Pune puts whistle for Dhoni
Transcription
Pune puts whistle for Dhoni
FRONTLINE PRINTERS PRIVATE LTD A Complete Printing Facilities under One Roof M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032. 2250 0111, 4202 1111 3 Are rain-hit students mentally prepared? 6 Tributes pour in for MAM 7 8 Chennaiyin looks to pack off ATK Chennai’s No 1 English evening daily since 1982 www.newstodaynet.com NATIONAL DAILY VOL. XXXIV NO. 9 H CHENNAI H Arnold or Vikram? Rajini holds crucial talks with Shankar FOUNDER EDITOR: T.R.R TUESDAY 15.12.2015 (EVENING) H OTHER STATIONS WEDNESDAY 16.12.2015 (MORNING) H 8 PAGES Rs. 4.00 H Regd. No., TN/CC(S) DN/223/15-17, RNI No: 33810 / 82 AIADMK MPs, MLAs donate one month salary for flood relief NT Bureau Chennai, Dec 15: Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa today reassured the people that she would stand by with them at all times and that there was no need for concern. Calling herself a ‘dear sister’ of the people, the AIADMK supremo said that her thoughts constantly revolved around them. ‘I will be with you at any time; don’t worry,’ she said in a party statement. Jayalalithaa, who thanked all those who were involved in the flood-relief activities with ‘selfless’ dedication, said AIADMK MLAs and MPs will contribute their one month’s salary towards flood relief activities. The AIADMK has 150 MLAs in the 234-member Tamilnadu Assembly and 49 MPs in both Houses of Parliament. Jayalalithaa described the recent deluge which claimed over 300 lives and left a trail of destruction as ‘rarest of the rare’ and also thanked all those who involved themselves in floodrelief activities. She said that her government was expeditiously carrying out flood-relief activities. Simbu on the run NT Bureau Chennai, Dec 15: Protests continued for the second day in front of actor Simbu’s residence at T Nagar in the city and other parts of the State demanding his arrest following the derogatory ‘Beep Song’ which was leaked online few days ago. This morning, members of AIDWA-DIFY assembled before his residence at Masilamani Street, which was under tight police protection. They demanded that the actor be taken into police custody during the demonstration. There were around 150 protestors, along with students of Madras University, and some of them burned his pictures. Enraged by the lyrics of the leaked song which demean women, the demonstrators said that they will organise many more protests until the actor is arrested. Meanwhile, whereabouts of the actor, who was served summons by the Coimbatore police (to appear on 19 December), reamin untraceable. However, some reports said, Simbu who is allegedly absconding from the city, is in Hyderabad. Singer-composer Anirudh, against whom too there is much flak from the women community, is still in Toronto Simbu, who has in the past run into many such controversial audio and photo leaks, so far, has only issued a non-apologetic response on social media to the latest leak of his vulgar song, despite many persons and organistaions filing complaints against him with Coimbatore and Chennai Police. Meanwhile, Simbu’s father and actor T Rajhendherr, in his complaint letter to the Commissioner of Police, stated that his son Simbu had nothing to do with the song. Pune puts whistle for Dhoni q Ashwin, Rahane to join MSD q Rajkot snaps up ‘Namma CSK boys’ Raina, Jadeja Mumbai, Dec 15: India’s limited-overs captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni today emerged as the top draw in the IPL draft with the Sanjeev Goenka-owned new franchise Pune opting to pick him first for the stipulated price of Rs 12.5 crore here. Dhoni’s India teammate Suresh Raina was the first preference for the other new team Rajkot, which is owned by Intex Mobiles. He will also get an identical Rs 12.5 crore by virtue of being the first player selected by the franchise. ‘Excited to play for the beautiful vibrant city - Rajkot in @IPL. Looking forward to have new teammates and support from the people of Gujarat,’ Raina tweeted after the draft. In-form Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane was the second choice for Pune, while Rajkot opted for Ravindra Jadeja in the same position. Both players will be entitled to a purse of Rs 9.5 crore per year. The draft process was necessitated following the suspension of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals M S Dhoni and Suresh Raina, the faces of the now suspended CSK, will turn out for Pune and Rajkot respectively in IPL’s 2016 and 2017 editions. from the IPL for two years in the wake of the 2013 spot-fixing and betting scandal. The suspension was ordered by the Supreme Courtappointed Justice (retd) R M Lodha committee, which was formed to decide the quantum of punishment following the investigations. Who got whom What they said Team Pune: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Rs 12.5 crore), Ajinkya Rahane (Rs 9.5 crore), R Ashwin (Rs 7.5 crore), Steve Smith (Rs 5.5 crore), Faf du Plessis (Rs 4 crore). Team Rajkot: Suresh Raina (Rs 12.5 crore), Ravindra Jadeja (Rs 9.5 crore), Brendon McCullum (Rs 7.5 crore), James Faulkner (Rs 5.5 crore), Dwayne Bravo (Rs 4 crore). Suresh Raina (@ImRaina): ‘Excited to play for the beautiful vibrant city- Rajkot in @IPL. Looking forward to have new teammates and support from the people of Gujarat’ Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was picked by Pune as their third choice and will get a purse of Rs 7.5 crore. New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was Rajkot’s choice. In the fourth spot, both the teams opted Australians with Steve Smith going to Pune and James Faulkner going to Rajkot. Pune opted for South African batsman Faf du Plessis as their fifth and final player, while West Indian Dwayne Bravo was Rajkot’s pick. Both players will get Rs 4 crore. Ravindra Jadeja The draft pool only included players from Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, the two teams which have been barred from participation. The players not picked will now go to the general IPL auction scheduled for 6 February. The next edition of the Twenty20 league will be held from 9 April to 29 May. Meanwhile, the Rajkot franchise owner Keshav Bansal was quoted as saying, ‘We will be announcing captain soon for our team.’ As per the regulations, a combined amount of Rs. 39 crore will be reduced from each new team’s auction purse of Rs. 66.15 crore. A value of Rs. 12.5 crore, Rs. 9.5 crore, Rs. 7.5 crore, Rs. 5.5 crore and Rs. 4 crore, respectively, will be deducted for each of the five players snatched by the teams. Govt’s gift to class 10, 12 Kolapakkam is now students in flood-hit areas qKolam-pakkam Two weeks after rains, floods q New guide to help them clear public exams N V SRINIVASA Chennai, Dec 15: As parents and students are in a dilemma on how to prepare for the board exams coming this March after many lost their educational materials in the Chennai floods, the State government has released a ‘Minimum Learning Material’ (MLM) which would contain important questions for the examinations. According to School Education Secretary D Sabitha, the MLM is to be distributed for both class 10 & 12 students from government and government-aided schools this week. ‘This will help them score more marks. The book has important questions and their answers FULLY LOADED The guide will have l Important questions l Answers l All subjects covered from all subjects,’ she said. The MLM is expected to help students prepare for the board exams as schools in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur district remained closed for over a month and are behind on syllabus due to the floods. Principal, Government Adi Dravidar Higher Secondary School, Moulivakkam, Muthu Kannan said, ‘This is a good move, but students should prepare for other questions as well to score high marks.’ ‘As the school has remained closed for over a month we are behind on syllabus, the government has asked heads of schools to decide on whether extra classes must be conducted on Saturday,’ he said. 7500 schools in three districts have opened their doors to students and the education department in association with the health and family welfare department is organising health camps in 40 schools everyday using 20 mobile health vans. The department has already organised camps in 132 centres in flood affected districts which includes 54 in Chennai to give school certificates to those who lost them. yet to recede in some areas FOR FREE FLOW Along with rains, robbers too strike q In some areas, burglars pose as relief workers NAOMI N Chennai, Dec 15: The incessant rains which resulted in flooding in the city did not dampen the nimble fingers, as various cases of thefts and break-ins were being reported. The police say that they were prepared for such situations and averted many crimes with adequate patrolling. ‘Anticipating that robbers would make the most of such situations, additional patrolling were carried out. In areas like MGR Nagar, which has only three patrolling teams, an additional of ten were added from a different zone. Most of the apartments were locked as the residents moved out due to floods. Only a car was reportedly missing, which was later found to have been washed away’, police said. From 2 December, normal life was thrown out of gear for the city, the police were involved in both maintaining law and order as well as rescue operations. The police records that few arrests were made for robbing from locked houses, like that of, Venugopal for stealing Rs 22,000 in Royapuram on 6 December. The next day, Ranjith Kumar, a mason from Pallipalayam in Perambalaur was taken into custody for stealing a gas cylinder from house in MGR Nagar. On 8 December, police records that scrap dealer Durai Pandi, who runs his business in Aynavaram was arrested for allegedly attempting to rob a two-wheeler parked at Kodambakkam. He was caught by the patrol police and taken into custody. However, city police say that with the magnitude of the disaster and the large number of people re-located from their houses, the crime rates are not alarming. Areas like K K Nagar, which is a residential locality, did not report a single case of theft, says Inspector Chandru. Reports also surface that in few sub-urban areas, robbers posed as rescue volunteers are decamped with valuables from houses. As CBI ‘raids his office’, Kejriwal gets intolerant q Dubs Modi a ‘coward’ and ‘psychopath’ q Ignores crucial facts New Delhi, Dec 15: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today claimed the CBI has raided his offi ce in central Delhi and launched a no holds barred attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he was resorting to ‘cowardice’. The Chief Minister, who is involved in a prolonged tussle with the Centre, accused the Modi government of resorting to vendetta politics and Going all out ll eyes were on the IPL Draft with franchises from Pune and Rajkot replacing the suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals for the 2016 and 2017 editions and on Indian ODI captain MS Dhoni. The flamboyant Jharkand stumper was bagged by Pune while his erstwhile CSK counterpart Suresh Raina was picked by the Rajkot franchise. Meanwhile, the lanky Ravichandran Ashwin, the top spinner in the world currently, also went Pune’s way as did Ajinkya Rahane, Faf du Plessis and Steven Smith. Rajkot picked local star Ravindra Jadeja, Brendon McCullum and James Faulkner apart from Raina. Meanwhile, the CBI today raided the office of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal that led him to unleash a vitriolic attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a ‘coward and psychopath’ and intensifying the faceoff between ruling AAP and Centre. The Chief Minister, who broke the news of raids on Twitter, accused the Modi government of resorting to vendetta politics and came down heavily on the CBI for the raids. With Parliament paralysed due to disruption by Congress, BJP today attacked it saying it was using the National Herald case to ‘harm’ national interest and holding the country’s development ‘hostage’ to its ‘selfish’ political goal. The BJP Parliamentary Party voiced concern over the way the main opposition party was creating ‘obstruction’ in the path of development and said it would be ‘suicidal’ for it. OFFICIAL VERSION In the Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley explained that the CBI raids had nothing to do with Kejriwal’s office. The CBI has also maintained that the office of the principal secretary was raided, and not that of the chief minister. ‘There is evidence which suggests involvement of the official in corruption,’ the CBI maintains. The CBI also said it found Rs 2.4 lakh from the house of Kejriwal’s secretary. came down heavily on the agency for the raids at Players Building. Kejriwal has conveniently been ignoring the fact that he had welcomed the abrogation of the ‘single directive system’, which made it mandatory for the CBI to seek prior approval of the government before investigating any official at the level of joint secretary and above ‘CBI raids my office,’ Kejriwal tweeted. ‘When Modi cudn’t handle me politically, he resorts to this cowardice. Modi is a coward and psychopath,’ he said in another tweet expressing his anguish over the raids. Work is on to remove water stagnation at a flooded area at Manapakkam. Photo: K VIJAY ANAND NT Bureau Chennai, Dec 15: As the city slowly grapples to normalcy, certain pockets continue to remain flooded. Some parts of Manapakkam and Kolapakkam, which were among the worsthit areas during the floods, still remain knee deep in water even two weeks after the rain subsided. Earth movers are being used to create a channel from inner areas of Manappakkam such as Subhashree Nagar, Arumugam Nagar to the drain at Manapakkam- Mugalivakkam Main Road. Residents have alleged that the flooding is due to a bridge across the Adyar River which has aggravated the situation. Shamuganathan S, a resident, says, ‘a pedestrian bridge across the Adyar behind the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Manapakkam is the reason for the continuing inundation.’ Residents say that the bridge had obstructed the river flow by 50 per cent and this led to a spill-over of water into neighbouring areas. The bridge has nearly vanished after the water receded in the Ad- yar River with most of it washed away. The broken bridge across the river in Manapakkam under Chennai Corporation ward no. 157 is said to have been constructed by OTA authorities. Housing colonies such as L&T Colony, RGL Colony- phase I and IAS and IPS officers’ colony that are near Adyar river bank, along the Manapakkam-Mugalivakkam Road, still remain flooded. Muthukumar S , a member of River View Colony Residents Welfare Association said: ‘water had risen to six feet in some pockets, which also houses civil servants, during the floods. This water has remained stagnant for two weeks now.’ Meanwhile, a team of Water Resources Department officials inspected the site. ‘We will check if a no-objection certificate was issued for the causeway. If not, action will be initiated for not adhering to the norms after issuing a notice,’ said an official. The official added that the water would recede in the next couple of days are efforts being taken to flush out the water. City 2 TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2015 Centre CHENNAI From Selaiyur to Mahabalipuram via Mudichur When students took the initiative I A long trip to reach victims t was one time when almost every youngster in the neighbourhood chipped in to lend a helping hand, Daniel Susendhar of Ranga Colony, Rajakilpakkam, was one of the volunteers who travelled the length and breadth of the city and its suburbs to extend support. Talking about why he got involved in the relief activity Suseendhar said, ‘We wanted to help the people who were affected by the rains in Mudichur and hence prepared food to be supplied to them. Initially only five of my family members were involved in preparing the food. But after the Tuesday rains we felt that we had do more and I spent all the cash with me to make more food.’ ‘A family friend of mine agreed to give me place for cooking. Once my friends saw my Facebook post about helping people, they chipped in with contributions and soon our count increased from five to 50. While these 50 members were physically involved in the field activities, a few other friends and my brother’s friends helped financially. ‘ He said the relief works of the team begun from Mudichur as it was the most affected area in Tambaram then travelled to Velacheri, Medavakkam, Siruseri, OMR and Mahabalipuram. Susendhar felt that this week was the one that has given him a different perception of life and said,’ People forgot everything during the crisis all they were desperate was for food, the first two days they did not even need clothing as they were starving. I still remember how the people drank the packed milk even without boiling it. They were craving for food. Only after this need was over people even started to feel the cold and asked for Adithya Venkatesh, Ajith K A, Guru Kalyan and Mugil Vanjinath lead the relief work. clothes and blankets.’ With the help of his he pathetic plight of many peo- of us started collecting money from the ‘The best part of our experichurch, Suseendhar ple around the city after the re- residents of East Abhiramapuram. To ence was distributing had provided shelter cent floods induced even school our surprise, we ended up with 30,000 the supplies to the for some thirty families children to take up rehabilitation work within 5 hours. This gave us the mo- flood victims. With that lost their homes tivation to do something much bigger the help of our parin small ways they could afford to. Salute near the RajakilpaFour boys from Mylapore Adithya than just distributing biscuit packets. ents we distributed kkam lake. to Venkatesh, Ajith K A, Guru Kalyan We resumed the collection on the half of the supplies in Suseendhar said that Velachery and Pallikaranai. our and Mugil Vanjinath students of class second day with more volunteers in his team will continue This turned out to be a learning X from P S Senior Secondary School the same area. At the end of our colHEROES volunteering. He said, and Chettinad Vidyashram collected lections we had a total sum of Rs fifty process for us as we were able ‘We have stopped to discover our social capability. money from residents in the area eight thousand along with twelve bags making food and are We wish to send the remaining and distributed a few things to flood of clothes’, explained Mugil . now looking at providresources to Cuddalore, as it is apvictims. Though we weren’t affected Initially the group purchased 500 bising rehabilitation mateparently more affected then Chennai’, much by the Chennai floods, we re- cuit packets and distributed it in North said Mugil. rials like stoves, blanalized sitting at home and tweeting Madras. But soon they realised that kets and provisions. ‘Ultimately we feel that the rains have the demands were much larger. So wouldn’t change the situation. We can use all the help proved beneficial in one way. It has So we started collecting funds initially they bought 200 bedsheets, 50 plastic washed away the social borders and and assure you that for distributing 100 biscuit packets. mats and 500 boxes of daily necessi- instilled social consciousness in each all the materials we We couldn’t gather more volunteers ties such as soaps, mosquito coils, in- one of us’, said the boys. receive will reach the Susendhar giving relief materials to people at Mudichur. but this did not deter us and the four fant food and medicines. right person.’ - NT Bureau - NT Bureau T TV TODAY 08:00PM 08:30PM 09:00PM 09:30PM 10:30PM 11:00PM IN HOME Deivam Thandha Veedu Saravanan Meenatchi Mahabharatham Super Singer Kalyanam Mudhal Kaadhal Varai Naduvula Koncham Disturb Pannuvom STAR SPORTS 1 SONY PIX 05:00PM 05:30PM 06:00PM 06:30PM 07:00PM 08:00PM 08:30PM 09:00PM 09:30PM 10:00PM 10:30PM 11:00PM 11:30PM 03:35PM The World Is Not Enough 06:23PM Spider-Man 09:00PM The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies RAJ TV JAYA TV 04:30PM 05:00PM 05:30PM 06:00PM 06:30PM 07:00PM 07:30PM 08:00PM 08:30PM 09:00PM 09:30PM 10:00PM 10:30PM 11:00PM Hits Kollywood Gallery Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa Arusuvai Neram Jai Veer Hanuman Ramayanam News Hits Kairasi Kudumbam Priyamana Thozhi Poomagal Kavidhaiyae Theriyuma Tamil News Thenkinnam ZEE TAMIL 05:00PM 06:00PM 06:30PM 07:00PM 07:30PM 08:00PM 08:30PM 09:30PM 10:00PM 10:30PM 11:00PM Konjam Coffee Nariya Cinema Veera Marthandan Jodha Akbar Anakodiyum Ainthu Pengalum Mella Thirandhadu Kadhavu Enga Veetu Penn Solvathellam Unmai Lakshmi Vandachu Mella Thirandhadu Kadhavu Top 10 C.I.D KALAIGNAR TV 04:30PM 05:00PM 05:30PM 06:00PM 06:30PM 07:00PM 07:30PM 08:00PM 08:30PM 09:00PM 09:30PM 10:00PM 10:02PM 10:30PM 11:00PM Super Samaiyal Endrum Super Kalai Koil Sirippu Varudhu Utchakattam News Kalaignarin Ramanujar Abirami Romapuri Paandiyan Odi Vilayadu Pappa Kannamma News Headlines Kaliyugam Sirippu Varudhu Telebuy VIJAY TV 04:30PM 05:30PM 06:00PM 06:30PM 07:00PM 07:30PM Super Singer Time Pass Bala Ganapathy Kalathu Veedu Kalyanam Mudhal Kaadhal Varai Aandaal Azhagar 05:00PM 05:30PM 06:00PM 06:30PM 07:00PM 07:30PM 08:00PM 08:30PM 09:00PM 09:30PM 10:00PM 10:30PM S K Shoppe Velli Thirai Raj News En Thangai Sindhu Bhairavi Mann Vasanai Poovizhi Vasalile Kanchana En Iniya Thozhiye Azhagiya Laila Koppium-Crime Time Movie HBO 05:21PM 07:13PM 09:00PM 11:12PM Comedy Express Urave Uyire Ullam Kollai Pogudhada Mouna Ragam Irumalargal Enkanmani Urave Uyire Kalyana Kanavugal Moondru Mudichu Mouna Ragam News Cini Mini Comedy Express 3286 5 4 03:45PM 06:00PM 09:00PM 10:55PM 9 4 04:00PM 07:00PM 07:30PM 08:30PM 11:30PM WWE Raw Asia Pacific Rally Championship 2015 : China Mass Participation : Gabon Marathon WWE Raw DFB Pokal (German Cup) 2015/16 : VFL Borussia Monchengladbach vs. SV Werder Bremen IN THEATRES 5 6 1 8 8 4 6 7 2 7 2 8 3 1 ANSWER TO SUDOKU 3285 (14.12.2015) Let’s Football Indian Super League 2015 H/ls ISL Pre Show Indian Super League 2015 : Semi Final 1 Leg 2: Goa vs. Delhi ISL Post Show Indian Super League 2015 H/ls BWF Badminton World Magazine Show Football Today TEN SPORTS I, Robot The Matrix Bean The Matrix Reloaded 7 8 2 7 8 2 09:00PM 09:30PM 10:00PM 10:30PM MOVIES NOW 6 4 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? 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q Psychologist stresses on counselling for children ‘Expelled’ Natraj back in AIADMK NT Bureau Chennai, Dec 15: AIADMK supremo and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Monday cancelled the order dismissing former DGP R Natraj from the party’s primary membership. In a statement issued by the AIADMK headquarters, she said that the announcement dismissing R Natraj from south Chennai AIADMK stands cancelled and announced that the former IPS offi cer would continue as party primary member. A 1975 batch IPS officer, Nataraj became city Police Commissioner in 2003. He had also served Tamilnadu Public Services Commission as its Chairman. A private television channel’s goof up in using the picture of R Natraj resulted in his expulsion. The channel expressed its regret. Senior MDMK leaders join DMK NT Bureau Chennai, Dec 15: Partymen holding top post leaving from the Vaiko-led Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) continued on Monday, with more senior leaders joining Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). MDMK’s S Joel and N Thillaiselvam, District Secretaries of Thootukudi and Kanyakumari, respectively, joined DMK in the presence of its president M Karunanidhi. Tirunelveli Urban Secretary of MDMK, S Perumal, was among the scores of party leaders and workers who joined DMK, a party release said. In Dravidian politics, the post of District Secretary is considered key in the orgsanisational set up. Earlier, senior leaders of MDMK, including former party Treasurer R Masilamani, Womens Wing Leader Kumari Vijayakumar, District Secretaries of Kancheepuram and Salem, Palavakkam Somu and Thamraikannan, had walked out of the MDMK. The senior functionaries had expressed reservation over Vaiko’s style of functioning, besides opposing his decision to continue with the newly-formed four-party bloc, Peoples Welfare Front (PWF), for next year’s election. M BALASUBRAMANI Chennai, Dec 15: While students have returned to their classes after the long holiday following the unprecedented rain in the city, utmost care is taken to ensure that the students are mentally prepared to continue with their education. Sources say that counsellors will visit each school to help the students come out of the trauma created by the rain and floods as also losing their study material. Schools, on their part, are also looking into the issue and words of hope and inspiration were given to students during the assembly prayers in many schools. Considering the distressing circumstances, the headmistress of a school in East Tambaram spoke to each one of the students of classes 10 and 12. She sought their opinion on conducting revision exams. As the students were ready to face the exams, the school is going ahead with its plans. As only 10-15 students had lost their reading material, the headmistress is in the process of arranging it for them, she said, as also supplying uniforms for those who are left without them. These small gestures are bound to reassure the students to a certain extent. But there are schools that are still working on a plan of action. A teacher from Ahobila Mutt, West Mambalam, said students have been asked to attend school and the plan of action for special classes and exams will be decided in due course. From the point of view of clinical psychologist R Manoj there is an urgent need to counsel the school students at the earliest. He says that irrespective of the class, every student should be comforted and his/her problem be addressed immediately. Pointing out the different types of counselling that would be needed, Manoj said, ‘There are three major areas the counselling should focus on - the grief due to losing books and uniforms; anxiety of the kids who were affected directly by the rain and floods; and fear of facing exams shortly. Worried parents Bindhu from Bharathidasan Colony, who is a mother of two kids, says she is worried as her children scream in their sleep. That is how much the floods have affected them, she pointed out. ‘I was not able to send my kids to school as they were wearing the same dress for more than three days. With their uniforms lost I have to wash their clothes daily so that they can wear it the next day,’ says the concerned mother. Swarna Senthil from MGR Nagar was a happy mother as she thinks the opening of the schools will be a change of scene for her children. ‘We lost everything at home, including the children’s books and ID. So, I was happy that they were back in school and their mind would be off the recent devastation that we faced.’ Manoj says that even though it may be easy for others to tell the kids that things will be fine, it is the kids who will feel the real heat of the situation. Warning against not handling the students correctly, he said, coming to terms with the trauma will be the biggest task for these kids as they will Confident lad Madhan, a class 5 student of a private school in Ramapuram, is confident that he will secure the same 2nd or 3rd rank that he scores. I have just lost my uniform and books to the floods. But I remember what my teachers have taught me and have to just revise the lessons. The only thing I am worried about is the way my classroom stinks, he said earnestly. have to overcome their experience and concentrate on their education. It is up to the teachers and their parents to handle their wards carefully as the teachers will also be stressed: they need to complete the 18 teams to control mosquito menace Dr Batra’s Clinics to provide free medicines NT Bureau Chennai, Dec 15: In the wake of Chennai floods, Dr Batra’s Clinics will provide free preventive dosages for mental trauma and diarrhoea from 10 am to 9 pm across all its clinics in city. According to a press release, diarrhoea is the most common water borne disease and becomes serious if timely medical intervention is not available. Fearing an outbreak of diseases, Dr Batra’s Clinics across the city will be open for citizens and will provide free preventive treatment which will include dosages for mental trauma and diarrhoea. This preventive treatment is a precautionary measure undertaken by Dr Batra’s, however patients need to visit a doctor or consider medical advice in case any symptoms occur, the release said. Dr Batra’s Clinics in Chennai is located at Alwarpet, Anna Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Chromepet, Porur, Purasaiwalkam, T Nagar, Tambaram and Velachery. Applications invited for special schools NT Bureau Chennai, Dec 15: Commissionerate for the Welfare of the Differently Abled has invited applications in the prescribed format for the vacant post of Secondary Grade Teachers / BT Assistants / Deputy Warden in the Government Special Schools for the Differently Abled under the control of the Commissionerate for Welfare of the Differently Abled. Considering the recent torrential rains in Tamilnadu, the last date for submission of applications in registered post is extended till 21December. The filled in applications should reach the Commissionerate for Welfare of the Differently Abled Office on or before 21 December by registered post only. Application format can be downloaded from websites: www.tn.gov. in &www.scd.tn.gov.in. portions after losing so many working days and, at the same time, ensure good results. Stressing on the importance of having a professional counselling group, the psychologist advised not to try to advise the kids in the name of counselling. This can only cause more problems. Only a professional will be able to find the real problem of the kid and propose the solution. Suggesting on the number of sessions that the children might need, he said there should be at least three to four sessions of counselling - and the first session should be within a span of a week after the schools re-open. If one-on-one counselling is not possible, he advises group sessions for an hour, of which the students who need more attention can be identified and extra care given to them. If improper or no counselling in given, it can lead to complications like ‘post-traumatic disorder’. This will surface only after a certain period of time as kids might start to have nightmares and may even go into depression, Manoj warned. Lions Club International District 324-A1 distributed relief materials worth Rs 5 lakh to around 1000 flood-affected persons at TMG College of Arts & Science, Mudichur, recently. T M Gunaraja, First Vice District Governor and Lions members are present. LIC’s Zonal Manager - South Zone T Sitharthan inaugurating the construction of a second floor at Voluntary Health Services blood bank, Taramani in Chennai yesterday. LIC sanctioned an amount of Rs 25 lakh for the same from the Golden Jubilee Fund. Hindustan varsity forms rescue team q Reaches out to rain affected villages at suburban area NT Bureau Chennai, Dec 15: A team from Hindustan University set out on a war footing to rescue the families affected by the heavy rain in the inundated localities at OMR, Kelambakkam, Padur, Chemmenchery, Tiruporur and adjoining 34 villages. According to a press release, the staff and students of Hindustan University instantly formed a rescue team Hindustan University Rescue Team 4 Chennai (HUReC4Chennai) to reach out to people who were in dire need of help in villages surrounding the outskirts of Chennai, along OMR and ECR Braving the slush, potholes and neck deep water, the team reached the marooned villages and distributed food, clothes and essential materials such as candles, milk tetrapacks, baby food, diapers, sanitary napkins, clothes, bedsheets, mats, medicines and water bottles. The HUReC4Chennai team distributing medicines to rain affected villagers on city outskirts. team comprising NSS, NCC, Sports students and staff has been extend- ing help to the people right from the first bout of rain. Sensing the magnitude of the crisis, voluntary help was extended from alumni too. Arun Nair (ECE, Batch 2009), presently working for Tech Mahindra, Bangalore joined the HUReC team on 4 December. The alumni team brought 1 lakh chapattis and dosa batter for the victims and joined the HUReC4 Chennai team in distribution of relief materials. Hindustan University hostel kitchens were flooded with activities as food was prepared on a daily basis. HUReC4Chennai team packed and distributed food to the people of all the adjoining villages. Several doctors from Puducherry and Chennai were involved in the HUReC4Chennai medical camps at various villages so as to safeguard them from any epidemic that may erupt after the devastating floods. NT Bureau Chennai, Dec 15: Eighteen teams headed by pest control experts have been set up to go across the city for vector-control measures. According to a press release, the teams are making door-to-door visits, clearing potential mosquito-breeding sources such as old tyres and old utensils filled with water and also spraying insecticide and fog the area. The larvicide temephos has also been sprayed in containers in homes where water has been stored. Also, the teams distribute pamphlets to residents on how to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes in and around homes. Measles vaccination camps and the distribution of bleaching powder and chlorine tablets are also continuing, the release said. Separate exams for AU students NT Bureau Chennai, Dec 15: As per the direction of Madras High Court, the examinations for Anna University affiliated colleges other than the colleges situated in four flood affected districts, Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Cuddalore will be conducted as per the schedule given by Controller of Examination from 15 December onwards. For the students and 148 colleges of flood affected district, all the semester exams are postponed. Separate examinations will be conducted for these students of four flood affected districts from 28 December onwards, the university said in its website on Monday. Revised timetable will be announced in Anna University website. The Madras High Court on Monday directed Anna University to immediately publish on its website, details of exams rescheduled to 28 December and inform the High Court about it on Tuesday. The first bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice T S Sivagnanam, stated this when Government Pleader S T S Murthy, counsel for Anna University,informed it that the exams in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore and Tiruvallur had been postponed in view of the heavy rains and floods. The court was hearing a petition by a trust ‘Abdul Kalam Vision, seeking to quash the revised timetable. The University informed the Court that it is postponing the first semester exams for first year engineering courses to 28 December in view of the heavy rains and floods. The GP further submitted that the postponement would be applicable to colleges located in these four districts. When the petition by Abdul Kalam Vision came up earlier in the day, the bench directed the GP to get the instructions and submit it. He did so and furnished details of postponement in the evening, after which the bench directed him to publish all details in the site and furnish details to the Court on Tuesday. Blend 4 TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2015 WHAT NEWS TODAY PRINTS IS NEWS THAT COUNTS For common good O ne hundred and ninety six countries gathered in Paris deliberated for twelve days to produce an agreement which is not fully binding on any one of them and yet reflects their collective commitment that without concerted action the world could be headed for a huge climaterelated calamity. In the end, all agreed that ideally they should all exert their energies and resources to try and keep the increase in global temperature below 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius from the pre-industrial era. The developed world would not bind itself to financially compensate the developing world for having contributed immensely to the global warming in the first place but it made voluntary commitments, both financial and emission-related, which duly found expression in the final agreement. Importantly, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities found favour with the signatories. As Prime Minister Modi said, the outcome of the Paris meet produced no winners or losers but ‘climate justice has won and we are all working towards a greener future.’ Criticism that the agreement is weak is valid. But given the diverse interests, vastly varying stages of development and financial and ecological situations of each country, only a broad-based agreement enshrining common principles and voluntary commitments could be possible. But the spirit behind the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 1992, signed by 195 countries finds full reflection in the Paris Agreement. With Palestine joining the Paris convention, a total of 196 countries acknowledged the need to prevent global warming to protect the planet from environment-related catastrophes. For the common man it ought to be enough to know that the freak phenomenon of cloudbursts, heavy rains, landslides, etc., as witnessed in India and other countries in recent times, is mainly due to nature’s furies against willful environmental changes induced by global warming. Emission of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels like coal and petroleum products is directly linked to global warming. Sea levels are rising, threatening low-lying countries. It was to take on board the concerns of these countries that the Paris conference scaled down the goal from the earlier two degrees to 1.5 degrees below the pre-industrial levels. In short, by the turn of the century the world should produce only as much greenhouse gases as can be absorbed by forests, seas and soil, and no more. It is an ambitious goal. Developing countries wanted to be compensated for scaling down reliance on fossil fuels and for switching to renewable sources of energy such as sun, wind and water, but what they got was a non-binding promise to raise $100 billion annually by 2020. The Indian Government has hugely scaled up the target for solar power, a commitment which won it plaudits at the Paris conference. The government has voluntarily set climate goals which reflect its commitment to protect the people from catastrophic climate events such as flash floods. In other words, self-reliance in the war against global warming is the best prescription to make the planet safe for humankind. The Paris Agreement, non-binding largely, does reflect that collective will of the world. Piyush Goyal @PiyushGoyal Advance planning, decontrol & decentralization and higher compensation for land have helped increase the pace of laying transmission lines The seeds of good & evil exist in everyone’s hearts. Whichever you choose to nurture & give attention to, is the one that will grow. Mufti Ismail Menk @muftimenk Cyber-attacks on Apple devices on rise: Symantec NEW DELHI: Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting Apple devices like iPhone and iPad as these products gain popularity among consumers across the globe, including India, says a report by security solutions firm Symantec. Besides, 2016 could see more attacks on the iOS platform that has been perceived to be 'free from malware' in the past, it added. 'Apple devices have experienced a surge in popularity in recent years. According to IDC, the company now accounts for 13.5 percent of global smartphone shipments and 7.5 percent of global PC shipments. This increase in usage has not gone unnoticed by attackers. A rising number of threat actors have begun developing specific malware designed to infect devices running OS X or iOS,' Symantec Director Solutions Product Management (Asia Pacific and Japan) Tarun Kaura told PTI. He added that although the number of threats targeting Apple operating systems remains quite low when compared to the company’s main competitors like Windows and Android. VOICE MAIL CHENNAI An insurance policy for the planet Ban hails Paris pact Wants to begin climate change action 'today' UNITED NATIONS: Terming the Paris climate change deal as 'a health insurance policy for the planet', UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said it is for the first time that every nation in the world has pledged to curb emissions address climate change. 'The countries of the world have made a historic choice,' Ban told reporters here yesterday on his return from the COP21 conference in Paris, as he called on governments to put their pledges into action. 'The Paris Agreement is a victory for people, for the common good, and for multilateralism. It is a health 2015, warmest year on record WASHINGTON: When a devastating heat wave hit India this year, it killed more than 2,500 people and melted the pavement of New Delhi’s streets. In California, where an ordinary year sees mountain snow pile 1.83 meters deep or more supplying much drinking water surveyors had nothing to measure in some spots but bare grass. By the time 2015 is over, it is certain to go down as the warmest year on record. But if the heat was unsettling, it also set the tone for many of the headlines that defined the year, even when they ranged far beyond matters of extreme weather or changing climate. From searing tragedies to blistering campaign rhetoric to boiling crises, the top news of 2015 insurance policy for the planet,' Ban said. Describing the climate agreement as the most significant action in years to uphold the UN Charter mandate to 'save succeeding generations', Ban said nations have unanimously decided to work as one to rise to the defining challenge of current times. 'For the first time, every country in the world has pledged to curb emissions, strengthen resilience and act internationally and domestically to address climate change,' he said. The 195 Parties to the UN Frame- In a landmark deal, 195 Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change have pledged to curb emissions, strengthen resilience and take common climate action work Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Saturday adopted the Paris Agreement after two weeks of intensive negotiations made for one of the hottest years in recent memory, literally and figuratively. In a year that visited carnage upon worshippers who opened their church to a stranger in Charleston, South Carolina, and fans who gathered on a Friday night for a rock concert in the center of Paris, the news left the public with little refuge. Headlines spotlighting bloody clashes for control of Syria and the angry debate over whether to take in those fleeing the violence, radiated heat, but often not much light. Instead, many of the year’s biggest news stories fueled a narrative of intensifying conflict. It began just days into the new year, when two brothers who called themselves members of al-Qaida forced their way in to the offices of Paris humor magazine Charlie Hebdo and a nearby Jewish market, gunning down 17. Ban Ki-moon Obama reaches out to leaders WASHINGTON: In the aftermath of the historic Paris climate deal, US President Barack Obama has reached out to world leaders and thanked them for their valuable contributions in working towards making the planet safe. As per the White House, Obama has so far reached out to the leaders of France, Brazil, China besides UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon. He is expected to contact more leaders. Obama telephoned French President Francois Hollande to thank and congratulate him and Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius for their leadership in achieving a historic climate agreement in Paris on 12 December, the White House said yesterday. In a separate phone call, Obama thanked Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and congratulate her and Environment Minister Izabella for their leadership in achieving a historic climate agreement. Obama also thanked Ban for his leadership in achieving the historic climate agreement. The two underscored their commitment to work together to implement the deal. The President and Secretary-General also discussed the deteriorating situation in Burundi and the urgent need to begin internationally-mediated dialogue, the White House said. at the summit. The accord covers all crucial areas identified as essential for a landmark conclusion: mitigation - reducing emissions fast enough to achieve the temperature goal; a transparency system and global stock-take - accounting for climate action; adaptation and support - including finance, for nations to build clean, resilient futures. Ban said it embodies a successful new approach to global cooperation on climate change, with countries acknowledging that their national interest is best served by acting for the common good by transforming the global economy to low-emission, climate-resilient growth. 'It marks a decisive turning point in the global quest for a safer, more sustainable and prosperous future,' he stressed. 'It will save lives, improve human well-being and promote more peaceful, stable societies.' He highlighted the agreement as one of his top priorities since the day he became UN Secretary-Gen- Typhoon hits Philippines Millions without power, three dead, over 8 lakh evacuated Legazpi: Typhoon Melor carved through the central Philippines on Tuesday bringing heavy rain and strong winds that left millions without power and at least three people dead, officials said. One person died of hypothermia while two others drowned in floods in the poor fishing town of Catarman in Northern Samar province in the Visayas region south of Manila, municipal disaster officer Jonathan Baldo told DZMM radio. The storm toppled trees and cut electricity to at least seven provinces, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said. People who fled from their coastal homes spent a sleepless night in evacuation centres, sprawled on classroom tables and chairs as flying debris swirled around outside. Melor whipped the vast Bicol peninsula, with a population of 5.4 million people, overnight before slamming into the Romblon islands on Tuesday morning. Gusts had weakened somewhat by Tuesday morning but were still recorded at 170 kilometres (106 miles) per hour from 185 kilometres per hour on Monday. The storm was expected to weaken further as it heads to Mindoro island and out into the South China Sea later Tuesday, state weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said. There were no immediate reports of casualties in the typhoon-prone Bicol region, where 720,000 people were evacuated as early as the weekend. 'What we are asking for is the early restoration of electricity,' he said, adding the entire province of 1.2 million people was without power. Authorities were assessing Melor's damage while bracing for another typhoon brewing east of Mindanao, the country's main southern island, said NDRRMC spokeswoman Mina Marasigan. eral. 'For nine years, I have spoken repeatedly with nearly every world leader about how the growing human imprint on the planet threatens our lives, our economies, our security and our survival. I have mobilised business and engaged civil society. I have never lost faith that the international community could rise to the climate challenge. Now I count on Governments, and all sectors of society, to turn these commitments into urgent, decisive action,' he added. Saudi Arabia forms Islamic counter terrorism coalition RIYADH: Saudi Arabia said that 34 nations have agreed to form a new 'Islamic military alliance' to fight terrorism with a joint operations center based in the kingdom's capital, Riyadh. The announcement published by the state-run Saudi Press Agency said the alliance will be Saudi-led and is being established because terrorism 'should be fought by all means and collaboration should be made to eliminate it.' The new counterterrorism coalition includes nations with large and established armies such as Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt as well as war-torn countries with embattled militaries such as Libya and Yemen. African nations that have suffered terrorist attacks such as Mali, Chad, Somalia and Nigeria are also members. NOT SO ROSY Action, reaction Sir, We are on one hand contended that despite having been tolerant over the fury of nature, Chennaiites could limp back to normalcy on account of the people old and young sans age, caste barriers and many unsung heroes, shopkeepers giving huge discounts for relief materials and autos running for free, It is disheartening on the other hand that even when some functionaries are interfering with the supply of aid, no party has taken control over the situation to prevent such unacceptable practices. The State should come up with concrete disaster management plans and have conducive measures to meet disasters, backed by the centre. MAYA VASUDEVAN, RA Puram 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 C L ICK PIC Syrians trying to extinguish fire that was caused by Syrian government aerial bombardment on the Damascus suburb of Douma, Syria. In the other photograph, a protester throws stones amid tear gas used by the government forces to disperse them during a protest in Srinagar, India. Enterprise CHENNAI Domestic factors, govt action key to capital flows: Moody’s New Delhi, Dec 15 (PTI): Moody’s Investors Service today said domestic factors and government policies will largely decide the course of capital flows in the country and the future economic growth, even as the impending US Fed rate hike may dampen investor sentiment. ‘The answer lies in the extent to which the government policies can animate domestic sources of growth and maintain financial stability. Domestic factors will be the key determinants of the broad direction of capital flows into and out of these countries in 2016 – in particular whether their respective policies appear likely to revive growth,’ it said. ‘Although markets may have largely discounted US monetary tightening and slower growth in China,... India may still see investor demand weaken whenever unfavourable data are released or even when anticipated global events, such as a rate hike by the US Federal Reserve, occur,” the agency said in a report. Moody’s said the India’s depreciating currency illustrated the impact of weaker global growth and tighter financing conditions. The US Federal Reserve is likely to hike rates in the week. The rating agency said it has maintained positive outlook through a period of external challenges because authorities in India are making progress in addressing long-term constraints on their respective credit profiles.’In India, the focus is on greater control over inflation and improving the operating environment for private investment,’ it said. Chennai on top of India’s realty map Reliance to offer 70 mbps speed New Delhi, Dec 15 (PTI): Download speed on 4G network of Reliance Jio during its beta-test phase peaked at 70 megabit per second but remained in 15-30 mbps range on most occasions, as per field trial report by brokerage firm Credit Suisse. The report said download speed of Reliance Jio 4G service was impressive but ‘it is still an empty network’. It also found urban coverage of RJio network at par with incumbents but remarked rural coverage as ‘poor’. ‘We experienced peak download speed of 70 Mbps during our trials, and on most occasions in the 15-30 Mbps range, even on the move,’ a report by Credit Suisse Research Analysts Sunil Tirumalai and Chunky Shah said. At 70 mbps download speed, a bollywood movie size video can be downloaded in about half a minute while at 15-30 mbps the same can be downloaded in about three minutes. The report compared commercially launched 4G service of telecom major Airtel and beta network of Reliance Jio and found ‘Airtel 4G giving 10-20 Mbps, often slower than Jio, and 3G network speeds of sub 2Mbps (peak 7 Mbps).’ Analysts found urban coverage of RJio network at par with incumbents but remarked rural coverage as ‘poor’. During trials analysts experienced call drop-free RJio network in Mumbai but lost signal 3-4 times when they entered on village roads. Analysts said that they experienced seamless phone call experience between RJio and network of other telecom operators. 5 SOUTHERN EXPRESS Survey says Pallikaranai new hotspot South & west parts dominate property spectrum NT Bureau Chennai, Dec 15: A latest survey has said increasing job opportunities, relatively affordable prices and various infrastructure upgrades has once again put Chennai on top of India’s realty map in 2015. ‘South and west parts of the city continued to dominate the LUXURY LINE Areas in OMR and Thiruporur saw launches mainly in the luxury category. The average price varied from Rs 5,000 to Rs 5,500 per sq. ft. In other localities of these top 10 markets, the prices started from Rs 2,000 and went up to Rs 4,500 per sq. ft. property spectrum with major activities in both apartments and plots category. As for the rental market trends, newer areas have emerged outside the city limits,’ said the Chennai Real Estate Report - 2015 by Commonfloor.com According to the report, while the prominent micro markets in central zone of the city include Egmore, T Nagar, Mylapore, Anna Salai, Nungambakkam, Mambalam and Triplicane, among others, the north zone comprises Ennore, George Town, Kolathur, Madhavaram, Perambur, Purasawalkam, Red Hills and Vyasarpadi, among others. Adyar, Tambaram, East Coast Road, GST Road, Medavakkam, OMR, Sholinganallur and Velacheri come under south zone, while Kilpauk, Anna Nagar, Poonamallee, Koyambedu, Oragadam, Porur, Sriperumbudur, VilMARKET SHARE livakkam and other areas All top 10 markets together nearby fall under west zone. comprised of 82 per cent of Listing out various an- the total share in this category nouncements by the State while the top markets in south and the Central govern- Chennai consisted of nearly 50 ments, directions passed per cent of the total supply for villas and row by the judiciary and plans revealed by realty players, houses in 2015. the survey said about 90 per cent of the new apartment supply was skewed towards South Chennai, followed by West Chennai. ‘Builders preferred to launch more projects in areas that were either IT hubs or in proximity to IT/ITeS hubs, it said, adding: ‘OMR, Perumbakkam and Perungudi retained their spots from PLOT WITH A TWIST The top 10 markets for plots and layouts are evenly skewed towards west and south Chennai. Tiruvallur, Oragadam and Chengalpattu are the outer areas of the city while other western markets are in close proximity to the city centre. 2014 for top 10 markets for apartment launches, which can be attributed to the presence of IT/ITeS in the said areas.’ Along the OMR belt, Navalur and Siruseri were two regions that Mahindra to acquire Italian design firm Mumbai, Dec 15 (PTI): Mahindra group today announced it will acquire Italian automotive and industrial design firm Pininfarina for an overall outgo of over 50 million Euros (nearly Rs 370 crore) after months of negotiations. The acquisition is being carried out through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) and two group firms Tech Mahindra and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) will own 60 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively, in the Turin-based firm. ‘As part of the agreement, Tech Mahindra and M&M will purchase 76.06 per cent of Pininfarina shares from the current controlling shareholders Pincar srL at a price of Euro 1.1 per share,’ Mahindra & Mahindra said in a BSE filing. The company said the cost of acquiring 76.06 per cent in Pininfarina TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2015 by the SPV will be Euro 25.3 million, which would be funded by Tech Mahindra and M&M in the ratio of 60:40. This will be followed by an open offer for the remaining 23.94 per cent stake of Pininfarina at the same purchase price paid for the shares held by Pincar, it added. ‘The SPV will also infuse an amount of Euro 20 million into Pininfarina by way of a rights issue,” the company said, adding the fund infusion into the design and styling major will be executed before the end of 2016. Commenting on the acquisition, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra said: “Pininfarina will add enormous value to Tech Mahindra’s portfolio of engineering services. But just as important is the fact that the legendary high-end design credentials of Pininfarina will significantly enhance the design capabilities of the entire Mahindra group.’ Given the increasing design sensibilities of today’s consumers, product design will greatly influence customer choice and experience and hence the group’s success, he added. Pininfarina Spa, Chairman Paolo Pininfarina said joining hands with Mahindra Group will not only strengthen Pininfarina’s Italian identity but will open more doors. ‘Tech Mahindra’ global presence and global delivery model will allow us to compete for a larger pie of the business,’ he added. Tech Mahindra CEO and MD CP Gurnani said adding Pininfarina’s legendary design skills to the company’s integrated engineering solutions enables a strong entry into automotive styling, design and development and reinforces body engineering capabilities. Enter the dragon Chinese companies keen to invest in infra projects in India Mumbai, Dec 15 (PTI): Chinese firms are looking to invest in India’s infrastructure projects, a senior government official said here. ‘More Chinese firms are looking to invest in India’s infrastructure projects. Our target for bilateral trade between India and China is USD 100 billion in near future as compared to the present USD 70 billion,’ China’s Deputy Counsel General in Mumbai, Yan Huang, told reporters after inaugurating the twin China trade show here. Addressing the CEOs of leading companies and Indian trade delegations at the three-day ‘China Home Life India 2015 and China Machinex India 2015’ trade show, Yan Huang said, both India and China should increase the bilateral trade as India is poised for a big leap in the global economy. In spite of the recent depreciation of Yuan and fluctuation in Indian currency, both the nations are confident of keeping up the upward pattern in the bilateral exchange during 2016, he said. The Modi-led government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and Smart City projects will provide big opportunity to Chinese companies, who are strong in infrastructure development, Huang said. China-based construction equipment manufacturer, Sany Group, has recently announced plans to invest USD 3 billion in developing renewable energy assets in India. Several Chinese companies al- A representation of new projects coming up in south Chennai. witnessed significant activity in terms of new apartment launches. Pallikarnai emerged as the new hotspot in 2015 due to its easy accessibility to the IT corridors of Velacheri, Medavakkam and Sholinganallur, the study said. These ten localities combined constitute about 76 per cent of the market share for new apartment launches in 2015. As per CommonFloor Real Insights, Chennai witnessed just about 52 per cent apartment supply in 2015 as against 69 per cent in 2014 because of the increasing demand for plots in the city. Most top markets for villas and row houses are located towards the peripheries of the city owing to ample land availability. As expected, six of these top 10 areas are in south Chennai. Bengaluru is San Francisco’s sister Care for cars NT Bureau Chennai, Dec 15: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles India today said it is taking aggressive efforts in order to reach out to 300 Fiat cars that have been affected in the Chennai floods. According to a press note here, FCA will extend free road side assistance to get the cars to its workshops to extend quicker repair. FCA is also mobilising additional dealer manpower from nearby states to expedite the repairs so that customers get the car at the earliest FCA will share the costs on the genuine parts replaced in the flood affected cars post the insurance support. Meanwhile, Mahindra Two Wheelers today stated that it had organised service camps for Mahindra’s customers who have been affected by the Chennai floods and who own either motorcycles or scooters. ‘MTWL is making all possible efforts to provide assistance to the hundreds of customers who have suffered damage to their Mahindra two wheelers,’ it said in a release. Sterling Generators expands network NT Bureau Chennai, Dec 15: Sterling Generators, One of the largest manufacturers of DG sets in Asia, has announced its plans to expand its sales network across India, including Tamilnadu. According to a press note, currently Sterling Generators has more than six dealers across Tamilnadu and plans to spread out to more cities increasing its dealer network to 15 by 2016. ‘Looking at the increasing demand of DG Sets in the tier 2 and 3 cities, Sterling Generators has embarked on building a strong dealership network offering the complete range of Sterling DG sets from 10 kva up to 3000 kva in these cities,’ it said. ready have a huge presence in the Indian infrastructure, construction, electronics and solar power market. Huang also called for more direct flights between China and India and easing of rules for obtaining visa to increase the business activities. The Tata Motors to hike vehicle prices recent reduction in the interest rate cut announced by the Chinese government and slowdown seen in the global economy will definitely help Indian importers, Meorient Exhibition Ltd, Shanghai CEO Binu Pillai said. ‘I expect a total business of Rs 16,000 crore through these displays against Rs 8,000 crore seen in 2014,’ Pillai said. These manufacturers and traders have come from Ningbo, Shanghai and Wenzhou provinces of China. It has been ably supported by Chinese government. The trade show is witnessing around 750 big Chinese companies showcasing high-end plant and machineries used in packaging, 50 companies are displaying machine tools, 150 companies food processing equipments and 200 companies have displayed textiles and garments products, furniture and kitchen appliances. New Delhi, Dec 15: Tata Motors has said it will hike price of its entire passenger vehicle model range by up to Rs 20,000 from January. ‘Due to the impact of various macro-economic factors, Tata Motors has decided to increase the prices of its passenger vehicles, with the maximum increase being upto Rs 20,000 on some models,’ Tata Motors said in a statement. The company sells various models from entry level Nano GenX to multi purpose vehicle Aria, priced between Rs 1.99 lakh and Rs 15.51 lakh (all ex-showroom Delhi). Already various car makers including Maruti Suzuki India, Hyundai Motor India, Toyota, General Motors India and German luxury car makers Mercedes Benz and BMW have announced a hike in prices of their vehicles across models from January to offset rising input costs. Experts say carmakers usually come up with such yearend announcements which help them clear inventories left after the heavy festival discounts on vehicles. I, SAMPATH SATHISH KUMAR, Son of Mr.Sampath and Mrs. Vanjulavalli, residing at 2/391, Lakshmi Nagar 6th Street, Vandalur, Chennai-48, shall henceforth be known as SATHISH KUMAR SAMPATH. SAMPATH SATHISH KUMAR Bengaluru, Dec 15 (PTI): A Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed between the cities of San Francisco and Bengaluru today for cooperation in the field of technological interventions in arts, culture and museums, as a part of the sister initiatives between the two cities. As per the LoI signed under the aegis of Invest Karnataka 2016, interactive art and technology installations from San Francisco would soon be seen in the city, the state government said in a release.It said the interactive art installations are aimed at sparking imagination and public interaction. The LoI was signed by San Francisco Mayor Edwin M Lee and Karnataka’s Commissioner for Industrial Development Gaurav Gupta. The Government said participatory and interactive art and technology installations will be constructed at public places near Cubbon Park and Vidhana Soudha metro stations as well as San Francisco’s Civic Center Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station. Cleaning and sprucing up of the public spaces will be done by art colleges and organisations in Bengaluru and San Francisco, he added. The partnership project is expected to be completed within 18 months. IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS (Ordinary Original Side Jurisdiction) O.P.No. 436 of 2015 In the matter of Guardian and Wards Act 1890 and In the matter of Aditi Subhalaxmi Minor Gautami Tadimalla No.4/172, Eldams Road, Teynampet, Chennai-600 018. ...Petitioner -VsMr. Sandip Bhatia S/o. Shayam Bhatia Chosiv Apartment, No.16, Raja Street, T.Nagar, Chennai-600 017. ... Respondent All persons claiming to have any interest in the welfare of minor Aditi Subhalaxmi in appointing her natural guardian and mother Gautami Tadimalla as her Guardian are hereby cited to come and see the proceedings before the Master sitting in the Original Side of High Court of Judicature at Madras on 12.01.2016 at 10.30 am and file their objections if they think fit before the appointment of the petitioner as guardian to minor Aditi Subhalaxmi. Dated at Chennai on this 15th day of December 2015. Asst. Registrar Original Side-I High Court, Madras. Mr. M. Muthappan Advocate No.127, Addl. Law Chambers, High Court Buildings, Chennai-600 104. IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS (Testamentary and Intestate Jurisdiction) O.P.No. 361 of 2014 In the Matter of the Indian Succession Act XXXIX of 1925 and In the matter of Estate of M. Shanmugham (Decd). 1. Tmt. S. MANIMEKALAI, W/o Late.S. SIVARAMAN, 2. Tmt.S. UMA MAHESWARI AND 3 . Selvi.S. JAYANTHI Daughters of Late S. SIVARAMAN, All residing at 17/9, First Floor, Korukkupet, Chennai - 600 021. ...Petitioners All persons claiming to have any interest in the estate of the above named M. Shanmugham who had resided at No.17/9 First Street, Thiruvalluvar Nagar, Korukkupet, Chennai - 600 021 and died on 12.04.1992 are hereby cited to come and see the proceedings before the Learned Master sitting in the Original Side of High Court of Judicature at Madras on 21.12.2015 at of Administration. Dated at Chennai this the 7th day of December 2015. (S.Gurumurthy) The Asst. Registrar-I, Original Side, High Court, Chennai - 600 104. M/s.A.S. Narasimhan N. Ravichandran I. Murugan Advocates No.17 Law Chambers, High Court, Chennai - 600 104. 6 TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2015 Sports CHENNAI Kiwis rest Boult for Lanka ODIs Newcomer Nicholls earns call-up as injury worries mount Dipika, Joshna sort out differences New Delhi, Dec 15 (PTI): India’s leading squash players Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa, who couldn’t see eye to eye after an acrimonious quarterfinal in the Incheon Asian Games, have buried the hatchet to be friends again ahead of a busy upcoming season. The fiercely fought last eight clash, which Dipika won to secure India’s first women’s singles medal at the Asian Games, had jeopardised the longtime friendship between the country’s top female players. They stopped talking after the heated on court exchange in Incheon and all of this took place a month after Dipika and Joshna made history by winning the India’s first ever gold at the Commonwealth Games. ‘It is back to normal between us. We have known each other way too long to not sort out our differences. And we also live in the same city (Chennai). Be- Pietersen lets rip at Qantas ‘muppets’ Sydney, Dec 15 (AFP): England exile Kevin Pietersen has let rip at Australian carrier Qantas, calling them ‘muppets’ after he was refused entry to an airline lounge for wearing flip flops. The star batsman was fuming after the incident as he travelled to Australia to play for the Kevin Pietersen Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League after his Dolphins side lost in the final of South Africa’s Twenty20 competition on Saturday. ‘I suggest you tell Platinum, First Class fliers that they not allowed in your lounges with flip flops before they fly, @Qantas! Muppets!,’ he tweeted to his 2.88 million followers. ‘And BTW, @Qantas! Thongs (flip flops) are an institution in this great country! GET A GRIP! Tired, jet lagged & just wanted to chill! #Muppets.’ Qantas tightened dress code rules for entry to lounges earlier this year saying a survey of business travellers overwhelmingly supported the move. ‘@KP24. It must have been disappointing Kevin. Changes from earlier this year. Hope to welcome you back again soon,’ Qantas tweeted in response. sides that, both of us realise the importance of playing together and get more medals for India,’ revealed Joshna, who has now overtaken Dipika to be India’s highest-ranked player at 13. It can only be good for Indian squash that the leading ladies of the game are back to sharing rooms while fighting a ‘lonely’ battle on the professional tour besides advising each other on the game in whichever part of the world they are in. Dipika, who is five years younger to her 29-year-old teammate, too has moved on from the intense Incheon incident. ‘It was a tough match and we both were playing for a medal. What happened post that should not have happened but we have decided to move on looking at the bigger picture. We are the only two from our country playing at the highest-level and that is why have to stick together,’ Dipika told PTI. NZ squad for first three ODIs: Brendon McCullum (c), Doug Bracewell, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry (first two ODIs), Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Henry Nicholls, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, George Worker. Trent Boult has been rested for the first three ODIs against Sri Lanka. rather than later.’ It is Nicholls’ first call-up to the New Zealand squad. He averages 44.07 after 34 List A matches, with eight fifties and a big hundred - 178 against Wellington in January. In fact, his 50-over career peaked in the 2014-15 season when he became the second-highest scorer in the Ford Trophy with 454 runs in eight matches at an average of 75.66 and a strike-rate of 105.82. Nicholls has been a middle-order batsman for most of his domestic career and might get his New Zealand cap sooner rather than later considering allrounders Corey Anderson, James Neesham and Grant Elliott are still recovering from injuries. Anderson has been playing in the Georgie Pie Super Smash for Northern Knights despite his bad back preventing him from bowling. ‘We are starting to increase his loads and he is likely to be considered for T20 cricket as a batsman, but we are hopeful that towards the back end of season he can play a role with the ball,’ Hesson said. ‘We are taking a cautious approach with his return to bowling crease. So far he’s ticking the initial boxes.’ Elliott had broken his hand recently, but stands a chance to make the team for the final two ODIs, according to Hesson. Neesham is still ‘a long way off from bowling,’ after hurting his back during the Brisbane Test against Australia. ‘Elliott’s cast is off and he batted a couple of times in the nets. He will likely return for (Wellington) Firebirds in Ford Trophy on 27 December and if he proves his fitness, we hope he can come into consideration for the latter part of the series.’ New Zealand have a newish spin attack as well with left-arm allrounder Mitchell Santner and legspinner Ish Sodhi the only two frontline options picked. Nathan McCullum, who had announced he would retire from international cricket at the end of the season, was not picked for the ODIs. ‘Nathan’s unlikely to be considered for one-day cricket with his body,’ Hesson said ‘We see T20 about where his limit is. He’s had a lot of back issues but we have a number of promising spinners, looking to tournaments ahead, Mitch Santner and Ish Sodhi are going to need some opportunities.’ Sri Lanka have won only one ODI series since the start of 2015 - their last one against West Indies - and that run began with a defeat in New Zealand in January. Hesson is hopeful of a repeat. ‘India needs to do a lot to match China’ Open academies in every State to unearth talent: Prakash Padukone ‘Players come from all over the Mumbai, Dec 15 (PTI): India needs to set up a bad- country, but there’s no academy in minton academy in every state the north barring the one in Lucknow. to hone the amount of talent the The government is also spending on country has and bridge the huge foreign coaches. ‘If each State cannot have gap that exists currently with an academy, SAI (Sports powerhouse China, feels Authority of India) shuttle legend Prakash should have one in Padukone. each of the six zones India, currently, has including north-east. two renowned acadBut the key is to find emies - the twothe right personnel decade-old Prakash to manage them. Padukone Academy There are good SAI in Bengaluru and the coaches. The need P Gopichand Academy is to identify them and in Hyderabad run by the Prakash Padukone give support and recnational coach, plus an ognition. That’s the key,’ academy in Lucknow, acsaid the 1978 Commonwealth cording to the 1980 All-England Games champion. men’s singles champion. Prakash said that these zonal acad‘But we need more. We need 30 academies in the long run in order to emies can act as feeder lines to his compete with China. That’s the sort academy, the academy of national of talent we have. Each state should coach Gopichand and the one in have one academy, run by dedicated Lucknow which can be treated as and properly qualified coaches who national academies. ‘SAI has centres. Some are doing are prepared to put in the hard work,’ the 60-year-old told PTI in an inter- well and some are not. Once they produce results it’s important to give view here. Tomic sets sights on top 10 spot Bernard Tomic Dubai, Dec 15: Australian star Bernard Tomic has set his sights on cracking the ATP’s top 10 as he seeks more consistency in 2016. Tomic enjoyed a successful year on court in 2015, moving into the men’s top 20 for the first time in his career.The 23-year-old ended the season ranked a career-high 18th, boasting a 40-27 win-loss record and having defended his Claro Open crown in July. But Tomic, who reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, is eyeing a place alongside Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka Wellington, Dec 15: In an effort to manage workloads, New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult has been rested for the first three matches of the five-ODI series against Sri Lanka starting on Boxing Day. Tim Southee will also have a couple of matches off, before joining the squad for the Nelson ODI on New Year’s Eve. Neither player was part of New Zealand’s tours to Zimbabwe and South Africa earlier in the year: Boult was injured and Southee was rested. But they have played four back-to-back Tests since the start of November. ‘He will have played five Tests in a row (including the next one in Hamilton),’ coach Mike Hesson said of Boult. “It’s a long season and we need some fresh legs steaming in come the first ODI at Hagley.’ Matt Henry comes into the squad for Southee in the first two matches, and he will have Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne and Doug Bracewell for company in the fast-bowling department. The only new face among the 13 players picked was Henry Nicholls and Hesson was effusive in his praise of the 24-year-old batsman. ‘Henry has earned his spot through consistent performances over the last 12 months. Through the A campaign he was exceptional, certainly an outstanding player in all forms of the game. He’s a player we see has class and a player who we want to expose to the international scene sooner and Rafael Nadal inside the top 10, though he knows he must go beyond winning ATP 250 events. ‘I think I played very well throughout the whole year. I kept up the consistency which was really important,’ Tomic told a news conference.‘Now for 2016, I have to start strong and really play well in the Australian summer and after remain consistent like I was in 2015. ‘I’d really love to get into the top 10. On paper it doesn’t look so far away - six, seven or eight spots but it is very difficult.‘So I need to start winning bigger titles to move into the top 10.’ Abhinav, Mohammed fashion TN’s win Hyderabad, Dec 15 (PTI): Seamer M Mohammed grabbed a five-for while opener Abhinav Mukund hit 85 as Tamilnadu beat Services by seven wickets in a group A match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, here yesterday. Batting first, Services managed only 192 for 8 in 50 overs with former KKR player Yashpal Singh top scoring with 56. Seamer Mohammed provided his team with crucial breakthroughs as his 5 for 50 was complemented well by his skipper Ravichandran Ashwin (2 for 23). In reply, Tamil Nadu scored the runs in 39.4 overs with Mukund and Baba Aparajith (66 no) adding 138 runs for the second wicket. Both played cautiously as Mukund took 110 balls hitting seven boundaries and Aparajith faced 91 deliveries for his three boundaries. The duo ran well between the wickets and by the time, Mukund was bowled, Tamilnadu needed only 42 runs. R Sathish (16) and Vijay Shankar (16 no) hit a few runs as Aparajith anchored the team to victory. Brief scores: Services 192 for 8 (Yashpal Singh 56, M Mohammed 5 for 50, Ravi Ashwin 2 for 23) lost to Tamilnadu 193 for 3 in 39.4 overs (Abhinav Mukund 85, Baba Aparajith 66). Points: TN 4; Services 0. recognition. From there (the zonal or State academies) we can pick up talent to be further trained at Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Lucknow which are like national academies. That’s the right way (to go about),’ he said. Prakash said there was a number of talented juniors now in the country, especially in the boys, who can rise to the world level in the near future with proper grooming. ‘There are a lot of juniors, especially among boys, with a lot of potential to do well at the world level in, may be 5-8 years. Siril Verma is doing well and reached the final in World Juniors (in Lima, Peru, in November). ‘Then there are Lakshya Sen and Chirag Sen. There are also others from Hyderabad or Bangalore. They have a fairly good potential. There are a few girls too. Ruthvika (Shivani Gudde) is one who has the height, but needs to work hard.’ He welcomed the revival of the badminton league in its new avatar - Premier Badminton League - and hoped it’s held regularly and at a specific period during the year. Former Indian cricket captain K Srikkanth, former Indian hockey captain V Baskaran, India Cements vice-chairman N Srinivasan and others at a condolence meeting for M A M Ramaswamy in Chennai. Tributes pour in for MAM Biography of industrialist-racing baron released NT Bureau Chennai, Dec 15: Speakers at a condolence meeting held here recently paid triubutes to industrialist and racing baron M A M Ramaswamy, who passed away on 2 December. A press note said the meeting, held at Rani Seethai Hall, was attended by over 500 persons. Among those who hailed the services rendered by the former Member of the Parliament and Pro-Chancellor of Annamalai University were former judge Duraisamy Raju, India Cements vice-chairman N Srinivasan, former Indian cricketer K Srikkanth, former Indian hockey captain V Bhaskaran and Madras Race Club president R Ramakrishnan. Speaking on the occasion, Ramaswamy’s foster son and managing director of Chettinad Group, MAMR Muthiah said, ‘All the progress I have achieved so far is because of my father, MAM Ramaswamy’s blessings. He was a great guide, lovable grandfather, an ardent sport enthusiast, an immense fan of arts, whether music or literature, generous humanitarian and certainly the greatest businessman of his time.’ A biography of Dr MAM Ramaswamy - ‘Dr MAMR - Oru Sagaptham’ was released on the occasion. Leicester back on top after Chelsea slip-up Leicester’s Danny Simpson battles for the ball with Chelsea’s Pedro in the EPL game on Monday. London, Dec 15: Sublime goals from Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez sent Leicester City back to the Premier League summit after a deserved 2-1 win on Monday over lacklustre Chelsea whose march to the title last season seems a distant memory. The prolific Vardy, whose record run of 11 consecutive Premier League goals came to an end at Swansea City last weekend, beat goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with a crisp volley from playmaker Mahrez’s delightful cross after 34 minutes. Algeria international Mahrez curled in a stunning second from the edge of the area three minutes into the second half to put Leicester, continuing a remarkable turnaround after escaping relegation last season, on 35 points, two clear of Arsenal. Substitute Loic Remy gave the visitors hope with a close-range headed goal 13 minutes from time to set up a tense finish but the hosts held out to leave Chelsea mired in 16th place on 15 points from 16 games -- one point above the relegation zone. ‘We played against the champions but we want to make a fantastic match for our fans because they believe, they are dreaming,’ said Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri, savouring victory against his former side. ‘It is good if they (the fans) continue to dream but for us it was important to make a great performance with a fantastic spirit. Also tactically, I am very satisfied. We concentrated for 95 minutes against the champions. That is not easy.’ Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho agreed. ‘They deserved to win because they were better than us during a longer period of time,’ he said. Mixed Bag CHENNAI TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2015 7 BJP MPs gesture to rain-hit Chennai q Decide to contribute Rs 10,000 each for flood relief GRT Jewellers (India) Pvt Ltd directors G R Ananthapadmanabhan and G R Radhakrishnan handed over a cheque for Rs one crore to the Chief Minister’s relief fund to Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa at the Secretariat in Chennai today. Corporates, jewellers donate Rs 12.31 cr NT Bureau Chennai, Dec 15: Contributions continued to pour in for the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for rain victims of Chennai and neighbouring districts. A total of Rs 12.31 crore was today handed over to Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa at the Secretariat here, taking the overall tally to over Rs 111 crore. The managing director of Chettinad Cements M A M R Muthiah (Ayyappan) gave Rs three crore towards flood relief, this being the highest donation of the day. Karur Vysya Bank managing director K Venkataraman donated Rs 2 crore on behalf of the bank and another Rs 1 crore that was collected from the bank employees who gave up a day’s salary. While Lakshmi Machine Works, Coimbatore, managing director, Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu, gave Rs 2 crore, Coimbatore-based P S Govindasamy Naidu and Sons managing trustee L Gopalakrishnan donated Rs 1 crore. Managing director of Shakthi Masala Pvt Ltd, P C Duraisamy, and director D Shanthi, parted with Rs 1 crore, while GRT Jewellers (India) Pvt Ltd directors G R Ananthapadmanabhan and G R Radhakrishnan contributed Rs 1 crore. Nissan India’s operations president Guillaume Sicard handed over Rs 1 crore. Managing director of NAC Jewellers, Anantha Padmanabhan, gave Rs 25 lakh to the fund. Tamilnadu Small and Tiny Industries Association (TANSTIA) general secretary C Babu presenting a petition to BJP State unit president Tamilisai Soundararajan seeking financial assistance from the Centre for flood affected industries. TANSTIA vice president C K Mohan is also present. New Delhi, Dec 15: BJP members in the Parliament have decided to contribute Rs 10,000 each for Chennai flood relief. The party has 282 members in Lok Sabha and 48 in Rajya Sabha. The BJP’s Parliamentary party meeting was held today to discuss a series of issues, where the members decided to contribute money for Chennai floods. With Parliament virtually paralysed due to disruption by Congress, the BJP attacked it saying it was using the National Herald case to ‘harm’ national interest and holding the country’s development ‘hostage’ to its ‘selfish’ political goal. The BJP Parliamentary Party voiced concern over the way the main opposition party was creating ‘obstruction’ in the path of development and said it would be ‘suicidal’ for it. Briefing the media after the meeting, Minister of State for Parliamentary Af- Cloudy weather for Chennai; rain likely in southern districts NT Bureau Chennai, Dec 15 Chennai will continue to enjoy fair weather even as some southern districts may receive showers in the next 24 hours due to the presence of an upper air cyclonic circulation in the bay over Comorin area a n d and adjoining Sri Lanka. According to the Met office here, yesterday’s upper air cyclonic circulation over Maldives area and neighbourhood lay over Lakshadweep area and neighbourhood. Another upper air cyclonic circulation lies over Comorin area and adjoining Lanka which extends upto 1.5 Kilometers above sea level and could bring rains to the southern districts. The weathermen said the sky conditions in Chennai would be partly cloudy. The maximum and minimum temperature is around 31 and 23 degree Celsius respectively. Isolated rainfall can be expected over parts of Tamilnadu and Puducherry. Officials at Regional Meterological Centre said light rains may occur over parts of Chennai. HC seeks TN reply on Nalini plea NT Bureau Chennai, Dec 15: Madras High Court today asked the Tamilnadu government to reply to Nalini’s plea seeking release from the life sentence she was undergoing in former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination case. Earlier, Nalini fi led a petition in the High Court stating that she was arrested in Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination case and handed over death sentence by the Poonamallee special court. But, in 2000, the Tamilnadu government reduced the sentence to life imprisonment. For the past 25 years, she has been logded in Vellore prison. She highlighted the fact that in the years 2001 and 2006, the Tamilnadu government pardoned more 2,200 prisoners and released them. Though many prisoners serving life sentence were released, she was left out. Quoting a government order dated 1994, which made way for the release of prisoners serving BJP MPs offer roses to protesting Cong MPs New Delhi, Dec 15 (PTI): In a sarcastic move, some BJP MPs today offered roses to their Congress rivals in the Lok Sabha who were protesting inside the Well over alleged atrocities against Dalit youths in Punjab. When Speaker Sumitra Mahajan rejected notices for adjournment of the Question Hour including one on the Punjab Dalit issue, Congress members trooped into the Well raising slogans against the Prime Minister and the SAD-BJP government in Punjab over the alleged chopping off of limbs of two dalit youth at a farmhouse in Abohar. As Congress members shouted slogans like ‘PM sharam karo’ (PM shame, shame) and ‘dismiss Punjab government’, six BJP members entered the Well and offered roses to the agitating Congress MPs. Soon some senior BJP members pulled their party colleagues out of the Well. A few roses were seen lying on the table of the Lok Sabha secretariat officials inside the Well. As soon as the House met for the day, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said she had disallowed notices of adjournment motions on different issues and the issues can be raised later. Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Khare said the Dalit issue is important and his party should be allowed to raise it. When questions were asked on farmers’ plight and insect attack on cotton crop, the Speaker ‘there is a question on farmers, but they (Congress members) have nothing to do with the farmers.’ Her reference was to the Congress members who were carrying out vociferous protest inside the Well. As she continued with the Question Hour, Congress members started clapping and raising slogans to drown the voices of members asking questions and ministers replying to them. jail term for more than 20 years, on humanitarian grounds, she sent a petition seeking release from prison on 22 February 2014. But no action was taken. When the case came up before judge M M Sundaresh for hearing today, advocate M Radhakrishnan argued the case on behalf of Nalini. The judge accepted the argument and sent notice to the Tamilnadu government and asked the Chief Secretary to file a reply within two weeks. fairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said BJP has issued a whip, asking its members in both the Houses to be present for the remainder of the Winter session during which the government hopes to push through a host of Bills even as prospect for it appears dim. Like last year, the government and party will also celebrate former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birth day on 25 December as ‘Good Governance Day’ during which a host of events will be held, he said. The Parliamentary party was told that a number of programmes aimed at empowering youth, including skill development projects in every Lok Sabha constituency, will be launched on 12 January, the birth anniversary of spiritual guru Vivekananda. Banks and public sector units will pitch in and the aim behind it will be to give a boost to job growth, Naqvi said. ‘The parliamentary party expressed In points Says Congress is harming national interest l Issues whip to party MPs to be present in Parliament l To celebrate 15 December as ‘Good Governance Day’ l Skill development projects to be launched in evey Lok Sabha Constituency on 12 January l its concern over the negative politics of Congress and its attempt to obstruct the country’s development. It is doing so for its own narrow and selfish political interest and it can be suicidal for Congress’. ‘The National Herald case is being used to harm national interest. Congress should see to it that the case does not overshadow national interest,’ Naqvi said. Asked about CBI’s raid at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s office for which he has blamed Modi, Naqvi said it had become a ‘fashion’ to blame the prime minister for everything. ‘It’s Modi-phobia. If somebody has pain in stomach, he will claim that he has got the disease from PMO,’ he said At the meeting, a booklet titled ‘National Herald case: family greed and national blackmail’ was also distributed among the BJP MPs. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu told MPs that the government will continue to hold talks with opposition parties for the passage of bills, including GST. BJP accused Congress of indulging in ‘fake fights’ over ‘manufactured issues and lies’ to obstruct the functioning of Parliament. On Vajpayee’s birthday, party leaders were asked to hold blood camps, distribute warm clothes in Dalit areas and carry out other welfare activities, Naqvi said. ‘Need to protect natural resources’ National Energy Conservation Week begins at NLC NT Bureau Neyveli, Dec 15: Every individual should act as a trustee of natural resources to manage earth’s resources in a wise, judicial manner and to conserve them for the future generation, said Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) Chairman and Managing Director Sarat Kumar Acharya. Inaugurating National Energy Conservation Week-2015 at Neyveli here on Monday, he said energy conservation is the only way which helps in replacing the non-renewable resources of energy with the renewable energy. He said fossil fuels, crude oil, coal and natural gas generate sufficient energy for the use in daily life but increasing the demands of it day by day creates the fear of dipping or diminishing the natural resources. Speaking on the occasion, Petroleum Conservation Research Association Additional Director Janaki Ram lauded the efforts taken by NLC in protecting the environment and its mother like care for the so- NLC Chairman and Managing Director Sarat Kumar Acharya flagging off a rally organised in commemoration of the National Energy Conservation Week, by the students of Kendriya Vidyalaya in Neyveli yesterday. ciety. He insisted on how increasing power demand in India has lead to considerable fossil fuel burning. He informed implementing end use energy effi ciency may save upto 25,000 MW of energy. Janaki Ram also released pamphlets on energy conservation and fl agged off a procession of school children to create awareness among public about the need of energy conservation. National Energy Conservation Day is celebrated every year across India on 14 December. NLC is celebrating the Energy Conservation Week 2015 by arranging activities like rallies by school children, seminars and interactive sessions within the industry as well as educational institutions and employees to create awareness towards efficient use of energy and its conservation. NLC functional Directors S Boopathy, Subir Das and V Thangapandian participated. Two Sabarimala pilgrims killed in road mishap Odisha MLA suspended Kozhikode, Dec 15 (PTI): Two Sabarimala pilgrims were killed and four others injured w h e n their van rammed into a road side tree after hitting a lorry at Vellimukku in Malappuram district in the wee hours today, police said. The deceased, identified as Sathish Kumar (49), Anup (29), were part of the six member team of pilgrims returning from the temple, police said. The injured have been admitted to Kozhikode Medical College hospital, they said. Bhubaneswar, Dec 15: A day after a local channel caught him on camera while watching porn video indside the Assembly building, Odisha Congress MLA Nabakishore Das was today suspended by the Speaker. Though Das had admitted he accessed Internet in his mobile phone inside the house, he denied watching any obscene video and clarified that the page appeared suddenly while surfing the net. ‘I have never seen such video clips. While I was trying to open a web page in my mobile, the video clip on YouTube inadvertently opened,’ Das clarified. ‘I have done nothing wrong. It is q For watching porn video inside Assembly a conspiracy against me to tarnish my image,’ Das said, adding that he was ready to face a probe. However, the ruling Biju Janata Dal demanded a probe and action against the leader. Alleging that the Congress member was watching an obscene video clip during question hour, BJD member Pramila Mallick said she will urge the speaker to order an investigation into the matter and take action against the legislator. ‘It is very shameful that the MLA was watching obscene clips in the august house. Tomorrow (Tuesday), we will urge the Speaker to take strong action against the legislator,’ said Mallick. Chennaiyin looks to pack off ATK Confident Materazzi & Co bank on Mendoza, Jeje NT Bureau Chennai, Dec 15: Having broken the jinx against Atletico de Kolkata with a 3-0 win in the first leg, the Marco Materazziled Chennaiyin FC will look to end the reign of their rivals when they meet in the semifinal second leg in Kolkata tomorrow. The first leg saw Chennaiyin FC netting three goals past the defending champions at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Stadium in Pune. The second leg takes place at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. The visitors will face a tough challenge as ATK looks to bounce back from their first leg misery. ATK have to score at least four goals against to book a place in the finals. However, the Kolkata defence will have a hard time containing Chennaiyin FC will rely on Stiven Mendoza, Jeje and Bruno Pellessari to seal a final berth. Chennaiyin Stiven Mendoza and talk of the season, as he stepped Jeje Lalpekhlua, who are in blis- up while his Brazilian counterpart tering form. Elano has faltered. A one-match suspension saw Elano watch the Bruno Pelessari has been the fi rst leg from the sidelines. The 23-year-old Pelassari was instrumental in Chennai’s win by scoring from a spot kick. Though Elano is slated to return for the second leg, coach Marco Materazzi refused to confirm whether the youngster would have to give way for the veteran. ATK coach Anthony Habas will look to take advantage of the home ground as he looks to build the attack through Ian Hume, the second highest scorer in the league, the Australian has been in fine scoring form. The worry of Atletico is their defence which is not been solid this season. The second leg of the semi final looks to be a entertaining affair in Kolkata. (MATCH STARTS AT 7 P.M) 8 TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2015 , CHENNAI Licensed to post without prepayment under WPP. No. TN / PMG / (CCR) / WPP-470 / 15-17 A RA GA, S GA Queen among all Bringing Thiruvaiyaru to Chennai As the month of Margazhi is set to unfold soon, the music fraternity has geared up for the season. On Monday, musicians gathered in the city to express their solidarity in spreading the joy of music with Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru, a series of music programmes from 18 to 25 December conducted by Lakshman Sruthi. Speaking to reporters, vocalist Nithyashree Mahadevan said, ‘this programme is a rejuvenating process where old music is rekindled and given a refreshment with traditional touch. It is the time when music showers unite with rains and present a beautiful picture.’ For singer Mahathi who has been taking part in the event every year, active participation in music is the way of entertainment for flood victims. Singer Harini also endorsed the idea that music is the medicine to control the anxiety of traumatised people. As part of the flood relief measures, the event will also have a tent put up to collect funds for the victims. Dancer Shobana announced about her contribution of Rs one Bharat Kalachar YGP Auditorium, T Nagar Sikkil Gurucharan (vocal), 6 pm Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha Vani Mahal, T Nagar Sahana Prasanna, 1 pm Shruti Shankar Kumar, 2.15 pm Bharathi Ramsubban, 4 pm Vijay Siva, 6 pm EUPHONIC EVENING Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha Vidya Bharathi Mandapam, Mylapore Lec-dem by Neyveli Santhanagoipalan, 8.30 am Musicians at a press meet to announce Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru in the city Monday. lakh. Audience attending the renditions will be offered free bus services to routes such as Ennore and Avadi from 7.30 pm onwards. Paying tributes to former President APJ Abdul Kalam, a wax statue of him is to be erected at Kamarajar arangam, the event’s venue. Actor-dancer Prabhudeva will inaugurate the event. Others present in the occassion were Lakshman of Lakshman Sruthi, singer Shoba Chandrasekhar, musician Rajesh Vaidhya, singers Hari Charan and Aruna Sairam. — NT Bureau S Shah Rukh Khan and Dilip Kumar wife Saira Bano. In a career spanning over six decades, Kumar starred in films like Andaz, Aan, Devdas and the historical Mughal-e-Azam. Called as the ‘tragedy king of Bollywood’, he also did films like Kranti, Shakti, Karma and Saudagar. His last film was Qila in 1998. — PTI Sharanya Sriram, 12.30 pm M a h a d e v a n Shankaranarayanan, 2 pm Maharajapuram Ramachandran, 4 pm Kadri Gopalnath Vocalist T V Sankaranarayanan presenting a concert at the 115th year December music festival of Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha in Chennai Sunday. Photo: A R JAYAKUMAR (saxophone), 6 pm A s soon as the floods hit Chennai and surrounding areas, film personalities jumped into action to provide relief. Now, going a step further, they are coming forward to adopt areas affected by water. Actor Suriya has adopting three severely devastated villages of Thiruvallur district. ‘Agaram foundation has decided to adopt the villages of Nelvai, Kalachur and Keragambakkam in Thiruvallur district. They are home to IruIa families who have been badly affected by the floods. The residents have no identity cards and are not eligible to receive any official aid. The children don’t go to school and they are malnourished’, said Suriya in his statement. Director Mani Ratnam has announced that he will be adopting Surya Nagar, a locality in Chennai’s flood-hit Kotturpuram through his Naam Foundation, which he runs along with his wife Suhasini. The ace director mentioned that he has decided to adopt the place to lend a helping hand to government which is providing relief measures to all the flood-affected people in the city. — NT Buerau lose on the heels of reports that Hollywood actor Arnold might not be part of Enthiran 2, Rajinikanth today returned to Chennai from Thiruvananthapuram, apparently to hold crucial talks with director Shankar. If reports are to be believed, since Arnold was quoting a huge amount as remuneration, he might be replaced by Vikram. According to sources, the Hollywood actor has apparently demanded a whopping $20 million (around Rs 120 crore) for the role. Weta Workshop, the team that designed different looks for Vikram in Shankar’s movie I, will handle Rajini’s look in Enthiran 2. The much-appreciated Srinivas Mohan, who was the VFX supervisor for Baahubali, will be the VFX specialist for the project. Rajinikanth is currently busy with the shooting of his upcoming gangster film Kabali in Malaysia. As per reports, the work on Enthiran 2 will commence in January next year. Sources said Amy Jackson will be playing the role of a robot, and she is paired opposite Chitti. — NT Bureau Dilip Kumar is pillar of our film industry: SRK K Gayathri, 10 am Suriya, Mani Ratnam adopt flood-hit areas Arnold or Vikram? Rajini holds crucial talks with Shankar C hah Rukh Khan has always idolised veteran actor Dilip Kumar and considers him a pillar of strength for the film industry . The 50-year-old Happy New Year actor said even tags like ‘icon’ are small for Kumar and him getting the honour of Padma Vibhushan calls for a big celebration. ‘Dilip sahab is more deserving than anybody else. Even words like ‘icon’ are very less for him. He is the forefather, the pillar of the film industry... Amongst the last few pillars left. I think what he has received is huge,’ Shah Rukh told reporters. ‘No matter how many awards he gets, it will be less for him because of his art, beauty, Saira ji’s support. He is one of the greatest human beings apart from being the actor. I know them personally so I can say that. It’s a moment of big celebration.’ he added. The thespian was presented the Padma Vibhushan by Union Home minister Ranjnath Singh at his residence in suburban Bandra here. The 93-year-old legend was presented a medal, a certificate and a shawl by Singh, in the presence of the actor’s Kalyani is is the queen of the raaga family. In the Hindustani system, this is known by the name Yaman. There are many kritis in this raga. Thyagaraja’s Ethavunara, Vasudevayani, Nidhichala, Dikshitar’s Kamalamba Navavarana Kamalambam Bhajare, and Shyama Sastri’s Talli Ninnu Nera definitely merit mention. Kalyani meaning auspicious is a major versatile and one of the grand ragas. The famous five grand ragas of our music are Sankarabharanam, Thodi, Kalyani, Kamboji and Bhairavi. This raga which renders a very pleasing effect is suitable for singing at all times and encapsulates emotions or rasas namely, Bhakthi,and Shringara and Vatsalya. This raga is handled as amain raga in concert with elaborate Alapana, and Manodharma Swaras. Some of the film songs in Kalyani are Sinthanai Sei Maname(Ambikapathy), Mannavan Vandanadi (Thiruvarutchelvar), Mugathil Mugam Parkalam (Thangapadhumai), Maduraiyil Paranda (Poova Thalaiya), Janani Janani (Thai Mookambikai), Ammavendrazhaikkada (Mannan) and Kalaivaniyae (Sindhu Bhairavi). TOMORROW IN SABHAS ‘My stories are based on my dreams’ Mark Wahlberg to return for Transformers 5 Actor Mark Wahlberg is all set to reprise his role as Cade Yeager for the fifth installment of Transformers. The 44-year-old Ted actor confirmed the news himself, reported Aceshowbiz. On being asked if he would return as the leading character for the next Transformers movie, Wahlberg firmly confirmed it by saying ‘yes’. Iron Man scribes Art Marcum, Matt Holloway and Ken Nolan have been roped in to pen the script for the sequel to Age of Extinction. The film is believed to take place on both earth and in space, as Optimus Prime hunts down the Quintessons. — PTI Ruskin Bond F or author Ruskin Bond, stories are essentially inspired from his dreams that he jotted down and kept a record of. One of his most popular short stories, The Night Train at Deoli, was in fact a reproduction of a dream, said the 81-year-old author who delivered this year’s Penguin Annual Lecture here this evening. ‘Most of my early stories are based on my dreams that I used to record in my notebook. All the love stories were dreams,’ he said. Bond, who has had a vibrant literary career spanning over 65 years with several novels, short stories, essays and also some poetry to his credit, used the occasion to speak about ‘The Joy of Writing’. ‘Yes, I enjoy being an author and writing stories, probably because that is what I have been doing the best, besides playing football. Except that at 81, I can still write but football...,’ he quipped. Bond, who admits to being a prolific reader all his life, emphasised that it was very important for a writer or those who aspire to be one to read voraciously. ‘It is very important that you be a good reader, because you learn so much from books and also because you emulate your favourite writers,’ he said. On one occasion when he ran out of reading material at his solitary cottage in Mussoorie, Bond said, he had picked up an Oxford Dictionary and he was surprised how he ended up reading ‘page after page, learning new words’. — PTI Justin Bieber, Kourtney Kardashian ‘inseparable’ on date night A Justin Bieber mid rumours of them casually dating, pop sensation Justin Bieber and reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian were ‘inseparable’ on an intimate night they spend in West Hollywood. The 21-year-old ‘What Do You Mean’ hitmaker and the eldest Kardashian sister were spending some quality time together at one of the popular joints, reported People magazine. ‘He and Kourtney were nearly inseparable smok- ing on the patio together and were super touchy feely,’ a source said. They went to Blind Dragon afterwards. Kourtney left around 12:45 am and Justin left around 1:30 am,’ the source added Bieber has palled around with the Kardashian family in the past. During summers he posted a photo of himself horsing around in a pool with Disick and Kardashian’s son Mason. — PTI Kourtney Kardashian Published by K. Balakumar on behalf of News Today Media (P) Ltd., from 85, Mount Road (GST Road), Guindy, Chennai 600 032 and printed by him at Frontline Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial / Admn / Advt / Circulation 2250 4000, Fax: 2250 0303 (Editorial) / 2250 0101 / 2250 1200 (Advt/Admn/Cir). E-mail: newstodaydaily@gmail.com. Website: www.newstodaynet.com