The Hindu Articles: August 2012

Friday, August 31, 2012

Rupee cuts early losses, closes 11 paise up

The rupee on Friday rebounded from early lows to close at 55.52, up 11 paise, against US dollar on the back of capital inflows, amid a weak trend in the American currency in overseas markets.

The dollar was under pressure on hopes of US Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke later in the day dropping hints on monetary easing at the Jackson Hole conference in Wyoming.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the rupee opened lower at 55.75 a dollar from yesterday’s close of 55.63. It immediately touched a low of 55.77 on month-end dollar demand from importers amid fall in stocks ahead of first quarter GDP data.

However, with the euro rising to an eight-week high against the dollar before the speech by Bernanke, rupee recovered sharply. Any further step to increase money supply will be typically negative for the dollar.

With India’s April-June quarter GDP growth coming at 5.5 per cent, a tad better than 5.2-5.3 per cent estimate put out by most economists, the sentiment in favour of rupee also improved.

“India’s Q1 GDP numbers surprised the street which has been projecting sharp declines,” said Pramit Brahmbhatt, CEO, Alpari Financial Services (India).

The rupee settled at the day’s high of 55.52, up 11 paise or 0.20 per cent on a spate of dollar selling by exporters.

The dollar index, a gauge of six major global rivals, was down by 0.49 per cent in cautious trade.

“The rupee gained on account of euro raising against the dollar. Investors wait for the speech by US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that could offer clues on the central bank’s next policy steps,” said Abhishek Goenka, Founder & CEO, India Forex Advisors.

Keywords: rupee value

South Africa wins toss, bats vs. England

South Africa won the toss and chose to bat in Friday’s third one-day international with England at the Oval.

The tourists, who lead the series 1-0, made one change from Tuesday’s 80-run win in the second ODI at the Rose Bowl, with Dale Steyn replacing Ryan McLaren.

England makes two changes, with James Tredwell coming in for Graeme Swann, who is being rested for the rest of the five-match series and Jade Dernbach replacing Tim Bresnan.

Keywords: South Africa-England ODI

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Effect of ayurvedic, allopathic drugs on anaemic children to be studied

via The Hindu Newspaper http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/article3841086.ece

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Old couple robbed of gold jewellery

Two youngsters stole 200 grams of gold ornaments from a old couple after approaching them in the guise of jewellery polishers in Begumpet the previous day, the police said on Wednesday.

The duo went to the house of a retired employee of Indian Airlines, Devender, 70, in Brahmanwadi posing as gold polishers, Begumpet ACP I.T.V.S. Suryanarayana said. Leading the man and his wife to believe that they were experts in cleaning jewellery with some powder, the tricksters walked into the kitchen.

They asked the housewife to take off the ornaments, which she wore and kept the same in a dish filled with water. They mixed some powder in the water and kept the lid. “Remove the lid after 30 minutes,” the duo said while leaving the house.

The senior couple later found the dish empty.

Techie’s house burgled

In another case, thieves made off with gold ornaments weighing 150 grams after breaking into the house of a techie in Bowenpally police station area. The offenders broke open the latch of the house of Vidya Sagar in ICRISAT Phase-II Colony in Old Bowenpally.

Keywords: crime news

Sneha Devi, Sahil lose in third round

The fourth-seeded players in the girls’ and boys’ sections were the biggest casualties in the third round on day three of the Indian Oil — Servo ITF junior tennis championship here on Wednesday.

While Sahil Deshmukh was beaten by Jajbir Saran 6-2, 1-6, 7-5, Priyanka Sunder of the United States beat Sneha Devi Reddy 6-0, 6-3.

The results (Indians unless specified):

Singles: Third round: Boys: Rishab Agarwal bt Balaji Lakshmanan 6-3, 6-0; Shaikh Abdullah bt Shashank Nautiyal 6-3, 3-6, 6-4; Suraj Prabodh bt Rajanvir Singh Dharni 6-4, 6-2; A.K. Pardha Saradhi bt Anvit Bendre 6-3, 3-6, 6-4; Jajbir Saran bt Sahil Deshmukh 6-2, 1-6, 7-5; Vilasier Khate bt Rithvik Anand 6-3, 6-4, Nikki Poonacha bt Basil Khuma 7-5, 6-3; Ronit Singh Bisht bt Ajay Yadav 6-2, 7-5.

Girls: Pranjala Yadlapalli bt Pei-Ju Chien (Tpe) 7-6(3), 6-4; Priyanka Sunder bt Sneha Devi Reddy 6-0, 6-3; Vanshika Sawhney bt S. Pasricha 6-1, 6-1; Devanshi. G .Bhimjiyani bt N. Kanishka Chawla 7-5, 6-1; Parminder Kaur bt Karman Kaur Thandi 4-6, 6-3, 6-3; Bhuvana Kalva bt Rimpledeep Kaur Batth 7-6(6), 6-4; Sri Vaishnavi Peddy Reddy bt Mahitha Dadi Reddy 6-3, 6-1; Riya Bhatia bt Sai Samhitha Chamarthi 1-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Doubles: Second round: Boys: Rishab Agarwal & Sahil Deshmukh bt Tejas Kapoor & Sachin Kumar 6-2, 6-3; A.K. Pardha Saradhi & Vijay Jude Raymond bt Nischay Rawal & Hardeep Singh Sandhu 6-3, 6-2.

Girls: Akshatha Ananth & Preeti Gokhale bt Nikita Anand & Roma Chandiran 6-2, 6-0; Sri Vaishnavi Peddy Reddy & Spurti Shivalingaiah bt Shrishti Daas & Diana Abi Sekar 6-0, 6-0.

Keywords: Indian Oil — Servo ITF junior tennis championship

Seeds continue to make steady progress

AP (Left) David Ferrer celebrates after his win against Kevin Anderson (right) Victoria Azarenka hits the ball into the stands after beating Kirsten Flipkens, in the second round of the 2012 U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York.

Seeds continued steady progress on Wednesday at the US Open, with fourth-seeded Spanish quiet man David Ferrer earning a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7-3) defeat of South African Kevin Anderson to reach the second round.

Ferrer is the top Spaniard in the field with the injury absence of Rafael Nadal, but has never generated anything like the headlines that his celebrated compatriot inspires.

But Ferrer still managed to make an impression with a typically fighting win over two and a quarter hours, as the broke Anderson three times while never losing his own serve.

The 30-year-old ironman produced his best career Grand Slam showing at the event five years ago, when he beat Nadal and got all the way to the semis where he lost to Novak Djokovic.

The Spaniard owns 16 career titles and has not lost in the first round of a major since 2005 Wimbledon.

Serbian eighth seed Janko Tipsarevic escaped a a scare before he put out Frenchman Guillaume Rufin 4-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. Finn Jarkko Nieminen needed only 45 minutes on court as he led injured Mikhail Kukushkin 6-0, 6-2 before the Kazakh retired.

In women’s play, top seed and world number one Victoria Azarenka reached the third round as she crushed Belgian Kirsten Flipkens 6-2, 6-2 whole Czech 15th seed Lucie Safarova needed to go the distance to overcome Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

Conditions were difficult on court, with sun and wind to cope with.

“It was another good performance today,” said Azarenka, who tends to sneak through most tournament draws with a minimum of attention despite her WTA status.

“It was a little bit difficult with the wind today. It was blowing a lot from one side. You had to adjust every time you changed sides.

With the wind behind, you had to be more patient, sometimes more aggressive, more spin. On the other one you had to kind of fight against it.

“I think I adjusted really well,” she said.

Ffith seed Petra Kvitova did it easy over Alize Cornet of France, 6-4, 6-3.

Two Americans moved through, with university student Mallory Burdette beating Czech Lucie Hradecka 6-2, 6-4 and Varvara Lepchenko advancing over Australian Anastasia Rodionova 6-2, 6-2.

Keywords: U.S. Open tennis tournament

Confusion over maintenance of animal enclosures

via The Hindu Newspaper http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/article3835200.ece

Awareness programme on safe use of pesticides conducted

via The Hindu Newspaper http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/article3835205.ece

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Chennai through the lens

via The Hindu Newspaper http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3831856.ece

Tread carefully [Tamil: Paadhaiyil gavanam vendum] Editorial, August 28, 2012. Translated by D.I. Aravindan, presented by T. Arvind

via The Hindu Newspaper http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/article3832585.ece

The way forward in the Assange case [Tamil: Assange vazhakkil theervukku yenna vazhi] Editorial, August 27, 2012. Translated by D.I. Aravindan, presented by V.B. Ganesan

via The Hindu Newspaper http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/article3832485.ece

Beyond the reprieve [Tamil: Nimmadhip perumoochchirkku appaal] Editorial, August 25, 2012. Translated and presented by V.B. Ganesan

via The Hindu Newspaper http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/article3832541.ece

They have a story to tell

via The Hindu Newspaper http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/kids/article3832114.ece

Monday, August 27, 2012

How a labour welfare school was saved?

The Madurai Labour Welfare Association Higher Secondary School in Madurai. Photo: G. Moorthy

R. Keerthy Priyadarshini

The Hindu K. Rajamanickam, convenor of Kalvi Pathugappu Iyakkam.

The Madura Labour Welfare Association Higher Secondary School has been opened after a year of closure

Mahakavi Bharathi saw schools as temples of knowledge. Such was his forethought on the importance of education to uplift the poorest of the poor during the pre-independence India.

Decades after Bharathi made this clarion call, an attempt was being made to close down one of the oldest and reputed schools in the Temple city.

But for the timely intervention of the district administration, the Madura Labour Welfare Association Higher Secondary School located at Ponnagaram that was literally closed for a year, would have been a thing of past.

The school started to cater to the children of Madura Coats employees in 1950s was so popular that the Government-aided school had over 1,000 students studying in standards VI to XII till 1985. But, with the exodus of employees after the Madura Coats management introduced voluntary retirement scheme, the number of students started dwindling.

However, the real threat came after the school management changed hands and was given to another educational trust in 2007. “The deterioration started thereafter and every year the number of students went down. The management closed down the classes one by one in the guise of lack of patronage.

The two-storey building with 30 classrooms was shut down. Suddenly, last year (2011-12) the school was closed,” Collector Anshul Mishra, said.

After the local people made representation, previous Collector U. Sagayam, intervened. Besides the Communist Party of India (Marxist), a Kalvi Pathugappu Iyakkam started fighting against the closure of the school and Mr. Sagayam ordered reopening of the school.

“This is one of the finest schools and had been doing extremely well. But, suddenly there was a design to close it and the teachers were left without salary,” he added.

The management suspended Headmaster P. Selvaraju, constructed a wall dividing the school premises, locked the main entrance that gave an impression that the school had been closed for ever, the convenor of the Iyakkam, D. Rajamanickam said.

“It was the management that sent out the students citing some reason or other. The parents were asked to copy down a few sentences written on the blackboard in their application forms seeking transfer certificate for their wards. They made it appear as if all parents were withdrawing their children because they were migrating out of the town,” he said.

The Collector held talks with school teachers, parents, Iyakkam representatives and the management.

After all of them agreed for re-opening, the management backtracked and tried to stop the admission process.

Officials of the Education Department took over the management of the school as the trust had violated the agreement on continuously running the school.

Without wasting time, the officials re-instated the Headmaster and demolished the wall.

The Collector directed the Deputy Collector (Training), R. Keerthy Priyadarshini, to monitor the admission process without any disturbance from the trust.

“We are now focussing on filling up the seats of Plus One – five branches – with the students of standard X who had cleared the supplementary examinations. Since the schools had re-opened in June, we might not get enough students for other classes. However, we have asked the heads of all nearby schools to refer all students seeking new admission to this school,” Ms. Priyadarshini said. On Saturday, 15 students got admitted to Plus One, increasing the total strength to 82.

B. Vikraman, district secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), said the administration should ensure that the school is run and its objective of educating the poor of the area is met.

“Kallaadha perai ellam, kalvi payila cheithu kanbathil thaan inbam, en thozha,” (The real happiness lies in seeing all the unlettered getting education) the words in the lyrics of MGR-starrer ‘Naadodi Mannan’ holds good for this school.

Keywords: Madura Labour Welfare Association school

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Seeded players find the going tough in women’s section

Defending champion Manika Bartra crashed out while former champion Poulomi Ghatak stormed into the semifinals in the women’s category of the 42nd all-India inter-institutional table tennis tournament on Sunday.

The women’s quarterfinals and pre-quarterfinals at the Khudiram Indoor Stadium on Sunday saw a virtual shake-up as fifth-seeded Manika Batra and former National champions — second-seeded K. Shamini and third-seeded Mouma Das — fell by the wayside.

In the men’s quarterfinals top-seeded Anthony Amalraj and six-time National champion Achanta Sharath Kamal reached the last-four stage.

Saha pulls out

Second-seeded Subhajit Saha did produce a fine performance to win his pre-quarterfinal earlier in the day but could not play the quarterfinals as he had to retire with a bout of high fever. The Petroleum team manager, D.V. Sundar, informed Subhajit had contacted dengue fever and was forced to give a walk-over to Harmeet Desai.

Olympian and fourth-seeded Soumyajit Ghosh easily saw off former National champion Soumyadip Roy.

The women’s pre-quarterfinals saw the title-holder and fifth-seeded Manika Batra being shown the door by the unseeded Madhurika Patkar 2-4.

Madhurika, a former India player, showed good form and won the crucial points to end Manika’s hopes.

A minefield

The quarterfinals became a virtual minefield for the seeds. Shamini’s performance continued to remain error prone as seventh-seeded Divya Deshpande beat her easily to reach the last-four stage.

Mouma Das too floundered with her game against sixth-seeded Mousmi Paul, who emerged victor in a gruelling match.

The women’s semifinal showdown will feature top-seeded Poulomi Ghatak against the young Ankita Das, who beat Madhurika in the quarterfinals, while Divya Deshpande will take on Mousmi Paul.

The men’s draw saw things going generally as per form and expectations as holder and top-seeded Amalraj, got the better of country’s No. 1 youth player G. Sathiyan 4-1.

After Soumyajit Ghosh had downed Soumyadeep Roy 4-1, Sharath Kamal defeated Sanil Shetty by a similar margin to move into the semifinals. Amalraj and Soumyajit will clash in the first semifinal while Harmeet Desai will take on Sharath Kamal in the other match.

The results:

Men’s singles: Quarterfinals: A. Sharath Kamal (PSPB) bt Sanil Shetty (PSPB) 11-4, 11-5, 8-11, 11-9, 11-9, Harmeet Desai (PSPB) w/o Subhajit Saha (PSPB), Soumyajit Ghosh (PSPB) bt Soumyadeep Roy (PSPB) 9-11, 12-10, 11-3, 11-5, 11-6, A. Amalraj (PSPB) bt G. Sathiyan (PSPB) 9-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-6, 11-6.

Pre-quarterfinals: Amalraj bt Sathishwaran (LIC) 11-6, 11-7, 11-9, 11-8, Soumyajit bt Souvik Basu Roy (RSPB) 11-5, 11-9, 11-9, 11-6, Soumyadeep bt Aman Balgu (RSPB) 11-1, 11-9, 6-11, 11-7, 11-9, Sathiyan bt Sivananda Seshadri (FCI) 11-8, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5, 7-11, 11-3, Sanil bt Souvik Kar (RSPB) 6-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-5, 11-8, Sharath Kamal bt T. Nitin 11-7, 11-5, 11-2, 7-11, 11-7, Subhajit bt Jubin Kumar (Har) 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-9, Harmeet bt Abhishek Yadav (PSPB) 11-5, 11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7.

Women’s singles: Quarterfinals: Ankita Das (PSPB) bt Madhurika Patkar (PSPB) 11-7, 11-4, 113, 11-5, Divya Deshpande (PSPB) bt K. Shamini (PSPB) 11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-5, Poulomi Ghatak (PSPB) bt Mamata Prabhu (DB) 11-8, 16-14, 4-11, 11-9, 11-5, Mousmi Paul (PSPB) bt Mouma Das (PSPB) 11-3, 7-11,11-8, 13-11, 8-11, 4-11, 11-9.

Pre-quarterfinals: Poulomi bt Kritwika Sinha Roy (AAI) 11-5, 11-6, 11-6, 11-4, Mamata bt Kasturi Chakrborty (PSPB) 11-8, 10-12, 11-6, 11-9, 5-11, 11-5, Ankita bt Pooja Sahasrabudhie (PSPB) 9-11, 11-9, 11-5, 13-11, 8-11, 6-11, 11-6, Madhurika bt Manika Batra (PSPB) 8-11, 12-10, 13-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8, Mouma bt Takeme Sarkar (RSPB) 11-13, 11-8, 11-4, 11-3, 7-11, 11-8, K. Shamini bt T. Reeth Rishya (PSPB) 11-4, 11-9, 11-2, 4-11, 11-8, Mousmi bt Soumi Mondal (PSPB) 11-6, 11-2, 11-1, 11-13, 11-9, Divya bt Neha Aggarwal (PSPB) 4-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6.

Keywords: 42nd all-India inter-institutional table tennis tournament

Unmukt destined to make a mark

Medha Apartments in east Delhi’s Mayur Vihar is no more a non-descript residential complex. Overnight it has become a celebrity corner even as its most famous tenant grabs the attention of the cricket world with a fabulous feat for a teenager.

Unmukt Chand, leading by example, was the star performer for India under-19 in far away Townsville (Australia), his unbeaten 111 swinging the World Cup final India’s way. In fact, three days prior to the final his facebook status “I can feel the World Cup Trophy” reflected his confidence.

Unmukt chose cricket to academics. Not that he was a poor student. His father Bharat Chand Thakur, an economics teacher in a government school, ensured the boy did not ignore his studies. Cricket, thanks to uncle Sundar, remained paramount in Unmukt’s life. It was not a bad decision at all.

Unmukt was just another boy in the neighbourhood. His cricket exploits, of course, set him apart as he graduated from smashing the window panes in his society to grabbing newspaper headlines as an under-16 cricketer. His skills were honed at Modern School, Barakhamba Road and LB Shastri Club gave him the platform to compete in the local league.

Ganesh devotee

His society seniors mostly saw Unmukt in cricket gear. He would leave home early even on holidays, attending ‘nets’ or playing matches, and the newspapers next morning would announce his feats. To his credit, he never strayed from his goal. A daily visit to the nearby Ganesh temple was a custom he has never missed. “Faith is what drives you,” he would say. It was this faith in self that carried Unmukt into the realms of first-class cricket.

He is studious when it comes to cricket. He is good at observing and grasping even though his flamboyant nature at the crease costs him dear often. The impulse to play shots even early in the innings did not quite endear him to his coaches and captains but none ever doubted his potential. His coach Sanjay Bhardwaj assessed his ward well. “I have not seen a more determined student. His self belief is very strong. Often he sets targets and mostly achieves them. He has the hunger for runs too and is far more matured for his age. He will go far.”

Unmukt, two first-class seasons old, should go far, no doubt. India great Bishan Singh Bedi is convinced he will make a mark in the highest league. It is a matter of time before Unmukt makes his presence felt there too.

Keywords: Under-19 World Cup

Baba delighted at son’s performance

While the son did his bit in India’s memorable victory in the under-19 World Cup final against Australia ‘Down Under’, a delighted father was seen capturing the final images of those match-winning moments on his mobile phone during the ongoing first Test between India and New Zealand here on Sunday.

This is the story of B. Aparajith who scored 33 in the final, besides taking one wicket. And B. Aparajith’s proud father Dr. Baba was predictably delighted at the result.

“This is obviously a great feeling and the credit should go to the entire team,” said Dr. Baba, who is also the BCCI media coordinator for the on-going Test match.

Not surprisingly, because of the delayed start to the Test match here, the media was focused on the under-19 final in Australia.

18-year-old Aparajith, whose twin brother Indrajith (who led the South Zone under-19 team), started playing the sport at the age of four, and at nine was already playing for the State under-13 squad. “He is always ahead of the age group,” says Dr. Baba, who runs a 60-bed multi-speciality hospital in Chennai.

Aparajith, born at Ambattur in Chennai, is a plus-two student of St. Bede’s College in Chennai and scored a century for Vijay CC in the TNCA first division league three months ago. His idol Rahul Dravid played in the same match. In fact, Dravid gave invaluable tips to the young Aprajith while standing with him in the slips, recalls Dr. Baba.

The Chennai lad made crucial contributions of 44, 51 and 33 in the last three knockout matches of the World Cup besides taking six wickets, including ‘man of the match’ awards in the quarterfinal and semifinal. He was first coached by K. Srikkanth and Bala Prasad before former India star T.E. Srinivasan and Suresh Kumar helped him fine-tune his skills. Currently, former Ranji player S. Balaji is his mentor-cum-coach.

“I would have loved to be there in Australia at this moment.

“But because of my BCCI commitments, I had to stay back in India,” said Dr. Baba, who was kept busy responding to congratulatory messages on the phone.

He said he never discussed cricket with his son as there were already a lot of people advising the young cricketer. “I did not want to put pressure on him,” he pointed out.

Keywords: Under-19 World Cup

Indian Junior Open from today

The Indian Junior Open squash championship will be held at the Indian Squash Academy here between August 27 and 31.

The events for boys and girls will be held in the following categories: under-11, under-13, under-15, under-17, and under-19.

Kush Kumar (boys’ under-19) and Anaka Alankamony (girls’ under-19), Asian junior champions from India, have been given top billing.

Keywords: Indian Junior Open squash championship

Catherina is champion

The Hindu REASON TO SMILE: Michelle Catherina, flanked by runner-up P.Priya and third-placed J.Saranya, finished with nine points. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

Michelle Catherina finished off in style to emerge as the worthy champion and led Tamil Nadu’s monopoly of the podium in the National women’s challengers’ chess championship here on Sunday.

Michelle defeated Kerala’s Nimmy George in the 11th and final round for a winning tally of nine points, one clear of teammates P. Priya and J. Saranya.

Michelle, currently on a scholarship from Indian Oil, received a glittering trophy and Rs. 30,000.

The results:

11th round: Michelle Catherina (TN, 9) bt Nimmy George (Ker, 7.5); P. Priya (TN, 8) bt R. Bharathi (TN, 7.5).

C. Sahajasri (AP, 7.5) drew with C. Divyasree (AP, 7.5); J. Saranya (TN, 8) bt Ramya Krishna (AP, 7); Swati Mohota (Ben, 7.5) drew with M. Mahalakshmi (TN, 7.5); Rucha Pujari (Mah, 7.5) bt Hinduja Reddy (AP, 6.5); Bhagyashree Thipsay (Mah, 7.5) bt Mitali Patil (Mah, 6.5); Pallabi Roy (Ben, 7) drew with Amruta Mokal (Mah, 7); S. Harini (TN, 7.5) bt Riya Savant (Goa, 6.5); J. Rajasurya (TN, 7.5) bt G. Sandhya (AP, 6.5).

N. Raghavi (TN, 7) bt Anjana Krishna (Ker, 6); Meenu Rajendran (Ker, 6) lost to A. Akshaya (TN, 7); Madhuri Patil (Mah, 6) lost to R. Salini (AP, 7); G. Lasya (AP, 7) bt A. Kavya (AP, 6); K. Sai Nirupama (AP, 7) bt Madhurima Shekhar (Del, 5.5).

Standings: (the 20 qualifiers for National championship): 1. Michelle, 2-3: Priya, Saranya, 4-13: Swati, Mahalakshmi, Bharathi, Nimmy, Divyashree, Rucha, Bhagyashree, Sahajasri, Rajasurya, Harini, 14-20. Amruta, Pallabi, Salini, Nirupama, Raghavi, Ramya and Lasya.

Keywords: National women’s challengers’ chess championship

‘Zero loss’

via The Hindu Newspaper http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/letters/article3824759.ece

We were confident of victory: Smit Patel

India’s Smit Patel, who hit the winning runs in the ICC U-19 World Cup final against Australia on Sunday, said he was always confident of victory.

“It was awesome batting with (captain) Unmukt (Chand). He is a match-winner,” said Patel, who remained unbeaten on 62.

“We kept discussing our strategy during our partnership. I was quite confident that if we continued (the way we were playing), we could achieve the target (even if) with difficulty.

“The situation was quite tentative when we lost the fourth wicket for 97 but we stuck to our basics. Our coach had told us whenever there is pressure we should just stick to our basics and that’s what we did,” added the wicketkeeper-batsman.

Australia had scored 225/8, which the visitors chased successfully with six wickets to spare in 47.4 overs.

This is India’s third title after having won in 2000 and 2008.

Keywords: Under-19 Cricket World Cup

The Hindu Metroplus Athapookkalam contest

Kerala Tourism Director Rani George IAS inaugurating the The Hindu Metroplus Athapookkalam Contest in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.Photo:S_Mahinsha.

Ajayakumar and Jinan, judges of the Pookkalam contest evaluvating the floral designs.Photo:S_Mahinsha.

The team which won the Second Prize at The Hindu Metro plus Athapookkalam contest with their floral design.Photo:S_Mahinsha

A view of the floral designs at the the Hindu Metroplus Athapookkalam Contest in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.Photo:S_Mahinsha.

The team which won Third prize at The Hindu Metro Plus Athapookkalam contest 2012 with their design.Photo:S_Mahinsha.

A view of the Floral designs at the the Hindu Metroplus Athapookkalam Contest in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday..Photo:S_Mahinsha.

The contest was a floral showdown between 50 teams

Businessman’s suicide triggers row

A businessman committed suicide allegedly because of “police harassment in the name of inquiry.”

Sunkara Mallikarjuna Rao, 45, took the extreme step by hanging himself from a ceiling fan at his house, as the police reportedly called him frequently at odd hours to elicit information on the murder of a private chit and finance company owner Gavara Chiranjeevi.

Rao, who traded in plastic and polythene bags and glasses, was a friend of Chiranjeevi, 47, who was murdered at his office at Akkayyapalem on August 11. Both played shuttle badminton.

According to souces, as the police suspected that someone known well to Chiranjeevi or some relative could have committed the crime, Rao was frequently called for inquiry.

The mental agony of reporting at the IV Town police station at night time and returning home after midnight, which led to his neighbours suspecting him to be involved in the case, forced Rao to take the extreme step.

In a suicide note purportedly written by him and found near his body, Rao reportedly wrote that he was committing suicide as he was unable to bear the police harassment in the name of investigation. He also asked his wife Hema to take the responsibility of their two daughters.

Unfortunate: ACP

Relatives of Rao raised slogans against the police, holding them responsible for the death when they went to the spot on getting information about the suicide.

The police shifted the body to the King George Hospital for post-mortem.

“Mallikarjuna Rao was neither an accused nor a major suspect. There were quite a few others who were also called for inquiry in connection with the murder case. He seems to be a very sensitive person. It’s very unfortunate that he took the extreme step,” Assistant Commissioner of Police (East) S. Venkata Rao said.

Youth held

A youth was arrested by the Cyber Crime police on Saturday on the charge of making abusive and offensive calls to a married woman besides hacking her passwords and e-mail IDs. S. Ramesh Kumar of Maharanipeta also reportedly threatened to post her photographs on the Facebook if she didn’t pay him Rs.1 lakh.

Keywords: suicide case

More In: Visakhapatnam

via The Hindu Newspaper http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3824002.ece

Workers lay siege to GVMC office

Municipal workers owing allegiance to Centre of Indian Trade Unions laid siege to the main building of GVMC here on Saturday demanding scrapping of MoU signed with Ramky for solid waste management and implementation of minimum wages.

Hundreds of sanitary and other workers led by GVMC Employees’ Union (CITU) squatted at the entry and exit gates of GVMC for three hours bringing traffic on the road to a standstill.

During discussions with the union leaders, Municipal Commissioner B. Ramanjaneyulu said the agreement with Ramky was signed on court orders along with Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to improve sanitary conditions. He said as per the MoU, the garbage would be recycled to use it for agriculture and other productive purposes.

Union leaders G. Venkat Reddy, G. Subba Rao, former corporator B. Eswaramma, and others took part in the protest.

The Commissioner told them that the wages of water supply department was stopped for past few months to weed out benami workers. He said efforts were being made to release their wages at the earliest. He said for the package workers, one day off would be given.

The union demanded implementation of GO Ms. No. 333 and 1289 as per agreement reached before the Joint Labour Commissioner. There was no justification in not releasing the arrears, the union stated.

CITU former State president Ch. Narsinga Rao said they were demanding scrapping of the agreement with Ramky.

He said this would render several sanitary workers jobless and put extra pressure on less number of workers. Stating that the agreement was against public interest, he said Ramky was known for buying lands at Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City for Rs.1 lakh and less per acre and later selling it for over Rs.1 crore.

Mr. Rao said they were insisting on payment of Rs.10,000 per month as minimum wage for the contract workers and reimbursement of provident fund and ESI amount by GVMC, which was being deducted from the wages of package workers. He also wanted payment of Rs.6,700 per month to water and electrical workers.

Keywords: GVMC

More In: Visakhapatnam

via The Hindu Newspaper http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3824006.ece

Stray dogs strike terror on AU campus

Seventeen students and employees suffered dog-bite as one or more canines attacked them at different places on the Andhra University campus here on Saturday.

According to the students and others, the attacks took place near main library, Department of Psychology building, Department of Commerce and Management Department building and International Students Hostel. The number of stray dogs that had gone berserk could not be ascertained immediately.

The AU administration pressed into service its security and sanitation staff to catch the dogs. The victims, included a foreign student. While some suffered minor injuries, others had deep gashes. University medical officer Balakrishna treated the victims and administered anti-rabies vaccine.

Keywords: Andhra University

More In: Visakhapatnam

via The Hindu Newspaper http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3824011.ece

Eye donation fortnight begins

A rally being organised by Mohsin Eye Bank on Beach Road to create awareness on eye donation as part of eye donation fortnight which commenced on Saturday. Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

More than 350 men and women participated in an eye donation walk that was conducted on Beach Road here as part of the eye donation fortnight which commenced on Saturday.

Earlier, Superintendent of Government Eye Hospital V.V.L. Narasimha Rao and HoD of Ophthalmology of Andhra Medical College and Programme Manager of District Blindness Control Society P. Krishna Prasad inaugurated the fortnight, which is being observed by the VEBART Trust, Mohsin Eye Bank, REH, Lions Club of Visakhapatnam and the Vasavi Clubs.

Chairman of Mohsin Eye Bank Kasim S. Mehdi requested people to donate their eyes and participate actively in resorting sight of corneal blind people.

Secretary Arisetty Sreeramamurthy introduced parents of Lalitha, who donated her cornea, to the gathering and handed over the Netradana certificate to them. Chairman of the eye donation fortnight Rajasekhar spoke.

Students and doctors of AMC, REH, Govt. College of Nursing, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Visakha Eye Hospital, Vasan Eye Hospital, members of Lions Club, Vasasi Club and walkers’ clubs participated in the walk.

Keywords: Eye donation

More In: Visakhapatnam

via The Hindu Newspaper http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3824009.ece

VMC finances in doldrums

There are no financial constraints in paying salaries by fifth of every month, was the assurance given by former Municipal Commissioner G. Ravi Babu when employees were on an agitation path in March.

However, the situation did not improve much to the agony of employees, and the VMC is unable to pay the salaries as assured. The contract workers, DWCUA, and CMEY groups have not received salaries for the last two months, the permanent employees are being paid salaries with a delay of one month.

The Corporation finances are in the red after it began implementing projects under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission programme. It is unable to pay the salaries in time for the last two years. The employees launched indefinite strike demanding the State government to pay their salaries through treasury, 010 head of account.

Following an assurance from MP Lagadapati Rajagopal that he would prevail upon the government to pay the salaries through treasury on par with other municipalities, the employees called off their strike.

However, nothing has materialised so far. Neither, the MP nor MLAs have taken initiative thereafter, employees say.

The VMC would be able to pay the salaries only if the revenue wing succeeded in collecting the dues/taxes. The VMC higher-ups are mounting pressure on the field staff to recover the dues.

As many as 3,226 people are working to carry out sanitation works in the city. Barring 1,000 permanent, the sanitary workers are drawn from DWCUA and CMEY groups.

There are about 700 ministerial and class-IV staff; more than 400 contract and 1,150 permanent employees. The corporation has to earmark Rs.50 crore per annum for salaries.

Keywords: Vijayawada municipal corporation

Green Mission rally taken out

Improving sanitation and reducing pollution in partnership with the people is the primary goal of the Green Mission launched on Saturday and this will continue till March 31, 2013, said Municipal Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Azeem.

Addressing school children, officials and elected representatives at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium here on Saturday Mr. Azeem said that the Green Mission which involved the planting of saplings and increasing greenery in the city would have an impact on the health of the citizens who are currently plagued by a variety of vector-borne diseases.

Vijayawada Central MLA Malladi Vishnu, district Collector Buddha Prakash Jyothi and Mr Azeem participated in a rally taken by children of different schools to mark the launching of the mission.

The students held placards promoting tree plantation and reduction of pollution. “Plant trees and check pollution”, “Protect trees and trees will protect you”, “Give up deforestation and take up reforestation” and several other messages were written on the placards carried by the students that included NCC cadets. The rally flagged off from the Makineni Basawapunnaiah stadium in Ajitsinghnagar culminated in a meeting at the Indira Gandhi Stadium.

Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal earned all the students in the city to become part of the Green Mission which would benefit everyone. He said this mission would be a benefit even to future generations. He appealed to children to educate their parents and those living in neighbouring houses about the importance of developing greenery in the city. Vijayawada East MLA Yelamanchili Ravi said that Vijayawada city should be converted into Green City to reduce the impact of growing pollution.

Keywords: Green Mission

An approach that encourages children to explore and learn

Children browsing the Internet at the HiWEL learning station inaugurated at Vignan Vihar English Medium School in Vijayawada on Saturday.

The internationally acclaimed ‘Hole-in-the-Wall (HiWEL) Education system’ developed by NIIT chief scientist Sugata Mitra was installed at Vignan Vihar English Medium School in S.N. Puram here on Saturday.

Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal inaugurated two HiWEL computers with broadband internet connection sponsored by the Sree Padmavathi Venkateswara Foundation.

Advice to students

Mr. Rajagopal said the only computer available when he was studying engineering was in his professor’s room and none of the students had any access to it. He said that the HiWEL learning station installed in the school would be of great use to children to deepen their knowledge. He urged the children to make best use of the facility and be of help to society.

Sree Padmavati Venkateswara Foundation Trustee Chadalawada Nageswara Rao said that HiWEL learning stations took education to the playground. It employed a unique collaborative learning approach that encouraged children to explore, learn, and enjoy.

Traditional computer-based learning methods rely on one-way transmission of information and were being seen as an extension of classroom learning and thus perceived by children as restrictive.

The learning station was set up in an outdoor playground setting, which children could access at any time. It ensured that girls who would generally not be sent to closed room housing a computer could now easily access the learning station in an open setting.

The objectives of the HiWEL was to bridge the digital divide by offering exciting education and learning experiences through innovative technologies to underprivileged students, Dr. Nageswara Rao said.

Vijayawada Central MLA Malladi Vishnu and East MLA Yellamanchili Ravi and former TTD Board member and trustee of the foundation Chadalawada Sudha participated.

Keywords: HiWEL Education system

TANGEDCO rally exhorts residents to conserve power

Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) sought to sensitise city residents to the need for power conservation, electrical safety, prevention of power theft and misuse of energy by organising a rally and a human chain in the city on Saturday.

The events were organised by the Metro Circle of TANGEDCO as part of Electricity Awareness Week being observed across the State. Scores of students and TANGEDCO officials took out a rally in the city from the Thennur office to highlight the issues. Those who participated in the rally, that wound its way around Thillai Nagar and Thennur areas, carried placards highlighting the themes of the week and also distributed pamphlets explaining how people could conserve power and ensure safety.

The rally was flagged off by Corporation Commissioner V.P.Thandapani in the presence of P.Anandurai, Chief Engineering (Distribution), TANGEDCO, Tiruchi region. In the afternoon, TANGEDCO officials and volunteers joined hands to form a human chain in the Singarathope area to highlight the issues.

At a meeting held in the evening, officials and engineers of TANGEDCO elaborated on themes of conservation, safety and prevention of power theft. T.Thiyagarajan, District Revenue Officer, P.Muthamilselvan, Superintending Engineer, TANGEDCO, Metro Circle, and others spoke.

Prizes were distributed to winners of various competitions organised for school students in connection with the event. Students of the Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts presented an awareness cultural show on the theme of the week.

Keywords: TANGEDCO

Civic body carries out house-to-house surveillance

The Tiruchi Corporation carried out a house-to-house surveillance in a few residential colonies in and around Mela Chinthamani area in the city following reports of incidence of fever in the locality.

A team of doctors from the Corporation Health Wing conducted the survey in about 350 houses following reports that several persons have been afflicted by fever in the area. The team has reported that there was no cause for alarm or outbreak of any disease.

Corporation Commissioner V.P.Thandapani told The Hindu that the surveillance had revealed a few cases of fever. However, some people had taken native medicine suspecting jaundice. Meanwhile, 23 cases were screened for possible leptospirosis but the blood tests have turned negative, he added. In an attempt to rule out any water contamination, drinking water supply to households in Subramaniaswamy Temple Street, Mathulankollai Agraharam and Kosamettu Street, in the area as a preventive measure on Saturday, said Mr.Thandapani. Drinking water supply was provided through tanker lorries’ in the areas. “We want to ensure that there was no contamination in any of the household and this is the conventional method to do it,” he said.

The corporation has also announced that in case of any suspicious ailment, residents can avail free blood tests and treatment at the health sub centre at Kosa Mettu Street. Any information with regard to suspicious cases can be reported to the Medical Officer (in-charge) of the sub-centre by dialling 9442059852 or the City Health Officer 9487531198, a release said.

Keywords: Tiruchi Corporation

Saturday, August 25, 2012

'Patang' soars high

via The Hindu Newspaper http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article3820477.ece

Preview: Romance in the mist

Veerat Vellanki and Prakruthi in 'Good Morning'

TOPICS

cinema Telugu cinema

When bathed in mist, it’s not only Nature, but even the mind gets refreshed and pleasant. That’s exactly why he chose mist as the backdrop for this feel-good love story, discloses debut director Murali Gandharv, talking about his forthcoming movie, Good Morning.

“It is the story of a young NRI from America falling in love with a traditionally brought up girl in Araku Valley. Love transcends all boundaries. For a guy who had never been attracted to any of the damsels in the West where he was born and brought up, he falls for her at first sight in a land where his roots are deeply embedded. The theme hinges on the point that pure love is driven by the heartand not merely by desire. The love story takes shape in a natural and realistic fashion and travels smoothly, giving a pleasant feel to the viewers. It is a visual treat (cinematography: Ramesh Mahesh),” says Murali Gandharv. He had worked in the industry as an assistant and associate director for several movies made by Sravanthi Movies besides working for a couple films in Kannada, a Hindi and a Bengali movie. “To learn the nuances of the job, I worked in other language films too,” he explains.

Veerat Vellanki who is cast as the young man from the Big Apple is an NRI in real life too, having been born and brought up in New Zealand while the other debutante Prakruthi who plays his sweetheart is a Telugu girl born and brought up in Kolkata. “We chose most of the other actors from the theatre. With limited characters and a fast-paced screenplay which is the live wire for the movie, I think we came up with something novel among the recent crop of celluloid love stories. Also ours is perhaps the first film to be made in over two decades, with mist as the backdrop, after Manirathnam’s Geethanjali. The entire movie was shot in Araku Valley during the early mornings and during the sunset hours. The four songs (lyrics: Mounasri Mallik) are situational and the audio has been well received,” says the debut director. Presented by Gredients Infotainments Ltd, the movie is slated for release in the coming weeks.

Keywords: Tollywood

The lone crusader

R. Narayana Murthy

Narayana Murthy returns to take up cudgels for mass movements with his next venture, ‘People’s War’

Can you name any filmmaker other than him, who has been making films for over 25 years focused on a single agenda – the upliftment of the downtrodden? R. Naranaya Murthy is the only filmmaker in the country or for that matter anywhere in the filmmaking world, who has been producing films on burning social, economic and socio-political issues for the past 26 years without a break. Starting with the path-breaking movie, Ardharathri Swatantram (1986) to the soon to be released Peoples War (2012) he has produced 24 films under Sneha Chitra banner. To beat that, he is also the writer, lead actor and even music composer for his movies. Surely Reddy Narayana Murthy’s name deserves a mention in a Book of Records!

“For me happiness lies not in record books, but in the smiling faces of the have-nots, once they are rid of their plight. All I want to see is change towards the better in society,” says Narayana Murthy. When he started his film career he had said that if his “films bring even an iota of awareness among the people, the mission is fulfilled.” How does he feel now? Have his films brought such social awareness?

“Cinema being a powerful social tool, my films certainly gave a fillip to such movements. I am happy about it. For example, after watching Dandora, there was a strong agitation against arrack and other liquor trades and the cry for imposition of prohibition. Erra Sainyam gave a momentum for the rural folk to safeguard their land which resulted in bhoo poratam. The movie Oorumanadira helped farmers uprising against globalisation and allied issues. These are only few examples. People’s movements are taking my movies as an inspiration to take their struggle forward. Its not I who is telling you this, but those who lead such movements are talking about it. As I said, cinema being a powerful medium, it naturally has an impact. But I must confess that I derive inspiration to write these celluloid stories from life around, from the sufferings of the downtrodden. So it is complementary.”

From education, exploitation of masses, to the rural and urban issues he has touched every aspect of social ills in his earlier films, What is left to say in Peoples War?

“In the name of development, Governments are allotting fertile agricultural lands to corporate and vested investors. Take the coal-based thermal power plant at Sompeta against which there is an agitation going on and some people even sacrificed their lives. The Supreme Court gave a ruling that fertile agricultural lands should not be given for industries. There is a G.O. No.1107 in the case of Sompeta and a similar G.O No.1108 for Kakarapalli which has similar problems. With the Apex court’s ruling such orders of allotments should be abolished with immediate effect. Yet no such thing is happening. My film, Peoples Warrevolves around this aspect; its primary intention is to take this burning issue to the notice of Central and State Governments.

Srihari plays the protagonist Gunna Joga Rao, a real life character who fought in the Sompeta movement and Posani Krishna Murali is cast as the antagonist, who touts for the thermal plant. I play their father, Simhadri Naidu, an MLA who learns that through democracy he cannot do anything through democracy, so he resigns and joins the movement,” he says.

Srihari in a recent interview has lauded that Murthy could control a crowd of ten thousand in a village, single handed, while they were part of a shoot. How could he do that? “It is Sriharigaru’s graciousness that he said such kind words. I must also thank the crowd for their gracious behaviour. Perhaps it is all a result of my sincerity and that they understood,” Murthy says in all humility.

Like his themes, he also takes lyrics from people’s poets and for his current venture, Allam Veeranna, Goreti Venkanna, Suddala Ashok Teja, Jairaj, K. Venkanna and Dharmavaram Venkata Ramana wrote the lyrics rendered by ‘Vandemataram’ Srinivas, Mithra, Dharmavaram and Garividi Lakshmi. Needless to say, Murthy himself composed the songs that are already making waves in the audio market. “I can particularly mention two songs – the Assembly song on democracy written by Ashok Teja and the song on the greatness of Northern Andhra region that gave many stalwarts to the state,” he smiles.

That brings us back to the topic of record books. “Some in the teaching profession say that each of my films can be made into a text book for students (of history, economics and political science). What more accolades do I need?” he signs off.

Keywords: Tollywood

Itsy bitsy

via The Hindu Newspaper http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article3820791.ece

Friday, August 24, 2012

Spirit flowing through check-posts

VACB raids find large-scale irregularities in vehicle entry records

The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), on Friday, said it detected large-scale smuggling of illicit spirit into the State from Tamil Nadu through various border check-posts to meet the colossal “black market demand” for cheap liquor this festival season.

On Thursday midnight, the Pulikeezhu police seized 4,725 litres of spirit kept in a concealed cavity in a lorry (KL-01-AC-1630) at Chathankary, near Thiruvalla. Pramod, 24, of Thalavady was arrested in this connection. He had told the police that the consignment was intended for Prakash and Shibu of Thalavady.

‘Onam Bribe’

The VACB, which raided major check-posts on Friday as part of its operation code-named “Onam Bribe,” found that Excise, Sales Tax and Transport department officials at the Aryankavu check-post had “inspected the vehicle separately, authenticated its cargo as non-taxable salt and allowed it to enter the State at 12.45 p.m. on Wednesday.”

Officers’ role

They found that the van with its “cargo of salt” had passed the check-post on August 6 and 12 when the same set of officials was on duty. On August 6, officials at the Excise check-post did not register the entry of the vehicle into the State.

But Sales Tax officials recorded its entry the same day and authenticated its cargo as “salt.”

Anti-corruption investigators said the record of entry of vehicles kept at most check-posts were “highly suspect.”

For instance, on Thursday, Sales Tax officials at a major check-post had marked the entry of six trucks into the State.

However, the registers at the adjacent Excise and Transport department check-posts did not reflect the entry of the vehicles.

Weighbridges at most check-posts were defunct, possibly sabotaged by smugglers or their middlemen.

VACB officials said similar methods were used to smuggle poultry, vegetables, tiles, bricks, construction-grade steel, cement, mechanical grinders, water pumps, steel utensils, rice, provisions and electronic goods into the State this shopping season. They said what they detected was just the “tip of the iceberg.” Some traders remitted tax in advance to import marble, flooring tiles, iron and steel and bribed check-post officials to bring in more goods than for which they had remitted duty.

They cheated the government by understating the weight of the imported goods in the advance tax receipt issued to them and often used the same set of invoices and delivery notes to import goods repeatedly in different vehicles.

Some declared their trucks as empty to avoid paying duty at check-posts.

The public exchequer lost over Rs.150 crore annually with border check-posts levying less tax than they should on goods entering the State by road. At least 4,000 cargo trucks enter the State through its five major check-posts — Amaravila, Aryankavu, Walayar, Muthanga and Manjeswaram — daily. Another estimated thousand goods carriers entered Kerala through its 15 minor border posts.

They said the “fraudulent and selective assessment of tax on goods at check-posts” benefited a mafia of businessmen, truck fleet owners and dishonest State officials. Venugopal K. Nair, Director General of Police, Vigilance, and N. Sankar Reddy, Additional Director General of Police, ordered the operation.

Keywords: illicit spirit trade

More In: Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala | States

via The Hindu Newspaper http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/article3817896.ece

“TN cannot seek water release every week or month”

Karnataka tells SC it has time till December to ensure adequate release at inter-State border Biligundlu

Taking a defiant stand, the Karnataka Government on Friday told the Supreme Court that Tamil Nadu was not entitled to seek the release of Cauvery water every week or month as Karnataka had time till December to ensure adequate release of water at Biligundlu, the inter-State border Biligundlu.

In its response to Tamil Nadu’s application, Karnataka rejected the argument that the Cauvery Monitoring Committee had evolved a formula for sharing water during distress season. Citing the minutes of the 24th meeting of the CMC on December 4, 2009 it said “no such distress formula was evolved at the meeting.”

Karnataka said: “The flow up to August 20 in the catchment, which consists of three segments — catchment above the Kabini reservoir, catchment above KRS and intermediate catchment lying below the above two reservoirs and up to Biligundlu — is only 92.2 tmcft as compared to the normal inflow of 184.1 tmcft (38 years’ average), the deficit being 50 per cent. Even under these conditions of severe distress situation, Karnataka has ensured about 16.4 tmcft at the inter-State border.”

It said: “If Karnataka releases water to Tamil Nadu by mechanically applying distress formula up to July 20, 2012 as demanded by Tamil Nadu and goes on following the same pattern till the end of September, Tamil Nadu will end up getting more water than its due share.

“Flows are accounted in the Cauvery at the end of the north-east monsoon in December after interim assessment at the end of September when the south west monsoon ends. As on June 1 this water year, the Mettur dam admittedly had about 40 tmcft. Of the remaining 85 tmcft required, about 16 tmcft has already gone till August 20 and the remaining 69 tmcft is expected to flow down the inter State border as measured by the CWC by the end of December.

“Even in the bad years of 1987-88, 1995-96, 2002-03 2003-04 and 2004-05, about 70 tmcft, 135 tmcft, 82 tmcft, 62 tmcft, and 131 tmcft respectively was measured during the period August to December by the CWC at the inter-State border. Between Biligundlu and Mettur reservoir in Tamil Nadu, about 25 tmc is normally generated and available to Tamil Nadu exclusively. During bad years, at least half of that should be available i.e., 12.5 tmcft.

“Therefore, there is no cause for concern for Tamil Nadu as it is bound to be provided with sufficient water to irrigate the samba crop of 14.93 acres even during a bad year as evident from the pattern of flows during the water years of 1987-88, 1995-96, 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05.”

Karnataka submitted that in none of the years it had impounded all the flow as alleged by Tamil Nadu. “Even this year, as against the inflow of 22.05 tmcft up to July 20, a quantity of 12.3 tmcft is stored in the reservoirs in Karnataka.

Out of the balance water, the State of Karnataka has withdrawn 5.13 tmcft in its canals and ensured about 7.16 tmcft to Tamil Nadu at Biligundlu.

“Even in the bad years of 1995-96 and 2002-03, water was given as directed by the Prime Minister and Cauvery River Authority (CRA) respectively based on ground realities. In the year 2003-04 water was equitably shared without any direction from the authorities.”

On Tamil Nadu’s allegation that it had taken up summer irrigation, Karnataka said “it has all the rights to take up summer irrigation out of surplus water when the total flows are above 483 tmcft at the inter-State border (out of 740 tmcft in the basin) or unused water available within its share out of 483 tmcft at the inter-State border Biligundlu (out of 740 tmcft in the basin).”

The State sought the dismissal of the Tamil Nadu’s application.

The case will come up for further hearing on September 3.

The Centre is yet to file its response.

Keywords: Cauvery water row

More In: Karnataka | States | Tamil Nadu

via The Hindu Newspaper http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/article3817383.ece

CI, SI suspended after 14 gamblers escape from custody

Role of other officers being probed

The Nandigama police paid the price for allegedly producing gamblers in court with insufficient escort, which led to the escape of 14 accused from custody on June 22.

Eluru Range DIG G. Suryaprakasha Rao on Thursday issued orders suspending Nandigama Circle Inspector N.B.M. Murali Krishna and Kanchikacherla Sub-Inspector D. Shiva Shanker on charges of dereliction of duties.

It is said that some political leaders tried to come to the rescue of the gamblers who were arrested during a police raid on Vuma Holiday Resorts, near Nandigama, on June 22. The leaders allegedly mounted pressure on the police, who had arrested 42 gamblers and confiscated Rs.56,000 cash.

A team of six policemen of Kanchikacherla station escorted the gamblers and produced them before the Magistrate Akula Satyanarayana at his residence in Adavi Ravulapalli village the same night.

Not traced yet

However, the magistrate directed the police to produce them in court the next day by displaying their identity. While taking them back to the police station, 14 gamblers escaped from police custody. They have not yet been traced.

Superintendent of Police R. Jayalakshmi ordered an inquiry and based on the report submitted by the SP, the DIG suspended the two officers.

On August 4, Ms. Jayalakshmi issued orders suspending nine constables and a head constable, attached to Kanchikacherla police station, in the case. But, the DIG stalled the suspension orders after a couple of days. The role of some other police officers in the case was also being probed, it was learnt.

Keywords: gambling

Five arrested for circulating fake currency notes

Central Crime Branch of the city police on Friday arrested five persons, including a constable of the Railway Protection Force, on charges of circulating Fake Indian Currency Note (FICN) of Rs. 500 denomination. Police say the fake notes are foreign-made Indian currency of superior quality.

CCB sources said the FICN came to light after the RPF constable Selvaraj (45) deposited Rs. 30,000 at the ICICI Bank branch in Saidapet on August 15. 26 notes were fake. Following a complaint lodged by a bank representative, a CCB team probed the matter and detained Selvaraj.

“Selvaraj along with his friends, who were part of a gambling circle, rented a room in a lodge in Anna Nagar and played a game of cards. He won the bets and later deposited the money in the bank,” said Dhakshinamoorthy, Inspector of Police, CCB.

“We tracked down his friends Chandrasekar (34) of Manadi, Ravichandran (50) of Tiruvannamalai and Mohammed Jaffer (29) and Gangai Amaran (25), both from Adyar; they might have given him the counterfeit currency,” the officer added.

A total of 33 fake notes were seized from them. They were remanded in custody and sent to Puzhal prison on Friday evening. A search is on for three of their accomplices and a detailed probe is under way on the source of the FICN, sources added.

Keywords: Fake Indian Currency Note circulation

Bus driver held for rash driving

The State Transport Corporation bus driver, Chitty Babu (52) of Vellore, has been arrested by the Kanchi Taluk police in connection with the road accident that took place at Rajakulam near here on Thursday afternoon.

He was booked under section 304(A) of IPC for rash and negligent driving resulting in the death of 9 passengers and causing injuries to 10 others, including the bus conductor, Gajendran of Vellore. Meanwhile, a sense of exasperation prevailed among the STC bus crew members and the officials as the police decided not to initiate any legal proceedings against the lorry driver, Selvam of Sumaithangi in Vellore district.

They claimed the lorry driver had also committed an offence by parking his vehicle right on the National Highway. “The accident would not have taken place had the lorry been parked on the service lane”, they added.

Preliminary investigations, sources said, had revealed that the lorry driver had parked his vehicle on the carriageway and gone to a nearby agriculture society office to get a seal on the delivery invoice, roughly 10 minutes before the accident took place.

Keywords: rash driving case

JD(S) leaders criticise Shivaram’s comments

Hassan MLA H.S. Prakash and Hassan district Janata Dal (S) unit president H.K. Javare Gowda have criticised Congress leader B. Shivaram for his comments on JD(S) national president H.D. Deve Gowda.

“Mr. Shivaram has made criticising Mr. Deve Gowda and his sons as his profession,” the leaders said at a press conference here on Friday.

Mr. Shivaram on Thursday had alleged that Mr. Deve Gowda and his family members were engaged in vindictive politics in Hassan.

Mr. Javare Gowda said people of Hassan were well aware of the development works implemented by Mr. Deve Gowda in the district. “Mr. Shivaram and other Congress leaders are engaged in criticising JD(S) leaders instead of ensuring that development works get implemented in Hassan,” he said.

Drought relief

Criticising Mr. Shivaram for his comments on poor drought relief works in the district, Mr. Prakash sought to know how many goshalas were set up in Hassan when there was a severe drought during the Congress rule.

Referring to reports in a section of the media that he had plans to contest the next Assembly election from Hassan constituency on the Congress ticket, Mr. Prakash said he had never thought of quitting the JD(S). “I will remain in the JD(S) forever. I am not in touch with any Congress leader.,” he said.

Keywords: Karnataka politics

Toddler dies of dengue

The Hindu The victim’s parents said they had paid Rs. 1.5 lakh towards their child’s treatment. They said the hospital demanded Rs. 66,000 more before they would hand over the body. Photo: K. Pichumani

Mehta’s Hospital declares 20-month-old dead on Friday. This is the first known case of death due to dengue in the city this year

The first known case of death due to dengue in the city this year, was recorded at a private children’s hospital in Chetpet on Friday. Mehta’s Hospital declared a 20-month-old child as having died of dengue.

K. Nithish, a resident of Tiruvengada Iya Street behind Villivakkam police station, came down with fever on August12. His mother Devika, took the child to a nearby clinic where the doctor prescribed “Dolo syrup” for the baby, and asked her to return with the baby three days later. However, two days later, even though the child’s fever subsided, Devika noticed that he was sleeping all the time and that his fingers had turned cold. She took him to the doctor who prescribed tests.

Based on the results, the private practitioner advised that Nitish be admitted to a children’s hospital. Nitish was admitted to Mehta’s on August15, and remained in the paediatric intensive care unit until Wednesday. According to the child’s relatives he was shifted to the high dependency unit, and later moved to the ICU. On Friday, around 5.30 a.m., he was declared dead.

Nitish’s father is a loadman in a company that transports air-conditioners. Nitish has an older brother, aged four. The family has paid Rs. 1.5 lakh towards the child’s treatment. They have purchased seven units of white blood cells and three units of blood as part of the treatment, at a cost of Rs. 3,500 per unit.

According to them, the hospital demanded Rs. 66,000 more before they would hand over the body. “When we threatened to protest, they relented and gave the body to us,” said K. Samarasam, Nitish’s paternal grandfather.

When asked why they did not opt for treatment at a government hospital, the parents said that though the first doctor had suggested the Government Children’s Hospital, they opted for the private hospital because they believed that services would be better there.

A senior doctor at the hospital said that the authorities had waived some charges after the family expressed an inability to pay.

In a press note however, the Chennai Corporation stated that the child had been to Vellore two days before falling ill, and had died of multiple organ failure and not of dengue.

Dengue is a viral infection spread by female Aedes aegypti mosquito, which breeds in stagnant fresh water. The mosquito is active during the early morning hours and late evenings before dusk. Dengue can be prevented if larval and adult mosquito samplings are taken up and mosquito breeding is prevented through biological control and disease surveillance.

Keywords: dengue death

RELATED NEWS

Not dengue, says Chennai Corporation

A struggle to elevate the subaltern Chennai Gana

(From left) Gana singers Periyamedu Rahman, Vyasarpadi Rajinikumar, ‘Rave’ Ravi, Chennai Nagooran and Shyam Singh. Photo: A. Srivathsan

A. Srivathsan on the music that does not figure in the mainstream but is an inseparable part of the city’s intangible heritage

I cycle my rickshaw like a rocket

Only fifty paisa remain in my pocket

Chest pains when I pedal

Body, muscle, and nerves

Want some medicine in all

His debt lies unsettled, his burns unhealed

The one who revers his mother

Left flying without informing

(Translated from Chennai Gana — A collection of Gana songs

by V. Ramakrishnan)

Sung in earthy voices and engrossing rhythms, Chennai Gana carry words of hard labour, pain, fragility of life, love and broken affairs. This music of the marginalized, produced and circulated in slums and poor neighbourhoods, may not figure in the mainstream Madras week celebrations, but it is quintessentially Chennai and an inseparable part of the city’s intangible heritage.

The story of Gana is the story of the city. V. Ramakrishnan, assistant professor in Government Arts College, Ponneri, has been documenting and studying Gana songs for the last 15 years. But he finds it difficult to explain the origin of the word ‘Gana’ and how it came to be associated with Chennai.

“Gana could mean two things: as a broad word, it can describe songs that are sung in a rhythm or it could mean a song sung with instruments. What is clear is that Gana has strong folklore roots and reached Chennai through migrants who came in search of work. Since then, it has flourished as the expression of the poor in the city,” he says.

The extant corpus of songs shows multiple influences. There are songs with explicit folk roots and their language captures it. Some are influenced by popular songs of siddhas — Sufi-like saints; and some have unambiguously emerged in the urban milieu with distinct language traits. Changes are made to old tunes and new ones are regularly composed.

Ramakrishnan maps 20 different kinds of songs and relates them to the ritual pattern of the urban poor. Prominent among them are the ones sung during funerals. There are also special songs on urban legends and local heroes. The most famous among them is the song on Alththota Bhupathi, a poor worker who lived on Peters Road. Major patrons and composers of the music are men, and the songs often reflect the dominant male gaze.

Gana singer Periamedu Rahman is often invited for funeral or death anniversary functions. “A typical session lasts three hours and they pay me about Rs. 300 to Rs. 400. I also sing jolly songs along with my friends when we perform together,” he says.

Vyasarpadi Rajinikumar, another singer, is only 30 years old, but he is a veteran with 17 years of experience. “I stopped studying after class I, and later, took to Gana. The songs come naturally to me,” he says. His repertoire includes romantic songs, jolly paatu (fun songs) and vazhthupaatu (songs of greeting). The pay is not much and to make a career out of it is difficult. However, there are more than 500 singers like Rajinikuar in Chennai, many of who live in and around George Town.

“No one can equal Mayilai Venu in terms of intellect and rich content. He lives in poverty, but still holds the tradition firmly. The next person I would rank high is ‘Rave’ Ravi. He is the last of the great singers,” says Ramakrishnan.

‘Rave’ Ravi (52) comes from a family of well-known Gana singers. One can often find him along with young artists at Lilly Pond shopping complex near Central station. “I encourage youngsters, even take them to kutcheris. They sing along with me and I often ask them to practice well. We need a lot of support,” he says.

Chennai Nagooran is the coordinator of Tamil Nadu Gana Artists Association.

“We owe a great deal to writer Jayakanthan for his support. We began this association in 2007, and now have more than 750 members. We have to find ways to protect the interests of artistes. One option is to request film music directors, who often use and borrow Gana songs, to commission our singers and support them. So far, only one of us has made it to the limelight. There must be more,” he says.

Keywords: Chennai Gana music

Berdych and Tsonga in semifinals

Czech second seed Tomas Berdych and U.S. seventh seed Sam Querrey set up a semifinal matchup at the ATP Winston-Salem Open with three-set victories on Thursday.

Former Wimbledon runner-up Berdych ousted Belgian Steve Darcis 4-6, 6-2, 6-0, while Querrey outlasted Ukraine fourth seed Alexandr Dolgopolov 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(3), firing 20 aces in the match to win after two hours and 11 minutes.

Berdych had to come from behind to beat Darcis on the hardcourts at Wake Forest University.

Querrey, who won a title last month in Los Angeles, has won 13 of his last 16 matches and leads the U.S. Open Series standings. In the other side of the draw, French top seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga cruised past sixth seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain 6-1, 6-2.

Vinci in final

Italy’s Roberta Vinci advanced to her first final of the season by overpowering Bojana Jovanovski 6-0, 6-0 at the WTA Texas Open.

The third seeded Vinci advanced to the final, where she will face second seed Jelena Jankovic who also won in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4 over Aussie Casey Dellacqua.

Wozniacki injured

Meanwhile, four-time defending champion Caroline Wozniacki advanced to the semifinals of the WTA New Haven Open but a slight right knee injury put a damper on the celebration. The Danish third seed defeated Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 6-1 in the quarterfinals and remained unbeaten at New Haven, improving to 20-0.

But Wozniacki felt a twinge in her right knee during the first game of the second set and called for a trainer.

After a Cibulkova double fault on the next point, Wozniacki walked to the chair umpire and pointed to her knee. She sat down and got a bag of ice from a cooler.

On the other side of the draw, Czech star Petra Kvitova clinched the U.S. Open Series title with her quarterfinal win over Lucie Safarova. The world's fifth-ranked player had little trouble with her friend and compatriot, recording 10 aces and no double-faults in a 6-3, 6-3 win.

The series championship, based on points earned in five U.S. hardcourt tournaments this summer, makes Kvitova eligible for a bonus of up to $1 million depending on her finish in next week’s U.S. Open.

Yuki loses

In U.S. Open qualifying, Yuki Bhambri lost in the second round, falling to Belgium’s Maxime Authom 3-6, 6-3, 3-6. Though the Indian served 11 aces during the contest, he was unable to sustain the momentum after forcing the match into a decider.

The results: ATP Winston-Salem Open: Quarterfinals: Tomas Berdych bt Steve Darcis 4-6, 6-2, 6-0; Sam Querrey bt Alexandr Dolgopolov 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(3); Jo-Wilfried Tsonga bt Marcel Granollers 6-1, 6-2; John Isner bt David Goffin 7-6(5), 6-3.

WTA Texas Open: Semifinals: Roberta Vinci bt Bojana Jovanovski 6-0, 6-0; Jelena Jankovic bt Casey Dellacqua 7-5, 6-4. WTA New Haven Open: Quarterfinals: Caroline Wozniacki bt Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 6-1; Maria Kirilenko bt Olga Govortsova 6-1, 6-2.

Keywords: ATP Winston-Salem Open

Syria splits points with Cameroon

NEAT FINISH: Kingue Mpondo (jersey no. 11) heads home Cameroon's first goal in the 27th minute against Syria. Photo: Shanker Chakravarty

The Wim Koevermans school of football is set to face another test when India plays Maldives in the Nehru Cup on Saturday. The facile win against Syria in the opener did set the tone and it is for Sunil Chhetri and his men to now take the game a notch higher.

Koevermans advocates total football where ball control and possession becomes paramount. He also believes in looking ahead and making positive inroads. When he says, “Past is past,” he underlines the need to stay focused.

“The match against Sryia is past at the moment,” he means business. “If you think about Syria, you will stumble. Maldives boasts of some good players who can make a difference,” he said.

There is no room for complacency because the job has just begun. Syria failed to adapt to the slushy turf after rain lashed the stadium and a dry field, assuming it does not rain, would present a different challenge on Saturday. Keeping pace with Maldives would require an all-round effort from the Indians.

The Maldives coach, Istvan Urbanyi, is practical.

“It’s impossible to comment on India at the moment. Rain played a major role in India’s first match. So I just can’t draw any comparison between this Indian side and the former ones,” he observed.

Maldives tamed Nepal in its opener with captain Ali Ashfaq dominating the contest. His tactical play stood out and Nepal was mostly catching the shadows of this brilliant player.

For Urbanyi, the fitness level of his players could be a worry.

“Most of my players observed Ramadan and hence, I’m worried a bit about their fitness levels.

“But at the same time, you need to remember both my debutants scored against Nepal. Abdullah Asadullah is just 22 and Easa Ismail is a super talent.”

The Indians are not taking Maldives lightly. Syed Rahim Nabi insists, “Maldives is a different match”.

For goalkeeper Subrata Paul, the match against Maldives means greater effort on the field. “We are taking one match at a time. The victory against Syria is a thing of the past. When we take the field, the fact that we won against Syria won’t guarantee us a win against Maldives. There’s still a long way to go in the tournament. The brand of football on display against Sryia was not our best and we are yet to play to our potential.”

Quality stuff

But the brand of football that Cameroon and Syria produced on Friday evening in a 2-2 draw was ominous. It was quality stuff all the way from the time Cameroon, which led twice, scored from a thunderous header by Kingue Mpondo in the 27th minute before Alaa Alshbbli returned the compliment with a dexterous header at the stroke of half time. On resumption, Ebanga Bertin scored from a penalty in the 55th but Syria hit back through a stunning volley 24 minutes later by Ouday Abduljaffal.

The result: Cameroon 2 (Mpondo 27, Bertin 55) drew with Syria 2 (Alshbbli 42, Abduljaffal 79).

Saturday’s fixture: India v Maldives, 7 p.m.

Keywords: Nehru Cup