FRONTLINE PRINTERS PRIVATE LTD 3 VIT entrance test from tomorrow 6 CSK set to roar at home again 7 Renovated American Library opens 8 Grammy winner all praise for Rahman Complete Printing Facilities under One Roof q On World Health Day, experts caution people about adulterated edibles 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. 121 FOUNDER EDITOR: T.R.R H CHENNAI H TUESDAY 7.4.2015 (EVENING) H OTHER STATIONS WEDNESDAY 8.4.2015 (MORNING) H 8 PAGES Rs. 4.00 H READY TO SOAR Regd. No., TN/CC(S) DN/223/15-17, RNI No: 33810 / 82 AP police shoot down TN smugglers q 20 red sander poachers killed in encounter near Tirupati Dwayne Bravo rests during a training session at the M A Chidambaram stadium in Chennai. Photo: A R JAYAKUMAR Time for ‘cricketainment’ q IPL-8 set for grand kick-off q Focus on CSK, KKR Is food on your plate safe? NT Bureau / Agencies Chennai, Tirupati, Apr 7: At least 20 red sander ‘smugglers’, most of them from Tamilnadu, were today killed by the Special Task Force of Andhra Pradesh police in two gunfights in Chittoor district. The incidents took place near the forests of Tirupati hills in Chandragiri Mandal where the smugglers camped to illegally cut down red sanders trees and smuggle them out to international markets. Sources said smugglers and labourers were moving around in the forests in the early hours when the special police team confronted them. The smugglers then allegedly attacked the police with stones and axes and the police opened fire. ‘About 20 smugglers were killed in the incident which can be termed as a major breakthrough. We are combing the area to nab the remaining smugglers,’ Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Nimmakayala Chinarajappa said. While 11 persons were killed in Cheekatikona, nine nearest human habitation. Some reports said out of the 20 killed, 12 were from Tamilnadu (most of them hailing from Salem area). Two among those killed were international red sanders smugglers. Deputy Inspector General of Police (Task Force) M Kanta Rao said that over 100 smugglers and labour- MORNING ATTACK Personnel of Special Task Force of Andhra Pradesh Police killed 20 ‘smugglers’ in an encounter this morning. TN parties condemn, CM chairs meet The encounter has created ripples in Tamilnadu, as most of them belong to the State. With political parties condemning the incident, protection has reportedly been provided to business establishments run by Telugus in the city, Also, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has chaired a high-level meeting at the Secretariat to take stock of the situation. The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary, DGP, Chennai police Commissioner and other higher officials. DGP Ashok Kumar has instructed the police to monitor law and order situation in border districts such as Vellore, Thiruvallur and Thiruvannamalai. Condemning the incident, BJP State president Tamilisai Soundararajan said it was so wrong to kill them. ‘They (police) should have taken legal action, killing them is extreme.’ TNCC president EVKS Elangovan also condemned the encounter. JAYANTHI PAWAR Chennai, Apr 7: Food that tickles your taste bud and is priced relatively low is the first choice for any person to fill their stomach, but the question is how hygienic it is. As part of World Health Day (which falls today), food safety officers caution people about adulterated food that is flooding the market. With increasing demand of food mainly sweets, milk and meat that is commonly consumed, health experts point out the negatives. A food safety officer in the city, points out that most of the shopkeepers to meet rising demands stock sweets. Most of the sweets have colouring agents and adulterated substances which most people are not aware of. For instance, metaline yellow colour is added to laddus which causes stomach upset, vomiting and sinus. He further said that 20 per cent of the shops though aware of the rules under the FSSAI to run a sweet shop still violate norms. While some 40 per cent are unaware about the act, serve quality food enduring being truthful to their conscious. He says that chicken delicacies sold at TASMAC shops are prepared using adulterated colouring agents. Though according to Rule 28 under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 (PFA) and the Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955 and 1999 permits the usage of synthetic colour in food for red colouring the components. ‘The masala packets and colouring agents in streetside shops use fabric dye. We found that vendors who are illiterate are not unaware that fabric dye, which is listed on the packet, is non-edible. This packet is available in the open markets which is called as organic dye,’ said the officer. According to Rule 30 the amount of the colouring agent should not exceed 100 ppm. ‘In India the colouring agent is used in excess which causes damage to the health,’ said a senior professor, department of Chemistry from Indian Institute of Technology - Madras. ‘People always choose their food by the look, followed by its smell and then only comes the taste. Hence, to draw their attention coloring agents like synthetic dye substances are used,’ he said. He also said that the basic spice that gives colour is turmeric which also adds medicinal value, however, fried meat are not prepared with such spice as it does not give the intense red colour. Therefore yellow and red colouring substances such as tartrazine (E 102), sunset yellow (E110) and ponceau 4R (E124) are used to enhance the appearance of chicken. ‘Our officers go on routine visits to eateries to check if vendors follow the required hygiene rules. If doubtful, samples are collected and sent for testing. If the reports are positive for contamination, we register a criminal case for prosecution in the court,’ the officer added. Meanwhile, though the State has taken steps to ensure that the food supplied to people is safe and healthy, the department lacks manpower. The State has only six government laboratories to test food products but all of them lack manpower. There are around 32 designated officers, 510 FSOs, six food analysts across the State. The officers send the samples to private clinics who are influenced by the company and such results are not authentic,’ said another FSO seeking anonymity. C SHYAM SUNDAR du Plessis, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja and Chennai, Apr 7: bowlers like R Ashwin and From the days of Test Mohit Sharma, CSK is alcricket alone to ODIs to ways going to be a threat T20s, it has been one What, why & for rivals. whirligig. These are mod12 July 2011: Forest officer M Srinivasulu was killed where They looked the team to ern times and the sport is by red sanders at Panuguru near Chittoor in Andhra Classified as endanbeat in last year’s IPL bealmost round-the-year. The Pradesh. gered in International fore a brutal Virender SeWorld Cup may have just 3 December 2012: A red sander was killed by police. Union for Conservation hwag attack laid them low. got over but the IPL is upon 16 December 2012: Red sanders attacked two of Nature’s Red List, red It would be difficult to look us. The 47-day event, will forest officials and stoned them to death in Sessanders fetch Rs 25 lakh beyond CSK in IPL-8 too. kick off with a grand openhachalam forests. Deputy Range Officer Sridhar per tonne in the internaing ceremony later tonight Meanwhile, Kings XI and Assistant Beat Officer David Kumar were tional market. It is mainly in Kolkata and the opening coached by the low-profile killed on the spot used in aphrodisiac drugs game tomorrow. Sanjay Bangar and boast29 May 2014: A major encounter broke out between and for making musical ing of Sehwag and Murali The tournament returns Judicial probe forest officers and three red sander smugglers in instruments and furniture. Vijay at the top and power to Chennai after a long ordered Seshachalam forests. Five police officials were also In Andhra Pradesh, red hitters like David Miller and gap and fans have shown injured in the encounter. The Chittoor District Colsanders grows mainly in George Bailey will be hard a lot of enthusiasm witlector today ordered a the Seshachalam hill ranges to stop while KKR have nessed by the teeming ers helping them attacked certaining the number of judicial probe into the spread across Kadappa, the depth to pose a stiff crowds at the ticket sales policemen, forcing them to policemen injured,’ the ofencounter by the Special Chittoor and Kurnool districts challenge to the rest. India on Monday. Chennai Suopen fire in self-defence. ficer said. The officer said Task Force of the Andhra in the Rayalaseema rediscard Gautham Gambir per Kings (CSK), led by M ‘They attacked task force they were yet to identify Pradesh Police, in which gion and parts of Nellore leads a strong side but S Dhoni, will be among the personnel with sickles and those killed. 20 red sander ‘smugglers’ district. The area under they are known to be slow pre-tournament favourites other sharp-edged weapons The police and forest were killed, according to red sanders is estimated starters and would aim to along with the defending and the police had to open personnel launched joint late reports. to be 4.67 lakh hectares. start with a win over former champions Kolkata Knight fire in self defence,’ he said. operations on Monday champs Mumbai Indians Riders (KKR) and Kings sonnel had acted after He said the shoot-out night following tip-off about at the Eden Gardens to- more died in Eethagunta, XI Punjab, beaten finalist receiving information that smugglers entering the happened between 5 am both deep in the forest, morrow. of 2014. trees were being felled. forests. The security perand 6 am. ‘We are asaround 10 km from the DD have once again gone A lot has happened befor a complete overhaul and tween the last finale and Neighbour files apart from Yuvraj, they have now and off-field action invested in a 36-year-old complaint kept administrators on the Zaheer Khan who too would toes. There was some against actress be aspiring to don India uncertainty over the particiNT Bureau colours one last time. To be eter continued his tirade New Delhi, Apr 7: pation of CSK and RajasNT Bureau Chennai, Apr 7: against Dhoni, saying, led by South African pro JP Yograj Singh, father of than Royals owing to legal Chennai, Apr 7: A complaint has been filed ‘There was a time when he Duminy, DD have his com- Indian all-rounder Yuvraj issues but things seem to Valuables were stolen from a house by unidentified was nothing but today he with the Virugambakkam patriot Imran Tahir as the Singh, lashed out at Mahave blown over now and persons at Korukkupet here this morning. sits before the media and police against actress Maya, Pakistani-born leg-spinner hendra Singh Dhoni, saythe teams are set for action According to police, R Chandrasekar of rips them apart. He laughs alleging that she had atwould look to replicate his ing, ‘I would have slapped on the field. P arthasarathy Street complained that a gang at media people who gave tacked her neighbour. Dhoni, had I been a jourWorld Cup show. The auctions earlier this barged into the house and got away with gold, him so much hype and nalist.’ It’s a strong team on paper Police sources said the cash and silver. year saw teams go in for laughs at those who cheer Yograj Singh told a Hindi but it remains to be seen complainant Manohari said strategic changes and YuThe men broke open the main door of the house him when he scores runs.’ whether they better their news channel that Dhoni vraj Singh was the biggest that she objected when and locked Chandrasekar and his wife Shanthi in He then smacked Dhoni was nothing but had start2012 show where they fingainer and went for the comparing him with Ra- Maya parked her car in front a room. ed to consider himself as ished on top and crashed highest bid to Delhi Darevana. Yograj told the news of her (Manohari’s) house, the ‘God of cricket’ due to After which, police said, the men unlocked the almirah Victim Shanthi showing the out of the play-offs. They devils while Dinesh Karthik channel that Dhoni has as it caused inconvenience and fled with 50 sovereigns of gold, Rs 2.5 lakh cash, the media. Yograj added, almirah from where cash also have last-four finishes ‘Media has made him great against invited a pricey bid. become arrogant and will to her. ‘The argument soon silverware and a mobile phone. and gold were stolen. in 2008 and 2009. CSK, as always will be suffer the same fate as that turned into a fight that led to which he never was.’ R K Nagar police have registered a case. Photo: R THIYAGARAJAN Another power-packed among the teams to beat assault,’ she said. of Ravana. The former Indian crickteam, who are yet to win that stems in a large part the coveted silverware is due to the consistency in Royal Challengers Banselection and a relaxed galore, the finalists in 2009 team atmosphere. The and 2011. challenge will probably NT Bureau among many sections a major case in point. Most much district in Madhya But you wouldn’t have place just a few days back. come from the holders KKR The team would look no of mainstream media, of the media initially went to Pradesh. What happened got this information from Just for contrast, imagine Chennai, Apr 7: and and Kings XI, who further after having Chris whose editorial rooms are town taking the unfortunate there? On the eve of your usual sections of the what would have the headDid you read of incidents boast of balanced squads Gayle, Virat Kohli, AB de in Neemuch in your mornmostly peopled by Leftincident to be the handiwork Hanuman Jayanthi last mainstream media. Even lines and discussions been while the underachieving Villiers and Dinesh Karthik ing papers over the last ists and so-called liberals of the Hindutva brigade. But week, some Hindus who the sketchy reports on Neehad communal skirmishes Royal Challengers Bangain their top four. (and who have still not when it eventually emerged were part of a procesmuch arson carry the usual broken out in a place shortfew days? Highly unlikely, lore and Mumbai Indians will come to terms with havthat the rape was carried sion were reportedly atanodyne headlines on the ly after Modi’s visit there? But with Varun Aaron it would seem. And how be eyeing the trophy. ing Narendra Modi as the by illegal immigrants from tacked by some Muslim theme: ‘Two communities and Ashok Dinda their two about the blast at Belur RaThe issue is not here Prime Minister), to downBangladesh, many newspagroups with stones. The clash’, whereas the facts on Dhoni has always harped leading pacers to begin makrishna math? Well, you about which religion is bad play incidents against the pers and TV channels just events escalated (there the ground is Hindus were on a settled line-up and with, the bowling looks a bit might have come across the or good. The issue here is, Hindu community, while silenced themselves. And was arson and shops and targeted for attack during Haminimum of tinkering and shaky in absence of World news, but it would not have why are major sections of even typical law and order there was hardly any apology vehicles were set on fire) numan Jayanthi celebrations. it has been the hallmark of Cup player of the tourna- reached you with the insistmainstream media hesitant crimes against minorities for the impassionate, chestand eventually the police the team’s success over ment Mitchell Starc who is ent stridency of the reportage What adds intrigue to the to name one religion, while get an amplified spin as beating threnodies masordered curfew, which the years. With a line-up likely to miss three weeks that surrounded, say, the unfortunate happenings another religion is dragged ‘concerted campaigns’. querading as op-ed pieces was in place till this mornthat includes the explofor a knee injury, while attacks at some churches. in Neemuch is Congress into any kind of crime, condemning (that curfewPrinters was Private sive New Zealand captain on Adam Milne is recovering The (GST heinous rapeGuindy, of an Chennai president Gandhi when no evidence exists. there85, seems Published by K. Balakumar behalf of News Today MediaThe (P)point Ltd.,isfrom Mount Road Road), 600 the 032‘Sanghis’. and printed ing by him at is, Frontline Ltd.,Sonia M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, there for 3 full days). Brendon McCullum, Faf from a heel injury. old nun in West Bengal is Now we will go to Neehad made a tour of the (More stories on Page 7) to be a unwritten code 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. Timeline Yuvraj’s father hits out at Dhoni again Cash, gold stolen from house at Korukkupet News not reported: Curfew in Neemuch 2 TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 City Centre CHENNAI Big brother is watching MISSING CONVENIENCE Cops hold awareness meet at Mugappair C hennai City Police conducted a programme on ‘Crime prevention by video and audio visual presentation’ to the residents of Nolambur recently. The event at Velammal School, T S Krishna Nagar, evoked good response from the public. Police officials made a powerpoint presentation under the topics of chain snatching, house robbery, road accidents and crimes against senior citizens. The main aim of this programme was to bring awareness on crimes and alert the residents. Faculty and co-ordinator of Police Department, V Raghunathan, said, ‘As part of crime prevention measures, the Police have started conducting such events. We have selected some important places in the city to alert the residents. These programmes help reduce and control the crimes’. ‘I thank the residents of Nolambur for attending the event. The support given by the associations was remarkable. Those who attended will have complete knowledge about the situations and locations of crimes. Our aim is to bring awareness among the residents and be watchful and take preventive measures to avoid crimes,’ he added. ‘Nolambur is a vast area, where most of the vacant lands are converted into multi-storey buildings and big bungalows. Few VIPs are also dwelling in the locality. Most residents are educated and earn high income. Especially IT workers at Ambattur prefer this locality,’ says Suresh, a resident of Nolambur. ‘Even though we are aware of our area, this programme was useful for us. IR We will speak A P P MUGA about this event in our association meeting and take preventive measures for a better life. I thank, the Police department for selecting our area,’ he adds. ‘There are many senior citizens in our area, we are planning to safeguard and protect them from the crimes after watching this programme. Police patrol vehicles are coming regularly to our area. Police officials made a power-point presentation under the topics of chain snatching, house robbery, road accidents and crimes against senior citizens Lack of maintenance of a toilet for MTC staff at Mugappair East bus terminus puts them in trouble. Photo: M SRINIVASAN Median work at Ambattur nears completion C onstruction of median on CTH Road that began last year is nearing completion. It is expected to ease traffic and make travelling comfortable for roads users. The authorities have taken up the project as the stretch witnesses heavy traffic, and the highway serves as a prime route for commuters to reach other parts of the city. According to Saravanan, a regular motorist, ‘Riding a bike on the road especially at night was a total nightmare. The stretch witnesses constant vehicular movement all Work on CTH Road is fast nearing completion. through the day and absence of median is a perfect gateway for two-wheelers to negotiate with other vehicles from opposite direction. Hence, construction of median will force commuters to stick to their speed limit and will also control speeding vehicles and traffic flow’. As the work on median construction is nearing end, of- f i c i a l s ‘Electric posts have been middle of the road which is attribshould now focus on left behind and they uted to poor illumination of street implementing stand right on the midlights’. other regulatory R U dle of the road posing Also, considering both commuters TT mechanisms like AMBA a serious danger to and pedestrian safety, implementreflectors and signcommuters’, says a motorist. ing other effective mechanisms on boards, feel many. He adds, ‘The stretch has witthe stretch will increase the safety Despite the fact that t h e nessed several accidents as motorof people, feel many. median being installed along the - NT Bureau ists especially two-wheelers have stretch to regulate and help ease traffic, it has its own set of problems. failed to spot these poles on the Construction of median will force commuters to stick to their speed limit The crime rate has been reduced compared to previous years,’ says Kumar, another resident. He also mentions ‘the police booth installed in the locality is very useful for us’. We are also planning to demand for some more at important places to curb crime rates, he adds. Raghunathan can be contacted at 98407 81987. - NT Bureau IN THEATRES IN SONY PIX SAGAPTHAM 06:33 PM Rocky Kamala Theatre, Udhayam Theatre, PVR Cinemas, 09:00PM The Maiden Heist AGS Cinemas, INOX National, Abirami Mega Mall, 11:05PM District B13 Woodlands Multiplex, Mayajaal Cinema, Sangam Multiplex, Sri Ganga Cinema, Raj Theatre, Maharani Theatre HBO NANBENDA 9 1 3 4 7 MOVIES NOW PVR Cinemas, Sangam, AGS, INOX National, Hall, Rakki 06:45 PM Five Shaolin Masters Multiplex, Abirami Theatres, 09:00 PM The Siege 11:20 PM Olympus Has Fallen KOMBAN STAR MOVIES PVR Cinemas, Sangam, AGS, INOX National, Abirami 06:37 PM Hellboy II: The Golden Army Theatres, 09:00 PM Jurassic Park III Mayajaal, Escape Cinema, Devi Cineplex, Kamala Theatre, ANSWER TO SUDOKU 3039 (6.4.2015) 10:48 PM Conan the Barbarian TV TODAY JAYA TV 04:30 PM Kollywood Gallery 05:00 PM New Songs 05:30 PM Arusuvai Neram 06:30 PM Galatta Comedy 07:00 PM Ramayanam 06:30 PM Pasamalar 07:30 PM News 07:00 PM News 08:00 PM Hits 07:30 PM Nadhaswaram 08:30 PM Akka 08:00 PM Deiva Magal 09:00 PM Priyamana Thozhi 08:30 PM Vamsam 09:30 PM Poomagal 09:00 PM Priyamanaval 10:00 PM Kavidhaiyae Theriyuma 09:30 PM Vani Rani 10:30 PM English News 10:00 PM Sakthi 10:30 PM Azhagi 11:00 PM Movie SU N TV KA LAIGNAR TV 03:00 PM Valli 04:00 PM Pudhu Paadal 03:30 PM Movie 04:30 PM Sirippu Varudhu 06:00PM Mundhanai Mudichu 05:00 PM Endrum Super 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? 2 3 2 7 6 6 1 2 3 7 5 4 7 1 3040 11:30 PM Star Trek Into Darkness Mayajaal, Escape Cinema, Devi Cineplex, Kamala Theatre, 11:00PM Thenkinnam 8 06:23 PM V for Vendetta 09:00 PM Now You See Me 10:45 PM Tamil News S U D O K U 1 2 4 2 7 3 6 9 1 8 3 4 7 9 8 1 6 2 5 1 7 9 8 6 3 2 5 4 7 3 2 4 1 8 5 9 6 6 1 4 5 9 8 5 6 2 4 7 3 1 9 3 7 8 2 2 8 3 6 7 4 8 3 9 1 1 9 6 5 5 2 4 7 5 9 2 7 3 1 4 2 7 5 6 8 8 4 9 6 1 3 STAR SPORTS 1 05:30 PM Kalai Koil 06:00 PM En Kanavan En Thozhan 06:00 PM Utchakattam 06:30 PM Puthu Kavithai 06:30 PM Idhu Pudhusu 07:00 PM News 07:00 PM Kalyanam Mudhal Kaadhal Varai 07:30 PM Mohini 07:30 PM Aandaal Azhagar 08:00 PM Bhavani 08:00 PM Deivam Thandha Veedu 08:30 PM Romapuri Paandiyan 08:30 PM Saravanan Meenatchi 09:00 PM Odi Vilayadu Pappa 09:00 PM Mahabharatham 03:00 PM ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 H/ls : Quarter Final 11:00 PM ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 H/ls : Final: Aus2: Bangladesh vs. India tralia vs. New Zealand 04:00 PM ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 H/ls : Semi Final 1: TEN SPORTS 03:00 PM UEFA Champions League New Zealand vs. South 2014/15 H/ls Africa 09:30 PM Madippakkam Madhavan 09:30 PM Super Singer T20 05:00 PM Great Knocks 04:00 PM WWE Raw 10:00 PM News Headlines 10:30 PM Office 05:30 PM Close Encounters 07:00 PM Gillette World Sport 10:02 PM Kaliyugam 11:00 PM Kalyanam Mudhal Kaadhal Varai 06:00 PM ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 H/ls : Australia vs. Sri Lanka 07:30 PM Football League Show 10:30 PM Sirippu Varudhu 11:00 PM Telebuy VIJ AY TV 03:00 PM Saravanan Meenatchi 03:30 PM Deivam Thandha Veedu 04:00 PM Aandaal Azhagar 04:30 PM Super Singer T20 05:30 PM Uravugal Thodar Kadhai 11:30 PM Movie 2015 H/ls : Quarter Final 3: Australia vs. Pakistan 08:00 PM Edge Sports : Bowl-ARama 05:00 PM S K Shoppe 07:00 PM ICC Cricket World Cup 08:30 PM ICC Cricket 360 2015 H/ls : Quarter Final 09:00 PM WWE Raw 3: Australia vs. Pakistan 05:30 PM Vellithira 08:00 PM Team Talk 06:00 PM Raj News 08:30 PM Jai Ho 06:30 PM Thirai Vaanil 09:00 PM ICC Cricket World Cup 05:00 PM 2015 H/ls : Quarter Final 4: New Zealand vs. West Indies 06:00 PM 10:00 PM ICC Cricket World Cup RA J TV 07:00 PM Sindhu Bhairavi 07:30 PM Mann Vasanai TEN CRICKET 003:00 PM South Africa Tour of Sri Lanka 2014 H/ls : 1st Test West Indies Tour of South Africa 2014/15 H/ls : 1st T20 West Indies Tour of South Africa 2014/15 H/ls : 2nd Around Town CHENNAI TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 3 HEAT IS ON... BUT ZOO AUTHORITIES COOL q Percolation ponds help store water to meet summer needs C SHYAM SUNDAR Chennai, Apr 7: The heat is on and there is already concern about availability of drinking water in several parts of the city. Meanwhile, the welfare of the animals is uppermost on the minds of authorities at the zoo as the summer looms. With temperatures on the rise, the need to conserve water has been felt by the authorities at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur and they have already swung into action. According to sources, networking of channels and creation of percolation ponds have not only helped in arresting rainwater draining out of the zoo, but also improved the region’s groundwater table. It may be noted that the zoo authorities are entirely Nurture human values in youth: Governor NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 7: ‘Unity in diversity is the hallmark of our nation. We have to develop a mind that is ready to help those in distress. It is the act of kindness, understanding and mutual respect for other religions and faiths that will further strengthen the bonds of unity,’ Governor K Rosaiah has said while stating that the onus is on society to nurture human values among modern day youth. Participating in the Baisakhi and Tamil New Year- Interfaith celebrations, organised by Developers India, he presented the Vibrant Indian Award to R Natarajan Natanam. He praised Developers India’s Chennai unit for striving to promote peace, harmony, and social well being of people. ‘The initiatives taken by Developers India, towards building a progressive egalitarian and harmonious society by organising seminars, CG officer is now CSG commandant NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 7: In a first of its kind initiative, Tamilnadu government has appointed a serving Indian Coast Guard officer as the Commandant for its Coastal Security Group (CSG). Commandant Uday Kumar Choudhary will be the Commandant for State police’s CSG on deputation . While Commandant Choudhary would serve for the first two years, Commandant Surojit Dey would take charge for the next two years, according to a GO by the Tamil Nadu government. Commandant Choudhary took charge on Monday in the presence of Additional Director General of Police (CSG) C. Sylendra Badu. Governor K Rosaiah conferring the ‘Vibrant Indian Award’ on art director and muralist R Natarajan ‘Natanam’ at the Baisakhi and Tamil New Year Celebrations organised by Developers India in Chennai yesterday. Prince of Arcot Mohammed Abdul Ali and Taminadu Eyal Isai Nataka Mandram Member-Secretary Chitra Visweswaran are among those present. lectures, interactions, get-togethers spiritual facets of human personality. etc., deserve commendation.’ Developing of good qualities, posiQuoting Mahatma Gandhi, the tive thinking, nurturing human values Governor said, ‘There is no religion in the youth rests with the parhigher than truth and righteousness’ ents, educational institutions, NGOs, and pointed out that truth, righteous elders and senior members of the conduct, peace, love and non-vio- society. lence are directly linked to physical, Prince of Arcot Mohammed Abdul intellectual, emotional psyche and Ali was present. For the wellness of women q Novo launches sanitary napkins NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 7: Novo Health and Hygiene, a Chennai-based start-up venture unveiled Vanessa Sanitary Napkins in city on Monday. Actress Andrea Jermiah who is the brand ambassador of the product launched it to provide better health and hygiene for women. Speaking at the launch, the actress said, ‘There is no need for women to shy away from buying napkins. And, that it is not a drug to be quietly wrapped up in a black cover’. Novo Health and Hygiene managing director K Sivanathan said, ‘Though there are many fields, we Kudankulam second n-plant to be operational soon chose this product so as to break the tabboo of menstruation which continues to be a secret and silent health threat for women even today. There is no harm in this as it is just a process and we have to gracefully accept these times.’ Leading gynecologist Kamala Selvaraj, who was present on the occasion said, ‘Exposure to dioxins is a threat, but many products today have no protection for women. Also, cervical cancer can be avoided if they use the right product.’ Vanessa Sanitary Napkins will be available across all retail stores in Tamilnadu from 16 April. dependent on groundwater resources and draw upto five lakh litres every day to meet their requirements. Water is used to fill up animal enclosures, and also to bathe and feed the animals. Sources said 18 percolation ponds have been created with minimal concrete structures. Importance has been given to bund formation and weirs (a structure to raise water level), and flush escape hatches have been constructed around the ponds, each of which serve to automatically drain excess water from one into another, he added. A total of 67.5 crore litres of rainwater is expected to be harvested with the new structures in place. The new ponds now store 22.5 crore litres of water, enough to meet the zoo’s requirements, they said. Sources said that the measures taken during the monsoon season had helped the zoo manage the water supply so far and expected the rainwater harvesting programme to benefit the park in the long run. How much? The zoo requires six lakhs litre of water per day to meet the demand towards the cleaning of 85 animal houses, providing drinking water to the animals, visitors, staff members, filling up wet moats and irrigating the fodder bank, fruit orchard, hedges and lawns. Tamilnadu Water Supply and Drainage Board is supplying about two to three lakhs litres of water daily from the Palar river water source and the balance quantity is met from 13 open wells and 2 bore wells situated inside the Zoological Park. GEARING UP Meanwhile, the zoo authorities are gearing up for the summer rush and three wild dog pups born in December 2014 have been brought into enclosures for public view. The new pups have come after a gap of nearly two years. The Asiatic wild dog, Prabhavathi, had last given birth in January 2013. The number of wild dogs at the zoo now stands at eight, said sources. ‘The mother and newborns are doing well. They have been provided special care,’ and the public will be allowed to view them now at their enclosures. The pups, two male and one female, weighed around 100 grams each at time of birth and were provided special care, with veterinarians keeping a tab on their growth. FOR THE PUBLIC The Zoo officials are taking measures to ensure that members of the public don’t suffer during the summer. Shelters have been constructed at various spots to ensure that visitors can get to take rest. Also, water booths will be provided at more places so that people can quench their thirst. Applications invited for courses NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 7: The Directorate General of Employment and Training, Santhome, invites applications from SC/ST candidates for its coaching-cumguidance courses. As part of the coaching, the guidance centre would provide training on various subjects including general awareness, English, numerical aptitude and also provide for training in computer science. The course is designed to equip the candidates for the various clerical grade competitive examinations. The last date for receipt of application is 15 May. Those who would like more details can contact the sub-regional employment office at 2461 5112. Over 250 people attend health camp The Naval Air Station, INS Rajali organised a medical camp at Athur village in Arakkonam on Sunday as part of its 23rd anniversary celebrations. Over 250 people from the village were screened. Free medicines were disbursed to all the participants of the camp, and patients with minor medical, surgical and dental problems will be treated free of cost in the naval hospital inside the air station. The camp was inaugurated by Captain V.K. Pisharody, commanding officer, INS Rajali , in the presence of the panchayat president of Athur village. Commuters using the newly opened escalator CMRL opens escalator at Central Station Officials conducts safety audit NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 7: Metro Rail will make commuting easy. But the years of traffic deviation and construction work taking up road space can be harrowing for commuters. With such reports of people finding it difficult to enter the Central Station due to the ongoing Metro Rail work, the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has opened a modern escalator near the existing Foot Over Bridge (FOB) at Central Station yesterday. ‘There were media reports that commuters were finding it difficult to enter the station premises even though a FOB connecting the Moore Market complex with the Park railway station. So, we constructed an escalator at a cost of Rs one core. It was built in two to three months and began functioning on Monday,’ a CMRL official said. Meanwhile, as a step closer to the completion of the Metro Rail, a safety audit was carried out from Koyembedu to Alandur- a 10 kilometer stretch on Monday. The mandatory check was carried out by Commissioner of Rail Safety Authorities are waiting for approval from Railway Board and Railway Ministry to carry out next test between Koyembedu and Alandur S K Mittal, Deputy Commissioner for Rail Safety Srinivas and Deputy Chief Electrical Engineer K Palani. The report has been submitted to Central Government Railway Board and Railway Ministry. However, this is one test of the numerous ones to be done. ‘Only after a response or approval is received from the Railway Board and Railway Ministry, authorities can carry out the next test,’ officials said. It may be noted that seven metro stations are nearing construction work and are expected to be functional soon. The phase I of the project consists of two corridors covering a length of 45.1 kilometers. The Koyambedu-Alandur stretch is part of the corridor from Central Station to St Thomas Mount. VIT entrance test from tomorrow Chennai, Apr 7 (PTI): Work is underway for the second unit of Russia-assisted Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamilnadu and will be operational soon, a senior Russian Consulate official here said yesterday. 27,604 registrations, followed by NT Bureau ‘The second unit will be operaAccording to VIT Andhra Pradesh with 25,087 and Chennai, Apr 7: tional soon and work is on for that,’ University Chancellor Bihar with 17,314. A total of 1.95 lakh students will Vice-Consul (Cultural), Consulate In cities, Delhi topped the chart appear for VIT Engineering EnG Viswanthan, the General of the Russian Federation, with 14,219 registrations, Hyderabad trance Examination (VITEEE) to university has Mikhail Y Gorbatov said. stood second with 13,486 registrabe held in the form of a Computer- schools9.com. The counselling witnessed an increase As regards the proposed units tions and Kota came third with 10,009 Based Test (CBT) from 8 to 19 April. will be held from 11 to 16 May. three and four, preliminary work in sale of applications For those with ranks upto 8,000, registrations. In Tamilnadu, 13,647 students have had begun, he said in brief remarks The university is also providing registered for the CBT and in Chen- the counselling will be held on 11 for its entrance exam at a book release function. May, followed by those with ranks special scholarships for students. nai alone, 6,229 students will take this year India and Russia were strategic upto 12,000 on 12 May. Ranks up of Indian economy from other coun- up the test. Central and State board toppers will partners and ties between the two to 16,000 will sit for counselling on tries,’ he said, without elaborating be awarded 100 per cent fee waiver This year, the CBT will not only be this year, compared to 1.93 lakh countries would continue to grow for all four years. ‘VITEEE ranks holdfurther. held in India but also in Dubai and 13 May and those with ranks upto last year. 20,000 on 16 May. strong and be mutually beneficial, ers between 1 and 50 will be given Praising the time-tested Indo- Kuwait. The number of entrance Viswanthan said the number for According to VIT University Chan- applications from Tamilnadu has 75 per cent fee waiver, while those he said as he insisted that Moscow Russian ties, Secretary General of examination cities are 112 and cellor G Viswanthan, the university is not against any help and coop- the Indo-Russian Chamber of Com- examination centres are 134. also increased this year. The uni- in the bracket of 51 to 100, will be has witnessed an increase in sale eration New Delhi is receiving from The results will be announced merce and Industries, P Thangapversity has received 13,640 applica- given 50 per cent and between 101 of applications for its entrance exam other countries. pan said: ‘Russian technology is on or before 30 April at various tions compared to 12,000 last year. and 1,000, will be given a 25 per cent this year. As many as 2,2,406 ap- Among prominent centres in India, tuition fee waiver,’ according to the ‘We are not against India getting websites always cost effective, safe and Published by K. Balakumar on behalf of News Today Media (P) Ltd., from 85, Mount Road (GST Road), Guindy, Chennai 600 032received and printed by him at Frontline Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, plications were for VITEEE VIT University Chancellor. help and cooperation for the benefi t including www.vit.ac.in Uttar Pradesh topped the chart with Circulation: secure.’ Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250and 1800www. (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000. q 6,229 students from Chennai to appear for exam Blend 4 TUESDAY 7 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 TTHA THAT HATT CO HA COUN COUNTS UNTS UN TS S Change in air o, a national air quality index is in place. In 10 cities, including the pollution-rich national capital, the level of breathing discomfort can be laid out in figures at any given time on a daily basis. The global standard shows air quality on a six-colour scale, dark green being the cleanest and maroon the most polluted. The AQI has been at present launched for 10 cities -- Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Faridabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. It will have ‘one number, one colour and one description’ to inform the public about air quality in a simple and easily understandable format. The ministry said that each of these cities will have 6-7 continuous monitoring stations with AQI display boards. Traditionally, air quality status has been reported through voluminous data, but it is important that such information is put in the public domain in a format that can be easily understood by a layman. The AQI has been developed by the Central Pollution Control Board in consultation with IIT-Kanpur and an expert group comprising medical, air-quality professionals and other stakeholders. The index is not likely to make a real impact on improving the quality of air, apart from possibly seeing the start of regular health advisories. Take the national capital Delhi. There was a time that it was rated as proactive and a window to the rest, phasing out old vehicles, relocating industries, the switch to CNG. That seems a long time ago. Air quality this winter was assessed as poor or worse on 86 per cent of the days. Air quality is city-specific, as are measures to keep it within parameters. In Beijing, if the pollution levels remain high for three consecutive days, restrictions are clamped on construction, industrial activity and vehicles entering the city. To combat the smoggy haze last month, Paris as an urgent measure halved the number of cars on the road by fixing days for those with even and odd-numbered licence plates. The public transit was made free. The effect was immediate. In India, no action plan has been spelled out even if pollution levels reach very high limits. The Prime Minister, whose government has been accused of diluting environment protection norms, chose to spoke of the country’s long tradition of recycling at the index launch. In the absence of precise data, ‘you can’t manage what you can’t measure’ was a good alibi for the government to avoid the pollution issue. With the air quality index, that defence has gone. Hard decisions will have to be taken, starting with shifting gears on the car culture in favour of public transport. Upgrading the institutional capacity to assess pollution sources, bigger fines for violators of set emission quotas and a stronger legal framework for air quality management cannot now be avoided. Farah Khan @ TheFarahKhan CHENNAI Malaysia’s attack on terrorism Parliament passes crucial bill KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s parliament passed a tough anti-terrorism bill to deal with ‘extraordinary’ threats posed by terror entities such as the Islamic State (IS), a move denounced by opponents as a harsh blow for civil rights. After 15 hours of heated debate, the parliament passed the ‘Prevention of Terrorism Bill’ without any amendments. The bill will allow those involved or commissioned to carry out terrorist acts to be detained for years and have their movements restricted. Members of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition vociferously defended the necessity of preventive measures to deal with ‘extraordinary’ threats posed by terror entities such as the Islamic State (IS). Opposition lawmakers, however, argued that some provisions in the bill were against human rights and civil liberties. The decision came hours after authorities arrested 17 people GAME ON C The bill will allow those involved or commissioned to carry out terrorist acts to be detained for years and have their movements restricted who were planning terror strikes in the Muslim majority country. Earlier, Deputy Home Minister Wan Junaidi Jaafar told reporters that the arrests of the 17 Malaysians, including two who had just returned from Syria, showed that the law was needed and would prevent things from happening rather than wait for things to happen. Ruling party members said the law had enough provisions to safeguard the rights of everyone. Opposition Twitter launches ‘Retweet with comment’ L ICK PIC SAN FRANCISCO: Twitter just officially launched its ‘retweet with comment’ feature, which it began testing last summer. ‘Retweet with comment’ allows users to embed a tweet in their own tweets, which lets them get around Independent ‘lucha libre’ wrestlers take part in a protest demanding health insurance policies that will cover them when injured in the ring, in Mexico City. In the other photograph, runners and dancers kick-off the 12th annual Scotland Run in New York’s Central Park to celebrate Scotland Week festivities. The censor board should make an exception & issue a circular to Air India pilots listing words that shouldn’t be used. Start with ‘uncle’. Omar Abdullah @ abdullah_omar WASHINGTON: Earth-like planets with two suns such as Tatooine in the ‘Star Wars’ series - may exist and could potentially support life, a new research has claimed. Luke Skywalker’s home in ‘Star Wars’ is the desert planet Tatooine, with twin sunsets because it orbits two stars. So far, only uninhabitable gas-giant planets have been identified circling such binary stars, and many researchers believe rocky planets cannot form there. Now, mathematical simulations show that Earth-like, solid planets such as Tatooine likely exist and may be widespread. Tatooine sunsets may be common after all,’ concludes the study by astrophysicists Ben Bromley of the University of Utah and Scott Kenyon of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. ‘Our main result is that outside a small region near a binary star, (either rocky or gas-giant) planet formation can proceed in much the same way as around a single star,’ they wrote. ‘In our scenario, planets are as prevalent around binaries as around single stars,’ said researchers. ‘The ‘made easy’ part is really saying the same recipe that works around the sun will work around Tatooine’s host stars,’ said Bromley. ‘When planets form around a binary, the binary scrambles up the dust bunnies unless they are on just the right orbit,’ Kenyon said. Scientists call that a ‘most circular orbit,’ which in reality is a not-quite-circular, oval-shaped orbit in which the entire oval has numerous little waves in it, Bromley said. VOICE MAIL Wrong place Sir, A garbage bin permanently placed near a shrine in Naickammar Street in Mambalam looks no good both for the devotees visiting the place and the residents. Sadly, the bin overflows very often and the passersby are forced to inhale the bad odour in the area. The place is not cleaned often and it becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies. I request the authorities to relocate the bin to another place to make the area clean and neat. Magesh, Mambalam but as the platform matures, many influential users have been devising ways of getting around the character limit so they can use Twitter as their main public communication platform instead of, say, a blog. Hence the rise of ‘tweetstorms,’ which were ini- This allows users to embed a tweet in their own tweets, which lets them get around Twitter’s 140-character limit when they write their own commentary You can slaughter men but not animals. I can think of a 100 things they can ‘Ban’ but don’t! How I hate that word BAN!! ‘Star Wars’- style planets may exist member N Surendran questioned the need for a two-year detention period without trial as countries with bigger threats such as the UK and the US had shorter detention periods. He argued that the existing Security Of- fences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) had sufficient detention periods. ‘Although POTA states that no person shall be arrested for their political beliefs or activities, it also states that the decision of the Prevention of Terrorism Board cannot be challenged unless it is on procedural matters,’ he added. Several opposition MPs said they planned to table their own version of POTA, omitting the provisions on detention without trial and the antiterrorism board. They also proposed that the High Court should have the power to decide if a suspect should be remanded. Opposition lawmakers attempted to push in three proposed amendments to the bill but were rejected. Home Minister Ahmad Zahid gave an assurance that POTA would not be abused and no one who had political differences of differing opinion would be detained under this law. Twitter’s 140-character limit when they write their own commentary. The feature is now available on Twitter’s site and iPhone app and will be available on its Android app soon. Twitter previously let user’s embed quoted tweets by cutting-and-pasting its URL, but ‘retweet and comment’ lets you do that by just pressing a button. The feature’s arrival has been heralded with much rejoicing by Twitter users. Unfortunately, you can’t embed the full retweet and comment, as I just found out to my disconcertment while preparing this post. Forcing users to truncate their rambling thoughts into pithy soundbites was one of Twitter’s original charms, tially derided by many long-time Twitter users, but show no signs of abating. Another popular way of getting around Twitter’s enforced brevity is posting screenshots of quotes from articles. This inspired the app OneShot, made as a side project by Twitter veteran Jason Goldman, a former VP of product at Twitter. Of course, hacking Twitter’s character limit is nothing new. Users have been figuring out ways to enable their loquacity since the platform was launched with products like TwitLonger and JumboTweet. The official rollout of Twitter’s ‘retweet with comment’ feature just puts an imprimatur on one kind of longform tweet. World’s oldest person dies Qaeda kidnaps 300 Syrian Kurds At 116, woman had the title for 5 days ISTANBUL: Al Qaeda’s official Syrian wing, the Nusra Front, kidnapped 300 Kurdish men in the country’s north, a Kurdish official in Syria said on Monday. Idris Nassan, an official in the Kobani canton, said the men were taken on Sunday evening as they were travelling from the town of Afrin, which is under Kurdish control, to the cities of Aleppo and the capital Damascus. ‘They left women and children but they kidnapped 300 men and young people,’ he said. ‘They captured them in Tuqad village, 20 kilometres west of Aleppo and then they moved them to al-Dana town in Idlib province,’ he said. The Nusra Front has not claimed the kidnapping. Syrian state media did not report the incident. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group, which tracks the conflict from Britain, said Kurds were kidnapped but it was not clear how many. WASHINGTON: A 116-year-old American woman, who became the world’s oldest person last week, has died after suffering complications from pneumonia. Gertrude Weaver from Arkansas became next in line to officially earn the title of oldest person when 117-yearold Misao Okawa of Japan died. Weaver fell sick on Saturday and died yesterday at Silver Oaks Health and Rehabilitation Centre. She is survived by her son, Joe Weaver, who turns 94. Weaver was fully aware of her unique place in the world and ‘knew everything’, Washington Post quoted Kathy Langley, administrator at the rehabilitation centre, as saying. ‘She was alert and oriented,’ Langley said. ‘She knew that she was the oldest person in the world, and she Gertrude Weaver enjoyed that distinction greatly. She enjoyed every phone call, every letter, every comment - everything was read to her.’ Born in 1898 as the youngest of six children in southwest Arkansas, Weaver was the daughter of sharecroppers. She once told a newspaper that her longevity was due to ‘treating everybody good’ and eating her own cooking. Weaver married Gennie Weaver in 1915, and their marriage certificate was used by researchers in July to help verify her age, according to the Gerontology Research Group, which validates ages of the world’s longestliving people. At age 104, she briefly entered a nursing home to recover from a broken hip, but she soon left the home and continued living with her granddaughter until the age of 109. Figuring out the world’s oldest person is not an easy task, and the title goes to an individual whose age can be verified by some sort of documentation who typically applies for the recognition. The world’s oldest known person is now Jeralean Talley, who was born on May 23, 1899 and will turn 116 next month, according to the group. Rebels reject Poroshenko’s proposal As the commission began work on are trying to impose from outside KIEV: Ukraine ... to destroy our unity. And constitutional reforms on Monday, Ukraine’s President Poroshenko we will not allow it,’ Poroshenko Poroshenko also said that powers said he was ‘ready to launch a told the constitutional commission. in Ukraine will be decentralized referendum if necessary.’ A rebel spokesman for the self- but not defense, security or foreign He said this while speaking at proclaimed pro-Russian rebels policy. the first meeting of a constitutional ‘Donetsk People’s Recommission set up to carry out The commission public’, Denis Pushilin, NEWS MAKER was established in political reforms required under quickly rejected the Petro Poroshenko February’s Minsk peace accord, of the day response to interThe Ukrainain leader said ‘de- tion,’ which is favored by separatist notion of working with national demands the Kiev commission. centralisation’ would concern ‘not leaders in east Ukraine. following the uprising by pro‘The people who represent DonetADDRESS YOUR LETTERS TO : regions but the city, village and ter‘Federalisation is like an infection, Russian separatists in the east of sk in Kiev do not represent us,’ The Editor, News Today, 85, Mount Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032. ritorial community” and would focus a biological weapon which they the countryIndustrial last spring. Published Balakumar on behalf of News Today Media (P) Ltd., from 85, Mount (GST Road), Guindy, Chennai 600 032 and printed by him at Pushilin Frontlinesaid. Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Estate, Guindy, or e-mailbytoK. : [email protected] / [email protected] not on Road the question of ‘federalizaChennai 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. Enterprise CHENNAI India’s iron ore imports jump manifold in FY’15 New Delhi, Apr 7 (PTI): India’s iron ore imports jumped manifold to a record 15 million tonnes in the financial year 2014-15 owing to ban on mining activities and declining global prices, a report said on Monday. A report by industry consultancy SteelMint said that FY’15 marked an all time high of 15 MT iron ore imports into India. The huge import of Iron ore last fiscal, ended March 31, by an iron ore rich India is attributed to the bans on various mines by the Supreme Court and declining global prices of the commodity. In 2013-14, the imports stood at a mere 3.2 lakh tonne. The report said the imports last fiscal were largely from South Africa (5.9 MT) followed by Brazil (3.7 MT), Australia (1.9 MT) and Oman (1.4 MT) among others. Exports were recorded at 4.5 MT during the fiscal. JSW Steel, India’s third largest steel producer imported 8.4 MT iron ore followed by Tata Steel at 3.04 MT. Other major importers were Tata International, Essar Steel and Jindal Saw. NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 7: United India Insurance Co Ltd has been recently conferred with two awards from leading publications. According to a press release, a media house selected United India as the ‘Most Consistent Performer of the Year- General Insurance’ award, based on various factors such as net sales, operating profit, net profit, balance sheet etc. Another honour was the runner-up in the ‘best health insurer’ category. These awards were presented to United India director and general manager Asha Nair at separate functions recently. Railways to rope in Amazon, Flipkart e-commerce through RuPay cards of PSBs NT Bureau/PTI New Delhi, Apr 7: E-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart have reportedly been approached by the Indian Railways to give a much needed push to the latter’s parcel business. According to a report, the railways are planning to introduce a special scheme to attract online retailers that use road transport to transfer heavy volumes. According to a report appearing in the Economic Times, the railways earns around Rs.2,100 crores from its parcel business, and this has the potential to go up to Rs.5,000 crores by 2018 if the railways manages to tap emerging businesses. If this e-commerce initiative takes off, the railways could reduce its Over 30,000 online merchants in the country now accept RuPay cards, which includes Flipkart, IRCTC, Jet airways, Snapdeal, LIC, Bookmyshow and Homeshop18 existing financial woes and use any surplus for the upgrade and modernization of rail infrastructure. India’s e-commerce market will grow to $100 billion by 2020 from $3 billion in 2013, according to a report by Morgan Stanley. The railways do feel it can offer significant cost advantage, particularly over long haul transport. Meanwhile, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on Monday said it has completed system integrations to enable e-commerce Young or old? Around 55 per cent of the survey respondents fall under the age bracket of 20-29 years, followed by 30-39 years (26%), 40-49 years (16%), 50-59 years (2%) and 60-69 years (1%). can modify occupational morbidity, mortality and injury risks that can further affect workplace absence, disability, productivity and healthcare costs. High blood pressure and diabetes are the third and fourth-largest diseases with a share of 9 per cent and 8 per cent, respectively. Other disease ailing corporate employees are spondylosis at 5.5 per cent, heart disease 4 per cent, cervical 3 per cent, asthma 2.5 per cent, slip disk 1 per cent and arthritis 1.5 per cent. The report is based on the views of 1,250 corporate employees from 150 companies across 18 broad sectors like IT/ITeS, financial services, engineering, telecom, FMCG, real estate, infrastructure, media, telecom, education, manufacturing and advertising, among others. The report included major cities like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Pune, Chandigarh and Dehradun etc. Identifying the causes of the ailments, the study found that nearly 38.5 per cent corporate employees sleep less than 6 hours a day due to high stres levels that arise out of tough targets set by employers. In terms of the physical fitness, it was found that around 57 per cent of the employees in the private companies said they ‘do not exercise at all’, 23 per cent do physical workout devoting less than 1 hour/week, 12 per cent of the employees exercise for 1-3 hours/week, 8 per cent employees exercise for 3-6 hours/week and merely 7 per cent stay fit by exercising for more than 6 hours/week. Facebook rolls out new guidelines London, Apr 7: Facebook has launched a new set of guidelines in its ‘privacy basics portal’ in an attempt to make its complicated privacy settings more accessible for users. The expanded portal now includes newly created 11 visual and interactive guidelines, which cover topics on how to ensure information is kept secure and how to recognise attempts to steal information, The Independent reported. The ‘How to keep your account secure’ section will offer advice to users on creating a strong password, identifying suspicious activity and will also tell them what to do if their account is hacked. Melissa Luu-Van, a product manager at Facebook, said in the company’s blog post that the new guidelines were launched to help millions of people who had questions about the social media website’s security tools. She noted that online threats were a growing concern for people and the social media giant hoped that the platform would help users better understand how to stay safe and secure on Facebook. The new content on the revamped guidelines is available in 40 languages and easily accessible on phones, tablets and computers. Emirates invests $6 mn to train crew Dhanlaxmi Bank gets new MD Chennai, Apr 7 (PTI): Private sector Dhanlaxmi Bank yesterday said the RBI has approved the appointment of G Sreeram as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. ‘The Reserve Bank of India has conveyed its approval for appointment of G Sreeram as MD and CEO of the bank for a period of three years... G Sreeram has taken charge with effect from yesterday,’ Dhanlaxmi Bank said in a BSE filing. transactions through RuPay cards of the public sector banks. ‘RuPay card holders of all public sector banks are now eCommerce enabled. Card-holders can now conveniently purchase rail, road and air tickets by logging into the websites of travel companies or buy goods and services from online stores’, an NPCI statement said. Multiple levels of integrations with the bank servers are required for enabling transactions like ATM usage, usage at point of sale terminals Indian economy in for good times: Morgan Videocon D2H withdraws Rs 700 cr IPO application Mumbai, Apr 7 (PTI): Predicting an average sub-5 per cent inflation this year, Morgan Stanely has said India is in for a long period of higher sustainable growth and lower prices. ‘We are more constructive on inflation outlook and we expect the retail rice index to decelerate to 4.75 per cent by this December against the consensus estimate of 5.8 per cent. We also expect growth momentum to pick up, but do not expect a rise in inflationary pressure’, says Chetan Ahya of Morgan Stanley in a note. He also notes that rural wage growth has come down to a nine-year low of 5.5 per cent in January this year from a steep 20 per cent in FY 2013. Morgan Stanley draws optimism from a slew of favourable factors, which influence retail inflation trend, such as wage growth, fiscal policy, growth-mix, real interest rates and global commodity prices. New Delhi, Apr 7 (PTI): Direct to Home services provider Videocon D2H has withdrawn its Rs 700-crore initial public offer proposal amid reports that it plans to start a fresh process to hit the capital markets. The company had filed draft offer documents with the Securities and Exchange Board of India for the proposed IPO in in September last year. However, the company through its lead merchant banker Dena Bank, LIC sign MoU Mumbai, Apr 7 (PTI): State-run lender Dena Bank on Monday signed agreement with LIC to provide insurance cover to its savings account holders under the Prime Minister’s Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJBY) scheme. Under the Memorandum of Understanding, LIC will give a life cover of Rs 2 lakh in case of death of the insured person at a nominal premium of Rs 330 per annum. Account holders in the age group of 18 to 50 years can avail of the product. People who join the and e-commerce thorough the cards. The RuPay cards, launched by the RBI-promoted NPCI, are alternative to foreign cards like Visa and MasterCard, which earn high revenue for facilitating transactions. There are 140 million RuPay cards in use at present. The state-run lenders are the most active in issuing these indigenous cards. For using the RuPay card for ecommerce transactions, a one-time user registration will have to be done at the time of the first transaction after which there would be the standard two-factor authentication process. Over 30,000 online merchants in the country now accept RuPay cards, which includes Flipkart, IRCTC, Jet airways, Snapdeal, LIC, Bookmyshow and Homeshop18. scheme before completing 50 years can continue to have the risk of life cover up to the age of 55 years subject to payment of premium. The scheme will come into effect from 1 June, 2015. The bank customers can join the scheme between 1 June, 2015 to 31 May, 2016. ‘It is a very important step towards meeting the government financial inclusion plan. This will increase the insurance penetration’, Dena Bank Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Kumar told reporters after signing the MoU. Yuvraj Singh’s new avatar New Delhi, Apr 7: As a cricketer, Yuvraj Singh is a well-known face, and now he is starting a new innings as a businessman. He is floating a venture fund that aims to support young entrepreneurs by investing in startups across sectors. Yuvi for millions of his fans, the 34-year-old cricketer will put about Rs 50 crore - mostly his own money - over a period of three to five years in the fund, YouWeCan Ventures. Yuvraj Singh The fund is expected to raise around Rs 300 crore from other investors during the period. ‘I had been thinking about this for four-five years. There are a lot of young entrepreneurs with great high-potential ideas and I plan to invest in these startups, to build their brands and companies’, Yuvaraj said to ET. Cricketers, the wealthiest among the nation’s sportspeople, are known to put money they earned playing for the country and from endorsements in businesses, but no one else has floated a venture fund. YouWeCan Ventures will primarily fund startups in healthcare, sports products, services and fashion, travel and tourism, hospitality and e-commerce. Axis Capital withdrew its offer documents on 27 March this year, as per the latest update available with Sebi. The regulator, in February, had decided to keep the processing of the company’s of f er docum ent in ‘abeyance’ following a request made by Videocon D2H in this regard. Videocon D2H Ltd, the satellite television arm of Videocon group, got listed on the Nasdaq last month. NAME CHANGE I, G.VIJAY, Son of Thiru E.Gunasekaran, born on 6th October 1993 (native district: Kancheepuram) residing at Old No.8, New.No.10, Sankaranarayanan Street, V.O.C Nagar, Pammal, Chennai - 600 075, s h a l l henceforth be known as G VIJAY SELVA. G.VIJAY Chennai, 8th July 2014 PASSPORT LOST This is to inform to the general public that I have lost my Passport issued by R.P.O / Trichy in my Name G.Kailasam. I lost the same at Pallikaranai, Chennai. Finders is / are requested to hand over the same to me at below mentioned address. G. Kailasam, C1, IInd Floor, Sri Ranga Flats, No.23, Five Furlong Road, Guindy, Chennai - 32. G. Kailasam 9884851387 MISSING I have lost my following original documents while proceeding to Madras High Court from my house in my two wheeler on 3.4.15 in IInd line Beach Road, Chennai. 1 Passport No.E 3248984 2 Election I.D. No.UKV 0285056 3 New College Membership Card 4 Dr. Zekir Hussain Membership card 5 Legal Heir Certificate Sharing my father and his younger brother are legal heir of Shaik Madhar. If anyone found the same, Contact my following address. Musathick Ali 4, Sadayappan St, Sever Wells, Chennai-1. 5 Double honour for United India Private power to public sector 42% Indian employees face depression New Delhi, Apr 7 (PTI): Nearly 42.5 per cent private sector employees in India suffer from depression or general anxiety disorder due to demanding schedules, high stress levels and performance-linked perquisites, a study said yesterday on the eve of World Health Day. Delhi ranks first in terms of number of corporate employees suffering from depression or general anxiety disorder, followed by Bangalore, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Pune. The study surveyed employees from 17 broad sectors, with maximum share coming from IT/ITes and BPO sector at 17 per cent. The rate of emotional problems such as anxiety and depression has increased by 45-50 per cent in the last eight years, the study by the industry body Assocham revealed. ‘Corporate employees have to survive the stiff global competitive environment to save their jobs, adding pressure on their health, leading to silent diseases’, Assocham Secretary General D S Rawat said. Moreover, 23 per cent corporate employees suffer from obesity which TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 MISSING We, (1). Tmt. S. Karthiyayini (Wife) (2). Tmt. S. Padmavathy (Daughter) (3). Thiru. S. Muralidharan (Son) and (4). Tmt. S. Nirmala (Daughter), are residing at No.20/13, 36th Street, Thiru Nagar, Villivakkam, Chennai - 600 049, the legal heirs of the Late. P.Sivaraman, hereby informs that the property situated in Plot No.7, measuring 1800 Sq.ft in “Lakshmi Nagar Annex Layout”, in Survey No.331/2 comprised in Patta No.522, Old No.42, New No.38, Vellanur village, Vellanur village panchayat, Villivakkam union limit, was purchased by the said Late. P. Sivaraman, registered as Document No.2162/1985 on 22.04.1985 at Registrar Office South Chennai, Sub-Registrar Office at Poonamallee. Saidapet Taluk, We are in enjoyment and possession of the said property as on date after his death as his legal heirs. In the above said circumstances the original Sale Deed has got missed while taken to take Photo copies of the said original Sale Deed at Mugappair East, Chennai on 23.02.2015. We searched for the above said original Sale Deed but, till this date we are not able to trace anywhere. If anybody found the above said original Sale Deed, please contact us immediately in the address given below. S.Muralidharan, S/o. Late. P. Sivaraman, No.20/13, 36th Street, Thiru Nagar, Villivakkam, Chennai - 600 049 Cell No: 9841676712 NOTICE My client Anusuya D/o. Perumal, residing at No.1, Theradi Street, Minjur village, Ponneri Taluk, Thiruvallur District has lost her handbag, while travelling from Minjur to Thiruvottiyur Therady in 56P Bus at about 10.00 am on 20.3.2015. In the mean time my client has lost the sale Deed in respect of S.No.149 part Plot No.52 and bearing Document No.1439/1972. Which was kept the said bag. Any person found the said bag and the doucment may kindly handover the same to my client or to me. S.Dharani Advocate No.38A, Appar Samy Koil Street, Thiruvottiyur, Chennai-19 Cell: 93823 41684 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS (Testamentary and Intestate Jurisdiction) O.P.No. 220 of 2014 In the matter of the Indian Succession Act XXXIX of 1925 And In the matter of the Last Will and Testament Of Late Amirthammal - Deceased G.Gnana Soundari, W/o. late G.G. Prakash, No.1/2, Murugesan Street, Tondiarpet, Chennai 600 081. -Petitioner --Vs-1.Mr.G.Chidambaram, S/o.late S.Gnanaprakasam, No.28, Thirunavukarasu Thottam 5th Street, Korukkupet, Chennai 600 021. 2.Mrs.M.Gnanasoundari, D/o.late S.Gnanaprakasam, W/o.Mr.Malaikani, No.10, N.N.Garden 8th Street, Royapuram, Chennai 600 013 3.Mrs.Gnanapushpam @ Janaki, D/o.late S.Gnanaprakasam, W/o Mr.Selvaraj, No.14, Baskara Street, Rangarajapuram, Chennai 600 024 4.Mrs.Bhagyalakshmi, D/o. late S.Gnanaprakasam, W/o Mr.S.Ramu, No.22/6, Nagappan Street, Korukkupet, Chennai 600 021 5.Mrs.S.Gnanaselvi, D/o.late S.Gnanaprakasam, W/o late Chelladurai, Ayanavaram, Chennai 600 023 --Respondents All persons claiming to have any interest in the estate of the above named deceased Amirthammal who was residing at No.28, Thirunavukarasu Thottam 5th Street, Korukkupet, Chennai 600 021 and who died on 13.12.1999 are hereby cited to come and see the proceedings on 15.04.2015 at 10.30 a.m. before the Learned Master sitting in the Original Side of the High Court of Judicature at Madras and file their objections, if they think fit, before the grant of Letters of Administration. Dated at Chennai on this the 30th day of March, 2015 Sd/- (S.Gurumurty) Assistant Registrar, Original Side-I, High Court of Judicature, Chennai -600 104. M/s.Amar D.Pandiya, M.Arumugam, Advocates, 86, Addl. Law Chambers, High Court Buildings Chennai 600 104 Counsel for Petitioner FORM No. URC -2 Advertisement giving notice about registration under Part I of Chapter XXI (Pursuant to section 374(b) of the Companies Act, 2013 and rule 4(1) of the Companies (Authorised to Register) Rules, 2014) 1. Notice is hereby given that in pursuance of sub-section (2) of section 366 of the Companies act, 2013, an application has been made to the Registrar at 31st March 2015 that M/s. Phoenix Logistics, a partnership firm may be registered under Part I of Chapter XXI of the Companies Act 2013, as M/s. Phoenix Logistics India Private Limited, as Company Limited by Shares. 2. The Principal object of the Company are as follows; l To take over the business of Phoenix Logistics, a partnership firm and to carry on the business of freight forwarding, steamer agency (GSA), stevedoring, clearing and forwarding, chartering, and to carry on the activities of multimodal transport operator (MTO), Main Line Operator (MLO) and / or a Non vesel operating common carrier (NVOCC) facilitating the transport of goods from door to door, involving transport by sea, air, road and/or rail as may be required and to arrange for securing or protecting the cargo against natural and/or human events which are likely to cause harm to or loss of cargo and to act as principals / agents for any concern in the shipping line including warehousing and distribution concerns and to do all that is necessary to so as such agent, including consolidating, documenting, and any other thing which may be required for the purposes of business of the Company and to handle transport of goods for complete projects and to take part in the handling of the projects themselves or to create projects for establishing facilities and services in themselves or to create projects for establishing facilities and services in the logistics industry that may be of general use or use by the company for self or for facilitating its own operations. 3. A. Copy of the draft Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Proposed Company may be inspected at the registered office at No.40, Rajaji Salai, II Floor, Chennai - 600 001 during business hours i.e. between 10.00 A.M. and 06.00 P.M. 4. Notice is hereby given that any person objecting to this application may communicate their objection in writing to the Registrar of Companies, Block No.6, B wing 2nd Floor, 26 Shastri Bhawan, Haddows Road, Chennai - 600 034, within twenty one days from the date of publication of this notice, with a copy to the company at its registered office. Dated this 7th day of April 2015 Name(s) of Applicant 1. Eric John Wynne 2. Nambi Hariharan Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, 3. M Varadharajan Dubai, Apr 7 (PTI): panied off the aircraft for Dubai-based Emirates medical attention, the airAirlines has invested more craft is usually refueled PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE than $6 million to train and en route to its original This is to inform that I This is to inform that I have obtained the proposed crew for onboard emer- destination within one to have obtained the proposed environmental clearance before gency care. Last year, two hours’, he said. All environmental clearance before the state level Environment the state level Environment Emirates delivered a total Emirates cabin crew go impact Assessment Authority impact Assessment Authority of 33,430 hours of medical through a comprehensive Tamil Nadu for the purposed Tamil Nadu for the purposed initial training protraining for cabin of at S.F.No 173/1A(P), of at S.F.No 51(P), Othivakkam gram, which crew and pilots, Puliyambakkam Village, Village, Chengalpattu Taluk, is required by ensuring they are Kancheepuram Taluk, Kancheepuram District with a the UAE Genequipped with the Kancheepuram District with a lese extend 3.14.5 ha. eral Civil Aviaright support to assist lese extend 3.16.0 ha. The same approved by tion Authority, as passengers on board, the The same approved by the SEIAA-TN/F.No.3456/ airline said in a statement. well as additional specific the SEIAA-TN/F.No.3455/ EC/1(a)/2096/2015, Dated ‘In 2013 and 2014, we training for the use of onEC/1(a)/2079/2014, Dated 01.04.2015 and copy of the diverted over 100 flights board medical equipment. 30.03.2015 and copy of the clearance available in the State This includes both practifor medical emergencies, clearance available in the State Pollution Control Board and costing more than $12 mil- cal and theory elements. Pollution Control Board and also website of the SEIAA TN The training prepares lion. Unplanned en route also website of the SEIAA TN at http://selaa.tn/gov/in and diversion of a flight has them to provide emerat http://selaa.tn/gov/in and a copy same is being sent to its own challenges and gency medical attention a copy same is being sent to the Regional Office of Ministry logistics, and in a number for situations. the Regional Office of Ministry Government and Forest, Govt. of of cases extended delays Pilots also attend training Government and Forest, Govt. of India located at Bangalore. India located at Bangalore. are experienced’, said sessions covering topics Thiru. S. Devendran, Thiru K. Gunasekaran, Adel Al-Redha, Emirates’ such as hypoxia, malaria, No. 2/22, School 1st Street, No.6, O.V. Alagesan Street, EVP & COO. dengue, trauma, CPR, and Palavakkam, New Perungalathur, ‘Once the affected pas- choking and occupational Published by K. Balakumar on behalf of News Today Media (P) Ltd., from 85, Mount Road (GSTChennai Road), Guindy, 032 and by him at Frontline Printers Chennai - 600printed 041. - 600 063. Chennai 600 senger has been accom- health issues. 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. 6 TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 Sports CHENNAI CSK set to roar at home again Squad: The story so far... How CSK has fared in the IPL tournaments since 2008 2008: Runner-up 2009: 4th 2010: Winner 2011: Winner 2012: Runner-up 2013: Runner-up 2014: 3rd Brendon McCullum RR is not about a few players: Watson Shane Watson Mumbai, Apr 7 (PTI): Rajasthan Royals are not depending on only a few match-winners but a whole lot of them this season to propel the IPL franchise’s fortunes, captain Shane Watson has said. ‘We have match winners all the way unlike in the past. To me that’s very exciting for the IPL season. With the quality we have, the most important thing is to get off to a good start. We have to hit the ground running and with the quality of players we have I think we will do it,’ said Watson at a media conference here yesterday. The Australia all-rounder reached here yesterday along with his World Cup-winning team mates Steve Smith and James Faulkner, the Man of the Match in the final against New Zealand. Also in the squad is Tim Southee, the Kiwi pacer who ended up on the losing side in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and India’s middle order mainstay Ajinkya Rahane, who was part of the team that lost to the eventual champions in the semi finals at the SCG. Dhoni the calmest captain: Hussey M S Dhoni (captain/WK), Mike Hussey, Dwayne Smith, Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina, Faf du Plessis, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Irfan Pathan, R Ashwin, Ashish Nehra, Ishwar Pandey, Mohit Sharma, Kyle Abott, Ankush Bains, Ekalavya Dwivedi (WK), B Aparajith, Samuel Badree, Matt Henry, Mithun Manhas, Ronit More, Pawan Negi, Pratyush Singh, Rahul Sharma, Andrew Tye. Coaches: Head coach - Stephen Fleming, Bowling coach - Andy Bichel, Fielding coach - Steve Rixon. X-factor Brendon McCullum; The New Zealand skipper has provided rapid starts ever since he donned the CSK colours and they have proved vital more often than not. He will be expected to go bang-bang in IPL-8 and set the tone, whether the team is setting a target or chasing. C SHYAM SUNDAR Chennai, Apr 7: That the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is the most popular among IPL fran- chises is an understatement. R Ashwin, one of the Manchester United and it would team’s mainstays not be an exaggeration to say Key players: has earlier spothat they have made big Dhoni. ken of the amstrides t o Inspirational captain bition to see and brilliant finisher, the CSK as the Jharkhand dasher will be I P L ’ s expected to lead CSK to another triumph. Raina wards and Ashwin will be the that end. other men to watch The M S out for. Dhoni-led side has set t h e benchmark for the r e s t o f t h e field with gold standard performances, though the fans would be disappointed that CSK hasn’t won the (IPL) trophy since 2011. They started the 2014 season strongly Suresh Raina and notched up six wins on the trot before and looked good for another tilt at top honours before being outbatted by Kings XI Punjab in the second qualifier. That is all part of history now. A new season beckons and after missing out on the comfort of playing at home, the powerful CSK will be happy to begin the 2015 campaign in their own den - against the Delhi Daredevils (on 9 April). Several of the players are coming off the World Cup campaign but fatigue isn’t expected to be a factor in what is going to be another long-drawn campaign. Murali’s take on spinners’ action Lankan ace sees huge role for tweakers in T20s New Delhi, Apr 7 (PTI): With the ICC cracking down heavily on spinners with suspect action, Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling coach Muttiah Muralitharan feels youngsters should try to bowl deliveries that come naturally to them. Kolkata Knight Riders turned lucky before the IPL after ace spinner Sunil Narine was cleared by the BCCI to bowl in the competition. Muralitharan, who has bagged a record 800 Test scalps, had a note of caution for youngsters -- to bowl within their limitations. ‘There is a certain degree of bend allowed and if you can’t spin the ball within that rule, then you simply can’t do it. So if they can’t bowl that delivery but still try do that, then it’s trouble. If you can bowl with a 15 degree bend then it’s fine, if you can’t, just don’t bowl it,’ the Sri Lankan spin legend told PTI in an interview. ‘There is a certain degree of bend allowed and if you can’t spin the ball within that rule, then you simply can’t do it. So if they can’t bowl that delivery but still try do that, then it’s trouble. If you can bowl with a 15 degree bend then it’s fine, if you can’t, just don’t bowl it’ - Murali to young spinners ‘Everyone cannot hit shots like Gayle. So similarly while bowling, you can’t imitate what others are doing because you might get into trouble. Like batsmen will get out while imitating a Gayle shot. These youngsters watch somebody on TV and then try and imitate it. But that doesn’t work. Some things come naturally to you. Nobody can bowl a slider as well as Wozniacki has a hit with Obama Barack Obama The White House Easter Egg Roll takes place in President’s Park on the South Lawn of the White House and for the sixth consecutive year the USTA has been involved in the event, providing tennis courts sized for kids in support of First Lady M i c h e l l e Obama’s #GimmeFive initiative to get kids active. Also among the WTA stars who went were WTA Rising Stars CoCo Vandeweghe, Vicky Duval and Alicia Black and ex-player Katrina Adams, now the USTA Chairman of the Board, CEO and President. Shane Warne can do. Some genius can do that but if you can’t just don’t do it,’ he added. The 42-year-old Murali, who has been a part of Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore as a player in the previous editions, asserts that spinners play a big part in T20 cricket. ‘In every format of the game, be it ODIs, T20 or Test cricket, you need spinners. Spinners form an impor- tant composition of your team. Every team has two or three spinners, especially in T20 cricket you have more spinners. Because spinners have more chance of getting a wicket and hence they will continue to play a big role in the shortest format,’ he said. Muralitharan adds that most of the spinners rely on the containing act in T20. ‘See 90 per cent of the bowlers are trying to contain runs. One has limited number of overs in hand, therefore batsman wants to get quick runs. They have a go from the very first ball and so the chances of getting a wicket is more. Even while trying to restrict a batsman, you can get a wicket.’ Having spent some time with his new franchise SRH, Muralitharan was hopeful about Indian spinners Karn Sharma and Parveez Rasool making it big one day. Muttiah Muralitharan Nethra sails to win in Israel Nethra Kumanan ranging from 10-14 knots with a demanding sea state of one metre waves. Nethra, a class 12 Incheon Asian Games making her the best woman Laser Radial sailor of India. Summer camps at Santhome School Santhome Higher Secondary School here is conducting the 'Santhome Annual Summer Coaching Camps 2015' in the following disciplines: Cricket, Basketball, Volleyball, Athletics and Boxing for Boys and Girls aged between 10 and 18 years (5th to 12th standard) at Santhome School grounds and Montfort Indoor stadium from 18 April to 9 May 2015. For registrations and details contact 9444140943, 9962125009, 24641468, said a press note. FSCA will conduct a tournament from 11 April to 31 May for those aged six and above at Meenakshi College. Call 98418 11912 for details. Chennai, Apr 7 (PTI): Former Australia batsman Michael Hussey called Mahendra Singh Dhoni the calmest captain and said he would Washington, Apr 7: love to have the Chennai Super Kings A number of WTA skipper’s ‘equanimity at the end of the stars past, present NT Bureau innings.’ After a season with Mumbai and future went to Chennai, Apr 7: student of APL Indians, the 39-year-old is set to once the White House Nethra Kumanan of the Tamilnadu Global school, again team up with Dhoni in IPL-8 start- Monday for the in a Sailing Association (TNSA), who is has achieved this ing Wednesday. very short period balancing her White House training in Israel has come from being ‘I would like his power. I would love to Easter Egg Roll, a beginner in 2013 to beating the fight studies at a crucial stage to conhave his equanimity at the end of the and one of those out by winning the Israel National centrate on a sailing career. This innings. Sometimes, it might look that WTA stars in particular Youth Sailing Championship 2015 in current achievement is on the back of the silver in the second leg of the I have it but I’ll tell you right now that got the photo opp of a lifeTel Aviv recently. I don’t. MS is just fantastic to bat with time - Caroline Wozniacki got to hit A press note said the event was ASAF youth cup in Hong Kong and at the end of the innings because he with US President Barack Obama. held in Tel Aviv, in medium winds a very creditable performance in the is so cool and he has got it all planned out,’ Hussey was quoted as saying by IPL website. The left-handed batsman from Australia felt Dhoni is always positive while another birdie. ‘I’m on the better side of it now,’ Augusta, Apr 7: Tiger Woods chasing big targets. Tiger Woods strolled up to his sec- Woods told reporters when asked Woods completed the front nine ‘He knows exactly what needs to be ond shot at the short par-four third how he had fared with his chipping with O’Meara, the 1998 Masters done to win the game. In a similar situ- hole and routinely hit a 35-yard pitch during his 11 holes of practice on champion, then played the 10th hole ation, I tend to panic a lot, wanting to shot at the pin that finished about Monday. on his own before coming back up get it done with as quickly as possible. eight feet from the cup to cheers at Woods arrived at Augusta Nathe par-four 18th with Larry Mize, He is very methodical in breaking down Augusta National. tional after most of the practise round who won the prized green jacket in the target into fractions and playing the It was only a practise round with old crowds had begun streaming out. 1987. Woods only announced situation. When word began circulating that friend Mark O’Meara on the Monday last week that he would compete ‘While I sometimes get nervous think- of Masters week, but it gave hope the 14-times major winner was hitting in his first Masters since 2013 ing, ‘Oh we’re falling behind the rate’, that the four-time winner of the green balls on the practice range, many after missing last year while he is very positive all the time saying, jacket might still be capable of major patrons turned back and returned to recovering from back surgery. watch him. ‘No need to worry, we are right on tar- championship magic. The pressure is on him after a twoDespite being the last pair to tee off Routine for the Woods of old, but full get’ - very assured and very confident month absence from the PGA Tour of drama for those who have cringed on the front nine, a massive throng throughout.’ that followed an abysmal stretch in Asked to compare Dhoni, Michael at the startling loss of short-game gathered at the first tee, and Woods four first way left to the eighth fairway another affirmative display, which his best finish in six official Clarke and Brendon McCullum’s cap- control that sent the former world was greeted with shouts of encour- but showed a flash of brilliance by and at the 240-yard, parevents was 69th at the British Open, sending his second over the trees to three fourth hole threatened agement. Woods, who has also been number one into a self-imposed exile taincy in the ODI World Cup, Hussey battling to get comfortable with a new since he withdrew after 11 holes at fi ve feet and made birdie. He reached to make an ace before dropping ranksaid the by Indian was the calmest of 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,hisGuindy, Published K. Balakumar on behalf swing, hit his opening shot at the parTorrey Pines on 5 February. the par-fi ve second in two shots in sinking the short putt for ing to 111th. the lot. 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. Woods shows flashes of old form at practice Mixed Bag CHENNAI Massive immunisation campaign begins ‘Mission Indradhanush beginning 7 April, catch-up campaign during April, May, June and July to cover all children upto two years and pregnant women,’ Nadda said in a tweet as the exercise began. He said the ministry had involved the Members of Parliament to publicise the mission. ‘I am greatly encouraged by the response from MPs... Massive framework put in place to monitor effective implementation of Mission Indradhanush,’ he said. Focus will be on 201 high-priority districts with largest number of partiallyvaccinated and unvaccinated children during the first phase, Health Ministry had earlier said. Under the second phase, 297 more districts will be covered. Nadda had earlier said that despite the provision of free vaccination for the past more than 30 years, only 65 per cent children in India receive all vaccines during their first years of life. 7 UNDER ATTACK SC to hear Italian marine’s plea 9 April Little mention of Hindus New Delhi, Apr 7 (PTI): Italian Marine Massimiliano Latorre, who along with a colleague is accused of killing Indian fishermen in 2012, today moved the Supreme Court seeking extension of his stay in Italy on medical grounds. A bench comprising justices A R Dave and Kurian Joseph fixed the plea of Latorre for hearing on 9 April. Latorre, who had undergone a cardiac surgery in Italy in January this year, has sought the extension saying that recently he had developed certain medical complications and the court be pleased to extend his stay on this ground. On 14 January, the apex court had granted three months extension to Latorre to stay in his country on medical grounds after the Centre said there was no objection on his plea on humanitarian ground. The bench had permitted the plea of the marine after Italian ambassador gave an identical undertaking which was given by him on 12 September, 2014, when Latorre was allowed to go to his country last year for four months for medical treatment after he suffered a stroke here on 31 August. The apex court had on 12 September last year allowed Latorre to travel to his country while taking on record an ‘unequivocal’ and ‘unambiguous’ undertaking by Latorre regarding the dates of departure and arrival back to India. coming under fire from Muslim groups Tamilnadu State BJP president Tamilisai Soundararajan, senior leader L Ganesan, former MLA Lakshman at the party’s office-bearers meeting at Kamalalayam in Chennai today. New Delhi, Apr 7 (PTI): On World Health Day, India today began a massive immunisation campaign to cover by 2020 all children who are either unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated against seven preventable diseases. Mission ‘Indradhanush’ started with a ‘catch-up’ campaign from April to July which will cover all children up to two years and pregnant women, Health Minister J P Nadda said, stressing that the programme will be monitored for its effective implementation. Depicting seven colours of the rainbow, Mission Indradhanush will provide vaccination to children against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B. The mission in addition will also provide vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis and Haemophilus influenza Type B in selected districts. TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 NT Bureau Religious conflicts are not new in India and the latest in the list are the minor explosions at Belur Math and pelting of stones by Muslim groups on a Hindu possession in Madhya Pradesh. A look at the incidents that ought to have deserved more than just a mention by the media. Also, it is surprising that the West Bengal opposition too has chosen to remain silent on the issue. Explosion & after There was tension at the Belur Math of the Ramarkrisha Mission in Howrah district of West Bengal, following two minor explosions last week. Although there was no casualty, fear of an imminent terror attack just before the Municipal elections prevailed in the city. It was termed as a firecracker blast and this became the reason for it to be under-reported. Now, forensic experts have found that it was a minor explosive which was laced with ammonium nitrate and fuel meant to cause panic in the Math. A continuing saga At the beginning of this month, at least 100 people suffered injuries in Madhya Pradesh (Neemuch District) and Uttar Pradesh when suspected Muslim youth pelted stones at a religious Hindu processions being taken out on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanthi. There was almost nil mention of this incident by the media. There have also been bomb blasts and kidnappings targeting Hindus on Hanuman Jayanti by Islamists in Pakistan and Bangladesh, where there are small Hindu minority communities. These conflicts also stem from the ideologies of Hindutva versus Islamic extremism and prevalent in certain sections of the population. The major incidences include the 1969 Gujarat riots and the 1989 Bhagalpur riots. Hindus-Christians strife States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Tamilnadu passed laws placing restrictions on forced religious conversions as a result of communal tension between Christians and Hindus. The Legislation passed in Tamilnadu was later repealed. FabIndia CEO fails to appear before officers RBI keeps policy rates unchanged Panaji, Apr 7: The top officials of FabIndia today failed to appear for questioning in connection with the voyeurism case filed against the outlet’s staff after Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani alleged last week that the store had a CCTV camera suspiciously placed near the trial room. According to PTI, FabIndia’s Chief Executive Officer Subrata Dutta and Managing Director William Bissell have sought more time before they finally appear for questioning. Goa Crime Branch had earlier issued summons to FabIndia’s CEO, Managing Director and nine other top officials asking them to remain present for the investigation possibly today. q Rajan chairs first bi-monthly review for 2015-16 Elephant kills woman in Erode Erode, Apr 7 (PTI): A 45-year-old woman was trampled to death by an elephant here, police said today. The woman Masammal along with her son and some villagers were proceeding to Bannari, about 20 kms from here, to participate a temple festival when the elephant attacked them yesterday. While others ran to safety, Masammal was trampled to death by the elephant, they said. Eight more persons arrive from Yemen Chennai, Apr 7 (PTI): Eight more persons arrived here today from strife-hit Yemen. The eight persons, hailing from Thanjavur and Madurai districts, arrived here from Mumbai in an Air India flight, airport sources said. They were welcomed by Tamilnadu government officials and later sent to their native places. Yesterday, a total of 31 persons returned here from Yemen. Mumbai, Apr 7 (PTI): Reserve Bank Governor Raghuram Rajan today kept policy rate unchanged awaiting clarity on impact of unseasonal rains on food inflation even as he wanted banks to pass on benefits of previous two rate cuts. The repo rate, at which RBI lends to the banking system, will continue to be at 7.5 per cent and the cash reserve ratio, which is the amount of deposits parked with the central bank, will remain at 4 per cent. ‘Transmission of policy rates to lending rates has not taken place so far despite weak credit off take and front loading of two rate cuts. With little transmission, and the possibility that incoming data will provide more clarity on the balance of risks on inflation, the Reserve Bank will maintain status quo,’ he said in the first bi-monthly policy review for 2015-16. Unseasonal rains and hailstorm have impacted rabi crops across Raghuram Rajan North and Western India, raising fears of spike in food prices. Rajan, who has surprised with two rate cuts of 0.25 per cent each outside the scheduled review meetings this year, however, affirmed his commitment to the accommodative stance, but added that policy moves will be shaped by incoming data and added that transmission of rate cuts by banks will be his top-most THE HIGHLIGHTS l l l l l l l l l l l l Short-term lending rate (repo) unchanged at 7.5 % Cash Reserve Ratio unchanged at 4 % Retains Statutory Liquidity Ratio at 21.5 % Estimates GDP growth at 7.8 % in FY’16, up from 7.5 % in FY’15 Forecasts CPI inflation at 5.8 % by March 2016 CPI inflation to dip to 4 % in August 2015 Hailstorms in March affected 17% of the rabi crop sown area Future rate cuts will depend on interest rate reduction by banks India better prepared to deal with volatility post US Federal Reserve rate action State cooperative banks to be allowed to set up off-site/ mobile ATMs without prior approval from RBI RBI to formulate scheme for market making by primary dealers in semi-liquid and illiquid G-Secs Second bi-monthly policy statement on 2 June priority. Apart from the transmission, other factors like food prices will also be monitored closely, he said, adding that the impact of the recent unseasonal rains will also be Tobacco: Govt working on increasing pictorial warning New Delhi, Apr 7 (PTI): Government today said it is working out details for increasing the size of pictorial warning on tobacco products from the present 40 per cent to 85 per cent after the date for its implantation was ‘extended’, an issue which sparked a major row. ‘Government is working on increasing the size of the pictorial warning from 40 to 85 per cent as the date for its implementation has been extended. But nothing can be said on its ban as it is a policy matter,’ said Health Secretary BP Sharma after inaugurating a health screening camp on the occasion of World Health Day. The Centre had stayed the decision to increase the size of pictorial warnings on tobacco products, which was Clean filth coming out of MP’s mouth: Sena Mumbai, Apr 7 (PTI): Slamming BJP’s silence over its MP Dilip Gandhi’s controversial comment supporting tobacco, the Shiv Sena today took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has taken a broom to clean dirt from roads, but who will clean the ‘garbage spilling out from people’s mouths’. The Sena also mocked the MP for backing tobacco consumption, saying he should be awarded a ‘Nobel prize’ for his surprising discovery that tobacco consumption does not lead to cancer. ‘For coming up with this surprising discovery that tobacco does not cancer, Dilip Gandhi does not need a doctor. He needs to be given a Nobel Prize. The MP has gone to the next level of discovery and has thereby stunned all those who oppose tobacco,’ the BJP ally in Maharashtra said in an editorial in its mouthpiece ‘Saamana’. to come into effect from 1 April , after a parliamentary panel, looking into the guidelines for sale of tobacco, said that it needs more time to deliberate on Renovated American Library opens the issue. Comments of some of the members of the panel including BJP MPs Shyam Charan Gupta, a beedi baron, and Dilip Gandhi, that there was no Indian scientific evidence that links smoking with cancer had triggered outrage. Health Minister J P Nadda, however, had insisted that the government was committed to its stand on increasing the size of pictorial warning and curbing tobacco consumption in all its forms and have informed the panel on the same. The Health Ministry has joined hands with the World Health Organisation to celebrate World Health Day whose theme this year is ‘From Farm to Plate, Make Food Safe’. Speaking on the occasion, Sharma urged people to make food safety a priority. ‘It is time we should address the issue of food safety which is a growing public health concern,’ he said. monitored closely. ‘Reserve Bank stays vigilant to any threats to the disinfl ation that is underway,’ he said, expecting that the price rise situation has so far faired according to its estimates. On the transmission mechanism, the RBI said it will encourage banks to move to the marginal-cost-of-funds-based determination, which is ‘more sensitive to changes in the policy rates’. Only a few banks namely Union Bank of India and State Bank of Travancore have cut their base rates in the last four months by 0.10 per cent each, as against the 0.50 per cent cuts by RBI. The banks have held on to the elevated rates even in the face of one of the lowest credit growths in recent years, which is hovering under the 10 per cent mark till now. Vasan’s plea to Centre NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 7: TMC president G K Vasan today requested the Central government to provide 50 per cent extra rate for the farmers for production of grams. In a statement issued here, he said ‘Farmers suffer because of different acts that allows the Central government to take over the their lands and not giving the required rate for the products they produce. Hence, I request the Agricultural Commission to look into the issues that deter the life of the farmers and see that they get 50 per cent extra rate as they are dissatisfied with the 10 per cent rate given now’. He also urged the government to provide the required facilities for the farmers in time so that they can have a good harvest. KKR gears up for another tilt at title NT Bureau Kolkata, Apr 7 (PTI): armoury now in- Finch will give an edge to Mumbai Chennai, Apr 7: cluding a ‘Nar- Indians. Keen to put the Sunil Narine conThe US Consulate General in Chenine-like’ KC Caritroversy behind them, Kolkata Knight In MI, KKR will have an opposition nai opened its renovated American appa, a rookie Riders will begin their title defence who have tasted their maiden IPL win Library here today. It was inaugurated from Karnataka against a formidable Mumbai Indians by US Consul General Phillip Min. in this very surface in 2013 when the who was bought side in the IPL cricket opener at the With a treasure trove of over Rohit Sharma-led side beat Chennai for Rs 2.4 crore, Super Kings. Eden Gardens, here tomorrow. 14,000 books now, the library startand a couple of The West Indies mystery spinner, ed its operations in 1947, with just a But their title defence went horribly chinaman bowlwho was reported for suspect action collection of 800 books at US Conwrong in 2014 when they suffered five ers, KKR will look to thrive on the slow in CLT20 and went on to miss the suate at Dare House. The present consecutive defeats but managed to nature of Eden surface. recently-concluded World Cup, was home of the library was opened in make the last four after a dramatic But with evening showers predicted kept waiting before getting a clean 1969 when the current American win over Rajasthan Royals but lost to in the city, the spinners may fi nd it chit by the BCCI on Sunday. Consulate General building was Chennai Super Kings in the eliminator hard to grip the white ball and the A team which has gone on to win opened on 3 January, 1969. to finish fourth. fielders will also have to put forth their two titles (2012 and 2014) since the Speaking at the inauguration, PhilThe chief architect of the win against sliding act carefully. UN Consul General Phillip Min with public affairs officer Ariel H Pollock acquisition of the Trinidad off-spinner lip Min said, ‘Since its establishment RR, Anderson, who smashed an On the fi eld, both the sides match at the inauguration of the renovated American Library in Chennai today. in 2011 faces the biggest challenge in 1947, the American Library in unbeaten 95 from 44 balls, will once equally on paper but with little bagthis year as Narine’s effectiveness Chennai has played a special role The library offers a 50 per cent dis- through May 2015. The American with a re-modelled action is yet to gage of the past and some hard- again play a crucial role along with this in the relationship between the count on individual membership(Rs Library, located at Gemini Circle be seen. hitting players in Corey Anderson, year’s star acquisition in Australian people of the United States and for Today annualMedia membership and 85,inMount Chennai, reached at Chennai Published by K. Balakumar on behalf of200 News (P) Ltd., from Road can (GSTbeRoad), Guindy, 600 032 of and printed in bytheir him at Kieron Frontline Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, Pollard and new signing Aaron With a slew spinners opener Finch. South India.’ 400 for two-year 28574000. Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor:Rs K. Balakumar. Phone:membership) Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000. 8TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 , CHENNAI Licensed to post without prepayment under WPP. No. TN / PMG / (CCR) / WPP-470 / 15-17 Playing Modi will be massive responsibility: Paresh Narendran Modi DEAL WITH WHEEL Paresh Rawal The yet-to-be titled film, which will go on the floors in August, will be produced by Rawal, the actor’s second production venture after Oh My God! A ctor Paresh Rawal is eagerly looking forward to the shooting of the Narendra Modi biopic and feels it’s a massive responsibility as an artiste to don the role of Indian Prime Minister. The yet-to-be titled film, which will go on the floor in August, will be produced by Rawal, the actor’s second production venture after Oh My God! ‘I will start shooting the Narendra Modi biopic from August. It’s a massive responsibility being an actor to portray a leader of such great stature. He knows that I am playing him in his biopic,’ Rawal told reporters here. For the Modi biopic, the national-award winning actor says he will have to research a lot before starting the shoot, adding he will not mimic him. ‘Like the way I did during my stint in playing Sardar Patel in the film ‘Sardar’, here also I have to do loads of photo reading and listen to his speeches. But I will not mimic him. I will try to capture his spirit. I know very well that I can never look like Modi,’ said the Ahmedabad MP, who was in the capital for the promotion of his upcoming film Dharam Sankat Mein. In Dharam Sankat Mein, awal is sharing screen space with veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah, whom he considers his inspiration. ‘It’s always a joyride to work with him. It’s a learning process for me. He is not only a good actor but also a good human being. I want to have timeless, truth and depth-like Naseer bhai in my career. He has always been my inspiration,’ he said. Rawal will be seen next in Hera Pheri 3 and Oh My God! 2. — PTI Vaz to represent India in Miss International 2015 A afreen Rachel Vaz, who won the Femina Miss India 2015 runner-up title, will be representing India at the Miss International 2015 pageant at Tokyo on 5 November. She was accorded a warm welcome at Mangalore International Airport where she arrived from Mumbai on Monday. Vaz is a model and brand ambassador of Mangaluru based ‘Fashion ABCD’. Speaking to reporters, she said she was excited to be back in Mangaluru and thanked the people of the city for supporting and encouraging her. — PTI Aafreen Rachel Vaz Vidhu Vinod Chopra F Grammy winner all praise for Rahman M BHARAT KUMAR usician Rickey Kej is the youngest Indian to win the Grammy, the highest award for any musician, when he collaborated with South African flautist Wouter Kellerman for Winds of Samsara. Their album fetched them the Grammy for best New Age Album. Born in USA and brought up in Bangalore, Rickey grew up listening Hindustani classical and Bollywood music. Though music was his passion since childhood, his parents wanted him pursue his education before taking music seriously. Rickey, a self taught musician, after completing dental course, took music as his career. The acclaimed musician, who turned 33 recently, was in Chennai Monday. Speaking to News Today, Rickey opens his heart out on music, Grammy and his future plans. M Q: HAS THE GRAMMY HONOUR CHANGED YOUR LIFE? Vidhu Vinod spills beans on Hollywood debut ilmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra says it was pure madness on his part to unlearn everything at the age of 62 and begin from scratch for his Hollywood debut ‘Broken Horses.’ ‘After 3 Idiots, spending five years directing this movie was madness and passion, there is no logic in it. It could have turned either way but I am happy that people like James Cameron and Alfonso Cuaron have praised it,’ Chopra told PTI. ‘I come from Hindi medium and at 62, I unlearnt everything to make this film.’ Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan launched the trailer of the movie which is set against the backdrop of US-Mexico border gang wars. It releases globally on 10 April. Lage Raho Munnabha’ writer Abhijat Joshi has penned the script of ‘Broken Horses’ with Chopra. The film has an international star cast in Full Metal Jacket star Vincent D’Onofrio, ‘Star Trek’ actor Anton Yelchin, Chris Marquette and Maria Valverde. The director-producer, whose filmography includes Parinda, 1942: A Love Story, Eklavya: The Royal Summer vacation is on and children are having a whale of time by skating at Sivan Park in K K Nagar. A: It has opened lots of doors for me. It has energised me to carry on with the music which I have been doing over the years. I can say something very clearly, that my music is straight from my heart, and this award has encouraged me to continue creating music from the heart. Q: TELL US ABOUT WINDS OF SAMSARA AND COLLABORATION WITH WOUTER KELLERMAN? Y O U R A: We knew each other’s music for several years. I used to listen to his music and I loved it. We had once met online and appreciated each other’s works. It was only three years ago, when we personally met each other and decided to work together. I must share one thing that I am a huge fan of Mahatma Gandhi while he loves Nelson Mandela. I had composed a song on Gandhi he had done the same on Mandela. We instantly connected with each other and shared the compositions. We travelled together, met several musicians, recorded, had tons of fun and in two years we had created Winds of Samsara. Q: WHO WERE YOUR INSPIRATIONS IN MUSIC? A: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Pandit Ravi Shankar and Peter Gabriel have always inspired me as a musician. I love them as they broke cultural barriers and were never afraid of experimentation. Rickey Kej Guard besides the Munnabhai series, 3 Idiots and PK, said he knew he had a good script and that gave him courage to follow his dream. He, however, rubbished that the movie was a remake of Parinda saying reworking the same story would have been boring for him. Chopra is one of the most successful producers in Bollywood today and he credits his success to his genuine love for cinema. ‘I am not driven by money. I am in films because this is what I love to do. This is why my movies don’t replicate each other. — PTI Q: ARE YOU A GREAT FAN OF A R RAHMAN? A: I am his great fan. I grew up listening to his albums. He has taken Indian music around the globe. Wonderful music arranger too, he uses the traditional instruments to perfection in his songs. He always tries to come up with new sounds. Q: WHAT’S YOUR NEXT? A: An album called To Unite All with Peter Gabriel which is an album for healing and peace in middle east, especially Gaza, it is a concern we both have - the organisation that Saif-Ekta in three-film deal? After the Humshakals debacle and the average performance of Happy Ending, Saif Ali Khan has decided to become a little more experimental with genres. Though he has often played the suave Casanova in films, his other roles in films like Ek Hasina Thi, Being Cyrus and Omkara were highly appreciated. Hence, Saif Ali Khan has decided to opt for a different strategy while choosing films and has signed a three film deal with Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Motion Pictures is a step towards it. According to reports, Sujoy Ghosh’s thriller based on Japanese novel, ‘Devotion of Suspect X’ happens to be the first of the three-film deal. There are two other films, which remain untitled as yet. It will certainly be interesting to see how Saif and Ekta’s deal finally shapes up on celluloid. On the other hand, Saif Ali Khan will be soon seen with Katrina Kaif in the upcoming action drama directed by Kabir Khan titled Phantom. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala in association with UTV, the film is slated to release on 28 August. — PTI Jon Bon Jovi to give speech at University Q: DO YOU THINK INDEPENDENT MUSICIANS CAN SURVIVE IN INDIA? A: Being a musician we need to find the right audience and I found it abroad. I am fortunate that I found an audience outside India. In India, maybe, people would love my music, but the radio and television do not play any non-Bollywood music here. Hence, it was difficult for me to penetrate my music deeper and reach out to the large audience in this country. In India, Bollywood is primarily dominating the music paradigm. Photo: B ANAND I am a great fan of Rahman. He has taken Indian music around the globe. He uses traditional instruments to perfection. He always tries to come up with new sounds Rocker Jon Bon Jovi will give a speech at a US college graduation ceremony next month. The Bon Jovi star will talk to students at Rutgers University in Camden, New Jersey, where he often does charity work, reported Billboard magazine. He will also receive an honourary degree, along with Criminal defence attorney Bryan Stevenson, who will also be giving a speech at the event. ‘Famed musician, philanthropist, and native New Jerseyan Jon Bon Jovi is the founder and frontman of one of the world’s best-selling musical acts, Bon Jovi, which has sold more than 130 million albums worldwide...,’ it read. — PTI Aamir Khan beats SRK, Salman again A fter four years of ‘3 Idiots’ crossing the 200 crore mark, only few films broke the 200 crore milestone - Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Chennai Express’ (2013) and Salman Khan’s ‘Kick’ (2014) along with Aamir Khan’s own film- ‘Dhoom 3’ (2013). However, in trade circles, the constant buzz was that no one has been able to touch the ticket sales of ‘3 Idiots’. Until now, the only film to have had a ticket sales of 3 crore was ‘3 Idiots’. That has been the total capacity of any Hindi film. ‘PK’ has made Rs 340 crore at the India box office and has reached a magical figure of 3.5 crore ticket sales at the box office, beating Aamir’s previous best. ‘PK’ has emerged as the top ‘ticketed’ film in India, even leaving behind Rajkumar Hirani and Aamir Khan’s previous collaboration 3 Idiots which has been ken that record and risen to the top Rajkumar Hirani shares, ‘It’s a great topping the chart all these years. by an additional 50 lakh tickets. So feeling when two films very close the total sales of ‘PK’ sums upto 3.5 to your heart get such appreciaThe success of a film is also measured crore tickets. Vidhu Vinod Chopra tion from the audience. As for this by the tickets it has sold at the theatres. who has been a producer on both one, I’m glad that people liked the So far, ‘3 Idiots’ which had garnered the films was overwhelmed when concept. Moreover, I’m happy that immense appreciation held a record he heard about this. Vidhu Vinod people even in the interiors have among the Bollywood films in India Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani and Aamir liked this movie. I’m glad for everyof selling the highest tickets. The film, Khan have been record holders one associated with the film as each which has a very high repeat value, sold since ‘3 Idiots’ and now they have person has worked very hard.’ about 3 crore tickets across the country. broken their own record with PK. — PTI But Raju and Aamir’s ‘PK’ has broPublished 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 K. Balakumar. 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