
ooling or ulure and lhal's
whal kees you holding on.
0verseas conlacls arrive and
business is all sel lo grow
wilh new collaboralors,
rovided you don'l dodge a
commilmenl. Fool aches,
arlhrilis and sliness remind
you nol lo lake il loo easy.
brush wilh lhe law awails
Tip oI Ihe Week Slay alerl lo
lras, legal ilalls and
misguided wars
Iurky number 8
Iurky roIour ndigo
8esI day Salurday
Iurky gem Blue slar
sahire
IdeaI Iood walnuls
iII Io give Machinery
8esI Iime 8 lo O m
MediIaIion aid The
valkyries, hordic sirils o
lhe ballleield
You are rewarded wilh lhe
righl answers, solulions and
ulillmenl o rayers, and a
greal deal o course
correclion sels righl lhe
wrongs rom lhe asl. You
discover 'rools', new sources
o slrenglh, vibranl avenues
o suorl and goodwill and
a whole new environmenl. A
resource crunch or cash
shorlage is a lhing o lhe
asl. Social mobilily allows
you lo imrove your lieslyle,
living or working
environmenl and indulge in
beller homes, car or aarel.
You are more conscious o
lhe sirilual signiicance o
lhe body and ay allenlion lo
heallh and diel. Loss o
muscle lone is correcled lhis
week; hysiolheray
beneils. A regnancy is
successul or sel or
someone in lhe amily.
wrongs al work are
addressed and an injuslice
ul righl
Tip oI Ihe Week Make your
menlal noles aboul eole
and yel lravel lighlly in lhe
momenl
Iurky number 1
Iurky roIour Feach
8esI day Sunday
Iurky gem Fink coral
IdeaI Iood 0ried aricols
iII Io give Frel aarel
8esI Iime 1O am lo noon
MediIaIion aid Teachings o
Cambodian Buddhisl monk
Maha 0hosananda
You wanl lo surgically
remove lhe asl rom
memory. Trulh al lhe
worklace is no guaranlee o
oularily and you discover
eole disenlangle
lhemselves rom you
unexecledly. 0ee down
you realise lhe gravily o
alling or someone who is
clearly all wrong or you. A
lawed decision shows u in
all ils delh bul you hoe
lhal il doesn'l an oul. A
recenl inveslmenl eals dee
inlo savings as you discover
bigger is nol necessarily
beller. Sharks circle you or
unaid loans and lack o
comliance in collaboralions
or diversiicalions. A lri
lurns oul exensive i you
don'l read lhe ine rinl.
heallh o an elder warranls
lender loving care bul lhey
rove lo be ralher slubborn
alienls. Avoid addiclion lo
relaxanls.
8urprise oI Ihe Week An
older erson's riendshi
shields you rom a scandal
Tip oI Ihe Week Avoid giving
inlo lemlalion however
lovingly wraed
Iurky number 4
Iurky roIour 0ark brown
8esI day Monday
Iurky gem 0arkesl
hessonile
IdeaI Iood Masala lea
iII Io give Coee, wines
8esI Iime 4 lo 8 m
MediIaIion aid Kaal Sara
0osha removal uja
A ause arrives lo uncluale
your lie as you inlrosecl.
Lieslyle changes are on lhe
cards. 0esile resolulions,
you eel lhe blues, ballle lhe
odd sense o regrel or ailure
in ersonal mallers and
concenlrale on new work
and riorilies by recharging
your balleries. Exansion o
lans include acceling
osilions you hesilaled lo
lake on. Erralic behaviour o
amily brings on slress,
dislance, marilal discord and
selily. You are lel lo clear
u lhe mess and debris
broughl uon by olhers.
0ccasional oulbursls, ego
clashes, road rage and
sudden hiring and iring o
eole and breaku wilh
riends are all avoidable. Low
slamina oens you u lo
seasonal ailmenls, esecially
allergies and lu. Take care o
your heallh and diel.
Fosilions o aulhorily arrive
Tip oI Ihe Week Find less
conronlalional ways lo gel
rid o redalors
Iurky number 2O
Iurky roIour Silver grey
8esI day Monday
Iurky gem Moonslone
IdeaI Iood Collage or ela
cheese barbecued
iII Io give Mullimedia
communicalion devices
8esI Iime 2 lo 8 m
MediIaIion aid Kundalini
medilalion using a candle
lo ocus
Feole show a variely o
colours. Ralher lhan rail
againsl lhem, you decide lo
go a sle urlher and
simly ignore lhem,
oulgrow lhem and render
lhem incaable o doing
you any more wrongs. The
hurlyburly o cilies has
you rush in circles and you
simliy your lie and
schedule. healing al work
ensures a resh slarl, end
o conlroversies and
closure lo a ballle. Cerlain
inevilabilily causes winding
u o lossmaking
inslilules, venlures and
deadend relalionshis.
You also aren'l angry
anymore wilh lhe silualion
or eole who earlier
annoyed you. Slee
disorders, slress and colds
ind relie.
8urprise oI Ihe Week You
give a eaceul resonse and
end a crisis jusl when eole
execled you lo reacl
violenlly
Tip oI Ihe Week Find areas o
eace and calm lo
conlemlale and acl only
lherealer
Iurky number 15
Iurky roIour vory while
8esI day Friday
Iurky gem Clear quarl/
IdeaI Iood Fislachio k|ccr
or ku|fi
iII Io give Books, arl
8esI Iime 8 lo 5 m
MediIaIion aid The Buddhisl
0hammaada
Feace, your shield o
convenience, no longer
rolecls you. Finally, you
wake u lo lake a sland and
ighl o accusalions o
being arlial, olilical or
biased. You jum righl inlo
a ighl giving as good as
you gel as you aly or hol
olalo jobs, lo
managemenl osilions and
osls snared in conlroversy.
The gloves are o and you
ound your crilics and rivals
and send delraclors
scurrying. Easy wins add
more rojecls lo your
laller. Family euds are
easily lriggered i you lry
anylhing unelhical.
nherilances are a mixed
bag. nsomnia, high blood
ressure and arrhylhmia are
lemorary. Liver ineclions
can bolher some. A lri is a
ar cry rom lhe ra//mala//
o lhe lravel brochure.
rojecl is comleled and you
are al lhe helm o aairs
Tip oI Ihe Week 0on'l look
back and undo in a weak
momenl key decisions lhal
you look
Iurky number 22
Iurky roIour Sunsel gold
8esI day Monday
Iurky gem Tiger's eye
IdeaI Iood Caramelised
onions
iII Io give herbal cosmelics
8esI Iime 4 lo 11 m
MediIaIion aid Lura
5aptas|ati
A hase o challenges has
eole lhwarl your career or
business lans all in lhe
guise o harmony. You rise
lo lhe occasion and erorm
wilh valour. Exisling
venlures and conlracls enler
a hase o slow molion and
you begin lo observe
businesses and lradilions
olher lhan your own lo gel
lhe ormula righl. Family
demands ull you in
dierenl direclions and you
have lo adjusl and balance
lhese dierenl inleresls.
Loyalisls arrive lo hel you
and save your inancial
inleresls. hew lechnology is
ull o glilches, and you hold
on lo lhe old and reliable in
machinery. walch oul or
mild shocks, slis and
alls arlicularly or lhe
elderly. The head and ace
are vulnerable. A lri
easlward awails.
8urprise oI Ihe Week A rival
uslages you delaying your
lans or ushing you back in
a queue
Tip oI Ihe Week 0on'l miss
oul on imorlanl dales or
largels; slis rove coslly
Iurky number 18
Iurky roIour Charcoal grey
8esI day Monday
Iurky gem Black onyx
IdeaI Iood Bakarkhani rcti
iII Io give Canned ood
roducls
8esI Iime 1 lo 4 m
MediIaIion aid 0ukhbhanjini
Sahib
lF0
July 23-August 23
I0808
April 21-May 21
6FMI8I
May 22-June 21
080F8
June 22-July 22
8008FI0
Oct 24-Nov 22
FI80F8
Feb 20-March 20
lI88
Sept 24-Oct 23
008I08
Jan 21-Feb 19
I860
Aug 24-Sept 23
0F8I0088
Dec 24-Jan 20
For personal appointments, call Meenakshi Rani at 011-29234653/29239636 or e-mail her at meenakshirani@vsnl.net
YOURWEEKAHEAD
MEEhAKSh RAh
A
n artist of repute who has
earned accolades for many
creditable productions
came asking one day: Though I
am able to spontaneously visu-
alise and come up with valuable
productions in my field of spe-
cialisation, my material and per-
sonal concerns keep battering me,
which often derail my creativity
for a while. Why does it happen?
What planetary gods do I need to
appease? And how should I get
over my problems?
Whether you are doing good
or bad is a reflection of how your
mind is framed. And both the tal-
ents and infirmities that you pos-
sess will find reflection simulta-
neously. So far as your artistic tal-
ent is concerned, it is to be exer-
cised in exclusivity and, therefore,
you are able to come up with
your best. But all other areas of
your concerns involve interaction
with others, where your interper-
sonal relationship skills come into
play in which you are not good at.
This causes obvious conse-
quences, I explained.
So far as the question of
appeasing planetary gods is con-
cerned, let me make it clear that
the planets are primarily energy
providers available in equal pro-
portion to all of us. They cannot
discriminate between one and the
other. Therefore, they are not
capable of selectively responding
to our prayers. The planetary
line-up at the time of ones birth
does point to the making of indi-
viduals mind and psyche, which
in turn sets the trends of our lives,
with related bearing in terms of
quality of life one enjoys.
However, in this respect, the
influence of any planet is not to
be seen in isolation. The same
planet pointing positive effect
because it is well-aligned to
another planet could simultane-
ously bring in negative influence
in other areas if it is crossing path
with some other planet. But plan-
ets (read energy providers) by
themselves cannot decide any
action on our part. For, energy by
itself does not have a drive of its
own. We could use it either cre-
atively or unproductively. And
that depends on how our minds
use them. So the problems, if any,
lie in the making of our minds
and psyche, and that is what calls
for correction. Any attempt to
appease planetary gods, following
blind belief-driven practices, can
do no good.
Let us now look at the posi-
tive and negative inducements of
the artists mind, through his
astrological chart. Libra lagna
with its lord, art-indicator Venus,
there itself in the lagna, together
with psychic Neptune and mind-
indicator Moon, point to his
extraordinary artistic talent. All
these planets well-aligned to intel-
lectually-ordained Uranus point
to his inventive and innovative
mind, duly supported by high lev-
els of imagination. Intelligence
and communication indicator
Mercury is conjunct the Sun, and
is also duly supported by wisdom-
indicator Jupiter. That accounts
for his high level of intelligence,
having infallible memory, clarity
in his vision and thought, which
he could put forth with exacti-
tude. He is equally qualitative. All
put together define his exemplary
artistic talent.
Let us now look at the nega-
tives in him that cast a shadow on
his interpersonal relationship
skills. The Sun is placed adverse
to the planet of its limitation,
Saturn, and fiery Mars. That
brings in sense of fear and insecu-
rity. It also makes him argumen-
tative, quarrelsome and impul-
sive. Moon placed adverse to
Jupiter makes him touchy and
emotionally sensitive who may
stretch even trivial issues too far.
Mars placed adverse to its dire
enemy Saturn makes him impa-
tient, suspicious, bad tempered
and revengeful. Mercury placed
adverse to Saturn and Mars
makes him irritable, hyper-critical
of others and the one having a
rigid one-track mind. And the
result is there for him to see.
I wish he works upon his
interpersonal relationship skills,
and his life will be in all pleasure.
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ASTROTURF
BhARAT BhuShAh FA0MA0E0
When do I have a child?
Id
You need to seek support from an
Ayurvedic doctor for correction of
physiological imbalances, following
which you may conceive anytime.
When do I get married? Will it be a
love marriage or arranged?
Surbhi
You are likely to have marriage of your
choice, but it is likely to happen when
you are close to 30 years.
Will I be able to marry the girl of my
choice or that of my parents?
Sandeep Lakra
In all likelihood, you are expected to go
by your parents choice.
How is my married life going to be
during the year?
Jaswinder
Your marital relationship is expected to
improve substantially.
READERSQUERIES
sunday
magazino
lJ|l \
00h'T BELEvE h FERS0hAL
MM0RTALTY; ThE 0hLY wAY EXFECT T0
hAvE S0ME vERS0h 0F SuCh A Thh0 S
ThR0u0h MY B00KS.
- SAAC ASM0v
Lool at life lolistically
They didn't tell me to put on
weight. knew the character
was described as buxom.
wanted to do the book
justice
~ sla Fisher
Actress
8ravehearts
These peopIe are sIars Ior
reaI. They have Worked
seIIIessIy Ior Ihe upIiII oI
peopIe. k reporI
3
Ihat's a0t faIr
MosI Iairness rreams have
disasIrous side eIIerIs
Irom aIIergies Io IariaI hair.
ead on
0
8extea sch00Is
8rhooIs are going Ihe hi
Ierh Way Io ensure saIeIy oI
rhiIdren. F8 Irarker on
bus, is one surh iniIiaIive
tIe pIoneer
N S D E O U T
sunday
magazino
QApril 23, 2011 A 12 year-old-girl was found

in a drain in Narela, UP. She was raped and mur-
dered. A tennis ball, shoved into her, had ruptured
her uterus and had torn her vagina walls beyond
repair. The girl suffered unbearable pain for 8-10
hours before finally succumbing to her injuries.
QAugust 1, 2011 An eight-year-old girl was
found dead in a jhuggi near Agra. Her rapists (6 of
them) had tied her hands and feet with a chain and
taken turns to rape her. Her right nipple had been
bitten out and 24 glass shards were taken out of her
insides. The culprits confessed to having inserted a
liquor bottle into the hapless child.
R
ape may be the oldest crime in the
world but the added brutality to it is
relatively new new, barbaric and
unrepenting. Using sexual tools is not
new. What is disturbing though is the
sheer violence and wantonness with which rapists
have started aping what they see in the virtual
realm. Freedom doesnt mean access to informa-
tion you can misuse. Agreed that it all depends on
a persons mindset, but why tempt him?, Indore-
based advocate Kamlesh Wasvani asks.
Wasvani had filed a PIL in Supreme Court
seeking a complete ban on viewing pornography.
He had also demanded that seeing child porn be
made a non-bailable offence. The court dismissed
his petition. Porn is not what it used to be.
Brutality in porn has become very popular. No
longer are we restricted to DVDs or video clips.
Today, there is porn in romantic novels, in titillat-
ing lyrics, in item numbers, mobile phones
everywhere. It is not possible to regulate who is
watching what, so it should be banned for every-
body, Wasvani says. He has a point. Violent porn
has, indeed, pervaded not just India but most
nations. A Google trend shows that in 2012, Delhi
recorded the highest percentage worldwide for
the number of times porn was searched online.
The NCRB data for the same year shows that 706
rapes were reported in the Capital, the highest in
the last decade and more than double the number
in 2002.
What is alarming is the growing acceptance
of what is generously called alternate sexual-
ity, a domain in which not only are the
women subjected to torture but shown to
be enjoying the violent acts. An institution
no less than Harvard Business School recently
accepted a student group propelling violent
experimentation in genres like BDSM, kink and
role play.
Back home, Pulkit Sharma, clinical psycholo-
gist and psychoanalytical therapist with
VIMHANS, Delhi, says that the alarming point is
not kink but the commonality that cruel sexual
mores have gained. He insists that one in every
three men in India harbours savage fantasies.
Not all such minds have the strength to not suc-
cumb to them, especially on unwilling women,
even children. So, though porn is not directly
abetting rapes, you cannot rule out its role in giv-
ing ideas to weak minds, he explains. Sharma
talks of how the working wife of a highly placed
professional sought his help to sort out her hus-
band. She found out that he was hiring prosti-
tutes to play out his kinky acts. Much of what he
did had to do with role play, in which he was pay-
ing the woman to act like a slave and bear his vio-
lent acts while begging for mercy.
If one talks of commonality, kink has pervad-
ed sophisticated bedrooms too. A young working
couple had to rush to hospital after a test tube
burst in the wifes vagina, thanks to an experimen-
tal romp in bed. It took her months to recover,
strained the relationship and, of course, killed the
possibility of the wife ever conceiving.
Indeed, our sexual mores are changing
rapidly. People are easily bored. The urge to
experiment comes from there. Control is missing.
Add to that the dare attitude and you have a dan-
gerous mix. Where are they getting the ideas
from? Of course, the virtual medium, activist
Nafisa Ali says. She adds that, today, porn is more
about enjoying the suffering. Why show a
woman being tortured? Why is she being tied,
spanked and abused? The man rapes and tortures
while the woman suffers it all and sometimes
even shown as enjoying it, she says.
In the latest survey by condom company
Durex, more than 46 per cent of the loyal porn
community swore by schoolgirl rape videos.
These respondents, over the age of 40, said they
preferred schoolgirl rape porn because they were
in control of things. The more the pain, more the
pleasure, 23 per cent agreed. Fifteen per cent said
they would like to try out stuff from porn clips.
Sexologist Prakash Kothari is worried that
rape videos and child abuse have stormed the
porn industry. Porn has evolved and it is worri-
some, the Mumbai-based doctor says, but is clear
that regulation of such content is impossible.
Porn is available as easily as a bottle of mineral
water. How can you regulate that, he asks.
One stroll down Palika Bazar and you know
what Kothari means. The popular shelf for con-
traband porn DVDs is flooded with demand for
rape, gangrape, torture, wax abuse and dungeon
DVDs and they sell these as cheap as C50!
Schoolgirl gangrape videos, especially the
Japanese schoolgirl train gangrape one, is a best-
seller. There are at least 30-40 versions of this with
14 to16-year-old schoolgirls being assaulted.
These videos go for C100. Machine torture is also
popular. Videos on husband and wife cheating sell
well, a shop helper reveals. These DVDs are easy
and cheap to make. All the shopkeepers do is to
log on to the Internet, pay a meagre $15 to a vio-
lent porn site, download and make a cocktail of
10-minute clips to mint money.
But even DVDs now come second on the
market shelf. The fastest way to get porn is to buy
mobile phones with pre-loaded porn clips for a
few hundred rupees more. Mobile porn is the
newest fad with youth who can now skip parental
guidance at home. The cost of the clips varies on
the duration and the genre of the porn. For three
10-minute videos, we charge C150 extra. If it is a
rape video, the charges go up to C100 a clip. If the
duration is 40 minute to an hour, it costs C300, a
shop-owner in Delhis Gaffar Market, tells you.
Brothels in the Capital have been bearing the
brunt of this in increased sexual aggression which
a madam says does not come with the niche tag
of alternate behaviour. Its scary what they want
us to do and clients coming with mobile clips
have become quite common, says Santra Devi
(name changed on request), an ageing sex worker
in Delhis infamous red light area on GB Road.
Paying for traditional sex is passe. First it was
dirty pictures in magazines, now it is kink on
mobiles. If the sex worker cannot emulate these
violent acts, she is virtually out of business.
After the rape incidents, raids by cops have
increased. Most girls are living hand to mouth.
Only those well-versed in kink survive here, says
Santra. Girls fine with doing the kink get paid
much more than those who are unwilling. Some
of us commit to the nasty stuff unwillingly
because we need the money. We agree to have sex
for as little as C100. Those who want kinky stuff
agree to pay us between C1,000 and C1,500. If the
torture lasts for 2-3 hours, they pay us C4,000, she
says. According to her, it is the educated upper
when 'ornban' slarled lrending on Twiller, 8 million commenled live
lhal kink in no way abels violenl sexual crimes. Bul when an accused
admilled lo having walched violenl orn clis on his mobile beore
assaulling a iveyearold girl, eole slarled asking queslions. s il
lrue lhal orn is no longer whal il used lo be? s lhe youlh
exerimenling wilh kink more and more? wilh violenl orn becoming
as easy lo gel as buying a mineral waler bollle, has il nol ended u
moulding sexual mores o normal eole? 0EEBAShREE M0hAhTY,
ShBAJ R0YCh0u0huRY and MAhJAR Sh0h exlore all lhis and
more in Farl 2 o lhe series on brulal raes in sociely
k
IE TEh
8hW8 ThkT Ih Z01Z,
EIhI E6E ThE hIhE8T
FE6EhTkE WIWIE I
ThE hM8E I TIME8 'Fh' Wk8
8Ek6hE hIIhE. ThE h68 kTk
I ThE 8kME YEk 8hW8 ThkT
706 kFE8 WEE EFTE Ih ThE
6kFITkI, ThE hIhE8T Ih ThE
Ik8T E6kE kh ME Thkh
8IE ThE hM8E
Ih Z00Z
WhaI is your Iake on IaIk IhaI kinky
porn direrIIy abeIs rape and oIher
Iorms oI sexuaI vioIenre?
n resonse lo lhe argumenl lhal orn
encourages violence lowards women,
mullile sludies worldwide have
concluded lhe liberalisalion o orn in
sociely may aclually be associaled
wilh decreased rae and sexual
violence rales. Exlreme criminals like
raisls are nol born oul o walching
ornograhy. They are a roducl o
much more vicious economic and
social aclors o sociely.
The main roblem wilh our cullure is
our need lo blame olhers. You do nol
need a Savila Bhabhi or a orn ilm lo
corrul minds. These roleclors o
moralily are lhe same eole who leer
even al a ully dressed woman
shoing al a grocery slore. Savila
Bhabhi was launched a year ago,
nlernel orn came a decade or more
years back - bul rowdy guys eve
leasing in ndia have exisled much
beore lhen. So, who exaclly are we
blaming or lhal?
Is iI possibIe Ior any overnmenI Io
do aWay WiIh siIeslmobiIe rIips WiIh
porn ronIenI? WiII IhaI rurb groWing
devianI sexuaI behaviour in a IasI
rhanging naIion Iike India?
Beore we gel lo lhis, lhink we need
lo deine devianl sexual behaviour. As
wilh anylhing else, believe your
sexual reerences should be a maller
o ersonal choice. Till jusl a ew years
back, homosexualily was illegal in
ndia and classed as devianl sexual
behaviour, now il's nol. Facl is lhal i
whal you do is nol hurling anyone else
and you are doing il in lhe rivale
conines o your home, lhen lhere
should be no one lelling you whal you
can and cannol do.
hoW has porn evoIved in Ihe IasI
derade? knd Why is Ihere surh
rurrenry Ior experimenIaI, aIIernaIe
sexuaI demand Ihe WorId over?
Everylhing evolves. lhal's lhe basic
acl o lie. So has orn. l's orn lhal
ollows sexual choices, nol lhe olher
way round. ls evolulion is merely a
releclion o changing sexual lasles o
world oulalions, o arl ollowing lie.
8ome sexoIogisIs diIIerenIiaIe
beIWeen good and bad kink. o you
Ihink surh a disIinrIion exisIs?
ho. l's a urely ersonal choice. As
long as il's sae and does nol hurl
anyone, lhere should be no dislinclion.
In Ihe absenre oI sex eduraIion in a
rounIry Iike India, is iI noI Irue IhaI
easy arress Io IiIiIIaIion Ihrough
kinky porn, esperiaIIy WiIh a noIso
easy arress Io Women, makes
peopIe go Ior rape?
l's gol nolhing lo do wilh lhe lilillalion
rovided by orn, bul more aboul lhe
mindsel lhal sex is regarded wilh.
Rae is a violenl crime. Feole jusl
don'l go oul and rae women because
lhey are sexed u. l is eole wilh a
very dierenl mindsel who rae. Lack
o sex educalion is deinilely lhe cause
or moleslalion o women in ndia.
TeII us abouI Ihe 88 WriIers. Where
do Ihey draW inspiraIion Irom?
All SB lols are based on real lie
anlasies o our aulhors and ans. They
are all somelhing lhal a normal, ull
blooded ndian male or emale would
be anlasising aboul. we gel lons o
email rom ans delailing lheir
anlasies. we lry lo kee all our lols
airly believable (or someone wilh a
vivid imaginalion o course) which
could jusl lead inlo a sexual advenlure!
hoW is 88 rereived in 8 and E?
Aler ndia, lhe uS is our biggesl
markel. The hRs rom all around lhe
world access my websile. we gel
visilors rom every counlry in lhe
world wilh lhe excelion o 0reenland
and Sudan!
TeII us abouI Ihe animaIion IiIm are
Working on (Io be reIeased in May).
l is only lhough an suorl in lhe lasl
ive years lhal Savila Bhabhi has been
kel alive. A recurring requesl has
been lo elevale Savila Bhabhi lo lhe
nexl medium, rom slill comics lo a
movie. we were inally in a inancial
osilion lo invesl in a movie and so as
a way o giving back lo lhe ans, we
have embarked on lhis rojecl.
>> p7
Londonbased
Funeel Agarwal, crealor o
orn comic slri Savila
Bhabhi, now banned in ndia,
says orn has evolved and so
have sexual mindsels. Time lo
slo assing lhe buck, he lells
0EEBAShREE M0hAhTY
'8ae Is a mIa4set
a0t reIate4 t0 0ra'
T
he CIA is believed to
have stepped up efforts
to find Yahya Ibrahim,
a jihadist who has edited
Inspire since the magazines
founding Editor-in-Chief was
killed in a US drone strike in
Yemen in 2011.
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the
surviving Boston bomber, has
reportedly confessed to inves-
tigators that he and his broth-
er Tamerlan learned how to
build explosives by reading
the controversial online pub-
lication.
The Tsarnaevs killed
three people and wounded
more than 200 near the finish
line of the Boston marathon
by detonating bombs in pres-
sure-cookers, as had been rec-
ommended in the magazine.
An FBI analysis obtained
by NBC News found that
bombs thrown at the police
by the brothers during a later
shootout matched instruc-
tions from an article titled
How to Make a Bomb in the
Kitchen of Your Mom.
Officials fear that while
senior al-Qaeda leaders have
been set back by President
Barack Obamas targeted
killing campaign, low-level
plotters may be provoked to
act by the magazine.
Inspire clearly is a pow-
erful propaganda tool, a CIA
source said, adding officials
were concerned about its abil-
ity to push potential jihadists
to conduct violent action.
I can guarantee you
there is a significant effort to
figure out who is putting this
out, Aki Peritz, a former CIA
counterterrorism official now
of the Third Way think-tank,
said.
They are intensifying
investigations into who is
behind this publication, and
where the money for it is
coming from, added Philip
Giraldi, former senior CIA
officer.
Ibrahim, who writes his
articles and editors letters in
Americanised English, is
believed to be a nom de
guerre for a propagandist tied
to the Yemen-based Al-Qaeda
in the Arabian Peninsula
(AQAP).
He took over editing
duties after Inspires editor-in-
chief, a US citizen of
Pakistani origin called Samir
Khan, was killed in the same
drone attack as Anwar al-
Awlaki, the radical cleric, in
September 2011.
Scott Stewart, former
State Department special
agent and vice president of
Stratfor security, who has
closely analysed the maga-
zine, said that he suspected
Ibrahim may have similar
roots to Khans.
Yahya Ibrahim is a dis-
tinct individual, said Mr
Stewart. His presence has
been there since issue one,
and he speaks in a distinct
voice. He is obviously very
proficient in English, and it
would not be surprising if he
were someone, like Khan,
from an immigrant family to
the US, he added
Michael Leiter, a former
National Counterterrorism
centre director, said that US
officials would consider pros-
ecuting Ibrahim and other
editors for giving material
support to terrorists.
The US and the British
are extremely engaged in
finding the producers, he
said. It is a key element to
understanding AQAP and the
radicalisation of English-
speaking Muslims like the
bombers in Boston.
A mysterious former
friend of Tamerlan Tsarnaev
known as Misha, who was
last week blamed by relatives
for radicalising the bomber,
on Monday denied any
involvement in the attacks.
Mikhail Allakhverdov, a
39-year-old Armenian-
Ukrainian convert to Islam in
Rhode Island, confirmed that
he had been interviewed by
the FBI, but said he was coop-
erating in order to clear his
name.
I wasnt his teacher, Mr
Allakhverdov told the New
York Review of Books. If I
had been his teacher, I would
have made sure he never did
anything like this.
Amid reports that
Russian spies recorded
Tamerlan discussing jihad
on the telephone with his
mother, Zubeidat, it emerged
yesterday that the Tsarnaevs
parents had cancelled plans to
travel to the US.
Peter King, the New York
congressman who chairs the
House Homeland Security
Committee, yesterday
accused Russian authorities of
doing a bit of a dance and
said the FBI would have
investigated the Tsarnaevs
more thoroughly if Moscow
had informed Washington
about its full findings.
ThE EVII'8 E6VEY
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has
been moved from hospital to
prison, a week after he was
captured.
The 19-year-old ethnic
Chechen, who was badly
wounded in an overnight
shoot-out last Friday, hours
after authorities released pic-
tures of him and his older
brother Tamerlan, had previ-
ously been held at Beth Israel
Deaconess Medical Centre.
Tamerlan, 26, died in an
earlier shoot-out with police.
Dzhokhar escaped that shoot-
out and spent most of the day
in hiding after the greater
Boston area was put in lock-
down. He was discovered hid-
ing in a boat in the garden of
a house in the suburb of
Watertown.
On Monday, Dzhokhar
was charged with the Boston
marathon bombings, which
killed three and wounded 264
at the finish line.
US Marshals Service
spokesman Drew Wade said
he has been transferred to the
Federal Medical Centre
Devens, about 40 miles west
of Boston.
Dzhokhar was moved
hours after Michael
Bloomberg, the mayor of
New York, said the brothers
planned to travel to New York
and mount a second attack
with six more bombs.
The younger Tsarnaev is
understood to have disclosed
that he and his brother
intended to attack Times
Square, one of the busiest
areas of the city, before he was
apprehended.
He told the FBI, appar-
ently, that he and his brother
had intended to drive to New
York and detonate additional
explosives in Times Square.
They had built these explo-
sives and we know they had
the capacity to carry out the
catastrophe, Mr Bloomberg
said.
Cuu||]. +il] ll|+p|
T
hree French divers were arrest-
ed earlier this month as they
prepared to dive under a cargo boat
in Rotterdam which had 101kg of
pure cocaine stuffed into a missile-
shaped container attached to its
hull.
The chief of Nices judicial
police who led the sting operation
described the ingenious technique
never seen before in Europe
as worthy of James Bond and
warned that it could have been in
use in British ports.
Narcotics agents first got wind
of the scheme last June when
bemused port police fished four
divers complete with underwa-
ter propulsion vehicle out of
inky-black waters near Fos-sur-
Mer, a major oil port on Frances
Mediterranean coast, in the middle
of the night.
Our initial reaction was: are
they shooting a scene from an
action movie?, said Philippe
Frizon, head of Nice judicial police.
The divers were released, but
police soon realised these were no
ordinary frogmen.
Two of them were linked to
Marco Armando, 56, considered
one of the masterminds of a 1992
heist in which 146 million francs
(14.6 million) were stolen from a
branch of the Bank of France. He
was sentenced to 18 years in prison
in 1996 but let out in 2005.
Another was Jean-Michel
Dominici, brother of Corsican
gangster Ange-Philippe Dominici,
convicted to 14 years in 2010 for
his part in the theft of 3,000 gold
ingots from Swiss precious metals
firm Metalor in 2004. The bullion
has never been recovered.
Police watched with growing
incredulity as more underwater
reconnaissance missions were con-
ducted.
When we saw these people
training with autonomous diving
gear, submersibles and inflatable
parachutes to refloat heavy objects
from the depths, we wondered
what the hell are they up to?, Mr
Frizon said.
Given some of these peoples
past form in Europes criminal
underworld and their sudden taste
for tourism in South America, we
decided to take a much closer
look.
Police tracked Mr Armando for
a year, finally trailing him and two
associates as they drove from
southern France to Rotterdam via
Paris and Antwerp on April 16 in
rented cars loaded with heavy div-
ing equipment.
The men never reached open
water.
Tipped off by their French
colleagues, Dutch police arrested
the suspects and seized their gear,
including two propulsion vehicles
and inflatable parachutes.
In a metal cradle attached to
the hull of the Delta Laguna, a
Dutch cargo ship that departed
from Venezuela with a stop in
Curacao in the Dutch Caribbean,
police found a rusting torpedo-
shaped metal tube over eight feet
long, stuffed with cocaine worth
up to seven million euro on the
street.
Nine other suspects were
arrested in France two in
Corsica, five in Nice, one in
Marseille and one in Toulouse.
They found weapons and a
cocaine workshop. In all five were
placed under formal investigation
on drug trafficking charges.
Mr Frizon said anti-narcotic
police in Colombia and Peru had
first alerted him to the torpedo
technique around three years ago.
We knew drug cartels were
looking for safer ways of trans-
porting their wares. Air travel is
problematic when it passes via
Africa while cargo ships are at the
mercy of customs checks on the
surface, he said.
Another ploy was to attach
drug-filled mini-submarines to
the back of cargo vessels via a
metal cable, but these were easily
spotted. So they developed this
new method.
He said the cocaine came
from Peru and Colombia and was
likely destined for sale in Paris
and southern France.
Police believe Mr Armando to
have masterminded the narco-
torpedo operation.
The three divers are due to be
transferred back to France in the
coming weeks. Five of those ques-
tioned have been placed under
formal investigation on suspicion
of belonging to the ring. The
inquiry is ongoing.
Police said the scheme had
likely been ongoing for years with
a transatlantic trip every six
months, and that he could not
rule out the possibility that the
team his men were tracking man-
aged to smuggle in cocaine even
under surveillance.
We are the first to have
caught a team in the act but its
almost certain others are or have
been doing the same thing, said
Bernard Mascarelli of Nice judi-
cial police.
When asked whether such a
technique might be in use in
British ports, he said: Absolutely.
Cuu||]. +il] ll|+p|
Who nspired them
0Zh0KhAR
TSARhAEv, ThE
SuRvvh0
B0ST0h B0MBER,
hAS REF0RTE0LY
C0hFESSE0 T0
hvEST0AT0RS
ThAT hE Ah0 hS
BR0ThER,
TAMERLAh,
LEARhE0 h0w T0
BuL0 EXFL0SvES
BY REA0h0 ThE
C0hTR0vERSAL
0hLhE
FuBLCAT0h -
hSFRE. ThEY hA0
LEARhE0 T0 MAKE
A B0MB REA0h0
Ah ARTCLE h ThE
MA0AZhE
0a|r|rg W|l 0real 0also]
ls|a F|ser lourd |l eas] lo pul or We|gl lor :NK-XKGZ-GZYH_. Te
37]earo|d aclress ga|red 10 pourds lo p|a] V]rl|e w||sor |r le
l||r a|orgs|de Leorardo 0|Capr|o ard Care] Vu|||gar ard ls|a |oved
ever] r|rule ol |l. 'Te] d|dr'l le|| re lo pul or We|gl. l jusl |reW
le caracler Was descr|oed as ouxor, so l Warled lo do le ooo|
jusl|ce. Te aclress - Wo as lWo dauglers, 0||ve, l|ve, ard
E|u|a, lWo, W|l cored|ar Saca 8aror Coer - exp|a|red: 'l
ga|red 05 pourds W|l r] l|rsl oao] ard 70 W|l r] secord. l ad
severe rorr|rg s|c|ress ool l|res, so l rosl|] ale supers|ze ooW|s
ol W|le pasla W|l |oads ol ouller ard ceese oecause lal Was le
or|] l|rg lal loo| aWa] le rausea.
0u|le a app] v|||a|r
8ered|cl Curoeroalc Was '|||e
a ||d |r a card] slore or le
sels ol 9ZGX:XKQ/TZU*GXQTKYY.
Te 30]earo|d aclor p|a]s v||
|a|r Jor larr|sor |r JJ Aorars'
sc|l| seque| ard 8ered|cl
revea|ed e ad |ols ol lur Wor|
|rg or le l|gl ard slurl
sequerces or sel. Spea||rg al
le Wor|d prer|ere al le Erp|re
Le|cesler Square, e lo|d ('4-
9NU]HO`: 'l |oved le lr||| ol |l.
P]s|ca||] av|rg lo gel o|gger
ard pul or a |ol ol ell ard rus
c|e al le sare l|re as Wor||rg
or le slurl sequerces ard
coreograped l|gl sequerces
- |l Was a jo]. l le|l |||e a ||d |r a card] slore. Tere's ore po|rl
Were l sa|d lo r]se|l, 'Are ]ou supposed lo ave l|s ruc lur
earr|rg a ||v|rg?' ll's jusl r|d|cu|ous. 8ered|cl Was rol le or|] slar
ol le rov|e lo ave lur or sel, Zacar] 0u|rlo - Wo p|a]s Spoc|
- a|so lourd le Wo|e exper|erce 'rea||] reWard|rg.
L| Lo |r lrouo|e aga|r
L|rdsa] Loar W||| oe
arresled |l se doesr'l
relurr lo reao. Te 20
]earo|d aclress l|ed lror
er reao cerlre aga|r
aller rere r|rules ol er
relr|va|, ard cou|d roW
lace ser|ous corse
querces |l se doesr'l
relurr lo Vorr|rgs|de
Recover] lac|||l] |r
heWporl 8eac,
Ca||lorr|a, o] daWr. Te
redead - Wo agreed lo
sperd 90 da]s |r lreal
rerl aller p|ead|rg 'ro
corlesl lo carges lor
|]|rg lo po||ce aooul dr|
v|rg dur|rg a car cras |asl Jure - as oeer g|ver a 0ar [LA l|re|
dead||re, or proseculors W||| see| a Warrarl lor er arresl. A source
lo|d 8GJGX5TROTK: 'L|rdsa] |eav|rg le reao cerlre lal a judge Was
aclua||] a||oW|rg er lo sla] |r Was a o|g r|sla|e. Va||rg lal dec|
s|or as ser|ous corsequerces ard |l se doesr'l ave er allorre]
dea| W|l l|s lor|gl ler le C|l] Allorre] |s go|rg lo go lo courl |r
le rorr|rg lo gel a Warrarl lor er arresl.
SZZLERS
DSBELEF ZONE
Foison ivy in Caliornia
GUESTCOLUMN
J0h SwAhE
tIe pIoneer
The world can hear you and the
people who knocked these buildings
down will hear all of us soon
~ George W Bush
sunday
magazino
l|it
!
GUESTCOLUMN
hEhRY SAMuEL
A
northern California woman has been arrested on
suspicion of spiking orange juice bottles with a
deadly dose of alcohol and stocking the bottles at
a Starbucks coffee shop, law enforcement officials said.
Ramineh Behbehanian, 50, was arrested at her San
Jose home on Monday night (April 29))and booked
into the Santa Clara County Jail on charges of attempt-
ed murder and poisoning, San Jose Police Sergeant
Jason Dwyer said.
Behbehanian is accused of carrying two bottles of
tainted juice into a Starbucks outlet in San Jose on
Monday, pulling them from her bag and placing them
in the display case of a cooler stocked with various bev-
erages. A customer saw the woman and what appeared
to be her suspicious behavior and alerted the store's
employees, but police say Behbehanian fled the shop
when she overheard the conversation between the cus-
tomer and employees.
San Jose police and firefighters were called to the
coffee shop, which was quickly evacuated. Hazardous
materials inspectors tested the contents of the two bot-
tles in question and found they contained a mixture of
orange juice and isopropyl alcohol, or rubbing alcohol.
The chief of Nice's
judicial police
who led the sting
operation
described the
ingenious
technique ~ never
seen before in
Europe ~ as
"worthy of James
Bond" and warned
that it could have
been in use in
British ports
What lios bonoath
Your body
needs you too
W
omen have been entrusted with the job of making sure
that people around them are healthy both physically
and mentally. However, in an attempt to do this, they often
end up forgetting about their own wellbeing. Studies have
shown that at least one out of every 28 Indian women suffer
from breast cancer and an astounding 90 per cent of the
worlds anaemic population lives in India. However, making a
few simple dietary changes can help women keep common
ailments at bay.
hEkT I8Ek8E8
Although it is perceived that men are at a higher risk of
heart disease, more and more women have been reported to
be suffering from cardiovascular diseases after a certain age.
Factors like high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and high
cholesterol act as triggers. In order to maintain a healthy
heart, it is important to maintain an ideal weight with a
healthy balanced diet and exercise. The WHO recommends
four to five servings of all coloured vegetables and fruit in a
day along with whole grains to get required quantity of vita-
mins, minerals, anti-oxidants and fibre for a healthy heart.
One also needs to keep a watch on bad fats and include
healthy fats in the diet to manage good blood lipids. An easy
way of doing this would be by switching the cooking oil to
one like canola which has 93 per cent of poly and monounsat-
urated or good fat and only
seven per cent of saturated or
bad fat. In addition to this, one
can choose low fat proteins like
beans, pulses, soy, low fat
chicken and egg whites.
WEIhT kIh
The post pregnancy phase
is the recovering phase. It is
also the time to breast feed, so
a balance has to be maintained
with healthy diet for lactation
and to maintain weight. Good
quality proteins like low fat
milk and milk products, pulses,
beans, soya, whole grains,
fruits, vegetables along with good quality fats in moderation
must be consumed. It is also important to take frequent yet
small meals.
khkEMIk
The ailment is caused mainly due to the lack of iron
which is essential for the production of fresh blood within the
body. It is essential to have adequate proteins in the diet with
food rich in iron. For example: Whole grain cereals like bajra,
rice flake, puffed rice, pulses like bengal gram, cow peas
(lobia), lentil (masoor whole), peas and soyabeans; leafy veg-
etables like mint, mustard greens, nuts like almonds,
cashewnuts, gingelly seeds (til), pistachio, watermelon seeds,
fish, chicken, egg yellow and liver should be eaten. A squeeze
of lemon in a meal can help in proper absorption of iron.
8Ek8T 6kh6E
This cancer is the cause of most female deaths in the
country. There is a relationship between diet and breast can-
cer which gets compounded with due to high fat diet. A
healthy balanced diet with low fat, whole grains, fruits and
vegetables is recommended.
8TEF8I8
Osteoporosis affects women in their late 50s or early 60s.
To maintain bone health, women need to take adequate min-
erals and vitamins. Vitamin D deficiency is common among
women with osteoporosis and may increase fracture risk.
Food like beans, pulses and grams, soyabean, sesame seeds,
almonds, milk (skim/low fat), cheese, paneer and curd with
supplements of calcium and Vitamin D are recommended.
(l| W|i|| i p|iJ||, l|Ji+| i||i Aui+|iu| +|J Ji||u|, |u||i|iu| +|J
i||i, i+|| |uu|J+|iu| l|Ji+)
DOCYARD
0R REKhA ShARMA
I
n summers, dehydration is a
major concern. People often
forget to drink two to three litres
of water a day. This leads to sat-
uration and results in kindey
stones. They are one of the most
common causes of hospitalisa-
tion in the country with 5 to 7
million patients suffering from
kidney stone. Out of these, one
out of every thousand need hos-
pitalisation. But what most peo-
ple dont realise is the fact that
with the soaring temperatures in
the city, the chances of contract-
ing kidney diseases increase
exponentially.
Doctors say that the rise in
temperature and humidity are
important factors that in turn
lead to an increase in the
chances of kidney stones being
formed. People who work in a
hot climate and in a profession
that exposes them to the heat are
automatically more suspect to
kidney stones since their work
routine doesnt allow for enough
water retention in their body,
says Dr Bhim Sen Bansal, direc-
tor, RG Stone Nursing Home.
People who move into a
warmer climate have to be espe-
cially careful about their diet and
water intake to ensure that the
sudden change in climatic condi-
tions doesnt lead to stone for-
mation. Doctors said that the
formation of kidney stones is
especially high in cities where
the climate is hot and dry.
There are a lot of people who
migrate from a colder terrain to
a hotter one. They often end up
suffering from stones since they
arent used to consuming the
adequate amount of fluids as
they are suppose to in their new
habitat. They continue with the
same amount as they did in the
place they came from. Formation
of stones is eminent, Dr Bhim
tells you.
Low intake of fluids along-
side a high intake of animal pro-
tein, sodium and refined sugars
is touted by doctors as the cause.
This, increases in the sweltering
summer months with many peo-
ple failing to drink enough
water or inadvertently quench-
ing their thirst with fluids like
cola or cold coffee, that lead to
more dehydration. This water
loss over a period of time leads
to higher concentration of urine,
which can in turn lead to kidney
stones.
It is extremely important to
keep the body hydrated
throughout the day and to espe-
cially drink water before and
after the night. Drinking lemon-
ade, while cutting down on
products that can lead to forma-
tion of calcium, is also helpful.
Foods containing oxalate like
soda, iced tea, chocolate,
rhubarb, strawberries, nuts are
to be avoided since they can
lead to the formation of calcium
oxalate kidney stones, Dr Arun
Prasad, senior consultant,
Apollo Hospital says.
Changes in diet to match the
change in weather are essential
alongside an active attempt to
keep the body hydrated, espe-
cially after long periods in the
sun. Salads and leafy greens
help in maintaining the coolness
levels while also hydrating your
body. The same goes for alcohol
intake Dr Prasad says.
Studies have
shown that at
least one out of
every 28 ndian
women suffers
from breast
cancer and an
astounding 90
per cent of the
world's anaemic
population lives
in ndia
SLMLINE
WHAT'SNEW
IiIbiI IIex: Filbil Flex can be your erecl comanion. wear il on your wrisl day and nighl and il
will lrack all o your aclivily. Jusl check oul lhe lighls lo see how you slack u againsl your
ersonal goals. l's lhe molivalion you need lo gel oul and be more aclive. Flex uses LE0 lighls
lo show you how your day is slacking u againsl your goal. See your slals anylime. Also wilh
some Android devices, you can la your device lo launch your Filbil slals.
Figures by lhe
wh0 reveal lhal
aroximalely
181O million
coules in ndia
are inerlile. n
every 1OO
coules, 4O er
cenl male
aclors, 4O er cenl emale
aclors, 1O er cenl combined
aclors are lhe cause o inerlilily
and 1O er cenl cases come under
unexlained calegory. So, male
aclor conlribules equally lo
inerlilily.
Cucumbers conlain mosl o lhe vilamins one needs
every day. 0ne cucumber conlains vilamin B1, vilamin
B2, vilamin B8, vilamin B5, vilamin BG, Folic Acid,
vilamin C, Calcium, ron, Magnesium, Fhoshorus,
Folassium and Zinc. l is also known lo cure
headaches. Eal a ew cucumber slices beore going lo
bed and wake u rereshed and headache ree.
Cucumbers conlain enough sugar, B vilamins and
eleclrolyles lo relenish essenlial nulrienls lhe body
losl, keeing everylhing in equilibrium, avoiding bolh a
hangover and headache. The vegelable is known hel
gel rid o garden esls. Flace a ew slices in a small ie
lin and your garden will be ree o esls all season
long. The chemicals in lhe cucumber reacl wilh lhe
aluminum lo give o a scenl undeleclable lo humans
bul drives lhe garden esls cra/y and makes lhem lee
lhe area.
WONDERFOOD
Cumin is
a good
source o
ron,
Manganese
and olher
vilamins and
minerals. l can also slimulale lhe
roduclion o ancrealic en/ymes
and hel digeslion.
Cumin is roleclive againsl
memory loss and lhe damaging
eecls o slress on lhe body .
0ue lo ils high anlioxidanl
conlenl, il mighl have a role in
ighling cancer
IT'SBACK!
Research showed
lhal walermelon culs
lhe risk o sunrelaled
skin damage by 4O er
cenl. Thal's because
walermelon is halure's
richesl source o lycoene, an anlioxidanl
lhal scavenges lhe uvinduced ree radicals lhal
cause sunburn and wrinkling.
walermelon can hel imrove slee. By ealing a
ew slices o lhis ruil aler dinner can exlend lhe
dee slages o slee by 27 er cenl. The reason is
walermelon's olysaccharide carbohydrales rev lhe
body's oulul o serolonin. when levels o serolonin
increase al nighl, lhe brain is less sensilive lo
disrulive slimuli (like noise) during slee.
STUDYCENTRE
tIe pIoneer
have been to this remote village in
Orissa where there is no electricity
or other basic facilities. Yet, women
there use fairness creams
~ Nandita Das
sunday
magazino
1lil
l
T
heres a college girl, shy, introvert and
almost nonexistent. Her boyfriend
doesnt care for her and classmates
make fun of her. Then comes her best
friend who gives her a magic tube and with-
in six weeks she is a rockstar, singing at a
college festival, surrounded with friends
with her boyfriend running after her with a
bunch of roses. Now sample this. Theres a
man without friends, girlfriends and a job.
One fine day, a superstar comes into his life
with a same magic tube, but meant for men.
He has it all, right from a dream job to a
girlfriend who looks like million dollar
bucks.
This is the kind of effect fairness creams
claim to have on your life but reality is
nowhere near to what they claim it to be.
Dermatologists tell you that fairness
creams fail to make the skin fair or lovely.
In fact, they make it worse. The fairness
creams make you fairer for a while but
when used over a prolonged period, the
effect wares off. The long-term usage of
these creams causes hyperpigmentaion
which is difficult to cure. They have bleach-
ing agents which are harmful for the skin. If
used regularly, they peel the external layer
of the skin, Ritu Singla, dermatology con-
sultant, Fortis Memorial Institute, Gurgaon,
says.
She tells you that the most common
ingredient used in most fairness creams is
hydroquinone which causes redness and
irritation. In India, its not compulso-
ry to mention all the ingredients on
the pack and people dont
realise what they are buying,
Singla states.
Twentyfive-year-old
Neha Dixit is a dark-
skinned woman who
started using a very
popular brand of a
fairness cream last
year. My skin
became visibly fairer
within a week but as
I finished the tube, it
turned scratchy and
red. I rushed to the
doctor and I was told I
was yet another girl who
had fallen for the tall
claims made by the com-
pany, she says. The doctor
told me that these creams
contain hydroquinone which
slows down the production
of melanin and then quickly
removes layers of skin reveal-
ing a fairer complexion under-
neath. This eventually damages
the skin. It makes it thinner, mak-
ing it look older than what it really
is, she says.
Ayush Khanna, a college student, had
a similar experience. Within two weeks,
there was redness and itchiness not only
on my skin but also in my eyes, he tells
you, adding that the problem persisted till
he stopped using the cream.
The problem is compounded
due to the wide variety of fairness
creams available in the market,
some chemical-based, others
claiming to be herbal. If you
thought using herbal
creams was safe, think
again. It is not advisable
to use herbal fairness
creams. I only recom-
mend paraffin-based
moisturiser, a simple
petroleum jelly product
will also do, Singla says,
adding that Indians have an
obsession for fair skin. No
wonder then that one reads
wanted fair girl in every matri-
monial ad in the country.
According to a study, the market for
fairness creams has touched the C2,000-
crore mark and the figures are on the rise. A
survey says that eight out of 10 women in
India believe that fair skin gives them an
advantage. A WHO report says that metals
like mercury, present in fairness creams, can
have adverse effects like kidney damage,
reduction in the skins resistance to bacterial
and fungal infections, anxiety, depression
and peripheral neuropathy. However, doc-
tors say they have no idea about this find-
ing.
Like Dr Singla, Dr Mukesh Girdhar also
believes herbal creams are not the answer to
chemical ones. People believe herbal prod-
ucts are harmless but that is not so. Take
haldi, for example. Turmeric is very good
for skin but thats not the only ingredient
used in fairness creams. Its just one of the
ingredients, Dr Girdhar tells you.
But beauty experts like Blossom
Kochhar have say natural products are any
day better than chemical ones. She doesnt
advocate the use of creams with hydro-
quinone. That chemical makes the skin
lighter but stops working after some time.
Creams that have Alpha Hydroxy Acid
(AHA) and Vitamin C lighten the skin tone
but only by two shades, not the way they
show in ads, Kochhar says.
How much time does it take for these
creams to throw up adverse effects? A min-
imum of six weeks, Dr Girdhar says. Thats
the time most creams claim to fairness.
In the beginning, users may see red-
ness and itchiness but they tend to ignore
the symptoms, Dr Girdhar says. The reac-
tion is due to the presence of harmful
metals. But it is not just darkened skin
patches which is a side effect, they
may also result in increased facial
hair. There are many users who
come to me with this complaint.
Then there are creams that claim
to clear spots and marks within
weeks. The only thing they do is
result in allergic reactions. I treat sev-
eral women in a week with allergic
reactions to fairness creams, Dr Girdhar
explains.
He also tells you that there is no scientif-
ic proof that Vitamin E is good for the skin.
Its just an anti-oxidant. However, not all is
bad news. While using fairness creams that
have sunscreen may not be such a good idea,
using sunscreen lotion with limited SPF is
good. In fact, sunscreen must be applied
before stepping out in the sun. Moreso, these
days because of the ozone leak. But Dr Singla
is quick to point out that there are two types
of sunscreen products those that are
absorbing and those that reflect. One should
go for the ones that reflect. There are some
ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc
that help fight UVA and UVB. Always buy a
product with SPF 30 that protects from UVA
and with three stars printed at the back of
the bottle, Dr Singla advises.
Seconds Kochhar.
Sunscreen with SPF more
than 30 is not meant for
Indian skin. Always
apply gel-based
sunscreen for oily
skin and cream-
based for dry
skin,
Kochhar
says.
The hard truth
There are almosl seven million eole in lhe counlry who suer rom
kidney slones. ShBAJ R0YCh0u0huRY seaks wilh doclors who say
lhal lhe roblem increases during summer monlhs bul wilh requisile
luid inlake, diel and regular exercise, lhe roblem can be addressed
ThE 8
Q0rink lenly o waler during lhe
day and al nighl beore bed so lhal
your body slays hydraled
lhroughoul each 24hour eriod
Q0rink lemonade as lhis has been
shown lo reduce lhe risk o slones
QReduce lhe sall inlake
QCheck your inlake o animal
rolein, including meal, eggs, and
ish. These oods conlain urines,
which are nalural subslances lhal
melabolise
QCul down lhe inlake o caeine as
il leaves you dehydraled even
lhough you lhink you are laking in
lenly o liquids
TIPTOP
Ihat's
not fair
According
to a study, the
market for fairness
cream has touched
the C2,000-crore mark
& the number is only
going up. Users don't
understand that they
should strive for a
smooth and supple
skin be it dark or
light
ndians have always been obsessed wilh air skin. From
dadi ma ke nuskhe lo using creams lhal claim lo make
one airer wilhin weeks, lhey have been doing il all. Bul
lhese creams come wilh a warning - laced wilh
chemicals and heavy melal, lhey do more harm lhan
good. MAhJAR Sh0h seaks wilh dermalologisls and
doclors lo bring you some nol so lovely acls
A
propos Will this night end? by Deebashree
Mohanty, Manjari Singh and Sangeeta
Yadav in Foray dated April 28, 2013. It is
true that rape is the oldest crime in the world. It
is perhaps the only thing that destroys a woman
at all levels physically, mentally and socially.
For the man it is an act that shows his
dominance. While the rape of the five-year-old
is not new, it is the violence of the act itself that
should worry the society. This is because we are
bringing up our men folk with the wrong values
that is it is okay to snatch toys from the sister
and break them and laugh at the act, that is is
okay for a boy to stay out late at night while the
girl should stay at home and that it is okay for a
man to hit a woman. Not that these acts lead to
the rape itself. It just goes to show that men
need not respect the women. And when there is
no respect, women are seen at play things that
can be tossed around.
D Singh
A
propos Will this night end? by Deebashree
Mohanty, Manjari Singh and Sangeeta Yadav
in Foray dated April 28, 2013. Violence in the
society is on the rise. Brutal rapes are just a
manifestation of the crime that is on
the rise. The fact that people now
have access to porn so easily their
mobiles means that with a simple
click they can download a clip and
watch it. Watching a woman enjoying
the violent sex in the video (which is
staged) makes the depraved men in the
society try out for themselves. Unless
steps are taken to educate men of the
difference between reel and reality
violent crimes against women will
continue.
Ritu Agarwal
T
his refers to An age old issue by
Deebashree Mohanty in Foray dated
April 28, 2013. It is indeed heartbreaking
for a wife to come to terms with a divorce
when she has spent almost 30 years with
her life partner. In times when nuclear
families are in vogue, a husband and wife
need each other more when the children
grown up and find their own way. So it is
imperative that communication becomes
most critical between the parents as it is
mainly communication gap which leads to a
break up.
Bal Govind
T
his refers to Leadership woes visit Congress
too by Hari Shankar Vyas in Foray dated
April 28, 2013. No doubt, former Telecom
Minister and main accused in 2G scam A Rajas
note written to the JPC saying that Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh and the then
Finance Minister were kept in loop in all
decisions is going to be major worry for the
Congress. All the opposition parties including
Rajas own party the DMK have raised this
issue. The Congress is in spot and finding it
difficult to defend itself. The way the JPC
chairman PC Chacko has tried to suppress vital
facts regarding roles of both Manmohan Singh
and Chidambaram in 2G allocation is clearly an
attempt to save them. After all, their image has
already been severely hit. Now, the CBI affidavit
to the Supreme Court in the coal scam has
added to Singhs bowl of woes. The Congress
has realised that Singh with a sullied image is
going to be a burden for them. The party is
eagerly awaiting a victory in the Karnataka
Assembly polls. Its credit will be given to Rahul
Gandhi and help him to build his image against
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi before
the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
Manoj Parashar
T
his refers to Race is on to woo minorities by
Tavishi Srivastava in Foray dated April 28,
2013. Political parties have been wooing
minority communities just before the elections
for decades now. Hence, the 2014 Lok Sabha
election is not likely to be any different. The
only problem is that many promises and
introduction of new schemes for their
betterment are announced. But once a party
comes to power it forgets its poll agenda.
Meanwhile, people from the general category are
not to happy with the tall promises made to
these communities. In the end, the only winner
is the political party that has been voted to
power and the common man on the streets
continues to suffer. His lot doesnt improve. So
the people need to understand that wooing a
minority community is nothing but a poll
gimmick that parties resort to.
Sunil Sharma
S
upreme Courts observa-
tion that the Government
was not allowing the Central
Bureau of Investigation to
function independently in
cases it was probing, has
had little effect on
Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh.
Singh is reported to
have said that what-
ever action is
called for, will be
taken after he
has studied
the Supreme
Courts obser-
vations. The
statement
came after
the apex
court pulled
up CBIs coun-
sel for allowing
the Government to
examine crucial doc-
uments relating to
the coal investiga-
tion.
Many Congress
and BJP leaders have
been reflecting
on Singhs
political career
spanning 40 years. A leader
said that Singh has never
morally owned responsibili-
ty for what has happened in
the past and he is not likely
to do so now.
A leader recalls how the
share scam was unearthed
when Singh was Finance
Minister. The scam by
Harshad Mehta in the early
1990s, had sent shock waves
through the nation and
shaken the economy. But as
Finance Minister, Singh
refused to take moral
responsibility for it.
During UPA-IIs regime,
many scams like coal, heli-
copter and ISRO have come
to light and fingers have
been pointed directly at
Singh. But it has had little
impact on him. Sadly,
despite SCs comment that
its faith in the Government
was shaken and that CBI
must be free from all politi-
cal interference, Singh has
remained unaffected.
FII8 Ih hVEM8E?
Speculation over the
timing of the Lok Sabha
elections is rife again. While
Manmohan Singh and
Finance Minister P
Chidambaram have said that
13 months are left of the
UPA-II tenure, many leaders
have a different opinion.
A senior Congressman
opines that if the General
Elections are held as sched-
uled, the Congress will face
many problems. As it is, the
partys image has taken a
beating because of the tele-
com and coal scams.
Even Pawar has said
that the Lok Sabha
elections can be
held any time.
Samajwadi
Party chief
Mulayam
Singh Yadav
and
Parliamentary
Affairs and Urban
Development
Minister Mohd
Azam Khan are
already preparing for
the elections. Targeting
the US and China is
nothing but Mulayams
poll-warming gim-
mick.
Even BSP chief
Mayawati has also told
her partymen that elec-
tions are imminent. In
Bihar, Nitish
Kumar has start-
ed his Sewa Yatra.
The BJP national president
Rajnath Singh has also said
that elections will be held
before the due date.
All political parties feel
that the elections will be
held sometime this
November.
I 8FE6IkI 8TkT8
The ruling the Biju
Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha
had raised questions on
Bihars demand of special
status. The party leaders had
said that they will never beg
for special status even
though Nitish had demand-
ed one for Bihar claiming
that it is the peoples right.
However, now BJD has
also started a campaign
demanding special category
status as well as status of a
backward State. Chief
Minister Naveen Patnaik,
who had earlier created
roadblocks in Nitish
Kumars path is now follow-
ing in his foot steps.
The JD(U) had collected
one crore letters from the
people demanding special
status for Bihar. Patnaik is
also doing the same thing;
the Chief Minister has said
that his party will hand over
one crore letters to the
Centre.
Patnaik also reportedly
said that when he took over
charge of the State, the cof-
fers were almost empty and
the State was on the brink of
bankruptcy. Since the State
is always borrowing, it is
facing a severe financial
crunch. His party had
announced a 12-hour bandh
on April 26. The BJD was
agitating against the
C12,000-crore package given
to Bihar.
EY & 6hkE
Many candidates who
have been fielded by the
Congress in the Karnataka
Assembly elections are mil-
lionaires. So, the party
should not face fund prob-
lems. But there are reports
that since all senior leaders
are either out of the organi-
sation or the Ministers are
sitting at the Centre, the
State organisation is on the
brink of bankruptcy and a
demand for funds has been
made to the Centre.
Andhra Pradesh Chief
Minister N Kiran Kumar
Reddy has been given
responsibility of Karnataka
election. Earlier, it used to
be former Chief Minister,
the late YS Rajasekhara
Reddy, who used to work
out a poll strategy for the
party for all the States. So,
Kiran Kumar can handle
one State Karnataka.
Therefore, it is his State
organisation that has
stepped in to bear the
expenses for the campaign-
ing in Karnataka.
ThE IIEMMk
What will happen to the
Joint Parliamentary
Committee (JPC) draft
report on the 2G scam? Will
the committee be given an
extension? Will its chairman
PC Chako will be removed
from the chair?
The Opposition is
demanding that former tele-
com Minister A Raja be
called before the JPC.
Mulayam has said that with-
out calling Raja, the investi-
gation cant be completed.
The Government needs to
pay heed to the SP chief
because without his support,
the ruling party will be in
minority in the JPC.
The JPC members want
to know why the draft
report has mentioned Rajas
name 27 times and yet he
has not been called before
the committee? The prob-
lem is that if Raja is called,
he will name the Prime
Minister and Chidambaram.
Pressure will then mount on
UPA-II that both be called
to depose to the JPC.
To override the
problem, the
Congress will
demand that
former Prime
Minister Atal
Bihari Vajpayee
and former
telecom
Ministers make
an appearance
before the com-
mittee too. A BJP
leader said that
the party
was pre-
pared to
bring
Vajpayee
on a
stretcher but
the committee
would
have to
call Raja
first. This has created
problems for Chako. If he
doesnt call Raja, the JPC
report will be rejected and if
he calls Raja, the
Government will be in trou-
ble.
kIIIkh6E TMII
The committee consti-
tuted by Congress president
Sonia Gandhi to look into
pre-poll alliances, headed by
Defence Minister AK
Antony, is yet to start its
work.
Sources say that there is
dilemma over the alliance
strategy, so the committee is
not taking any action. A
dilemma prevails in the
States too.
There are reports that
Congress vice-president
Rahul Gandhi is unable to
decide the party with which
it should enter into an
alliance. Should he continue
with the tie-up with RJD
president Lalu Prasad Yadav
and Lok Janshakti Party
president Ram Vilas Paswan
in Bihar or should he wait
for Chief Minister Nitish
Kumar to part ways with the
BJP.
A similar situation exists
in Jharkhand where the
dilemma is whether the
Congress should go with
Babulal Marandis
Jharkhand Vikas Morcha or
with Jharkhand Mukti
Morcha. Even in West
Bengal, the Congress is
dithering on a choice
between the TMC or going
it alone with an option for a
tie-up with the Left post-
poll.
In Tamil Nadu, the party
has three options a
tie-up with Chief
Minister Jayalalithaa
or DMK chief
Karunanidhi or with
DMDK founder
president and
Leader of the
Opposition in the
Assembly,
Vijayakanth. In
Andhra Pradesh, the
Congress is caught
between YSR Congress
president YS
Jaganmohan
Reddy and TRS
president K
Chandrasekhar Rao.
In Maharashtra,
too, the party is
unsure whether it
should go for an
alliance with Agriculture
Minister and NCP chief
Sharad Pawar.
MIaIster's mIaIstratI0as
f0r c0IahIe c0s
T
he country was aghast at the apparently boorish ranting
of a Minister in the Akhilesh Yadav Government, who
was recently reported to have perorated against the police
before his constituents, assuring them that policemen
would sit or stand at his command, and do many other
things besides. Facing the nation on arguably the loudest
TV news programme, the gentleman was pilloried; he kept
repeating in own defence that he was a son of the soil who
had undertaken agitations against all manner of oppres-
sions, and had been jailed to boot (in India people in pub-
lic life say this with a certain pride). I pass no judgement
on the personality or character of the Minister. He is per-
haps no worse than hundreds like him. But his words had
me thinking. As strange as this may sound, my sympathies
were actually with his position!
The police is the most manifest arm of the State, that
point of interface that citizens dread, but at times are
forced to encounter. In fact, ironically, those who agree
with the civil society argument regarding the need for a cit-
izens charter would actually be on the side of the minister.
There is a certain Kafkaesque routine when it comes to the
police. Filing an FIR is for example a gargantuan task,
complicated by all manner of deflections, and immobility,
on the part of the police. In the badlands of UP, getting an
FIR lodged is, by itself, an achievement. The law may state
one thing, and it might be a right on the part of a citizen to
lodge an FIR if the alleged offense is congnizable. The
police on its part, is at liberty, through the efforts of the
Investigating Officer (IO), to determine the veracity of the
claim based on which the FIR is sought to be lodged.
However, an FIR is seldom lodged without some heft com-
ing in by way of political or official interference. The
Ministers constituents, like most citizens, including this
columnist, would necessarily nurse deep frustration when
it comes to dealing with the police. In their hearts they
must have nursed very bad thoughts about their local
daroga. Impotent rage trapped deep within can be debili-
tating. The Minister was simply addressing this rage, and
seeking to boost his constituents morale by offering him-
self as the bulwark between them and the police.
My sympathies for the Ministers views are not entirely
objective. They are born of personal experience. Recently
my phone was picked off my pocket at the local market.
Since I had insured my phone I thought Id get some com-
pensation from the insurance company. What seemed a
simple process transformed into the theatre of the absurd.
Lodging an FIR became the most challenging task Id
undertaken in some time. The Gurgaon police are an
intimidating lot, and quite cavalier and unmindful of any
obligation to their terms of employment. Irrelevant ques-
tions, boorish innuendos, bad mannered chuckles, and the
sheer desire not to have to undergo the hassles of paper-
work and investigation create a firewall that simply cant be
breached. I usually can talk and argue my way through
sarkari situations, if there is an iota of reasonableness on
display. No such luck here. Since it is against my principles
to use influence (though there have been times when I
have coughed up to get the inevitable done), all that
remains inside me is rage. Rage against the Government
and the sort of State that we have allowed ourselves to be
ruled by.
I know what a liberal democracy and its institutions
ought to be like. We have created its exact opposite. Walk
into my local police station and spend a few hours observ-
ing things and youll know that all the space for manoeu-
vring in this country has been laid out between politicians
and the crooks and the big money people (sometimes all
rolled into one). At least I have a space to vent. I can dip
my pen in poison and wax acerbic about the shenanigans
of the crooks though my writing. For most that rage
remains caged, waiting for that one mistake by the zoo
keeper. At the level of the Ministers constituents, it gets
even worse. Their dehumanisation at the hands of the
states coercive machinery is total. The Minister is a wily
politician. He was spot on in taking on the cops.
am looking or tho noxt big
thing somoono who is not
only drop-doad gorgoous
and a groat danoor, but oan
also ossay a nuanood rolo
with aplomb
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thought whon wo'vo a world
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torminal with similar aoilitios.
Now oommon man oan on|oy
bottor amonitios liko AC loungo,
ood oourt, glass olovators oto
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'vo boon oxtromoly busy or
tho past six months and got
my hands ull or tho noxt
our months as woll. But no,
'm not oomplaining. 'm
on|oying ovory day
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Readers can email us on sundayio@gmail.com
Manmolan neitler slalen, not stirreo
SUNDAYGUPSHUP
OUOTEARREST
hAR ShAhKAR vYAS
TALKTME
0EBRAJ M00KERJEE
T
e ru|l|crore Sarada 0roup c|l lurd scar |r
wesl 8erga| W|c care lo ||gl a leW Wee|s
oac| as a|arred a|| po||l|ca| parl|es. lr lacl, le
scar lal or|rgs oac| reror|es ol le 1980s, as
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var|ous c|l lurd corpar|es |r le|r respecl|ve
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d|d |r wesl 8erga|.
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acl|or |s rore oler lar 8|ar C|el
V|r|sler h|l|s Kurar. S|rce e |s ver]
caul|ous ol |s |rage, e |rred|ale|]
ordered ar |rqu|r]. Ra|ds Were corducled or
14 c|l lurd corpar|es, 11 persors Were
arresled ard C8 |a| se|zed. Toug, rosl
corpar|es or W|c le ra|ds Were corducled Were
reg|slered |r Ko||ala, le] ave lousards ol
cuslorers |r 8|ar.
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sWurg |rlo acl|or. E|ever corpar|es ave oeer
|derl|l|ed lor rol av|rg le|r paperWor| |r order.
Peop|e ave oeer adv|sed rol lo |rvesl |r lese
corpar|es. Ard le 0overrrerl as |r|l|aled
acl|or aga|rsl lese c|l lurd corpar|es. Te
ullar Prades 0overrrerl as a|so prepared a
s|r||ar ||sl ol corpar|es ard |s p|arr|rg lo la|e acl|or aga|rsl ler.
lrleresl|rg|], W||e a|| c|l lurd corpar|es |r le rorl ard easl are lac|rg le eal,
lose doWr soul are do|rg or|s| ous|ress. Sources sa] lal le reasor slers lror le
lacl lal a|rosl a|| po||l|ca| parl|es are |rvo|ved |r c|l lurd ard cooperal|ve ous|ress.
RESPONSESECTION
Froodom at last. Hopo thoy givo
him to his amily. Wo all triod,
guoss not hard onough. May god
givo his amily strongth and his
soul rosts in poaoo
A0T0P $ALHAN KhAN wl0 lA0
LAuhClE0 Ah 0hLlhE PETlTl0h ASKlh0
F0R SARA8JlT Slh0l'S FREE00V lh 2012,
V0uRhS llS 0EATl
| A C|EA| C|ll RlVE
tIe pIoneer
A healthy democracy requires a
decent society; it requires that we
are honorable, generous, tolerant
and respectful
~ Charles W Pickering
sunday
magazino
lJ||lt

C
aste order is, perhaps, the longest sur-
viving system of oppression and social
exclusion in the country. No other social
class has suffered as much as the Dalits
have. The sad part is that there is no end
to their suffering. In many parts of the
country, they continue to do so even
today. Even on the humiliation index,
Dalits have suffered the most. It is for this
simple reason that the caste order needs to
end in India.
One has to understand that a system
that impacts the social fabric needs to end
at the earliest. For thousands of years, the
caste order has been assigning an occupa-
tion to Dalits that is considered to be
impure. So vicious is the circle that it dic-
tates the kind of food that they must eat.
The caste hierarchy even determines the
kind of clothes and jewellery it must wear.
It also determines what kind of musical
instrument it can play.
But the most humiliating aspect of the
caste order has been that it kept the Dalits
from the mainstream society. Because of
this exclusion, the Dalits had their own
tiny settlement just outside the village with
their own water source. It is fact that
almost everybody in the country is aware
of. The fact that they couldnt draw water
from the well of the upper caste is also a
known one.
Another fact is that Indias caste order
is not a material object that can be target-
ed and broken into pieces. It is a social
system and even within that there are
graded inequalities. Even within Dalits
there are sub-classes. But since untoucha-
bility is a common factor, all sub-groups
form an instant solidarity.
To break the caste order, Dalits need
to do everything that they are stopped
from doing. If the caste order prohibits the
Dalits from amassing wealth, Dalits must
start accumulating wealth. The only way
to get rich is to become entrepreneurs
every Dalit must start his own business.
But the big question is will the caste-
ridden society allow Dalits to start their
business? And it is not just about allowing
them to become businessmen, will the
caste order allow Dalits to succeed as well?
A Dalit entrepreneur in Pune, who
manufactures hydraulic pumps and
employs dozens of workers, tells you that
he cant say that he is a Dalit. They will
burn my factory if people came to know
that I am a Dalit and doing business, he
tells you. It took me more than an hour to
explain to him that the upper caste is so
caught up in their own problem to bother
with him. But the businessman was not
convinced. He told me that he is an
Ambedkarite and attends many cadre
camps and conferences on Dalit move-
ments. The one thing that he has learnt is
that Brahmins are unbeatable.
Here, I will have to agree with him. I,
too, have attended several Dalit confer-
ences in the past. Not even a single person
at these events ever said that the Brahmins
are weak and that it is easy to break the
shackles of the caste system. Instead, the
audience is told how strong the Brahmins
are and how difficult it is to break the
caste order.
A survey done by a Hindi news chan-
nel revealed that a majority of security
guards in the Capital were are Brahmins,
Bhumihars and Thakurs from Uttar
Pradesh and Bihar. Another study done in
three shopping malls in Delhi revealed
that a majority of cleaning staff is non-
Dalit.
The point that I am trying to make is
that if the Brahmins are so powerful why
have they been reduced to doing work that
is associated with the lower class? And if
the caste system is that rigid how is that
hundreds of Dalit Indian Chamber of
Commerce & Industry (DICCI) members
are doing so well in business?
Meanwhile, the Dalit think tank in
Delhi which did a study on Dalit taking to
business said that Dalits cant do business
beyond opening a small grocery shop. The
study also said that there were very few
Dalit businessmen. The conclusion it is
very difficult for Dalits to succeed in busi-
ness. Contrary to this study, another study
talks about how Dalits in Delhi are run-
ning hospitals and restaurants. There are
Dalits who are supplying spare parts to
Hero and Bajaj Pulsar Bikes. There are
Dalits manufacturing transformers and
heavy duty cranes that can lift weight up
to 125 metric tonnes.
Now, a question arises which story
to tell the Dalit youth? One where the
caste system is so rigid that a Dalit cant
grow beyond a grocer. Or to tell them that
one cant deny that the caste order is rigid
and and strong but you (Dalit youth) is
much stronger than the caste system. And
like many DICCI members, the caste sys-
tem can be beaten and a Dalit can also
become a successful businessman.
Telling the Dalit youth that they are
stronger than the caste order, will not only
boost their confidence but also their self-
esteem. With this newly found energy, the
Dalit youth can make a success story of his
life. The Dalit movements and intellectuals
must stop portraying a grim picture to the
Dalit youth. India is changing and the
caste system is losing its grip.
Woaknoss koops
Guantanamo opon
F
or the men and women involved in running the Guantanamo
Bay prison camp, it must have been disconcerting, to say the
least, to have heard their Commander-in-Chief share his person-
al views on their little corner of Cuba quite so bluntly.
Guantanamo is not necessary to keep America safe, he said
last week. It is expensive. It is inefficient. It hurts us in terms of
our international standing. It lessens cooperation with our allies
on counter-terrorism efforts. It is a recruitment tool for extrem-
ists. It needs to be closed.
And so it does; but the fact that it remains open five years
after Barack Obama promised to shut it down is a testament both
to the scale of the legal and moral morass it represents, and the
presidents own persistent inability to translate his fine words
into action.
It is now eight years since the use of torture and orange
jump-suits was ended at Guantanamo, but the hunger strikes that
appear to have pricked Obama into having another push to shut
the camp are a reminder of what went before.
Reports from Guantanamo, where 100 of the 166 detainees
are on hunger strike, give a terrible, physical expression to what
Red Cross monitors have described as the unprecedented levels
of desperation among those who are being held in limbo, indefi-
nitely, without trial or charge.
The situation is so serious that the US Navy has had to send
an extra 40 medical personnel to help strap inmates into restrain-
ing chairs, insert tubes into their nostrils and then down into
shrivelled stomachs so bags of nutritional supplement can be
forcibly administered.
This, as Obama rightly senses, is a grim humiliation for the
United States, which now finds itself forced to violate medical
ethics to save lives it does not know what to do with. It is not
going to get better, said the President. Its going to get worse. Its
going to fester.
And while Mr Obama did not create this suppurating wound,
he is not blameless for failing to close it. As in so many other
areas, he has been weak. It is true that Congress has blocked the
use of federal courts and prisons for Guantanamo detainees, but
there are other options which largely out of political cow-
ardice the President has shied away from using.
There are 166 detainees in Guantanamo, of which up to 16
are high-value detainees who were sent in from CIA black sites;
86, meanwhile, have been cleared for release, and the status of
the remainder is (for no good reason) classified. The vast majori-
ty of these are not hardened terrorists. Indeed, many are like
Mohamedou Ould Slahi, a Mauritanian who has just published a
terrifying memoir of his treatment in the facility. As long ago as
2007 it was determined there was no evidence to try him on, and
yet six years later he remains in a cage there.
Mr Obama could use his waiver powers to order the release
of many of these cleared detainees if the department of defence
did not classify them as a security risk, say lawyers who work at
Guantanamo. But he has chosen not to, presumably for fear that
they might reoffend a risk the US public is not prepared to
accept.
So defeated is Mr Obama that the head of the state depart-
ments own department for resettling Guantanamo detainees was
reassigned this year and not replaced: Its not just the detainees
who appeared to have abandoned all hope.
Now, having declaring this fresh start, Mr Obama must
appoint a significant White House figure with orders to get these
repatriation moving and begin to reverse the terrible damage
done.
It is true that Congress will almost certainly not allow the
high-value detainees, including the 9/11 accused, to be trans-
ferred to and tried in the federal courts system, but after four
years of procrastination a start is overdue. This must be the
beginning of a full reckoning on the use of torture that includes
the publication of the Senate Intelligence Committees 6,000-page
report on the post-9/11 CIA interrogation and detention pro-
gramme.
More than just the war on terror is at stake here at a
time of global upheaval, everything we aspire to believe in is on
the line. When China tortures its dissidents, as it does, its offi-
cials only need one word to see off America or Europe when we
speak of our belief in universal values: Guantanamo.
And time is short for Mr Obama to seize and secure a legacy
on this. It is worth remembering that Mitt Romneys transition-
team advisers wrote him a memo strongly advising that he
rescind and replace Mr Obamas 2009 executive order banning
the use of torture.
There remains no federal statute that would have prevented a
President Romney from turning back the clock, and to listen to
Condoleezza Rice defending George W Bushs decision to autho-
rise the use of torture, at the opening of his Presidential library
last week, no reason to expect that couldnt happen. It is time to
act.
Cuu||] +il] ll|+p|
80t a rIm Ict0re
DALTDARY
ChAh0RABhAh FRASA0
GUESTCOLUMN
FETER F0STER
I
t is rightly said that
Parliamentary Affairs and
Urban Development Minister
Mohd Azam Khan has a knack of
landing up in one
controversy
after the
other. He is
also
known for
throwing
tantrums
and sulk-
ing. But
then, he is
Chief
Minister
Akhilesh
Yadavs uncle,
hence, he
gets away
with almost
any and every-
thing.
So, it is not
surprising that he
is in the news yet
again this time, for
making a fuss about being
frisked at a US airport.
He was there as part of a
delegation with the
Chief Minister who was
invited to Harvard
University to talk
on the successful
holding of the
Kumbh Mela. He said he
was subjected to humiliation by
the US airport authorities
because he is a Muslim. The
entire delegation went into a
dilemma as the Minister refused
to attend the function unless the
US Government apologised to
him.
The Chief Minister
also preferred to stay
away from the pro-
gramme, apparently
to appease the
minorities back
home.
Surprisingly,
Chief
Secretary
Javed Usmani,
also a Muslim,
addressed the
university.
Khans
objection has
raised a question:
Usmani, who was a
senior member of the
delegation and also
a Muslim, had no
problem with being
frisked. Similarly the
Ministers private
secretary, again a
Muslim, did not feel
humiliated about
the airport proce-
dure.
On earlier occa-
sions too, Khan
has hogged
the limelight
on such issues. Once, he
pulled up some senior bureau-
crats saying that they only under-
stood stern language. He humili-
ated a senior officer in his
department. On another occa-
sion, he sulked for days when he
was relieved of charge of some of
the districts. The Chief Minister
Akhilesh had to return the
charge to him.
Recently, former Samajwadi
Party heavyweight (now heading
the newly formed Lok Manch)
Amar Singh accused Khan of
instigating transport officials to
misbehave with Jayaprada in
Rampur.
What the people want to
know is whether such tantrums
by the Minister will actually help
in consolidating minority votes
for SP in the 2014 Lok Sabha
elections. It is believed that
Khans supporters certain
Muslim leaders are only in
small pockets and hence, would
hardly influence voters at large.
Remember how Khan had, in the
past, protested against Amar
Singhs growing influence in SP
and had left the party in a huff?
Later, he had to be cajoled
into returning to his parent party
but only on the condition that
Amar Singh would be ousted.
What remains to be seen is
whether the Muslims are still
swayed by SP chief Mulayam
Singh Yadavs assurances as they
were in the past. Meanwhile,
enjoy the tantrums of Khan.
MkYk 6T8 MEIk
Former Chief Minister and
Bahujan Samaj Party chief
Mayawati has come up with a
novel method of registering her
protest against the Akhilesh
Government. She is holding
Press conferences to prove her
partys point and hit out at the
poor law and order situation in
the State.
She has made several rounds
to Raj Bhawan, requesting
Governor BL Joshi to recom-
mend Presidents Rule in wake of
what she says in a complete
breakdown of the law and
order situation.
Behenji has even
extended a hand of
friendship to
mediapersons
and stayed
back to
answer any
queries made
by journalists.
When she was
in power, she
had made a rule
to leave the venue
once she complet-
ed her dictation to
the media. The
question of answer-
ing any queries never
arose.
But, the other day, the BSP
chief ensured that she replied
to all the media queries
thrown at her. Only later
did journalists realise that
she and her party were
courting the media to make
their stand clear. The party that
had till now not taken to the
streets is now out with Brahmin
bhaichara committee rallies
against the ruling SP till now.
8k88 Eh1YIh IT
The bureaucrats appear to be
relaxed in the present reign as
opposed to Mayawatis tenure
when they were kept on their
toes. A wag remarked: The
babus used to be so scared dur-
ing Mayawatis rule that they
finished all their work
on time. Now,
they hardly take
their work seri-
ously despite
being pulled
up by the
Chief
Minister sev-
eral times.
The
bureaucrats,
housed on
the fifth floor
of the Chief
Ministers
annexe office,
have not only
managed to keep the
people but also public
representatives and
Ministers out of their
office. Most of the
times, the complaints
are about how even
important files gather
dust. Will the Chief
Minister look into the
matter before it is too
late?
W
henever the Parliament
session commences, bets
are made on how many days of
business will be done. Will any
Bills be passed? Any policies
discussed? Will schemes that
benefit aam aadmi be talked
about and introduced? Of
course, the public knows that no
such thing is likely to happen
and, thus, feels betrayed. The
ruling coalition today, is in a
shambles. It does not know
where to start its cleaning act.
Its a shame that no one is in a
position to take a stand. One
wonders what the problem is
is it because of the weakness at
the top level or is it being done
to please the allies?
Prime Minister Manmohan
Singhs Ministers (those appoint-
ed by him) may be capable but
one has to remember that if one
is a public figure one cant afford
to be arrogant or unapproachable
to the common man.
A major cause of concern
for many of Singhs Ministers is
that they are unapproachable.
Many senior Ministers appear to
be helpless in the face of the
problems the UPA-II is going
through. Never, they say, has the
country seen such internal and
external chaos on a daily basis.
Reports of corruption and
scams are unearthed every day,
making an average Indian citi-
zen hang his head in shame.
Last week, when the Leader of
Opposition in the Lok Sabha
Sushma Swaraj said that UPA-II
was the most corrupt
Government since
Independence, there were many
who agreed with her.
Corruption appears to have
become synonymous with this
Government. It is a sad state of
affairs.
And, it is not just cor-
ruption thats the problem.
Indias relations have never
been so strained with her
neighbours. All because we
want to please the US. Till
recently, our country looked
to be emerging as the next
superpower. But the dream
is rapidly fading. What is
happening on the Sino-
Indian border is a cause of
major concern. But our
Prime Minister and his
Cabinet colleagues give us
assurances that all is well.
Even promotions are no
longer done on seniority. It
is a bureaucrats connections
in the right places and loyal-
ty that help him land a
plumb posting. One cant
question the working of an
officer as he has the right
connections. It is not just the
bureaucratic set-up where there is
a problem. The Armed Forces,
whose integrity was above
reproach till a few years back, is
also involved in scams. Too much
ambition and wanting to reach
the top quickly has ruined the
nations image.
Cases of road rage, rape and
murders are on the rise. The pub-
lic wants answers but there is
silence on the Government end.
Moral values are vanishing. The
nexus between criminals and
political parties continues.
Politicians are busy making
money. They are not worried
about what is happening to the
man on the street. In their quest
for more money and power, they
are stooping to new lows.
Honesty, it appears, is a trait that
leaders are afraid to be associated
with.
Caste system is steaoily losing grouno
ULTAPRADESH
TAvSh SRvASTAvA
F0IItIcIaas faIIIa t0 aeW I0W
Today, our olilicians are only concerned aboul lhemselves. They are nol worried aboul
whal is haening lo lhe common man. Their aim is lo jusl make money
DLLBLL
0Ev ChERAh
Managing SP`s
tantrum man
tIe pIoneer
Friend should be one in whose
understanding & virtue we can
confide, whose opinion we can value
at once for its justness & sincerity
~ Robert Hall
sunday
magazino
litJms
l
Dalit thinktanks
must stop painting a
gloomy picture about
their community not
succeeding as
businessmen. There
are many success
stories which talk of
how some enterprising
Dalits have made it
big by breaking the
shackles of the
caste system
M0RAL vALuES ARE
vAhShh0. ThE
F0LTCAhS ARE
BuSY MAKh0 M0hEY.
ThEY ARE h0T
w0RRE0 AB0uT
whAT S hAFFEhh0
T0 ThE MAh 0h ThE
STREET. h ThER
0uEST F0R M0RE
M0hEY Ah0 F0wER,
ThEY ARE ST00Fh0
T0 hEw L0wS
G
one are the days when parents
would fret over their childrens
whereabouts, especially when
they leave for school in a bus. With
GPS-enabled buses, this worry is
soon going to go out of the window.
In an initiative to ensure safety of
schoolchildren, the Government is
going a step forward involving
technology to make sure all is well.
Why should we just limit tech-
nology to the classrooms? The smart
class trend has lost its sheen now.
Now, we have taken technology to
another level. With GPS-enabled bus
trackers and GPS chips in a childs
identity card, we are doing whatever it
takes to make the school journey safe
for the child and comfortable for the
parent. Apart from these innovative
ways, we have embedded technology
in various others things in the class,
Dr Anapurna Haldar, trustee of Little
Blossoms School in Noida, says. She
adds that over 2,500 schools all over
the country have adopted GPS chips
and the result has been fantastic.
This is how it works the
moment the bus leaves the school, the
GPS switches on, sending signals to
an administrators computer. Through
the blinks on the route map, the
administrator knows exactly where
the bus is going. Even a slight detour
is picked up by this ultra sensitive
GPS trackers. What also works in
their favour is that these trackers are
tamper-proof.
It is never easy to manipulate a
GPS tracker but hackers always find a
way. We are working on how to make
it 100 per cent tamper-proof. The
GPS tracker also sends emergency
updates if the bus has stopped for
more than its scheduled time at a par-
ticular stop. It helps us monitor traffic
snarls as well, Vijay Gautam, the
administration head of the school,
tells you.
These newage trackers come with
a software that can tell the adminis-
trator where there is a traffic snarl and
what is the best route for him to take.
Why cant we employ the same
trackers in normal buses? It is expen-
sive and quite difficult to maintain.
The support technology is next to nil.
Some engineers are working on this
shortfall and they will come up with a
solution soon. Once that is in place,
GPS trackers on commuter buses will
help curb a lot of crime, Prashant
Duggal, from GPS Services Pvt Ltd, a
manufacturing unit of such high-end
trackers, says. Duggal tells you that
most of the schools in Delhi NCR
have bought this equipment.
Next comes the GPS chips that
can be attached to a childs identity
cards. With a number of com-
plaints about missing children,
schools have resorted to tech
solutions. The GPS chips are
high maintenance. For,
instance, if you want to know
where a child is within the
school premises, you can locate
him through this chip (provided
he has the identity card on him).
That will help the teacher to monitor
whether all her children have boarded
the bus, is everyone in class, if there is
someone locked inside a bathroom,
etc. The GPS automatically switches
off once the card is removed. So, when
the child reaches home safely and
removes his I-card, the tracker turns
off, Duggal explains.
He adds that this GPS chip on I-
cards is still at an experimental stage.
With nursery and prep children, it
often becomes difficult to monitor
where they are. This chip could come
in very handy, Vasundhara Singh,
who teaches nursery students at the
Vishwa Bharti Public School in Noida,
tells you.
For Singh, apart from safety rea-
sons, technology should be embedded
in the school curriculum too. Some
schools have come up with video
monitors in the class to shoot what the
children are doing. These videos are
edited by the homeroom teacher and
then sent to parents for them to view
what their ward has learnt in school.
These video collages replace the
ageold system of a school diary. We
send out a collage to every parent,
Sandhya Arora from Blossoms, says.
Then there is a Learning Management
System (LMS) that a school gives the
parents access to. Through this plat-
form, parents can log in and see how
their child has performed vis-a-vis
activities and studies.
They can communicate with
teachers and the principal too. This is
a smart way to keep in touch. Just log
in and get live updates. That way, I am
informed and assured that he is well
and enjoying his time, Meera
Dhawan, mother of a five-year-old
child, tells you. The LMS has been
employed by many schools.
We sent out a username and
password to every parent within a
week of the admissions. Parents can
log in at will to see how their ward is
faring. It is not possible to keep giving
live updates of every child in school at
all times. So parents need to bear with
us, Arora tells you.
CRYMPLECROSSWORD
TWTTERATI
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2} Sourav r|gl |n Humba| 5}
3} Po|e lace |rs|de ve|c|e lo
see computer graph|cs 4,3}
5} 0oes crazy or see|rg
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0} Zea|ot all|c|r|ado al
lrdraprasla Co||ege |r|l|a||]
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17} Jourra||sl o|d|rg oro|er
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19} Spare ard go 5}
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LAST WEEK'S SOLUTONS
l
ere's ar ergag|rg
lorral lor CrossWord
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Cr]rp|e CrossWord.
Cr]rp|e crossWord |s a
coro|ral|or ol cr]pl|c
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so|ve s|rp|e crossWord,
gel oo|ed or lo le
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crossWords, W|loul ruc
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ll car a|so serve as a
pr|rer lor lose Wo
Warl lo gel |r|l|aled lo
cr]pl|c c|ues.
- Ed|lor
ACROSS DOWN
RAJNEESH
MANU AND RSHB
NAME PLACE ANMAL THNG
TCKTECH
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NNEWS
S
amsung Electronics has
launched its much-talked
about Galaxy S4 in India at
C41,500. The S4 packs in the
latest and greatest hardware
to be found on any mobile
phone, topped with a gor-
geous, 5-inch, 1080p full
HD super AMOLED display.
At Samsung, we are
committed to innovation
and to our consumers. We
are proud to announce the
launch of our flagship
device and the much await-
ed, Samsung Galaxy S4, BD
Park, president and CEO
(South West Asia), Samsung
Electronics says.
It also includes a eight-
core processor and has a 13-
megapixel camera, com-
pared with the S3s 8-
megapixel camera. The cam-
era application can now use
both the front and rear cam-
eras simultaneously, insert-
ing a small picture of the
user even as hes capturing
the scene in front of him.
S4s screen senses fingers
hovering just above the
screen, and some applica-
tions react.
The mail application
shows the first few lines of
an email when a finger hov-
ers above it in the list, and
the gallery application
shows an expanded thumb-
nail.
The Galaxy S4 also has a
tool that enables users to
create a dividing line so part
of the phone is devoted
exclusively to work while
the other part is filled with
personal information and
photos. Apart from the larg-
er screen and upgraded
processor, the S4 has a bat-
tery thats 20 per cent larger
than that of the SIII. The S4
weighs just 130 grams
despite having a bigger
screen and battery.
Agencies
Galaxy S4 -
raise tle lar
T
he BenQ GH700 is a fairly decent
zoom with excellent low-light.
At the same price range of C17,999,
the Canon Powershot SX 500 IS
and Sony DSC-HX20 can be a bet-
ter buy. Having said that, there are
more than a few ups that this cam-
era has.
To begin with, the auto-focus
of the camera does everything
other than auto-focus. It is relative-
ly stable on wider frames but as soon as
you start to zoom-in, it loses focus com-
pletely. Moreover, it takes a long time to
lock-on to subjects.
The power supply was also a bit disappointing.
The GH700 uses 4AA batteries. And the contents of
the box dont include any rechargeable batteries or
chargers. The Nikon Coolpix L310, which has
almost similar specs and costs around C6,500
less, comes with a set of rechargeable AA
batteries and a charger. Canons
Powershot SX 500 IS, however, comes
with a lithium-ion battery pack.
The optical image stabilisation how-
ever is fairly good. The shutter speed is
as low as 1/10 and 1/5 seconds, without
having to use a support. The macro
mode too, produces very nice images.
However, the zoom speed again cannot
be controlled and the AF acts up.
The biggest disappointment of the camera
however is the fact that it doesnt have a face
detection mode. Face detection has become a
norm, even with entry-level cameras.
Shibaji Roychoudhury
REVEW
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uu| +|iu|, u| uu| +|iu| Will u|||ul
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PAu| CE||
8h NhIL 80LfL1. The
mislake o shiing weed lo
ndia along wilh a consign
menl o wheal rom lhe uSA
during lhe 1O5Os inadver
lenlly giled ndia a beauliul
secies o bullerly. The sim
le bul eleganlly allraclive
Balh while bullerly, which
derives ils name rom lhe
English lown o Balh where il was irsl record
ed in Brilain, is now ound in lhe lrans
himalayan range. The buller
ly was irsl recorded in
hainilal dislricl's Bhimlal
lown on Aril 21, 1OG1 and
lherealer became a residenl.
ullarakhandbased lei
dolerisl Feler Smelacek,
who is considered an
aulhorily on ndian buller
lies and molhs, has resenl
ed lhe case o migralion o lhis secies in his
book 5uttcrf|ics cn t|c Fccf cf t|c Wcr|J.
NhI8kL1 8L6h IM08 L0). by
hora Roberls. A ormer criminal
allorney who has been acquilled o
his wie's murder relreals lo his ami
ly eslale on a rocky hew England
cli, where he is comorled by lhe
house's carelaker amid danger
0 8L L0L0 IM08 LI8Lk). by
Canadian singer Michael Buble. The
album wenl slraighl lo lhe lo o lhe
weekly Billboard 2OO album charl
I0k Mk J 6ML IM08 801).
0amelol has now launched lhe oi
cial Ircn Man 3 game or Android
and i0S devices which require aboul
7O5MB and G44MB o sace.
88JI 8Ik6h. ndian
dealh row risoner in
Fakislan was done lo dealh
by inmales o Kol Lakhal jail
L0h 8Lh6L. Bollywood's
oldesl heroine Zohra Sehgal
lurned 1O1 lasl Monday
81JI 1. Legendry ilm
maker was honoured by
0oogle on his O2nd birlh
anniversary wilh a black and
while doodle o a scene rom
his ilm Fat|cr Fanc|a|i
8hh 0kh khk. The aclor
will be lying lo London lo
undergo surgery on his
shoulder nexl monlh aler
winding u direclor Rohil
Shelly's ilm 0|cnnai
xprcss.
JMM0 & k8hMI. Two
eole were killed, GO
injured and scores o build
ings damaged due lo an
earlhquake o 5.8 magnilude
M180L k0 k06hI. These
lwo Slales o ndia would
soon gel irsl laslic curren
cy noles o C1O denomina
lion in circulalion
8Ik6F0L. The 0arma
Muneeswaran lemle, over
acenluryold hindu lemle,
was reconsecraled in a
Maha kumbhabshegam cere
mony lasl Thursday.
8Eh h700
kTIh: Z.6l6
-g
6II6k kh 8kY IT kII
tIe pIoneer
Being on a ventilator hasn't curbed
my lifestyle. hope to go into space
with Richard Branson's Virgin
Galactic
~ Stephen Hawking
sunday
magazino
jj ;
|
l| i +| |i| u| + ||, ||+| l Wi| W
W| l |||u +|J |u| S+|J+| P+|l. l|
i|u| |+| WuulJ |+1 || |+| ||||!
Su|E| SEl|
welcome lo nexlgeneralion schools where lech marries ageold syslems, says 0EEBAShREE M0hAhTY
tIe pIoneer
A brave man acknowledges the
strength of others
~ Veronica Roth
sunday
magazino
sj|iJl
i
H
ave you seen Sholay?
Can you recall how
villagers of Ramgarh
were terrorised by dacoits?
That is exactly how villagers
were terrorised by local goons
in Sutia, a village in West
Bengal. There were daily
reports about women and
children being harassed. But
all that has now stopped,
thanks to my brother who
intervened. He took it upon
himself to educate the vil-
lagers about self-defence. He
told them to fight against the
terror instead of getting ter-
rorised by it. He sacrificed his
life for the uplift of these vil-
lagers. And we are proud of
him, an emotional Asit
Biswas said, breaking down
when he talks about Barun
Biswas, his elder brother who
was shot by the goons. Asit is
an LIC agent in Kolkata and
the sole earner for his family.
Sutia is in North 24-
Pargana district, 80 km from
Kolkata. It was during 2002-
2003 that the village was
ruled by goons. Among other
atrocities, including land
grabs and dacoities, there was
physical violence on women
and children on a regular
basis. Gangrapes and brutal
assaults were common.
No one dared say a word.
These villagers were mostly
uneducated people who
feared going to the police
against these goons. Mothers
used to be raped in front of
their children and daughters
in front of their mothers. This
was a regular occurrence,
recalls Biswas who was in the
Capital to collect the Godfrey
Philips Bravery Award on
behalf of his elder brother.
There were hundreds of
women who were gangraped.
However the police recorded
only 33 cases. Women didnt
dare step out of their house
and if they protested they
would be raped in front of
their families. Sometimes
these rapists would barge in
and rape each and every
woman in the house, Biswas
tells you, adding that the
police, too, were scared to
take a stand against these
goons.
In 2000, the village wit-
nessed a massive flood and
Barun, a school teacher then
26, landed in Sutia to help the
villagers in getting aid from
Government bodies.
We belong to Sutia but
had moved to Kolkata long
back, says Biswas. Born to a
poor farmer family in Sutia,
Barun had decided to get
involved in social service
immediately after his inter-
mediate studies.
During his stay in Sutia,
Barun organised a Protibandi
Morcha that fought against
the atrocities by these goons.
In a matter of a few years,
they were captured and
awarded a jail term.
My son was a reformist
who harboured no ill feeling
for anyone. He would visit
these goons in prison regular-
ly, hoping that he could
change their mindset. His
sole aim was to turn anti
social into mainstream, his
mother, Gita Biswas tells you.
She says, her sons make her
proud but Gita is not happy
that when Barun was shot at
point blank range, no villager
came to his rescue.
He lay there motionless
in a pool of blood but no one
attended to him, his mother
says.
Barun had been receiving
threats ever since he started
his morcha but he was not
going to bow down. On July 5
2012, Barun was shot dead at
the entrance of Gobordanga
railway station. He was on his
way to Sutia to attend the
wedding of boy who he
helped completing his educa-
tion.
We had arrived a couple
of days before Barun who
was in Kolkata due to some
work. I wish I had asked him
never to come here. I wish
we had paid more serious
attention to those threats,
his mother says, hiding her
tears.
Although he didnt earn
much but Barun made sure
that he helped in whatever
manner possible.
I used to pester him to
get married and start a fami-
ly but all Barun wanted was
to concentrate in the uplift of
villagers of Sutia, Gita tells
you.
T
he Madiyav village near
Lucknow in UP was notorious
for being the area which
reported the highest number of
rapes and molestation cases. It was
easy for men to pick up schoolgirls
and rape them for days. The area
was also infamous for registering
the maximum number of incest
cases.
Here, a brother wouldnt think
twice before raping his minor sister
in the most gruesome manner. A
father would force his daughter of
marriageable age to have sex with
him, so on and so forth. We were
very sad when the medical student
was raped and murdered in Delhi in
December 2012, but Madiyav has
seen many such cases. We are used
to sexual pain and suffering.
Nothing really can shock us now,
16-year-old Deepti (name changed)
who was abused by her father for
three years, tells you.
She adds, such was the fear of
getting abused that girls were
refused basic education. They were
asked not to step out of their homes
at any time. Most of them wanted to
run away from the area but there
was now place to hide. All that
changed when 15 young girls decid-
ed to take charge.
Calling themselves the Red
Brigade, this group wants to achieve
what Gubali Gang has done for its
community. The forte of this group
is that they travel from one house to
another teaching women self
defence tactics. Much like Gulabi
Gang, even these girls have a uni-
form bright red kurta and black
pajama.
Now, Red Brigade has the support
of many women
but the initial
days were quite
a challenge. It
was difficult to
convince
women to join
our group. At
first, they did not
take us seriously but
we fought our way
through, 25-year-old
Usha Vishwakarma, the
founder of this brigade says.
She also started the balmanch
where she teaches young children.
After completing my school, I
decided to teach slum children and
thus formed balmanch. A school
that started with only 18 students,
now boasts of a
roll call of over
200. However, a
recent incident
has forced par-
ents to withdraw
their children
from this school.
One of my stu-
dents was raped by
her 35-year-old mater-
nal uncle and that created
panic in the mind of all the
parents, Vishwakarma says.
She adds that there was another
case of a 9-year-old girl who was
raped by her own 16-year-old
brother. When this girl informed
her mother about this incident, she
was thrown out of the house. Her
mother thought she was concocting
stories against her innocent broth-
er, Vishwakarma who is pursuing
her Masters in Sociology from
IGNOU, states.
Vishwakarma too was abused by
her colleague at school. That was
the day she decided that enough
was enough. Ramesh (name
changed) grabbed, molested and
tried to rape me, but I managed to
get out of his clutches. After that
incident I was very depressed. I
didnt even tell my parents about
it. I stopped going to work for
three months, Vishwakarma
recalls.
It was in 2011 that she formed
her army of abused girls who had
gone through similar trauma and
Red Brigade was born.
They have a simple modus
operandi If we hear about a
molestation attempt in the vicinity,
we take up matters with the boys
parents. First, we request them to
talk to their children. We also
threaten of dire consequence if the
act is repeated. The perpetrators
falls in our no tolerance against
harrasment category.
If he even ogles at a woman in
the street, we beat him to pulp.
This strategy became a hit with
other women who started emulat-
ing this practice at home,
Vishwakarma who received the
Mind of Steel Award at the
Godfrey Philips Bravery Award
ceremony in the Capital, says.
J
amuna Tadu was 16 when she got
married to a labourer from the
Muturkham village in Jharkhand.
The village was situated in the heart
of the Muturkham forests and Tadu
fell in love with the scenery almost
immediately. She discovered a new
found love for greenery and strived to
protect the trees from the jungle
mafia. The trees were my babies.
How could I let some goons cut and
misuse them? I will protect them
from all problems. No one can touch
my trees till I am alive, Tadu who
was awarded the Social Bravery for
2013, says.
She is an ordinary woman who
doesnt understand the
concept of global
warming. But she will
save trees because she
loves them as compan-
ions. I have never felt
this strongly for anything
in my entire life. Trees
mean a lot to me and I cant
let anybody harm them, she
says.
Tadu adds that before her mar-
riage she had little idea of the envi-
ronment and ways to preserve it. But
when she came to Muturkham, she
started relating to the jungle. It was
almost as if the leaves were whisper-
ing in my ears. I used to communi-
cate with the trees often, the 32-year-
old tells you.
I used to go to collect dry wood
for cooking purposes. Thats when I
noticed some people felling trees at
their will. This continued for days
together because no one ever gath-
ered the courage to lodge a complain.
I was sad but there was little I could
do, Tadu tells you.
She was not alone in her struggle
to save the jungle. 25 tribal house-
wives decided to take matters on
their own hands. The group called
themselves Van Suraksha
Samiti and their job
was to educate
people about
the conserva-
tion of
forests. We
would tell
everyone
just imagine
what life
would be
without trees,
we would all be
dead, she says.
The group pro-
tected trees and other
flora and fauna in the forests. The
jungle has some rare birds, reptiles,
wild boars and an elephant. The
samiti members have ensured that
there was no mindless poaching inci-
dents.
We recently caught an python
and left it in a jungle. We make sure
no creature gets harmed in our for-
est, says Tadu.
Inspired by the women, men of
the village have also joined the effort
and now the Van Suraksha Samiti is a
group consisting 70 members. Men
protect the jungle during night while
we take stock during the day, Tadu
tells you.
What about the challenges that
she faced while protecting the jungle
from the mafia? It has been a strug-
gle ever since we took up the cause.
The mafia have threatened us with
their weapon and even beaten us up
on occasions. To save ourselves from
these goons we carry lathis and some-
times poisonous arrows that we hur-
tle at them, Tadu adds.
Seeing her efforts, the forest
department has adopted the village as
a model village and provided the
samiti with all basic amenities.
There was a time when the village
had no electricity or water supply. We
had to make do with kachha roads.
But now all that has changed. It is
almost as if we live in heaven, Tadu
beams as she takes credit for the
work. She has built a school for tribal
children in the few acres of land that
she owned.
After the death of her infant child
last year, Tadu decided to dedicate
her life to tribal children and to her
green babies the trees.
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'Will do anything to save trees'
Sutia's messiah
class that comes with the most
horrifying video clips which they
want to play out with the sex
worker.
Earlier customers would
watch the mujra, select a girl and
take her home. But now it is not
all that simple. Customers want to
play dirty, another sex worker
says. But she also credits the red
light areas for being responsible
for safety of women. If not for
us, there would have been more
cases of brutal rapes. The men
who come to us are sexually
charged and very dangerous, she
says.
Shrinija (name changed), 41,
a sex worker from West Bengal
recalls her horrifying experience
when a customer. It was weird,
painful and extremely humiliating
to be a part of such a cruel fanta-
sy. I am happy that I am still alive
after such terrible encounters,
she says. These girls prefer to
have these violent encounters
strictly in the brothel where we
can be saved if it gets really
unbearable, Shrinija says.
If the easy accessibility of
porn clips has made life hell for
sex workers, there is a child com-
munity out there too which is in
danger. All it takes to now access
child pornographic material is a
Google search even though pae-
dophilia is officially banned
worldwide.
Wasvanis petition lists the
scores of chatrooms that sanctify
misogynistic desire for virginity
with names such as 18 looking
for experience and legal today.
In freely available video streams,
the age of girls being subjected to
varying degrees of sexual humili-
ation remains questionable. A
few clicks away from ones home-
page lies access to widely posted
pictures of children without
clothes. Are we not exposing
them to perverts. Are we not
tempting such people to harm
our children? We are teaching
them to rape, Wasvani says,
explaining why kink has pervad-
ed all spheres.
For a country that lacks prop-
er sex education, free and unregu-
lated violent porn blurs the differ-
ence between real and virtual.
According to a Japanese company
that markets sex toys, India
comes third after Singapore in the
import of sex toys. If you see
something on TV and then find
the product in the market, will
you not want to buy it? Sex toys
are expensive, so men find easy
replacements. The problem is,
they dont know where to stop.
For them, if a cucumber can be
inserted into a womans private
parts why cant a spanner? Or a
bottle of oil?, Meera Behura, a
psychologist formerly from
NIMHANS, says. Behura tells you
that most cases of child abuse are
result of men desiring to be dom-
inant. He knows the child cannot
struggle to get free. He likes that.
Also a child is an easy target to
experiment. The risk of getting
caught is negligible. Child abuse
cases go unnoticed, she adds.
The remedy, Dr Kothari tells
you lies in proper sex education
rather than banning porn, which
technologists agree is not possi-
ble. The Government has made
several attempts to stop viewer-
ship of these websites. They have
made several attempts like creat-
ing firewalls, parental control
softwares. They even banned
www.savitabhabi.com in 2009.
Despite these attempts, not much
could be achieved as it is very dif-
ficult to identify the actual IP
address of these international
porn sites. Even if the authorities
manage to hack into one and
block it, the creator soon find
another domain and puts up the
content. Banning porn becomes
even more difficult as these web-
sites are beyond territorial and
Governmental boundaries where
our laws dont count, prominent
cyber law expert Pawan Duggal
tells you.
He, however, adds that the
Government should work at erad-
icating sadistic porn involving
children. The laws on child
pornography are similar in most
countries and their Governments
are willing to co-operate in the
eradication of child abuse in
porn. Also, the softwares created
so far on parental control have
been quite ineffective, Duggal
explains.
While the burden of blame
falls mostly on the porn industry,
Bollywood too cannot wash its
hands off the problem. Many
activists tell you that the enter-
tainment hub is unintentionally,
promoting porn. From advertise-
ments like Aam Sutra which
shows Katrina Kaif licking her
lips suggestively to sell a juice
variety, to the more direct ones
that propel women and children
as sex objects, these advertise-
ments play a huge role in influ-
encing sexual behaviour. Then,
there are albums by rapper Honey
Singh wherein kink and porn
sung blatantly. Porn sites have
been on an upward spiral ever
since Sunny Leone (porn actress)
entered TV for a reality show,
Duggal says.
He adds that the Government
should work at eradicating sadis-
tic porn involving children. The
laws on child pornography are
similar in most countries and
their Governments are willing to
cooperate in the eradication of
child abuse in porn. Also the soft-
wares created so far on parental
control have been quite ineffec-
tive, Duggal tells you.
Agarwal has a different take
on this issue. Although he feels
that it seldom happens that a per-
son will commit rape after being
turned on by a porn clip. He
agrees that porn in the hands of a
pervert could make him do
things. Before going on banning
things we should define deviant
sexual behaviour. As with any-
thing else, I believe your sexual
preferences should be a matter of
personal choice. Till just a few
years back homosexuality was
illegal in India and classed as
deviant sexual behaviour, now its
not. The simple fact is that if what
you do is not hurting anyone else
and you do it in the private con-
fines of your home, then there
should be no one telling you what
you can and cannot do, he says.
Rapes were shown in films
even in the 60s and 70s, but the
rape shown today is not only
gruesome but the intensity and
mercilessness which modern
film-makers state as realistic cine-
ma is only promoting appalling
ideas. In the 1994 film Bandit
Queen, where the lead actress
Seema Biswas (who was playing
Phoolan Devi) was stripped
naked in public and mercilessly
beaten after being raped repeat-
edly. A similar such incident hap-
pened in a village in Madhya
Pradesh where a woman was
stripped in public, raped by sever-
al men and beaten to death.
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Red riding hoods
Kink in us
tIe pIoneer
When walked out for the first
strategy break, just saw people
scared, really scared
~ Pune coach Allan Donald on Chris
Gayle's 175
sunday
magazino
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\
W
hen they won the World
Twenty20 tournament in Sri
Lanka last year, much was
said about the revival of West Indies
cricket. The magic of yesteryear
Caribbean superstars, their domina-
tion of world cricket, their awe-inspir-
ing skills, the flair and, most impor-
tantly, the passion for cricket it all
came back.
But revival is a long process. It takes
time to make its presence felt. In the
meantime, something worthwhile,
maybe of lesser importance than
revival, has occurred, something that
has brought the spotlight back on the
West Indians. People are talking about
Caribbean players. From Indian
Premier League to Australias Big Bash,
they are a top draw.
Chris Gayle is at the forefront of
this metamorphosis. The Jamaicans
destructive batting abilities and on-field
antics have earned him millions of
diehard fans. When he played that
record-breaking 175-run knock against
Pune Warriors, he stunned both crick-
eters and spectators worldwide. Such
was the impact of his innings that it
took several mental-conditioning ses-
sions for the Pune bowlers to forget
that night.
For his IPL team, Royal
Challengers Bangalore, Gayle has
become the synonym of success. It is
being said that if Gayle scores, RCB
win. If he doesnt, they lose. As a
result, rival team strategies are being
centred on this gentle giant instead of
the entire RCB. But what good a strat-
egy can do when someone has the
power to hit every ball outside the
park, sometimes outside the stadium?
When that huge weight of willow
1300gm strikes against the hap-
less leather and sends it to the specta-
tors with minimum
efforts, bowlers forget
everything told to
them in team meetings
before the match. The
psychological advantage
he has gained over
bowlers has helped RCB
immensely. This season,
they have won seven match-
es, four of them from
Gayles bat.
What Gayle has been
doing for RCB, his compa-
triots have been doing for their
respective teams. Like Gayle, they
have become the vital cogs in their
teams wheel. Take Dwayne Bravo,
who represents the Chennai Super
Kings. He is the go-to man for CSK
skipper MS Dhoni. Whether it is a
crucial breakthrough when the oppo-
sition is hurting CSKs chances or 10-
15 runs off the last few balls to take
the team past the target, Dhoni turns
to Bravo. The Caribbean seldom dis-
appoints. His 15-run knock against
Rajasthan Royals is a prime example of
his utility.
They needed 11 runs off the last over
and Bravo delivered with a ball to
spare. Even on a not so good day with
the bat and ball, he can inspire his
teammates with his fielding abilities.
He makes the toughest of catches look
simple and saves vital runs while man-
ning the boundary.
Kieron Pollard (Mumbai Indians)
is another one from those sexy
islands.
So, what makes them
such good impact play-
ers? Perhaps, a look at
the history of West
Indies cricket can explain this phe-
nomenon. The West Indians are
inherently powerful and good athletes.
From Gary Sobers, Clive Lloyd and
Vivian Richards to present-day stars
in Gayle and Pollard, all of them have
been good strikers of the ball. They
dont believe in caressing the ball.
They hit it hard. They ruled the world
for over a decade with this attitude.
No one had the answer to their
style of cricket.
However, as time pro-
gressed, new tactics,
techniques and tech-
nologies came up and
the opposition found
chinks in their armour.
The West Indian phenom-
enon began to fade. The
absence of financial reward
drove the young genera-
tion away from cricket.
They started to look
towards other
avenues which affected the continuous
supply of fresh talent.
But the advent of Twenty20 cricket
has come as a saviour. The games
requirement of powerful hitters and
clever bowlers has brought the
Caribbeans back in vogue.
When the Kolkata Knight Riders
beat CSK in last years IPL final to wear
the champions crown, they owed their
success to Sunil Narines 24 wickets
with a brilliant economy rate of 5.47.
Having grown up playing against
power hitters, Narine has developed
such a bowling style that is hard to hit.
Batsmen of any stature find it difficult
to pick his variations. Though KKR as
a team are struggling in their bid to
protect their title, Narine is still an
unsolved mystery for most teams.
When the West Indians were
enjoying enormous success in the IPL,
their skipper Darren Sammy was con-
spicuous by his absence. He is the one
who should be credited for whatever
the West Indies have achieved in the
recent past, for making the team a
force in the shortest format and, most
significantly, for uniting a bunch of
individuals from different islands
under the umbrella of West Indies
cricket.
He is not known for his extraordi-
nary skills but for his passion and
enthusiasm for the
game. Where he lacks
in skill, he fulfills with
energy and thats
what he
instilled in
Sunrisers
Hyderabad when
he joined them
this season. In only
his second outing for
the newest of the fran-
chisee, he played bril-
liant 60-run innings to
bail out his team from a
difficult situation.
No wonder then that
every team has a West Indian
name on their list of players
and with their growing populari-
ty, franchisees will be looking to
trap the Caribbean talent when
they draw their future plans
ahead of next years auction.
When the IPL founders thought
of the idea of floating a cricket
league with a mix of entertainment,
they did not much have the Caribbean
players in mind. Cricketainment, thats
how it has been promoted, roughly
means a mixture of cricket and enter-
tainment. Colourful dresses, celebrities
from different walk of life, loud music
and cheerleaders were clubbed with
cricket to make it a fun experience.
Maybe they weren't aware then of the
extraordinary abilities of West Indian
players, those big sixes, those turning
balls and those funny moves in celebra-
tion. Be it Gayle or Bravo going
Gangnam or Sammys pacifier sucking
act, the Windies have emerged as the
ultimate entertainers of IPL.
kI8hhkk1 8Ihh 1k8khk
Q hEw 0ELh
T
heir captain has been one of
modern-day Test crickets pre-
mier batsmen; they do not have any
of the present Indian team stars
one of their bowlers used to open for
India while a young batsman is still
waiting to open for the country; they
have just one world-class batsman
among some who have retired; two
of their regular desi bowlers only get
recognised during the IPL. Plus, they
have a West Indian who hasnt
played for the country and an
Australian who has just a handful of
matches to his credit.
But, this brand of cricket made
them the inaugural champions.
And, when Rajasthan Royals are
playing, one can be sure that what-
ever the situation or whatever the
resources at their disposal, they will
fight to finish. This attitude has
made them sit pretty in IPL 6 with
12 points from six wins out of nine
played before the Kolkata tie on
Friday. They next play the bottom
dwellers in Pune Warriors and
Delhi Daredevils in Jaipur, where
they have not lost a single match in
2013 having beaten the mighty
Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight
Riders and the Royal Challengers
Bangalore at home. If they win the
two home matches, they would
have 16 points and could well
make it into the top-four after the
League stage.
This would mean a breach of
the established order as any of
Mumbai, Kolkata or Bangalore
three of IPLs big four with Chennai
Super Kings would sit out at
their cost. But, they are Royals,
underdogs in most of their games
who have attracted loyalists galore
with their attacking frame of mind.
What makes this low profile,
low-spending team click? Here are
some points:
WkT8h MkhIk
Shane Watson was instrumen-
tal in the Royals winning the first
IPL title in 2008 with his all-round
performances. Five years later, he is
at it again. He has accumulated 314
runs in seven matches at an aver-
age of 52.33 and a strike rate of just
over 150. In 2008, he had scored
472 in 15 matches. He is just about
halfway there in terms of matches
but averaging more in 2013. He also
has a century and an unbeaten 98
to his name. His return as an all-
rounder has only given the Royals
another option where in they can
field in an extra batsman or a
bowler as per the conditions.
When I bowl, I can have an
impact on the game with the ball
as well, Watson had said prior to
his teams match against Bangalore
in Jaipur on April 29. And,
impact he made by getting rid of
the dangerous Chris Gayle who
was set in that match. Therefore,
in more ways than one, Watson's
presence in the Rajasthan camp
gives them the edge.
IEkhIh IM Fk8T
In 2012, Royals were in a sim-
ilar position, they had won most
of their earlier games but lost later
ones and death bowling was the
culprit. They thought getting rid of
that problem would come in the
form of buying one James Faulkner
during the IPL auctions. And, the
lanky left-armer reposed the faith
by having taken 16 wickets in
seven matches till date. He had the
Purple cap till very recently.
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Another factor that has worked
for the Royals is that they have had
contributions from most players
and not relied on individuals to win
games. Ajit Chandila has taken
wickets at the top with his unortho-
dox spin, youngster Sanju Samson
has chipped in with a match-win-
ning fifty, Dishant Yagnik and
Stuart Binny have scored brisk
runs when required, Ajinkya
Rahane has a fifty which made sure
they had a huge total against
Mumbai, and Rajasthan won hand-
somely. Siddharth Trivedi has an
economy of just over seven (keep-
ing a team to 140 is match-winning
on most occasions) for his nine
wickets and Brad Hodge is the
chameleon in the middle-order,
who has stemmed the flow of
wickets when falling while also
increasing the run-rate when in a
strong position.
In all, Rajasthan have till now
lived up to their requirement of
extra contribution from every
player.
And, their captain Rahul
Dravids fearless leadership, cou-
pled with the support staff (Paddy
Upton is the head coach, John
Gloster the physiotherapist among
others) has made that possible.
Dravid has two fifties in nine
games but encouraging clarity of
thought and action in his team has
been his bigger contribution.
The most interesting case study
in the IPL might well be of
Rajasthan Royals.
Royals come witl !SP of conservatism
Caribbean hit
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When that huge
weight of willow ~ 1S00
gm ~ strikes against the
hapless leather and
sends it to the spectators
with minimum effort,
bowlers tend to forget
everything told to them in
the team meeting before
the match. The
psychological advantage
that Gayle has gained
over bowlers has helped
RCB immensely. This
season, the team
has won seven
matches, four of
them from Gayle's
exploding bat
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or roasons that aro quito inoxplioablo, pooplo outsido

QApril 23, 2011 A 12 year-old-girl was found

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