FRONTLINE PRINTERS PRIVATE LTD 3 Make way for a skilled India: Rudy 6 Finding the right combo our problem: Rohit 7 Normal life hit in K’taka 8 Frothy & Frolicsome Complete Printing Facilities under One Roof M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032. 2250 0111, 4202 1111 Chennai’s No 1 English evening daily since 1982 www.newstodaynet.com NATIONAL DAILY VOL. XXXIII NO. 131 FOUNDER EDITOR: T.R.R H CHENNAI H SATURDAY 18.4.2015 (EVENING) H OTHER STATIONS SUNDAY 19.4.2015 (MORNING) H 8 PAGES Rs. 4.00 H Jaya’s gesture to partyman’s daughter NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 18: AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa today said the party would bear the education expenses of the nine-year-old daughter of an AIADMK activist who committed suicide unable to tolerate the hurdles faced by her. In a statement, Jayalalithaa said she was shocked to know that Vadapudupatti Cooperative Agriculture Bank chief P Rajayogyam consumed poison, as he was upset over the troubles faced by her. On coming to know that he died without responding to treatment, his wife Muthulakshmi too consumed poison and was getting treatment in a hospital. While requesting party activities not to indulge in such activities as they give her immense pain, Jayalalithaa said the party will bear the education and other expenses of the couple’s daughter Divya. Mirwaiz under house arrest Srinagar, Apr 18 (PTI): Authorities today placed several separatists, including moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, under house arrest even as a strike called by hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani over the killing of two youths in an army operation earlier this week evoked a partial response in some parts of Kashmir. Mirwaiz was placed under house arrest this morning in view of fresh protests in some parts of the Valley over killing of the two youths in Tral area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district in an army operation on Monday, police officials said. They said the house arrest of the separatist leaders was a preventive measure for maintaining law and order. Geelani and several other second rung separatist leaders continue to be under house arrest for the second consecutive day today, the officials said. These leaders were placed under house arrest yesterday to scuttle Geelani’s proposed march to Tral town for registering protest against the killing of the two youths, claimed to be innocent civilians by local residents. However, the army has maintained that they were militants. In view of the strike call, shops, business establishments, educational institutes and petrol pumps were shut in and around Lal Chowk city centre but most of them were open in the civil lines areas of the city as well as in other major towns of the Valley, the officials said. They said while public transport was sparse, private vehicles, cabs and auto-rickshaws plied normally. Geelani had called for a strike against the killing of the two youths. He had also asked the people to protest against ‘unjustified and inhuman’ arrests of Hurriyat Leaders including Masarat Alam. Regd. No., TN/CC(S) DN/223/15-17, RNI No: 33810 / 82 N Hectic activity ormal life in Bengaluru, the country’s IT capital and several parts of Karnataka was crippled today due to a 12-hour Statewide bandh called by pro-Kannada outfits to protest Tamilnadu’s opposition to Mekedatu drinking water project across the river Cauvery. Meanwhile, bus services from Tamilnadu to Karnataka were stopped as were those from Bengaluru to the neighbouring State. Bus, auto and taxi services were badly hit in Bengaluru, causing hardship to commuters, leaving thousands stranded at many places. Meanwhile, staring at an imminent expulsion from the party, AAP rebel Yogendra Yadav today lashed out at the party on social media for the show cause notice served on him, terming it as a ‘joke.’ He also questioned how the media knew the details of the show cause notice before he received it and accused members of the disciplinary committee of ‘leaking’ it. In Chennai, a three-member team of doctors from Hyderabad’s government-run Osmania Hospital arrived today to conduct fresh postmortem of five of the victims of the police firing in Seshachalam forests of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh on 7 April. The Hyderabad High Court had yesterday ordered fresh autopsies for the five (out of the 20 people killed) after their relatives moved the court seeking fresh postmortems. Encounter: AP docs in TN for re-autospy q Tight security at Thiruvannamalai hospital NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 18: A three-member team of doctors from Hyderabad’s government-run Osmania Hospital arrived here today to conduct fresh postmortem of six of the victims of the police firing in Seshachalam forests of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh on 7 April. The team of doctors comprise M Taquiddin Khan, Abhijit Subhedar and K V Ramana Murthy, sources said. They were received by Tamilnadu government officials at the airport here and were sent to Thiruvannamalai, where the bodies were being kept at a government hospital, to conduct the fresh postmortem, The Hyderabad High Court had yesterday ordered fresh autopsies for the five (out of the 20 people killed) after their relatives moved the court seeking fresh postmortems. The High Court had also ordered teams of medical experts from either Osmania Hospital or Gandhi Hospital (both State-run institutions) to fly to Chennai for the purpose. On 16 April, the Hyderabad High Court had directed the Andhra Pradesh government to conduct fresh autopsy on the body of another victim Sasi Kumar in response to the application filed by his wife Muniyammal. FACT FINDING MISSION NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 18: A man crushed his brother to death with a grinding stone at Kilpauk this morning. According to police sources, Venkata Ratnam (31), a corporation worker killed Venkata Ramulu (43) who is a driver and a mechanic after an argument regarding the ownership of a property. Police said, of late, the duo have been fighting regularly over the piece of land. Venkata Ramulu is survived by his wife and three children, police said. After killing his brother with the grinding stone, Venkata Raman reported attempted to flee the spot but was caught by his neighbours. The body of Venkata Ramulu was sent to Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital. Police have registered a case. Techie dies in road mishap The Thiruvannamalai government hospital, where the bodies are kept. (Inset) Higher officials supervising security and other arrangements. Photo: S SURESH Thiruvannamalai reporter adds The Thiruvannamalai government hospital premises has been brought under a three-tier police security, led by Superintendent Mutharasi. The security has been provided following protests by Tamil organisations against the ‘encounter’. Five DSPs, 10 Inspectors and more than 100 police personnel were on duty at Protestors, police clash q One killed in firing, several injured Srinagar, Apr 18: One person was killed and two others injured in Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) firing on demonstrators in central Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district today, reports said. The untoward incident happened after protesters clashed with security personnel in various parts of the Valley. Reports said that the police initially used tear gas to disperse the protesters, but as the crowd turned violent and started pelting stones, the personnel opened fire resulting in death of a youth named Suhail Ahmad Sofi. They were protesting against the killing of two youths in an Army operation at Tral in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district early this week. A day after separatist Masarat Alam was arrested by J&K Police, Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called for a shutdown in the state. Geelani has called for a complete bandh to protest Alam’s arrest and the killing of two youths in an Army operation in Tral earlier this week. The 45-year-old hardliner was arrested from his home in Habbakadal Man kills brother at Kilapuk area of the city Friday morning, apparently after the Centre pushed for it. Police late on Friday added section 121A (waging war against the country) and section 124 (sedition) to FIR lodged against hardliner, Alam. A court on Friday night remanded separatist leader Alam, arrested over raising of pro-Pakistan slogans and hoisting Pakistan flags at a rally, to seven-day police custody by a court in Budgam. Protests broke out in the state capital on Friday after Alam was arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir Police. The police had to use teargas and resort to lathicharge to disperse the crowd, which was heading for a march in Tral town of Pulwama district. The Nowhatta area of Jammu and Kashmir capital resembled a battle zone as masked protesters burnt the tricolour and clashed with security forces resulting in injuries to about a dozen people, including two policemen, official sources said. The protesters were also seen hurling stones at the police which retaliated, bursting teargas shells and using force to disperse the violent crowds. the hosptial. Thiruvannamalai Collector Gnanasekaran and other higher officials were also at the hospital premises. The bodies are expected to be handed over to the relatives of the victims, after the autopsy gets over later today. Officials have made arrangements to bring the family members to the hospital, it is said. ST panel chairperson’s visit National Commission of Scheduled Tribes chairperson Ravi Thakur on Friday visited the spot in Seshachalam hills, where the alleged encounter took place last week. Thakur decided to have a look at the spot to take note of possible violation of human rights. He will address the media later today. NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 18: A software engineer was killed in a road mishap at MGR Salai this morning. According to police sources, Saravanan Kumar (26), a software engineer from Kottivakkam was riding on his two-wheeler in KPK Nagar at MGR Salai when a car while trying overtake him knocked him down. Police said, the driver, one Shankar (21) from Neelankarai, lost control and ran over him killing him instantly. The body has been sent to Royapettah Government Hospital and arrested Shankar. A case has been registered. Jaya case: SC names three-judge bench NT Bureau Chennai / New Delhi, Apr 18: The Supreme Court today named members of the three-judge bench constituted to hear the case of continuation of Bhavani Singh as Special Public Prosecutor in an appeal against AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa in the DA case in Karnataka High Court. The three-judge bench will have Justice Mishra, Justice R K Agarwal and Justice Prafulla C Pant. They will take up the case for hearing on 20 April. It may be recalled that the Supreme Court on Wednesday delivered a split verdict after two judges differed on the legality of Jayalalilhaa’s appeal proceedings in the Karnataka High Court. The High Court, which has already reserved its judgement in the matter, had been waiting for a final word of the apex court on the validity of the proceedings before it. However, a bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and R Banumathi failed to reconcile their views on whether appearance of a special public prosecutor, who was appointed to conduct trial, was also authorised to argue in the appeal in Karnataka High Court. when Bhavani Singh appeared in the High Court during appeal, DMK leader K Anbazhagan, who is one of the complainants in the case, challenged Singh’s continuation and moved the apex court. LEAVES LEAVE Huge haul of gold at airport Tiruchirappalli, Apr 18 (PTI): Customs officials have seized seven kgs of gold from a passenger who arrived here from Singapore, airport sources said today. The passenger, identified as M Nawazkhan, was arrested last night after gold worth about Rs 1.55 crore was found in his possession, they said. After long leave, Rahul meets farmers New Delhi, Apr 18: views on the changes being brought people from various parts of the rally is being organised at a mamin the UPA’s land law by the Narencountry with the ‘Chalo Dilli Chale’ moth scale that would witness a sea Rahul Gandhi, who returned from dra Modi government. slogan which will be seen on hoardof humanity, the spokesperson said. a 56-day sabbatical two days back, ings and heard on FM radio channels today interacted with a delegation of The Sunday rally is being seen as The Congress vice-president arrived on which it has booked spots. farmers from Uttar Pradesh, Rajassome sort of a relaunch of Rahul, in New Delhi yesterday after a twothan, Haryana and Punjab. who is being hailed as a leader who A 17-coach ‘Kisan Express’ train month long break from the political would restore the party’s health after carrying farmers will leave from scene. His whereabouts were a matter The Congress vice president is its downturn in Lok Sabha polls. Jaipur and arrive at Delhi after six of much speculation and it is still not holding intensive consultations with stops on the rally day. State leaders known where he spent his holidays. farmers today as he is expected to With the Sunday rally being the have been directed to ensure that the lead the Congress’ charge on the first major public outreach event for The Congress had, however, derally has full attendance. land bill issue against the government the Congress vice president after his fended his absence and said that with the Kisan rally on Sunday. leave, the party is pulling out all stops Seeking to protest against the the 44-year-old leader wanted time The summer is making its impact felt and this tree at Nanganallur is to galvanise support for the rally. Narendra Modi-government’s antioff for introspection after a series of Rahul is holding a thorough discusPublished 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 Photo: Industrial Guindy, no exception. A REstate, JAYAKUMAR farmer and anti-poor policies, the electoral drubbings. sion with the farmers to seek their Congress is hoping to rally around Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000. 2 SATURDAY 18 APRIL 2015 City Centre CHENNAI Lake lacks life CHILL TIME Plans to revamp water body in Adambakkam Summer is here and people are looking at ways to keep cool. A vendor at Chrompet has stocked his hand cart with grapes and cucumber. Photo: C SANTOSH New at Kodambakkam Corpn plans to modify flyover in Mahalingapuram K Adambakkam lake cries for attention. A dambakkam lake once used to cover 100 hectares of land and provided water to the entire neighbourhood, even during times of drought. Now it has reduced to around one-tenth its original size and the water in it is polluted. Lack of proper maintenance and reduction in its size have resulted the lake drying up faster. ‘Though the lake is in a deteriorating condition for a long time, the last few years have resulted in small improvements like clearing of the road by that leads to it. Plans were announced to revamp the water body but there has been no action. The place has an unpleasant odour because of the pollution and a thick cover of vegetation envelops the surface,’ says Jawahar, a resident of Adambakkam. The proposed actions include deepening of the lake, constructing a bund around it and clearing unwanted vegetation When an official concerned was contacted, he said the government had sanctioned I HER almost one VELAC crore few years back for cleaning the lake. ‘The proposed actions included deepening of the lake, constructing a bund around it and clearing unwanted vegetation. The work has been transferred to Public Works Department (PWD) who will be implementing the plan soon.’ Residents believe that if the place is cleaned and maintained properly it can be a picturesque location. ‘It can become a source of relaxation,’ they say. However, it is not just the civic body that is responsible for its maintenance, residents also need to do their bit to ensure that the water body is protected. - NT Bureau odambakkam residents are a happy lot as the Chennai Corporation is planning to modify the existing flyover on South Usman Road to redevelop the facility. It is part of a project to connect Anna Salai and Mahalingapuram. The civic body recently approved the detailed project report for the design of the flyover connecting The extension of the existing flyover is expected to help the public. South West Boag Road junction and Habibullah Road junction on Usman The traffic police will implement a Road, at an estimated cost of Rs 240 crore. diversion plan in the locality ‘The Corporation during the work will start work on M KA modification of the MBAK KODA flyover on South UsCorporation has also de- of the flyover.’ man Road to redevelop cided to commission noise barriers The traffic police will be implethe 2.2 km long bridge shortly. and use alternative technology to menting a traffic diversion plan in the The flyover in Mahalingapuram on reduce pollution during the redevelop- locality during the work. Bus routes the same stretch will not be modified, ment of the flyover. Air quality will be from T Nagar bus stand to Valluvar sources said. Officials have decided monitored at six locations along the Kottam will cover Burkit Road, Venkato implement the work in two phases. road during the work along with the tanarayana Road and part of G N ‘One phase will be covering around monitoring of ground water quality. Chetty Road. 1795 metres of stretch covering Ha- About 1.5 km of polycarbonate noise ‘This sounds very relieving as it bibullah Road Junction and Madley barriers will be initiated along the road would help people reach their destinaRoad Junction of Usman Road. The reducing the noise by 33 to 37 decibel, tions on time. The flyover used to be phase will be completed in 12 months. said the official. jammed with cars during peak hours The other phase will cover around 427 He further said, ‘Hydro demolition but this initiative would help ease trafmetres of stretch from Srinivasa Red- slurry treatment process will prevent fic and the people who have to wait dy Street Junction to Madley Road dust pollution during the work. Plan- for hours’, said Sudha, a resident from Junction which will be completed in tation of about 360 trees along the Mahalingapuram. six months’, said an official. stretch will be done after completion - NT Bureau IN THEATRES IN SONY PIX KANCHANA 2 05:36 PM Kamala Theatre, Udhayam Theatre, PVR Cinemas, 08:00 PM 11:04 PM AGS Cinemas, INOX National, Abirami Mega Mall, Woodlands Multiplex, Mayajaal Cinema, Sangam Multiplex, Sri Ganga Cinema, Raj Theatre, Maharani Theatre HBO 06:34 PM 09:00 PM 10:53 PM OK KANMANI Ender’s Game I, Frankenstein Gravity PVR Cinemas, Sangam, AGS, INOX National, Hall, Rakki 07:20 PM 09:00 PM 10:50 PM Multiplex, Abirami Theatres, C CHENNAI UNGALAI NGALAI ANBUDAN VARAVERKIRADHU Mayajaal, Escape Cinema, Devi Cineplex, Kamala Theatre, PVR Cinemas, Sangam, AGS, INOX National, Abirami Theatres, TV TODAY JAYATV Chithira Poove 07:30PM News 08:00PM Jaya Super Singer South India CJ7 Bean Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance STAR MOVIES 07:18 PM 09:00 PM 11:39 PM 4 1 7 5 Transporter 2 X-Men: First Class Pirates of the Carib bean: Dead Man’s Chest 7 7 6 5 6 The object is to insert the numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exactly once: Easy nah? ANSWER TO SUDOKU 3053 (18.4.2015) 6 4 5 2 2 3 9 8 7 1 3 6 4 7 1 5 1 7 3 6 4 5 2 8 9 6 2 1 5 9 7 5 4 2 3 8 9 7 1 3 6 4 8 4 7 3 9 8 6 7 8 1 5 6 2 5 4 9 1 2 3 3 5 2 8 1 4 9 1 7 6 4 3 8 9 5 2 6 7 Athu Ithu Yethu 06:30PM Madhubala STAR SPORTS 1 TEN SPROTS 08:00PM Kitchen Super Star 07:00PM 03:00 PM 03:00 PM 09:00PM Jodi No.1 Ullam Kollai Pogud hada 11:00PM Koffee with DD 07:30PM Sakthi Pole Yaarumil lae 03:30 PM Pro Kabaddi Superhits 08:00PM Madhubala 04:00 PM ICC Cricket World 08:30PM Saami Potta Mudichu 09:00PM Nenjam Pesuthey 09:30PM Moondru Muduchi 05:00PM S K Shoppe 05:30PM Pathukku Pathu 10/10 Match Point : Twenty 20 Cup 2015 H/ls : South Africa vs. India 04:30 PM Cricket Legends 06:00 PM ICC Cricket World 06:00PM Raj News 09:30PM Kavidhaiyae Theriyu ma 09:30PM Vani Rani 06:30PM Thirai Vaanil 10:00PM Chinna Papa Periya Papa 07:00PM Sindhu Bhairavi English News 10:30PM Sivasankari 07:30PM Mann Vasanai 10:30PM Polimer News 10:45PM Tamil News 11:00PM Batman 08:00PM Karuthamma 11:00PM Comedy Express 11:00PM Hits KALAIGNAR TV 08:30PM Alaipayuthey 09:00PM Chill Out 10:00PM Appadi Podu MEGA TV 07:00 PM La Liga 10:30PM Pa.Ra.Pazhanisamy 03:30PM New Trailor 07:25 PM Liga Bbva 2014/15 : Thirai Ula FC Barcelona vs. Valencia CF Vinnaithaandi Varu vaayaa 10:00PM 11:30PM Ullam Kollai Pogud hada Valli 03:30PM Panakkaran 06:00PM Mundhanai Mudichu 08:30PM Chinnathirai Cinema POLIMER TV 04:30PM 05:05PM Jai Hanuman 06:30PM Pasamalar 10:30PM Dhil Dhil Manathil 04:20PM 06:00PM Movie 07:00PM News 11:00PM 07:30PM Nadhaswaram VIJAY TV 08:00PM Deiva Magal 08:30PM Vamsam 03:00PM Siruthai 06:30PM Connexion Comedy Express Cup 2015 H/ls : South Africa vs. West Indies 06:30 PM 05:35PM Nenjam Pesuthey 08:00PM Movie 06:05PM Saami Potta Mudichu 10:00PM Amutha Ganam Pakistan Tour of Bang ladesh 2015 H/ls : 1st Thirai Kadhambam 03:00PM Nenju Porukkudhillayae 9 8 9 Priyamanaval 05:00PM 8 ODI 09:30 PM 09:45 PM La Liga FA Cup 2014/15 : Reading vs. Arsenal 11:50 PM 2 1 1 09:00PM Sirithale Inikkum 3 07:00PM RAJ TV 04:30PM 6 4 5 Nadandhadhu Enna SUNTV 6 3 8 09:00PM 10:30PM 9 5 3054 MOVIES NOW Mayajaal, Escape Cinema, Devi Cineplex, Kamala Theatre, 04:30PM The Thomas Crown Affair The Karate Kid The Calling 2 S U D O K U La Liga A-League 2014/15 : Brisbane Roar vs. Melbourne Victory 05:00 PM ATP 1000 Masters 2015 : Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters SF 1 07:30 PM WWE NXT 08:30 PM The Mindgame 09:00 PM Moto GP 2015: Qualifying : Gran Premio Red Bull De La Republica Argentina TEN CRICKET 04:00 PM ICC Cricket 360 04:45 PM Sky Bet Championship 2014/15 : Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Ipswich Town 07:00 PM Great Centuries : AB de Villiers 07:30 PM Sky Bet Championship 2014/15 : Huddersfield Town vs. Derby County Around Town CHENNAI SATURDAY 18 APRIL 2015 3 Make way for a skilled India: Rudy q Union Minister inaugurates Apollo Medskills Centre at Vadapalani NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 18: A certified pilot, lawyer and now Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Prathap Rudy was in Chennai on Friday for two purposes. One was a visit to TCS and next one to inaugurate Apollo Medskills Centre, Vadapalani, which aims to train 30,000 students in various skills, this academic year. Speaking at the Apollo Medskills Centre, the Union Minister said ‘The issue of skill development should have been initiated six decades ago. Thanks to our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have started talking about it at least now. Our NSDC policy must be reviewed again. There are around 550 million people in this country. Only 30 per cent of the people in India can afford to pay for themselves. The other 70 per cent need to be looked after the government and other institutions. That is where Vishal Sikka to don professor’s role NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 18: The East China Normal University (ECNU), one of the most prestigious universities in China, has announced the appointment of Infosys chief ececutive officer Vishal Sikka as its Advisory Professor. According to a press release, Professor Shijun Tong, CCP Secretary of ECNU, formally conferred the Advisory Professorship at a ceremony, held at the ECNU campus in March. ‘ECNU is a prestigious Chinese university. It is a great honour to receive this recognition, and I accept it with deep gratitude. It reinforces my desire to be a lifelong teacher and a lifelong student. I look forward to working closely with students and the university to help nurture the passion for learning and to help people think in new ways,’ Vishal Sikka said. ‘ECNU is on the road to develop into a globally recognised university and we look forward to partnering with Infosys to identify upcoming technologies that will in turn help us prepare our students with skills to address the opportunities that they offer. We are focused on developing talent that has strong foundations in scientific research, and who are in turn able to service the development of social and economic development of China,’ said Shijun Tong ECNU founded in Shanghai in October 1951 has 22 schools and colleges, and five advanced research institutes, with 58 departments Besides that, the university also offers 26 doctoral programmes, the release said. the importance of learning a skill comes in. When you have a skill, you don’t have to be dependent on anybody’. Rudy pointed out that even a small country like South Korea has 96 per cent of work force. Being the second most populated country in the world, India’s work force is just two per cent of the population. We have to change this condition. ‘For that we need private institutions and I appreciate the Apollo Medskills for providing the people an opportunity to learn the life skills’, he added. Talking over various important issues, he said that the Prime Minister has handed over 12,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) across the country, which will be transferred from the Labour Ministry to the newly-formed Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Ministry. Among the transferred ITIs, 4,000 belong to Government of India and 8,000 to the private sector. Union Minister for Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Prathap Rudy at the inauguration of Apollo Medskills Centre at Vadapalani in Chennai yesterday. Apollo Hospitals chairman Dr Prathap C Reddy, managing director Suneeta Reddy and TCS chairman Rama Durai are present. ‘We are planning to open a Skills in India can happen only in a Skilled University in every State so that we India. The States are cooperating make way for a Skilled India. Make well and we are in the consultation stage. We hope it all works out well’, he said. The Union Minister said for the first time India has won a lot of medals in the recently held World Skills Competition held in New Zealand. ‘We have joined the race and it will take a few years to emerge winners on a global scale’, he said. Highlighting about the skill issue, Apollo Hospitals chairman Prathap C Reddy said, ‘There is shortfall of skilled manpower in healthcare space and this is because people either don’t have access to quality healthcare or they can’t afford it. We wanted to do something about it and hence the came up with Medskills Training Centre.’ TCS chairman Rama Durai, MGR Medical University Vice-Chacellor Shantaram, NSDC CEO Atul Bhatnagar and Apollo Hospitals managing director Suneeta Reddy were present. Later addressing mediapersons, the Union Minister refused to com- THE ‘T’ QUESTION Free course on Indian culture NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 18: Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, Chennai Metro-West is organising free summer course on ‘Indian Culture and Spirituality for students’ at Springfield School, 64, Alagirisamy Salai, K K Nagar for three days from 25 April, from 9 am to 1 pm. Students studying from class VIII to XII standards can participate. For details contact B Chandrakumar, course co-ordinator at 2471 4890/ 94441 27303. q Thalassemia becoming a burden on blood banks, say docs JAYANTHI PAWAR Chennai, Apr 18: Diseases and disorders are dime a dozen keeping the people on their toes and looking for ways to come out on top. Thalassemia is one of the many giving patients a hard time while getting doctors thinking. Medical professionals, while raising an alarm on Thalassemia, a single gene disorder and a chronic form of anemia, said that it is likely to become a burden on blood banks. Doctors, however, claimed that the disease can be controlled if gene screening is made mandatory before marriage. Around three to 17 per cent of the population are carriers of the disease in India among which 8.4 percent are pregnant women in Tamilnadu. Apart from this three to five per cent of the population have thalassemia trait and are unaware of it. The disease can be classified into thalassemia major, intermedia, silent carrier and trait. Individually with thalassemia trait are A systematic, they are unaware. They may be mistreated for iron deficiency anemia. Thalassemia Major, becoming Doctors advise against consanguineous people with thalassemia traits entering wedlock and want gene screening to be made mandatory before marriage a main cause of concern lacks awareness among the people, claimed doctors. Thalassmia major is a transfusion dependent anemia. However, in a few States this test is made mandatory and soon should be followed in Tamilnadu too, said clinicians. Explaining about Thalassemia, Dr Chitra Ayyapan said that it is a blood disorder that occurs when consanguineous people with thalassemia traits get married. The abnormal formation of the hemoglobin that is supposed to carry oxygen becomes dysfunctional that causes anemia. Fetal ment on the latest encounter of Tamilnadu woodcutters in Andra Pradesh. Asked about the BJP’s stand on the incident, he said ‘It was an issue of the State and that it would be inappropriate if he comment on it’. However, the Minister said a proper investigation is going on. Rudy said the BJP is focusing more on South, especially Tamilnadu. ‘Ours is only party in the world to have a 10 crore membership and our party leader Amit Shah is continuously working towards the goodwill of the people and the party. Union Ministers will visit Tamilnadu to solve issues that are bothering the people here,’ he said. The Minister said the Parliament session is going to start from 20 April, where a lot of important decisions will be taken. On 19 April, a one-day national workshop will be conducted for the Parliament members, he said. WHAT IS THALASSEMIA? Thalassaemia is a form of inherited autosomal recessive blood disorder characterised by abnormal formation of hemoglobin. The abnormal hemoglobin formed results in improper oxygen transport and destruction of red blood cells. hemoglobin will not release oxygen to the tissue that will cause growth retardation. The blood has to change to adult hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the tissues. Further, the adult hemoglobin is made of four components - two alpha and two beta. However, when there is a defect in the beta chain there is a mutation in chromosome 11 and in alpha the mutation is in chromosome 16. Further, Chitra said that hemoglobin has two components A1 and A2. In an adult hemoglobin 97 per cent of the blood is A1 and 3 per cent is A2. When there is no synthesis of adult hemoglobin (A1) levels of A2 rise beyond 3.4 percent. Along with fetal hemoglobin (alpha 2 and gama2) also rises. When there is no production of A1 there is no oxygen supply to the tissues. An infant with Thalassmia Major would have to be under blood transfusion after six months once in a month all through the life or has to gone in for a bone marrow operation that costs around Rs 15 lakh. The child will be more prone to infection, poor appetite, enlarged organs, liver and spleen will be bulged and jaundice. Studies show that 12 per cent of the blood in banks is used by such patients. Doctors advised that a person with such trait and another person with should not marry as there are 25 per cent of chances of the child being born with T Major. Spoken English course Senior Citizens Group of Besant Nagar (SCGOBN) will conduct coaching classes on spoken English, public speaking and communication skills on 19 April at Besantnagar. According to a release, the classes will be held separately for school and college students. Each batch is limited to ten students. The group will also be distributing free textbooks to college students from 3 May. The books will be distributed on every Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. The classes will be held at B 12/4, 25th Cross, Besant Nagar. For details contact: 9884224480 Free computer classes Astro Computer Education Technical Institute will conduct free computer classes at Kottivakkam and Kottur. According to a release, the classes will be conducted for two days with no age limit. For more details, contact 43855773 / 9710107874. Vidya Mandir kicks off diamond jubilee fete Noted photographer Sharad Haskar inaugurates students’ art expo School authorities said the exNT Bureau hibition signified the start of the Chennai, Apr 18: diamond jubilee celebrations of Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary the prestigious institution and School at Mylapore kickstarted its there would be a string of events diamond jubilee celebrations with that will be held through the year. an art exhibition yesterday. Inaugurated by award-winning The school principal Shoba Raadvertising photographer Sharad man said, ‘We plan to celebrate Haksar, the exhibition consisted the completion of 60 years of of 60 paintings by students of the our school by dedicating each school to signify the 60 glorious month of this academic year for NT Bureau Mohammed Naveen were judges years of the institution. an important co-curricular activity. for the finals. They gave away the Chennai, Apr 18: Artist-cartoonist Keshav VenkaThis month we celebrate art, with C S Sharanya of Meenakshi Sunda- prizes for the first three winners an exhibition of art-work done by which included a trophy and silver taraghavan was the guest of honour rarajan College of Engineering won at the exhibition. 60 budding artists, inaugurated medal. first prize at the 44th inter-college According to the organisers, by Sharad Haksar, our illustrious Sharanya received Lion G V Raman oratorical competition conducted by the paintings were selected from alumnus.’ Lions Club of Central Madras at T Trophy, Sibiya - Lion K Ananthachari among the works of 600 students Trophy and Maalavika - Lion P Vijaya ‘We are also organising workNagar recently. of the school. The expo brought to Trophy. shops on one-stroke painting and According to a press release, S Lions Club president Venkat Ra- the fore the creative skills of the quilling for our students to expose Sibiya of Ethiraj College for Women jaram, projects chairman S N Hari- students and captured the imaginathem to more forms of art. With bagged second prize and Maalavika tion of the young and the old alike. narayanan, committee chairman S the summer vacations coming, I of MOP Vaishnava College received Award-winning advertising photographer Sharad Haksar and artistSharad Haksar appreciated the Geetha, co-chairman D Senguttuvan third prize. am sure the young artists of Vidya cartoonist Keshav Venkataraghavan looking at the photographs Published by K. Balakumar on behalf and of News Media (P) governor Ltd., from 85, Mount for Road (GSTup Road), students coming with aGuindy, vari- Chennai 600 032 and printed by him at Frontline Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka LionsToday Club past district Mandir areIndustrial going toEstate, have aGuindy, great Exnora Greater Chennai president displayed at Vidya0101 Mandir Senior Secondary School at Mylapore Circulation: Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], 4202 1111. Fax: ety of expressions in their paintings G V Raman were present time learning a new art 4212 form 0000. ’ R Govindaraj and Lions Club member i Ch i t d t f it di d j bil l b ti Winners of 44th inter-college oratorical competition with dignitaries at T Nagar in Chennai recently. Engg student wins oratorical contest Blend 4 SATURDAY 18 APRIL 2015 WHAT WH AT N NEW NEWS EWS EW S TO TODA TODAY DAY DA Y PR PRIN PRINTS INTS IN TS IIS S NE NEWS WS THA TTHAT HATT CO HA COUN COUNTS UNTS UN TS T Jam in Jammu he BJP leadership ought to have known what it was getting into when it decided to forge an alliance with the PDP in Jammu and Kashmir. Conventional wisdom would have suggested that such an alliance would be doomed from the beginning. But it takes such extraordinary decisions to break the mould and achieve the unthinkable. Of course, it was not going to be smooth sailing for the coming together of the two opposites, with one dominating Jammu and the other the Kashmir Valley. There were to be several thorns strewn in the path of the coalition right from its inception. And that is exactly what has happened within days of Mufti Mohammed Syed becoming the chief minister at the head of the PDP-BJP alliance. The coalition leaders need to steel themselves against predictable criticism every time there is an `incident’ in the Valley or, the separatists and others seek to test its nerves by provoking trouble. Thus far, despite many such controversial decisions and provocations, the coalition has managed to maintain its equanimity, though top BJP leadership has had to assuage the feelings of its own cadres which have been forced on the defensive by uncontrollable events in the troubled state. The very first act of the Mufti Government caused disquiet in the BJP ranks. The release of the hardline separatist Masarat Alam Bhat might have become unavoidable following court orders, but the timing was suspicious. It forced the BJP on the back foot. Nightly television debates helped in clarifying the position that he was being held without valid legal sanction, though there were more than two dozen different cognisable offences listed against him over a long period. But Bhat’s release became pointedly painful when he led a rally two days ago to welcome the return of the Hurriyat Conference Chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, to the Valley after an absence of nearly three months. Anti-India slogans and Pakistani flags dominated the rally where Bhat and Geelani fulminated against India and openly challenged the Mufti Government to conduct a plebiscite. Television pictures took the anti-India show into drawing rooms across the country. No doubt the BJP would have worked itself into an uncontrollable rage had this happened under a Congress regime. But the ultra-nationalist party was in power both in Delhi and Srinagar and felt obliged to underplay the grave provocation. Sometimes, one has to retreat in order to advance further. Maybe the BJP is acting to a plan in Kashmir. Maybe it has a well thought-out strategy, a clever game plan to resolve the nearly seven-decades-old dispute. If, however, it walked into an alliance with the PDP only for the sake of sharing power, it is bound to face a popular backlash. For, its ultra-nationalistic image would be torn to smithereens if nothing constructive comes out of the seeming rebuffs it is made to suffer in Kashmir at the hands of its alliance partner, as well as the anti-India elements. Though both Geelani and Bhat have since been placed under house arrest, it might take more than that to make any headway in finding a resolution of the vexed Kashmir problem. It is not going to be easy. But the Congress Party has no moral authority to criticise the events in Kashmir, since it is the chief culprit in creating the Kashmir problem in the first place. Nirupama Rao @NMenonRao Rajani Thiranagama personifies for me the ideal of emancipated womanhood, never afraid and even in death undying in spirit. A role model. Every struggle in your life has shaped you into the person you are today. Be thankful for the hard times, they can only make you stronger. Will Smith @imWilISmith Moon formed 4.47 billion years ago: Study WASHINGTON: Moon may have been created about 4.47 billion years ago, according to a new study of meteorites that provides clues to the giant collision which formed Earth and the lunar body. A giant impact between a large protoplanet and the proto-Earth formed the Moon. The timing of this giant impact, however, is uncertain, with the ages of the most ancient lunar samples returned by the Apollo astronauts still being debated. Research indicates numerous kilometre-sized fragments from the giant impact struck main belt asteroids at much higher velocities than typical main belt collisions, heating the surface and leaving behind a permanent record of the impact event. Collisions on these asteroids in more recent times delivered these shocked remnants to Earth, which scientists have now used to date the age of the Moon. By modelling the evolution of giant impact debris over time and fitting the results to ancient impact heat signatures in stony meteorites, the team was able to infer the Moon formed about 4.47 billion years ago, in agreement with many previous estimates. The most ancient Solar System materials found in meteorites are about one hundred million years older than this age. The impact signatures provide insights into the last stages of planet formation in the inner solar system. CHENNAI While you were away ... D ear Signor Rahul alias Raul, Welcome back. That is assuming you are really back. Those footages bear a striking resemblance to as we remember you when you left India/Delhi/home/mama’s side (assumptions all) two months ago. That is assuming you left when it was reliably assumed you had left to wherever one assumes. Poor thing, you must have felt really lonely, assuming you were alone. That’s quite a lot of ‘assuming’. But since we had no clue to if and when you will assume/resume normal (?) duty (?), we are forced to ... well, you know. Some assumptions will be answered, some will never be. But Bharath will know it is you the moment you start mumbling, pardon, ‘giving voice’. You are a tough act to clown, er, clone. And since it is now confirmed you (if it is you) arrived from Thailand to thaainadu, it also stands confirmed that you were abroad. For all of two months? Assume. But we will take it that it is you behind those tinted windows. It calls for great talent to become invisible and incommunicado at will. It is not so easy for the precious, protected, privileged and protocol-driven Z-plus species to enjoy such privacy. Aah, but you are Prince Rahul. Anyway, whoever hosted you or helped your travel are real good at omerta, Aus police foil terror attack, 5 arrested MELBOURNE: A sinister Islamic State-inspired plan to carry out an attack using ‘edged knives’ at a ceremony here commemorating martyred soldiers was foiled with the Australian police arresting five teenagers in connection with the alleged terror plot. Over 200 Australian police officials carried out anti- terror raids across Melbourne and arrested five teenagers. An 18-year-old man from Hallam suburb was charged with conspiring to commit a terror act and was to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court while another 18-year-old was arrested from Hampton Park for terrorism-related offences. A third man was arrested for weapons offences and two other men were in custody assisting the police with their enquiries, after seven search warrants were executed. Three of the five men arrested were reportedly injured in the operation. One suffered a head wound and another resisted arrest. Australian Federal Police said they believed the two 18-year-olds were plotting an attack to take place on ANZAC Day, 25 April, a day on which those who served and died as Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers are remembered -- the country’s most important national occasion. ‘It is alleged both men were undertaking preparations for planning terrorist acts in Melbourne, which included targeting police officers,’ Victoria state and federal police said in a joint statement. Acting Deputy Commissioner Neil Gaughan said it was believed the attacks were to have involved the use of ‘edged knives’. secrecy. Of course that speaks badly of the media here, particularly some TV channels that, often times and now, pompously demand to know and themselves know, everything. You had your sweet revenge and some good laugh by keeping them frantically speculating on your whereabouts. And all that pre-meditated guesses galore from meditation to mental illness. ‘Rahul returns’ to Mummy & motherland - India, not Italy - is critical news. Many came to know of your absence only now. You were smart to keep the grist going by arriving without notice and evaporating without trace for another two days. And, let alone waving like your mother, you did not even show your face, even to the few faceless Cong workers who were celebrating Devil knows what. Probably you had no face to show or you were not yet ready to face the nation. Or maybe you believed whatever Cong workers were left after Delhi polls would have left after you left them in the lurch without as much as a word of explanation or encouragement. Not that you had any on that blank brain. No offence. I meant spiritual seekers have a clear mind. But don’t worry, some unfortunate cadre and fortunate leaders will stick around, no matter if the party gets banished or you vanished. They feed on your family that feeds on the country. The more your party gets dwarfed, the taller your clan gets. So, your there-not-there charades work great. Actually, during your stealthy sabbatical, royal loyalists did such a job of messing things up that no one missed you. By the way, the spokespersons defending you rose from 40s to 50s, much more than Cong MPs in LS. You were credited for RTI, RTE etc: no debits for Coal, 2G etc. But the real spoke through your wheel is your mother whom these fifty-odd spokespersons dare not speak up to. So far it has been either mum is the word or mom’s word for you too. Such silence or surrender won’t work. I mean, how can you lend voice for the nation when you cannot find your own at home? No, you misunderstood. I am not asking you to turn the damn TV volume down. You can keep that new Bangkok headphones on too. Point is you must assert yourself. Otherwise, mummy will think you are a dummy and choose Vadra. He has the CV she wants. And trust Digvijay, Singhvi et al to back him with the same gusto. Habit. And what is all this buzz about land bill and rallies from the moment you landed? The legislation was passed in March itself in Parli. Only you were in recess. Absent then and absentminded now? Remember you are a member of that circular structure? Remember Kalavathy? Instead of speaking in that round building why all this sound beyond? Thought you had kissed the kisans goodbye. At times, it is better never than late. And you said the law could be passed only after running a bulldozer over your body. With you gone for two months, the bulldozer rental only is now running high. Well, what else? Oh, your 10-year regent honest Singh got a summon, earned a march down murky memory lane, followed by a court reprieve. Now, farmers can do without you. But you can’t sans the Sardar’s silence. Pay him a visit forthwith. Jayanthi just spilled some beans on your duplicity. The ex-PM can unload trucks full of rotten vegetables. You may have to hit the holiday trail right this instant. By the way, in case you are planning another vacation I recommend Amethi, your constituency, just to jog your memory. Voters there are searching for their lost voice. You can also ‘show’ some work even as you shirk. Yours very sincerely .... e-mail the writer at [email protected] (Courtesy: Talk Media) Iran presents Yemen peace plan to UN Four-point agenda to end air campaign UNITED NATIONS: Iran has presented a four- point peace plan for Yemen to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, calling for international action to end the ‘senseless’ Saudi-led air campaign on Huthi rebels. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told Ban in a letter that Tehran stands ready to help the United Nations restore peace to Yemen, where the rebels have taken over the capital and driven President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi into exile. Hadi and Gulf allies accuse Iran of arming the Huthis, which Tehran strongly denies. The four-point plan calls for a ceasefire and immediate end to all foreign military attacks, the urgent delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, a resumption of political talks and the formation of a national unity government. Ban has called for an immediate ceasefire, saying the country was ‘in flames’ and all sides must return to ‘It is imperative for the internation- political negotiations al community to get more effectively involved in ending the senseless aerial attacks and establishing a ceasefire,’ Zarif wrote yesterday. The foreign minister added that ‘the only way to restore peace and stability is to allow all Yemeni parties to establish, without any foreign interference, their own inclusive national unity government.’ Zarif spoke with Ban by phone, a UN Instagram allows post-op scars pics SAN FRANCISCO: Instagram has updated its community guidelines with more detail on what types of nudity it allows. Images of ‘sexual intercourse, genitals, and close-ups of fully nude buttocks’ are banned. The company’s community guidelines also state that ‘some photos of female nipples’ are not allowed. Instagram has faced criticism for removing topless photos of women in the past. The updated guidelines state that photos of ‘post-mastectomy scarring and women actively breastfeeding’ are permitted. Nudity in photos of paintings and sculptures is also allowed. Users who break the rules are warned that their accounts may be disabled. ‘We want Instagram to continue to be an authentic and safe place for inspiration and expression,’ the company states. Instagram’s community guidelines have remained largely the same since the photo-sharing app was launched in 2010. Although there is now more detail, the main rules have not changed. Aside from nudity, users are reminded they may not break the law: ‘Offering sexual services, buying or selling illegal or prescription drugs (even if it’s legal in your region), as well as promoting recreational drug use is also not allowed.’ Some ‘hate speech’ is allowed when it’s being shared ‘to challenge it or to raise awareness.’ spokeswoman said. The Saudi-led coalition pounded Yemen as the air war entered its fourth week with little sign that the sides were ready to return to peace talks. Ban has called for an immediate ceasefire, saying the country was ‘in flames’ and all sides must return to political negotiations. FB hits back in Internet.org India row Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg has defended the aims of his Internet. org initiative after several Indian firms decided to pull out of the project. In a blog post, Zuckerberg argued that Internet.org’s basic free services were not incompatible with net neutrality the principle that all web services should be equally accessible. ‘We fully support net neutrality,’ he wrote. ‘Universal connectivity and net neutrality can and must co-exist.’ But critics were quick to respond. At the heart of the row is Internet. org’s policy of ‘zero-rating’, whereby telecoms providers agree not to pass on the costs of handling the data traffic so that consumers can receive services for free. Russia to build own space station by 2023: Putin MOSCOW: to see the whole of the area of our China has also announced plans huge country.’ to complete a permanent orbiting Russia plans to build its own orbiting space station by 2023, President ‘It goes without saying we will space station by 2023 as part of Vladimir Putin said during a marathon bring this project to ambitious plans to become a supercall-in session with the nation. NEWS MAKER fruition, and without power in space. any doubt, it will be The Russia-Soviet space station Mir ‘By 2023, we plan to create our own of the day under our control,’ was ditched in 2001 after 15 years of national space station in orbit,’ Putin Putin said. Russia said earlier this service. Putin was speaking during said. ‘This is something far-off in year that it planned to create its own a national phone-in that included a the future, but also necessary for us Sir, space station using its modules from video link with workers at Russia’s from the point of view of our national No Tamil film in yesteryear was complete without scenes reeling out the ISS after it is mothballed. new cosmodrome under construction, economy.’ ‘thaali’ sentiment. Marriage, then and now, is not meeting of horoscopes In March, the head of Russia’s Vostochny in the country’s far east. Russia and NASA recently agreed or tying of thaali, but meeting of minds. Are you listening, Mani Ratnams The new launch pad is designed to to keep operating and financing the needs its own space station to be space agency, Roscosmos, said at and Shankars? International Space Station at least able to view its own territory properly Baikonur after meeting his NASA reduce Russia’s reliance on its rented K PRADEEP, that Russia would work jointly with Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. until 2024, but future joint space from space. Mugappair projects remain in doubt, as relations ‘We use the ISS actively for science its US counterpart on a project of a The delayed Vostochny project is between Russia and the US have and the economy, but from the ISS new orbital station. But NASA did not mired in scandal, however, with those ADDRESS YOUR LETTERS TO : plunged to post-Cold War lows over only 5 percent of the area of Russia confirm such a plan, saying only that in charge of the construction under inThe Editor, News Today, 85, Mount Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032. the Ukraine conflict. can be seen,’ Putin said. ‘From a the heads of NASA and Roscosmos vestigation and suspected of misusing or e-mail / [email protected] Published bytoK.: [email protected] Balakumar on behalf of News Today Media (P) Ltd., from 85, Mount Roadstrongman (GST Road), 032 and printed be by able him at discussed Frontline Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, future cooperation. millions of rubles in state funds. national600 station, we should The Kremlin saidGuindy, Russia Chennai Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000. VOICE MAIL Thaali sentiment Enterprise CHENNAI some women apply to their nails. The researchers envision that a commercial version of their device would have a detachable membrane on its surface, so that users could coordinate surface patterns with their clothes. And it’s easily accessed by the other fingers - even when the user is holding something in his or her hand. For their initial prototype, the researchers built their sensors by printing copper electrodes on sheets of flexible polyester. The researchers said requiring surface contact with the operator’s fi nger for just two or three seconds was enough to guard against inadvertent activation and deactivation. A paper describing a prototype of the device is scheduled to be presented at the Computer-Human Interaction conference in Seoul, South Korea this week. 4G services to be rolled out soon Integrated ecosystem worked out New Delhi, Apr 18 (PTI): Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd Friday said it plans to roll out 4G services through an ‘integrated ecosystem’ using three frequency bands and the government has already allotted it various codes needed for providing the services. The RIL subsidiary had last year announced that it would launch 4G services in a phased manner this year. ‘RJIL plans to provide seamless 4G services using LTE in 800MHz, 1800MHz and 2300MHz bands through an integrated ecosystem. Mobile Switching Centre Code (MSC), Mobile Country Code (MCC) and Mobile Network Code (MNC) for mobile access services have Modi gets Tata backing BOARD MEETING The meeting of the board of directors of Coromandel Engineering Company Ltd will be held on 28 April 2015 (Friday) at Parrys House, Third Floor, No 45, Moore Street, Chennai 600001 to consider and take on record the audited financial results for the year ended 31 March 2015. Volkswagen puts end to management tug-of-war and the new CII president Sumit Mazumder have talked about a need for the new government’s reform measures to start reflecting on the ground. ‘There’s a great deal of hope in the inspirational leadership of Modi. He is still in the early stages of defining what he hopes to deliver a new India. The implementation hasn’t really taken form this year. But we still have to give him the opportunity to implement what he has promised,’ Tata said RJIL is the only private player with pan-India broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum. It also acquired spectrum in 800 MHz and 1800 MHz in auctions held in 2014 and 2015 been allotted,’ the company said in a statement. A mobile country code is used in combination with a mobile network code to uniquely identify a mobile phone operator using the various communication network platforms. RJIL is the only private player with pan-India broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum. It also acquired Nokia planning more job cuts? Ratan wants corporates to give time to PM Mumbai, Apr 18 (PTI): Cautioning the industry against getting ‘disillusioned so fast’, top business leader Ratan Tata on Friday asked it to give ‘support and opportunity’ to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for delivering on his promises. Stating that the Modi government has not completed even one year in office, Tata said, ‘All of us should understand that it’s a new government, and we need not get disillusioned and dissatisfied with so fast.’ The comments come at a time when various business leaders including HDFC chairman Deepak Parekh, Marico Group’s Harsh Mariwala here. He was replying to a query on his views about the economy under the new regime during the convocation of the ‘Mumbai International School of Business Bocconi’. Expressing confidence that the Prime Minister will deliver on his promises, Tata said: ‘We’re all hopeful that the country will move forward in the manner that Modi predicted. ‘We really need to support it if we need to have a new country and outlook both internationally as well as domestically.’ He added: ‘In short, we’re all hopeful that the country will move forward in the manner that Modi predicted.’ Helsinki, Apr 18: Finland`s Nokia on Friday defended its commitment to protect jobs in France following its planned takeover of Alcatel-Lucent, and suggested future job cuts could focus on countries other than the two home bases. Nokia has pledged not to cut French jobs for two years after the closure of the deal, beyond what Alcatel had already planned. ‘When you do deals with France involved, you want to make sure that the government endorses your deal, understands the strategic rationale,’ chief executive Rajeev Suri told a news conference. ‘There is nothing extraordinary in the commitment to France ... It actually makes total business sense.’ Suri added the takeover would eventually lead to job cuts. He declined to elaborate on the impact on different countries but praised Nokia`s Finnish R&D operations. Vanakkam Chennai, says Yamaha Chennai, Apr 18: Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer Yamaha’s new facility here will be formally up and running next month, a top official said on Friday. The company is setting up the plant at Vallam Vadagal in Kancheepuram district at a cost of Rs 1,500 crore to be invested in phases. The plant would initially have a total capacity of 4.50 lakh units per annum, which can be scaled up to 18 lakh by 2018. ‘Currently, trial runs are happening there. The formal inauguration of the plant will begin next month,’ India Yamaha Motor Vice-President, Marketing and Sales, Roy 5 Reliance gets ready for big leap Thumbnail device to answer phones, texts New York, Apr 18: Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are developing a new wearable device that turns the user’s thumbnail into a miniature wireless track pad. They envision that the technology could let users control wireless devices when their hands are full answering the phone call while cooking, for instance. ‘It’s very unobtrusive. When I put this on, it becomes part of my body. I have the power to take it off, so it still gives you control over it. But it allows this very close connection to your body’, said lead author Cindy Hsin-Liu Kao, a graduate student at the MIT. The device could enable subtle communication in circumstances that require it, such as sending a quick text to a child while attending an important meeting. According to Kao, the device was inspired by the colourful stickers that SATURDAY 18 APRIL 2015 Kurian told reporters here. India Yamaha Motor currently has two plants at Faridabad in Haryana and Surajpur in Uttar Pradesh. The Chennai plant would be the third facility for the two-wheeler manufacturer. The inauguration of the new plant comes at a time when the Tamilnadu government is planning to hold the Global Investor Meet in May, showcasing the state as one of the preferred FDI destinations. On the company’s outlook for the year, Kurian said it plans to sell 17 lakh units by 2018 from the present 5.50 lakh. ‘This year, we are expecting to sell around 8 lakh units. Then, we will be increasing to 11-12 lakh and later 17 lakh,’ he said, responding to a query. In a bid to increase market share in the entry-level bike segment in the country, Yamaha launched ‘Saluto’ priced at Rs 52,000 (exshowroom New Delhi). ‘We are launching the motorcycle here with Blue Core engine technology. We expect to sell 60,000 units of the bike this year,’ Yamaha Motor India, Sales Vice President (Sales and Marketing) Roy Kurian told reporters here after the launch. ‘We are at present in high-end premium bike or superbike segment. spectrum in 800 MHz and 1800 MHz in auctions held in 2014 and 2015. ‘RJIL’s total equivalent spectrum footprint has increased from 597.6 MHz to 751.1 MHz (including uplink and downlink), strengthening its position as the largest holder of liberalised spectrum’, the company said. The Mukesh Ambani owned firm said it is setting up a pan India tel- ecom network to provide high speed services in key domains such as education, healthcare, security, financial services, government-citizen interfaces and entertainment. RJIL said it has made significant progress in building LTE business, including infrastructure, sales, distribution, applications and content. ‘It is working with strategic partners who have committed significant resources, knowhow and global talent to support deployment and testing activities currently underway,’ it said. The company said it has launched trial wi-fi hot spots across India and is in the process of entering agreements with various state and local authorities to provide Wi-Fi services. Jaitley finds out way to tackle black money Washington, Apr 18 (PTI): Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has sought urgent implementation of common reporting standards on automatic exchange of information globally, asserting that it is the only way to tackle the challenges posed by black money. The problem of offshore tax evasion and flow of illicit money can be addressed only by the free flow of financial account information exchanged among countries on an automatic basis, Jaitley said in his intervention on ‘International Tax Issues’ during the annual Spring Meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. ‘We strongly feel that there is a need to ensure that the Common Reporting Standards on Automatic Exchange of Information should be implemented on a fully reciprocal global basis and those countries which have not yet committed to the timeline of 2017 or 2018 should do it without any further delay’, he said. The problem of black money and illicit flow to offshore jurisdictions and tax havens can be addressed only if this is implemented at a global level, he asserted. Jaitley said the Global Forum should monitor the implementation of common reporting standards on exchange of information and ensure that every country is effectively implementing and have necessary legal, regulatory framework and are also exchanging information in practice. Although exchange of information on ‘request basis’ has resulted in improving transparency, its scope is limited, he argued. PUBLIC NOTICE NAME CHANGE I , A M U D H A NAGARAJAN, residing at No.48/35A, Bava Pettai Street, Kanchipuram -631 501, shall henceforth be known as AMUTHA NAGARAJAN. AMUDHA NAGARAJAN. Read SHRIRAM CITY UNION FINANCE LIMITED CIN: L65191TN1986PLC012840 Regd.Office: 123, Angappa Naicken Street, Chennai - 600 001 Telephone No. + 91 44 2534 1431 Secretarial Office : 144, Santhome High Road, Mylapore, Chennai – 600 004 Telephone No. + 91 44 4392 5300 Fax No. + 91 44 4392 5430 Website : www.shriramcity.in e-mail : [email protected] GENERAL NOTICE Pursuant to Clause 41 (III) (b) and other applicable clauses of the Listing Agreement, notice is hereby given that meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company has been convened to be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 to take on record the Audited Financial Results of the Company for the year ended March 31, 2015. Pursuant to Clause 19 of the Listing Agreement notice is hereby given that among other items mentioned in the agenda, the board at said meeting will consider recommendation of final dividend to the shareholders for the year 2014-2015. My Client Mr. S.MOHANRAJ, Son of Mr.P.Subbiah Pillai,aged about 50 years, residing at No.36/45, ‘‘Rani Enclave’’, 4B, Kuttiappa Street, Kellys, Chennai-600 010, states that he lost the original Sale Deed dated 16.04.2007, Registered as Document No.169/2, on the file of the SRO Ponneri, within the Registration District of North Chennai, in respect of his property situate at No.59, Kummangalam Village, Ponneri Taluk, Thiruvallur District, measuring an extent of Acre 1.18 Cents, bearing part of Patta No.998 and part of Survey No.169/2. He states that he is the owner of the said property and with that document he has not encumbered the said property in any manner. If anybody who is having valid cliam over the same shall contact the undersigned with in 15 days from this date publication with bonefide documents by registered post. If there will be no claim within period mentioned above the property will be treated as Nil Encumbered. C.K.UMA SANKAR, B.COM., B.L., Advocate 377, New Addl.Law Chambers, High Court Building, Chennai-104 Mob.No.98415 80546. Frankfurt, Apr 18 (AFP): German auto giant Volkswagen attempted on Friday to draw a line under a bitter power struggle between its chief For SHRIRAM CITY UNION executive and supervisory board chief, FINANCE LIMITED Sd/saying it would extend the contract of Place : Chennai C R DASH chief executive Martin Winterkorn. Date : April 17, 2015 Company Secretary The announcement was seen as a severe blow to supervisory board chief Ferdinand Piech, who has ruled the carmaker IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE IN THE COURT OF THE IN THE COURT OF DEBTS RECOVERY PUBLIC NOTICE AT MADRAS TRIBUNAL I AT CHENNAI HON’BLE JUNIOR CIVIL JUDGE, with an iron fist for more than 20 years. This is to inform the General (Testamentary and Intestate Jurisdiction) (770A, 6th FLOOR, SPENCER TOWERS, SHADNAGAR, ‘The executive committee of the O. P. No. 243 of 2014 Public, my client V. Ravichandran ANNA SALAI, CHENNAI - 600002) MAHABOOBNAGAR DISTRICT In the matter of Indian supervisory board asserts that Martin states that, the property, O. A. NO. 33 of 2015 Succession Act, 1925 AT: SHADNAGAR measuring an extent of Ac. Winterkorn is the best possible chief HDFC Bank Limited …. Applicant And O.S.No. 4 of 2006 0.38 cents in Survey No.119/1, -VsIn the matter of Last Will and executive for Volkswagen’, the carBetween : M P Sathiyendran and another testament of Mrs.R.Alamelu died measuring an extent of Ac.0.21 maker said in a short statement. During the month, exports decreased K. Vittal intestate on 04.12.2010 …Defendants cents in Survey No.119/2, in all ‘The executive committee places J.Rajappa, S/o. Jaganathan, ... Transposed Plaintiff M P SATHIYENDRAN total extent of Ac.0.59 cents, to $23.95 billion compared with $30.34 Old No.5, New No.22 East Park Road NO 102 G-1, VENKAT NIVAS great importance on the fact that Mr And situated at No.9, Nedungundram Anna Nagar, Chennai - 30 APARTMENTS, VGP SELVA K.Shanker & Others Winterkorn will pursue his role as chief ..Petitioner Village, Chengalpet Taluk, billion in the a year-ago period, as per the NAGAR, CHENNAI - 600042 .. Defendants -Vsexecutive with the same vigor and sucKancheepuram District, … 1ST DEFENDANT 1. Mrs.R.Mohana, D/o R.Selvapillai, Commerce Ministry’s data. Compared with purchased by Mrs. Muniammal To cess as before, and that he has the full S JANSI RANI Sakthi Towers, 7th Cross Road, Bharat Energy Private Limited, (my client mother herein) residing NO 102 G-1, VENKAT NIVAS support of the committee in doing so’, Shenoy Nagar, Chennai - 600 030. Office at 13/1321, 18th Main Road, the previous fi scal, exports dipped by APARTMENTS, VGP SELVA at No.111/3, C.S.I. Koil Street, 2. Mrs.R.Janakam W/o. Ramanujam, the statement said. Anna Nagar, West Chennai - 600 040. Present Door No.22, New No.5 NAGAR, CHENNAI - 600042 Nedungundram, Chennai 600 ‘The executive committee will now 1.23 per cent in 2014-15 Old No.18, East Park Road, Please take notice that the above …2ND DEFENDANT 048, under a deed of sale dated East Shenoy Nagar, Aminjikarai propose to the supervisory board to The Applicant had filed an suit for partition in respect of land 17-12-1980, Registered as Chennai - 600 030. Application in O.A.No.33 of 2015 extend Winterkorn’s current contract in Sy. Nos.241, 242, 250 and 272 Document No.6078 of 1980, on 3. S.Vasanthi D/o R.Selvapillai New Delhi, Apr 18 (PTI): goods (2.5 per cent) have led to the before the Hon’ble Debt Recovery corresponding to Old Survey No.X/4 in the supervisory board meeting of 4. S.Rajagoalan S/o R. Selvapillai the file of SRO / Tambaram, and Tribunal I, Chennai for an amount of sharp contraction in March. These India’s exports dipped deeper 3 & 4 residing at Sakthi Towers admeasuring 20 Acres situated at February 2016’, it added. the said original document had Rs.11,04,281.18p (Rupees Eleven 7th Cross Road, Shenoy Nagar, in the negative zone recording a sectors contribute about 70 per cent Penjarla Village, Kothur Mandal, been misplaced and it is lost at The declaration comes in the wake Lakhs Four Thousand Two Hundred Chennai - 600 030. to the country’s total exports. Mahaboobnagar District, in which decline of 21 per cent in March, the time of transit in between Eighty One and Paisa Eighteen 5. R.Rajalakshmi D/o R.Ramanujam of media reports of a ferocious battle you are arrayed as Defendant Present Door No.22, New No.5 In March, exports decreased to the biggest fall in the last six years, only) as on 17.02.2015 which is Nedungundram to Peerkankaranai between the 78-year-old Piech and Old No.18, East Park Road, No.21 is posted is posted for your due and payable in both of your near GST Road. $23.95 billion compared with $30.34 pulling down the total shipment for his 67-year-old one-time protege East Shenoy Nagar, Aminjikarai appearance on 24-4-2015 at 10.30 Auto Loan account No. 23525218 Therefore the public are hereby 2014-15 to $310.5 billion, missing billion in the a year-ago period, as Chennai - 600 030. Winterkorn. in consistence with the loan a.m. before the Hon’ble Junior Civil warned not to entertain any claim ...Respondents per the Commerce Ministry’s data. the target. agreement. The said matter was Judge, Shadnagar, Mahaboobnagar Piech, a member of the powerful All persons claiming to have any from anyone who is in possession posted for hearing on 08.04.2015 Compared with the previous fi scal, Exports have been on downward interest in the Estate of the above named District. Hence you are requested Porsche dynasty that is a shareholder of the above said misplaced before the Registrar of Hon’ble Mrs. Alamelu, who was resided at 22, to appear in the above case on the original document and it is hereby in Volkswagen, and one of the most spiral since December last year. exports dipped by 1.23 per cent in Debt Recovery Tribunal I, Chennai East Park Road, Shenoy Nagar, Chennai above said day and time either in 2014-15. The previous biggest decline in request that the person coming and after hearing the application - 600 030 and died on 04.12.2010 important figures in German business, person or through a duly authorized into contact with the above said are hereby cited to come and see the the Hon’ble Registrar was pleased The government had fixed the sent shockwaves around German export was in July 2009, when it proceedings before the Master sitting advocate. Notwithstanding this document may be pleased to to order Paper Publication to both dipped by 28.4 per cent. target at $340 billion for 2014-15. industry last weekend by declaring in the Original Side of the High Court notice if you do not choose to appear of you on the above subject. handover the same within the 7 of Judicature at Madras on 30.04.2015 Falling exports and an increase In 2013-14 too, total merchandise in a magazine interview that he was The said application stands in the above said suit on the above days of this publication either to at 10.30 A.M. and file their objection, if in gold imports have widened the shipments stood at $314.4 billion, posted on 24.04.2015. Hence you ‘distancing himself’ from Winterkorn. said time, the case will be decided me or at Peerkankaranai Police they think fit before the grant of Letters are hereby requested to appear on merits. of Administration. Station, Chennai - 600 063, and Until now, Winterkorn was seen as trade deficit to four-month high of missing the annual target of $325 either in person or through your Dated at Chennai on this the 30th day of Hence this notice. oblige. Piech’s close ally and heir appar- $11.79 billion in March. Gold im- billion. pleader on the hearing date i.e., March 2015. B. Bal Reddy M.GOVINDARAJ, M.A., LLB.,Phd ports in March almost doubled to Imports contracted by 13.44 per 24.04.2015 at 11:00 am, failing (S.Gurumurthy) ent and the idea of a poisonous rift ADVOCATE Advocate Assistant Registrar, which the matter may be decided cent to $35.74 billion in March. between the two ignited fears about $4.98 billion. Enrolment No.2047/1999 5-1-125, Gowliguda, Original Side-1, in your absence. Falling exports of petroleum prodDuring 2014-15, imports dipped the future running of Europe’s biggest High Court of Judicature No.9, Alappakkam, S.V.Nagar Hyderabad - 95 T. K. M. SAI KRISHNAN at Madras- 104. (59.5Today per cent), and perRoad cent to $447.5 billion in carmaker, spans Publishedwhose by K. empire Balakumar on 12 behalfucts of News Media gems (P) Ltd., from by 85,0.59 Mount (GST Road), Guindy, Chennai 600 032 andPost, printed by him at Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-KaS.RAMESH Industrial Estate, Guindy, Counsel for Applicant CellFrontline No. 8121007007 & R.VENKATRAMAN, jewellery (8.36 per cent), chemicals 08.04.2015 Chennai 600 063, Mobile Date: 15/4/2015 a trade defi cit of 2014-15, leaving brands and 600 annual sales 2001111. billionEditor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: 4202 Chennai 032. Ph: of 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000. Advocates, Why exports target missed in March? Every evening 6 SATURDAY 18 APRIL 2015 Sports CHENNAI Finding the right combo our problem: Rohit MI skipper defends off-form Malinga Rohit Sharma credited CSK openers for setting up the victory with a breezy partnership and said ‘it was not a bowlers’ day’ CSK bowlers struck early blows before MI bounced back through Kieron Pollard and Rohit Sharma. Mumbai, Apr 18 (PTI): Consigned to their fourth defeat in a row, a dejected Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma said he has tried everything to get the right com- B’desh beats Pak after 16 years Dhaka, Apr 18: Centuries from Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim powered Bangladesh to their highest total and a victory against Pakistan in one-day internationals after a gap of 16 years on Friday. The 79-run win in Dhaka gave Bangladesh a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and their second victory in the 50-over format against Pakistan. The minnows also defeated them in Northampton during the 1999 World Cup in England. Tamim (132) and Mushfiqur (106) added 178 in 130 balls for the third wicket as Bangladesh recovered from a sluggish start to post their highest ODI total of 329 for 6 after winning the toss and opting to bat first against a new look Pakistan side. In reply, the visitors were bowled out for 250 in the 46th over, despite half-centuries from Azhar Ali (72), debutant Mohammad Rizwan (67) and Haris Sohail (51). Azhar, who replaced the retired Misbah-ul-Haq as Pakistan’s new ODI captain, would have been delighted with the performance of his bowlers in the first 20 overs as Bangladesh limped to 67 for two. bination for this IPL season but has not succeeded. Mumbai were dumped by six wickets by formidable Chennai Super Kings, last night. ‘We will go back and see what will be our right combination. We are still searching for the right combination. We have tried to play five bowlers and changed batting order in the last four games. I don’t know what else to do to get the combination right,’ said a crestfallen Rohit said. Rohit, who batted well to score a 31-ball 50, said promotion of New Zealand all rounder Corey Anderson to the third spot was one such endeavour without success. Rohit’s wicket was timely: Nehra Mumbai, Apr 18 (PTI): Chennai Super Kings pace spearhead Ashish Nehra said dismissing Rohit Sharma, when the Mumbai Indians’ skipper was poised for a late assault, proved to be crucial in his side’s six-wicket triumph over the home side in an IPL match here. ‘It wasn’t easy with not only Kieron Pollard hitting from one side. Everybody knows what kind of player Rohit Sharma is and what he can do. That was a timely wicket,’ said the left-arm speedster after the game w h i c h provided the visitors their third suc- Ashish Nehra cessive win of the season and confined the hosts to their fourth straight defeat. The Delhiborn bowler, who was part of the triumphant 2011 Ind i a n World Cup WI holds on for draw thanks to Holder Jason Holder ‘Whatever we did in the last three games didn’t work out. That’s why we tried new things, promoting Corey Anderson to no. 3 spot. Last time Corey batted here he got 95 (last season against Rajasthan Royals) and we qualified for play offs. When things don’t work North Sound, Apr 18: Jason Holder struck his maiden first-class century to lead West Indies to a draw in the first test in Antigua on Friday after James Anderson had become England’s leading test wicket-taker. Denesh Ramdin and Holder shared a resolute seventh-wicket stand of 105 and although the former became Anderson’s 384th Test victim in the final session, the hosts did enough to ruin England’s hopes of going 1-0 up in the three-match series. Holder ended u n - beaten on 103 and Kemar Roach was 15 not out as West Indies finished on 350 for seven, 88 runs short of their improbable victory target of 438. Paceman Anderson surpassed Ian Botham’s tally of 383 Test victims when he had Ramdin caught by captain Alastair Cook at first slip for 57. Holder held his nerve, however, and he reached three figures by hitting James Tredwell for four in the penultimate over of the match. Earlier, England looked to be closing in on victory when they dismissed Devon Smith, Marlon Samuels and Shivnarine Chanderpaul in the morning session, leaving West Indies on 162 for five at lunch. First-innings centurion Jermaine Blackwood fell for 31 soon after the interval, aiming a wild heave at Chris Jordan and edging a catch to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. squad before injuries sidelined him, grabbed 2 for 23 which included an up-front spell of 2 for 15 in three overs. He was adjudged man of the match award for his brilliant bowling. He had Sharma caught by Dwayne Bravo when the MI captain and Pollard, who blasted five sixes in making a 30-ball 64, had rallied the hosts from 57 for 4 to 132. The 35-year-old, who put MI on the back foot by taking the wickets of Parthiv Patel and Corey Anderson to leave the hosts tottering at 6 for 2, said he did not expect skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to bring him on again to bowl the 15th over. ‘I have been somebody who, in oneday cricket, has bowled 10 overs in three spells or in T20 bowled three overs up front or the last 1-2 overs. Anand lets Carlsen off the hook Shamkir (Azerbaijan), Apr 18 (PTI): Viswanthan Anand let a golden opportunity slip as he let reigning World Champion Magnus Carlsen off the hook and settled for a draw with the Norwegian in the first round of 2nd Vugar Gashimov Memorial chess tournament, here yesterday. Capitalising on an unforced error by Carlsen, five-time World Champion Anand enjoyed a pawn plus position for a long time but the Norwegian simply hung on there to salvage an important half point in the strongest super tournament of this year. For Anand, the draw was a positive result but the Indian wizard must be wondering what went wrong in converting what looked like a pawn plus endgame with a decent advantage. Bolt’s priority is to remain injury-free me in the lanes that count. When I am in great shape, I tell you guys, I worry about nobody. ‘When I am at my best it is definitely Rohit Sharma Hamilton loving champ’s life Manama, Apr 18: Lewis Hamilton says he is in the form of his life and loving every minute of being a double Formula One world champion. The word ‘double’ is key for the 30-year-old Mercedes driver, winner of two out of three races so far this season and eight of the last 10. Asked if he was driving better than ever, he told British reporters at the Bahrain Grand Prix: ‘I’d like to think so. ‘I’ve almost surprised myself that it’s been strong and building on what I did last year, and how I’ve been driving, how I’ve been adapting to things. I’ve been really happy with it, really proud generally.’ Hamilton won his first title with McLaren in 2008, only his second season in Formula One, and said the feeling now was more special. ‘The first one I was so young, and lots of people have had one (title), and it’s been a long, long time since I’ve been number one,’ he said. ‘You get a kind of extra hop in your walk. It’s an amazing feeling. ‘When I was world champion before I didn’t have that feeling. It was different this time, this time I’m aware of it,’ added the 30-year-old. ‘It’s exciting. In the past I didn’t enjoy it, and not that I live with regret, but that’s something I would change. Now I’ve the chance again and I’m enjoying it, enjoying Lewis Hamilton the feeling of the hard work I’ve put in, the hard work my team has put in.’ Hamilton has a 13 point lead in the championship over Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and is 17 ahead of Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg, who made clear he was upset with the Briton’s attitude after last weekend’s race in China. Nadal down plays chances vs Djokovic Monte Carlo, Apr 18: Rafael Nadal insisted on Friday he was not yet ready to reclaim his long-held title of king of clay despite winning through to a semifinal against Novak Djokovic at the Monte Carlo Masters. Though he staged a third-set fightback to get past longtime Spanish rival Davids Ferrer 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, Nadal still believes he is lacking in match fitness and confidence as he recovers from an injuryblighted last season. But the eight-time champion in the principality is more than ready to give it a go against the top seed as the pair meet for a record 43rd time. Nadal has the upper hand, having won 29 of the duo’s previous meetings, but even that statistic is not enough to boost his enthusiasm. ‘I’m not favourite, that is obvious. When you play a player that is winning everything like he is doing, it is always going to be a very tough match to win,’ he said. ‘Djokovic is playing almost perfect, he’s doing everything well, winning all the matches with not many problems.’ Nadal’s only title since claiming a ninth Roland Garros last June was at a small Argentine tournament in February. ‘Tomorrow will be a good match for me. It’s another chance to be on court, to enjoy the match, to find again the feelings that I found today. Then we’ll see what happens. ‘I love this court and I’m in the semi-finals again. That’s a very, very, very positive result for me, especially the way that I get to that semi-final. ‘Let’s play the match of tomorrow, try my best, fighting for every ball. ‘I hope to be recovered physically because obviously I am not used to play at that level of tennis and that intensity for three hours in a tough match, battle, on clay. ‘I don’t know how I will be physically tomorrow. I hope to be ready. ‘I have nothing to lose tomorrow, it’s a good tournament already for me. I did what I wanted to do here. I am sure that will help me for Barcelona, for Madrid, for the next few weeks.’ Gael Monfils continued into uncharted territory on Friday, with the Frenchman crushing Grigor Dimitrov 6-1, 6-3 for a career-first semi-final at the Monte Carlo Masters. The flamboyant Monfils followed up on his surprise victory against Roger Federer in the previous round while Bulgarian ninth seed Dimitrov came onto the clay as just a shadow of the player who knocked out holder Stan Wawrinka on Thursday with the loss of just three games. in London after returning from a fouryear drug ban and last year recorded personal best times of 9.77 and 19.68 seconds over the 100m and 200m respectively. Bolt’s world records in the events are 9.58 and 19.19 seconds, both in 2009. Track fans are looking forward to a potential showdown between the pair in August’s world championships Usain Bolt in Beijing but Bolt gave no hint he would face Gatlin before then. ‘I don’t know (if that will happen),’ he said. ‘I think it is early in the season. I never run from a challenge. For me that would be fine, it is always good to compete with your best competitors to see where you stand. If it gets to that point... but right now it is way too early to say.’ 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: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000. Rio De Janeiro, Apr 18: Usain Bolt declared himself virtually unbeatable on Friday but downplayed expectations for 2015, saying his main priority was staying injury free ahead of next year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics. The Jamaican world record holder missed most of 2014 with injury and American rival Justin Gatlin went unbeaten in the sprints. But Bolt said he was not worried about Gatlin, whom his coach already has declared no match for the sixtime gold medal winner. ‘He knows exactly what he is doing, so I don’t doubt anything my coach says,’ Bolt told reporters in Rio, where he will compete in a challenge race on Sunday.‘When it comes to rivals there are seven people beside almost impossible to beat me so all I need to do is be at my best and I’ll be OK.;’ Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic 100m champion, finished third behind Bolt out it looks ugly, but strategy-wise it was the best way to go forward,’ said Rohit. The MI skipper said the team’s think tank was even contemplating playing untested New Zealander Mitchell McGleanagan in the next game. Mixed Bag CHENNAI Pat for Modi govt by TVS Motors Ahmedabad, Apr 18 (PTI): The Narendra Modi-led government received appreciation from TVS Motors Ltd Chairman and Managing Director Venu Srinivasan, who lauded it for ‘its transparency in conducting coal and spectrum auctions’. ‘I can give many instances (about the NDA government). For example, with transparency coming in and the entire solution for clearances, it is much easier now’. ‘The coal auction showed the world that India is transparent. The 2G and 3G auction have shown that India is transparent. A significant deal of defence aircraft (Rafale’s purchase in France) was done. Defence was in a very bad condition,’ Srinivasan said. ‘I think a lot of action is in the pipeline. I think it would be fair to our Prime Minister and the government to give them a full two years to mend eight years of slide before you judge them,’ he said. Srinivasan spoke to reporters yesterday on the sidelinesof the Tamilnadu government’s road show in the city for its forthcoming investors’ meet. 7 Yogendra calls AAP’s show cause notice a joke Members from 27 Hindu outfits burnt the effigy of Dravida Kazhagam president K Veeramani for his double standards on the ‘Thaali’ issue at Valluvar Kottam in Chennai today. BJP national secretary H Raja is present. Tech incubator at Hindustan varsity Samsung Heavy Industries vice-president and CTO Rakesh Varma speaking at the inauguration of Technology Business Incubator at Hindustan University, Padur near Chennai yesterday. NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 18: To recognise the entrepreneurial spirit of the student community Hindustan University inaugurated Technology Business Incubator and Hindustan Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre as part of its 30th annual day celebrations at its campus, Padur on Friday. According to a press release, Samsung Heavy Industries vice-president and CTO Rakesh Varma inaugurated the technology business incubator in presence of BHAVINI executive director K A David and Hindustan University Chancellor Elizabeth Verghese. The technology business incubator is a state-of-the-art facility that has been set up to help facilitate and enable startup companies that SATURDAY 18 APRIL 2015 have been set up by the students while in college. It will also be open to corporates who wish to use this facility to incubate their new ventures with relative ease. Over 200 students from the university have registered to participate in the centre. Speaking on the occasion, Elizabeth Verghese urged the students to gain human values while studying in a campus like Hindustan University that provides a cordial ambience for the same. She also urged students to take up entrepreneurial ambitions as part of their career options. As part of the annual day celebrations Hindustan University recognised the staff and students who have made achievements in various fields. About 550 students who excelled in academics received meritorious awards. New Delhi, Apr 18 (PTI): Staring at an imminent expulsion from the party, AAP rebel Yogendra Yadav today lashed out at the party on social media for the show cause notice served on him, terming it as a ‘joke’. He also questioned how the media knew the details of the show cause notice before he received it and accused members of the disciplinary committee of ‘leaking’ it. Yogendra wondered as to how the national disciplinary committee took the step without keeping its Chairman Dinesh Waghela in the loop.He claimed that in a telephonic conversation Waghela, who was ‘not in Delhi’, had told him that the panel is yet to take up the matter. ‘Last evening I had spoked to Mr Waghela, the Chair of Disciplinary Committee. He said he was not in Delhi and had no idea of a possible show cause notice to us except from TV news! As yet, nothing has been referred to him, he said,’ Yogendra said in a social media post. Yogendra said that Wagehla had promised to look into this ‘violation of elementary principle of justice’. He also sought to underline the irony of being served the notice for ‘leaking’ sensitive information to the media, saying that he was apprised about the notice by the media itself. Inching closer to the final swoop on dissidents, AAP yesterday served showcause notices to four senior leaders Yadav, Prashant Bhushan, Anand Kumar and Ajit Jha, who were earlier expelled from the party echelons. Yadav also heaped scorn on the other members of the committee, including Ashish Khetan and Pankaj Gupta, asking ‘ever heard of complainants and witnesses themselves becoming judges?’. Normal life hit in K’taka q Pro-Kannada outfits hold bandh against TN’s opposition to dam construction Bengaluru, Apr 18 (PTI): Normal life in the country’s IT capital and several parts of Karnataka was crippled today as a 12-hour Statewide bandh called by pro-Kannada outfits to protest Tamilnadu’s opposition to Mekedatu drinking water project across the river Cauvery, began. Bus, auto and taxi services were badly hit in Bengaluru, causing hardship to commuters, leaving thousands stranded at many places. Initial reports said the bandh had evoked a good response in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Tumkuru, Mandya and several other places, where activists of proKannada organisations staged protests. In Bengaluru, commercial establishments remained closed as also the shopping malls in support of the bandh, which the organisers have claimed has the backing of about 600 to 700 Kannada organisations. Auto drivers and truck operators and owners of petrol bunks, hotels, restaurants and the film industry are backing the bandh. The dawn-to-dusk bandh is a show Buses from Tamilnadu to Karnataka were stopped as a precautionary measure while those from Bangalore to the neighbouring State were halted for the day Buses bound for Karnataka from Koyambedu were stopped in view of the bandh in the neighbouring State. of strength of the people of Karnataka nataka were stopped following the against Tamilnadu, Kannada Chaluvali bandh. Vatal Paksha President Vatal Nagaraj, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said whose Kannada outfit is spearheading the government is not supporting the the protest, said. bandh but the State is determined to go Buses bound for Tamilnadu from ahead with the Mekedatu project and Bengaluru also did not operate, as also appealed to people to maintain peace. those proceeding to other parts within A protest march is being held later in the State, officials said. the day from Town Hall in the city which Also, buses from Tamilnadu to Kar- will culminate at the Freedom Park after which a delegation will meet the Chief Minister and submit him a memorandum demanding that the project be taken up immediately. Siddaramaiah in his budget speech, presented on 13 March, has proposed preparing a detailed project report for construction of balancing reservoir on the upstream of Mekedatu across Cauvery river in Ramanagara district. He had said Global Expression of Interest had been invited, and Rs 25 crore provided in the coming fiscal. Farmers’ bodies in Tamilnadu had called for State band on 28 March over the issue to which several state political parties had expressed their support. No more guard of honour for Minsters Mumbai, Apr 18: The Maharashtra government has decided to discontinue the colonial-era practice of according police guard of honour to ministers and top officials during their district-level visits, terming it a ‘waste of time and resources’. The directive will also apply to all ministers and senior state officials, a senior official said. Winless MI seeks fresh start Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked the State police to discontinue the practice of giving the guard of honour in every district, he visits, ‘calling it a waste of time and resources’. Fadnavis had recently asked for cuts in security provided to VVIPs in order to ensure that more personnel were made available for active policing. RR, CSK in top of table clash Entrepreneur Nalli Kuppusamy and principal of MOP Vaishnav College for Women Nirmala Prasad at the launch of the book - The Magical Scroll in Chennai. Author Jeyasree Ravi is also present. Ahmedabad, Apr 18 (PTI): IPL table-toppers Rajasthan Royals will look to extend their four-match winning streak when they take on an unbeaten Chennai Super Kings in their fifth match of the Twenty20 cricket against Chennai. Corey Anderson was league, here tomorrow. pushed to number three but could Sans injured captain Shane Watson, make only four runs after he was out NT Bureau govern every individual’s life. She RR have been ably led by Steven to a horrendous shot. has chronicled them as 16 golden Chennai, Apr 18: Harbhajan Singh’s promotion, how- Smith in the four matches gone by and laws into a book. Jeyasree Ravi, a life skills trainer have managed a clear eight points. ever, bore fruits as he set the tempo Present at the launch were enand founder of Sri Palam Silk Sarees, Two-time champions CSK are not far for Mumbai to get a competitive score trepreneur Nalli Kuppusamy and has come up with her maiden book behind as the Mahendra Singh Dhoniafter they were three for 12. founder of Padma Seshadri Bala titled The Magical Scroll. led side has also enjoyed a clean run Simmons, who replaced and injured Bhavan group of schools Dr (Mrs) The book was released at a funcFinch, would like to forget his last in- in its three matches. Y G Parthasarathy, principal of MOP tion held here recently. Playing their second match at Motnings against Chennai and grab the Vaishnav College for Women NirA press release said that Jeyasree era, their adopted home ground, RR opportunity to cement his place with mala Prasad and founder of Naturals had managed to dwell and build seem to have ticked all the boxes in some useful knocks. Spa & Salon C K Kumaravel. upon the universal laws that help But amid the woes, there are encour- all the departments with their top-order batsmen not only coming good in all aging signs for Mumbai with Sharma, the matches but also the bowling rising Harbhajan Singh and Kieron Pollard, to the challenge. all match-winners on a given day, in If Ajinkya Rahane scored a strokeful great form. Pollard, especially, has been in dev- 62 in their previous game against SunAfter four straight defeats, Mumbai Indians will be keen to open astating form and has belted two back- Risers Hyderabad then Smith struck its accocunt an unbeaten 79 to complete another to-back half centuries. The powerful easy chase against Mumbai Indians. West Indian hammered huge sixes in Bengaluru, Apr 18 (PTI): feats to defending champions Kolkata The bowling, led by New Zealand Pushed to the wall after four succes- Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab, Rajas- his inimitable style against Rajasthan medium-pacer Tim Southee, has also than Royals and Chennai Super Kings. and Chennai. sive defeats, Mumbai Indians would done well with South African Chris look to bounce back when they take Captain Rohit Sharma and his team Mumbai would also hope to utilise on a formidable Royal Challengers would look to start afresh the resourceful Ambati Ray- Morris, Australia’s James Faulkner and Indian talent Dhawal Kulkarni Bangalore in their Indian Premier tomorrow. udu, who so far, has not and Stuart Binny making up a potent league cricket match here tomorrow. Mumbai have been got enough opportunities to line-up. Mumbai were in a similar situation searching for the right comshowcase his batting talent. even last season, losing all their five bination at the top of the orThe team has also lived up to its Another great worry for matches in the early stage, but roared der and have tried Sharma, Mumbai has been their lack- character of backing young Indian talback to form winning almost all games Aaron Finch, Parthiv Patel ent with Haryana lad Deepak Hooda lustre bowling, especially before bowing out to Chennai in the and West Indian Lendl Simmaking his presence felt with the bat main strike bowler Lasith semifinals. mons without much success. against Delhi Daredevils at Feroz Malinga, who has endured Mumbai Indians is the only team, Mumbai tried shuffling their a pretty ordinary tourna- Shah Kotla in a close game. J R Kamaakshi Nursery and Primary School celebrated graduation Published Balakumar on behalf Newsorder, Todaywithout Mediamuch (P) Ltd., from 85, Mount (GST Road), Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, which hasby notK. opened its account on ofbatting success, ment withRoad just four wickets in asGuindy, many Chennai 600 032 and printed by him at Frontline day of UKG students in its campus, Peravallur in Chennai recently. (Match begins at 4 pm IST) Chennai 600 032. Ph:back-to-back 4202 1111. Editor: K.was Balakumar. Editorial/Admn 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000. the points table after de- as reflectedPhone: in yesterday’s match /Advt: matches School correspondent R Haripriya Rajendran is present The journey of life & universal laws 8SATURDAY 18 APRIL 2015 , CHENNAI Licensed to post without prepayment under WPP. No. TN / PMG / (CCR) / WPP-470 / 15-17 WHERE THEY STAND TEAMS ‘I didn’t tell anyone to spend Rs 16cr on me’ far ahead. Hope-e fully, as a team we vils want to get Daredevils he back on track. The ch win in the last match Murali Vijay st was needed to boost 1 the morale after 11 st defeats. In the last game, I got a lot of overs to plan my innings as I needed some e middle,’ time out there in the TOMORROW’S thpaw. said the stylish southpaw. MATCH ationship with He said that his relationship Gary Kirsten is still the ‘same’ as it Rajasthan Royals vs used to be when the South African Chennai Super Kings coached the Indian national team. at Ahmedabad, ationship that we ‘It’s the same relationship 4 p.m (IST) had when he was the India coach. nderstanding and We have a great understanding Royal Challengers ts the best out of somehow Gary gets Bangalore vs Mumbai he India coach, he me. When he was the Indians at Bengaluru, was managing onlyy 16 players but in eed to manage 25 a franchise, you need 8 p.m (IST) players,’ he said. Yuvaraj Singh BCCI prez wants IPL to focus on CSR too Jagmohan Dalmiya KOLKATA: The BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya on Friday urged the high-profile Indian Premier League T20 cricket tournament to provide a platform to serve humanity by taking up social welfare programmes. The lucrative BCCI tournament was in the eye of storm after the 2013 spot fixing scandal but the newly-elected Board president said the IPL involving high-profile international cricketers can make a difference with significant contribution to the society. ‘IPL is one of the most sought-after sporting tournaments in the country and it is felt that there cannot be a better platform than it to serve humanity by taking up social welfare programmes,’ Dalmiya said in a statement. ‘Considering the popularity of the IPL and the fact that it involves the top players of Won Lost Tied N/R PTS Rajasthan Royals 4 4 0 0 0 8 Chennai Super Kings 3 3 0 0 0 6 Kolkata Knight Riders 2 1 1 0 0 2 Kings XI Punjab 3 1 2 0 0 2 RCB 2 1 1 0 0 2 Delhi Daredevils 3 1 2 0 0 2 Sunrisers Hyderabad 3 1 2 0 0 2 Mumbai Indians 4 0 4 0 0 0 After Test success, Vijay targets ODIs, T20s q Yuvraj not too worried about ‘Most expensive player’ tag VISAKHAPATNAM: Making it clear that the ‘Most Expensive Player’ tagline doesn’t create any pressure on him, out-of-favour India veteran Yuvraj Singh said that he ‘didn’t tell anyone to give him’ the money that he commanded at the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament’s auctions earlier this year. Asked if being paid an unbelievable Rs 16 crore is creating pressure on him, Yuvraj was dismissive. ‘Not really. I was sleeping when the auction was going on. And I didn’t tell anybody to give me that money. Whatever money would have given to me, I would have played IPL,’ Yuvraj said on the eve of Delhi daredevils’ match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The 33-year-old all-rounder also didn’t want to entertain thoughts in the line of whether this would be a launchpad for his India comeback. ‘I am enjoying my cricket at the moment and I am not thinking too Mat world cricket, it is expected that by undertaking social welfare programmes, it would have high impact. I am hopeful that it would be able to make a meaningful and significant contribution to society.’ The septuagenarian administrator, who was the president of the Asian Cricket Council and Afro-Asian Cricket Co-operation, also recalled eradication of blindness programme and said IPL could do something similar. ‘It could be in the lines of similar programmes which were initiated by the Asian Cricket Foundation and AfroAsian Cricket Co-operation more than NEW DELHI: prais for his batting exploits in the Murali Vijay was widely praised styli Indian opener says he equally Test series Down Under but the stylish de enjoys playing in the shorter formats despite the transition from five-day 31-ye cricket to T20 being ‘tough’. The 31-year-old also feels that a regular spot in the Test side has helped him dev develop as a cricketer and his next target is to find a way to play in all three formats. ‘I started my career thinking I am going to play all three formats and not just Tests. I have finally managed to get a longish stint with the India Indian team and that has helped me as a batsman, especially after being on the sidelines for three to four years. ‘I don’t know when I will get to play in the limited over format next but my w aim is to play in all three formats and I am working towards it,’ Vijay, who is currently playing for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL, told PTI on Friday. p Vijay impressed many with his front-foot play and the way he left the ball on Australian pitches, but he is now forced to take risks in the IPL. The same aggressive approach may have led to his dismissal in the Chennai-bo player says he relishes the first three games but the Chennai-born challenge of adjusting to all formats. an I am confident about my game. ‘The thing is that I am playing well and So I feel it is only a matter of time be before I convert those starts. The format is such that you got to take ri risks but I am waiting for that one big knock. As a team, it has been a mixed bag for us so far and b now we want to win some back to back games,’ he said referring to Kings XI Punjab’s two losses and a win in the competition so far. h says: ‘It is tough, yes, but as a On the switch from Test to T20s, he expectin these things ahead of a tournaprofessional you got to be expecting ada and whichever tournament you ment like the IPL. You have to adapt t get some preparation time. So in are going to play, you are going to abo my game and what I can expect that particular period I think about to from the next tournament. It is tough but I am enjoying it thoroughly.’ Though Vijay has had a decent IPL career with two hundreds to his Tes specialist, having played the last name, he is seen more as a Test of his 14 ODIs almost two years ago and a T20 International more than four years ago. A return to one-day fold will be tough anyway with the Indian team having a set opening pair in ODIs. Vijay is fully aware of the prevailing scenario a and that is why he said he was not disappointed after being ignored for the World Cup. ‘Every cricketer wants to play for India in every tournament. I have been batting well but selection is no not in my hands. All I can say is that I will try to keep myself fit and ready fo for the next World Cup,’ he quipped when asked about the World Cup sn snub at the back of a prolific series in Australia. Before Australia, Vijay also earned e plaudits for his performance serie convincingly, the gritty Tamilnadu in England. Although India lost both series batsman was one of the biggest gainers in those six months. ‘If a player gets an opportunity to pl play for India and he cements his place in the team, it does a lot of good to his confidence. Since the last couple of series I have been playing re regularly. The long wait taught me a lot of things and the moment I got the opportunity I wanted to use it. I know how it feels to be on the sidelines for fo three to four years. Now I just want to play for India on a consistent basis,’ bas he summed up. — PTI Thaman FROTHY & FROLICSOME O Thaman to perform live for a cause Come Sunday (19 April), music composer Thaman will perform live on stage in Chennai. The show is being organised by Rajasthan Youth Association for a cause. Thaman in spite of his busy schedule has managed to find time for the show. The live-in concert of Thaman will see people coming in large numbers besides walk-in by top celebrities. Says Vijay Kothari of RYA, ‘This year, we are planning to bring 1008 children together and entertain them with a grand musical show at free of cost. The most happening music director S S Thaman will amuse the kids with musical spell. Airtel Super Singer fame Sakthi and Sai group would be emblazoning the event with more musical feast.’ — NT Bureau Kadhal Kanmani (OKK) begins with a train trudging into Mumbai. But for all we cared, it could be a time locomotive from the past, carrying Mohan and Revathi from Mani Ratnam’s own Mouna Ragam to seamlessly transmogrify into Adhi and Tara (Dulquer Salman and Nithya Menen) fully imbued with the quintessence of the new-age. For, OKK, in a sense, is an impish repackaging of Mouna Ragam where Mohan and Revathi eventually accept the institution of marriage after living together within its ambit for a year but without in any way having been actual husband and wife. Here, in an agreeable inversion, Adhi and Tara eventually too embrace marriage after living together outside of its ambit for around six months but more or less having been husband and wife in a modern sense. In MR it was marriage, slowlyfall-in-love and fun. Here, the order is verily reversed: fun, slowly-fall-in-love and marriage, That is the success of OKK and strength of Mani Ratnam, the ability to purvey on a shining, modern platter, trusted and relishable fare that we all have grown up on. OKK ticks all the Mani Ratnam boxes (love in train, intimate romance via words in the bedroom, bus travel, walk in the city, search in the rain, songs in the background) yet at no point you get a sense of déjà vu. That is because the screen crackles with a blithe spirit and the youthful romance of Adhi and Tara, unabashedly filled with bodily attraction and frothily flirting with each other, is a slice of IT-age ethos in many upscale pockets of our metropolises. Mani, as a director, never sits on judgement on the morals of his protagonists. They are what they are. Here too, it is no different; the still-contentious theme of live-in relationship does not get tackled from a moralistic standpoint. It does not go into areas where it can get tricky and sticky. Instead, he plays brilliant kaleidoscopic montages ---- thanks in no small measure to the cinematographer PC Sreeram who is in brilliant form as he has chiseled out Mumbai in a relief that fits the moods and methods of the film ---- from the life of a high-on-hormones couple that manage to stop our eyes from looking for the smudgy edges that could have been otherwise there. Perhaps, that is where the film’s problems also lie. Its dazzle and delights deny us a peep into its emotional core. It is not as if Mani is incapable of handling that aspect. The story of Ganapathy uncle and Maya aunty (played with admirable restraint by Prakashraj and a dignified Leela Samson respectively), who provide PG accommodation to Adhi and Tara, has the potential for deeper explorations. But Mani seems uninterested in that. For, good reason too: Then the film would have been neither here nor there. But the film does have an anti-septic, upscale feel (even the affliction that Maya aunty is down with is Alzheimer’s that middle class people in our films never get) with the director decidedly avoiding déclassé stuff that might otherwise have been inevitable in a story of physical live-in relationship (No mention of matter, item). After the deemed fiasco of Ravanan and Kadal, where Mani was certainly out of his depths in the unchartered terrain of forests filled with armed bandits or the slippery slush at the confluence of seashore and seminary, here he keeps his touch light. The lines are suffused with casual humour and are typically succinct, while the music and songs --- A R Rahman is in fine fettle ---- which were, as standalone pieces nothing too great, work infinitely better in the film. It also helps that Dulquer, in a Madhavenesque bubbly spirited role, is more than adequate while Nithya Menen, doe-eyed and gaminecharmed, is more than that. In fact, she is splendid, looking every bit ---- to use a cliché of the trade --- part of the role of Tara. OKK holds no great surprise. But that does not become a major issue. Also, a nearly sixty something man has come up with a film dripping with youthful exuberance is surprise enough. — NT Bureau 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, 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 Balakumar.Phone: Phone:Editorial Editorial/Admn /Advt:/ Circulation 22504000,2250 Fax:4000, 2250Fax: 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: 4202 www.newstodaynet.com 1111. Fax: 4212 0000. Chennai600 600032. 032.Ph: Ph:4202 42021111. 1111.Editor: Editor: K. K. Balakumar. / Admn / Advt 2250 0303 (Editorial) / 2250 0101 / 2250 1200 (Advt/Admn/Cir). E-mail: [email protected]. Website: 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: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000. 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: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000.
© Copyright 2024