cops take guard for ipl

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NATIONAL DAILY
VOL. XXXIII NO. 120
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H CHENNAI H MONDAY 6.4.2015 (EVENING) H OTHER STATIONS TUESDAY 7.4.2015 (MORNING) H 8 PAGES Rs. 4.00 H
Thirumavalavan
ditched me: Woman
NT Bureau
Chennai, Apr 6:
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi
(VCK) leader Thol Thirumavalavan
found himself in a tight spot today
with a Coimbatore-based divorcee
S Kavitha, filing a complaint with
the DGP office here, stating that
he had reneged on a ‘promise’ to
marry her after a two-year relationship.
Speaking to reporters after handing over the complaint letter at the
DGP office, she claimed hirumavalavan had gone back on the promise of marrying her, and through
friends and followers tried to grab
her properties.
Kavitha alleged that a few people,
whom she later discovered to be
close to Thirumavalavan, tried to take
away her properties. She had filed a
similar complaint against the political
leader, it may be recalled.
Regd. No., TN/CC(S) DN/223/15-17, RNI No: 33810 / 82
Ghost story in Ranganathan St
NT Bureau
Chennai, Apr 6:
The metaphorical spirit of Ranganathan Street is often a source
of inspiration. But apparently (or
is it ‘apparitionaly’?) there is
a
literal spirit too and it has
been a source of midnight
perspiration for at least
some women staff of a
popular showroom here.
The scary story, according to
sources, is said to have happened
at the ‘dormitory’ at the Sathya
Bazaar where the women staff of
pacified by the other inmates.
But the incident reportedly kept
repeating
on a couple
of more
nights and the
same was informed to the
shop owner. Soon
enough
t h e
Unsure but still fearful, the shop
managers eventually decided to send
the woman back to her home town and
carried out a special pooja in the hostel
to rid the place of the evil spirit.
But the story, as it happens, did not
end there.
After the spooky woman was packed
off, two other women staff created a
similar midnight scene, scaring the wits
out of everyone in the hostel. The duo
too were put in the next available bus
back to their place, while a few other
staff voluntarily chose to go back to
their town out of sweaty dread.
nion Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today promised
a ‘reasonable compliance window’ under the new
black money law for persons with overseas funds to
come clean, even as he asserted that targetting undeclared assets cannot be termed as ‘tax terrorism’.
Addressing industry representatives at CII annual
general meeting in Delhi, he also sought suggestions
for improving the structure of the compliance window
proposed Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets
(Imposition of Tax) Bill 2015.’
The government had introduced the stringent Bill
in the Lok Sabha to deal with the menace of black
money stashed abroad. Besides other things, the law
provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years for hiding
foreign assets.
Meanwhile, amid a raging debate on the controversial
land bill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today accused
opposition parties of misleading people on the issue of
tribal and forest land saying such a campaign will hurt
the interests of the country.
He said tribal and forest land do not come under the
ambit of the land bill and are protected by separate laws.
He said there are efforts to ‘mislead’ society on the issue.
In Chennai, seven persons hailing from different parts
of Tamilnadu and evacuated from strife-torn Yemen by
the government, arrived this morning.
Will Agri Krishnamoorthy
be taken to police custody?
NT Bureau
Chenani, Apr 6:
The CB-CID may file a petition with
a court in Tirunelveli seeking to take
on its custody former State Minister
Agri Krishnamoorthy, who was arrested yesterday and remanded to
15 days in jail.
Krishnamoorthy was arrested by
the CB-CID in connection with the
alleged suicide of a senior engineering department official S Muthukumarasamy.
The arrest of Krishnamoorthy
comes 44 days after the death of
Muthukumarasamy, who allegedly
committed suicide because he was
under pressure from the the Minister’s staff members while recruiting
seven drivers. Krishnamoorthy was
summoned for questioning by CBCID officials on Saturday night and
was arrested in the wee hours of
yesterday, a senior CB-CID official
said.
On 20 February, Muthukumarasamy jumped in front of a train and was
killed. The death of the official snowballed into a political row prompting
AIADMK to drop Krishnamoorthy
from the State cabinet and strip him
off his party posts.
Opposition misleading
people, says Modi
7 TN residents
arrive from
strife-torn Yemen
Chennai, Apr 6 (PTI):
Seven persons hailing from different
parts of Tamilnadu and evacuated
from strife-torn Yemen by the government, arrived here this morning.
They arrived from Mumbai by three
private airlines and were accorded a
warm reception at the airport here.
Muthukumar and Arun, employees
of a private company in Yemen, expressed relief at being evacuated by
the Indian agencies.
Black & white
When is Vishal
getting married?
the showroom are housed.
A few days back, one of the women,
aged around 24 years, is said to have
woken up midnight and created a scare
by running helter-skelter within the
‘hostel’, shouting incoherently at the top
of her voice. It all seemed like a scene
straight out of ghost films involving
a possessed woman. She was later
services of a poosarai, a shaman
of sorts, was sought and, as is wont
in these parts, he gave the ‘neem
leaf treatment’ (veppilai adikaradhu)
to the woman concerned. And in
that session, the woman reportedly
claimed that she was possessed by
a girl who had committed suicide in
the premises.
Though the shop management was
not available for comment, a couple
of staff, on conditions of inevitable
anonymity, did confirm the poltergeist tale.
Whether there is truth in the ghost
story or not, the undeniable fact is a
chilling spirit is hovering over the haunted
premises. It is the icy spectre of fear.
New Delhi, Apr 6 (PTI):
Amid a raging debate on the controversial land bill, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi today accused opposition parties of misleading people
on the issue of tribal and forest land
saying such a campaign will hurt the
interests of the country.
He said tribal and forest land do not
come under the ambit of the land bill
and are protected by separate laws.
‘The land bill has no mention...there
is no word on tribal and forest land in
the bill. The tribals and their land do
not come under the ambit of the land
bill. Still, people who lack knowledge
run this (campaign) 24 hours. They
do not know,’ Modi said.
He said there are efforts to ‘mislead’
society on the issue. ‘For you it must
be a small issue, a matter of your
political principles, but do realise how
much will it is hurting the country,’
he said addressing a conference of
State environment and forest ministers here.
He said the ongoing campaign
must end. ‘A debate based on facts
and truth is welcome. Afterall it is
a democracy. But when truth lacks
weight, you spread lies. A country is
not run like this,’ he said.
COPS TAKE GUARD FOR IPL
q Police, fans gear up for matches q Ticket sales begin today
NT Bureau
Chennai, Apr 6:
As the city is gearing up to host the
IPL (Indian Premier League), its police are laying out a detailed security
strategy for the matches.
According to sources, around 3,000
to 4,000 police personnel will be deployed on duty in and around the M
A Chidambaram Stadium.
The IPL gala which will commence on
8 April has home team CSK (Chennai
Super Kings) playing against Delhi
Daredevils on 9 April (in Chennai).
To handle the crowd and avoid
any untoward incident, thousands of
police personnel will be deployed in
the area, police said.
Sources mentioned that meetings
are underway between the stadium
TICKET TO WICKET
Ticket sales for the forthcoming IPL season matches in Chennai began
queue in front of the counter. (Left) Fans happily flaunting the tickets.
officials and the police department, to
at Chepauk, fans began scrambling
sketch out elaborate security plans.
for tickets. ‘As early as 1 am IPL fans
Meanwhile, ticket sales for the IPL
queued up at counters at Chepauk stamatches in Chennai started today.
dium to purchase tickets,’ sources said.
As soon as the counters were opened
One such fan said he had come
THIS WALL TOO PROVIDES THE BEST DEFENCE
at the M A Chidambaram stadium this morning, (Right) Glimpse of the
Photos: A R JAYAKUMAR
from Tambaram and stayed near the
Rs 15,000. Although the prices have
Chepauk railway station in order to
been hiked compared to last year,
get hold of a ticket.
tickets are all sold out, sources say.
The tickets are priced from Rs 750
Police feel that the absence of IPL
and corporate tickets are available for
matches in the city last year had got
Chain snatching
at Royapuram
NT Bureau
Chennai, Apr 6:
A woman was relieved off her twosovereign gold chain this morning at
Royapuram.
Police said Selvi (38) was walking towards Nagathamman Koil
Street to assist her husband Ganesan who is running a tea shop in
the locality.
At about 5.45 am, two unidentified
men came In a motorbike and took
away her gold chain. Royapuram
police have registered a case.
Girl goes
missing at
Tondiarpet
The spot in the Kotturpuram bridge, which had witnessed many suicides in recent times, has been provided
with a defensive wall to deter potential takers of their own life.
Photo: K VIJAY ANAND
NT Bureau
Chennai, Apr 6:
A class 12 student went missing
from her residence at Tondiarpet
here Sunday.
According to police, Soundarya
(17) was missing from her residence
at Kailasamudali Street. Her father
Siva filed a complaint with Tondiarpet
police. A search is on.
the fans very expectant and excited.
Traffic diversions
Traffic diversions are being planned
on match days along the Beach Road,
Bells Road and Walajah Road. Both
Traffic Police and Law and Order
police will co-ordinate to regularise
vehicular movement. Police are also
looking for parking lots and other
facilities to avoid further confusion.
It is reported that the CSK officials
have submitted a letter with City
Police Officials requesting adequate
security during the matches for the
team players. Matches are scheduled
to begin by evening 5.30 and will
close around midnight, therefore, the
MTC transport officials are also given
a request to extend their services past
midnight to help fans commute.
Police complaint
against Uttama Villain
NT Bureau
Chennai, Apr 6:
It seems controversies and
Kamal Haasan are inseparable.
Movies of Kamal Haasan (from
Virumandi till Vishwaroopam)
faced one hurdle or another.
Joining the list is Uttama Villain.
Members of a Hindu outfit today filed a complaint at the City
Police Commissionerate that a
song in Uttama Villain, crooned
by Kamal Haasan himself (Iranian
Nadagam), is alleged to take a dig
at Hindu Gods especially Lord
Venkateswara.
In the complaint it is said that
certain words in the song are
aimed at demeaning the Hindu
faith and hence the film should
not be allowed to release.
They alleged that Kamal Haasan
has been making such references
about Hindu Gods repeatedly in
all his movies.
Directed by Ramesh Aravind,
the movie stars Kamal Haasan,
Jayaram, Andrea, Pooja Kumar
among others. Produced by
Thiruppathy Brothers, it has music by Ghibran. Veteran filmmaker
K Balachander, who passed away
recently had acted in the film.
2 MONDAY
6 APRIL 2015
City
Centre
CHENNAI
One-stop solution
UNCLEAN
e-service centre comes up in T Nagar
Unwanted garbage dumped on
the side of Dr Gopalamenon
Salai in Kodambakkam irk
pedestrians.
Photo:
R THIYAGARAJAN
Helping hands
1,000 students register to donate stem cells
A
t a time when youngsters
are believed to be always
glued to their cells (read mobile
phones), 1,000 college students in
Kodambakkam have come together
to donate stem cells for cancer
patients.
These girls of Meenakshi College
for Women have registered as potential stem cell donors with Datri
Blood Stem Cell Donors Registry.
The initiative, a brainchild of the
college secretary K S Lakshmi,
began after a casual visit to the
Cancer Institute, Adyar. She had to
undergo two surgeries for a tumour
in the throat.
‘During one of my visits to the
hospital, I noticed the hopelessness
of the cancer patients. I wanted
to donate money, but I was told had to get a consent letter from
that more than money the hospital their parents. ‘Encouragingly, all the
wanted donations for a registry of parents allowed their daughters to
participate,’ says Lakshmi.
stem cells,’ says Lakshmi.
A donation kit was
She took it up with the
stuprovided by Datri
dents in her colto each donor and
lege during the
KAM they were also exprayer assembly
MBAK
KODA
plained what to do.
session. The stuThe students were registered by
dents were encouraged
to discuss the issue and
s o o n providing their names with the colit gathered momentum through the lege ID. ‘They may change their
mind at a later date but their donacollege’s various student clubs.
Only students above 18 years tions could be used for research
were allowed to donate. The donors
E-service centre at Theagaraya Road.
P
ublic can remit various taxes
and charges under one roof at
the E-service centre got up by the
Chennai Corporation in Theagaraya
Road.
The multi-facility centre at Theagaraya Road is one among the fourteen in the city. The facility, ideally
situated in the busy Pondy Bazaar
area, has exclusive counters for
Metrowater, obtaining of certificates
like birth, death and income. The
centre is being managed by Ward
136 of the corporation.
Speaking about the features
of the centre, an official said
‘It will be a unique facility. People can get
certifi cates regarding
birth, death, income,
caste, and resident across
the counter. Also, they
can remit the charges for
electricity, metro water and
telephone bills across the counter.’
In the first phase, certificates are
being issued across the counters. In
the second phase, facilities for payment of various taxes and charges
will be made available at the centre.
A few other facilities of inter-caste
marriage assistance scheme, girl
protection scheme of the corporation will be implemented soon.
The centre also has an exclusive
metro water service centre (Zone
10) and the officials were available to hear the grievances of the
residents.
The reaction of the residents too
was overwhelming about the multifacility centre in their area.
‘It is a welcome initiative and
will be a big boon to the area,’
commented senior auditor Raghu
Kumar, a
long time resident of
Burkit Road.
He continued
‘the centre is
AR
situated ideally
T NAG
and there are
good transport facilities to the
same. Also, these activities are normally carried out by senior residents
only and they will feel a big relief to
remit all the fees and charges under
one roof. Again, it is very important
the centre should have adequate
staff present during working hours
and be helpful to the public.’
Another resident of Thanikachalam Road cautioned that the centre
The
multi-facility
centre is one
among the
fourteen in
the city and
has exclusive
counters for
Metrowater,
obtaining
birth, death
and income
certificate
should be equipped with facilities
like inverters facility to provide uninterrupted service to the consumers..
- NT Bureau
IN THEATRES
IN
SONY PIX
SAGAPTHAM
06:38 PM Heaven is for Real
Kamala Theatre, Udhayam Theatre, PVR Cinemas,
09:00 PM Insidious: Chapter 2
AGS Cinemas, INOX National, Abirami Mega Mall,
11:19 PM The Hobbit: The Desolation of
Smaug
Woodlands Multiplex, Mayajaal Cinema, Sangam
Multiplex, Sri Ganga Cinema, Raj Theatre, Maharani
Theatre
HBO
1
S
U
D
O
K
U
2
8
3039
9
6
9
NANBENDA
MOVIES NOW
PVR Cinemas, Sangam, AGS, INOX National, Hall, Rakki
06:25 PM Savages
Multiplex, Abirami Theatres,
09:00 PM District 9
10:10 PM The Dark Knight Rises
KOMBAN
Mayajaal, Escape Cinema, Devi Cineplex, Kamala Theatre,
STAR MOVIES
PVR Cinemas, Sangam, AGS, INOX National, Abirami
06:48 PM Inside Llewyn Davis
Theatres,
09:00 PM The Amazing Spider-Man
TV TODAY
JAYA TV
04:30 PM Kollywood Gallery
05:00 PM New Songs
05:30 PM Makkalin Mudhalvar
07:00 PM Ramayanam
06:00 PM Mundhanai Mudichu
06:30 PM Pasamalar
07:00 PM News
07:30 PM News
07:30 PM Nadhaswaram
08:00 PM Hits
08:00 PM Deiva Magal
08:30 PM Akka
08:30 PM Vamsam
09:00 PM Priyamana Thozhi
09:00 PM Priyamanaval
09:30 PM Poomagal
05:00 PM Endrum Super
06:30 PM Puthu Kavithai
05:30 PM Kalai Koil
06:00 PM Utchakattam
07:00 PM Kalyanam Mudhal
Kaadhal Varai
06:30 PM Idhu Pudhusu
07:30 PM Aandaal Azhagar
07:00 PM News
08:00 PM Deivam Thandha Veedu
07:30 PM Mohini
08:30 PM Saravanan Meenatchi
08:00 PM Bhavani
09:00 PM Mahabharatham
08:30 PM Romapuri Paandiyan
09:30 PM Super Singer T20
09:00 PM Odi Vilayadu Pappa
10:30 PM Office
09:30 PM Madippakkam Madhavan
11:00 PM Kalyanam Mudhal
Kaadhal Varai
10:00 PM News Headlines
10:02 PM Kaliyugam
11:30 PM Movie
10:30 PM Sirippu Varudhu
RA J TV
11:00 PM Telebuy
05:00 PM S K Shoppe
VIJ AY TV
05:30 PM Vellithira
09:30 PM Vani Rani
10:00 PM Kavidhaiyae Theriyuma
10:00 PM Sakthi
04:00 PM Aandaal Azhagar
10:30 PM English News
10:30 PM Azhagi
04:30 PM Super Singer T20
10:45 PM Tamil News
11:00 PM Movie
05:30 PM Uravugal Thodar Kadhai
11:00 PM Thenkinnam
KA LAIGNAR TV
06:00 PM En Kanavan En Thozhan
SU N TV
03:30 PM Movie
04:00 PM Pudhu Paadal
04:30 PM Sirippu Varudhu
The object is
to insert the
numbers in
the boxes to
satisfy only
one condition:
each row,
column and
3x3 box must
contain the
digits
1 through 9
exactly once:
Easy nah?
ANSWER TO
SUDOKU 3038
(5.4.2015)
11:45 PM Resident Evil: Retribution
06:30 PM Galatta Comedy
3
3
5
6
8
7
3
1
9
1
6
2
7
3
7
2
9
7
3
4
6
8
5
1
3
8
6
4
1
5
5
9
8
1
7
2
4
3
2
7
9
6
6
5
8
7
9
3
7
4
2
6
5
1
1
9
4
8
3
2
4
1
1
2
2
4
8
6
9
3
3
8
7
5
6
9
5
7
7
9
3
5
8
6
2
1
5
7
9
4
6
2
1
3
4
8
8
11:30 PM Step Up 3D
Mayajaal, Escape Cinema, Devi Cineplex, Kamala Theatre,
06:00 PM Arusuvai Ithu Thani
Suvai
9
5
4
1
3
5
07:17 PM Bad Teacher
08:59 PM Real Steel
purposes at least,’ adds Lakshmi.
To safeguard the interest of the
donors the college took an undertaking from Datri that the stem cells
would not be misused.
‘It was phenomenal that so many
young women had registered as
potential donors. The probability
of finding a match (of stem cells)
is less than 25 per cent,’ says
Lakshmi.
For more details, contact
24725466.
- NT Bureau
STAR SPORTS 1
03:00 PM ICC Cricket World Cup
2015 H/ls : Quarter Final 4: New Zealand vs.
West Indies
04:00 PM ICC Cricket World Cup
2015 H/ls : Final: Australia vs. New Zealand
11:00 PM ICC Cricket World Cup
2015 H/ls : Semi Final 1:
New Zealand vs. South
Africa
05:00 PM Great Knocks
TEN SPORTS
05:30 PM ICC Cricket World Cup
2015 H/ls : The Countdown Show
04:00 PM ICC Cricket 360
06:00 PM ICC Cricket World Cup
2015 H/ls : England vs.
New Zealand
05:00 PM WWE Smackdown
06:30 PM Thirai Vaanil
07:00 PM ICC Cricket World Cup
2015 H/ls : Quarter
Final 1: Sri Lanka vs.
South Africa
07:00 PM Sindhu Bhairavi
08:00 PM Great Knocks
07:30 PM Mann Vasanai
08:30 PM Close Encounters
08:00 PM Karuthamma
09:00 PM ICC Cricket World Cup
2015 H/ls : Quarter
Final 2: Bangladesh vs.
06:00 PM Raj News
India
10:00 PM ICC Cricket World Cup
2015 H/ls : Final: Australia vs. New Zealand
04:30 PM DFB Pokal (German
Cup) 2014/15 H/ls
06:00 PM French Ligue 1 2014/15
H/ls
07:00 PM Edge Sports : Bowl-ARama
07:30 PM Sky Bet Championship
2014/15 : Brentford vs.
Nottingham Forest
09:30 PM Sports Week
10:00 PM WWE Smackdown
11:00 PM ATP 1000 Masters 2015 :
Miami Open
Region
CHENNAI
Oxymed launches
facility for
diabetics
NT Bureau
Chennai, Apr 6:
Oxymed Hospitals here has
launched multi-place hyper baric
oxygen therapy (HBOT) in a multiplace chamber with 24 hours
ICU care.
Speaking at the event, Chief
Secretary, government of India,
Pharmaceutical Department V K
Subbaraj said patients with prolonged diabetic wounds were only
subjected to medical management
and after a long duration unfortunately the patient’s limbs had to be
amputated.
He praised Oxymed Hospitals
for bringing in technologies that
would help many people especially diabetic gangrene foot or any
vascular flow deficiency to avoid
amputation.
Dr Hisamuddin Papa, chairman,
HUMA Specialties Hospitals,
handed over emergency ID cards
to patients of Oxymed which
would enable them to access
24-hour emergency services at
Oxymed.
Chairman of Oxymed Hospitals
Ayaz Akbar spoke about the future
expansion plans that included a
100-bed hospital with an aim to give
non-invasive treatment.
3
HELPING ‘EM COP IT
Police personnel go all out to counsel Plus Two & 10th standard students
NAOMI N
Chennai, Apr 6:
While students of
Plus Two and
10th standard
are apparently
going through
a crucial time
in their (student) life, the
onus is on women inspectors across
the city to handle cases of distressed
candidates, who contemplate suicides or abscond unable to handle
the pressure.
Every year several such cases are reported after the exam results are published.
Tobacco: PMK to stage
protest on 10 April
Chennai, Apr 6 (PTI):
Stating that the Centre was delaying
the deadline of pictorial warnings in
tobacco products, NDA constituent
PMK said they would stage a protest
on 10 April demanding to increase the
picture size by 85 per cent,
party founder S Ramadoss said.
‘Even as there is
criticism against
government for not
publishing big pictures on the covers
of tobacco products,
there is news about
Prime Minister Modi
asking the Health Ministry to increase the picture size to 60-65 per cent. It
is nothing but a delaying tactics’,
Ramadoss said in a statement.
He demanded that the government
should increase the picture size by
85 per cent.
He said a protest would be held on
April 10 on behalf of Pasumai Thayagam (an NGO) in Chennai asking
the Centre to implement the recommendations of the Harshvardhan
MONDAY
6 APRIL 2015
Committee making 85 per cent of
space on cigarette packs and other
tobacco products to be mandatorily
covered with graphic and text warnings of health hazard, he said.
He said he would lead the protest. The Parliamentary
panel on subordinate
legislation examining the provisions
of Cigarettes and
Other Tobacco
Products Act,
2003, had urged
the government
to keep on hold
its proposal to
increase the size
of pictorial warnings on tobacco packets from 40 per cent to 85
per c ent .
‘Based on this, the Central government also postponed the implementation which was supposed to be from
1 April, this year’, he said.
‘It is a wrong step as more than
10 lakh people die in the country
due to tobacco usage each year,’
he said.
Minister for Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Abdul Rahim
giving away the offer letter to a student during the ‘Placement Day’
held at Aalim Muhammed Salegh College of Engineering, Avadi, recently. The college secretary and correspondent Segu Jamaludeen,
trustee Shaik Athavullah and placement officer Ravi Kumar are among
those present.
According to sources, women inspectors hold counselling sessions
with teens and their parents through
the year. Before and after the public
exams they spend time talking to
students to reduce chances of risking lives.
Two years ago, the suicide rate
post exam results used to be high,
however, now with supplementary
exams scheduled immediately and
students getting a chance to clear
papers they have flunked things have
changed, said Inspector Lakshmi of
Ashok Nagar station.
Although attempting suicide is a
crime under Section 309 of the IPC,
there are High Court and Supreme
Court rulings, there are instances
wherein such persons are let off with
a stern warning, she said.
Lakshmi said that in schools and
residential areas police organise
meetings to enlighten students on the
issue and try to relieve them of stress.
‘They need to know that exams
are not everything in life. We talk
about popular people who made it
in life without formal education. We
present them with alternatives. It is
like a ‘brainwash’. Students need to
know the ‘what ifs’ in life and awareness camps play an important role.
Most importantly, parents need to
give extra attention to their wards
during exam time. They shouldn’t
add to the stress. Gauging their
emotional balance and behaving
in a sensitive manner is important.
Parents can approach the police
in case the ward shows any signs
of distress.’
Devayani, whose daughter is awaiting her exam results said she makes
sure she gives time off for the girl, lets
her watch movies and eat the food of
her choice.
‘We talk about pleasant subjects
and avoid talking about the papers
she has written or how it could have
been done better,’ she said.
Police personnel said some students also go missing after disheartening results,
‘Such incidents are bound to happen, and it is usual among boys. We
find them from their friend’s or relatives’ houses.’
Women police
inspectors
hold
counselling
sessions at
schools and
in residential
areas in an
effort to make
exam-bound
students feel
relieved
Governor bats for ‘family
physician’ concept
NT Bureau
Chennai, Apr 6:
Governor K Rosaiah has said Ayurveda is not only a complete curative
science but also a complete guide for
one’s life and batted for the concept
of family physician for better health.
Participating in 15th year celebrations of ‘Ayur Fest Atharvanee
Ayurveda’ during which the ‘Paramacharya Puraskar’ was conferred
on Dr K V Seshadrinatha Sastrigal
and Dr Shantha Swaminathan, the
Governor said parents of school
going children should focus on cultivating healthy habits in food, sleep
and also on behavioural patterns.
‘Without losing the basic principles
of Ayurveda, treatments
Towards clean
surroundings
NT Bureau
Chennai, Apr 6:
Senior Citizens Group of Besant
Nagar (SCGOBN) will conduct a
meeting for a safer, cleaner, and
better Besant Nagar later today at
the Besant Nagar beach at 5.30 pm.
Admission is free.
The group also organsied a session
on ‘How to bring back the peace and
tranquility of Besant Nagar’ on 30 March.
For details contact: 9884224480.
Veda parayanam
Sai Seva Chakra will organise Veda
Parayanam on Tuesdays at 10 am at
Om Murugasramam, Srinivasa Pillai
Street, West Mambalam.
For details, contact 93808 36897,
2489 2890, email srisaisevachakra@
gmail.com
Thirupugazh classes
Thirupugazh Anbargal will conduct free Thirupugazh classes on
Wednesdays between 6.30 and 8
pm at 33/54, Kamakoti Colony, Kuppiah Street.
For information, contact 95660
46163.
Governor K Rosaiah conferring the ‘Paramacharya Puraskar’ on
K V Seshadrinatha Sastrigal at a function held in Chennai on Sunday.
have to be simplified for the present
day requirements and I am sure that
initiatives would be taken on these
lines.’ he added.
Also, Rosaiah said, ‘It would be
ideal to establish the concept of fam-
ily physician for a safe maintenance
of health. Ayurveda, a science of life
and preventing diseases through
healthy habits, would benefit us a lot.’
‘In this world of stress and rush
we pay less attention to health. Un-
healthy food habits, sedentary jobs,
uncontrolled diets, lack of exercise,
undue stress have led to various
diseases. The health of body, mind
and consciousness should be well
maintained. It will pave the way for a
right balance. The habit of maintaining a healthy body, nurturing health
consciousness should begin right
from the childhood,’ he said.
Also, the Governor said the onus was
on parents and teachers at school to
cultivate in students good conduct and
healthy habits and discipline.
He also praised the Initiatives taken
by the Central Council of Indian Medicine of India, Ayush, the Tamilnadu
government to promote research and
teaching Ayurveda.
HORSESHOE FOR OX
An ox is being equipped with horseshoe at Nagalkeni Road in Thiruneermalai.
Photo: C SANTHOSH
VIT Chancellor for Lokpal-like Act across country
q Speakers at discussion on Budget slam Centre on Land Bill
NT Bureau
Chennai, Apr 6:
VIT University Founder-Chancellor
Dr G Viswanathan is in favour of the
Union government bringing in a single comprehensive Act like Lokpal
across the country, which should be
implemented in all States.
Participating in a discussion on the
Union Budget organised by VIT University here yesterday, Viswanathan
recalled his days as a Member of
Parliament and narrated how it had
changed over the years.
‘When I was an MP, Parliament
was not adjourned even for a single
day but now Members rush to the
well of the House to agitate, such
is the sorry state-of-affairs,’ he said.
He also lamented the lack of youth in
higher education which CPI(M) leader
Sitaram Yechury too agreed with.
Yechury said that only 12 of 100
youths enrolled for higher education whereas the government
VIT University Chancellor G Vishwanathan, political leaders D Raja, Sitaram Yechury and Tamizhisai
Soundararajan and noted columnist S Gurumurthy among others at a discussion on the Union Budget
organised by VIT in Chennai yesterday.
claimed it to be 18 of 100.
abolished and there is a reduction for India as you have to make prodHe took a dig at the BJP government of Rs.8,315 crore in direct taxes ucts at affordable prices for domestic
for its stand on the Land Acquisition whereas indirect taxes have gone up consumption,’ he added.
Bill and said, ‘With the Bill we will by Rs.23,318 crore.
Questioning the rationale of passlose one-third of cultivable land in
‘The meagre subsidies for the ing eight important Bills within eight
the country.’
poor have been reduced and the minutes in Parliament, the CPI(M) MP
Terming the Budget as pro-rich, tax foregone stands at Rs.5.68 lakh said that the Mining and Coal Bills
Yechury said, this is a straight forward crore, it is more than the country’s were passed within one hour in the
bonanza for the rich and anti-poor. fiscal deficit itself. The Make in India Rajya Sabha after a hasty discussion.
Alternate tax mechanism has been scheme should be renamed as Make
DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi N
Siva spoke about his party’s concerns
with regard to the cut in allocation of
funds for social sector projects and
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).
CPI national secretary D Raja said
that it was not only the BJP that
failed on various fronts but the earlier
Congress-led regime too.
‘The Union government failed to
generate revenue, wealth tax has
been abolished and corporate tax has
been cut from 30 per cent to 25 per
cent. The revenue foregone is over
Rs. 5 lakh crore,’ he said.
Raja also called for a comprehensive discussion on fiscal federalism
as being done in foreign countries.
Denying the charges levelled by
opposition parties against the ruling
dispensation, BJPs Tamilnadu State
president Tamilisai Soundararajan said
that their government had launched
several pro-poor schemes whereas
the Congress-led UPA failed to do so.
Noted columnist S Gurumurthy, who
moderated the discussion said that
there were some shortcomings in
the budget. ‘This Budget has three
important element which needs to
be seen apart from the receipts and
allocations, this government has
taken it up.’
‘The most important part of this
Budget is the Mudra Bank. The
government is not going to provide
money whereas the sector which
handles it has got only 4 per cent
of loans from banks so far. Mudra
Bank will collect money from all
private financiers get refinancing
at 12 per cent and lend it to these
people at 15 or 16 per cent. This
is the most innovative idea. The
Mudra Bank will be able to do away
with usury and provide jobs to more
youth in the country,’ he said.
Former MP Era Chezian and
AICC panelist Americai V Narayanan were among those who
spoke.
Blend
4 MONDAY
6 APRIL 2015
WHAT
WH
AT NEWS
NEW
NEW
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S TODAY
TODA
TO
DAY
DA
Y PRINTS
PRIN
PR
INTS
IN
TS IS
IS NEWS
NEWS THAT
TTHA
HAT
HA
T COUNTS
COUN
CO
UNTS
UN
TS
Unenviable challenge
Should India move from reformative laws for its juveniles to penal
law once again? This pertinent question has been nagging the law
makers to review the law as more and more incidents of heinous
crimes are committed by juveniles. It was to save the juveniles
from being bracketed as criminals, the term juvenile delinquents
was coined. Moving beyond mere terminology, Juvenile Justice
Act 1989 was replaced by more reformative JJ Act 2000. Now
again the government has decided to reject recommendations of
the Parliamentary committee, that disapproved of treating juveniles,
who are accused of heinous crimes, as adults. The government has
decided to go ahead with the new Justice Care and Protection Bill2014, cleared by the Cabinet in August 2014.
The proposed changes in the new Bill are in tune with the
changing times that recognise early adulthood among the juvenile.
The involvement of juvenile offenders in the most heinous crimes
like Nirbhaya gangrape, Shakti Mill gangrape, Guwahati rape and
lynching, etc. demand that laws be redefined to reassess adulthood.
Is a juvenile capable of rationalising his/her actions before the age
of 18? A similar dilemma was faced by the judiciary in the UK, the
gruesome murder of two-year-old Jamie Bulger in Liverpool in 1993
by two 10-year-old boys, forced the court to treat the juveniles in
an adult court. The laws were changed to treat 10-17-year-olds as
adults under tremendous pressure from the public. In India, around
85 per cent people, who responded to consultations on the new law,
want 16-year-olds to be treated as adults under such circumstances.
The lawmakers should not move away from their primary
responsibility of providing opportunities for reform to the juvenile.
After all, criminals come from a background of abject deprivation
of all kinds and society cannot escape its share of responsibility.
With all kinds of cuts in the budget allocation for child welfare and
education, one cannot assess the repercussions it will bear on the
criminalisation of youth. The government should also concentrate on
well-thought of welfare schemes for educating the deprived youth.
Criminal gangs indulging in petty thefts to planned murder,
terrorists, drug traffickers and other international crime operators
are not any age-specific groups. However, no change in the law
can be made in haste as an instinctive reaction to some rare cases or
in a mood of anger or under the pressure of public demand. Overenthusiasm to pacify public anger by stricter laws on paper will
achieve no purpose unless cases are decided fast and prescribed
punishment is certain if the guilt is proved. The system has to respond.
It has to protect children caught in the web of adult crimes, and also
save the society from all people with criminal instincts.
PMO India @PMOIndia
We have grown up in those traditions
where Nature is worshipped and where
conserving nature is very important
‘Made in China’ stickers are
made in Korea.
Katrina Kaif @KatrinaKaif
Optical illusion can tell
if you need glasses
WASHINGTON:
MIT scientists have developed an
optical illusion - a hybrid image of
Marilyn Monroe and Albert Einstein
- that could help people figure out if
they need eyeglasses or not.
The image called ‘Marilyn Einstein,’ is formed
from a blurry picture of
the Hollywood actress superimposed with a finely
detailed image of Einstein. In case a person
has a clear vision, the hybrid image
will look like that of Monroe from afar
but will shift into the picture of the
famed physicist when it gets closer.
People who have vision problems
may not be able to see a picture
of Einstein anywhere, ‘Tech Times’
reported. This is because the image
of Monroe that makes up one-half of
the optical illusion has far fewer pixels
than the image of Einstein, which has
super dense pixels that make the little details.
Monroe’s picture is blurry and separated from the hybrid image. One can
only make out the general features of
her face but not the details. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (MIT) conducted
a study to see how our brains
respond to different sorts of
images.
After showing the
image to participants
for different lengths of
time, the researchers found out that
people who saw the image for a
shorter length of time, specifically 30
milliseconds, picked up Monroe and
nothing else. However, those who
were exposed to the image far longer
than 150 milliseconds were able to
decipher the details of Einstein’s face.
HEALTH
Today
VOICE MAIL
No place to walk
Sir,
Many residents in West Mambalam, especially the senior ones, find it difficult to walk all the way to Postal Colony to procure postal stamps at the
post office situated there.
Even for buying stamps of small denominations, they need to stand in
the big queue. A few shops in Arya Gowda Road sell these items, but at a
higher rate, which is almost equal to the cost of the stamp.
For the benefit of large number of users in the area, the postal department
can distribute stamps of different denominations in big departmental stores
situated in streets like Arya Gowda Road, Thambiah Road, Govindan Road
and Brindavan Road and instruct them to sell the stamps at the cost price.
PARAMESWARAN,
West Mambalam
ADDRESS YOUR LETTERS TO :
The Editor, News Today, 85, Mount Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
or e-mail to : letters@newstodaynet.com / newstodaydaily@gmail.com
CHENNAI
3.14 reasons for journalists
to give up listicles
T
he annual readership survey of
Indian news publications is out
and, in a shocking development that
puts a question mark over the future
of journalism as it is practised here, it
has been found there is an increase
in the number of people reading
newspapers and magazines (in their
printed form). I say shocking development because many of us in the
industry have been publishing pretty
much anything in the happy hope that
nobody out there is reading us.
For example, one newspaper had
reported the Union Budget and carried along with it a large photograph
of Shakira in short skirts. A headline
in a news publication last week was
---- if you are under-18 you should
skip this but we know you won’t
---- ‘Rihanna goes braless in LA
outing’. This column too has, from
time to time, presented a letter to my
daughter, discussed in detail Rafael
Nadal’s inability to find right-fitting
undergarments, made any number
tasteless jokes on the post of vicepresident (but never really adequately
conveyed the utter ridiculousness of
the post) and argued passionately for
the need to confer UNESCO heritage
status on ‘Parangimalai’ Jothi theatre.
Another thing that we in news media
have developed in recent times is
something called ‘listicle’, which is a
smart, handy journalistic contraction
of the word ‘list’. Seriously, there is no
real difference between ‘listicles’ and
lists, but we use ‘listicles’ based on the
truism: When the going gets tough,
the tough come up stupid jargon.
Exhibit A: Folks in HR department.
K BALAKUMAR
Anyway, listicles are bite-sized itemisations on a subject, structured so
keeping in mind the needs of timestarved readers, and also keeping in
mind the logic: If readers are timestarved, why waste our time on them.
A typical listicle is on these lines:
Five reasons why idli is better than
dosai:
1: There is Kushboo idli, but no
Kushboo dosai
2. Idli is something that even Keralites can’t misspell. Dosai, on the other
hand, has identity crisis. It’s dosha in
Kerala, dosa in the North, and heaven
knows what in the West.
3. Idli lends itself to idli upma,
which of course makes you remember Suryavamsam. Anything that
triggers thoughts on Suryavamsam
cannot be praised adequately. (For
those not familiar with the Tamil film
Suryavamsam and the cult status of
its director Vikraman, coming up —
what else? — the listicle: ‘36 reasons
why Vikraman is better than Martin
Scorsese’. All 36 reasons to read the
same: Vaanatha Pola)
4) Pizza dosai is a monstrosity waiting to happen.
5) Frankly, we didn’t realise you
will be reading this all through and
hence hadn’t thought up anything
for this one
or
5) There was mistake in the headline. It should read: Four reasons why
idli is better than dosai.
Away from listicles, in the last couple
of years, we in journalism have also
changed the way we cover news
events. In the past, whenever there
was a news break, we deputed a
reporter or two to track the event.
Now, whenever there is a news break,
we depute a reporter or two to track
Twitter to cover the same.
It has now reached the stage where
there is more Twitter in our news
pages than there is Twitter in Twitter.
Here are some samples from newspapers: ‘Twitteratti react to India’s
Netanyahu seeks better
Iran nuclear deal
Obama says its the best way to address the issue
WASHINGTON:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu urged the United States
on Sunday to seek a better deal to
curb Iran’s nuclear program and said
he would press American lawmakers
not to give Tehran ‘a free path to the
bomb.’
President Barack Obama, hoping to
sway skeptics at home and abroad to
get behind the framework agreement
struck on Thursday between world
powers and Iran, defended the deal
as the best hope to prevent Tehran
from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Obama, whose relations with Netanyahu have frayed badly over the Iran
issue, sought to assure Israelis that
he understood their concerns. They
should know ‘there is no formula,
there is no option, to prevent Iran from
getting a nuclear weapon that will be
more effective than the diplomatic
initiative and framework that we put
Red Cross calls
for humanitarian
pause in Yemen
SANAA:
In wake of intense conflict between
Shiite Houthi rebels and pro-Hadi
forces, that have resulted in ‘dire
humanitarian situation’ across the
country, the Red Cross will send two
emergency aid flights to Yemen.
According to the BBC, the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is
set to send two emergency aid flights into
Yemen’s capital, Sanaa - one cargo flight
containing medical supplies and other
passenger plane carrying aid workers.
The International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC) were allowed to send aid
planes two days after the aid agency
called for ‘immediate humanitarian
pause’ citing dire humanitarian situation
there in wake of escalating conflict.
time, keeping the infrastructure to
produce not one nuclear bomb but
many, many nuclear bombs down
the line.’
Benjamin Netanyahu
forward - and that’s demonstrable,’
he said in an interview with The New
York Times published on Sunday.
The Israeli prime minister has been
strongly critical of the deal struck on
Thursday in Switzerland, saying it
threatens the survival of Israel.
But, speaking on CNN`s ‘State of
the Union’ program, he said of the
deal, ‘This is not a partisan issue.
This is not solely an Israeli issue.
This is a world issue because everyone is going to be threatened by
the pre-eminent terrorist state of our
The Israeli Prime
Minister has been
strongly critical
of the deal struck,
saying it threatens
the survival of Israel
Netanyahu angered the White
House and alienated some of
Obama`s Democrats when he accepted a Republican invitation to
address Congress and speak out
against the looming agreement on 3
March, two weeks before the Israeli
elections that returned him to office.
loss in World Cup’, ‘The lowdown on
Twitter chatter on Deepika’s Vogue
video ’, ‘What did Twitter say on what
Twitter said on Giriraj’, ‘Top tweets of
the day (because the alternative to it
would be for us to write something
original here)’.
Twitter, of course, is not just a
source of news for us journalists.
We use the social media platform
also to — this is an example of how
a little creativity can go a long way in
harnessing the full potential of modern technology — viciously badmouth
other journalists and publications.
And the way we journos fight amongst
ourselves would make everyone wonder why the underworld gangs have
not done the most obvious thing of
recruiting us.
But getting back to the new readership survey, the rise in the number of
readers over last year — it has been
attributed to the interest generated
over elections — makes it clear that
we journalists have to get our acts
together and become much more
responsible and serious.
For starters, I will not end this piece
with a joke.
e-mail the writer at
balakumarkb@gmail.com
(Courtesy: Talk Media)
IMF says Greece
will repay loan
due in April
WASHINGTON:
Greece’s finance minister has told
the International Monetary Fund chief
that his country will repay a substantial loan from the organisation that is
due this week.
IMF Managing Director Christine
Lagarde and Yanis Varoufakis met in
Washington for an “informal discussion”
on the debt-stricken nation’s reform
programme, an IMF statement said. The
Greek government has said Varoufakis
will meet with US Treasury officials.
Greece is in difficult negotiations
with creditors over its bailout programme, which has delayed the disbursement of the final 7.2 billion euro
(USD 7.9 billion) aid tranche. That
has led to a cash crunch, forcing the
government to tap reserves.
Athens has been hoping for at least
a partial release of the final bailout
installment in order to avoid default
and to pay salaries and pensions.
‘We both agreed that effective cooperation is in everyone’s interest,’
Lagarde said in the statement. We
noted that continuing uncertainty is
not in Greece’s interest.’
Myntra to shut
website 1 May
MUMBAI:
Online fashion retailer Myntra will
shut its website from 1 May , in what
seems like a definitive step towards
becoming only a mobile app-based
retailer.
This will be the first such instance of
an e-commerce player transforming
into a mobile-only entity as internet
usage over smartphones surges in
India.
While many feel that this is an
absurd move, given that India is a
Mobile-First country in many respects
and especially internet, this move
might help Myntra focus all their energies on Mobile strategy, bringing
forced to download their app.
Currently, Myntra draws as much
as 80 per cent of its traffic and 70
down their costs.
If this experiment goes down well,
even Flipkart, the parent company
of Myntra, may go mobile-only way.
They have already shut down their
mobile website, where if you visit
Flipkart through mobile, you will be
per cent of sales from its mobile app.
Flipkart, too, registers more than 60
per cent of sales through its app.
Online shopper penetration (as a
percentage of internet users) in India
is expected to increase from 9 per
cent in 2013 to 36 per cent in 2020,
primarily led by mobile users, a recent
Morgan Stanley report said.
Cameron fights for political life
LONDON:
British Prime Minister David Cameron is battling to win a second term
in power that could define his legacy
-- potentially as the man who led his
country out of the European Union.
Cameron`s Conservative party
-- once led by ‘Iron Lady’ Margaret
Thatcher -- is currently at level pegging in opinion polls with the main
opposition Labour Party.
And even if Cameron nominally
wins the 7 May election, he looks
unlikely to be able to achieve his
aim of ditching his Liberal Democrat
coalition partners and governing
alone.
While Cameron`s government
has overseen deep austerity cuts,
he personally has attracted flak for
what opponents see as an overly
relaxed approach to his job.
In a phrase that stuck, one aide,
not among his critics, told biographers: ‘If there was an Olympic gold
Cameron is doing well as prime
minister, according to a YouGov/
Sunday Times poll
NEWS MAKER this week, making him the most
of the day
popular of the main
party leaders. By comparison, the
Conservatives are currently polling
in the low 30s.
That failure to shake off the Conservative Party`s image as the
David Cameron
‘nasty party’ could cost Cameron
medal for chillaxing, he would win it.’ his job.
Cameron`s own background and
A former Conservative deputy
chairman turned pollster, however, the party`s emphasis on cutting
wrote recently that ‘uniquely among benefits as part of its austerity
the leaders, he (Cameron) com- programme has fuelled criticism
mands higher approval ratings than that his party only represents the
privileged.
his party’.
The son of a stockbroker, Cam‘But this signals that, in important
respects -- at least in the eyes of eron was educated at Eton, the
voters -- Cameron has not been school later attended by Princes
able to change the party he leads,’ William and Harry, and Oxford
University, where he was admitted
Michael Ashcroft added.
Some 47 percent of Britons believe to the Bullingdon Club, a hard-
drinking, socially exclusive student
group.
After university, Cameron worked
for the Conservatives as an advisor before a stint in public relations
which ended when he was elected
to parliament in 2001.
Cameron rose swiftly in the Conservatives -- then struggling badly against
Tony Blair`s Labour government -- and
was elected leader in 2005.
After winning the leadership at the
age of 39, he tried to ‘detoxify’ the
party brand by avoiding traditional
right-wing issues like immigration
and stressing a more liberal agenda.
He posed with husky dogs at the
North Pole to highlight his green credentials, while his respect for public
services was underlined by the care
his disabled son Ivan received from
the state-run National Health Service (NHS). Ivan, who had cerebral
palsy and severe epilepsy, died
aged six in 2009.
Enterprise
CHENNAI
New Nissan safety
feature alerts drivers
Washington, Apr 6:
Nissan introduced a new drowsiness-detection feature that
alerts you if you are not paying
attention to the road or falling
asleep at the
wheel.
The system,
which can
learn motorists’
driving habits and monitors
how they handle the steering
wheel in just several minutes,
makes a sound after an alert
pops up on the dashboard if
strange and unusual movements
or lack of movements are being
made, the Mashable reported.
On detecting strange behaviors, the system, which will be
included in the 2015 Nissan
Murano and the just-announced
2016 Nissan Maxima four-door
sports car, will push out an
amber-colored ‘Take a Break?’
notification featuring a
coffee cup
icon onto
the user’s
dashboard.
Nissan, whose
latest move is a
part of a larger effort across the auto industry to
add high-tech safety features
to cars, is also experimenting
with other features, including
geo-fencing technology, which
knows when a teenager goes
out of driving range if parents set
limits on how far they can travel.
‘Each pixel on the chip is an independent interferometer - an instrument that uses the interference of
light waves to make precise measurements - which detects the phase and
frequency of the signal in addition to
the in- tensity’, said Ali Hajimiri from
the California Institute
of Technology.
T h e
new chip
utilises an
established detection and anging technology called LIDAR, in
which a target object is illuminated with scanning laser beams.
The light that reflects off of the
object is then analysed based on the
wavelength of the laser light used,
and the LIDAR can gather information about the object’s size and its
distance from the laser to create an
image of its surroundings.
Future of FabIndia
NT Bureau
Chennai, Apr 6:
More trouble seems to be brewing
for Fabindia as a salesman at Kolhapur outlet has been arrested for
allegedly shooting a video of a woman
while she was in the changing room.
According to the CCTV footage, the
accused is clearly seen crouching
near the trial room.
Meanwhile, the Goa Police have
zeroed in on a suspect who they
believe had changed the angle of a
CCTV lens to face a trial room at a
Goa Fabindia outlet Union minister
Smriti Irani visited on Friday.
The suspect was among four people
arrested after Irani accused the store
of setting up the CCTV camera overlooking the changing room, where
she was trying out some clothes.
In the meantime, L Capital, one of
the biggest investors in Fabindia, has
asked the ethnic wear retailer to thoroughly probe the matter of a CCTV
camera pointing towards a trial room
at its store in Candolim, Goa.
‘If such a thing has happened, it is
totally illegal. We do not want them
to brush things under the carpet.
The truth has to come out,’ a senior
L Capital executive was quoted as
saying.
The executive reportedly said the
issue would be discussed during a
business meeting with Fabindia next
week.
L Capital, the private equity arm
of luxury goods giant Louis Vuitton Moët Hennesy (LVMH), had in
2012 bought an eight per cent stake
in Fabindia, for Rs 150 crore, in a
secondary-market transaction. It
had purchased the stake from venture capital fund Wolfensohn Capital
Partners, which had in 2007 picked
it up from the retailer for around $10
million (about Rs 62.5 crore by the
current exchange rate).
Will Alibaba’s magic work in India?
New Delhi, Apr 6 (PTI):
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba
is looking at acquisition of Indian
e-tailers that have a large customer
base as well as a robust network of
merchants.
It is also looking at firms that can
help improve customer experience as
well as expand its range of products
and services.
‘Alibaba Group’s investment
strategy focuses on three aspects of
our business: increasing user acquisition and engagement, improving customer experience and expanding our
products and services’, an Alibaba
spokesperson said.
At present, Alibaba Group has
four offices in India. Its platform has
several small businesses from here
selling goods ranging from spices to
chocolates to tea.
11 companies plan to raise Rs 5,101 crore
NT Bureau/PTI
New Delhi, Apr 6 :
The IPO lane is getting increasingly crowded as companies have
lined up offers worth nearly Rs 9,000
crore in the current fiscal to fund their
business expansion, meet working
capital requirements and make loan
repayment.
Catholic Syrian Bank, AGS Transact
Technologies, Shree Pushkar Chemicals and Fertilizers, Dilip Buildcon, S
H Kelkar and Company, Amar Ujala
and Navkar Corporation are among
the ones that plan to launch sharesale offers in coming months.
At present, 11 companies plan
to raise Rs 5,010 crore and have
secured approval of the Securities
and Exchange Board of India (Sebi),
‘By having an array of tiny LIDARs
on our coherent imager, we can simultaneously image different parts of
an object or a scene without the need
for any mechanical movements within
the imager’, Hajimiri said.
Such high-resolution images and
information provided by
the NCI are made possible because of an optical concept known as
coherence.
If two light waves are
coherent, the waves
have the same frequency, and the
peaks and troughs of light waves are
exactly aligned with one another. In
the NCI, the object is illuminated with
this coherent light.
The light that is reflected off of the
object is then picked up by on-chip
detectors, called grating couplers,
that serve as ‘pixels’, as the light detected from each coupler represents
one pixel on the 3-D image.
Govt mulls steps
to use Jan Dhan
accounts
New Delhi, Apr 6 (PTI):
Having opened over 12 crore Jan
Dhan bank accounts under its flagship financial inclusion programme,
the government is now mulling over
ways to step up the utilisation of
these accounts, including through
POS transactions and the Business
Correspondents.
A meeting has been called by the
Finance Ministry on Tuesday, 7 April,
of representatives from public sector
banks and the business correspondents (BCs) of the banks, who can
help in last-mile implementation of
the inclusion efforts.
Among other matters, the meeting
would deliberate on issued faced by
the BCs and banks in their operations,
including with regard to remuneration,
technical support and the required
incentives.
Earlier last week, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi had said at a function to mark RBI’s 80 years that as
much as Rs 14,000 crore has been
deposited in Jan Dhan accounts and
the challenge now will be to increase
the transactions.
The scheme offers free zero-balance bank account with a debit card,
a Rs one lakh accident insurance policy and Rs 30,000 free medical insurance cover for the poor. In his Budget
speech, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley
had said that over 12.5 crore bank
accounts had been opened under the
scheme in just nine months.
Catholic Syrian Bank, AGS Transact
Technologies, Shree Pushkar Chemicals
and Fertilizers, Dilip Buildcon,
S H Kelkar and Company, Amar Ujala
and Navkar Corporation are among the
ones that plan to launch share-sale
offers in coming months
Three firms - Inox Wind, Adlabs
Entertainment and Ortel Communications - came out with their respective
IPOs last month.
During the just-ended 2014-15,
fund-raising through IPOs came in at
Rs 2,769 crore, higher than Rs 919
crore in 2013-14. The past fiscal year,
however, again witnessed a flurry
of activity on the small and medium
enterprise (SME) platform as there
were as many as 38 SME IPOs that
mobilised Rs 250 crore (In 2013-14,
37 IPOs mopped up Rs 286 crore).
Marketmen said an attractively
priced IPO will get a solid response
from investors as its chances of listing
with gains get higher. Conversely, if
an IPO is ‘over-priced’, it may not be
able to list attractively.
Prime Database managing director
Pranav Haldea said.
Another 11 firms looking to mop
up Rs 3,602 crore have filed draft
documents with the capital market
watchdog and are awaiting approval,
he added.
‘However, there is no large issue on
this list’, Haldea said.
According to experts, the IPO market is expected to see some activity
in the current fiscal as a dozen companies filed their draft papers with
Sebi in the past two months to launch
public offers.
Besides, to help start-ups tap the
IPO route to raise funds, Sebi has
floated a draft paper.
‘Coal auction unlocks
Bitter times for Cadbury
Rs 4,00,000 crore’
Kolkata, Apr 6 (PTI):
The auctions and allotments of 67
coal blocks so far has unlocked a total
value of nearly Rs 4,00,000 crore, a
senior coal ministry official said here
on Sunday.
‘Out of 67 blocks auctioned or allotted, a total benefit of Rs 3,35,000
crore is for states and another Rs
69,000 crore will be unlocked by way
of tariff benefit to the consumers’,
Coal Secretary Anil Swarup said here
at Coal Consumers’ Association of
India interactive session.
Till now, 29 blocks have been auctioned and another 38 allotted to the
state-owned entities.
The passing of the Coal Mines
Special Provisions Bill, 2015 in Parliament allows the government to
continue auctioning coal blocks to
private companies.
Sixteen blocks will be put under
hammer by third week of April, of
which 11 will be for the power sector
and the rest for the non-regulated
sector.
Swarup said the government was
deliberating on the segmentation of
industries for the non-regulated sector for allowing a level-playing field.
New Delhi, Apr 6 (PTI):
A demand of over Rs 570 crore has
been raised against confectionery
giant Cadbury India Ltd for allegedly evading excise duty by fraudulently taking exemption for one of its
‘ghost’ production units in Himachal
Pradesh.
The Directorate General of Central
Excise Intelligence (DGCEI) had in 2011 initiated a probe against
the company for
allegedly misusing ‘area-based
exemption’ for its
new unit in Baddi,
Himachal Pradesh
even before it came
into existence, official
sources said.
After completion of its investigation,
the DGCEI had slapped a showcause notice to the firm demanding
about Rs 250 crore against excise
duty evasion, they said. The demand
was contested and the central excise
office of Chandigarh had late last
month issued an assessment-cumdemand notice to Cadbury India Ltd
(now Mondelez India Foods Private
Limited) upholding the demands
raised by the DGCEI. It has demanded from the firm Rs 574 crore
towards alleged excise duty evasion
-- including Rs 231.47 crore for the
period from 28 July, 2010 to 31
January, 2013, Rs 111.36 crore for
the period from 1 February, 2013 to
31 December, 2013 and a penalty of
Rs 231.47 crore, according to
the demand order.
Further, a penalty
of Rs one crore
has also been
imposed against
Anand Kripalu,
Managing Director of Cadbury India Ltd for allegedly
violating central excise
rules, the order said.
In addition, penalties to the tune of
several lakhs of rupees have been
imposed on a few present and former
employees of the company.
Mondelez India in a statement said:
‘The company is examining the Commissioner’s order and will challenge
the same in appeal, as we firmly believe that we have correctly claimed
exemption of excise duty’.
SEBI norms: India Inc
faces tough time
New Delhi, Apr 6 (PTI):
A large number of listed firms, including some state-run entities, may
face regulatory action by SEBI and
stock exchanges after failing to appoint at least one woman director on
their respective boards.
While the final tally of the non-compliant companies is being tabulated,
the authorities have also come across
discrepancies in cases where listed
firms managed to announce the name
of women directors before 1 April,
sources said.
In some cases, the Director Identification Number (DIN) has been
found to be missing for the appointed
women directors, while there are also
instances of due process not being
followed in calling a board meeting
for such appointments.
The Corporate Affairs Ministry
may also take action against noncompliant entities, as the Companies
Act also provides for having at least
one woman director on boards of
listed companies. As per initial estimates, nearly 200 companies listed
on NSE failed to meet the deadline,
while the numbers are much higher
for the BSE.
The regulator is yet to take a call
on the companies that failed to announce the name of women directors
As per initial estimates, nearly 200
companies listed on NSE failed to
meet the deadline, while the numbers
are much higher for the BSE
within the deadline, but later announced such appointments while
stating that they were
made before 1 April.
Some companies had
also written to SEBI and
the exchanges about
their ‘inability’ to meet
the deadline, while citing reasons like ‘lack of
quorum’ at their board
meetings and sudden exit
of their existing women directors.
Nearly 500 companies announced
such appointments in the last two
days -- 30 March and 31 March
-- while over 100 firms made such
announcements on 1 April.
Besides, close to 50 companies
have announced the appointments
after 1 April, although they have
stated that the women directors
were appointed with effect from 31
March or before.
The biggest concern for the regulator is the fact that some large
state-run giants lagged behind in
having at least one female member
on their boards.
All listed companies
were required to have
at least one woman
director on their boards
1 April onwards, as
per a new SEBI directive, as also under the
Companies Act, 2013.
The firms have been
warned of ‘serious consequences’,
including hefty penalties for noncompliance. Sources said SEBI
has sought a compliance status
report from the stock exchanges
and would take a call accordingly.
An extended weekend soon after
the expiry of deadline -- due to
holidays on Thursday and Friday
-- came as a respite to the noncompliant companies but the regulator and the exchanges may begin
penal action tomorrow onwards,
they added.
Swiss ups black money vigil as
India threatens criminal action
Berne/New Delhi, Apr 6 (PTI):
With India and some other nations threatening
criminal proceedings over suspected black money
in Swiss banks, the European nation has
stepped up its supervisory and enforcement efforts to keep away the illicit funds
from its banking system.
This comes at a time when a number of
Swiss institutions have seen ‘asset outflows’ and the tax status of many of their clients have been found to be ‘inappropriate’, as
per the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory
Authority (FINMA), which also has the mandate to combat money laundering activities.
Switzerland has been making efforts to strengthen its bilateral cooperation with India and some
5
IPO line gets crowded
Now, 3D images
from smartphones
Washington, Apr 6 (PTI):
Want a quick 3-D copy of an object?
It may be as simple as taking a snapshot from your smartphone.
Researchers have developed a
cheap and highly accurate imager
that may be incorporated in smartphones to help produce a
3D replica of an object
within minutes.
3-D imaging has
been around for decades, but the most sensitive systems generally are
too large and expensive to
be used in consumer applications.
The new compact device known
as a nanophotonic coherent imager
(NCI) promises to change that.
Using an inexpensive silicon chip
less than a millimetre square in size,
the NCI provides the highest depthmeasurement accuracy of any such
nanophotonic 3-D imaging device.
MONDAY
6 APRIL 2015
other countries on tax
Switzerland has been making efforts to
matters, as many Swiss
banks are finding themstrengthen its bilateral cooperation with Inselves in reguladia and some other countries on tax matters,
tory crosshairs
as many Swiss banks are finding themselves in
in multiple jurisdictions.
regulatory crosshairs in multiple jurisdictions
Acknowledging that
followed the US in launching high-profile criminal
international pressure on cross-border investigations, while Israel and India are threatenwealth management remained high in ing to do so’, the supervisory authority said, while
2014, FINMA said in its latest annual adding that it is keeping a close watch on such
report that the same would continue to proceedings.
preoccupy the country’s financial sector
FINMA’s observation comes at a time when Inin the years to come.
dian authorities are making efforts to trace black
‘Germany, France, Belgium and Argentina have money allegedly stashed by its citizens in Swiss
banks. Recently, there was also an international
uproar over reports suggesting that many entities
parked their illicit assets at HSBC bank in Geneva.
Elaborating on cross-border taxation issues,
FINMA said it is deploying both supervision and,
where necessary, ‘enforcement to ensure that
banks adequately assess, manage and limit their
legal and reputational risks in this area’.
The regulator said that a number of institutions
recorded asset outflows as they parted with clients
whose tax status was inappropriate or who had
filed voluntary declarations in their countries of
origin.
‘This trend will intensify in the run-up to the
planned automatic exchange of information scheduled to begin in 2017/2018’, it noted.
NAME CHANGE
I, BISMILLAH ALI,
S/o Bismillah, born on
9.12.1955, residing
at No.2/5, Appasamy
Lane, Muthialpet,
Chennai-600 001, shall
henceforth be known as
BISMILLAH ALI HUSSAIN.
BISMILLAH ALI
Read
Every evening
Sports
6 MONDAY
6 APRIL 2015
CHENNAI
Five-star Djokovic rocks
in Miami again
Rayo next in firing
line for Real Madrid
World No.1’s form raises hopes of 2011-like run
Murray, who is poised to return to
number three in the world rankings,
started strong in a bid to end a sixmatch skid against the Serb No.1 but
flattered to deceive in the decider and
Djokovic went from strength to strength
Miami, Apr 6 (AFP):
World number one Novak Djokovic
roared home in a 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-0
win over Andy Murray on Sunday to
claim a fifth Miami Masters title.
Serbia’s Djokovic pushed his career
record against the Scot to 18-8, adding the triumph in the championship
match on the hardcourts of Miami to
victories over Murray this year in the
Australian Open final and the semifinals of the Indian Wells Masters.
Djokovic looks in such command
of his game and his opponents that
there is already the feeling he could
enjoy a similar year to his remarkable 2011, where he won 41 straight
matches and claimed three of the
grand slam titles.
‘I could not ask for a better start of
the season, winning three big titles,’
Djokovic said. ‘Hopefully I’m able to
use this for the claycourt coming up.
That’s extremely important for me
Rory, Tiger get
Masters sessions
Augusta (United States), Apr 6 (AFP):
Top-ranked Rory McIlroy and 14time major winner Tiger Woods, each
seeking a milestone Masters victory
next Sunday, appear to have a key
advisor in common -- Augusta National ace Jeff Knox.
Should either golf superstar
capture the green jacket
next weekend, McIlroy
to complete a career
Grand Slam and win his
third major in a row or
Woods for a fifth time to end
a seven-year major win
drought, he might just owe
some thanks to 51-year-old
Knox, who set the Augusta
National members course
record of 61 in 2003.
McIlroy was famously
outplayed by non-competing marker
Knox in last year’s Masters third
round, the Northern Ireland star
shooting 71 to Knox’s 70.
And Woods played his practice
round Friday at Augusta National with
Knox, according to a Golf Channel
report Sunday, just before announcing that he would play in the Masters, ending a layoff that began 5
February when he withdrew after
11 holes at Torrey Pines.
Woods, 39, has been nagged by
back injuries for much of the past
year, his quest simply to complete
72 holes becoming a soap opera
sideshow.
‘I’m playing in the Masters,’ Woods
said. ‘I’ve worked a lot on my game
and I’m looking forward to competing.’
Happy to be reunited
with Dhoni: Irfan
NT Bureau
Chennai, Apr 6:
He is Indian cricket's forgotten man,
so to speak. Irfan Pathan, who finds
himself on the outer, is trying his best
to work his way back into the national
side and thinks his efforts in the Ranji
Trophy have stood him in good stead.
That is not all, the Baroda all-rounder
is keen to use the upcoming IPL as a
springboard to winning back a spot in
the Indian team(s) and is excited to
be reunited with M S Dhoni.
Irfan is Chennai Super Kings' new
signing and he is keen to don the
team's colours and prove his worth
to the T20 league's most successful
side. He is ready to fit into any role
that CSK would offer him in IPL-8.
After remaining unsold in the first
session during this year's auction, Irfan, who last played for India in 2012
World T20, was lucky to be picked
by the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led
CSK. Now, he wants to make the
chance count.
'Obviously, the dream is to play
for the country again.
But at
the same time,
I
should make
sure that I
go there step by
step and that is what
I am doing. I did well
in the Ranji Trophy.
Hope I can do well
well in the upcoming
IPL as well. There a r e s o m e
matches coming up after the IPL
season. Sooner or later, I will fulfill
my dream.
'In 2011, people talked that it was
going to be difficult to make a comeback but I told them that I will make
a comeback and I did. I am saying
it again that I am going to return in
the national team and I am working
towards it,' said Irfan.
Irfan of course, may face tough
competition from other all-rounders in
the side. 'Having many all-rounders
is beneficial for the team. I have had
Irfan Pathan
Novak Djokovic
obviously leading up to French.’
‘I hope so, but it’s just the beginning.
I don’t want to predict anything. I don’t
want to put some additional unnecessary pressure on myself,’ he said.
‘There is already a lot of expecta-
tions of course. Everywhere I go I
have to deal with it.’
Djokovic became the first man to
complete the Indian Wells-Miami
Masters title sweep three times, having also done so in 2011 and 2014.
Cristiano Ronaldo
O n
M o n day, Djokovic
will tie
Spain’s
Rafael Nadal for the
sixth-most
weeks spent at the top of the rankings, sitting atop the summit for the
141st week in his career.
Murray, meanwhile, is poised to
return to number three in the world.
The Scot, whose last victory over
Djokovic was in his historic Wimbledon final triumph of 2013, started
strong in a bid to end a six-match skid
against the Serb.
Brutal conditions
The two traded four breaks of serve
in the first eight games of the tense
first set in which both struggled on
serve on one sun-splashed end of
the court.
‘It was just very tough, brutal conditions for both of us,’ Djokovic said.
‘We tried to stay mentally tough,
both of us, and kind of hang in there,
battle, and wear down the other
player physically.
Dream run continues
for Sania & Hingis
Miami, Apr 6:
They were in a lot of trouble
early on, but Martina Hingis
and Sania Mirza battled back
to beat Ekaterina Makarova
and Elena Vesnina on Sunday to win the Miami Open
doubles title.
The No.2-seeded Makarova
and Vesnina came out strong,
storming out to a 5-2 lead,
but the No.1-seeded Hingis
and Mirza came alive from
there, reeling off eight games
in a row - even staving off a
set point - to surge ahead,
7-5, 3-0. They barely looked
back to close out the Russian pairing, 7-5, 6-1.
‘The most important thing is that
we never stopped believing we’re a
great team,’ Hingis said of the early
deficit. ‘They played a great set to get
us to that position, 5-2 down. Then
we just tried to stay in there and get
our chances. We just built on every
point, which is what we did well last
week too.’
The Swiss-Indian duo talked about
how an on-court coaching visit helped
them turn it around.
‘Today the coaching really turned
it around - your dad came on court,’
Hingis said to Mirza.
‘We just tried to keep telling
each other to enjoy the struggle,’ Mirza said. ‘Last week everything came very, very easily
to us - we didn’t lose more than
four games in a set. Over here
we were down, and we were
panicking. It was like, ‘Oh my
God, we’re not playing well.’ We
just weren’t used to that.
‘But it’s good to fight through
those matches and believe,
and come out now and be like,
‘At 5-3 I was gutsy to hit a big
serve,’ or she made a huge
move at 5-4, if that makes
sense. So it’s good.’
It has been an absolute dream start
for Hingis and Mirza - the two Premier
Mandatory events in Indian Wells and
Miami were their first two tournaments
playing together. They’re now 10-0 together, and even more impressively,
they haven’t lost a single set along the
way - they’re 20-0 in sets together.
Madrid, Apr 6 (AFP):
Real Madrid continue their pursuit
of Barcelona in the La Liga title race
away to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday fresh from a 9-1 thrashing of
Granada.
Cristiano Ronaldo registered a
five-goal haul for the first time in
his distinguished career as Madrid
bounced back from losing a potentially-decisive clash against Barcelona
before the international break.
Moreover, coach Carlo Ancelotti
has almost a fully fit squad to choose
from for the first time in five months
with centre-back Pepe the only doubt
for the trip across Madrid.
Playmaker Isco is available once
more after missing out through
suspension against Granada, but
Ancelotti insisted he is reluctant to
make too many changes after such
a stunning return to form.
‘The team is very fresh. Resting
players for the sake of it doesn’t
make sense. The players will rest
when they are tired and there is a
risk of injury,’ said the Italian.
‘We are in great form. We have
never been in this physical shape
before, especially at this time last
season.’Rayo come into the game in
fine form themselves on the back of
three victories to take them into the
top half of the table.
Manucho was the match winner for
Paco Jemez’s men in a 2-1 win at
Eibar on Friday and the former Manchester United striker is confident of
springing a surprise against their city
rivals. ‘With the enthusiasm we have
in the team and how we are playing
at the moment, we think we can beat
Madrid,’ he said. Rayo’s main threat
will be a well-known one to Madrid
fans as former Real youth product
Alberto Bueno’s 16 La Liga goals
have made him the highest scoring
Spaniard in the division. Barca maintained their stranglehold on the title
race in
less dramatic
fashion with a hardfought 1-0 win
over Celta Vigo on
Sunday to remain
four points clear
at the top of the
table.
Indian spin in a spin, says Siva
Former leggie to groom youngsters at academy
a discussion with Stephen Fleming
and he gave an idea as to what kind
of a role he wants me to play. That
is a team talk. For me, I am feeling
very confident. It is just a matter of
what Dhoni thinks in terms of how
he is going to utilise me and how
the team wants me to play. I think
with the experience that I have I can
fit in any role.
I just have to
be ready
mentally,'
he said.
'Obviously, it is a
new team for
me but there are lot of guys in the
team that I know very well. So, I am
really excited to play with the most
successful team in the IPL so far.
And I am really excited to play under
Dhoni. Hopefully, the season will
be great as I had trained very well
having bowled over 150 overs in the
Ranji Trophy this season,' he said. 'I
had played in different teams earlier.
Compared to other teams, CSK has a
pretty relaxed atmosphere. They are
respectful and relaxed. I have been
relaxed. Eventually it is a sport. You
can't be too much pressurized. They
are a relaxed team,' he added.
NT Bureau
Chennai, Apr 6:
In a land that is known for its legendary spinners, there seems to be
a paucity now and Cricket Drome is
attempting to unearth slow-bowlers
by launching a spin academy here.
Former Indian leg-spinner Laxman
Sivaramakrishnan will groom young
spinners at the academy, that was
launched today.
Addressing the media here last
night, Sivaramakrishnan said: 'We
have some very good batsmen and
pace bowlers. But we do not have
many promising spinners. India is
going through a crisis in spin.'
'At the Spin Academy, youngsters
from India and abroad will receive
specialised coaching.'
'Given the depressing scenario for
spinners across the cricketing world,
Former Indian leg-spinner L Sivaramakrishnan and Cricket
Drome CEO K Srinaath at a press meet in Chennai yesterday to
announce launch of the spin academy.
we are preparing to go international.
What MRF Pace Foundation has
been for pacemen, we want this facility to be for spinners,' he said. He
spoke about the defensive mind-set
of the present-day spinners. 'They
should look to pick wickets, not contain. They should focus on the basics
and then improve their variety. You
can be so creative in spin,' he said.
Sivaramakrishnan was left wondering as to why present day spinners did
not flight the ball. 'The moment they
are hit, they start bowling even faster.
This is sad because even the pacemen use the slower ball very cleverly
Kohli bets big on AB, Gayle
Virat Kohli
Mumbai, Apr 6 (PTI):
Captain Virat Kohli said Royal Challengers Bangalore’s star-studded
batting line-up will be able to express
itself better in IPL-8 with the
arrival of players such as Darren
Sammy and S Badrinath in the
team.
Besides the Indian player
and former West Indies captain, Dinesh Karthik was also
being bought at the auction, and
the 26-year old Kohli said that it has
provided depth to their batting line-up.
‘This season is pretty different for us
because for the last three or maybe
four years myself, Chris and AB
have played under a lot of pressure
because the batting revolved around
the three of us. ‘If you look at the few
other teams, they have a lot of depth
in their batting which meant the guys
could go and express themselves and
play freely that worked for them,’
Kohli said after the team’s jersey
launch here yesterday.
Things, this time around, could
change for the better for
RCB.
‘We had to be cautious and
at the same time look to score runs
which sort of put us under pressure
at times but this time around we have
got Dinesh Karthik, Darren Sammy,
Badrinath and youngsters like Mandeep Singh coming into the batting
line-up. ‘It is a very strong batting unit
this time and we have got really good
depth with great mixture of Indian
youngsters and great bowlers from
around the world and some good
power hitters.
these
days,'
he said.
Also, he
said, 'too
many
off-spinners
and leftarm spinners are bowling with a suspect action in contemporary cricket.
You have to spot the chinks early and
correct them. At the Spin Academy,
our focus will be on a clean bowling
action.'
The Spin Academy will have a oneyear intensive course for aspirants
from the age of 18 years and above.
Promising bowlers from a weaker
economic background will be offered scholarships. Krishnamachari
Srinaath, CEO, Cricket Drome, was
present. Cricket Drome is promoted
by Indian players Dinesh Karthik, S
Badrinath and S Sriram.
T20s easier for
pacers: Ishant
New Delhi, Apr 6 (PTI):
Raring to go in the IPL, a fit-again
Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer Ishant
Sharma feels T20 is easier for fast
bowlers than ODIs with the problematic four-fielder rule
not being
there in cricket’s shortest format.
The lanky pacer, who missed
the World Cup in
Australia due to a
knee problem, is eager to prove his worth i n
the
eighth season of the cash-rich league
and believes the shorter-format will
certainly help him regain his matchfitness.
Mixed Bag
CHENNAI
For a cause
Wipro chairman’s presence at meet of RSS-affiliates in spotlight
NT Bureau
A three-day Rashtriya Sewa Sangamam in Delhi organised by Rashtriya Sewa Bharati for NGOs hit the headlines
for the participation of Wipro chairman Azim Premji.
Around 3000 representatives from all over India took part in the event which saw several eminent personalities
and intellectuals deliver lectures.
Speaking at the meet, Azim Premji called for a concerted effort to improve India’s education system. He, however,
took care to avoid getting drawn into the politics of appearing at such an event.
Driving force
Annual meetings of Akhil Bharateeya Pratindhi Sabha, the
All India working committee of
RSS, were held last month.
Representatives were elected
from RSS Shakhas of all regions
of the country, State-level office- bearers of RSS, national
office-bearers of Sangh affiliated
organisations attended it. More
than 1400 social workers of different walks of life from nook
and corners of the country have
attended the RSS meetings.
At present, there are 51330
Shakhas at 33222 places. 12847
Saptahik Milan and 9008 Sangh
Mandali. The number of Shakhas
of young students is 6077. Total
places reached out are 55010.
Looking ahead
At a recently held convention,
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said
that the RSS will expand its work
and make it more organised to
serve all sections insisting that it
would be without any distinction,
motives or selfish reasons. Premji
has clarified his presence at the
covention by saying that he attended it since he appreciated all
the good works done by the RSS
and that it does not mean that he
was endorsing it.
The recognition
Sangh initiated movements, be it
social-reformist or anti-secessionist
that evoked ready response and
approbation from the common multitudes as well as from vast numbers
of elite of different shades. It has
increasingly been recognised that the
Sangh is not a mere reaction to one or
another social or political aberration.
It represents a corpus of thought and
action firmly rooted in genuine nationalism and in the age old tradition
of this country.
No other movement or institution
has attracted such vast numbers of
adherents, several thousands of them
making social work their life’s mission, whose character and integrity
are not doubted even by their most
virulent critics.
Spreading
wings
RSS was founded in 1925 by
Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, who
was a doctor in the city of Nagpur,
British India. The RSS, during the
initial stages, portrayed itself as
a social movement and refused
to consider itself a political party,
and did not play any role in many
of the efforts in Indian independence movement.
The growth of Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh and its
sphere of influence has been
spreading far and wide all these
years in India. Sangh inspired
institutions and movements today
to form a strong presence in every
field of nationalist endeavor.
Fabindia top bosses to
be quizzed tomorrow
Panaji, Apr 6:
Goa police will quiz two top officials
of Fabindia in connection with the
voyeurism case filed against the
outlet’s staff after Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani alleged that the store
had a CCTV camera focusing at the
trial room.
The State crime branch has issued summons to Fabindia’s Chief
Executive Officer Subrata Dutta and
Managing Director William Bissell
asking them to remain present for
the investigation. ‘Both of them have
informed us that they will remain
present before the investigating officer tomorrow,’Superintendent of
Police Kartik Kashyap told PTI today.
Goa Police had yesterday said all
the persons involved in the voyeurism
case, registered following the complaint by Irani, would be brought to
book and ‘other victims’ too would be
called for recording their statements.
Smriti Irani, who visited a Fabindia
store at Candolim last week, alleged
that it had a CCTV camera focusing at
the trial room. Subsequently, four employees of the store -- Paresh Bhagat,
Raju Payanche, Prashant Naik and
Karim Lakhani -- were arrested and
booked under IPC sections 354C (voyeurism), 509 (intrusion into privacy)
and IT Act’s section 66E (capturing,
publishing image of private area of
any person without his/her consent).
MONDAY
6 APRIL 2015
7
Jaitley talks tough
on black money
‘Reasonable compliance window will be offered’
New Delhi, Apr 6:
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley
today promised a ‘reasonable
compliance window’ under the new
black money law for persons with
overseas funds to come clean, even
as he asserted that targetting undeclared assets cannot be termed as
‘tax terrorism’.
Addressing industry representatives at CII annual general meeting,
he also sought suggestions for improving the structure of the compliance window proposed Undisclosed
Foreign Income and Assets (Imposition of Tax) Bill 2015.’
‘...a very reasonable compliance
window would come for those who
indulged in misadventure in the
past,’ the Finance Minister said.
‘If some reasonableness is required, the government or Parliament or the Legislature will be open
to reasonable suggestions which
will be welcomed in these matters.’
The government had introduced
AI pilots in
verbal duel
before take-off
New Delhi, Apr 6:
Amid growing concern across the
world over aviation safety, it has
come to light that two pilots of an Air
India flight were allegedly involved in
a fight inside the cockpit just before
the plane took off. As per reports, the
incident happened inside the AI 611
flight which was preparing to fly for
Delhi from Jaipur on Sunday evening.
As per reports, the co-pilot of the
Airbus A-320 took offence and beat
up the captain after the latter asked
him to write down critical figures that
are noted before the take-off.
The flight, however, departed for
Delhi after the captain decided to operate the same ‘in the interest of the
airline’, sources said, as per a leading
English daily. The airline, however,
brushed aside the incident as a minor
argument and ‘nothing more’. An AI
spokesman said that the captain and
his deputy had an argument and that
they have settled the issue.
The incident raises serious questions about flight safety, especially
in the wake of the Germanwings
air disaster in which the ‘suicidal’
co-pilot allegedly crashed the plane
deliberately.
The disconnect from the past
will surely come... rather than
wait for that opportunity where
people run into trouble and then
say targeting undeclared, undisclosed income or assets abroad is
terrorism
the stringent Bill in the Lok Sabha
to deal with the menace of black
money stashed abroad. Besides
other things, the law provides for
imprisonment of up to 10 years for
hiding foreign assets.
It will also provide a short-term
compliance window for people having undisclosed income abroad to
come clean.
Jaitley further said that in view of
the efforts being made globally by
the US and organisations like G-20
to deal with black money, it would
be difficult for anyone to hide foreign
assets.
‘Over the next 2-3 years, G-20
initiative for automatic exchange of
information is going to take shape.
India is going to become a signatory
to the US law FATCA, and thereafter not only the US, other countries
inter-se would also be discharging
their obligation to each other.
‘...the disconnect from the past
will surely come... rather than wait
for that opportunity where people
run into trouble and then say targeting undeclared, undisclosed
income or assets abroad is terrorism, it would be in everybody’s
interest that the rule of law is
complied with,’ Jaitley said.
I am Jyothika’s fan,
says director Bala
FAMILY AFFAIR
Actors Suriya and Jyothika with their children at the audio launch of
36 Vayadhinilae in Chennai today. Suriya’s brother Karthi is also seen.
NT Bureau
Chennai, Apr 6:
There was a lot of cheering and
whistles all over when Jyothika appeared on screen after eight years. At
the audio launch of 36 Vayadhinilae,
the comeback vehicle of the actress
today at a hotel in Chennai, the trailer
of the movie was also screened.
36 Vayadhinile is the remake of the
Malayalam hit How Old Are You and
marks Jyothika’s comeback to the big
screen. Directed by Roshan Andrews,
it has music by Santhosh Narayanan.
Speaking at the audio launch, Natioanal award-winning filmmaker Bala,
said, ‘I am Jyothika’s fan. I agreed
to release the audio for her and not
for Suriya’.
On his part suriya, ‘Ever since I was
married to Jyothika, she stopped acting. I never knew that she still had the
desire to appear before the camera.
When Roshan ANdrews narrated
the story to me, I saw Jyothika and
understood that she wanted to be part
of the project’.
Produced by Suriya’s 2D Entertainments, the movie is complete and
ready for release.
The audio launch saw veteran actor
Sivakumar, Karthi, Rahman, directors K S Ravikumar, Venkat Prabhu,
Vasanth, Radhamohan, producers
Gnanavelraja and Dhananjayan in
attendance.
PDP’s national spokesperson quits
As part of Panguni festivities, devotees gathered in large numbers to seek the blessings of the almighty at the float festival in Sri Marundheeswarar
temple in Thiruvanmaiyur and Vadapalani Murugan temple yesterday.
Dwyer eyes gold in
Rio before signing off
Ipoh (Malaysia), Apr 6 (PTI):
Jamie Dwyer has got all the
trophies in his cupboard which a
hockey player dreams of while picking up the stick and the legendary
Australian now aspires a ‘fairytale’
finish to his illustrious career with a
gold medal in 2016 Rio Olympics.
Dwyer, the greatest-ever hockey
player from Australia, has one gold
and two bronze medals in the Olympics, two World Cup gold medals,
three Commonwealth Games gold,
six Champions Trophy titles and two
Oceania cup gold besides two silver
medals each in the World Cup and
Champions Trophy to his credit.
But the 36-year-old diminutive
striker is eyeing another yellow
metal in next year’s Rio Olympics,
in what he believes would be a
‘fairytale’ end to his 15-year career.
‘Gold medal in Rio,’ was his
prompt reply when asked what else
more he desires to achieve in his
career.
‘It will be a good finish. I would
like to go there and have success.
We have a very good team at the
moment and I think I can play a role
in the team. To be able to play four
Olympics would be awesome. Olympics is the pinnacle of our sport,’
Dwyer told PTI in an interview.
Asked whether he would like to
sign off the way cricketer Michael
Clarke bid adieu to his ODI career
by leading Australia to their fifth
World Cup title, Dwyer, who yesterday became his country’s mostcapped hockey player following his
322nd appearance against Canada
in the 24th Azlan Shah Cup, said,
‘Why not? Definitely, win and finish
would be perfect.
Jamie Dwyer
It would be a fairytale.’ Till last year
Dwyer never had that thought in his
mind but a snub from the Australian
squad for Glasgow Commonwealth
Games made him decide to prolong
his retirement plans. ‘The way it
was ending for me wasn’t really
nice. If I would have played in the
Commonwealth Games, I would
have definitely retired. I didn’t go
there.
Things with myself and coach
(Ric Charlesworth) weren’t
very good. I didn’t enjoy
my hockey last year,’ said
the record five-time
world hockey
player of the
year.
‘But I thought if
I can keep doing
it physically why
not give it a shot. I want
to enjoy as much I can
over the journey to Rio
whether I make it or not I don’t know
but I am gonna give it a crack.
100 per cent Rio would be my last
irrespective of whether I make the
team or not,’ Dwyer said.
Srinagar, Apr 6:
National spokesperson of ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Sameer
Kaul has resigned from the party alleging that the regional party had compromised on its stated principles.
‘I feel in some respects it doesn’t match my political philosophy and Kashmiriyat and therefore I am compelled to be myself and withdraw from participation in this party with immediate effect,’ Kaul, a leading oncologist, said today.
Kaul, who was with the PDP for more than three years, said, ‘I would request
the party leadership to understand my point of view and accept my resignation
forthwith.’ ‘When I joined PDP, I had the dream of a new Kashmir with new
stakeholders, fresh ideas, honest politics and apolitical governance.
‘But the moment opportunism of sharing power with the BJP succeeded, I
was disappointed because all the stated principles of the creation of PDP were
straightforwardly compromised,’ he said.
Sania inches closer
to top ranking
New Delhi, Apr 6 (PTI):
Sania Mirza took a giant leap towards becoming world number one
player in the doubles by pocketing
1000 ranking points, following her stupendous title win in the Miami Open
with partner Martina Hingis.
Sania’s ranking remained at number
three but she closed the gap to
just 145 points with the world
number one Italians Sara Errani
and Roberta Vinci,
who both have 7640
points each.
With her second
title in a row with
Martina, Sania now
sits at number three with
7495 points.
Now Sania needs to win
the Family Circle Cup, beginning
this week in Charleston, where she
and Martina are top seeds. But the
tournament is being played on green
clay and Sania with her partner go
into the event without practice on
this surface, which is little faster than
red clay.
Nevertheless, Sania had won a title at
Charleston in 2011
with Elena Vesnina.
Meanwhile, in the
WTA singles rankings, Ankita Raina
gained a place to be
Sania Mirza
at number 252.
In the ATP rankings, Somdev Devvarman continues to be India’s top
singles player at number 171, a gain
of five places. Ramkumar Ramanathan was the next best at number 233.
He jumped 14 spots on the ladder and
was followed by Yuki Bhambri (251),
who climbed six places up.
In the doubles, Leander Paes was
highest-ranked player at number 23
and was followed by Rohan Bopanna
(24). Both the players gained two
places each.
8MONDAY
6 APRIL 2015
, CHENNAI
Licensed to post without prepayment under WPP. No. TN / PMG / (CCR) / WPP-470 / 15-17
Kanchana-2
ready for
big release
T
he third instalment
of Lawerence’s successful horror-comedy
franchise, Kanchana -2
is all set to release on 16
April. The trade in TN is
eagerly waiting as horror
seems to be the flavour
of the season.
Sources say that the
producers of Kanchana
2 will be applying for censors by this week and they
are planning to release
the film in more than 350
screens in Tamilnadu.
Kanchana 2 has
Taapsee, Kovai Sarala,
Nithya Menon, Sriman
and many others to its star
cast. Thenandal Films will
be releasing Kanchana 2
in Tamilnadu.
— NT Bureau
Vishal
When is
Vishal getting
married?
O
ne of the most eligible
bachelors of Tamil cinema, Vishal has spilled the
beans on his marriage.
The Sanda Kozhi actor said that
he will be getting married only after the construction of a separate
building for Nadigar Sangam.
The building issue has remained a vexatious one and
Visal has been pressing for it.
Vishal recently met his fans from
various districts across the State and
expressed his desire to convert his fan
clubs into ‘Vishal Welfare Organisation’ (Vishal
Narpani Mandram).
Speaking on the occasion, he said, ‘I have no
differences of opinion with Nadigar Sangam
president Sarath Kumar or its general secretary
Radha Ravi. All I urge them is to start constructing a building soon for us’.
Stating that he was not keen on contesting the
elections for the Sangam this year, Vishal, said,
‘There are over 2500 members in the association
and I want all to lead a happy and contended life’.
He further said, ‘I am raising my voice for a
cause and hence veterans in the industry like
Sivakumar, Anandhraj, Nasser, Ponvannan are
supporting me’.
The actor further said that his fans are doing a lot of good things silently and the Vishal
Narpani Mandram will be a platform to interact
with his fans.
Vishal added that he is planning to help financially support the poor students’ education and
his welfare organisation members will provide
basic necessities to educational institutes in the
villages of Tamilnadu.
Asked about his forthcoming film Payum Puli, he
said, ‘The first schedule is all complete. We thank
the famed AVM Productions for giving us the go
ahead to use the title hitherto owned by them.’
Kajal Agarwal plays my heroine and it is a police
story set in Madurai.
Directed by Suseenthiran, it has music by D
Imman. Plans are on to release the film for Vinayaka Chathurthi in September, he said.
— NT Bureau
Sequel to
Thimiru
Actor-director Tharun Gopi is
busy with a sequel to his earlier
hit Thimiru. The movie starred
Vishal, Shriya Reddy and Reema
Sen and was a huge hit. Tharun
Gopi, who ventured to act in few
films recently, is be directing the
second part and he also plays
the lead role in it.
Produced by Saravanan for S S
Productions, the movie unfolds
in Madurai. Tharun Gopi is busy
with post production works and
is confident of releasing the
same this summer.
— NT Bureau
Thaman to
perform for
a cause
‘I am raising my voice for a
cause and hence veterans in the
industry like Sivakumar, Anandhraj,
Nasser, Ponvannan
are supporting me’
Craig has undergone
knee surgery
D
aniel Craig has undergone knee
surgery after injuring himself on
the set of upcoming James Bond film
Spectre.
Eon Productions said he had had a
minor procedure in New York during
a break in production over Easter,
WATER, MATTER
Music composer Thaman will
perform live for the welfare of
orphaned children in Chennai.
The show is being organised
by Rajasthan Youth Association and would be organised
very soon.
Thaman inspite of his busy
schedule has managed to find
time for the show. The live-in
concert of Thaman will see
people coming in large numbers besides walk-in by top
celebrities.
Although Thaman entered
the film industry as an actor
in director Shankar’s Boys, he
soon turned film composer and
became popular for his work
as a music director. His debut
film as music director was the
Sindhanai Sei (Tamil), while
his first Telugu film was Kick.
— NT Bureau
reported BBC online. A spokeswoman
denied reports the 47-year-old had
missed several days of filming on the
24th Bond film, Spectre.
During a scheduled break, Daniel
Craig had arthroscopic surgery to
repair his knee injury. He will rejoin
production on 22 April Pinewood,’
she said.
Filming on Spectre began at Pinewood Studios, in Buckinghamshire,
last December, and has since moved
to Rome and Mexico.
It is Craig’s fourth outing as the
secret service agent, and follows the
success of 2012’s Skyfall, which made
737 million pounds worlwide.
The film features Christoph Waltz
plays a character called Oberhauser
- which, in the novels, is the name of
Bond’s former skiing instructor.
However, it has been rumoured the
actor will be revealed as Bond’s old
nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld.
Blofeld was the number one in
Spectre, an international crime syndicate which last featured in the Sean
Connery-era films. Spectre will be
released on 6 November, 2015.
— PTI
Still from Oru Melliya Kodu
A man carrying plastic pots on a tricycle, signalling the arrival of summer.
Photo: C SANTHOSH
Shruti
opposite Ajith
Oru Melliya Kodu
progressing fast
A
huge set has been erected at Poonamalle near Chennai resembling
a chemical lab, where scenes involving Arjun, Shaam and Manisha
Koirala are being shot for the movie Oru Melliya Kodu.
The movie is directed by Kuppi Ramesh and has music by Ilayaraja.
Says the director, Oru Melliya Kodu will have an innovative screenplay.
Everything will be new in the movie’.
Arjun’s character has come good and audience will love it, he adds.
Remember Ramesh’s last venture Vanayuddham was a bio-pic on sandalwood smuggler Veerappan and Arjun played a key role in it.
— NT Bureau
S
hruti Haasan has been roped
in for Ajith Kumar’s yet-untitled
next film, which will be helmed
by Siruthai Siva and produced by A
M Rathnam.
‘Shruti Haasan has been finalised
as the heroine. The makers are
looking for another actress to play
the role of Ajith’s sister in the movie.
The pre-production work is already
underway. The regular shooting will
start from May,’ a source from the
film’s unit said.
The source also confirmed that actress Bindu Madhavi won’t be playing
Ajith’s sister.
Model-turned-actor Kabir Singh is
in talks to play the antagonist, while
the rest of the cast is being finalised.
Anirudh Ravichander has been
signed on to compose the tunes.
— NT Bureau
Vivek
goes to
Bollywood
Actor Vivek is all set to speak
in Hindi . Interestingly his
recent Tamil movie Pathayiram Kodi will be dubbed and
released in Hindi as Paisa Hai
Paisa.
Says producer Muktha Sundar, ‘We are planning to release the movie in 150 screens
across the country. We are
confident that it would make it
big in B and C Centres’.
The movie is a group of college students, who invent a
chemical potion and that turns
them invisible. They use their
invention to steal Rs 10,000
crore from a business woman.
It is then up to CB-CID officer
Shankar Lal , played by Vivek,
to trace the money from the
students, who are on the run.
— NT Bureau
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